Civics 101
Thursday 9
STATE OF STATE EMPLOYEES Texas State Employees Union (12,000 strong) meets to discuss the anti-government siege that could claim their pensions. 5:45-7:30pm. AFL-CIO Hall, 1106 Lavaca, 448-4225. Free.
Friday 10
CAP METRO CUSTOMER CELEBRATION To celebrate a million more MetroRail trips in nine months, Cap Metro is telling its riders "You're One in a Million," serving donuts and coffee, and giving away passes and deals with local businesses. See website for details. Stations throughout Austin.
WORLD ENDS BY OCEAN FISHING Bob Schroeder discusses 62 years of stripping the oceans of life and, you know, the fate of the world. Join him. 7-9pm. Brave New Books, 1904-B Guadalupe (downstairs), 320-0511. Free. www.bravenewbookstore.com.
Saturday 11
TANK DEPOT RAINWATER HARVESTING EXPO Thinking about harvesting rainwater? Talk to rainwater consultants or check out the class schedule to learn about irrigation water savings. Free pizza sweetens the deal. 9am-4pm. Tank Depot, 3303 RR 620 N.. wlancaster@tank-depot.com.
Sunday 12
TEXAS OBSERVER SUNDAY: PUBLIC EDUCATION Hear about Texas school districts' take on overtesting, No Child Left Behind, and more. 6-8pm. 5604 Manor Rd. rjensen@uts.cc.utexas.edu, www.5604manor.org.
Tuesday 14
SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS SERIES: TRANSPORTATION Learn sustainable business practices regarding reducing cost, maximizing efficiencies, and more. Fees cover refreshments, parking, and materials. Businesses completing six of the seven courses get a certificate from the city. 201 E. Second. $25/session, $105/series.
Thursday 16
BLACK AUSTIN DEMOCRATS Learn about helping out with the Travis County Democratic Party's coordinated campaign efforts. 6pm. 11th Street Station, 1050 E. 11th #100, 512/391-2331. www.11thstreetstation.com.
ISRAEL AND PALESTINE: MYTHS AND REALITIES Glenn Frankel, a Pulitzer Prize winner who retired from the Washington Post and is the director of UT's School of Journalism, hosts a discussion of the forces at work in this ongoing conflict. 7pm. 5604 Manor Rd. www.5604manor.org.
Ongoing
SIGN THE SAVE TEXAS SCHOOLS PETITION Tell state leaders it's time to stop underfunding our schools and overtesting our kids. Add your name and help keep Texas smart!
REFRIGERATOR RECYCLING Recycle your old, working fridge before Sept. 8 for a chance to win $500. Austin Energy provides free pickup and gives a $50 rebate for units of 14-27 cubic feet (limit two). Schedule online, then email a picture of the appliance and your contact info to be entered in the drawing. Winner announced in mid-September. 800/452-8685. www.austinenergy.com. donylle.seals@austinenergy.com.
COMMUNITY CHALLENGE Mayor Lee Leffingwell challenges Austinites to develop creative solutions to challenges in city life. National winner receives a $5 million grant; the rest of the top 5 receive $1 million. Submissions due Aug. 15.
AUSTIN NEW YEAR Wait, it's only August! That gives prospective participants (performing artists, musicians, etc.) plenty of time to email a one-page proposal with project details and a budget. Deadline Sept. 4. kevin.shaw@austintexas.gov.
VOLUNTEER DEPUTY VOTER REGISTRAR TRAINING Help register voters for the Nov. 6 election now by becoming a Volunteer Deputy Registrar. Simply attend a one-hour training session. Volunteers must be 18 years or older. Weekdays through Oct. 8, 10:30am Travis County Tax Office, 5501 Airport, 854-9473. Free. tax_office@co.travis.tx.us, www.traviscountytax.org.
ANTI-BULLYING CAMPAIGN October is National Anti-Bullying Month, and to celebrate, the Travis County Sheriff's Office is inviting K-6 students to color an anti-bullying poster for a contest.
EARLY VOTING Early voting for the Nov. 6 election continues through Friday, Nov. 2. See our endorsements or follow all our election coverage at austinchronicle.com/elections.
BLANKET DRIVE Share the warmth and donate new or gently used blankets, towels, and pillows to five area nonprofits – including Austin Children's Shelter and SafePlace – via city newcomers Sleep Experts. Through Thanksgiving Sleep Experts locations or the Girl Scouts of Central Texas.
SAVE THE DATE TO SAVE TEXAS SCHOOLS Join Diane Ravitch, former TEA Commissioner Robert Scott, and Houston's Kashmere High marching band to stand up for kids and schools on Feb. 23. Say no to brutal budget cuts, a broken testing system, and looming school vouchers. Say yes to a quality education for all kids!
INSIDE BOOKS PROJECT The all-volunteer nonprofit works to get books in the hands of inmates all year round, but it needs extra help during the holiday season. Make a financial donation online, or give your time be helping fill packages in 2013.
CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING Oh, tenenbaum. If you're not a curbside customer, don't forget you can recycle your Christmas tree at one of these locations around town before Jan. 12. Through Jan. 12. Monday-Friday, 7am-5pm; Saturday, 7am-noon Austin Community Landfill, 9900 Giles; Williamson County Landfill & Recycling Center, 600 Landfill Rd.
NO DRAMA DEMOCRACY This continuing ed course from ACC seeks to reform political relationships by encouraging tolerance and proving why liberal/conservative labeling is irrelevant. Limited slots available; register now. Austin Community College Continuing Education. $120. www.austin.cc.tx.us.
TRAVIS COUNTY SHERIFF VOLUNTEERS Victim Services Unit is seeking volunteers who are over 21 and have a reliable car and cell phone to work four four-hour shifts per month for a year. The next training session begins March 18. See website for complete details.
FREE TAX PREPARATION Go online for a list of locations, hours of operation, a list of forms to bring, and other helpful tips to prepare your tax returns with the help of a professional. Participants must make less than $50,000 a year. Through Mon., April 15 610-7374. Free.
SLOW MONEY AUSTIN SPRING PITCHFEST DEADLINE Slow Money Austin is looking for local food and sustainably minded business who are trying to raise money to grow. They have been soliciting short, two- to three-minute pitch videos from local entrepreneurs and the deadline is March 18. Go online for more info.
PARKS & REC LIFEGUARD RECRUITMENT The city is looking for a few good lifeguards, pool managers, and swim instructors. Call to find out more. 400 Deep Eddy Ave.
BUDGET IN A BOX How should Austin spend its money? Let city leaders know. Participants will be asked to decide to increase, decrease, or maintain current funding levels for common city services. Accumulated feedback will be taken into consideration as the city develops its proposed 2014 budget this summer. 512/974-2324.
