Civics 101
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.
Friday 28
FOOD FOR BLACK THOUGHT This symposium explores past and present relationships between the black community and the food system. See website for schedule and speakers. 11am-9:30pm. Jester Rm. A232 (UT campus) and Carver Cultural Center, 1165 Angelina. geonaya@gmail.com.
JEB SPRAGUE speaks about his latest book, Paramilitarism and the Assault on Democracy, and the stifling of Haitians' democratic aspirations in the past two decades. 7pm. 5604 Manor Rd. rjensen@uts.cc.utexas.edu, www.5604manor.org.
Saturday 29
DRUG TAKE-BACK DAY Austin Police partner with the DEA to help residents safely and anonymously discard expired and unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medicines and needles. See website for locations throughout the state. 10am-2pm. Various locations. Free.
FOOD FOR BLACK THOUGHT This symposium explores past and present relationships between the black community and the food system. See website for schedule and speakers. 11am-6pm. Jester Rm. A232 (UT campus) and Carver Cultural Center, 1165 Angelina. geonaya@gmail.com.
Sunday 30
DIANE RAVITCH gives a talk titled "The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice are Undermining Education." Listen up. 2-4pm. Eastside Memorial High School.
Monday 1
CENTRAL LIBRARY PLANS UNVEILED Take a virtual tour of the Seaholm District redevelopment and see the plans for the new Central Library. 7pm. Austin History Center, 810 Guadalupe, 974-7400. Free.
Tuesday 2
THE ECONOMY IN 2013 – NOW WHAT? UT Austin McCombs School of Business Dean Tom Gilligan shares his view of what 2013 will look like in terms of investments and economic growth. 7-9am. AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center, 1900 University Ave., 475-6423. $25, includes full breakfast buffet. gayle.hight@mccombs.utexas.edu, www.meetattexas.com.
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT Heighten crime awareness and strengthen community and police relations by spending a few hours out with your community. Turn on your porch light, lock your door, and join police, EMS, and the rest of Texas out on our collective lawn. (The rest of the nation took part in August; we're dodging the heat with this fall date.) 5-7pm.
LIVEABLE CITY 10TH ANNIVERSARY Liveable City breaks out the party hats to celebrate its first decade of research, education, and advocacy aimed at keeping Austin more liveable. 6-8pm. The Driskill Hotel, 604 Brazos, 512/474-5911. $35. www.driskillhotel.com.
WHY BOTHER? Young Texans talk about low civic participation and amplifying their voices in this series about democratic engagement. 7-8pm. KLRU's historic Studio 6A. Free.
Wednesday 3
PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE WATCH PARTY Watch Barack Obama and Mitt Romney face off (8-9:30pm) in this event co-hosted by Burnt Orange Report, Texans for Obama, University Democrats, and the Travis County Democratic Party. 7-10:30pm. Cuatros, 1004 W. 24th, 512/243-6361. www.cuatrosaustin.com.
Thursday 4
EJC ANNIVERSARY AND GOLF TOURNEY Celebrate the Equal Justice Center's 11th year of serving low-wage working men and women by playing some mini golf. Admission covers food and one round, but tack on a bottomless beer cup for an extra $5. 6:30-8:30pm. Peter Pan Mini-Golf, 1207 Barton Springs Rd., 512/472-1033. $25; $5, kids; $10, students. www.peterpanminigolf.com.
MEET SENATE CANDIDATE DAVID COLLINS Green Party Senate candidate David Collins visits Austin for a Q&A. 7-9pm. Madras Pavilion, 9025 Research #100, 512/719-5575. Free. likeguinnes@gmail.com, madraspavilionaustin.com.
THE CLIMATE FIGHT Climate scholar Bill McKibben, named by Time as "the planet's best green journalist," speaks about his area of expertise, sponsored by the UT Journalism School and Third Coast Activist. 7pm. Belo Center for New Media Auditorium, northeast corner of Dean Keeton and Guadalupe. https:.
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.
