2013 Austin Gun Shows

There has been a lot of talk about guns and gun shows in the news lately. Especially after the horrible incidents that occurred in Newtown, CT. So we thought we would take a look at the gun shows here in Austin, from a completely unbiased viewpoint. There are nine (9) shows scheduled here in Austin. Two by Premier Gun Show and seven by Saxet Gun Shows. Below are the details of those shows.

Premier Gun Shows:
817-732-1194
Visitors to the Austin Gun Shows by Premier will enjoy a huge selection of firearms, ammunition, shooting supplies and knives. The dealers will have “direct from the factory” guns as well as pre-owned and collectibles. At the show you can buy, sell or trade. The gun show is more than just guns. You can also find a wide array of ammo, scopes, clips, reloading supplies and other accessories. There are concealed carry permit instructors from whom you can purchase an off-site approved course.
You may bring your own gun to the show, however it must be unloaded, checked by the Police Officers at the entrance, and tied with a plastic tie. NO EXCEPTIONS and yes this includes concealed carry permit holders, the show is posted as such in accordance with Texas laws.

When:
Feb 9-10 2013 - Saturday 9 am – 5 pm and Sunday 10 am – 4 pm
Apr 13-14 - Saturday 9 am – 5 pm and Sunday 10 am – 4 pm

Admission:
General Admission – $8, cash only
Weekend Passes – $12, cash only
Children UNDER 12 – Free
Uniformed Peace Officers – Free

Handicapped Accessibility:
North Austin Events is accessible to persons of all mobility.
Location:
North Austin Events Center
10601 N. Lamar Austin, TX

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Saxet Gun Shows:
SAXET Gun Shows have been the landmark gun and outdoor product trade show for more then 20 years, throughout central and south Texas. According to their website, their shows are consistently filled to capacity with a huge variety of firearms, accessories, ammunition, knives, tactical gear, hunting, target sports products and much more.

They welcome everyone to join them at their next show in Austin. With hundreds of tables to fit a wide range of interests, there is something for literately everyone interested in firearms, hunting, collecting, military history, and more.

When:
Jan 26-27 2013 Sat. 9am - 6pm and Sun. 9am - 5pm
Feb 16-17 Sat. 9am - 6pm and Sun. 9am - 5pm
Apr 27-28 Sat. 9am - 6pm and Sun. 9am - 5pm
Aug 17-18 Sat. 9am - 6pm and Sun. 9am - 5pm
Sep 21-22 Sat. 9am - 6pm and Sun. 9am - 5pm
Oct 19-20 Sat. 9am - 6pm and Sun. 9am - 5pm
Dec 21-22 Sat. 9am - 6pm and Sun. 9am - 5pm

Admission:
$5 per day
Parking:
$2 per day

Handicapped Accessibility:
The Travis County Expo Center is accessible to persons of all mobility.
Location:
Travis County Expo Center
7311 Decker Lane
Austin, Texas 78724

Succession Convention

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Inscription:
The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 caused unrest and drastic action all over the south and in many Texas counties. Despite petitions, editorials and political pressure, Gov. Sam Houston refused to call a special legislative session to consider the position Texas should take on Dec. 3, 1860. A group of secession leaders took matters into their own hands and called on the people to elect delegates to a convention to meet in Austin on Jan. 28, 1861. Counties sent 177 delegates and the convention met in the Capitol from Jan. 28 to Feb. 4 and March 2 to March 25. A committee on public safety, with broad powers, acted for the convention between sessions.

By vote of 166 to 7, the convention adopted the ordinance of secession and called for a statewide election – the first state in the Confederacy to let voters have a direct voice. 108 of the 122 counties favored secession by a vote of 46,129 to 14,697.

The convention voted to join the Confederacy, send delegates to its congress, gear for war and raise troops to protect the frontier. When Gov. Sam Houston refused to take the oath supporting the Confederacy the convention replaced him with the Lieutenant Governor, Edward Clark.

Erected:
1965

Handicapped Accessibility:
This marker is accessible to persons of all mobility.

Location:
Located on the state capitol grounds, near the intersection of 11th and Congress Austin, TX 78701

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Social Media Meeting Last Night - Networking SxSw

Last night my wife and I had the opportunity to visit a group of other Social Media enthusiasts at the Java Jive on 5th (aka Starbucks @ the Hilton), before walking over to the Austin Convention Center. It was a great chance to learn some things about social media as well as network with some other people.  The group seems to meet about twice a month and is one of several social media groups around Austin, although a number of the people attend the other groups as well.
The meeting last night focused around networking at large events such as the biggest one in Austin, known to the world as SXSW.  We covered a number of different platforms, some of which like Foursquare which I do not currently use. All of which was discussed in the manner of using your smart phone or tablet devices rather then your laptops. The reason for that was mainly because laptops are horrible to use when trying to network at an event (or concert) such as SXSW.  A phone for example, you can check in someplace and see instantly that who else is checking in at the same time. Thus meet and network with them.  
So, I guess I will be checking out Foursquare, and if I have enough space on my phone see about adding it to the phone. In the meantime, I will be awaiting the Social media Breakfast on February 21.

P.S. on a side note the wife and I seen the Google car photographing the area as we were crossing the intersection to the Convention Center.

Social Media Breakfast Austin - How Different Generations Use Social Media

The Social Media Breakfast group has announced it's next meeting, which will be February 21.

SMBAustin #28 - How Different Generations Use Social Media
Social Media Breakfast Austin
Thursday, February 21, 2013 at 7:30 AM (CST)
Austin, TX

Handicapped Accessibility:
The restaurant is ADA compliant.

Location:
Kerbey Lane Cafe - Northwest
13435 N Hwy 183
#415
Austin, TX 78750

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King-Tears Mortuary

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Inscription:
In October 1901, William M. Tears opened the Tears Funeral Home at 614 E. 6th Street to provide mortuary services for African Americans in Austin and the surrounding area. Upon his death in 1923, his son William M. Tears, Jr. became manager of the firm. In 1933, Mr. and Mrs. Charles B. King opened King and Company (later King Funeral Home) at 1107 E. 6th Street. Tears relocated to this site in 1934, and King completed extensive remodeling in 1936. In 1955, these two historic east Austin establishments merged to form the King-Tears Funeral Home. Continuing to operate at this site with expanded services and charitable works in the community, King-Tears remains an important part of Austin’s heritage.

Erected:
2002

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Handicapped Accessibility:
This marker is in a grassy area, but completely visible/accessible to persons of all mobility

Location:
1300 E 12th Austin, TX

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Littlefield Building

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Inscription:
George Washington Littlefield (1842-1920) came to Texas from Mississippi in 1850. After serving in Terry’s Texas Rangers in the Civil War, he made his fortune ranching and driving cattle. He moved to Austin in 1883 and, in 1890, established the American National Bank, which included a ladies’ banking department. He hired architect C.H. Page, Jr., to design this Beaux Arts classical building, which opened in 1912 with a rooftop garden. His bank was on the ground floor. For the corner entrance, he commissioned Tiffany’s of New York to cast bronze, bas-relief doors by sculptor Daniel Webster. These were later donated to the University of Texas, of which Littlefield was a major benefactor.



Erected:
2002

Handicapped Accessibility:
This historical marker is visible to all regardless of mobility.

Location:
601 Congress Ave Austin, TX 78701

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St. Mathews Evangelical Lutheran Church

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Inscription:
This property, once situated just outside capitol square at 106 East Peach Street (Later 13th), was the original location of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church (“Die Deutsche Evangelish Lutherische Kirche”). Pastor Henry Merz (1842-1928), a missionary for the first Evangelical Lutheran Synod in Texas, organized the congregation in 1883 with 20 German families. They worshiped first in homes or stores and later borrowed the facilities of the First Presbyterian and Gethsemane Lutheran Churches. The congregation acquired this lot in 1884. The cornerstone for the first church building was laid on December 21, 1884, and the new structure was dedicated with formal ceremonies on April 26, 1885. Designed in a modified Gothic style, the brick church building measured 36 feet by 58 feet and had a truncated bell tower.

In 1929 St. Martin’s congregation erected a more spacious sanctuary at 1400 Congress, and the original church building was converted into state offices. In 1959, as the capitol complex expanded, both churches were razed and 13th Street was closed to make way for state office buildings. St. Martin’s moved to new facilities at 606 West 15th Street.

Erected:
1979

Handicapped Accessibility:
This marker is accessible persons of all mobility.

Location:
In northeast corner of capitol grounds just west of where E. 14th St. ends

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