ARABIC HAFLEH
Belly dancing from the Bint El Balad Ensemble, Arabic food, music from the Saadi M'nawwar Band, a sheesha tent, and more await you at this minifestival.
7pm.
La Zona Rosa, 612 W. Fourth, 533-9227.
$28 ($38, reserved seating).
www.wmdproductions.com
CHRISTMAS AFFAIR MARKET
Help raise money for the Junior League of Austin by perusing the African-inspired jewelry and other products from local vendors.
Thu.-Sun., Nov. 19-22.
Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd.
$12.
www.jlaustin.org
COUNCIL MEMBER BILL SPELMAN OFFICE HOURS
Hear from and talk to your local council member.
2-4pm.
Starbucks, 9300 S. I-35, 974-2256.
Free.
deena.estrada@ci.austin.tx.us
(Civic Interest)
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.hauntedtexas.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).
587-SPAY.
Free.
LEVELS OF ATTACHMENT TRAINING
Learn to see the world without the filters of your own knowledge. Don Miguel Ruiz Jr. shows you how to stop creating your own suffering.
7pm.
Marigold Gateway to India, 2200-A S. Lamar, 442-6600.
$10.
www.meetup.com
(Other Realms)
PEOPLE UNITED
features author and columnist Chris Hedges and journalist Robert Jensen on Christianity, corporate capitalism, and empire. KOOP Radio 91.7FM.
1pm.
www.koop.org
SUGAR-FREE COOKIE DEMO
Can a cookie without starch or sugar really be called a cookie? We assume these pros can make a tasty treat that's safe for those with diabetes, gluten intolerance, and other conditions.
11:30am.
Peoples Rx, various locations.
Free.
www.yestocookies.com
(Meetings & Instruction)
23RD STREET ARTIST'S MARKET
This Drag stalwart features original handcrafted work from local artisans.
23rd Street & Guadalupe.
www.austinartistsmarket.com
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, 2101 Barton Springs Rd, 476-9044.
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, 206-1000.
www.centralmarket.com
(Meetings & Instruction)
CITIZEN POLICE ACADEMY
Learn about the many functions and operating procedures of the Austin Police Department. The next session starts March 2. For more information or an application, visit the APD website, www.cityofaustin.org/police.
974-5941.
dennis.farris@ci.austin.tx.us
(Civic Interest)
CLASSES FOR COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS/NONPROFITS
The Austin Community College Center for Community-Based and Nonprofit Organizations offers a variety of classes to help philanthropic organizations achieve success. Visit their website for details.
5930 Middle Fiskville Rd., 223-7076.
www.nonprofitaustin.org
(Meetings & Instruction)
COATS FOR CUBS
is accepting real fur – be it a coat, trim, or other type of clothing – to be used as bedding for orphaned or injured wildlife. From now till Earth Day ( April 22), you may drop off your furs at Buffalo Exchange (just tell them they're for Coats for Cubs).
Buffalo Exchange, 2904 Guadalupe, 480-9925.
www.humanesociety.org
(Call for Donations)
COLLEGE STUDENTS WITH ASPERGER'S, ADHD, AND LEARNING DISABILITIES
Take advantage of the academic, independent-living, and social-skills assistance provided by College Living Experience. CLE's services are now available for special-needs students who attend ACC, UT, St. Edward's, or Concordia.
800/486-5058.
www.cleinc.net
EDGAR ALLAN POE: FROM OUT THAT SHADOW
The Harry Ransom Center has teamed up with the University of Virginia to present this Edgar Allan Poe show – an expansive and remarkable collection of manuscripts, letters, first editions, illustrations, and other storied ephemera concerning one of the country's most famous writers. Exhibition: Sept. 8-Jan. 3.
Harry Ransom Center, 300 W. 21st, 471-8944.
www.hrc.utexas.edu
ESTATE & MEDICAID PLANNING WORKSHOPS
Got questions about living trusts, wills, protecting assets, reducing estate taxes, powers of attorney, or Medicaid eligibility? Then one of the Greening Law Firm's free seminars is probably right for you. Go online for a schedule with locations and times.
476-0888.
www.greeninglawfirm.com
(Meetings & Instruction)
FAMILY ELDERCARE
Help Family Eldercare prevent exploitation of disabled adults and the elderly by volunteering as a bill payer or guardian advocate. Eldercare's clients have neither family support nor the ability to fully manage their own care or financial management; it takes as little as two hours a month for volunteers to make a big difference in their lives. No experience necessary; training is provided.
Family Eldercare, 2210 Hancock, 483-3582.
www.familyeldercare.org
(Volunteer Calls)
FINANCIAL COACHING
Mondays through Saturdays, individuals earning less than $25,000 and families earning less than $50,000 can get free, one-on-one help reducing debt, fixing credit, and clarifying other money matters.
Foundation Communities, 3036 S. First #200, 610-4026.
financialcoach@foundcom.org
www.foundcom.org
FREE COUNSELING FOR WOMEN VETERANS
Women interested in mental health counseling from the YWCA should call or go online for more information.
326-1222.
www.ywcaaustin.org
(Announcements)
GERMAN SHEPHERD RESCUE OF CENTRAL TEXAS
needs volunteers to help feed and care for the animals, assist with coordinating special events, and other duties.
Dripping Springs, 512/264-2478.
www.gsdrescuectx.com
(Volunteer Calls)
HELPING HANDS CENTER
needs strong, dependable males to help load/unload groceries twice monthly.
Helping Hands Center, 1151 San Bernard St, 472-2298.
(Volunteer Calls)
HOST A CREEK CLEANUP
Is the creek you love filled with beer cans and six-pack rings? All you have to do is gather some friends to clean it up, and Keep Austin Beautiful and Watershed Protection and Development Review will give you all the guidance and materials you need.
391-0617.
Free.
www.keepaustinbeautiful.org
(Civic Interest)
HUMAN POTENTIAL CENTER
This South Austin nonprofit has oodles of classes and workshops – from yoga and Reiki to art classes and dream interpretation – just waiting to maximize your potential. Check out the website for more info.
Human Potential Center, 2007 Bert, 441-8988.
www.humanpotentialcenter.org
(Meetings & Instruction)
INDEPENDENT TEXANS MEETING
The organization that seeks to mobilize independent and split-ticket voters. See their Web site for details on their bimonthly meetings.
454-7200.
www.indytexans.org
(Meetings & Instruction)
LAND GRANTS OF THE TEXAS REVOLUTION
The latest exhibit, "A Hero's Reward," displays artifacts and historical documents that illuminate how soldiers of different races and backgrounds were compensated for their participation in Texas' struggle for independence.
Capitol Visitors Center, 112 E. 11th, 305-8400.
Free.
www.texascapitolvisitorscenter.com
NAMI WINTER CLASSES
The Austin chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness offers classes for individuals affected by severe mental disorders. Classes are taught by volunteer family members who have experienced the issues being discussed. Call for a schedule or to register.
420-9810.
Free.
www.namiaustin.org
NATURAL HEALTH CENTER
has workshops in locations all over town, most of which are free of charge. Learn to balance hormones and alleviate allergies and migraines the natural way. Call for upcoming courses.
892-3366.
www.naturalhealthaustin.com
OTHER WORLDS EXHIBITION
The Ransom Center's new current exhibition traces the evolution and role of astronomy in the modern world. See rare books and papers from some of history's astronomical heavy hitters. The exhibit runs through Jan. 3, 2010.
Harry Ransom Center, 300 W. 21st, 471-8944.
www.hrc.utexas.edu
PETFINDER.COM
Several Austin-area shelters post to this website, which has thousands of homeless animals available for adoption, complete with photos, medical histories, personality descriptions, and more. Just type in what kind of pet you're looking for, including size, age, and sex, and up pop dozens of irresistable animals waiting for you to take them home.
(Announcements)
PODER FUNDING CRISIS
People Organized in Defense of Earth and Her Resources, a group that empowers East Austinites to advocate for a healthy and safe environment, is in serious financial straits. Help them out with a tax-deductible donation via the website or snail mail.
PO Box 6237, Austin, 78762.
www.poder-texas.org
(Call for Donations)
PROJECT HELP
is an initiative from the Austin Independent School District that matches generous locals with needy families, providing them with gifts for the holidays. Call 414-3690 to register and receive a family's wish list. Wrapped gifts should be brought to the Alternative Learning Center, portable #451 at 901 Neal on the Eastside before Wed., Dec. 9.
(Call for Donations)
SANTA'S RANCH
Santa's tired of waiting for global warming to catch up to the North Pole. He's spending most of his time among the 1.5 million lights of Santa's Ranch. Get in the car, and join in the festivities.
Through Jan. 2, 6-10pm.
9561 N. I-35, New Braunfels (two miles south of Tanger Outlet Mall), 830/743-1293.
$20/car.
www.santasranch.net
TALK TIME
features conversation practice for English-language learners hoping to fine-tune their skills in a nonthreatening atmosphere. Call or go online for a schedule of times and locations.
974-7529.
www.cityofaustin.org
(Meetings & Instruction)
URBAN FARM BICYCLE TOUR
Edible Austin and the Bicycle Sport Shop invite families to jump on their bikes and take rider-friendly routes to farms and community gardens all over town. Tour stops include children’s hands-on gardening activities, henhouse tours, farm tours, and samplings. Tours leave from three spots: Bicycle Sport Shop, 517 S. Lamar; Sunset Valley Farmers Market, 3200 Jones; Austin Farmers' Market, Fourth & Guadalupe. Proceeds benefit Urban Roots youth-development program. Tickets can be purchased online.
Sat., Dec. 5, 10am.
$25 ($45/family).
www.bicyclesportshop.com
WASTEWATER AVERAGING
The Austin Water Utility has begun its annual wastewater averaging cycle, which means your billing rates will depend on your usage over the next few months. If you weren't conserving already, now's the time to do it and save money for all of next year. Go to www.cityofaustin.org/water to find out more or learn the specific dates for your averaging.
(Announcements)
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