“Around the Republic: Roundup of Austin Blog Posts Week of August 16th 2009″

Why spend Sunday reading the New York Times? Each week we bring you our favorite posts from local Austin bloggers.  If you see a post from your fave Austin blog and want it to get recognized, email Rory and let him know!

Yo! Sorry this is up on Monday. My cousin is a Freshman at UT this fall, and I had to help get him set up in the Dillo Dorm down by Waller Creek on campus. So without further ado, it’s time to start ROLLING!

Unfair Fare Increase

Hey Capital Metro: Did you know we are in the midst of a killer recession?

• Apparently not, since you want to raise rates right when people need to use your service most (via Fare Enough).
• M1ek over at M1ek’s, Bake Sale of Bile, is also not happy with the new proposed route cuts. I’m just pissed that they want to cut the Dillo routes…

Ride a Bike Instead

• Jason from ATXBS and a bunch of other reps from various cycling groups met the municipal courts to talk about fines. The group advised the city to lower the bike violations to at least the same as cars. (Congrats to ATXBS for getting written up in New York Magazine!)
• Speaking of fines, Austin on Two Wheels got to participate in the Mountain Bike Patrol Class the city gives to the bike cops. Guest writer at Austin on Two Wheels Eileen Schaubert from Mellow Johnny’s gives us the inside scoop.

And they’re off…

This week, Kay Bailey officially announced (finally? again?) her candidacy for governor of Texas.

• The guys over at Burnt Orange Report think she’s already breaking the law (r’uh r’oh!). And is she longing for the days of segregation?
• Robbie Cooper, blogger over at conservative site UrbanGrounds, is calling for Kay Bailey to retire
• For the record: We’re tickled pink at the prospect of a cat fight between Kay Bailey and Rick Perry. Let the fur fly!

Caution: Festivals Ahead!

• OMG OMG OMG! ACL Aftershows announced. Have you bought your tix? (via AustinSound)
• FunFunFun Fest line-up is breaking all sorts of drought restrictions with all the leaks around the lineup. (via Ultra8201)

Austin Music Scene Still Rockin’…

• Austin Town Hall and ‘NITES both share their Top 5 Austin Music Venues
• But Austin TwoGrooves reminds us that: 1) It’s all about the money and 2) bands don’t promote themselves properly

Up in the sky: It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s…a tree?

As part of the deconstruction of the water treatment plant, a 21-inch thick live oak tree was moved to Town lake. Check the pictures over at Downtown Austin

SAVE EAST AUSTIN’S POST OFFICE

Apparently the USPS doesn’t know that Eastside isn’t all ghetto.  Although the beloved neighborhood is being gentrified, the East Austin Post Office is under threat of being closed. East Austinite has more on the closing and how you can mobilize so that East Austinites don’t have to suffer at the South Austin station (which really does suck).

From City Hall

• The new parking meters give you receipts that you have to post in your car. Apparently people are having a hard time putting them in the right place (curbside on the inside of the windshield) and are getting tickets. The city is extending the grace period on proper display and will not be issuing tickets for these violations. (Phew!)
• The EPA may enforce Ozone restrictions if our air doesn’t shape up within the next two months. The city wants you to help.

From the Foodies

• Balsamic Red Wine Sauce looks amazing over at Fete & Feast
• Rebeccamendations takes a trip to new sushi location Piranha Sushi. So does This is Life in Austin
• Taco Journalism visits La Condesa
• Tasty Touring munches on Austin’s Best Cupcakes

Tidbits

• ZILKER PARK IS OPEN! Austin Parks Foundation Blog has pics!
• James over at Coyote Mercurity snaps some pictures of happy snakes in the creek by his house
• Angeliska made a treasure box for the lead singer of Bats and Lashes and got on the guestlist for the show! (Great post full of pics)
• Even though we are in the midst of a drought, Punk Gardener still had a kick-A pear harvest!
• Hat Creek Burger company repurposes an old Arby’s hat sign (via Beetsolonely)
• Gatti’s Pizza has narrowed it down to 5 finalists for the new jingle (via Austin Sound)
• “Kill All Hippies” t-shirt photo from The Apiary News

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