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Events

A Taste of African Heritage

Local food journalist Toni Tipton-Martin offers a free series of cooking classes based on a traditional healthy African diet. Get more information and sign up for the class via email. Through Dec. 13, 6pm.

Carver Museum, 1165 Angelina, 512/974-4926

www.carvermuseum.org, info@thesandeyouthproject.org

AISD Facility Recommendations

The Austin Independent School District invites the community to learn about and share feedback on potential facility recommendations for the district's fine arts program. 6:30pm.

Bowie High School, 4103 W. Slaughter, 414-4457

www.austinisd.org

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

Breath & Meditation

De-stress and recharge with a little structured breathing and thinking. Go online or call to RSVP. Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays, 6:30pm.

Art of Living, 297-7950

www.keepaustinmeditating.org

First Thursday

Music, food, and shopping. Free.

South Congress

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

Global Holiday Bazaar

Ethically produced jewelery and gifts from around the globe vie for your holiday monies. Thu.-Fri., Dec. 6-7, 10am-4pm.

The Blanton Museum of Art, 200 E. Martin Luther King Jr., 512/471-7324

www.blantonmuseum.org

Holiday Light Show

This local coffee shop has been stepping up its holiday light game for years. Every hour the lights and music explode with the spirit of the holidays. Through Jan. 1, 6pm-12mid. Free.

Mozart's Coffee Roasters, 3825 Lake Austin Blvd., 512/477-2900

www.mozartscoffee.com

Illegal Dumping Workshop

Learn about environmental crimes in Central Texas; more than 425 illegal dumping reports have been made to the 877/NO-DUMPS hotline. Space is limited; register by Dec. 3. 9am-4:30pm. $30, includes lunch and materials.

Hays County Facility, 2171 Yarrington Rd., San Marcos

www.capcog.org

International Travel for Working Professionals

Want to travel but can't get large chunks of time off from work? Or perhaps you just don't get paid enough. Learn how best to see the world without losing your job or your life savings. 7-9pm. Free.

Uncle Billy's Brew & Que, 1530 Barton Springs Rd., 512/476-0100

www.facebook.com/events/384925254915006

Opal Divine's Single Malt Whisky Festival 2012

Whisky lovers, rejoice – it's festival time again and they'll be pouring from more than 50 different bottles of whisky with distillers on hand to answer questions. Proceeds benefit the Capital Area Food Bank. 7-10pm. $45 ($40, advance).

Opal Divine's Penn Field, 3601-K S. Congress, 512/707-0237

www.opaldivines.com

PeopleTalk on the State of Small Business

Roy Spence and Judy Trabulsi of GSD&M discuss how the re-election of Obama will effect local small businesses. Admission includes lunch at the Alamo. 11:30am. $20.

Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar, 1120 S. Lamar, 472-8087

peopletalk.eventbrite.com

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

Thursday Night Social Ride

Kinda like Critical Mass without all the pretension. Relax, ride around town, chat it up with cycle-lovers like yourself, and overrun a park or a local hangout or two or three. Thursdays, 7:30pm.

Festival Beach, 2101 Bergman

www.facebook.com/socialcyclingaustin

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

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

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

Save the Date to Save Texas Schools

Join Diane Ravitch, former TEA Commissioner Robert Scott, and Houston's Kashmere High marching band to stand up for kids and schools on Feb. 23. Say no to brutal budget cuts, a broken testing system, and looming school vouchers. Say yes to a quality education for all kids!

www.savetxschools.org