Res Publica

Thursday14

MOPAC IMPROVEMENT PROJECT Learn about the new sound walls proposed along portions of MoPac. Every­thing from design and location to height and color will be discussed. 6-8pm. Bryker Woods Elementary, 3309 Kerbey, 996-9778. www.mopacexpress.com.

SUMMER LAWN CARE Want to keep your yard healthy through the dog days of summer? Master gardener Jerry Naiser shares his tips for healthy grass. 7-9pm. Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd., 854-9600. Free. www.tcmastergardeners.org.

Friday15

SAVE TEXAS SCHOOLS FORUM Investing in Our Children offers a candid debriefing on state education cuts and thoughts on a new way forward, with a bipartisan panel of pro-education state legislators and a freewheeling audience Q&A. $10. 6-9pm, First United Methodist Church Family Life Center, 1300 Lavaca. www.savetxschools.org.

NEW HOME FOR DOVE SPRINGS WIC The Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department celebrates the relocation of the Dove Springs WIC Office with an open house. Noon-2pm. Dove Springs WIC Office, 6801-I S. I-35. 972-4942. www.cityofaustin.org/health.

AUSTIN WOMEN'S HALL OF FAME It's the last day to nominate your favorite kickass lady. Call City of Aus­tin Com­mis­sion for Women, 374-9723. Deadline: July 15. www.austintexas.gov/help/halloffame.htm.

COUNTY REDISTRICTING: LAST CHANCE Even if you couldn't attend one of the public hearings this month, you have one last day to weigh in on the proposed new boundaries for constable, justice of the peace, com­mis­sioners court, and voting precincts. See the update in Naked City, above. Call 854-9754, email redistricting2011@co.travis.tx.us, or see www.co.travis.tx.us.

Saturday16

Save Texas Schools' STATEWIDE Con­fer­ence A full day of workshops, breakout strategy sessions, and speakers aims to identify and elect pro-education state leaders in the next election cycle. 8am-4pm, First United Methodist Family Life Center, 1300 Lavaca. $30 registration (free to any laid-off public school employee) includes the Friday night forum above; advance registration required: www.savetxschools.org.

Monday18

SELF-REALIZATION AND SUSTAINABILITY Say­brook Univ. professor Eugene Taylor tackles the topics of phenomenology and sustainability. 8-10pm. Center for Maximum Potential Building, 8604 FM 969. RSVP to center@cmpbs.org or 928-4786. $15 suggested donation. www.cmpbs.org.

Tuesday19

SHOAL CREEK COMMUNITY BRIEFING Hear the latest on what the city is doing to restore the Shoal Creek peninsula on the Lady Bird Lake hike and bike trail. 6:30pm. One Texas Center, Rm. 325, 505 Barton Springs Rd.

SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CLASSES The city gets all up in your business with biz assistance and resources. Registration required. 9-10:30am. 201 E. Second. RSVP: www.austinsmallbiz.org or 974-7800.

Thursday21

ZERO WASTE DISCUSSION Come hear business owners and green experts discuss zero-waste initiatives, hosted by Austin Energy. 5:30-8:30pm. Austin Energy, 721 Barton Springs Rd. RSVP to rsvpaustin@texasgreennetwork.org.

ST. JOHN/CORONADO HILLS PLANNING This workshop on the combined neighborhood planning area of St. John/Coronado Hills will address neighborhood plan contact teams – a key component of neighborhood planning – as well as design and affordability tools. 6:30-8:30pm. Virginia Brown Rec Center Rm. B, 7500 Blessing.

Ongoing

CAP METRO BUDGET ON THE GO Capital Metro's budget process is under way, and the agency is soliciting public input. Have any suggestions? Go to www.capmetro.org/insidemetro/ci-budget.asp or www.capmetro.icanmakeitbetter.com for details.

CITYWORKS ACADEMY Want to know what really makes this city's clock tick? Sign up for 11 weeks of this municipal insiders boot camp. Weekly classes begin Tuesday, Sept. 13. 974-2969. Application deadline: Aug. 8.

ONLINE BUDGET FORUM Visit www.speakupaustin.org to tell the city how to hammer together a 2012 budget.

SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM REBATE BONUS To access Austin Energy's new (temporary) rebate increase, see www.austinenergy.com or call for an estimate: 482-5346. www.austinenergy.com/about%20us/newsroom/press%20releases/2011/summerSolarBonus.html.