News Notes
Hi, How Are You mural and British Airways dominate Austin headlines
Editor's note: Keeping up with Austin news has become a round-the-clock proposition. But we've got your back. We've sorted through the local headlines so you don't have to.
According to the Austin Chronicle, Thai Spice restaurant on the Drag, located in the building graced by local lo-fi music legend Daniel Johnston's "Hi, How Are You" mural, is changing its name to Thai, How Are You? And, yes, we've had several Johnston song-title/restaurant-name mashup lightning rounds already. We're hoping Keep Punching Dough Bakery and Cafe will anchor the other end of the block.
We're sure you've already packed for a hop across the pond now that British Airways is adding nonstop service from Austin Bergstrom International Airport to London's Heathrow in 2014. KVUE reports that the service will have "a financial impact of nearly $70 million in its first year" and an additional $74 million annually after that.
Austinist temporarily lifted its self-imposed list ban to report on an Allstate survey (from a story "first discovered by KUT") that finds Austinites really are terrible drivers. Reports on texting bicyclists are still out.
We're guessing the APD SWAT team felt a little overdressed when they arrested a naked dude at a South Austin car dealership Tuesday morning. According to the Austin American-Statesman, events surrounding the nude arrestee's activities included fire, robots, freeway closures and being chased by dogs — all the makings of a great J.G. Ballard story, in other words. The Statesman warns that its video report contains brief nudity. Because, you know, naked guy.
Finally, we have another entry on the endless List of Things Austinites Never Tire of Arguing About: On the Movoto real estate blog, Natalie Grigson not only goes where locals fear to tread, conversationally (ACL vs. SXSW! Kerbey Lane vs. Magnolia Cafe!) but actually makes the call on each of her 10 debate topics. The Central Market vs. Whole Foods decision might surprise you.