The full calendar for this year’s Homeslice Carnival has been released! Head on down to 1415 South Congress this Saturday, 11/19, from 12-9pm for a slew of family-oriented, pizza-lovin’ fun. A midway, open from noon until 6, will feature The House of Beauty, an ol’ fashioned Picture Booth, Pee Wee Pizzaiolo, and a classis Bouncy House for the kids. All proceeds benefit Austin Bat Cave, a non-profit writing program for Austin youth. more ›

The producers of Supernanny have a new show on the way: World's Strictest Parents. Casting will be in Austin this week looking for parents willing to school young punks take a rebellious teenager into their home and deal with them firmly. The showrunners are eager to find "parents with unique interests; parents with strong family values; conservatives; farmers; parents with devout religious beliefs; academics; eco-friendly parents; and parents who have ordinary or extraordinary circumstances." Casting is also looking for rebellious teens who want a break from their parents, specifically "teens with unique interests; technically savvy teens; hippies; urbanites; slobs; surfers; affluent teens; liberals; defiant teens; and teens who have ordinary or extraordinary circumstances." Interested? Call 1-888-418-3367. [World's Strictest Parents site] more ›

The stories of two families collide in Sin Nombre, the first feature film from Writer/Director Cary Joji Fukunaga, which will screen as part of the Spotlight Premier category of SXSW. As anyone who grew up in Texas, or any of the border states, can tell you, the people of southern and central America who dare to dream of a life above that determinate line in the sand will risk everything that they have to provide a better life for themselves and their family. more ›

Okay, so last week I was waxing philosophical on the holiday-inspired urge to maybe off oneself. This week, in the interest of being just a little less dreary out of respect for you goofballs that wear flashing mini-Christmas light necklaces to the office and get off on the whole White Elephant crap, I’m offering up some suggestions for Those Who Insist on Enjoying the Goddamned Holidays. But first, you must listen to what has inspired me to be ever so slightly less curmudgeonly this season, and no, it has nothing to do with watching The Grinch or It’s a Wonderful Life. Instead, two other things—one deeply personal, the other crassly commercial— drive me this year. more ›

Earlier today Diedre Blackburn of Round Rock pled guilty to going with her 16-year-old son on a short bank robbing spree in December 2007 and January 2008. In all, they robbed four banks in the town of Round Rock. Her son, Charles Blackburn Jr., is now 17; he has already been tried as an adult, convicted for two of the robberies, and sentenced to 30 years in jail. Ms. Blackburn today was sentenced to 35 years in jail for her part in the crimes. [KEYE via Twitter] more ›

Zachary Scott Theatre's presentation of Seussical might not be the best "My First Musical" experience, but small theatre-goers will enjoy its swift pace and bright visuals, while Mom and Dad delight in the brightest members of its ensemble. more ›

Sarah, the youngest, had met someone at work and had told a friend her father "would kill her if he found out." The police are afraid that this phrase may have been an ominous foretelling instead of teenage hyperbole. more ›