Res Publica

Thursday05

MCMANSION ORDINANCE PUBLIC HEARING Weigh in on a proposed expansion of this ordinance's geographic boundaries. 4pm. City Hall, council chambers, 301 W. Second, 974-2000. www.cityofaustin.org/zoning/sf_regs.htm.

Friday06

DPS DIAMOND JUBILEE Enjoy barbecue, facility tours, SWAT demonstrations, and more for the Texas Department of Public Safety's 75th anniversary. 9am-3:30pm. DPS Headquarters, 5805 N. Lamar. www.txdps.state.tx.us/DiamondJubilee/BBQ.pdf.

RAG BLOG BASH Help raise funds for the Rag Blog and celebrate Editor Thorne Dreyer's birthday. 6-8:30pm. Maria's Taco Xpress, 2529 S. Lamar. $10. www.theragblog.blogspot.com.

Saturday07

BUS RIDERS UNION MEETNG 11am. Austin His­tory Center, 810 Guadalupe. Free. www.busatx.org.

LOBV WATERING HOLES RIDE The League of Bicycling Voters celebrates the hottest day of the year with a ride to various watering holes – mainly the swimming kind, with mealtime stops at the drinking kind. 1-10pm. Mellow Johnny's Bike Shop, 400 Nueces, 473-0222. www.lobv.org/hot.

VIGIL AT T. DON HUTTO Help celebrate the one-year anniversary of the end of family detention at Hutto, and join the call for continued reform. 7pm. T. Don Hutto Detention Center, Taylor, 512/971-0487. [email protected].

ELAINE TYLER MAY discusses her book America and the Pill: A History of Promise, Peril, and Liberation, about the revolutionary history of the birth control pill. 3pm. BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar. www.bookpeople.com.

Sunday08

STUDENTS OF THE WORLD See films made by students who traveled to New Orleans, Kosovo, and Tanzania to learn about global and social issues. 7-10pm. United States Art Authority, 2906 Fruth, 480-9562. Free. www.studentsoftheworld.org.

Monday09

PHONE BANK FOR CLEAN ENERGY Volunteer with the local Sierra Club folks, and eat some pizza. 6-8pm. Lone Star Chapter Sierra Club Office, 1202 San Antonio. www.texas.sierraclub.org.

Tuesday10

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH TRAINING 6:30pm. Clinton Hunter Substation, 404 Ralph Ablanedo, 974-4182. www.citizenobserver.com.

PUBLIC MEETING: TEXAS RAIL Discuss the future of both passenger and freight rail in Texas. 6-8pm. TxDOT Austin District Office, 7901 N. I-35, Bldg. 7, 486-5125. www.txdot.gov/public_involvement/rail_plan/public_meetings.htm.

Wednesday11

LONE STAR MENSA MEETING features a presentation on the smart grid by Austin Energy's Al Sarria. 7pm. North Village Branch Library, 2505 Steck, 491-9881. Free. www.lsm.us.mensa.org.

Thursday12

COUNCIL CLEANS THE POOL Join City Council members and other volunteers in this annual assault on algae and silt in Barton Springs. 9:15am. Barton Springs Pool, 2101 Barton Springs Rd. www.friendsofbartonspringspool.org.

PUBLIC MEETING: TEXAS TRANSPORTATION PLAN Give feedback on the Texas Department of Transportation's long-range, statewide transportation plan. 4-7pm. TxDOT Austin District Office, Bldg. 7, 7901 N. I-35. www.txdot.gov/public_involvement/transportation_plan/overview.htm.

Ongoing

PINT FOR PINT BLOOD DRIVE Save some lives in exchange for some Blue Bell Ice Cream. Through Aug. 14. Blood Center of Central Texas (multiple locations, including 4300 N. Lamar), 206-1266. www.inyourhands.org.

3C CHALLENGE: COMMIT, CALCULATE, CON­SERVE Reduce your water usage by 10% with some help from Austin Water's new online calculator: www.cityofaustin.org/watercon.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY VOLUNTEER CALL Help battle the summer volunteer shortage – if you're 18 or older, visit www.austinhabitat.org to sign up for a Saturday shift. Groups of five or more should e-mail [email protected].

HELP PREVENT WATER POLLUTION Join the city's volunteer program marking storm drains to remind people not to expose them to pollutants and trash: www.cityofaustin.org/watershed/wq_stormdrain.htm.