Get Involved: Civic Engagement Opportunities in Knoxville (from March 17)

In The Daily Dumpster Blog by Coury Turczynleave a COMMENT

From government forums to town-hall meetings, there are more ways than ever to become engaged in Knoxville’s civic and social discourse. Each week, we’ll round up noteworthy public events that come to our attention.

March 18

International Food and Fundraiser
Place: Bridge Refugee Services (3839 Buffat Mill Rd.)
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Come enjoy foods from around the world while also supporting Bridge’s mission to help its 400 local clients. More info here.

March 20

School Board Meeting
Place: Andrew Johnson Building, first floor board room (912 S. Gay St.)
Time: 3 p.m.
The Knox County Board of Education has scheduled a special-called meeting to select its Director of Schools from the two superintendent finalists for Knox County Schools. The meeting will take the place of the board’s regular scheduled mid-month work session. It will be broadcast live on KCS-TV Comcast Cable Channel 10 and streamed live at knoxschools.org/kcstv.

March 22

Nuclear Policy and the Trump Administration
Place: Howard Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Documentary screening of Command and Control followed by a panel of speakers to discuss nuclear policy and answer questions on nuclear policy. More info here

March 27

Gather for Gavin Vigil
Place: Market Square
Time: 6:30-8 p.m.
This vigil will mark what would have been the eve of the Supreme Court ruling on Gavin Grimm v.  Gloucester County School Board, a case involving a transgender student who challenged his school’s bathroom policy, claiming Title IX protection from discrimination. Co-Hosted by: GLSEN Tennessee, The Trans Empowerment Project, and The Tennessee Equality Project. More info here.

March 29

HappyHealthySmart Symposium
Place
East Tennessee Historical Center
Time: 5:30-8:30 p.m.
“The East Tennessee Community Design Center (ETCDC) and the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) are hosting an innovative symposium to find new and better ways to connect people and places, with a focus on what makes a happier, healthier and smarter region. These sessions are designed to engage, teach and create interest in how community design impacts quality of life, health, and the economy. Residents, business owners, community groups, public and private sector planning and design professionals, elected officials, and others are invited to attend to discuss ways to make the region healthier, happier and more mobile by using smarter technology.” More info here.

April 15

Knoxville Tax March
Place: Market Square
Time: Noon
On tax day, Knoxvillians will march to demand President Trump reveal his tax returns. More info here.

April 18

Third Parties and the Left: Problems & Prospects
Place: Howard Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy
Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Electoral politics are a longstanding problem for the U.S. left. In recent decades, a number of parties have formed as an alternative to the Democratic Party: the Labor Party, the Green Party, and now, the Justice Party. However, these parties risk becoming little more than networks of activists or pressure groups on the Democratic Party, and it still remains unclear whether a serious electoral challenge to the Democratic Party is possible.” Panelists include: Travis Donoho (Democratic Socialists of America), Barbara Bridges (Green Party US), Jason Dawsey (UT Department of History). More info here

Editor Coury Turczyn guided Knoxville's alt weekly, Metro Pulse, through two eras, first as managing editor (and later executive editor) from 1992 to 2000, then as editor-in-chief from 2007 to 2014. He's also worked as a Web editor at CNET, the erstwhile G4 cable network, and HGTV.

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