Res Publica

Friday03

PEOPLE UNITED features Michael Lux discussing his book The Progressive Revolution: How the Best in America Came to Be. 1pm. KOOP Radio 91.7FM.

Saturday04

BARTON HILLS INDEPENDENCE DAY PAR­ADE Join Police Chief Art Acevedo for a Fourth of July march with students from Barton Hills Elementary, followed by a patriotic ceremony hosted by musician Sara Hickman. Bring nonperishable food items for the Capital Area Food Bank. 9am. Barton Hills Elementary School, 2108 Barton Hills Dr.

DRINK PINK – SEE RED, WHITE, & BLUE Live music and art-bra models – wha? It's all for a good cause, with proceeds going to breast cancer research. 6pm. Opal Divine's Freehouse, 700 W. Sixth, 477-3308. Free. www.bcrc.org.

SYMPHONY & FIREWORKS ON LADY BIRD LAKE with music from the Austin Symphony Orch­estra and a Howitzer cannon. 8:30pm. Auditor­ium Shores, South First at Lady Bird Lake, 442-2263.

TAKE BACK AMERICA TEA PARTY Repub­lic­ans and barbecue. 2-6pm. Texas Capitol, 1100 Congress. Free. www.austinreteaparty.com.

YELLOW BIKE'S FOURTH PROJECT Live music and yellow bikes. 1pm. Wooldridge Square Park, 900 Guadalupe. www.austinyellowbike.org.

MORE FOURTH OF JULY EVENTS on p.60.

Sunday05

GIVE BLOOD FOR SUNDAES Every Sunday in July, you get an Amy's Ice Creams sundae for saving lives – i.e., donating blood. Blood Center of Central Texas, 4300 N. Lamar, 206-1266. www.inyourhands.org.

INSIDE BOOKS PROJECT needs all the help it can get with sending books to Texas prisoners. Stop by Thursdays & Sundays, 8-11pm. Space 12, 3121 E. 12th, 647-4803. www.insidebooksproject.org.

Monday06

ENVIRO TEEPEE CAMPOUT The Polymorphic Plastic Parade comes through Austin today with teepees made of salvaged and renewable resources – it's social commentary and installation art. Mon.-Tue., July 6-7. Republic Square Park, 422 Guadalupe, 974-6700. Free. www.plasticparade.org.

Tuesday07

EAST AUSTIN SPEAKER SERIES: LIVE & UNCENSORED! Today's installment of this Southwest Key-sponsored series focuses on the History of Activism in East Austin and Its Emerging Political Influence. Southwest Key's East Austin Community Center, 6002 Jain, 462-2181. Free. www.swkey.org.

SIERRA CLUB PICNIC Bring a dish, and join in on this annual potluck tradition. (No alcohol allowed; reusable dishes provided.) 6:30-10pm. Zilker Park Rock Garden picnic area. www.texas.sierraclub.org/austin.

Wednesday08

LIVEABLE CITY PRESENTS COMP PLAN 101 See how you can be a part of the process as the city embarks on a new Comprehensive Plan that will shape Austin's future. 6-8pm, Scholz Gar­ten (inside), 1607 San Jacinto. www.liveablecity.org.

OIL AWARENESS MEET-UP Worried about peak oil? This is the group for you. 7pm. Hyde Park Presbyterian Church, 3913 Ave. B. www.oilawareness.meetup.com/3.

POSTMODERNISM GETS PUNKED The Food for Thought lecture series presents this talk from physicist Alan Sokal (right). 7pm. Old Quarry Branch Library, 7051 Village Center Dr., 345-4435. Free. www.centerforinquiry.net/austin.

Ongoing

ACCESS AWARDS NOMINATIONS On this 19th anniversary of the Americans With Disabili­ties Act, the Mayor's Committee for People With Disabil­i­ties requests nominations of businesses that strive to be accessible to everyone. Deadline: July 9. www.cityofaustin.org/ada/access_nomform.htm.

Photo courtesy of Austin Humane Society

AUSTIN HUMANE SOCIETY desperately needs foster homes for dogs and cats that are too young or sick to survive in a shelter. Want to help? Call 685-0120. www.austinhumanesociety.org.

HEALTHY WOMEN, HEALTHY FAMILIES Help gather info and stories about the state of women's health in Texas. Go online and take the survey, or share a story about a health-care challenge you've faced. The group hopes to take these stories and figures to the Legislature to raise awareness of women's health issues. 462-1661. www.healthywomenhealthyfamilies.org.

DONATION REQUEST FOR ARCH Especially during the sweltering summer, the soap desk at the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless is in need of all manner of toiletries (deodorant, etc.), hand-held fans, lip balm, sunscreen, water bottles. Check online or call for specific items. ARCH, 500 E. Seventh, 305-4174. www.frontsteps.org.

NAME THOSE TREES That grove of trees just south of City Hall (where South First splits) needs a name. Perhaps you have a suggestion? Submit it at www.cityofaustin.org/parks/namingform.htm, return a completed form to the Parks & Recreation Department's main office (200 S. Lamar), or fax it to 974-6756. Deadline: Aug. 26.

SUMMER WATER DONATIONS Mobile Loaves & Fishes needs bottled-water donations to keep everyone hydrated. Make monetary donations at www.mlfnow.org/water; cases of water can be delivered to the St. John Neumann commissary, 903 Capital of TX Hwy. S.

TREE OF THE YEAR Nominate your favorite native tree for Austin's Tree of the Year award at www.cityofaustin.org/treeoftheyear. Deadline: July 8.