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Austin RV Expo

Time to start planning your next cross-country vacation in the deluxe, supersized RV of your dreams. Feb. 21-24. Thu., noon-8pm; Fri.-Sat., 10am-8pm; Sun., 10am-5pm. $8 ($4, kids).

Austin Convention Center, 500 E. Cesar Chavez, 512/404-4000

www.austinrvexpo.com

CAAAD Awards & Lunar New Year Celebration

The Capital Area Asian American Democrats honor local activists and legislators with awards while also honoring the Year of the Snake with food and cultural performances. 6-8pm. $10.

Satay, 3202 W. Anderson #205, 214/228-9321

www.austinasiandems.com

Contesting Racism in the Afro-Americas

This three-day conference explores the racial ideologies of Latin America and how they compare to a supposed "post-racial" United States. Wed.-Fri., Feb. 20-22. Free.

The Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection, 512/495-4520

www.facebook.com/events/481903808488513

Farm Fresh Dinner at the Swoop House

Chef John Bullington presents a multicourse early spring meal at the Swoop House. As usual, check out the menu online and BYOB. Reserve online or by phone. 7pm. $55, plus tax and tip.

Swoop House at 2Dine4 Catering, 3012 Gonzales, 512/467-6600

www.2dine4.com

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/

Politics of the U.S.-Egypt Alliance

Jason Brownlee, associate professor of government and Middle Eastern studies at UT, discusses his new book, Democracy Prevention: The Politics of the U.S.-Egyptian Alliance. 7pm.

MonkeyWrench Books, 110 E. North Loop, 512/407-6925

www.monkeywrenchbooks.org

QuiltCon

Need more quilts in your life. Well, you're in luck because QuiltCon brings all manner of sewn blanket to Austin with opportunities to learn from the pros and see top notch work in the medium. Thu.-Sun., Feb. 21-24, 10am-6pm. $10 ($30, four-day pass).

Austin Convention Center, 500 E. Cesar Chavez, 512/404-4000

www.quiltcon.com

Texas Observer's Rabble Rouser

features entertainment from Rosie & the Ramblers and keynote addresses from Sen. Wendy Davis and state Rep. Mary Gonzalez. 6-9pm.

The White Horse, 500 Comal, 512/502-4637

www.texasobserver.org

Third Thursdays in the Gruene Historic District

The Grapevine presents an opportunity to meet a different Texas winemaker and craft brewer every month in their popular tasting room. This month, meet the Gilstraps from Texas Hills Vineyards and try three of their best wines. The evening kicks off with Blanco's Real Ale beer on tap. 5-8pm.

Gruene Historic District, New Braunfels

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

UT Energy Forum

Policy wonks and local energy enthusiasts get together to discuss energy from a cross-disciplinary perspective at this two-day policy event. Come for the career fair (students only), enter the research competition, or just learn the latest deets on fracking. Not "fracking" in the Battlestar Galactica sense of the word. Register online. Thu.-Fri., Feb. 21-22. $150 ($85, academic/government; $50, student).

Texas Union, 2247 Guadalupe (UT campus)

www.utenergyforum.com

UT Energy Forum

Policy wonks and local energy enthusiasts get together to discuss energy from a cross-disciplinary perspective. Scott Tinker keynotes. 7:30am-7pm. $150 ($85, academic/government; $50, student).

Texas Union, 2247 Guadalupe (UT campus)

www.utenergyforum.com

Volunteer Deputy Registrar Training

Want to help register voters for the May 11 general election? Get started by attending a one-hour training session at the tax office. Tue., April 2, 6:30pm. Free.

Travis County Tax Office, 5501 Airport, 854-9473

www.traviscountytax.org

World Travel 101

Plan your trip from packing to transportation options to safety with the help of the traveling experts from Hosteling International. 6:30pm. Free.

REI, 601 N. Lamar, 444-2294

www.hiusa.org/austin

ONGOING

Adult Open Computer Clinic

features one-on-one help with everything from typing and mousing to using Microsoft Word, e-mail, and the Internet. Work on your resume or just print up that document you need. No registration required. Mon.-Thu., 9am-5pm; Fri., 9am-noon. Free.

Austin Free-Net, 2208 Webberville

www.austinfree.net

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

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

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

Travis County Sheriff Volunteers

Victim Services Unit is seeking volunteers who are over 21 and have a reliable car and cell phone to work four four-hour shifts per month for a year. The next training session begins March 18. See website for complete details.

www.tcsheriff.org