For those who haven’t been paying attention, an impeachment trial is starting in the U.S. Senate, one in which members will decide whether Donald Trump -- accused of pressuring Ukraine to damage presidential candidate Joe Biden -- will remain in office.

Arizona’s senators, Martha McSally and Kyrsten Sinema will be among those voting. Cable news punditry aside, there is serious scholarship about this topic, starting with an Impeachment Panel Discussion at 6 p.m. Thursday at the ASU Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.

The panel is moderated by Mark Kokanovich, and will feature Professor Frank Bowman; January Contreras, who ran for Arizona attorney general in 2018; and Paul Eckstein, who in 1988 prosecuted the impeachment of Arizona Gov. Evan Mecham that concluded with his removal from office.

On Saturday, a Regional Unity Walk will take place at Tempe Beach Park. The goal, according to organizers, is to promote mutual understanding and respect. Various cities, including Glendale, Mesa and Phoenix, are sponsoring the event. There will be fresh refreshments, T-shirts and entertainment. Call 480-350-8979 for more details. 

Town Hall: “For The People Must Act - Saving Democracy: Money in Politics” happens at 2 p.m. on Sunday at The Madison Center for the Arts, 5601 N. 16th St., Phoenix. Sponsored by Indivisible Valley of the Sun, this is three-part series based on the main components of Congressional House Bill HR1 (For the People Act). Speakers include Terry Goddard as moderator; Karen Hobert Flynn, president of Common Cause; and Tara Malloy, of the Campaign Legal Center.

THIS WEEK
Tuesday, Jan. 21
The Hermeneutics of Violence by Barrett West Global Visiting Scholar Dr. Paulina Sosnowska will begin at 4:15 p.m. at Barrett Suite, UCB 201, at Barrett Honors College, Arizona State University, Tempe.

Wednesday, Jan. 22
The Wisdom of Indigenous Foodways is described as a collaboration among Food Tank, ASU's Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems, and the Sustainable Community Food Systems Program at the University of Hawai’i, West O’ahu. The presentation starts at 4 p.m. at Arizona State University SkySong (Synergy Rooms I and II), 1365 N. Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale. Registration is required. 

Friday, Jan. 24
The Real Benjamin Franklin and The Spirit of Capitalism will take place at 1 p.m. at Sage South 242 on the Arizona State University campus in Tempe. Peter McNamara, ASU professor of practice in the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership, will lead the discussion. 

Saturday, Jan. 25
Wild About Our Rights! Annual Pro-Choice Arizona Fundraiser is happening at 6:30 p.m. at Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Pkwy. There will be music by DJ EFF3CT, hors d'oeuvres and a silent auction. Tickets range from $25 to $200; Pro-Choice Arizona Foundation is the sponsor. 

The Arizona Democratic Party State Committee Meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Schoening Center at Arizona Western College, 2020 S. Ave. 8 E in Yuma. A caucus and council workshop will be held and lunch will be offered for $10. More information is available by calling 520-223-7140 or contacting mdarling@azdem.org 

The Arizona Republican Party State Committee Meeting is also happening, at 9 a.m. at Church of the Nations, 6225 N. Central in Phoenix. Members will vote on resolutions and open positions. Call (602) 957-7770 for more information. 

Monday, Jan. 27
David Ariosto, a journalist and Cronkite School visiting professor, will discuss the year-long project Reporting on Youth Suicide at 7 p.m. at thje Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, 555 N. Central Ave. in Phoenix. The project will include a half-hour documentary that will be broadcast across the state as well as an in-depth website and continuing coverage of the topic.

Wednesday, Jan. 29
Free Film Screening: The River and the Wall is set for 7 p.m. at 
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 1140 E. Baseline Road in Tempe. The film focuses on potential environmental, economic, and social consequences of a massive wall built along the U.S.-Mexico border. Paul Hirt, an environmental historian and sustainability scientist, and Austin Alvarado, one of the film’s stars, will speak. 

Thursday, Jan. 30
The lecture Surviving the Climate Crisis will begin at 6:15 p.m. in Neeb Hall on the ASU campus in Tempe. Christina Figueres, a former executive secretary of the United Nation’s Framework Convention, will speak.

Friday, Jan. 31
Susan Rice — Tough Love -- featuring the former national security adviser to President Obama -- will be presented at 7 p.m. at the Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St. Ticket packages, which include Rice’s best-seller, start at $37.43. 

UPCOMING
Saturday, Feb. 1
Sierra Club’s Sedona Half Marathon

Feb. 1 to 22
Sustainability Solutions Festival

Monday, Feb. 3
Indian Country Today

Tuesday, Feb. 4
The Hate U Give Screening and Discussion - ASU West Campus

Wednesday, Feb. 5
Environmental Day at the Arizona Capitol

Thursday, Feb. 6
Refugee Lobbying Day Advocacy Training
Evangelical Climate Change Skepticism

Saturday, Feb. 8
Kicking It BIG! - Big Brothers Big Sisters

Monday, Feb. 10
AZGA Kinship Day at the Capitol 2020

Wednesday, Feb. 12
Equality Lobby Day

Tuesday, Feb. 15
Extinction Rebellion Phoenix Introductory Talk