Monthly Archives: April 2008

(Community Matters) Pics released from the Hubble telescope.

Hubble Interacting Galaxy Arp 148

Hubble Interacting Galaxy NGC 6240

(Community Matters) “House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (S.C.), the highest ranking African American in Congress, warned yesterday. . . . Clyburn accused Clinton and her husband yesterday of marginalizing black voters and opening a rift between her campaign and an African American Democratic base that strongly backed Bill Clinton’s presidency. Some surrogates in her camp are trying to render Obama unelectable against the Republican nominee so she could run for the Democratic nomination in 2012, he suggested. The discussion flared up yet again when Bill Clinton suggested this week that Obama’s campaign had played “the race card” after the former president compared the candidate to Jesse Jackson after the South Carolina primary.

‘We keep talking as if it doesn’t matter, it doesn’t matter that Obama gets 92 percent of the black vote, because since he only got 35 percent of the white vote, he’s in trouble,’ Clyburn said. ‘Well, Hillary Clinton only got 8 percent of the black vote. . . . It’s almost saying black people don’t matter. The only thing that matters is how white people respond. And that’s what bothered me. I think I matter.’”

“There are signs that the anger voiced by some African Americans is beginning to extend to the Democratic donor base . . . . a growing number of Clinton’s early supporters migrated to Obama in March . . . . Of those who had previously made maximum contributions to Clinton, 73 wrote their first checks to Obama in March. The reverse was not true: Of those who had made large contributions to Obama last year, none wrote checks to Clinton in March.

‘I think she is destroying the Democratic Party,’ said New York lawyer Daniel Berger, who had backed Clinton with the maximum allowable donation of $2,300. ‘That there’s no way for her to win this election except by destroying [Obama], I just don’t like it. So in my own little way, I’m trying to send her a message.’ The message came in the form of a $2,300 contribution to Obama.”

(Community Matters) What a crock of stuff. Play from Karl Rove to give Hillary ammunition for superdelegates. Of course GOP still wants Hillary to win. NYTimes piece here

(Community Matters) Mystery of Abercrombie, Texas.

(Community Matters) I hope best practices at similar, best-of-class organizations around the country will influence the final decision on UTIMCO ethics rules. Not a surprise if the pendulum swung too far after the Gov George Bush, patron/regent Tom Hicks fiascos of sweetheart dealings with UTIMCO assets. Today’s AAS here

The more I learn about Rev. Wright, his ministry, his patriotism, about prophetic preaching and about the soundbites deliberately excluding the context (even the quoted references), the more disgusted I become with the Clinton campaign. It’s no wonder some opponents eventually hate Bill & Hillary and that our country’s politics spiraled even more into the mud ever since.

Patrica Young Brown

(Community Matters) Nico’s staying with us this weekend. Loved hanging out waiting for school to end at Matthews Elementary, what a terrificly diverse student body – even among teachers. Heard at least five languages among the parents.

And . . . great to be greeted enthusiastically with a big hug, even in front of classmates

At Ski Shores

(Community Matters) Randi Shade challenging incumbent Jennifer Kim. I supported Jennifer during her tenure, served on the affordable housing task force at her request and still consider her a friend.

Randi and I have been friends for 15 plus years, have served on boards together and share many common ambitions and experiences.

I like them both but Jennifer’s not a consensus builder on the dias and is too immature in the way she handles her responsibilities – personnel management, policy consistency, airport security, traffic stops & office spending. I’m pleased to acknowledge her much more focused constituency work and drive to accomplishment since Randi’s announced.

Randi Shade’s business (entrepreneurial), government and NGO experience make her the best candidate for Place 3.

(Community Matters) The National Journal explains it. . . here

(Community Matters) They’re now saying Indiana is dead tied. Survey USA showed Hillary with a 16 point lead two weeks ago here.

North Carolina polls showing an average of Obama plus 15.

(Community Matters) Heard on NPR this morning that China had agreed to resume conversations with representatives of the Dali Lama. This is huge and shows their sensitivity to PR before and during the Olympics. Of course, it’ll be three months deciding what type chairs to have at what size table, for the reps meeting. Hope world leaders raise expectations for progress.

(Community Matters) We have a cool & funky structure surrounding our pool we call the pool house. It’s glass on three sides, very high ceiling and completely closed except for two vents with “ceiling” fans. I’d noticed a finch was living inside and had created a nest. On Wednesday morning, I peeked inside and found two chicks.

I was showing Ron Berry and Armando Miguelez around the property later in the afternoon, when we peeked into the nest, the chicks were gone. As it turns out, they were learning to fly. Unfortunately, one struggling more than the other as she had flown into the water but was quickly retrieved with a butterfly net. This little guy stayed dry. Steven and I almost always wrap up our evenings chatting in the pool house or in the courtyard. Wednesday night in the pool house serenaded by the loud chorus as mom continued her flying lessons. Reminds me it’s almost time for the frogs to start breeding. In the courtyard along the stream and ponds, it can get so loud you literally have to yell to be heard.

Cult of Color: Call to Color at ArtHouse

I was too late to make the ArtHouse opening, but Steven says it was very fun and well attended. The collaborating artists, of course, on hand – Stephen Mills, Trenton Doyle Hancock and Graham Reynolds. Understand Graham was even at the piano. Among the many ST spoke with Brent Hasty, Lisa Moore and Madge Darlington Shawn Sides, Sue Graves and Julie & John Thornton

I arrived at the Lombardi Gallery party too late for Romeo Navarro & crew’s breakdancing. But a DJ and dancing were still underway as Lombardi helped celebrate Fuse Box’s launch with painting/music/video/dancing.

Their exhibit, “Poutine Never Sleeps”, features 9 Canadian artists: James Patterson, Alex Produkt, Kathleen Weldon, Christopher Ross, Scott Harber, Peru Dyer, Clint Eagleson, Patrick Thompson and Felix Labrona Berube.

Zach Bailey & Rafal Roamano