Res Publica

Thursday04

CAMPUS BOUNDARY MEETING Public input is welcome on the attendance zones for the new Southwest middle school, slated to open August 2009. (See "School Boundaries: Please All, Please None," Nov. 28, for more.) 6:30pm. Small Middle School, 4801 Monterey Oaks Blvd., 841-6700. www.austinisd.org.

CENTRAL WEST AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN WORKSHOP 6:30pm. Lower Colorado River Authority HQ, 3700 Lake Austin Blvd., 974-2857. www.cityofaustin.org/zoning/central_west_austin.htm.

HISPANIC POWER NETWORKING BREAK­FAST 7:30am. Antonio's Mexican Restaurant, 7522-B N. I-35. $20 ($15, members). RSVP at www.gahcc.org.

LBJ CENTENNIAL SYMPOSIUM takes a look at the policy challenges facing the new administration through "the lens of the LBJ domestic policy legacy." Thu.-Fri., Dec. 4-5. LBJ Library and Museum, 2313 Red River. www.utexas.edu/lbj/centennialsymposium.

SAVE OUR SPRINGS HOLIDAY PARTY & SILENT AUCTION 6-11pm. Mercury Hall, 615 Cardinal, 236-1226. $10 suggested donation. www.sosalliance.org.

SILVER BOX EVENT A festive cocktail party to benefit Equality Texas. 7pm. The Monarch, 801 W. Fifth. $75. www.equalitytexas.org.

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Friday05

MARK WINNE discusses the local food movement, food security, and his book Closing the Food Gap: Resetting the Table in the Land of Plenty. 7pm. BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar, 472-5050.

WILL TUTTLE The author of The World Peace Diet is in town to talk about the role animals have played in our culture, our history, and the environment. 7-9pm. Casa de Luz, 1701 Toomey, 476-2276. $15-20. www.willtuttle.com.

CENTRAL TEXAS AFTERSCHOOL NET­WORK COFFEE TALK welcomes anyone who works with youth to discuss upcoming legislation affecting kids in Central Texas. 9am. Blue Dahlia Bistro, 1115 E. 11th, 542-9542. Free. www.ctanweb.org.

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Saturday06

ACKNOWLEDGE ME CRAFT FAIR & HOME­LESS BENEFIT Do some Christmas shopping, and donate needed items to Austin's homeless (bring toiletries for the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless; beanies and gloves for House the Homeless). 8pm-2am. Mohawk, 912 Red River. $6 ($5 with donations). www.acknowledge-me.com.

FAIR FOOD MUSIC FEST supports Fair Food Austin's efforts to enact universal labor standards for farmers worldwide. See Club Listings, p.102, for a full lineup. 2-7pm. Music Gym, 815 E. Sixth. $5-10 sliding scale. www.fairfoodaustin.blogspot.com.

REAGAN HIGH SCHOOL COMMUNITY WALK Join friends of Reagan High today in going door to door to support improving attendance, grades, and morale in the face of possible closure next year. (See "Reagan High Stands Up and Fights," Oct. 31, for more.) 9am-1pm (orientation: 8:45am). Meet at Reagan High cafeteria, 7104 Berkman, 653-4935. reaganhs@austin.rr.com.

URBAN FARM BICYCLE TOUR includes stops for hands-on gardening activities, henhouse and farm tours, and lots of tasty samplings. Tours leave from three spots: Bicycle Sport Shop, 517 S. Lamar, 9am; Sunset Valley Farmers Market, 3200 Jones, 9:30am; Austin Farmers' Market, Fourth & Guadalupe, 10:05am. This event is part of Eat Local Week (see All Week). 477-3472. $25 ($40 per family). www.bicyclesportshop.com.

SUSTAINABILITY TALK Learn about sustainable agricultural and building practices in this talk by Rod Rylander, the man who built the Hobbit House at Earthhaven Ecovillage in North Carolina. 3-5pm. Brave New Books, 1904 Guadalupe, 480-2503. www.rrylander.com.

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Sunday07

BROWN SANTA 5K/KIDS K Get a little exercise to benefit Brown Santa, or just drop off donations of books, toys, and nonperishable food items for families in need this holiday season. 8am-noon. Travis County Expo Center, 7311 Decker Ln., 247-2682. $18-20. www.tcsheriff.org/brownsanta5k.html.

FOOD POLICY COUNCIL STRATEGIES In case you missed him earlier (see Friday), you can join Mark Winne today for a talk about strategies for improved local food policy. A light lunch will be served; RSVP to marla@edibleaustin.com. 11am-2pm, 500 E. Highland Mall Blvd., 441-3971.

H.W. BRANDS The historian and UT professor discusses his latest book, Traitor to His Class: The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. 2-5pm. Scholz Garten, 1607 San Jacinto. $18-20. www.scholzgarten.net.

SIERRA CLUB HOLIDAY PARTY 6-9pm. Barr Mansion, 10463 Sprinkle Rd. $15 ($18, door). RSVP required: rpatterson16@austin.rr.com.

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Wednesday10

BLUE SANTA TOY DRIVE Bring an unwrapped toy, and get a horse-drawn carriage ride in return. First come, first served. 6:30-10pm. Downtown Fire Station, Fifth & Trinity, 243-0044.

JULIA MICKENBERG discusses her Tales for Little Rebels: A Collection of Radical Children's Liturature. 5pm. Follett's Intellectual Property, 2402 Guadalupe. www.intellectualpropertyaustin.com.

NATIONAL DAY WITHOUT A GAY Call in "gay" to work today to protest Prop. 8 and similar citizen-trivializing initiatives. www.daywithoutagay.org.

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All Week

DONATIONS FOR WINTER SEASON With temperatures dropping, it's time to remember those without protection from the elements. New or gently used blankets, jeans, and coats are needed. Austin Resource Center for the Homeless, 500 E. Seventh, 305-4174. www.frontsteps.org.

EAT LOCAL WEEK Edible Austin presents a week of events – such as the Urban Farm Tour, Edible Austin Tea Party, and Local Food Cook-Off – with proceeds going to the Urban Roots program, which teaches teens to plant, cultivate, and share their own food. Dec. 6-13. Details: www.edibleaustin.com.

BLUE SANTA VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Applications will be accepted at various times for any of the Blue Santa locations across town. Check www.bluesanta.org for a list of application times and places. Through Dec. 12. 974-5017.

BROWN SANTA NEEDS VOLUNTEERS, TOO to help receive, prepare, and deliver toys and food to Travis County families. If you'd like to participate, call 24-SANTA. Brown Santa is also accepting donations of nonperishable food items, books, unwrapped toys (new), and cash, which you may drop off at the Brown Santa Warehouse (15400 Long Vista Dr. #101) or mail to: Brown Santa, PO Box 207, Austin, 78767-0207. Donations also accepted online: www.brownsanta.org.