Res Publica

For more details and events, see Community Listings.

Thursday30

THE MUTT CRACKER Five dogs, a scarlet macaw, puppets, three jugglers, two unicyclists, live music, and a post-holiday partridge in a pear tree. Circus Chickendog will entertain all ages while benefiting the Austin Humane Society. 6:30pm. Dougherty Arts Center, 1110 Barton Springs Rd., 771-8836. $10 ($8, advance). www.chickendog.net

Friday31

HOLIDAY HOUNDS & CATS Friday is the last day to get in on the Town Lake Animal Center's half-price holiday adoptions. With the fee at only $35, there's no reason not to ring in the new year with a new companion. TLAC, 1156 W. Cesar Chavez. www.cityofaustin.org/health/pets

DARE TO GO ZERO WASTE CHALLENGE Ready to be a reality-TV star of municipal proportions? All you gotta do is take the zero-waste challenge – on camera. You'll be filmed at home for a few hours a week over five weeks, plus you'll attend other events. The deadline is Friday, Dec. 31, 5pm. www.cityofaustin.org/sws/zerowaste_challenge.htm

FIGHT HUNGER Help the Capital Area Food Bank feed 300,000 hungry Central Texans this year. Friday is the final day to cast your vote for CAFB to win a $1 million grant: visit fightinghunger.walmart.com and indicate your support with the "like" button. fightinghunger.walmart.com

Sunday02

CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING Bring your tree (minus decorations) to Zilker Park (2100 Barton Springs Rd., follow the signs to the polo fields), where it will be ground into mulch to be given away free later in the new year. Saturdays and Sundays, Jan. 2-15, 10am-2pm. www.ci.austin.tx.us/zilker/zhttreerecycle.htm

DISC GOLF SITE PROPOSAL Join Montopolis residents and other concerned citizens for a tour of the area where a proposed disc golf course would constructed in Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Park. Decide for yourself whether the land is better off preserved for nature or for putter throwers. 11am. Guerrero Colorado River Park, 700 Grove, 983-5852. [email protected]

THE MUTT CRACKER (See Thursday, 12/30.) 1 & 2:30pm. Dougherty Arts Center, 1110 Barton Springs Rd., 771-8836. $10 ($8, advance). www.chickendog.net

PUBLIC AFFAIRS FORUM Local photographer and peace activist Alan Pogue discusses war economies, the prison-reform movement, and more. 11:30am. First Unitarian Universalist Church, 4700 Grover, 452-6168. Free. www.austinuu.org

Monday03

MAYOR'S RESOLUTION RUN/WALK Start the new year off right with a self-paced jaunt around Lady Bird Lake, led by the mayor. 10am. Meet at City Hall plaza, 301 W. Second.

TEXAS TRANSPORTATION FORUM A three-day conference hosted by the Texas Department of Transportation. Mon.-Wed., Jan. 3-5. $325-575. Hilton Hotel, 500 E. Fourth. www.dot.state.tx.us/ttf

Ongoing

CITIZENS' SHERIFF ACADEMY Learn what it's like to be a Travis County sheriff's deputy. Tuesdays, 6:45-10pm, beginning Feb. 15. 854-4989. Free. [email protected]

DOWNTOWN AUSTIN PLAN Recommendations on improvements related to historic preservation, density, transportation, and other Downtown issues are available on the city's website. Public meetings on the plan begin later in January. www.cityofaustin.org/downtown

MEXICAN-AMERICAN TRAILBLAZERS EXHIBIT features photos and bios of 32 local Mexican-Americans who paved the way for future generations. Through Jan. 16. Austin History Center, 810 Guadalupe, 974-7480. Free. www.cityofaustin.org/library/ahc/trailblazers.htm

I AM THIS LAND Human rights organization Break­through sponsors this video and Twitter contest promoting "a more positive and open-minded America." The grand prize is $2,500 and an internship at SPIN magazine. Sign up online. Deadline: Jan. 7. www.breakthrough.tv/learn/campaign/i-am-this-land

MEXICAN PEOPLE IN INDEPENDENCE & REVOLUTION gathers books, prints, photos, manuscripts, and other ephemera to tell the story of Mexico's history from independence (1810) to revolution (1910). Benson Latin American Collection, UT campus, Sid Richardson Hall, Rm. 1.108, 495-4520. Free. www.lib.utexas.edu/benson

WHAT SHOULD AUSTIN SAVE? Sure, Austin's going to change, but aren't there a few things you think ought to be preserved as the landscape and skyline morph into the Austin of the future? The National Trust for Historical Preservation came to Austin this fall and filmed people all over town answering this question. See what they had to say and answer the question yourself at the Austin Unscripted website. www.preservationnation.org/resources/training/npc/austin-unscripted