Happenings

For more events this week, see Community Listings.

THURSDAY, AUG. 9

IT TAKES A COMMUNITY: LOCAL GOVERNMENT AT WORK Austin Independent School District customer service coordinator Beverly Reeves kicks off this new monthly speaker series with New Horizons at AISD. 7pm. North Village Library, 2139 W. Anderson, 458-2239. Free.

NO NUKES Join Public Citizen, Sierra Club, and Sustainable Energy and Economic Development for a screening of 1979's The China Syndrome and a presentation on nuclear power. 8pm. Jo's Hot Coffee, 1300 S. Congress, 477-1155. Free. www.joscoffee.com.

U.S. SOCIAL FORUM REPORT Learn what the recent U.S. Social Forum in Atlanta accomplished by gathering community and grassroots groups and activists to discuss their experiences and develop strategies for making change. 7-9pm. Resistencia Bookstore, 1801-A S. First, 416-8885.

FRIDAY, AUG. 10

AUSTIN FREEDOM FEST Willie Nelson fights the good fight, benefiting the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana, and the Marijuana Policy Project. See p.86 for more. 7pm. The Backyard, 13101 Hwy. 71 W., 263-4146. $52-62. www.austinfreedomfest.com.

HIROSHIMA/NAGASAKI TRIBUTE Hosted by the Austin Center for Peace & Justice and the American Friends Service Committee. 6:30pm. Town Lake pedestrian bridge. Free.

PERMACULTURE: SUSTAINABLE DESIGN INSPIRED BY NATURE features useful tips for the environmentally conscious, covering everything from local food to green building to community activism. 9:15am. Ruta Maya, 3601 S. Congress Ste. D-200, 707-9637. Free with cafe purchase. www.rutamaya.net.

SUNDAY, AUG. 12

AUSTIN PROJECT FOR A PARTICIPATORY SOCIETY BOOK GROUP meets to discuss this month's book, Cynthia Kaufman's Ideas for Action: Relevant Theory for Radical Change. 2pm. Carver Library, 1161 Angelina, 974-1010. Free. www.thirdcoastactivist.org.

JAILHOUSE ROCK is a benefit for the Texas Jail Project, which works to improve the conditions inside Texas jails. Hear from TJP co-founder Diane Wilson, Petra Montoya, and others who know firsthand about those conditions, and enjoy performances from Carolyn Wonderland, Jo Carol Pierce, and Genevieve Van Cleve. See p.22 for more on the Texas Jail Project. 6-10pm. Jovita's, 1619 S. First, 447-7825. $10 (suggested donation). www.texasjailproject.org.

TUESDAY, AUG. 14

SAVE ANTIOCH COLLEGE Yellow Springs, Ohio's Antioch College has a legacy of progressive activism and counts among its alumni such notable figures as Coretta Scott King. With the board of trustees looking to shut the school down, former students, including presenter Tim Eubanks, are banding together to try to keep the institution going. 7pm. MonkeyWrench Books, 110 E. North Loop, 407-6925. www.antiochians.org.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 15

WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL DEDICATION CEREMONY The state formally dedicates the Texas World War II Memorial to the 830,000 Texans who served in the war, with a ceremony and tribute featuring Maj. Gen. Robert Ivany. 10am. Texas state Capitol grounds, outside the east entrance to the Texas Supreme Court, 239-5505.

THURSDAY, AUG. 16

CITY COUNCIL CLEANS THE POOL DAY Join the Austin City Council (9am) for updates on the Barton Springs Master Plan, presentations on drought and flood needs, and a tour led by city biologist Laurie Dries. (E-mail info@friendsofbartonspringspool.org to RSVP.) Afterward, the pool-cleaning shifts begin at 10:15am and run all day; e-mail service@friendsofbartonspringspool.org to sign up. Barton Springs, 2101 Barton Springs Rd., 476-9044. www.friendsofbartonspringspool.org.

ONGOING

NOKOA: THE OBSERVER celebrates its 20th anniversary, after two decades of dedicated coverage of Austin's minority communities.

SKATE PARK? YES, PLEASE Join in the effort to build a skate park in Pflugerville. Show your support at the upcoming City Council meeting (Tuesday, Aug. 14, 7:30pm), or e-mail for details on other ways to help. Pflugerville City Hall, 100 E. Main St. #100. wmpatmccord@aol.com.

PUBLIC HEARINGS: CITY BUDGET PROPOSAL Comment on aspects of the city budget proposals for the fiscal year 2007-2008 at these hearings, which follow daytime presentations on the topics. Community Service Departments, Thursday, Aug. 9, 6pm. Public Safety Departments, Thursday, Aug. 23, 6pm. Infrastructure Departments, Thursday, Aug. 30, 6pm. Austin City Hall, 301 W. Second, 974-2220. www.ci.austin.tx.us.