Public Notice
This week, "Public Notice" travels far and wide across gender limits and the Kalahari to bring you're the best in Austin community events.
By Kate X Messer, Fri., March 2, 2001
Back to the Garden
You want the old Austin? Sick of the "new economy?" We heard that. Hmmm. And what with the downturn in the dot-this and dot-that markets, it seems like maybe a few other folks have, too. Sure, we've been known to bitch and moan more than our fair share about SUVs and goateed out-of-towners taking over our li'l slice of heaven here in Central Texas -- conveniently putting aside the fact that we, ourselves participated in the very same immigration some nine years ago. Yet, we, too, grumble about traffic, lost landmarks, and the disappearing "Texas-friendly" that brought us here in the first place. But you know, we kinda got used to all that "new economy" crap. And now that the "new" economy is the same as the "old" economy ... or at least dissolving back to levels that more of us recognize, isn't it time to get wistful and nostalgic for the good old days of last year's excessive spending, wrecking balls, and three-mile backups on the upper deck?
Ahhhhhh! Yes, well, that didn't take long. Anyway, it's not like the problems that accompanied the boom are going to disappear overnight. No, that only happens to job security, stock options, and lovers who didn't even like Austin in the first place. And aren't we all smug in our "Don't let the door hit you on the ass on the way out ..."?
Look, if anything, this era of economic "correction" (Geeeez, doncha just love politicians?) can give us the time to breathe and appreciate what we loved and still love about our little thumping heart of Texas in the first place.
Here's something to consider. Take the month of March to devote a quota of time each week reacquainting yourself with something in this city that you loved all along. Perhaps you go ga-ga for the way Congress Avenue looks at night when you're facing north across the river. Or maybe it's been a while since you tasted barbecue from the Eastside. Or maybe a special someone has never been to Mount Bonnell.
May we suggest one of our faves? Take yourself on down to the place that screams "old Austin" from atop its neon corner sign and Arleen Polite mural, the place that still says "Hello" when you walk in and "Have a great day!" without a hint of irony or sarcasm on your way out, the place that will load up Oreos™, Mexican Cokes, spirulina, and groats (again, no hint of irony!) and give you a member discount to boot, all in one recyclable bag. We speak, of course, of Wheatsville Food Co-op, Texas's only retail consumer food co-op. Why? Well, first, because it embodies the very best of what this city has to offer and second, because this month, our noble li'l co-op-that-could celebrates its 25th Anniversary with events all month long!
