Res Publica

For more details and events, see Community Listings.

Hey, candidates! If you'd like your campaign events listed, send details to calendar@austinchronicle.com.

Thursday26

THUNDERCLOUD TURKEY TROT Join in this annual 5K to benefit Caritas of Austin. 9:30am (registration opens 7:30am; Kids' K starts 8:45am). Waterloo Park, 12th & Trinity. $25 ($30 timed; $10 Kids' K). www.thundercloud.com.

Friday27

PEOPLE UNITED features a discussion with Karen Burke and Eric Ruder, who went on a humanitarian convoy to Gaza in July, and Sama'an Ashrawi, son of a Palestinian refugee. 1pm. KOOP Radio 91.7FM.

Saturday28

ANTI-FUR FASHION SHOW Show people how chic you can be without harming animals. 11am. Julian Gold, 1214 W. Sixth. www.actionforanimalsaustin.org.

AUSTIN UNCHAINED DAY Free yourself from the chains and big boxes of the world! Shop locally and spend wisely. www.ibuyaustin.com.

CHUY'S CHILDREN GIVING TO CHILDREN PARADE Don't forget to bring a toy to donate to Blue Santa. 11am. Route runs from the Capitol to Cesar Chavez. www.chuysparade.com.

ECOLOGICAL LITERACY DAY Volunteer for habitat restoration work with the Austin Parks Foun­da­tion, followed by a seminar about local ecology. 9am. Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory, 2210 FM 973 S., 972-1960. www.travisaudubon.org.

Sunday29

PUBLIC AFFAIRS FORUM Texas Observer CEO Carlton Carl talks about the state of the news business. 11:30am. First Unitarian Universalist Church, 4700 Grover, 452-6168. www.austinuu.org.

Monday30

LAST DAY: TOILET REBATE If you had a free toilet installed this year through Austin Water Util­ity's program, today's the last day to send in your receipt for the rebate. www.cityofaustin.org/watercon.

Tuesday01

WORLD AIDS DAY SERVICE 7pm. Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, 100 E. 27th, 459-5883. Free. www.thecarecommunities.org.

INSIDE BOOKS PROJECT BENEFIT Dinner, drinks, and music from the Bright Light Social Hour; proceeds help get books to Texas prisoners. 7pm. Mercury Hall, 615 Cardinal, 236-1226. $10 suggested donation.

WHERE THE WATER MEETS THE SKY SCREEN­ING A Zambian documentary about the plight of young women orphaned by AIDS. 4:45pm. Student Ser­vices Building, Glen Maloney Room (SSB G1.310), 471-5765. Free. www.utexas.edu/cola/centers/cwgs.

WORLD AIDS DAY CONFERENCE explores issues of public memory, human rights, documentation, and representation. 9am-3pm. Texas Union, Governors' Room (UNB 3.116), 232-4857. Free. www.rapoportcenter.org.

Thursday03

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AS FAITH PRACTICE A talk from Bee Moorhead, executive director of Texas Impact. 11:30am. Concordia University, Bldg. A, 11400 Concordia University Dr. Free. www.concordia.edu/speakerseries.

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION: AISD BUDGET ISSUES A get-together with Superintendent Meria Carstarphen to discuss school district dollars. 6pm. Travis High School, 1211 E. Oltorf.

LAINEY'S BALLOT BLOWOUT Celebrate Lainey Melnick's bid for Congress representing Texas' 21st District. The Asylum Street Spankers perform. 6:30pm. Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve, 805 Capital of TX Hwy. N., 799-0626. $20 ($15, advance). www.laineyforcongress.com.

Ongoing

ACCESS GALLERY HOLIDAY SHOW Support VSA arts of Texas and local artists with disabilities when you buy any of the gift-worthy items from more than 20 artists. Through Jan. 9. Access Gal­lery, 3701 Guadalupe #103, 454-9912. www.vsatx.org.

BROWN SANTA Donate cash, toys, books, and nonperishable food items to benefit Travis County families this holiday season. 247-2682.

PROJECT HELP This AISD initiative matches generous locals with needy families, providing gifts for the holidays. Call 414-3690 to register and receive a family's wish list. Bring wrapped gifts to the Alter­native Learning Center, portable #451, 901 Neal, by Dec. 8. www.austinisd.org/academics/sss/projecthelp.