Monday 31
AUSTIN’S NEW YEAR Ring in the new year with the city-sponsored Austin’s New Year. The event is alcohol-free and family-friendly, and there’s tell of a grand fireworks finale. 5-10:30pm. Auditorium Shores, 920 W. Riverside. www.austintexas.gov/any.
Tuesday 01
NEW YEAR’S DAY Happy New Year! Government offices, banks, schools, and the Chronicle will be closed for the holiday. Check respective websites for operating hours the rest of the week. www.austintexas.gov/any.
Wednesday 02
BRUCE ELFANT SWEARING-IN CEREMONY Watch Bruce Elfant be sworn in as Travis County’s Tax Assessor-Collector. Follow the signs to the north entrance on the second floor. Noon. Travis County Tax Office, 5501 Airport, 854-9473. Free and open to the public. tax_office@co.travis.tx.us, www.traviscountytax.org.
Ongoing
INSIDE BOOKS PROJECT The all-volunteer nonprofit works to get books in the hands of inmates all year round, but it needs extra help during the holiday season. Make a financial donation online, or give your time to help fill packages in 2013. www.insidebooksproject.org.
SAVE THE DATE TO SAVE TEXAS SCHOOLS Mark your calendars for the biggest Save Texas Schools rally ever, Feb. 23, at the Texas Capitol. With brutal budget cuts, school vouchers, and standardized testing all looming this session, the fight for our future is now. www.savetxschools.org.
This article appears in December 28 • 2012.