• The Hub (3815 Dry Creek, 432-5390, www.thehubaustin.com) hosts a Bubbles & Burgers benefit for the Austin Children’s Shelter with music by Larissa Ness and a live auction by former NFL quarterback Jeff Blake. Call Michele Utt at 619-9160 for tickets: $20 advance and $25 at the door. Thursday, Dec. 17, 5:30-9pm.
• Enjoy a special holiday brunch in the bistro room at Flat Creek Estate (24912 Singleton Bend Rd. E., Marble Falls, 512/267-6310, www.flatcreekestate.com). Shop for holiday wine gifts, and enter a raffle to benefit A World for Children (www.awfc.org). Friday-Sunday, Dec. 18-20, 11am-5pm.
• Award-winning cookbook author Rebecca Rather will sign copies of her newest, Pastry Queen Parties: Entertaining Friends and Family, Texas-Style (Ten Speed Press), at Marfa‘s Blue Javelina restaurant and collaborate with chef Kevin Stewart on a four-course prix fixe dinner based on recipes from the book. Custom cocktails from the book will be prepared by Tipsy Texan mixologists David Alan and Joe Eifler. Dinner is $69, and books will be for sale at the restaurant. Get more info and make necessary reservations by calling 432/729-1919 or visiting www.bluejavelina.com. Friday-Saturday, Dec. 18-19, 5pm.
• Enjoy a heaping helping of horrific holiday entertainment, gourmet food, and wine at the ‘Twas the Night Before Murder mystery dinner at Messina Hof Winery & Resort (www.messinahof.com) near Bryan. $69.95 per person; call 800/736-9463 x234 for necessary reservations. Friday, Dec. 18, 6:30pm.
• Ronda’s Garden (4300 Mt. Vernon, 707-8635, www.rondasgarden.net) offers two sessions of Holiday Herb Camp for kids ages 3-9. $90 per session; enrollment is limited. Monday-Wednesday, Dec. 21-23 & 28-30, 8am-5pm.
This article appears in December 18 • 2009.