Credit: Illustration by Jason Stout

• Celebrate community and demonstrate your patriotism by buying and eating local at Austin’s second annual Green Fourth of July at the Downtown Farmers’ Market (Fourth & Guada­lupe, www.austinfarmersmarket.org). In addition to local produce and artisan food products, there will be discussions on green living and sustainability, live music, kid-friendly entertainment, and the Farmer Olympics, with events such as pea-shelling and melon bowling. More info at www.green4th.com. Saturday, July 5, 9am-1pm.

• Matt’s El Rancho (2613 S. Lamar, 462-9333, www.mattselrancho.com) has been an important part of Austin’s culinary landscape for 56 years, as of this week. The Martinez family and staff invite you to celebrate the anniversary with door prizes, live music from Mariachi Jalisco, and bargains on beer and margaritas. Monday, July 7, 7-9pm.

• Local wine writer/instructor Jane Nickles presents Tales of the Vine: Superstars of American Regional Wine, a class sponsored by the Wine & Food Foundation of Texas at the Texas Culinary Academy (11400 Burnet Rd., www.tca.edu). Light appetizers will be served. $60; $50 for foundation members. Make necessary reservations at 327-7555 or www.winefoodfoundation.org. Tuesday, July 8, 6:30-8:30pm.

This article appears in July 4 • 2008.

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