• COMMUNITY

  • SEARCH FOR

Events

Artists & Artisans Festival

This annual showcase of artists and artisans features bowls, greeting cards, photography, watercolors, and more are at your fingertips. Sat.-Sun., March 9-10, 9am-5pm. $9.

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse, 512/

www.wildflower.org/artisans

Austin Bacon Takedown

Matt Timms will be back in town with his annual Bacon Takedown, encouraging home cooks to create their most crowd-pleasing dish with Hormel Black Label Bacon to enter in the competition. Grand prize is always a year's supply of the porky product. To get more details and register, go online 2-4pm.

Hickory Street, 800 Congress, 512/477-8968

www.thetakedowns.com

César Chavez Film Festival

You have two chances to catch a series of films screening in tribute to César Chavez. The documentaries cover topics ranging from Chicano rock music to the farmworkers' struggle. Fri.-Sat., March 8-9, 6pm. Free.

Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River

www.maccaustin.org

Free Tax Preparation

Go online for a list of locations, hours of operation, a list of forms to bring, and other helpful tips to prepare your tax returns with the help of a professional. Participants must make less than $50,000 a year. Through Mon., April 15. Free.

610-7374

www.foundcom.org/get-financially-stable/get-your-taxes-done/

Passport Fair

5501 Airport 9am-2pm.

Travis County Clerk's Office, 5501 Airport Blvd., 512/854-9188

www.co.travis.tx.us/district_clerk/passport.asp

Rodeo Austin

It's outlasted South by Southwest, but this is the last weekend. More cattle-roping and bull-riding, livestock contests, carnival fun, and kid-friendly events. Oh yeah, Kyle Park and Gary Allan take the stage this weekend. Go online for a complete list of events or to buy tickets and just follow the big, gleaming belt buckles. March 8-23. Fairgrounds admission: $8 ($5, children); carnival: $38 (includes fairground admission); rodeo and concert: $37-175 (includes fairground admission).

Travis County Expo Center, 7311 Decker, 512/854-4900

www.rodeoaustin.com

Scholium Project Metaphysical Lecture & Wine Dinner

Restaurant Jezebel chef/owner Parind Vora teams up with renegade winery, Scholium Project, for a lecture on the topic of Eating Animals with a tasting of their wines on Saturday, March 9 at 7pm for $60. On Sunday night, March 10, the restaurant will offer a five-course dinner with wine pairings for $250. Reserve by phone. 6:30pm.

Restaurant Jezebel, 800 W. Sixth #100, 512/436-9643

www.restaurantjezebel.com

SXSW Gaming Expo

The gaming arm of the SXSW fest takes over the Palmer Events Center. Nintendo, Marvel, NASA, and lots of other folks will be supplying the fun and, of course, games. The adults might want to check out some of the panels, but the kids will likely stick to the pro-gaming tournaments and other flashy bits. It's free, there's parking, it's everything SXSW can be without all the hassle. Fri.-Sun., March 8-10. Free.

Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd.

www.sxsw.com/gaming

Texture the City: Austin History Walking Tours

Meet behind the Buford Tower. Why? Because it's historic and you'll be walking and learning all about Austin's history for the next 90 minutes. Bring comfy shoes and a thirst for knowledge. Thursdays and Saturdays, 5pm; Sundays, 11am. $15-20.

James Buford Tower & Kitchens Chimes, 200 W. Cesar Chavez, 677-4516

www.texturethecity.com

Voice & Exit

Since we have all these smart tech folks in town why not have a TED talk style event with entrepreneurs, taste-makers, and other in-the-know folks? Seriously, why not? 7-11pm. $35 ($25, student).

Ballet Austin, 501 W. Third, 703/402-2064

www.voiceandexit.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

Free Tax Preparation

Go online for a list of locations, hours of operation, a list of forms to bring, and other helpful tips to prepare your tax returns with the help of a professional. Participants must make less than $50,000 a year. Through Mon., April 15. Free.

610-7374

www.foundcom.org/get-financially-stable/get-your-taxes-done/

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