Res Publica

Thursday27

ERIC RANGEL MEET AND GREET Meet the candidate challenging Laura Morrison for her City Council seat. 5-8pm. Plan Ivey Jane, 408 W. Second.

GARY M. LAVERGNE discusses his book Before Brown: Heman Marion Sweatt, Thurgood Marshall, and the Long Road to Justice. Noon. UT campus, Texas Union, Eastwoods Rm. 2.102. www.utexas.edu/diversity/events/hemansweatt.

KEEP AUSTIN BEAUTIFUL VOLUNTEER TRAINING Learn to host neighborhood cleanups and other activities. 6:15pm. KAB, 55 N. I-35, 391-0619. www.keepaustinbeautiful.org.

PUBLIC FORUM: SHORT-TERM RENTALS Discuss concerns about the short-term rental properties popping up around town. 6-7:30pm. One Texas Cen­ter, 505 Barton Springs Rd., Rm. 325, 974-2330. [email protected].

Friday28

5604 HAPPY HOUR with the Workers Defense Project and Third Coast Activist Resource Center. Snacks provided; BYOB. 5:30pm. 5604 Manor Rd., 391-2305. Free. www.5604manor.org.

COMMUNITY COFFEE: LUCIA ATHENS Rub elbows with the city's new chief sustainability officer. 8-9am. Schlotzsky's, 218 S. Lamar.

GREEN DRINKS FOR CLEAN CREEKS Knock back organic drinks for Keep Austin Beautiful. 7pm. The Marq, 422 Congress, 391-0622. www.keepaustinbeautiful.org.

TEXAS LYCEUM A day of talks on public pension funds ends with a fireside chat at the Austin Club (110 E. Ninth). 8am-9pm. Hilton Hotel, 500 E. Fourth. $100 ($75 for dinner/fireside chat). www.texaslyceum.org.

Saturday29

KRIS BAILEY CAMPAIGN KICKOFF Meet council member Randi Shade's newest challenger. 1pm. Scholz Garten, 1607 San Jacinto.

Sunday30

MONKEYWRENCH VOLUNTEER POTLUCK offers a chance to learn about this volunteer-run bookstore/community space/activist hub. 7pm. MonkeyWrench Books, 110 E. North Loop, 407-6925. Free. www.monkeywrenchbooks.org.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS FORUM Reps from KUT, KOOP, KMFA, and KAZI talk about the present and future of the public radio industry. 11:30am. First Unitarian Universalist Church, 4700 Grover, 452-6168. Free. www.austinuu.org.

Tuesday01

VOLUNTEER DEPUTY REGISTRAR TRAINING Learn how to register voters at one of the following sessions: 10:30am, 12:30pm, 6:30pm. Tue.-Fri., Feb. 1-4. Elections Training Room, 5501 Airport Blvd., 854-9473 x33284.

Wednesday02

POSTPONED: AUSTIN ENERGY PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT COM­MIT­­TEE holds the second of six monthly meetings to review rates. [Editor's note: This meeting has been postponed due to inclement weather conditions; new meeting date and time TBA.] 6pm. Austin Energy headquarters, Town Lake Center, 721 Barton Springs Rd. www.rates.austinenergy.com.

BLOGWELL takes a look at how big brands use social media. 1-5pm. UT Club, Texas Memorial Stadium, 405 E. 23rd. $250. www.gaspedal.com/blogwell.

GIVING SOCIALLY HAPPY HOUR The more you drink, the more money helps empower women all over the world. 5-8pm. House Wine, 408 Josephine, 322-5210.

Thursday03

CAAAD LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION The Capital Area Asian American Democrats honor local activists and legislators. 6-8pm. AFL-CIO Hall, 1106 Lavaca, 771-6266. $10. www.austinasiandems.com.

CONCORDIA SPEAKER SERIES LUNCHEON Austin City Limits Festival producer Charles Attal and Waterloo Records owner John Kunz discuss the importance of Austin's thriving live music scene. 11:30am. Concordia University, Bldg. A, 11400 Concordia University Dr., 313-5302. Free.

UT ENERGY FORUM Top researchers and professionals discuss the latest trends. Thu.-Fri., Feb. 3-4. AT&T Conference Center, 1900 University Ave., 877/744-8822. $50 ($25, student). www.utenergyforum.com.

ONGOING

ANIMAL ADOPTION SPECIAL: LAST WEEK Throughout January, all dogs 45 pounds or heavier are free at the Town Lake Animal Center. TLAC, 1156 W. Cesar Chavez.

SOLID WASTE OF A NAME Do the city a solid and give the Solid Waste Services Department a better name. The new moniker should reflect a greater range of services, from recycling to hazardous waste disposal to education. Cast your vote at www.cityofaustin.org/sws. Deadline: Feb. 10.