TODO Austin April 2010

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512.538.4115 From the city that delivered New Orleans its Super Bowl winning QB, Drew Brees, comes the Louisiana Swamp Thing and Crawfish Festival on Saturday, April 10. The raging Cajun-themed event features the best in Bayou State cuisine prepared by concessionaires from Louisiana and Texas. Highlights include 5,000 pounds of crawfish, juju mamas, late night burlesque, beads and tokens. Cajun, zydeco, funk, brass bands, blues, rock and jazz music will fill the air. $15. Guadalupe and 4th Street. www.roadwayevents.com.

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Antone’s (213 W. Fifth) hosts the third annual Corporate Battle of the Bands, a fundraising contest/concert benefitting Health Alliance for Austin Musicians. Ten acts made up of business professionals who dabble in music as a hobby compete in front of celebrity judges (Johnny Goudie, Matt Hickey, Andy Langer and Kathy Valentine; Kevin Connor emcees), friends, co-workers and families. Tuesday, April 20. Admission is $5. 6-11:55 p.m.

Austin lives spiritually on the Fusebox Festival, a rite of spring where contemporary art dwells with performance. Running from Wednesday, April 21 through Sunday, May 2 at various locations, Fusebox features over forty stimulating presentations from theatre to dance to film, an Alpha and Omega of modern examinations of artistic models. Some 450 entertainers from near and far perform in events ranging from large public spectacles to intimate experiences.

It’s Austin by the sweat of its heart. www.fuseboxfestival.com.

contributors

Founder and Owner of Bemba Entertainment, Brandon Ramiro Badillo gears up to celebrate his biggest supporter. Read about his Mother’s Day event on page 5.

Community advocate Harish Kotecha celebrates the opening of a Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple in Cedar Park.

Story on page 7.

Founder and publisher of Asian Austin at www.

AsianAustin.com, Yvonne Lim Wilson is ready to race. Read about the Austin Dragon Boat Festival on page 7.

Food writer and yogini Julia Lee discourses on the ‘Next New Old Thing’ on page 14. Let’s eat!

The George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center (1165 Angelina Street) welcomes a special exhibition of 100 artistic participants representing all walks of Austin life at the 100% Gallery Opening at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 22. The exhibition/fundraiser is designed to represent the entire community of Austin and celebrates the many diverse faces which make up the fabric of the city.

Direct from Guanajuato, Mexico to El Sol y La Luna (600 E. 6th) comes the engaging artistry of Loreta, opening Friday, April 23 with festivities from 6-8 p.m. Loreta’s mysterious spirit haunts her paintings and stimulates that place within us where memories and obsessions collide. There’s a sense of urgency in Loreta’s work, a self-awareness that the deepest part of her being is revealed. Following the reception, Mariachi Tamazula performs from its extensive repertoire of traditional and contemporary music. Free with complimentary appetizers.

Ever approach an “Ask the Rabbi or Cantor” booth at a fair? The first Austin Jewish Cultural Festival affords such an opportunity as it launches Sunday, April 25, noon-5 p.m., the first event of its kind in the city. Celebrating Jewish culture with entertainment and educational activities, the free event marks the 10th anniversary of the Dell Jewish Community Campus at 7300 Hart Lane. Music— featuring Michelle Citrin—food, storytelling, puppets, Israeli dancing, hands-on crafts, holiday and lifecycle displays, a shuk (marketplace), wine tasting, Torah scribes and more. For info call 512.735.8076.

New York Times bestselling author Immaculée Ilibagiza (“Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust”) shares her remarkable story of strength and survival on Saturday, May 1 at 7 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre. Ilibagiza’s account, “Immaculée in Austin: Faith, Hope, Forgiveness,” will include a Q&A session and gospel music. The evening benefits the Austin Refugee Roundtable, a coalition of local organizations addressing the needs of refugees within our city. Tickets at www.austintheatre.org.

Yoga made ESY for You. 1050 East 11th St. #150 ~ 512.779.8543 www.eastsideyoga-austin.com

TODO Austin

Volume I, Number 010 Cine Las Americas Nurtures Cultural Exchange

Austin Feasts on South Asian Culture in April

Jewish Film Fest A Rewarding Ride

Austin’s Cine Las Americas International Film Festival is fast becoming an institution in the international film business. While spotlighting the fastest growing ethnic population in Texas and the United States, it’s already the most important vehicle of its kind in our community and essential to our collective cultural identity.

Austin’s South Asian population is rapidly increasing with some 150,000 residents of Indian, Afghan, Bangladeshi, Nepali, Pakistani and Sri Lankan ancestry in the city. This month, no less than three colorful festivals will mark the community’s arrival on Austin’s cultural landscape. Proud of its historically rich heritage and anxious to add its remarkable voice to the city’s multi-ethnic chorus, the South Asian community’s growing cultural clout is reflected every weekend in April.

Jewish cinema has long been a thriving, independent catalyst for exchanges of ideas and social advocacy.

It’s also given audiences wide-ranging, unfettered entertainment. Of the many Jewish film festivals flourishing around the globe, the Austin Jewish Film Festival, now in its eighth year, numbers among the most imaginative.

The city-wide festival, running April 21-29, brings together Latino and indigenous filmmakers, actors and screenwriters from across the Americas and the Iberian Peninsula. The 13th annual version promises to be the best yet and will feature Mexico as the country of honor in celebration of Mexico’s Independence bicentennial.

This year, the festival program includes a large selection of new releases from Latin America, the United States, Spain and Portugal, in addition to regional, U.S. and world premieres.

Over 100 screenings will offer a variety of independent works made by or chiefly concerning Latinos and indigenous groups of the Americas, from narrative to documentary features, short films, animated works and youth films. The Emergencia Youth Film Competition, a special section of the festival open to filmmakers ages 19 and under and curated by students participating in Cine Las Americas’ multicultural Media Literacy programs, is another singular achievement of the festival and provides media arts education to minority youth year round in Austin.

Films are subtitled in English and are showing at the Regal Metropolitan Stadium 14, Alamo Drafthouse South and the Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC), which will present its screenings free of charge. A $70 Cine Las Americas Film Pass grants access to all film festival screenings, including Opening and Closing Night as well as special events and after-parties. For more info go to www.cinelasamericas.org.

Indian Fine Arts, Inc., an energetic organization bringing the “best of breed” performers from the Indian subcontinent to the city, present Vijay Siva on Saturday, April 3 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Edwards University’s Jones Auditorium. Siva is a unique vocalist who was the first recipient of the Kalki Krishnamurthy Award in 1996. Siva will be accompanied by violinist R.K. Sriramkumar and mridangam artist J. Vaidyanathan.

IFA features one of carnatic music’s brightest stars, Sudha Ragunathan, on Saturday, April 10 at 6.30 p.m. at Helms Fine Arts Center at St. Stephens Episcopal School. Ragunathan is known for a distinctive vocal style which has ignited musical imaginations around the world. Vittal Ramamurthy on violin and Thiruvarur Vaidyanathan on mridangam join Ragunathan. See www.austinifa. org for more details.

An accurate barometer of Austin’s growing diversity is the South Asian New Year Celebration on Saturday, April 10, from noon-9 p.m. at Zilker Park’s Hillside Theater. Now in its ninth year, the free festival—presented by Texas Bengali Cultural Alliance—showcases South Asian culture, tradition and heritage. The event is based on a solar calendar introduced in North India over 400 years ago and this year’s celebration, according to the Bengali calendar, ushers in the year 1417. Traditional authentic South Asian food, ethnic fashions, indigenous arts and crafts, children’s games and performances by South Asian musicians and dancers highlight the festivities.

See www.tbca-austin.org.

Alianza Cultural Latinoamericana (the Latin American Cultural Alliance) is teaming up with the University of Texas’s South American Music Ensemble to present a workshop and concert on Sunday, April 11 from 6-8 p.m. at Copa Bar and Grill, 217 Congress Ave. $5 (under 18 free).

The town and gown collaboration bring together students who are studying music in its various Latin American styles, with a primary focus on the music of Brazil and the Andean region. The interactive workshop will focus on teaching patrons to learn and play traditional instruments such as the quena, the traditional pan flute of Andean Bolivia.

U.T.’s ensemble’s repertoire may range from the Colombian bambuco to Rio’s sophisticated bossa nova to the samba-reggae rhythms of Salvador da Bahia. The ensemble will delve into these traditional music strains after the workshop.

ACL is a community of artists and art lovers that promote the cultural expressions of Latin America in Austin and aims to bring Latin American art forms to the Hispanic community in addition to disseminating their knowledge among the younger generation. More info at www. alianzacultural.net

Bengali New Year Fest

The Bangladesh Association of Greater Austin celebrates with the Bengali New Year 1417 Festival at Waterloo Park on Saturday, April 17. The free event, running from 11 a.m.-9 p.m., is the largest gathering of local Bangladeshis yearly and offers a dazzling cultural program of song, dance, drama and fashion. Henna, kids’ games, stalls featuring ethnic dresses, jewelries and books and authentic Bangladeshi food abound. Visit www.bagatx.org.

Saturday, April 24 brings the Barsana Dham Mela, Austin’s largest traditional Indian fair and a feast for the senses. Held on the grounds of the beautiful temple, the fair runs from noon-5 p.m. and includes an exotic petting zoo, elephant and pony rides, dance, Indian music, mehndi hand art, children’s games, Indian cuisine and a clothing and jewelry bazaar. The public is also encouraged to discover the beauty of Hinduism by participating in talks presented

by Barsana Dham teachers in the temple. Admission is $5 per carload. www.barsanadham.org.

04 TODO Austin // April 2010 // TOdoaustinonline.com

Art Director - Dave McClinton www.dmdesigninc.com Executive Editor - Erica Stall Wiggins Senior Editor - Katie Walsh Associate Editors: Brandon Ramiro Badillo, Alexandra M. Landeros, Blake Shanley

Eran Rikli’s film “Lemon Tree”

AJFF’s 27 features explore universal themes including human rights, global peace, religious freedom, and tolerance in its selection of films. This year’s festival— which runs from April 10-16—includes discussions with filmmakers and community leaders and promises to educate, touch and challenge moviegoers with an engaging mix of Jewish themed documentaries, comedies and romance movies. The fest also offers an eclectic array of period movies, stirring films of the Holocaust, claymation and poignant thrillers.

A free screening of Eran Riklis’ drama “Lemon Tree” opens the festival. This unique Jewish experience is open to all at four locations, Arbor (9828 Great Hills Trail), City Lights (420 Wolf Ranch Pkwy in Georgetown), U.T.’s Schusterman Center for Jewish Studies (Mezes Hall), and Texas Hillel (2105 San Antonio St.). Tickets are $8/$6 for students/seniors or buy a $60 flex pass good for ten films of your choice.

See www.austinjff.org for the latest film schedule.

Prof Brings Fethullah Gülen to Light University of Houston sociology professor Dr. Helen Ebaugh examines the influence of Turkish scholar, preacher and civic leader Fethullah Gülen in her new book, “The Gülen Movement: A Sociological Analysis of a Civic Movement Rooted in Moderate Islam.” Ebaugh is appearing at the University of Texas on April 23 in the Texas Union’s Governors’ Room (3.116) for a book signing and lecture from 6-7:30 p.m.

Ebaugh’s title, grounded in empirical methodology, is a pioneering work whose aim is to describe the Gülen movement to a Western audience. The book should prove to be of special interest to readers interested in religious movements and honest portrayals of Islam.

Gülen has fostered interfaith and intercultural dialogue for decades while promoting humanitarian projects, education, charity and other contributions to global peace.

Latino Austin Town & Gown Alliance

Publisher/Editor - Gavin Lance Garcia contact@todoaustinonline.com

Contributing Writers/Artists: Heather Banks, Deborah Alys Carter, Jennie Chen, Isabel Corona, Brandi Cowley, Kathleen Fitzgerald, Mary Ann Gomez, Mark Guerra, Anoop Iyer, John M.P. Knox, Harish Kotecha, Julia Lee, JoJo Marion, Ajay Miranda, Jake Morales, Oliver Nicolas, Tom Palaima, Mary Parsamyan, Marion Sanchez, Maverick Shaw, Kristina Vallejo, Kuetzpalin Vasquez, Shand Walton, Aimee Wenske, Yvonne Lim Wilson Advertising: Kathleen Ginest, 512.284.5492; or sales@todoaustinonline.com TODO Austin is published by Spark Awakened Publishing. © 2010 Spark Awakened Publishing. All rights reserved.

Unsolicited submissions (including, but not limited to articles, artwork, photographs) are not returned.

On the Cover Photographer: Kristin Farwell, Karmalized Photography Assisted by: Daniel Noack Model: Enzo Visit Us at

TODOAustinOnline.com Join us at TODO Austin Multicultural Media for All of Austin TODO Austin is a free, colorful print and online journal for all of Austin highlighting our multicultural heritage. Our mission is to promote the concept of community in an ethnically diverse city.

Based on interview data and visits to Gülen-inspired institutions, Ebaugh brings to light a world leader who deserves closer inspection.

TODO Austin’s content closely mirrors the changing demographics of Austin.

Hispanics Buying into US Census

TODO Austin is circulated throughout Austin at 300 locations, spanning the city from the West Side’s Pennybacker Bridge on Loop 360 to the Montopolis Bridge in East Austin.

According to a Pew Hispanic Center poll released April 1, close to nine in 10 Hispanics planned to or have already filled out and mailed in their 2010 U.S. Census form. This flies in the face of the suggestion by the National Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders that Hispanics boycott the 2010 Census in an act of immigration reform protest.

Overall, 85 percent of Hispanics say they have sent in their form or will do so. Among immigrants, the rate jumps to 91 percent, compared with 78 percent for U.S.-born Hispanics. Often citing the idea that every person should be counted, or that it helps with school funding, about 80 percent of foreign-born Hispanics said they believe the census will help their community.

Among U.S.-born Hispanics, that number drops to 57 percent.

TODO Austin provides a platform that profiles Hispanic, Anglo, Asian, African American and other individuals, groups and organizations that are representing a positive vision in the community.

WRITE TO US with stories, submissions, etc.: Contact@todoaustinonline.com Editorial – 512.538.4115

MOMMA! I LOVE YOU

Bemba Beat

By Brandon Ramiro Badillo

BRB: How do you feel about the annual Mother’s Day event?

MG: The Mother’s Day event is a perfect fit for Alma because it promotes mothers, nurturing, love and a joy for life that is best experienced in community!

I’ve always had a great relationship with my mother, and as I get older, I appreciate and respect her even more. She gave her time, strength, courage and most of all her unconditional love to my sister and I. Last year, I began to think back to the times my mother picked me up when I fell, emotionally and physically. I was coming off of a high from the fabulous turnout at Bemba Entertainment’s Nina Simone Tribute and was itching to do something different. I decided to dedicate an event to my biggest supporter and to all mothers around the world. It would be a day for mothers, but also for any woman who wanted to escape to a place surrounded by love. I envisioned live music, food, workshops and overall relaxation; I just needed to find the right venue.

I am a firm believer in fate and being in the right place at the right time with the right idea. In 2009, my friend Deanna Deolloz introduced me to Alma de Mujer Retreat Center, the most enchanting place in all of greater Austin. I arranged to meet with the director of Alma immediately. On a cold, rainy March day, I arrived at Alma and was captured by its beautiful landscape - 22 wooded acres backing onto the Balcones Canyon Land Preserve, hugged by hills - and the energy that encircled it. I knew I had found the perfect location for my Mother’s Day event. This spring, we have decided to return to do it again.

I sat down with Maribel Garza, Director of Alma, to discuss the organization.

BRB: What is Alma?

MG: Alma de Mujer is a center for social change and environmental stewardship education.

BRB: What does Alma mean to you?

MG: Alma is incredibly special to me because there isn’t another space like it! Nature is a powerful teacher and healer. I gladly do the work of being a guardian for the land and energies that dwell here because Alma is a sacred space for our future generations.

BRB: What would you like to see happen with “Momma! I Love You?” MG: I want it to be the Mother’s Day event that people from hundreds of miles away come to bring their mothers, wives, sisters, etc., and take away beautiful memories and much more adoration and respect for women than they came with.

BRB: What brought about its formation in the 1980s?

MG: Alma was gifted to Marsha Gomez and the Indigenous Women’s Network as a space to support Indigenous cultural arts and social activism.

BRB: What’s its purpose?

MG: Its purpose is to support people who are interested in taking care of Mother Earth while learning about Native American arts, culture, value systems and how to live in harmony, which means

accepting peoples from all walks of life.

BRB: What goes on there during the year?

MG: We have various programs, but our focus is on programming for youth using a land-based curriculum. We also support Texas artists through our Artist in Residence program. In addition, we gather several times a year in various ceremonies, such as New and Full Moon celebrations and honoring of the Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice.

The 2nd Annual “Momma! I Love You” takes place on Sunday, May 9. Attendees will feel an amazing embrace from the surrounding hills upon entering. A healing garden and lovely pond demand relaxation. Nestled in the foothills, cabins play host to several workshops, while live music unfolds throughout the day.

For more information about “Momma! I Love You,” and other Bemba Entertainment events, go to www.bembaentertainment.com.

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The Art of Living Foundation Celebrates Life

By Anoop Iyer

photo by Anoop Iyer

In today’s fast-paced, everyone-forthemselves society, it can be difficult to find meaning beyond the corporate or domestic worlds we live in. It’s easy to become irritable, introverted and overcaffeinated as we try to cope with all of the everyday pressures around us. When feeling particularly anxious or stressed out, you may have heard the words “take a deep breath.” That’s exactly what practitioners of the Art of Living do regularly—breathe.

It’s not like the rest of us don’t breathe, but the Art of Living takes breathing to a new level. Simple as it may sound, it works wonders. The breath has the ability to calm the mind, heal the body and energize the whole system in a matter of minutes. At the Art of Living meditation center, trained volunteer instructors conduct workshops on

how to harness this potential of the breath through the practice of Yoga, Pranayamas (breathing techniques), and meditation. The centerpiece of the programs is the Sudarshan Kriya, an ancient Yogic breathing technique that regulates the energy in the central nervous system.

So how does breathing help? We’ve all probably noticed in ourselves that every emotion corresponds to a specific rhythm of the breath. Anger, for instance, elicits short and sharp breath; sadness elicits a long exhalation rather like a sigh.

But this relationship can be reversed; using the rhythms of the breath we can work on the rhythms of the body-mind complex, bringing harmony and energy at the same time. This relationship forms the basis of the Sudarshan Kriya.

With continued practice, studies have reported tangible benefits: changes include reduced stress levels, better

sleep, increased energy and vitality and higher levels of immunity.

There is a growing community of people in Austin who have benefited from this practice, tapped into the power of their own breath to relieve themselves from stress, fatigue and physical ailments, and found a new, lively and joyful awareness in themselves. It’s an inclusive group that welcomes everyone to experience the power of the breath for him or herself, regardless of religious or cultural background.

Founded by a spiritual teacher in India over 25 years ago, the Art of Living has grown into a global “one world family” in over 150 countries, to include people of all faiths and cultures. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the founder, says his mission is to create a stress-free, violence-free society through his teachings. The Austin volunteers of the non-profit are deeply committed to this mission, and are eager to share. Volunteers have

conducted stress-buster workshops in diverse locations including the Scott & White Hospital, Texas state offices and companies like IBM, Freescale and Dell.

The foundation has also been involved in service projects in Austin over the years.

When Hurricane Katrina evacuees were housed at the Austin Convention Center in 2005, free trauma relief sessions were offered to many evacuees who found relief and reported that they had slept well for the first time in days after these sessions. Last Christmas, the Art of Living hosted a party for youth at the Travis County Detention Center, and are now working with the administration to offer twice-monthly sessions for at-risk youth in that facility. And at the UT campus, the Art of Living has a student club which offers a free weekly Yoga session on Mondays.

Art of Living workshops offer a deep spiritual experience for the mind to

navigate the maze of stresses that modern life presents us with, presented in a practical, interactive and engaging manner. Learning to live in the moment is a very precious skill in these challenging times—but it’s also a fun journey that turns every problem into an adventure, and makes life a celebration!

The Art of Living Austin center is located at 5555 N. Lamar Blvd. Suite C104 (behind Half Price Books). The Art of Living community hosts monthly kirtan sessions (an ancient, participatory music experience) where anyone is welcome to sing, meditate together and enjoy a vegetarian potluck dinner. Additional open sessions are available for those interested in an hour of wisdom and meditation. Visit www.artoflivingaustin. org or call 512-786-6871 for more information.

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Join Austin’s 12th Annual Dragon Boat Festival

By Yvonne Lim Wilson

The Dragon Boat Festival, now in its twelfth year, has become a major sporting event in Austin, as well as a fun, family-friendly cultural event.

American Cultural Center and Dragon Boat Festival founder, shared her thoughts about Austin’s upcoming Dragon Boat Festival.

A traditional Chinese dragon boat features a dragon head at the front of the boat, which is 40 feet long. It takes 20 rowers, one drummer and one steer-person to row the boat. This year, 12 to 14 teams from Austin and Houston will compete.

In addition to sponsoring the event along with the Asian American Community Partnership, the center owns three dragon boats that are used for the race and for practice during the year.

There are various stories behind the origins of the dragon boat race, but one well-known story involves the death of a beloved political figure who drowned himself in protest of corruption two thousand years ago. To commemorate his death, people dropped rice wrapped in bamboo leaves into the water and this developed into the dragon boat race.

Amy Wong Mok, CEO and founder of the Asian

YLW: Why do you think the dragon boat races are important for Austin?

AWM: The celebration of the Dragon Boat Festival in Austin is a symbol of the diversity and vibrance of Austin as an international city of culture and commerce. For those who participate in the Dragon Boat Race either as a sportsman or as an attendee, it is a lot of fun, with the beautifully decorated dragon boats gliding over Lady Bird Lake. We in Austin are really very lucky to have a

great race course; we are the envy of many cities and communities.

YLW: Any new features of the festival you are looking forward to?

AWM: In addition to the different cultural performances and the races, we are making an effort to help government agencies and social service organizations to reach out to the Asian community. This year the city will set up a booth to encourage people to participate in the city’s planning for the next 15 years. The 2010 census will also set up a booth to help answer questions.

It is so important for every Asian to stand up and be counted. We hope to have a complete count in our community so that there will be a more accurate picture of who we are.

YLW: Anything else you would like to add?

AMW: The Dragon Boat Festival has grown from a humble beginning to the wonderful familyoriented event today, and this would not have been possible without the support of the city, many corporations, organizations and individuals who help make this festival become a tradition of our great city.

Join the fun on Saturday, April 24, 10 - 3 p.m. at Festival Beach (the northeast corner of Lady Bird Lake). Admission is free and festival foods are available for purchase. For details, visit www. asianamericancc.com.

Yvonne Lim Wilson is founder and publisher of Asian Austin at www.AsianAustin.com, an online news magazine featuring news about Asian American people, organizations and events in Austin. Contact Yvonne at yvonne@asianaustin.com.

photography | Donald Mason | www.angrysong.com

Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple Opens in Cedar Park Cedar Park is now home to a Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, which celebrated opening ceremonies in March. The first of its kind in Austin, the Temple fosters the philosophy “Love all and serve all, help ever, hurt never.” The Temple is open to all people from any background, faith, nation or creed, and promotes charity, education and non-violence.

various charitable activities. Volunteers prepare close to 40,000 free sandwiches and meals each year, which are distributed through Caritas of Austin and The Salvation Army. The Temple also supports charitable works in India, where approximately 100 young students enjoy free room, board and tuition at schools supported by the Temple. It also supports more than 200 children in a free Sunday school program, which teaches the core moral values of love, non-violence, right action, truth and peace. To help resettlement efforts in Austin, the Temple and its devotees continue to help Bhutanese refugees with household goods, food, clothing and guidance.

Sai Baba was an Indian guru, yogi and fakir, and was (and is still) regarded as a saint by both the Muslims and Hindus in his community, although did not affiliate with any one caste or religion. He listened to the Koran or the Vishnu Sahasranama equally. He did not distinguish between rich and poor, sick or healthy, young or old, or care about caste, creed or religion. To his devotees, Baba is the true incarnation of God and his life is chronicled in many books, the most well known being the Sai Satcharita. Many devotees believe that the spirit of Sri Sai Baba still lives, comes out to give darshan (presence) at odd hours to the real devotees in time of their difficulties and gives them guidance.

Tens of thousands of people visit the original Temple in Shirdi (India) every day, and Shirdi Sai Baba temples are opening all over the U.S. and other parts of the world, largely due to the universality of Baba’s message; to love your neighbor, find God within yourself, everyone and everything. Sai Baba and his devotees believe that God is one but paths are many. While most

Compiled by Harish Kotecha

Temple Building

members of the Temple are Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Christians and Muslims are also active in the Temple.

(ceremonial fire pit) for Vedic ceremonies, dhuni (24-hour fire), and a separate “green” meditation hall.

The Cedar Park temple and grounds encompass four acres, with a welcoming Ganesh Temple, Main Temple Hall, kitchen, homa kunda

Members say that “serving hands are dearer to God than praying lips.” Thus, the Temple provides a means for members to promote

Two full-time priests conduct daily services, called “aarati”—prayers conducted in the morning, afternoon, early evening and late evening. Hindu religious days are celebrated and the priests conduct Vedic ceremonies at the temple as well as at devotee homes. The Temple also sponsors World Peace Yagnas (ancient Hindu rituals) in India and supports a school there that trains students interested in becoming Vedic priests and pundits. The Temple is also source of spiritual CDs and books.

The Sri Shirdi Sai Temple is located at 2509 West New Hope Drive in Cedar Park. The website www.saiaustin.org offers a wealth of information about the Temple and its members.

TODO Austin // April 2010 // TOdoaustinonline.com 07

By Katie Walsh

When Paige DeShong moved into a house in the Holly neighborhood in October of 2007, she didn’t think much about the metal foundry across the street. But two months later, after she and her 4-year-old son began feeling ill while playing outside, she filed a formal complaint with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

“I saw them dumping in these huge vats and could see black clouds of dust coming over toward our house,” DeShong recalled. “I knew it was a problem because immediately afterward, our skin would sting, I’d get a really bad cough and burning in my throat. My son would complain that his head hurt, that it was hard to breathe.”

Unjust Land Use Legacy The corner of Robert T. Martinez and East 4th Street is a real-life illustration of East Austin’s antiquated mixed zoning. Less than 50 feet from the kindergarten playground of Zavala Elementary School, Pure Castings pours molten metal to create products like pipe fittings and parts for diesel engines and firearms. Also nearby are U.T. Elementary and the Pan American Park and Recreation Center.

The facility outputs ten federally-identified hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) and 14 known human cancer-causing agents in close proximity to the still-developing brains and lungs of mostly minority children. The obvious question is why a metal foundry is next door to an elementary school, but the answer is complex.

The vibrant Holly Neighborhood is home to three elementary schools and four parks, as well as churches, community centers and popular eateries such as Juan in a Million and Joe’s Bakery.

It is also home to several industrial facilities.

The mixed residential-industrial zoning is a product of the City of Austin’s first comprehensive master plan in 1928. Along with formally segregating “Negro” (and, unofficially, Mexican) residents to the east side of IH35, the plan also implemented heavy industrial zoning in the area, and rerouted the I&GN railroad away from West Austin to the East side (to this day a predominant feature of the Holly Neighborhood landscape).

As The Austin Times reported earlier this year, local environmental organization PODER (Spanish for “power,” and an acronym for People Organizing in Defense of Earth and her Resources) found that more than 90% of the city’s industrial zoning fell east of the highway. PODER has succeeded in shutting down or relocating a fuel storage “tank farm,” the Holly Power Plant and BFI Recycling.

Black Dust and Toxic Soup PODER and the City of Austin have explored relocating Pure Castings since 2007, but a complex network of legal and socio-political factors have prevented definitive action. Pure Castings is not an obvious villain; it employs several residents and sponsors the Zavala PTA. Although the foundry’s emission levels are within legal limits, it ranks #1 in Travis County for toxic fugitive metals releases and is the county’s #1 emitter of carcinogenic chromium and nickel, according to federal pollution data from 20042007.

The relatively small size of the foundry’s structure and output complicates the legal classification

of its emissions. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the facility is considered a Conditionally Exempt Small-Quantity Generator (CESQG) or “minor source,” meaning that it falls outside the regulation of the federal Clean Air Act and does not require an air pollution permit from the TCEQ. This allows the company to legally emit toxins next to a kindergarten playground. Research from the Collaborative on the Health and Environment shows that children are markedly more susceptible to pollutants. Ninety-three percent of the Zavala student body and 60% of the U.T. Elementary student body are considered economically disadvantaged; environmental factors like living conditions and poor nutrition exacerbate pollutant impact on children living in poverty.

While a number of community members interviewed for this article commonly experienced headaches and described a noxious odor emitted from the foundry, there appears to be scant public knowledge about exactly what those emissions contain. One resident on Santa Rosa Street echoed the sentiment of many of his neighbors: “I got sick a lot when I moved in, but I always thought it was because of my blood pressure—I never thought it might be because of that factory.”

A 2007 survey conducted by PODER’s Young Scholars for Justice found that, among more than 40 nearby households, 71% were not aware that Pure Castings used chemicals; 61% were unaware that it produced any form of hazardous waste.

Pure Castings’ owner, Andy Edgerton, calls PODER’s claim that his business produces more than 220 pounds of such waste per month a “baldfaced lie.”

“We produce zero,” Edgerton said. “This business of we’re doing something to harm the neighborhood is baloney. They’re blatant lies—that we produce arsenic, hazardous waste—we don’t do it.”

But TCEQ testing data says otherwise. Air emissions and the alleged waste (black, metallic soot collected at DeShong’s home) were found to contain a highly toxic chemical cocktail, including the chromium VI of Erin Brockovich fame. Also present are arsenic, lead and carcinogenic Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), all of which cause learning and developmental disabilities (see box below for a complete list).

TCEQ installed a station on Zavala’s roof to continuously monitor the microscopic particles (called PM2.5s) particularly prone to getting into lung tissue, but concentrations have all been within EPA-allowed limits.

According to Dr. Neil Carman, clean air program director of the Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter and former TCEQ state air pollution investigator, there are two major flaws in the toxicity regulation of Pure Castings. First, PM2.5 monitoring is based on EPA limits for single toxins and does not account for the “shotgun effect” of breathing small amounts of numerous metals and carcinogens at once.

“This soup of toxic substances is only monitored one component at a time,” Carman said. The cumulative effect of the foundry’s fumes is unknown.

Additionally, there’s a massive discrepancy between what’s legal and what’s considered a

08 TODO Austin // April 2010 // TOdoaustinonline.com

long-term health risk (as defined by EPA RiskBased Concentrations or RBCs). While within legal limits, seven of the airborne toxins surpassed RBC multiple times over. Arsenic levels were 88 times RBC, while chromium VI was found to be 3,965 times RBC. In 2001, The Holly Street Neighborhood Plan rezoned the Pure Castings property from “light industrial” to “commercial,” but the existing zoning is grandfathered in.

“We’re constrained by state laws,” Council Member Laura Morrison explained. “Even once the property is rezoned, it doesn’t take effect until the land use changes; it could even be sold to another owner under the same use—that’s the way it is in the great state of Texas.”

Protecting Public Health?

After its on-site investigation at her home, DeShong was “shocked” to learn that TCEQ concluded there was not enough of the black dust present that day to warrant a Nuisance 101.4 violation, defined as “injurious to or adversely affect[ing]” human health or property.

According to Carman, “the initial report was completely botched in that the investigator negligently failed to inquire about the mother and child’s condition; to identify the fact that they were having significant health problems.”

At a meeting in July of 2009, Carman recalls that TCEQ’s Romero Garcia “admitted investigators should have asked Paige if she and her son were experiencing adverse health effects” and said he’d investigate correcting the report if DeShong submitted something in writing. Her affidavit remains unanswered nearly nine months later.

There has been a 45% decrease in TCEQ nuisance violations from the early ‘90s to the early 2000s.

Last December, the Houston Press published a detailed account of the agency’s repeated failure to regulate refineries along the Houston Ship Channel, which fall under much more stringent controls than Pure Castings. “A practice of lax enforcement, ineffective penalty policies and questionable permitting practices at TCEQ has been the status quo in Texas for years,” the Press concluded.

Until another resident complains, TCEQ stands by their conclusion that Pure Castings “poses no health risks.” And without solid medical data, it’s difficult to produce conclusive evidence to the contrary.

But numerous anecdotal accounts hint at a pattern: Lynne Greg, who taught at the school from 2001-2005, recalls “we generally did not go outside on windy or muggy days, as many students had asthma and it was too hard for them to breathe comfortably.” Speaking to five fellow parents on campus one day, all told DeShong their children had asthma.

And when DeShong and PODER Co-founder Susana Almanza met with the Austin Human Rights Commission, Commissioner Dewayne Lofton noted his daughter, a Zavala student, was his only child with asthma.

Clean Air: A Human Right While the TCEQ has failed to act, the City, AISD and Edgerton himself have taken several measures to reduce the foundry’s impact on Zavala

students. AISD installed double filtration systems at the school and Edgerton agreed to change his incoming delivery schedule so that 18-wheelers weren’t idling with children nearby. He’s also instated process improvements like installing dust collection systems. None of these efforts, however, change the reality of the situation.

“I hope the Austin community believes that everybody should have a safe, healthy environment to live in,” CM Morrison said. “We need to do lot of work in terms of public health and social justice if we want to be the city that we think we are.”

The adoption of a nuisance air pollution ordinance would afford the City the legal authority under Texas Health & Safety Code to conduct investigations and issue violations themselves, a responsibility that several Texas cities (Houston included) have undertaken. This would require trained City investigators.

Council Member Morrison and PODER have also discussed the potential for an “equity land swap,” whereby the City would offer Pure Castings an equitable piece of city-owned land in an industrially zoned area.

Dr. Eliot Tretter, who teaches a “service learning” class in the U.T. Geography and Environment department, had his students work with PODER to identify several potential relocation sites. But Morrison says the option is legally limited, in that the City can never offer a business more than the appraised value of their property (which doesn’t include the massive costs it would require to rebuild at another location). Edgerton says he’d “certainly take a look” at a new site if the City “really thinks it’s the best use of taxpayer dollars to relocate a private business.”

The bottom line is, as Almanza observes, “this isn’t happening to all children; it’s happening to children of color on the East side.” She believes that what has been considered an East Austin issue needs to be reframed as a community-wide human rights priority. “By law you’re allowed to pollute at so many parts per million, but children should not be exposed to any parts per million. We need to view this in moral versus political terms.”

Only then can we look toward an environmentally just future for all of Austin.

TRI federal pollution data and TECQ analysis of fine particle matter (December 2007) and air emissions (December 2008) at Pure Castings identified:

Aluminum Antimony* Arsenic*+ Beryllium*+ Burnt silica Cadmium*+ Carbon Chlorine Chromium VI*+ Cobalt*+

Copper Iron Lead*+ Manganese* Molybdenum Nickel*+ Selenium* Silicon Sulfur Titanium

*Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) +Carcinogenic Metals

Good Times at Güero’s For great tunes and great rita’s!

Please join us for live music on our outside jardin stage, every Thursday through Sunday. Thanks to the fans & bands who support us!!!

All outdoor shows are “weather permitting”

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By Erica Stall Wiggins

Ranked consistently as one of the United States’ top ten green cities by organizations including Popular Science and the Mother Nature Network, Austin enjoys an average of 300 days of sunshine a year and dozens of parks, greenbelts and nature preserves to enjoy them in. The mild climate, with an average year-round temperature of 68.5 degrees, numerous green spaces and large water surface of the Colorado River and Highland Lakes make Austin a truly liveable and literally green city.

The City of Austin boasts a number of progressive environmental programs that sustain and promote the city’s green reputation. In the past year, the availability of single stream recycling within the city (allowing multiple types of recyclables, including plastics #1-7 and glass) and a light rail commuter train from Leander to downtown Austin were landmark achievements. But the City has its share of challenges; educating the 1.5 million residents of the metropolitan area about all of the available programs not being the least of them. Other challenges include an infrastructure built for sprawl, and less-than-environmentally-friendly state leadership. As Austin gears up to celebrate the 40th Annual Earth Day festivities beginning April 14 and culminating on April 22, TODO Austin illuminates a few of the city’s triumphs and continuing challenges.

The Good News The City has a number of initiatives aimed at reducing our carbon footprint in the Texas capital. “The City has been very proactive,” says Environmental Defense Fund Texas Regional Office and Energy Program Director Jim Marsten.

One such program aims to reduce the amount of waste that Austinites send to landfills 90% by the year 2040. The Zero Waste Plan, approved by City Council and adopted in 2009, addresses both upstream and downstream policy and program options such as green business, green buildings and jobs, and regional coordination. The concept involves the entire lifecycle of a product, from responsible design and production to consumer buying power to resource recovery (recycling).

On the other side, it addresses green job creation, changing market barriers and shifting subsidies that favor pollution and waste. The master plan to implement and support the initiative will be published this year with input and guidance from the public. “It’s about getting the infrastructure in place, making it more financially accessible, as well as more accessible to the public at large,” said Jessica King, Sustainability Coordinator of the program, who asserts that regional support will be vital to the program’s success. “I think that’s where you’ll see the lift off of other communities getting involved,” she concluded.

The Green City initiative includes a Green Neighbor Challenge, which aims to involve the community on a neighborhood by neighborhood basis. The Green Neighbor web site includes a list of action items that people can take to reduce waste and use fewer toxic products in and around their homes. Kathy Shay, who coordinates the 11 City departments which comprise the Green City Initiative, is positive about community engagement;

“Ninety percent of the time, if someone’s not doing the right thing it’s because they don’t know the right thing to do,” she said. A new carbon footprint calculator on the City’s web site shows how certain lifestyle choices affect the environment.

When it comes to clean energy, the Pecan Street Project is a community-wide collaboration including the City of Austin, the Environmental Defense Fund, the University of Texas at Austin and the Chamber of Commerce, together with a group of business partners including Dell and General Electric. The goal of the project is “to have a truly clean system that gives consumers more choices, but is also an economic driver for attracting clean technology companies to the area, while maintaining the net profit for the electric utility,” said Marsten. “It’s not only about renewable energy, it’s about risk management; to avoid being captive to what the price of natural gas or coal might be.” The Project recently released a list of 39 recommendations related to Austin Energy, water management, public policy, economic development and job training, the culmination of over a year of research. Additionally, the Project has secured 10.4 million dollars in federal stimulus funds, which will be used to fund a voluntary Smart Grid demonstration project in the Mueller neighborhood. The Pecan Street Project web site defines Smart Grid as follows: “A Smart Grid uses digital information and controls technology to improve the reliability, security and efficiency of the electric grid. Definitions vary, but the “smart grid” that Pecan Street is developing—an Energy Internet—requires two-way flow of energy much like the Internet enabled a two-way flow of data.”

The promotional video for the project states that they have the “very modest goal of reinventing the energy system for the United States.”

Education & Communication City education programs have included public service announcements, green guides and providing speakers at public events, as well as curriculum in public schools. Hearings and public meetings give citizens opportunities to share their concerns. Steps have been taken to engage minorities and non-English speaking citizens of the City, including translation of selected environmental tip sheets to Spanish and the creation of a neighborhood assistance center to provide resources and information, but these steps may not be adequate to reach all populations. “They have a really good energy efficiency program, but it hasn’t penetrated much into moderate and lower income households,” said Marsten. “Part of it is the problem with the message and the messenger; the initial message is a bill insert written by college educated people, for college educated audiences. It says ‘let the (government) utility come into your home and look around.’ Complicate that with race and language issues and you can see why people might say ‘Hmm; I don’t know about that,’” Marsten concluded.

“They’ve got to have more in-house resources, and deputize community leaders, whether it’s the university clubs, progressive business community or religious and community leaders,” said Marsten

10 TODO Austin // April 2010 // TOdoaustinonline.com

of City communications to the public. This is something Jessica King is keenly aware of. “We have such a diverse community. We can’t grab everyone’s attention with the same message at the same time of the day in the same format. We’ve got to say it as many times, throughout the day, in different scenarios, in different ways, and through different media,” she added.

Challenges While the City may be a leader in green technology, energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation, transportation planning and land use control are areas where improvements could be made. “We’re not the worst in the state, but there are a lot of places in the country that do a much better job,” said Marsten of these issues.

When it comes to environmental state legislation, very little progress has been made during the current administration. “Largely, the (state legislature) are either in the way, or they don’t help very much, and the Perry administration is particularly hostile to changing to a new clean energy economy,” said Marsten. “People need to make sure legislators understand that if they’re hostile to the environment there are political consequences to that.” Marsten does make one caveat regarding the current administration in that Hispanic and African American members are more likely to vote for environmentally sound legislation. He attributes this to the fact that they are representing their constituents, who are often impacted disproportionately by environmental issues—such as industrial facilities near residential areas—and are therefore just as concerned, if not more so, by local environmental issues.

Finally, Jessica King notes that “especially with the economy being as tough as it is, people feel as if there are more important things going on than worrying about the environment, like getting a job or feeding their kids. None of these issues are small issues. But, it’s our job and responsibility to remind them that though times are tough, there are small incremental green steps that each of us can take to benefit us personally—and sometimes financially— to benefit our communities, to benefit our children and future children, and to benefit the planet.”

Resources: The City of Austin’s Environmental Portal (www.ci.austin.tx.us/environmental) Austin Earth Day Events (www.austinearthday.org) Carbon Footprint Calculator (www.ci.austin.tx.us/acpp/co2_footprint.htm) Pecan Street Project (www.pecanstreetproject.org) Environmental Defense Fund (www.edf.org)

The availability of education programs, clean energy, and progressive environmental state legislation will respond proportionately to demand from the community member, the consumer and the constituent. On Earth Day - and beyond, in addition to taking the next “green” step in your lifestyle choices, speak out for the health of the Earth. You are its most powerful advocate.

Capital MetroRail is a new passenger rail system between the City of Leander and the Convention Center in Downtown Austin.

The Red Line is a 32-mile starter line that provides service to commuters during peak morning and afternoon hours. MetroRail operates on existing freight tracks and has nine stations from Leander to Downtown Austin.

Tickets are $2 one way for one zone or $3 one way for all zones. Weekly and monthly passes can also be purchased. http://www.capmetro.org/metrorail

Tips & Tricks for Going Green If you don’t have recycling services available, you can bring your materials to Ecology Action located at 7th Street and I35.

Take one green step at a time. Don’t get overwhelmed; make small commitments and stick to them. Bring and use reusable bags at the grocery store for one week. Then try it for two, and keep going.

Stop buying water in single-use water bottles.

Instead, carry a refillable bottle. You’d be surprised at how much money you’ll save!

Avoid bagging your yard trimmings in plastic bags—it ruins the composting process.

Instead, use brown paper yard/leaf bags or a reusable container.

Provided by Jessica King

TODO Executive Editor Erica Stall Wiggins and Garcia presented the Latin awards segment at the Austin Chronicle’s Austin Music Awards at the Austin Music Hall. Since its inception in 1983, the Awards show has included Latin categories. (photo by Kathleen Fitzgerald)

Legendary Tex-Mex icon Little Joe Hernandez and his band La Familia held the March 18 audience spellbound after blazing sets by Ruben Ramos and the Mexican Revolution, El Tule and Los Texas Wranglers. (photo by Mary Ann Gomez)

Los Texas Wranglers won Best Traditional Latin Artist for the third consecutive year at the Austin Music Awards and LTW’s Julian Fernandez was voted best drummer in Austin. (photo by Mark Guerra)

TODO’s Latin Music Panel was held March 19. TODO publisher/editor Gavin Lance Garcia served as moderator, joined here by Latinpointe CEO David Chavez and Tejano star Little Joe Hernandez in a discussion of how the entertainment industry can better engage the Hispanic community. (photo by Erica Stall Wiggins)

“Reaching America’s Fastest Growing Market” was the topic of the Latin music panel centered on Hispanics, a vital demographic to the future of the music industry. Panelists included, L-R, David Chavez, Mercury Mambo president Becky Arreaga, Gavin Lance Garcia, Little Joe Hernandez and Ruben Cubillos of A Big Chihuahua, Inc., joined by Senator Gonzalo Barrientos. (photo by Erica Stall Wiggins)

Mexican journalist Alejandro Franco, SXSW Latin music coordinator Alicia Zertuche and Café Tacuba’s Emmanuel del Real visit after the “Latin Music on the Global Stage” panel. (photo by Erica Stall Wiggins)

Backstage at the Austin Music Awards, director Margaret Moser hosts Direct Events owner Tim O’Connor, artist manager Mark Proct and Antone’s nightclub’s Susan Antone. Moser has long strived to make the Awards representative of Austin’s changing musical landscape. (photo by Kathleen Fitzgerald)

Erica Stall Wiggins, Austin music legend Paul Ray, and Backyard at Bee Cave’s operation manager John T. Zapata at the Austin Music Awards. (photo by Kathleen Fitzgerald)

Ruben Ramos, Moses Vasquez, and “Hispanic Today Live” producer/ hostess Peggy Vasquez enjoyed the highest attended Tejano show in the city this year. “Hispanic Today Live” provided television support for the showcase. (photo by Mary Ann Gomez)

TODO Senior Editor Katie Walsh and Austin Tejano Music Coalition officer Ross Gomez emceed the official SXSW Eastside Latin showcase.

Diverse Arts and the Austin Tejano Music Coalition co-sponsored the date with TODO Austin. (photo by Mary Ann Gomez)

El gato negro, Ruben Ramos, brought down barriers at TODO Austin’s SXSW showcase at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard. The concert marked the 24th consecutive year of SXSW Latin music, but was the first of its kind to be held on E. 11th St. in the East End Jazz & Arts District (photo by Mary Ann Gomez)

A full house of 400 Tejano music fans turned out for a historical show Ruben Ramos labeled “South by Eastside.” Tejano music station KTXZ was instrumental in drawing Austin’s Hispanic residents to SXSW, many of whom attended an official event for the first time. (photo by Kathleen Fitzgerald)

TODO Austin // April 2010 // TOdoaustinonline.com 11

16 Years of Austin Reggae Riddim Now in its 16th year, The Austin Reggae Festival (also known as Marley Fest) brings more than 30 acts from around the globe to mash it up at Auditorium Shores, Friday April 16 through Sunday April 18, to benefit the Capitol Area Food Bank. Bring a blanket or chair to spread out on the lawn, but don’t plan on sitting for long—a bumping lineup of reggae infused with rocksteady, soul, funk, ska, dub, rockabilly, zydeco and more will surely have you droppin’ legs and winin’ in no time.

If you’ve never been to Reggae fest before, prepare to be surrounded by a hugely diverse crowd; young and old, stylish and saggin’ and all colors of the ethnic rainbow come together for three days of rasta riddim. The largest annual third world market in Central Texas offers locally-made gifts, artwork, jewelry and clothing, and food choices usually range from local favorites like Amy’s and Salt Lick to tropical treats like Jamaican jerk chicken.

A huge annual benefit for the Capital Area Food Bank, the festival has generated more than 350,000 pounds of food over the years. Last year’s event raised upwards of $200,000 and 10,000 pounds of food,

by Katie Walsh

feeding the mouths of more than 690,000 hungry Central Texans.

emotionally-rich balance of Rastafarian messages and universal themes of romance.

On Friday, look out for Mystic Roots Band, a San-Diego based group who shares their positive, conscious message through a cutting-edge fusion of hip-hop, dancehall and roots reggae. Their high-energy stage presence combines powerful musicianship with freestyles, beat-boxing and smooth harmonies. MRB tours nationwide full-time and has shared the stage with some of reggae, hip hop and rock’s biggest stars. They boast a worldwide fan base and a 2005 LA Music Award for Best Reggae/Pop Album, “Constant Struggle.”

On Sunday, “America’s Got Talent” runner-up Cas Haley takes the stage with the guitar and vocal skills that earned him the Billboard #8 Best Selling Reggae Album of 2008 and the judges’ praise of singing “Walking on the Moon” better than Sting.

Tickets are now available for presale at all Planet K locations ($12.50 per day). $15 at the door (cash only). Gates open at 3:00 p.m. on Friday and 11:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Patrons are asked to bring two cans of food for donation (not required for entry). Children 12 and under free if accompanied by an adult.

For full lineup and more info, visit http:// austinreggaefest.com.

Also Friday, Austin locals Grimy Styles remix reggae tracks using the techniques of “dub godfathers” like King Tubby and Lee “Scratch” Perry, laced over a mix of classical, jazz and metal influences.

On Saturday, Austin welcomes vocal trio The Mighty Diamonds all the way from Trenchtown in Kingston, Jamaica. Roots reggae legends, The Mighty Diamonds “sweet sound and polished choreography” combines the soulful influences of Motown with an

photography by David Weaver

Latin Beats at SXSW: One Young Fans’ First Date with Tejano What is Tejano Music? I’d describe it as Mexican music with a spin.

My first experience at SXSW was also my first time to hear Tejano music so I had no idea what to expect. Tejano music isn’t found on KISS FM, 101X, Mix 94.7 or KLBJ, which are some of the stations I listen to while stuck in Austin traffic.

I am a graduate of Westwood High School and a senior at the University of Texas studying sociology and rhetoric. Music and cultural festivities have always been a big part of my family life. I was born in Armenia and my parents and grandparents have ensured that I am fully versed in Armenian customs, traditions and music. Like many Austinites, I share a love of music; but I was not familiar with Tejano music or Mexican American culture.

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So it was with great anticipation that I made my way to Kenny Dorham’s Backyard for the official SXSW Latin music showcase. I expected nothing short of the standard rowdy crowd like so many other shows I had attended. What I found was a mix of young and old, Hispanics and nonHispanics. People from the Eastside of Austin were there to support their community as well as people from other neighborhoods in the city. Of course, there were also many out-of-towners with their SXSW badges.

The performers included Little Joe y La Familia, Ruben Ramos & the Mexican Revolution, El Tule and Los Texas Wranglers. There was beer flowing, uninhibited dancing and a lot of loud music. Some couples danced deliriously to salsa while others just swayed to the beat.

I was one of many taking pictures. Lenses were positioned from every angle as fans tried to capture the Tejano headliners to say, “I was there

By Mary Parsamyan

when SXSW went Tex-Mex in our side of town.”

Ruben Ramos stayed on the grounds long after his performance, taking photos with fans and signing autographs. I noticed how friendly and patient he was with his followers. Both Ruben and Little Joe commented from the stage that it was the first time in a while that they’d performed at an official SXSW event, and both expressed their gratitude to its producers for bringing the festival across IH-35 over to the Eastside.

Los Texas Wranglers

As for the music, I found Tejano’s pounding beats, wailing horns and mixture of English-language standards and classics like Ruben Ramos’ version of “My Girl,” followed by a Tejano classic, surprising.

Some songs included both English and Spanish lyrics. I guess that’s what Tejano music is all about.

This was an important milestone for East Austin, especially for the Hispanic community and musicians. The Hispanic population is only growing and seeking more entertainment options from the city. SXSW has included Hispanic culture in its festival forever, but many have locals have remained untouched. The turnout for this event proved how successful the relationship can be and I’m sure more shows like this one will be scheduled in the future. And that’s the magic of the music.

Squeezebox Mania Brings Shared Musical Tradition to Threadgill’s

By Jake Morales

There is something much more than charisma at work wherever Austin accordionist Joel Guzman stirs. He is that rare individual whose civility, energy and passion intuitively draw others into his inner circle. Guzman leverages this gift in his every creative endeavor whether it is teaching music, composing, arranging, performing or producing events like Guzman Fox Creative’s Squeezebox Mania accordion carnival at Threadgill’s World Headquarters on Friday, April 30.

Gathering for one evening of raw, spirit-lifting entertainment is Guzman and his wife, singer/ songwriter Sarah Fox, Santiago Jimenez, Jr., Corey Ledet, Ponty Bone, Johnny Ramirez, the University of Texas’s Tex-Mex Conjunto Ensemble and more for a $10 cover.

“The accordion has become a true good will ambassador,” said Guzman. “Originally, our goal for Squeezbox Mania was to create an environment where musicians of different cultures could come together on one stage and share their music with new audiences. The accordion lives in Louisiana, Colombia, Panama, Mexico, France, Italia, Croatia, Ireland, China, to name a few countries. Thanks to events such as the International Accordion Festival, the Big Squeeze, the Tejano Conjunto Festival in San Antonio, the Crossroads events in Louisiana and the Squeezebox Mania series in Austin, accordionists now have the opportunity to share musical traditions, thus bridging cultural divides.”

Within the music industry, Guzman’s reputation is exploding on the strength of numerous honors and stellar musicianship. No less a musical genius, the late Stephen Bruton thought Guzman a one-of-a-kind talent. In the summer of 2008, Bruton tapped him to add some squeeze box tracks to the soundtrack of the film “Crazy Heart.” During the studio sessions, Bruton didn’t hesitate to point out to music producer T-Bone Burnett and others that Guzman was an artist to be respected.

Squeezbox Mania is one result of Guzman’s efforts to bring the accordion into the public spotlight. “It is my opinion that people in general should be aware of more than one culture,” he notes. “In the case of accordionists and their accordions, the instrument is recognized worldwide and knows no boundaries.

Collaborating with other accordionists helps to break new musical ground.”

To advance that objective, Guzman called on accordion royalty, Santiago Jimenez, Jr., an heir to a family tradition of button accordion playing, to headline the Austin show. “It’s important for accordion players to collaborate like this for the reason that it is very important to bring the music to the people,” observed Jimenez, Jr. “We respect each other; everybody has their style of playing. We are all good musicians, some, pioneer musicians like me.

“People know about artists, about me, the way I play, the old style music, my father’s style. I want to keep it going. My grandfather, Patricio Jimenez, took my father to hear polka in New Braunfels. He passed that on to me and my brother (Flaco); that’s where I learned how to mix it up with German style—with Tex-Mex, Conjunto, the polka.”

In addition to Guzman-Fox and Jimenez, Jr., the Squeezebox Mania lineup also features a variety of singular talents, including Corey Ledet and his Zydeco band, a favorite on the southwest Louisiana and Texas dance hall circuit. Ponty Bone, recently inducted into Austin Music Hall of Fame, draws from rock, blues, Tex-Mex, Louisiana Cajun, R&B and a bit of country.

Houston’s Johnny Ramirez is a teenage fireball of Tejano and Conjunto who has been playing accordion since pre-school. In 2008, he was crowned grand champion of the Texas Folklife Big Squeeze accordion contest, a state-wide contest for young accordionists in all genres of Texas music. U.T.’s Tex-Mex Conjunto Ensemble was established in 2006 and is led by teaching specialist Joel Guzman.

Guzman, who instructs students at the University of Texas’s Butler School of Music, enlisted U.T. professor Emilio Zamora to help bring Jimenez Jr. to campus for a “Tardeada” program on Thursday, April 29 at noon on campus, sponsored by the Center for Mexican American Studies and the Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies.

“There are a lot of new musicians who are interested in button accordion,” stated Jimenez, Jr. “I’ve been using a Horner for fifty years and some use the same as mine, some use other instruments. The young are willing to learn. I teach my students the basics, from the bottom up, and tell them that it’s the way to learn how to play the accordion faster. When they understand the basics, they can then make their own choices, create their own styles, like Tejano style, or Norteño music. They like my style, but so far nobody plays it.”

Guzman has earned two Grammys and been nominated for a Latin Grammy for GuzmanFox’s latest release, “Conjuntazzo.” He recently appeared on NPR’s Prairie Home Companion and completed a tour with Rickie Lee Jones.

He recognizes the challenges ahead for a music genre sensitive to its heritage but looking forward to new possibilities. “Our music has taken us from Texas to Italy to the Bavarian communities in Lake Chelan, Washington. It’s at the Cotati Festival in California and travels from Lafayette, Louisiana up to Madison, Wisconsin.

We will continue our efforts to bridge Mexican roots, Americana and original Latino styles.”

Austin Fashion Awards Winner in Best Women’s Cut Nominee: Critics Choice Award for Best Hair Stylist Nominee: Best Men’s Cut Nominee: Makeup Artists, Best Use of Color Best Hair Stylist 2009 Rare Magazine Brandi Cowley is Now at bô salon www.bosalon.com | www.brandicowley.com

2004 S. Congress Ave | Austin Texas 78704 | 512.448.0060

Accent Art Ballet East Dance Company

The Language of Motion and Power

Austin Lyric Opera’s Urban Tale

Tapestry Dance Co. Celebrates 20th

Always an instrument of Austin community development, Ballet East Dance Company presents its spring production, SOARING, at the Dougherty Arts Center, 1110 Barton Springs Road, April 8-11. SOARING features all new works by choreographers Gina Patterson, Eric Midgley, Danny Herman, Amberlee Cantrell, Elizabeth Palmer, Sheila Cruz and features the Ballet East Dance Company with Associate Director Melissa Villarreal. Since its beginnings in 1978, Ballet East Dance Company has staged exciting dance programs through innovative and eclectic choreography and the development of young dancers. Ballet East Dance Company has a long history of bringing the arts to traditionally underserved areas of inner-city Austin, introducing young people to the joy of performance and selfdiscipline. Curtain times for SOARING are: April 8-10, 9 p.m. and April 11 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 Adults/$8 Senior Citizens and Children. For tickets call 512-454-TIXS.

Austin visual artist and performer Wura-Natasha Ogunji will present the World Premiere of “one hundred black women, one hundred actions, “a visual, physical, and artistic language creation at Fusebox Festival 2010. A collective endeavor, 100 black women from around the globe have contributed “actions” for the performance, both physical and non-physical, that resemble uses of power in their daily lives. Ogunji translated the submissions into physical movements for the choreography. Another set of 100 black women will perform the choreography on Saturday, April 24 at 8 p.m. “one hundred black women, one hundred actions” speaks to an important chapter in Austin history as it will be performed live in East Austin on East 6th Street between San Marcos and Medina with a simultaneous live projection in West Austin’s Clarksville neighborhood—one of the first freedman’s towns—at Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church, 1725 West 11th Street. Free admission.

Forget the forest and cute little trail of breadcrumbs. Austin Lyric Opera’s “Hansel and Gretel,” which opens in late April, are a couple of kids lost in big, tough New York City. After setting off from their Lower East Side tenement in a desperate search for food, the duo make their way through Central Park.

After a night protected by very earthy angels, the children wind their way to a Fifth Avenue mansion where the owner has some unpleasant eating habits. A psychological thriller encased in an emotionally powerful score that blends German folksongs with Wagnerian-style orchestration, ALO’s Hansel and Gretel features a lyrical English translation that brings the story closer to home for today’s audience. Lyrics are in English and German with English supertitles.

April 24, 28 and 30 at 7 p.m., May 2 at 3 p.m. at the Long Center. For tickets see www. austinlyricopera.org or call 472.5992. Kids 12 and under $10.

Join Tapestry Dance Company for “Looking Forward, Ears Wide Open,” the second premiere concert of its 20th Anniversary Season. Long a force in the Austin dance community, Tapestry Dance Company is a professional, non-profit dance organization founded in 1989 by rhythm tap dancer Acia Gray and ballet/jazz artist Deirdre Strand for the purpose of developing a foundation in multi-form dance performance and education.

Initially a performing company of three, the organization has expanded to a professional company of seven resident artists, a diversified administrative and production support staff and a pre-professional and adult training facility in Austin, sharing the unique Strand/Gray training syllabus.

“Looking Forward, Ears Wide Open” will be presented Friday, April 25, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 27, at 2 p.m. at the Rollins Theatre at the Long Center. Tickets are $35, half price for seniors and students. For tickets visit www.tapestry.org

The New Old Thing Cupcakes have Austin covered. At one point there were at least seven cupcake operations in Austin.

They’re all good; who doesn’t like a cupcake?

Cupcakes have saturated the market, and that’s got some wondering what the new new thing might be.

Some say it’s the doughnut, or more broadly fried dough. If that’s the case, Austin is well-situated to take the lead in this category.

When you hear the name Gourdough’s (tagline: “Big. Fat. Donuts.”), it’s easy to think overgrown mutant confections. But not the entire menu is sweet—they also have savory doughnuts. “Savory doughnuts?

What could this be?” you might ask.

Take for example the first item on the menu, the Mother Clucker: a Gourdough doughnut (indeed big and fat) topped with a small pile of tender, white meat fried chicken and a drizzle of honey

By Julia Lee butter icing. A classic combination (you have drizzled honey on your fried chicken, haven’t you? Haven’t you?!), it works the way chicken and waffles work if you use only a soupcon of syrup. The doughnut itself isn’t savory but it’s definitely not the typical sweet doughnut you’d find at the grocery store or national chain. It has a nice balance: light, but not too airy; chewy, but not tough; a satisfying compliment to the wellseasoned fried chicken.

This big fat doughnut gets you thinking: “When was the last time I had a sopapilla?” Sopapillas are hot little hollow pillows of fried dough. The basic ingredients are a combination of flour and water fried in oil.

What’s the best recipe for a sopapilla? Who knows.

Some recipes have milk, some have yeast, baking powder, sugar, butter, shortening, lard. Variations of sopapillas are found throughout the Americas. It’s

tengo hambre been reported that days after the recent earthquake in Chile, residents of Concepcion’s neighborhoods were gathering as much flour as they could so that they could make sopapillas, living off of them until other food was available.

There are a couple of places in Austin with stand-out sopapillas. Maudie’s version has a very thin, almost flaky shell. Mi Madre’s sopapillas have one side that is ultra thin and crusty, sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar, while the other side is lighter, doughier and chewier; a lovely combination.

Speaking of Mi Madre’s, when was the last time you had churros?

Gourdough’s (trailer): 1219 S. Lamar Mi Madre’s: 2201 Manor Road Maudie’s: 1212 S. Lamar (and various other locations)

Mixing it Up With Chi’Lantro BBQ Nestled deep in the heart of Texas, Austin knows tacos. From breakfast tacos to fancy-pants gourmet chorizo-shrimp tacos, you can’t help but to run into a taco truck. What Austinites probably don’t know about yet are Korean tacos. That’s right. You heard me. Spicy meat, tofu and bulgogi served up Mexican style. With the popularity of Korean-Mexican fusion dishes sweeping in from New York and California, it isn’t difficult to see why.

First, let’s meet the mastermind behind the counter. Enter Jae Kim: An entrepreneur with a passion for food, this young man is no stranger to the food business. With experience in coffee and sushi (separately), Jae staked out Austin as the home of Chi’Lantro while living in San Antonio. Austin’s funky culture, desire for unique cuisine and love for food served out of a window brought Jae to open Chi’Lantro on February 1, 2010.

In less than two months, the buzz about this intriguing Korean-Mexican Fusion food traveled like wildfire. Some were skeptical. Some were in denial. Some said the “taco shouldn’t be messed with.”. But you have to admit there’s something alluring about the spicy chicken taco. Marinated, grilled chicken topped with julienned lettuce in Korean chili-soy vinaigrette, cilantro, onions, green onions and roasted sesame seeds resting upon a corn tortilla. It seems to say, “I’m weird and different, but just try me. You might like me.” With a quick squeeze of lime juice over the top, go in for that first bite. Even the staunchest purist has to admit, it’s a good taco.

The flavors of Korean and Mexican food balance each other perfectly. Sesame seeds and tortillas?

Korean salsa? Sounds weird, but the sweet, spicy, smoky and savory flavors mesh well in every bite.

14 TODO Austin // april 2010 // TOdoaustinonline.com

The Mother Clucker at Gourdough’s

By Jennie Chen So well, in fact, it’s hard to guess the combination of spices without reading the menu. Judging from the buzz about Chi’Lantro and the never-ending trickle of customers, you can hazard to guess that the other menu items are also pretty darn tasty.

Photo by Aimee Wenske

The Spicy Chicken Korean Taco at Chi’Lantro BBQ

While we can’t share the secrets of how Jae creates his fusion menu, we will share that it will be expanding. With more savory dishes and desserts on the horizon, Austin foodies should keep an eye on what this humble Korean-Mexican truck throws into the mix.

Now off to find other tasty fusion eats! Anyone see a Chinese-Jamaican menu anywhere?

Chi’Lantro’s location is tweeted daily on their Twitter account, @chilantrobbq.

Photo by John M.P. Knox

By Blake Shanley

I have apparently lived a relatively sedentary life, but since moving to Austin that is quickly changing. Let me tell you why.

It’s April, the first true month of spring in Austin, as we spent the remainder of March hiding indoors from the unexpected arctic winds. The bluebonnets are rampant, the grackles are mating, and everyone is clamoring for the outdoor patio tables. And taxes are due. If you’re like me, you get a refund every year, but if you end up owing, I have a few year-round tips to help you recover.

First, go to an Irish pub downtown, during an extremely busy tourist season (say SXSW) and order a $6 pint of Guinness and a plate of fish and chips. Then contemplate the following: Very few people – if any – will notice you wore the same pair of pants three times this week.

(As long as they are clean.) If you are suffering from an abundance of items in your wardrobe, ask yourself before you buy: Do you really need it? Settle on a few basic outfits that best flatter your stature or figure, and stick to that style. I would bet you a $6 beer you only regularly wear a small percentage of clothes from your closet, and when you do wear that trendy skirt, you’re uncomfortable all day anyway. What you don’t wear often, sell at a yard sale or donate to folks in need.

Beans and rice aren’t just for Mexicans. I may be undercover, but I have not lost my instincts. There are so many ways to make beans – cowboy beans, curried beans, refried beans…the list is endless.

They are high in protein, fiber, inexpensive, delicious and a pot will go a long way. As far as the rice, brown is the way to go, but wild rice is even healthier. And neither contains gluten, which has increasingly become suspect in causing anything from mild fatigue to seriously adverse digestive complications.

Your air conditioner and heater don’t need to run as high as you think you need. I keep my heater

at 65 in the winter and the air conditioner at 85 in the summer. If you’re cold, exercise or clean the house to get your blood flowing. Sleep with a ton of blankets. Bake cookies. Buy a chiminea and have a fire in the backyard. If you’re hot, go swimming or spend the afternoon in the library.

Turn on the ceiling fans.

Borrow instead of buying when you can. I’m not saying you should ask your next door neighbor if you can use the lawnmower every other Saturday.

Think about items you only use once: books, DVDs, or a fondue pot for that one Valentine’s Day dinner party. You can borrow books and movies for free from the public library, and you save yourself from carrying heavy boxes every time you move. The library might not have that latest Oscar-winning hit, but you’d be surprised at what you’ll find. Besides, almost all the best films were made before 1975.

By the time you’ve finished considering all these ideas to help you become more frugal, about an hour-and-a-half has gone by at that Irish pub, and because the kitchen is supposedly backed up, your fish and chips have not yet arrived. Even though the table next to you, who ordered after you, already has their food and no one else in the pub seems to be eating. So you ask the waitress if you can just pay for your $6 Guinness and skip the food, and she feels bad for you and lets you have the beer for free. Stomach growling and lightheaded, you then go to a taquería, which would have been much cheaper in the first place.

Not that I have anything against the Irish. Even though not economical, I am still craving those fish and chips. And besides, the Irish and the Mexican formed an alliance during the MexicanAmerican war in the mid-1800s. But that history lesson is for another time. ¡Viva los San Patricios!

I had no idea how amazingly useful and powerful my own two legs and feet actually were. Most of the time they have been crossed underneath a desk or table somewhere. Or kicked up on an ottoman. Or resting on a gas pedal. Or folded up under me while sitting on the floor. I didn’t appreciate them at all. I didn’t know what they were capable of and how drastically they could affect the quality of life. I knew they got me from point A to B, but there was typically little distance between the points. Sure, when I lived in Santa Monica and Venice Beach, I would aimlessly walk up and down the promenade or the boardwalk.

And sure, there were countless other leisurely strolls in various parts of the different towns in which I’ve lived or visited throughout my life.

But really, if someone told me we had to walk somewhere, chances are I would have grimaced a bit at the thought of the potentially taxing trek.

How sad…

That all made me sound incredibly lazy, but I promise you I’m not. I think I had just been a victim of the pathetically-sedentary-lifestyle epidemic that ravages so much of our overlystimulated, instant gratification-seeking American civilization. Ok, so I wasn’t really a “victim” but I fell miserably into a mostly inactive life and stayed there far too long.

Now the ray of sunshine: Austin is an infectiously and deliciously active town with almost anything you could want within merely a few miles, and as so many new businesses continue to pop up in the urban core, the car-less urban lifestyle

frame of reference is becoming very attractive and plausible. The city provides an amazing backdrop—the lake, the trees, the weather—it’s special. I’m really appreciating that now, four years after having moved here.

So what does it mean to be “green” in this very green city? I’m mostly a vegetarian (I eat fish occasionally). I recycle (most of the time). I use almost all completely organic products. I buy mostly organic foods. I am 99% of the alternative medicine mindset. I believe in “green” practices and lifestyles, but it wasn’t until I left my car at home and put my legs to work that I started to really feel “green.”

I have been living downtown for the last few months, and let me tell you— there are very few places I need or want to go that I can’t get to on foot. Walking from place to place, I have been seeing more, smelling more, tasting more, talking more, playing more, breathing more, laughing more, appreciating more, doing more. What a novel concept!

I had no idea how far my two little legs could carry me and more importantly, I had no idea how much more I would enjoy any given day in this great little city using only my legs and feet to make me mobile. Take advantage of the natureinfused urban environment Austin has to offer.

Here, it is easy being green.