Res Publica

Thursday03

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

GIL PEÑALOSA discusses how infrastructure can encourage walking and biking. 7pm. St. David's Epis­copal Church, 301 E. Eighth. Free. RSVP: www.biketexas.org. www.biketexas.org/shiftinggears.

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

Friday04

12TH STREET EAST END BLACK HERITAGE FEST­IVAL 10am-4pm. 1800 Pennsylvania Ave., 947-9066. Free. www.ujamaa-austin.org.

THE STATE OF TEXAS CHILDREN Experts discuss the importance of investing in children. 8-10am. Four Seasons Hotel, 98 San Jacinto. RSVP: 320-0222 x105.

Saturday05

CITIZEN LED AUSTIN SAFETY PARTNERSHIP hosts a discussion with Police Monitor Margo Frasier and Austin Police Association President Wayne Vincent. 2-4pm. ACC South Campus, 1820 W. Stassney, Bldg. E, Rm. 1130, 323-6929. Free. www.claspatx.com.

ROUND ROCK BLACK HISTORY CELEBRATION kicks off Black History Month with a presentation by the Horse Brigade of the Buffalo Soldiers and a performance by Sweet Home Baptist Church. 1pm. Allen R. Baca Center, 301 W. Bagdad Ave., Round Rock, 512/218-5499. Free. www.roundrocktexas.gov.

SHINE A LIGHT ON HUMAN RIGHTS Amnesty International brings activists together to promote human rights around the world. 10am-4pm. Ballet Austin, 501 W. Third. RSVP: 404/492-7269. ladler@aiusa.org.

Sunday06

FAMOUS CHARACTERS FROM THE BIBLE & QURAN Learn about famous religious characters across Judaic, Christian, and Islamic traditions. 7-9pm, weekly through March 6. First Unitarian Universalist Church, 4700 Grover, 452-6168. Free. www.austinuu.org.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS FORUM Center for Public Policy Priorities health care expert Anne Dunkelberg talks about Medicare in Texas. 11:30am. First Unitarian Universalist Church, 4700 Grover. Free. www.austinuu.org.

ROBERT MCCHESNEY The author of The Death and Life of American Journalism discusses mass media and its discontents. (See "Beyond the Super Bowl.") 6pm. St. Andrew's Presby­ter­ian Church, 14311 Wells Port Dr., $10 donation. junker@austin.utexas.edu.

Monday07

ROBERT MCCHESNEY (See Sunday.) Noon-1:30pm. LBJ Conference Room (in UT's CMA building), 773-0673. Free. junker@austin.utexas.edu.

Tuesday08

URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION Speak up about the proposed extension of the hours during which you have to pay Downtown parking meters. 6pm. City Hall, 301 W. Second. www.cityofaustin.org/transportation/downtown_parking.htm.

TRANSITION AUSTIN MEETING Smooth the transition from an oil-based society to a more sustainable future. 7pm. Lars Stanley Studio, 1901 E.M. Franklin. Free. www.transitionaustin.org.

Wednesday09

DEEP EDDY MEETING on proposed improvements to the pool and grounds. 6:30-8pm. Austin Parks and Rec Aquatics Office, 401 Deep Eddy Ave., 974-9467. www.cityofaustin.org/parks/deepeddypoolimprovement.htm.

EDUCATIONAL REFORM CONFERENCE 9am-4pm. Hil­ton Downtown, 500 E. Fourth. Reserve at 471-7055. $30. tcep@austin.utexas.edu.

FISCAL SOLUTIONS TOUR brings national experts to town to discuss U.S. budgetary policy. 6pm. LBJ Library, 2313 Red River, 232-4054. Free. www.concordcoalition.org/grassroots/fiscal-solutions-tour/fiscal-solutions-tour.

Thursday10

THE ANGUISH IN THE AMERICAN DREAM Author Robert Jensen shares his views on redefining the Amer­ican Dream in a post-downturn world. 7pm. Free. MonkeyWrench Books, 110 E. North Loop, 407-6925. www.monkeywrenchbooks.org.

SOLID WASTE OF A NAME: LAST DAY! Cast your vote on a new name for the Solid Waste Services Department: www.cityofaustin.org/sws.