Week of October 28, 2007

Friday, November 2, 2007

Extra Extra

Extra Extra

Chemical spill closed highway in Williamson County for a good part of the day today. Perry defends the expensive rent for his Barton Creek-area temporary home, saying, "Texas ain't Arkansas." Man arrested at the border for a murder committed 13 years ago in Northeast Austin. Shocker: Secretary of State expects low voter turnout for this constitutional amendment election. Supposed chupacabra discovered in Cuero found to be just a coyote. "Get out of Iraq .... more ›

Master Pancake Presents Pump Up the Volume

Master Pancake Presents Pump Up the Volume

Pump Up the Volume was so much more than a proto-Jock Jams house anthem by M/A/R/R/S. It was the youthful, telegenic angst of 1990, distilled and splashed against an awesome soundtrack. It was a young and (remember?) hot Christian Slater playing a high-school pirate radio DJ named Happy Harry Hard-On. It was Samantha Mathis playing a way ballsier and like, more articulate precursor to Angela Chase. And, like any teen dramedy worth its salt, it... more ›

Your Deluxe Guide to the Texas Book Festival: Part Two

Your Deluxe Guide to the Texas Book Festival: Part Two

Image from SpyYard Texas Book FestivalSaturday November 3 - Sunday, November 4Downtown Austin [map]Free[info]We didn't think ten tips for the Texas Book Festival were enough, so here are ten more to help complicate things and confuse you you navigate the throngs of bibliophiles stalking the Austin streets this weekend. Keep in mind that seating and space is limited at most of these events. Arrive early and often! Saturday 10:00 - 10:45 Kristin Gore (Senate Chamber)... more ›

Friday, November 2, 2007

The Fake Headlines: Austinist Interviews The New Pornographers

The Fake Headlines: Austinist Interviews The New Pornographers

In 1997, Carl Newman started a side project called The New Pornographers in Vancouver for fun. The cast of characters included the ridiculous gifts of both Neko Case and Destroyer's Dan Bejar, and an indie-pop collective for the ages was born. Now touring behind their fourth album Challengers, Newman and the other New Pornographers have somehow managed to continue the project in addition to each pursuing their solo aims. The band seems to grow in... more ›

Austinist Preview: Shout Out Louds and Friends at The Parish

Austinist Preview: Shout Out Louds and Friends at The Parish

Swedish BFFs Shout Out Louds have been through the ringer. At least, you would think so from listening to their most recent album Our Ill Wills. It's so many things, all of them rather sad: a faded, torn-apart valentine, a glacial lament, and a spittle- spackled caterwaul in the face of humanity itself. Jeez. After their previous LP Howl Howl Gaff Gaff, an indie-pop triumph so sugar-sweet that it could give you cavities if... more ›

Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough: Fun Fun Fun Fest Afterparties!

Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough: Fun Fun Fun Fest Afterparties!

FRIDAY: Mohawk: Cracker / Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit Club Deville: Robbers on High Street, Great Northern - FREE! Sponsored by The Onion/Sweet Leaf Tea Beauty Bar: DJ Tim Sweeney (DFA records), Learning Secrets, Farah SATURDAY: Red 7: The Paper Chase, Stinking Lizaveta, Death Is Not A Joyride Club Deville: Mates of State, Small Sins, Immaculate Machine Mohawk: Murder City Devils, Those Peabodys Beauty Bar: Bus Driver, Daedelus, Antimc (DJs Mel and Klassen)... more ›

Football Preview: Texas vs. Oklahoma State

#14 Texas (7-2) vs. Oklahoma State (5-3) Time: 2:30 pm, Saturday, Nov. 3 Location: Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, Oklahoma TV: ABC Radio: KVET (98.1 FM, 1300 AM) With three games remaining in the regular season, the Texas Longhorns are as much as a mystery as they were before the season started. Currently ranked No. 14 in the country with games remaining against unranked teams (Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, and Texas A&M), the Longhorns seem... more ›

Austinites Step It Up For Climate Action

Austinites Step It Up For Climate Action

Tomorrow, November 3rd, the Step It Up Campaign gathers once again to see which of our politicians are stepping up and taking action about global warming. Following up on the first event back in April, the campaign unites ordinary folks concerned about global warming and demanding action from the candidates of 2008 to take bold steps on climate change. Millions will be gathering across the country to address representatives on three key priorities to stop... more ›

Fun Fun Fun Fest Set Times and Daily Schedule

As promised, here's the schedule of set times for this weekend's Fun Fun Fun Fest, sponsored in part by Austinist.com. Fun Fun Fun Fest: [official] [myspace] [tickets] Update: Download this as a pdf Saturday, November 3rd Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 12:30 PM 12:45 PM The Lemurs(12:50-1:20) Down To Nothing(12:40-1:10) 1:00 PM Djs Manny and Bigface(1-2) 1:15 PM Iron Age(1:10-1:40) 1:30 PM Zykos(1:25-1:55) 1:45 PM Viva Hate(1:45-2:15) 2:00 PM Brothers and Sisters(2-2:30) 2:15 PM... more ›

Fall Back Saturday But Get Up For This Sunday’s Race For The Cure

Fall Back Saturday But Get Up For This Sunday’s Race For The Cure

Sunday marks the tenth anniversary of Komen Austin Race for the Cure. With 24,000 attendees and a fundraising goal of over $1 million, this year’s event is expected to be the largest in the Austin's race history. Throughout the past ten years, 150,000 Austinites have raised more than $6 million dollars to support those affected by breast cancer in our community. Susan G. Komen for the Cure started as a promise between sisters back in... more ›

Your Deluxe Guide to the Texas Book Festival: Part One

Your Deluxe Guide to the Texas Book Festival: Part One

This weekend, while many of our friends are shaking their fists across town at the Fun Fun Fun Fest, the bookworms among us will climb the Capitol steps to get our “shhh!” on at the Texas Book Festival. We’ve waited all year for this, the biggest literary event in Austin. All the great local writers will be on hand, along with a smattering of nationally recognized authors. For anyone looking for a thorough introduction to... more ›

Austin Bites: The Wild Brunch Round-Up

Austin Bites: The Wild Brunch Round-Up

Brunch: the perfect weekend meal. You sleep in, roll out, and eat the best kinds of foods at a different and superior hour than the rest of the week. Anything that involves the illicit acts of consuming loads of carbohydrates and drinking firewater before noon while not at a sporting event has our votes. There are a number of places that one can find such a wondrous meal, ranging from holy-fuck-that's-expensive to the hey-sure-bring-your-dog. We've... more ›

News Bits!

News Bits!

Flood waters threaten thousands in southern Mexico. Hurricane Noel will bring heavy rainfall to the East Coast. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice begs U.S. Diplomats to serve overseas. NASA plans a risky spacewalk to save a ripped solar wing at the international space station. Hollywood writers are set to declare a strike sometime today. Get ready for a reality television blitz! NBC Anchor Brian Williams is hosting SNL this week. The reunion show... more ›

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Extra Extra

Extra Extra

Four suspects have been arrested for the Wachovia Bank robbery yesterday. Probable murder-suicide in San Marcos; the couple was found by their teenage daughter last night. Student group at Texas State wants the right to carry guns around campus and to classes. This evening KEYE becomes the first Austin TV station to show local news in hi-def. It will still look the same on our old-school TV. Johns Hopkins calls Johnston High School (and... more ›

Snapshots: Alamo Drafthouse @ The Ritz

Photos from the new Alamo Drafthouse location, which opens its doors tonight. Photos by Romain Nayalkar. If you can't view the Flash slideshow above, an alternate version appears after the jump.... more ›

Austinist Show Preview: <em>Rock y Roll Dia 2007</em> at La Zona Rosa

Austinist Show Preview: Rock y Roll Dia 2007 at La Zona Rosa

Rock y Roll Dia’s second annual Dia de los Muertos concert takes place at 7 p.m. this Friday at La Zona Rosa. Hosted by VJ Paul Saucido (Sonido Boombox on ME Television), last year’s bash was marked by an appropriately eerie atmosphere, a sharp dressed Paul, and international and local musical talent. This year the event is a two day extravaganza, with music from Austin acts such as Boombox and Kanko, and out of state... more ›

Austinist FFFFest Giveaway: Rae Davis & Prince Klassen

Austinist FFFFest Giveaway: Rae Davis & Prince Klassen

It’s finally here! Fun Fun Fun Fest kicks off this Saturday at Waterloo Park at noon. You best have bought tickets by now, or won ‘em off our various giveaways. If you haven’t, here’s another chance! Check out the following videos sent to us by Rae Davis and Prince Klassen to hype you up, and then naturally, enter to win tickets. Rae Davis spins a variety of genres nice n’ early on Sunday at 1... more ›

Austinist Giveaway: <em>New Jersey Book of the Dead</em>

Austinist Giveaway: New Jersey Book of the Dead

Did you know that the vestige group was founded on Craigslist in 2006? Interesting, no? What's also interesting is their latest production, The New Jersey Book of the Dead. Billed as portraying a world "where people struggle to hold on to emotional connection in a world gone technological," we're pretty sure we can relate. The show's press materials also include the catch phrase, "Omnivore is listening. Spread the word." We're not sure what that means,... more ›

Austin Mourns Loss of Karen Kuykendall

Austin Mourns Loss of Karen Kuykendall

As reported in a heartfelt eulogy on Michael Barnes' blog, Austin lost one its treasures yesterday. Karen Kuykendall passed away at the age of 69 from complications from cancer of the lungs and spine. Ms. Kuykendall was so many things: funny, kind, amazingly talented, beautiful, friendly, bright...the list goes on and on. We met her a handful of times; she was always warm and truly delightful. And of course legions of Austinites will remember her... more ›

This Is What Happens When Your Mama's a Clown

This Is What Happens When Your Mama's a Clown

When Joseph Campbell said, "Follow your bliss," what artist Jason Hackenwerth heard was, "If you love blowing balloons, git up on it." And so he did. Today, Hackenwerth's latex balloon sculptures are highly sought after; they exude an organic, 20,000 Leagues kind of invertebrate charm. Several colorful, oxygen-plumped specimens will be on display at The Blanton Museum, "...until [the pieces] run out of air." That will likely be around mid-November, unless an evil-doing darts player... more ›

Texas Book Festival and Tom Perrotta Present Little Children

We have a big crush on Tom Perrotta. We lurve the tales he crafts about ordinary people who end up in extraordinary predicaments because they just can't seem to bring themselves to say what they are thinking, even when knowing that it would save them a boat load of grief. We identify with being well-intentioned but sometimes ill-advised and from time to time believe that our own inner monologue is actually the narration for... more ›

Austin Public Library Online Catalog Updated

Austin Public Library Online Catalog Updated

We admit to using the Austin Public Library Online Catalog at least once a week to search for books we've heard about and to put books on hold. So we were happy to see that the online catalog was updated over the weekend. The "My Account" button in the top navigation now opens a new window for you to sign into, which is more private and secure for public computers than the previous setup. The... more ›

Fun Fun Fun Festival Preview: Explosions In The Sky, Of Montreal, and Girl Talk

Fun Fun Fun Festival Preview: Explosions In The Sky, Of Montreal, and Girl Talk

As Austinist's music staff were preparing for Fun Fun Fun Fest coverage, we realized that many of the festival's headliners had kindly spoken to us for interviews over the last year or two. For any of you who may have missed the original pieces, or for those who have recently discovered these fine acts, a recap and links are presented below. Explosions In The Sky - Saturday, 8:40pm, Stage One: Austin's Explosions In The Sky... more ›

Cine Las Americas Presents La Hora Fria

Cine Las Americas Presents La Hora Fria

Deep in the heart of Tejas, November 2nd means it's time to celebrate Dia De Los Muertos, the holiday that's emblemized the grinning calavera since like, 500 years before designers went batshit crazy stenciling skulls all over everything. It's a day to honor the lives of the dead, and to acknowledge death as a continuation of life, oh and also to make party at La Zona Rosa for their Rock Y Roll Dia celebration. Cine... more ›

News Bits

News Bits

What did you dress up as for Halloween? 911 Dispatcher that fielded the first calls about the North Carolina beach house fire is now receiving death threats (w/ creepy audio). Want to beat cancer? No red meat. No wine. Eat less. The Canadian dollar is worth more than the American dollar. Double, oh no way. UK comes out with invisible tank (w/pictures). Dog The Bounty Hunter gets yanked from A&E due to Dog's racist... more ›

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Extra Extra

Extra Extra

Have a happy and safe Halloween! If you're headed to Sixth Street, leave your light saber/fake gun/billy club at home. Williamson County won't kick privately-run immigration detention center out of Taylor now that they aren't liable for it. Some Texas prosecutors will wait for the Supreme Court's decision next year before asking judges to set execution dates. After a soldier died in a Ft. Hood training exercise, his supervising officer is facing court martial.... more ›

Just Dishin':  Austinist Interviews Wine and Food Foundation of Texas' Rebecca Robinson

Just Dishin': Austinist Interviews Wine and Food Foundation of Texas' Rebecca Robinson

Rebecca Robinson won't sit still. In addition to her day job, Robinson is also an award-winning actor, garnering recognition as the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama for the 2006-2007 B. Iden Payne Awards. Austinist asked Robinson some questions about The Wine and Food Foundation of Texas and her role as Executive Director of the Austin-based organization whose membership reads like a a who's who of heavy-hitters in the growing Texas culinary scene. How did... more ›

Austinist Interviews Fun Fun Fun Fest Artist Emma Pollock

Austinist Interviews Fun Fun Fun Fest Artist Emma Pollock

One of Scotland's best voices, Emma Pollock has been creating dark and beautiful indie-pop anthems for the better part of 15 years. As primary vocalist of The Delgados, she was a force behind an under-appreciated but consistently brilliant group that successfully walked a sonic line between The Pixies, The Sundays, and Mercury Rev. When the group disbanded in 2005, Pollock took a short time away from music before signing with 4AD Records and heading back... more ›

This Week in Theatre: Necromancy Abounds!

This Week in Theatre: Necromancy Abounds!

For this Week's TWIT, we're revealing the contents of our crystal ball—lurking on the horizon are a one-night-only you do not want to miss, and remounts of two box-office smashes. Jambi says, "Get your tickets now!" The Vortex is hosting, an irresistible, oddball of a show; three German actors, two American actors, and two Austrian video artists (collectively GTA’s Road Theater) are driving cross country (track 'em here), performing Roland Schimmelpfennig's Start Up. In this... more ›

FFFFest Kick-Off (and Giveaway): Dinner & Drinks With Robbers On High Street & Great Northern

FFFFest Kick-Off (and Giveaway): Dinner & Drinks With Robbers On High Street & Great Northern

Before Fun Fun Fun Fest begins on Saturday, the good folks at Club DeVille are gathering the troops for one heck of a kick-off party. On Friday night, Robbers On High Street will play the versatile venue and we want you there. Sure, you might have won a contest or two in your lifetime but this special giveaway includes a dinner with Robbers On High Street, provided by the wonderful people at Lambert's. The... more ›

Austinist Interview: Frank Warren of PostSecret

Austinist Interview: Frank Warren of PostSecret

Frank Warren appears to be a typical, soft-spoken family man from Maryland. But on the internet, Warren, like a priest, accepts confessions. Hundreds of anonymous, artistically-rendered secrets are sent to him on postcards every day. He reads each one, carefully selecting and displaying a handful of them on his blog, PostSecret, every Sunday. What was originally intended as a one-off art project has grown into not only a website boasting over a million hits a... more ›

Austinist Show Review: Helmet at Red 7

Austinist Show Review: Helmet at Red 7

A band name that evokes the high-schooler or naïve college kid in many of us, Helmet were a staple of the '90s “alternative” scene, a blanket term that covered everything from major-label juggernauts Nirvana to independent scene bands like Guided By Voices – basically anything that was rock but wasn’t explicitly metal or punk. Helmet, signed to Interscope, were something of a New York hybrid of hardcore, grunge and something else entirely, with reviewers often... more ›

Attacks on Density

Attacks on Density

The Austin Contrarian did a nice post yesterday on the Design Commission's Density Bonus Recommendations. A "density bonus" isn't quite what it sounds like - developers don't get a bonus for building more density. Instead, developers pay the city (generally to provide money for parks, affordable housing or mass transit) in exchange for the right to build more density. Parks, affordable housing and mass transit are all good things, but density is also a good... more ›

Stitch Preview: Austinist Interviews I Like Apple Juice

Stitch Preview: Austinist Interviews I Like Apple Juice

I Like Applejuice is the playful and witty work of Travis Nichols. Travis wears many hats as an artist, writer and a rocker. He's also been profiled in VegNews Magazine as one of the "25 Most Fascinating Vegetarians!" Where else do you sell your work? I sell stuff at Parts & Labour here in town, and also on my website. I also have an Etsy store that has current art for sale, as well. What... more ›

College Football Play of the Year

Better late than never -- here's a video clip of college football's play of the year. Last Saturday, players from San Antonio's Trinity University pitched the ball back and forth 15 times on the final play of the game to score a touchdown and defeat Millsaps College, 28-24. Just as amazing as watching the on-field action, where the play goes on for more than 60 seconds, is listening to the reaction of announcers Jonathan... more ›

Truesday:  Wednesday Halloween Sheeeeeeet

Truesday: Wednesday Halloween Sheeeeeeet

*The views expressed in Truesday are those of the author and do not represent Austinist as a whole. Thank heavens.* -The Editors Whoo-yeah and all that kind of excitedness, today is HALLOWEEN! You ready? You got all those party invites from all the smooth folk? Got that evite from the chick who you swear you gave your number like, six times already but she still hasn’t fucking called you yet? Oh, well, her party... more ›

News Bits

News Bits

It's official! A California boy playing with matches started a 38,000 acre fire. Victoria's Secret in hot water over releasing scantily-clad dolls. Sex is a no-no in the cabins inside the new jumbo airliner, The Airbus A380. The State of Texas and Travis County are both suing the developer who polluted Hamilton Pool. Remember that military contractor that killed innocent people in Iraq, your government is reportedly granting them immunity. The House passes legislation... more ›

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Extra Extra

Extra Extra

Former Westlake High teacher resigns to teach at a lower-income school; less than pleased, Eanes school district attempts to get him suspended A UT journalism student has a nice chat with Dan Rather during a morning Jet Blue flight from Austin to New York City A routine traffic stop in Hunt County turns up two dozen embalmed human heads in the back of a tractor-trailer A woman in the Dallas/Fort Worth area comes forward with... more ›

Mac Lethal Interview

Mac Lethal Interview

Mac Lethal has been called a “contemporary cross between a folk singer and a stand-up comic” by Rolling Stone – and that dichotomy of inane observation and thought-provoking insight defines his debut album, 11:11. We spoke with Mac Lethal from his tour bus while on the road for the Everybody Loves a Clown Tour with label-mates Grayskul and Atmosphere. That tour bus is currently parked outside of Emo’s, where the Everybody Loves a Clown... more ›

Stitch Preview: Austinist Interviews Freshie and Zero

Stitch Preview: Austinist Interviews Freshie and Zero

Freshie and Zero is made with love and a hammer. Beth Porter is bringing her jewelry line down from Nashville again for the second year in a row. Although she only started her business a year and a half ago, she won last year's $1000 Stitch Grant. Beth says her jewelry is "light and modern, delicate and feminine." Her irregular, one-of-a-kind earrings and necklaces are made from sterling silver or gold filled wire formed into... more ›

Creator Of PostSecret To Speak At UT

Creator Of PostSecret To Speak At UT

If you had the opportunity to tell the world your deepest, darkest secret, would you? Would you do it if you could reveal these feelings behind the anonymity of a postcard? That's the idea Frank Warren had in 2004 when he created PostSecret as a community art project in Washington D.C. The website, which has received multiple awards, now takes in roughly three million new visitors a month and has been visited by over 100... more ›

Obama Coming Back to Austin in Mid November

Obama Coming Back to Austin in Mid November

Senator Barack Obama is coming back to Austin in November. This time around, you'll have to show a little monetary support if you'd like to hear what he has to say—judging from his rousing speech at Auditorium Shores last February, it'll probably be worth it. The charismatic statesman still trails behind Clinton in the national polls, but a recent survey indicates that "rock star" Obama has garnered the most positive press. Tickets are $25 for... more ›

Breaking News: Minor <s>Chemical Attack</s> Pepper Spray Accident in North Austin

Breaking News: Minor Chemical Attack Pepper Spray Accident in North Austin

Several dozen employees at Dell Financial in North Austin were exposed to what authorities believe was pepper spray earlier today. From the Blotter: Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services is reporting that 40 Dell employees have been exposed to a toxic chemical, believed to be pepper spray discharged in an enclosed area at 12234 N. Interstate 35. One person with a history of asthma was taken to St. David’s Hospital. All others refused treatment, according to... more ›

Austinist Show Giveaway: Galactic at Stubb's

Austinist Show Giveaway: Galactic at Stubb's

Galactic brings its annual Halloween bash back to Stubb’s this Wednesday for a grand ole time powered by the band’s funk, jazz and hip hop medleys. Since vocalist Theryl “Houseman” DeClouet left the New Orleans outfit a few years ago, Galactic have largely returned to their days of extensive instrumental jam sessions while also continuing to receive vocal support from the likes of Lyrics Born and Gift Of Gab from Blackalicious. This year’s Galactic... more ›

U.S House Speaker Talks Hybrids and Energy at City Hall

U.S House Speaker Talks Hybrids and Energy at City Hall

Providing incentives for hybrids and investing in renewable technology are just a few of the environmental issues highlighted by U.S House Speaker Nancy Pelosi who spoke at City Hall yesterday. Speaking of her "New Direction Congress", she stood with U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett, city council members, and Austin Energy head Roger Duncan to highlight Austin's leadership in finding alternative energy sources and reducing energy consumptions. According to the Statesman: "The boast of a clean energy... more ›

AFS Essentials Presents: <em>Sugar Cane Alley</em>

AFS Essentials Presents: Sugar Cane Alley

Sugar Cane Alley, the third offering of the current Austin Film Society series Torn From the Motherland: Films from the African Diaspora, introduces us to a young boy named Jose who has grown up in the shanty towns of Martinique. Life in his village has been poor in material possessions, but rich with lessons. He has learned about race relations through his friendship with a child of mixed ethnicity, the bastard son of the Creole... more ›

Austinist Concert Review: Joanna Newsom with the Austin Symphony Orchestra

At the regal Riverbend Centre on Saturday night, Joanna Newsom proved why she’s one of today’s most iconoclastic and oddly appealing musicians: not only did she mesh shockingly well with the ultra-classy Austin Symphony Orchestra, but she also managed to get in trouble for hauling a bottle of Maker’s Mark onto stage. And it’s in this almost-accidental appeal to both sides of the concert-going spectrum—as well as an almost embarrassing wealth of talent—that she... more ›

Snapshots: Mueller Redevelopment; Dense and Denser

Now that the summer rains are finally over, progress on the new Mueller Redevelopment is proceeding at a swift pace. With the credit crunch from the sub-prime market slowing new home construction in many parts of the country and foreclosures rising rapidly, it remains to be seen whether Austin really is as immune as some analysts predict, or is merely a bubble looking for a pin. If you can't view the Flash slideshow above,... more ›

Austin Farmer's Market Makes Greenlight Magazine's Top 10 List

Austin Farmer's Market Makes Greenlight Magazine's Top 10 List

As farmer's markets gain popularity nationwide, Austinites can stand proud as the Austin Farmer's Market does its part to support local farmers. Greenlight Magazine highlights the top 10 markets in the nation in its most recent edition, and Austin hits the list. According to the magazine: This growers-only market is limited to local (within 150 miles) farms, and boasts a distinct Southwestern flavor. Pick up Creole pralines, pecans, as well as heirloom zipper, cream, black-eyed,... more ›

Austinist Preview: Texas Book Festival

Austinist Preview: Texas Book Festival

Usually, street closures around the Capitol hail the arrival of one of Austin's many street festivals, where you can listen to a wishy-washy blues-rocker do his best to channel Stevie Ray Vaughn while you eat a turkey leg amongst a sea of fanny-packed families and homemade jewelry vendors. But once a year it means it's Texas Book Festival time. As literary events go in this town, it is the big one. For two days... more ›

Update: Lemurs Will Open for Stars @ Stubb's Tonight

Update: Lemurs Will Open for Stars @ Stubb's Tonight

You may have already purchased tickets, or you might have been our lucky winner last week (Dax Riggs post-show included), but what you didn't know at the time was that local heartthrobs the Lemurs would be opening. more ›

News Bits!

News Bits!

Gerald Ford accused Bill Clinton of being a sex addict. (We think he was just jealous.) A case of Saint Angelinas, gone terribly wrong. Has the Castro had its day? GM, unafraid of espionage, opens research center in China. Apple no longer accepting cash payments for iPhones so they can track who purchases them. Creepy! Welcome back, Owen.... more ›

Monday, October 29, 2007

Craigslist: Missed Connections

Craigslist: Missed Connections

Same thing, another week. As you move on to the next line on the calendar, you're still out there trying to make a connection. Sadly you let most of them slip by without saying a word. We understand, no one wants to be overzealous and get shot down. If only you had some place to find a second chance. Oh yes, Missed Connections. If only you had someone to sort through and find the... more ›

Extra Extra

Extra Extra

House Speaker Pelosi was in town this morning to talk about energy issues. Have you voted early already? Did you even know election time was upon us? A construction worker was trapped underground for an hour yesterday as he worked on a tunnel for a downtown condo project. Travis County-area man died when the bus he was unloading from his tow truck crushed him. Local car thieves are seemingly in accord over their preferred... more ›

State-Commissioned Report Declares Texas Has Too Many State Reports

State-Commissioned Report Declares Texas Has Too Many State Reports

A new 668-page report by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission has declared that Texas has too many state reports. The 18-month-long project surveyed over 170 agencies, public colleges, and universities, all of whom are required by the State Legislature to generate a periodic report of some sort. The task force anticipated dealing with about 400 of these reports; the final tally exceeded 1,600 before investigators evidently decided they'd had enough. "At first, we... more ›

The Accidental Gentrifist: New Word Order: I Believe (in) Alex Jones

The Accidental Gentrifist: New Word Order: I Believe (in) Alex Jones

The notion that ‘It's not a conspiracy theory if it's actually true,’ is about as spot-on and useful as ‘Golly, she ain’t a witch if she done drown.’ more ›

Austinist Show Preview: Phosphorescent and Weird Weeds at The Cactus Cafe

Austinist Show Preview: Phosphorescent and Weird Weeds at The Cactus Cafe

While working as the label manager for Misra records, Phil Waldorf released albums by many notable local acts like Centro-matic and Shearwater, not to mention records by Athens mainstays Marshmallow Coast and The Mendoza Line. When Waldorf decided to leave the Misra label to start his own Dead Oceans imprint, he took a few bands with him, including Phosphorescent, another Athens project with a big, country-psychedelic bent. Matthew Houck is the main man behind... more ›

Triller: The Intro

Triller: The Intro

Editor's Note: Triller is a new column here at Austinist featuring the latest news and goodies from 512's hip hop scene. The views expressed in this column are the author's, and might not reflect the Ist network as a whole. Enjoy! Rap is, by definition, intensely and inescapably local. It’s a music obsessed (some would say overrun) by its culture, and this culture is divided first and foremost by state, then city, then neighborhood, then... more ›

Upcoming FCC Decision May Make Your Cable Bill Cheaper

Upcoming FCC Decision May Make Your Cable Bill Cheaper

After strong lobbying from AT&T and Verizon, the FCC is expected to announce this week that cable companies won't have monopolies on certain apartment communities anymore. No longer will you be required to use a cable company that your complex signed a contract with if you want to get your Nip/Tuck or Burn Notice fix; such a contract between cable companies and apartment communities will no longer be allowed. Phone companies are happy because this... more ›

Your Weekly IST List

Your Weekly IST List

Highlights for this week: The Royal Family bids adieu to the east side with a giant Halloween bash, featuring DJ sets by Stay Gold, a costume contest, and a whopping 75% off the entire store inventory The Blanton Museum of Art opens up afterhours on Friday for its monthly B scene, with art from the American West and music by the Unfortunate Heads and DJ Spooky Texas Fun Fun Fun Fest takes over Waterloo Park... more ›

KLRU, KVUE, CBS 42 Win Big at 5th Annual Lone Star EMMY Awards

KLRU, KVUE, CBS 42 Win Big at 5th Annual Lone Star EMMY Awards

Several Austin TV stations were honored at last night's 5th annual Lone Star EMMY Awards. One of the evening's big winners was local PBS affiliate KLRU, which garnered 6 awards out of its initial 21 nominations, including three for Downtown (a co-production of KLRU, the Downtown Austin Alliance and Action Figure) and one for the Central Texas community-driven "collaborative collage," Docubloggers. CBS 42's investigative journalist Nanci Wilson scored two wins, for her special feature stories,... more ›

Preview & Giveaway: Helmet Live at Red 7

Preview & Giveaway: Helmet Live at Red 7

No worries if you haven't paid Helmet any mind since the mid-nineties: the band's potent blend of post-hardcore riffing and sarcastic, smart-stupid lyrics made Page Hamilton and Co. underground stars, but it also unwittingly helped usher in the IQ-lowering hordes of nu-metal that sent heavy music into a self-loathing free fall at the turn of the century. That does not, however, discount the fact that Helmet was-and is-one of the most formidable acts in hard... more ›

Food + Wine Event Previews: Domain Sip 'N' Stroll, & Blind Wines At Green Pastures

Food + Wine Event Previews: Domain Sip 'N' Stroll, & Blind Wines At Green Pastures

Sip 'N' Stroll: As a warm-up for next spring's Hill Country Wine and Food Festival, the organization is sponsoring a very enjoyable-sounding Sip 'N' Stroll event at three of The Domain's new restaurants. The concept is simple: you wander from restaurant to restaurant in groups, and each of them serves you a flight of wines and some paired appetizers. NoRTH features Italian eats, so naturally they'll be focusing on Italy's wine varietals. Regan Jasper, the... more ›

Austinist FFFFest Giveaway: Broadcasting Channel Three

Austinist FFFFest Giveaway: Broadcasting Channel Three

Somewhere in between catchy melodies on Stage 1 and pulsating beats on Stage 3 lies a catalog of punk rock bands waiting to rock your nuts off at this year’s Fun Fun Fun Fest. Among them, a punk act from fertile California will occupy Stage 2 at 2:40 p.m. on November 4th. CH3 (that’s Channel Three, not the hydrocarbon unit) formed in 1980 in Los Angeles and their politically charged tracks like “Manzanar” soon became... more ›

Le Diamant Brut: Comrade & Thor Harris

Le Diamant Brut: Comrade & Thor Harris

Once in a while, we like to take some time to introduce you to bands -- both local otherwise -- that we think you'd enjoy. Le Diamont Brut aims to showcase those MySpace gems we hope to see shine. Recommend your local suggestions by emailing music@austinist.com. THOR HARRIS What’s the Deal: It’s hard to resist reviewing an artist named Thor, as in super-brutal, Norse god with a head full of long locks and a giant... more ›

Week Around the -Ists

Week Around the -Ists

The Red Sox has permeated nearly every facet of Bostonist's lives. When they're not live-blogging the games, waxing poetic about the games, thanking Curt Schilling for his splendid work, or telling Dane Cook to watch his hair, they're watching certain presidential candidates hop on the Red Sox bandwagon (sorry, Gothamist). The Sox are so branded on the local brain that people are using the Series to spice up their sex lives. Speaking of spice, Bostonist... more ›

Snapshots: Dr. Dog Dogs the Parish

Dr. Dog played a ramshackle set of rock to a more or less appreciative audience (many of which brought to mind Deadheads of the '60s, '70s and on) at the Parish on Thursday night. Their songs could have used a plastic surgeon to give them at least the superficial appearance of the tight melodies and songwriting of the 'Beatlesesque' moniker they've been awarded in some reviews. The true standout of the evening were openers... more ›

Newz Bits

Newz Bits

Hark! U.S. health care reform cometh, and that right soon! Boston Red Sox win World Series. Homus Neanderthalensis may have been the Earth's first natural redhead. Study suggests that sexual orientation is coded in genetic material. Wired Magazine's review of the new Mac operating system. French president evidently working overtime to reinforce common stereotypes held about the French people. Sacre bleu! New Jersey school proves the true importance of accessories in a Halloween costume.... more ›

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