They’re tree-mendous

• Texas Persimmon at Pease Park — 2008 Small Tree of the Year
• Pecan at Zilker Park — 2011 Large Tree of the Year
• Burr oak at Highland Park Elementary — 2010 Community Tree Honorable Mention

• Desert willow at Enfield Road and Lorrain Street — Small Tree
• Sorin Oak live oak at St. Edwards University — Large Tree
  
  • This tree is 250 years old, making it one of the oldest live oaks in Austin.
• Live oak at Bryker Woods Elementary — Schoolyard Tree
• The Pease Cupcake Tree, a live oak at the former Pease Elementary School — Story Tree
  
  • This tree is one of Austin’s largest live oaks.
• Live oak at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center — Unique Tree

We’re rooting for you

• Halloween in Summer | Monday, July 3 | 2-3 p.m. | Austin Public Library - Central, 710 W. Cesar Chavez St., Austin | Free | Kids age 6-10 are invited to dress up and participate in Halloween-themed crafts and activities.
• TLC & Shaggy | Monday, July 3 | 7 p.m. | Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Dr., Austin | $50-$200 | Throw it back on this “Hot Summer Nights” tour, also featuring Sean Kingston.

• Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic | Tuesday, July 4 | 2 p.m. | Q2 Stadium, 10414 McKalla Pl., Austin | $49-$999 | The 50th anniversary of Willie’s annual celebration features live music from Tyler Childers, Shakey Graves, and Dwight Yoakam.
• Fourth of July Live Fireworks Show | Tuesday, July 4 | 6-11:30 p.m. | Doc’s Drive In Theatre, 1540 Satterwhite Rd., Buda | $22 | Stay after the fireworks for back-to-back screenings of “The Sandlot” and “Independence Day.”

• Alejandra Oliva: “Rivermouth” | Wednesday, July 5 | 7 p.m. | BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin | Free | Learn from the author about her book on immigration to the US.
• “Enter the Dragon” | Wednesday, July 5 | 7:30 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin | $11 | The iconic Bruce Lee film will turn 50 this year.

• The city’s annual ban on personal watercraft — like wet bikes and motorized surfboards — on Lake Austin returns tonight at sunset. The ban will be lifted on Wednesday, July 5 at sunrise.

• A 2.8-acre mixed use development with 280 luxury condos and residential units may be headed to South Congress Avenue. The project — which would also contain 15,000-18,000 sqft of retail and restaurant space — would occupy the land now housing Focused Care at Stonebriar (110 E. Live Oak St.) and two auto repair shops. (Austin American-Statesman)

• Austin ISD is one of 24 school districts in the country to receive a US Department of Energy grant for building energy-efficient infrastructure. The district plans to use the funding to install solar panels at 16 campuses. (Austin American-Statesman)

• UT Austin moved up to No. 58 in the world — more than a dozen places higher than its previous ranking — in the most recent release of the QS World University Rankings. Within the US, the school ranked No. 19.

• Austin-based Lick Honest Ice Creams will expand to Houston with three new locations that will potentially open by the end of this year. The new spaces join seven other brick-and-mortars in Austin, San Antonio, and College Station. (Austin Business Journal)

• Lionel Messi fans, listen up. The soccer legend may play at Q2 Stadium this year, if the stars align. It will happen if Austin FC hosts an MLS Cup Final against Inter Miami, or if Miami and Austin win their group and the first round of the playoffs in the Leagues Cup. (KUT)

• Legislators just approved a round of changes geared toward making voting by mail easier for Texans. Under the new processes, voters will have more time to correct errors with their applications and more easily access the online tracking tool. (Texas Tribune)