SPECIAL EVENTS Events This Week STAR AWARDS. SPEAK, Supporting and Promoting Ethics for the Animal Kingdom, hosts its second annual Star Awards animal-rights awards banquet at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, March 9, at the Ramada Inn-University, 1601 N. Oracle Road. The event, co-hosted with Arizona People for Animal Rights, honors business owners, the media and activists who have helped animals through their courage and commitment. Captain Paul Watson, co-founder of Greenpeace, is the guest speaker. Cocktails begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the ceremony. Tickets are $35. Call Roberta Wright at the SPEAK office at 883-2488 for reservations and information. ANTIQUES AND COLLECTIBLES. The Old Fort Lowell Neighborhood Association hosts its fourth annual Antiques and Collectible Sale March 9 and 10 at the historic San Pedro Chapel, 5230 E. Fort Lowell Road, with Fine art, china, crystal, jewelry, furniture, folk art and much more. Proceeds benefit the San Pedro Chapel restoration project. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, noon to 3 p.m. Sunday. Call 722-9110 for information. POKER TOURNAMENT. The Hillel Foundation hosts a Spring Poker Tournament Sunday, March 10, at the Jewish Community Center, 3800 E. River Road. Registration is at 4 p.m. with play beginning at 4:30 p.m. "Texas Hold 'Em" is the game and free classes are offered at Desert Diamond Casino for those needing to brush up their skills. Call the casino at 294-7777, ext. 1900, for classes. Cost is $50, with proceeds benefiting the UA Hillel Foundation. Kibbitzers may watch for $25. Dinner and cash bar are included, with prizes like a trip to Las Vegas up for grabs. Call 624-6561 for information. SPORTS CARD SHOW. A sports card and memorabilia convention meets March 8 through 10 at El Con Mall, 3601 E. Broadway. Sports trading cards, comics, POGS, memorabilia and autographs will be available. Buy, sell or trade. Admission is free. Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. March 8 and 9, noon to 5 p.m. March 10. OPEN-AIR MARKET. Experience the charm of a European style open-air market from 2 p.m. to dusk Thursdays, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays, at Plaza Palomino at Swan and Fort Lowell roads. The gourmet food fair features fresh produce, herbs, coffee, arts and crafts, live music and more. Call 795-1177 for information. Out Of Town RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL. Take a voyage back to the days of knights and chivalry at the Arizona Renaissance Festival and Artisan Marketplace, continuing through March 24 at Gold Canyon Ranch west of Florence Junction. This 25-acre re-creation of a 16th century European open-air market features music, dance, comedy, food, drink, arts, crafts and jousting tournaments. Advance discount tickets are available at all Fry's grocery stores for $10.95, $3.95 for children. Children 5 and under are free. Admission is $11.95, $4.95 for children at the gate. Visitors to the Festival are encouraged to dress in costume. Take Hwy. 89 north to Florence Junction, and head west for seven miles on Hwy. 60/89 to the Festival gate. Call (520) 463-2700 for information.

		© 1995-97 Tucson Weekly . Info Booth