Local spotlight

Ten Thousand Villages celebrates International Women's Day with focus on local changemakers

This Friday, March 8, is International Women's Day. Observed since the early 1900s, this annual event is an official holiday in dozens of countries around the world, marking the advancements and achievements of women, while reminding us how far we still need to go, to ensure that full equality for women is gained.

At the Austin Ten Thousand Villages store, local women are recognized and honored as extraordinary changemakers who have made exceptional contributions to our community. But far from being just a one day event, Ten Thousand Villages is celebrating women all week long, with special events each day of the week, culminating in its 5th Annual International Women's Day Awards on Friday starting at 6 p.m.

This year's finalists, in each of the three categories recognized, are:

Humanitarian

• Leslie Beasley — Founder, Open Arms

• Kay Firth-Butterfield — Consortium for Street Children

• Christy Pipkin — Executive Director, The Nobelity Project

Environmentalist
• Paige Hill — Founder, Urban Patchwork Neighborhood Farms
• Elisabeth Welsh — Program Director, Austin Youth River Watch
• Sarah Young — Youth Director, Discover Green — YEL

Animal Advocate
• Karen Cole — Founder, Lizzy’s Hospice
• Liz Parker — Emancipet Board & Austin Pets Directory Publisher
• Sheila Smith — President, Shadow Cats Rescue

Finalists were chosen by a judges panel comprised of previous IWD winners and leaders in Austin’s nonprofit community. The Ceremony will be hosted by 2010 IWD honoree Sara Hickman, who will present awards to three finalists and a winner from each category.

“Through actions and influence these women are distinguishing Austin as a city that’s leading in social change,” Store Manager Kitty Bird said. “It’s inspiring to learn about so many amazing women in our community who are making meaningful social impacts. This event is about celebrating all of them.”

The awards ceremony on Friday, March 8 will be held at the store at 1317 S. Congress Avenue, from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. There is limited seating and an RSVP is required to attend; you can do so via email or Facebook. There are also free daily events all week long:

Tuesday, March 5
10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. : Free Yoga Class courtesy of Mimi Curry at beradiantbliss.com.
5 p.m. - 9 p.m.: South Asian Bazaar: Mehndi, Mandalas & More
Sari wrapping, henna art, music, food and 10% off all fair trade products handmade in India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. A portion of all purchases supports Austin-based Tender Heart Foundation, which helps bring education and socioeconomic development to rural communities in Northern India.

Wednesday, March 6
5 p.m. - 9 p.m.: Latin America Romance
Come hear Latin American music performed live and get a 10 percent discount on all fair trade products handmade in Nicaragua, Guatemala, Ecuador, Chile, Haiti, Peru, Mexico, Bolivia, El Salvador, Honduras or Colombia.

Thursday, March 7
5 p.m. - 9 p.m.: 1st Thursday on South Congress
Ten Thousand Villages stays open late for this popular monthly block party that lets Austin fly its weird flag. This event is about as Austin as it gets — don’t miss it!

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Taste of 2025

Austin's Wine & Food Foundation announces 3 big events for 2025

Photo by Erica Wilkins Photography

Theses Wine & Food Foundation events raise funds for local initiatives.

Austin's food scene is booming, but smaller businesses could always use support. The Wine & Food Foundation is one of Austin's leading industry protectors, and it's just announced three events to help support its mission over the next year.

The three events — Big Reds and Bubbles, Toast of Texas, and the Rare & Fine Wine Auction Gala — are spread out between March and November of 2025, and all offer something a bit different.

They'll all benefit the Wine & Food Foundation and, by extension, the local organizations it supports. Those include Keep Austin Fed, which diverts food surpluses from grocery stores, catered events, and other sites of professional food service; and Sustainable Food Center, which helps Texans access healthy food through SNAP and WIC incentives, hosts farmers markets, connects farmers with resources, and more. The Wine & Food Foundation also offers scholarships for hospitality professionals.

Big Reds and Bubbles, held Friday, March 28, will bring together more than 100 red and sparkling wines for a tasting event. In addition to comparing wines back-to-back, guests will get to try them with bites from popular Austin restaurants to discover interesting new pairings. They'll also get to dress to impress and see the new LZR space — formerly La Zona Rosa, an old Austin music venue that had its last official performance in 2013.

Next up is Toast of Texas on June 8. This is another tasting event that focuses instead on 20 local wineries. The food menu at this event is also more specific, featuring local barbecue and paella, among other local tastes. It'll be located at Assembly Hall, an event space on East 7th Street adjacent to the East Austin Hotel.

Finally, there's the premier event: the Rare & Fine Wine Auction Gala on November 8. This is a big fundraising opportunity not just because of potentially high auction tickets, but the chance to experience something truly out of the ordinary for the wine industry. Guests will also enjoy "an elegant dinner" according to the press release and wines by a featured maker. It'll all happen at the JW Marriott Austin.

The release counts more than 50 other events slated for the year, so there are plenty more opportunities between the big three. Some of these include wine tasting courses, which will be available again soon.

wine tasting small businesses wineries nonprofits galas