Most Americans think waterboarding is torture...but some still think we should go ahead and do it. Whaaaa? No more booze on the beach in San Diego for one year. Buzzkill. Big mudslide hits Chiapas. Portland solidifies position as Bike City, USA. Please, take us with you! Newest trendy food ingredients: chemicals. Vermont is now the nation's healthiest (yuppiest) state. Hollywood writers go on strike - will other Tinseltown workers support them? Barack Obama will.......

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......

Hey, thanks Austin! We're thrilled that you chose us as your 2007 Best of Austin pick for Local "Fun" Web Site. Needless to say, it's a tremendous honor to be recognized two years in a row (last year, we tied with the Chronicle itself for Best Local Entertainment Web Site). We solemnly swear that we'll continue to entertain and, on those lucky occasions, enlighten you with the best in Austin culture and news. And, to......

Daron Shaw, a Government professor at the University of Texas at Austin, recently asked the question: Do Texans hold the same extreme opinions on certain hot-button issues as many of our state representatives and senators would have us believe? Are the polarizing stances on issues like, say, immigration, gay rights, abortion and religious expression taken by our state lawmakers actually reflective of the voters that they represent? Or are Texas politicians just creating fault lines......

Saturday evenings at SXSW are usually a disappointment. Everyone is tired, bands are weary, and lines seem to be at a peak. Last year, our Saturday was completely transformed when we attended Hot Chip's showcase at The Parish. Despite some equipment troubles, the band's mix of electronics, enthusiasm, and tough-guy lyrics had the crowd dancing and roaring approval to the point that the floor quaked. Since then, the group have won NME's single of......

The ultra-luxe Lake Austin Spa Resort was recently named the number two "destination spa" in Conde Nast Traveler's Spa Poll 2007. Considered the "Academy Awards of the travel industry," Conde Nast's annual reader rankings hailed the Central Texas resort for its location and setting--how could you compete with this kinda view?-- and cuisine. "It's not about how many classes you have, or how big your property is -- it's about listening to guests and understanding......

The Austin Chronicle kicked off its 19th Annual Restaurant Poll yesterday with a ballot deadline of April 23. Each year the Chronicle covers all the bases from best comfort food to best bathrooms to best wine list. The results will be featured in the May 18 issue of the Chronicle. Here's who we're voting for: FAVORITE RESTAURANT One: El Gringo Two: Vespaio Enoteca Three: Uchi BEST DISHES Appetizers: The Bar at the Roaring Fork......

This was not a very happy week for the -ist network as one of our own, Phillyist co-editor Star C. Foster, passed away early in the week. Her wit, intelligence, and good nature shone through the site, making Phillyist an immensely fun read. She was loved by many and will be missed by all. Phillyist paid tribute to her this week with a heartfelt letter to her and an obituary. And now, the awkward......

Just when you thought you’d fulfilled your civic duty, along comes AmericanStyle magazine. The bi-monthly publication that bills itself as the nation’s premier arts lifestyle magazine for enthusiasts, collectors and travelers is holding its annual poll on the nation’s Top 25 American Arts Destinations. Voters can visit the magazine's website and vote for cities in three categories, broken down by size. A paper ballot will also be available in the February 2007 issue of AmericanStyle......

Former Texas State Rep. Rick Green shoved and then punched State Rep. Patrick Rose, Dem. Dripping Springs, while outside a polling place at Sunset Canyon Baptist Church. A poll worker has been arrested for allegedly choking a voter in Kentucky. Faith Hill is super pissed that she did not win best female country vocalist of the year. Britney Spears is filing for divorce from K-Fed. Here are some very early election returns in the......

If you've become increasingly bored with the Old Lions of student media at The University of Texas, you may want to consider an alternative. The Daily Texan, once considered the legit alt-paper when this was still a one-horse town, was ousted by The Austin Chronicle long ago, and now tends to offer minimal reporting that increasingly looks more like any other college daily than the proud former home of Willie Morris and Bill Moyers.......

Ed Note: Corrections below. Whether to make way for the latest loft development or for personal reasons, two of Austin's more interesting art galleries will bid adieu this weekend. Gallery Lombardi, after being voted Best Art Gallery (alongside Women & Their Work) in this year's AusChron Readers Poll, is being forced to vacate their premises as construction begins on the $70 million Spring condominium project. They're hosting an "End of the World" Party that......

As if the folks at Salvage Vanguard Theater didn't have enough going on.... In the midst of touring The Intergalactic Nemesis, winning a Best of Austin award, and birthin' babies, the intrepid SVTers are also producing the world premiere of Caridad Svich's Thrush: A Play with Songs, opening tonight at 8pm. Earlier this week, our own Matt Wright snapped a few photos of rehearsals.......

Fresh off being awarded a Best of Austin nod, GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS -- Austin's longest-running improvisational troupe -- headline at the Vortex with their signature improvised musical this weekend. Using a suggestion from the audience, the GIRLS make up songs, dances, characters, and stories on the spot through the use of plot-driven musical theatre. Saturday's show features live accompaniment by John Ratliff. [Girls, Girls, Girls official website] GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS Saturday, October 14th The......

We really weren’t expecting this, so we had nothing prepared (except for this little scribbled-upon cocktail napkin). But, we do want to thank a few people… First and foremost, thanks to all of our readers who voted Austinist as the Best Local Entertainment web site in the Austin Chronicle's Readers' Poll. Each of our wonderful contributors, as you may have read, does this for the sheer enjoyment derived from promoting and celebrating the creative community......

Anyone else notice the political campaign ads in our right-hand sidebar? (Even Pinkdome is running the same punchy little number, cuz blog runnaz gots tah get PAID, know whut I’m sayin’ mang!). It’s a cute little message from everyone’s good friend “Granny”. Or whatever other discomfortingly familial name she wants total and complete strangers to call her. Except for the convicts, probably. They aren’t allowed into poll booths, so fuck ‘em. ...

We all know that "Austin City Limits" is one of the finest television shows in the country. The intimate venue provides an enchanting atmosphere in which musicians can feel at home. Ever since we started watching it as wee ones in the 70s, we've been in love. It seems others share our passion. Paste Magazine's The Best 24 Hours on Television issue has named "Austin City Limits" the best place for music on television. "Austin......

*Update: The Statesman has reported that deputies unnecessarily used tasers on Tarell Brown and Tyrell Gatewood before their arrest Monday morning. Jamie Balagio, attorney for the players, says that a tape of the arrest should be made public.* Update: Starting cornerback Tarell Brown and reserve safety Tyrell Gatewood, arrested for marijuana and gun possession, will not play against Ohio State on Saturday. The AP released its latest college football poll today, and, after a strong......

KXAN reported today on the openly gay Austinite who tried to enlist in the military earlier this week and was promptly shot down by recruiters at the U.S. Army Recruiting Office. And while the situation is newsworthy in and of itself, if not something of an ideological quagmire, it's the responses to KXAN's online poll -- "Should an openly gay person be allowed to serve in the U.S. military?" -- that have us fascinated. Check......

Dry weather conditions are giving homeowners headaches by causing foundation problems and water pipe breaks. Don't forget to water your foundation, pets, plants and yourself, but conserve as much as possible. Happy Texas Summer! A recent CBS 42 poll shows a high disapproval rating for Gov. Rick Perry. We believe this is a direct result of all our Kinky & Cougar goober coverage. The U.S. Marine Corps will begin to recall troops on an......

Democratic goobernatorial candidate Chris Bell is demanding that Carole Keeton Cougar Rylander Strayhorn return $29,500 she received from members of the Zachry Family, which owns Zachry Construction Corp. Zachry Construction is involved in a partnership to develop the first phase of the Trans-Texas Corridor, which includes 4,000-plus miles of tollways. What bothers Bell is that this is the same project that Strayhorn has spoken out against publicly. In other Grandma Cougar news: Kinky wants......

As thespian, musician, Anime voice artist, creator of KUT's local music profile Before the Break and much, much more, Austinite Laurie Gallardo is easily one of the busiest people we've ever met. She also happens to be wonderfully charismatic -- a trait, no doubt, that helped earn her recognition as one of Austin's two "Sultry New DJs" in last year's Chronicle poll. Before the Break is a series of podcasts focused on the Central Texas......

It's that time of year again, Austin. Although it seems like it happens about three times a year, the Austin Chronicle is conducting its annual Best Of Austin poll. While we obviously have certain favorites (Laguna Gloria, Curra's, El Chile, Mi Madre's, Eastside Cafe, Vespaio, the Backyard, the Parish, Continental Club, Hotel San Jose, DJ Prince Klassen, the Draugh Horse, Gingerman, Lovejoy's, Flipnotics, Casino El Camino, Club DeVille, the Off Center, KUT, KLRU, Quorum......

Sharon Mays dug in her heels a few years ago and turned a dumpy old Short Stop into the freshest fast food joint south of the Colorado. She's quick with the humor, sure, but her work is full of substance. A few questions ... when did Baby Greens open? Are the suspicions that it was an old Short Stop restaurant true? Who did beautiful art on the walls? Baby Greens opened on January 8,......

If you're planning a summer road trip, you're gonna wanna do some research. To help inform your decision, here's a link to the latest state poll results on the president's approval rating. (And we imagine the numbers got a bit of a bump from his latest attempt to regulate immigration.) Here's a hint: don't go to Idaho or Utah. Interestingly, the first times we went to those two states we remarked that they might......

Random figures collected over the past two weeks: Number of voter signatures collected by Kinky Friedman's staff: 169,574 [reference] Percentage of Americans who believe that "things have pretty seriously gotten off on the wrong track," according to a new Harris poll: 69% [reference] Minimum cost of new sprinkler system to be installed in Zilker Park over the next three years, perhaps eventually rendering ACL Fest actually bearable: $500,000 [reference] Minimum peak computing power of......

So, Quentin is back. While he wades through pre-production on Grind House, Mr. Brown is showing seven nights of highlights from past QT festivals. The main event is sold out, but tomorrow night's outdoor double feature still has tickets available as of 3pm today. The Glenn's movie bill features the first films ever shown at QT Fest: The Savage Seven (1968) and Hollywood Man (1976). Both of these are biker movies, in case the......

Has the plastic banner in front of your favorite eatery seen better days? Are you deeply shamed to be buying donuts at a shop that hasn't won an award since 2002? Help your hometown culinary heroes gain the recognition they deserve. The Austin Chronicle Restaurant Poll wants your two cents on your favorite Austin restaurants. The poll is open through today so vote now or forever hold your peace. We know we'll be waiting......

Just because you were highlighted by American Theater Magazine as one of the country’s Hot, Hip, and on the Verge performance companies, or the Austin Chronicle called you Best Theatre for a Fresh Look, or you’ve been nominated for four B. Iden Payne Awards (and counting) – does that mean you can officially resign yourself to the hallowed artistic halls of pretentious slacker-dom? Apparently not. We wandered over to the Blue Theater this past......

Laurie Gallardo, KUT's resident music podcaster extraordinaire and one of our favorite personalities in town, is back with another episode of Before the Break, the show that led the Austin Chronicle to dub her one our city's "Sultry New Deejays" in last year's Best of Austin polls. This time she's chatting with What Made Milwaukee Famous: Eklektikos host John Aielli described them as a group immersed within a collection of “intriguing musical palettes.” While......