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Archives for 2009

The Tragedy of Suburbia

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In this video, James Howard Kunstler tells you why suburbia hasn’t been delivering on what it’s been promising: a respite from the industrial city.

The automobile created the opportunity to own a “country” house. As more people purchased cars, more people also wanted to purchase homes outside the city. What happened is the modern suburban experience became a cartoon of the original desire to have a “country” house outside of the city.

Kunstler advocates sustainability through living locally. Love this guy’s passionate delivery.

NSFW for language

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1ZeXnmDZMQ]

According to his TED conference bio:
“James Howard Kunstler may be the world’s most outspoken critic of suburban sprawl. He believes the end of the fossil fuels era will soon force a return to smaller-scale, agrarian communities — and an overhaul of the most destructive features of postwar society.”

Fire rips through Vice and other Sixth Street venues

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Fire at Vice

We heard the alarms over night, and just woke up to the news of two 3-alarm fires on the 300 block of Sixth Street.  Apparently, the fire was centered at VICE on the North side and Blind Pig on the South side.  Investigators are uncertain if they are related, (though it would seem unlikely to me that they weren’t).  Sixth Street is blocked off from Red River to San Jacinto.  The extent of the damage is still uncertain.  Photos and details to come.

Link

Bike Messenger Culture

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**Downtown Austin Blog has been given special access to the amazing PBS Downtown TV series.  Thanks, DAA!**

One of my favorite clips from the Downtown TV program is the story about Downtown Austin bike messengers.  Though I never got into the whole narrow handle-barred-10-speed-sans-brakes thing, I did grow up riding Haros and trying to do tailwhips.

These guys know Downtown Austin like most people never will.  They know where everything is and understand the hidden paths to get there.  Oh, according to the video, don’t ride your bike past Little City cafe and not expect to be judged by the messengers waiting on their next call.

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Feels like old times: "Put it on my tab!" @ Royal Blue Grocery

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More reasons to shop at Royal Blue Grocery
More reasons to shop at Royal Blue Grocery

I was having coffee earlier this morning and chatting with someone about how most people in the world purchase their food on a daily or weekly basis.  In New York it’s routine to drop in to D’Agostinos and pick up a few things for the next day or so.  Then, with synchronicity, a few minutes ago I receieved a note from DANA’s Roger Cauvin telling me that at Royal Blue Grocery you can open a “tab”!  That’s cool.

“Did you know that you can open a “tab” with Royal Blue?  When you sign up, they take your credit card info and enter you in their computer.  Then, whenever you buy items at the store, they simply put it on your tab.  At the end of each month, they automatically charge your credit card and send you a statement.  There is no fee for the service.

One of the benefits of having a dense downtown is that it makes conveniences such as this one viable, due to the sheer number of residents within walking distance of retail shops.” – Roger Cauvin

The phenomenon of the supermarket was an American invention that paralleled the exodus from cities into suburbs.  Well, as people move back to the city to become more connected, it’s nice to see an Austin entrepreneur, George Scariano, meet the demand for more neighborhood friendly businesses that are walkable and accessible on a daily basis.  Also, see Waltons Fancy & Staple and Emerald City

Royal Blue is located @ 3rd & Lavaca.  Their second location, at the ground level of 360 condos, is expected to open next week.