The Totescast is recycling tropes, as we return to the Materials Recovery Facility controversy over which contractor gets to sort through the city's waste. But first, an overview of the budgetary matters currently preoccupying city staff.

Remember when End of an Ear was just a sparkle in owners Blake Carlisle and Dan Plunkett's eyes? Well, our little South First baby's growing up so fast, and they're celebrating with five days of in-stores, starting tonight. See schedule after jump.

There’s still a version of Lynyrd Skynyrd out there and the Allman Brothers Band and ZZ Top continue to tour. Meanwhile, yelling “Free Bird” at shows, ironically or not, always gets a chuckle. Then there are bands like the Black Crowes, Widespread Panic, and the Drive-By Truckers who revel in their Southern roots.

The Hustle ties up a few loose ends in anticipation of tomorrow's meeting: emerging opposition to the development agreement for Austin Energy's Control Center, and the release of the city's new purchasing database.

A selectively small SXSW 2010 audience already got a first look at clips from Predators, and now Austin nabs the July 7 world premiere.

Whether you are fifty-five or fifteen, chances are you could use a tap on the shoulder from your inner ingenue, past or present. Find out at 3:30pm on June 27th at the New Moon Girls UnFashion Show at BookWoman.

Bud Norris will be toeing the rubber for the Round Rock Express tonight as they take on the Albuquerque Isotopes with a scheduled 7:05pm first pitch. Norris was named the 2009 Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year and earned a call-up to The Show last July.

Big news in the race between Republican incumbent Gov. Rick Perry and Democratic challenger Bill White: The latest polling has them tied at 43%.

Loins sufficiently girded, the Hustle is ready to wade into the 151 item agenda before City Council this Thursday, their last meeting before a month long hiatus. Hopefully the meeting – larded with MRFs, green roofs, and more – won't take up all of July.