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Events

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

Brewing and Flavor Analysis 101

Beginning and intermediate home brewers and enthusiasts can learn the basic theory and practice of brewing so they will understand how to brew at home, followed by a small tasting. Proceeds benefit the Texas Craft Brewers Guild. Sign up online. 1-4pm. $35.

Black Star Co-op Pub and Brewery, 7020 Easy Wind #100, 512/452-2337

www.blackstar.coop

Cedar Park Tree Lighting

with enough wattage to get your holiday spirit jump-started. Take a free carriage ride or just say hi to Santa before the tree lights up. 6:30pm. Free.

Heritage Oak Park, 875 Quest Pkwy., Cedar Park

Chemical Toy Fare

Remember the days when you played with toys covered in lead and asbestos and you liked it? It's time for a walk down memory lane with booths upon booths of vintage and modern toys from Star Wars figures to model trains to trading cards. 9am-5pm. $4.

Norris Conference Centers, 2525 W. Anderson

www.facebook.com/chemicaltoyfare

Cherrywood Art Fair

Creative weekend fun for everyone? We reckon so, what with more than 100 different artists, live music, food vendors, and an area dedicated to interactive family activities. Sat.-Sun., Dec. 8-9, 10am-5pm.

Cherrywood Coffeehouse, 1400 E. 38 1/2, 512/538-1991

www.cherrywoodartfair.org

Children's Book Art Show & Sale

Nate Jensen shows off his artwork perfectly suited for the youngster who needs something for his or her walls. 1-4pm. Free.

1738 Anderson Ln., 296-0862

www.natespace.com

Clean Lady Bird Lake

Register online, and get in a green mood. Bring your kayak to help clean up where the land-bound volunteers can't reach. Location info will be provided with registration. A prize will be given to the person finding the most unusual object. Are toes considered "unusual?" 9-11am.

Lady Bird Lake, 391-0617 x 905

www.keepaustinbeautiful.org/lakebirdlake

Decking of the Cellars Luncheons

Celebrate the season with festive box lunches and mulled wine to the sounds of the holidays near a crackling fire in the decorated tasting room. Shop for wine and food items, unique gifts, and gift baskets. Make necessary reservations online or by phone. Sat., Dec. 8 & 15, noon-2pm. $21.75.

Fall Creek Vineyards, 1820 CR 222, 325/379-5361

www.fcv.com

Ebenezer's Journey

It might be the standard story, but Pioneer Farms makes it an interactive experience with Bob Cratchitt, Tiny Tim, and the rest of the crew. Fri.-Sat., Dec, 7-8 & 14-15, 7pm. $12.

Pioneer Farms, 10621 Pioneer Farms Dr., 837-1215

www.ebenezersjourney.com

Family Saturday

Learn the fine art of creating a gingerbread house accompanied by the tunes of the season. 11am-3pm. $10 per family.

AMOA-Arthouse at Laguna Gloria, 3809 W. 35th, 458-8191

www.amoa-arthouse.org

Food Palooza at Cherrywood Art Fair

In addition to original artwork by more than 100 artists, live music all day, and kid-friendly activities, this year they've got a food-truck court with Bake Austin, Elixer Coffee, Fresh Off the Truck, mmmpanadas, Snarkys, and Tamale Place. Sat.-Sun., Dec. 8-9, 10am-5pm.

Maplewood Elementary School, 3808 Maplewood, 512/414-4402

Get the Job You Want

This is the first in a series of workshops to help you build a career and your workforce skills. Free childcare and brunch provided. 10:30am-12:30pm. Free.

Southwest Key Programs, 6002 Jain, 583-2583

www.swkey.org/promise

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

Glass2Plate Seasonal Farm Dinner & Tour

Dirk and Matt showcase local food in a multicourse meal with wine pairings on the grounds of historic Boggy Creek Farm. The evening begins with a farm tour at 5pm. Thirty seats available; reserve via email. 5pm. $135, all inclusive.

Boggy Creek Farm, 3414 Lyons, 512/926-4650

www.boggycreekfarm.com, dirk@glass2plate.com

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

Holiday Lights Helicopter Tours

Tired of seeing our city all lit up for the holidays from the ground. Well, these short tours grants you a bird's eye view. Fridays & Saturdays through December. $125, 15-minute tour; $255, 30-minute tour.

Bud Dryden Airport, 10301 FM 969

www.austinhelicoptertours.com

Holiday Open House & Gift Sale

Find a gift for the diehard Austinite including historic photos and artifacts, rare books, and more. Talks and carols keep you in the Texas holiday mood. noon-5pm.

Austin History Center, 810 Guadalupe, 974-7400

www.library.austintexas.gov

Hops & Grain Experience Discussion on History of Fermentation

Brewers, bakers, and butchers will make up the panel at this community discussion surrounding the history of fermentation. Enjoy lively, informative discussion complemented by samples from each of the panelists' given crafts. Buy tickets at the brewery or via email. 4-8pm. $20.

Hops & Grain Brewery, 507 Calles, #101, 512/537-9756

www.hopsandgrain.com, info@hopsandgrain.com

Humanities Texas Holiday Book Fair

Jan Reid, Bill Brands, Sarah Bird, and John Spong are just a few of the 20 authors who will be autographing books for purchase at a discounted rate. Coffee and treats will be available if your blood sugar gets low from all the literary star power. Proceeds go to Texas libraries. 10am-1pm.

Byrne-Reed House, 1410 Rio Grande, 512/440-1991

www.humanitiestexas.org

Luminations

The gardens will be covered in lights while inside the kids can enjoy music, crafts, and a puppet show. Sat.-Sun., Dec. 8-9, 6-9pm. Free with donation of two cans of goods for the Capital Area Food Bank.

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse, 232-0100

www.wildflower.org/luminations

Make Watch Love Austin Party

Get a sneak peak at Austin Studios' future expansion and mingle with film, gaming, and music luminaries. Check out some of the new film gear, play some unique games, and see what Austin can offer you as a film professional. 5-9pm. $10.

Austin Studios, 1901 E. 51st, 512/322-0145

www.austinfilm.org

Proper Nang for HAAM

The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians gets a little help from a handful of local live music acts. Sat., Dec. 15, 6-9pm.

Maria's Taco Xpress, 2529 S. Lamar, 512/444-0261

www.tacoxpress.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

Second Saturday Guided Hike

Two hours exploring the local landscape with a seasoned trail guide. 10am. $3 suggested donation.

Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve, 805 Capital of TX Hwy. N., 327-7622

www.wildbasin.org

Teddy Bear Teas

Parents and children can enjoy tea service with drinks and sweets, caroling, and a reading by Santa on weekend afternoons from now until Christmas. Call to make reservations. Saturday and Sunday seatings at 2, 2:15, and 2:30pm through Dec. 23. $40 (kids 11 and under, $30).

Four Seasons Hotel, 98 San Jacinto, 685-8300

www.fourseasons.com/austin

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

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

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

Helping Hands Center

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

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