TODO Austin February 2013

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Volume IV, 10 / February 2013

Photo by Diana Sanchez

AGR Working to Assure Fairness in CD10-1 Implementation By Jessica Ellison Austinites for Geographic Representation continue its work to assure fair and representative elections for Austin. AGR has requested four revisions to the latest CD10-1 implementation plan defined by Austin City Auditor Ken Mory. Fred Lewis, re-districting expert and AGR’s legal counsel said, “After a thorough review of Mr. Mory’s ‘Draft Interpretative Guidance for the Redistricting Process,’ AGR has sent a nine page letter to Mr. Mory requesting four changes to make the city’s plan reflect more accurately the intent and purposes of the new law. In summary the changes are: 1. the panel chartered to qualify applicants for the Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission (ICRC) should ensure the applicant pool reflects the diversity of Austin, 2. eligibility for the ICRC should be based on voter participation in both May and November City General elections, 3. political party precinct chairs should be qualified to serve on the ICRC, and 4. the auditors who assess applicants for the ICRC should be paid for their services.”

One of the proposed changes has been more controversial than the others. Many critics of the ICRC argue that the eligibility rules concerning voter history in city elections are too restrictive. Currently, the City Auditor’s plan for ICRC eligibility requires all applicants to have voted in three out of the last five May city elections – but, that could change.

“AGR believes that the language found in CD 10-1 does not exclude the November 2008 and 2012 elections, which would significantly increase the pool of Austinites eligible for the ICRC,” said Roger Borgelt, Travis County Republican Party Vice Chairman and co-chair of the AGR CD10-1 Advisory Committee. “AGR intended to include those elections – both of which had city issues and bonds on the ballot – when drafting the language for the ICRC.” Nelson Linder, President of NAACP Austin and co-chair of the AGR CD10-1 Advisory Committee, explained AGR’s position, “Critics have warned in the press that there will be insufficient voters eligible for the ICRC. That argument is ridiculous. Yes, AGR wants ICRC eligibility based on all city general elections: May and November … whichever qualification the City Auditor requires, finding 60 qualified applicants for the ICRC is not a problem. Our research, given to Mr. Mory, shows that even if only May elections qualify, the pool is 35,000 potential applicants. The fairer qualification of both May and November elections has a pool of almost 70,000 potential applicants.”

Former Senator Gonzalo Barrientos outlined AGR’s commitment to CD 10-1: “AGR will continue to monitor and support the city’s implementation of CD10-1. We will co-operate with others, including the City Auditor, to organize neighborhood outreach programs to educate citizens on CD10-1 and to attract applicants to the ICRC. CD10-1 was defined by Austin’s citizens, put on the ballot by Austin’s citizens, and made law

by Austin’s citizens. AGR will assure CD10-1 will be implemented with Austin’s citizens.”

TODOAustin.com Taking Austin’s multicultural message to the global stage, TODO Austin is proud to announce the launch of our new website, TODOAustin.com. The vibrant new site provides the content appearing in the current TODO Austin printed journal, along with

community-building dialogue, while providing Austin its only multicultural media both online and in print.

Associate Editors // Mia Garcia, Harish Kotecha, Alexandra M. Landeros, Callie Langford, Cristina 02 TODO Austin // February 2013 // TODOAustin.com

Community Conversation About 10-1 & ICRC

MALDEF 2013 Latino State of the Union

will continue to engage our melting pot of cultures in positive,

Senior Editors // Güner Arslan, Cindy Casares, Sonia Kotecha, Lesley Varghese, Yvonne Lim Wilson

The Austin Latino Coalition

re-tweeting, pinning and boasting directly from the website. We

past four years. Social media already connects the global web

Contributing Editors // Katie Walsh, Erica Stall Wiggins

Wednesday, February 6 // 5:30 p.m. // MACC

Saturday, February 9 // 10 a.m. // MACC

where you can find stories and photos from TODO Austin’s

MANAGING EDITOR // Evelyn C. Castillo

Other issues include parking meters and parking fees for the ESB MACC parking lot, which will also be high on the agenda, along with formally requesting parking fees to be allocated to the ESB MACC and an exemption from Councilman Chris Riley’s plan to allow parking lots on city parkland be used for neighboring businesses, should the ESB MACC ever be officially added or designated as park land.

media networks, TODOAustin.com users will enjoy sharing,

TODOAustin.com features links to archived past printed issues,

Art Director // Dave McClinton www.dmdesigninc.com

MACC Board Meeting Get Involved.

The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center Board is looking at several things for consideration at the next meeting. Foremost among the list being a recommendation to Austin City Council to slow down high rise development along neighboring Rainey Street just long enough to consider having conversations about compatibility with the ESB MACC in the approval and review process for future developments along Rainey Street between River Street and Driskill Street. Establishing a mechanism for implementing those compatibility standards through an appropriate city process and review board or panel prior to approval or through amendment of the city code would be the best outcome.

of Austin’s multicultural community. With enhanced social

special creative features and staff and community-led blogs.

Publisher/Editor // Gavin Lance Garcia contact@TODOaustin.com • 512.538.4115

By Paul Saldaña and Briana Garcia.

The Austin Latino Coalition, which includes HABLA, La Raza Roundtable, Hermanos de East Austin, PODER, Austin Tejano Democrats, Latina Policy Coalition, LULAC, Hispanic Voters Count in Austin, East Austin Voter Mobilization Initiative, and the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber invite you to join in on a community conversation about the new 10-1 Single Member Districts Plan for Austin City Council Elections and how to apply to the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (ICRC).

outstanding multimedia features, enhanced event listings,

Volume IV, Number 10

Notes from Hispanic Advocates and Business Leaders of Austin.

Parker, Diana Sanchez, Blake Shanley Contributing Writers/Photographers/Artists: Mohammad Al-Bedaiwi, Heather Banks, Gonzalo Barrientos, Adriana Cadena, Roy Casagranda, Sirsha Chatterjee, Priscilla Cortez, Ruben Cubillos, Chi Dinh, Harmony Eichsteadt, Kathleen Fitzgerald, Layla Fry, Briana Garcia, Mark Guerra, Mari Hernandez, Ryan Hutchison, Yadira Izquierdo, Nandini Jairam, Chaille Jolink, Ryan Jordan, Ramey Ko, Heather Lee, Julia Lee, Liz Lopez, Otis Lopez, David Marks, JoJo Marion, Valerie Menard, Crystal Moreno, Preya Patel, Monica Peña, Esther Reyes, Paul Saldaña, Marion Sanchez, Hani Saleh, Azim Siddiqui, Chris Summers, Corey Tabor, Blanca Valencia, Kristina Vallejo, Kuetzpalin Vasquez, Joseph P.A. Villescas, Bowen Wilder, Selena Xie. Web Design // Mike Hernandez

Cover // Catherine Pong with Lemon Blast Ball Python from Zoo Keeper (9012 Research). Diana Sanchez photo.

TODO Austin: Multicultural Media for All of Austin. TODO Austin is a free print and online journal for all of Austin highlighting our multicultural heritage and promoting the concept of community in an ethnically diverse city. Circulation throughout Austin, from the Westside’s Pennybacker Bridge to the Eastside’s Montopolis Bridge.

TODO Austin is published by Spark Awakened Publishing. © 2013 Spark Awakened Publishing. All rights reserved. The views expressed here are the authors and should not be taken to represent those of Spark Awakened Publishing or of any of its associates or partners.

ADVERTISING/SUBMISSIONS/EDITORIAL: Contact@todoaustinonline.com, 512.538.4115 TODO Austin – 1400 Corona Drive - Austin, TX 78723

MALDEF, the Latino legal voice for civil rights in America, presents its 2013 Latino State of the Union on Thursday, February 21 from One Time Warner Center in New York. Watch it live on MALDEF.org. For more information, contact Stephanie Loera at sloera@maldef.org or call (213)629-2512, Ext 143.

HABLA Platica

HABLA held its first successful Platica on January 23 in which current Latino affairs and issues were discussed. The following topics were voted as the top three priorities for the Austin Latino community: • Formulate a plan for the Austin Hispanic Quality of Life Initiative.

• Issues regarding the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center and Rainey Street.

• Indicate and encourage Latino applicants for the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission.

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and highlights the histories, struggles and community-building efforts of this largely forgotten population. The forum will also feature scholars and community activists working on refugee resettlement issues from around the country.

Hosted by the Center for Asian American Studies, and co-sponsored by the Social Justice Institute (DDCE) and the Austin Asian American Resource Center, the forum is scheduled Friday, February 15, 5 p.m. on the University of Texas campus in the College of Liberal Arts Building (CLA), Room 1.302B. Participants include Lesley Varghese, Executive Director, Austin Asian American Resource Center; Dr. Peter Kiang, Professor of Education and Director of the Asian American Studies Program, University of Massachusetts at Boston; Chhaya Chhoum, Founder and Director of the Mekong Center of the Bronx, New York; and local refugee community representatives. The forum will be moderated

by Dr. Eric Tang, Assistant Professor of African and African Diaspora Studies and the Center for Asian American Studies at UT-Austin.

Abriendo Brecha Forum

‘Resettlement City? Austin’s Refugee Communities’ Austin is recognized by the federal government as a refugee resettlement city. Of the nearly 5,000 refugees who resettle to Texas each year, many are choosing the capitol city as a place to rebuild their lives after years of political violence followed by confinement to international camps. Refugees are also part of the city’s rapidly expanding communities of color, and yet they are often dropped from broader discussions on race, immigration and the economy. The A forum, “Resettlement City? Austin’s Refugee Communities,” a component of the Abriendo Brecha conference, will provides an overview of Austin’s refugee communities 04 TODO Austin // February 2013 // TODOAustin.com

Abriendo Brecha (Opening a Path) is an annual conference on activist scholarship held at The University of Texas at Austin. The conference brings together artists, community activists, and scholars whose work is directed toward social justice. Its goal is to build a vibrant community supporting research, creative production, performance and teaching that connects the university in sustained collaboration with communitybased mobilizations for social change, in Austin and beyond. “In this sense, we take the University’s prominent motto—‘What Starts Here Changes the World’—quite seriously and literally, giving progressive values of social change an institutional anchor in our training programs,” said a conference spokesperson.

“We are particularly excited about this year’s conference, Abriendo Brecha’s tenth anniversary.” Directors have invited nearly 50 alumni of its programs to discuss their distinctive approaches to activist scholarship, and to reflect on their experiences carrying on these efforts throughout the hemisphere, both inside and outside the academy.

For more details, visit: ddce.utexas.edu/ abriendobrecha/.

Take Action on Hispanic Quality of Life Initiative Now

By Otis Lopez

Members of Hispanic Advocates Business Leaders of Austin (HABLA) are approaching the Austin City Council to request that the Hispanic Quality of Life Initiative (HQLI), started five years ago, be completed.

On May 8, 2008, Council, citing the tremendous growth of the Hispanic population, adopted a resolution directing the City Manager to facilitate a Hispanic quality of life study and to develop strategies to address findings based upon the City demographer’s community scorecard.

Subsequent community forums were held and a final HQLI report was presented to the Council in August, 2009. However since then, there have been no Council briefings, public updates to the community and no action plan developed.

To See Social Change, Be at the Forefront of the Work

By Representative Mary González

Two years ago (I remember because it was last legislative session), I was attending demonstrations, participating in community meetings, and organizing fellow graduate students in response to the funding cuts to public and higher education.

I remember my professor walking into our graduate class with a look of fear, stating, “It is the end of public school as we know it.” He was referring not only to the funding cuts, but also the implementation of a demoralizing standardized test (the STAAR test), and the curriculum changes that were erasing the histories of women, people of color, and LGBTQ folk.

According to a recent study issued by the PEW Hispanic Center, the Austin Metro area now ranks in the top twenty of metro cities across the U.S. with the largest Hispanic population.

Austin is home to over 538,000 Hispanics (35% of the total Austin population). The report also references some of the ongoing challenges for the growing Austin Hispanic population including: • 34% of Hispanics have less than a high school diploma • 33% of Hispanic children live in poverty • 33% lack health insurance • 26% live in poverty • 18% have a bachelor’s degree or higher Members of HABLA are calling upon the Austin City Council for immediate action. HABLA is a think tank group and forum made up of local Hispanic/Latino community and business leaders committed to discussing and developing sustainable solutions on current affairs, public policies and quality of life issues impacting our local Austin Hispanic/Latino community. we ever wanted to see social change, we had to be at the forefront of the work making it happen, and a lot of times, that commitment requires sacrifice. Thus, I felt when the opportunity presented itself I had to practice the words I was teaching.

Education is still my top priority, but my agenda has expanded to incorporate other issues, such as: environmental justice, reproductive health, and development and support for the colonias in my district.

For example, some of the bills we are working on include: • Addressing issues of wage theft • Improving the notification process to strengthen community control against potentially harmful projects to the environment • Making reproductive health accessible for all women • Removing the “high-stakes” attached to testing for k-8th grade • Making higher education more affordable This legislative session, which ends May 31, is going to be difficult and frustrating. Already, there are pieces of legislation filed that are antiimmigrant, anti-women, anti- workers and antichildren, and with only 55 Democrats to the 95 Republicans in the State House, it will be an uphill battle.

Mary González

Running for office was not an easy decision. As a professor, I used to stress to my students that if

I hope that my journey encourages others to fight, be involved, and reflect on the different ways we can all create change.

IMMIGRATION

expansion of the most aggressive and punitive policies against immigrant families in U.S. history. In the last four years the U.S. has broken every record for deportations ever set. This administration expanded the controversial “Secure Communities”

By Fernando Garcia deportation program to every county in the U.S., After more than 25 years of intense advocacy, we reform that would legalize the undocumented. So often over the objections of local communities have never been closer to immigration reform we have seen more than 400 miles of fencing and law enforcement. than we are right now. The high turnout of Latino and walls erected on our southern border, and voters in the last election has suddenly prioritized Customs and Border Protection personnel Immigration enforcement strategies under Obama the issue with politicians from both major parties. expanded to over 22,000 agents in the last are also costing taxpayers dearly. A report released 10 years. This expansion makes it the largest last month by the non-partisan Migration Policy Such reform must start with bringing 11 million enforcement institution in the nation, and yet we Institute detailed how the federal government undocumented people out of the shadows of do not have immigration reform. spent $18 billion on immigration enforcement in exploitation and persecution by providing a path to 2012 alone. This dwarfs the budget of all other integration and full citizenship. The excitement of If lawmakers continue on this path of “enforcement federal law enforcement agencies, including the being closer than ever to achieving this American first,” our communities are concerned that FBI and CIA, combined. immigration reform will only increase harsh dream for so many is palpable and growing. penalties for immigration violations, separate So when will it be enough?

However, this excitement is also mixed with worry families, discriminate against women, continue the and doubt. Many communities, including those in militarization of the border and further criminalize The Border Network for Human Rights, along with our border region, have every reason to fear that individuals. In other words, trading off the rights others across the county and along the southern an immigration reform that comes out of Capitol and dignity of human beings for political gain. and northern borders, is calling for an immigration Hill might not be as good as expected and that it reform that doesn’t include more of this costly, will be marred by an “enforcement first” mentality This would be reprehensible and would violate our punitive and unaccountable enforcement. core American values of justice and equality. But once again. unfortunately, these things are currently part of the Instead, we seek to make enforcement systems accountable. This also means that these We can see the evidence of enforcement first all debate. enforcement systems must respect American around our border community. An unprecedented amount of unaccountable immigration This is the question central to the upcoming principles of equality and dignity, civil and human enforcement has been implemented in the last national debate: When will it be enough? Even rights, transparency and fiscal responsibility. We 20 years to seal the border and crack down on though President Obama has embraced the want the voices of those most affected, border undocumented immigrants. Nativist politicians idea of reforming our ill-conceived immigration residents, to be heard in the political debate over have treated these policies as a prerequisite for any system, his administration has presided over the immigration.

In Immigration Debate, Enforcement Systems Must Be Accountable

A Call to Texans to Act on Comprehensive Immigration Reform

By Cristina Parker

On January 28, a bi-partisan group of eight U.S. Senators released a set of principles to shape, pass and implement long overdue comprehensive immigration reform.

The principles, drafted by Senators Schumer, McCain, Durbin, Graham, Menendez, Rubio, Bennet, and Flake, represent a mixed bag of immigration policies, with some representing rational, humane and overdue ideas while at the same time representing serious threats to human rights and core American values.

“The Border Network recognizes this as a first and very important step to address the core issue of immigration reform,

which is providing a path to citizenship for 11 million undocumented people living and working in the U.S.,” said Fernando Garcia, Border Network for Human Rights Executive Director. “But we cannot ignore the problems within these principles. We are deeply concerned and disappointed that the Senators would connect the much-needed legalization program to new border enforcement triggers and further militarization of our southern border.”

The bipartisan proposal calls for the deployment more drones (unmanned aerial vehicles), more border patrol agents, more infrastructure and military technology. It also calls for national, mandatory E-Verify, which would be something very close to a national ID. BNHR strongly rejects the notion that more punitive, expensive and unaccountable enforcement is needed to move forward with a functional and humane reform that brings people out of the shadows and unifies families.

BNHR also warns of the dangers of trading off the safety, rights and well-being of the border community for political gains.

In fact, every border security trigger from

Enough damage has been done in the name of “enforcement first.” We must move from “enforcement first” to human rights first, reject more punitive policies, and make enforcement accountability a major part of the coming immigration reform deal.

Fernando Garcia is the Executive Director of the Border Network for Human Rights, one of the leading immigration reform and human rights advocacy organizations in the U.S. BNHR has a membership of more than 800 families, or close to 4,000 individuals, in West Texas and Southern New Mexico.

Rally for Human Rights at the Capitol February 22 The Reform Immigration for Texas Alliance, a multi-sector network working for sensible and human immigration reform which includes the Austin Immigrant Rights Coalition, calls upon Texans to take action on comprehensive immigration reform. Last month a group of bi-partisan U.S. Senators released a set of principles to guide the legislative discussion on comprehensive immigration reform. Communities across Texas will be mobilizing for a “Citizenship First” approach to immigration reform on February 22 at the Texas Capitol in Austin.

the failed 2006 immigration reform bill has been met or exceeded. Enough been done to secure the border.

The Senators’ principles do contain some much-needed measures to improve accountability of enforcement systems, however. For example, adding more personnel to the currently understaffed ports of entry, more training for Border Patrol, prohibitions on racial profiling and the use of lethal force, and a mechanism for border communities to provide input and critique of policies that impact their communities.

The principles also include a fast-track for citizenship for DREAMers and an acknowledgement of the serious problem of backlogs. These measures are what an immigration reform deal should be about.

Lawmakers should instead concentrate their efforts on these rational and needed measures to fix immigration and enforcement systems. A functional immigration system will make our country more free, safe and prosperous. And a balanced approach to immigration enforcement would better reflect our American values of due process, fiscal responsibility and accountability.

TODO Austin // February 2013 // TODOAustin.com 05

Celebrating Black History Month Austin’s Carver Museum and Cultural Center Observes African American Influence Celebrate Black History Month in February at the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center, 1165 Angelina Street.

The Annual Black History Banner Unveiling launches festivities on Friday, February 1, at

Spirits Soar for Huston-Tillotson University BHM Events Austin’s oldest institution of higher education, Huston-Tillotson University, with roots dating back to 1875, is marking Black History with month-long programming. In deference to Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, HT also honors the legacy of Black History Month founder Carter G. Woodson and the first designation in 1926.

7th Annual Black History Month Concert Friday, February 8, 7:30 pm Bates Recital Hall (2420 Robert Dedman Drive) Parking available at San Jacinto Garage Free admission

10 a.m. in the Boyd Vance Theatre. “At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality: The Emancipation Proclamation and the March on Washington” featuring special guest speaker, Mr. Freddie Dixon, is free and open to the public.

On Saturday, February 2, 7 p.m., visit the Boyd Vance Theatre for a CD Release concert featuring Icy Simpson-Monroe, soprano, and Artina McCain, piano. The celebration of African American composers and spirituals includes a special performance by Ballet Afrique. Free admission.

Saturday, February 16, Carver Museum presents familyfFun with Austin’s own Buffalo Soldiers from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on the grounds of the museum.

25th Annual Blues and Jazz Festival Sunday, February 17, 4 - 8 pm Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex (1156 Hargrave Street) Tickets ($25) available at HT Bookstore, Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex, Hospital Pharmacy on MLK, by calling 512477-2998, or by sending a message to info@ myec.net. Beverages are allowed. However, coolers or ice chests are not permitted.

Performing are the HT Concert Choir and Jazz Combo; James Polk and Pamela Hart; Blind Orange Jefferson and the Seeing Eye Band; Robert Kelly and Blue Mist Soul Band; Hot Wax; W.C. Clark Blues Review; and others. Sponsored by the HT Alumni Association, Austin Chapter.

10th Annual W.E.B. DuBois Lecture Featuring Eli Reed Thursday, February 21, 9:30 am & 2:30 pm Huston-Tillotson University AgardLovinggood Auditorium (900 Chicon Street) Free admission

Composer Charles Lloyd, Jr., noted for his musical compositions and arrangements, will be the featured guest during the annual Black History Month collaborative concert with the Huston-Tillotson University Concert Choir, under the direction of Dr. Gloria Quinlan; the Prairie View A&M University Concert Chorale, under the direction of Dr. A. Jan Taylor; and the University of Texas Chamber Singers, under the direction of Dr. James Morrow.

06 TODO Austin // February 2013 // TODOAustin.com

The special presentations and demonstrations are free and promises to be hands-on fun.

Representing the cultural flowering of Harlem, from the 1920’s-1930’s, “Beauty is the Best Priest,” are a series of short plays of The Harlem Renaissance. The production includes prizewinning works by African American women who were amongst the most influential playwrights, poets, novelists, journalists and activists of the era. Directed by Marcus McQuirter, Zell Miller III, Feliz McDonald, and Florinda Bryant, the play runs February 22 through March 3, Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m. and Sundays, 2 p.m. Admission is $10 adults; $5 students with ID. Proceeds benefit the Austin Community College Theatre Scholarship fund and the Carver Museum’s Summer Youth Performing Arts Program. lecturer for the annual DuBois program. Reed will visit with HT students during a master’s class scheduled from 9:30-10:45 a.m. before his lecture at 2:30 p.m. and the unveiling of a campus photography exhibit of his works.

Reed will also autograph limited-edition photographs and his book for purchase after the lecture. Reed, who studied at Harvard University, currently teaches at UT, and was a Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography runner up in 1982. The HT DuBois Honors Program offers gifted students unique opportunities to enrich their education at Huston-Tillotson University through specialized curricula, internships, workshops, and cultural events.

HT University Day Saturday, February 23, 9 am–5 pm Huston-Tillotson University Campus (900 Chicon Street) Free admission High school juniors, seniors, and their parents are invited to discover Huston-Tillotson University during University Day. Prospective students meet faculty and staff, obtain information about majors, tour the campus, and receive scholarship and financial aid information. HT, conveniently located near downtown Austin, offers Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degrees in several fields.

A minor can be earned in most of disciplines, including religious studies and African and African American Studies. Register online at http://htu.edu/enrollment/universityday or contact Enrollment Management at 512.505.3028 or admission@htu.edu.

14th Annual African American Community Heritage Festival Saturday, February 23, 1–5 pm Huston-Tillotson University Campus (900 Chicon Street) Free admission Award-winning photographer and photojournalist Eli Reed is the featured

The public is invited to the African American Community Heritage Festival, sponsored by

Texas State Representative Dawnna Dukes, from 1-5 p.m. AACHF offers a family-friendly extravaganza filled with games and vendors, a Kid’s Zone with bounce houses, safety demonstrations, Texas Buffalo Soldiers, arts and crafts, home décor, books, clothing, jewelry, storytelling, health, vision and dental screenings and insurance outreach, merchant vendors coupled with dance, giveaway prizes and live entertainment including performances by youth groups, Perfect Peace, The Isaac Sisters, Flava Dance Company, Capoeira Angola, and more. For more information call 512-505-3073.

Asian Austin About Town

The Knights with Wu Man in Concert Texas Performing Arts presents renowned pipa virtuoso Wu Man in concert with progressive New York classical ensemble, The Knights, for an elegant evening of classic and contemporary chamber orchestra works on Tuesday, February 19, 8 p.m. at Bass Concert Hall.

Xiang Yun Temple Celebrate the Lunar New Year by trying out traditional Chinese acupuncture. The temple offers a free Chinese Medicine Clinic service each Sunday this month from 1-3 p.m. in the Meditation Hall. No reservation required and first come first serve. Remember to register yourself when you arrive. Xiang Yun Temple also invites the public to its Sunday Chanting Service. The hour-and-a-half service is followed by a short Dharma talk by the temple’s Venerable. After the service, a vegetarian lunch is served. Every Sunday, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Fo Guang Shan Xiang Yun Temple is located on Capital of Texas Highway. The temple is surrounded by rolling hills covered by cedars, often submerged in cloud-like fog. Thus, the temple was named Xiang (fragrance) Yun (cloud).

For more info go to ibps-austin.org

Recognized as the world’s premier pipa virtuoso and as a leading ambassador of Chinese music, Wu Man creates and fosters projects that give this ancient instrument a new role in today’s music world, not only introducing the instrument to new audiences, but commissioning and premiering over a hundred new works. A Grammy-nominated artist and 2012 Musical America Instrumentalist of the Year, she has collaborated with renowned musicians incudingYo-Yo Ma in the recording of “Silk Road.” Hailed as “the future of classical music in America” by the Los Angeles Times, The Knights are an ensemble of adventurous musicians who cultivate collaborative music making and creatively engage audiences in the shared joy of musical performance. texasperformingarts.org

Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce GAACC will be hosting a networking event on Thursday, February 21, 6-8 p.m., at the Aloft at the Domain, 11601 Domain Drive.

GAACC welcomes the public to the event to encourage business contacts with the city’s Asian American population, whose numbers are expected to double to about 12 percent by 2020. austinasianchamber.org

CAAAD Honors Trailblazers and Community Advocates at 5th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration

By Selena Xie

The Capital Area Asian American Democrats (CAAAD) will host its fifth annual CAAAD Awards and Lunar New Year Celebration on Thursday, February 21, 6–8 p.m. at Satay Restaurant. This year CAAAC is honoring Travis County Judge Samuel Biscoe with its Lifetime Achievement Award, Senator Kirk Watson with its Legislator of the Year Award, and Esther Chung, the Asian American Neighborhood Liaison for the Austin History Center, with its Activist of the Year Award.

The Asian American community in Central Texas has continued to grow at a rapid rate, and the political impact of the community has grown along with its population. At the national level, the 2012 elections saw unprecedented coverage of the Asian American vote, where Asian Americans were the key swing vote and margin of victory in many close races, including the presidential swing states and key Senate and House rkces. In the aftermath of the 2012 election, pundits, activists, and campaign professionals have all

confirmed that the Asian American vote is now the second most reliably Democratic vote behind African Americans.

Texas is no exception, electing a second Asian American Democrat, Gene Wu, this past November to join Hubert Vo in the Texas House.

Texas Democrats also fielded a record number of Asian American candidates for state, local, and federal offices and elected their first Asian American party officer, Vice Chair of Finance, Farrukh Shamsi.

As a result of strong support from the local community, CAAAD continued to expand its work on behalf of Democrats and the Asian American community. In 2012, CAAAD substantially increased its spending on ethnic media advertising on behalf of its endorsed candidates and ballot items, targeting the Chinese, Korean, South Asian, and Vietnamese communities, as well as launching its first paid social media advertising and outreach campaign reaching over 30,000 people. CAAAD also created English and translated voter information/rights guides for Travis County voters.

This year’s awardees exemplify the growing role and accomplishments of the Asian American community and its allies in Central Texas. Lifetime Achievement Award honoree Travis County Judge Sam Biscoe has dedicated over 25 years of public service as County Commissioner and then head of Travis County Commissioners Court.

on the University of Texas campus. Abelmann specializes in the Koreas and Asian America.

Center for East Asian Studies Professor Teng Jimeng gives a talk, “Mo Yan, A Stooge or Hero: From Red Sorghum to Red Scare,” on Tuesday, February 5, 3:30 p.m. on the UT campus, WCH 4.118. Jimeng is a frequent guest speaker on prime time news/talk shows at China Central Television (CCTV). His commentary, teaching, and essays, examine the paradoxes of social change in modern and contemporary China.

From 1991 to 1997, he served as a consultant to the Palm D’Or winning director, Mr. Chen Kaige, director of “Farewell My Concubine.”

“Pets, Death, and Taxes: Defining the Legal Boundaries of Religion in Contemporary Japan” is a talk by Barbara Ambros, Associate Professor at University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, on Friday, February 8, 3:30 p.m. in WCH 4.118.

Ambros is currently working on a book on women in Japanese religions as well as several related projects on contemporary Japanese spirituality and Buddhism.

Center for Asian American Studies “The American University Meets the Pacific Century: Notes from the University of Illinois” is a talk being given by Nancy Abelmann, UI Professor of Anthropology, Asian American Studies, and East Asian Languages and Cultures, from noon-1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 13, in WCH 4.118

- Compiled by staff and Asian Austin at www.

AsianAustin.com, an online news source featuring news about Asian American people, organizations and events in Austin. Visit the Asian Austin website and “Like” us on Facebook for calendar and event details. Contact publisher Yvonne Lim Wilson at yvonne@asianaustin.com.

Throughout his service, Judge Biscoe has gained a strong reputation for fairness and efficiency.

Chu noted, “While we recognize Senator Watson for his legislative accomplishments this year, the Asian American community knows that Senator Watson has been fighting for us for many years, whether as an elected official or as an active citizen.”

CAAAD’s Activist of the Year, Esther Chung, has served as the Asian American Neighborhood Liaison for the Austin History Center for the past few years. In this role, she is responsible for collecting, archiving, and sharing the history of Asian Americans in Austin; her exhibit on the Vietnamese American community in Austin is believed to be the first ever exhibition on the history of Vietnamese Americans in a particular city. Chung has also presented exhibits on the first Chinese in Austin and has been collecting stories and information on the Austin South Asian community. While very few cities have a local Asian American historian, Austin has benefited greatly from Chung’s energy, dedication, and innovative spirit.

There is a $10 suggested donation at the door for attendees and any contribution will be credited towards CAAAD membership. Participants will also enjoy free food generously provided by Satay and cultural performances by The Love of China School of Chinese Dance.

CAAAD looks forward to welcoming the Year of the Snake with its award recipients and fellow Central Texans.

Legislator of the Year Senator, Kirk Watson, has been a strong ally of the Asian American community dating back to his years as Mayor of Austin. Specifically, Senator Watson fought for funding for the Center for Asian American Studies at the University of Texas. CAAAD President Nick

TODO Austin // February 2013 // TODOAustin.com 07

C e l e b r at ing D iv e r si t y

The Black Watch and Band of the Scots Guards

Bridge2Bridge From Montopolis Bridge to 360 Bridge, Everything Austin

Embark on a historical and musical journey when “British Isles of Wonder,” featuring the Band of the Scots Guards and The Pipes, Drums, Highland Dancers of The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, come to the Frank Erwin Center on Thursday, February 21.

Together, the bands will celebrate the music of Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales with traditional marches, drums, bagpipes, pageantry, dancing and more.

The accomplished musicians are iconic images of Great Britain and have inspired British troops and entertained audiences around the world for more than three centuries. The Band of the Scots Guards is also frequently called upon for State events, including Trooping the Colour, or The Queen’s Birthday Parade, each year.

The Black Watch gained a number of battle honors throughout its history and has fought in major battles from the Peninsular War to the Iraq War. Today, in addition to serving as musicians, the Scottish pipers and drummers serve in the elite British Army machine gun platoon.

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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • With such a rich heritage, The Royal Regiment of Scotland has inherited a wealth of Regimental music for both the Pipes and Drums and the Military Band. Music is an essential part of Regimental life. Each battalion of the Regiment has its own Band of Pipes and Drums manned by soldiers who receive their musical training at the Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming in Edinburgh.

The Scots Guards were raised in 1642 by a Royal Commission issued by King Charles I to the 1st Marquess of Argyll, authorizing him to raise a Royal Regiment of 1,500 men to be “led into our Realm of Ireland.” The regiment was intended by the King to be his Royal Guard and from this date the history of the Scots Guards begins.

12 TODO Austin // February 2013 // TODOAustin.com

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“Masked: Changing Identities” showcases over 200 Mexican dance and popular masks from the Mexic-Arte Museum and the Benson Latin American collections.

The mask’s vibrant colors and anthropomorphic designs reflect Mexican traditions. In the annex, “Unmasked: Lucha Libre” examines the history, practice, and popularization of the masked sport of Mexican wrestling. mexic-artemuseum.org • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Turkish Cypriot filmmaker Dervis Zaim’s most recent directorial effort, “Gölgeler ve Suretler” (Shadows and Faces), tackles the inter-communal violence his homeland experienced in the 1960s through the story of a father and daughter. View the award-winning film on Saturday, February 16, 6:30 p.m. on the UT campus, MEZ 1.306. Free, in Turkish with English subtitles. raindropturkishhouse.org • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Austin Friends of Folk Art holds its annual members’ party Sunday, February 17, 4-7 p.m. at Mexic-Arte Museum.

AFFA will take a look back at over 25 years of programs and events with dancing and music including the rousing sounds of Bells of Joy. Free food and drink provided with a $10 contribution. Consider joining AFFA by signing up at the event or learn more at austinfriendsoffolkart.org • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • West by West Campus is the only music festival in the University of Texas district, and on Saturday, February 23, local artists will perform from noon to 10 p.m. on four stages at 21st St. Co-op, Eden House, French House and Marjorie-Daw co-operatives, all located around 21st and Rio Grande streets. UT co-ops have served as Austin music scene incubators for generations so don’t resist a visit. westbywestcampus.com • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Bella Gaia (Beautiful Earth) is an immersive theater experience that expresses the deeply moving beauty of our planet as seen through the eyes of astronauts. Featuring a live performance created by award winning filmmaker/ composer Kenji Williams and other world musicians, its set against a backdrop of orbiting visualizations of Earth from space. Paramount Theatre, Saturday, February 23, 8 p.m. austintheatre.org • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Join instructor Patricia Pablano Truitt as she leads students through a two-day workshop on the art of Repujado at Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center. Repujado, also known as “embossing” metal, is the art of working in metallic foil to give volume and relief to a decorative design engraved. Saturday, February 16 and 23, 1-4 p.m. Cost $40. All materials provided. Space is limited. maccaustin.org • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority with an exhibit through March. Members of the Austin alumnae chapter of America’s largest AfricanAmerican sorority have served the community for the past 80 years, demonstrating commitment and steadfastness in delivering quality programming to benefit East Austin. austinalumnae.org

TODO Arts

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Design for Living // Rollins Theatre

Austin Shakespeare presents Noel Coward’s work February 6 – 24. It’s a provocative story of three friends who engage in a complicated, comic and loving relationship. Austin favorites Martin Burke and Helen Merino team up with Michael Miller in the Paris, London and New York of the 1930’s. Chanteuse Kara Bliss add to the delight. thelongcenter.org ======================================

Lovano & Douglas Quintet // Bass Concert Hall

Grammy-winning saxophonist/composer Joe Lovano and two-time Grammy nominated trumpeter Dave Douglas bring their all-star ensemble, Sound Prints, to Austin for an evening of powerhouse jazz Friday, February 15. In addition to collaborating on acclaimed recordings, they’ve each earned jazz “Artist of the Year”

by Down Beat. texasperformingarts.org ======================================

Masters of Tradition // Bass Concert Hall

Seven of the most compelling artists in Irish music today explore the heart of the country’s traditional music Thursday, February 28. MT make their way to Austin with a spellbinding program that includes solo performances, duets, trios, and full group collaborations performed by artists who bring an unparalleled level of music mastery. texasperformingarts.org

Austin Lunar New Year!

Year of the Snake

City of Austin demographers say the Asian share of Austin’s total population are doubling every ten years, standing somewhere near 6.5 percent today. While census data show Asians as the fastest-growing group in the city by percentage (and the largest Asian population share among all major Texas cities), it’s their cultural functions that attract the most attention.

“As our numbers grow in the community,

Chao. Cost: $8 students; $10 members (ages 10+); two for one nigiri and sashimi, discounted select $20 non-members; $3 kids under 10; kids under 3 bar apps and $5 specialty martinis, house wine and hot sake plus complimentary “Red Envelope” Sake eat free. austin-taiwanese.org Bombs. DJ Rock Saltz, as well as traditional lion and Chinese Society of Austin // Chinese New Year dragon dancers and a drum performance, will be Celebration is Saturday, February 2, 6-10 p.m. at the fantastic line up for entertainment. imperiaRoyal Buffet Restaurant, 1813 W. Parmer Lane. austin.com Lantern riddles, karaoke, $400 in door prizes, and a traditional red packet for children under 10. Vietnamese American Community of Austin, $15/$13 members; children under 10, $8; under 3 Texas // Come to join us as we partner together to “build a strong culture of community” at the free. csaustin.org 2013 Tet Vietnamese New Year. The annual Tet Xiang Yun Temple will have many special festival includes dragon/lion dances, food, games programs to celebrate 2013 Chinese New Year in and more at Lanier High School, 1201 Payton Gin February including: Feb.3 (Sunday) Light-Offering Road. Saturday, February 9, 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Chanting Service (10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.); Feb.9 www.vacat.org (Saturday) Chinese New Year’s Eve Hotpot Dinner (Limited to 100 seats, 6– 7 p.m.); Feb.9 (Saturday) Chinatown Center // Come celebrate 2013 Year New Year’s Eve Dharma Service (7:30 - 8:30 p.m.); of the Snake at the Chinatown Center, 10901 Feb.10 (Sunday) Chinese New Year Homage N. Lamar Blvd. Don’t miss the live international to Thousand Buddhas Ceremony (10:30 a.m. – entertainment, a kid’s area, rock climbing, face noon); Feb.10 (Sunday) Celebration of Chinese painting, Chinese calligraphy, martial arts, video New Year - Music/Dance/Folk Performance (1 games and great food. Shop, stay and eat, starting – 2:30 p.m.); Feb.24 (Sunday): Lamp of Wisdom at 10 a.m. with opening ceremonies featuring Offering Dharma Service (10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.). traditional firecrackers at the pagoda, followed by 6720 N. Capital of Texas Highway. ibps-austin.org two different dragon and lion dance team troupes.

Community Resource Fair from noon – 6 p.m.

Families with Children from China // FCC’s 2013 Festivities last until about 6 p.m. at various retail Chinese New Year Celebration is Sunday, February stores. All free. Saturday, February 16. For more, visit 3, 2:30–5 p.m. at the Marchesa Hall, 6226 Middle chinatownaustin.com.

Fiskville Road. Hors d’Oeuvres will be served on site, as well as a Dumpling Eating Contest, dancing, crafts, photo booth, silent auction fundraiser and more. main.org/fccaustin

Photo by Steve Rogers

UT Asian American Culture Committee // Join

likewise, the events that point to our the festivities on the University of Texas campus in vibrancy are growing in stature,” states the Student Activity Center Ballroom to celebrate the Year of the Snake. Student performances will

Alex Pong, Chinese Society of Austin board highlight talent on campus, and organization member. “Lunar New Year is probably the booths will feature games with chances to win prizes for your skill. Try some Asian food as you

most important of our traditional holidays, contemplate your wish for the New Year. Note: and the one most conspicuous in Austin. you must be a UT student with a current UT ID to be eligible to win a prize. Wednesday, February

Every year, there’s more and more of them 6, 6–9 p.m. Location: Student Activity Center taking place. We’re eager to share our Ballroom, North & South (SAC 2.41NS). Free with culture with everyone.”

This year, Lunar New Year falls on Sunday, February 10, but observations will take place across the city over a two week span, with diverse communities, from Vietnamese to Chinese, Taiwanese to Japanese, preparing distinct festivities.

Austin Asian American Cultural Center // Join AAACC as they welcome and celebrate the Year of the Snake on Saturday, February 2, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy different Asian cultural performances of dance, music, martial arts demonstration, calligraphy, Lion Dances and authentic Asian foods for the entire family throughout the day. Admission is free. 11713 Jollyville Rd. asianamericancc.com Austin Taiwanese Association // Don’t miss out on all the food and family fun while ringing in the Lunar New Year at Davis Elementary, 5214 Duval Rd., on Saturday, February 2, from 6:308:30 p.m. Performances include Lion Dance and Ribbon Dance by UT Austin’s TASA, a children’s performance of “The Zodiac Race” and “Why Cats Hate Mice” and emcees Hanna Huang and Serena

UT ID. utsec.org/acc

Chinese New Year Celebration at Imperia // Imperia, 310 Colorado St., is set to make another big impact in hosting its 5th Annual Chinese New Year on Thursday, February 7. Doors open at 5 p.m. and festivities begin at 7 p.m. Happy Hour with

The Mystery of the Year of the Snake

By Glenda Joe The Snake is wise. The Snake is unforgiving. Understand this to prepare for the Year of the Snake. The Snake is the most complex force in the 12-year zodiac cycle and its year presents as “unsettled,” at best. While history tells us the Snake year has never been tranquil, it can be well spent in reflection, planning and in contemplation of long-sought solutions.

The Snake Years’ reputation for turmoil and “sharp dealings” can always be traced to missteps and excesses rooted in the preceding Dragon Year. These celestial serpents are inextricably intertwined. Unprecedented calamity struck in our last Snake Year – the 9-11 terrorist attacks in 2001. Opinions differ as to root causes, but its beginnings belong to the Dragon Year reign of 2000. These years are always intense. It should be no surprise. Yin must follow Yang for the universe to be in balance. The Dragon Yang, as the cycle’s most powerful positive force, must be balanced by the cycle’s most powerful

Photo by Steve Rogers

negative force, the Snake Yin. “Positive” and “Negative” cycle forces cannot be construed in moral framework as good or bad. Like atoms in physics, the positive and negative forces simply are.

So, how to best meet the challenge of this Snake Year? Consider the Snake.

A most ancient mysterious creature both feared and revered. By nature, the Snake is patient and watchful, cautious but inquisitive, cunning and secretive in its hiding place; and, is most at peace in calm, cool quietude. Evolved over hundreds of millions of years to understand it is both predator and prey, its Snake radar is always on. Its eyes ever open, insinuates an ever wakeful knowing, an omniscient awareness. This is crux of the Snake’s legendary wisdom, its embodiment of esoteric knowledge and spiritual discovery. Left undisturbed, the Snake does not go out of its way to interfere in the world.

It craves the stillness of peace. But, when threatened, this most lethal of predators strikes suddenly and viciously with a merciless vengeance. It is the Snake’s remorseless intention to destroy the threat. She takes no prisoners.

For the full article, go to lunarnewyearhouston.com

Round Rock Arts Hosts 5th Annual Imagine Event: An Evening of Art and Music

By Erica Stall Wiggins

Arts group making a difference in Round Rock It may be known as the “Sports Capital of Texas,” but with two theater groups, two symphonies, a community choir and talented artists whose works are displayed in various venues around town, Round Rock is quickly developing into a creative destination in Central Texas. Leading the charge is a grassroots group of diverse individuals who make up the non-profit, 501(c)3 designated, Round Rock Area Arts Council (Round Rock Arts).

Formed in January, 2009, the group promotes art and performing venues in the city, facilitating regular gatherings with art groups located in Round Rock. The goal of the all-volunteer organization is to encourage, support and enhance arts and cultural activities in the Round Rock area to transform the city into a thriving arts and culture scene.

“We have a lot of culture and history in Round Rock, but it’s not as evident as it could and should be,” said Art’s Council President Kris Whitfield, Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Round Rock and Chair of ‘A decade of comedy in Latin American cinema’

Cine Las Americas presents Free Screenings this Month Cine Las Americas presents a decade of comedy in Latin American cinema at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (600 River St.) this month, through February 27. The free Spanish-language screenings, all subtitled in English, start at 8 p.m. on Wednessdays.

As a body of work, the films included in this series belong to the first decade of the 21st century, and range from break-through independent works to those emerging from the shadow of what was left of an industry. The films are also some of the finest comedies to emerge in Latin America in recent years, each defining a special moment in the cinema of their country. Dark humor and irony abound, with a sharp edge for social, political and cultural commentary.

10 TODO Austin // February 2013 // TODOAustin.com

the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce’s, Arts, Culture & Education Committee. “Our sights are on promoting creative arts in the community to help strengthen that sense of place in Round Rock. And as a noteworthy auxiliary benefit, a strong arts component in the community helps us attract future business and investment.”

With numerous annual performance and art shows behind them, successful Chalk Walk events in October 2010, 2011 and 2012, monthly art exhibits at ArtSpace in downtown Round Rock, and grants awarded to Round Rock based art non-profits, art initiatives in Round Rock are increasingly supported by city government, corporations and artists alike. During the past three years, an arts plan for the city has been developed with the goal of more access to visual and performing arts venues in the area. Over the next three to five years, the city of Round Rock, together with Round Rock Arts and other city and community groups, will help implement the plan.

City of Round Rock supports the arts Not only has the City of Round Rock been a big supporter of the arts, providing Round Rock Arts with a gallery venue (ArtSpace on Main Street in downtown Round Rock), but as part of the Arts Strategic Plan, the City hired Scot Wilkinson as the Arts & Culture Director and to serve as the Executive Director for Round Rock Arts. Wilkinson will be guiding the Round Rock Arts Council as they continue to grow the arts in all mediums in the Round Rock area.

Annual event celebrates the arts IMAGINE 2013: An Evening of Art and Music is one of the signature annual events organized

by Round Rock Arts. It takes place on Friday, February 22, 2013 from 7-9:30 p.m. at the Texas State University Round Rock Campus at 1555 This series is presented by Cine Las Americas and the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center, with the commitment of bringing quality and diversity in cinema programming to the community. For more information on these programs visit cinelasamericas.org.

The series is also possible thanks to generous support from LatinWorks, Univision, ¡Ahora Sí!, Ondamax, Cinemateca, and the Freestyle Language Center.

University Blvd. in Round Rock. A celebration of visual and performing art and music from Round Rock and surrounding areas, the evening consists of a juried art exhibit, musical and theater performances and a silent auction. More than $1,500 in artist prizes will be awarded, and $5,000 in grants to nonprofit performance groups, will be announced. Light refreshments, beer and wine will be served. Admission is free but donations are encouraged at the door.

Artwork submissions for Imagine are being accepted through February 8, 2013. For details, more information about Round Rock Arts, or to donate for tickets to the VIP reception, please visit www.roundrockarts.org.

“The arts stimulate conversation about the community and contribute to making it an appealing place for all of us who live here and those who come to visit.” – Cathy Kincaid, Past President, Round Rock Area Arts Council and Executive Director of the Community Impact Newspaper group.

A VIP reception occurs from 5:30-6:30 p.m. prior to the main event. A minimum $250 donation to the Round Rock Area Arts Council (Round Rock Arts) provides tickets for two to an elegant wine and refreshments party and an opportunity to bid on silent auction items and take them home if the reserve price is met prior to the opening of the auction to the general public.

Austin Music Map Jam 2013Launches on East Side The Austin Music Map, KUTX and the City of Austin Music Division present Map Jam 2013, a free daylong festival celebrating Austin music, Saturday, February 23, noon –11 p.m. From bluegrass to hip hop and conjunto to rockabilly, some of Austin’s favorite local bands will perform at eight notable venues across Austin’s East Side.

The Austin Music Map is a collaboration between KUTX, Zeega, and the Association of Independents in Radio, supported with funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

The schedule includes Wood & Wire (Bluegrass) performing at noon at Hops and Grain; Mother Falcon (Orchestral Indie) at 1:30 p.m. at Tillery Park; Akina Adderley & The Vintage Playboys (Soul/R&B) at 3 p.m. at The Historic Victory Grill; Riders Against the Storm (Hip-Hop) at 4:30 p.m. at Hotel Vegas; Conjunto Los Pinkys (conjunto ) at 6 p.m. at The White Horse; Residual Kid (Rock/

Imagine 2013 Signature Artwork: Agave Movement by Michael Hammons

Punk) at 6 p.m. at Cheer Up Charlie’s; Rosie Flores & the Riveters (Rockabilly) at 7:30 p.m. at Scoot Inn; DJ Chorizo Funk (Afro/Latin/Cumbia) at 9 p.m. at Plaza Saltillo; El Tule (Cumbia/Merengue/ Salsa) at 10 p.m. at Plaza Saltillo.

Find out more at www.austinmusicmap.com.

Timeless Themes of Power and Passion Charge Ballet Austin’s Program

By Mia Garcia

On Valentine’s weekend, Ballet Austin will present, “The Rite of Spring,” a trio of ballets that explore the deepest realms of the mind, heart and soul. Performances will feature the Austin Symphony Orchestra and will be held at the Long Center for the Performing Arts. “The Rite of Spring,” “Allegro Brillante,” and “Requiem for a Rose,” are based on timeless themes of power and passion and charged with precision.

The music of Stravinsky, Tchaikovsky and Schubert is paired with choreographers who give the productions their own innovative style.

Set to the music of legendary composers, the ballets present tales of sacrifice and the flowering of romantic love. “The Rite of Spring,” with choreography by Stephen Mills and music by Igor Stravinsky; “Allegro Brillante,” choreographed by George Balanchine and music by Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky; and “Requiem for a Rose,” with choreography by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and music by Franz Schubert, represent the human spirit from its most primal instincts to its most basic of needs.

Celtic Nights - A Journey of Hope Six of Ireland’s most prominent vocal talents are joined by six of its most accomplished step dancers to create an exhilarating picture of a proud people who dared to dream big and doggedly carve out a home in the New World.

The Long Center for the Performing Arts presents, “Celtic Nights – A Journey of Hope,” Sunday, February 24 at 7:30 p.m. In Celtic Nights, their story is told through the power and majesty of music and the hypnotic fury of dancing feet.

From the creators of Gaelforce Dance, the “unmissable two hour spectacular (that) has brought audiences to their feet all around the world” (The Guardian, England), comes a brand new show in celebration of song. Celtic Nights expertly weaves together the lilting melodies and plaintive lyrics of the rich Celtic heritage to

The Rite of Spring

Requiem for a Rose

“The Rite of Spring,” is a full company piece and follows ancient rituals displayed during the arrival of spring. The moving sounds of ritual become the ultimate backdrop for death, as a young girl is destined to become the sacrificial offering in return for the salvation of a good crop yield for her people. “The Rite of Spring,” celebrates its 100th Anniversary with its Russian composer’s own emotional state and web of personal intrigue standing like a battered statue behind the music. Written in 1913 by Igor Stravinsky and originally choreographed by Vaslav Nijinsky for Sergei Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes, the avant-garde nature of the music and choreography caused a near-riot in the audience at the premier.

Ballet Austin’s Stephen Mills, choreographer for this performance of “The Rite of Spring,” called the music,“... some of the greatest music composed in the 20th Century.”

Love’s transient nature is explored in “Requiem for a Rose,” as 12 dancers – flora’s perfect bouquet – move to the world’s standard of romantic music from composer, Franz Schubert.

The bouquet of roses and its romantic idea are hinged on the 13th dancer – the heartbeat. The ballet’s choreographer, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, a freelance choreographer who lives in the Netherlands, calls her ballets, “constructed chaos.”

During the creation of “Requiem for a Rose,” she stated, “I’m a very rational as person; I think I’m very rational in my ballets...I also use humor and wit. In this ballet it’s going to be drama and beauty. And, I think we need that...to be consoled.”

Allegro Brillante

Footlights – “The Rite of Spring” One hour prior to all performances Feb. 15-17 at The Long Center Enhance your experience at the ballet with a preshow lecture and Q&A for all ages. See the lastminute preparations unfold in the background as you relax and gain a unique understanding of the performance you are about to see!

Encore – “The Rite of Spring” Immediately following all performances Feb. 15-17 at The Long Center.

Immediately following each performance of “The Rite of Spring,” join us for an informal conversation Ballet Austin’s “The Rite of Spring” will be performed with Ballet Austin’s Artistic Director Stephen Mills, at 8 p.m., Fri, Feb. 15 & Sat, Feb. 16 & at 3 p.m., Sun, company dancers, and guest artists on the creative Feb. 17 at the Long Center for the Performing Arts. ___________________________________________________________________ and artistic facets of the production. Free for Ballet Austin provides ticket holders with two ticket holders. chances to learn more about the ballets before and after each performance.

For tickets and information, go to balletaustin.org.

The great choreographer, George Balanchine, said of Tchaikovsky’s “Allegro Brillante,” “It contains everything I know about classical ballet in thirteen minutes.” A nutshell of dance moves to Balanchine, but to us, the dancers open up a vast world of technical command to meet the challenges of speed and precision contained in the choreography. With abandon and passion, the dancers demonstrate complete freedom of movement in what is known as one of Balanchine’s most delightful and pure dance ballets. tell the story of a people. In this stirring tale of the Celtic experience, the audience is invited to travel along on a journey of hope, transported in time through traditional ballads, vivid choreography and the story of a people struggling to find their place in a changing world. “A perfect mix of traditional and contemporary Irish pieces, Gaelforce takes the audience right to the edge of this ancient art form,” said the London Times.

Celtic Nights is a unique show which features both the finest male and the finest female voices of the Celtic world, showcased against a thundering backdrop of expert dancing and musicianship. This glittering production creates an exhilarating picture of a proud people who dared to dream big and doggedly carved out a home in the New World. In Celtic Nights, their story is told through the power and majesty of music and the hypnotic fury of dancing feet.

Tickets start at $19 and are on sale now. www.

TheLongCenter.org

Erth: Dino Petting Zoo The Australian company, Erth, visits Austin for the first time. Experience an amazing selection of dinosaurs and creatures that inhabited the earth millions of years ago, thanks to the wonders of some incredible puppetry, at the Long Center for the Performing Arts, February 26-March 3.

brought into the heart of the action where every effort is made to let them touch, feed and learn all about these wonderful creatures.

Children (of all ages) will have the opportunity to feed, water and care for these marvelous creatures in an unforgettable, interactive experience. Dinosaurs range from cute baby dinos to teeth-gnashing giants, and each live in a petting zoo like no other. These ancient lifelike dinosaurs come to life in an eye-popping display in this fun, educational and imaginative performance that will thrill and delight audiences.

One of Australia’s best-loved and most innovative theatre companies, Erth’s creatures allow patrons to get up close and personal to enjoy an extraordinary prehistoric journey with an incredible cast of Dinosaurs. Erth’s menagerie of ancient beasts is brought to life via various forms of human powered puppetry from the heart-meltingly cute baby Dryosaurs to the toothy T-Rex to the awe-inspiring Giant Allosaur.

Visitors may even become an even bigger part of this exciting show if the T-Rex takes a takes a fancy to them. What makes this show truly special is the interactive nature of the production.

The kids are gathered right around the stage and

Erth has gained a reputation worldwide for creating original live theatre at the forefront of new performance practice. Since its beginnings in 1990, the company has strived to provide audiences with eye-popping visual experiences.

Giant puppetry, stilt-walkers, inflatable environments, aerial and flying creatures are only the beginning of the Erth experience. www.TheLongCenter.org TODO Austin // February 2013 // TODOAustin.com 11

nutrition

Coach Chris

By Chris Summers

As we near springtime, let’s look at a few basic elements of staying fit, supplementation, hydration, and basic calories for select foods.

Supplement Your Diet – Supplements are just that, supplemental. Back in 2003, the American Medical Association finally recommended that all human beings should begin taking dietary supplements. They discovered that Americans do not eat properly (you think 70% of Americans being overweight was a clue?). Modern farming techniques have depleted the soils and modern food processing has reduced the nutritional value of our foods so that what we consume no longer meets our optimal nutritional needs. That is why the busier your life is, the more you need supplements to get all the nutrients you need in your diet. You should be taking a multivitamin and multi-mineral supplement. I would add to that, a concentrated fruits and vegetable supplement to ensure you get your 10 daily

‘Anansi and the Golden Box of Stories’ A Puppet Show at Austin Public Library, Jan. 23 - Mar. 13 “Anansi and the Golden Box of Stories,” a free puppet show presented by the Austin Public Library’s performance troupe “Literature LIVE!” will be performed at 22 different library branches and other locations from January 23 - March 13.

This African folktale is the story of Anansi – the original spider man – and his quest to bring stories to all the world. To win a golden box of stories from Nyame, the Sky God, Anansi must use his wit and cleverness to complete a series of challenging tasks. “Anansi and the Golden Box of Stories” is recommended for children ages 5 and older. It is free and open to the public. For more information please call 512-974-9820 or visit library.austintexas.gov.

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servings, and an omega-3 supplement to bridge the gap in your three to four weekly servings of freshwater fish.

Water is Wonderful – Most Americans are chronically dehydrated. Sufficient water is the lubricant to keep your parts moving smoothly. You say you are doing okay; you have coffee, soda, and a latte every day, so you must be getting enough water. Not true. Sugary and caffeinated drinks actually strip your body of water. So if you are not drinking half your body weight in ounces of water per day you are in danger of burning up your engine. If you wait until you’re thirsty to drink water, you’re already experiencing signs of dehydration. So reach for water before you feel thirsty. As a final point, there is a noticeable difference between tap water and filtered, purified water.

According to recent studies, the recommended required calorie intake climbs steeply through the teen years, then gradually declines as we age.

The total number of calories, of course, varies based on activity level and gender. For example, a 19-20 year old female needs only 2000 calories if she is sedentary, 2200 if moderately active and 2400 if active. Moderate activity is 30-60 minutes a day of physical activity over and above normal activities. The numbers for a 31-50 year old female are 1800 sedentary, 2000 moderately active, and 2200 active. These numbers for women over 50 decrease about 200 calories for each category.

Remember not all foods are created equal. For your best fitness choose the bulk of your diet from raw organic foods when possible, then lesser amounts of minimally processed foods, and at the top of the food pyramid very small amounts of highly refined foods and sugars.

Coach Chris is certified in Personal Training, and Triathlon and Cycling coaching and has been studying the effects of nutrition on sports performance since his high school gymnastics days.

Quality food comes in all shapes and sizes – Variety is the spice of life, so you’ll not only enjoy the health benefits of branching out of your comfort zone, your taste buds will appreciate it, too. If you’re single like me and find it hard to cook for one, go ahead and make a big batch, then freeze it for the week or just get used to

For men, the numbers are very much higher. For ages 19-20, sedentary men the recommended calories is 2600, moderately active 2800, and active men 3000. Now you understand why your kids are constantly eating you out of house and home. For men 21-40 the numbers decrease by 200 calories per day for each group, and another 200 again for men over 40.

“Anansi and the Golden Box of Stories” performances

Monday, February 11 at 3:30 pm // Howson Branch, 2500 Exposition Blvd., 512-974-8800

Central Library, 800 Guadalupe St., 512-9747400

Wednesday, January 23 at 1:00 pm // Southeast Branch, 5803 Nuckols Crossing Rd., 512-9748840

Tuesday, February 12 at 10:15 am // Cepeda Branch, 651 N. Pleasant Valley Rd., 512-974-7372

Wednesday, March 6 at 3:30 pm // Old Quarry Branch, 7051 Village Center Dr., 512-974-8860

Thursday, January 31 at 3:30 pm // Yarborough Branch, 2200 Hancock Dr., 512-974-8820

Wednesday, February 13 at 3:30 pm // Hampton Branch at Oak Hill, 5125 Convict Hill Rd., 512974-9900

Thursday, March 7 at 10:15 am // Little Walnut Creek Branch, 835 W. Rundberg Ln., 512-9749860

Friday, February 1 at 10:30 am // Willie Mae Kirk Branch, 3101 Oak Springs Dr., 512-974-9920

Tuesday, February 19 at 10:15 am // Carver Branch, 1161 Angelina St., 512-974-1010

Friday, March 8 at 10:15 am // Windsor Park Branch, 5833 Westminster Dr., 512-974-9840

Monday, February 4 at 3:30 pm // Spicewood Springs Branch, 8637 Spicewood Springs Rd., 512-974-3800

Wednesday, February 20 at 3:30 pm // North Village Branch, 2505 Steck Ave., 512-974-9960

Wednesday, March 13 at 10:15 am // Ruiz Branch, 1600 Grove Blvd., 512-974-7500

Thursday, February 21 at 10:15 am // Manchaca Road Branch, 5500 Manchaca Rd., 512-974-8700

Performances will also be held also at: Recycled Reads Bookstore, 5335 Burnet Rd., 512323-5123 // Saturday, March 2 at 1:00 pm

Tuesday, February 5 at 10:15 am // Pleasant Hill Branch, 211 E. William Cannon Dr., 512974-3940 Wednesday, February 6 at 3:30 pm // Milwood Branch, 12500 Amherst Dr., 512-974-9880 Friday, February 8 at 10:15 am // Terrazas Branch, 1105 E. Cesar Chavez St., 512-974-3625

Library branches: Cepeda Branch (651 N Pleasant Valley Rd.) and Southeast Branch (5803 Nuckols Crossing Rd.), as well as Terraza’s Branch (1105 E. Cesar Chavez) and St. John’s Community Center Branch (7500 Latinitas has announced its Free Saturday Blessing Ave.).

Camps for spring, 2013, in partnership with

Austin Public Library. All camps, which include Spring 2013 Schedule exclusive digital media workshops, are free to any girl age 9-13. To better accommodate January 19 the growing number of Latinitas participants Gamer Chick: Designing a Video Game- St. in the city, the organization has added two John’s Community Center new regular library locations to the Saturday January 26 Camps, which now include Austin Public Guadalupe Collage- Cepeda Branch 12 TODO Austin // February 2013 // TODOAustin.com

multiple days of leftovers. In order to make good chicken soup with all the right stuff usually means enough for four people, so just alternate leftovers every few days.

Tuesday, February 26 at 3:30 pm // Twin Oaks Branch, 1800 S. Fifth St., 512-974-9980 Wednesday, February 27 at 10:15 am // University Hills Branch, 4721 Loyola Ln., 512-974-9940 Thursday, February 28 at 11:15

am

// Faulk

February 2 Tradiciones Short Stories- Southeast Branch February 9 I <3 Me Wreaths- St John’s Community Center February 16 3D Family Trees!- Cepeda Branch

March 2 Recreating Art: A Photo Challenge- St John’s Community Center March 9 Visualizing a Latina Icon- Southeast Branch March 23 MyLatinitas- Blogging for a Cause- Terrazas Branch

Tuesday Tales at the Dougherty Arts Center, 1110 Barton Springs Road // Tuesday, March 12 at 10:30 am For more information: please call 512-974-9820 or visit library.austintexas.gov.

April 6 Hay Una App Para Eso!- Designing Apps for mobile devices- Southeast Branch April 13 Nature Photography- Terrazas Branch

THREE WAYS TO REGISTER: 1. Email austin@latinitasmagazine.org OR 2. Fill out the online registration form OR 3. Call 512-861-0592

To keep up with all of the Saturday Camp programming check back to the Latinitas website here: http://laslatinitas.com/programs/ saturday-camps

Easter Seals Helps Disabled Overcome Homeownership Barriers

By Monica Peña

Easter Seals Central Texas helps make the dream of homeownership a reality by working with government housing agencies, private lenders, realtors and other organizations to ensure people with disabilities and their families have the opportunity to live independent and satisfying lives.

People with disabilities often face barriers to homeownership that those without disabilities are able to avoid, making homeownership a distant dream, but not an unattainable one.

“It is heartwarming to know that different organizations in our community continue to come together to help individuals with disabilities reach their goals,” said Jean Langendorf, Vice President of Community and Housing Services at Easter Seals Central Texas.

“We are proud of our program’s success and honored to work with such amazing community partners to provide important services to people with disabilities.”

the city, and had his dream of homeownership come true. Easter Seals said they are excited to celebrate with Molinari, who now calls Austin his permanent home, as he becomes a first-time homeowner and the organization is looking forward to continuing to provide opportunities and support to people with disabilities as they make the decision to purchase a home.

Community and Housing Services Department offers a unique array of programs and services designed for one specific purpose: to ensure that people with disabilities have the opportunity to participate fully and equally in every aspect of society. They are able to choose and control their own destinies by providing information support and advocacy to assist people with disabilities and their families in their efforts to navigate through the complex system of services and supports toward independent, productive, and satisfying lives. Easter Seals Central Texas provides a multitude of services in the community that fall into five program areas: Early Childhood Intervention (ECI), Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation, Employment Services, Paid Job Training, and Community and Housing Services.

EA College Prep Expands Literacy Program

By Jen Hitt

East Austin College Prep has been awarded the U.S. Department of Education Innovative Approaches to Literacy grant in the amount of $350,000 per year for two years, totaling $700,000.

The funds will benefit all ages, from zero-adult, promoting early literacy for young children and motivating older children to read. The program will also expand into the community, providing outreach to parents about ways to provide engaging and developmentally appropriate literacy activities to use with their children, helping both the kids and parents strengthen reading skills.

The grant will be administered under the auspices of director Chloe Reynolds. “Reading is the key to educational success,” said Reynolds. “I believe we will see a big increase

in student test scores with the enhanced reading focus. I also believe the push to start with children as young as zero to three years old will make a difference for the child’s preparation for school. “ Reynolds will head up a team of literacy coaches, a librarian, and a consultant, who will bring together the latest research to improve literacy skills. In addition, Reynolds and her team will establish a mobile library to visit Austin neighborhoods. The mobile library will provide books, computer-aided searches, and counseling for parents and students on improving literacy skills. All services will be bilingual. East Austin College Prep will distribute books and other reading materials to students, parents, and community members to encourage more reading in the homes.

The grant was awarded October 1, 2012 and construction on the mobile library has begun, a literacy coach has been hired, and baseline data has been collected from East Austin College Prep. So far, over 700 printed materials have been distributed to students and families.

Robert Molinari

Through the combined efforts of Easter Seals, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, AmeriPro, RE/MAX Realty, Consumer Action and Capital One, the Easter Seals Home of Your Own Program assisted their 500th individual with a disability, Robert Molinari, to realize his dream of homeownership.

Molinari said that his life changed the day he was offered a job at the Texas School for the Deaf. He relocated to Austin, fell in love with

CASA

(Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Travis County

V o l u n t e e r S p o t l ig h t Sarah Gray grew up in the city of Santa Marta in Colombia.

She moved to the states in 2000 and lived in Florida and New Hampshire before coming to Texas. She has two bachelor’s degrees from Florida Atlantic University – one in political science and the other in international business and

Southwest Key photo

marketing. She’s currently working on her masters in project a research coordination specialist for a pharmaceutical

Austin Pets Alive!

development company here in Austin. She’s “addicted to

No Kill Anniversary Party

management online through Boston University. Sarah is

reading” and really enjoys blogging about her life and writing zombie movie reviews. She began volunteering with CASA of Travis County in the fall of 2012. She shared, “I want to make a difference in children’s lives, things I wish someone had done for me. I want to be there when they’re going through such a hard time in their life.” Sarah feels that the children really need a lot of affection. “They don’t really know how to accept someone caring for or worrying about them,” she said, and she hopes to help change that. Sarah feels a really strong commitment to the children she’s advocating for: “Anything I could do to make their lives better, I would do it.”

This February marks the second anniversary of Austin being a no-kill city. Austin Pets Alive! is observing the date with “Austin’s No-Kill Anniversary Party” on Sunday, February 24, 7-10 p.m. at the Belmont (305 W. 6th Street).

A $35 admission includes live music, complimentary appetizers and two drinks in the company of fellow Austinites and No-Kill supporters. Guests of honor will include Texas

State Representative Eddie Rodriguez and Austin City Council Members Mike Martinez and Laura Morrison, who will be recognized for their outstanding work.

No-Kill is a journey - not a destination - and Austin Pets Alive! asks the community to continue to work together to save our fourlegged friends. One hundred percent of ticket sales and donations go to Austin Pets Alive!, a 501(c)3 organization focused on saving the lives of those animals at risk of euthanasia. APA! has saved over 18,000 animals from euthanasia, and has been a key player in making Austin a No-Kill city. For more info go to austinpetsalive.org.

TODO Austin // February 2013 // TODOAustin.com 13

T e ng o Ham b r e

Build Better Nachos

By Katie Walsh

I used to think of nachos as a messy, indulgent snack to be enjoyed at ballgames or in between beers. Too often, they were too cheesy, too soggy, too salty with little, if any, nutritional value and an inevitably mismatched ratio of toppings to chips.

Turns out, I’d just been eating crappy nachos, thanks in part to school lunch and powdered fake “cheese.” I love Velveeta as much as the next Tex-Mex fan, but that stuff they use at concession stands pales in comparison, being watery and flat on the tongue.

When my dad was working on “The Tex-Mex Cookbook” (Ten Speed Press, 2004), he made a lot of tasty nachos, and thus my perception of them began to change. In the book, he tells the story of how the dish came about—a group of military wives took a break from shopping in Piedras Negras, Mexico (just across the border from Eagle Pass, Texas) and stopped by a restaurant called The Victory Club. They were closed, but the hospitable host, Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya, threw together what little they had in the kitchen (tortillas, cheese, and sliced jalapeños) and called it “Nacho’s special,” which eventually became known simply as “nachos.”

In more recent days, I have rediscovered the

possibilities of this simple dish, stretching it from a chips-and-cheese nibble to a full-on meal, one that is particularly appealing when cooking feels daunting, the cupboards are bare, or both. As Nacho discovered when he made that first batch, they’re a great way to repurpose leftovers. You can add any number of toppings to nachos, and aside from a little bit of chopping and shredding, they can be ready in minutes.

Here are three simple tips for building better, dinner-worthy nachos:

Don’t over-cheese.

Once you’ve laid down a good, even layer of chips, cover with just enough cheese to create a thin, melty blanket. Using too much cheese is the fastest route to soggy nachos, and it of course kicks up the fat content of your meal.

Pick good chips.

The very best chips are homemade, but I’m the first to admit I ain’t always got the patience. So when you go to buy a bag, keep your end goal in mind.

Super-thin “restaurant-style” chips are going to break under your toppings, undoubtedly bringing out your potty mouth. I find the ballpark-style round chips to be a little too thick and salty (and sometimes an odd shade of yellow that I’ve never seen in a tortilla.) My favorite brand is Santitas, right in the middle texture-wise, available in yellow and white corn, and they’re only $2 a bag.

For the health-conscious, I absolutely adore Costco’s Kirkland brand organic tortilla chips for a couple of reasons. One, corn is one of the most GMO-heavy crops—according to The Center for Food Safety, up to 85 percent of all United States corn is genetically modified. Buying organic is the best way to avoid GMOs, and at $4 for a 2 ½ pound bag, these are the best organic chips you

Dry Roasted Beans: Homemade Healthy Snacks

By Katie Walsh

Dry roasted beans seem to be overlooked in the American snack world. While roasted nuts and trail mixes are high on the list of favorite crunchy munches, closely related roasted beans don’t receive nearly as much attention on entertaining platters or bar counter snack bowls.

The first time I had roasted beans, I was kind of shocked that I’d never had them before and even more so that no one around me had ever had (or heard of) them. “What is that?” my officemates asked as I crunched loudly on a bag of spicy roasted chickpeas I’d found in the grocery store bulk section.

They were all equally perplexed that those little beans, from which silky smooth hummus comes, could produce such a crunch. I only had to pass the bag around once for the whole office to get hooked. They are addictively delicious.

In Mexico, roasted chickpeas coated in chile powder (called garbanzos enchilados) are a standard snack isle offering as are roasted fava beans, roasted mung beans, roasted lentils, and several others. You can also roast edamame, cannellini beans, pintos, and black beans (although black beans tend to burst as they roast, rather than staying whole and in-tact like the others.)

14 TODO Austin // February 2013 // TODOAustin.com

can find (they also contain 70 percent less fat than your average tortilla chip, which is a nice set-off for all the cheese we’re going to add).

gouda, or a blend. The way the cheese melts is most important—Italian favorites like mozzarella and provolone are stringy melters, so they’ll give you the stretch effect. Stay away from varieties like feta, fresh goat cheese, and queso fresco, which will soften but won’t melt at all.

Toppings are king.

Whereas typically nachos focus on the chips and cheese with a sparing bit of ground beef or jalapeños sprinkled over top, dinner-worthy nachos should be all about the toppings. This encourages you to be creative and to think outside the box (and use up those leftovers!), and it also ensures that you’re getting more than just fats and carbs.

We like to pile ours high with fresh salad veggies (lettuce, tomato, onion, carrot, celery, broccoli, bell pepper, and so on.) You can also add chili, grilled chicken or fish, sausage, and brisket. Using beans, lentils, rice or another grain, while adding to the carb count, will also combine with the corn chips to form a complete protein (important for the veggie-heads.)

As for the type of cheese, there are many possibilities. If you like American, go for it! It is by far the best melter. If you want to keep it real, try cheddar, jalapeño jack, queso Oaxaca (sometimes called “quesadilla cheese”), fontina, munster,

Roasted beans make a great snack that is high in protein and fiber. Making them yourself is also extremely economical, costing just a fraction of what you’d pay for a tin of mixed nuts. The process is simple: Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400 F. Cook your beans as you normally would. I always do a presoak, which “wakes up” the beans’ beneficial enzymes and eases digestion, and then boil them (in fresh water) until tender.

Step 2: Drain cooked beans, and empty out between two layers of paper towels to pat dry. Arrange in a single layer on a foil-covered baking sheet (a jellyroll pan is helpful to keep them from rolling.)

Step 3: Drizzle with olive oil, or other high smoke point oil of choice, and toss lightly so that they’re all evenly coated.

Roast for about 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown and crunchy. They’ll change in color before they’ve fully crisped up, so check the texture before you pull them out. Be careful; they will go from perfect to burnt very quickly. Cook times will vary slightly with each bean variety.

Step 4: Toss roasted beans in spice(s) of choice, and enjoy!

Keep them in an airtight container if you manage to refrain from eating them all at once so that they don’t turn stale.

A version of this content was originally published on www.

WhiskedFoodie.com

A garnish of sour cream, pickled jalapeños, and hot sauce is essential in my book. Play around, and figure out what your own sweet spot is. Put it all together, and you’ll be building better nachos in no time.

A version of this content was originally published on www.WhiskedFoodie.com

Chronicles of Undercover Mexican Girl:

Valentine’s Day is Every Day

By Alexandra M. Landeros

As February approaches, the advertisements for Valentine’s Day are everywhere… on television, on the radio, on billboards and on website banner ads. Buy jewelry, chocolates, fancy dinners and flowers for the special woman in your life. If you’re the woman, you rightly deserve these things and scorned is the man who doesn’t gift you with such items!

But what really is Valentine’s Day? Is it really a holiday to honor a martyred saint buried in Rome on February 14, around 269 A.D.? Is it a holiday for the candy and retail industry to boost their business? Do we owe it to paper lace hearts becoming popular in the mid 1800’s as a way for prudent Victorians to express their forbidden love?

I’ve never been a fan of Valentine’s Day. Throughout elementary, middle, and junior high school, it was simply torture. At our school, it was tradition to bring Valentine’s Day cards to pass out, and it was a rule that we could not be selective. We had to make sure every single classmate received one.

Inevitably, some classmates “forgot” to bring cards to certain people, and there was no question that some of the cards in the pack were less desirable than others. Being the class bookworm and nerd, I always ended up with the lame Valentines that encouraged me to “be cool” or to have a “Happy Valentine’s Day” – because I wasn’t very cool, and I usually wasn’t having a very good day.

Then in high school and college, Valentine’s Day was simply a painful reminder of recent breakups and that no matter what I did – right or wrong – I would never find the perfect soul mate. At the time, I believed I was destined to grow up to be a spinster. All the wrong boys fell in love with me, and I fell in love with all the wrong boys. Falling madly in love would be followed by great disappointment.

In my early 20s, shortly after moving to Austin, I did experience a few years of finally enjoying all the trappings of Valentine’s Day. I received flowers at work, went to restaurants accompanied by dozens of other couples in love, and finally felt I was with the man I’d wed. And we did marry, only to split up a couple of years later. Diamonds might be forever, but marriages certainly aren’t.

Tiny Taiga Condensation February 2013

By Blake Shanley

If we are all “one”, in whatever capacity you’d like to imagine or define…If we are all connected, intimately connected energetically…If we are all threads woven into the creation of one stunning fabric…If you are part of me, and I am part of you…If we are all mirrors for each other, expressions of pieces of who we are…If what we give to another, we give to our selves…If we are creating our own reality, however subconsciously it sometimes seems…

- I say “if” only to indicate the possibility (though not in my mind) that those things aren’t true IF these things are true, the only sane option is to give freely, love openly, do harm to no one ever, destroy anger, forgive and forget, set free, laugh, hug, encourage, share, support, help, care, ask, listen, understand, accept and love, love, love.

This month is primed for sharing, giving and expressing love to, with and for everyone you encounter, including your sweet and sensitive self, because that’s the only sane option IF any of those things are true.

There are so many ways, subtle and not so subtle, to love. Your brother, your neighbor, your wife, your child, your friend, a complete “stranger”, your boss, your cousin, your mom. Whichever “ways” you choose, love “them” all.

One of my ways is to open my door at Tiny Taiga and open my heart to embrace anyone who steps in, to help them find their own answers, listen to them, share with them, plug them in and simply connect.

Come let me love you a bit.

TINY TAIGA has a lot of that good stuff, just in case you’re interested.

1200 E. 11th St. #106 Austin, TX 78702 www.facebook.com/TinyTaigaAustin

Now, over ten years later, as I approach my late 30s, I am proud that I wasn’t cool enough to get the enviable Valentine’s Day cards and that no one wanted me to be theirs, or that I wasn’t the apple of anyone’s eye. I’m glad that none of those relationships worked out, even when I was heartbroken and thought I’d never recover.

It turns out, I found the man of my dreams when I was least searching for one. We don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day – we share a dislike of its commercialism and superficiality. Because, in fact, every day we pay a little tribute to old Saint Valentine’s, the martyr. True love isn’t how I imagined it growing up – full of storybook romance and giddy feelings.

It’s about making little sacrifices for the person you love, like letting him or her have the bigger slice of pie or taking out the trash when it’s really his or her turn, or working endless hours so the other can pursue a creative career. It’s about compromising and realizing that you can’t always have it your way. And if you’re making sacrifices… guess what? The person who loves you back is also making them for you.

Shand Walton and Alexandra Landeros TODO Austin // February 2013 // TODOAustin.com 15

Bellas Artes Alliance presents:

FR

EE

PAN

EV

EN

T

AMERICANA FESTIVAL 2013

MARCH 15TH & 16TH

R e s ta u r a n t, B a k e ry & B a r Tex-Mex breakfast and lunch since the 1950’s “Best Freakin’ Migas” – Best of Austin Awards

AUSTIN TEXAS

@ Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center www.BellasArtesAlliance.org

1511 East 6th Street 512.478-2420

MUSIC • KID ZONE • FOOD • ART • DANCE 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”

February Line-up

Taco Bar

1412 S. Congress Avenue • Austin, Texas 78704 Open Weekdays 11am-11pm; Weekends 8am-11pm

----------------------------------------------------------------FRI 2/1 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW (6:30) SAT 2/2 THE MICHAEL GUERRA BAND @ (6:30) SUN 2/3 THE RECOUPERATORS @ (3:00) ----------------------------------------------------------------WED 2/6 THE LARRY MONROE RADIO SHOW @ (6:00) THU 2/7 LOS FLAMES @ (6:30) FRI 2/8 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW @ (6:30) SAT 2/9 WINK KEZIAH @ (6:30) SUN 2/10 TRENT TURNER & THE MOONTOWERS @(3:00) ----------------------------------------------------------------WED 2/13 THE LARRY MONROE RADIO SHOW @ (6:00) THU 2/14 THE FABS @ (6:30) FRI 2/15 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW @ (6:30) SAT 2/16 THE TEXAS TYCOONS @ (6:30) SUN 2/17 MITCH WEBB & THE SWINDLES @ (3:00) ----------------------------------------------------------------WED 2/20 THE LARRY MONROE RADIO SHOW @ (6:00) THU 2/21 THE CHOP SHOP @ (6:30) FRI 2/22 THE BOB FUENTES SHOW @ (6:30) SAT 2/23 THE LEROI BROTHERS @ (6:30) SUN 2/24 CHICKEN STRUT @ (3:00) ----------------------------------------------------------------WED 2/27 THE LARRY MONROE RADIO SHOW @ (6:00) THU 2/28 THE PETERSON BROTHERS @ (6:30)

www.GuerosTacoBar.com