An Austin Police Department employee may have dipped his hand into Santa’s toy sack. APD civilian supervisor Nicholas Medina was charged with theft by a public servant for stealing $959.17 worth of Wal-Mart gift cards from APD’s Blue Santa fund. ...

Sign of global warming? Two butterflies make their first appearance in the Valley; they haven't ventured this far North before. Austin lawyer forged judges' signatures on personal bonds. KXAN shows how an Austin couple's startup is making it simple to buy from Shanghai (see video at right). GOP Presidential hopeful Huckabee was in town fund-raising last night. Operation Blue Santa needs volunteers. And so does the Human Rights Commission! State Rep. Mike Krusee won't......

THURSDAY [7] music • Chicken Ranch Records, Obsolete Industries, Hold Fast, and 086 Studio present their Third Annual Christmas Shindig with The Ugly Beats, Automusik at Longbranch Inn ($5 or bring a new toy for Blue Santa, 8pm) music • Atomic Bitchwax, Pearls & Brass, Dixie Witch, The Flood at Emo's music • The Big Fix, O:A, Hellapeno at Stubb's music • Earl Greyhound, The Early Tapes, The Paper South at The Mohawk music......

In the oh-so-cool weather we will have this weekend (oh, whom are we kidding?), APD is hosting an event at Waterloo Park to start the Blue Santa program rolling. You can bring some new toys by for the holiday program and learn more about safety issues that affect our local kiddos. From their press release: "Activities include child car seat check up, Ident-a-Kid (fingerprinting), free vehicle identification number etching, H.E.A.T. registration, 9-1-1 emergency simulator and......

If you’re like us, your idea of Hell is trying to navigate the local mall during the holiday season. Luckily, the folks at HollyDaze Market have taken the guesswork out of gift giving. This weekend, at the Palmer Events Center, you can shop over 100 different vendors without having to brave those annoying perfume-sprayers who station themselves in the doorways of department stores. In addition to all the goodies for sale, there will be......

Chicken Ranch Records, Obsolete Industries, Hold Fast, and 086 Studio present their Second Annual Christmas Shindig, Thursday, December 15 at Longbranch Inn from 8 PM- midnight (or beyond). There will be food served and a cash bar, and, perhaps, if you are nice, a jolly old fat man in a red suit will pay a visit. Please arrive early to guarantee admission (and food), as this event will hit capacity early. Entertainment by: John......

Sunday night it's time for the Annual Zilker Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Go and do your twirl beneath the lights, and be sure to bring your toy donation (for kids 12 and under) for Operation Blue Santa. Hopefully the weather will still be nice and cool. This is one of our favorite local holiday traditions, and it's free! Zilker Tree Lighting Ceremony Sunday, December 4 6pm Zilker Park Parking map......

This Sunday, December 4th, from 4pm - 10pm, Lovejoy's (604 Neches St) is holding its 12th annual (and final) toy drive to benefit Operation Blue Santa. Stop by with a new, unwrapped children's toy, and Lovejoy's will provide you with a beer on the house! Operation Blue Santa delivers food and toys each holiday season to familes in need in the Austin area. If you are interested in volunteering your time, you can get......

Downtown, watching Chuy's Blue Santa Parade on Saturday, November 26, 2005. Hey, It's Arthur! Here comes the Pink Panther. Dancing ladies entertain the crowd. Elvis has arrived.......