Local Austin Events

	Event Description		Time / Location
5/8 - 12/31		Rebuilding Our Lady Fund BOB normally has a quick witted remark for every community event that he slings your way, but this is one that needs no such thing. Read on. Rebuilding Our Lady Fund WHO: Texas Campus Compact WHAT: Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) in San Antonio, Texas is suffering the effects of an immense 4-alarm fire that occurred Wednesday, May 6. OLLU is an invaluable member of Texas Campus Compact (The Compact) and our organization is exhausting all efforts to support and help rebuild this wonderful university. The Compact is calling for local and state wide action from individuals, educational colleagues and businesses to donate to the Rebuilding Our Lady Fund. HOW: Please send donations to: Rebuilding Our Lady Fund c/o Texas Campus Compact 702 Colorado, Suite 1.118 Austin, Texas 78701 512.579.5025 WHEN: Immediate assistance is imperative for OLLU to rebuild its main building and care for its students and staff. Thank you for supporting The Compact & Our Lady of the Lake University.	Now, at San Antonio
11/5 - 12/15		Reef Relief Holiday Online Auction Help protect endangered coral reefs! It's Reef Relief’s Annual Holiday Online Auction at: www.reefrelief.org Auction items include special events, merchandise, travel, lodging, dining, artwork, watersports, and more; there is definitely something for everyone in the family! Featured items include a VIP trip to the House of Blues, Super Bowl Mania tickets and memorabilia, and a sailing trip on the America’s Cup vessel Stars and Stripes.” Reef Relief works year-round on environmental education programs, policy guidance and marine projects that make a difference for coral reefs. Headquarters in Key West on the shores of North America’s only living coral barrier reef, and also operates the Capt. Roberts House Environmental Center in Green Turtle Cay in the Abacos, Bahamas. Reef Relief is a global nonprofit grassroots organization dedicated to protecting coral reefs. This year’s auction, sponsored in part by Strunk Ace Hardware, OMI, and The Citizen will be bigger then ever.	Ongoing, at Online
12/3 - 12/7		KAHLÚA® BAILS OUT THE OFFICE HOLIDAY PARTY One business in the state of Texas will be selected to receive the bailout grant to ensure that their holiday party will be the talk of the water-cooler come January. This year, a disconcerting epidemic has hit businesses nationwide: cancellation of the annual holiday party. A recent survey from executive search firm Battalia Winston International showed that roughly one-fifth of businesses are trimming holiday festivities, marking the lowest percentage of office parties the U.S. has seen in 20 years. Clearly, this annual event is becoming endangered, and Kahlúa is determined to do something about it. Starting on December 1, 2008, deserving companies in the states of Texas, Colorado, Massachusetts, Georgia and Illinois will be eligible to apply for a Holiday Party Bailout Grant-a $10,000 grant to be applied towards throwing their company's seasonal celebration. Is your company in need of assistance? Kahlúa, which has a genuine appreciation of community spirit, understands the importance of this cherished tradition and urges you to submit an application to nominate your business and keep the company holiday party alive. Enter the contest here: www.kahluasavestheholidayparty.com	Deadline: 11:59:59 PM, at www.kahluasavestheholidayparty.com
12/4 - 12/6		Sights and Sounds of Christmas Attend the most spectacular, Texas-sized festival, Sights and Sounds of Christmas! If the 60,000 lights strung from tree to tree, illuminating the banks of the San Marcos River wasn’t extravagant enough, this family-friendly, 3-day festival features activities for all ages, from marketplace shopping, carnival rides to holiday entertainment and tasty treats. Admission is FREE of charge, and free parking and shuttle service will be available at Strahan Coliseum parking lot. For more information, contact San Marcos Parks & Recreation Department at 512-393-8400 or visit w-w-w DOT sights-n-sounds DOT org	6:30p-10:30p, at San Marcos Plaza Park
12/6		Sony Electronics “Take Back Recycling” Donate your 8-track tape players this Saturday from 12p-2p at the Travis County Expo Center. For every 1,000 tons of recycled materials Waste Management and Sony will donate $100 to the Capital Area Food Bank! If you have extra electronics laying around bring them out to help the cause!	12p-2p, at Travis County Expo Center
2/7 - 2/8		38th Annual Orchid Show BOB would like to see some more appreciation for Mother Nature, so if you’d like to abide then feel free to attend the 38th Annual Orchid Show. The totally free event will have hundreds of blooming orchids for sale, as well as helpful information for growing these beautiful plants from vendors and society members. Or, in other words, everything you need. Visit http://www.hotos.org/ for more information.	10:00am - 5:00pm Saturday & 10:00am - 4:00pm Sunday, at Zilker Botanical Gardens Center
2/15		1/2 Marathon to fight Pancreatic Cancer Help Fight Pancreatic Cancer! Join the Pancreatica Running and Walking team! Run or walk with us at the Austin Half Marathon February 15th! Program includes: Entry fee to the races, Comprehensive training schedule and training program, out-of-area online training, fundraising materials, ideas, and strategies including your own website, Celebration party, and victory T-shirts and Prizes! Contact us: 1-877-647-0400 Runners@pancreatica.org	TBA, at Austin