Happenings

For more on events this week, see Community Listings.

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THURSDAY, MAY 17

PUBLIC HEARING Comment on the latest draft of the city's Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Action Plan. 6pm. Austin City Hall. Free. www.ci.austin.tx.us/housing/publications.htm.

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FRIDAY, MAY 18

BIKE TO WORK DAY starts with breakfast for bikers, 7-9am (see Web site for various locations). The Political Pedal bike ride, with bike advocates and elected officials, follows at 4:30pm (see www.communitywalk.com for route). Afterward, join the Bike to Work Happy Hour. Doc's Motorworks Bar & Grill, 1123 S. Congress. www.austincycling.org/bike_month.html.

ENVISION CENTRAL TEXAS COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP AWARDS LUNCHEON recognizes those who are doing the most to preserve and enhance the quality of life in Central Texas, with a keynote by William H. Hudnut, public policy chair for the Urban Land Institute. Call for ticket info. 11:30am-1:30pm. Hilton Downtown, 500 E. Fourth, 916-6037. www.envisioncentraltexas.org.

PEOPLE UNITED features Megan Headley of The Texas Observer, Laurie Felker Jones of NARAL Pro-Choice Texas, and Sarah Wheat of Planned Parenthood, talking about the current state of reproductive rights and access in Texas. 1pm. KOOP Radio 91.7FM.

ALTERNATIVE RADIO features Bill McKibben, author of Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future, speaking on the problems of endless economic expansion with finite natural resources. 2pm. KOOP Radio 91.7FM.

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SATURDAY, MAY 19

AFRICAN-AMERICAN MEN & BOYS/WOMEN & GIRLS CONFERENCE brings young and old together for workshops, discussions, and lectures on issues affecting African-Americans. 10am-3pm. LBJ High, 7309 Lazy Creek. [email protected].

SUSTAINABLE SHOPPER'S BALL This one-stop eco-shop is back with more than 50 vendors of green and sustainable-living products; Austin Green Art; solar-powered music from Sound Team's Matt Oliver; lots of local, organic foods from Sunset Valley Farmers Market; and plenty of kids activities. Special guests Bill Bunch (SOS Alliance), Richard Heinichen (Richard's Rainwater), Jeremy Walther (BioGardener), and Mark Weiland (Austin Water Conservation) will be speaking on today's theme, Celebrating Water: Clean, Local, Efficient, Precious. (Stop by the Chronicle table to hear all about saving energy and winning prizes this summer in the Great Citywide Kill-a-Watt Challenge.) 9am-1pm. Toney Burger Athletic Center, 3200 Jones, 414-2096. Free. www.sustain-a-ball.org.

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SUNDAY, MAY 20

HELP CUT OUT SEXUAL ASSAULT Join African-American beauticians and SafePlace in helping break the silence around sexual assault in the African-American community, in which 19% of women report having been raped. 1-4pm. Mitchie's Gallery, 6406 N. I-35 #2800, 481-9255. Free. www.austin-safeplace.org.

IMMIGRATION DETENTION OF FAMILIES & CHILDREN Attorney Barbara Hines discusses the detention of immigrant children and families in the T. Don Hutto Center in Taylor. 11:30am-12:30pm. First Unitarian Universalist Church, 4700 Grover, 452-6168.

INTERNATIONAL AIDS MEMORIAL CANDLELIGHT SERVICE coincides with services in 93 countries, honoring those who've passed away and those who live with HIV/AIDS. An evening of prayer, remembrances, music, spoken word, and more. 8-9:30pm. Republic Square Park, Fourth & Guadalupe, 707-2384. [email protected].

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 23

METROPOLITAN BREAKFAST CLUB guest speaker is Mayor Will Wynn, one among 30 Texans trained to present the slide show upon which An Inconvenient Truth is based. 7-8:30am. UT Club, Royal Memorial Stadium, sixth floor. $15. www.mbcaustin.org.

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ONGOING

CAPACITY BUILDING GRANT St. David's Community Health Foundation requests proposals from 501c(3) organizations that might benefit from the chance to attend a September "capacity building" retreat to discuss strategic management and budgeting, governance, marketing, and other important means to running an effective nonprofit. Deadline: June 1. www.sdchf.org/grant_type.htm.

INNOVATION GRANT The St. David's Community Health Foundation is offering grants up to $20,000 for start-ups or relatively new organizations or programs that have creative solutions to unmet needs of the community. www.sdchf.org/grant_type.htm.

COMMUNITY MEETINGS: PROPERTY TAXES PODER hosts two meetings to discuss concerns about property values, exemptions, and special appraisals and to learn about rights to protest. Tuesday, May 22, 6-8pm: Conley-Guerrero Senior Activity Center, 808 Nile. Thursday, May 24, 6-8pm: Terrazas Library, 1105 E. Cesar Chavez. 472-9921. [email protected].