Thursday, September 5
The second Irving Citizens Fire Academy class will begin in September. Classes will be held from 7 to10 p.m. on Thursdays beginning Sept. 5. The 11- week course will be held at the Irving Police and Fire Training Academy, 2603 Esters Road. The program is free and open to anyone who lives in Irving. Attendees must be at least 18 years old to participate. The class is limited to 15 people. Registration applications are available at each fire station, at the Irving Fire Administration building and on the city’s Web site at www.ci.irving.tx.us. Call 972/ 721-3697 for more information.

The Arts District Friends presents their monthly Arts District Stroll, a guided walking tour of the Dallas Arts District, on Saturday, September 7. Beginning at 10:30 a.m. in front of the Crow Collection of Asian Art at 2010 Flora Street, trained docents lead the hour-long, easy walk through the largest downtown area dedicated to the arts in the country. There is no charge to take the Stroll, but please RSVP by calling 214.953.1977.


Tuesday, September, 10
Governor Rick Perry and First Lady Anita Perry, will host the Texas Conference for Women at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. Parents and their daughters are invited to join them on this special day, the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame honorees will be announced. Some of the keynote and featured speakers are Kavita N. Ramdas, Dr. Bertice Berry, Ph.D., Ruth J. Simmons, Ph.D., Maria Perez-Brown, Alexandra Stoddard and many more. Call 512/432-1785 for more information.

Wednesday-Saturday, September 11-14
The 32nd Annual Legislative Conference sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus will be in Washington, D.C. September 11-14. This year’s theme is: “The CBC: the Voice for Global Understanding.” In addition to workshops on issues such as education, health care, national security, human rights, civil rights, crime and business development, the conference will include a prayer breakfast, fashion show and gospel extravaganza. For more information or to register on line, go to www.cbcfinc.org.

Thursday, September 19-20
The Texas Association of African American Chambers of Commerce (TAAACC) convenes the 4th Annual Conference at the Adams Mark Hotel in Dallas. Workshops will be led by business and political leaders from across Texas. Call 512/457-0370 for more information.

Monday ,September 23
Work Advantage in collaboration with Wyndham Arlington is presenting Texans Helpin’ Texans Job Fair at Wyndham Arlington, 1500 Convention Center E. Dr., Arlington. Call 817/ 531-6760 for more information.

Through Monday, September 30
SOTM, Inc. will offer a Divorce Recovery Support group to the community. The event will be held each Monday evenings, August 5 - September 30, 2002 at 7:30 p.m., 423 West Wheatland Road Suite 101, Duncanville, Texas 75116.

Through Saturday, December 8
Dallas Museum of Natural History the Museum, 3535 Grand Avenue in historic Fair Park presents “Texas Scariest and Deadliest,” an exhibit that debunks the myths and explores the truths about deadly plants and animals. The exhibit also includes a large collection of venomous snakes, a real five-foot yellow jacket nest and a beehive.

Through Tuesday, December 10
Fort Worth Slam’s Spoken Word Competition. Hottest Spoken Word competition ever at The Black Dog Tavern, 903 Throckmorton Street. Call 817/455-7932 for more information.