Austinist wondered, "What are the top spots these days to get your wine on?" Certainly one can order a lovely glass of wine most anywhere - but, for the distinguished Austin wino who wants to polish off a beautiful bottle or sample a creative wine flight in a sassy setting, we suggest the following: Vin Bistro Vin Bistro knows how to treat a guest. By far, this is the most excellent service we have enjoyed......

Are you worried about a use of force by APD so great that it warrants a federal investigation? Do you find the rift between the police department and Austin's black community unsettling? Are you satisfied with the choice for Chief? Do you think that APD is doing a great job and has been given a bum rap? Whatever your thoughts, Austin Listening wants to hear from you. The program is looking to get Austinites'......

That Austin City Store we told you about a few weeks ago finally opened last Friday, just in time for you last-minute stragglers to pick up a few local tchotckes for your out-of-town friends. We thought they'd be peddling sweet, sweet wares made by hometown artists and artisans, given that they were adamant about "positively promot[ing] City of Austin services" through locally-made products. Instead, a quick browse through their website turned up the following......

As we drove home last night from our rockin' Happy Hour at the Longbranch Inn, we noticed that a new store has (or will shortly) open in the new 2nd Street shopping area -- and it's a cool one: Design Within Reach. DWR is a store that sells designy stuff - modern chairs, plug-and-playable carpet tiles, fancy kitchen bits - for a slightly more reasonable price than you'd be able to find this stuff......