Austin, TX

If you’re looking for a charity to donate to this holiday season, consider the Paramount Theatre. No, it’s not the traditional place one might look to for donations but this is a great program. For just $10 you brighten a child’s life and bring them the joy of live theatre. Remember the first time you saw a live performance? Wasn’t it magical? For the relatively small sum of $50 you can send 5! kids to the theatre. All that and it’s even tax deductible.

Here is a note from Ken A. Stein, Executive Director of the Paramount Theatre:

SIX PROGRAMS. ONE GOAL.

Give every child the opportunity to learn from and be inspired by theatre.

Economic times are becoming increasingly difficult for everyone. That’s why I need your support now more than ever to ensure that we can continue to provide a seat at the Theatre to the children who need it the most.

Donate Now - as little as $10 today so that no child loses the opportunity to attend the Theatre.

More children than ever are relying on your generosity, including 25 at-risk children and their families who will be attending the Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis Holiday Show on Thursday, December 11, 2008 from Wonders & Worries.

These children will get to see this show because of the generosity of patrons like you, and because of our strong partnerships with area non-profits who participate in our Youth Outreach Program.

These underserved children have seats at the Paramount Theatre for all of our shows and I don’t want to lose my ability to continue that promise for years to come.

Give a child the gift of theatre by making a donation of as little as $10 today!

P.S. Even $10 makes a big difference. Last year, nearly 40% of donor support for this program came from gifts of $20 or less.

Donate by Phone: (512) 692-0530
Mail a Contribution to:

The Paramount Theatre
713 Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
http://www.austintheatre.org

8th Annual Blue Genie Art Bazaar
When: December 3rd through December 24th, 2008
Open at 10:00am Daily
• Sunday through Thursday 10am to 10pm
• Friday through Saturday 10am to Midnight
• Sunday December 24th 10am to 6pm
Where: Monarch Events Center, 6406 North IH–35, Suite 3100
$$$: Free

Featuring over 80 artists and artisans, and running for 22 consecutive days, this year’s Art Bazaar will offer Holiday shoppers the opportunity to purchase unique, one-of-a-kind gifts in time for Christmas.

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18th Annual Wild Ideas Holiday Event
When: Friday-Sunday: Dec 5, 6, 7
Friday and Saturday: 9 am to 5:30 pm
Sunday: Noon to 5 pm
Where: LBJ Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Avenue, Austin, texas
$$$: Free

The LBJ Wildflower Center offers eco-friendly shopping opportunities, along with a brush with some of the area’s premier artists at their Holiday Shopping Event. Enjoy free admission and special discounts on paintings, jewelry, apparel, wood products, and more.

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Peace In The Hood’ Outdoor Holiday Market
When: Saturday, December 6, 2008, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Where: South of Wm. Cannon and Westgate, 2831 Gettysburg Drive
$$$: Free Admission

Have a Relaxing Shopping Experience to great 60’s and 70’s peace music and enjoy a complimentary cup of kindness (hot wassail) to get you in the ”Peace on Earth’ mood!

See Made in the U.S.A. Artisan-made gifts : Peace jewelry, peace windchimes and garden stakes, stained glass peace signs, guitar hero player longsleeve tiedye guitar t-shirts in youth sizes, peace bracelets, peace suncatchers, peace bumper stickers, auto emblems, peace pins, peace buttons, embossed peace totes and t-shirts, dogs for peace and cats for peace t-shirts and MORE!

2831 Gettysburg Drive in South Austin-Directions below:

Just a few minutes south on Westgate from Wm.Cannon-Turn Left at 4-Way stop sign at Cameron Loop. Take your first left immediately after the speed hump at top of hill onto Gettysburg Drive. Go down Gettysburg 1.5 blocks and See Peace In The Hood Market on right at 2831 Gettysburg DR. 9am to 3pm - Y’all Come and help create some peace on earth!

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Weihnachtsmarkt in Austin
When: Saturday, December 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: German Free School, 507 East Tenth Street
$$$:

Invite your friends and join with GTHS members for our annual Weihnachtsmarkt at the German Free School, 507 East Tenth Street, in Austin. We will be selling a large selection of handcrafted wooden items imported from the Erzgebirge region of Germany – pyramids, nutcrackers, smokers etc. – and blown-glass ornaments, embroidered linens and much, much more, not to mention baked goods. Enjoy live performances of traditional German Christmas music and songs throughout the day and a special visit by Sankt Nikolaus. All sales on December 6 are tax-free! Extra Market Days will be Dec. 9, 10 & 11 from noon to 4 pm.and sales tax will be charged on these days.

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29th Annual Budafest
When: Saturday, Dec. 6th, 2008, 6pm
Where: Greenbelt and City Park, Buda, Tx
$$$: Free

Parade, Santa Claus, booths, entertainment, children’s rides and more. Parage at 9am; tree lighting at 6pm. Parking is plentiful in the lot behind the park pavilion, just follow the signs and pay a small fee to Project Graduation. For more information call (512) 295-1559.

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18th Annual St. Thomas Moore Christmas Bazaar
When: December 6th from 10:00am to 5:00 pm and Sunday, December 7th from 8:30 am – 2:00 PM
Where: St. Thomas Moore Parish Activity Center
$$$: Free

The show features a wide variety of arts and crafts by local artists. A silent auction is also featured. Bazaar proceeds are donated to Eagle’s Wings Retreat Center. For more information or if you are interested in participating as a vendor, please contact Beth Albee at beth@albees.com or (512)218-4587.

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Wheatsville Arts Festival
When: December 6-7, 10am-5:30pm
Where: Adams Park, 300 W. 30th Street
$$$: Free

The Wheatsville Arts Festival includes 75 artists and craftsmen with original work on display. Pick up a one-of-a-kind gift, or enjoy the live music and incredible food at this holiday event destination. Great fun and entertainment for the whole family!

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Acknowledge Me - DIY Crafts Market
When: Saturday, December 6, 8 to late
Where: Mohawk
$$$: $5 w/ Donation, $6 Without

A fest of people and things that deserve your attention, appreciation and…ahem…acknowledgment. Acknowledge Me is a D.I.Y Fest that brings together Austin’s Indie Crafters, Artists, Makers, Community Organizations, Social Justice Groups, and up-and-coming Local Bands.

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Holiday By The Tracks
When: Saturday, December 6, 10am-5:00pm
Where: 114 Central Ave, Elgin, Tx

An afternoon of art and artisans, shopping, music and photos with Santa, followed by a lighted Christmas parade at dusk.

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7th Annual Yule Fest Arts & Crafts Fair
When: December 6, 10:00 am-4:00 pm
December 7, 12:00 pm-3:00 pm
Where: Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church, 3315 El Salido Parkway, Cedar Park
$$$: FREE

This eclectic holiday event includes artwork, jewelry, knitwear, pottery and more. There will also be a Silent Auction, Bake Sale, and Concessions. Proceeds benefit Hope Alliance and childcare for the Women of LOUU Church.

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Armadillo Christmas Bazaar –
When: Dec. 12-24, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Where: Austin Convention Center, Exhibit Hall 2, 500 E. César Chávez St. Enter on Trinity near 2nd Street. 512-447-1605
$$$: $3 weekdays before 7 p.m., $6 evenings and weekends

The 33rd annual Armadillo Christmas Bazaar will once again be at the Austin Convention Center. It remains the same truly Austin honky-tonk bar shopping experience that has made the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar one of the region’s most beloved holiday traditions - just a bigger venue.

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Keep Austin Bizarre
When: Dec. 12-23, 11am-11pm
Where: Palmer Event Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd.
$$$: Adults $5, 12 Day pass $25, Children under 12 Free

With an atmosphere true to Austin, the holiday shopping event will feature over 100 local artists and small businesses selling unique gifts and fine, hand crafted items at affordable prices. In addition, there will be tribal, improvisational and yogic dance performances, capoeira, circus acts, and resident musicians who play while patrons shop. This year more of the community has joined hands with Keep Austin Bizarre and will include performances by groups such as the JCC (Jewish Community Center), Girls School of Austin Orchestra, Mexican American Cultural Center, Amala Foundation, Lululemon Athletica, Crossfit Central Kids, and the Zilker Elementary School kid’s choir. In addition, the bazaar is supporting the non-profit Africa Bound Corporation. Food and drink, including a full bar, will be available.

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Laguna Gloria Holiday Art Festival
When: Saturday & Sunday, Dec. 12-13th, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Austin Museum of Art-Laguna Gloria, 3806 W. 35th St.
$$$: $7. 495-9224

More than 60 regional artists set up booths around the grounds in front of the historic 1916 Driscoll Villa and sell ceramics, wood, paintings, fiber, sculpture, photography, jewelry and glass, including the Driscoll Villa Christmas Ornament. Food, music and refreshments.

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Cherrywood Art Fair
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 13, noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 14;
Where: Maplewood Elementary School, 3808 Maplewood Ave. (at East 38th Street)
$$$: Free

This totally groovy, totally cool holiday art event gathers some of the best local artisans, jewelry- and handbag-makers, ceramists and artists. All-day live music, children’s activities, food and nonstop fun. Free.

If the thought of Thanksgiving brings you visions of a filled with dirty dishes and leaves you exhausted for days then you might consider eating out this year. Many of Austin’s best restaurants are happy to do the work for you, leaving you free to enjoy your holiday. Here are some suggestions:

Hoover’s Cooking
2002 Manor Rd # C
Austin, TX 78722
(512) 479-5006

13376 Research Blvd #400 Austin, TX
(@ Anderson Mill Rd)
512 335 0300
Hours: 11am - 7pm
$$$: 15.49

If you’ve never been to Hoover’s, you’re in for a treat. Hoover’s serves up delicious and satisfying home cookin’. Their Thanksgiving day menu is very reasonably priced and has everything you could ask for plus a little more. Roast turkey, Cajun roast pork, Jamaican Jerk Chicken, Smoked Filet of Sirloin, Smoked Portabella Medley (Vegetarian Jambalaya & Gumbo) plus a tempting array of side dishes and desserts. This is a great place to go if you have a crowd and a tight budget.

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Bakehouse Restaurant & Bar
5404 Manchaca Blvd
Austin, Tx
Reservations: (512) 443-5167
Hours: 10am - midnight
$$$: Adults $12.95, Kids 6-12 $6.95

Unlimited servings, table service, no lines. Reservations recommended. Turkey, Ham, all the usual sides plus Strawberry Shortcake and Pumpkin Pie. Take out dinners available for $9.95.

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The Driskill
604 Brazos St.
Austin, Texas
Reservations: 512-391-7121 or Online
$$$: Not listed on their website

The Driskill Hotel’s Famous Grand Holiday Brunch offering on the Mezzanine floor. Enjoy a lavish holiday brunch or six course prix-fixe dinner with wine pairings. Or diners can head to the hotel’s 1886 Café and Bakery for lunch or a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

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III Forks
111 Lavaca Street
Austin, TX 78701
Reservations: (512) 474-1776
$$$: Adults 42.95, Children under 12 soup or salad, entrée, and dessert 14.95
Includes tea and coffee. Excludes tax and gratuity.

Open Thanksgiving Day 11 am - 5 pm. Special four course menu will be served. Slow Roasted Carved Turkey or Chateaubriand with Bordelaise Sauce. All the fixings, plus dessert.

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Dona Emilia’s
101 San Jacinto Blvd
Austin, TX 78701
Reservations: (512) 478-2520
$$$: $22.95 Adults - $10.95 Children 12 and under
Hours: 10:30 - 4pm

Thanksgiving Buffet featuring garden/fruit/pasta salads, appetizers of ceviche and empanadas, entrees of turkey, salmon, top sirloin, paella, and spinach enchiladas. Dessert selection including flan and tres leche.

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Four Seasons Hotel
98 San Jacinto Boulevard,
Austin, Texas
Reservations: (512) 685-8300
Seating from 11:00 am - 8:30 pm in TRIO
$75 for adults; $20 for children ages 6-11
Seating from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm in the Ballroom
$68 for adults; $20 for children ages 6-11

Thanksgiving Day Buffet. Appetizers & Salads, Seafood Station, Carving Station & Dessert Station. Entrees include: Hill Country-Style Braised Beef Rouladen, Pan-Seared Mahi Mahi Vera Cruz & Smoked Lamb Tenderloin Cassoulet.

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Austin Hyatt
208 Barton Springs Rd
Austin, TX 78704
Hours: 11:30am ~ 5:00 pm (last seating)
Includes Complimentary Champagne & Mimosa
Reservations Required: 512.480.2035
$$$: $52.00 for Adults, $27 5-12 years old, Complimentary 4 & Under
No Discounts or Coupons

Thanksgiving Buffet. Their menu looks fabulous and includes an Antipasto selection, Salad buffet, Seafood buffet, Hot entrees, a Carving station and a Dessert Station. This is just the carving station:

Carving Station
Roasted Prime Rib with Horseradish Crust & Wild Mushroom, Pancetta Ragout,
Assorted Mustards & Au Jus
Maple Glazed Ham, Java Red Eye Gravy & Biscuits
Roasted Turkey with Gravy & Corn-bread Stuffing

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Katz Deli
618 W 6th Street
Austin, TX 78701
Phone (512) 472-2037
Always Open!
$$$: $15.95 Adults, $6.95 Kids
No reservations needed or taken.

Turkey with all the fixings plus a few items on offer from their menu.

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McCormick & Schmick’s
401 Congress Avenue
Austin, Texas
Reservations recommended: (512) 236-9600 or (888) 344-6861
$$$: Turkey dinner $19.95 per person, ham dinner $18.95. Dessert is extra.
Hours: Serving from 11am - 9 pm.

Offering both their regular menu and Thanksgiving traditional dinners.

I am freezing today. I stepped out this evening to go bowling with friends and it actually smelled like winter outside. I put on socks and shoes today, leaving my sandals behind. I’ve got the urge to bake, too, which is also a sure sign of winter for me. I’ve heard this from several of my female friends. That’s not something you generally hear from men. Is this something we inherit from our mothers or is this some sort of internal clock?

The countdown toward Christmas is on, too. Thanksgiving is so late this year. I bet the retailers are chomping at the bit for the arrival of Black Friday. I spent Thursday working at the Junior League of Austin’s “Christmas Affair”, which I have to say, is spectacular this year. This holiday market is being held at the Palmer Event Center and is jam packed with every kind of vendor you could imagine. There is jewelry, art, food, novelty gifts, toys and more. In the center is a huge Christmas tree in the shape of the Eiffel Tower. I’d highly encourage you to pack up the family or grab a friend and go enjoy the shopping!

JLA’s Christmas Affair
When: November 19 - 23, 2008
Where: Palmer Event Center
$$$: $10 plus parking ($7) or shuttle from Barton Creek Mall for $3

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It’s hard to beat a headline like, “All You Can Eat Improv Comedy & Waffles”. The 7th annual Waffle Fest is a three-day improv comedy festival featuring the best of the Austin Improv scene. Each show includes ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT WAFFLES! Waffle Fest has been a huge success with happy comedy watchers downing over 6000 fresh baked waffles and 50 hours of improv comedy over the last six years. Come get syruped up and bask in the warm glow of Austin improv!!

7th Annual Waffle Fest
When: Nov. 20-22nd
Where: Hideout Theater
$$$: $10

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There are a couple of tree lighting ceremonies taking place this weekend:

TREE-LIGHTING CONCERT
When: Saturday, Nov. 22nd, 6pm
Where: The Domain, 11410 Century Oaks Terrace, 795-4230.

Dan Dyer, the Austin Girls Choir, and American Idol winner Jordin Sparks. 6pm.

TRIANGLE TREE-LIGHTING
When: Saturday, Nov. 22nd, 5-8:30pm.
Where: The Triangle, 4700 Guadalupe.

This family-friendly evening features performances, crafts, and a big jolly guy in a red suit. All this leading up to a tree-lighting. Proceeds go to Operation Blue Santa.

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On Sunday you won’t want to miss a great opportunity to help end hunger while filling your belly with warm soup served in beautiful bowls. Potters from all over Texas donate hand made bowls of every size, shape and color. Restaurants and bakeries all over town donate soup and bread. Musicians donate their time and talent. Your part is to show up, pick yourself a gorgeous bowl for which you’ll pay a mere $15. Your bowl will then be filled with a delectable soup. You’ll grab yourself some bread to go with it and kick back and enjoy the entertainment. The Empty Bowl Project is part of a nation-wide effort to raise money, awareness and to end hunger. Proceeds for this project go to the Capital Area Food Bank’s Kids Cafe Program. The Austin Empty Bowl Project will be held at the Mexican American Culture Center at 600 River Street in Austin, just off the hike and bike trail on Lake Ladybird, November 23, 2008. Get there early to pick out the coolest bowls!

The Empty Bowl Project
Sunday, November 23rd, 2008
Mexican American Culture Center
600 River Street, Austin, Tx
11:00 - 3:00pm

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A few Santa sightings for tomorrow:

Santa at Barton Creek Square
When: Daily 11/7/08 - 12/24/08
Where: Barton Creek Square, 2901 South Capital of Texas Highway
$$$: Free

Santa at Lakeline Mall
When: Daily 11/8/08 - 12/24/08
Where: Lakeline Mall, 11200 Lakeline Mall Drive, Cedar Park
$$$: Free

Santa at Highland Mall
When: Daily 11/22/08 - 12/24/08
Where: Highland Mall, 6001 Airport Boulevard, Austin
$$$: Free
Kids can visit with Santa in his village on the lower level near Men’s Dillard’s. Photo packages available for sale.

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The seventh annual E.A.S.T. event celebrates the visual arts in east Austin. This year, 250 artists will be opening their studios throughout the east side for a free two-day event. E.A.S.T. began in November 2003 as an artist-run initiative designed to highlight studios and galleries located in east Austin. It has grown by leaps and bounds but retains its original mission—to encourage creative dialogue among artists and their peers, as well as between artists and their city. E.A.S.T. is a self-guided tour. Maps to all the studios will be provided, and visitors can use the E.A.S.T. website and catalog to select which studios they would like to see. There are Capitol Metro bus routes throughout east Austin as well. Visit capmetro.org for routes and times The E.A.S.T. Tour Guide—a full-color book showing the work of every artist—will be available for free throughout Austin during the weeks leading up to the tour. This Guide will include a map, and will help you plot your course through East Austin, and let you preview the work you’ll see at each stop.

East Austin Studio Tour
When: November 22-November 23, 2008, 10am-5pm
Where: Multiple Locations
$$$: Free

Greetings Cakesters,

I don’t know about you guys but October was sure a busy month around here. We had Lorraine McKay’s workshops, the Texas ICES DOS in San Antonio and of course, Cake Show planning and more Cake Show planning! With the holidays now swiftly approaching, I don’t think things are going to slow down any time soon!

That Takes the Cake! Show News The mini-class schedule and mini-class instructor registration are both now online. We are feverishly working to bring the competition registration online next. Vendor registration has been online for a while now. If you know of an instructor or vendor who would be a good match for the cake show, please send them to our website. Registration is also open for our Celebrity Classes. If you sign up before the 26th you can still break your payments up over 4 months. Each month you’ll have one less month to make payments so sign up early for the lowest monthly payments. Debbie Brown’s class pictures are now online. For one class the members of Capital Confectioners voted for Debbie’s Indian Wedding Cake, a marvel of stacked pillow cakes atop a golden base and topped with the Indian elephant god, Ganesh. For the other class we chose the fabulous Persian Palace Cake pictured to the left. Choosing between these classes is sooo hard! Sign up early for low monthly payments!

Lorraine McKay Workshops Lorraine’s workshops were a huge success. Everyone left with fabulous pieces and and feeling like they’d been on a vacation. We kept Lorraine’s husband, Andy, busy running back and forth to Round Rock Donuts. We had two pregnant ladies and wouldn’t you just know it, those babies were calling out for our famous RR Donuts. No one else was complaining much either, for that matter. In fact, everyone had so much fun that we’ve convinced Lorraine to return next year for our DOS. We’ve set the date for Sunday, August 16th, 2009 and we’re working out the classes now. Lorraine will be teaching her Bride & Groom class again, only this time the Groom will be sporting top hat and tails instead of a kilt. We’ll let you know when registration opens.

Members of Capital Confectioners traveled to San Antonio to the ICES “Christmas Wedding” DOS last month to support our fellow cake friends. The DOS was organized by Texas ICES representatives, Jacque Benson, Yvette Humbert and Irene Hackbarth. Many excellent techniques were demonstrated including some Halloween favorites like a witch and easy marzipan pumpkins! Carol Fouts stayed on to teach her wonderful Sugar Shoes class, the next day. If you haven’t taken one of Carol’s classes, I’d highly recommend one. They make the most adorable baby shower cakes and her high heels make great ladies cakes as well as bachelorette cakes. A special thank you to Carol Ann Hughes for her invaluable assistance and to everyone who made an effort to attend. Visit Carol’s Website

Tip of the Month: Cleaning your cake dummies Is removing the old fondant from your cake dummy making you crazy? Here is a tip from our own Miss Janette Pfertner, Master Decorator and Sugar Artist. To clean a cake dummy, remove all the flowers and decorations and then stick it in the dishwasher. The dishwasher will remove all the fondant and leave you with a clean and sterile cake dummy for your next project!

Upcoming Events November 23rd Bronwen Weber Stand-up Santa Class at Cake Carousel December 6th: Cake Craft Shoppe’s 2nd Annual Gingerbread House Competition December 8th Bronwen Weber Sculpted Reindeer Class at Cake Craft Shoppe December 9th Bronwen Weber Sculpted Reindeer Class at Cake Craft Shoppe February 1: Texas ICES DOS in Dallas/Ft Worth February 28-1 March: Capital Confectioners That Takes the Cake! Sugar Art & Cake Competition March 2nd-5th: Capital Confectioners That Takes the Cake! Celebrity Classes April 19th: Southeast Texas Cake Club DOS w/ Rebecca Sutterby April 25-26th Sugar Wonders’ 5th Annual Cake and Sugar Art Show June 28: Frosting Creators 2009 DOS August 16th Capital Confectioners 2009 DOS October 3-4th Oklahoma State Sugar Art Show

Capital Confectioners Club Meetings A big Thank You to Jennifer Bartos of All in One Bake Shop for our October demonstration! Jennifer showed us a very cool technique for making fall leaves using of rice paper, leaf cookie cutters and Wilton Color Mist Sprays. They were beautiful and looked so real. Thank you also to Crystal Hamburg-Smith for our delicious treats. November’s Capital Confectioners meeting was held on November 11th. Crystal demonstrated her technique for making Christmas trees, just in time for the holidays. Carol brought peanut butter and jelly cupcakes and the best pumpkin cheesecake I’ve ever had. Yum! Thanks, Crystal and Carol! There will be no meeting for the month of December but we hope to see you all at our club Holiday Party on December 14th. Our next club meeting will be on January 13th, 2009 at: La Madeleine 3418 N. Lamar Austin, TX 78705 512-302-1486 Join Meetup.com to receive regular meeting notices.

If you enjoy art and you want to help out a good cause, this weekend is the annual Arts from the Streets show and sale. Art From the Streets was founded in 1991 by Austin artists to give the homeless a way to get back on their feet—socially and financially.

To date, approximately 700 homeless people have taken part in the Art From the Streets classes and have displayed their work in the annual shows, earning more than $600,000 through sales of their art to the 20,000+ Austinites who have attended. Original artwork starts at $35 with all sale proceeds, apart from a nominal mounting fee, going directly to the exhibiting artists.

16th Annual Arts from the Street, Show & Sale
When: Saturday, November 15 and Sunday, November 16, from 12:00p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where: Austin Resource Center for the Homeless (ARCH), 500 E 7th St (7th & Neches)
$$$: A $3 suggested admission donation helps defray the cost of supplies and materials. Parking is available on the street.

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If that doesn’t satisfy your craving for art then head on over to Art on 5th for World Art Weekend where you can find hundreds of unframed originals on canvas! Artists hail from South America, Asia, and Europe. This is a great opportunity for some early holiday shopping.

World Art Weekend
Where: Art on 5th, 1501 W. 5th St. (Just off Mopac)
When: Saturday November 15, 10-6
Sunday November 16, Noon to 5
Monday November 17, 10-6

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If you happen to live North of Austin or in my little city of Pflugerville, you may be interested in Pfall Pfest Craft Show. Yes, we are a bit obsessive with the use of our Pf in P’ville. Start your holiday shopping or find those one of a kind items for a special friend. Handcrafted items, baked goods, jewelry and glassware are just a few of the unique gift items to choose from.

Shop right through lunch and grab a BBQ sandwich, hot dog or deli sandwich from the Senior Activity Center.

22nd Annual Pflugerville Pfall Pfest Craft Show
When: Saturday, Nov. 15, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: Pflugerville Recreation Center, 400 Immanuel Road, Pflugerville
$$$: Free

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Home Slice Pizza will celebrate their one-year anniversary this Saturday with a big ole’ carnival. Featuring exciting games of skill, box folding and pizza tossing contest, graffiti artists, extreme pizza eating contest, live music, raffles and tons of super cool prizes! All proceeds to benefit Keep Austin Beautiful.

3rd Annual Home Slice Pizza
When: Saturday, Nov. 15th, noon - 7pm
Where: 1415 South Congress Avenue
$$$: Free

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Saturday, join world champion trick roper Kevin Fitzpatrick as he demonstrates some “tricks of the trade” of a cowboy and professional trick roper. Tommy Worrell of the Diamond W Cowboy Show will also lead a hands-on workshop on the art and science of lasso making.

Sunday, join Cowboy Hall of Fame member Red Steagall, accompanied by Danny Steagall and Richard O’Brien, for a performance for the whole family that celebrates the great American cowboy through music, stories and poetry.

“Get Roped In”
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum
Saturday, November 15, 1-3 pm
Free with exhibit admission

In the Cowboy Spirit: Stories and Songs by Red Steagall
Sunday, November 16, 2pm and 8pm, The Texas Spirit Theater
Free with exhibit admission, reservations required by calling (512) 936-4649.

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This is the last weekend to Harvest the Fun at Sweet Berry Farm. Pumpkin painting, Hayfield Mazes, horse rides, homemade ice cream, a petting zoo and all the fall favorites.

Harvest the Fun
When: Saturday from 8:30 to 5:30, Sundays 1 to 5
Where: Sweet Betty Farm, Marble Falls

If your least favorite part of Thanksgiving is cooking the bird then why not buy it cooked this year? There are several stores and restaurants that will do all or part of your holiday cooking for you. It’s easy, convenient and a lot less messy!

To gobble, gobble, gobble and not cook, cook, cook this holiday season. Here are some places you can obtain pre-cooked turkeys and all the fixins.

• Louisiana Longhorn Cafe
  Order by Phone: 512-248-2900 or Online
  200B E. Main Street
  Round Rock, TX
  
  This little gem of a cafe is located in Round Rock. They offer smoked or Cajun fried and either way it’s going to be finger-lickin good. They’ll even be open on Thanksgiving day from 11am-3pm. Don’t forget to order your pies, too!
• Greenberg Turkey Inc.
  221 McMurrey Dr.,
  Tyler, TX 75702
  (903) 595-0725
  
  I have yet to try a Greenberg Turkey but people who have just rave about them. They are apparently fantastic. They have been taking orders since 1940 and they’re still going strong. Order early.
• Popeyes, I’ve had their cajun fried turkeys and they are very good!
• Threadgill’s
  For just $129.95 you can feed a family of 8 from one of Austin’s favorite restaurants. Your Holiday Feast includes roast turkey or spiral cut ham, cornbread dressing, mashed taters, candied yams, green bean casserole, gravy, cranberry sauce, rolls and your choice of pumpkin or pecan pie. Can you say YUM?
• Luby’s, you can order an entire meal, complete with dressing, gravy, cranberry sauce and pies for a very reasonable price $58.99 to serve 4-6 or a feast to feed 10-12 for under $100. This would be a great choice for the budget conscious, you can barely buy all that food for that price, it even includes 2 pies.
• Barton Creek Spa & Resort
  8212 Barton Club Drive
  Austin, Texas
  1.866.572.7369
  
  Dinner for Six - $275+tax
  10-12 lb. traditional roast turkey
  cranberry relish w/ dried cherries
  cornbread sage dressing
  garlic whipped potatoes
  wild mushroom green bean casserole
  pecan candied yams
  house-made dinner rolls
  double apple Waldorf salad
  choice of one: Granny Smith apple, southern pecan or traditional pumpkin pie

  Feast for Ten also available for $395+tax

  
  
• HEB, turkeys or ham, just heat and serve. They have all the side dishes, too.
• Central Market, heck, you can order the whole meal! Not only that but you’re not limited to turkey. You can get duck, capon, turducken, yes…turducken, cornish game hen and even pheasant! Or, if you’d rather have seafood, you can get lobster, crab, shrimp and more. If you’re just looking for your basic, traditional Thanksgiving meal from the bird to the gravy, to the green beans to the cranberry sauce you can pick that up for right around $140 to feed 6-8 people. Not too bad really.
• Whole Foods, whether you want dinner for 2 or a dozen, Whole Foods can hook you up with the entire meal. They also have an option for Vegetarians! A complete traditional meal for 6-8 people will run you about $80, $120 to make your turkey organic.
• Bill Miller Bar-B-Q, ham or turkey with all the fixins and fresh baked pies, too.
  Small Party Pack - Complete Meal for 10
  (Broad-breasted turkey hen, hot and carved, 2 quarts cornbread dressing, 1 quart giblet gravy, 2 quarts green beans, 1 dozen dinner rolls, 1 9″ fresh baked pie, 1 gallon iced tea, plates, cups and set ups for 10)
  (Only $6.90 per person + tax) . . .$69.00
  
  Large Party Pack - Complete meal for 20
  (Broad-breasted turkey tom OR 1/2 Honey-glazed spiral cut ham, hot and carved, 4 quarts cornbread dressing, 2 quarts giblet gravy, 4 quarts green beans, 2 dozen dinner rolls, 2 9″ fresh baked pies, 2 gallons iced tea, plates, cups and set ups for 20)
  (Only $5.90 per person + tax) . . .$118.00
• Target Superstores
  All Locations?
  
  A full Turkey dinner (or choose Ham) with all the trimmings for $70. Includes your choice from 4 pie selections, Apple, Apple Berry Rhubarb, Bourbon Pecan or Pumpkin Pie. Feeds 8-10 people.
  
  Appetizers:
  
  * Stone Ground Wheat Crackers
  * Pumpkin Cheese Spread
  
  Main Course:
  
  * Fully Cooked Butter-Basted Turkey
  
  Side Dishes:
  
  * Homestyle Stuffing
  * Traditional Mashed Potatoes
  * Turkey Gravy
  * Americana Vegetable Blend
  * Green Bean Casserole
  * Cranberry Orange Walnut Relish
  * Ciabatta Rolls
  
  Bonus:
  
  * Signature Coffee
• More Great BBQ Places to get your bird:
  The Pit Barbeque
  Rudy’s BBQ, try their cream corn, it’s out of this world good.
  The Salt Lick, now with locations South and North. Seriously good BBQ!
• HoneyBaked Ham, they may be a chain but they make a mighty fine ham and I hear their turkey is also excellent.
• Hoover’s Cooking
  2002 Manor Rd # C
  Austin, TX 78722
  (512) 479-5006

  13376 Research Blvd #400 Austin, TX
  (@ Anderson Mill Rd)
  512 335 0300
  Hours: 11am - 7pm
  $$$: 15.49

  If you’ve never been to Hoover’s, you’re in for a treat. Hoover’s serves up your turkey, fried, roasted or smoked. 14-16lbs worth for $54.99. Take home just the turkey or order up some side dishes and pie or two to go along with it!

It’s that time of year when we pause to reflect on how lucky we are to have roofs over our heads and food in our stomachs. With that realization comes a desire to give to those less fortunate. Here are some ways you can give back to your community this holiday season:

The Empty Bowl Project
Sunday, November 23rd, 2008
Mexican American Culture Center
600 River Street, Austin, Tx
11:00 - 3:00pm

This is such a cool project. Potters from all over Texas donate hand made bowls of every size, shape and color. Restaurants and bakeries all over town donate soup and bread. Musicians donate their time and talent. Your part is to show up, pick yourself a gorgeous bowl for which you’ll pay a mere $15. Your bowl will then be filled with a delectable soup. You’ll grab yourself some bread to go with it and kick back and enjoy the entertainment. The Empty Bowl Project is part of a nation-wide effort to raise money, awareness and to end hunger. Proceeds for this project go to the Capital Area Food Bank’s Kids Cafe Program. The Austin Empty Bowl Project will be held at the Mexican American Culture Center
at 600 River Street in Austin, just off the hike and bike trail on Lake Ladybird, November 23, 2008. Get there early to pick out the coolest bowls!

Operation Turkey
Operation Turkey began in 2000 as an means to promote community outreach during the Thanksgiving holiday. Operation Turkey helps communities to organize and distribute food, clothing, blankets to the homeless and those less fortunate. Operation Turkey needs YOU to help prepare and distribute these items. If you love to cook, or are willing to package up or deliver food on Thanksgiving Day, or if you just want to donate, your help is always appreciated. Children are welcome and they have projects just for kids. Click here to register and sign up!

2008 ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot
Thanksgiving Day - November 27, 2008, 9:30 a.m.
Waterloo Park (12th & Trinity)

The Annual Turkey Trot is a great way to burn off some calories, get some exercise before the big meal and give back to your community. This event benefits Caritas of Austin, a non-profit organization that provides for those experiencing poverty that begins with a safety net and links them to resources to achieve self-sufficiency. Last year’s Turkey Trot raised $115,000 and over the last 17 years, the race has raised well over $600,000 for Caritas. Choose the 5k run or the 1 mile walk.

Chuy’s Children Giving to Children Parade 2008
Saturday, November 29th, 2008
Starts at the State Capital at 11am

Bring a toy for this hour long parade benefiting Operation Blue Santa. Your generous donations will be distributed to children in need just in time for the holidays. Operation Blue Santa is run by the Austin Police Department in partnership with the Austin Community, the Texas National Guard, the Austin Fire Department, the Austin Parks and Recreation and Austin Energy. Each year, Operation Blue Santa serves more than 3,800 families, with 14,000 children in those families receiving gifts.

Now that the election is over is time to get out and celebrate! Put on your liederhosen and head to New Braunfels to enjoy the last weekend of Wurstfest! You’ll find a variety of entertainment, food and fun on the Wurstfest Grounds in Landa Park.

48th annual “Salute to Sausage” - Wurstfest
When: Saturday, Nov. 8th, 2008
Where: Landa Park, New Braunfels, Tx
$$$: $8 or you can catch the bus from NOMAD for $30.

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What better way to have fun than the FUN FUN FUN FEST? Now in it’s 3rd year, the premise of Fun Fun Fun Fest is to create a fall festival experience that supports emerging artists, the creative class, local business, and bands we just love to see play, regardless of genre or MTV airplay. It is a true urban festival in the middle of downtown, where fans can get a burger from Spider House, some Brisket from Lamberts, a beer from a Club de Ville bartender, a pair of vintage boots from Big Rig, and T-shirt from their favorite band. A fest WE in the scene would want to go to, without all of the ‘filler’ that tends to show up at the corporate music carnivals around the world these days. Also, the FFF team makes sure that many of these shows end up in the streets of Austin after the fest, spilling out into Red River, and playing at local clubs into the night. This is the final weekend!

Fun Fun Fun Fest
When: Saturday, November 8 2008, 12:00pm
Where: Waterlook Park, 403 E 15th Street, Austin
$$$: $25.99-59.99

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The Palmer Event Center plays host this weekend to a great cause, The Settlement Homes for Children’s annual Garage Sale. This isn’t some slickster cover for dealers like the city garage sale, this is a true garage sale with 20 different departments filled with donated merchandise. 100% of the net proceeds from this spectacular event go to the annual operating budget for the Home. he Settlement Club is a volunteer group of over 450 dedicated women whose mission is to provide a quality home for neglected, abused and emotionally troubled children and has been in business since 1916.

Settlement Home for Children Annual Garage Sale
When: November 7-9, 2008
Where: Palmer Events Center, Barton Springs Rd, Austin
$$$: $0.00-5.00

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The Austin Junior Forum presents Christmas at the Caswell House, Silver Anniversary this weekend. Christmas at the Caswell House is an annual event whereby Austin Junior Forum members decorate the Victorian home to the nines with holiday décor and sponsor a week long event of dinners, lunches and teas to raise money that is then granted out to the Austin community. 100% of the money raised during this event is given back. Local restaurants and vendors also donate their food and services to the cause so that it is truly a win/win for the community at large. This year’s event is the silver anniversary; we have been decking the halls of Austin for 25 years now. The house is open beginning at 10 a.m. each day and it is just $5 to stop by, tour the home and shop ’til your heart’s content. Parking for the event is location at the St. Martin’s Church, located at 15th and Rio Grande.

Christmas at the Caswell House
When: Nov. 7-13, 2008
Where: Caswell House, 1404 West Ave
$$$: $5-50

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Join TreeFolks and the Austin Parks and Recreation Department for the second annual Veterans Day tree planting ceremony. The morning will begin with a ceremony recognizing the great service and sacrifice of our military veterans, then 170 trees will be planted in Rosewood Park, located at 2300 Rosewood Avenue (map). Join YNPN in giving back to the Austin community and recognizing the important work of our country’s veterans. RSVP to nicole.borgstadt@livestrong.org.

Veteran’s Day Tree Planting
When: Saturday, November 8th, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Where: Rosewood Park (2300 rosewood avenue, 78702) - Rosewood & Chestnut in East Austin
$$$: Free

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Whether you’re for it or against it, this year’s Shriner’s Circus is this weekend at the Travis County Expo Center. The Austin Circus Spectacular includes a Human Cannonball, Big Cats, Aerialists, Clowns and other circus favorites. Proceeds support charities such as the Shriners Hospital for children. $10-$20.

Austin Circus Spectacular
When: November 7-9, 2008
Where: Travis County Exposition Center, 7311 Decker Lane, Austin
$$$: $10-20

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Companies from the Architecture, Engineering, Design, and Construction fields will be forming teams and competing on November 8th, to design the best CANstruction structure, coordinated by the Society of Design Administration and American Institute of Architecture, to benefit the Capital Area Food Bank. After the competition, there will be an official awards ceremony. Visitors to Barton Creek Square Mall may vote for their favorite structure on November 8th with a financial donation to the Capital Area Food Bank. “Viewers’ Choice” awards will be posted on Monday, November 10th.

Canstruction Competition
When: Saturday, Nov. 8th, 2008
Where: Barton Creek Mall, 2901 S Capital Of Texas Hwy, Austin
$$$: Free

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Break out those big iron pots and your secret family recipe! Pflugerville is having a Chili Pfest. Headlined with chili cooked by world renowned CASI (Chili Appreciation Society International) award winning cooks vying for the top CASI chili in Pflugerville…and more importantly of course….there is the contest for who will win the ‘braggin rights’ for Pflugerville’s Best Community Chili! Visitors can even sample all the chili and vote for their favorite! But that’s not all! There will be a ‘Chillun’s Pot’ with games and entertainment for all the ‘chilluns’ as well as gourmet and home grown food items for the shopper in all of us. After the judging, the street rolls up and it’s a street dance for all ages!

Pflugerville Chili Pfest
When: Saturday, Nov. 8th, 2008
Where: Main Street, Downtown Pflugerville, 100 E. Main, Ste. 300
$$$: Free

We have a cockroach on our State Board of Education. That cockroach has a name, Cynthia Nolan Dunbar.

In an article she wrote for the Christian Worldview Network website, Dunbar wrote that a terrorist attack on America during the first six months of an Obama administration “will be a planned effort by those with whom Obama truly sympathizes to take down the America that is threat to tyranny.” “I sincerely believe that an Obama Administration would ultimately mean one thing - the end of America as we know her,” said Dunbar, one of board’s seven social conservatives.

“However, unlike Joe, I do not believe this attack will be a test of Obama’s mettle. Rather, I perceive it will be a planned effort by those with whom Obama truly sympathizes to take down the America that is threat to tyranny,” Dunbar wrote. “What nobody seems to be discussing is the fact that if such an attack takes place, what about Martial Law? What happens to expand executive power when a state of civil disorder is declared?”

She expressed fear for the potential demise of this country should voters elect Obama. Dunbar even repeated the already discredited idea that Obama was not born in the US which has been proven untrue.

“I shall take no joy in saying ‘I told you so’ if Obama gets elected. But just for the record, remember, ‘I told you so,’” she wrote.

While I absolutely believe in Freedom of Speech I find this kind of talk coming from someone on our State Board of Education to be intolerable. As Kathy Miller, president of the Texas Freedom Network said:

“No matter who you support for president, we should all be able to agree that Ms. Dunbar’s disgusting attack is a shocking example of the extremism that has infected the state board,” Miller said. “It’s stunning that a board member who helps decide what Texas children learn in their public schools would say something so disgusting and reprehensible. She should be taking refresher courses in civics and good citizenship, not deciding what Texas kids learn.”

In fact, the Texas Freedom Network, a watchdog group that monitors the board, released a public statement on Monday asking Dunbar to retract the statement. Did she? Of course not! “I don’t have anything in there that would be retractable,” said Dunbar, R-Richmond. “Those are my personal opinions and I don’t think the language is questionable.”

Dunbar also alleges that Obama “most likely” is not a citizen, repeating Internet rumors that have been refuted by Hawaii officials.

This woman is an elected official and while the Texas Freedom Network is calling for a retraction, I’ll go one step further and call for her dismissal. A retraction will only cause the cockroach to crawl back under the cabinet and play safe.

I got up early this morning to Barack the Vote! I hope each and every one of you votes today. I think this is probably the most important election of my lifetime. Either way it will be historic. We either get a black man as President or a woman as Vice President.

Click here to find your polling location.

If you’re looking for a party or at least somewhere to go to watch tonight’s elections, here is a rundown of election night parties:

The Texas Democrats Election Night Victory Party will be held at:

The Driskill
604 Brazos St
Austin, TX
(512) 474-5911
7pm. - 1am.
Free

Texans for Obama will be holding court at:

Scholz Garten
1607 San Jancinto Blvd
Austin, TX 78701
Click to register.

The Travis Libertarian Election Night Party will be partying it up at:

Paradise Cafe
401 E 6th St
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 476-5667
7pm.

Everyone is welcome to share good food and the election results at the Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar. “Watch the the map of the country turn red and blue with us on election night, and watch the faces of your fellow audience members turn red and blue along with it. We won’t be responsible for the outcome, but whatever it is, we’ll either be celebrating in high fashion or raging as a big Alamo family, and we can’t do it without you, so BE THERE!”

Alamo South Lamar
1120 S Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 476-1320
6:20 p.m.

Celebrate democracy and merrily watch the states change color! Enjoy the free Pool, Darts and Big screen televisions. Food, free wi-fi, plenty of parking and an outdoor patio. “We encourage you to revel in any victories for your candidate, however, any disparaging, insulting or slanderous comments about the other will not be tolerated.”

Drungo Ice House
2828 Rio Grande St
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 478-6666
6 p.m.

Happy Hour prices all night long as you enjoy full election coverage. Barack the vote at:

Mohawk
912 Red River St
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 482-8404
5 p.m.

Drink Liberally at:

Dog and Duck!
406 W 17th St
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 479-0598

Get to Third Base this election night with 40 screens. The delicious food, pool tables, darts, patio plasmas and free WiFi are just a few features that set this sports bar apart from the rest!

Third Base Election Party
1717 West 6th Street
Austin, TX 78703
(512) 476-2273

Enjoy $2 pints and finger lickin BBQ, head on over to:

Uncle Billy’s
1530 Barton Springs Rd
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 476-0100

Looking for a kid friendly party? Door Prizes, Music, Entertainment for the Kids, Half Price Drinks, Great Food. Watch as the ballots and votes are counted. Celebrating HOPE & CHANGE.

Jovita’s Mexican Restaurant
1617 S 1st St
Austin, TX 78704

Urban Life & Style presents the official urban Election Results Viewing Mixer. Come out and watch the final results of the 2008 Presidential election on multiple TVs throughout the venue as well as on big screen. There will be a free buffet. This event starts at 6pm.

The Studio
5804 I-H 35 South
Austin, Tx

Get out and vote tomorrow and you could be sitting back sipping a latte and munching on your super cool star spangled Krispie Kreme donuts for your efforts. Mmm… donuts!

I have a favorite saying, “If it’s for free, it’s for me!”

It’s true, Starbucks is offering you a free coffee just for voting.

So is Ben & Jerry’s. Mmm…a free scoop of ice cream for voting! 5-8pm on November 4th. Limit one per customer.

The fine folks at Krispie Kreme want your vote, too! Actually, the company doesn’t care who you vote for as long as you vote. On November 4, locations around the country will be handing out free star-shaped donuts with red, white and blue sprinkles to anyone with an “I Voted” sticker (we’re guessing other proof may be allowed, in case your polling place is out of stickers). The effort is non-partisan, so don’t worry about one of the candidates forking over a wad of leftover campaign money in some kind of weird get-out-the-vote effort. This is just about Krispy Kreme trying to get some foot traffic of its own.