Res Publica

Thursday24

PUBLIC HEARING: NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT The city needs feedback on funding priorities for housing, community and economic development, and public services for fiscal year 2010-2011. City Council meeting: 4pm. City Hall, 301 W. Second, 974-3100. www.cityofaustin.org/housing.

Friday25

MARILYN BUCK FUNDRAISER Poets, musicians, and speakers help raise money for medical support of political prisoner and award-winning poet Marilyn Buck, up for release after more than 20 years behind bars. 7-11pm. 3105 E. Cesar Chavez, 416-8885. $10. www.marilynbuck.com.

KEEP AUSTIN BEAUTIFUL ANNIVERSARY PAR­TY 6pm. The Belmont, 305 W. Sixth, 391-0621. Know someone who deserves a KAB award for their achievements? Today's the last day to submit your nominations; see www.keepaustinbeautiful.org.

Saturday26

OIL SPILL RALLY Hear firsthand accounts of the crisis in the Gulf, and bring rubber gloves, baby wipes, bug spray, sunscreen, and/or bungee cords to donate to the cleanup effort. 11:30am. Auditorium Shores. www.handsacrossthesand.com,

ORTRALLA MOSLEY FOUNDATION marks the passing of what would have been Ortralla's 23rd birthday, and works to end teen dating violence in memory of her tragic death. 6-9pm. 5555 N. Lamar #119. www.ortrallafoundation.org.

U.N. WORLD REFUGEE DAY kicks off with a naturalization ceremony for Austin's newest citizens and continues with an afternoon of dance, music, and kids' activities. Noon-3pm. Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 Congress, 386-9145. Free. www.aaimaustin.org.

Sunday27

BRINGING THE SMART GRID HOME Clean-ener­gy leaders discuss the merits of efficiency and smart homes. 2pm. Agave Development, 5237 Sendero Hills Pkwy., 468-4772. www.ecoseriesaustin.com.

DOCUMENTARY SCREENING: 'COUNTDOWN TO ZERO' World leaders talk about the possibility of nuclear annihilation in this new documentary. 12:15pm. St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 14311 Wells Port Dr., 251-0698. www.staopen.com.

Monday28

HEALTH CARE FOR MUSICIANS DISCUSSION The Austin Music Foundation hosts a presentation by nonprofit health coverage group TexHealth. 6:30pm. Austin Community Foundation, 4315 Guad­a­lupe, 323-0787. Free. www.austinmusicfoundation.org.

NAME THAT PARK It's the last day to suggest names for the park near Zilker Elementary. 974-6716. www.cityofaustin.org/parks/namingform.htm.

PUBLIC FORUM: SIMKINS RESIDENCE HALL Help UT officials rename this dorm after someone who was not involved in the Ku Klux Klan. Noon-2pm (sign-up, 11:30am-noon). UT campus, San Jacinto Hall, Rm. 207. www.utexas.edu/diversity/campus/simkins.php.

BOWL-O-RAMA A fundraiser to help re-elect Travis County Commissioner Sarah Eckhardt. 5:30pm. Dart Bowl, 5700 Grover. $25 ($100, teams of five). RSVP: 542-9744 or [email protected]. www.saraheckhardt.com.

Wednesday30

HEALTH REFORM ROADSHOW Learn how to make the most of health reform. 8:30-11:30am (breakfast, 8:15am). Goodwill Industries, 1015 Norwood Park Blvd. Register at www.cppp.org.

PUBLIC FORUM: AUSTIN ENERGY CANDIDATES Three California dudes are up for AE's top job – help decide which is best equipped to navigate the utility through the choppy waters ahead. (For more, see "AE Finalists: California Dreamin'.") 6-8pm. Town Lake Center, 721 Barton Springs Rd. www.austinenergy.com.

Ongoing

Mayor's Committee for People with Dis­abilities wants to know which local businesses deserve an Access Award this year. Deadline: July 9.

WORKERS DEFENSE PROJECT NEEDS VOL­UN­TEERS Join the struggle to protect the rights of low-wage workers. www.workersdefense.org.

TEXAS TRANSPARENCY See how Texas is spending tax money at this new site launched by Texas Comptroller Susan Combs: www.texastransparency.org.

NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERING PROGRAM Spearhead your own neighborhood improvement project with help from the Public Works Depart­ment. www.cityofaustin.org/publicworks/ncd.htm.