Naked City

Envision Central Texas, a five-county citizens coalition focused on regional planning, will hold the first in a series of planning workshops Friday, Sept. 13 from 7:30am to noon at the Convention Center, 500 East Cesar Chavez. For more info, call 476-5461.

On Saturday, Sept. 14, insurance industry nemesis Melinda Ballard will discuss her efforts to hold companies accountable for their anti-consumer efforts and actions related to homeowners' mold claims. Ballard, who has founded a national consumers group called Policy Holders of America, won a $32 million settlement related to the destruction of her Dripping Springs home and medical problems suffered by her husband and son. 2pm, Manchaca Library, 5500 Manchaca (at Stassney). Ballard's speech takes place during the endorsement meeting of the nonpartisan political reform group Independent Texans, whose meeting runs from 1-5pm. For more info, visit www.independenttexans.org.

On Monday, Sept. 16 at 7pm, the American Friends Service Committee, School of the Americas Watch/Austin, and other groups will present human rights advocate Sandra Alvarez of Global Exchange, who will discuss "Colombia: Voices From the Movement for Peace & Justice." The daughter of Colombian immigrants, Alvarez is leading Global Exchange's effort to educate Americans on the U.S. role in war-torn Colombia. She will speak on the 50-year-old armed conflict, the impact of U.S. policies on the wars on drugs and terrorism, and other issues. Center for a Gift Economy, 109 Johanna St. For more info, call 474-2399 or email [email protected].

The Austin Lesbian/Gay Political Caucus will hold a candidate forum and endorsement meeting at 7pm Wednesday, Sept. 18 in the AFL/CIO auditorium at 11th and Lavaca. Prior to the meeting, candidates' responses to an ALGPC questionnaire will be posted on the group's Web site, www.outaustin.org.