Res Publica

For more details and events, see Community Listings.

Thursday04

POLITICAL-ACTION BOOK CLUB Longtime political scenester Nadine Eckhardt and her daughter, Travis Co. Commissioner Sarah Eck­hardt, discuss Nadine's memoir, Duchess of Palms. 6pm. Four Seasons Chinese Restaurant, 14735 Merrilltown, 989-3188. Free. www.wblibrary.org.

VIGIL FOR GEORGE TILLER Austin Women's Health Center, the Lilith Fund, NARAL Pro-Choice Texas, Planned Parenthood, and Whole Woman's Health, among others, are holding a candlelight vigil this evening in memory of the Kansas physician and abortion provider who was murdered last weekend. 8pm. Butler Park, 1000 Barton Springs Rd.

SAturday06

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

GREEN-BUILDING BASICS A talk hosted by Austin Energy. 10:30am. Hampton Library, 5125 Convict Hill Rd. Free. www.cityofaustin.org/library.

LADY BIRD LAKE CLEANUP Volunteer on the shore, or bring your kayak to help clean up places the land-bound volunteers can't reach. 9-11am. Location info provided upon registration at www.keepaustinbeautiful.org/ladybirdlake.

NATIONAL TRAILS DAY Volunteer to improve local trails! Choose from 14 different projects at www.austinparks.org/trailsday.html.

SOLAR FIRST SATURDAY Learn what the 81st Legislature did for the solar biz. 9am-noon. Habitat Suites, 500 E. Highland Mall Blvd., 443-5725. $50. www.imaginesolar.com.

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION & YOU Find out why you should care about the SBOE. 11:45am-1:15pm. Yarborough Library, 2200 Hancock Dr.

Sunday07

PUBLIC-AFFAIRS FORUM Texas Rep. Donna Howard shares her insight on what was done and left undone during the legislative session. 11:30am. First Unitarian Universalist Church, 4700 Grover, 452-6168. Free. www.austinuu.org.

GIANT OBAMA HEAD A gigantic bust of President Obama, created by Houston artist David Adickes, stops in Austin today on its way to join the other 43 presidents' heads at Presidents Park in South Dakota. Vino Vino, 4119 Guadalupe, 5pm. www.obamabust.net.

MOnday08

CONSERVE ENERGY & SAVE MONEY A talk hosted by Austin Energy. 7pm. Terrazas Library, 1105 E. Cesar Chavez, 974-7400. Free.

FLUORIDE-FREE AUSTIN Find out why it might not be such a good idea to keep fluoride in the water system. 7-9pm. Casa de Luz, 1701 Toomey, 350-8505. www.fluoridefreeaustin.com.

TOWN HALL MEETING: GROUNDWATER/DROUGHT MANAGEMENT The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District wants input on proposed changes to rules govern­ing groundwater and drought management. 7-8:30pm. Buda City Hall, 121 Main St. www.bseacd.org/rules.html.

Tuesday09

LAKE TRAVIS DEMOCRATS MEETING Local senators and representatives get together to sum up the legislative session. 6:30pm. Lakeway Activity Center, 105 Cross Creek, Lakeway, 214/228-1532. www.laketravisdemocrats.org.

Wednesday10

TOWN HALL MEETING: CITY BUDGET Open to anyone who wishes to play a part in the city budget development process. 6:30-8:30pm. Northwest Recreation Center, 2913 Northland Dr.

CINDY SHEEHAN Anti-war activist returns to Aus­tin on her Myth America tour. 7pm. First Unitarian Universalist Church, 4700 Grover, 452-6168. www.austinuu.org.

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME E-mail [email protected] to join in on HousingWorks' annual tour of affordable homes, or visit www.austincommunityfoundation.org to buy tickets to the Spotlight on Design reception following the tour. Tour, 2-4:30pm; reception, 4:30-6:30pm. Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 W. Riverside.

THursday11

CINDY SHEEHAN (See Wednesday.) 7pm. Brave New Books, 1904-B Guadalupe.

Ongoing

DONATE YOUR OLD WORK BOOTS The Workers Defense Project is planning a June 16 press conference to display 142 pairs of work boots representing the number of construction workers who died on the job last year in Texas. Got any used work boots to donate to the cause? Call 391-2305 or e-mail [email protected].

DIGITAL TV TRANSITION INFO CENTER Still not sure what to expect when broadcast TV goes from analog to digital on June 12? The city of Austin walk-in info center will answer your questions, help you fill out your converter-box coupon application, and get that TV hooked up. Weekdays, through June 12: Mon.-Tue. and Thu., 10am-4pm; Wed., 10am-7pm; Fri., 10am-1pm. DeWitty Job Training Center, 2209 Rosewood, 974-2999.

DONATE YOUR OLD WORK BOOTS The Workers Defense Project is planning a June 16 press conference to display 142 pairs of work boots representing the number of construction workers who died on the job last year in Texas. Got any used work boots to donate to the cause? Call 391-2305 or e-mail [email protected].

KEEP AUSTIN BEAUTIFUL AWARDS Know someone who deserves to be recognized for beautifying our city? Submit nominations for this year's KAB awards at www.keepaustinbeautiful.org. Deadline: June 30. 391-0622.