Res Publica

Thursday14

CENTER FOR MAXIMUM POTENTIAL BUILDING SOLUTIONS Panelists look back at the CMPBS' 35 years of pioneering achievement. RSVP to center@cmpbs.org. (See "Eco-Currents.") 6:30-9pm. CMPBS, 8604 FM 969. $15 suggested donation. www.cmpbs.org.

VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE Register now if you want to vote in the May 14 city elections. Check out who's endorsing whom in "Endorsements Roll In," and see austinchronicle.com/elections for ongoing election coverage. www.traviscountytax.org/goVoters.do.

TEXAS' CLIMATE STUPIDITY Texas Observer staff writer Forrest Wilder places Texas in the grand scheme of climate-change denial. 7pm. MonkeyWrench Books, 110 E. North Loop. Free. www.monkeywrenchbooks.org.

Friday15

BRUCE DARLING ACC's adjunct associate professor of geology discusses a recent trip to rural Kenya, where he helped villagers find safe, sustainable sources of water. 7pm. ACC Northridge, 11928 Stonehollow Dr., Bldg. 4000. www.austincc.edu/newsroom/index.php/2011/02/14/putting-clean-water-within-reach-professor-takes-expertise-to-africa.

Saturday16

AUSTIN BIKE SUMMIT Pedalers of every ilk discuss the unmotorized, two-wheeled transportation system. RSVP online. 8:30am-10pm. Pine Street Station, 1101 E. Fifth, 203-7626. Free. www.austinbikesummit.org.

LULAC FUNDRAISER The League of United Latin American Citizens attempts to get out the vote while satisfying your appetite (for chicken enchiladas) and your hankering for civic engagement. 11am-4pm. Push-Up Foundation, 1711 E. Cesar Chavez, 576-7805. $6 per plate.

Sunday17

TECOLOTE FARM: TRIALS & TRIUMPHS A talk from farmer Katie Kraemer Pitre of the Sustainable Food Policy Board and Growers Alliance of Central Texas. 11:30am. First Unitarian Universal­ist Church, 4700 Grover, 452-6168. Free. www.austinuu.org.

PETCASSO BENEFIT Bid on art made by the same canines working the runway at this Animal Trus­tees of Austin fundraiser. 5:30pm. AT&T Con­fer­ence Center, 1900 University Ave., 371-1965. $150. www.petcassoaustin.org.

Monday18

ACC EARTH FAIR features environmentally savvy speakers and exhibits. 6-8:30pm. 3401 Webberville Rd., ACC Eastview, Rm. 8500. Free. www.austincc.edu.

Wednesday20

NORWOOD PARK COMMUNITY INPUT MEETING Help the Parks and Rec Department bring this neighborhood park back to life. 6pm. Zilker Club­house, 200 Zilker Clubhouse Rd., 974-2976. Free. www.cityofaustin.org/parks/park_news.cfm?nwsid=3283.

ST. JOHN/CORONADO HILLS NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING 6:30pm. Virginia L. Brown Recreation Center, 7500 Blessing, 974-7865. Free. www.cityofaustin.org/planning/neighborhood/sj_ch.htm.

Ongoing 

CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE FORUMS Find out what the candidates have to say about the issues you care about at one of this week's public forums; see "Forum or Against 'Em."

SPEAK UP, AUSTIN! This new online hub is where the city invites you to comment on just about anything going on around town and become part of making Austin a better place to live. www.austintexas.icanmakeitbetter.com.

ELECTRIC LAWN MOWER DISCOUNTS Want to be one of 200 lucky people to get a discount on an electric mower from the Clean Air Force of Central Texas? Check out the mowers at CAFCT's website, then call 225-778 or send an email to intern@cleanairforce.org. www.cleanairforce.org/whatsnew.html.

IN HER SHOES Donate new or gently worn shoes to Austin's homeless women. Drop-off locations: RunTex, 422 W. Riverside Dr.; Julian Gold, 1214 W. Sixth; ROAR Salon, 201 E. Fifth; Office of Dr. Frank Cherpack, 8701 Shoal Creek Blvd. #102. Through April 30.www.cityofaustin.org/council/cole_shoes_040111.htm.

TREE OF THE YEAR Doesn't your favorite tree deserve a fancy plaque from the city? Call 482-5342 for details. Nominations due June 30. www.cityofaustin.org/treeoftheyear.