April 24, 2012
Researchers Study Habits of Texting Teens
Millions of texts and e-mails from Texas teens who agreed to participate in a four year study could shed new light on the life of the American teenager.
April 2012 – Page 2 of 3
Eat My Words
April 24, 2012
Gail Simmons on Austin vs. New York, Paul Qui, and Texas summers
There aren’t many Anna Wintours out there in the world. In fact, most magazine editors generally prefer to stay hidden from the glare of media exposure. Glued to recorders and notepads, they are the ones who conduct interviews, the ones who bury themselves
Politics & Policy
April 23, 2012
“Why don’t the state’s business leaders stand up to Perry?”
This was the headline of Patricia Kilday Hart’s strong column in the Houston Chronicle last week. It asks a good question. Her focus is on the Greater Houston Partnership. I asked a similar question a couple of years ago–why isn’t the business community more involved in state government?–and
Politics & Policy
April 23, 2012
Former A&M president, distinguished alumnus, assail regents
Writing in The Eagle, the newspaper for Bryan-College Station, president emeritus Ray Bowen and distinguished alumnus John Hagler charge that A&M regents have “failed the university.” The article appeared on April 21, San Jacinto Day, the most important date on the Aggie calendar. This is the day on
Politics & Policy
April 23, 2012
Mom Buys Billboard to Support Daughter’s Prom Queen Bid
A Killeen mother recently took out a billboard to promote her daughter's prom queen bid. Has helicopter parenting jumped the shark?
Eat My Words
April 23, 2012
Chefs on the Austin Food & Wine Festival
We asked some of the chefs attending the Austin Food & Wine Festival what they are most looking forward to this weekend and here is what they had to say… “I am looking most forward to interacting with some of the
April 23, 2012
Prom Queen Charged for Faking Leukemia
Angie Gomez, a Horizon City prom queen, was charged with theft by deception for allegedly telling people she was dying of cancer and collecting thousands in donations from her community.
Critters
April 22, 2012
“Sharkboy” Hunter Hooks Another Big One
A fisherman and his 9-year-old son reel in sharks and reality TV producers from their kayak off the Galveston coast.
Sports
April 22, 2012
How Long Will Larry Brown Coach SMU?
And does it matter? Southern Methodist University's hiring of the famously well-traveled hoops coach has already paid off with big headlines.
Politics & Policy
April 21, 2012
“Who ran the worst campaign?”
Politicalwire.com has an online poll that asks the question, “Which Republican candidate ran the worst campaign?” The editors write: This isn’t an easy question: Of the Republican presidential candidates, who ran the worst campaign? Explain your answer in the comments. Who ran the worst campaign? Michele Bachmann
Politics & Policy
April 20, 2012
Specter of Ron Paul invasion haunts Texas Republicans
This email was circulated by a longtime Republican activist: If you are in Travis County proper, we desperately need you to come the the Republican county convention this Saturday because all hell is breaking loose with the street scum the RP people are recruiting to help them overturn the rules
Politics & Policy
April 20, 2012
State threatens to end Women’s Health Program if Planned Parenthood wins federal lawsuit
From the San Antonio Express-News: State officials will have to end a key women’s health program if Planned Parenthood wins a legal battle to continue participating, Texas’ solicitor general told a federal judge Thursday. “In the end, Planned Parenthood would rather shut down the Women’s Health Program in its
Business
April 20, 2012
Texas Business Report: Math Standards Divide State
The Texas Association of Business criticizes the State Board of Education's math curriculum and working in Texas pays off for women.
April 20, 2012
UT-Dallas Researchers Make Phones with ‘X-Ray’ Vision Possible
The future is here! Engineers from the University of Texas at Dallas have uncovered how to make camera phones that see through walls.
Energy
April 20, 2012
How the State Could Lose $4.4 Billion in Revenue
If oil and gas drilling is considered "manufacturing" instead of "mining," the industry effectively receives a huge tax exemption.
Politics & Policy
April 20, 2012
Perry backs Dewhurst for Senate
This ought to end any speculation about whether there is a real contest for Hutchison’s Senate seat. Now there is no race, though there never really had been one from the beginning. Dewhurst was a cinch to win. Too much money, too much name I.D, too insignificant opposition. He was
The Culture
April 20, 2012
Austin Sees the Original Unaired “Party Down” Pilot
Rob Thomas, the Austin-based writer and producer whose next project is an HBO pilot with Ira Glass and Owen Wilson, also said a Party Down movie is still in the works.
Politics & Policy
April 19, 2012
The liberals are coming! The liberals are coming!
This following email was sent by Denise McNamara, the former Republican National Committeewoman for Texas: Fellow Conservatives: Our conservative GOP platform is under attack! Under the guise of “simplifying” the RPT platform, liberal activists are organizing in an attempt to gut our conservative planks. It’s time to rally the troops.
News & Politics
April 19, 2012
Cockfight Becomes Gunfight in the Valley
Three dead and eight injured as masked gunmen ambush cockfight at a ranch northeast of Edinburg.
Politics & Policy
April 19, 2012
Perry pledge puts lawmakers on the spot
The governor’s support of new fiscal restrictions on state government has one clear effect: undercutting what conservatives achieved in the 82nd Legislature. Perry is essentially saying, “They didn’t do enough, and I will do what they should have done.” In a single stroke, he denies lawmakers credit for the most
Politics & Policy
April 18, 2012
AGENDAWISE: Texas conservative roundtable is a fraud (and they don’t like the Texas Tribune either)
NOTE TO READERS: IN MY INITIAL POST, I MISTAKENLY ATTRIBUTED THE ATTACK ON THE TEXAS CONSERVATIVE ROUNDTABLE AND THE TEXAS TRIBUNE TO THE YOUNG CONSERVATIVES OF TEXAS. IN FACT, THE INFORMATION CAME FROM AGENDAWISE. I REGRET THE ERROR AND THE CONFUSION, AND I HAVE UPDATED AND CORRECTED THE POST. From
Arts & Entertainment
April 18, 2012
A Lifetime of Achievement for Gary Cartwright
The beloved Texas writer recently received the Texas Institute of Letters' Lon Tinkle Award for Lifetime Achievement. In his acceptance speech, he offered up a bit of advice for budding writers.
Food & Drink
April 18, 2012
Texas’s Five Most Delicious Invasive Species
Could eating invasive species be the best way to get rid of them?
Books
April 17, 2012
Fightin’ Words: Larry McMurtry v. the People of Marfa
The grumpy Texas literary legend rips the Texas art and music mecca in his review of a new book about Elizabeth Taylor, calling Marfa "as bleak a place as you'll find in America."
Politics & Policy
April 17, 2012
A kinder, gentler political climate? Update: ALEC surrenders
Last week (4/14) I wrote an article, based on several developments that had occurred in recent days, raising the possibility that our overheated politics might be making a turn to the mild side. I mentioned the backlash against Rush Limbaugh for his attack on Georgetown University law student Sandra Fluke;
Eat My Words
April 17, 2012
Bruno Davaillon talks new cookbook, Dallas food, and how he’s different from Dean Fearing
In late 2009, French chef Bruno Davaillon arrived at The Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek with a brave mission: to honor the legacy of Dean Fearing‘s elegant, media-darling restaurant while
Politics & Policy
April 17, 2012
Dewhurst on the Perry pledge
This is his official statement: “Governor Perry and I have worked closely over the last nine years to limit the size of government and balance the budget without raising taxes on Texas taxpayers. The budget objectives proposed by Governor Perry will reinforce the fiscally conservative principles that Republicans lawmakers have
Music
April 17, 2012
Exclusive: Listen to Todd Snider’s New Jerry Jeff Tribute Album
Hear singer-songwriter Todd Snider's new album, Time as We Know It: The Songs of Jerry Jeff Walker, before it's released in stores on April 24.
Politics & Policy
April 17, 2012
Ted Nugent Puts Obama in His Sights
Stumping for Mitt Romney at the NRA convention, the rock star proclaims that he "will either be dead or in jail by this time next year" if President Barack Obama is reelected.
April 17, 2012
What Would a “Commercial Cape Canaveral” Do for Brownsville?
Will SpaceX build a launch site for its commercial spacecraft in Brownsville?
The Culture
April 17, 2012
The Collapse of Anusara Yoga
John Friend, the founder of Anusara yoga, recently found himself engulfed in a scandal that has piqued the national media's interest. Mimi Swartz reports on the Texas takeaway and what this means for the homegrown practice.
Sports
April 17, 2012
Meet Cassandro: The Openly Gay, Cross-Dressing Luchador
The El Paso Times profiles the 41-year-old "exotico," a 24-year veteran of the lucha libre circuit.
Politics & Policy
April 16, 2012
Straus won’t sign Perry pledge
Straus’s statement on the Perry pledge: “Speaker Straus not only agrees with the principles outlined in Governor Perry’s compact but also has delivered results on them, leading the House to balanced, no-new taxes budgets, preserving a strong Rainy Day fund and being one of the only legislators ever to lead
The Culture
April 16, 2012
What about Those Dinosaurs in “The Tree of Life”?
One of the most talked-about scenes in Terrence Malick's Oscar-nominated film finally explained.
Politics & Policy
April 16, 2012
Grover Norquist Perry
The Texas Tribune had a story yesterday by Ross Ramsey about Perry’s fight to stay relevant (my characterization, not Ramsey’s). From the Trib: On Monday, he will unveil a financial pledge and challenge candidates in Texas to sign on, agreeing to oppose new taxes and tax increases, to
Business
April 16, 2012
Jeff Skilling Gets Denied. Again
The Supreme Court rejected the ex-Enron CEO's latest appeal, a move that is hardly surprising to most Houstonians.
Music
April 16, 2012
Want to Sleep in Farrah Fawcett’s Bedroom?
The Corpus Christi ranch house where the bombshell lived during high school can be yours for $215,000.
Politics & Policy
April 15, 2012
Could Ron Paul supporters overwhelm the GOP Senate district conventions?
This e-mail went out to party regulars over the signature of Bill Crocker, Republican national committeeman: Please plan to attend the SD [Senate District] conventions next Saturday and bring all your friends. We need to be sure we are not overwhelmed by the Ron Paul people, who still want to
Politics & Policy
April 14, 2012
A kinder, gentler political climate?
Is something happening out there? Has a subtle shift occurred in political discourse? Dallas talk radio host Mark Davis is off the air, writes the Star-Telegram‘s Bud Kennedy. Apparently, WBAP, the station on which he has appeared for the past eighteen years, has been bought by Cumulus Media. Redstate.com is
Politics & Policy
April 13, 2012
Senate hopefuls battle to stalemate in Belo debate
The debate was contentious from the start. The moderator immediately brought up the text message Ted Cruz sent to Craig James a couple of days before the debate, suggesting that James ask Dewhurst why he had chosen to skip 32 candidate forums. James had responded that Cruz was trying to
Politics & Policy
April 13, 2012
Tennessee passes “intelligent design” law; governor will let it become law
Note to readers: the law passed earlier this week. Well, what would you expect of a state that was the scene of the Scopes “Monkey” trial in 1925? Could this happen here? Could Perry label it an “emergency” issue? Remember, when asked in New Hampshire by a young boy whether
Business
April 13, 2012
Texas Business Report: The State Sues Apple
Texas joins fourteen other states in a lawsuit against Apple, AT&T dumps the Yellow Pages, and Mattress Firm will get a great night's sleep after it becomes the largest bedding chain in America.
Eat My Words
April 12, 2012
Uchi and Uchiko Sweep Three Categories in First Annual CultureMap Tastemaker Awards in Austin; Congress’ David Bull Takes Best Chef Trophy
Uchi and Uchiko together swept the first annual Austin CultureMap Tastemaker Awards gala on Thursday night at the Driskill Hotel, taking three prizes out of seven. The two sibling restaurants won for best restaurant, best decor and atmosphere, and best pastry chef (Philip Speer). The crowd in
Business
April 12, 2012
Nude Maids Make Lubbock Feel Filthy
Lubbock was rocked by news of a nude housecleaning service this week. Three other jobs where people bare it all on the job.
The Culture
April 12, 2012
Harry Ransom Center’s Ever-Expanding Archives
The acquisition of the California fiction writer's papers aligns with the center's new mission of "literary-canon formation."
Music
April 12, 2012
Ian McLagan to be Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Austin finally sees its first resident accepted into the venerable institution.
Politics & Policy
April 12, 2012
Former Lt. Governor Ratliff endorses Lookadoo
Mary Lookadoo, the school superintendent in Mineola, was a late entrant into the race against incumbent Bryan Hughes. Ratliff”s endorsement reads, in part: “I don’t often get involved in campaigns. I was happy to serve my area and my state in the Texas Senate, but have taken a step back
Eat My Words
April 12, 2012
Tiff’s Treats finally makes it to Houston
Baking is a courting ritual. For years, boyfriends and girlfriends have crafted homemade cookies, Betty Crocker cakes, and candy confections in the hopes of wooing the object of their desire. In fact, it is this very gesture that lead to the creation of Tiff’s Treats,
April 11, 2012
Gender Division Doesn’t Add Up
A new study from UT Austin researchers finds math teachers are seeing more than just the numbers when they evaluate students' competence.
The Culture
April 11, 2012
Fightin’ Words: Michael Corcoran v. Terry Sawyer
Another battle for Austin's soul divides a community.