Oak Hill Gazette February 20--March 5, 2014.. 5
The Word from Oak Hill Mike Jasper The word from Oak Hill is... spring. As in it’s time for some spring cleaning. Dr. Jim Turney tells me it’s time to clean, rake, mulch and otherwise resuscitate Convict Hill Quarry Rock Park on March 1 for the annual It’s My Park Day. Sponsored by Austin Parks Foundation, participants will get a free tee shirt with early registration, snacks and a Chipotle’s gift card. “We take great pride in our Park, which we built with all volunteer help and has many daily visitors,” Turney says. “Join us to show your support.” The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 1 at Convict Hill Quarry Park, 6511 Convict Hill Rd. To sign up, point your browser at tinyurl.com/quarrypark14 ••• I found a great spot on Sixth Street where older people can hang out or hide out. It’s called B.D. Riley’s, an Irish pub located just East of the Driskill Hotel at 204 E. Sixth—across the street from Buffalo Billiards and the Austin Visitor’s Center. Of course they have Guinness on tap—as well as whiskeys and Irish coffees—but the college kids don’t seem to have a clue it’s there. Nearly everyone in the pub is 40ish, like you probably and me for sure (I’m actually working on my second 40). I wound up at the Irish pub to speak about HAAM, since I’m one of its earliest members and something of a poster child given my sporadic health. Seems that B.D. Riley’s donates around $12,000 every year to HAAM, thanks to recreational sports gambling where the house winnings go to charity. And since the place is teeming with Notre Dame and New England Patriots fans, there’s a lot of money to be lost by patrons and gained by HAAM. Good thing, because without HAAM I never would have been able to afford the triple bypass I had two years ago and had dreamed of owning my entire life. Speaking of heart disease, they’ve got great pub food. Last Thursday night, I had the Shepherd’s Pie and my date enjoyed her medium rare ribeye featured in the Steak & Chips. Of course they also serve Fish &
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Chips, as well as Bangers & Mash, late great Oak Hill Grill—is featured Irish Stew, Corned Beef & Cabbage prominently in the video. “It doesn’t matter if you believe or and Guinness Shrimp Skewers. Being a sports bar as well, they show not, when you’re washing dishes you always look up these stairs.” every Longhorn game, It’s as if you’re drawn by as well as the aforemenan irresistible presence, tioned Fighting Irish and she says. One night, she Patriots. They also have saw what she thought was music seven days a week a co-worker all dressed in with nary a cover charge. white. But when she exam“Why go to a bar with ined closer, she discovered a bunch of insane college it was the Stay Puft Marshkids, when you can come mallow Man. here and be in the compaMike Jasper Yeah, yeah I made that ny of insane middle-aged last part up. But some weird people,” co-owner Keith things did happen that Halloween Carmichael quipped. It’s a bar for grown-ups. An Irish night in 2013. For example, later in the video, pub. On Sixth Street, with sports, food and live music. Be there. I will. lead investigators Mark Marrow and Billy Driver take us to the kitchen Slainte. and announce, “So this is the room • • • And while we’re on the subject of where they have the pots and pans.” I did not see that coming. health, anyone who needs to lose But seriously… at one point they ten, twenty or 165 pounds should know that this Saturday, Feb.22, ask a ghost to turn on a flashlight, there will be a casting call for the and the flashlight definitely goes hit network show, “Who Wants To on. They ask the same ghost—Rosa Patton White, wife of slain Texas Marry A Fat Guy?” Sorry. It’s the other hit show. Ranger John White— to turn off the Extreme Fat Guy. I think that’s the flashlight and after a while, she does. Frankly, I can’t explain what name. It’s not? How about Extreme Weight Loss. Yeah, that’s the show. happened. “Neither can I,” said the ghost of Extreme Weight Loss. I’m no stranger to extreme weight John White. “I couldn’t even get loss myself. I once lost 120 pounds her to cook.” I know. I’m not a believer. I lack in one day. But I called it divorce. faith. I’m cynical, a doubter, an InBam! Now that’s comedy. Anyway, the casting call takes place ternet hater. I’m also the guy who, Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at from now on, will be smart enough the Dougherty Arts Center Theatre, to order the Antipasto Salad under 1110 Barton Springs Road. They’ll an assumed name. The video is worth checking out, take auditions from everyone they can manage to fit into the room, even if it’s only for the interview which will be what? Fourteen or 15 with James White, great grandson of James Patton and owner of the people tops, right? I know. Enough with the fat jokes Austin Pizza Garden building. He already. It’s not like I’m exactly thin believes if any ghost really inhabits anyway. So here’s the straight dope— the building, then it must be a beIf you want more information, go nevolent spirit watching over the to extremeweightlosscasting.com Patton/White family. I may be a non-believer, but I’m or show up at the Dougherty Arts still a fan of Strange Town. Under the Center this Saturday. guise of ghost busting, they reveal ••• It’s finally up, the ghostbusters video the history behind the buildings and created by StrangeTown.com that the long lost souls they investigate. features everybody’s favorite haunt- • • • (Want your neighborhood assoed pizzeria, Austin Pizza Garden. Called “Slice of the Past,” you can ciation highlighted? Have a story find the video on YouTube at http:// you need to tell? Would you like to rat out a neighbor? If so, be sure to tinyurl.com/austinpizzagarden. Weekend night manager Jayme email me at mail@mikejasper.com Garza—who I worked with at the and get the word out.)
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