Happenings

For more events, see Community Listings.

Friday 14

V-DAY CELEBRATION V-Day is an annual event calling for an end to violence around the world against women and girls, with a special focus this year on the abuses against military women at the hands of their fellow soldiers. V-Day founder Eve Ensler presents an evening of live music and a special performance of her award-winning play, The Vagina Monologues. Tonight's proceeds benefit the Katrina Warriors Network, the Service Women's Action Network, and Austin's Settlement Home for Children. 6pm. Enchanted Forest, 1412 W. Oltorf. $15. www.vdayaustin.org.

Saturday 15

MILLION MUSICIANS MARCH FOR PEACE Bring signs, instruments, or pots and pans, and make some noise for peace as the fifth anniversary of the war in Iraq approaches. Rally at the Capitol before proceeding to City Hall, where the Rev. Peter Johnson speaks, followed by live music. Noon-4pm. www.instrumentsforpeace.org.

Sunday 16

PETLAND PROTEST Spay Austin Coalition joins other animal advocates to protest pet chain Petland. Join the protest, or call or e-mail for more details. Noon-2pm. Petland, 9900 S. I-35 #400, 656-6299. [email protected].

WEEKLY PUBLIC AFFAIRS FORUM Join guest speaker Mohammed al-Bedaiwi, who'll discuss everything from the fundamentals of the Muslim faith to hot-button issues like jihad and terrorism. Sundays, 11:30am-12:30pm. First Unitarian Universalist Church, 4700 Grover, 452-6168. Free. www.austinuu.org.

YELLOW BIKE DRIVE Bring used bikes to REI today for donation to the Yellow Bike Project's Earn-a-Bike, Youth Education, Earth Day, and Bike Month programs. 11am-7pm. REI, 601 N. Lamar, 482-3357. www.rei.com.

Tuesday 18

MEETING ON AISD SUPERINTENDENT CRITERIA The East Austin Social Action Coalition hosts a meeting to develop criteria for hiring a new AISD superintendent. All are welcome. 7pm. Greater Calvary Baptist Church, 6510 Berkman, 470-8261. [email protected], www.greatercalvary.org.

Wednesday 19

THE U.S. IN IRAQ: FIVE YEARS OF WAR & TWO DECADES OF AGGRESSION Join the Rev. Jim Rigby, UT professor Robert Jensen, and musician Eliza Gilkyson, the co-founders of the monthly salon-style gatherings known as Last Sunday, for a program marking the five-year anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. 7:30pm. St. Andrew's Presbyterian, 14311 Wells Port, 471-1990. www.thirdcoastactivist.org.

Thursday 20

INSIDE LOOK AT GUANTANAMO: A MUSLIM CHAPLAIN'S STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE A talk and booksigning from James Yee, the U.S. Army officer and Guantánamo Muslim chaplain accused of spying and espionage in 2003 and the author of For God and Country: Faith and Patriotism Under Fire. 6pm. UT School of Law, Townes Hall 2.114. Free. www.robertstrausscenter.org/events/view/40.

Ongoing

BECOME A WORKERS' RIGHTS EDUCATOR The Workers Defense Project seeks Spanish speakers interested in educating immigrants about workers' rights in Texas. Training provided. See www.workersdefense.org for more info.

CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY Learn what it's like to work in the Austin Police Department, and ride along on a real patrol shift with an officer. The Citizens Police Academy is now accepting applications for its next 12-week session, scheduled to begin April 8. Tuesdays, 1:30-4:30pm. 974-6202. www.cityofaustin.org/police.

EAST AUSTIN VOTE! CAMPAIGN seeks volunteers to man booths at community events around East Austin, registering voters in time for the May 10 municipal elections. Southwest Key East Austin Community Center, 6002 Jain, 633-4312. [email protected], www.swkey.org.

INPUT REQUESTED ON CAPITAL METRO SERVICE CHANGES Capital Metro wants to hear your thoughts on the proposed summer bus-route changes to be implemented June 8. Visit www.capmetro.org for information; feedback welcome via phone or e-mail. 474-1200. [email protected].