news
West Side Showdown
The new political year begins with a four-way speed race for House District 48
BY AMY SMITH
Snoring Out Loud
The local daily's cautious toe in the water doesn't work in the wild 'n' wooly blogosphere
BY KEVIN BRASS
To Bond, or Not to Bond?
Bonds dominate the immediate City Council horizon
BY WELLS DUNBAR
AISD Gets the Ball Rolling on High School Redesign
Gates Foundation grant pushes attempt to completely rethink high school
BY RACHEL PROCTOR MAY
Remembering Hazel Obey
Local civil rights leader, whose civic career spanned more than three decades, died Dec. 30
BY JORDAN SMITH
From Hard Time to New Beginning
New nonprofit Pro Con puts ex-offenders to work
BY DANIEL MOTTOLA
Special Election for Texas House of Representatives, District 48
The 'Chronicle' endorsement for the state House District 48, special election: Donna Howard
Naked City
Headlines and happenings from Austin and beyond
Point Austin: Pointed Questions for 2006
When the Lege comes back to school, will they have done their homework?
BY MICHAEL KING
The Hightower Report
The NAM's mess; and a quiet victory over hucksterism
BY JIM HIGHTOWER
food
Strong and Solid
Big Oak Bar-B-Que might be new, but it's quickly establishing its roots
BY VIRGINIA B. WOOD
Food-o-File
Looking back at many of the stories we covered in 2005, it seems that they came down to fire and water, one way or another
BY VIRGINIA B. WOOD
Food Reviews
Cafe Mangù
The menu incorporates elements of Dominican, Cuban, and Puerto Rican cuisines, with an abundance of authentic choices
Cosmic Cafe
I was expecting (how can I put this diplomatically? I can't) completely uninspired 'old hippie'-style vegetarian food. Instead, I found a wonderful restaurant.
music
Ain't Nobody Real but Me
Chamillionaire's flow: Houston and beyond
BY ROBERT GABRIEL
Good Night and Good Luck
Why is 'podcast' 'Oxford American Dictionary's word of the year?
BY DAN OKO
TCB
A week of free shows, a fire, and impending SXSW. Who says January in Austin is dead?
BY CHRISTOPHER GRAY
Phases & Stages
the Strokes
First Impressions of Earth
various artists, Dr. John
Our New Orelans 2005, I Believe to My Soul, Sippiana Herricane, Higher Ground:Hurricane Relief Benefit Concert, A Celebration of New Orleans Music, Hurricane Relief: Come Together Now
Fiona Apple
Extraordinary Machine
screens
From Austin to Neptune
Veronica Mars creator Rob Thomas on the rise of his career-making cult favorite
BY BELINDA ACOSTA
'World' Cinema
Three-month series AFS@Dobie launches with latest Jia Zhangke film
BY JOSH ROSENBLATT
Texas Documentary Tour
'Touch the Sound: A Sound Journey With Evelyn Glennie'
BY ANNE S. LEWIS
Film News
Big 'Lights,' small screen; the Pod squad; and congrats and condolences
BY JOE O'CONNELL
TV Eye
AMN 'SFS' is dead. Long live 'SFS TV.'
BY BELINDA ACOSTA
Film Reviews
Glory Road
Even though Glory Road presents a fictionalized account of what many count as the most significant NCAA basketball game ever played, the film remains a predictable sports rouser.
Grandma's Boy
What's funnier than having to move back in with your parents? Why, moving in with your grandparents, of course.
Hoodwinked
Animated retelling of the Little Red Riding Hood story has sass but little imagination.
Hostel
In this horror film, three backpackers check in to the wrong hostel where, unbeknownst to them, very bad things happen from dusk till dawn.
Last Holiday
After being diagnosed with an incurable brain disease, a woman (who is played delightfully by Queen Latifah) discovers her moxie.
Loggerheads
Despite an overreliance on metaphor and symbolism, Loggerheads is an affecting little film about characters who struggle with issues connected with adoption, homophobia, and loss.
Tristan & Isolde
This new version of the timeless love story is a dopey, mopey, all-around bore.
The World
Using a sleek visual style and bits of animation, this elegant Chinese film explores the effects of modernism, globalism, and international commerce upon its culture and society.
arts & culture
First Night Austin
Austinites turned out by the thousands to enjoy the first First Night Austin on New Year's Eve, as one 'Chronicle' writer saw for himself
BY ROBERT FAIRES
Victory Rose
By any other name
BY ROBERT FAIRES
Austin Theatre
NY (hearts) U
BY ROBERT FAIRES
Arts Reviews
When Pigs Fly
If there's a surprise to the Arts on Real production of Howard Crabtree's extravagant and campy revue, 'When Pigs Fly,' it's that it's so, well, modest
Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk
Shostakovich's 'Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk' burns with violent passions and dark deeds, and Austin Lyric Opera brings this torrid tale to blazing life
'Liz Ward: Aqueous'
In the exhibition 'Aqueous,' artist Liz Ward provides rippling watercolors and silverpoint drawings ideal for a wintertime dip
columns
Postmarks
Our readers talk back.
After a Fashion
Stephen puts a human face on football ...
BY STEPHEN MACMILLAN MOSER
To Your Health
How to keep irritable bowel syndrome under control
BY JAMES HEFFLEY, PH.D.
The Common Law
Austin smoking ordinance – is the smoker or the bar owner at fault?
BY LUKE ELLIS
Day Trips
Juniper Hills Farm between Dripping Springs and Blanco takes advantage of the rich culinary culture of the Hill Country to combine a cooking school with overnight cabins for a unique weekend getaway
BY GERALD E. MCLEOD
Mr. Smarty Pants Knows
Confucius say "takitos," and J.K. Rowling gets 'Fresh'
BY MR. SMARTY PANTS
Luv Doc Recommends: Star of Texas Tattoo Art Revival
Austin Crowne Plaza, Thursday, January 12, 2006
BY THE LUV DOC
Feedback
Letters to the editor, published daily
sports
Soccer Watch
Superteams running away with championships while Galacticos fall apart
