City officials help local businesses find the resources they need at these weekly meet-ups. Whether you're just thinking about starting a business or already have one, this class is for you. Go online or call to register. Tuesdays, 9am. Free.
Entrepreneur Center of Austin, 4029 Capital of TX Hwy. S. #110, 974-7800
Looking to start a new business in interactive media, arts, music, or production? Sign up online for one of ten spots and find yourself a mentor in the industry. 6-8pm. Free.
Every year, H-E-B serves a free holiday meal to Austin's less fortunate and homeless citizens. This year's meal will feed more than 14,000 people at the Palmer Events Center, and H-E-B will deliver hot food to another 500 house-bound elderly and disabled. There will be live music, a kids' activity center, plus representatives of 15 nonprofit organizations offering social services to guests. 4-8pm.
Chefs John Bates and Brandon Martinez continue their fine dining dinner series with a pre-holiday meal. Complete menu online; BYOB. Reserve by phone. 7pm. $65.
Santa's tired of waiting for global warming to catch up at the North Pole. He's spending most of his pre-Christmastime among the 1.5 million lights of Santa's Ranch. Why not join him? Through Dec. 30, 6-10pm. $24 per car.
9561 N. I-35, New Braunfels (two miles south of Tanger Outlet Mall)
Support local artists with disabilities and get some holiday shopping done at the same time. Braille cards, prints, ornaments, books, and original art all await your holiday dollars. Through Dec. 24, Mon.-Fri., 9am-5pm. Free.
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
Share the warmth and donate new or gently used blankets, towels, and pillows to five area nonprofits – including Austin Children's Shelter and SafePlace – via city newcomers Sleep Experts. Through Thanksgiving.
Sleep Experts locations or the Girl Scouts of Central Texas
allows you or your organization to adopt one of the stops along Cap Metro's bus lines. In exchange for helping keep your stop tidy, Cap Metro will let you spruce it up (Keep Austin Beautiful will even provide landscaping tools) to reflect the personality of your neighborhood.
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.
Is the creek you love filled with beer cans and six-pack rings? All you have to do is gather some friends to clean it up, and Keep Austin Beautiful and Watershed Protection and Development Review will give you all the guidance and materials you need. Free.
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