One week since the death of Esme Barrera and the possibly related attacks on two other women in Austin's West campus area, little in the way of hard, verifiable, information appears to have surfaced. Austin police say they're received “thousands” of tips and are in the process of following up on leads. They have requested that anyone who spoke to Barrera on New Year's Eve or in the early hours of New Year's Day contact them at (512) 477-3588. Meanwhile, we at Austinist have been following the news for you. more ›

Forget what you think you know about Austin’s homeless, this weekend's Art From the Streets: The 2011 Show and Sale is a showcase of their talent. more ›

These 'part time students, part time environmentalists' are holding a community-wide electronics recycling drive at the school this Saturday, May 17th. They'll be accepting all electronics, including computers, televisions, CD players, cellphones, and "whatever you can think of." Items that can be refurbished will be kept; anything else will be properly recycled by Austin-based Round 2 Technologies. more ›

Polls are open from 7am to 7pm. more ›

Travis County DA candidates debate tonight at Dell Jewish Community Center. On Friday when a Secret Service agent wouldn't let a Capitol employee into the building, she got upset and . . . threw a bowl of egg salad at the agent. Man who sold candy to kids at his Austin apartment complex accused of raping two girls 8 years ago. "Scouting ought to be about building character, not about sex": Our own Gov. Perry interviewed in this weekend's NY Times magazine. more ›

The best klezmer-punk band you’ve never heard, Golem are a six-piece from New York who blend old-world Jewish music with a witty repertoire of modern influences. Debuting in 2001, the band really hit their stride in 2006 with Fresh Off Boat, a whirling collection of originals and traditional numbers (including their own version of the Hora, of course) sung in five languages. more ›

If you're interested, drop us a line (editor at austinist.com) with your basic bio (keep it short!) and a writing/photo samples (keep it short!). We'll get back to you in the next couple of weeks if there's a match! more ›

From the event coordinators: more ›

Tonight's your perfect chance to help out one of our own: local uninsured musician Chris Neale faces staggering medical bills after undergoing an emergency operation to remove a ten-pound tumor from his stomach back in October. To help offset some of this financial burden, friend of Austinist Marisa Wall has organized a stellar fundraiser taking place at Moxie and the Compound this evening, with support from a bevy of local businesses. more ›

Though Duncanville, Texas prides itself on being “The Perfect Blend of Family, Community and Business,” the town of 36,000 clearly has a plethora of citizens that like to get their freak on. Together. In large groups. In Jim Trulock’s upscale suburban home on Cedar Ridge Drive. more ›

Photos from this weekend's inaugural Santa Speedo Run, which took place during the Trail of Lights 5K. Check out triman's blog recap for more about this festive fundraiser for Out Youth. more ›

Image from SOS Alliance SOS Holiday Party & Silent AuctionFriday, December 7Mercury Hall (615 Cardinal Lane)$10 Suggested Donation, 7pm - Midnight[info]Tonight, the Save Our Springs Alliance will be hosting their annual Holiday Party and Silent Auction at Mercury Hall. In addition to food, drinks and great people, the event will showcase music by two environmentally-conscience local bands, Bill Oliver's Otter Space Band and The Bouldin Creek Bobkats. The Silent Auction features items from over 300... more ›

Photo courtesy of supersassafrasThe city's Urban Transportation Commission is currently at a crossroads over the future of our quickly-expanding pedicab businesses. As we discovered from The Texan over the weekend, two transportation commissioners are each recommending very different resolutions, hoping to strike a balance between a growing business of bicycles and a growing city whose streets seem to be getting a bit more cramped. There are five registered pedicab companies currently operating in Austin: PediChad,... more ›

Ben Reed & Bill Cope Read Christmas Fiction, Live!Friday, November 30thCafe Mundi (1704 East 5th St.)Free, 8pm - onwardAustinist’s own Benjamin Reed’s doing a Christmas Story reading with Bill Cope! Using real words! This Friday evening! Remember back when words actually meant something? Back when they meant “on paper, in printed form, to be read aloud to people who like hearing stories told by the authors who write them”? Back when books were things... more ›

Photo courtesy austinsantaspeedorun.com Santa Speedo Run at Trail of Lights 5kSaturday, December 8Zilker Park6pm[info]During next weekend's Trail of Lights 5k Run, Zilker Park's festive arrangement of lighted scenes won't be the only eye candy on display. Some steely individuals will get together to participate in Austin's first annual Santa Speedo Run, wearing, as you might have guessed, nothing but the trademark Lycra swim briefs. It's all in the name of good fun, while (informally) fundraising... more ›

Stock.xchng Austin Green DrinksFriday, November 30Opal Divines Freehouse (700 W. 6th)5:30-7:30ish[info]Green drinkers gather once again this Friday at Opal Divines. On tap this month is Brandi Clark - founder of Environmentality Inc. She is also co-chair of the Austin Sustainable Business Council, past chair of the Urban Forestry Board, and founder of the AustinEcoNetwork. Her goal is to create a focal point for environmental issues and information in Austin and raise the dialog about what... more ›

Former White House press secretary Scott McClellan blames President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney for efforts to mislead the public about the role of White House aides in leaking the identity of a CIA operative. Police Chief: "Missing Student Ignored Due to Race." A drunken man broke into a central London park and attempted to have sex with a fence: Daniel French, 24, made "sexual motions" towards metal railings in Leicester Square Gardens... more ›

Sol-Art SOL-ART @ E.A.S.T. Austin Studio TourNovember 17 from 10am-11pm and November 18 from 10am-5pmSOL-ART (1141 Perry Rd)[info]Central Texas living meets sustainability in a new development project called SOL, or Solutions Oriented Living. The new green oasis is three miles east of downtown and will consist of architect-designed, environmentally conscious homes surrounded by 5 acres of oak trees. Some of Austin's finest artists filmmakers, writers, photographers, musicians, and other creative souls will gather in full... more ›

Austin Green Art Austin Green Art Celebrates Third BirthdayFriday, November 16, 6pm-8pmIF+D (208 Colorado)[info]Austin Green Art celebrates its third birthday party at IF+D Gallery, Friday November 16. AGA is an umbrella project of the Austin Community Foundation and produces public programs in collaboration with community partners, artists and community volunteers. Check out the unique projects on the horizon, including AGA's Grow Austin Weird Project, which was initiated in collaboration with the Campus Environmental Center's Gardening... more ›

Photo from City of Austin Tree Planting CeremonySaturday, November 10Zilker Park Rock Gardens (2100 Barton Springs Road)(9am, Volunteers Welcome)[info]In observance of Veterans Day, the City of Austin's Parks and Recreation Department is getting together tomorrow morning to plant 57 trees at the Zilker Park Rock Gardens: A special ceremony will honor the dedication and sacrifice of men and women who have fought to preserve our nation's liberty. Following the ceremony, volunteers organized by Tree Folks... more ›

Logo from Austin Jewish Book Fair Keynote Lecture: "Iraq, Al Qaeda, and the Future of Israel" with Jeffrey Goldberg and Lawrence WrightSunday, November 11Jewish Community Association of Austin (7300 Hart Lane)7:30pm, $12 Gen Ad, $10 Students/Seniors/JCC Members[info] | [tickets] Austin Graphics and Comics Night with Paul Benjamin and Terry and Patty LaBanThursday, November 8Barnes and Noble Westlake (701 S. Capital of Texas)7:30pm, Free[info]Less than four days are left in the 2007 Austin Jewish Book Fair,... more ›

CASA QBsTonight, Nov. 7thDog and Duck Pub (406 West 17th St.)5pm - 7pm[info]CASA of Travis County is looking for a few good men. Facing an unfortunate shortage of male volunteers to match up with a growing number of boys in need, they'd like to present their case over a pint or two and complimentary snacks tonight at The Dog and Duck Pub. A brief primer if you're not familiar with CASA's work: according to... more ›

BookWoman has relocated and been in dire financial straits in the past, but soon when they take their sign down, it might stay down. Photo by tpacific on stock.xchngBookWoman, Texas's only femenist bookstore, is in trouble and in it fifty-large deep. If the store is unable to raise $50,000 by mid-December, they will likely close their doors for good. Austin will lose another independent business to that nebulous mantra of "progress and growth." The road... more ›

Image from RCIS.org Solar Austin Happy HourTuesday, November 6Artz Rib House [map]6:30-8:30pm[info]Solar Austin gathers for their monthly happy hour Tuesday at Artz Rib House. Renowned science fiction author and founder of Viridian Design Movement, Bruce Sterling, will be the featured and the topic will be Future Trends in Solar. Best known for his eight science fiction novels, Mr. Sterling is also a contributing editor of WIRED magazine and a columnist for MAKE magazine. He has... more ›

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 ›

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 ›

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 ›

Starting today, City of Austin is offering free Arabic lessons (written and spoken) to anyone interested. The classes run weekly on Wednesdays through December 5. You'll need to pre-register by calling 512-974-7500 Introduction to Spoken and Written Arabic Austin Public Library - Ruiz Branch 1600 Grove Blvd 6-8pm... more ›

For the past few weekends, a handful of kindhearted volunteers have shown up to a patch of land in southeast Austin to help, literally, raise the roof of one Austinite's dreams. These folks are with the Austin Pride Build, the first-ever Habitat for Humanity project orchestrated by an LGBT community in Texas. Recently, they were honored as a Critics Pick for "Best Hammers of Justice" in this year's Best of Austin poll. "We're proud that... more ›

Last year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas (BBBS-CT) provided over 82,000 hours of mentoring to 1,588 children in Travis, Williamson, McLennan and Brazos counties. This year, they've teamed up with the Neighborhood Longhorns Program (NLP), and are currently recruiting and pairing UT students with children at AISD elementary schools for a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Volunteers are needed to provide educational and social support through mentoring and tutoring for kids ranging from 6 to... more ›