PostScripts

Last week I promised news of a National Writers Union local, so here's the scoop: The principals are Chris Garlock, a Rochester native who is now an Austinite currently producing Jim Hightower's radio show, The Chat & Chew Cafe; Michael King, an associate editor at The Texas Observer; and Paul Jennings, a technical writer living in Houston. According to Garlock, there are already about 50 local NWU members who are currenly considered at-large NWU members; NWU has 5,000 members nationwide and has taken a foremost stand in the publishing world recently on issues like electronic publishing and national budget legislation that affects writers. Organizers have no intention of duplicating or competing with the Austin Writers' League's services, though they do see a need for a local here in Austin, as currently there is no local anywhere in Texas. Interested writers need not have an overly politically involved resumé and though they shouldn't expect a tea party when joining the Union, joining is a great opportunity for Austin's writing community to further grow and bond. The NWU takes all sorts, from book authors to journalists to technical writers. They'll be meeting the last Thursday of each month at Scholz Garden at 7pm, this month August 28. Here's what it takes to get involved: You don't necessarily have to be published, but must show proof of written material. Dues are income-based on an honor system. If interested, attend this month's meeting or call Chris Garlock at 477-5588 or e-mail houstonnwu@aol.com.

Dichos, Cuentos y Mas

Texas Folklife Resources hosts the last installment of their Language of Tradition series that hones in on the spoken word as a means of investigating community identity Saturday, August 23 at 7:30pm at the Dougherty Arts Center. Saturday's program features Norma Elia Cantu, professor and author of Canicula: Snapshots of a Girlhood en la Frontera, Rep. Norma Chavez (D-El Paso), Secretary of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus, Rolando Hinojosa-Smith, Chicano novelist, Valerio Longoria, conjunto accordionist, and Alejandro Solis, storyteller. Rose Reyes, director of the George Washington Carver Museum, is mistress of ceremonies. TFR's summer series has been so popular that for this go-round they're taking reservations, though admission is still free. If you make reservations and don't show up by 7:15, you lose, buddy, as they'll give your seats away. Call 320-0022 to reserve.

Right to Vote

Barnes & Noble Westlake co-sponsors a panel discussion on Saturday, August 23 at 5pm to commemorate the August 26, 1920 Congressional ratification of the 19th Amendment providing women the right to vote. A Voice of Our Own:Leading Women Celebrate the Right to Vote will be the lead-off point. Maria Mercado, Galveston attorney and author, will be present, as well as Rep. Sherri Greenberg (D-Austin), and Evelyn Bonavita; moderator will be Dana DeBeauvoir, Travis County Clerk.

From Tejano to Texana

Join Barnes & Noble Westlake's Texana Book Discussion Group on Wednesday, August 27, 7:30pm for a visit from Claude Stanush and David Middleton, authors of The Newton Boys: Portrait of an Outlaw Gang, as told to them by Willis and Joe Newton.

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Book news for "Postscripts" must be received at least one week prior to issue date. Mail to: The Austin Chronicle, PO Box 49066, Austin TX 78765 or fax 512/458-6910.