Res Publica

Thursday21

CAP METRO ONLINE MEETING Share your thoughts on the proposed rate hike. 6-7pm. www.capmetro.org.

H.W. BRANDS reveals how to be a great president in six easy steps. 5:30pm. LBJ School of Public Affairs, 2315 Red River. www.utexas.edu/lbj.

HUSTON-TILLOTSON 135TH ANNIVERSARY begins with a health symposium and continues through the weekend with Charter Day activities, concerts, and more. Thu.-Sun., Oct. 21-24. Huston-Tillotson University, 900 Chicon, 505-3073. www.htu.edu.

HEALTH CENTERS FORUM Learn how to navigate community-based health care services. 5:30-7pm. Austin Travis County Integral Care, 1700 S. Lamar. www.integralcare.org.

Saturday23

ARBOR DAY CHILI COOK-OFF Tree-planting, live music, and chili. 9am-1:30pm. Longhorn Shores, Lady Bird Lake, 974-9543. www.cityofaustin.org/parks/arborday.htm.

Sunday24

ETHICAL SOCIETY OF AUSTIN North Austin Community Center's Imam Islam Mossad fields questions about Islam. 10:30am. 5555 N. Lamar Ste. L-137. Free. www.esoa.org.

FALL FUSION celebrates the Dell Jewish Com­munity Campus' 10th anniversary and honors those who helped make it happen. VIP reception, 4:30pm; awards ceremony, 6pm; community celebration, 7:30pm. $75-250. Dell Jewish Community Campus, 7300 Hart, 735-8020. www.shalomaustin.org/fusion.

Monday25

CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN APPALACHIA Appalachian filmmakers, artists, and activists join photographer Mike Andrick to discuss the poverty, environmental destruction, and other issues facing Appalachia (and depicted in Andrick's photos, currently on display). 7pm. Terrazas Branch Library, 1105 E. Cesar Chavez, 974-3625. www.austinlibrary.com.

Tuesday26

CENTRAL TEXAS DEMOCRATIC FORUM A "mid-election super-inspiring, super-informative extravaganza" with Rep. Lloyd Doggett, Sen. Kirk Watson, and Mayor Lee Leffingwell. 11:45am-1pm. Austin Bar Association, 816 Congress #700. $20. www.centraltxdemocraticforum.com.

IRAN SUMMIT Experts discuss Iran's role in Middle East politics. 7-8:30pm. Jewish Community Center, 7300 Hart, 735-8012. www.shalomaustin.org/jcrc.

LIBERTY SWINGS PROJECT Music, drinks, and a silent auction to help raise money for wheelchair-accessible swings for local parks. 6-10pm. The Oasis, 6550 Comanche Trail, 705-6161. $35. www.austinlibertyswings.com.

Wednesday27

HOUSE DISTRICT 48 DEBATE Libertarian Ben Easton takes on Dem incumbent Donna How­ard. Noon-1pm. 91.7FM KOOP Radio. www.koop.org.

SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH Dr. Denny Vagero of Stockholm University's Centre for Health Equity Studies discusses health care inequities around the world. Free. 7pm. Ragsdale Center, St. Edward's University, 3001 S. Congress, 233-1678.

Thursday28

YOUNG WOMEN'S DAY OF ACTION Hear stories of "Young Women's Creativity and Courage From India and South Africa." Noon. Texas Union, Santa Rita Room, UT campus. gsc@uts.cc.utexas.edu.

Ongoing

CITIZEN SURVEY: MCBETH RECREATION CENTER How can this rec center near Zilker Park improve its services for people with disabilities? www.cityofaustin.org/parks/mcbethsurvey.htm.

EARLY VOTING continues throughout the week. See voting info and endorsements, p.6, and campaign coverage, p.26. Through Oct. 29. austinchronicle.com/elections.

WHAT SHOULD AUSTIN SAVE? That's the question posed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which is in town conducting meet-ups and filming interviews to gather your thoughts on the future of this fair city. See "Naked City," for details.