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Events

Acoustic Showcase

with raffle items benfitting the Ronald McDonald House. 6-9pm. $7.

Rattle Inn, 610 Nueces St., 512/373-8306

www.therattleinn.com

Bikin' Betties Social Ride

Stop at a restaurant during the weekly ride that goes from short, no-hill rides to longer, challenging treks. Along the way, bond with other two-wheelin' ladies. Check out their Facebook page for meet-up locations and a route map. Mondays, 8pm.

www.facebook.com/groups/267536776621174

Blue Genie Art Bazaar

Need something Austin-y (art, jewelry, prints, clothing, etc., whatnot, and then some) for a loved one this year? More than 125 artists and artisans will help you with your gifting conundrums. Special events occur throughout the month of December, so shop early and often. Through Dec. 24, 10am-10pm, everyday. Free.

The Marchesa Hall & Theatre, 6406 N I-35, 454-2000

www.bluegenieartbazaar.com

Gifts That Give

Shop without guilt with fair trade and socially conscious jewelry, journals, shoes, clutches, T-shirts, backpacks, and more. Dec. 1-8, 11am-7pm. Free.

Pine Street Station, 1101 E. Fifth, 217-1384

www.the-good-collaborative.com

Koch Brothers Exposed

Watch the hourlong documentary on Charles and David Koch, then join in a half-hour discussion of the film with policy experts, presented by Progress Texas. 6:30pm.

Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar, 1120 S. Lamar, 512/707-8262

www.drafthouse.com

Remembering Bhopal

Protesters will lie down, covered in white shrouds, to represent those who died in Bhopal, India, after 27 tons of gas leaked from a Union Carbide factory nearby. 11am-2pm.

UT West Mall, UT campus, Guadalupe between 21st and 24th, 669-9612

bhopal@austin.aidindia.org

Santa's Ranch

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)

www.santasranch.net

Texas Inmate Families Association

Get your questions about the Texas Department of Criminal Justice answered on the first Monday of each month.

Sunrise Community Church, 4430 Manchaca

www.tifa.org

VSA Texas Holiday Art & Gift Show

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.

AGE Building, 3710 Cedar, 454-9912

www.vsatx.org

Whole Foods Market Ice Rink

It isn't easy getting into a Winter Wonderland mood in Texas. This little frozen oasis can help you forget about climate change for a little while. $10.

Whole Foods Market, 525 N. Lamar, 542-2225

www.wholefoods.com

Yoga Practice

Bring your mat and a desire to get your Vinyasa flowed right. Every weekday, 8am. Free.

Cherrywood Coffeehouse, 1400 E. 38 1/2, 538-1991

www.cherrywoodcoffeehouse.com

ONGOING

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

Cap Metro's Adopt-a-Stop

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.

369-7720

juan.wah@capmetro.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

Helping Hands Center

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

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

Small Employers: Reduce Health Insurance Costs

by forming a coalition with other small businesses and applying for group insurance. Visit the Texas Coalitions Web site for more details.

921-1972

www.texascoalitions.com/coalitions.htm