Elders

With their knowledge, their experience, and their memories, older people are naturally the best storytellers of any community. There's a lot to be learned from talking to those who remember segregation, World War II, or the old blues clubs and rockabilly joints of East Eleventh Street and other parts of Austin. Manuel "Cowboy" Donley, for example, can point out the clubs on East Sixth Street where he used to play his innovative Spanish-language rock and roll. Older people know the value of place like no one else. When Señora Lopez talks about her home and why she won't sell to developers, no one can deny that there are some things that are worth a lot more than money. Listen to some other East Austin elders.