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Events

African Violet Society Show & Sale

Now's the time to stock up. Or perhaps you'd just rather see master growers show off their best plant art. That can also be arranged. If nothing else, it will probably be the only place not inundated with live music. Sat.Sun., March 16-17, 11am-4pm. Free (admisssion to park, $2).

Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd., 365-1818

www.faavs.org

Amritam: A Rejuvenation Retreat

Looking for a more blissful way to spend your SXSW? How about yoga, meditation, and other forms of mind/body classes offered every day this weekend for kids and adults? No badge needed. Thu.-Sun., March 14-17. $20-30.

The Enchanted Forest, 1412 W. Oltorf, 415/735-0811

www.austinenchantedforest.com, amritamretreat@gmail.com

Austin Sustainable Swap

Bring the bounty from your garden or a craft you made, or just offer your services to folks in exchange for something you want or need. It's bartering at its best to keep waste at a minimum. Untraded items can be donated to local nonprofits. Third Saturdays of the month, noon-4pm. Free.

Hot Mama's Espresso Bar, 2401 E. Sixth, 512/476-6262

hotmamasaustin.blogspot.com

Bamboo Grove Grooming

It's all pretty bamboo until it starts taking over your yard. Learn to keep it at bay and looking good. Bring hand clippers, loppers, saws, gloves, and a beverage. Sat., May 18, 10am-1pm. Free.

Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd., 906-8250

www.bamboocentral.net

Bridge Collective Art Auction

Art will be on the auction block while you enjoy live music and smoothies. All this in support of your local doula collective. Who doesn't support babies? 3-6pm. Free.

Hot Mama's Espresso Bar, 2401 E. Sixth, 512/476-6262

www.thebridgecollective.org

Catholics for Justice in the Church

An independent affiliate of Call To Action, the national Catholic reform movement, meets the third Saturday of each month. 10am-noon.

Little Walnut Creek Library, 835 W. Rundberg, 512/906-1268

tom4peace@austin.rr.com

Composting Class

This class (along with downsizing your trash cart) is part of the city's offer to get you a rebate ($75 value) on a home composting system. 2pm. Free.

Recycled Reads, 5335 Burnet Rd., 512/974-7400

www.cityofaustin.org/library, composting@austinrecycles.com

East Side Cafe 25th Anniversary

Owner Elaine Martin isn't throwing a big party to celebrate 25 years in business, but she is offering some retro specials of past popular menu items and well as daily specials and great in-house deals she's been posting online since the beginning of the month.

Eastside Cafe, 2113 Manor Rd., 512/476-5858

www.facebook.com/pages/Eastside-Cafe-Austin/130251620349743

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/

Musical March for Peace

Gather at the state Capitol and march down to City Hall for a rally against the Iraq occupation making a righteous noise along the way. Bring a drum, trumpet, kazoo, or just your voice, and make sure you're heard. 1-6pm. Free.

Austin City Hall, 301 W. Second, 694-9593

www.austintexas.gov, danak.mcb54@gmail.com

Pan Americana Festival

It's more than live music, it's a celebration of Latin culture in the arts. Celso Piña headlines on Friday with Kinky the next day. Fri.-Sat., March 15-16, 4-11pm. Free.

Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River, 974-3772

www.bellasartesalliance.org

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

St Patrick's Day Outdoor Festival

Forget South by Southwest for a day and burn your bragh in honor of St. Patrick. Get an early start on Saturday with St. Patrice Day with rugby on TV and live music all day. The next day Fadó opens its doors at 7am for pints and a traditional Irish breakfast. Come midday, the tent in front of Austin's Downtown Irish pub begins to fill up with live music, dance performances, and more. Wear green or prepare to be tarred and feathered. All ages until 3pm. Sat., March 16, 9am-2am; Sun., March 17, 7am-2am. $7 ($10, two-day pass).

Fadó Irish Pub & Restaurant, 214 W. Fourth, 457-0172

www.fadoirishpub.com

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

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/

Habitours

Habitat for Humanity now offers free, once-a-month tours of recent and past home-building sites. See how much they've accomplished, and find out what's yet to be done. Call or e-mail to reserve a seat.

Tours begin and end at 310 Comal, 472-8788 x401

snance@ahfh.org

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

Slow Money Austin Spring Pitchfest Deadline

Slow Money Austin is looking for local food and sustainably minded business who are trying to raise money to grow. They have been soliciting short, two- to three-minute pitch videos from local entrepreneurs and the deadline is March 18. Go online for more info.

www.slowmoneyaustin.org