Civics 101
Thursday 6
ASIAN AMERICAN STUDIES UC Santa Barbara professor George Lipsitz, a social movements and inequality expert, talks about why Asian-American studies matter now. 3:30-5pm. Avaya Auditorium (ACES 2.302, UT campus).
CAP METRO BUDGET OPEN HOUSE Review the transit org's proposal for Fiscal Year 2013, and discuss components of the $274.4 million budget. 5-8pm. Capital Metro Headquarters, 2910 E. Fifth. www.capmetro.org.
Friday 7
CAP METRO SERVICE INPUT WEBINAR The last set of thrice-yearly service changes just went into effect, but Cap Metro already wants your input on the next proposals, including extensions in South Austin, Domain connections, and more. noon.
Monday 10
AFFORDABLE HOUSING FORUM Join special guest Frank Fernandez in this Kirwan Institute forum on affordable housing and other vital services. Email to RSVP. 5:30-7pm. 1000 E. 11th, fourth floor conference room. housingforums@austintexas.gov.
Tuesday 11
SINGLE-MEMBER DISTRICTS TOWN HALL Advocates for the 10-1 plan and the 8-2-1 hybrid plan will be in attendance, including Charter Revision Committee members, at this event hosted by East Austin Voter Mobilization Initiative. 6:30pm. Southwest Key Community Center, 6002 Jain.
Wednesday 12
AISD BOARD OF TRUSTEE FORUM NO. 1 Learn more about the candidates before the AISD board of trustees election Nov. 6. Sponsored by the Coalition To Strengthen Austin Urban Schools. 7-9pm. Space12, 3121 E. 12th, 512/524-7128. www.space12.org.
Thursday 13
DEMOCRACY AND THE NEW ECONOMY Gar Alperovitz speaks on "Democratizing the Emerging Economy," with insights on cooperative ownership, the failures of capitalism, and more. 7pm. 5604 Manor Rd. $10. www.5604manor.org.
AISD BOARD OF TRUSTEE FORUM NO. 2 Learn more about the candidates before the AISD board of trustees election Nov. 6. Sponsored by Education Austin. 7-9pm. Texas State Teachers Association, 316 W. 12th, 877/275-8782. www.tsta.org.
Ongoing
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.
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.
