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Toros Tryouts: Day Two
When I walked into the Delco Activity Center for the second day of the Austin Toros open tryouts, I made two quick observations: one, the tension and competitiveness among the players had been ratcheted up from the previous day to almost unbearable levels; and two, I had no business being awake at 9 o’clock in the morning. Normally 9 o’clock would mark the halfway point of my nightly dance with the sandman, but no one ever said the life of a sports blogger was a warm slice of chocolate cake, and I’m willing to make sacrifices, so I beat back my lingering exhaustion to put pen to paper and bring you my observations from the final day.
3:51PM Sat. Nov. 4, 2006,Josh Rosenblatt Read More | Comment »
PBS in Central Texas
I just watched the coverage of the Texas Congressional District 31 race on PBS's NOW, and it was quite impressive. A great example of how journalism with a viewpoint (make no mistake – any program founded by Bill Moyers is gonna be liberal) can still be evenhanded and not manipulative (see my complaints about HBO's Hacking Democracy).
9:37PM Fri. Nov. 3, 2006,Lee Nichols Read More | Comment »
Best Quote of the Whole Election
"We're talking not so much about an election anymore, we're talking about an intervention. We're talking about getting these people to recognize reality." – Conservative columnist Andrew Sullivan, on PBS's NOW, about why he'll be voting Democrat on Tuesday
8:47PM Fri. Nov. 3, 2006,Lee Nichols Read More | Comment »
TODAY'S EVENTS
American String Quartet’s 50th Anniversary with Anton Nel
Bates Recital Hall
Parker Woodland at Coco Coquette
MUSIC | MOVIES | ARTS | COMMUNITY
Injunction Against Abbott Lifted
The federal court preliminary injunction barring Greg Abbott from prosecuting individuals found in possession of the mail-in ballot of another, but with the consent of that voter, has been lifted. The case was brought by the Democratic Party and other Texans, arguing that the law was overbroad and that Abbott was overzealously prosecuting people who were simply taking ballots to the post office for the elderly. Abbott contends he is cracking down on voter fraud by strictly enforcing the 2003 law.
5:16PM Fri. Nov. 3, 2006,Lee Nichols Read More | Comment »
Wesley Clark Endorses Everybody
In the past few days, we've received e-mails letting us know that former NATO General Wesley Clark is making a push for Texas Democrats, endorsing Mary Beth Harrell (Congressional District 31), Ted Ankrum (CD 10), John Courage (CD 21), and Chris Bell (governor). Just in case you were wanting his recommendation.
4:56PM Fri. Nov. 3, 2006,Lee Nichols Read More | Comment »
Election-Related Events: Updated
A by-no-means-comprehensive sampling of upcoming election related events (not including candidate election night parties, which we'll post on election morning).
Ted Ankrum House Party (Candidate for Congressional District 10)
TIME: Saturday, Nov. 4, 1:30pm-3:30pm
PLACE: Home of Walt & Aletha Snowden, 2705 Kerrybrook
Tejano Blues (A Democratic concert and rally)
When: Saturday, Nov. 4 at 7pm
Where: The Victory Grill, 1104 E. 11th
Who: Cyril Neville & Tribe 13, Omerta Ignored, and the Blues Specialists; Democratic candidates including gubernatorial candidate Chris Bell
How much: Free, but BYOB
(More events behind the "continue reading" link)
4:55PM Fri. Nov. 3, 2006,Lee Nichols Read More | Comment »
NEWSLETTERS
It's Payback Time
Things started out well enough with the Ice Bats winning their season opener against the Bossier-Shreveport Mug Bugs 3-2 in their new Bat Cave, the Chaparral Ice Center, but last weekend's home-road-home series proved to be a disaster. With two losses and an overtime loss Austin was only able to secure one of a possible six points in the three games. Not to fear Ice Bats fans, two of last week's opponents (the Laredo Bucks and the Corpus Christi Rayz) will be in town this weekend allowing for the last-place Bats to enact some much-needed revenge against two divisional foes. With six of their next nine games following this homestand being played on the road, these games are about as important as they get with it being only four games into the CHL season.
Right-winger John McNabb is the Bats current point leader with five (two goals and three assists) while center Aaron Davis leads the team with three goals. Miguel Beaudry has resided between the pipes for three of their four games this season. His record stands at 1-1-1 with a respectable 2.91 GAA and 0.901 SV% having surrendered nine goals on 91 shots. Friday's game vs. the Bucks features my favorite promotion of the year, Trading Card Night.
Vs. Laredo: Fri., Nov. 3, 7:30pm. Vs. Corpus Christi: Sat., Nov. 4, 7:30pm. Chaparral Ice Arena, 14200 N. I-35, 252-8500. $15-35. For more, see their Web site.
3:52PM Fri. Nov. 3, 2006,Mark fa*gan Read More | Comment »
Early Voting Deadline Looms
Crowds are decidedly mixed on this, the last day of early voting. At the Fiesta along I-35, and at the Pleasant Valley Albertsons, there's currently little or no lines. Elsewhere, at the HEB located on East Seventh Street, and Randalls on Ben White, anywhere from 25 to 70 people have been spotted in line.
As crowds will probably get worse when people get off work, you know what to do: Go vote now. Most polls close at 7pm, although Northcross and Highland Malls and Austin Public Library's Howson Branch are to be open until 8pm. For more information on early voting locations, visit the Chronicle's voting information page.
3:28PM Fri. Nov. 3, 2006,Lee Nichols Read More | Comment »
Pilgrim in an Unholy Land: Notes of a Lonely Cowboy
Everyone seems scared of my Oklahoma State Cowboys. Let me tell you, I’ve seen this team, up close and in person. Make no mistake – they will beat someone this Saturday. The question is who? It could, just maybe, be the high and mighty Longhorns. State has knocked off bigger game: even Texas fans remember the Cowboys’ beatings of the very teams Mack Brown & Co. were regularly embarrassed by in Bob Stoops and those hated and feared Oklahoma Sooners.
It could be that Oklahoma State comes waltzing across Texas and winds up beating the No. 4 team in the land. But it will more likely be themselves the Pokes lay waste to.
2:33PM Fri. Nov. 3, 2006,John Razook Read More | Comment »
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