The Mignon Memo

Things to know this week:

• Remember how last week’s memo talked about having an acceptable form of I.D. ready to show at the voting booth? Well…  Thursday, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos ruled that Texas’ voter I.D. law is unconstitutional and blocked its enforcement. The state immediately filed an appeal with the 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals. Yesterday, the 5^th Circuit reinstated the law for this upcoming election. What a roller coaster! And it’s still not over. The takeaway—have your photo I.D. ready when you vote. The Photo I.D. requirement is in effect for this election.

• Early voting starts this Monday, October 20^th and runs through October 31^st. During the early voting period, you can vote at any location in your county. To find an early voting location near you, check the Online Voter Central or the Early Voting Clerk for State and County Elections website. Make it easy on yourself and vote early!

• The 2015 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees have been announced, and Dallas-born Stevie Ray Vaughan made the list. Hopefully this is the year for Texas’ “Pride and Joy” to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Visit the virtual voting booth and cast your vote for our Texas blues guitar virtuoso here.

• A memorial service for District Judge Harley Clark, creator of the “Hook ‘em Horns” sign, was held Tuesday, October 14th. A former University of Texas head cheerleader, Judge Clark first introduced the sign at a 1955 pep rally. Clark wanted something comparable to A&M’s “Gig ‘em” sign. Later on in life, Gov. Dolph Briscoe appointed Clark as judge for the state’s 250th Judicial District Court in 1977, where he served for 12 years.

Only in Austin…

Uchiko, the sister restaurant of Uchi, opened in July 2010 and was quickly named “Best New Restaurant” by Texas Monthly and GQ magazine. Its chef/owner, Tyson Cole, takes pride in using the freshest ingredients in its seafood and sushi dishes, even if it means flying in fish daily from Tokyo. Famed chef and Top Chef winner, Paul Qui, also honed his culinary skills working at Uchiko. Uchiko is hands down one of the best (and hippest) restaurants in Austin. If you are looking for delicious sushi and Japanese dishes, this is the place.

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Things to know this week:

• Monday, Governor Perry announced the creation of the Texas Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response. The task force is responsible for developing a comprehensive, long-term plan to cover all stages of preparedness and response to outbreaks of infectious disease, such as Ebola. Dr. Brett P. Giroir, Executive Vice President and CEO of the Texas A&M Health Science Center, has been named director of the task force comprised of Health and Human Services Commissioner Dr. Kyle Janek, Department of State Health Services Commissioner Dr. David Lakey, public health experts, epidemiologists, and leadership from other state agencies that would be involved in a response to a pandemic event.

• Staff for the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission has completed its review of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and has released its recommendations. In its report, the Sunset Commission recommends further consolidation of the state’s health agencies from five to one. Currently, HHSC oversees four other health agencies—Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS), Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), and the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS).

• The annual Red River Showdown, Shootout, Rivalry, whatever you want to dub it …  between the University of Texas Longhorns and University of Oklahoma Sooners takes place Saturday, October 11 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. This is the 109^th time that Burnt Orange will tangle with Crimson Red. Horns Up!

• 12 days remain until early voting begins in Texas. Make sure you have the proper photo I.D. ready to vote. Check this list for acceptable forms of photo I.D.

Only in Austin…

While many Austinites will make the trek north on I-35 to take part in Texas-OU festivities, some will stick around town for the second weekend of the Austin City Limits Music Festival. Inspired by the show, Austin City Limits, the inaugural ACL Music Festival took place 12 years ago. With each year, the lineup has grown as well as the crowds. An estimated 75,000 people attend the festival each day.

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Things to know this week:

• It’s been a week for debates. Monday, candidates for Lieutenant Governor, Dan Patrick (R) and Leticia Van de Putte (D), went head to head in Austin. Last night, Greg Abbott (R) and Wendy Davis (D) duked it out in Dallas. Today’s release of the Texas Lyceum poll shows Greg Abbott leading by 9 points—49 to Wendy Davis’ 40; and Dan Patrick leading by 14 points—47 to Leticia Van de Putte’s 33.

• Election Day will be here before you know it. There are 5 days left to register to vote and 19 days until early voting starts. Find everything you need to know about voting at votetexas.gov.

• The Texas Permanent School Fund has hit a record $37.7 billion, making it the largest education endowment in the country. Proceeds from the sale of sulfur and water royalties, and oil and gas leases feed the fund managed by the State Board of Education, the General Land Office, and the Texas Education Agency. A portion of the fund is allocated annually to Texas school districts to assist with the purchase of instructional materials and other education costs.

• The Austin City Limits Music Festival has expanded to two full weekends, October 3-5 and October 10-12. The first weekend of ACL starts Friday. Parts of Zilker Park have been closed for over a week in preparation for the masses that will flock to listen to the extensive lineup. Did you get your wristband?

Only in Austin…

Forty years ago today, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre premiered in Austin, Texas. The original slasher film was written, directed, and filmed by Austinite Tobe Hooper on a shoestring budget of $83,500. Although many other adaptations have tried, none can match the original Leatherface and the isolated farmhouse atop Quick Hill off of Old County Road 172 in Austin.

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Believe it or not, it’s officially fall. 

Are you ready for pumpkin spice everything?

Some factoids to start off the fall season:

• Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples has been named the next president of the Texas Oil and Gas Association. Staples says he will leave office prior to the end of his term, which is January 2015, to begin his new role.

• With the beginning of fall comes TV premieres. There are several shows that feature young actors with Texas roots—ABC’s Black-ish, ABC’s Manhattan Love Story, Fox’s Gracepoint, The CW’s The Flash—to name a few. Will you tune in?

• San Antonio’s Tobin Center for the Performing Arts is now open to the public. Prior to its opening, San Antonio was the largest city in the U.S. without a performing arts center. The new center is state of the art, and with the press of a button, the space can be changed from a concert venue with traditional seating to a flat-floored dance hall. In 23 minutes flat.

Only in Austin…

The Highball recently reopened with seven new pop culture themed karaoke rooms. You can sing your heart out (in or out of tune) in rooms reminiscent of Twin Peaks, Super Mario Brothers, and The Shining. The Highball’s own CEO, Tim League, offers his personal karaoke do’s and don’ts. The same could be said for the Texas Legislature.

1. You must commit.
2. No quitters.
3. Have some dance moves ready.
4. Avoid cliché and lengthy songs. (Sorry Gloria Gaynor…)
5. Know your octaves.
6. Rap is hard.

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This week’s water cooler wisdom:

• The Texas A&M Transportation Institute has released its annual list of the most congested highways in the state. The metro areas of Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Austin top the list with half of the top twenty located in Harris County. Did your route to work make the list? Transportation infrastructure for the state remains a hot topic.

• The Prada Marfa installation by Elmgreen & Dragset is now recognized as a museum. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) wanted the replica Prada store removed from the side of a Marfa, Texas highway claiming it was outdoor advertising–  requiring state permits and licenses. The Ballroom Marfa Foundation will now lease the site where the installation sits so the building can be recognized as a museum with an “on-premise” sign. No state permit required. Cue Beyoncé jumping for joy.

• There are less than 50 days until the November 4, 2014 General Election. Are you registered? You must be registered by October 6, 2014 to vote in the November 4^th election. For everything you need to know about voting, visit www.votetexas.gov.

Only in Austin…

75 years ago, the American classic film, Gone with the Wind was released. It was the longest American sound film of its time, one of the first major films in Technicolor, and the highest-grossing film for 27 years following its release.  A new exhibit, “The Making of Gone with the Wind” at the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas-Austin runs through January 4, 2015. Scarlett O’Hara’s famous green curtain dress, as well as other gowns worn by Vivien Leigh are on display together for the first time in more than 25 years. The Ransom Center’s collection also includes storyboards, fan mail, production records, makeup stills, costume, sketches, audition footage, and more. Frankly my dear, we still give a damn!

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Some items to start off your September:

• Travis County District Court Judge John Dietz has ruled that Texas’ school finance system is unconstitutional. Judge Dietz’s opinion states that the system is unconstitutional because of inadequate funding, flaws in the distribution method to school districts, and because it imposes a de facto state property tax.

• Gov. Perry has appointed Dr. Michael Arambula of San Antonio chair of the Texas Medical Board. Dr. Arambula is a psychiatrist in private practice and an associate professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. Dr. John Guerra of Mission has also been appointed to the Board. Dr. Guerra is an OB/GYN in private practice in McAllen. The Texas Medical Board is responsible for establishing and maintaining standards of excellence in regulating the practice of medicine.

• For a list of the 10 laws that went into effect September 1, 2014, visit the Legislative Reference Library here.

And now that college football is in full swing again, here are some tailgate tidbits:

• Where does your team fall on the “Grid of Shame?” See how 128 major teams rank.

• This weekend, grab a 99-pack of Austin Beer Works’ Peacemaker Ale to share with your tailgating buddies. What a steal–99 beers for $99, but you’ll need some help carrying it out. The 99-pack is over 7 feet long and weighs 82 pounds!

• One loyal Longhorn fan built a replica of the University of Texas’ Darrell K. Royal Stadium out of Legos. Click here to see it in all its glory.

Only in Austin…

Is the drought getting you down? Unfortunately, it has gotten the best of this beauty outside of the East entrance of the Capitol.

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Ready or not, it’s back to school time!

Things to study up on this week:

• Speaker Joe Straus has appointed the following House members to the Texas Legislative Council: Representatives Dwayne Bohac (Houston), Travis Clardy (Nacogdoches), Helen Giddings (Dallas), Larry Phillips (Sherman), and Senfronia Thompson (Houston). Legislative Council assists the Legislature and related agencies with bill-drafting, research, publishing, document distribution, and technological support.

• The University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley has narrowed it down to 10 contenders in its search for a new mascot. How do you like the sound of the UT-RGV Mockingbirds? Bull Snakes? For a list of the 10 finalists, click here.

• There’s always a new restaurant opening in Austin, but we can’t forget about the oldies, but goodies. Zagat has published its guide to 8 Classic Austin Dishes to Rediscover. Did your tried and true favorite make the list?

Only in Austin…

Mark the end of summer with a dip in Barton Springs Pool. The pool is fed by underground springs and averages a cool 68-70 degrees. It’s an Austin favorite of locals and visitors alike. The story is a five-year-old Robert Redford learned to swim at Barton Springs when he was visiting family in Austin. Maybe he’ll decide to visit when you do!

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Things to know this week:

• For the first time in almost a century, Texas’ sitting governor has been indicted. In 1917, it was Gov. Jim “Pa” Ferguson. In 2014, it is Gov. Rick Perry. Who would’ve thought Texas politics could get any weirder…

• A debate between the candidates for lieutenant governor, Leticia Van de Putte (D) and Dan Patrick (R), has been scheduled for September 29, 2014. It will be televised from the KLRU studio in Austin and will be moderated by the Texas Tribune.

• Monday, recent San Antonio mayor, Julian Castro, was officially sworn-in as Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by Vice President Joe Biden.

• Vince Young, former quarterback who led the Longhorns to win a BCS National Championship, will return to the University of Texas-Austin to work for the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement. In this position, he will raise money to support programs for outreach to first-generation and low-income college students.

Only in Austin…

Photo credit: www.examiner.com

Night Wings, by Dale Whistler, is an 18’ x 20’ aluminum sculpture located on the traffic island at Congress and Barton Springs. It slowly spins so that you are able to view it from any angle. This piece is part of Austin’s Art in Public Places program and was donated in 1998 by the Downtown Austin Alliance. Check it out if you’re attending Bat Fest this Saturday!

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Things to know this week:

• Speaker Joe Straus has directed the House Appropriations committee to hold budget hearings this fall using a strategic fiscal review that looks more closely at 12 specified state agencies and programs. The list serves as a starting point and could be expanded beyond next session.

• Sen. Donna Campbell (New Braunfels) has been appointed to the Sunset Commission. She is serving the remainder of Sen. Dan Patrick’s (Houston) term, ending in 2015. The Sunset Commission is responsible for reviewing state agencies in order to streamline operations and eliminate inefficiencies.

• Christi Craddick has been elected chair of the Texas Railroad Commission. The Texas Railroad Commission is the state agency that regulates the oil and gas industry in Texas. Commissioner Craddick was elected statewide in 2012 to serve a 6 year term as Texas Railroad Commissioner.

• Football season is around the corner. Do you have your favorite college team’s Jell-O Jigglers molds? Available for Longhorns and Aggies alike.

Only in Austin…

Photo credit: Zilker Hillside Theater Facebook page

The Beverly S. Sheffield Zilker Hillside Theater, located in Zilker Park, across from Barton Springs is home to the Zilker Summer Musical. For 56 years, Zilker Theatre Productions has brought large-scale musical productions to the stage on the hillside. This year’s production is Oklahoma! You can check it out Thursday-Sunday evenings through August 16^th.

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