Oct 26 Grand Opening of Citibank 
Citibank Financial Center, 100 Congress
Please join in the Grand Opening Celebration of the new Citibank Financial Center on Congress, Cocktails and hour d'oeuvres will be served during the celebration from 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Oct 28 Commute Solutions Awards Celebration
Republic Square Park, 4th & Guadalupe
commutesolutions.com
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Make your weirdest way to Republic Square for the final celebration of Commute Solutions Month. The person arriving using the weirdest commute will win a prize -1st place is a Dell DJ mp3 Player!!!
Oct 31 Downtown Post Office Renovation 
Downtown Station, 310 Guadalupe Street
Construction to repair the parking lot at Downtown Station is beginning. The entrance and exit will change as the construction occurs on different phases of the project. Retail hours are changing to make it easier for you to conduct your postal business. Effective Monday, October 31, the retail unit be be open from 7:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.
Oct 27 Simon Winchester Book Reading 
Harry Ransom Center, 21st & Guadalupe
(512) 471-8944, hrc.utexas.edu
To open the 2005 Texas Book Festival, author Simon Winchester reads from A Crack in the Edge of the World: America and the Great California Earthquake of 1906. A book signing will follow.
Oct 27 CCIM Presentations (Sold Out) 
Sullivan's Steakhouse, 300 Colorado
centraltexas.ccimnet.com
The Central Texas Certified Commercial Investment Member(CCIM) Chapter will be offering an outstanding insight into the ever changing implications of socioeconomic change on Real Estate in Central Texas. Learn how our population growth and changing habits are affecting market demands for real estate. Dr. Steve Murdock will challenge us to think beyond the building in identifying emerging market opportunities.
Oct 28-29 NEA 40th Symposium 
LBJ Library and Museum, 2313 Red River
lbjlib.utexas.edu
In honor of the 40th anniversary of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Lyndon B. Johnson Library & Museum will host a public symposium - The NEA at 40: Cultural Policy an American Democracy. To explore the past, present and future of the NEA, this two-day symposium will bring together scholars, artists, and policymakers to discuss issues of arts and American democracy, government and cultural policy and the legacy of the "culture wars." All events will be held in the Library Atrium and are free to the public.
Oct 28-30 Texas Book Festival 
State Capitol, 11th & Congress
(512) 477-4055, texasbookfestival.org
The Texas Book Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary with an ecclectic gathering of all-star authors. Joining in the festivities will be noted authors Mark Bittman, Christopher Paul Curtis, T. R. Fehrenbach, John Hope Franklin, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Joaquin Jackson, Mayra Montero, George Packer, Jane Smiley, Liz Smith, Luis Alberto Urrea, Eli Wallach, Simon Winchester, and Garry Wills. More than 150 authors will participate in this year's Festival which includes panels and presentations, book signings, a children's area, the Bon Appetit, Y'all Cooking Tent, musical entertainment, a book fair and much more.
Oct 30 Giant Chess Tournament 
Wooldridge Square Park, 9th & Guadalupe
(512) 477-1566, austinparks.org
Start practicing your end games and openings. This year's Giant Chess Youth Tournament encourages kids of all ages and skill levels to compete. Go to austinparks.org for online registration.
Oct 30 Inaugural Children's Masked Ball
Four Seasons Hotel, 98 San Jacinto Blvd.
(512) 476-9151 ext., nicole.hensley@balletaustin.org
Ballet Austin presents its inaugural Children's Masked Ball for children ages 10 and younger and their parents. This Elizabethan-themed masked ball features plenty of fun activities such as calligraphy, creating a coat of arms and learning Elizabethan court dancing. While costumes are encouraged, the children will be able to decorate their own masks and goblets with beautiful jewels for the party. Tickets are $50 per child (parents are free). RSVP required.
Nov 1 Future Connections Study
The Downtown community is invited to attend a public focus group meeting to discuss progress on the Future Connections Study. These meetings are a follow-up to the Future Connections Study meetings held in August, and it is important that Downtown voices continue to be heard.
Downtown Meeting
Tuesday, November 1st, 8:00 -10:00 a.m.
211 E.7th St., Room 111
Central East Meeting
Tuesday, November 1st, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Asbury United Methodist Church
1605 East 38 1/2 St.
Capital Metro staff will discuss the following:
- Project Update, including feedbackreceived from Community Open Houses
- Draft Circulator Networkand Potential Priority Corridor in the StudyArea
- Draft TechnologyOptions for this Corridor
- Upcoming CommunityWorkshops
- Next Steps/Timeline
About the Future Connections Study - Together with the community's input, Capital Metro is conducting an All Systems Go Future Connections Study that examines several areas in our urban core that might benefit from enhanced transit services. There is a need to find the best ways to connect core destinations to each other as well as to rapid bus and commuter rail.
The study areas include the downtown central business district, the Capitol complex, the University of Texas Main Campus, the Mueller redevelopment area, and east central Austin. Capital Metro will be studying future connections to commuter rail and circulation service in more densely populated areas. Also studied will be the possibility of creating a major downtown bus transfer center. These connectivity studies will be completed by mid-2006.
Nov 2 The Poem Itself 
Harry Ransom Center, 21st & Guadalupe
(512) 471-8944,
hrc.utexas.eduThe Poem Itself features a discussion and readings on poetry and translation.
Poetry on the Plaza readings take place on the plaza directly east of the Ransom Center's main entrance. In inclement weather, readings will be held in the Ransom Center's Lobby.
Nov 2 Mid-Week Austin Farmers' Market Returns
Plaza Saltillo, 5th & Comal
austinfarmersmarket.org
The midweek Austin Farmers' Market on Wednesdays returns to Plaza Satlillo at 5th Street and Comal from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Music, a chef's demo and a prize drawing will be part of the re-opening celebration. Farmers with fall crops, baked goods, crafts and more will be available at this "pocket market" that is a scaled down version of the Saturday market. Free parking around the plaza. And don't forget this week's
Saturday (10-29) Market at Republic Square.
The Holidays Are Fast Approaching....It seems like it starts with Halloween and then its one big rush to New Year's.
If your know of a Holiday event downtown that needs to be included in the special Downtown Holiday Calendar, please let us know as this will soon be going to press. Contact:
events@downtownaustin.com. Subject: Holiday Events. (That's any holiday from Thanksgiving through New Year's...it just needs to be taking place in Downtown.)
Now is also the best time to start thinking about where you will be booking your corporate party or holiday activity as the best places book up early. Don't forget to put some special "downtown fun" in your holidays with a special theatrical treat. Many companies like to book an evening out at a play such as
A Christmas Carol at the State or
Rockin' Christmas Party at the Zach Scott.
But most of all, mark your calendars now for December 3rd when the
Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Capitol and John Aielli's Holiday Sing-Along will be held along with the Holiday Stroll.
