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Events

Arabic Valentine's Day Bazaar

Music, belly dancing, complimentary coffee and dessert, and the bazaar's usual inventory of unique gifts. Maybe you'll find something worthy of that special someone. 10am-7pm. Free admission.

Arabic Bazaar, 5013 Duval St., 533-9227

www.thearabicbazaar.com

Austin Flea

Browse for handmade and vintage wearables, housewares, and more. Just in time for the holidays. 11am-5pm. Free.

Emo's East, 2015 E. Riverside, 512/800-4628

www.austinflea.net

Citizen Gardener

This is the first of three classes to get certified as a "citizen gardener." Get informed and start spreading the good news. 9am. $30.

Travis Heights Elementary, 2010 Alameda, 236-0074 x105

www.sustainablefoodcenter.org

East End Community Yard Sale & Swap Meet

It's a yard sale on steroids and for a good cause. All of the cool stuff without the rage. Sat.-Sun., Feb. 9-10, 10am-5pm.

Kenny Dorham's Backyard, 1106 E. 11th, 512/477-9438

www.diversearts.org/content/east-end-community-yard-sale-swap-meet

Eastside Memorial Stakeholder Meeting

Superintendent Meria Carstarphen and AISD trustee Jayme Mathias invite the community to a briefing on the status of Eastside Memorial at the Johnston Campus, and they seek input on solutions for the 2013-14 school year. 10am-noon.

Eastside Memorial High School, 414-2414

www.austinisd.org

Easy Rose Gardening

Learn to grow your own roses with the Travis County Master Gardeners Association's hands-on demonstrations. Bring pruning shears and gloves if you're so inclined. 10am. Free.

Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd., 477-8672

www.tcmastergardeners.org

Eco-topographic Handmade Bikini Fashion Show

Designers from East Austin Theater put together outfits that somehow tell the tale of our planet's withering ecosystems. Come in your own duds made of dried grass or grackle bones and you might just get the last guest designer spot. 9pm. $10-20.

The Fort, 301 Chicon, Unit G

www.glasshalffulltheatre.com

Geeks Who Drink Trivia Contest

The largest bar and pub trivia event in the country returns to Austin, where it is expecting more than 150 teams of trivia experts to compete for glory and cash prizes. Teams of six must preregister online before Feb. 8 at $26.99 per contestant. Spectators tickets are $15.99 online or at the door. Doors open at 6pm. 7pm.

Austin Music Hall, 208 Nueces, 512/263-4146

www.geekswhodrink.com

Lady Bird Lake Cleanup

Register online, and get in a green mood. Bring your kayak to help clean up where the land-bound volunteers can't reach. Location info will be provided with registration. 9-11am.

391-0617

www.keepaustinbeautiful.org/LadyBirdLake

Merlot & Chocolate Tasting

During the weekends of Feb. 9-10 and 16-17, Delysia Chocolatier of Austin will be on hand with chocolate truffles to taste, with Becker Merlot and boxes of truffles to purchase. During the weekend of Feb. 9-10, Al's Gourmet Nuts will also have samples and products for sale.

Becker Vineyards, 464 Becker Farms Rd., 800/946-9463

www.beckervineyards.com

Mock Surgery & More

Self-guided tours bring attendees a behind-the-scenes look at what goes on in the operating room. Let's hope the hands-on demos aren't too handsy. 9am-2pm. Free.

Brackenridge Hospital, 601 E. 15th, 512/324-7000

www.seton.net/locations/brackenridge, mocksurgery@seton.org

Rosewood Collective Opening Party

Three new boutiques -- Olive Vintage, Sound & True, and Paper Party -- are opening up on the Eastside offering goods ranging from cards to clothes to flowers. Party with these three entrepreneurs and see what they have to offer. 5-8pm. Free.

1223 Rosewood, 981-7588

www.paperpartyshop.com

Texas Sustainable Farming Conference

The Texas Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association hosts this conference to bring practical information to consumers and producers alike, on everything from product labeling to urban homesteading. Keynote speaker is Jim Hightower. $90-$165.

Hilton Austin Airport, 9515 New Airport Dr., 512/385-6767

www.tofga.org

THLN Central Texas Chapter Meeting

See what you can do to help the Texas Humane Legislation Network at this meeting where the group discusses its plans for 2013. 10am. Free.

North Village Branch Library, 2505 Steck, 512/974-9960

www.thln.org

Ushicon

This anime and Japanese pop culture convention is for folks 18 and over, so we can only assume there's going to be some of that naughty anime going on. Fri.-Sun., Feb. 8-10. $35.

Wingate Inn, 1209 N. I-35, 512/341-7000

www.ushicon.com

ONGOING

Austin Farmers' Market

features fresh organic produce, meats, and cheeses straight from surrounding Texas farms, plus live music every week. Saturdays, 9am-1pm. Free.

Republic Square Park, 422 Guadalupe, 512/974-6700

www.austinfarmersmarket.org

Barton Creek Farmers Market

Expect local farm-fresh produce that belies its placement in a parking lot. Saturdays, 9am-1pm. Free.

Barton Creek Square, 2901 Capital of TX Hwy. S., 280-1976

www.bartoncreekfarmersmarket.org

Barton Springs Audio Tour

Take a self-guided tour of Austin's favorite swimming hole. All you have to do is download the audio files and map from the Save Our Springs Alliance website, and off you go.

Barton Springs Pool, 2101 Barton Springs Rd., 512/867-3080

www.sosalliance.org

Central Market Cooking School

Whether you need to brush up your knife skills or throw together a romantic Thai dinner for two, these guys have you covered year round with an eclectic array of classes spanning all skill levels.

Central Market North, 4001 N. Lamar, 512/206-1000

www.centralmarket.com/Cooking-School.aspx

Community Tax Services

Foundation Communities is providing free tax-preparation services to income-qualifying individuals and households this spring, and it's also offering low-fee refund-anticipation loans. See www.communitytaxcenters.org for hours and details on income qualifications. Free.

2600 W. Stassney

Downtown Ghost Tours

offer nooks-and-crannies walking tours that spotlight the dead to bring Austin's history and geography to life. Fri.-Sat., 8pm.

853-9826

www.austinghosttours.com

Emancipet Free Days

This mobile spay/neuter clinic might be in your neighborhood today. Check www.emancipet.org to find out. Fri.-Sat., check-in begins 8am (first come, first served). Free.

587-SPAY

Helping Hands Center

needs strong, dependable males to help load/unload groceries twice monthly.

Helping Hands Center, 1151 San Bernard St., 472-2298

Human Potential Center

Join the various gatherings throughout the month. Events range from explorations of meditation practices to discussions of film to dream interpretation. Go online for a complete schedule of meetings.

Human Potential Center, 2007 Bert, 441-8988

www.humanpotentialcenter.org

Travis County Sheriff Volunteers

Victim Services Unit is seeking volunteers who are over 21 and have a reliable car and cell phone to work four four-hour shifts per month for a year. The next training session begins March 18. See website for complete details.

www.tcsheriff.org