• COMMUNITY

  • SEARCH FOR

Events

Austin's New Year

Ring in the new year with the city-sponsored Austin's New Year. The event is alcohol-free and family-friendly, and there's tell of a grand fireworks finale. 5-10:30pm.

Auditorium Shores, 920 W. Riverside

www.austintexas.gov/any

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

December Food Drive

Drop into Avant Salon & Day Spa during December with a donation of nonperishable food items for the Capital Area Food Bank and leave with an Aveda gift bag.

Avant Salon Spa, 507 Pressler #800, 512/472-6357

www.avantsalon.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

New Year's Listings

Wait, there's nothing going on this New Year's? Pish posh, of course there is; you're just in the wrong place. Check out our champagne riddled listings at austinchronicle.com/nye.

austinchronicle.com/nye

Seasonally-Inspired Three Course Menu

Chef Josh Watkins and pastry chef Plinio Sandalio have created a seasonal, three-course fixed-price menu that is available every evening in December during the first hour of dinner service. Reserve by phone. $29.

The Carillon, 1900 University Ave., 512/404-3655

www.thecarillonrestaurant.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

Christmas Tree Recycling

Oh, tenenbaum. If you're not a curbside customer, don't forget you can recycle your Christmas tree at one of these locations around town before Jan. 12.

Austin Community Landfill, 9900 Giles; Williamson County Landfill & Recycling Center, 600 Landfill Rd

Helping Hands Center

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

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

Inside Books Project

The all-volunteer nonprofit works to get books in the hands of inmates all year round, but it needs extra help during the holiday season. Make a financial donation online, or give your time be helping fill packages in 2013.

www.insidebooksproject.org

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