Soular Food Garden to open on E. 12th Street Saturday

Alexander Hoover of Hoover’s Cooking

East 12th Street Partners & Hoover’s Cookingwill be hosting the Grand Opening of the 12th St.SOULAR FOOD GARDEN on Saturday, October 29th at 5:00pm. The public is invited to come celebrate Halloween and launch whatthey believe will become the friendliest, tastiest, & liveliest collection of food trailers in Austin with live music, great food from some of Austin’s best chefs and entertainment for kids, families and adults.

Eventual home to six food trailers,the 12th St. SOULAR FOOD GARDEN is anchored by two of Austin’s most acclaimed provisioners: Hoover’s, which will be offering up "veggie-centric" versions of his mouth-watering southern cooking along with a second trailer, "Java, Juiced, & Sweet House" (in conjunction with Texas Coffee Traders) serving coffees, infused teas, agua frescas and freshly baked goodies; and El Naranjo, purveyors of delicious Oaxacan cuisine that has been hailed by the Fearless Critic restaurant guide as the best Mexican food in Austin. Period.

The SOULAR FOOD GARDEN is a unique shaded grove with food trailers, badminton, horseshoes and a stage at 1110-1112 East 12th Street (just east of Waller Street, 2 blocks east of IH-35). Come experience the awesome mojo and usher in the bountiful future of East 12th! Brought to you by East 12th Street Partners, an organization com-mitted to revitalizing the12th Street corridor.

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Spirited Journey Concert

Bydee Murial

left to right) Dr. Charles, Urdy, Michael Perkins, Gwendolyn Greene, Mae Frances Rowlett,

Brian Josephs and Dr. Meria Carstarphen presents gift.

Bydee Murial dedicated at Kealing Middle School

Left to Right) Dr. Urdy looks on as Brian Josephs presents gift to Dr. Carstarphen. Villager Staff photos.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. President Gwendolyn Greene and Dr. Charles Urdy, Chairman, Austin Revitalization Authority officially dedicated the mural at Kealing Middle School, Tuesday, August 30, 2011. The mural was done by Brian "Bydeeman" Jopseph. Joseph, owner of the ByDee Art Gallery on E. 11th Street, in Austin completed the work in record time, because he is leaving Austin to move back to New York.

The public was welcomed to the dedication by Kealing Principal Michael Perkins. Austin Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Meria Carstarphen and number of school administrators were in attendance along with other school personel.

Delta Southwest Region Director, Mae Frances Rowlett of Dallas was also in attendance. She stated that she made the trip just after returning from Washington, D. C. for the dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial that was unveiled last week on the Washington Mall.

The Kealing project is the last in a series of murals that Joseph has done for several East Austin schools. He says that he hopes that this project will bring happiness to Kealing Middle SchoolAdministrators, Faculty, Parents and Students each time it is viewed.

Brian "ByDeeman" Joseph has been a part of the Austin community for more than 27 years. His work can be seen all over the Austin area. He says that he will be coming back from time, because he still has family here. However, he will be going to New York to spend some time with his mother.

CCAACC appoints new President/CEO

Natalie M. Cofield

The Board of Directors of the Capital City African American Chamber of Commerce (CCAACC)
has selected Natalie Madeira Cofield to serve as its new President and CEO.
Cofield will use her economic development, public affairs, and program management expertise to lead the organization as it works to enhance programming, expand and
deepen community relations and diversify its development portfolio.

"Ms. Cofield brings a breadth of knowledge and experience that will help
to elevate the Chamber and its members. We are thrilled and excited to
bring her on as our President," stated Juanita Stephens,

Chair of the CCAACC Board of Directors.

Cofield, has previously served in the capacity of management consultant
in New York, economic development consultant in Los Angeles, and economic development
director in Washington, DC. Most recently, Cofield was
President of NMC Consulting Group, a diversity consult- ancy with

specialization in business development, program management and public affairs.

In this capacity Cofield worked with national clients including the
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, the United Negro College Fundn,
the Merrill Lynch Foundation, and the Association for Enterprise Opportunity, among others.
A published author and expert on the topic of minority business development,
she has been called to testify before the U.S. Senate Committee on

Small Business on Access to Capital Disparities for Minorities Businesses
and has been profiled in national media outlets.

"Austin is a bourgeon- ing market that has received considerable national attention.

I look forward to expanding the Chamber to keep pace with the growth and
demands of the city and it’s African-American business community," stated Cofield who will be relocating from Washington, DC assumed her post on August 29, 2011.

Cofield is a graduate of Howard University in Washington, DC and the
Baruch School of Public Affairs in New York, New York.

The Capital City African American Chamber is an advocate for the creation, growth and

general welfare of African American businesses in the Austin area.
It actively promotes the expansion of business opportunities on behalf of its membership
through referrals, partnerships, seminars, technical assistance and marketing.

Nathaniel Sanders Case Settlement

On Thursday (Aug. 25) the Austin City Council approved an item to settle with the Nathaniel Sanders case for $750,000. The issue passed by a 5 to 2 vote with Mayor Leffingwell and Counciman Martinez voting no. I believe that this was the right decision and Mayor Protem Sheryl Cole and Council person Kathie Tovo should be commended to sponsoring the measure. What do you think?

Restoring Our Historic Mansion

                                        

                                           Governor Perry, Please Finish
                        Restoring Our Historic Mansion

Governor’s Mansion

before the fire (top) and

after the fire (bottom)

          has been under restoration since the June 8, 2008 fire

                                                                                                                                                                               

By T. L. Wyatt Editor

Last week, Governor Rick Perry made the announcement that we all knew that he would, that he is running for the President of the United States. It was interesting, however, that he would make such an announcement outside of the State of Texas. Most politicians want to have friends and supporters around when they take such a huge step.

It could be that the Governor did not want to open himself up to the Texas media, one on
the toughest groups in the country. He also did not want to answer the questions that linger
over the recent legislative secession. But, my question is a very simple one
"Governor Perry, when will you complete the repairs of the Governor’s Mansion?"

The Mansion was damaged by fire during the early morning hours of June 8, 2008.
The 152-year-old building was unoccupied at the time, because the Governor
and his wife Anita had temporarily moved out a year earlier so that a $10 million
renovation project could take place. At the time of the fire, they were in Europe
on an economic development trip.

Four years later, the building remains in disrepair. At the same time, the tax payers of Texas
are paying an exorbant amount ($10,000 per month plus expenses) to rent the
governor and his family with a resident that comes up to his standards.

One has to wonder, if the Governor cannot supervise the completion of this small project
to a successful conclusion, how can he be expected to deal with the
many problems facing our nation.

The fire is suspected to be the work of an arsonist, but no prospect has been officially charged. However, the investigation continues.

The Texas Governor’s Mansion is the oldest continually used executive residence
west of the Mississippi, according to the group Friends of the Governor’s Mansion,
which works to preserve and show the public the historic building. According to their
web site, the restoration should be complete by late Spring 2012.