Public Notice

But Lars Eighner isn't, and he needs your help. Three years ago, the Austin novelist charmed Austin and America with his tale of life on the streets of the Capital City and the Southwest, with only his dog for companionship, in Travels with Lizbeth. The income from that allowed Eighner to get a roof over his head and himself on his feet. But the hobo life exacted its toll on his health, and now his future is again uncertain.

You can help keep Eighner and Lisbeth housed by attending a Benefit Reading for Lars Eighner at Bookstop Central Park on Thursday, August 15, 7-9pm. Participants will include Eighner himself, as well as Mary Willis Walker, Marion Winik, and Lawrence Wright, and more to be announced. Other cosponsors include The Austin Chronicle andThe Texas Observer, with refreshments provided by Central Market. Contributions on Eighner's behalf may be sent to The Texas Observer, 307 W. Seventh St., Austin, TX 78701, payable to The Texas Observer. Please indicate that the check is intended for Eighner. Sacks on Thrift Avenue

Ah, ya gotta love Austin -- counter couture hot spot. Any night at Emo's or somesuch other nightcrawlspace yields a veritible runway of slum chic. Was it perhapsSlacker which congealed the pomo boho hobo look that has since been adopted by malls and Targets across America? When it comes to dressing down, Austin is way down.

In spite of competition from the malls, chain stores, and for-profit second-hand and vintage outlets, Austin's public-charity thrift stores are healthy, if not thriving. They still encourage your patronage, however, and your generous donations too.

So, to honor our brave re-distillers of American pop culture's recent past (you knew this was coming) we've compiled A List of our fave Local Thrift Stores for Charity. So, clean out your closets, gather your pennies, and have at it.

The ARC of Texas We're envisioning everything paired in twos, but the name more likely implies Association of Retarded Citizens.

5726-B Manchaca, 707-0008. Assistance League of Texas Like we mentioned last week, ALT's big calendar sale is going on now, but fall also brings Operation School Bell, their program to help student tikes in need. 7951 Burnet, 458-2633.

Good Samaritan You don't need to go all the way to Samaria on donkey to check out their selection of office wear.

5111 Burnet, 451-2652. Goodwill Industries The King of Them All, with a vast selection. And everything is meticulously organized by color!

8965 Research, 832-0004

13096 N. Hwy183, 258-5898

5400 N. Lamar, 451-2306

836 Airport, 389-3227

2800 S. Lamar, 442-8802

5734 Manchaca, 448-4849

1207 Round Rock, 388-2911. Junior League There's nothing junior about their thrift sensibilities. The downtown location is in a league of its own.

522 E. Sixth, 477-7124. Mary Lee Foundation Helping children while helping yourself to this fine array of chotzkies -- what a way to shop.

1300 S. Lamar, 447-7101. Library Thrift Shop 403 W. Pecan, 251-5228. Sacks II You'll carry lots of them out of the Center for Battered Women's store.

4631 Airport, 451-4108. St. Vincent DePaul 1327 S. Congress, 442-5652. Salvation Army The soldiers against homelessness not only want you to have a house; they want it to be well-furnished, too.

5329 N. I-35, 451-7156

1142 S. Lamar, 443-7565

4216 S. Congress, 447-4044. Top Drawer Project Transitions can help you with those tough life transitions: like between size 7 and 14. Drag alert!! The Drawer is well-stocked for camp.

4902 Burnet, 454-5161. n