• Cocktails for Charity (www.cfcaustin.com) hosts its second summer fundraiser at all three Joe’s Crab Shack locations in Austin this evening. Mention Cocktails for Charity to your server in the bar or the dining room, and the restaurants will pay out a portion of the proceeds of your tab to CFC, who will then make a donation to SafePlace after expenses. Thursday, Aug. 21, 3-10pm.
• The end of summer always means it’s time for Central Market’s Hatch Chile Festival. Look for prepared foods made with chiles in every department, plus plenty of fresh and roasted chiles for sale. Be sure to enter the No Holds Barred Hatch Chile Pepper Recipe Contest to win big prizes (contest cookbooks, CM gift certificates, and 52 pounds of roasted chilies) and the satisfaction of wearing the pepper crown for the coming year. Entry forms and contest rules are available at the info counter at each store. Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 23-24 & 30-31.
• Austin Homebrew Supply (7951 Burnet Rd., 300-2739, www.austinhomebrew.com) hosts an in-store fundraiser to help defray the mounting medical costs of a young man named Patrick Orion Fierro. The event will include live music, beverages, and food. Donations will be accepted and augmented by 10% of the store’s sales from that day. Drop in, and help out. Saturday, Aug. 23, noon-6pm.
• Vodka connoisseurs will want to sample the more than 70 international and local vodkas assembled for the annual Vodka Fest at Cool River Cafe (4001 Parmer, 835-0010, www.coolrivercafe.com). The event benefits Operation Homefront Texas, a group providing emergency assistance to our troops, their families, and wounded soldiers when they return home. Advance $20 tickets are on sale at the restaurant, and this very popular event sells out quickly. Wednesday, Aug. 27, 8-11pm.
This article appears in August 22 • 2008.