The League of Women Voters of Austin invites you to learn how to apply to serve on the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission that will divide the city into its 10 single-member districts. 1:30-3pm.
South Austin Recreation Center, 1100 Cumberland, 512/444-6601
Bring the bounty from your garden or a craft you made, or just offer your services to folks in exchange for something you want or need. It's bartering at its best to keep waste at a minimum. Untraded items can be donated to local nonprofits. Third Saturdays of the month, noon-4pm. Free.
Hot Mama's Espresso Bar, 2401 E. Sixth, 512/476-6262
It's all pretty bamboo until it starts taking over your yard. Learn to keep it at bay and looking good. Bring hand clippers, loppers, saws, gloves, and a beverage. Sat., June 15, 10am-1pm. Free.
Get dressed for an evening of vintage Hollywood glamour and gambling to help local volunteer dentists provide care to those in need. 6-11pm. individual tickets-$175 (includes dinner and 2 drink tickets).
Austin Parks and Recreation and the Travis Audubon Society educate Austin about its local birds with activities, nature walks, a birds of prey demonstration, kids' activities, and more. 10am-2pm. Free.
Austin Nature & Science Center, 301 Nature Center Dr., 974-3888
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.
Celebrate 50 years of Blanton's art awesomeness with this afterparty featuring cocktails, cupcakes, dancing, and a live performance from Kathy Valentine of the Go-Gos. 9-11:30pm. $150 ($125. members).
The Blanton Museum of Art, 200 E. Martin Luther King Jr., 475-6013
Chili cooks and chili lovers alike are invited to attend this fundraiser for Texas Humane Heroes. Registration fee for teams/individual contestants is $30 in advance or on the day of the event. CJ's Catering will provide chili for all paying guests, who will also get to taste samples of the competing chilis and vote on their favorites. Prizes awarded to the top three recipes. 1-3pm. $10 ($5, kids under 10).
Texas Humane Heroes, 10930 E. Crystal Falls Parkway, 512/260-3604
This conference will include workshops on marriage equality, immigration rights, workers' rights, mass incarceration, and gender-based discrimination. 9am. $10 suggested donation.
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 14311 Wells Port Dr., 251-0698
Lamar Boulevard's massive Chinese market goes all out for New Year's with dragon dance teams, martial arts performances, firecrackers, and lots of other family activities. While you're there, buy some non-Western foodstuffs to challenge your palate. 10am-3pm. 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
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.
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.
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.
Habitat for Humanity now offers free, once-a-month tours of recent and past home-building sites. See how much they've accomplished, and find out what's yet to be done. Call or e-mail to reserve a seat.
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.
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.
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