Monthly Archives: July 2008

(Community Matters) Neither of the three:

“Pedernales Electric Cooperative directors Monday elected a member of the co-op’s old regime as board president.”

Phelps at end of board meeting, “I don’t do interviews.”

(Community Matters) Willing to bet 43’s administration is cooking the books and that we’re in a genuine recession (last quarter’s numbers, sic). Failed investment banks, global credit market crisis, panicking customers in line at a southern Californian bank, likely runs on other banks, a plunging dollar, schizophrenic commodity prices, gas approaching $5/gal . . . .

(Community Matters) I shouldn’t complain, I know others are scheduled in 5 and 10 minute slots but a day of back to back meetings, often every 30 minutes, is just grueling. Yet, they are often the most rewarding. Launched the day with oncology surgeon Dr. Declan Fleming. Marion Cimbala and I asked Declan to breakfast for feedback on our understanding of Austin medical infrastructure for breast cancer as well as his feedback on BCS vision and strategy. Of course, Declan gave us even more. Didn’t realize he was on TCMS executive board. Great stuff.

Texans for Obama. Second breakfast with Texans for Obama founders and their closest vote getting friends: Ian Davis, David Kobierowski, J.D. Gins, Ken Flippin, Mario Champion, Crystal Viagran and Dan Grant plus Chicago insiders: Juan Sepulveda and Teresa Nino. Houston is like another state itself. More Hispanics in Houston than in the Valley. More unregistered voters in Harris County than the rest of the state combined. Approx 1.5mm unregistered African Americans & Hispanics in Texas – 450kish African Americans. Turning Texas Blue a great deal about Harris County.

Auditor meetings, staff meetings, brainstorming about Corporate Social Responsibility Opportunity: Amanda Chiampi, Chelsea McCullough, Ken Gladish, Matt Kourie, Ann Stafford and Marion. Is the Valley (the other one) ahead of Austin or better at marketing its programs? Which CEO leads the pack? Which Austin companies? Cutting edge work?

Thank gosh he went easy on me today – a workout with my compadre, Kent Mayes.

Two Fountains and ST new play meetings with Natalie George who’s going to help us produce both – how do I convey relief? MM re: Two Fountains.

A way overpriced dinner at Triangle’s The Flying Saucer, though loved sitting outside with ST and . . . what a scene.

(Community Matters) Check out this London Times article here on an insider Bush/Cheney lobbyist literally selling access to top administration officials in very explicit exchange for contributions to the presidential library. This isn’t innuendo, this was an undercover investigative piece by the Times where on video they negotiated access to top administration officials on behalf of the exiled Asian leader, the former president of Kyrgyzstan. Stephen Payne of Worldwide Strategic Partners (WSP), was the deputy director to GWB’s inaugural committee, is an appointee to a Homeland Security advisory committee, has traveled with President Bush to Jordan and with VP Cheney to various international capitals in 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Video here

(Community Matters) Well, Sebastine’s (Countryside Farm) chickens were delicious. I need to cook another unadorned with the rub and garlic/butter/rosemary under the skin in order to fairly compare. Nevertheless, while just prepping the birds, I could see a difference in texture of the meat. Tecolote’s marble new potatoes were perfect roasted in sage/butter/garlic. Katie’s string beans yummy stir fried with just a little garlic, soy and sugar. I picked up garlic at yesterday’s Farmer’s Market too – outstanding – fresher, lighter taste when still really moist, not dry. The greens with melon and Asian cucumbers in a poppy seed dressing were fine, not my favorite. I expected the yellow melon to taste more watermelonesh rather than cantaloupe. This year’s Fredericksburg peaches are juicy with just the right level of sweetness. I made two peach galettes topped with raspberries and slightly accented with lemon.

Carol’s pear and sundried tomato goat cheese (separate, not same), Campagne Pate, an extraordinarily delicious hummus we also picked up at Saturday market (mashed garbanzo beans rather than pulverized), Whole Foods roasted nuts (the maple/bourbon pecans & rosemary/garlic cashews), and a bit of brie as starters with Champagne.

Jill & Stephen, Margo & Gregory, Leslie Jarmon and Kip Keller joined us for the full evening. Keith Walters (our house guest from Portland) and Michael Barnes joined us for dessert. Michael Mitchell stopped by as we were prepping but didn’t stay for dinner. Long evening of delicious conversation. After straightening up, Steven and Keith retired and I watched the first half of Almodovar’s All About My Mother in the pool house. For some reason, a European flick was perfect for wrapping up our day of produce shopping, cooking and entertaining.

(Community Matters) Abstinence only programs (AAS story):

When a nine-year-long, national study by the nonpartisan Mathematica Policy Research found in 2007 that abstinence-only programs had virtually no effect on teens’ sexual behavior, the number of their sexual partners or the average age (about 15 years old) they started having sex, abstinence defenders countered that the study was limited to only four education programs.

When the conservative Heritage Foundation analyzed 21 studies of abstinence programs and reported in April that 16 showed positive results (such as delayed initiation of sex) among students, advocates for comprehensive sex education objected that the Heritage analysis was not peer-reviewed.

Of course, Texas and the Bush Administration disregard the hard science, placing youth at risks in order to win votes.

(Community Matters)

We’re celebrating with friends tonight by cooking a la Provence

Sebastine, Countryside Farms

Fresh chickens raised by Sebastine at Countryside Farms. He has imported his Bordeaux farming skills to the Texas Hill Country. article this week in AAS here

Tecolote Farms

Katie, David & the Pitrie family run Tecolote Farms. In past years, they delivered a basket of fresh produce every week. Didn’t launch this year, though love shopping with them during Saturday Farmer’s Market.

Cocoa Puro

Steven’s unable to resist the very best chocolates, and Tom Pederson’s fresh roasted whole cocoa beans dipped in dark chocolate certainly qualify. Kakawa/Cocoa Puro

West Wind Dairy Goats

Carol & Gene Griesemer at West Wind Dairy Goats in Sequin raise goats and produce lovely cheeses, infused with pear or sundried tomato or pesto or many other flavors. Reminds me of David’s farm & cheeses on Salt Spring Island.

Great crowds this morning.

Thunderheart Bison

I didn’t purchase anything from Thunderheart Bison today but will next week in preparation for a big night with the Graves.

(Community Matters) hmm, guess can’t complain too much about AISD not kicking in the anticipated $10,000 for McCallum High School’s production of Rent – story here. Though, I do find it sad that they won’t. Of course, my immediate inclination is to raise it by finding 10 friends to kick in $1,000 or 20 to kick in $500. But, I promised Steven that I would say no to all additional “opportunities” until we get through the rest of this year.

(Community Matters) Former Press Secretary, Fox News & CNN commentator Tony Snow passed away.

He wasn’t known for a command of the facts, but he was very popular as 43’s Press Secretary and became the first to serve as a fundraising principal. He joined the White House from Fox News, replacing Oz-lionesq Scott McClellan. Most don’t realize Mr. Snow was once the chief speech writer for 41. Like his mother, Tony Snow died of colon cancer.

(Community Matters) Inde. Top 10 about McCain

(Community Matters) I’m on my third IBM Thinkpad (this one 3.5 #s, first one like 11), which is now manufactured by Lenovo. First time in the 10 years I’ve ever had much of an issue with one (though, come to think about it, the last one had a dicey wireless antenna). This one is a X41 tablet. Lately some power issues, so I called IBM on Monday. On Wednesday, a technician came to my office and traded out the mother board. Issues Wednesday night, though the no-wait 24/7 technical assistance walked me through resetting the hard drive which I did after watching an online video. Alas, required more sophisticated assistance. Today, another technician came by and traded out another mother board. All appears in good order. Gotta love ’em for immediate turn around and attention.

(Community Matters) Well, this is what I get for not opening all email expeditiously. Have just missed the 100th Guerilla Queer Bar, this evening at Green Pastures from 6 to 9.