Happenings

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For more details on these and other events this week, see Community Listings.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 23

NEIGHBORHOOD BEAUTIFICATION GRANT APPLICATION DEADLINE Apply to receive a Keep Austin Beautiful grant. E-mail [email protected].

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SATURDAY, MARCH 24

AFRICAN-AMERICAN RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION COMMUNITY FORUM Get an update on Austin's African-American Quality of Life Initiative. 9am. Austin Community College Eastview Campus, 3401 Webberville, 974-2493. www.ci.austin.tx.us/aaql.

PLATICARTE: A COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ON IMMIGRATION Artists, activists, and other community members discuss immigration issues before viewing scenes from Teatro Vivo's bilingual production of La Víctima. 9am-4pm. ACC Riverside Campus, 1020 Grove Blvd. Free. www.teatrovivo.org.

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SUNDAY, MARCH 25

LAST SUNDAY Combining a political rally, church service, literary salon, and concert, this month's focus will be the environment. Speakers include James Galbraith, Erika González, and Jim Rigby. 6-8pm. Saengerrunde Hall, 1607 San Jacinto. Free. www.thirdcoastactivist.org/lastsunday.html.

MIDTERM REPORT ON THE 80TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION A discussion with District 48 Rep. Donna Howard, part of First Unitarian's Public Affairs Forums series. 11:30am-12:30pm. First Unitarian Universalist Church, 4700 Grover, 452-6168. Free. www.austinuu.org.

OBERY M. HENDRICKS A talk on the role of religion in American society, from the author of The Politics of Jesus. 4pm. King-Seabrook Chapel, Huston-Tillotson University, 900 Chicon. Free. www.tfn.org.

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MONDAY, MARCH 26

HABEAS CORPUS, THE CONSTITUTION, AND THE GENEVA CONVENTION Austin's League of Women Voters presents nationally known attorney Dicky Grigg. 6pm. La Madeleine, 3418 N. Lamar. Free.

TEXAS FREEDOM NETWORK LOBBY DAY A day of lobby-training and issue education about stem-cell research, sex education, vouchers, and gay and lesbian foster care/adoption, followed by visits with your legislators at the Capitol. Register online or by phone. 8:30am-4pm. First United Methodist Church, 1201 Lavaca, 322-0545. www.tfn.org.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 27

LOUIS G. GREGORY SYMPOSIUM ON RACIAL UNITY IN AMERICA begins with an interfaith worship service in the King-Seabrook Chapel and moves to the Agard-Lovinggood Auditorium for workshops, music, and more. 7:30am-4:30pm. Huston-Tillotson University, 900 Chicon, 217-8930. Free. www.htu.edu.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28

ONE-HOUR INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOPS FOR NEW APPLICANTS FOR 2007-2008 CITY CULTURAL ARTS FUNDING are scheduled for noon & 5:30pm. City Hall, Room 1001, 301 W. Second. Free. www.ci.austin.tx.us/culturalcontracts.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 29

ACLU FORUM: COMPLAINTS AGAINST LAWYERS Attorney Chuck Herring addresses many of the questions regularly fielded by the ACLU. 5:30-7pm. Cafe Caffeine, 909 W. Mary. Free.

ACLU MIDSESSION LEGISLATIVE HAPPY HOUR Get the lowdown on the ACLU's legislative agenda, and toast Molly Ivins. Call or e-mail to RSVP. 5:30-7:30pm. Scholz Garten, 1607 San Jacinto, 478-7300 x130. [email protected], www.aclutx.org.

INSIDE BOOKS PROJECT SPRING WORK PARTY The folks at IBP work around the clock to answer book requests from Texas prisoners. Join them for this annual 78-hour slumber party. Thursday-Sunday, March 29-April 1. Rhizome Collective, 300 Allen, 647-4803. www.insidebooksproject.org.

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ONGOING

FREE TAX PREPARATION THROUGH COMMUNITY TAX CENTERS Most families that made $50,000 or less last year qualify for free tax help, available in English and Spanish, at one of many locations around town. See www.communitytaxcenters.org for locations and hours.

MICROENTERPRISE WEEK offers free tax preparation for business owners who have fewer than five employees and less than $25,000 in personal income. Call for appointment. Through March 25. 447-2026. www.foundcom.org.

GULF COAST DISPLACED PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY Organized by the People's Hurricane Relief Fund and Oversight Coalition, this second gathering invites the more than 400,000 New Orleanians who are still displaced to come together to resolve the many hurdles to recovery and reconstruction. E-mail to help organize this momentous event. Aug. 25-28. New Orleans. [email protected], www.peopleshurricane.org.