Ubuntu :: Want Thunderbird To Function As Evolution

I'd just like to know if there's a way to get Thunderbird to be setup, or have Ubuntu be setup (whichever is more feasible) so that the little white envelope on the task bar turns green when I get a new message in one of the mail accounts I setup in Thunderbird. I'd also like to know how to get it to play a sound when I receive a new email. I already setup Thunderbird as my default mail client. I also already setup the sound to be played in Thunderbird when I receive an email as "the default sound for new mail".

Lastly, this may be pushing my luck, but, it would be great if thunderbird's calendar could function as my systems default calendar and work with all the features, such as appointment reminders.I'd prefer not to have to install mail-notification, but I'll do it as a last resort. It makes my single panel bar cluttered and takes up additional resources on my rapidly aging system.