Res Publica

Thursday 16

ACC CENTER FOR PUBLIC POLICY & POLITICAL STUDIES FUNDRAISER features a lunchtime talk on the upcoming elections from ABC political commentator Matthew Dowd (pictured). 11:30am. UT Alumni Center, 2110 San Jacinto. www.policyaustin.org.

ANTI-WAR VETERAN CAMILO MEJÍ­A reads from his Iraq war memoir. 7pm. UT campus, Garrison Hall, Rm. 0.102. www.resistingempire.org.

BLACK AUSTIN DEMOCRATS MEETING 6pm. Victory Grill, 1104 E. 11th, 902-5057.

IMAGINING THE NEXT CITY: DO PUBLIC INCENTIVES WORK FOR AUSTIN? Liveable City hosts this panel discussion featuring economist Michael Oden and others. 6-8pm. Scholz Garten, 1607 San Jacinto.

U.S. SENATE DEBATE NO. 2 Watch Dem candidate Rep. Rick Noriega in the last of two debates against incumbent John Cornyn. 8pm. KLRU-TV (Cable Channel 9, air Channel 18).

Friday 17

1491: LANDSCAPES OF THE AMERICAS BEFORE COLUMBUS Charles C. Mann will explain how pre-Col­umbian Americas were more sophisticated than previously thought. 4pm. UT campus, University Teaching Center, 21st & Speedway, Rm. 2.112A. Free. www.utexas.edu/cola/college_events/current/charlesmannevent.

AUSTIN ENERGY ALTCAR EXPO Glimpse a transportation future free of gas-guzzling cars, and don't miss the unveiling of AE's new "Smart Charging" prototype for electric vehicles (see "Naked City"). Fri.-Sat., 10am-5pm. Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd. Free. www.austinenergyaltcar.com.

THE ROAD TO NO KILL AUSTIN A public-policy forum and silent auction hosted by FixAustin.org. (See "Naked City" for more.) 6-8:30pm. City Hall, 301 W. Second. www.fixaustin.org.

Saturday 18

FIGHTING FOR A FAIR TRADE FUTURE Reg­ister online for this afternoon of Fair Trade ­panels, workshops, and speakers. 1-5pm. Conley-Guerrero Senior Activity Center, 808 Nile. Free. www.texasfairtrade.org.

Sunday 19

ABRAHAM PEACE WALK An afternoon of discussions and activities for Christians, Muslims, and Jews who want to explore the common ground among their faiths – features a special appearance from Judea Pearl (pictured), father of slain jour­nalist Daniel Pearl. 2-6pm. Dell Jewish Com­mun­ity Center, 7300 Hart. www.jcaaonline.org.

GRASSROOTS MEDIA JUSTICE TOUR brings to town two days of special events celebrating the independent media, beginning today with an afternoon of free skill-sharing workshops led by media experts. 1-7pm. Space 12, 3121 E. 12th. Free. www.skillshareaustin.org.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS FORUM Quorum Report Editor Harvey Kronberg gives us his take on the Texas elections. 11:30am. First Unitarian Universalist Church, 4700 Grover, 413-0286. Free.

Monday 20

CAP CITY COMEDY CAUCUS A purely political comedy night featuring talented local performers and maybe you, too: You could win a $50 prize for the best Obama or McCain joke or the best Sarah Palin impression or $100 for Best Overall Political Comedy. (To participate, prepare two minutes of material and e-mail Margie for details: [email protected].) 8pm. Cap City Comedy Club, 8120 Research #100, 467-2333. $5.

EARLY VOTING BEGINS! Can you believe it's finally here? See p.8 for endorsements, voting locations, and more. www.cityofaustin.org/election.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS DISCUSSION Learn more about the issues likely to be facing the next president. 7pm. ACC Eastview, 3401 Webberville, 223-5173. Free. [email protected].

GRASSROOTS MEDIA JUSTICE TOUR CONTINUES (See Sunday.) 7pm. MonkeyWrench Books, 110 E. North Loop. www.skillshareaustin.org.

MASS COMMUNICATION WEEK features lectures, discussions, and symposiums on mass media and culture. Highlights include a Tuesday appearance from former Bush press secretary Scott McClellan. Mon.-Thu., Oct. 20-23. Texas State University, San Marcos and Round Rock. Free. www.txstatemcweek.com.

TRAVIS CO. COMMUNITY PLAN PUBLIC FORUM 8:30am-noon (register by Fri., Oct. 17). Travis County Counseling & Education Services, 5501 Airport. [email protected].

Tuesday 21

SUPERWOMEN'S DAUGHTERS LECTURE A discussion by author Courtney E. Martin on "the legacy of perfectionism and exhaustion in female leadership." 5:30-7pm. Carver Museum and Cul­tur­al Center, 1165 Angelina. $25. www.genaustin.org.

Wednesday 22

AFFORDABLE HOUSING FORUM features a discussion on the appraisal process. 9-10:30am. City Hall, 301 W. Second.

ALTERNATIVE AUSTIN ENERGY Austin will be deriving 30% of its energy from renewable resources by 2020 – but how much of that will be wind vs. solar vs. biomass vs. nuclear? That's for you to help decide, beginning with tonight's meeting, the first of several public forums planned over the next few weeks. 6:30pm. City Hall, 301 W. Second. www.cityofaustin.org.

CENTRAL WEST AUSTIN LAND USE PLAN­NING WORKSHOP 6:30-9pm. LCRA Red Bud Facility, 3601 Lake Austin Blvd., 974-2857. Free.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, WORKERS DEFENSE PROJECT! Help celebrate WDP's six years of fighting for workers' rights. 6:30-9:30pm. Mercury Hall, 615 Cardinal, 391-2305. $25. www.workersdefense.org.

NEW CENTRAL LIBRARY MEET AND GREET (See "Naked City.") 6pm. City Hall, 301 W. Second. www.cityofaustin.org/library/newcentlib.htm.

TRAVIS CO. COMMUNITY PLAN PUBLIC FORUM No. 2 (See Monday.)