Downtown Drama

If you live in the Austin area, you have surely heard about the huge planes of glass on the W Hotel's balconies that have been falling into the street. Now the city has restricted sidewalk and street traffic all around the hotel until they can replace all the panes. I shot this photo yesterday morning. On the lowest balcony you see two panes that are missing. On the fifth balcony up you see that the second pane from the left is gone. The whole hotel had to be evacuated and both condo residents and hotel guests were affected. Linda and I were eating lunch in their restaurant Monday when the first panes fell. (The ones shown above.) When we tried to walk home, we were rerouted by guards who told us there was "construction" going on. The next day, several other panes dropped to the street. A friend of ours was transferred to the Hilton. What a hassle.

Dogs and Their People

Sometimes dogs and their people meet up on the Hike and Bike. This was on the pedestrian part of the First Street bridge.

Modern Hotel Decoration

The W Hotel in our neighborhood has a rather mixed-up modern eclectic aesthetic (if that makes sense). This old typewriter sits on a mirrored table near the concierge desk. In unrelated news, ome glass panels fell off the residence balconies yesterday, apparently while we lunched there. No people were hurt, but some cars were damaged. Someone had typed an appeal to God on that paper, by the way.

New on Second Street

What used to be a Teuscher chocolate shop and coffee bar has changed to BLVD espresso and dessert bar. I'm not much of a chocolate person or a dessert person and drink most of my java at my home two blocks away from here (sitting here enjoying the output of my Capresso Jura Empressa E8 right now). But I like the trade dress of this new incarnation. And I like the idea of it: maybe Austin boulevardiers can go there as they stroll about. Well as soon as it quits being so blasted hot.

Retail Bravery

Last time we were on South Congress we noticed this vintage book store in the process of getting ready to open. That's an act of defiance to the trends of electronic media and online shopping I'd say. We were in New York last week (yes, the Austin pix were on auto pilot) and we visited some favorite bookstores that still survive but we were shocked to see someone taking the risk on SoCo. Will have to get down there and find something we can't live without.

Hotter than a Firecracker

Hot weather continues in Austin and the respite of rain is not very forthcoming. This South Austin graffiti looks like a cherry bomb ready to ignite itself with its cigar. That's how we are all feeling these days...only no fireworks are allowed. Even the city displays for July 4th are being cancelled because of the drought.

Sunset Reflected

Two nights ago I caught the colors in the Frost Bank as it reflected the sunset. We never really get tired of it.

Physics for Kids

This lively poster announces the current exhibit at the Austin Children's Museum which is an interactive physics lesson (in English or Spanish apparently). Looks like fun.

Signage

Signs from some cool shops and the Austin Motel on South Congress. Also one warning that peds might not hear you beeping. (The Texas School for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired is nearby.)

Surreal City

A couple of Sundays ago this fellow was working on a surreal mural by Snack Bar/Austin Motel on South Congress. I'm not sure what the melting buildings, floating coffee cups and church or the bridge that reminds of the Golden Gate has to do with anything but it is colorful and this guy was braving the Texas heat to work on it.

Honoring those Who Died in Service

This marker on Annie Street marks the locations of a fallen Austin Police Department officer. Supposedly all the policemen who died in the line of duty will be honored in this way. I'll be interested to see if the University of Texas allows such a thing on the UT campus for officer Billy Speed. They did not allow the victims of the Tower Sniper to be listed on the memorial they tucked away among the turtle pond on north of the Tower.

Biker Parking

Last weekend the Republic of Texas Bike Rally was in town and I snapped this nice chalk sign making. Lots of businesses reserved special areas for motorcycles to park while they patronized the establishments. This was at a favorite little spot of ours called Snack Bar in the Austin Hotel property.

Another Rowing Alternative

This couple might have rented this craft for their Lady Bird Lake adventure.

Pull!

Yes...we did a survey of watercraft on Lady Bird Lake. Here's a rowing team practicing.

Pedaling the Lake

Another way to get around Lady Bird Lake is to pedal these water bikes.

The Princess of the Lake

It's good to get a nice ride on the lake. There aren't any gondolas or water taxis on Lady Bird Lake but this young lady has a ride on this fine Sunday.

New Coffee Downtown

There are many ways to get a cuppa downtown. Honestly, we don't buy too much coffee except with meals because we have a fancy machine that grinds, tamps, brews one cup at a time in our condo. But coffee shops are a great place for breaks when you are out walking. New to downtown (with a couple of other Austin locations) is Caffé Medici in the Austonian. They have a big red espresso machine.

Accessories

In this close-up of one of the motorcycles at the rally over the weekend...note that the windshield has a 'pay to park' sticker and that there is...a cup holder???

ROT is in Town

The Republic of Texas Bike Rally roared into Austin this weekend. Took this picture of a few silver and black bikes parked on Sixth Street Friday night before the parade. All that chrome!

Mosaic Mural Detail

The other day I showed one detail from this East 11th Street mural and it elicited a comment. Thought I'd show another detail for you today.

Hi, Pup

Makes you wonder what these Auditorium Shores playmates are talking about, doesn't it?

Ride

Saw this car one day (with Nevada plates) at one of the trailer areas on South First.

Practice

Jackie caught this fellow practicing the saxophone on the Pfluger Bridge. Cool.

It's Hot!

The weather is getting to the scorching level now in Austin. We were walking to the east side of town on June 1 (cowering in the shadows on the south side of the street) when I noticed this scorching mural above the Tears of Joy hot sauce store on East Sixth.

East Side Mural

A couple of years ago I showed you the other side of this large mural wall on East 11th. The side away from the street has a fabulous mixed media representation of things in the neighborhood.

A Book is Born

Our friend Gail Chovan, who runs the hip design shop Blackmail, has run a successful kickstarter campaign to complete a children's book about her little daughter, Zelda, who is blind, experiencing Paris. Blackmail always has wonderful window displays and our blogs have used photos of them before. But this one? C'est magnifique!

Not a Food Trailer

Jackie caught this trailer, covered with ashtrays, by the Mexican American Cultural Center. It is meant to deter smoking. Some Segway riders were going by when she shot it.

The History of Lady Bird Lake

On Pfluger bridge a new sign was unveiled May 17^th — “The The History of Lady Bird Lake and the Trail.” Part of the master signage project of The Trail Foundation. Thanks Jackie for getting a snap.

Joan of Rock

We were attending a party a few days ago and ran into our friend Patrice Pike, a rock musician of enormous talent. I asked her to let me take a photo of her tattooed arm which depicts Joan of Arc, her favorite historical figure.

Under Construction

Today is the first of the month and therefore theme day at City Daily Photo. We missed last month due to a technical error (or perhaps a human error!) so we wanted to participate this month. The theme is 'under construction.' This is a shot taken this morning of workers at the Federal Courthouse across the street preparing for their day among the beams, columns, scaffolding and such.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.