Res Publica

Thursday04

PUBLIC MEETINGS: CAPITAL METRO SERVICE CHANGES Cap Metro hosts two meetings today about the bus-service changes proposed for this summer. 11:30am & 5pm. Capital Metro Transit Store, 323 Congress, 385-0190. www.capmetro.org.

REPUBLICS OF FEAR A two-day conference on violence in Latin America. Thu.-Fri., March 4-5. Texas Union, Santa Rita Rm. 3.502, 24th & Guadalupe. Free. www.utexas.edu/cola/insts/llilas.

Friday05

SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS CONFERENCE Fri.-Sat., March 5-6. AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center, 1900 University Ave., 404-1900. $95 ($75, students). www.spjaustin.org/convention.html.

AUSTIN'S COLONIAS: INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS AND CITY PLANNING Panelists discuss the regional trend in which many of Central Texas' poorest residents move to informal settlements outside the city. Noon. UT campus, Texas Union, Sinclair Suite. Free. www.utexas.edu/cola/insts/llilas.

JOHN HEILEMANN AND MARK HALPERIN The authors of Game Change dish the dirt on the 2008 presidential campaigns. Noon. BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar, 472-4288. www.bookpeople.com.

Saturday06

CROP HUNGER WALK OF AUSTIN A one-mile walk benefits various local and international charities. March 6-7: Sat., 9:30am-noon; Sun., 1:45-4:30pm. Walter E. Long Park (off Decker Lane, near the Expo Center), 451-2062. www.main.org/cropwalk.

Sunday07

PICKIN' PARTY FOR PEACE 2-4:30pm. Cafe Caf­fe­ine, 909 W. Mary. www.instrumentsforpeace.org.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS FORUM Travis County Commis­sion­er Karen Huber discusses big issues facing our county. 11:30am. First Unitarian Universalist Church, 4700 Grover, 452-6168. Free. www.austinuu.org.

Monday08

FILING DEADLINE: AISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES Want to join the Austin ISD board of trustees? You better file today! Four seats with incumbents (districts 1, 4, 6, and 7) and one vacant seat (at-large position 9) are up for re-election May 8. Details at www.austinisd.org/inside/board/election.phtml.

IMMIGRATION REFORM The Austin League of Women Voters invites UT professor of economics and public affairs Ray Marshall to talk about how immigration affects America's economy and job outlook. Noon. Old Quarry Library, 7051 Village Center Dr., 345-4435. Free. www.lwvaustin.org.

PUBLIC HEARING: CAP METRO SERVICE CHANGES To comment on proposed changes, attend today's hearing or call 385-0190 (385-5872 for hearing-impaired). 11:30am. Capital Metro Admin­istrative Building, 2910 E. Fifth. www.capmetro.org.

Wednesday10

AUSTIN HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY SERIES Urban geographer Eliot Tretter discusses racism, flooding, and the "Emergence of Austin's Lower Eastside Mexican Barrio, 1890-1940." 7pm. MonkeyWrench Books, 110 E. North Loop, 407-6925. Free.

PUBLIC HEARING ON COMMUNITY NEEDS The city needs your help setting the priorities for fiscal year 2010-11 – provide your input today in person or online at www.cityofaustin.org/connect/email_nhcd.htm. Noon. City Hall, Boards and Commissions Room, 301 W. Second, 974-3100 (hearing-impaired: 974-3102). www.cityofaustin.org/housing.

TEXAS IMPACT COMMUNITY FORUM Learn about the Austin Regional Intelligence Center, which will allow local law enforcement to more readily share and communicate with state and federal law agencies. 6:30pm. Cristo Rey Catholic Church, 2110 E. Second, 472-3903. www.texasimpact.org.

Thursday11

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION Austin ISD trustees want your feedback on the preliminary budget proposal for the 2010-11 school year. 6:30pm (light refreshments at 6pm). Anderson High School, 8403 Mesa, 414-2538. www.austinisd.org.

PUBLIC HEARING ON COMMUNITY NEEDS (See Wednesday.) 4pm. City Hall, City Council Chambers, 301 W. Second, 974-3100 (hearing-impaired: 974-3102). www.cityofaustin.org/housing.

TEXAS POLITICS SPEAKER SERIES Local political writers discuss the outcome of last week's primary elections with Texas Poli­tics Project Direct­or Jim Henson. 3:30pm. UT campus, Gebauer Bldg., Rm. 3.312. Free. texaspolitics.laits.utexas.edu.

Ongoing

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN MEETING IN A BOX The city's so excited to hear what you think ought to be in the plan, it has extended the deadline: March 31. www.imagineaustin.net.

AUSTIN STRATEGIC MOBILITY PLAN SURVEY Let city planners know your transportation priorities at www.austinstrategicmobility.com/get-involved/survey.