Res Publica

Bill Spelman

Thursday22

TEXAS GREEN NETWORK MEETING 6-8:30pm. Red Bud Center, 3601 Lake Austin Blvd., 473-3200. www.texasgreennetwork.org.

BILL SPELMAN CITY COUNCIL CAMPAIGN KICKOFF 5:30pm. Scholz Garten, 1607 San Jacinto, 466-6939. Free. www.billspelman.org.

Friday23

THE UNFORESEEN Join Save Our Springs Alliance Director Bill Bunch, rancher Henry Brooks, and filmmaker Laura Dunn for a screening and discussion of documentary The Unforeseen, about the historic developer vs. conservationist showdown over the Edwards Aquifer and Barton Springs. 7pm. Ragsdale Center, Jones Auditorium, St. Edward's University, 3001 S. Congress. Free. www.screendoorfilm.com.

CHRIS RILEY CITY COUNCIL CAMPAIGN KICKOFF 6-8pm. Threadgill's World HQ, 301 W. Riverside, 472-9304. www.chrisforaustin.com.

Saturday24

ACTION FOR ANIMALS ANTI-FUR PROTEST 11am-12:30pm. Julian Gold, 1214 W. Sixth, 879-7437. www.actionforanimalsaustin.org.

IN MEMORY OF ANA SISNETT Join friends and admirers of the beloved author, artist, and activist, who passed away last week after a three-year battle with cancer. (See "Remembering Ana Sisnett," Screens.) 1pm. Trinity United Methodist Church, 600 E. 50th.

NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN OPEN HOUSE Learn about the progress on the North Lamar Combined Neighborhood Plan. 10am-1pm. St. Mark United Methodist Church, 601 W. Braker. www.cityofaustin.org/zoning/north_lamar.htm.

Sunday25

ECO SERIES: PECAN STREET PROJECT & THE UTILITY OF THE FUTURE Curious about the cryptically named project putting Austin at the center of national smart-grid research? Don't miss this talk from Mayor Pro Tem Brewster McCracken and Gridpoint's Mike Bates. 2-4pm. Pollen Architecture & Design, 1200 E. 12th. $5. RSVP at www.ecoseriesaustin.com.

LEGISLATIVE POLICY FORUM A nonpartisan environment for discussing major issues of the legislative session. 4pm. First United Method­ist Church, 1201 Lavaca.

RAJ PATEL The author of Stuffed and Starved: Markets, Power and the Hidden Battle for the World Food System explores the roots of the global food crisis and our path to a more sustainable and democratic food system. 6pm. St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 14311 Wells Port Dr. $11.50. RSVP at http://thirdcoastactivist.org/

WEEKLY PUBLIC AFFAIRS FORUM Former Austin Mayor Frank Cooksey talks about Austin's trends – both past and future. 11:30am. First Uni­tarian Universalist Church, 4700 Grover, 452-6168. Free. www.austinuu.org.

Monday26

COMMUNITY PANEL ON POVERTY 6pm. Caritas of Austin, 611 Neches, 432-1946. Free. www.ilivehereigivehere.org.

LEGISLATIVE DAY FOR MOTORCYCLE COMMUNITY Join bikers from across Texas to ensure that motorcyclists' voices are heard this legislative session. 9am-3pm. Texas Capitol, 560-1458. Free. www.coctexas.org.

Tuesday27

PUBLIC HEARING: HOUSING & COMMUN­I­TY DEVELOPMENT is the first in a series of forums held by the city to solicit feedback on various community programs to be included in the Fiscal Year Consolidated Plan for 2009-2014. 2pm. Community Action Network, 1000 E. 11th Ste. 400-A. www.cityofaustin.org/housing.

Thursday29

DESIGN VOICE KICKOFF is the beginning of an ongoing forum where architects and Austinites can come together to discuss housing advocacy and community building. 6-7:30pm. Center for Arch­itecture, 801 W. 12th. www.realcommunity.ning.com.

CENTRAL WEST AUSTIN LAND USE PLAN­NING WORKSHOP 6:30pm. LCRA Red Bud Facility, 3601 Lake Austin Blvd., 974-2857. Free. www.cityofaustin.org/zoning/central_west_austin.htm.

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS SUMMIT Learn the latest in making your business sustainable and what that can mean for your bottom line. Thu.-Fri., Jan. 29-30. McCombs School of Business. $75. www.utsummit.com.

TEXAS WATER SYMPOSIUM Greg­ory Ellis, attorney and executive director of the Texas Alli­ance of Groundwater Districts, discusses History of the Rule of Capture and Its Role and Status in Shaping Water Policy and Planning in Texas. 7pm. Nimitz Museum, 340 E. Main, Freder­icks­burg, 325/446-2301. Free. www.schreiner.edu/water.

Ongoing

SHELTER MAKEOVER CONTEST Want to help Austin's largest no-kill shelter win a $1 million makeover? Register at www.zootoo.com/makeover to earn points for the Austin Humane Society. Takes five minutes and could save countless lives. Through March 13.

GOT A CONVERTER BOX COUPON HAN­DY? Consider giving it to Meals on Wheels – it's distributing coupons to homebound Aus­tinites in preparation for the Feb. 17 conversion to digital television. www.mealsonwheelsandmore.org.

MODELS OF THE WALLER CREEK TUNNEL PROJECT are on display through Jan. 31. If you want to see what this milelong tunnel will look like and how it will allow denser development around Fourth and Fifth streets, visit Faulk Central Library, 800 Guadalupe. www.cityofaustin.org/wallercreek.

Photo Courtesy of Karen Sanders

FREE PAPER EXHIBITION Artist Annette Lawrence (r) uses 265 pounds of junk mail to delight the eye and explore consumer culture. Co-sponsored by Austin Green Art and sure to inspire your support of the national Do Not Mail campaign. Through Feb. 6. Flatbed Press, 2832 E. MLK, 477-9328. www.austingreenart.org.