A recently released survey by the Corporation for National & Community Service ranks Austin as having the third highest rate of volunteerism in the nation, bested only by Minneapolis-St Paul and Salt Lake City. Based on census data collected between 2004-2006, the report indicates that over 38% of Austinites—roughly 482,000 folks—are involved in some kind of volunteer work. This percentage is considerably larger than our statewide figure, which hovers at just below 28%. Most Austinites......

For the sixth year in a row, MovieMaker Magazine has ranked Austin in the top 3 of its “Top Ten U.S. Cities to Live and Make Movies” list. And though we’ve slipped a little this year (we sat at number two for the last two years, just behind New York City), we still beat the crap out of Shreveport, which feels pretty good. Moviemaker cited the “unique education and support that the [Austin] community fosters......

Blame it on the guy unless he pulls-out. Semen may contribute to cervical cancer. We'll never look at Indian food the same again. Philanthropist Warren Buffet got married to his longtime sweetheart on his 76th birthday. Bush delivered practically the same speech, sometimes verbatim, to a crowd in Salt Lake City. We don't need no stinking helmets. Chew your food. Watch out for drunk drivers this weekend and shoppers out for the Labor Day......

When we first got geared up to move to Austin, someone told us Austin was "bordering on lazy," which pleased us. Now, we have something to back up such blanket statements: Austin/San Marcos has been named one of the top "Chill Together" cities in the country. Austin ranked 9th on the list put out by Sperling's BestPlaces and Bailey's Irish Cream (who, of course, would like to remind you to drink responsibly). Among Austin's......

Austin will be home to the first-ever Spanish-language 24-hour sports station. As if we don't have enough moronic locals calling in to radio stations to talk high school football and give their weak takes on the NBA, now we can have it in Spanish, as well. ESPN Deportes will debut on KWNX-AM (1260 AM) late this summer. The station had previously been carrying the same programming as 1530 AM, which we never really understood.......

It's not exactly Ronaldo, Zidane and Totti, but it is some of the best soccer the States has to offer, as the MLS comes to the Austin area tomorrow night. The MLS Austin Cup will feature our neighbors to the east, Houston 1836, versus Real Salt Lake (undoubtedly the two worst major league sports franchise names in the country). The game will be hosted by The Austin United Capital Soccer Club and will be......

We’re surprised to report that we’ve recently been inspired by something related to the Olympics. Bode: Go Fast, Be Good, Have Fun, by Olympic ski racer Bode Miller in conjunction with reporter Jack McEnany, reads like Tao of Jeet Kune Do as told by Bertie Wooster and is our favorite sports-related book since Jose Canseco’s. Miller, who has two silver medals from Salt Lake City and won the 2005 World Cup overall title, has whiffed......

For those of you who shelled out the big bucks to go see David Gray Thursday at The Backyard, we have some bad news. Due to laryngitis and an upper respiratory infection, Gray has cancelled his remaining US Tour Dates. Check his website to find out about rescheduling for the show in early 2006. Tickets for this week’s show will be honored for the rescheduled show. Below is a press release from his site......

Tomorrow night, the Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival (aGLIFF) hosts the 5th Annual My Gay Movie (MGM) screening and awards ceremony, intended to give recognition to up-and-coming filmmakers across the country - with an emphasis on those in Austin, naturally. Last year's award categories still crack us up: · Best exploitation of household pets · Best impersonation of character from Gone With the Wind · Best lesson on accessorizing · Best product......