Critics Picks: Media [ Arts & Entertainment | Architecture & Lodging | Food & Drink | High-Tech | Kids | Media | Outdoors & Recreation | Politics | Services | Shopping ] Readers Poll | Critics' Picks Winners sorted alphabetically

Best Clear Voice on Lone Star Affairs

John Burnett, National Public Radio

Too often getting broadcast news on Texas issues means filtering out static from reporters who feel the need to gussy up their stories with faux drawls, tired Texas-isms, and outdated references to Southfork. Whenever we tune in to NPR's Texas specialist John Burnett, however, we hear our state's affairs discussed with uncommon clarity. Burnett knows the territory, its people, its history ñ knows all those Lone Star myths, too ñ but he lets you know it in reports that are hoke-free: A recent report on the conflict between the Vatican and local bishop John McCarthy over birth control practices at Brackenridge Hospital was vintage Burnett: descriptive, detailed, and broad in scope, delivered with concise prose in his trademark solid, unhurried, forthright voice.

371-7303

Best Community Newspaper

ARRIBA Newspaper

This small publication produced in East Austin has been in existence 18 years, which makes it the longest running community paper in the city. Providing not only coverage of local and national Latino art and business news that often doesn't get covered in the local daily, ARRIBA is a unique publication that has also launched the careers of many local writers and artists.

479-6397; Free at most local restaurants and galleries.

Best Fumble Recovery

KAZI 88.7FM

After constant, ridiculously harsh criticism of Pacifica Network News from a more-left-than-thou faction at KOOP radio, the venerable pacifist network finally severed its ties with KOOP, depriving Austin of Pacifica for several months. Thankfully, KAZI came to the rescue, and the best daily news program in the nation rides again in Central Texas, Mon-Wed and
Fri at 5pm.

8906 Wall, 836-9544

Best Way to Find Out the Latest With La Raza

Latino USA

The only bad thing about Latino USA is that it's only broadcast on Fridays at 3:30pm. The half-hour news program covering issues of and about Latinos is produced at UT in a small suite of offices buried deep inside the Communications Building on the Drag. The news program has become a vital link for providing information to Latinos nationwide. In existence for five years, the nonprofit news program is constantly threatened with funding shortages, but its excellent staff puts in countless hours to produce a program that has won many national and international awards.

KUT.FM, 3:30pm Fridays

Most Useful Fanzine

Hey, Hey, Buffet!

Consistently giving the lowdown on the low-price chow down, Gerg Steeb and Zzub Narom dare to venture into the heart of buffet darkness and come out smelling like roses. Er, at least swiss steak.

302-3181

Best Info on Latino Politics

Politico

This is Politico's first and last "Best of Austin" award, because founder James Garcia moved his operation south a few months ago when he became editor of the San Antonio Current. Every week for just over a year now, Politico has been providing the total lowdown on the Hispanic political world, with everything from Washington to South America, Miami to Los Angeles, or anyplace else; you can get it either in print or e-mail.

PO Box 17387, San Antonio, TX 78217, 210/828-7660 or Politico1@aol.com

Best Legacy

Carole Kneeland, KVUE-24

KVUE-TV's news director passed away in January, but she left her mark on television journalism ñ an official station policy mandating strict guidelines for coverage of violent crime. Despite statistics showing violent crime on the decline, many stations continue to sensationalize crime coverage; KVUE only reports on crimes which its staff feel are relevant to the larger community. The policy has been held up nationally as a model for stations wanting to wean themselves away from a steady diet of violence.

KVUE, 3201 Steck, 459-6521

Biggest Media Bandwagon

Cinema West Adult Theatre

photograph by Jana Birchum

The ridding of South Congress' porn theatre was a media playground and made real estate broker Henry Benedict an overnight local joe celebrity. We're guilty as hell. But while we're at it ñ here's something else to chew on. While vice cops were swarming the aisles at the height of their sting, theatre employees entertained them with a feature about hairy-chested cops in a swinging prison. Billy clubs, too. Even Max Nofziger's gotta laugh at that one.

2130 S. Congress, 442-5719

Best Local Radio Program Not on Local Radio (Again)

Jim Hightower's Chat-N-Chew Cafe

You know the story by now: The nationally syndicated Hightower broadcasted every weekday for over a year from smack-dab in the middle of Austin, out of Threadgill's World Headquarters, but no local station would carry him. Finally, KNEZ picked him up, bringing a refreshing left-wing tilt to local radio. But then the station went all-Spanish, and we are deprived of Hightower again (except for brief commentaries every Friday on KOOP at 6pm).

Hightower Radio, 1800 W. Sixth, 477-5588.

Best Morning Show

Sara Trexler & Jen Garrison, 101X-FM

Strictly speaking, the focus of 101X is music, specifically modern rock, but with Sara & Jen at the controls, we're tempted to just tune out the music and turn up the talk, especially during the 9am hour, when they breathe a little easier and expound on a slew of social issues with intelligent and quick-witted delivery. Somehow, it always circles back to dating, but with Sara's perky, charmingly neurotic take on straight partners, and Jen's deadpan, wise-beyond-her-years riffs on gay partners, it's far more entertaining than the stereotypical shenanigans which are sometimes synonymous with the morning show.

KROX 101.5FM, Weekdays 6-10am, 390-KROX.

Best Night to Cook to the Radio

Monday Nights, KUT 90.5FM

We can't speak for you, but when we're whippin' up a week's worth of family-feedin' feasts, there's just no night like Mondays on KUT. Start the sauce to simmerin' while cackling to Car Talk, then bring it to a boil with Larry Monroe's Blue Monday. It's five hours of prime-time air-fare. We can't imagine a tastier combination: Howlin', Lightnin', Sonny Boy; ragout, roulade, ratatouille! Now you're cookin'.

KUT, 90.5FM, Mondays, 7pm-mid, 471-1631

Best Overlooked Deejay

John Hauser, KOOP 91.7FM

KOOP 91.7FM has lots of great music deejays, and Rod Moag probably springs to mind first for vintage country music. But don't forget John Hauser's Country Roots program on Tuesdays, 9-10am. He takes you back to a time before it was even called country music ñ in those days, it was "hillbilly" music. Hauser is a living encyclopedia whose knowledge of C&W from the Twenties to the Fifties is both staggering and entertaining.

KOOP 91.7FM, Tuesdays, 9-10am, 472-KOOP

Best Place to Get Hip to the Sounds

Ear Candy, KOOP 91.7FM

Post-punk, power pop, old school, electronica ... if you've never heard of it, deejay Tina has got it. Playing old and new songs that commercial radio won't touch with a 10-foot pole, Tina will keep you hip and keep your Saturdays happening. Where else could you hear Eighties Depeche Mode sandwiched between cub and Neko Case? Warning: Listening to Ear Candy without a pen and paper handy can result in a serious bummer.

KOOP; Saturday noon to 2pm

Best Quick Read

15 Minutes

It does, indeed, take only a quarter-hour to rifle through this irregularly released publication, but the writing is funny, sharp, and engaging. Gerg and Zzub's food reviews factor in all the things you wish restaurant reviewers would focus on, and their front-page Jetsam section takes on all those news side items and things seen while driving, exploring, and philosophizing on them in an economy of words.

479-6959

Best Bumper Sticker

This is Not a Yellow Bike

Seen on a privately owned yellow bike that apparently has been confused with those other yellow bicycles: THIS IS NOT A YELLOW BICYCLE.

Best Radio Station, In Spite of It All

KOOP 91.7FM

Yes, Austin's cooperatively run, community-owned radio station has been in turmoil lately, but those controversies haven't damaged the on-air content: KOOP's mornings are an unbeatable mix of various jazz, funk, and roots music (Rod Moag's Country, Swing, and Rockabilly Jamboree is one of the best programs in town and Jay Robillard's Lounge Show keeps those Saturday mornings swinging) and its afternoons bring a badly needed progressive perspective to Austin's airwaves.

304 E. Fifth, 3rd Floor, 472-1369; Request Line 472-KOOP

Best Response to the Media Glare

The Young Plaintiffs in the Cedar Avenue Case

Our sympathies go to anyone caught in the media spotlight. Fifteen minutes of fame is paltry compensation for the intense scrutiny that comes with the attention of the news machine. In July, as a lawsuit over police behavior in the 1995 Cedar Avenue incident inched toward trial, the microphones and cameras crowded in on the young plaintiffs, closing in to catch an expression of hostility, a moment of breakdown ñ and who could have blamed the youths for giving them just that? But what they gave the media was more extraordinary: teens involved in a volatile political case speaking for themselves with a poise and dignity beyond their years. As they reportedly did in negotiating a settlement with the mayor, these youths exhibited cool, maturity, and grace, doing themselves and all of Austin proud.

Best Sex-Advice Column

"Intimacies," The Good Life, Lynn Branz

Admittedly, the field is somewhat limited, but the fact that "Intimacies" appears in a magazine targeted at the 50-plus set would earn it points even if it weren't so well-done. Vibrators? Fantasies? Love slavery? Coming to a newsstand near you every month, with humor and grace.

Available all over town; 236-1618

Best Survival Story

The Texas Observer

The Lone Star State's leading source of progressive journalism needed $40,000 to survive, so Waco philanthropist/liberal good guy Bernard Rappaport challenged its readers: If they would come up with the first $20,000, he would pony up the rest. The readers

307 W. Seventh, 477-0746

Best TV Show With No Name

Show With No Name

Austin Community Television-Austin Access Channels, 1143 Northwestern, 478-8600

Best Voice on the Radio

Maria Martin at Latino USA

La voz del radio, Maria Martin has been in radio for almost 20 years. Her smooth vocals and in-depth reporting bring the latest news on issues affecting Latinos in the US. Winner of several radio journalism awards, Martin will soon be taking a hiatus from Latino USA to pursue a master's degree.

KUT.FM, Fridays, 3:30pm

Best Way to While Away a Saturday Morning

The Lounge Show on KOOP 91.7FM

Every Saturday morning from 10 'til noon, KOOP crooner Jay Robillard makes getting out of bed a dance. Playing vaudeville, big band jazz, and Rat Pack classics, Robillard adds a velvety touch to the morning coffee and paper. And if a hangover is what meets you come Saturday, The Lounge Show is the next best thing to a saline IV.

304 E. Fifth, 472-1369

Best Reason to Drive to Work on Monday

Show Toonz With Courtney, KVRX 91.7FM

photograph by Jana Birchum

Monday morning would be too much to bear without Courtney Davis's 7:30am air break monologue. Whether she's recounting her lousy weekend, deconstructing the latest Golden Girls rerun or kibbitzing long distance with a friend in San Francisco (So what if it's 6am out there? Wake up!), deejay/diva Courtney Davis beguiles us with her valley girl-like guilelessness. And hello? She plays all of our Broadway favorites too. Too bad she's graduated. Perhaps she'll hop on some other local airwave soon?

KVRX, 91.7FM, Mondays, 7-9am, 495-KVRX

Best Way to Infiltrate the Media

Austin Community Access Center

It's true. Ted Turner and Robert Murdoch have conspired to keep you silent, building multi-billion dollar empires just to make sure nothing intelligent seeps out over the airwaves. But don't let that and a complete lack of video equipment, not to mention technical skills, keep you from your birthright: being on television. Twenty-five years after its inception, Austin Community Access Center gives ordinary peopleñpeople who just aren't as glamorous and charismatic as Brit Humeñthree channels to make others as paranoid as yourself.

1143 N. Western, 478-8600