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indelibleaustin.bsky.social
Michael Barnes
@indelibleaustin.bsky.social
1.8K followers 1.9K following 260 posts
I write about the people, places, culture and history of Austin & Texas for the American-Statesman, Hearst News & the "Indelible Austin" book series.
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indelibleaustin.bsky.social
Oh, about 50 Barnes gathered in Houston for Thanksgiving.
November 28, 2025 at 3:16 PM
indelibleaustin.bsky.social
Lost Austin landmarks: First Capitol, President's House, St. Mary's Academy www.statesman.com/news/history...
Not the first time: 'Texas White House' was demolished in Austin
In the latest installment of "Jim Duncan's Austin," we look at three lost landmarks:  First Capitol, President's House, St. Mary's Academy
www.statesman.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:29 PM
indelibleaustin.bsky.social
After decades of working hard and disabilities, San Marcos couple needs help to live safely www.statesman.com/news/season-...
After long, hard work lives, San Marcos seniors need help to live safely
Nominated by Community Action Inc. of Central Texas, couple worked hard at blue-collar jobs until financial, medical, mental and emotional challenges intruded.
www.statesman.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:58 PM
indelibleaustin.bsky.social
Time for 'Christmas Carol,' 'Nutcracker,' other Austin holiday arts www.statesman.com/entertainmen...
Good grief, Charlie Brown, it's time for a Christmas pageant and more
Your 2025 guide to Austin holiday shows: ‘Nutcracker,’ ‘Charlie Brown Christmas,’ concerts and more
www.statesman.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:48 PM
indelibleaustin.bsky.social
Before Walmart and Target, Austin shopped at Gulf-Mart, Sage and Shoppers World www.statesman.com/news/history...
Gulf-Mart? Gibson's? Big discount stores from Austin's past
In "From the Archives," we sort through reader responses to column on early Austin big discount stores, including Gibson's, Sage, Gulf-Mart, Shoppers World
www.statesman.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:21 PM
indelibleaustin.bsky.social
Austin’s historic barbecue joints that shaped the city’s smoky tradition www.statesman.com/news/history...
Three very old Austin BBQ joints: House Park, Green Mesquite, Sam's
Discover the roots of Austin barbecue through three legendary joints that survived floods, fires and decades of change.
www.statesman.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:55 PM
indelibleaustin.bsky.social
Exclusive: Inside the $65 million plan to restore Austin’s Paramount and State theaters www.statesman.com/news/article...
Yes, new seats are part of plans to update State and Paramount theaters
From art deco updates to ADA access and better seats, Austin’s Paramount and State theaters are preparing for their next century on Congress Avenue.
www.statesman.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Reposted by Michael Barnes
inthesetimes.com
Starbucks workers are on strike. Chronic understaffing, unfair wages and hundreds of unfair labor practices pushed a 92% super-majority to walk out on Red Cup Day and beyond.

The Working People Podcast with @maximillianalvarez.bsky.social speaks with the baristas on taking an indefinite stand.
Facing unprecedented labor violations, Starbucks workers overwhelmingly agree to strike indefinitely
Unfair wages, chronic understaffing and hundreds of ULPs have led to a Starbucks Workers United super-majority vote to strike.
inthesetimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 12:24 PM
indelibleaustin.bsky.social
Austin opens new gateway to Violet Crown Trail and Greenbelt near Barton Springs www.statesman.com/news/article...
You can't miss the new doorway to the Hill Country on Violet Crown Trail
Discover the new Mile Zero Trailhead in Zilker Park. The gateway to the Violet Crown Trail and Barton Creek Greenbelt features paths, pavilions and views.
www.statesman.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:42 PM
indelibleaustin.bsky.social
From marble halls to glass towers: The rise and fall of Austin’s landmark banks www.statesman.com/news/history...
Austin banks changed hands throughout its history
This week's installment of Jim Duncan's Austin tells the wild stories of the city's boom or bust banks.
www.statesman.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:54 PM
indelibleaustin.bsky.social
After a health crisis, Marc Pouhé steps back into the spotlight stronger than ever www.statesman.com/entertainmen...
Marc Pouhé could play anything. He chose this Austin staged reading.
Austin leading man Marc Pouhé, who just two years ago underwent another kidney transplant, leads cast of "My Children! My Africa!"
www.statesman.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:20 PM
indelibleaustin.bsky.social
Attention Kmart shoppers! When big discount stores arrived in Austin. www.statesman.com/news/history...
Did you shop at Woolco and Kmart before Target and Walmart?
This installation of "From the Archives" looks at the arrival of big-box discount stores in Austin during the 1970s and '80s.
www.statesman.com
November 9, 2025 at 10:49 PM
indelibleaustin.bsky.social
From Taco Bell to Pluckers: how Austin’s franchise founders built big business www.statesman.com/news/history...
Hot franchises in Austin Pluckers, DQ, Wally's, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut
In this installment of "Jim Duncan's Austin," we look at four the history of four franchises in the city.
www.statesman.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Reposted by Michael Barnes
pamelacolloff.bsky.social
If you'll be at the @texasbookfest.bsky.social this weekend:

On Saturday, November 8th, I'll be interviewing the great Skip Hollandsworth at 3:15 pm at the Texas Tent about his new book, SHE KILLS.

www.texasmonthly.com/press-room/t...
Announcing Our Newest Book, ‘She Kills,’ by Legendary True Crime Writer Skip Hollandsworth
The curated selection of the writer’s Texas Monthly work features stories of women whose often sensational crimes and circumstances put them on the wrong side of the law.
www.texasmonthly.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Reposted by Michael Barnes
condeunion.bsky.social
Breaking News: Late last night Conde Nast illegally fired 4 union organizers who asked company execs to explain the downsizing of Teen Vogue and continued layoffs. We’ve filed a grievance.
Statement from The NewsGuild of New York and Condé United on illegal firing of four union leaders who demanded answers about this week’s layoffs at Teen Vogue, other brands Late Wednesday night, Condé Nast’s VP of Labor Relations notified the Guild that the Company was immediately terminating four Condé United leaders for engaging in the protected concerted activity of gathering in their 1 World Trade Center office to demand answers on this week’s abrupt layoffs at multiple brands including WIRED and the consolidation at Teen Vogue. These egregious terminations are a flagrant breach of the Just Cause terms of our contract and an unprecedented violation of their federally protected rights as union members to participate in a collective action. Through these illegal terminations, Condé Nast management is attempting to intimidate and silence our members' advocacy for the courageous cultural and political journalism of Teen Vogue, as well as diverting attention away from the obvious lack of corporate leadership at the company. Condé United members illegally fired are: Alma Avalle: Writer, digital producer at Bon Appetit; NewsGuild of New York first vice president, trans activist, and union leader Jake Lahut: Wired senior reporter covering the Trump White House Jasper Lo: Senior fact checker at The New Yorker and US Army veteran: outgoing first vice chair of The New Yorker Union Ben Dewey: Videographer at Condé Nast Entertainment, former vice chair of the CNE unit “Management’s attempt at union-busting, using intimidation and grossly illegal tactics to try to suppress protected union activity, will not stand,” said Susan DeCarava, president of The NewsGuild of New York. “The NewsGuild of New York has zero tolerance for bad bosses who harass, target and disrespect our fellow Guild members. We represent nearly 6,000 media workers across the tri-state area and we stand firmly in solidarity, ready to fight for the rights of our members illegally fired from their jobs at …
November 6, 2025 at 6:23 PM
indelibleaustin.bsky.social
Step into 1836: Washington-on-the-Brazos returns with $57 million transformation www.statesman.com/news/history...
Did you visit Washington-on-the-Brazos as a Texas kid? Go back. It's better.
Explore Washington-on-the-Brazos’ remarkable revival, with restored landmarks and immersive exhibits that tell the story of Texas’ founding.
www.statesman.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:51 PM
indelibleaustin.bsky.social
Texas Writer Award winner Peniel Joseph on the meaning of freedom ahead of Texas Book Fest www.statesman.com/entertainmen...
The state's best authors convene at Texas Book Festival
Texas Book Festival brings over 300 authors to the Texas Capitol for the free event on Nov. 8-9, spotlighting UT professor Peniel Joseph, Texas literary voices.
www.statesman.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:38 PM
indelibleaustin.bsky.social
Texan salutes grandfather, Polish scientist who discovered key to high tech www.statesman.com/news/history...
The world would not be the same with this Pole's scientific breakthrough
In 1916, a Polish scientist discovered how to create a mono-crystal, which later became the basis for integrated circuits and semiconductors.
www.statesman.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:42 PM
indelibleaustin.bsky.social
Austin's Driskill Hotel has survived more than a dozen fires since 1886 www.statesman.com/news/history...
Large and small fires caused alarm and yawns at historic Driskill Hotel
Onlookers often went about their business through smoke, flames at hotel.
www.statesman.com
November 2, 2025 at 3:58 PM
indelibleaustin.bsky.social
'Not Pittsburgh': Yet Austin businesses still shaped iron and steel www.statesman.com/news/history...
Austin rarely tells of its industrial past with steel and iron
The latest installment in "Jim Duncan's Austin" tells short histories of three of the city's iron and steel businesses
www.statesman.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:13 PM
indelibleaustin.bsky.social
Inside the 2025 AIA Austin Homes Tour: 3 must-see architect homes www.statesman.com/entertainmen...
For almost 40 years, AIA Austin has offered peeks at high-design homes
The 2025 AIA Austin Homes Tour includes designs by architects for their own families
www.statesman.com
October 24, 2025 at 12:48 PM
indelibleaustin.bsky.social
Inside the 2025 AIA Austin Homes Tour: 3 must-see architect homes www.statesman.com/entertainmen...
For almost 40 years, AIA Austin has offered peeks at high-design homes
The 2025 AIA Austin Homes Tour includes designs by architects for their own families
www.statesman.com
October 24, 2025 at 12:47 PM
indelibleaustin.bsky.social
1959-2025: Tributes fly for Austin songwriter, performer Donna Stevens www.statesman.com/entertainmen...
'Unconventional' does not do justice to prolific Austin artist Donna Stevens
A tribute to Donna Louise Stevens, a prolific Austin songwriter, singer, actor and humorist who died in August.
www.statesman.com
October 23, 2025 at 1:45 PM
indelibleaustin.bsky.social
At Austin Film Festival, 'Armadillo Man' explores the mind of iconic local artist Jim Franklin www.statesman.com/entertainmen...
Movie treats the era of the Armadillo World Headquarters
One of the chief pleasures of the Austin Film Festival 2025 will be "Armadillo Man: The Trips of Jim Franklin"
www.statesman.com
October 22, 2025 at 4:12 PM
indelibleaustin.bsky.social
Jamestown Revival's Broadway musical 'The Outsiders' opens at Bass Concert Hall www.statesman.com/entertainmen...
Austin area musicians wrote 19 songs for Broadway's 'The Outsiders'
Magnolia-reared Zach Chance and Jonathan Clay, aka Jamestown Revival, who now live in Wimberley, talk about their music, careers and Tony-nominated score for "The Outsiders," now on tour.
www.statesman.com
October 21, 2025 at 1:04 PM