According to The Real Deal, Trammel Crow Residential has abandoned plans to build a multi-family complex at the site of Mercury Hall in South Austin. It is hard to tell whether this decision was the result of neighborhood objections or the deteriorating residential market. It is also hard to tell whether neighborhood objections were based on a love for the cathedral-cum-wedding venue, the numerous large oaks on the property or general objections to density. In any case, it appears that Mercury Hall will survive, at least until the next massive up tick in local property values....

Besides the wonderful events highlighted by the flyers above, there are a few other shows on New Year's Eve in Austin worth noting: - New Monsoon @ Club 115 - South Austin Jug Band & Dertybird @ Stubb's - Bob Schneider & Two Guy Trio @ Antone's - Dale Watson & Jon Dee Graham @ The Continental Club - The Flametrick Subs & Scott H. Biram @ Emo's Outside - Reckless Kelly @ La......

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......

TUESDAY [17] party • Red Bull Music Academy Info Session, hosted by Prince Klassen, featuring SuperContinent at Beauty Bar (Click to RSVP) books • Mark Regnerus presents Forbidden Fruit at Intellectual Property (5:00pm) books • Mayor's Book Club Author Event with Mayor Will Wynn and Stephanie Elizondo Griest at Mercury Hall (6:00pm) books • Darryl Wimberley presents The King of Colored Town at BookPeople (7:00pm) comedy • Comedians Nathan Timmel, Normal Wilkerson, Robb Loving......

MONDAY [16] film • "The Life and Hard Times of Guy Terrifico" at Alamo Downtown books • Teen Sci-Fi writers Scott Westerfield and Justine Larbalestier at BookPeople (7:00pm) books • The Harlem Renaissance, a panel discussion with Cary D. Wintz, Martha Jane Nadell, and Shirley Thompson at The Harry Ransom Center (7:00pm) film • "A Clockwork Orange" at Alamo Downtown film • Jim Jarmusch's "Down By Law" at Alamo Village food • Central Market......

After vehemently encouraging Austinites to indulge in the splendor of live musical entertainment, Mayor Will Wynn's charisma is now focused on more literary pursuits. Wednesday, March 28th, at 7pm marks the official start of the annual Mayor's Book Club. For the sixth installment of the book club Mayor Wynn has chosen Stephanie Elizondo Griest's Around the Bloc: My Life in Moscow, Beijing, and Havana. To get readers in the mood, the City of Austin is......

FRIDAY [19] film • AFS presents a new 35mm print of The Rules of the Game at Dobie Theatre film • Spike & Mike's Sick & Twisted Festival 2007 at Alamo Downtown (7pm, 9:30pm, 11:58pm) Most events are probably back on schedule, but call ahead just to be sure. music • The Weird Weeds, W-S Burn, Brian Sookram, Jonathan Horne at The Peacock ($3, 9pm) art • Two Mongolian Artists From Two Generations: D.......

We were a little bored just the other evening so we put in our monocles, threw on our spats, had a spoonful of Grey Poupon, hopped in the Bentley, and drove on down to the Triangle where Joe Bedard at Mandola’s Market helped us pick a split of Prosecco and a fine Montepulciano while we waited for our Margherita Pizza and our Bruschetta. Their wine selection is good, and we recommend an extra loaf......

We like to write poems about happy things, Music and flowers and birds with wings. Because our talent shines like a star, We'll be attending the Austin International Poetry Festival. What's up wordsmith? Do you have some deep-seeded, personal problem with the man your parents your gender society that you need to present poetically in a public forum? Are you in the mood to declare your love in rhyming couplets? Got a hankerin' to......

The always fabulous Rude Mechanicals are hostin' a shindig to raise a little dough and give a behind-the-scenes peek into their inner workings. Their invite includes the directive, "let us know you are coming (so we can be sure to have enough wine for everyone!)." Need they say more? The self-described "company that's more fun than a barrel of greased monkeys on trucker speed" is an Austinist favorite, so if you're feeling all philanthropic......

Note: While going downtown this weekend, please don't forget the new rules regarding the TRS parking lot at 11th St. and Red River! : : FRIDAY : : [film] New movies @ your local theater! [party] SOS Holiday Party, 6-11pm @ Mercury Hall - $10 [music] Peel, Fire vs. Extinguisher and Junius @ Beerland [music] Hurts to Purr CD release party, 7pm @ Momo's - $10 [in-store] The Black Angels, Sound of Confusion, Rescue......

The Save Our Springs Alliance may have lost its bid to prevent AMD from building atop the aquifer near 290 and William Cannon, but that's not stopping them from celebrating the holiday season tonight. At Mercury Hall in South Austin, they're hosting a general bacchanal, with "smoked salmon from Chataugua River School, Veggie Tamales from White Mountain Foods, goodies from Manuel’s, Sweet Leaf Tea, Tito’s Vodka, Frozen Margaritas, Shiner Beer," dancing and a silent......

Reader Kenny writes: Any chance somebody might do a roundup on cool wedding venues in austin? On the hunt and looking for resources... Ah, June. We’ve never personally tied the knot in Austin, but we found a few resources to help y’all do it right. First things first. Get your license. Here’s a great resource about that. Now where to get married? You could do the church thing in South Austin at Mercury Hall,......