Many people who order their lives rightly in all other ways are kept in poverty by their lack of gratitude

Livin la Katie loca

"Many of the significant problems in our lives are more about recognizing the obvious rather than discovering the mysterious or hidden. One of the classic ways we deceive and hide from ourselves is by refusing to recognize the obvious, and shrouding what is right before us in rationalization and false complexity. We often delay and deny necessary transformation by claiming that there is a mysterious answer hidden from us, when actually we know the answers but pretend that we don't."

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Marigold owner serves up Indian home cooking

Driving down South Lamar, you might notice an inconspicuous store with Indian clothes and decor in the front windows called Marigold – Gateway to India.

Lata Karna is the owner of the retail store, which sells authentic Indian clothing, tapestries, and home furnishings. Originally from New York, Lata had a friend that would come to her house, cook traditional Indian food, and leave enough for an entire week.

When Lata moved to Austin, she tried Indian food across the city and felt that what was available “left a lot to be desired”. She did not feel comfortable suggesting to her clients one restaurant or another, because she did not feel that they were truly authentic.

About a year ago, Lata partnered up with a woman from Gujarat, the westernmost state in India, who cooked traditional home cooked Indian food, and they started selling Indian meals in Austin bi-monthly.

Advertisement has solely been based on word of mouth, but The Austin Times is willing to give you the skinny on how to partake in this delicious hidden jewel.
You must be on their email list to receive the menu for the homecooked meals and to place an order. To do so, simply stop by Marigold in person, or call them at 512-442-6600, and ask to be put on their email list.

Dinners consist of a delicious six-course Indian meal, available at Marigold for pick-up for twelve dollars, including tax.

Each meal consists of rice, Indian bread, dal, your choice of two vegetable dishes or a meat dish and a vegetable dish, and raita or a side salad. Dessert is available at an additional charge.

A new menu is offered each time. Orders must be placed by Monday at 7:00p.m. and pickup is Wednesdays between noon and 7:00p.m. Payment can be made over the telephone with credit or debit card, or by stopping by the store to drop off a cash or check payment.

By Katie Warner, The Austin Times Staff

Free Tan Weekend

Saturday // January 30 // 9am-8pm
Sunday // January 31 // 11am-8pm
Aruba Tan // 2707 Rio Grande

This weekend, Aruba Tan is hosting their biggest sale of the year, Free Tan Weekend. All tanning beds are free, custom airbrush tans are only $10, and all packages, memberships, and tanning lotions are on sale. They're asking for $1, $3, $5 or $7 donations, which will benefit the Red Cross for International Haiti Relief. Each person who donates will be eligible to win a year-long tan package.

Sxsw volunteer call 2010!

On the Right Path?

Governor Rick Perry just announced he will not allow Texas to compete for $700 million in federal funding to improve our public schools.

He's turning down tax dollars Texans have already sent to Washington and refusing the opportunity to improve Texas' schools at no additional cost to our taxpayers. Why didn't he allow for a public discussion? Why did he announce this the day before his debate with Senator Hutchison?

Unfortunately, Governor Perry does not share my view that education is the most important business of state government.

Forward a message to Gov. Perry today, and ask him to stop sending Texan tax dollars to public schools in other states.

Governor Perry tried to justify his decision by saying, "Texas is on the right path toward improved education" without any additional federal funding.

That's where he's wrong.

For the first time, young Texans entering the workforce are on average less educated than the generation that came before them. Our state now ranks second to last in the percentage of adults with a high school diploma. Our SAT scores are slipping further and further behind the national average. And skyrocketing tuition rates are shutting more and more Texans out of college.

I'm proud of the people of our state. Texas students work hard and their parents fight for every opportunity to improve their kids' futures. We deserve a governor who does the same for all our young people.

Forward a message to Gov. Perry today, and ask him to stop sending Texan tax dollars to public schools in other states.

Thank you for taking action today.

A crisis to respond to in Haiti

Today and in days to come, our hearts and prayers are with the people affected by the earthquake in Haiti. At Austin Habitat we encounter and fight the crippling effects of poverty in our work every day, and with an open heart we look to our Haitian neighbors who have lost everything.

Right now across Austin and beyond efforts are underway to offer swift response to this terrible tragedy.

Shelter is among the most immediate needs in Haiti. Habitat for Humanity International has mobilized to provide immediate shelter relief, and currently has an assessment team on the ground. Click Here to learn more about how you can help.

You can also click here to visit KUT's helpful list of additional ways to aid the effort.

With each home we build, we tithe $3,000 to help build an additional home in communities in Mexico and Guatemala; the critical need for simple, stable housing around the world is a part of our work here in Austin.

In this spirit, Austin Habitat will turn our attention to Haiti, where we will temporarily redirect our tithe to support the rebuilding effort.

January Shop the Closet

While it's possible that you've spent the last week trying to get on board with various New Year's resolutions, we of the fourteen-hour workday understand that once thrown back into the wild, things like triathlon training and carb-less lifestyles can get left by the wayside. But fear not, dear readers, because when it comes to your premiere promise—making 2010 your most stylish year ever!—we can help you stick to your guns via our freshly stocked closet. You can become enviously of-the-moment in Kokoon's Silk Leopard Cape ($348); not only is the print uber-posh, the purple hue is undeniably cool. Additionally, you can't go wrong with a leather bomber—a must-have piece for flying high between seasons. We like H81's Edgy Leatherette Jacket ($40) version for a hearty dose of glamour at a lightweight price. Of course, the fashionable life could never be sauntered through without a nod to the classics: try either Dolce Vita's April Pumps ($180) for an updated version of the iconic black shoe or throw on BDG's Twill Trench ($98) for some editor-in-training everyday polish. Finally, if you're looking to make an investment on which you can actually see a return this year, snatch up Chloe's Tilia Acetate Sunglasses ($295), with their retro-inspired, eye-catching frames. Whatever you decide, you'll never have to worry about the end of fresh starts and new beginnings because we'll be here every month, as per usual, bringing you that which is on the brink of vogue. After all, we think being tres chic is one resolution that should be a cinch to stick to!—Liza Kaplan



1. Airplane Rose Skirt ($38)
2. Forever 21 Cheetah Tiered Knit Top ($20)
3. Lancome Juicy Tubes Rose Fishnets Lip Gloss ($18)
4. Topshop Leather Nailhead Make Up Bag ($70)
5. Motel Stripe Pants ($71)
6. Bess Velvet Studded Cape ($1070)
7. Supersocial White Shoulder Pleat Blouse ($96)
8. Chloe Tilia Acetate Sunglasses ($295)
9. Dolce Vita April Pumps ($180)
10. Topshop Painted Stripe Bodycon Skirt ($50)
11. The Balm Read My Lips Lipstick ($17) in Wanted
12. Richard Nicoll Applique Silk-Crepe T-Shirt ($400)
13. Kokoon Silk Leopard Cape ($348)
14. Matiko Sid Yellow Wedge Ankle Boots ($172)
15. Boutique Cotton Mix Tee ($60)
16. Charlotte Ronson Zipped Leather Pants ($215)
17. Alkemie Jewelry Stingray Ring ($155)
18. Urban Renewal Ruffle Shoulder Bodycon Dress ($58)
19. Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent Oversized Navajo Sweater ($350)
20. Jeffrey Campbell Word Snake Print Booties ($184)
21. BDG Twill Trench ($98)
22. Forever 21 Printed Woven Pleat Skirt ($18)
23. Camilla and Marc Georgette Stretch-Jersey Bodysuit ($300)
24. Lanvin Paris Wouter Round Sunglasses ($300)
25. Erickson Beamon for Alice + Olivia Chain Collar Necklace ($278)
26. Elizabeth and James Maryl Laser Cut Suede Pumps ($375)
27. Forever 21 Crimson Nail Polish ($3)
28. Topshop Maternity Claw Print Dress ($100)
29. H81 Edgy Leatherette Jacket ($40)

Tango Night at Annies

Wednesday, January 6th & Every Wednesday, 7pm

After a year-long absence from the downtown scene, two of Austin's leading Tango luminaries (Esquina Tango and Tango in Texas) are teaming up to bring back a vibrant, weekly Tango night on Congress Avenue. Starting December 30, Annies Café and Bar will play host to Wednesday night Tango. Tango Wednesdays at Annies will start off each week with a free mini lesson at 7 pm and will alternate from week to week between live music and guest DJ's with extensive collections of passionate and rhythmic tango music.