Res Publica

Thursday19

DISPATCHES FROM U.S. SOCIAL FORUM The Texas State Employees Union hosts this report from the U.S. Social Forum, a meeting of social justice activists. 7:30pm. Texas State Employees Union, 1700 S. First, 280-7549. www.thirdcoastactivist.org.

RINGLING BROS. BOYCOTT Join Action for Animals Austin an hour before the performance to protest alleged animal abuse at the circus. 6:30pm. Thu.-Sun., Aug. 19-22. Frank Erwin Center, 1701 Red River, 236-9518. www.actionforanimalsaustin.org.

SLOW MONEY AUSTIN presents Understanding & Investing in Local Sustainable Food: A Slow Money Primer. 7pm. Ventana del Soul, 1834 E. Oltorf. www.slowmoneyaustin.org.

Friday20

TAX-FREE WEEKEND Time for some back-to-school shopping; see www.window.state.tx.us for a list of eligible items. Fri.-Sun., Aug. 20-22.

Saturday21

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP PROJECT A two-day conference for African-American and Latino voters, hosted by the Travis County Democratic Party. Texas AFI-CIO, 1106 Lavaca, 477-7500. www.traviscountydemocrats.org.

TAG'S ANNIVERSARY PARTY Texans for Accountable Government throws itself a birthday party. 7pm-12mid. United States Art Authority, 2906 Fruth, 547-2179. $20. www.tagtexas.org.

TWIN OAKS LIBRARY GRAND OPENING Check out the new rainwater harvesting system – along with some books – and enjoy live jazz and other celebratory behavior. 10am. Twin Oaks Branch Library, 1800 S. Fifth. www.cityofaustin.org/library.

ZILKER TREE RESCUE Sign up online to join the effort to mulch 500 trees in Zilker Park. 9am-noon. Zilker Polo Fields, 477-1566 x2. www.austinparks.org.

Sunday22

TOPLESS DAY! The sassy folks from GoTopless.org convene a topless march to the Capitol at noon – and when we say topless, we're talking to you, ladies. Men, say the march organizers, "have to wear bikini tops to cover their offensive nipples." Noon. Sixth and Congress. www.gotopless.org.

Monday23

SUPPORTIVE HOUSING COMMUNITY INPUT SESSION Share your thoughts on the city's proposed Permanent Supportive Housing Strategy. Trinity Center, 304 E. Seventh, 1:30pm; Street-Jones Building, 1000 E. 11th, 5:30pm. 974-4774. www.cityofaustin.org/housing/psh.htm.

Tuesday24

J STREET KICKOFF Check out the new local arm of this "pro-Israel, pro-peace" group; RSVP online. 7pm. Congregation Beth Israel, 3901 Shoal Creek Blvd., 454-6806. Free. www.jstreet.org/austin.

Thursday26

IMAGINE AUSTIN COMPREHENSIVE PLAN HEAR­ING This City Council meeting is your last chance to provide input concerning the future of our fair city, or you can submit comments online; check out the plans and get involved at www.cityofaustin.org/compplan. 4pm. City Hall, 301 W. Second.

FUTURE OF OPEN-SOURCE JOURNALISM UT journalism professor Robert Jensen, Texas Observ­er Managing Editor Chris Tomlinson, and members of Austin Indymedia discuss WikiLeaks, unfiltered info, and the backlash. 7pm. MonkeyWrench Books, 110 E. North Loop, 407-6925. Free.

Ongoing

CAMPAIGN FOR FLOOD VICTIMS IN PAKISTAN Raindrop Helping Hands gets your donation into the right hands to help those affected by the flooding. www.raindropturkevi.org/helpinghands.

OFF-LEASH AREA ADVISORY COMMITTEE Apply now to fill one of four vacancies on this committee that advises Parks and Rec staff. www.cityofaustin.org/parks/offleashareas.htm.

DISABILITY MENTORING DAY To volunteer as a mentor at the city's eighth annual Disability Mentoring Day celebration, call 974-3256 or e-mail [email protected].