Green Events: July 26-Aug. 2

The usual opportunities for local food and brew continue this week, plus TreeFolks launches its new carbon-offset program, the SOS Ordinance turns 15, and architect Mark Webber (who worked on the Hyde Park home featured on This Old House) hosts a talk on green building ...

Thursday, July 26

BLACK STAR BEER CO-OP MEMBERSHIP ORIENTATION Open to the public, tonight's meeting covers general co-op history along with specifics about Black Star, including its goals and current business plan. 8-10:30pm. Wheatsville Annex, 3105 Guadalupe. Free. www.blackstar.coop/events/member-orientation.

SAVE OUR SPRINGS ANNIVERSARY CONCERT The SOS Ordinance turns 15 years old this summer, and tonight's celebration will benefit SOS' continuing work, kicking off with the SOS Puppet Show and continuing with music from Brownout!, Larry Lange & His Lonely Knights, and the Djembabes. 7:30pm. Ruta Maya, 3601 S. Congress Ste. D-200, 707-9637. $15 suggested donation ($10, students). www.sosalliance.org.

Friday, July 27

GREEN DRINKS This monthly happy hour is open to anyone working in environmental fields or involved in sustainable endeavors. Mingle with fellow greenies tonight, and learn all about the space-arrangement principles of feng shui and vastu from special guest Christina Simon. 5:30-7:30pm. The Tavern, 922 W. 12th, 320-8377. www.austintavern.com.

TRANSPORTATION GRANTS FORUM Discuss transportation issues in Austin, including community goals, results of recent focus groups, and available grants. E-mail to RSVP. 1-3pm. Housing Authority of City of Austin, 1124 S. I-35. Free. [email protected]

Saturday, July 28

BUTTERFLIES, DRAGONFLIES & SUMMERTIME THINGS FESTIVAL A full-day celebration of all things summertime: Speakers will share their expertise on gardening, natural resources, and backyard wildlife, plus there will be live music, shopping, and contests for amateur photographers and pesto makers alike. 9am-5pm. Bastrop Gardens, 316 Old Hwy. 71, 512/303-5672. Free. www.bastropgardens.com.

AUSTIN FARMERS' MARKET Saturdays, 9am-1pm. Republic Square, 422 Guadalupe, 477-1566. Free. www.austinfarmersmarket.org.

SUNSET VALLEY FARMERS MARKET Saturdays, 9:30am-1pm. Toney Burger Center, 3200 Jones, 280-1976. Free. www.sunsetvalleyfarmersmarket.org.

Sunday, July 29

FREE YOGA & THE LOW CARBON DIET PROGRAM The weekly Happy Living With Justice group (which combines free yoga with awareness-raising discussion about environmental, peace, and justice activism) continues working today on a special program based on David Gershon's book Low Carbon Diet: A 30 Day Program to Lose 5000 Pounds. You'll learn how to use Gershon's program to help you reduce your eco-impact and increase your chances of winning the Kill-a-Watt Challenge. (E-mail Elizabeth at [email protected] for details on the low-carbon diet.) 3:30pm. Carver Library, 1161 Angelina, 292-8093. [email protected], www.ci.austin.tx.us.

Tuesday, July 31

TREE OF THE YEAR CONTEST Do you have a favorite tree somewhere in Austin? If so, be sure to nominate it for the Tree of the Year Award, the city's newest way of recognizing the value of trees in our urban landscape. Prize preference will go toward trees that showcase the proper selection (e.g., native trees), placement (such as to help shade structures or reduce the urban heat island effect), and care (no branches wrapped around electric wires, please). Deadline: July 31. 505-3726. www.cityofaustin.org/treeoftheyear.

Wednesday, August 1

MIDWEEK AUSTIN FARMERS' MARKET has moved to a new location, bringing more than 40 food and craft vendors with it. Wednesdays, 4-8pm. The Triangle, 46th Street, between Guadalupe & Lamar. Free. www.austinfarmersmarket.org.

Thursday, August 2

ARCHITECTURE AT THE UMLAUF LECTURE SERIES: GREEN BUILDING The Torchbearers host tonight's special talk from architect David Webber (whom you might recognize from This Old House). 7:30pm. Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum, 605 Robert E. Lee, 445-5582. $5. www.umlaufsculpture.org.

Cool New Ongoing Stuff

TREEFOLKS' CARBON OFFSET PROGRAM TreeFolk's eagerly anticipated carbon offset program is finally here. It allows you to calculate your own carbon emissions and offset them by donating money to projects that help combat global warming. While there are countless similar carbon-offset programs out there, this one's unique because it lets you donate your money to local projects that you can see for yourself and directly benefit from. Yay! www.treefolks.org/prog_calculator.asp.

YELLOW BIKE PROJECT SURVEY YBP wants to know how its projects affect the community (i.e., you), so take their new online survey, and let 'em know. www.austinyellowbike.org.