Res Publica

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Thursday12

AFRICAN AMERICAN FAMILY SUPPORT CONFER­ENCE aims to help parents and health professionals utilize health-care tools. But there's also a youth panel and other events for the whole family. Go online for a complete list of keynotes, workshops, and exhibits. Thu.-Fri., Feb. 12-13. 8am-4:30pm. Omni South­park, 4140 Governor's Row. Free. www.ctaafsc.org.

FREEDOM TO MARRY DAY Get yer red-hot marriage license here! Or not. But at least be there to represent along with all your other gay bros and sissies who cannot make official their bonds of love. Couples wishing to go as far as signing up are encouraged to bring birth certificates and $71 for fees. 11am. Travis Co. Tax Office, 5501 Airport, 854-9473. www.jointheimpact.wetpaint.com.

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Friday13

GET THE MOST OUT OF MEDICAID Reps from numerous city and state agencies will be on hand to help familiarize attendees with the latest in Medicaid eligibility and the Texas Health Steps Program. Call or e-mail to register. 8:30am. Goodwill Community Center, 1015 Norwood Park, 533-3875. Free. leonordominguez@maximus.com.

PEOPLE UNITED features former Black Panther Robert Hillary King, the released member of the Angola 3. 1pm. KOOP Radio 91.7FM.

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Saturday14

LOVE YOUR PARK DAY Join the Austin Parks Foundation today in repairing damage caused by those darn Frisbee disc golfers in Pease Park; call to RSVP. 9am-4:30pm. Pease Park, Windsor & Lamar, 925-5306. www.austinparks.org.

CAPITAL METRORAIL STATION OPEN HOUSE MetroRail is set to launch on March 30. Today, check out the trains, stations, schedule, and ticket kiosks at this open house. 10am-2pm. Plaza Saltillo, 412 Comal. Free. www.capmetro.org.

SWEET BARKS HONKY TONK Pets, raffles, dancing, and more to benefit the efforts of Austin Pets Alive! to make Austin a no-kill city. Noon-5pm. Jo's Coffee, 1300 S. Congress. www.austinpetsalive.org.

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Sunday15

LEGISLATIVE SPEAKER SERIES Former Austin state Rep. Ann Kitchen tackles the health-care crisis. 4pm. First United Methodist Church, 1201 Lavaca, 478-5684. Free. www.davidhasissues.com.

'TEXAS OBSERVER' SCHMOOZEFEST Get your schmooze on at the Observer's eighth annual Rabble Rouser Round-Up and Fat Cat Schmoozefest, which benefits the venerable publication. 6-10pm. La Zona Rosa, 612 W. Fourth. www.texasobserver.org.

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Monday16

NXNW DEMOCRATS MEET-UP features state Sen. Kirk Watson. 6pm. Sherlock's Baker St. Pub & Grill, 9012 Research. Free. www.nxnwdemocrats.org.

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Tuesday17

STATE OF THE CITY DINNER Austin City Manager Marc Ott will speak on Austin's current problems and plans. The Austin Area League of Women Voters hosts the event. Tickets are $40 for members, $45 for nonmembers. 6:30pm. University of Texas Club. www.lwvaustin.org.

PRE-K DAY AT THE CAPITOL Bring the kids, and join nearly 1,000 early education advocates as they make their voices heard and demand quality pre-K in Texas. PBS characters will stop by to keep the kids entertained, and a model pre-K classroom will be set up to prove that the demands are not unreachable. 9am-5pm. Texas Capitol.

VOLUNTEER DEPUTY REGISTRAR OPEN HOUSE Help get the vote out for future elections by attending any of 16 training sessions over the next four days. Call for a complete schedule. Tue.-Fri., Feb. 17-20. Travis Co. Tax Office, 5501 Airport, 854-9473 x33284. www.traviscountytax.org.

INDIE BUSINESS DAY The National Federation of Independent Business will host a full day of speakers, lobbying visits, and discussions relevant to small business. Speakers include Comptroller Susan Combs and Gov. Rick Perry. 8am-4pm. Omni Hotel, 700 San Jacinto, 476-9847.

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Wednesday18

TOOLBOX FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING Scott Kel­logg and Stacy Pettigrew, co-founders of Austin's sustainable headquarters at the Rhizome Collect­ive, present sustainable skills and technologies that will have you bucking climate trends and wowing neighbors with your self-reliance. 7pm. Rhizome Collect­ive, 300 Allen, 294-9580. www.radicalsustainability.org.

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Thursday19

AISD EFFICIENCY STUDY FEEDBACK Check out the results of a recent efficiency study of the district on AISD's website. If the results strike you as particularly insightful or downright ridiculous, take your thoughts to this meeting, and give your opinion to people who can change things. Can't make the open house? Go to austinisd.mgtamer.com to use the Internet as your sounding board. 5:30-8pm. Martin Middle School, 1601 Haskell.

BARBARA JORDAN FORUM ON PUBLIC POLICY PBS' Gwen Ifill keynotes this day of talks and panels with topics ranging from closing the gender gap to bipartisanship. RSVP at www.utexas.edu/lbj/cpg/events/story/683. 10am-3pm. AT&T Executive Education Center, 1900 University Ave.