Civics 101

Thursday 20

BLACK AUSTIN DEMOCRATS MEETING This meeting will be half about the propositions on the November ballot and half a mini forum for ACC candidates. 5:30pm. 11th Street Station, 1050 E. 11th #100, 512/391-2331. www.11thstreetstation.com.

BICYCLE ADVISORY COUNCIL seeks new members. Come to its monthly meeting tonight to see what it's all about and pick up an application. 6-8pm. Austin City Hall, 301 W. Second, 512/974-2220. www.austintexas.gov.

WATER CONSERVATION WORKSHOP Utility customers are invited to comment on the proposed rules for the Water Conservation Code. 6:30-9pm. Waller Creek Center, 625 E. 10th.

Friday 21

MEDICAID RALLY Tell Gov. Rick Perry he can't throw Texans under the bus! Join the seven-block march from AFLCIO (4:45pm) to the AT&T Conference Center (5:15pm). Charter buses will inch alongside for those unable to march. 4pm. 210/621-7628.

Monday 24

HIGH-STAKES TESTING FORUM Talk about STAAR and educational accountability with experts from all over the field; Carolyn Heinrich, director of the LBJ School's Center for Health and Social Policy, will moderate. Register online. 7-9:30pm. LBJ Auditorium, 2313 Red River, 512/471-2787. Free.

Tuesday 25

NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAY Register now for the Nov. 6 elections and help boost the state's shameful voter turnout numbers. Stop by the voter registration drive at the Tax Office, or print off an application online. 9am-5pm. Travis County Tax Office, 5501 Airport, 512/854-9473. www.traviscountytax.org.

HILL COUNTRY CONSERVANCY Come learn about the projects on the ballot for the Nov. 6 bond election, and learn how they could affect you. Panelists, including Mayor Lee Leffingwell, will be moderated by Bond Election Advisory Task Force Member Jeb Boyt noon-1pm. Green Pastures Restaurant, 811 W. Live Oak, 512/444-4747. www.greenpasturesrestaurant.com.

Thursday 27

HISPANIC VOTE 2012: UNDERSTANDING OUR STRENGTH The fourth annual Hispanic Leadership Summit focuses on the role of the Latino vote in the Nov. 6 elections. noon-5pm. Etter-Harbin Alumni Center, 2110 San Jacinto, 232-6778. $30, general public; free, students. vanessa.stotts@mccombs.utexas.edu.

WDP 10TH ANNIVERSARY Celebrate a decade with the Workers Defense Project, and join in honoring Linda Chavez-Thompson, Dolores Huerta, and Cristina Tzintzún. Catering by Cafe Rebelde and music by Morena Sould and Cerronato. Legacy ticket holders are invited to a 6pm reception. 6:30pm. Seton Administration Offices, St. Vincent de Paul Auditorium, 1345 Philomena, 391-2305. $30; $60, Legacy tickets.

NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE Get inspired by Gandhi's famous words – "You must be the change you wish to see in the world" – in honor of his birthday. Kickoff happens tonight, and service projects extend all through Saturday. 6:30-8:30pm. South steps of the Capitol, Congress & 11th.

Ongoing

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.