Friday, 20 May -- LOCAL POLL II

About Place

with all the travel ive been doing lately for work, i'm finding myself increasingly disappointed by travel guides and web sites. i mean, who are these people? i never know.

ive also been disappointed in my own ability to not be down enough with the peoplo to know how to use my on-the-road dollas to support the good local stuff in new cities. yeah. ill come clean -- im one of those people who "is in town for business." got some privilege guilt going on about that. but i was raised catholic, so guilt's no surprise. and i think this is another area where i needta challenge it. when i go somewhere with an expense account, i wanna be able to spend this company's money consciously backing the stuff i wanna back, like i would spend my own. it doesn't need to be an awful thing.

have you ever seen those "keep xtown weird" stickers? they're in bumper sticker form all over austin and portland. i really dig the sentiment: support the crazy, vibrant stuff that bubbles up organically from this place that feeds it, gives back to it, and makes this place rich and unique and special. totally. that's the good stuff. but it's also usually the small (which is also good), scrappy, not able or maybe interested in buying off the travel writer kinda places. so, how do you hear about this stuff? huh?

im gathering some info on other places from the spicy, diy/community-minded people i know on these places and things to support in other towns. wanna have this info for myself, and also plan to gather it all in an upcoming edition of ma zine, which i will draw scribbly pictures in and share with others.

PLEASE NOTE: i have particular interest here in spotlighting locally-run places and businesses that are good to their workers (fair wages, insurance, time off, women allowed to thrive in their roles, non-evil management...). people spend their money for many reasons. best schmest. quality is in the eye of the assessor. and while other factors matter some too, i wanna work more at spending my bux where those who add to local vibrancy are taken care of, and not treated as disposable. And i wanna work more at spreading the word of these places. (i am especially interested in hearing about any restaurants where female workers are treated well in "the back of the house" -- the kitchen --, and are given opportunities to move up. many restaurants are real bad to females.)

so, good spicy, community-minded PEOPLE!
please help by answering the following questions about yer hood. please mark places you mention that you know to be good to workers with a "*". and, if you don't have any answer for one, just leave it blank. don't worry bout it.
thanks!

What's yer name/nickname yer going with here:

Where do you live?:

What neighborhoods or areas around where you live you do you recommend exploring?

Any good parks round you for sitting in or wandering through?

Other local features or beautiful natural spots to take in:

Any good festivals? When?

Best non-stupid on-line/print source(s) for local entertainment info:

Best place(s) to stop in to see inexpensive local music (particularly those that regularly book bands with females):

Best place(s) to stop in to dance:

Best place(s) to stop in to get a beer without pretention or hoo-haw:

Best place(s) to stop in to get a drink (ideally also without pretention or hoo-haw):

Best place(s) to stop in just to stop in while visiting:

Best secret deals (happy hours, free museum times, free music locations, free peanuts, special treats...):

Best jukeboxes:

Where can you find Galaga in your town? Or Space Invaders. Or Elvis pinball. Or batting cages? Any other favorite play spots to share?:

Best public place to nap and/or picnic:

Best inexpensive way in from the airport for travelers who have no one to pick em up, or who wanna spare their hosts the hassle (public transport options preferred!):

Best bets for lodging:

Is public transport available? Do you recommend it? If so, how much is it? If not, how should a visitor get around?

Local book store(s)/music shop(s)/co-ops/otha shops to check out (any feminist bookstores left out there?):

Locally-run cheap restaurant(s) you dig (yay to veg-friendly and regional flair ones!):
Thai:
Mexican:
Fish/seafood:
Breakfast:
Diner:
Comfort food:
Good salad / salad bar:
Vegan food?:
Takeout:
Pizza:
Coffee shop with character:
Regional fare:
Yer fav fancier place:
Those to avoid cause they treat their workers poorly:
Others to recommend:

Cool local activism to look out for:

One road trip outta town you like:

Best/worst time of year to come. Why:

Shoes you recommend bringing for a good visit:

Quirks of yer town we should know about:

A bit about who you are (what are you into, approx age, what do you like to do/listen to/read? i hate faceless reviews. this will give some insight into where the sadie hill these reccs are coming from!):

please reply to this by June 7. send me yer info, and ill get you a copy of what gets pulled togetha when it gets pulled togetha.

ok. off to see The Butchies, then to Providence. happy Friday, y'all!