Public Notice

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The Teenth of June

Juneteenth, that's when the slaves were finally pronounced "free" here in Texas: June 19, 1865, which might as well have been the Twelfth of Never, as it came just over two and a half years after it was declared nationally. Jeeeez. Still, despite the fact that Texas was a little slow on the uptake when it came to freeing the slaves, we do boast the honor of being the only ongoing national annual recognition of the emancipation. Says a lot about U.S. as a country, don't it? We celebrate not only a day for veterans (Veterans Day), but a day for dead veterans (Memorial Day); we celebrate the sketchy "discovery" of our turf (Columbus Day); we even celebrate those dead guys on so much of our money (Presidents Day). Hey, not to begrudge any of those guys their due, but somehow, it seems we can't find it in our collective heart to acknowledge the one time when we actually got it right.

Crikey, even South Africa, which has at least as much as we do to be embarrassed about, has a slew of official public holidays that either celebrate when they finally began to "get it right" or acknowledge -- urging citizens to never forget -- the days and events when things went terribly, terribly wrong. They've got Freedom Day in April, commemorating their first national democratic elections in 1995. There's Human Rights Day and Youth Day, which acknowledge the dark days of the Sharpeville Massacre and Soweto uprisings, respectively. Heck, even their National Women's Day, National Heritage Day, and Day of Reconciliation earmark some significant turn for the better in their turgid history.

Interestingly enough, back here in the USA, efforts are underway to establish an official day marking the end of slavery. Up in Washington, Congressman Tony Hall (D-OH) (wait, isn't that Homer Simpson's constituency?) is working toward getting an official apology for slavery passed. And the day they hope to make the official U.S. emancipation day? Why, June 19, of course. In D.C., folks will simultaneously be celebrating the second annual National Day of Reconciliation & Healing as we commemorate our long-standing Juneteenth.

Austin's Eastside will be brimming with activities (and we can only hope that some day, the rest of town will see fit to join in), including the Coalition of Austin Black Artists exhibition beginning Thursday, June 21, featuring the work of well-known artists like colorful "Bydee Man" Brian Joseph and glass etcher extraordinaire Regina Thomas at the George Washington Carver Museum & Cultural Center, 1165 Angelina. Carver also invites kids to get in on the art action on Junteenth proper at the Juneteenth Sidewalk Chalk Talk contest with free cookies, lemonade, and of course, chalk! 472-4809.

Locally, there are lots of cool events: Check our community listings (p.80) for more info.

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Skating the Edge

Yeah, we wrote about it last week ... It bears repeating: This Saturday, June 16, 2pm-midnight, Austin will celebrate its first-ever Summer Skate & Music Fest at the Dog & Duck Pub, 17th & Guadalupe, along with pals Tekgnar Skateshop. There will be plenty o' keg beer and great food. There will be a demo of local skate Team ATX all day long, a huge raffle, and music courtesy of the Wannabes, Buck Tooth Do Over, Get It On Productions, Excess Lettuce, and more. It's all to support the Skate Austin Association's efforts to build Austin's first public skatepark. Tubularrrr. www.austinskateboards.com or 472-7343.

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Do They Take Flood Pants?

The United Methodist Committee on Relief, Texas Conference is pulling together Emergency Response/Relief for the Flood Victims of Tropical Storm Allison. UMCOR is coordinating with FEMA to distribute to folks most in need. The efforts are funded entirely by donation. That, of course, is where you come in. Donations of funds, emergency goods/supplies can be sent to: UMCOR, 475 Riverside Dr. #330, New York, NY (please mark it with the following: "Advance#982350-4 -- 2001 Storms") or deliver to any local United Methodist Church.

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Are You Trashy?

Hey, homeowners and house renters: City of Austin's Pay-as-You-Throw is changing a tad. While they will still accept your $2 stickers for any trash over your bin's limit, they will also now accept other trash without the stickers, but will assess a $4-per-bundle fee when you go over. www.austinrecycles.com or 494-9400.

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Other People's Fabulous Crap

We don't have to tell you how great thrifting around Austin is. Yard sales rock this time of year what with all the dearly departing rich college kids tossing away perfectly good sofas and the like in Dumpsters across Central Texas. But why Dumpster dive when so much can be had so cheap at the AGLIFF Annual Garage Sale this Saturday, June 16, 8am, at the Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC), 600 River, one block south of Cesar Chavez and two blocks west of I-35? It all benefits the Austin Gay Lesbian International Film Festival, and anything that doesn't sell, gets donated to Top Drawer Thrift Store, benefiting Project Transitions. What a deal! www.agliff.org or 302-9889.