Whereas most cities would probably try to find ways to deter a colony of bats from settling beneath one of their major bridges, the proudly weird city of Austin did the opposite. When a renovation of the Congress Avenue Bridge accidentally converted it into a makeshift bat cave and the nocturnal critters came flocking, the residents of the city embraced their new neighbors. In fact, they started an event to celebrate their presence 14 years ago: the annual Bat Fest.

On Saturday, August 18th, the tradition continues. Approximately 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats will come forth from their Congress Ave home between 7 and 8:45 p.m. As you wait for the main event, enjoy the other festivities that kick off at 4 p.m. Watch live music on two stages, check out 50-plus arts and crafts vendors, and dig into tasty food and drinks from local vendors. Admission starts at $15 when you buy a ticket in advance.

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Chef Ling grew up in China with her grandmother, who was an artist in the kitchen. Ling loved to help her grandmother in the kitchen and then enjoy the spoils of their hard work. As an adult in the U.S., she started to appreciate the benefits of eating healthy and organic cuisine. When she opened Lin Asian Bar and Dim Sum in June, Chef Ling's two worlds collided.

At this new eatery, Chef Ling and her kitchen team enlist fresh and organic veggies, local ingredients, MSG-free seasonings, and other healthy components to craft their traditional Chinese cuisine. They focus on dim sum, savory dumplings filled with eclectic ingredients. Order a few different types of dumplings to start, such as the Shanghai jumbo seafood soup dumpling, the steamed veggie dumpling, and the barbecue pork buns. Make a full meal out of the dumplings or enjoy them as a side to an entree such as smoked duck or crispy jalapeno shrimp.

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When Lady Bird Johson, the First Lady to President Lyndon B. Johnson, stepped into her role, Mother Nature rejoiced. Lady Bird Johnson helped to establish eco-friendly institutions like the National Wildflower Research Center—now the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center—and pushed for environmentally conscious legislation. Every year, her namesake research center celebrates Lady Bird Day in her honor. This year, it's coming to the Wildflower Center on Saturday, July 28th.

The free event pays homage to the former First Lady with a guided tour of the beautiful gardens, as well as games and discovery activities in the fresh air. To learn more about Lady Bird, stop by the auditorium to see some of her own home movies and other films that reveal more about her legacy. The fun runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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