(Community Matters) Who knew?

(Community Matters) I don’t even know Jersey Shore nor Mike Sorrentino, “the Situation.” but read about it in the nytimes . . . . so what the heck

(Community Matters) Makes me happy to watch – you go guys Hat Tip Gawker

subsequently: most about the guys in video

(Community Matters) Finalists announced for Ernst & Young Entrepreneurs of the Year awards:

EOY Finalists
All Web Leads, Inc. – Jim Waltrip
Austin Ribbon & Computer Supplies –  Jana Grimes
BancVue  - Gabriel Krajicek
CSIdentity Corporation  - Bill Morrow
Green Mountain Energy Co. – Paul Thomas
LDR Spine/LDR Holding  - Christophe Lavigne
Lombardi, Inc  - Rod Favaron
SolarWinds  - Michael Bennett
uShip  - Matthew Chasen

Lifetime Achievement
Mike Maples

Social Finalists
College Forward – Lisa Fielder
Frameworks Community Development – Joyce McDonald
Goodwill Industries of Central Texas – Jerry Davis
True Light Day Care – Janet Blake

(Community Matters) Seriously?  These two teens just want to go to a prom but some parents just can’t stand it. here

(Community Matters) Fast Company Magazine

(Community Matters) funny negotiations going on with a Polish publisher translating and printing Richard Florida’s the Creative Class.  One of Steven’s monologues is included in Richard’s book and the publisher doesn’t seem to get that we’ve never looked to make any money off of it.

(Community Matters) Arianna Huffington will be in Austin on Monday for the Texas Freedom Network’s fundraiser at Agudas Achim.  Looking forward to seeing her & supporting a great cause (wow, years since I’ve been on that board and the organization is doing even more and better than ever before).

(Community Matters) last night’s Tosca String Quartet performance in collaboration with the Golden Hornet Project and FuseBox was exceptional – completely delightful and I’m kicking myself because I didn’t stay for the second at 9:45.

They played lots of Graham Reynolds’ and Peter Stopschinski’s arrangements as well as Will Taylor’s, Sam Arnold, Christopher Cox and Rostam Batmanglij.  Admittedly, I was unfamiliar with the last three.  Rostam performed in person, charming the audience – what a find. (hey, guess I’m late to the parade, googling, I’ve just learned everyone knows who he is but me – something to do with vampires.  Seriously, who knew?)

thanks to Dana Friisen-Hansen & Mark Holzbach for inviting me to sit with their tribe and share their wine.  The Alamo Drafthouse the Ritz a perfect place for an orchestra concert

(Community Matters) Off to DC this morning for various DNC meetings, dinners and quick gatherings with old & new friends. Way excited about tomorrow night’s reception with VP Biden, then Thursday’s rather intimate dinner with Pres. Obama.  Totally bummed Steven can’t join me at either.  He’s representing us at our niece’s senior high school musical – go Hilary!

(Community Matters) Just stumbled over.  Looks like a cool resource – Little Austinites

kudos to Cindy, Dawn, George, Howard, Julia, Nathan, Sandy, Terri & Victoria – who I don’t think I know but I’d like to

(Community Matters) how many more people woke up to Mike Allen’s Playbook this morning

DEM Candidates will be billed as Obama “Allies” – The President, DNC Chairman Tim Kaine, and the DNC grassroots project Organizing for America this week lay out 2010 election plans in detail for the first time. POTUS’ remarks go out in a 13-million e-mail blast today. Kaine will continue rolling out ‘Vote 2010′ on Wednesday at Dave Cook’s Christian Science Monitor lunch, followed by a strategy session with activists. The DNC will spend $50 million on cash and services, emphasizing turnout of the 15 million voters who came out for the first time in 2008. In an effort to leverage the president’s special relationship with these voters, the video is designed to be sure supporters know that he has a stake in this election, that he is willing to expend his capital and that they should, as well — that to keep his agenda for change they voted for in 2008 moving forward, they need to support his allies in 2010.

(Community Matters) Thought provoking National Affairs article flagged by Ross Garber.

I disagree that Pres O has shunned intellectual liberals but I do fear not more deliberately courting is resulting in less voter enthusiasm among our base.

over the last several days have been in dialogue with an articulate Libertarian, Brian Prasifka, who recommended David Mamet’s: Why I Am No Longer a ‘Brain-Dead Liberal.” There is much to agree with in Mamet’s piece, though I find an important underpinning metaphorically & literally flawed – that a play is better without a director. You don’t have a staged play without a director, without someone interpreting and staging the writers words and vision. I say this literally as both a producer and the husband of an award-wining playwright, metaphorically as a former business entrepreneur, banker, consultant and now a philanthropist.

No doubt about the varying motives and behaviors of people, though Libertarians and I have different opinions about the need for outside interventions. I don’t trust the outcomes of the strong over the weak – be it physical or economic. That is not the type of society I try to help build.

I concur with Brian’s and most Libertarian’s about the need for more accountability, and I agree in many places the government is too big and inefficient.

(Community Matters) Talk about client appreciation, Jason Heffron and his Juice Homes partner, Sam Archer, sure know how to say thanks.  They rented out Fiesta Gardens and threw a bash for clients’ families – food, drink, a band, kids activities.

(Community Matters) This morning the Entrepreneurs Foundation hosted the Lemonade Day Best Tasting Contest at the Austin Childrens Museum.

Mikalah of Bee Sweet Lemonade

all today’s competitors

Several prizes including Sweet Leaf Teas’ 1 year supply of tea, help running and publicizing their May 2 lemonade stand.  LIVESTRONG prize includes publicity and set up at LAF site on May 2.  Austin American Statesman/7-11 prize includes free papers to sell and lemonade stand placement at a high traffic 7-11 on May 2.

We’re shooting for over 10,000 kids at Lemonade stands throughout Austin on May 2.  It’s fun and free way to inspire kids with  entrepreneurship. more here

Many thanks to whomever sent us collectors’ credentials for this weekend’s Art City Austin. Regret we weren’t able to spend more time there but I was floored by the depth, breath and range of offerings when I toured this morning.  Wow, and I love the set up on several blocks of Cesar Chavez, incorporating Austin City Hall.  Wish I was going to be in town this week to take advantage of the public displays.  Steven’s here and will do so for both of us.