Jazz has a long and distinguished history in Texas. Like most genres of music developed here, the music has its roots in many cultures. That is why you really should go to at least one of these festivals. The fest in Brownsville will provide an opportunity to hear all the types of Jazz music as developed south of the border that migrated to Texas.

Brownsville 12th Annual Latin Festival

October 9-12, 2008
Various venues in and around Brownsville, Texas

Brownsville Texas is celebrating its 12th Annual Brownsville Latin Jazz Festival with more Grammy Award Winners and Nominees than ever, the World Salsa Dance Champions, free music clinics, free dance lessons, art shows, after-show jams and the premier Salsa dance event of the Rio Grande Valley! Bring the family, stay the weekend, we have great ticket and hotel discount packages! Call 956-831-9590 for more info.

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Another one of my favorite festivals is the Old Settlers Reunion held in Nocona this month. Nocono is a great place to buy a new pair of cowboy boots, if you wear them. Events also include Includes events related to the Chisholm Cattle Trail, cattle drives, bbq chuckwagon dinner.

Gary Nicholson has produced two Grammy winning records and many poplar records.  In 2006, Nicholson was nominated to the Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame. Over four hundred of his songs have been recorded in various genres including country, rock, blues, folk, bluegrass, and pop by such diverse artists as BB King, Garth Brooks, Fleetwood Mac, Bonnie Raitt, Ringo Starr, Willie Nelson, Etta James, John Prine, Dixie Chicks, Stevie Nicks, Emmylou Harris, Keb Mo, George Jones, the Neville Brothers, Waylon Jennings, Del McCoury, Guy Clark and so many more. In addition to his Grammy winning records with Delbert McClinton, who has recorded twenty five of his songs, he has produced records for The Judds, Wynonna, Pam Tillis, T Graham Brown, Chris Knight, and others.

Click HERE for more information.

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Be Vampy…Be Scary…Be Weird…

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Last week, many displaced people from the coast arrived before the storm in Central and at state parks throughout Texas.  While this was a welcome respite from the storm, many remain, trying to make plans for when they can return to their homes.  Or, should I say where there once was a home.

Red Cross Did you know that 1/3 of Texans lives on the Gulf Coast? There are many folk who need help.  Please see what you may do today to make someone’s life a little easier.

Sep. 19 Ike News Update from Texas Parks & Wildlife

10 a.m. CDT — Update 11

Below is information sent by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to the Governor’s Press Office today. The governor’s office is coordinating official communication about Ike for the State of Texas, including TPWD activities. The following information is provided as a service and convenience for TPWD’s audience. For complete information, see the Texas governor’s web site at http://governor.state.tx.us/, or news media may phone the press office at (512) 463-1826.

For complete TPWD Ike news, including dozens of high resolution photos for news media use, go to www.tpwd.state.tx.us/site/emergency.

Texas Game Wardens/TPWD Law Enforcement Division

• TPWD has had approximately 200 game wardens and associated boats and equipment deployed for Hurricane Ike.
• A smaller team of game wardens is today working with local jurisdictions to provide enforcement and assistance on the Bolivar Peninsula, having completed most search and rescue there.
• The bulk of TPWD’s game warden strike teams in the field today are focused on law enforcement patrols, looting prevention and related assistance at the request of affected cities and counties. This includes teamsin the greater Beaumont-Port Arthur area at Vidor, Rose City, Neches River, Sabine River, Cow Bayou, Adams Bayou. It also includes teams in the greater Houston-Galveston area and in various counties in East and Southeast Texas, including Hardin, Orange, Tyler, Polk and Newton Counties.

RE-ENTRY: When Can I Go Home?

REBUILDING: How Do I Put My Life Back Together?

Useful Links

Locating Loved Ones Evacuated by the State
Hurricane Ike Power Outages & Information
Governor’s Division of Emergency Management
Texas Disaster Relief Fund
HHSC - Emergency food stamp help
Register with FEMA
FEMA: Ike Info
Donate or Volunteer through TexasResponds.org

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Come Dance! 2008

Totally Free Event

Butler Dance Education Center
501 W. 3rd St.
Austin  TX  78701

Think you can dance? Want to try? Ballet Austin hosts a day of free dance classes of all types — modern dance, tap, flamenco, hula, jazz, Broadway theater style and yes, ballet. The 40-minute classes start on the hour beginning at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m

There’s also ongoing previews of the family-friendly show Not Afraid of the Dark and a special ‘Nutcracker’ room decked with sets and costumes from the holiday spectacular and ready for your early holiday photo opportunity. Bring the camera and lots of film!

Other things to do in the neighborhood:

Austin Children’s Museum

201 Colorado St, Austin, TX 78701
Near the intersection of Colorado St and W 2nd St
(512) 472-2499 www.austinkids.org

Tuesday - Saturday: 10am-5pm
Community Night Wednesdays: 5-8pm
Sunday: Noon-5pm

Adult: $5.50
Children 2 yrs.and up: $5.50
Children 12-23 months: $3.50
Children under 12 months: FREE

Zilker Park/Barton Springs/Botanical Gardens

Swim Fees
Senior    $1.00
Adult     $3.00
Junior (12-17)   $2.00
Child (11- under)   $1.00
Parking fee at Zilker  $3.00 (March through September)

Bring the family to Austin early and and stay the day.  Picnic in Zilker Park.  Hike or bike the trail around Lady Bird Lake. Swim in the sacred waters of Barton Springs. Ride the train around Zilker Park. Rent a canoe on :Lady Bird Lake.

Austin Duck Adventures

Monday and Tuesday: 2 PM
Wednesday through Friday: 11 AM & 2 PM
Saturday & Sunday: 11 AM, 2 PM & 4 PM

All public tours depart from the Austin Visitor Information Center at 209 E. Sixth Street
Adults - $25.95 + tax
Children (2 and Under) - Free
Children (Age 3-12) - $15.95
Seniors and Students - $23.95 + tax

Bob Bullock State of Texas Museum

Visit the Bob Bullock State of Texas Museum and see The Dark Knight: The IMAX Experience.  Come see Batman six stories high as he fights the Joker and crime in Gotham City.

See the Bats!  See the Bats!

When and Where To See the Congress Avenue Bats:

The best bat views are in August when the young pups join their mothers in the nightly flights. It can take as long as 45 minutes for all the bats to exit the bridge. Flights normally occur around 8 to 8:30 pm but could be earlier or later. Call the Bat Hotline at 416-5700 ext. 3636 for times. In addition to lining up on the sidewalks along the Congress Avenue bridge there are other safer and popular spots for bat-watching:

• Austin American-Statesman public viewing area on the Southeast end of Congress Avenue.
• Cruises on Town Lake are another way to see the bats. Lone Star Riverboat and Capital Cruises offer bat-watching cruises.
• Watch the bats from the Shoreline Bar & Grill, T.G.I. Fridays (in the Radisson Hotel), or the Four Seasons Hotel.

Doesn’t it shound like a great weekend for the family.  Do as much or as little as you wish.  Spend all the time indoors to beat the heat or cool down naturally in Barton Springs.

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BatFest! 2008

This year, the 1st Street Bridge between Cesar Chavez and Riverside Drive will be closed to car traffic while thousands of families enjoy the pedestrian freedom of the bridge. Batfest! will feature arts, crafts, music, food, bat watching, children’s activities and educational displays.

Saturday Aug 30 2 PM until Midnight
Sunday Aug 31 1 PM until 10 PM

Tickets just $5 available day of show at the gate. Children 10 and under Free with an adult.

Average estimated attendance is 40,000!  Watch millions of freetail bats leave the Congress Street Bridge and fly up against the skyline of downtown Austin over beautiful Lady Bird Lake. Enjoy over 30 bands on two stages, buy bat related items, learn about Bat Conservation International, and the important part bats play in our world.

Best Parking on South Side of Bridge:
505 Barton Springs One Texas Center (There is a large garage behind the building).

Best Parking on North Side of Bridge:
1) All meters are free on the weekends 2) There is a paid parking garage under City Hall directly across from the North Entrance 3) State garage just a few blocks away at 3rd and San Antonio streets.

Bike Parking:
Bicycle racks on both ends of the bridge to secure your bike.

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