Civics 101

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.

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:.

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.

Saturday 6

WORKSHOP ON LAW AND PERSONHOOD Three sessions ask participants to recharacterize corporations through art and focus on corporate personhood in terms of "cultural lag" following the Citizens United decision. Some materials provided. noon-4pm. 5604 Manor Rd. kimberly.jarrett@sbcglobal.net, www.5604manor.org.

ALLAN BOESAK was a leader against apartheid, and he'll speak this evening about religion that oppresses and liberates. A panel discussion with state Rep. Senfronia Thompson and area reverends will follow. 1:30-3:30pm. St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 14311 Wells Port Dr., 512/251-0698. www.staopen.com.

TRUST AUSTIN RALLY FOR PROP. 3 Join Austinites for Geographic Representation in rallying in support of Proposition 3, which would create 10 geographic districts for City Council members. 3-5pm. Park Pavillion, 5908 Manor Rd.. Free.

Sunday 7

HOODSTOCK IV benefits Under the Hood Cafe & Outreach Center at Fort Hood. Staff from Under the Hood and members of Iraq Veterans Against the War will be on hand to talk about their work. 3-7pm. Jax Neighborhood Cafe CLOSED. $15 suggested donation.

Tuesday 9

VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE Step one of performing your civic duty is registering to vote. Don't forget; today's the last day!

Wednesday 10

BEYOND COAL EVENING OF ACTION Picnic by the Deep Eddy Pool and enjoy several awesome activities for kids. 6-9pm. Eilers Park, 401 Deep Eddy Ave., 477-1729 x118. Free. flavia.delafuente@sierraclub.org.

ACTIVISM AND THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Soros Justice feloow Gail Tyree discusses her work with Grassroots Leadership. Tyree is organizing a network of opponents to for-profit prisons and jails. Light refreshments follow. 7:30pm. Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, 100 E. 27th, 512/472-6736. www.austinseminary.edu.

Thursday 11

ANOTHER VICE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE WATCH PARTY Watch VP Joe Biden and Rep. Paul Ryan with the Burnt Orange Report and Travis County Democrats. 7-10pm. Brew Exchange, 706 W. Sixth.

VICE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE WATCH PARTY Join the Austin Young Republicans as they watch Paul Ryan and Joe Biden face off in this debate. Congressional nominee Roger Williams (for district 25) will be there too. Refreshments provided. 7:30-9:30pm. Third Base, 1717 W. Sixth, 887-0680. Free. www.thirdbaseaustin.com.

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.