Sorry, local retailers, but your weekend has been usurped. But if you can’t beat them, join them — the treasure hunters, baby clothes collectors and dawdlers who will scour the town for the next three days, that is.

1. Austin Daily Herald official 10th annual City-Wide Garage Sales

Few events can create nostalgia like the official 10th annual City-Wide Garage Sales, which begin tonight in Austin and runs through Sunday. Who can resist the call of a box full of junk, or treasure, should I say? Even Pacelli is holding a rummage sale, and proceeds support the school. Happy hunting, and look for a complete map in today’s paper (Page 5) and an interactive map here.

2. Black and White Ball

For those who don’t spend all their hard-earned money on items to put on their own garage sales next year, go to the third annual Black and White Ball. The event, which doesn’t require black-tie attire, is Team IBI Data’s major Relay for Life cancer fundraiser for the year. The ball starts at 7 p.m. Friday at the Holiday Inn, 1701 Fourth St. NW, and tickets are $20 at the door.

3. Senior Center Family Jam

Fundraising doesn’t stop on Friday. The Senior Center is hosting a Family Jam fundraiser at the Paramount Theatre, 125 Fourth Ave. NE. The show starts at 2 p.m. Sunday and features a carnival of illusions, music, comedy and family fun. For tickets, call 800-280-9757.

4. Bird watching at the Nature Center

While many will have to get up early to work on Tuesday, why not get up a little earlier? Start that day off at 6:30 a.m. with bird watching at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center, 1304 21st St. NE. Can’t get up that early on Tuesday? Try it again on Thursday. Check out the Nature Center’s newsletter for a plethora of events this summer, as well.

Other events

If you are in Austin High School, you surely know that prom is this weekend. If you didn’t, good luck. One more event to look toward next week is all about community. Seriously, “It’s All About Community” at the SuperFresh Garden Center on Thursday with free wine tasting and local foods.

Look to Reporter Matt Peterson’s column every Friday for more about upcoming events in Austin. For even more, check out the calendar on Page 4 every day in the print edition and the AustinDailyHerald.com homepage.