2009 Fall Schedule
October 2009 Public Affairs Forum
Sunday, October 4th
Joanne Richards, Lilith Fund Board of Directors and Mike Hirsch, NARAL ProChoice Texas Board Member
“What is the State of Women’s Reproductive Health in Texas”?
Texas ranks the highest state in the country in teenage births, while also ranked 1st in abstinence-only sex education funding. Something is very wrong here in or great state. This is the sad state of affairs in TX. Joanne Richards, of the Lilith Fund Board of Directors and Mike Hirsch, Board Member of NARAL ProChoice Texas and also member of the Lilith Fund Board of Directors will join us for a thought-provoking presentation on the State of Women’s Reproductive Health in TX.
Sunday, October 11th
Michael Mordecai, Jazz Trombonist, member of legendary Beto and the Fairlanes
“History and Fundamentals of the Music Business in the Live Music Capitol!”
Jazz trombonist Michael Mordecai is a longtime Austin musician and member of the legendary Beto and the Fairlanes. He was founder of Fable Records, Texas’ oldest Jazz record label, and in 1973 started his music agency BBA Management and Booking. Michael is also on the advisory board of the Austin Music Foundation. He’ll speak on the History and Fundamentals of the music business here in the Live Music Capitol!
Sunday, October 18th
Texas Senator Kirk Watson
“Eleven TX State Constitutional Amendments; How Will You Vote on Nov. 3rd”?
Did you know there are 11 TX State Constitutional Amendments that Texas registered voters have an opportunity to vote on Nov. 3rd? What are these amendments? How are you going to vote on them? Join the Austin League of Women Voters and the Public Affairs Forum of Austin as we team-up to host a forum to answer questions about these 11 amendments. Our keynote speaker is Texas State Senator Kirk Watson. As with all of our First UU forums, this forum will include a presentation and a Q&A session. The LWV-Texas Voters Guide to the November 3rd election is available at www.lwvtexas.org.
Sunday, October 25th
Former TX State Legislator Ann Kitchen
“The State of Health Care”
Health Care has dominated our news cycle for many months as one of the most important topics of 2009. Elected in 2000, Representative Kitchen served as TX State Representative for Travis County District 48. An expert in Health Care, she managed the Health Care Regulatory Group of PwC, served as policy advisor to the TX Health and Human Svs Commission, and works with a local Heath Care non-profit. Join us for a comprehensive and timely presentation and Q&A on the State of Health Care!
November 2009 Public Affairs Forum
Sunday, November 1st
Denise L. Gilman, JD, Clinical Professor, UT School of Law
“Obstructing Human Rights: The Texas-Mexico Border Wall”
A member of the Border Wall Working Group at UT, Prof. Gillman was instrumental in taking the Human Rights issues to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights of the Organization of American States. Department of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff unfortunately waived 36 laws in all that would have required consideration of the impacts of the border wall on the environment and Native American Communities. Professor Gilman will update us on this “Obstruction of Human Rights”.
Sunday, November 8th
TX State Representative Mark Strama
“The Future of Energy in Texas”
First elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2004, Strama represents District 50 of Travis County. Mark was named “Legislator of the Year” by the Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association and received the Texas Wind Coalition’s “Legacy Award”. Strama says “we can position ourselves in Texas to be the world leader in renewable energy for the next hundred years, just as we were the world leader in oil and gas for the past hundred years”. Join Rep. Strama for an inspiring and engaging presentation and Q&A on the Future of Energy in TX.
Sunday, November 15th
Dr. Frank N. Bash, Ph.D., Served from 1989-2003 as Dir. McDonald Observatory
“Stars and How They Work”.
Frank N. Bash served as Director of one of the world’s foremost astronomical research institutions. Bash is a well known and a widely published specialist in astronomy. He joined the Faculity of UT at Austin in 1969 and served as Chair of the Department of Astronomy from 1982 to 1986. Frank will speak about the understanding of stars and how they work as one of the triumphs of modern physics. He’ll discuss what stars are, how they live, what they are made of, and how they die. Join Frank to experience his passion for the wonderful world of Astronomy and Origins of the Universe.
Sunday, November 29th
Carlton Carl, CEO/Exec Publisher of the TX Observer and Keith Elkins, Exec Dir. Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas
“State of the News Business, the Shield Law, and Freedom of Information”
Both Carlton Carl and Keith Elkins bring a wealth of knowledge from the media business. Carlton is CEO and Executive Publisher of the Texas Observer and has reported for the Houston Chronicle and New York Times. Keith is a longtime Austin TV newsman. He’s been in the news business most of his life, working as an anchor/reporter for CBS 42 in Austin from 2004-2008 before joining The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. Join these two champions of the media business as they share their expertise on the news business, the shield law, and the Freedom of Information.