Res Publica

Thursday02

ARCHITECTURE AT THE UMLAUF This lecture series returns after summer break with architects and other experts dropping knowledge about the art of building things. 7pm. Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum, 605 Robert E. Lee, 445-5582. $5.

INSIDE BOOKS VOLUNTEER NIGHTS Help send books to Texas prisoners. 8-11pm. Space12, 3121 E. 12th, 647-4803. www.insidebooksproject.org.

Sunday05

ETHICAL SOCIETY OF AUSTIN Stephanie Nestle­rode of Omega Point International Inc. talks about building ethical conduct in individuals and organizations. 10:30am. 5555 N. Lamar Ste. L-137, 835-9008. Free. www.esoa.org.

Monday06

HAPPY LABOR DAY City Hall and other municipal buildings – including Town Lake Animal Center, the Business Solutions Center, recreational centers, clinics, libraries, and museums – will close for Labor Day, so save your energy for city pools, tennis courts, and the Austin Nature & Science Cen­ter, which will remain open. Trash and recycling pick-up continue as scheduled. www.cityofaustin.org.

Tuesday07

PUBLIC MEETING: BUS ROUTE CHANGES Tell Capital Metro what you think of proposed 2011 service changes. Noon-1:30pm at Capital Metro Transit Store, 323 Congress; 4:30-6pm at Tech Ridge Park & Ride, 900 Center Ridge Dr. www.capmetro.org.

ANN WEISGARBER presents an African-American take on life on the American frontier from her book The Personal History of Rachel DuPree. 7pm. BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar. www.bookpeople.com.

SMALL & MINORITY BUSINESS RESOURCES DEPARTMENT wants your input on proposed changes to the city's Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enter­prise Procurement Program; see the changes at www.cityofaustin.org/smbr. 5:30pm. City Hall, 301 W. Second, Boards and Commissions Room, 974-7677.

Wednesday08

LONE STAR MENSA MEETING has a presentation on the city's plans for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions in the future. 7pm. North Village Library, 2505 Steck, 491-9881. Free. www.lsm.us.mensa.org.

AUSTIN PLANETARIUM FUNDRAISER Mingle with Austin's most dedicated stargazers and help make the dream of Austin's first planetarium a reality. Can't make it to happy hour? You can always donate online: www.austinplanetarium.org. 5-9pm. The Belmont, 305 W. Sixth.

PUBLIC MEETING: BUS ROUTE CHANGES (See Tuesday.) Noon-1:30pm at Capital Metro Transit Store, 323 Congress; 5:30-7pm at ACC Northridge, 11928 Stonehollow. www.capmetro.org.

Thursday09

RORY KENNEDY is in town to speak at the premiere of her new documentary, The Fence (La Barda), which addresses the financial, political, social, and environmental consequences of the fence along the U.S./Mexico border. (The film debuts on HBO Thursday, Sept. 16, 7pm.) 6:30pm. LBJ Auditorium, 2313 Red River.

Ongoing

BARTHOLOMEW DISTRICT PARK SURVEY Check out the proposed Bartholomew District Park designs – developed from input given at public meetings this summer – and tell the folks at Parks and Recreation which you like best: www.cityofaustin.org/parks/bartholomewmmpsurvey.htm. Deadline: Sept. 13.

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.

HUMANE SOCIETY OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY is seeking animal lovers to serve as its newest board members; see www.hswc.net for details.

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].

NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION WEEK Visit www.ncsponline.org/takefive.html to learn how to help someone in your life who may be struggling with thoughts of suicide. Sun.-Fri., Sept. 5-10.

MEXICAN-AMERICAN TRAILBLAZERS EXHIBIT features photos and bios of 32 local individuals who paved the way for future generations. Through Jan. 16. Austin History Center, 810 Guadalupe, 974-7498. Free. www.cityofaustin.org/library/ahc/trailblazers.htm.