Dec 8-9 The Tenth Best Salvage Vanguard
Holiday Ever!
9:00 p.m.
Little City Espresso Bar, 916 Congress
salvagevanguard.org

You remember. In December of 1996 parents resorted to elbowing and bribes to obtain a Tickle Me Elmo for their beloved child. Arnold Schwarzenegger was busy promoting Jingle All the Way with his costar Sinbad. Office Christmas parties across the nation were afflicted by spontaneous outbreaks of the Macarena. And in Austin, Texas, The Best Salvage Vanguard Holiday Ever was born in a manger (read: a downtown coffee shop).

A decade later, the magic lives on, and what a blast from the past it's gonna be. The producers have wrapped up quite an evening for you. Here's what's in store. "We're squeezing as many people as we can into the confines of downtown's Little City Coffee and Espresso House. We're all going to sing 'White Christmas.' Then, we're going to watch ten 5-minutes pieces all inspired by the word 'fire.' So how does this work? You ask. Well, the goal is to create ten five-minute pieces based on a mystery holiday theme word (this year it's 'fire') and use actors, writers, poets, musicians and directors the company has associated with in the past decade. Only four hours of rehearsal for each piece is allowed and the entire haberdashery is presented in the cozy confines of Little City Coffee House and Espresso Bar."

Check out who has gotten hooked into this holiday extravaganza:
Writers - Lowell Bartholomee, Rebecca Beegle, Ron Berry, Michael Kranes, Greg Romero and Shannon McCormick
Directors - Aaron Clay, Jason Hays, Zell Miller, III and Cyndi Williams
Performers - Christopher Shea, Chris Hatcher, David Higgins, L.B. Deyo, Shannon Salameh, Etta Sanders, Stephanie Stevens and Nitra Gutierrez
Plus poets and musicians, too!

Admission: Sliding Scale: $7.00 - $35.00. Reservations are not necessary, but do be prepared for tight-fitting seating for gobs of giggles!

Dec 8 Waiting for Guffman
9:00 p.m.
Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress
(512) 472-5470, austintheatre.org

A town of Blaine, Missouri is preparing for celebrations of its 150th anniversary. A theatrical version of the town's history creates unforgettable cinematic comedy!

Dec 8 Best in Show
7:00 p.m.
Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress
(512) 472-5470, austintheatre.org

The owners (and handlers) of five show dogs head for the Mayflower Kennel Club Dog Show. Great characters are unleashed as this dog show brings out the essence of the humans. Ah-but who will be best in show?

Dec 9-23 The 44th Annual Production of
The Nutcracker
Bass Concert Hall, 23rd & Robert Dedman
(512) 476-2163, balletaustin.org

No holiday season would be complete without an evening spent with Sugar Plum Fairies, Waltzing Snowflakes, The Rat King and Clara. For years, these whimsical characters have conjured the magic of the season for audiences all over the world. Ballet Austin's 44th annual presentation of this holiday treat will take your breath away as you're immersed in the magic of the story, the music and the season!

Dec 10 Gigantic Tupperware Party!
7:00 p.m.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 409 Colorado
originalalamo.com

In what promises to be the largest Tupperware party in Austin history you will be joined by Beverly Miller-Krohn and her amazing assortment of burping storage containers. Proceeds benefit the Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Fest (AGLIFF). The movie tells the remarkable story of Earl Silas Tupper, an ambitious but reclusive small-town inventor, and Brownie Wise, the self-taught sales-woman who built him an empire out of bowls that burped. The film includes rare color home movies as well as ads and television excerpts from the period, interwoven with fabulous and funny stories told by Tupperware Ladies who witnessed the company's early years. Narrated by Kathy Bates.

Dec 11 Third Coast Nite: Iraq in Fragments
7:00 p.m.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 409 Colorado
originalalamo.com

You'll see what life is really like in Iraq - or at least how it was before the chaos overtook the society. Iraq in Fragments is a beautiful, harrowing film, focusing on three stories shot over the course of one year just before it became almost suicidal for western filmmakers to be there. It's the story of 11-year-old auto mechanic told in close-ups that communicate the suffocating, almost Dickensian life of this illiterate child who lost his father to the regime of Saddam Hussein. A rare and courageous cinematic effort, this is a special advance screening before the film opens in 2007.

Dec 11 Danielson: A Family Movie
9:45 p.m.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 409 Colorado
originalalamo.com

Delve into the complex and intriguing knot of Christian faith, unbridled creativity, inimitable vision, and slavish attention to detail that's embodied in the outwardly ordinary figure of Daniel Smith. An eccentric musician and visual artist, Smith led his four siblings and best friend to indie-rock stardom while steadfastly refusing to compromise his sometimes baffling worldview. Outfitted in vintage nurses' uniforms, they shouted about the healing power of the Lord. And while the Christian establishment was far from enthusiastic, Rolling Stone, Spin, The New York Times, and the rest of the mainstream independent (and that's not an oxymoron) music community fell head over heels-and that's when things got complicated...

Dec 12 Metropolis (Metoroporisu), 2001
7:00 p.m.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 409 Colorado
(512) 322-0145 x 213, austinfilm.org

The movie harks back to Fritz Lang's classic expressionist film METROPOLIS (1927) but is also directly inspired by the Metropolis manga created by "the god of manga," Tezuka Osamu in 1949. This screening is part of Austin Film Society's Essential Cinema Series - "Sublime Lines: Japanese Anime" that runs through Dec. 19. Tickets may be purchased online at austinfilm.org. Go to austinfilm.org for more details on ticket purchasing policies.

Dec 13 Been Rich All My Life
7:00 p.m.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 409 Colorado
(512) 322-0145 x 213, austinfilm.org

Think you're getting older and maybe not wiser? Get over it! Been Rich All My Life tells the stories of five African-American dancers all above the age of 80. They've been dancing since their teens. They go all the way back to the glory days of the chorus lines at the Apollo, the Savoy, the Cotton Club, and the other uptown Harlem, midtown Manhattan clubs of the 30s. "The Silver Belles are most definitely not going gently into that dark night," AFS Director of Programming Chale Nafus said. "They are stomping all over time, age and obstacles." As part of its Texas Documentary Tour, filmmaker, Heather Lyn MacDonald, will be in attendance to discuss her film.

Still on Stage...

To 12/9: The Plight Before Christmas, Scottish Rite Theatre, ScottishRiteChildrensTheatre.org
12/7-9: Esther's Follies Christmas Show, Esther's Follies, esthersfollies.com
To 12/15: Fridays, Gorilla Theatre, The Hideout Theatre, hideouttheatre.com
To 12/22: The Ghost of Christmas Pasta, Spaghetti Warehouse, capcitymystery.com
To 12/23: Moneygo on 34th Street, The Hideout Theatre, violetcrownradio.com
To 12/31: Plaid Tidings, Zach Scott Groten Stage, zachscott.com
To 12/31: Rockin' Christmas Party, Zach Scott Kleberg Stage, zachscott.com
To 1/07: The Santaland Diaries, Zach Scott Arena Stage, zachscott.com
Ongoing: Happy Feet: The IMAX® Experience, Texas the Big Picture, Deep Sea 3D in the IMAX® Theatre; The Star of Destiny in the Texas Spirit Theater, thestoryoftexas.com

Dec 7 Caroling at Noon
12:00 p.m.
St. David's Episcopal Church, 304 E. 7th
(512) 472-1196, stdave.org

Experience Cantamos of First Baptist - this week's free holiday concert in St. David's historic sanctuary. Donations are accepted to benefit the Trinity Center, St. David's downtown outreach ministry. Lunch is available following the concerts at 12:30 at Cafe Divine for $6.00.

Dec 7 Handbell Concert
12:00 p.m.
Central Presbyterian Church, 8th & Brazos
(512) 326-2575, austinhandbells.org

The Austin Handbell Ensemble's Christmas Concert - Carols and Other Musical Gifts - will include three separate performances throughout Central Texas. The Ensemble will perform a number of well known carols along with other familiar Christmas tunes. And as always, the group will also delight audiences with newer arrangements that exhibit the flexibility and musical wonder of handbells. Admission is free, with donations graciously accepted.

Dec 7, 10 UT Chamber Singers Sing an
Evening of Christmas Favorites
8:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Great Hall, LBJ Library, The University of Texas at Austin
(512) 471-0806, lbjlib.utexas.edu

The University of Texas Chamber Singers will present a holiday concert of A Capella Christmas carols in the stunning LBJ Library Great Hall. The program will feature a number of favorite carols as well as a wide selection of other classical and new choral works for the holiday season. To get free advanced tickets to this show, call (512) 471-0806 or email choirs@mail.music.utexas.edu.

Dec 7, 10 The Christmas Pops! Sing-Along
4:00 p.m.; 7:00 p.m.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 409 Colorado
originalalamo.com

Go Caroling Alamo Drafthouse-style! - Your favorite holiday tunes will probably never look, sound, feel, smell or taste in the same way - ever again!

Dec 8 Strings Attached Holiday Concert
St.David's Episcopal Church, 8th & San Jacinto
(866) 235-0270, stringsattached.org

The Will Taylor and Strings Attached Annual Holiday Concert will showcase Gospel Sounds with Wendy Colonna and other surprise guests. Tickets: stringsattached.org or 1-866-235-0270. Show times: 7:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

Dec 9 Conspirare's Christmas at the Carillon
8:30 p.m.
St. Mary's Cathedral, 203 E. 10th
conspirare.org

As part of its critically acclaimed Christmas at the Carillon Series, Conspirare will be performing at St. Mary's Cathedral. Come hear what everyone has been talking about. This innovative and provocative concert series has inspired countless listeners and sparked conversations long after the last note has sounded. This year's series will feature an exciting new collaboration with renowned New Orleans vocalist, John Boutte. In the genre of Nat Cole, Marvin Gaye and Sam Cooke, John has received critical acclaim and awards including Best Male Vocalist of the year at the Best of the Beat Awards and the Big Easy Awards, and Best Latin Album by a Louisiana Artist.

Dec 7 West End Gallery Night
West End - Sixth Street - West of Lamar
inthegalleries.com/westend.htm

Get a jump on your holiday shopping at this month's Gallery Night. All the fine West End galleries stay open until 8:00 p.m. Visit Art on 5th, Artworks, Austin Galleries, f8 Fine Art, Lotus Gallery, Stephen L. Clark Gallery, and Wally Workman Gallery. Make this Thursday your gallery hopping and shopping night - 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Dec 7 Child's Christmas in Wales
7:00 p.m.
Harry Ransom Center for the Humanitites, 21st & Guadalupe
(512) 471-8944, hrc.utexas.edu

Enjoy an original jazz version of Dylan Thomas's "Child's Christmas in Wales" performed by Alex Coke, Suzy Stern, and Rich Harney.

Dec 7 EVR: e-flux video rental
7:00 p.m.
Arthouse at the Jones Center, 700 Congress
(512) 453-5312, arthousetexas.org

Enjoy a special free e-flux screening with Risa Puleo, The Donley Show/Fluent Collaborative. A project by Anton Vidokle and Julieta Arand.

Dec 7-9 Capitol Gift Shops Annual Sale
Texas State Capitol, 11th & Congress
texascapitolgiftshop.com

Take advantage of this once-a-year opportunity to purchase Capitol and Texana-related items discounted 20% during the annual Capitol Gift Shops Sale. These make perfect gifts for your out-of-town friends and relatives. The 2006 Capitol Ornament (seen here) features the Goddess of Liberty and is included in the sale. Capitol Gift Shop proceeds support educational programs and continued preservation of the Texas Capitol.

Dec 7-Feb 11 Umlauf Shows Off 15 Years of Gifts
Umlauf Sculpture Gardens, 605 Robert E. Lee Road
(512) 445-5582, umlaufsculpture.org

The Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum invites all of Austin to come see the more than four dozen paintings, drawings and sculptures that generous donors have given the museum in the 15 years since it opened in 1991. Private collectors, art dealers, a museum, and several of sculptor Charles Umlauf's children have added to the original sculpture collection given to the City of Austin by Charles and Angeline Umlauf in 1985, and around which the museum was built six years later. Opening Reception for this nifty exhibit is December 7, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. The special exhibit is one more the Umlauf Sculpture Garden's 15th Anniversary Year celebrations. In appreciation to Austin for its strong support of the Umlauf's educational programs and special events over the years, the Umlauf has planned special exhibits and other thank you events through June 10, 2007. Talk about molding some fun!

Dec 7-8 Blanton Happenings
Blanton Museum of Art, Congress & MLK
(512) 232-5171, blantonmuseum.org

Dec 7 - Free Admission Thursday

Dec 7 Art Fix: Devotional Images - 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Get your creative fill with the Blanton's Art Fix series-short programs on art and art making, music and lifestyle. Create a devotional image of your own after learning about ones painted by Luca Cambiaso. Space is limited. Tickets are available at the Visitor Services desk one hour before the beginning of the program.

Dec 7 Curator's Tour: Luca Cambiaso, 1527-1585 -2:00 p.m.
Jonathan Bober, the Blanton's curator of prints, drawings and European paintings, gives an enlightening talk on prints and drawings in the exhibition Luca Cambiaso, 1527-1585. Participation is limited. Tickets are available at the Visitor Services desk on hour before program begins.

Dec 7, 8 Holiday Trunk Show - 7:00 p.m.
Sip hot apple cider and browse for special gifts made by local artists at this first-ever Blanton event. Thursday - 5:00 - 8:00 p.m., Friday - 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Dec 8-30 The Unorthodox Taxidermy
of Dr. Seuss
Art on 5th, 1501 W. 5th
(512) 481-1111, arton5th.com

Quirky creatures only Dr. Seuss could create. That's what you'll see during The Unorthodox Taxidermy of Dr. Seuss, a national touring exhibition of the wizard's.This will be the largest showing of the art of Dr. Seuss ever displayed in Texas. As a part of this exhibition, ART on 5th will show historical panels, plus a selection of sculptures Seussian creatures. The delightful beings sport horns, antlers and beaks to make the oddest places and utterly beguiling personalities. A life-size bronze sculpture of the Cat in the Hat will be unveiled, its first appearance in Texas. Curator Tour and Reception: December 8, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. and December 9, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Free admission and parking. Just RSVP (512) 481-1111. Jeff Schuffman of the Chase Fine Art Group will be on hand both days to offer more insight into the man and his zany, beloved beasts. Special Show Hours: Sunday, December 10, Noon to 5:00 p.m.

Dec 9 Explore the Story - Miss Ima's Quilts
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 N. Congress
(512) 936-4600, thestoryoftexas.com

All quilts tell stories. They speak to us through their colors, patterns, symbols, and histories. Explore the language and traditions of quilt-making through stories, presentations, and hands-on activities in the special exhibit gallery. Held in conjunction with the special exhibit of Miss Ima's Quilts - a collection of quilts belonging to Ima Hogg (1882-1975). This extraordinary collection ranges in date from the late 1700s to the early 1900s and is an example of one of the most popular and enduring folk art traditions in America FREE with museum admission.

Dec 9 Radical NY! Public Program
7:00 p.m.
Austin Museum of Art, 823 Congress
(512) 495-9224, amoa.org

No Wave Cinema Director, Amos Poe, introduces Blank Generation. This now classic and definitive punk film chronicles seminal CBGB club performances of Blondie, Richard Hell, The Ramones, Patti Smith, Talking Heads, and Television. Co-sponsored by the Austin Film Society.

Dec 9 Music All Around
12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Austin Museum of Art, 823 Congress
(512) 495-9224, amoa.org

Second Saturdays are for Families. Be a part of a new creation! Visit Radical NY! The Downtown Show: The New York Art Scene, 1974-1984 and Abstract Expressionism: 1940s-1960s. See works by groundbreaking artists who pushed the limits and definitions of art. Then join us in our Community Room where we'll use printmaking techniques, records, and CD's to create our own Abstract Impressionist images. Drop in and create! $7 a family, Member families $5. This event does not require an RSVP.

Dec 9 Special Operation Blue Santa Toy Drive
Austin Children's Museum, 201 Colorado
(512) 472-2499, austinkids.org

Come get a free professional photo with Santa and help support the special KB Home and Austin Children's Museum toy drive benefiting Operation Blue Santa. Families who visit the Museum this Saturday can donate a new toy, valued at $10.00 or more and be automatically entered to win either a battery-powered riding dump truck or a children's dollhouse, courtesy of KB Home. This donation will also entitle the gift-giver to one free Museum pass for a future visit. If the toy is purchased from the Museum Store, guests will also be entered to win a PlasmaCar from the Austin Children's Museum. Gift giving that gives! Free professional photos with Blue Santa will be available from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. that day. For more information, visit austinkids.org.

Dec 9 Austin History Center Holiday Open House
12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Austin History Center, 810 Guadalupe
(512) 974-7499, cityofaustin.org

The Austin History Center is your one-stop-shop for uniquely Austin items, including: Austin Past & Present, a new interactive DVD that brings the City's history to life as never before; original Mary Curtis paintings and prints of historic Austin images; post cards and note cards of Austin snow scenes and other historic scenes; posters & prints of historic Austin images; books on Austin's history; a 1887 Bird's Eye View Austin Map reproduction; unique t-shirt - "Congress Avenue: The Main Street of Texas" with a color image of Congress Avenue in the 1940s; photographs of historic Austin from the Austin History Center's famed photo collection. Any or all of these treasures will make great gifts, and sales benefit the Austin History Center Association. While you're shopping, take the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful exhibit, The Avenue: Austin's Main Street Since 1839, on display until January 19th.

Dec 9-May 27 On the Plains:
The Art of Frank Reaugh
Texas Capital Visitors Center, 112 E. 11th Street
(512) 305-8400, TexasCapitolVisitorsCenter.com

Frank Reaugh (1860-1945) painted magnificent scenes of Texas landscapes and longhorns, vividly capturing the rugged beauty and vastness of the frontier and documenting the people, landscapes and animals of a vital period of American history. This exhibit features a number of Reaugh's paintings from his delicate early studies to his stunning masterpieces and also includes artifacts (pastel sets, lap easel) which allowed him to work in his rugged natural studio. Admission to On the Plains and all exhibits at the the Capitol Visitors Center is free.

Dec 10 Science Sundays: Birds
3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Austin Children's Museum, 201 Colorado
(512) 472-2499, austinkids.org

KLRU TV presents "Birds" during Science Sunday. Don't forget, the Museum is free from 4:00-5:00 p.m. on Sundays, so come on by and enjoy some science!

Still On Display Downtown...

To 12/9: Rembrandt's Etchings, Blanton Museum of Art, blantonmuseum.org
To 12/16: Le Thua Tien - Reflection, Fielding Lecht Gallery, fieldinglecht.com
To 12/21: Gingerbread House Workshops, Austin Children's Museum, austinkids.org
To 12/23: Beverly Penn: Weeds, d berman Gallery, dbermangallery.com
To 12/23: degrees of separation, Women & Their Work, womenandtheirwork.org
To 12/24: RED 2006 Holiday Show, Wally Workman Gallery, wallyworkman.com
To 12/29: Feliks Topolski: Portraits of Britain's 20th c. Literary Greats, Ransom Center, hrc.utexas.edu
To 12/30: take me to bed or leave me forever, Volitant Gallery, volitant.com
To 12/30: Norman Mailer Takes on America, Ransom Center, hrc.utexas.edu
To 12/31: The Rug Hooking Project, Las Manitas Avenue Cafe, lapena-austin.org
To 1/3: Zita Raymond: Still Life's, Shoreline Grill, shorelinegrill.com
To 1/5: Animal Secrets, Austin Children's Museum, austinkids.org
To 1/7: e-flux video rental (EVR), Arthouse at the Jones Center, arthousetexas.org
To 1/7: Miss Ima's Quilts, Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, thestoryoftexas.com
To 1/13: Ancient Echoes, Lotus Asian Art & Antique Gallery, lotusasianart.com
To 1/14: Luca Cambiaso: 1527-1585, Blanton Museum of Art, blantonmuseum.org
To 1/14: Heart Gallery Exhibit, Austin Children's Museum, austinkids.org
To 1/19: The Avenue: Austin's Main Street Since 1839, Austin HIstory Center, cityofaustin.org
To 5/28: Power to the People, LBJ Library & Museum, lbjlib.utexas.edu
Ongoing:
European Paintings from the Permanent Collection and America/Americas, Blanton Museum of Art, blantonmuseum.org
Gems and Minerals, Texas Memorial Museum, texasmemorialmuseum.org

Dec 9 Cesar Millan - The Dog Whisperer
10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Austin Convention Center, 500 E. Cesar Chavez
luckymutts.com

Lucky Mutts Dog Rescue presents Cesar Millan - The Dog Whisperer - a seminar and demonstration. Tickets available online and payments via PayPal only. Please email karen@luckymutts.com. Visit luckymutts.com for details. No dogs will be admitted to the general seating area (except as required by law).

Dec 9 Homespun Holidays
9: a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Cesar Chavez and Lavaca
(512) 236-0074, austinfarmersmarket.org

The holiday season brings winter crops and traditional cheer to the Austin Farmer's Market. Early December at the Farmer's Market will feature Homespun Holidays with old-time soap-making demonstrations, children's origami making, a children's petting pen, and local holiday shopping. The Austin Farmer's Market farmers and other vendors will have fresh produce, specialty foods (lots of samples), and holiday gift items. Free chef's demonstrations and live music round out the family events. Remember the new location on Cesar Chavez and Lavaca with free parking at City Hall.

Dec 9 The 1st Annual Cold Blood
Christmas Chili Cook Off
12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Jo's Coffee, 1300 S. Congress
joscoffee.com

Cook Chili, enjoy music, benefit the Capital Area Food Bank, drink Jo's Coffee. Wow - can't do much better than that. Visit joscoffee.com for details. Bands (listed in order of appearance) include: Lucas Hudgins & The First Cousins, Amy Cook, Elvis on Speed and Chili Cold Blood.

Dec 9 Coats for Kids
8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Palmer Events Center, Barton Springs Rd.
jlaustin.org

Coats for Kids is an annual community project that collects and distributes warm winter coats to eligible children and teenagers in Central Texas. Each year, The Junior League of Austin, Jack Brown Cleaners, KASE 101, and KVUE partner to organize and facilitate collecting and distributing warm winter coats to youngsters in Central Texas. Now in its 20th year, Coats for Kids brings the community together to ensure that the children of Central Texas stay warm. Last year, the program gave away some 29,000 coats. Visit jlaustin.org to learn more about volunteering or eligibility requirements and help this tremendous program continue making a difference.

Dec 9-24 Armadillo Christmas Bazaar
11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Austin Music Hall, 208 Nueces
armadillobazaar.com

Come celebrate over a quarter of a century of great live music that makes shopping for arts and crafts the unique Austin experience. With over two dozen acts booked and over 130 artists and merchants displaying their wares at the 31st Armadillo Christmas Bazaar, you just can't have more fun shopping!

Dec 10-23 Trail of Lights
Zilker Park, Barton Springs Road
(512) 974-2000, ci.austin.tx.us

This year's twelve-day festival opens with a parade (as it always does) on the second Sunday of
December and runs through the 23rd. Come walk through the dazzle of shimmering, amazing lights - hundreds of thousands of them!

Dec 13 Shop with the Biscuit Brothers
at Wednesday Austin Farmers' Market and
Stay for Ice Skating!
5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Whole Foods Market, 525 N. Lamar Blvd.
(512) 236-0074, austinfarmersmarket.org
wholefoodsmarket.com

Austin and KLRU's Biscuit Brothers will be headlining the Wednesday Austin Farmer's Market from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.. The Farmers' Market makes food shopping a blast, while opening minds to the creativity of using local food for fun recipes. You'll leave with a "musical recipe," especially for the market. Visit the Biscuit Brother's website for more information: biscuitbrothers.com. And while you're at Whole Foods, strap on some skates and hit the ice on the rooftop. Now that's a perfect evening! The rink is open seven days a week, 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. through January 14th. For more information about this great family activity, visit wholefoodsmarket.com.

Dec 9 Out of the Darkness Community Walk
9:00 a.m.
State Capitol, 11th & Congress
outofthedarkness.org

The statistics for suicides in the Austin/Central Texas are as alarming as they are disturbing. The loss of more than 450 individuals between 1999 and 2003 created a void in the lives of some 2,700 people. You can be a part of the community's search for solutions by supporting the Second Annual Austin/Travis County - Out of the Darkness Walk, which will raise funds for suicide prevention, awareness and education as well as national funds for suicide education and research. Last year our walk had more than 200 participants and raised over $25,000. The goal this year is to reach even more people, and raise awareness of this crucial issue. This year the walk will be held on the State Capital grounds to maximize exposure and truly bring mental health and suicide "Out of the Darkness." Central Texas Chapter of AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention) afsp.org.

Dec 10 Trail of Lights 5K
6:30 p.m.
Zilker Park, Barton Springs Road
(512) 974-2000, ci.ausitn.tx.us/tol/5k.htm

Put on your sneakers and get a sneak peek at the Trail of Lights! For the 12th consecutive year, a nighttime fun run will feature a premiere viewing of the Trail of Lights. The event is co-sponsored by Run Tex and the Austin Parks and Recreation Department. The 3.2 mile run will start under the Zilker Tree, wind through the south side of Zilker Park, go through the Trail of Lights and finish where it began. Only registered participants will be allowed access to the Trail for this event. Parking for the race is available in Zilker Park by entering the park from MoPac. Register online at active.com or at RunTex on Riverside.

Dec 10 Cherry Bombs vs. Rhinestone Cowgirls
6:00 p.m.
Austin Convention Center, 500 E. Cesar Chavez
(512) 428-GIRL (4475), txrd.com

The Roller Girls are rolling on their brand new track at the Austin Convention Center. Tickets to TXRD Lonestar Rollergirls Bouts are only $15 - and are available at the door, online, and at many fine establishments around the Austin area.

Here's a little bit of retail news to brighten your holidays.

Dec 13 Vino Vixen's Tasting and Trunk Show
5:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Cork & Co
308 Congress
(512) 474-CORK (2675)
corkandco.com

Flirt Boutique and Cork & Co. are proud to sponsor Vino Vixen's Tasting and Trunk Show. Shop Flirt's winter fashions while staying warm with Cork & Co.'s festive wine selection. Clothes and wine make for the perfect holiday gift. Get a jump on your holiday shopping or treat yourself to a little holiday cheer.


Pizzeria Papparazzi now open!!!
607 San Jacinto (Between 6th & 7th St. on San Jacinto)
(512) 391-9909

Enjoy their $5.00 daily lunch specials. Menu features Pizza's, calzone, subs, salad and chicken tenders.

Dec 9 Austin Farmers' Market
Cesar Chavez at Lavaca
austinfarmersmarket.org

Because of construction near Republic Square, the Farmers' Market is temporarily moving from Republic Square to Cesar Chavez Street. From November 25 through March 2007, Cesar Chavez, between Lavaca and Congress, will be closed from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Looking Ahead to Week of December 15 through 21

Dec 16 Austin Farmers' Market
Cesar Chavez at Lavaca
austinfarmersmarket.org

Because of construction near Republic Square, the Farmers' Market is temporarily moving from Republic Square to Cesar Chavez Street. From November 25 through March 2007, Cesar Chavez, between Lavaca and Congress, will be closed from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Dec 17 MADD's Jingle Bell 5K
Auditorium Shores
madd.org

Beginning at Auditorium Shores, the race will use the following route:
- North, across the Drake Bridge (S. 1st Street);
- East on Cesar Chavez;
- North on Congress and around the Capitol;
- South on Colorado;
- West on W. 3rd St.;
- South on San Antonio;
- South, across the Drake Bridge to the finish line.

The streets on the route will be closed at 7:30 a.m., and the event will begin at 8:45. Cross-street traffic will be allowed to cross the course when no runners are approaching the intersection. All streets will be re-opened by 11:00 a.m.