Respublica

Thursday15

ARIELE GENTILES & BOB CARLTON offer up Barack Obama: An American Story, a book for teens that aims to address issues for both his supporters and his detractors. 7pm. BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar.

MLK CHILDREN'S ORATORY CONTEST Kids from local elementary schools were asked to explain what dream they would share with Dr. King, and now the finalists share their speeches with the public. 6pm. Boyd Vance Theatre at Carver, 1165 Angelina, 974-4926. Free. www.cityofaustin.org.

PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION RIDE­SHARE Want to carpool to Obama's inauguration? See www.obamainaugurationrideshare.com.

INAUGURATE YOURSELF! Writer Chic Migeot and Sander Hicks of Vox Pop, "New York City's only union-shop, Fair-Trade coffeehouse/bookstore" stop in Austin as part of a national preinauguration tour. 7pm. Brave New Books, 1904 Guadalupe Ste. B (downstairs), 480-2503. www.bravenewbookstore.com.

ZERO WASTE PLAN The plan to divert 90% of Austin's waste from landfills is on today's City Coun­cil agenda; if you'd like to say something about it, head down to City Hall, where they'll be voting on this ambitious initiative. See the agenda at www.cityofaustin.org. Austin City Hall, 301 W. Second.

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Saturday17

AUSTIN IN SOLIDARITY WITH GAZA Join the Rev. Jim Rigby and the Austin Gaza Coalition in a show of support for an end to the violence. 2pm. Texas State Capitol, 1100 Congress. www.solidaritywithgaza.com.

COMMUNITY GARDEN GATHERING with the folks from the Coalition of Austin Community Gardens. 2-4pm. Windsor Park Library, 5833 WestminsterDr. www.sustainablefoodcenter.org.

HANDS-ON BIODIESEL WORKSHOP Learn how to make your very own biodiesel. Register at www.hubbertspeak.org/January17.html. 10am-4pm. 4704 E. Cesar Chavez. $80.

HISPANIC FUTURES CONFERENCE A morning of speakers, exhibits, and more centered on the theme Empower Yourself, Get Involved, Fulfill Your Dreams. Students and parents welcome. 9:30am. LBJ High, 7309 Lazy Creek, 414-0884.

GREEN GIRLS MEET-UP Join your favorite green ladies for breakfast followed by a cleanup of North Lamar, from Shoal Creek to 24th Street. 9am-noon. Austin Java Cafe, 1206 Parkway. RSVP at www.greengirls.net.

MATERNAL IS POLITICAL: INAUGURATION CELEBRATION Shari MacDonald Strong, editor of The Maternal Is Political, hosts this evening in celebration of Obama's inauguration and Bush's departure, along with writers Marrit Ingman, Kris­tine Kovach, Liz Belile, and Sonya Feher. 7-9pm. BookWoman, 5501 N. Lamar, 472-2785. Free. www.ebookwoman.com.

MLK COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT PROJECT This annual volunteer extravaganza features four different outdoor locations hosting projects to benefit Austin communities. Sign up online to do your civic duty in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. 9am-3pm. 452-4800. Free. www.collegeforward.org.

PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURAL GALA RSVP online, and brush off your semiformal attire for Austin's celebration of change in the White House. 8pm. The Driskill Hotel, 604 Brazos, 465-2162. $100. www.actblue.com/page/gala.

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Sunday18

WEEKLY PUBLIC AFFAIRS FORUM Attorney Mary Ellen Felps discusses her firsthand experience with the death penalty process. 11:30am. First Unitarian Universalist Church, 4700 Grover, 452-6168. Free. www.austinuu.org.

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Monday19

KING MARCH & RALLY begins at the UT campus (21st & Speedway) and proceeds to the Capitol, where a short program begins at 10am. From there, the march continues to the Huston-Tillotson campus, where the festivities continue until 3pm. 9am. Huston-Tillotson University, 900 Chicon, 505-3139. www.mlkcelebration.com.

MLK DAY CLOSINGS In observance of the holiday, city of Austin administrative offices will be closed, as well as city libraries and museums, recreation centers, and the Town Lake Animal Shelter.

TROOP HOTLINE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Come to this info session about the Austin GI Rights Hotline. Help soldiers with discharges, conscientious objection, AWOL problems, sexual harassment, medical issues, and more. Training starts in February. 8pm. MonkeyWrench Books, 110 E. North Loop, 452-6245.

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Tuesday20

INAUGURATION WATCH PARTY Travis County Democrats host this morning soiree in celebration of Obama's swearing-in. 10am. Scholz Garten, 1607 San Jacinto.

NEIGHBORHOOD GREEN-UP & CLEANUP WORKSHOP Keep Austin Beautiful welcomes residents of the Heritage and Windsor Hills areas to learn how to green up their neighborhoods. 6:30-8:45pm. Dobie Middle School, 1200 E. Rund­berg. www.cityofaustin.org/zoning/
heritage_hills.htm.

OBAMANAUGURATION LUAU PARTY 6-10pm. Austin Crowne Plaza, 6121 N. I-35, 440-7171. $30 ($25, advance).

PARTY LIKE A BARACK STAR with the folks from MoveOn.org. A free drink goes to anyone dressed as a "historical American." 6pm. Cuatro's, 1004 24th St., 243-6361. www.cuatrosaustin.com.

ROAD TO HOPE Join the folks at DiverseArts for a special inaugration bash and opening reception for new exhibit "The Road to Hope: A Photographic Glimpse of African American Life 1850-1960." 7-10pm. New East Arts Gallery, 1601 E Fifth. www.cuatrosaustin.com

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Thursday22

SOLAR AUSTIN HAPPY HOUR Pam Groce of the Texas State Energy Conservation Office leads the discussion of all things sun-powered. 6:30-8:30pm. Opal Divine's Penn Field, 3601 S. Congress, 707-0237. www.opaldivines.com.