Fri 19
Putt Putt for Pets to benefit the Williamson County Humane Society, at Putt Putt Golf and Games, Round Rock, 6-9pm. Cost is $30 or more in pledges. 244-WCHS. SAT 20 17th Annual Swimathon to benefit Austin State School, at four local pools. 371-6048. Garage & Bake Sale to benefit Well Drilling for the Tarahumara Indians…
Edwards Aquifer: No Limits Yet
The Sierra Club’s request for a temporary restraining order against several Central Texas municipalities, businesses, and even the U.S. Defense Department, to limit pumping out of the Edwards Aquifer, failed to win support in court this week. Citing the severe drought conditions, the possibility of a declining water level in the aquifer, and the lack…
Pride and Prejudice
D: Simon Langton; with Colin Firth, Jennifer Ehle, Alison Steadman, Benjamin Withrow, Crispin Bonham Carter. VHS Home Video Vulcan Video, 609 W. 29th St. Anglophile? Me too. The more corsetted, tea-sipping, class-conscious Brits I absorb, the more pacified I become. Well, this six-part series co-produced for television by the BBC and A&E was enough to…
The Roadtrip
A man and a dog, on a cross-country journey. Sounds great, huh? As my journey to Europe indicated, I do have a tendency to romanticize events. A frightened, 100-lb. boxer, stuffed into a tiny space in the backseat of the Saab — a vehicle, incidentally, in which he’d never been allowed before — was an…
Dame Todos!
It must be nice. You serve in office for a while. You become an expert on governmental mechanics. You cultivate lofty contacts at the local, state, and national levels. Then the capitalistic spirit prevails, and you realize the marketability of your expertise. Before you resign, you create a lobbying and consulting firm to help the…
What Color Is Your Parapluie?
For weeks now, my boss has been making faces at me every time I mention this story about the restoration of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (or Les Parapluies de Cherbourg as the 1964 French film is known in its homeland). These faces he makes are not expressions of delight. Quite the opposite. Yet I know…
The Ex-Files, Part II
So I ran. Ran as far as my obsessions and neuroses could take me. One day I had walked into my living room and literally not recognized my wife — there was an expression on her face that I labeled “strange” because I’d never seen it, or had never let myself see it. That moment…
Todd on Todos
Mayor Todd declined to talk with Alex de Marban regarding the Todos article; however, he answered all questions submitted in writing. Some relevant excerpts appear below. Austin Chronicle: Who’s [sic] brainchild was Todos? Bruce Todd: Todos was not one person’s brainchild. It was a group decision reached over time by all members. The grammar contained…
The Assault on Tony’s
by John O’Brien Grove Press, $21 hard John O’Brien clearly has an affinity for four story elements: alcohol, booze, liquor, and self-destruction via excessive consumption thereof. The Assault on Tony’s is the second book from John O’Brien, who also penned Leaving Las Vegas — the novel from which the screenplay was adapted. Sadly, O’Brien’s fascination…
Ale’s Well That Ends Well
Even after the War of Independence, Americans continued to make ales exclusively until 1842, when the famous beer of Pilsn, Bohemia (known in the United States as a Pilsner) was introduced to the world. Unlike the dark, heavy ales of the time, this new beer — a lager style — was crisp and golden. More…
Record Reviews
BIKINI KILL Reject All American (Kill Rock Stars) Last year, BK singer Kathleen Hanna took a swing at Courtney Love on the Seattle stop of Lollapalooza, and Reject All American strikes quite a blow of its own — straight to the heart of Hole’s overblown celluloid angst. Bikini Kill is every bit as garagey as…
Brothers and Keepers
by John Edgar Wideman Vintage Books, $12 paper The night before I finished reading John Edgar Wideman’s Brothers and Keepers, my one-year-old Honda Civic was vandalized in an East Austin neighborhood. It’s more than likely that the perpetrators were African-American, as am I. I was stunned, at first, but a feeling of cynical resignation soon…
Austin’s Brewpub Bargains
Austin’s brewpub market, like the rest of the bar business, is a cutthroat and highly predatory racket. With new microbrewers expanding distribution operations into Texas, the local makers of fine brews fight tooth and nail with million-tap ale houses, a new breed of beer-savvy bar manager, and corner stores stocked with coolers full of exotic…
The Assault on Tony’s
by John O’Brien Grove Press, $21 hard John O’Brien clearly has an affinity for four story elements: alcohol, booze, liquor, and self-destruction via excessive consumption thereof. The Assault on Tony’s is the second book from John O’Brien, who also penned Leaving Las Vegas — the novel from which the screenplay was adapted. Sadly, O’Brien’s fascination…
Day Trips
Brock Wagner and Kevin Bartol started Saint Arnold Brewing Company in Houston not to compete with the multinational giants, but rather to make the best beer possible, one batch at a time. Every Saturday afternoon at 1pm, the pair leads a tour of beer-loving visitors around the small brewery in a industrial park on Houston’s…
Czechs in Texas
Since Texas won its independence from Mexico in 1836, the republic and the state have had a thriving Czech community. Texas’ most famous brewery, the Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, began as a cooperative effort by Czech farmers, lonely for the familiar brew of their homeland. During the latter part of the 19th century, Czech immigration…
Brothers and Keepers
by John Edgar Wideman Vintage Books, $12 paper The night before I finished reading John Edgar Wideman’s Brothers and Keepers, my one-year-old Honda Civic was vandalized in an East Austin neighborhood. It’s more than likely that the perpetrators were African-American, as am I. I was stunned, at first, but a feeling of cynical resignation soon…
Public Notice
The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) wants to smoke the long-distance competition. They offer a Prepaid Calling Card good for 20 minutes of calling time for a price of $10. Customers can support the efforts of the oldest and largest national organization dedicated to marijuana law reform and save big bucks…
The Plight of the Pils
Whether you realize it or not, the first beer you ever tasted — sipped surreptitiously from the dregs of dad’s poker game, downed on a dare during a high school party, or quaffed in the first years of college — was almost certainly a Pilsner. Just about every brand of beer you could possibly have…
Day Trips
Brock Wagner and Kevin Bartol started Saint Arnold Brewing Company in Houston not to compete with the multinational giants, but rather to make the best beer possible, one batch at a time. Every Saturday afternoon at 1pm, the pair leads a tour of beer-loving visitors around the small brewery in a industrial park on Houston’s…
Page Two
There is a certain honor in having Paul Ray on the cover. A notable deejay, legendary musician, and longtime blues scene guru (I shudder to think of Ray’s reaction to that word but I can think of no better one for his unique role), Ray is the traditional master of ceremonies for The Austin Chronicle’s…
Comparing Czech and Texas Beers
We thought it would be fun to compare beers from Czechoslovakia with beers made in Texas. In all fairness, the Czech breweries have centuries of tradition and experimentation behind them, while most Texas brewers have a few years of experience at best. Still, the Texas beers held their own very well in this very unscientific…
Public Notice
The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) wants to smoke the long-distance competition. They offer a Prepaid Calling Card good for 20 minutes of calling time for a price of $10. Customers can support the efforts of the oldest and largest national organization dedicated to marijuana law reform and save big bucks…
Mr. Smarty Pants Knows
The Barbie doll’s full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts. The starling is the most abundant bird in North America. Every one of them descends from the few birds released in New York’s Central Park in 1890 by Eugene Schieffelin. Cartographer Amerigo Vespucci was the brother of Simonetta Vespucci, model for Boticelli’s “Venus.” U.S. patent 4,610,039…
Texas Beer Guide
Microbreweries (listed alphabetically by name) Bosque Brewing Co. 300 S. Sixth St., Waco, 817/754-5154 Makes Honey Lager, Bosque Porter, and Amber Ale. Celis Brewery 2431 Forbes, Austin, 835-0884 Varieties in the Belgian tradition include White, Golden, Pale Bock, Raspberry, and Grand Cru, with a new brew being introduced in September. Tours of the Eastside facility…
Page Two
There is a certain honor in having Paul Ray on the cover. A notable deejay, legendary musician, and longtime blues scene guru (I shudder to think of Ray’s reaction to that word but I can think of no better one for his unique role), Ray is the traditional master of ceremonies for The Austin Chronicle’s…
Food-O-File
Members of the Belgian Culinary Team under the direction of chef Christian Echterbille are currently in Austin and will be cooking at Cafe Armageddon, 2015 Manor Rd. (478-4857) on Saturday, July 20 and at The Belgian Restaurant (328-0580) on Sunday, July 21… Amandine Fine European Desserts chef/owner Alain Braux helped Southwest Airlines celebrate their 25th…
Mixed Signals
The hulking, mono- lithic glass menagerie at the southeast corner of 26th Street and Guadalupe that now houses KUT Radio, Austin City Limits, KLRU-TV, and a righteous number of University of Texas offices, didn’t exist in 1964; instead, there was a hamburger stand. The UT football team were the reigning national champs, a Texan from…
Mr. Smarty Pants Knows
The Barbie doll’s full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts. The starling is the most abundant bird in North America. Every one of them descends from the few birds released in New York’s Central Park in 1890 by Eugene Schieffelin. Cartographer Amerigo Vespucci was the brother of Simonetta Vespucci, model for Boticelli’s “Venus.” U.S. patent 4,610,039…
In Memoriam
Austin lost two devoted theatre artists this week; Sunday, July 20, actors Ovid Trejo and Jim Kreitner both passed away. Trejo established himself in the late Eighties working with a variety of companies, among them Different Stages (Aunt Dan and Lemon), Zachary Scott Theatre Center (Blithe Spirit), Capitol City Playhouse (Noises Off), and Theatre Collective…
O.D. Whizz!
Rumors of Pantera figurehead Phil Anselmo’s death have been somewhat exaggerated. Somewhat, but not much. I mean, these days, when you listen to a record, you expect that someone on it is currently performing their rendition of the death rattle. Take Jonathan Melvoin as a recent example. The Smashing Pumpkins touring keyboardist died Monday from…
Food-O-File
Members of the Belgian Culinary Team under the direction of chef Christian Echterbille are currently in Austin and will be cooking at Cafe Armageddon, 2015 Manor Rd. (478-4857) on Saturday, July 20 and at The Belgian Restaurant (328-0580) on Sunday, July 21… Amandine Fine European Desserts chef/owner Alain Braux helped Southwest Airlines celebrate their 25th…
Dance:
BALLET FOLKL�RICO CHURUHUI presents regional Mexican dance and song with Mariachi Primavera. July 19-21, Fri & Sat, 8pm, Sun, 2:30pm. $3. Chamizal National Memorial Theatre, 800 S. San Marcial, El Paso. 915/833-2958. ENCANTO EN LA MISI�N, a program of traditional dances of Mexico and Spain performed by DanzaHispana and Mariachi Festival, with a special presentation…
And the Band Played On-Air
There may be dozens of live music venues in Austin, each distinctive in their own way, but perhaps none produce shows as consistently classy as the one in the basement of the University of Texas’ non-descript Communications B building. For over 500 Sundays in a 12-year stretch, KUT Live Set has been originating from Studio…
Record Reviews
BIKINI KILL Reject All American (Kill Rock Stars) Last year, BK singer Kathleen Hanna took a swing at Courtney Love on the Seattle stop of Lollapalooza, and Reject All American strikes quite a blow of its own — straight to the heart of Hole’s overblown celluloid angst. Bikini Kill is every bit as garagey as…
Out of the Boomers’ Shadow
Everything’s been done, you can’t do anything new, you just have to do shit to the old shit so you can see it again. You’re not supposed to make shit, you’re just supposed to rip shit up into little bits and re-arrange them so they make fun of themselves. — Tiller, Kid Carnivore What do…
Also Playing
Friday: Junior Medlow, Continental Club Saturday: Stanley Jordan, Cactus Cafe Sunday: Monroe Mustang, Hole in the Wall Monday: Lucky Strikes, Ego’s Tuesday: Michele Solberg, Stubb’s Wednesday: Brannen Temple, Steamboat Thursday: Candye Kane, Continental Club
Gypsies, Scamps, and Peeves
Bury Me Standing by Isabel Fonseca Alfred A. Knopf $25, hard Bury Me Standing, Isabel Fonseca’s new book, takes its title from the old Romany proverb, “Bury me standing. I’ve been on my knees all my life.” For a book about Gypsies and their journey, this is a perfect name for a culture that remains…
All in the Family
If you gave the First Lady of Austin, Elizabeth Christian, a choice between talking to a reporter about herself or having her nostrils clamped shut with a rusty nail, she’d probably choose the latter. As a public relations specialist whose job is to show her clients in the best possible light, she says she has…
Being a Volunteer
Being a volunteer in your community is one of the greatest things you can give. It is unique and special because only you can give it. AIDS Services of Austin’s volunteers are some of the best, caring, and giving people you could ever hope to meet. The services we are able to provide clients are…
Mini-Series Madness
Where’s the director when you need him? Last week’s council meeting probably amounted to little more than the mid-week episode of a bad mini-series: dramatic tantrums, staff bunglings, bus-chase scenes, and Abbott & Costello routines on the dais. Mad-cap fun and drama, but then, this isn’t supposed to be the Second Street version of The…
It’s Not in the Cards
My genetic deck is missing several dozen playing cards, like The Whirling Gear, which explains how mechanical things work, and The Higher Finance, which enables you to make money as a corporate raider. (However, I do have a complete suit of Whiners and Bumblers.) The card I miss most acutely is the Meticulous Craftsman. Whoever…
Popcult Disconnect
The Austin American- Statesman made an interesting stab at a conceptual unity last week in XL ent., the faux alternative weekly it launched a couple of years ago to compete with the Chronicle for ad dollars and hip cachet. “1976-1996: Beyond the Bicentennial: 20 years of Pop Culture” was fascinating — well, interesting, anyway –…
