Res Publica

For more details and events, see Community Listings.

Thursday03

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION: AISD BUDGET ISSUES A get-together with Superintendent Meria Carstarphen to discuss school district dollars. 6pm. Travis High School, 1211 E. Oltorf.

LAINEY'S BALLOT BLOWOUT Celebrate Lainey Melnick's bid for Congress representing Texas' 21st District. The Asylum Street Spankers perform. 6:30pm. Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve, 805 Capital of TX Hwy. N., 799-0626. $20 ($15, advance). www.laineyforcongress.com.

WOMEN FOR CLIFF BROWN A ladies' get-together to support 147th District Court candidate Cliff Brown. 6-7:30pm. See website for location. $25 suggested donation. www.cliffbrownforjudge.com.

Friday04

EAT LOCAL A multimedia sustainable food night with special guests from the food, film, and book worlds, including Ana Sofia Joanes, director/producer of Fresh, and Pamela Walker, author of Growing Good Things to Eat in Texas. Local food and beverages available. 6-8pm. BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar, 472-5050. www.bookpeople.com.

FAIR FOOD AUSTIN BENEFIT CONCERT Join in the fight for fair wages and dignified working conditions in the U.S. agricultural industry. 10pm-2am. Music Gym, 815 E. Sixth, 939-2524. $5 suggested donation. www.fairfoodaustin.blogspot.com.

Saturday05

PODER HOUSE PARTY FUNDRAISER Yummy treats, dancing, and an open mic make it easy to join the effort to keep People Organized in Defense of Earth and her Resources afloat in these troubled economic times. 7pm-12mid. $10. For location details, see www.poder-texas.org.

URBAN FARM BICYCLE TOUR Edible Austin and the Bicycle Sport Shop invite families to take rider-friendly routes to farms and community gardens all over town. Stops include children's hands-on gardening activities, henhouse tours, farm tours, and samplings. Tours leave from three spots: Bicycle Sport Shop, 517 S. Lamar; Sunset Valley Farmers Market, 3200 Jones; Austin Farmers' Market, Fourth & Guadalupe. Proceeds benefit Urban Roots' youth-development program. Buy tickets online. 10am. $25 ($40/family). www.bicyclesportshop.com.

BUS RIDERS UNION MEETING Get on the bus and bring a dish to share at this end-of-the-year potluck. 11am. Austin History Center, 810 Guada­lupe, 499-7480. Free. www.busatx.org.

Sunday06

ETHICAL SOCIETY OF AUSTIN This week, Bo McCarver discusses the Blackland Community Development Corp. 10am. 5555 N. Lamar Ste. L-137, 835-9008. Free. www.esoa.org.

MAYOR BILL WHITE RALLY Sen. Kirk Watson hosts this show of support for the Houston mayor's bid for governor. 5-7pm. Scholz Garten, 1607 San Jacinto. Free. www.billwhitefortexas.com.

Monday07

HISTORY OF HORNSBY BEND Learn about Texas' first biosolids composting program (Dillo Dirt) and other green projects at Hornsby Bend. Noon. Waller Center, 625 E. 10th, Rm. 105. www.cityofaustin.org/water/cer2.htm.

LIVEABLE CITY HOLIDAY PARTY Eat, drink, schmooze, and find fabulous gifts at the silent auction, all in support of Liveable City's work for policies that are good for Austin's long-term social, environmental, and economic needs. 5:30-8pm, El Sol y la Luna, Sixth & Red River. www.liveablecity.org.

Tuesday08

JUDICIAL CANDIDATE FORUM Meet and talk with candidates for the criminal court races, County Court at Law 3, and the 147th District Court. 5:30pm. Southwest Key Community Center, 6002 Jain. Free. [email protected].

Wednesday09

AUSTIN CARRIAGE BLUE SANTA TOY DRIVE Bring an unwrapped toy in exchange for a free carriage ride, and help the Austin Police Depart­ment help local kids this holiday season. No reservations taken. 6:30-10pm. Downtown Central Fire Station, East Fifth & Trinity, 243-0044. www.austincarriage.com/transportation.html.

NUECES BICYCLE BOULEVARD OPEN HOUSE Learn about the bikeway and share your two cents at this public discussion and design charrette. 6-8pm. Pease Elementary, 1106 Rio Grande.

Thursday10

URBAN GEOGRAPHY LESSON Part 2 of geographer Eliot Tretter's series on Austin history and geography covers the battle between the local business community and environmental organizations and its effect on Downtown renewal. 7pm. MonkeyWrench Books, 110 E. North Loop, 407-6925.

HERITAGE HILLS/WINDSOR HILLS LAND-USE WORKSHOP 6:30-8:45pm. Dobie Middle School, 1200 E. Rundberg. www.cityofaustin.org/zoning/heritage_hills.htm.

THE ROLE OF MICRO-LENDING IN THE U.S. PeopleFund hosts this talk from Lisa Servon, dean of Milano the New School for Management and Urban Policy. 11:30am-1pm. Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar, 1120 S. Lamar, 472-8087. $20 ($15, in advance). [email protected].

Ongoing

BROWN SANTA needs volunteers to help receive, prepare, and deliver toys and food to families this holiday season. To participate, call 24-SANTA. Brown Santa also accepts donations of nonperishable food items, books, unwrapped toys (new or gently used), and cash; drop off at the warehouse or mail to: Brown Santa, PO Box 207, Austin, TX 78767-0207. (Or donate online: www.brownsanta.org.) Brown Santa Warehouse, 15400 Long Vista #101.