LBJ Library & Museum Future Forum Masthead
"...and the doers and the builders will take up the front line." -Lyndon Baines Johnson
Future Forum Newsletter
 March 2008
Greetings!

It is a busy month! With Spring Break, holidays, SXSW, and other events, we will all need a break soon.

Start the month off by exercising your civic duty. Vote on March 4th and come to our event on the upcoming elections on March 5th!

On March 5th, in conjunction with the Center for Politics and Governance, we are holding our event Elections 2008 - Outcomes and Implications. See below for more information. We are also planning a Public Policy dinner for April and a few more events for the Spring.

This year is a big year for the whole LBJ Family - the LBJ Family includes the LBJ Library and Museum, LBJ State Park and LBJ National Park, LBJ School of Public Affairs, LBJ Foundation, Lady Bird Johnson National Wildflower Research Center, and Texas State University. This year would have been my grandfather's 100th birthday, and he sure did like to celebrate. So, we are doing lots of celebrating in his honor. See the "LBJ Centennial Celebrations" section below (and every month!) for more information.

We look forward to seeing you this year.

Thank you.

Catherine

Upcoming Events
See What We Have in Store

You should have received your invitation by now - come exercise your civic duty. On March 5, the Future Forum and the LBJ Center for Politics and Governance are planning a panel discussion on the 2008 presidential race. The event starts at 6:30. You won't want to miss it!

Campaigns have played on ideas of change, ideas of history, and ideas of hope. Presidential candidates have touted policy and traded personal attacks. War, jobs, health care, race, and gender have all played key parts in the election thus far and it's only March. No matter the outcome, this race will profoundly affect the nation for years to come. This panel looks to examine the race in terms of its successes and failures and how it will impact government moving forward. What does the race mean for each party leading into the general election and - more importantly - what does it mean for the policies of a new administration in January 2009? Panelists will include: Dan Bartlett, former Counselor to President George W. Bush; Matthew Dowd, founding partner, ViaNovo; Thomas Mann, Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institute; and Wayne Slater lead political writer, The Dallas Morning News. Dr. Paul Stekler will serve as moderator. A reception will follow the panel discussion.

Please register now if you plan to attend.
Cluster Activity

The Film Cluster meets the first Monday of the month. If you're interested in Film Cluster activities, please email Nina Hess. See you at the movies!

The Public Policy Cluster will hold a dinner on Thursday, April 3. More information coming soon - you won't want to miss it!

If you would like to be added to the Book Club list or want more information, please email Taline Manassian. We will soon announce the next book selection.

If you would like to help plan events for the Cultural or Public Policy Clusters, please email the Future Forum.
Doers & Builders
March's Doers and Builders - KLRU

The Future Forum serves as a nexus for Austin's leaders. Our members are actively engaged in many organizations. We encourage you to find out more about these Doers and Builders on our website.

Since its inception, Austin's own community licensed public television station KLRU, has brought exceptional educational television to the Central Texas community. This non-profit 501(c)3 organization is made possible through support from our members. For 40 years KLRU has been a friend to Central Texans. KLRU's mission is to enrich the lives of our viewers through quality public television programming, community services and public events like the Distinguished Speaker Series, KLRU Kid's Club and shows like Austin NOW, Austin City Limits, Central Texas Gardener and Texas Monthly Talks. KLRU is a Community Partner of the LBJ Future Forum. For more information, please visit www.klru.org.
LBJ Centennial Celebrations

August 27, 2008, would have been the 100th birthday of President Johnson. The LBJ Centennial celebration will pay tribute to the LBJ Legacy, which we all know was indeed larger than life! The LBJ Library and Museum, LBJ School of Public Affairs, LBJ State Park, LBJ National Park, LBJ Foundation, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, and Texas State University have joined forces to make the Centennial a spectacular year of programs, parties, and other events to celebrate the man and his impact on Texas, the United States, and the world. For more information and a comprehensive calendar of events (including those below), please visit www.LBJ100.org.

On Saturday, March 8, join Luci Johnson for a leisurely nine-mile bike ride through the LBJ Ranch. The ride will originate from the LBJ State Park and Historic Site between Hye and Stonewall on US290. There Luci Johnson will meet the group, lead them to the historic one-room Junction School, and continue on to the LBJ Birthplace, the Johnson Family Cemetery, The Texas White House and then to the Ranch Show Barns via the LBJ Airstrip. Along the way she will share the history and many stories of the Johnson Family and their long and loving relationship with their home and the Hill Country of Texas. The last day for registration is March 6. For more information, please visit the National Park's website.

On Saturday, March 15, join the LBJ State Park and Historic Site for Kite Day from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Children of all ages are invited to come and make an old fashioned 1900 kite. LBJ Park supplies the materials and enthusiasm to help the kids let their creations soar! Kites from home are welcome. Come have good old fashioned fun! For more information, please visit the LBJ State Park website.

Save the date for a Celebration of the 1960s at the LBJ National Park on April 11-12. Festivities to include a barbeque and some good ol' fashioned entertainment!
Recent Events and Updates on Past Events/Speakers

Future Forum members were given the opportunity to hear firsthand from esteemed playwright David Mamet in early February. Mamet was in Austin as the featured speaker for the Annual Harry Middleton Lectureship sponsored by the LBJ Foundation. He spoke about his career with Robert Faires of The Austin Chronicle for an audience of over one thousand people.
Now Showing at the LBJ Library and Museum

Bills, Bills, Bills: Lyndon Johnson as Senate Majority Leader
through May 26, 2008

The exhibit covers Johnson's entire Senate career from his election in 1948 to his election to the vice-presidency in 1961, chronicling his rapid rise to power from a slim margin of victory in 1948 (for which he was given the nickname "Landslide Lyndon") to his selection as Majority Leader in 1955.

The exhibit features photos, artifacts, and films about Johnson's historic helicopter campaign in 1948 and his career in the Senate, in addition to interactive displays detailing the major bills passed during the 1950s with explanations of how the legislation shaped and impacted modern America. Most notably, visitors will have an opportunity to interact with "Lyndon Johnson," as interpreted by actor Michael Stuart, in a replica of the U.S. Senate Chamber.

For more information on exhibits, the Storytime schedule, and Library hours, please visit www.lbjlib.utexas.edu.
Other Community Events

The Austin History Center presents: Portrait of a Marriage at 7:00 p.m. on March 26. State Senator Kirk Watson and Catherine Robb will read letters exchanged by former Governor E. M. Pease and his wife, Lucadia, between 1850 and 1857. The event will be held at Austin Women's Club, 708 San Antonio Street.

Also on March 26, The Center for Politics and Governance Page Turners Series presents Bob Bullock: God Bless Texas, a discussion with authors Dave McNeely and Jim Henderson, along with The Honorable Rodney Ellis, The Honorable Bill Hobby, and The Honorable Gib Lewis. The program will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the U.T. Alumni Center. More information is available online at www.utexas/lbj/cpg.

Join us Saturday, May 3 for the Fox 7 SHOES4KIDS 5K & KICKS4KIDS 1K benefiting Shoes for Austin. The Fun Run will begin at 8:00 a.m. at "the Green" at La Frontera in Round Rock, Texas. The Kid's 1K will begin at 9:00 a.m. Over the last eight years, with the help of our sponsors and friends, the SHOES4KIDS 5K has become an eagerly anticipated event that attracts runners/ walkers and their families from all over the greater Austin/ Round Rock area. Every $25 entry fee buys a new, brand name pair of athletic shoes for a deserving child working hard to complete fitness goals such as completing a 5K race or learning new sport skills.

Don't miss the fun! Visit the Shoes for Austin website, www.shoesforaustin.org, and REGISTER TODAY.

SHOES FOR AUSTIN began the SHOES 4 KIDS incentive program in order to promote physical activity in children and help stop obesity- associated diseases. In 2008, SHOES FOR AUSTIN anticipates serving 8,000 at-risk, underserved children through its SHOES 4 KIDS incentive program. Since its inception in 2000, SHOES FOR AUSTIN has partnered with more than 90 local nonprofits and donated close to 60,000 pairs of shoes valued at more than $5 million to deserving children and families throughout greater Austin.

Come learn more about Austin at Leadership Austin's Spring 2008 Experience Austin Where: Various hot spots around Austin!
When: Four sessions: all day Friday, March 28 8:00 am-6:00 pm
Tuesday evenings, April 1, 8, and 15 4:30-8:30 pm

Background: If you are new to Austin, or have lived here for years and haven't tapped into its culture and community leaders, join us this spring to Experience Austin. This fast-paced orientation series introduces new residents and long time Austinites to the latest issues and key players in this "city of ideas."

Experience Austin consists of 4 sessions, including an all-day bus tour to key landmarks, with commentary by over 20 speakers giving insights into topics such as:
· Icons & Issues: Austin's growth and changing demographics
· Economic Trends and Innovation: The economic context for Greater Austin
· Leadership & Education: The achievement gap in Central Texas education
· The Spirit of the Region: What makes Austin unique
Cost: Series Cost: $785 (Price includes course materials, meals, and tour) For information or to register, please visit our website at www.leadershipaustin.org.
Thanks to our Founding Sponsors:

GSD&M Idea City
Texas Monthly

and our Sponsors:

The Austonian
James G. Kaighin, Jr.
Jack and Patsy Martin
The Ratliff Law Firm
Sedgwick, Detert, Moran & Arnold LLP
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

Thank you for your continued involvement in, and support of, the Future Forum.

Sincerely,


Catherine Robb
LBJ Future Forum
phone: 721-0232