Murals Around the City

I’ve been keeping my eye out for murals and here are some I’ve seen.  Anyone know of anyother murals I’ve missed?

Cazadorez Restaurant on Texas Avenue on the East side of the building. Nice use of the existing window, and the deer just looks like he wants to be shot, doesn’t he? (Oh, Cazadores means “hunters” in Spanish). This would be a great target, so I’m assuming that the artist meant to make a point that this is a good place to hang out. deer come here and are at peace, so you can come here and eat.

Cazadorez Restaurant West. This side is a little more “artsy” with the large deer head on the horizon, but still keeps with the theme of hunting. I think that’s supposed to be a winding river. Honestly, I’d say the the ever watching buck god of many points is beckoning me to eat at this restaurant. Not sure if I was a hunter that I would see this mural and say something like, “i must eat here.” It’s actually a really good place to eat…they don’t serve venison.

Fritellas Restaurant. Made to look like a postcard. I like the swirlies in the Italy shape. My take on this is that this is an “authentication” mural. They are trying to tell me that this restaurant is a transplant direct from Italy. Truth is, the way they’ve decorated it looks like that’s what they are going for. Those purple flowers outside are called “plumbego” and they sure are pretty.

Jose’s Mexican Restaurant Part 1. This part is more like one of those spray paint fantasy looking paintings that you see people doing on the street in Austin. Not sure why that star is so bright, or if that’s the sun, and they disregarded the archway there. This mural is sort of a “This is our land” kind of thing. See the next picture where the musician is singing toward the expanse and mountain, not paying much attention to the girl next to him.

Jose’s Part 2. This part is cool. I like the disproportionate look of the head and hands. Therege’s a girl to the left in traditional Mexican clothing, but notice that the musician is not looking at her. He seems more smitten with the land than her. Maybe this is a nod to how proud they are of where they come from.

Los Molcahetes Part 1. Still in progress, but it looks nice. This is one of the funkier in town. Sort of a Picasso meets Matisse or something like that. I like it. The story of the fingers holding the cup is here. In this section, you can see a molcajete on the right. It’s traditionally a stone bowl made out of volcanic rock where you smash and mix spices, salsa, guac, mole, anything. This holding up of the cup is a quirky little thing they do here, and Iwould assume they want people to ask about it. I’m actually really glad they included it into the mural. The mural has a “high art” kind of feel, but it’s offset by this humorous and mysterious finger cup thing.

Los Molcahetes Part 2. This is the other end of the mural. These are at Texas and Villa Maria. It’s a large mural, and it’s still not done, but it looks great. Here the woman is making tortillas. This seems to be an “authentication” mural as well. Handmade food. There is another painting inside by the same artists.

I think this one is on 26th or somewhere around there…in Bryan. It’s old, looks like it’s an attempt at Yosemite Sam, and it’s just funky. I like it. It’s obviously a detailing place, but with the gunslinger there, maybe they do it fast? Or they don’t take crap from anyone? I’m not sure about that part. The funny thing about it is, if they meant they do it fast, then drying them on the line is actually a slow way of drying. Also, the cliche “hung out to dry” comes to mind which actually means that they would abandon us when we needed them. I think I’m reading too much into this one.

Las Lomas Part 1. This one I almost missed. It’s kinda hidden under a patio. Truth is, I’ve never been here, if I had, I would have seen it. A “loma” is a hill or hilltop. I like the little scene here with a lake at nestled in the mountains, and see there are three waterfalls coming into the lake. This seems to me to speak of a fertility and that it’s a “healthy”and lush area.

Las Lomas part 2. This is next to the one above. Portrayed here is a suitor courting or wooing a girl. They’ve got some traditional Mexican colors on the blanket, the guy has his own horse, and he’s given her a flower. Iwonder if that white flower has significance. They are holding hands, so maybe they are soon to be married. It’s either that or he’s going off to war or to market.

So, there’s my take on a few murals in town. There are a few others I knw of, I’ll be collecting pictures of those and post them in the future. Any help would be appreciated, especially if they are hard to find. I’d be up for grafitti as well, but I haven’t seen much other than on trains passing through.

jorge

Beautiful Mosaics in Bryan, Easy to Miss

So, I’m on my way to a meeting on the other side of Wellborn and Villa Maria and I notice that the underpass is finished by the golf course. I hadn’t driven over on that side of town for some time and was glad to see that I wasn’t being diverted over the railroad tracks anymore.

The new underpass is at Welborne and Villa Maria.

“This looks nice,” I said to myself. Then I noticed that there were what looked like colorful paintings or something on the walls and pylons under there. I set myself to check on them on my way home from the meeting.

The truth is, I almost missed them again…I had to turn around and go back. Well, I got a better look and they were mosaics in the walls. I barely saw a flower and a cow I think.

Well, I found the closest place I could to park (which was in an apartment complex at the top of the hill) and parked and started the trek.

At least there’s a nice wide sidewalk.

Well, it turns out there are 20 mosaics under there. There is in fact a cow, and flowers. There’s a bluebonnet, some lilies and maybe a Mexican Hat. Well, there’s also a train, an Oil Pump, a water tower and even a capital building. They are huge, and they are beautiful.

It’s the coolest thing to see them up close and see that they are made out of hundreds of little centimeter square colored blocks of glass tile. They are just so pretty. I love that little pieces make a large finished piece. It’s really a great picture of what a community should look like.

The problem is that most people will not ever see them. I probably won’t ever get to take my kids to see them because, well, it’s kinda dangerous, there’s 3 lanes of traffic going each way under there.

I guess it’s for the people who walk under there, but I’m just not sure how many people are going to walk under there. Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe there’s a bunch of people walking under there…or there’s a plan for the future…I don’t know.

Maybe there’s a bunch of traffic there during rush hours and the drivers now get to look at pretty pictures. That’s nice.

Anyway, I’d say it’s most definitely worth a trip. It looks like they are well lit at night, and you’ll have to park up at the apartments. I can’t suggest any ice cream shop or place to eat around there, well, because there really isn’t any. There’s a golf course, some apartments, a neighborhood and a rail road track.

Well, it’s still worth the trip.

Here’s the Eagle’s article on it.

It looks like this was a pretty big project. Nice. Here’s a map of the area.

What to do on the 4th of July, 2008

Well, my parents are coming in from San Antonio, and thought I’d post some of the things we’re considering, as well as some ideas as to what might be fun to do. We love when our parents come and visit.

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George Bush Library – July 4th

The George Bush Library hosts an Independence day celebration every year, and we’ve heard it’s fantastic. There’s a symphony, a band, an Elvis Impersonator, a magician, consssions, a fly-by of WWII planes, and of course, fireworks in he evening. Here’s a schedule from their website:

Schedule of Events:
• Concessions open at 5:00 p.m.
• Entertainment begins at 5:30 p.m.
• Presentation of Colors at 6:00 p.m.
• Fly Over at 6:30 p.m.
• Texas High Life band performs at 6:45 p.m.
• Magician Sneaky Pete Rizzo performs at 8:00 p.m.
• Elvis impersonator Jason Adams at 8:35 p.m.
• Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra begins concert at 9:00 p.m.
• Fireworks begin at 9:40 p.m.
• Grand Finale at 10:00 p.m.

Looks like you’ll need to park down the street and take a shuttle to the grounds.

Texas World Speedway (TWS website) July 5th

This is actually on Saturday, July 5th, so you can have a second day of Independence day fun.

This year, the Texas World Speedway is hosting a 4th of July celebration with a car show, a burn out competition, food, and firworks. It’s a free event that starts at 2PM and will go on till 9PM. The speedway is South on HWY 6. You’ll see the signs.

This event is to benefit the Fire Department. If you want to show your car or take part in the burnout competition, there is an entry fee. Check out their website for more info (although there’s not much there as of this post…maybe later this week).

City Pools – July 4th

The city pools will be open and apparently they are doing something as well. I can’t find much info on what they are doing, but they are doing something.

Elizabeth Lutheran Church in Caldwell – July 3rd

12th Annual Celebration & Fireworks Display
Jul 3, 2008 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Hwy 21 E & CR 307 In Caldwell

Elizabeth Lutheran Church will host a Community Wide Celebration of Fireworks Display. Enjoy hamburgers, hot dogs, ice cream, watermelon, drinks, bounce & slide, adrenaline rush maze, bingo, games, face painting, duck pond, silent auction, raffle & fireworks.

Free dance music by Southern Roots Band.
Free Admission.
Park and ride from Caldwell High School.

H-E-B Fireworks on the Brazos – July 4th

Washington, Texas
(take Hwy 6 to Navasota, then 105 West toward Washington)

Jul 4, 2008 7:00 pm
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Join the Star of the Republic Museum for H-E-B Fireworks on the Brazos. Celebrate the Nation’s independence at the last capital of the Republic of Texas. Free Blue Bell ice cream and Coca-Cola will be served starting at 7:00 pm.

Aquablast – July 5th

Jul 5, 2008 All Day
Bryan Aquatic Center
Fun for the whole family

$3 Admission

New Baden Jamboree – July 5th

5PM to 10PM – Free
New Baden Community Center
New Baden, Texas (out on Hwy 79)

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JJ’s SnoCones

These guys will NOT be open. (I just found this out, but they will be open on Saturday and Sunday regular hours.) Remember, the kiddie size is just 75¢. They’ve got some new flavors (Coke, Coke Float, Passion Fruit). Maybe you can ask for a red white and blue sno cone, like Wild Strawberry/Coconut/BlueBubbleGum, or Raspberry/Rum/CottonCandy. I am seriously considering trying a “Banana/Coke”. I know, that sounds crazy, but I’m crazy like that.

Tanglewood & Tiffany Park Splash Pads

The Splash Pads will be open and running. My family loves these.

Fireworks Warehouse

In Brazos County, fireworks known as “skyrockets with sticks” and “missiles with fins” have been banned, but other fireworks, such as sparklers and firecrackers, are still allowed.

The fireworks warehouse on South Hwy 6 (down the road from the Texas World Speedway – between College Station and Navasota) is only selling what is legally allowed to be used. I believe the artillery shells are not banned

Food

As far as food goes, We’ll see if my parents want to go back to Fish Tacos at La Bodega, or maybe burgers at the New Baden General Store…that will be a nice little drive.

Weather

Fri – July 4
Partly Cloudy
94°

Sat – July 5
Isolated Storms (I doubt it)
95°

Sun – July 6
Scattered T-Storms (I doubt this too, although it would be great)
95°

Now, Monday, it might rain…maybe.

Sugar Loaf Mountain

Some friends of ours took us on a hike and picnic on Sugar Loaf Mountain. Wonderful Turkey Pastrami and Swiss sandwiches were made for us and we took their dog.

This place apparently was “THE” place to go as a teenager a couple of decades ago, and I’m sure it’s still that way. We didn’t see anyone else up there while we were there. There were some families hanging out at the renovated bridge at the foothills, but other than that, we were alone.

I’m thinking the “peak” is about 400 – 500ft. You climb through a hole in a barb wire fence, and up some exposed roots and rocks, then when you get past the trees, the mountain emerge right in front of you.

The mountain looks like huge red sandstone boulders jutting out from the ground. You have to go around the main rock to get on top of it. At first look, you see the rocks and trees and grass and it all looks so pristine, until you get up close and notice that just about every square foot of the rock has a name or word scratched into it. It’s some sort of very soft sandstone that scratcher very easily.

The oldest date I found was 1971, but I’m sure if I look longer I can find older.

Besides the obvious human interaction with the rock, the whole area is beautiful. The view from the top is breathtaking. The top has a large flat area and lots of places to sit and eat.

I did not scratch my name into the rock…maybe next time. I think my older girls will like it, and the climb is not very steep. Little ones might need some help in some parts, and most definitely be watched at the top, the drop off is very high, and there are large cracks in the rocks.

You can walk around the whole mountain, and there’s a second, smaller mountain close by.

I made a Google Map with some points on it.

To get there, take either US-79 from Hearne to Gause, then North on 2095 to County Road 264 North, or US-79/Hwy 6 to 485 West, to County Road 264 South.

Definitely a fun family trip. I’m fairly certain my wife will like the view and the quietness, but dislike how close I get to the edge.

I lost the battery from my camera on the way down and had to buy another. Bummer. Those batteries are expensive.

jorge