https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2008-08-29/666579/

Res Publica

August 29, 2008, News

Thursday28

DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION WATCHING PARTIES Don't wanna sit home watching Obama's big speech all alone? Join fellow Dems at one of several parties tonight: TCDP-CC party, 7-10pm, Scholz Garten, 1607 San Jacinto, 472-8683; Annie's List party (kicks off with a happy hour and music from Marcia Ball; register online), 5-10pm, the Belmont, 503 W. Sixth, www.annieslist.com, $15-25; Great Hills Democrats party, 7pm, Baby Acapulco's, 9505 Stonelake Blvd.; Generation Obama party (RSVP online), 7:30pm, Cap City Comedy Club, 8120 Research #100, www.my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gply7m.

TEXAS GREEN NETWORK MEETING 4-7pm. Barr Mansion, 10463 Sprinkle Rd. [email protected], www.texasgreennetwork.org.

Friday29

KOOP RADIO People United (1pm) observes Labor Day with a discussion about sex work as a labor issue, with burlesque dancer Lynn Krug and sociologist Chauntelle Anne Tibbals. Alternative Radio (2pm) features author Susan Faludi. KOOP Radio 91.7FM. www.koop.org.

Sunday31

WEEKLY PUBLIC AFFAIRS FORUM features a presentation on the changing face of the U.S. labor movement. 11:30am. First Unitarian Universalist Church, 4700 Grover, 452-6168. Free. www.austinuu.org.

Tuesday02

COMMUTER CHALLENGE BEGINS TODAY Kick your car habit this month, and win prizes; special awards go to businesses with the best employee participation. See www.rcride.com for details. Sept. 2-21.

FACE THE HOMELESS FILM FESTIVAL A day of movies featuring the homeless and made by them, too – presented by the Texas Homeless Network. Don't miss the debut of Homeless World Cup documentary Kicking It, followed by a Q&A with players from Austin's own street soccer team. 8:30am-5pm. Alamo Drafthouse at the Ritz, 320 E. Sixth, 687-5103. $75, full event; $25, feature presentation. www.originalalamo.com.

Wednesday03

DEMOCRACY FOR TEXAS MEET UP Get deputized as a voter registrar, hear all about the national convention from special guest Rep. Mark Strama (right), and more. 6:30pm. Scholz Garten, 1607 San Jacinto.

TEXAS NORML MONTHLY MEETING 8pm. Genuine Joe Coffeehouse, 2001 W. Anderson, 220-1576. Free. www.texasnorml.org.

URBAN RAIL MEETING The city wants your input on the UT/Mueller/Manor Road portion of the streetcar proposal that would connect this section of town with the airport, the East Riverside corridor, the Long Center, the Central Business District, and the Capitol. 9-11am. Rosewood Recreation Center, 1182 N. Pleasant Valley. www.cityofaustin.org/downtown/downloads/dap_rail_brief_072408.pdf.

Thursday04

JOSEPH GALLOWAY discusses his new book, We Are Soldiers Still, co-written with Lt. Gen. Hal Moore as a follow-up to the now 15-year-old classic We Were Soldiers Once ... and Young. 7pm. BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar. www.bookpeople.com.

URBAN RAIL MEETING: DOWNTOWN CORE AREA (See Wednesday.) 9-11am. City Hall Council Chambers, 301 W. Second.

POLITICAL ACTION BOOK CLUB Join in the discussion of George Lakoff's Don't Think of an Elephant!, followed by a brainstorming session on changing the world for the better. 6:30pm. Wells Branch Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr., 989-3188. Free. [email protected].

Your Thoughts On ...

... GROUNDWATER STEWARDSHIP We all know the Edwards Aquifer needs a lot of TLC, but so do those who provide it, which is why the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District wants to give stewardship awards to those who have gone the extra mile to take tender loving care of Central Texas' groundwater. If someone you know deserves recognition for their water-loving ways, be sure to submit your nomination at www.bseacd.org. Through Sept. 30. 282-8441.

... NAMING A NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL Set to open its doors next fall, the new middle school under construction at 7412 Slaughter needs a name. Submit your ideas at www.austinisd.org.

... THE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization wants your input on proposed changes to various transportation projects around the region. Visit www.campotexas.org to fill out the questionnaire, or attend the Sept. 8 Transportation Policy Board public hearing: 6pm, UT Thompson Center, Dean Keeton & Red River.

Ongoing/Upcoming

REGISTER VOTERS Become a deputized voter registrar (it's easy), and help the Travis Co. Democratic Party get out the vote. Saturdays, 9am-1pm or noon-4pm. Wednesdays, 2-6pm or 6-9pm. Travis Co. Coordinated Campaign HQ, 11th & I-35. [email protected], www.traviscountydemocrats.org.

SUPPORT THE CLIMATE RIDE On Sept. 20, 100 cyclists will ride from New York City to Washington, D.C., where they'll go to Capitol Hill and demand meaningful legislation on renewable energy resources and global warming. Help fund their awareness campaign (and, in particular, the work of Austin's participant, Austin Climate Protection Plan manager Jake Stewart) by pledging a few dollars at www.climateride2008.kintera.org/jakesride.