Austin, TX

I was out and about today. That was a mistake. Every place I went was crowded. You’d think there was a hurricane headed our way. Heh. I was in Pasedena, Tx earlier this week taking a cake decorating class with Debbie Brown. I’m very glad I got out of town Wednesday night. At the time they didn’t think the hurricane was going to hit Galveston, which I was very close to, but now we know differently and Galveston is looking scarier by the minute. My poor brother, who lives in Miami, has had a hectic hurricane season so far but he is relieved the pressure is off them for a while. Having said that he’s concerned for the 15-25 million estimated people still in the Galveston are.

There were a lot of schools and businesses that let out early or were closed entirely today. I think half of Houston and Galveston are in town, too. They also canceled this weekends football game with Arkansas. I’m going to go ahead and list weekend events but I don’t know at this point which, if any, will be canceled.

Creative Research Laboratory presents the UT Fall Faculty Exhibition. Lest you be frightened that does not mean the UT Faculty will be dancing naked in the streets. Instead, you’ll see recent work by faculty artists in Studio Art, Art Education, and Design at the Department of Art and Art History at the University of Texas at Austin. The opening reception will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Creative Research Laboratory. This celebratory fall semester opening exhibition will feature a large number of works with a wide range of themes. This annual exhibition will offer a rich survey of recent works by the University’s faculty artists.

UT Fall Faculty Exhibition
When: Saturday, September 13 2008, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Where: UT Creative Research Lab, 2832 E Martin Luther King Blvd
$$$: Free

Enjoy live music from Chaparral and Sons of the Revolution, have some BBQ and benefit the Texas Motorcycle Rights Association.

Biker Barbecue Bakeoff
When: Fri.-Sat., Sept. 12-13, 3pm-12mid
Where: C. Hunts Ice House, 9611 McNeil Dr
$$$: Free ($5 platefuls of BBQ)

If you’re looking for a bit of healthy exercise this weekend then put on your walking shoes and head for the Bright Leaf Preserve for a 2 hour guided tour.

Bright Leaf Preserve
When: Second Saturdays and Sundays of the month, 9am.
Where: Bright Leaf Preserve, 2222 & Creek Mountain Road
$$$: Free

Sunday is your day for cultural events. Step out to Round Rock for a stroll down historic streets. Meet talented artists & musicians in Historic Downtown Round Rock each month, displaying their wares and entertaining strollers.

Round Rock Artisan Stroll
When: Sunday, Sept. 14th, noon - 6pm
Where: Downtown Round Rock, depending on weather (call: 512.535.5761)
$$$: Free

One of the best opportunities of the year happens this Sunday. It’s our annual Museum Day! Museums throughout Austin will be open and free to the public. That is a great value! Take the kids and go see them all. If you want to go outdoors, hit up the Umlauf Sculpture Garden. Take the kids to the Austin Children’s Museum. Learn all about Texas history at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. See the beauty of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Your biggest challenge will be deciding which museums to visit!

11th Annual Austin Museum Day 2008
When: Sunday, 14 Sept. 2008
Where: Participating Museums (See website)
$$$: FREE!

Here are some cancellations coming in:

• The Diez y Seis celebration has been canceled for Saturday
• The Westcave Preserve birding habitat walk for Saturday has been canceled
• CHI VS. YORKIE CUTE-OFF meet-up group has been canceled

Those are my pics, have a safe weekend!