WFAE's The Media's Role in Election 2008 Wednesday, Sept. 17, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Mint Museum of Art, Ivey Forum, 2730 Randolph Road, free admission, register at www.wfae.org.

National Family Empowerment Conference Friday, Sept. 19, 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 20, 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., Grady Cole Center/ Memorial Stadium, 310 North Kings Drive, www.tbags4me.com.

Q&A with City Councilman Michael Barnes Sunday, Sept. 21, 3 p.m., University City Regional Public Library, 301 East W.T. Harris Blvd., www.votemeckdem.org.

Elayne Bennett of Best Friends Foundation at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Republican Women luncheon Tuesday, Sept. 23, 11:30 a.m., registered Republicans invited, $45, Myers Park Country Club, 2415 Roswell Ave., www.cmrw.org.

E-mail civic events to karen.shugart@creativeloafing.com.