So where should you start? First things first, you have to find a shepherd, a counselor, a voice of reason, a source of inspiration, a tour guide and an expert this sort of thing– the right real estate agent for you. And Debbie Barrera just might be that person.

Do you know Debbie? If you’re looking to buy or sell– or even lease a rental– she’s the one. She’s lived in Austin for over 10 years, so she knows the ins and outs of all the ‘hoods, and can even tell you where the best food, drink and music is nearby any house you’re interested in….which is very important. Trust me.

She’s all about first time home buyers to help you find the right place to call home. What’s even cooler is that she’s into all the social media outlets as part of the home buying/selling process– fun stuff like Virtual Tours, You Tube Videos, Facebook, Twitter, Yelp, blogging and vlogging, which not everyone’s doing yet, if you can believe it!

So call Debbie Barrera. Get her to do the hard work for you– trust me, she lives for it! As the ringleader of the Mullets softball team, she’s used to taking action, motivating people, making things happen. And as a REALTOR with the Presidio Group, she does exactly the same.

Check her out at DebbieKnowsAustin.com. You can even meet her in person at bMUSED Music Fest at Sister’s Edge this Saturday and pick up a koozie (you can never have too many, really).

TOP SERVICE is a blog that features servers in the ATX who really knock our socks off.  Through a rigorous process of eating out over and over again (hard job, I know), we select the servers that are remarkable enough to request by name.

Jason Carrillo - Red House Pizzeria & Lounge

If you loooooove amazing pizza, and you loooooove cheap specials on food and drink, and you looooove amazing service from a lez-loving waiter, then Red House is the pizza joint you need to check out– Jason is the man to ask for. Located at 1917 Manor Road, Red House Pizzeria & Lounge is just a stone’s throw over 35 on the east side of downtown (and you don’t have to venture far off the Manor Road exit to find it). This cute little establishment has an outdoor patio and an indoor area, with oddly comforting ranch-style decor like you might find at your grandpa’s farmhouse. But it works! Open daily at 5pm ’til 11:30pm, it’s got one of the best happy hours in town. From 5-7 everyday, HALF PRICE PIZZA PIES and $2 PINTS! So stop by today after work, ask for the ever-charismatic Jason to wait on you hand-and-foot, and you won’t be disappointed.

FUN FACTS ABOUT JASON:

Favorite Color: White
Recommended Red House Drink: Jimmy’s Bloody Mary
Favorite Red House Dish: Large Double Pepperoni Pizza
Hobbies: Thrift Store Shopping, Bar Hopping, and hanging out @ The Dog Park
Celebrity Crush: Alexander Skarsgard 
Likes: People with a sense of humor
Pet Peeves: People who try to tell you how to do your job
Most Unusual Job: washing cars in south texas heat! ouch!

I think all of us girls at one point have had dreams of being a famous singer or musician, but let’s face it – most of us aren’t blessed with the music gene (no matter how much we think our crooning at local karaoke bars could qualify us for American Idol).  Ginger, however, has it.  She is one of those girls who can just do it all.  Compose, write, play, sing – and she makes it look easy!  She is just one of those girls who we love to hate…because she is just so damn good. 

Well, wait no longer – let’s hear Ginger’s story… 

Where are you from?
I’m originally from Tacoma, WA 

How long have you lived in Austin and what brought you here?
I’ve lived in Austin for 9 years this month (December) and came here after 4 years of touring with a musical theater group. I decided it was time to get a “real” job.

What was the first musical instrument you played?
The recorder. Seriously, I could tear it up on “mary had a little lamb”. I took piano lessons for a few years and just couldn’t figure it out, so when I was about 14 I borrowed the neighbor’s guitar and taught myself how to play. 

Why did you decide to take up music as a career?
Music has ALWAYS been a passion and outlet for me. When I was a pre-teen my brother, a family friend and I formed a rap group called “positive negatives”, I would write most of our material and we would record it with the old brick-like sony tape recorders. I knew back then that music was something that I would be involved in for the rest of my life. 

Who are you musical inspirations?
Being from the Northwest where the grunge scene originated, Nirvana, Pearl Jam and the the like. I also listened to Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Aretha Franklin…the list goes on. Some of my modern influences are Alicia Keys, Leela James, Ani (of course). 

Does the gift of music run in your family?
My immediate family is not musical but I think I get it from my dad’s side. My Aunts on his side are old school gospel singers.

Do you write your own songs and music?
I do. I feel like I connect more with songs that I’ve written myself since they come from within ME, but there are a few covers that I enjoy playing as well. 

What is your favorite song that you’ve written?  Why?
My favorite song that I’ve written is called “Will you bleed”. It’s basically a song about recognizing your own weaknesses and using them to relate to others who have the same struggles, but also on the flip side, doing whatever it takes to show someone that you love them. That song is very personal for me. 

How would you describe you musical style?
I get asked this question a lot actually, and I say acoustic rock, but I don’t know how accurate that is. If you take R&B, mix in a little folk, add some rock and some grunge and a little somethin’ else, I think you’d get me. 

As a kid, what did you dream of being when you grew up?
A rock star. Hands down. Oh, and Indiana Jones. 

Do you have any other big passions besides music?
I’m in love with all of the arts; writing, theater, photography. I’ve dabbled in all of them but focus on music. Oh, and a lot of the “ologies” psychology, criminology….etc. 

How would you describe your personality?
I have two sides but both are very accurate. I’m kind of a loner when I’m creating music. I have a sometimes obsessive need for solitude when I’m writing. The other side would be the fun, goofy, eccentric, life-of-the-party type. I’ll go up and talk to just about anyone.

What are your aspirations for your future?
I’ve been working as a solo artist for some time now. I REALLY want to get a band together because I think that would take my music so much further. I’m putting together material to produce an EP in 2010.

As we mentioned before, Ginger plays often around Austin – her next gig is Donna Jam in January, an all female showcase put on my Goldstar ATX at Jovita’s.  We will definitely be there and so should you!!  Let’s get out and support our local lesbian artist!

Check out some of Ginger’s tracks on her MySpace page:
http://www.myspace.com/gingerathompson

Clear your schedules tonight ladies!  The very lovely, very talented Robin Smith is headlining tonight at Antone’s downtown!  If you haven’t gotten the chance to check Robin out yet, fear not — you no longer have to miss out on seeing the girl that everyone is talkin’ about!  Doors open at 8 pm, and opening acts include Tavana and Kalu James — both amazing artists as well!

And because we KNOW you want to know more about Robin…we’ve included an intriguing short biography that will allow you to get a glimpse into the life of this rising star… 

“Singer/Songwriter Robin Smith’s lyrics not only paint an intimate portrait of her own life, but also of the lives she sees around her. Her keen ability to explain some of life’s stickiest situations, of love lost and love found in her lyrics is poetic yet playful. The combinations of her powerful strumming, soulful voice and metaphorical words create a sound that can stop the most important of conversations in mid-sentence.

Growing up in the midwest, Robin got inspired to do music mostly by listening to artists such as Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Ani Difranco and Patty Griffin. At the age of 18, she got her first guitar and began teaching herself how to play. Robin has played many local venues in her home town of East Grand Forks, MN and surrounding areas but will never forget her first performance at Urban Stampede; a local coffee house and music venue of that area. ” I was so nervous, and forgot the lyrics to a few of my own songs but it was my first real taste of performing and even though it was mainly in front of family, friends and a few locals it brought a sense of strength and determination to my life which has never left. There is nothing more satisfying then reaching for a dream and despite all struggles finding a daily sense of hope and purpose, that was my first experience with those particular emotions.”

In 2005, Robin felt a pull South and transplanted herself to the “Live Music Capital of the World”, Austin, Texas. She quickly was embraced by the Austin music scene and became a familiar face in the establishments around town. ” I had never been to Austin before I decided on moving there but did have many people suggest it. Something about Austin just felt right and when I entered the city for the first time I felt like I was at home there. I just knew it was all going to alright and that I would have great experiences. Musicians here pull you in and you become a family of sorts, inspiring each other andpushing each other. It’s been unbelievable living here!”

Robin’s music career is moving at a fast pace in all the right directions. She can be found playing weekly at many different local Austin venues including Antone’s, The Parish, Momos and festivals in surrounding areas. Her 1st album is do to be released in 2010. Stay tuned…”

TOP SERVICE is a blog that features servers in the ATX who really knock our socks off.  Through a rigorous process of eating out over and over again (hard job, I know), we select the servers that are remarkable enough to request by name.

Valerie Do - Crave

Near campus and “craving” some good thai food?  Hop into Crave Thai and Sushi Bar on 21st and Guadalupe (also known as “the drag”).  Hopefully when you stop in, our girl Valerie will be working.  Our first visit with Valerie was fantastic — she knew exactly what to recommend based on our tastes.  And she didn’t mind at all when we had a 10 minute long conversation about the what exactly the “level of spiciness” meant.  She was very patient and personable — definitely making our dining experience there relaxing.  Valerie is super cute and definitely takes care of her customers.  Go see her!

FUN FACTS ABOUT VALERIE:

Favorite Color: Grey
Recommended Crave Drink: Nigori Sayuri Sake (even though I shouldn’t know what that tastes like)
Favorite Crave Dish: Pad See Ewe Tofu and Cat Eye Roll
Hobbies: Taking Polaroids, spending money I think I have but really don’t, going to concerts, watching movies
Celebrity Crush: Agyness Deyn
Likes: Free things and food, street musicians, and theme parties
Pet Peeves: Smelly people, high maintenance customers, and talking during movies
Most Unusual Job: Sifting through peoples unmentionables at a dry cleaner
Favorite Movie: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Favorite Music: Voxtrot and anything else I can polka to… oh, and Tegan and Sara

And lucky for us, we can get the full “Holly experience” tonight.

But first, how did she get to be so funny? When Holly was a kid, she wanted to be a superstar. Famous. In the spot light. Up on stage. But she had no idea what talent would get her there, so instead she decided to become a nurse (because everyone knows how scrubs and suppositories lead to certain fame and fortune).
 
She moved to Austin four years ago because she had a dream about it. Why not? People kept telling her how funny she was, and she thrived by telling her stories and getting people to laugh. That’s when she took a class called “Comedy Gym” which lead to an assignment: survive 5 minutes on stage at Cap City Comedy Club. And that was the beginning. As soon as she got her first laugh, she was hooked (and so were we!).
 
Her style is definitely engaging. She often talks on stage about the things that have caused her shame or embarrassment in her life: body image, gender identification, being good at Dungeons And Dragons, growing up nerdy and gay. Telling these jokes is empowering and takes the sting out of it for her. Hearing people laugh at some of these stories is validation that we have all suffered the same insults—we are all trying to survive our absurdity. Her philosophy is dead on: “If everyone laughed a little more, there’d be less time for crying. And for role-playing games.” Well said, Holly.

Check Holly out TONIGHT at Cap City Comedy Club’s “Chick Schtick” @ 8pm—along with plenty of other funny ladies. You won’t be disappointed! www.capcitycomedy.com

Emily Davis – Imperia Sushi

Want to dine out in a super sleek and swanky restaurant downtown where you can enjoy amazingly fresh and tasty sushi?  Head to Imperia Sushi on Colorado St. between 3^rd and 4^th St.  Ask for Emily and make your experience all that more amazing!  Emily, a connoisseur of food and drink, will give you honest recommendations and make sure you find something that will please your palette.   She’s got style, she’s got flare, and quick witty humor that will keep you laughing and entertained throughout your dining experience!

FUN FACTS ABOUT EMILY:

Favorite Color: Kelly Green
Recommended Imperia Drink: The Imperia Pearl (Nigori unfiltered sake and Grey Goose vodka)
Favorite Imperia Dish: Sea Bass skewers and the Pablo Escolar roll
Hobbies: Very amateur photography, sewing, building stuff –“you know, like birdhouses,” watching HGTV, sports, and gettin’ naked for a laugh
Celebrity Crush: PINK
Likes: Sweet tea, Candy, flip flops, The Biggest Loser
Pet Peeves: People tapping me on the shoulder and when toothpaste is squeezed from the middle
Most Unusual Job: Bouncer at a club in Lubbock
Favorite Movie: Mean Girls
Favorite Music: 70’s Classic Rock