Cover Story
Eating Fresh in Texas
Local foodies are reveling in a festival of produce
Attack Formation’s Proclamation
Taking a cue from John and Yoko’s ubiquitous Vietnam-era slogan, Attack Formation now has a shirt to express your views, perhaps of our current war, as seen on the right here. “There isn’t going to be any [Attack Formation] logo or our name,” says frontman Ben Webster. “All the money we make off the shirts…
Two Wranglers Get Individual AFL Honors
The AFL playoffs start tomorrow, of course, but the season’s over for the 4-12 Wranglers after an out-of-town loss to Tampa Bay last weekend. Two Wranglers got some good news this week, though. Austin kicker Mark Lewis was named First Team All-Arena and defensive lineman Rob Schroeder was named to the All-Rookie team. I’m not…
Alamo’s Last Stand
The Downtown institution has packed up.
AG: State’s Pension Books Don’t Balance
Attorney General Greg Abbott released a report this week that showed that 82 of the 96 government-related defined pension plans in Texas were carrying liability on the books. Basically, these funds carried $23 billion more in anticipated debt than current funding. Abbott estimated 1.8 million Texans have counted on retirement funds with liabilities that exceed…
CWS Capital Properties Project Update
Project continues to receive skeptical reception
More on RG4N’s Northcross Lawsuit
More details on the RG4N suit filed today.
More Bad News for Boaters
More rain, more open floodgates, more boat bans.
RG4N to Sue City Today
Responsible Growth for Northcross files a lawsuit today against the city of Austin and Lincoln Property Co., asserting that the city’s Tuesday approval of a second site plan for the redevelopment of Northcross Mall was illegal.
Public Forum Tomorrow on Local Immigrant Population
St. Edward’s University, beginning at 8:30am
From Ex-Gay and Beyond
Ex-gays meet ex-ex-gays? Stay tuned.
Voice of Texas Relays and Rice Owls Dies
J. Fred Duckett had a long and distinguished career as a sport announcer.
Lightning Update, U.S. Wins Gold Cup, and More
The Austin Lightning lost their fourth straight game Friday, 2-0 to the Mississippi Brilla; perhaps worse, they were forced into their third last-minute venue change of the season, playing this time at the Williamson County regional park stadium. This Friday they host the division-leading El Paso Patriots, whom they’ve already beaten twice this season. Friday,…
Boating Ban Expands
Restrictions now include all of Lake Austin, Town Lake, and the Colorado River below the Longhorn Dam.
A Healing Place
Dell Children’s hospital opens in Mueller.
Jandek Does Fort Worth
If you missed Jandek’s stellar performance during SXSW, here’s another chance. Saturday, July 21, the Tall Pale One plays Fort Worth’s historic Rose Marine Theater, just north of downtown. Tickets can be purchased at Good Records in Dallas, or at our own beloved End of an Ear. And the backing band – Susan Alcorn on…
Liberal Fascism, Conservative Idiocy
One of the right’s weakest pundits brands Whole Foods … fascist?
Waving Sen. Norm Coleman’s Freak Flag
It’s always nice to start out the day with a steaming cup of sweet irony. So, you can imagine how pleased I was to find the following letter from the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws Executive Director Allen St. Pierre in my inbox this morning, along with an open letter to U.S.…
One Wipe With That Hook Might Change His Tune
Once upon a time there was a gay nurse and a Muslim cleric…
Planet Unicorn Heyyy! Episodes 3 & 4!
“I do not have hands. I have hooves.”
True Colors Shinin’ Through
Video clips from True Colors, 24 June, 2007, Houston, TX.
No Love for Ron Paul
Will the only Texan in the presidential primaries get to go Iowa?
Rain, Rain, Go Away
More rain means more floodgates opening on Lake Austin.
Leffingwell Leapfrogs to Mayor?
Current Council Member considering run for the mayor’s seat.
Lake Austin Boating Ban Still in Effect
Boaters warned to stay off portions of lake all week.
Excellent Tech Leap for Cap Metro
Let your cell phone plan your bus trip for you.
It’s No ‘Girl From Ipanema’
What does Rick Perry have as hold music?
Emo’s Anniversary Weekend: Another Year, Another Beer (Spilled on Your Shoes)
Friday night, Emo’s: First drink spilled on myself at roughly 10:30pm. But it was done in a rush to get away from the wankfest organized by Orthrelm guitarist Mick Barr. Dude can noodle. Later, ’round midnight, Gang Gang Dance cleansed the hippie/hipster masses with cerebral electro/rave/space waves, and a confused passerby in a “You Looked…
Semidisaster for Richards, Glory for UT Stars
Several Austinites had stellar performances at the national track & field championships
God vs. Satan: TXRD Calvello Cup Championship
On Saturday, June 23, a healthy half-hour before the last match of the TXRD Lonestar Rollergirls’ 2006-2007 season began, the Austin Convention Center was already packed with the typically incongruous crowd of Lonestar Rollergirls fans: Transvestites ebulliently cheered on their favorite rollergirls, wholesome-looking families eagerly waved their clappers, and the Hellcats’ cartoonish manager, Jonny Stranger,…
Police Need Help in Rape Case
The police are looking for assistance in finding a sexual assault suspect.
Cash Blowing This Way
Texas gets Federal cash for wind turbine research.
Smokin’ Trees
I’d hit it.
Bye Tony, Hello Gordon
So Tony Blair’s off – what’s this Gordon Brown guy like?
More Motion at the Mansion
Perry’s looking for a new director of administration services.
The Gwen Verdon & ‘Teletubbies’ Connection
Gwen Verdon and the Teletubbies mash it up and walk it out.
Venue Change for the Lightning – Again
In the This Is Getting Ridiculous Department, the Austin Lightning have once again made a last-minute venue change for their 7:30pm game this evening. Operations manager and minority owner Hugh Bender just sent us the following e-mail: “[The Lightning] are playing at Williamson County Regional Park Stadium that is up I-35. Take 1431 west to…
More Oil, Anyone?
The Texas delegation to the US Senate has a solution to the energy crisis: more oil.
La Dolce Rota
The Ultimate Best of Federico Fellini & Nino Rota
Sorry, No Boating for You This Weekend
City bans boating on portions of Town Lake and Lake Austin through Monday
Wranglers Wrap Season, Consider Move to Minors
Forget wrangling up a win – the Austin Wranglers (4-11) hope to wrangle up a little old-fashioned euthanasia this week and put this struggling season out of its misery. Whether the Wranglers manage to pull up to the fabled five wins in a single season or not, the safest bet is that first-year coach Brian…
Ron Paul: Wii Warrior or PlayStation3 Playah?
The Texas presidential hopeful makes a bid for the youth vote.
A Blow to Nonrenewable Energy
Wind power is adding more power to Texas than was thought.
Wynning the Fight against HIV
Sticking it to Will Wynn – in a good way.
Upcoming TOD Workshops
PB PlaceMaking will hold station-area planning workshops June 26-28, to present their plans and collect community feedback. During facilitated table discussions, participants will respond to a “blended plan” that strives to distill all of the best ideas generated to date. Presentations start at 6pm; those new to the process or wanting more time to view…
The Truth Hurts
Rowdy Stovall’s Mexican Sunrise was inspired by his real life, whether it be football injuries or run-ins with satanists
Arts Review
Hyde Park Theatre has mounted an excellent production of The Pillowman, Martin McDonagh’s immensely challenging tale of gruesome crimes, accountability, and storytelling
Food-o-File
Off with my head, etc.
Gov. Perry’s Ham-Fisted Veto Pen Strikes Again
Lege coverage
Arts Review
Sharon Bridgforth’s love/conjure blues is a ritual steeped in the magic of the Southern black oral tradition and West African spirituality but encircling all of us
Event Menu
June 22-28
Perry Flips on Private Property Rights
Guv vetoes bill offering protections from eminent domain
DVD Watch
Peter Sellers: MGM Movie Legends CollectionMGM, $39.98 The “comic genius” phrase so often tagged onto Peter Sellers’ lapel came about largely from the British character-actor’s ability to play widely disparate roles throughout his career, sometimes juggling multiple characters within the same film. If only Sellers had shirked showbiz and instead taken up the “world’s oldest…
Arts Review
‘Cantanker/us,’ a show of artwork by the staff of the visual-arts magazine Cantanker, is a rare opportunity to consider both sides of each artist/staffer’s practice
Weathering the Storm
The Austin Lightning look to gain a foothold in Austin as soccer is primed for the national spotlight
Down but Not Out: Ararat moving to new location
What happened to North Loop’s rough-around-the-edges, perpetually crowded, BYOB purveyors of Mideast eats?
TV Eye
The Territory
Readings
A rich runaway heads for Mexico City in former Michener fellow Eric B. Martin’s third novel
Descent Into the Maelstrom
Radio Birdman surfs out of Edgar Allan Poe’s maelström a quarter-century later
Unfair Firing at AISD?
In few-month span, Travis Heights Elementary custodian placed on administrative leave, fired, restored, placed on leave again, and finally terminated – stories behind ordeal vary
Readings
Miranda July’s people
DIY or Die
Red 7’s house rules are hardcore, so stop whining
So Long to My Other Brother Daryl
Slusher remembers Janes
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
Although it tries mightily to top 2005’s origin story by introducing fanboy favorite the Silver Surfer, this film is nevertheless relentlessly dull and curiously bombastic.
Page Two: Conspiracy Theories
Can you handle the truth?
Black Spring/These Men Are Liars Reviewed
Black SpringDagger Poems (Howard) These Men Are LiarsThis Album Title Reads Like a Fortune Cookie Red 7 house soundman Josh Wardrip reunited not one but a pair of past projects at the venue’s recent Jared Is a Grumpy Fuck Fest. Black Spring, known locally as Suburban Terror Project, 2000-2004, were nothing if not an accurate…
Naked City
Quote of the Week “I think it’s unfortunate that neither the governor nor his staff spoke to me or anyone on my staff to see if there was anything we could do to make these bills a little different or a little better so the governor could have signed them.” – Rep. Terri Hodge, D-Dallas,…
Paris, Je T’Aime
Eighteen short films by an international who’s-who of filmmakers make up this omnibus celebrating the joys and sorrows of love and Paris, organized by neighborhood.
Oops!
Our latest batch
Texas Platters
Norah JonesThe Backyard, June 15 You know the parking situation at the Backyard is in bad shape when the headliner mentions that she delayed the show because of it, then gives it a thumbs down. That frustration dealt with, Norah Jones’ performance put the lie to her reputation for putting people to sleep. In a…
Dirty Days Ahead?
TCEQ approves permit for TXU’s Oak Grove coal power plant in Robertson County, about 100 miles from Austin
DOA: Dead or Alive
Female fighters start out as enemies but strip down to their bikini tops to fight a common foe.
Letters @ 3AM
Financially and militarily, we’re not a superpower anymore – though no presidential candidate can admit that
Texas Platters
Monterey Pop TributeThreadgill’s World HQ, June 17 Under a menacing gray sky, Sunday’s local 40th anniversary tribute to the Monterey International Pop Festival boasted numerous standout performances with nary a freak-out in sight. Sitarist Amie Maciszewski opened with a mesmerizing nod to Ravi Shankar’s seminal Monterey set, followed by Skyrocket’s Darin Murphy and Benjamin Hotchkiss…
Cross-Border Madness
Family of Los Angeles-area man says he was mistakenly deported to Mexico; and Oaxaca’s government apologizes for infamous police raid
1408
Even though 1408 is one of the best Stephen King adaptations ever, this movie belongs to star John Cusack and director Mikael Håfström all the way.
After a Fashion
Stephen drops a gay bomb and salutes the dreck that is Mahogany
Texas Platters
The Polyphonic SpreeThe Fragile Army (TVT) Time has begun taking its toll on the Polyphonic Spree. With this third LP, the Dallas-based symphonic pop platoon abandons its childlike release and floral robes in favor of black military fatigues, transforming their passive resistance into a sharp-edged sonic assault. Credit belongs to the production by the Paper…
Electric Co-op’s Board Under Fire
Hundreds of Pedernales Electric Cooperative’s customers showed up at board’s annual meeting to criticize election procedures and financial practices
Evan Almighty
Steve Carell’s new film is a mild laffer instead of a divine comedy.
Day Trips
Eilenberger’s Bakery, in Palestine, may be best known around the world for its holiday fruitcakes, but locals know it as a year-round bakeshop
Texas Platters
Abra MooreOn the Way (Sarathan) Here’s one for list-lovers: Keep track of how often the words “wispy” and “lush” will be used in reference to Abra Moore’s fifth album, On the Way. It’s an introspective examination of the heart with the local singer-songwriter’s voice and lovely, guileless pop style that conjure those words rightfully. Her…
Happenings
June 21-27
A Mighty Heart
Based on the true events surrounding journalist Danny Pearl’s kidnapping and murder in Pakistan, this drama by Michael Winterbottom and starring Angelina Jolie is more aloof than melodramatic.
Soccer Watch
Hard-luck weekend for the Lightning, Beckham reinjures his ankle, and more
Texas Platters
Two Nice Girls(Seasick Sailor) The 1989 self-titled debut from Two Nice Girls succeeded on both political and aesthetic terms. They promoted matter-of-fact lesbianism in music at a time when same-sex marriage wasn’t even up for discussion, but reducing TNG to that glosses over the hypereclectic sensibilities that made the late Austin trio inspirational. Gretchen Phillips,…
Yogurt-Shop Murders Update
District Judge remands Robert Springsteen to Travis Co., where he’ll remain in jail until retrial for murder in connection with infamous yogurt-shop killings
Bamako
This Malian courtroom drama is like nothing you’ve ever seen: The people put the institutions of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund on trial.
TCB
The final countdown continues with a dance diva, close call for Ornette Coleman, and a bunch of other stuff
Mr. Smarty Pants Knows
Basinger’s fowl collection and breadcrumbs for boo-boos
Texas Platters
Beta Valentine”Gold” (Has Anyone Ever Told You?) We miss the old Sonic Youth. So does local threepiece Beta Valentine, which splays Kim and Thurston all over second release “Gold.” With quasi-experimental thrashers like “The Devils Dancing on My Disease,” “Little Black Box,” and (ahem) “Fingerbanged by God,” Beta teaches heavy, throbbing spaz that only Albini…
Acevedo Chosen as New Police Chief: Let the sun shine in
City Manager picks Art Acevedo, a California Highway Patrol division chief, to be Austin’s next top cop
La Vie en Rose
How do you tell the true story of the nearly mythical popular performer Edith Piaf? In epic proportions, of course.
Brass Ring Lessons
How TexARTS’ first two go-rounds in staging classic musicals are helping to make its new Carousel ride a winner
The Common Law
Homestead exemption – why & how?
Texas Platters
The Drawing BoardClear to the Far Side of Way Over Yonder Emo is as emo does. Local fivepiece the Drawing Board, led by brothers Justin and Brandon Tapp, have the formula down. Lush sounds and pitch-perfect harmonies even combat the former Los Angelenos’ influences. Once the kick drum hits and the hooks start drooling (“Something…
Texas Platters
$haneMusic for Bathtubs (Phantom Powers) Jovial keyboardist of Pong and all-around happy dude Shane Shelton is one of Austin’s own, but cool noises and trippy vibes do not a CD make. Bedroom dabbledry is the curse of every musician who takes his or her craft seriously, and Music for Bathtubs has some bright spots of…
‘Texas Monthly’ Legislative Top 10s
Best and worst of the Lone Star State
Golden Door
Despite the hardships depicted, Golden Door is a sweet film that plays witness to the immigrant birth pangs of modern America.
21c Austin: Mints on your pillow and prints, to boot
The developers of the 21c Museum Hotel in Louisville, Ky., are planning their second such combo of contemporary art and lodging for Downtown Austin
Texas Platters
Haunting Oboe Music Eardrums are precious. We beat them like a chained dog, but when we come across something like Haunting Oboe Music’s WTF sound, at least we know they’re working. Six guys on six different wavelengths for six tracks equals nasal chaos. It’s definitely curious electro-metal, but didn’t they used to have a theremin?…
The Last Last Sunday?
Austin organizing project contemplating its future
Beside the Point: Game Over
How to win friends and influence budgets
McNichol & May: Harking back with style
Bob McNichol & Erika May are among the most literary improvisers in town, each of their spontaneous narratives carried along by the depth of the characters they create
In Memoriam
Bobbie Covey
Texas Platters
The Jungle Rockers Bring back the sweaty rock! The Jungle Rockers came from way out with this seductive EP of straight-up rock & fuckin’ roll. Simple, minimally swaying throb boosts the Rockers’ debut EP of modern oldies. The Austin via Cleveland bad-boy fourpiece takes a treat from the “Sugar Shack” into the garage. Go on,…
Developing Stories: Compact & Connected
All aboard for Transit-Oriented Development
The Hightower Report
Casualties of Bush’s Contract Army; and Outsourcing America
We Have a True Colors Ticket Giveaway Winner
Win a two-night trip for two to Houston to see the True Colors Tour!
Zachary Scott Theatre Center: Enter stage left, a new managing director
After a national search, the Zachary Scott Theatre Center found its new managing director, Elisbeth Challener, right in its own back yard
Chado Tea Market
An infatuation becomes a market dedicated to the art of tea
‘A Medal for Killing Two Men and a Discharge for Loving One’
A look into the live of gay folks who serve.
Luv Doc Recommends: FanFare Friday
Skip work Friday. You deserve it. Really. And besides, what if a giant asteroid slams into the Earth during rush hour on Friday and obliterates everything? On the plus side, the war on terror would effectively be won, but on the minus side you just pissed away the last few hours of your existence in…
