MISCELLANEOUSTHE SINGLES NETWORK OF AUSTIN will host a happy hour at Shady Grove Restaurant, 1624 Barton Springs Rd. Positive-minded singles age 35 and over are welcome. Fri, March 20, 5-7:15pm. 990-2258.
THE 2ND ANNUAL "SPRING FOR WATER" fundraising event for Clean Water Action will be held at the Austin Nature and Science Center in Zilker Park. The event will feature a spaghetti dinner, including a spaghetti sauce contest with meat and vegetarian choices. Both professionals and amateurs will compete in the tasting. Live music will be provided by Harpist Vanessa Mitchell and flutist Karen Kopicki. The event will also feature a silent auction of eclectic items. Cost is $20 per person/$35 per couple (students half-price). Fri, March 20, 6-9pm. 474-2438.
THE UNITY OF MANKIND RALLY & FESTIVAL will be held this weekend, beginning at Huston-Tillotson College (700 Chicon), and ending at Fiesta Gardens on Town Lake. A variety of speakers and entertainers will be present, and participants are encouraged to come wearing their national or ethnic costume as an expression of diversity. Sat, March 21, noon-?. 448-5444.
THE ROUND ROCK KITE FESTIVAL will be held at Old Settlers Park, Hwy 79 E. in Round Rock. The two-day event will feature children's events, kite flying lessons, a kite competition, kite workshops, and more. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Jason Foundation, a scholarship fund for students showing the most improvement in grades 11 & 12. Sat, March 21, 9am-7pm, & Sun, March 22, 9am-5pm. 457-8802.
AN AFRICAN VIOLET SHOW AND SALE will be held at the Austin Area Garden Center, 2220 Barton Springs Rd. Sponsored by the First Austin African Violet Society; admission is free. Sat & Sun, March 21 & 22, 10am-4:30pm. 392-3928.
HYDE PARK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH will have a Lenten Meditation on Reformed Spirituality and on God's speaking through the intellect and to a group of persons, not just to the soul and individual alone. Discussion followed by participation in a meditation. 40th and Ave. B. E-mail: hydepkpresch@juno.com. Wed, March 25, 7pm. 459-7747.
THE SINGLE-MALT AND CIGAR EXTRAVAGANZA, sponsored by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America, Ltd., will be held at the Austin Marriott at the Capitol, 11th & N. I-35. The event will feature over 30 different single-malt Scotch whiskies, as well as a selection of fine cigars. Cost is $60 per person. Wed, March 25, 7-9pm. 954/752-7990.
MAGICAL MYSTICAL MICHAEL will present a montage of mirth, mystery, and magic for the whole family. Michael has toured extensively since the early Eighties, travelling as far off as Asia and the Himalayas, and he has performed with Penn and Teller. He's even produced shows for Ruth Gordon and the Flying Karamazov Brothers. The performance will be held at Casa de Luz, 1701 Toomey. $5. Sat, March 28, 8pm. 443-3815.
THE 4TH ANNUAL ROSEDALE RIDE will be held at Celis Brewery, featuring five different bike routes, food, live music, prizes, and other festivities. All proceeds benefit student programs at Rosedale School, and AISD school for special kids with multiple disabilities. Sat, March 28. 414-2027.
FREE DOWNTOWN WALKING TOURS will be held the first Thursday in March and run through the last Sunday in November. The guided tours begin on the south steps of the Capitol Building, sponsored by the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau. Ongoing through Nov. 478-0098.
FUN COMPANY TOASTMASTERS meets weekly at Casa de Luz, 1701 Toomey Rd. Fridays, 7:15pm. 459-5462.
WILD BASIN WILDERNESS PRESERVE offers a variety of weekly activities for youth and adults. Events include: Winter in the Wild; Basic Flint Knapping; Wild Basin Walks; Trail Maintenance; Indian Lore; Moonlighting; and more. Most are offered at no or low-cost. Call for a complete schedule of events. 327-7622.
A REFUGEE FAMILY NEEDS YOUR HELP. Caritas of Austin is in constant need of donations of well-kept dining tables and chairs, kitchen utensils, pots and pans, as well as sofas, alarm clocks, and work boots. If you can help out, call 320-0270, ext. 13.