Res Publica

Thursday05

REFLECTION ON CINCO DE MAYO Two evenings of lectures on Mexico and its culture in the U.S. Thu.-Fri., May 5-6, 6:30-9pm. Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River. Free. www.maccaustin.org.

Friday06

COMMUNITY STEWARDSHP AWARDS LUNCH­EON This annual Envision Central Texas get-together features a keynote this year called "The New Regional Agenda: Not What Most People Think." 11:30am. Hilton Austin, 500 E. Fourth. $75. www.envisioncentraltexas.org.

NATIONAL PUBLIC GARDENS DAY 9am-5:30pm. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse, 794-8600. Free with online coupon. www.nationalpublicgardensday.org.

MEMORIAL DEDICATION Officials dedicate a permanent exhibition to city employees who have died. 6pm. City Hall, 301. W. Second.

Saturday07

VOTING RALLY Music and tacos mingle to inspire early voting, hosted by Place 4 candidate Laura Mor­rison. 4-6pm. Maria's Taco Xpress, 2529 S. Lam­ar.

PRIVATE PRISONS, IMMIGRANT DETENTION, & OUR MONEY Grassroots Leadership's Bob Libal exposes the cycle of immigrant detention for private profit. Noon. Yarborough Library, 2200 Hancock. Free. www.coffeepartyaustin.org.

TEXAS MARIJUANA MARCH & RALLY Join the National Organization for the Reform of Marijua­na Laws in a march from Waterloo Park to the Capit­ol for speakers and other good vibes. 1:45-4pm. Free. www.texasnorml.org.

Sunday08

FUNNY FORUM A City Council candidate free-for-all with proceeds going to the funniest candidate's charity of choice (the audience decides who brings the most funny). 3pm. ColdTowne Theater, 4803-B Airport, 524-2807. $20 suggested donation. www.coldtownetheater.com.

IMATTER MARCH (KIDS VS. GLOBAL WARM­ING) Civic-minded kids in Austin and around the country show support for Mother Earth. 12:30pm. Waterloo Park, 500 E. 12th. www.imattermarch.org/march/location/austin-tx.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS FORUM Economist James K. Galbraith paints a not-so-sunny picture of the U.S. economy. 11:30am. First Unitarian Uni­ver­sal­ist Church, 4700 Grover, 452-6168. Free. www.capitalareartcc.org.

Monday09

REGIONAL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FORUM Hosted by the Capital Area Regional Transit Coordination Committee. 9:30-11:30am. One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Rd., Rm. 325.

LIVEABLE CITY HAPPY HOUR @ LITTLE CITY Join these partying wonks for freewheeling talk about local business and the city's Comp Plan, led by AIBA's Rebecca Melancon. 5:30pm-7pm, Little City Cafe, 916 Congress. Free.

Tuesday10

EARLY VOTING: LAST DAY See "'Chronicle' Endorsements" and polling locations, as well as ongoing coverage at austinchronicle.com/elections. Election day: May 14. austinchronicle.com/elections.

LA PODEROSA MEDIA PROJECT FUNDRAISER Help underprivileged Latin American youths tell their stories via digital media. 7-10pm. La Sombra Bar & Grill, 4800 Burnet Rd., 361/739-9947. $20. www.lapoderosa.org.

MEDIA REFORM REPORT Attendees of Boston's National Conference on Media Reform share what they learned. 7pm. MonkeyWrench Books, 110 E. North Loop, 669-9968. Free. www.austin.indymedia.org.

Wednesday11

ISRAELI PEACE ACTIVIST YAEL DAYAN discusses women's rights in Israel and America's role in Middle East peace. 7pm. Congregation Agudas Achim, 7300 Hart, 826-4578. Free. www.jstreet.org/austin.

REGIONAL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FORUM 6-8pm. Bastrop Courthouse Annex, 804 Pecan St., Bastrop. www.capitalareartcc.org.

Thursday12

5604 MANOR ANNIVERSARY Enjoy music and libations in celebration of this progressive hub's one-year anniversary. 5:30-10pm. 5604 Manor Rd. www.5604manor.org.

AMERICAN GATEWAYS GALA Support immigrant rights and celebrate the winners of the pro bono attorney and law firm awards. 6-10pm. Long Center, 701 W. Riverside, 478-0546. $35. www.americangateways.org.

COCKTAILS FOR A CAUSE Support Planned Parenthood's services as women's health care sits in the crosshairs of budget cuts. 6pm. Palm Door, 401 Sabine, 276-8061. $40. www.ppaustin.org.

FAIR TRADE SHORTS Short-film screenings kick off three days of the Fair Trade Film Festival. 6:30-9:30pm. Domy Books, 913 E. Cesar Chavez. www.fairtradeaustin.org.