Res Publica

For more details and events, see Community Listings.

Thursday28

CIVILITY IN A FRACTURED SOCIETY A presentation from National Endowment for the Humanities Chair Jim Leach. 7pm. Harry Ransom Center, 300 W. 21st, 471-8944. www.hrc.utexas.edu.

HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN DINNER features the Human Rights Campaign's Candace Ging­rich-Jones and Keep Austin Beautiful's Rodney Ahart. 6:30pm. Hyatt Regency Austin, 208 Barton Springs Rd., 477-1234. $35 (includes Human Rights Campaign membership). austin.hrc.org.

Friday29

EARLY VOTING ENDS See voting info, endorsements, and campaign coverage at austinchronicle.com/elections.

Saturday30

RACIAL DISCRIMINATION RALLY brings attention to potential discrimination within Bastrop ISD. 9am. Jerry Fay Wilhelm Performing Arts Cen­ter, Bastrop High School, 1401 Cedar St., Bastrop.

TOUR DE FAT (See "Naked City.") 9am-4pm. Fiesta Gardens, 2100 Jesse E. Segovia. www.newbelgium.com/tour-de-fat.

JACOB'S WELL VOLUNTEER TRAINING Help protect the Trinity Aquifer's largest perennial spring from pollution and overpumping. Volun­teers are needed to guide tours, coordinate events, restore trails, help with the newsletter, and more. 9am-3:30pm. Details at 263-2054 or [email protected].

MARCH TO KEEP FEAR ALIVE/RALLY TO RESTORE SANITY A couple of satellite gatherings for those who can't make it to the real things in D.C.: Austin's homage to Stephen Colbert's march begins near the botanical gardens at Zilker Park (9am) and proceeds to the Capitol grounds at 11am, where a certain rally inspired by Jon Stewart will just be kicking off. March: 9am; Zilker Park; www.keepfearalive.com. Rally: 11am-2pm; Texas Capitol; www.restoresanityaustin.com.

MARCH TO ABOLISH THE DEATH PENALTY Rally with community leaders, exonerated prisoners, family members of death row inmates, and others. 2-5pm. Texas Capitol. www.marchforabolition.org.

Sunday31

HOWL-O-WEEN Bring holiday joy to Austin's homeless pets, and bring home more than just candy for a mere $20 adoption fee. 11:30am-7pm. Town Lake Animal Center, 1156 W. Cesar Chavez. www.getapetnow.com.

Monday01

CAP METRO PUBLIC HEARING Weigh in on the proposed fare hikes. 5pm. Cap Metro Trans­porta­tion Authority, 2910 E. Fifth. www.capmetro.org.

Tuesday02

TRAVIS COUNTY DEMS ELECTION NIGHT PARTY Party the way the Democratic Party parties. 7pm-12mid. Driskill Hotel, 604 Brazos. www.traviscountydemocrats.org.

ELECTION DAY is here – but what do you care, since you already voted? (See Friday.)

TEXAS TRIBUNE ANNIVERSARY Watch election returns and rub elbows with Texas Tribbers as they celebrate a successful first year. 7pm-12mid. Arthouse at the Jones Center, 700 Con­gress. $100 ($75, members). [email protected].

Thursday04

TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION MEETING Have your say on the proposed exchange of the Devils River State Natural Area – along with a $7.9 million payment – for the smaller Devils River Ranch. 9am. Texas Parks & Wildlife headquarters, 4200 Smith School Rd. [email protected].

PHILOSOPHY LECTURE SERIES tackles the issue of political power and the state. 7pm. ACC Eastview Campus, 3401 Webberville Rd., 223-3012. Free. www.austincc.edu/ah.

Ongoing

GOING GREEN AWARDS The Austin Business Journal wants to honor local businesses and community leaders who are practicing environmental sustainability. Nomination deadline: Nov. 5. www2.bizjournals.com/austin/nomination/5571.

NAME THAT BUILDING The city wants your help naming a new building for youth programs in East Austin's Rosewood Park. PARD Main Office, 200 S. Lamar, 974-6700. Nomination deadline: Dec. 15. www.cityofaustin.org/parks/namingform.htm.