many technology corporations; it adopted the "Silicon Hills"
nickname in the 1990s. However, the current official slogan promotes Austin as
"The Live Music Capital of the World", a reference to the many musicians
and live music venues within the area, and the long-running PBS TV concert
series Austin City Limits. In
recent years, some Austinites have also adopted the unofficial slogan
"Keep Austin Weird". This interpretation of the classic,
"Texas-style" sense of independence refers to: the traditional and
proudly eclectic, liberal lifestyles of many Austin residents; a desire to
protect small, unique, local businesses from being overrun by large
corporations; and as a reaction to the perceived rise of conservative
influences within the community. In the late 1800s, Austin also became known as
the City of the "Violet Crown" for the wintertime violet glow of
color across the hills just after sunset. Even today, many Austin businesses
use the term "violet crown" in their name. Austin is known as a
"clean air city" for the city's stringent no-smoking ordinances that
apply to all public places and buildings, including restaurants and bars
