News And Updates
Organizers and city officials to bring the cycling event to Austin in 2008
(Lebanon, NJ) January 19, 2007 — g4 Productions, with the support of the city of Austin, has announced that the Austin International cycling event originally slated for this June will be rescheduled for June 2008.
“We have formed some fantastic partnerships in the Austin community and we will continue to work closely with the city, the Austin Sports Commission, our media partners and the Austin cycling community to make the 2008 race one of the best one day races in America,” said Robin Morton, partner, g4 Productions.
Official race website http://www.g4events.com/
New pro race for Armstrong’s hometown of Austin
By Tim Maloney, European Editor
Big time professional cycling for both men and women is coming to Austin, Texas, the hometown of seven time Tour De France winner Lance Armstrong next June. The Austin International is a new race that has already earned a prestigious 1.1 UCI rating for its first edition. Executive Director of the Austin Sports Commission Matthew Payne declared “On behalf of the City of Austin, the Austin Sports Commission is very excited to welcome the Austin International in June 2007. It will be one of the first international sporting events ever hosted in Austin and will continue to distinguish our city as a true global destination. It will be a great new event for our corporate sponsors, the city of Austin and all of the avid cyclists that are proud to call Austin their home.”
The 2007 Austin International, slated for June 17, 2007, will feature a pro men’s and women’s race and will be evaluated as a potential Women’s World Cup event for 2008.
The Austin International is organized by g4 Productions, a highly experienced team of four women who were instrumental in the success of the USPRO Championships and Liberty Classic in Philadelphia, the inaugural edition of the Tour de Georgia among many other international cycling events in the USA.
Moving on from their previous affiliation, the Austin International is the first major venture for g4 Productions. “We are very proud that the Austin International has received a 1.1 from the UCI. It is rare for a first year event to receive such a high ranking but we have put a lot of effort into the organization and planning of this race,” said Robin Morton, President of g4 Productions. “The course for the Austin International is very challenging and technical and should be very popular with the teams. Additionally, we are also very pleased that our race will be included in the new USA Cycling Professional Tour, immediately recognizing the Austin International as one of the premier cycling races in America.”
USA Cycling welcomed g4’s Austin International to the growing list of world class American races that will make up their ambitious new USA Cycling Professional Tour in 2007. Steve Johnson, chief executive officer of USA Cycling stated that “USA Cycling is very excited about the commitment that Austin has made to support and showcase professional men’s and women’s racing. Austin has a great history of supporting world class bike racing and we are elated to see Austin back on the calendar. We trust and hope the Austin International will become a mainstay on the USA Cycling Professional Tour attracting some of the top teams and riders in the world. We are very hopeful that the women’s race will become one of the prestigious World Cup races in the very near future.”
Local Austin International supporter Hill Able, owner of Austin’s Bicycle Sport Shop and President of mountain bike advocacy group International Mountain Bike Association stated that “Austin, Texas is a world class cycling city and the announcement of the Austin International race coming to town is solid confirmation of that fact. Austinites are some of the healthiest, most active people in the world and riding bicycles is a core part of their lifestyles. The race is sure to be a huge success and we look forward to hosting some of the best cyclists in the world next June.”
from Cycling News article
For all you South by Southwest (SXSW) fans out there, DirecTV just did a deal to bring the music-design-tech event to TV, airing live March 15-17th. Press release…
PRESS RELEASE — For two decades, the SXSW music
festival in Austin, Texas has been the industry’s best kept secret for
breaking new acts such as Franz Ferdinand, Kaiser Chiefs and James Blunt.
That’s all about to change as DIRECTV, the nation’s leading satellite
television service provider, teams up with music/entertainment guru Blaze
TV to bring the nation’s biggest music showcase to national television for
the first time in DIRECTV Presents SXSW Live. Exclusively on DIRECTV’s
Channel 101 (The 101), the special will be broadcast live March 15-17 and
feature unprecedented access with upfront performances and
behind-the-scenes footage from the three day musical extravaganza.
The Birth of Coffee – presentation and book singing to benefit Friends of the Austin Public Library
Date and Time: Wednesday February 21 – 7PM
Location: 800 Guadalupe – Austin Public Library- Austin History Center
Information: Seating is limited so please call 974-7400
For more information on our project please see www.birthofcoffee.com
Thanks
Daniel Lorenzetti & Linda Rice Lorenzetti
The Birth Of Coffee Project
512 585-0011
Windows Media Video of Nicole at Downtown Jo’s making mocha –
Lisa and Tom take us on a video podcast walk through of Jo’s Coffee South.
Jo’s Coffee Video Podcast Windows Media Version - download now
Jo’s Coffee Video Podcast Mac Quicktime Version - download now (ipod ready)
Tom, Jo’s Assistant Manager and fixit guy, shows us the equipment and processes that keep Jo’s running. He talks about the history of the place and gives us a tour around the outside.
Lisa demos one of her favorite drinks. We also encounter Fritz, the Motorblade poster guy and one of the regulars who talks about the NASA astronaut space love triangle. It’s a fascinating look at the inner workings of South Congress epicenter of activity.
Rose of Jo’s Coffee South, Austin, TX shows us how the pros make a mocha. It’s on an early Tuesday morning in Austin and it’s just before the big crowd shows up at Jo’s.
Makin’ Mocha – the Ipod Version
Makin’ Mocha with Rose – for Windows Media player
A Café Mocha is a variant of a cafe latte. Like a latte it is typically one third espresso and two thirds steamed milk, but a shot of chocolate is added. Typically the chocolate is in the form of an Italian syrup, although less sophisticated vending systems use instant chocolate powder. Whipped cream, dustings of cocoa and marshmallows may also be added on top for flavour and decoration.
This being an American invention, it is mostly unknown in Italy and other continental European countries. Mocha was originally a particular variety of coffee from Mocha, Yemen, made without cocoa, but which tasted as if it had cocoa in it, and modern usage usually refers to an imitation of it using other coffee varieties and cocoa.
A variant is white café mocha, instead made with a shot of white chocolate.
A term moccaccino is used in some regions of Europe and the Middle East to describe Café Latte with cocoa or chocolate.
In Loving Memory of Molly Ivins, 1944-2007
Syndicated political columnist Molly Ivins died of breast cancer Wednesday evening at her home in Austin. She was 62 years old, and had much, much more to give this world.
She remained cheerful despite Texas politics. She emphasized the more hilarious aspects of both state and national government, and consequently never had to write fiction. She said, “Good thing we’ve still got politics—finest form of free entertainment ever invented.”
from the Texas Observer obituary
Austin Chronicle Music Poll 2006-2007 opens today
“After 26 years, you know the drill,” says the Chronicle. “This is your chance to duct-tape the critics’ mouths shut and speak up about Austin music. Not sure who to vote for? Turn on the radio, drop into the local record store, or head to the clubs tonight. Your favorite band is probably playing.” And give some consideration to our Austin favorite singer/songwriter Amy Cook.
Vote Here! Entries must be received by Wednesday, January 31, 2007.
Amy Cook’s new album, which will be officially released on February 16th, is featured on the Famecast “Show the World Your Talent” website. User comments on Famecast included “dreamy and beautiful”, “breathtaking video”, fabulous photography work, “marfa-lous song and video” and “good luck with the contest” Amy currently has 23 votes and, if you’re a fan, you may want to go there and cast your vote for Amy.
View the Contest Stage for the Artist, Amy Cook, on FameCast.com:
famecast.com/contest/stage50.php?stage_id=1&artist_id=1159
Before you vote, you’ll need to register as a “Famecast Fanatic”
http://famecast.com/registerfan.php
When you register there’s an option to “invite your friends”.