Naked City

On Sunday, Santa drove a hog instead of reindeer. The 10th Annual Big Dave's Toy Run featured hundreds of bikers riding their motorcycles from Big Dave's Dam Saloon Smokehouse & Grill in Lakeway to downtown Austin to deliver toys to residents of the Austin Children's Shelter. The shelter provides emergency housing and care to 300 abandoned, abused, and neglected children every year. (Photo By John Anderson)

Quote of the Week: "He kept saying, 'I made a mistake.' But he didn't make one mistake. His whole public life has been a mistake." -- NAACP Chair Julian Bond, on outgoing (?) Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott.

Austin Mayor Gus Garcia announced he will not run for re-election in May. As of press time, the only announced candidate is former Council Member Max Nofziger, making his fourth run for the mayor's chair. But expect more announcements very soon. See Garcia Says 'No Mas'.

Voters in Volente and Webberville will get to decide Feb. 1 whether to incorporate their communities.

Intervention lawsuits filed on behalf of Farmers Insurance Group policyholders postponed judicial ratification of the $100 million settlement between the state and the giant company over alleged overpricing and illegal rate-setting of its homeowners' policies in Texas (see Beyond City Limits).

In early pre-Lege maneuvering, UT-Austin administrators say they will request the authority to set the university's tuition rates, while also offering to create a "Texas Guarantee" program of tuition and cost-free education for low-income students who qualify for admission.

Amid continuing controversy over the potential effect of chain stores on nearby local businesses and the possibility of the feds grabbing the land for a new courthouse, Whole Foods Market said it is moving forward with its plans for a massive new headquarters and expanded grocery store on the southeast corner of Sixth and Lamar (directly south of its current building).