• Help Clifford Help Kids from American Youth­Works with music, food, and live and silent auctions. Austin Music Hall (208 Nueces, www.austinmusichall.com). Thursday, Nov. 12, 6-11pm.

• Parsons House of Austin (1130 Camino La Costa, 454-0524) joins with Mandola’s Italian Market (www.mandolasmarket.com) to benefit the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas with an open house featuring appetizers, wine tastings, and music, for $2 or two nonperishable food items. Thursday, Nov. 12, 5-7pm.

• The Food Allergy Mama’s Baking Book author and blogger Kelly Rudnicki will present a baking class based on recipes from her book, at the Whole Foods Market Culinary Center (525 N. Lamar, 542-2340, www.wholefoodsmarket.com) for $35 per person. Saturday, Nov. 14, 10am-noon or 1-3pm.

• Design and construction professionals and students will participate in Canstruction at Barton Creek Square mall, building structures out of cans to raise awareness of the need for food donations to the Capital Area Food Bank. Vote for your favorite structure with cash donations on Nov. 14, and contribute nonperishable food items at each structure through Nov. 22. Saturday, Nov. 14, all day.

• Celebrate the grand opening of Beets Living Foods Cafe (1611 W. Fifth #165, 477-BEET, www.beetscafe.com) with educational speakers, a film, a cooking demo, organic wines, and music. Saturday, Nov. 14, 2-10pm.

• The Lone Star Vegetarian Chili Cook-Off takes place at the former Travis County Farm­ers’ Market (6701 Burnet Rd.) this weekend. Individual chefs and cooking teams will compete for cash prizes, trophies, and bragging rights. Cash only: $7 for adults, $3 for kids 6-12. For complete details, see www.veggiechilicookoff.com. Sunday, Nov. 15, 11:30am-4pm.

• Luxuriate in a Slow Taste of Tuscany at Primizie Osteria (1000 E. 11th #150, 236-0088) with a four-course dinner ($85) and a signed copy of Slow: Life in a Tuscan Town by Douglas Gayeton ($50 value). Make necessary reservations at www.primizieaustin.com. Wednesday, Nov. 18, 7pm.

• Get into the holiday spirit with Big Reds & Bubbles at the Driskill Hotel (604 Brazos) to benefit the Wine & Food Foundation of Texas. Signature appetizers from local chefs complement great wines and Champagnes. $90 for nonmembers, $75 for members. Make necessary reservations at www.winefoodfoundation.org or by calling 327-7555. Thursday, Nov. 19, 6:30-9pm.

This article appears in November 13 • 2009.

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