Civics 101

Thursday 30

YMCA EARLY LEARNING READINESS PROGRAM A free community program for qualifying low-income families that focuses on preparing children ages 2-4 for school, while providing their caregivers with the tools to facilitate their child’s development. Classes are offered twice a week in English and Spanish and last one hour. English: Mondays & Wednesdays, 9am; Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10:30am. Spanish: Mondays & Wednesdays, 10:30am; Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9am. Online, 512/322-9622. Free. austinymca.org.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING Council returns to the dais for the first time in almost four weeks with a packed 165-Item agenda. Items from Council address the proceeds from Zilker Park’s Zilker Eagle miniature train and the creation of a joint Austin/Travis County Public Health Commission, among other business. 10am. City Hall, 301 W. Second. austintexas.gov.

TEXAS VOTER REGISTRATION WEEK PHONE BANK Join the Texas Democratic Party in calling Texas voters who have recently moved and helping them re-register to vote. A computer and a phone are required; no experience is necessary. Tue., Sept., 28 & Thu., Sept. 30, 5:30-8:30pm; Sat.-Sun., Oct. 2-3, 2-5pm Remote. Registration required. texasdemocrats.org/events.

Saturday 2

BUILD A TABLE Volunteers with experience using cordless drills, screwdrivers, and measuring tape are wanted to help build picnic tables for Austin ISD campuses. Sat., Oct. 2, 8-11am & 11am-2pm Austin ISD Service Center, 5101 E. 51st. austinisd.org.

WOMEN’S MARCH ATX Grab your face masks and protest signs and head over to the Capitol to make your voice heard in supporting reproductive health and abortion rights. 9am-Noon. Texas State Capitol, 1100 Congress. fb.com/groups/womensmarchatx.

INDEPENDENT CITIZENS REDISTRICTING COMMISSION PUBLIC FORUM Following the ICRC's adoption of the preliminary map of Austin's new Council districts, the public is invited to view the map and provide feedback. 11am. Travis County Community Center at Oak Hill, 8656 Hwy. 71 W. Ste. A-100. speakupaustin.org/city-of-austin-redistricting.

TEXAS VOTER REGISTRATION WEEK PHONE BANK Join the Texas Democratic Party in calling Texas voters who have recently moved and helping them re-register to vote. A computer and a phone are required; no experience is necessary. Tue., Sept., 28 & Thu., Sept. 30, 5:30-8:30pm; Sat.-Sun., Oct. 2-3, 2-5pm Remote. Registration required. texasdemocrats.org/events.

Sunday 3

TEXAS VOTER REGISTRATION WEEK PHONE BANK Join the Texas Democratic Party in calling Texas voters who have recently moved and helping them re-register to vote. A computer and a phone are required; no experience is necessary. Tue., Sept., 28 & Thu., Sept. 30, 5:30-8:30pm; Sat.-Sun., Oct. 2-3, 2-5pm Remote. Registration required. texasdemocrats.org/events.

Monday 4

YMCA EARLY LEARNING READINESS PROGRAM A free community program for qualifying low-income families that focuses on preparing children ages 2-4 for school, while providing their caregivers with the tools to facilitate their child’s development. Classes are offered twice a week in English and Spanish and last one hour. English: Mondays & Wednesdays, 9am; Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10:30am. Spanish: Mondays & Wednesdays, 10:30am; Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9am. Online. Free. austinymca.org.

CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL CALLED MEETING Council meets with the Capital Metro Board of Directors and the Austin Transit Partnership Board of Directors for a staff briefing and discussion on partnership agreements and potential amendments and waivers to City Code, regulations, and fees to implement Project Connect. 1pm. City Hall, 301 W. Second. austintexas.gov.

Tuesday 5

AJC GENERAL BODY MEETING Learn about the work Austin Justice Coalition is doing and how you can get involved. Join in person or on Zoom. Tue., Nov. 8, 6:30pm 1605 38 1/2 St. and on Zoom. austinjustice.org.

YMCA EARLY LEARNING READINESS PROGRAM A free community program for qualifying low-income families that focuses on preparing children ages 2-4 for school, while providing their caregivers with the tools to facilitate their child’s development. Classes are offered twice a week in English and Spanish and last one hour. English: Mondays & Wednesdays, 9am; Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10:30am. Spanish: Mondays & Wednesdays, 10:30am; Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9am. Online. Free. austinymca.org.

TRAVIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT VOTING SESSION See agenda for details. 9am. Travis County Commissioners Court, 700 Lavaca, 512/854-9020. traviscountytx.gov/commissioners-court.

CIRCULAR MEET-UPS: LET'S CLOSE THE LOOP A networking opportunity for local business owners, start-ups, and sustainability professionals across all industries to connect and learn more about Austin’s circular economy. Noon-1pm. Online. Free (registration required). austintexas.gov/circulareconomy.

URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION SPECIAL CALLED MEETING New business covers the Project Connect racial equity anti-displacement tool, Project Connect Red Line design update, and the selection of representatives for the Downtown Austin Plan working group. 5pm. City Hall, 301 W. Second. austintexas.gov.

LEGALLINE On the first Tuesday of every month, obtaining good, simple legal advice is easy. Just call 512/472-8303 for LegalLine, the free legal advice hotline sponsored by Austin Lawyer Referral Service. Attorney volunteers can answer questions and give brief legal advice concerning many areas of law. First Tuesdays, 5:30-7:30pm 512/472-8303. Free. austinlrs.com.

AUSTIN ISD EQUITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING The EAC provides recommendations and counsel on matters related to equitable outcomes in resource allocation, evaluation, policies, and practices. 5:30-7:30pm. Online. austinisd.org.

Wednesday 6

YMCA EARLY LEARNING READINESS PROGRAM A free community program for qualifying low-income families that focuses on preparing children ages 2-4 for school, while providing their caregivers with the tools to facilitate their child’s development. Classes are offered twice a week in English and Spanish and last one hour. English: Mondays & Wednesdays, 9am; Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10:30am. Spanish: Mondays & Wednesdays, 10:30am; Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9am. Online. Free. austinymca.org.

INTRODUCTION TO COOPERATIVES: STARTING A WORKER CO-OP This class covers the basics of the cooperative business model and opportunities to start a worker-owned co-op in Austin. 6-8pm. Online. Free (registration required). austintexas.gov/smallbiz.

Thursday 7

YMCA EARLY LEARNING READINESS PROGRAM A free community program for qualifying low-income families that focuses on preparing children ages 2-4 for school, while providing their caregivers with the tools to facilitate their child’s development. Classes are offered twice a week in English and Spanish and last one hour. English: Mondays & Wednesdays, 9am; Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10:30am. Spanish: Mondays & Wednesdays, 10:30am; Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9am. Online. Free. austinymca.org.

APPOINTMENTS PROJECT WORKSHOP Women who are interested in serving on city boards and commissions are invited to attend public training sessions hosted by Council Member Alison Alter (Oct. 7) and Mayor Pro Tem Natasha Harper-Madison (Oct. 29). Noon. Online. Free (registration required). united-we.org/ap-overview.

Ongoing

DRIVE-THROUGH VACCINE CLINIC VOLUNTEERS If you're interested in volunteering at Travis County's drive-through vaccine clinic at COTA, sign up here. Clinic open: Fridays-Sundays Travis County Expo Center, 7311 Decker. centraltxvaccs.org.

ACL ZILKER PARK ACCESS Beginning Sept. 20, the Parks and Recreation Department will close Zilker Park and select roads and street lanes in preparation for the Austin City Limits Music Festival (Oct. 1-3 & 8-10). View the city’s interactive map for more details and a schedule of park and road closures. Sept. 20-Oct. 17 Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Rd.. austintexas.gov/page/pard-facilities-closures.

ZILKER PARK VISION PLAN COMMUNITY SURVEY As part of the engagement process for the first-ever Zilker Park Vision Plan – the guiding framework for the park’s restoration and future development – community members are invited to share their thoughts on the park’s programming. Deadline: Sept. 30 Online. austintexas.gov/zilkervision.

SOUTH PLEASANT VALLEY ROAD IMPROVEMENTS SURVEY The city is gathering comments from residents about how they currently use South Pleasant Valley Road between St. Elmo Road and Onion Creek Park and how they would like to use the road to help guide future changes to the corridor. Deadline: Oct. 10 Online. data.austintexas.gov/stories/s/South-Pleasant-Valley-Road/b375-n8jt/.

YWCA GREATER AUSTIN WARMLINE Call 512/548-9922 for support amidst the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mondays-Thursdays, 9am-8pm; Fridays, 9-5pm; Saturdays, noon-4pm Citywide. ywcaaustin.org.

ARC OF THE CAPITAL AREA WILDFLOWER PROGRAM In collaboration with Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, The Arc offers classes for adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities focusing on social-emotional growth, vocational studies, life skills, active recreation, and Texas nature. Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9am-2pm Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse. $150-300 per month. arcaustin.org/wildflower.

DRIVE SAFE 2 SAVE COMPETITION Safe 2 Save, in partnership with Austin Transportation’s Vision Zero program, is hosting a competition to find Austin’s “safest driver” to discourage distracted driving and phone use. The competition features weekly cash prizes of $500, with the top three winners receiving prizes at the end. Through Oct. 15 safe2save.org/greater-austin-safe-driving-competition/.

TRANSPORTATION CRITERIA MANUAL UPDATE The TCM defines the rules, requirements, and technical guidelines for building mobility infrastructure in Austin. The city’s Transportation Department has worked to update the manual over the past two years; the current draft of the revised TCM is available for public review now through Nov. 1. Deadline: Nov. 1 Online. austintexas.gov/street-design.

AUSTIN STRATEGIC MOBILITY PLAN SURVEY Austin Transportation Department seeks community members’ feedback on three new policy changes to the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan, the city’s first comprehensive, multimodal transportation plan. Ongoing Online. austintexas.gov/asmp.

LEGALLINE Call 512/472-8303 for free legal advice concerning family law, criminal matters, traffic problems, consumer issues, landlord/tenant issues, and employment law. Attorneys who are bilingual (English/Spanish) are also available. First Tuesdays, 5:30-7:30pm 512/472-8303. Free. [email protected], austinlrs.org.

TPWD COMMUNITY OUTDOOR OUTREACH PROGRAM GRANT TPWD’s CO-OP grants provide funding to tax-exempt organizations for programming that engages under-served populations in TPWD mission-oriented outdoor recreation, conservation, and environmental education activities. Deadline: Nov. 1 Online. tpwd.texas.gov.

FORD BUILD TO CONNECT This multiday outdoor event includes displays of Ford’s all-electric F-150 Lightning truck and Mustang Mach-E SUV models. Oct. 15-24. Mon.-Fri., noon-9pm; Sat.-Sun., 9am-8pm Republic Square, 422 Guadalupe, 512/381-1147. Free. fordautoshows.com/built-to-connect.

AUSTIN LGBT CHAMBER HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE Austin’s queer business chamber hosts its annual drive for new (and unwrapped) toys, clothing, and shoes for local children. Donations will go to children and families enrolled in LifeWorks programs and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Travis County programs. See here for a list of drop-off locations and suggested donations. Through Dec. 10 Multiple locations. austinlgbtchamber.com/toydrive.

PRIMARY ELECTION DAY WORKER Over 600 spots need to be filled at polling locations for the March 1 primaries; this is a paid position through Travis County. traviscountydemocrats.org.

WIC MOBILE UNIT Resources and info about Austin Public Health’s Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) supplemental nutrition program for qualifying pregnant women, new mothers, and young children. Check online for current schedule Various locations. Free. austintexas.gov/wic.