Res Publica

Thursday07

OPEN HOUSE: MOPAC IMPROVEMENT PROJECT Share your thoughts on upcoming changes along the MoPac corridor. 6-8pm. O. Henry Middle School, 2610 W. 10th. (Call 832-7218 if you need any special accommodations.) www.mopacexpress.com.

Texas Freedom Network 15th Anniver­sa­ry Gala Austin's Best Activist Organization (2010 "Best of Austin") fights the religious right on behalf of religious freedom, individual liberties, and public education. 7-10pm. Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 N. Congress. $50. www.tfn.org.

THE WAR NEXT DOOR: REPORTING MEXICO, DRUGS, AND THE BORDER NPR's John Burnett moderates this panel discussion of accomplished journalists who have reported on the conflicts along the border. 4pm. Texas Union, UT campus, 24th & Guadalupe, 475-8071. Free. www.bit.ly/cD1kms.

Friday08

BROTHER LUCIAN BLERSCH SYMPOSIUM ON HIV/AIDS explores policy decisions, the progression of the disease, and how it has influenced modern drug-design methodologies. 12:30pm. Ragsdale Center, Jones Auditorium, St. Edward's University, 3001 S. Congress, 448-8796. Free. www.stedwards.edu/science/events/lucian/fa2010.

THE MEXICO-U.S. SOLIDARITY NETWORK A presentation on the struggles of Mexican guest workers, with a talk from National Assembly of Braceros' Norberto Flores about his father's experiences in the largest binational labor agreement in world history – the Bracero Program of 1942-1964. 7pm. Resistencia Bookstore, 1801-A S. First, 416-8885. salmonrojo.tumblr.com.

TRAVIS COUNTY UNDERAGE DRINKING PRE­VEN­TION TASK FORCE convenes to discuss strategies for keeping kids sober. 10:30am-noon. Howson Branch Lib­rary, 2500 Exposition, 854-4229. www.co.travis.tx.us.

ROUND ROCK CANDIDATE FORUM District 52 state rep candidate Larry Gonzales and incumbent Diana Maldonado field questions after a presentation on Round Rock's Proposition 1. 11:30am-1pm. William­son Conference Center, 1209 N. I-35, Round Rock. $15. Reservation required: www.roundrockchamber.org.

Saturday09

GIVE RICK PERRY THE BOOT CAMP Learn how to help get voters to the polls this fall. 9am. TCDP Cam­paign Office, 605 W. 13th. www.traviscountydemocrats.org.

Sunday10

BENEFIT TO SAVE LAKE TRAVIS Join the outcry against a proposal to extract billions of gallons of Highland Lakes water for the White Stallion coal plant. 5-9pm. Iguana Grill, 2900 RR 620 N. $25. trevor.lovell@gmail.com.

Monday11

GIVE RICK PERRY THE BOOT CAMP (See Satur­day.) 6pm.

Tuesday12

SHAPING CITIES WITH FORM-BASED CODE Denver big shot Peter Park explains why form-based code is all the rage among city planners. 11:30am. Intercontinental Stephen F. Austin Hotel, 701 Congress. $40. www.centraltexascnu.org.

Wednesday13

TRAVIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER DEBATE GOP candidate David Buttross goes up against Dem incumbent Sarah Eckhardt, live on KOOP Radio, 91.7FM. Noon-1pm. www.koop.org.

WAYNE THORBURN takes a historical look at the conservative movement with his A Generation Awakes. 7pm. BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar.

Thursday14

WORKERS DEFENSE PROJECT celebrates its eighth anniversary with a party honoring the Nation­al Day Laborer Organizing Network and FuturoFund Austin. 6:30-9pm. Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River St. $25. Tickets at 391-2305. www.workersdefense.org.

Ongoing

GOING GREEN AWARDS The Austin Business Jour­nal wants to honor local businesses and community leaders who are practicing environmental sustainability. Submit nominations by Nov. 5 at www.austin.bizjournals.com/austin/nomination/5571.