Austin Enchanted Forest has posted notice on their website that as of 7/17/08 the Enchanted Forest is being shut down by the City of Austin. Details aren’t presented, but they’re asking for help from any structural, civil, and environmental engineers, as well as lawyers and concerned citizens. I’m assuming it’s a code violation issue which is why their asking for engineering advice.

I’ve generally enjoyed each time I’ve gone to Enchanted Forest, whether it was for an art weekend or one of their parties. It is truly one of those things that Keeps Austin Weird. Check out these Flickr photos to see for yourself. It would truly be a shame for it to go away.

I’ve sent an email to their savetheenchantedforest@gmail.com email address asking that they post details, City of Austin phone numbers, and an online petition as soon as possible to take advantage of the early wave of interest. Hopefully the Enchanted Forest can be saved.

Update: More information from the property owner was just posted at the Austinist. It seems that the complaints were driven by Austin’s PACE program.

Do it.

If this sounds like something that might interest you, head on over to Andy’s blog and let ‘em know in the comments.

Austin WordPress users: Andy Skelton announced that the May GeekAustin Happy Hour would be co-hosted with WordPress on Tuesday, May 20th. Like the previous two GeekAustin events, this one is to be held downtown at J. Blacks on W. Sixth.

I can attest that LinearB throws a great party, so come out and have a drink with us! And, I’ll remind you, that there is a local WordPress Meetup Group.

For the past year Aeromexico has offered non-stops out of ABIA for as low as $159 roundtrip.
http://www.aeromexico.com/usa/english/pages/specials/faresavers/departure_AUS.html

And now vivaAerobus will be offering flights to places like Cancun, Guadalajara, León, & Monterrey. Apparently vivaAerobus is the RyanAir of Mexico which means that it will cost you less to fly to Cancun than it costs to take a taxi to the airport.

Happy Hour in Cancun in ’08?
http://austinist.com/2007/11/08/at_this_rate_we.php

If you don’t have it, get your frickin’ passport.
http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

80,000 sweaty music-lovers will all descend upon Austin’s Zilker Park for three days of music. I’ve already been asked four times today “Are you going to ACL?” Yes, I am. I haven’t even picked up my wristband yet, so I’m assuming you ask everyone that?

View my schedule: http://www.austincitylimits.com/schedule/ftaf.aspx?sid=ACL3035307.

Notably, I’m definitely looking forward to seeing LCD Soundsystem, Bjork, Andrew Bird, Arcade Fire, Bloc Party, Ghostland Observatory, and STS9. Other acts are optional and may change depending on mood and laziness.

See you at the park!

With 146 and counting persons interested in an Austin Web Design Meetup and no way to communicate to them, I felt someone had to start it up if only as a social meetup or to steer them to more appropriate groups on Upcoming or Google Groups. So, I gulped and plopped down the fee to initiate one. (Why does Meetup charge so damn much for a service that so many other sites provide on an ad-driven model?)

Find us here: http://webdesign.meetup.com/457/. Join. RSVP.

Our initial meetup will be Thursday, May 17, 2007, 6:30 PM @ Halcyon (218 W 4th St, Austin, TX 78701)

I hope you can make it!