todo austin january, 2014

InsIdeTech Trends & Latino Youth KLRUGood Food RevolutionFilm Austin

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Volume V / January 2014

Visit our new website!www.todoaustin.com

The PhotoPhilanthropyoF Ali Khataw

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

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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!!!

January Line-up ouTdoor ShowS are “weaTher PermiTTing”- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Thu 1/2 LoS fLameS (6:30)fri 1/3 The bob fuenTeS Show (6:30)SaT 1/4 TrenT Turner (2:30) & eL TuLe’ (6:30)Sun 1/5 The reCouPeraTorS (3:00)- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -wed 1/8 The Larry monroe radio Show (6:00)Thu 1/9 The fabS (6:30)fri 1/10 The bob fuenTeS Show (6:30)SaT 1/11 The TwiLighT Trio (2:30) eddie & The eVereadyS (6:30)Sun 1/12 bLue miST (3:00) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -wed 1/15 The Larry monroe radio Show (6:00)Thu 1/16 PonTy bone & The SQueeZeToneS (6:30)fri 1/17 The bob fuenTeS Show (6:30)SaT 1/18 TraCie Lynn (2:30) Larry Lange & hiS LoneLy knighTS (6:30)Sun 1/19 miTCh webb & The SwindLeS (3:00)- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -wed 1/22 The Larry monroe radio Show (6:00)Thu 1/23 miChaeL miLLigan & The aLTar boyZ (6:30)fri 1/24 The bob fuenTeS Show (6:30)SaT 1/25 brenda hoode (2:30) kiko y La banda (6:30)Sun 1/26 ChiCken STruT (3:00)- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -wed 1/29 The Larry monroe radio Show (6:00)Thu 1/30 Jim STringer & The a.m. band (6:30)fri 1/31 The bob fuenTeS Show (6:30)

c e n T R o U R b A n A

Volume V, number 9PUbLIsheR/edIToR // Gavin Lance [email protected]

ART dIRecToR // Dave McClinton // dmdesigninc.com

AssocIATe edIToRs // Evelyn C. Castillo, Paul Saldaña, Katie Walsh, Erica Stall Wiggins

senIoR edIToRs // Lobo Corona, Sonia Kotecha, Diana Sanchez, Lesley Varghese, Yvonne Lim Wilson

conTRIbUTInG edIToRs // Anthony Garcia, Mia Garcia, Harish Kotecha, Alexandra M. Landeros, Callie Langford, Genoveva Rodriguez, Monica Peña, Blake Shanley

contributing Writers/Photographers/Artists // Mohammad Al-Bedaiwi, Güner Arslan, Skylar Bonilla, Adriana Cadena, Roy Casagranda, Cindy Casares, Priscilla Cortez, Ruben Cubillos, Nora De LaRosa, Rose Di Grazia, Julian Fernandez, Christian Gonzalez, Laura Donnelly Gonzalez, Harmony Eichsteadt, Layla Fry, Jessica Garza Cherry, Mark Guerra, Mari Hernandez, Ryan Hutchison, Yadira Izquierdo, Korina Jaimes, Chaille Jolink, Ryan Jordan, Ramey Ko, Heather Lee, Julia Lee, Liz Lopez, Otis Lopez, David Marks, JoJo Marion, Caitlin Moore, Cristina Parker, Preya Patel, Esther Reyes, Marion Sanchez, Hani Saleh, Dani Slabaugh, Corey Tabor, Blanca Valencia, Kristina Vallejo, Kuetzpalin Vasquez, Tara Veneruso, Joseph P.A. Villescas, Bowen Wilder

Web Design // Mike Hernandez

cover // Photo by Ali Khataw

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. © 2014 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:[email protected], 512.538.4115

TodoAustin.com is a vibrant new

website site providing multimedia

features, the print journal content,

enhanced event l istings, special

creative features and staff and

community-led blogs, with l inks

to archived past printed issues,

augmenting social media networks

in Austin’s multicultural community.

TODO AusTin // JAn 2014 // TODOAusTin.cOm 03

hAbLA AustinAlternate Resources Working GroupOn December 17, Austin City Councilman Mike Martinez met with members of the new “Alternate Resources Working Group” at the ESB-Mexican American Cultural Center. Hispanic Advocates and Business Leaders of Austin member Anita Quintanilla said that on October 29, the City Council approved funds to preserve the heritage of the Rainey Street District. She and other supporters would like to see the district’s boundaries extend up to East 3rd Street to include the old Palm School and adjacent park. Relocation permits have been granted for six houses in the district, and the group hopes that the reuse of the relocated structures will help the City address its affordable housing needs. The working group includes ESB-MACC Board members Juan Oyervides, Anna Maciel and David Carroll. “Interested community folk who would like to join can come to our next meeting in the first week in January, at which time the City Budget Officer, Greg Canally, will join us,” said Quintanilla. “We will also need to meet with Austin Energy very soon.”

Montopolis residents target alleged housing scamThe Montopolis Neighborhood Association is working with the Texas Civil Rights Project to bring attention to what they believe are a restoration company’s unscrupulous deals that may cause elders their homes. TCRP attorney Brian McGiverin is calling on the Travis County District Attorney and the Texas Attorney General to investigate immediately. Montopolis residents who have been approached and/or signed contract agreements can contact TCRP at 512-474-5073. KUT reported on December 20 that a company called Castro has been approaching Montopolis residents to see if they qualify for free home repairs paid for by the government. According to homeowners, the solicitors urged them to sign contracts granting Castro full legal rights over their homes. “There’s nothing to stop them from taking out a loan against the house or selling the house,” said McGiverin. “At this point, everyone who signed

The state of education for Latinos in Texas and AustinBy Joseph P. A. Villescas, and Paul saldaña Latinos now account for roughly half of all students in public education, but they are mainly concentrated in the K-12 level. Throughout the next 40 years, Latino enrollment will double in public schools while funding for public education in Texas is decreasing. Dr. Steve Murdock, founding Director of the Hobby Center for the Study of Texas, makes projections that should challenge us all to contemplate a future when Texas will rely upon the success of Latino students in navigating public education systems, applying their degrees to create new jobs, and being prepared to advance our entire economy after the mass departure of both Anglo and Latino baby boomers. Texas Public educaTion latino students % of Total all students2010 2,805,785 45.8% 6,124,1712020 3,490,796 49.8% 7,007,2842030 4,428,574 54.0% 8,194,3402040 5,778,539 58.8% 9,819,3262050 7,207,206 61.3% 11,751,412

Public elemenTary & secondary schools latino students % of Total all students 2010 2,398,684 49.5% 4,847,8442020 2,917,449 52.9% 5,519,7522030 3,715,984 57.3% 6,480,2502040 4,865,439 62.2% 7,825,1752050 6,012,677 64.2% 9,366,443on a postsecondary level, what we should be concerned about is why so many more latinos are being channeled into community colleges:

laTinos in Public colleges & universiTiesby 2010, 64.8% of all enrolled latinos will be in community collegesby 2020, 64.7%; by 2030, 64.5%; by 2040, 64.7%; by 2050, 64.6%

ToTal Public colleges & universiTies latino students % of Total all students2010 407,101 31.9% 1,276,3272020 573,347 38.5% 1,487,5322030 712,590 41.6% 1,714,0902040 913,100 45.8% 1,994,1512050 1,194,529 50.1% 2,384,969

The numbers for Austin, Texas and AIsdWhether Austin and/or Latinos are ready, the growing Latino community will continue to play a significant role in shaping the local economic landscape of our community. And what impacts the Latino community impacts our entire city’s quality of life. Here’s a snapshot of Austin.

During 2010-2011 there were more than 261,000 Hispanics in Austin 25 years and older. The Hispanic Educational Attainment is listed below:• Lessthanhighschooldiploma-90,000(34.48%)• Highschooldiplomaorequivalent-65,000(24.90%)• Somecollege-60,000(22.98%)• Bachelor’sdegreeormore-46,000(17.62%)

During this same period, there were more than 116,000 Hispanics in school enrollment (K-12) ages 5-18. There are more than 120,000 children in Austin that qualify by age for Pre-K education in Austin. Hispanic children account for more than 45 percent (54,000), yet during the 2011-2012 AISD school year a total of 5,658 children (all races) participated in AISD Pre-K. That means approximately 10 percent of eligible children participated in AISD’s Pre-K program. Within Austin, we should ask ourselves, how does the local leadership plan to address the following?:

1. AlterthelimitededucationaloutcomesforLatinostudents?2. DeterminenewstrategiestoincreaseLatinograduation

ratesfromhighschool,communitycolleges,undergraduatedegreeprograms,andgraduatedegreeprograms?

3. IncreaseresourcesforLatinostudentmajoritiesinpublicschoolsateverylevel?

4. TrainteachersandeducationaladministratorstoprepareforincreasesinLatinostudent/familyrepresentation?

5. Evolvetheacademic,economicandprofessionaloutcomesofcommunitycollegeprograms?

6. AddressthegrowingpopulationofLatinostudentswhoarenotsucceedinginpubliceducationprograms?

7. GrowthepoolofeducatorswhocanmanageLatino-majorityclassroomsandschoolsystems?

8. LinkthelevelsofsuccessincommunitieswithhighconcentrationsofLatinostudentstotherestofthestate?

9. PromoteTexaspubliceducationasamodeltoinformstatesthroughoutthecountryadjustingtoincreasedLatinostudentpopulations?

10.ClosethegendergapbetweenLatinoandLatinastudents?

one of these contracts is at serious risk of losing their homes. Elderly homeowners are the most vulnerable victims. They’ve got a giant asset that people want – their homes. People feel like they can take advantage of them.”

doggett named “Friend of the national Parks”Austin-based U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett accepted a “Friend of the National Parks” award from the National Parks Conservation Association on December 16 for his voting record and for his efforts to expand the Missions National Historical Park in San Antonio. The National Park preserves the largest collection of Spanish colonial resources anywhere in America and is an educational, historical and cultural resource that each year sees over a million visitors.

city neighborhood websites debutIn an effort to extend neighborhood-based outreach and neighborhood watch programs, the City of Austin and the Travis County Sheriff’s Office have partnered with Nextdoor (www.nextdoor.com), a private social network for neighborhoods. The partnership will enable City and County departments to communicate with residents via private, secure neighborhood websites. The program, which started December 16, allows the City, including the Austin Police Department, and the Travis County Sheriff’s Office, to use Nextdoor to provide information such as crime updates. Nextdoor is free for residents and the City and each Austin and Travis County neighborhood has its own self-managed, private, neighborhood website, accessible only to residents of that neighborhood.

04 TODO AusTin // JAn 2014 // TODOAusTin.cOm

EDUCATION: A.I.S.D.

our community and students deserve betterBy Paul saldaña

On December 16, the Austin Independent School District (AISD) Board of Trustees considered and deliberated Superintendent Meria Carstarphen’s annual evaluation and contract with AISD. While the review itself occurred during executive session behind closed doors and remained private, once the evaluation was complete, board President Vince Torres read a statement on behalf of the board that outlined successes and areas that need improvement.

You may also recall that this was the first time that the newly elected trustees would have the opportunity to participate in the annual performance evaluation and it’s no secret that at least three of the four new trustees have shared the community’s perspectives and criticism of the superintendent. Unfortunately, the previous board voted in October 2012 to extend Carstarphen’s contract through June 2015. The board decided not to extend her contract this time.

Currently, the superintendent earns a base salary of $283,412. The annual review did not include a proposed pay increase since the superintendent declined the 1.5 percent raise that other AISD employees received in August.

As we know, AISD is home to more than 85,000 students. Minority students now make up the majority of our district students. Latino students represent nearly 60 percent of all students totaling 51,155 students; and more than 61 percent of all AISD student are considered economically disadvantaged and qualify for free and/or reduced lunch.

As the trustees entered into deliberations, they may have considered the following information that sadly has never been reported by the superintendent and/or her public relations department.

On August 24, 2013, the Austin American-Statesman published an article entitled, “Austin’s Graduation Rates Lag for Low-income Children.” The article pointed out that for the past two years, the Austin school district has posted worse graduation rates for low-income students than any other large urban school district in Texas. Austin is the only major urban district that hasn’t broken through to the 80th percentile, and it trails some of its peer districts by 5 to 10 percentage points in graduation rates for low-income students. Austin ranked second-to-last in graduation rates of Hispanic students, and it is in the middle of the pack for Black students.

In 2008, AISD’s graduation rates for Latino students (63.9 percent) trailed that of Ysleta ISD by nearly 20 percentage points. In 2012, AISD ranked second to last (78.6 percent) behind Yesleta, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Forth Worth, El Paso and San Antonio ranking slightly above Houston ISD and still nearly

7 percentage points below the state average (84.3 percent).

In 2008, Austin ranked dead last only graduating 61 percent of our economically disadvantaged students and in 2012 we were still ranked at the second to the bottom above Forth Worth graduating 78 percent of economically disadvantaged students and still nearly 7 percentage points below the State Average (85.1 percent).

Former Austin mayor and former school board member Gus Garcia, who remains active in district politics, said he worked to diminish disparities during his time on the board in the 1970s and was quoted in the Statesman article, stating, “I am extremely disappointed to learn that our low socio-economic students in AISD cannot reach even the state averages academically. We live in a city with tremendous resources … and yet we find ourselves with that group of students achieving below the state averages. During the time that I served on the board of trustees, we dealt with the serious prejudices that kept our students from succeeding in schools. I had hoped that we would be in better shape by now.”

Even more surprising was that some trustees were completely unaware of this data. “It is totally unacceptable to me and to this city that our most vulnerable students would perform lower than the state average, much less at the bottom of the other Big 8 districts,” said Austin trustee Gina Hinojosa. “Austin’s standards are much higher. If the superintendent knew these rankings, she had not shared them with the board in the nine months since I was elected. While the gains made by our skilled teachers cannot be ignored, we

cannot solve these problems if the community is kept in the dark.”

Other significant issues that warrant strong consideration by the Trustees include but are not limited to the following:

- The number of six-figure salary earners in AISD has increased 63 percent in the past five years, at a time when the district has cut jobs and provided moderate salary increases to our teachers.

- While it’s no secret that the superintendent has overhauled her public relations department, she authorized the use of Title 1 Federal Poverty Money, spending nearly $200,000 of dollars specifically earmarked to support programs and services at high poverty schools for her own PR machine.

- For the first time in more than a decade, AISD’s student enrollment has declined resulting in a potential lost of more than $8.6 million in eligible state funding. According to the superintendent and her staff, they were caught off guard.

- AISD continues to fail in its’ ability to communicate and engage the community. Our community longs for a true commitment that is transparent, meaningful and inclusive tailored to the culture, values and expectations of Austin. The community should be treated as collaborators and stakeholders in the decision making process. AISD should be focused on regaining trust in the community and rebuilding relationships.

AISD must inspire trust that community voices are valued and that input matters. Unfortunately, under the current leadership of the superintendent, we have not been able to successfully turn the page and/or evolve. Our community and students deserve better. It’s time for a new AISD superintendent.

AISD Photo

AISD Photo


India Republic day banquetIndian American Coalition of Texas (IACT) will hold its annual Republic Day Banquet on Saturday, January 25, 6 p.m. at the Asian American Resource Center, 8401 Cameron Rd.

The celebration of India’s Republic Day is a formal, sit-down dinner, meet and greet with elected officials from Central Texas. This year’s theme, “Educate-Engage-Empower,” will inspire and encourage the next generation of Indian Americans to raise their voice and become more involved in civic engagement activities. Parag Mehta, a University of Texas alumnus and Special Assistant in the U.S. Labor Department, will deliver the keynote address. During the 2008 national elections, Mehta was involved in the National Democratic Party at the highest level and was part of the Obama transition team in 2008-2009.

In past years, the family-friendly event has included cultural performances, henna tattoos, Indian cuisine and drinks, and more. Tickets for the event are $35 and can be purchased at iactaustin.org or call 512-328-6635.

esb-MAcc spring campThis spring, the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural

Center (ESB-MACC) celebrates the mystic monarch butterfly. We

invite your child to join us on this week long journey of learning

about the monarch’s migration pattern, life cycle, characteristics

and much more. From March 10-14, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Help us

welcome the beginning of spring as we honor this special butterfly.

Camp activities will include both visual and performing arts classes.

¡Ven a Crear! Registration opens at 10 a.m. on January 8 for Austin

residents. macc.austinMLK day of service

On Saturday, January 18, United Way for Greater Austin and Hands on Central Texas invite you to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a day of service. This is the 15th year this project has been led by Texas State Rep. Dawnna Dukes.

In January, 2013, more than 420 volunteers came together to complete over 20 community improvement projects throughout Austin. Join in this year by signing up to participate at www.handsoncentraltexas.org, in honor of Dr. King. Bring friends, family and co-workers and help change the course of Austin’s future, which starts with service.

The MLK Holiday is not only for celebration and remembrance, education and tribute, but above all, a day of service supporting your community. It is a day of volunteering to feed the hungry, beautifying parks, and much more. Hands on Central Texas will be hosting projects that center around MLK Blvd between 183 and Chicon Streets, including local churches, parks and community centers as well as the boulevard clean-up.

estamos Todos Living in the 21st century, Austin?TECHNOLOGY TRENDS FOR LATINO YOUTH

By Laura Donnelly Gonzalez

In the tech sector, Austin is regarded as its own “Silicon Hills,” in referencing the abundance of technology manufacturing companies in our midst and Hill Country’s terrain. Enter any coffee shop and the illuminating glow of PCs and Macs producing, social media-ing, animating and documenting gives the impression we are in a very connected town. But, for a large percentage of Austinites- connectivity is a foreign concept and not affordable.

Cost of device and access are still the leading deterrent to technology access for Latinos says the Pew Hispanic Research Center in 2010. Lack of U.S. sites in Spanish is second. Latinos in Austin are averaging a median income of $35,000 a year, often supporting a family larger than four, leaving very little disposable income for what most consider a standard appliance: a computer or tablet.

In a recent local survey conducted by Latinitas Magazine (www.latinitasmagazine.org) of its program service population of Hispanic and other girls of color living in Austin, a majority attending North, South and Central east elementary and middle schools, it was discovered of the 80 percent

of girls accessing internet at home, 70 percent are doing so by phone.

Music and Gaming were the biggest home uses at a whopping 89 percent which makes sense regarding a phone’s accessibility to these mediums. Only 56 percent reported using internet for school work, where internet research is an integrated standard to homework these days.

Brooke Maudlin works as a Spanish teacher at Akins High School. She explained, “I work with high school students who have never sent an email and they had a huge disadvantage to other students who have access to internet at home who know how to do such a basic technological task.”

She added, ““Being disconnected from the Internet hurts kids education because today so much curriculum is being generated and shared digitally. Having access is just as important as knowing how to access resource online.”

Ana Vega was born in the nineties when Austin’s tech industry was piquing. A junior at UT Austin she recalls how it was to achieve in middle school without internet.

“I used to wake up early to get to school to beg a teacher to let me use the computers before school started just to get my homework done. It was frustrating.” said Vega.

Her family was able to get internet her senior year

of high school. “Thank God I had the internet senior year. I had to do a lot of individual projects and I used the internet for research, I don’t know if I would have been able to do all my projects and finish senior year successfully without it,” she said.

Access to and training with technology is the priority in Latinitas after school programs.

“What if, just saying, what if Austin could and would mine from its own Eastside backyard for technology talent of the future,” said Latinitas Program Coordinator Samantha Rae Lopez.

“Imagine the city actually using its existing

resources to proliferate one of its biggest

industries.”

Latinitas is doing just that with a specific campaign

this year for parents and daughters at the Emma

Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center

with a series of classes focused on social media,

software and gaming – three of the biggest pillars

of technology industry right now.

“We are providing in-depth lessons in social

media offerings, the latest in Web 2.0 software

online and how to plan, storyboard, develop and

code a video game for girls and their parents and

sometimes their brothers this Spring 2014,” added

Lopez.

In a partnership with SXSW gaming, Latinitas will

also be bringing its Spring Break camp attendees

to V.I.P. presentations including an intimate

interview with “Assassin Creed’s” developer and

woman game creator Jade Raymond.

Latinitas will kick off their latest series of parent

daughter technology workshops at the Emma S.

Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center on

February 22 with a digital photography lesson for

girls ages 9-15 and a parent. Cost is $10 per pair and

families can register at www.latinitasmagazine.org

or by calling 512-861-0592.


a s i a n a u s t i nBy Yvonne Lim Wilson

Three Asian American candidates file for primariesThe December filing deadline confirmed the candidacy of three strong Asian-American candidates including Richard Jung for Travis County Commissioner, Pct. 2; Municipal Court Judge Ramey Ko for Travis County Treasurer; and Todd Wong for Travis County Court at Law #1 Judge. This is an unprecedented number of Asian Americans running for office in Central Texas at one time.

Jung is running against brigit shea and Gary brown for the Travis County Commissioner, Pct. 2 seat formerly held by sarah eckhardt. Jung has garnered endorsements from prominent local officials and organizations including Mayor Lee Leffingwell and the Austin Travis county eMs employees Association.

Jung, who is a community activist, civil servant, business owner and attorney, will offer a fresh perspective on responsibly managing limited resources. He writes on his campaign website:

“As your county commissioner Richard will focus on efficiently managing our limited natural resources, effectively planning for our transportation needs, promote middle income jobs, ensure an effective and efficient county court system, work to enhance fire safety, and strive to promote a high quality of life for all our residents.”

Judge Ko, who has a strong record of community advocacy, originally campaigned for State Representative, House District 50, but changed his candidacy for Travis County Treasurer and will

be running against incumbent dolores ortega carter. Here’s his official statement on what he aims to accomplish as County Treasurer:

“ As the chief custodian of all county funds, the County Treasurer’s duty is first and foremost to the taxpayers of Travis County. And everyone who lives, works, or plays in Travis County pays taxes in some form or fashion. As the elected representative of the people, I will work to ensure that taxpayer money is handled prudently and spent appropriately.

“But serving the public as Treasurer should be about more than just handling money. It’s about proactively working to improve efficiency and save taxpayer money by using technology and collaborating with other county offices. It’s about establishing ties between government and the community, so that no one is left out or left behind. It’s about ensuring that our shared investments reflect our most deeply held values of fairness, equity, and empowerment. Now, more than ever, we need bold, dynamic leadership that will invest in Travis County, ”

~Ko wrote on his campaign website.

Wong, who has practiced law more than 26 years and has a long record of community service in Austin, is running unchallenged for the seat vacated by honorable david Phillips.

The primary elections take place March 4. For more information on their campaigns, visit ww.jungforcommissioner.com, www.rameyko.com, and www.toddwongforjudge.com.

Local fundraising for Philippines Typhoon victimsWith more than 4 million people displaced by Typhoon Haiyan, the strongest tropical cyclone to make a landfall on record, the Filipino and Asian communities in Austin have responded with a Telethon and Candlelight Vigil, raising approximately $20,000 in a combined effort.

The network of Asian American organizations (NAAO), along with the Austin Filipino American Association (AFAA), in partnership with the American Red cross, KeYe TV and Telemundo, raised $7,000 in 1.5 hours from 45 callers during the NAAO Philippines Typhoon Haiyan Relief Telethon on November 22. In separate fundraising efforts, the AFAA raised over $4,000 and NAAO gathered over $8,000 in contributions that will all be donated to the American Red Cross.

“The Network of Asian American Organizations (NAAO), an organization of organizations, is chartered to unite the Asian American community in Greater Austin to promote common interests in good times and to support each other in times of calamity. So, this fundraising drive is to support our brothers and sisters in the Philippines who have been devastated by Typhoon Haiyian that swept through the islands,” said sumit dasGupta, NAAO President.

DasGupta explained that the Red Cross was chosen as the receiving organization because they are “usually are the first ‘boots on the ground’ to distribute much-needed supplies and are efficient in their operations and have low overhead costs.”

The local Filipino community in the Austin metro area is estimated to number about

4,000. Many local families are affected by this event, suffering the loss of loved ones and the devastation of homes. The destruction is unprecedented, and Austinites have been ready and willing to show our support.

“We are very blessed to be here in the United States, and for many local Asians, we are immigrants here in the U.S. To be able to do our part in helping the affected areas in terms of sending funds (via the Red Cross), we are indeed blessed and thankful,” said AFAA president elias V. Lorenzana, Jr.

Asian Austin at www.AsianAustin.com is 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 [email protected].

Telethon for Philippines (Photo by Benyong Photography). Seated L-R are Isabella Garcia, Oscar Pantaleon, Linda Phan, Debasree Dasgupta, Maryann Ore, Ramey Ko, Christina Balderas. Standing L-R are James Canup, Rela Manigsaca, Dan Chi, Wilson Bradley, Sumit Dasgupta, Elias Lorenzana, Martin Lizarraga, Derek Su, Gigi Hobson, Savy Buoy, Nahid Khataw.

Amy Wong Mok, Dr. Betty Hwang, Ramey Ko, Richard Jung, Sonia Kotecha and Esther Chung.

Candlelight vigil (Photo by Benyong Photography)

on www.khataw.com benefit those in need around the world. Find out more in our discussion with Ali Khataw in this month’s Asian Austin’s A List.

Asia Austin (AA): Did you know what you wanted to do with your life or did it just happen?Ali Khataw (AK): I have always had a plan. When I was a child, my father inspired me to look outside of the standard and to push the boundaries as an entrepreneur.

AA: What was your attraction to your vocation? What drew you to do the work you do?AK: Construction and building intrigued me my entire life. Watching my father lead in creating iconic structures in the subcontinent drew me to my work. When you are building something, it is easy to see it expand and go beyond itself. I knew I could design better and achieve more.

AA: How did you first get involved with the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce? Why is this work important to you?AK: A dear friend of mine familiar with the Asian community asked if I was interested in being a part of the AAACC (Austin Asian American Chamber of Commerce) at the time. I took some good advice and joined the Chamber. What I didn’t know then is it ignited a passion for me in economic development. Helping others with humble beginnings establish themselves in all facets of their future truly became my mission.

AA: What does the American Dream mean to you?AK: Having lived in multiple countries, I can out rightly say the United States of America is the land of all opportunity. Find yourself in any environment and the U.S. will implement an opening to help you fulfill your goals. One can come to this country and work hard, be a productive member to society with integrity and persistence and accomplish anything.


By Yvonne Lim Wilson. Photos by Ali Khataw

Ali Khataw is widely known in Austin for his leadership and contributions to business, philanthropy, civic and cultural groups. Beyond his professional accomplishments in Central Texas lies a passion for collective justice. As it states in his online biography: “He looks beyond the obvious to find the extraordinary in what is possible for the community and the people.”

Born in Karachi, Pakistan, Khataw is a world traveler, having lived in many different countries during his childhood including Pakistan, Bangladesh, China and England before coming to the United States to study Civil Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin.

Khataw started his own engineering firm, Encotech Engineering Consultants, in 1990 and now serves as Chief Executive Officer of this first-class engineering firm. In addition, he serves on more than 10 different board of directors including Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce (GAACC), Mayor Lee Leffingwell’s Central Corridor Advisory Group, Goodwill Industries of Central Texas and Austin Area Research Organization (AARO).

He has been recognized for his accomplishments and community contributions through many accolades and awards, most recently receiving the Leadership Award from the University of Texas at Austin Division of Diversity and Community Engagement and also the Hope Award from Interfaith Action of Central Texas, which recognized the contributions of both Ali and his wife Nahid.

Most recently, Khataw has turned his creative passion, photography, into his latest philanthropic projects. All proceeds from photographs posted

integrate and preserve traditions. Not to mention, Asian Americans can be proud of the way in which they are united and work together to carry on and strengthen one another.

AA: What do you consider the most important cultural value for you and for those close to you?AK: Social justice. Addressing the educational, political, workforce development, as well as social services needed for all ethnicities and economically disadvantaged residents.

AA: Your photography is amazing! What do you look for in your photographs? Can you tell us what you have planned with your photo philanthropy?AK: My desire to help others and use art to make a difference has inspired me to delve into the world of Photo Philanthropy. Images have an undeniable power, and I want to harness this power and use it to better the conditions of living for those in the world not lucky enough to enjoy the luxuries many of us have been blessed with. By means of non-profit organizations and charities, all proceeds from my website will benefit those in need around the world (www.khataw.com).

AA: Is there anything particular about Austin that inspires you?AK: For almost three decades, my family and I have called Austin “home.” This city completely sold me on the fact it is a perfect place to raise a family. You can find a high quality of life and a WELCOME mat set out for the entrepreneurial spirit to flourish. Those who live in Austin know it is a wonderful place. Leaders are not without challenges for growth to continue the expectations of our Central Texas residents in this beautiful city. For me, it is another reason to be dedicated to community leadership.

AA: Asian Americans are becoming a powerful force in Austin economically, culturally, politically and otherwise. How do you see Asian Americans fitting into the larger Austin culture and community?AK: Asian Americans are so diversified in their own culture. What makes them a powerful force is their knowledge and skill set in every industry. As far as cultural heritage, Austin is a perfect place to display,

a s i a n a u s t i n

Ali Khataw


As milestones go, 50 is a big one. Caritas of Austin is celebrating 50 years of service to the Austin community, helping people achieve lasting self-sufficiency. In 1964, Caritas was founded with the vision of providing services to all people to have their basic needs met, and their commitment continues today.

This year, over 20,000 people will walk through Caritas’ doors and receive assistance. Support from the Austin community has made the work possible and help change lives. Each year, Caritas provides emergency assistance to 500 families in crisis; helps 150 people experiencing long-term homelessness move off the streets into

stable housing; provides housing and resettlement services to 500 refugees from over 20 different countries; helps 150 veterans find stable housing; serves 85,000 meals in its Community Kitchen; provides enough take-home groceries for 43,000 meals; places 450 individuals in jobs; and offers over 800 education classes.

Monsignor Richard McCabe started the organization in 1964 as a non-denominational, secular organization which hoped to have broad appeal. Caritas operated with a small budget from a small house on Red River Street and ran on the strength of volunteers. In 2014, some 73 full-time staff members work out

of an office at 7th and Neches St. Fifty

years in, Caritas enjoys a 90 percent

success rate.

To kick off 2014, Caritas is partnering

with another Austin icon – the newly

renovated and re-opened Hotel Ella,

formerly The Mansion at Judges Hill –

to celebrate its half-century milestone

on Thursday, January 30, 6-9 p.m.

Shinyribs will provide entertainment

for the evening. The event will

bring together both long-standing

supporters of the organization as well

as up-and-coming local companies

and philanthropists. For more info visit

www.caritasofaustin.org

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS*

30,000volunteer

hours

440job placements

850education classes

*Annual program projections

Take-home groceries for 43,000 meals

Prevent homelessness for 500 individuals and families

500 refugees resettled

Housing assistance for 150 veterans

130 disabled, chronically homeless individuals housed

90,000 meals served incommunity kitchen

WHO WESERVE

Homeless IndividualsFamilies in Crisis

RefugeesVeterans

EXPENSES BY PROGRAM

Homelessness Prevention32%

Refugee Resettlement18%

Supportive Housing16%

Food4%

Employment & Education15%

Veteran Assistance3%

Mental Health2%

Administrative9%

Community Access1%

REVENUE*

Federal and State Government$4,597,952

*Based on FY13 Financials

Local Grants$3,520,827

Philanthropic Giving$1,904,290

Other Income$287,639

OUR MISSIONCaritas of Austin provides a service continuum for those experiencing poverty that

begins with a safety net and links them to resources to achieve self-sufficiency.

www.caritasofaustin.org | 611 Neches St, PO Box 1947, Austin TX 78767 | 512.479.4610

OUR PROGRAMS & SERVICES

Means to Achieve Self-sufficiency

Housing AssistanceCommunity Kitchen

and Pantry

+

Employment Assistance

Refugee ResettlementEducation Classes

2014: The Year of cesar chavez By Tony castro, VOXXi

Almost half a century after Cesar Chavez’s first strike against grape growers in California in 1965, the legendary farm labor leader is about to enter the a celebrity walk of fame he never consciously sought.

Call 2014 the Year of Cesar Chavez – and for good reason.

Next month, a documentary – “Cesar’s Last Fast” — debuts at the Sundance Film Festival to be followed by the spring release of Diego Luna’s long-awaited feature film starring Michael Peña in the title role of “Cesar Chavez: An American Hero.”

Add to that the stepped-up lobbying effort by supporters pressing the White House and Congress for establishing a national park in Chavez’s name, and you have a snow-balling effect for cultural sainthood.

“We feel this project is a platform to elevate this man, Cesar Chavez, to the pantheon of American heroes,” says Edward Allen, the head of Pantelion Films, a studio created by LionsGate and Televisa that will be distributing Luna’s film.

The timing couldn’t be more pivotal for labor

organizers attempting to rally support against increasing unpopularity of unions and immigration activists continuing their campaign for comprehensive reform legislation in Washington.

“Cesar was an organizational genius, an inspiration, a life-changing force for all of us — myself, who used to be a farm worker in California, with an eighth-grade education, no hope for the future, until I met Cesar,” says Eliseo Medina, former international secretary-treasurer of the Service Employees International Union.

Medina is especially awaiting “Cesar’s Last Fast,” the documentary by filmmakers Richard Ray Perez and Molly O’Brien about Chavez’s a 36-day water-only hunger strike in 1988 to protest the deadly effects of unfettered pesticide use on farm workers and their families.

Chavez had a history of using fasts as acts of non-violent protest, and this would be his third and longest fast. He was 61, and he lost 30 pounds.

Five years later, the civil rights icon passed away in his sleep on April 23, 1993, in San Luis, Arizona, only miles from his birthplace 66 years earlier.

Following in that tradition of Chavez’s fasting, Medina recently spent 22 days on a water-only fast to protest Congress’ failure to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

A movement looking for respect and dignity

“I see that movement that (Cesar) began as continuing today, because we’re talking about the same things,” says Medina, who worked alongside Chavez for 13 years. “We’re talking about respect. We’re talking about dignity, about people being appreciated for the work they do and for their contributions.”

“Cesar’s Last Fast” will use never-before-seen footage of Chavez during his fast and interweave the historic events that defined his life into a documentary that the filmmakers have been showing at various stages of its development.

“My fellow producer… likes to say that I was destined to make this film,” Perez told one

screening of the work-in-progress at the Hammer

Museum in Los Angeles.

“My father was a migrant farm worker for 22

years, and by the time I was born, he was a

factory worker. My aunts and uncles, his siblings

were all farm workers, too, up until about 1942.”

Meanwhile, Luna’s feature is tentatively scheduled

for an April 4 debut.

The film, featuring Rosario Dawson, America

Ferrera and John Malkovich, has a $10 million

budget and for several years has been the passion

of Diego Luna, the Mexican actor best known for

“Y Tu Mamá También.”

“Cesar’s Last Fast” still. Ethel Kennedy assists Cesar Chavez in ending his historic 36-day fast. August 21, 1988 in Delano, California. Photo by Nic Paget-Clarke.

Caritasof AustinCelebrates 50th

Masterpiece features new episodes of Downton Abbey and Sherlock this month

Also This Month

Downton Abbey SherlockSundays at 9 pm starting January 19

Sherlock Holmes stalks again as Masterpiece Mystery! presents the third season of the modern version of the Arthur Conan Doyle classic. Benedict Cumberbatch stars as the go-to consulting detective in 21st- century London and Martin Freeman as his loyal friend, Dr. John Watson.

Sundays at 8 pm starting January 5

The new season of Masterpiece’s Downton Abbey finds aristocrats coping with last season’s shocking finale. Change is in the air as three genera-tions of the Crawley family have conflicting interests in the estate.

KLRU-TV, Austin PBS broadcast 18.1, cable 9 klru.org

Independent Lens: The State of ArizonaThe divisive battle over illegal immigration in Arizona that came to a head with Senate Bill 1070 frames this tense documentary that tracks multiple perspectives - activists, politicians, Latino immigrants, controversial Sheriff Joe Arpaio, ranchers, and others - as America eyes the results. This documentary airs January 27 at 9 pm.

One Square Mile: TexasThis new documentary series portrays Texas culture from the perspective of distinct square miles across the Lone Star state. As a whole, the series is a microcosm of Texas life and a collective portrait of the state. The series represents the many faces and facets of Texas from the perspective of the individual while spanning the emo-tional, demographic and physical landscapes. The series begins airing on KLRU January 16 and episodes will air Thursdays at 8 pm.

Community Cinema Las Marthas screening 2/4/14Dating from the aftermath of the Spanish-American War, the annual debutante ball in Laredo, Texas is unlike any other. Las Marthas follows two Mexican American girls carrying on this gilded tradition. KLRU’s free Community Cinema documentary screening of Las Marthas takes place February 4 at 7 pm at the Austin Public Library Windsor Park Branch Library (5833 Westminster Drive).

The howlin’ LoboBy Lobo corona

LOBO’S BITES

FrEE MUSIC WEEk

First things first in Austin and that means free live music to open 2014. “Free Week 2014” is now an annual tradition, starting on Wednesday, January 1, that allows clubs to court new patrons and gives music supporters a reason to check out new artists for no cover. Transmission Entertainment co-founder Graham Williams is the father of the concept, dating from back when he booked Emo’s on Red River and 6th St. For decades, the period is the slowest of the year with college students gone for the holidays, cold weather and bands hibernating. That leaves the door open for mostly Austin acts to showcase their wares, although some travel from out of town.

While some bands play for exposure others receive a stipend through bar sales. For the city to continue to develop its next wave of talent, Free Week escalates the music incubator and likewise is meant for you, the consumer, to experiment and support the many musicians who are the pulse of Austin’s economic development strategies.

Get intimate with Grupo

The Long Center presents Grupo Fantasma as part of its Concert Club series on Thursday, January 9. Group was the first band to incite a dance party in Dell Hall and the first to draw 3,000 Austinites to the Long’s City Terrace. Now Grupo will blaze another trail with a performance in an intimate cabaret-style setting. The 2013-1014 Concert Club season is a series of intimate and local performances that

range from the blues to folk and country to jazz, all presented in the acoustically splendid Rollins Studio Theatre. A complimentary buffet will be on hand in the AT&T Education Room prior to each concert and if you join a subscription series, you’ll receive a complimentary ticket to a Long center Resident Company performance of your choice in the Rollins: Austin Shakespeare, Pollyanna Theatre Company or Tapestry Dance Company.

Austin Music Memorial

The gang at the City of Austin’s Music Division (part of the City’s Economic Development Department) announced in December new inductees for the Austin Music Memorial. 2013 inductees were Nemecio Carmona, Ermant Franklin, AC Littlefield, Randall “Poodie” Locke, and Jesse Taylor. An induction ceremony was held at Austin City Hall, to salute these music pioneers whose cultural legacy were instrumental in creating Austin’s vibrant music heritage and international recognition as the “Live Music Capital of the World.” An engraved plaque honoring each inductee will be permanently installed at the Long Center with previous notables.

swingin’ The blitz

Pin up your victory rolls, dust off your uniforms, and wave your Union Jack at the Firehouse Lounge (605 Brazos Street) as it hosts a unique evening hearkening back to 1940’s-era London for a WWII costume party with Cats & The Canary on Saturday, January 18.

The Lounge will be your bomb shelter, serving vintage cocktails to the hot jazz tunes, with sandbags and dancing, men in uniform and ladies in red lipstick and stockings. Wear your best, they say. Allies welcome.

MAkING TrACkSAso, Anton nel to Record Live show

Maestro Peter Bay and the Austin Symphony Orchestra invite concertgoers for “Your Night Out” as they continue the 103rd season of classical concerts with performances of works by Edvard Grieg and Edward Burlingame Hill. World-renowned pianist Anton Nel returns for performances on Friday and Saturday, January 10-11 in Dell Hall at the Long Center. These performances of the Hill compositions will be recorded for a future CD release by the ASO that will also include his Symphony No. 4 that was recorded by the ASO in June 2013. The ASO is hoping to have a compact disc of the Hill works completed by fall of 2014. Tickets $19 to $56. at www.austinsymphony.org.


Tony bennettJanuary 18 in dell hall

With worldwide record sales in the millions, and dozens of platinum and gold albums to his credit, Tony Bennett is a musician who touches the hearts and souls of audiences with his legendary vocals and charming stage presence. His long list of achievements, spanning over 60 years, includes seventeen Grammy Awards, including the prestigious Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, making the artist a true international treasure. His signature tunes, such as “Steppin’ Out With My Baby” and “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” form part of the fabric of American music culture. Often billed as the world’s most boyish octogenarian, Bennett is a vital musical artist at the peak of his powers. He’ll make a special Austin appearance on Saturday, January 18, in Dell Hall at the Long Center. Supporting attraction is Antonia Bennett.

Tony Bennett, one of the legends of jazz and popular music who served during the Second World War and then developed a career spanning over half a century, will make a short Southwestern tour this month as he releases his latest recording, “The Classics,” a newly compiled collection of 20 Bennett recordings from 1951 to 2011, each personally selected by the artist.

Bennett integrated jazz-style phrasing into his singing at the start of his career by imitating

the instrumental solos with his own voice. After WWII, he toured with Bob Hope, who suggested his stage name he still uses today. His Columbia Records hit “Because of You,” produced by Mitch Miller with orchestration by Percy Faith, reached #1 in 1951 pop charts, followed by hits “Blue Velvet,” “Rags to Riches,” and “Stranger in Paradise,” from 1952-54. He rejuvenated his career during the 1980s and 1990s and has kept going strong since.

From post-war crowds of screaming teenagers to present day sell-out houses, he is to quote Frank Sinatra, “For my money, the best singer in the business.”

Grupo Fantasma

Nemecio Carmona

Ride for RefugeBy Erica schmidt

On February 8, Refugee Services of Texas (RST) will partner with Ride for Refuge to raise funds for refugees, asylees, and survivors of human trafficking most in need. Ride for Refuge is a bicycle fundraiser that raises contributions for those displaced. Three routes have been created (10, 35, and 60 mile routes) that will all start and finish at Yellow Bike Project, a fantastic initiative that puts bicycles on the streets of Austin through education, outreach, and advocacy. The event is a great opportunity to become involved in the work that RST does to help families from around the world who now make Austin home.

Bicycle riders, fundraisers, volunteers, and teams are welcome to raise funds for a cause and have fun in the process. At the last Ride in 2012, organizers brought in nearly $20,000 that went straight to refugee families. Financial contributions make a huge difference, and often all you have to do is ask. A rider from the 2012 Ride explained that, “people in Austin are extremely giving – I was amazed by what a simple request for money would result in, and it reflects the positive culture in Austin. I can’t wait to participate in Ride for Refuge again!”

Austin’s refugees, asylees, and survivors of

trafficking endure extreme poverty and a lack services upon arriving to Texas due to a lack of resources, making the task of adjusting to a new culture and finding an immediate means to provide for the family that much more daunting. Money from Ride for Refuge will help facilitate the resettlement process for these families.

RST was recently the recipient of hundreds of coats and blankets collected during Diwali Giving Fest 2013, and refugee families have been taking home winter donations ever since. As RST is becoming more connected with the Indian community, it is likewise giving back to those in need and Ride for Refuge will be another great opportunity to get involved. Find more information at rideforrefuge.org/locations/Austin.

Professional development:handling Mistakes effectively

By monica Peña

North Austin Influencers will host a professional development titled, “Handling Mistakes Effectively,” with trainer and performance consultant, Diana Lowe, on January 23, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn more about effectively handling mistakes using a human relations approach, while referring to the problem or situation in a professional way to more consistently retain valuable people and team empowerment.

Discussion will include topics including how to maintain control by managing a reasonable, allowable margin of error and taking corrective action with employees, as necessary, even if it is often a difficult process for managers. Other areas covered include receiving constructive feedback and creating the right process and human relations approach to move people from resistance to relating to their mistakes.

Lowe is affiliated with Dale Carnegie, the only performance-based training company with offices worldwide. She is also the Vice President of Special Interest Group for American Society for Training and Development (ASTD), and Ambassador for the Love at Work Foundation. For the past eight years, Lowe has worked and

lived in London, Dublin, Melbourne and Tokyo. Besides her love of travel, she is passionate about helping others achieve confidence through developing and improving upon their people and communication skills. In 2003 she received a BSc in Logistics and International Business. She moved overseas where she worked in Finance and IT, and after winning several London-wide and UK national public speaking competitions, Lowe decided to follow her passion in communications training and founded her own Communications Training Company in London. She now calls Austin her home .

For more details on attending the professional development, visit www.meetup.com/NORTH-AUSTIN-INFLUENCERS. Lunch will be provided. Cost is $10 prepaid before 10 a.m. the day of the event and $15 at the door.

The Good Food Revolution, Austin, and a Future Worth Working For

By Dani slabaugh

“Food is such a powerful way to bring people together,” Will Allen’s voice booms from the introductory video about his work from the Paramount Stateside Theater on a Sunday evening in December at a Edible Austin Eat/Drink Local event. Allen’s work in Milwaukee is widely renowned. A MacArthur Genius, he’s been honored by the Obamas as a leader in urban agriculture and by extension public health, been bestowed with honorary degrees and, perhaps most of all, revered as a hero within the food justice and small farm movements. His work and his vision represent a radical realignment of food and agriculture in the city, sparking conversations relevant to Austin as our city grows and continues to explore urban farming, sustainability, and food justice in search of some our vision of a future worth fighting for.

In his book, “The Good Food Revolution,” he shares a dream of his home in Milwaukee, 100 years from now, long after he’s gone;

“In the cities low-income neighborhoods, like Arlington Heights and Havenwoods, I see people who are growing fresh vegetables intensively in their backyards, I drive past waste trucks that are in the business of composting, a practice that has become mandatory for urban residents along with recycling... At farmers

markets, I see that the future equivalent of the food stamps program offers people three times more buying power there than at corner stores. I see fast-food restaurants that find it necessary to ensure that the animals used in their products are treated humanely, that their food is sourced locally, and that they do not create products that harm the health of the people who are their patrons.”

His dream goes on to flush out multi-acre for-profit urban farms deemed necessary basic urban infrastructure, their adjoining cooperative groceries and nearby vocational farm training schools that are in high demand as farming has become a respected and revered profession capable of supporting a “decent middle class existence.” “I see former industrial buildings that have been turned into fish and vegetable factories, and that are powering themselves by solar panels, food waste bio-digesters, and clean forms of energy not yet invented. Many of these businesses are owned and operated by people of color.”

Allen’s work with Growing Power has brought people together through food, over divides of race and class to build truly multicultural organization. Rather than focus purely on financial viability, though it’s a huge focus of Allen and his colleagues, Growing Power engages politicians, the homeless, youth, minorities, incarcerated individuals, and everybody in between. It embodies a hopeful vision for the future, resilient in the face of agribusiness, peak


oil, climate change, and an ever increasing, ever urbanizing population. It’s this vision that brought so many together at the Paramount – social justice organizers, farmers, chefs, teachers, city planners, students, and thinkers.

What vision do we have for Austin? 100 years from now, in the wake of global warming, water shortages, peak oil, corporate food and agriculture, and the as-of-yet unknown challenges of a culture out of touch with not only ecological limits, but each other, what do we wish for our children’s children?

A vision, more than anything, a goal that honors the realities we face as the next generation stares down a long, bleak road of economic ruin married

with ecological collapse, a vision is the thing that can give us an alternate route – a detour from the destination we’re rolling towards with disheartening entropy. What vision is possible? How can each of us become the solution to our vast problems? Where do we even begin?

When I close my eyes and dream of 100 years on, I see shady tree-lined streets that harvest runoff from the walking and biking corridors – transportation paths that once served as Austin’s major car dominated through fares. Streetcars and lightrail zip along next to smiling, happy Austinintes of many shapes, colors, and sizes. The trees providing this shade, oranges, grapefruits, figs, pomegranates, and apples, grow in rain gardens that harvest every inch of

Join the author for a crash course in permaculture basics and hands on application Jan. 18-26. See yardtotablegardens.wordpress.com.

cOnT. On PG. 14

c A R I d A d

cAsA(court Appointed special Advocates) of Travis county

VoLUnTeeR sPoTLIGhT

Lisa Rosenbaum, has lived in Austin for 21 years. She loves running the trails in Austin and growing and arranging flowers. This fulfills her nurturing gene now that her two daughters are grown. It was the empty nest feeling that led Lisa to volunteering with CASA seven years ago. What has surprised her most about volunteering is that “in spite of the fact that Austin is continually nominated as one of the best cities to live in, a high number of our community’s children experience neglect and abuse.” She loves how CASA volunteers not only work for the safety and well-being of children, but also help bring joy to their young lives by “removing the burdens that are inappropriate for their age and allowing them to embrace their childhood.” Lisa’s volunteer work has led her to further

her own knowledge regarding early childhood development and infant mental health. She is pursuing a degree in these fields through the University of Massachusetts, Boston and has completed many other certification programs focused on childhood trauma, therapy, child maltreatment and more. “Volunteering has given me a very gratifying sense of purpose. I see opportunities to enhance a child’s life by making certain that we support their healthy development and brighten their futures.”



FILMAUSTINBy Tara Veneruso

Over the past decade Austin has transformed itself into a top major motion picture city bursting with creativity, technology and ingenuity. Austin-produced films have had a major influence on indie cinema, from well-known directors and world-class film fests including SXSW Film Fest and Austin Film Fest. Years ago, Austin’s film scene was a completely different landscape, so I caught up with Austin Film Society’s Holly Herrick to find out how Austin filmmakers from every culture are creating a new film movement based on community. Herrick says, “There’s more film activity in Austin than ever before” and explained that this cooperative spirit is at the heart of Austin’s film community.

Austin’s film scene has never been so vibrant and full of multi-cultural filmmakers, film events. Austin has world-class film festival programmers including Janet Pierson at SXSW, top film writer Marjorie Baumgarten from the Chronicle, and filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, who is currently launching a new 24-hour cable channel called El Rey Network, which plans to “unite the most culturally diverse generation in history through fearless, badass and original content that awakens the renegade in everyone.”

From production through distribution, Austin is encouraging filmmakers to develop and share

unique stories. In fact, Austin’s film community is now far more creative than those filming in Hollywood where filmmaking is become no different than working at a machine factory to push out one-size-fits-all parts. Austin’s community-based film-core has no desire to be like Hollywood.

The Austin Film Society is a great place to put on repeat with its vast array of film events. Some Austin Film Society highlights are the Moviemaker Dialogue with Hollywood Pro’s

sharing filming experiences, the Texas Hall of Fame Awards and AFS Member Mixers. AFS also offers tremendous support for filmmakers to develop ideas including the “Works-In-Progress” screenings where filmmakers screen unfinished cuts to AFS members for feedback. Check out austinfilm.org for full list of events.

Austin filmmakers are working on each other’s films in a community-based spirit. Kat Candler’s award-winning films have screened at Sundance, SXSW, Slamdance and more. Her latest feature, “Hellion,” stars Juliette Lewis and Aaron Paul (“Breaking Bad”). Candler’s go-to talent, Jonny Mars, has made multiple critically acclaimed projects. Film producers Sarah Green and Elizabeth Avellán work on projects from many Austin directors including legendary filmmaker Terrence Malick and writer-director Jeff Nichols’ highly successful “Mud.” Nichols is now working out of Warner Bros on his upcoming “Midnight Special” starring Michael Shannon. Other amazing filmmakers often sharing talented teams include Margaret Brown, Kelly Williams, Jonathan Duffy and Nicolas Gonda, the founder of Tugg, a company working with filmmakers to create experience-based screenings to develop audience participation and conversation.

Austin’s innovative and creative approach is also shaking up the movie-going experience. Founded by Tim and Karrie League, the Alamo Drafthouse totally transformed the theater experience. Watch movies while waiters bring your family food, beer and wine while you kick back enjoying film premieres, visiting filmmakers, and marathon screenings. Alamo Drafthouse is hosting the 2014 year-long series, “Alamo 100,” and currently expanding throughout the U.S. Also, right in the heart of the city is the Blue Starlight Drive-In (home of the only Mini Urban

Drive-in). This boutique drive-in concentrates on indie and art house films, cult, Gen Y/X, childhood faves and drive-in classics.

The Texas Film Commission recently helped push through better tax incentives that will bring more film production to Austin and create more job opportunities. Large-scale Hollywood productions are in full-swing. “Transformers” was recently shot here. From summer film series like Splash Movies at Deep Eddy, screenings at the Paramount and Stateside Theaters and movie matinees at Austin Public Libraries, there’s so much more to discover about Austin’s film community.

runoff, preventing disastrous floods like those this last Halloween, and droughts like those that have devastated Central Texas in the past few years. I continue on foot, through my eastside neighborhood, which continues to be affordable, diverse, and alive with culture. Vegetable gardens lush with healthy greens abound, and neighbors socialize in their front yards, trading collards for basil, or tomatoes for squash. They mingle and buzz, building food security, community, and a vast resilience capable of weathering a variety of storms. Housing is affordable, pay is reasonable even for low income earners, and in the vast free-time beyond working enough to make ends meet, many austinites spend time with their hands in the dirt, or engrossed in a good book, lively conversation, playing music, dancing, and creating traditions of community together. Grandparents teach their grandchildren how to cultivate food, play music, dance with joy and abandon, and treat each other with kindness and compassion. Families and neighbors gather around food, music, dance, learning, creating, and reflecting together.

Those on the fringe of society are no longer

shunned, but embraced and held close in order to heal. There now exists human-centric social services, counseling, and support, robust enough to handle the modest trickle of clients with compassion and care. The homeless that once were predictably stationed along every highway exit can now find affordable housing, food, and transportation, and in fact “the homeless” are merely a historical anecdote. Alienation, depression, addiction, and trauma are rare in an environment of such resilient, accepting, compassionate community.

Local farm, groceries, restaurants dot the landscape – dispersed through every neighborhood providing high quality local food for everybody, and not a bit is wasted. Diabetes is unheard of. Hunger is a notion as difficult to grasp as the sensation of walking on the moon. Many of the farms and groceries are worker-owned, and cooperatively run. Diversity in ownership and membership represents an equitable distribution across race and gender lines. Robust cargo bikes haul boxes of vegetables, eggs, milk, meat, and honey from their source to their recipient, mere blocks away, smiling bikers at their helm share

high fives with neighborhood kids as they cross paths. Water security is no longer an issue – rainwater is harvested off of every roof, filtered and used for all household uses – and the waste water – is a term now antiquated and confusing for young people – how could such a useful thing be seen as waste? This water is used to irrigate food, shade, and wildlife habitat like Fig trees and blackberry bushes, butterfly gardens, and artichoke shrubs.

It’s a beautiful vision, and though I err on the side of pessimism, it’s not entirely impossible to achieve. It’s not entirely impossible, but it will take a decision on the part of the city and more importantly, its citizens to make this, or some alternate version, a reality. How to create a city that is affordable provides meaningful work and empowers citizens to steward the land, their neighborhood community, and their health? How will we dismantle and transform patterns of social oppression? The subtle and not so subtle racism we’ve marinated in through centuries of history, the patriarchy and classism so deeply engrained in not just our laws, but our thoughts, our emotions, our language, and our very guts and bones? These

are some of the things that derail our ability to come together through a shared vision of a better world. How will we provide local, high quality food to every citizen, from the construction workers, to the teachers, to the governor? It takes smart design. It takes good communication in the face of hard conversations handled with grace. It takes thought, and the willingness to get our hands dirty and demand a life for our great grandchildren that is more egalitarian, balanced, connected, and healthy. In the words of Will Allen, it always seems impossible, until it’s done.

Dani Slabaugh is an Austinite, a sustainability consultant, landscaper, activist, and teacher of sustainable design and practices. Join her and other area sustainability and social justice experts for an upcoming Urban Permaculture 101 course where students and facilitators will engage in 2 weekends of highly engaged hands on and brains on learning about growing food and justice in the city.https://www.eventbrite.com/e/urban-permaculture-101-benefiting-sustainable-food-center-tickets-9523716693

cOnT. frOm PG. 12 | ThE GOOD fOOD rEVOLuTiOn

Tara Veneruso yesterday

Tara Veneruso today


ALO’s ‘Tosca’L o n G c e n T e R

By caitlin moore

Austin Lyric Opera will open the year with a production of Puccini’s “Tosca,” one of opera’s most well-known and dramatic installments. This performance will mark 10 years since Austin Lyric Opera Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Richard Buckley first oversaw the piece at Austin’s Bass Concert Hall in 2004. This time around, “Tosca” will be staged at the Long Center with an Austin cast, chorus, production team and Austin Lyric Opera’s orchestra. Costumes will come from the Utah Opera and sets and props from the Lyric Opera of Kansas City (who owns this production).

“Tosca” is set in Rome in 1800 as the city is being threatened by Napoleon’s invasion of Italy, and the tragic story focuses on three characters – a singer named Floria, “Tosca,” her lover, and the chief of police. When Floria’s lover is captured and accused of anti-government activities, she must decide to what lengths she’ll go to save him from torture and certain death.

Because it’s so rich with emotion (and often labeled as a melodrama, in fact), “Tosca” gives audiences plenty to become absorbed in as the characters tackle the libretto’s moral conundrums and Puccini’s memorable arias. Passion, jealousy, murder and lies push the action along throughout this three-act production, and the stirring plot, commanding score and creative lyrical style have led “Tosca” to become one of the world’s most popular operas.

Though based on a French play, lyrics are sung in Italian and English subtitles will be displayed. Opera fans have three chances to see Austin Lyric Opera’s “Tosca” – Jan. 30 at 7:30 p.m., Feb. 1 at 7:30 p.m., and Feb. 2 at 3 p.m. Tickets are available at www.austinlyricopera.org and range in price from $24-$200.

BrIDGE2BrIDGEFrom Montopolis bridge to 360 bridge, everything Austin

Krewe du Bisoux presents the second 12th night Parade and ball on Sunday, Jan. 5. Shake out those sequins, plug in the glue guns and gather your krewes because there’re some twists and treats in store. Gather at Maison d’Etoile at 8 p.m. for pre-parade activities. At 9 p.m., Minor Mishap Marching Band leads the procession to The Scoot Inn for the Masquerade Ball ($5). www.12thnightaustin.com

Alejandro Escovedo leads a journey through 60 years of the city’s kaleidoscopic music culture at ACL Live on Saturday, Jan. 11.“The United sounds of Austin” features Escovedo curating and narrating a guided tour of the city’s artistic evolution using photographs, songs and stories with special guests Lucinda Williams, Joe Ely, Butch Hancock, Terry Allen, Rosie Flores and Roky Erickson. acl-live.com

A’lante Flamenco dance ensemble returns to Rollins Studio Theatre at the Long Center Jan. 11-19 with “Prophecies,” a re-imagining of Kahlil Gibran’s bestselling prose poem, “The Prophet.” The work imagines Gibran’s wise Prophet responding to the dilemmas of life in the digital age, from cellphone etiquette to Facebook to Skype, uniting pure flamenco with innovation. www.alanteflamenco.com The annual community march celebrating dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy kicks off on Monday, Jan. 20, 9 a.m., with a short program at the MLK statue on the University of Texas campus. The march heads to the south steps of the capitol for a short program and continues to Huston-Tillotson University for a family-friendly festival with food and live music that runs to 3 p.m. www.mlkcelebration.com Winner of the 2012 Grammy for Best Large Ensemble Jazz Album for his recording, “The Good Feeling,” renowned bassist, composer, and bandleader christian Mcbride brings his top-shelf Big Band to Bass Concert Hall for an evening of extraordinary music, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 8 p.m. For over 20 years, McBride has thrived in numerous musical settings from jazz, R&B to pop. texasperformingarts.org

The Austin Music Experience launched on KUTX 98.9 a year ago to great fanfare and the station will ring in its first year at the KUTX 1st birthday Party, joined by music favorites Neko Case, Iron and Wine, and Thao & The Get Down Stay Down. Saturday, Jan. 25, 7:30 p.m. at Bass Concert Hall. It won’t be your average 1-year-old’s birthday party but there might be a clown or two. kutx.org

This month, Cine de Oro features “Los Tres huastecos,” a film about three brothers (a priest, a soldier and an outlaw) that are raised separately by their godfathers once their mother dies. They cross paths when they move near one another as drama unfolds. Tuesday, Jan. 28, at ESB-Mexican American Cultural Center. Directed by Ismael Rodriguez, 1948, Spanish/English subtitles. macc.austin

c e L e b R AT I n G d I V e R s I T Y

‘MAn oF LA MAnchA’L o n G c e n T e R

The Long Center present the timeless musical, “Man of La Mancha,” as part of its 2013 Broadway series, January 14 and 15 at 7:30 p.m. in Dell Hall.

The “Impossible Dream” musical is a multi-award winning masterpiece which paved the way for “Les Miserables” and other shows, stretching the musical form to include deeply moving stories based on classic literature. Enter the mind and world of Don Quixote as he pursues his quest for the impossible dream. Against all odds, a man sees good and innocence in a world filled with darkness and despair. This lyrical and amusing adventure is a classic tale of the triumph of a man over his own follies.

“Man of La Mancha” is a musical with a book by Dale Wasserman, lyrics by Joe Darion and music by Mitch Leigh. It is adapted from Wasserman’s non-musical 1959 teleplay “I, Don Quixote,” which was in turn inspired by Miguel de Cervantes’s seventeenth century masterpiece “Don Quixote.” It tells the story of the “mad” knight, Don Quixote, as a play within a play, performed by Cervantes and his fellow prisoners as he awaits a hearing with the Spanish Inquisition.

The original 1965 Broadway production ran for 2,328 performances and won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The musical has been revived four times on Broadway, becoming one of the most enduring works of musical theatre.

for ticket information,go to thelongcenter.org

TODO Arts==================================

Photos by: Pop-Eye/Heinrich, Chris Nash, Carol Friedman, Brinkhoff/Mögenburg

(Pictured top left to right) Christian McBride Big Band: January 21, The Cleveland Orchestra: March 2,Soweto Gospel Choir: March 23, Motionhouse: April 11, Bobby McFerrin: April 24, War Horse: May 6-11

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