• Organizers of the Sustainable Shoppers Ball at the Sunset Valley Farmers Market (Toney Burger parking lot on Highway 290 West, www.sunsetvalleyfarmersmarket.org) invite you to the second annual Green Holiday Festival this weekend. More than 60 local vendors and educators will present environmentally sustainable products, services, and strategies. Shop for “green” Christmas gifts, and eat healthy local organic foods while the kids play and participate in fascinating learning activities, all to the sounds of solar-powered rock & roll! For more info, call 535-4804 or see www.sustain-a-ball.org. Saturday, Dec. 1, 9am-2pm.
• The Texas Hill Country Holiday Wine Trail is in full swing for the next two weekends. Shop for wine-related Christmas gifts, wine books, and Texas artisan foods in addition to tasting wines at Texas Hills Vineyard (830/868-2321, www.texashillsvineyard.com) outside Johnson City. Farther up the road near Stonewall, Becker Vineyards (830/644-2681, www.beckervineyards.com) offers lavender products plus a Port and Stilton tasting and shots of Port. Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 1, 2, 8, & 9, noon-6pm.
• The Texas Culinary Academy (11400 Burnet Rd., 837-2665) is calling for entries in their sixth annual Gingerbread House Competition, open to everyone from kids to culinary professionals. Houses will be judged on overall appearance, creativity, difficulty, execution, and theme; prizes will be awarded for first through third place and Best in Show. Entries must be delivered to the TCA campus between 8am and 5pm on Friday, Dec. 7; winners will be announced during the Holiday Open House on Saturday, Dec. 8. The houses will remain on display at the school through Dec. 19. For entry info, contact pastry program director chef Aimee Olson at 837-2665 x179 or aolson@tca.org.
This article appears in November 30 • 2007.