On my radar ...

• Lewisham, where up to 300 demonstrators gathered last night to protest outside a meeting where councillors were voting to cut the council budget by £60m. thegoldengirlk8 has posted this clip on Youtube and the Guardian's Dave Hill collated this report on his London blog.

• This post from "voluntary sector evangelist in residence" Gethyn Williams, which asks whether the big society blacklash has begun:

"The more I consider it feels increasingly less like a house and more a film set house facade, supported only out of sight by a load of ropey old, splinter-riddled timber beams.
Grains of this truth of have started appearing on the twitternet in recent weeks, where in some desperate, X-Factoresque lunge for substance folk have started hashtagging #bigsociety to the most tenuous, nebulous concepts in search of what the marketing men might call traction.
Everything from Remembrance Day to making your nan a cup of tea seems to be getting a mention."

• This guest post on the Cutsblog from Steven Toft, which asks whether politicians really can claim that cuts "won't affect the front line".

• The weather. This blogpost from Louise Kidney (@loulouk) explains how Blackburn with Darwen council uses social media to keep residents updated. (thanks @NCVOForesight)

• This interesting blogpost from Karl Wilding, which wonders whether people always tell the truth when asked if they donate to charity.

• Local government looks to North Korea? Swindon council wants to switch to a "leader and cabinet" executive, also known as the "strong leader" model - complete with a four-year term of office. Councillor Steve Wakefield is urging people in the area to comment ahead of a council debate on Thursday 16 December.

• Jumo, billed as a "a social network for social good", which had its beta launch today.

• Winterval latest. The Primly Stable blog has written to Eric Pickles, asking for a public apology over his comments about "politically correct grinches" who have declared a "war on Christmas":

"There is no evidence that any local authority in England and Wales has EVER attempted to 'ban' Christmas, and the most basic online research shows that the three examples you cited over the weekend are nothing more than tabloid invention. They are simply not true."

Meanwhile, WeLoveLocalGovernment has this greetings card for the communities secretary.

• And, speaking of WeLoveLocalGov, they're appealing for good news stories to share on councils around the country: "Let's give credit where it's due and tell the world that local government is not the force for evil that it is sometimes claimed to be."

• Speech and language therapy. Today sees the launch of a new Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists campaign, Giving Voice, which aims to highlight speech, language and communication needs. Expect the issue to be a hot topic in the new year when Oscar-tipped film The King's Speech opens.

• The London homeless Choir With No Name, whose debut album and music video, a cover of Total Eclipse of the Heart, are out today. The choir will be supporting Coldplay next week at a benefit for charity Crisis.

In tomorrow's SocietyGuardian supplement

The localism bill is likely to give parish councils more powers. Susanna Rustin travels to Bradford to find out how to set one up.

Clare Allan on why watching Gillian McKeith break down on I'm a Celebrity may make compelling viewing, but shouldn't

It's the 10th anniversary of the international disability and deaf arts festival DadaFest, but funding cuts loom large.

An innovative approach to new housing gives residents a stake in their own wildlife reserve

Erwin James on the government's new domestic violence strategy and "go orders"

Patrick Butler argues cuts to youth services makes it an even better reason to support this year's Guardian Christmas charity appeal

Richard White on why smokers shouldn't be forced out of hospitals

Sarah Wollaston, outspoken Tory MP and former GP on the dangers of not tackling public health problems

Lorraine O'Reilly on why cuts should lead to better commissioning and therefore better children's services

On the Guardian Voluntary Sector Network

Charities must learn from the private sector in order to keep the best performers. Professional pride is not enough, says Matthew Langden, the director of fundraising at Tomorrow's People, in this guest blogpost.

Guardian and Observer Christmas Charity Appeal 2010

Charities working with disadvantaged young people in the UK will be the beneficiaries of this year's Guardian and Observer charity appeal.

Read profiles of our 10 chosen charities, see our pick of their photographs and make a donation in the Christmas Charity Appeal area of our site.

Events

"Big Society" and its role in local government 7 December, London. This is an essential seminar for managers and leaders looking for a practical definition of big society and how it will work within local government. As well as a keynote speech from the government's adviser on big society, Lord Wei, delegates will also hear first hand accounts of how other local government managers are implementing big society in their councils and the best practice they have developed.

Transforming Social Care through IT Finding your way in a changing service environment. 8 December, London.

This conference brings together best practice examples, policy leaders and industry experts to discuss the challenges facing social care providers and IT support teams. Our line-up of expert speakers includes Terry Dafter, service director adult social care, Stockport metropolitan borough council; Jennifer Bernard, consulting director, SCIE; Nick Johnson, chief executive, Social Care Association; and Sian Walker, service director, Adult Care Operations, Wiltshire council.

Public Services Summit New models, new relationships, a new era. 10 & 11 February 2011, St Albans.

Join leading thinkers, practitioners and policy makers for discussion and debate about the future of our public services. 15% early bird available.