Monthly Archives: December 2008

(Community Matters) oh well, at least we’ll both be there in the morning.

Steven and I are headed to Paris today. Unfortunately, he has to arrive early enough tomorrow to make a client meeting so leaving this morning. I have to attend my last Austin Community Foundation board meeting since we are adopting (hopefully) a new investment policy – which we’ve theoretically been working on since I first chaired investments (2006). I’ll leave this afternoon and arrive several hours after ST. A student house sitting and feeding our fish. I’m back on Sunday; Steven off to Heidelberg, back next Thursday. Undecided whether I’m taking my computer. Wouldn’t for sure if there wasn’t such a long flight, which seems perfect for catching up on 9,323 unanswered emails – yikes.

(Community Matters) Packing away my camera, I found pictures from last week’s lunch with godson, Nico at Matthews Elementary (in Clarksville). Can’t believe I forgot to post about this.

Nico was a gracious host, gave me a super tour of the school and introduced me to his teacher and friends. Extraordinary diversity in Matthew’s student body (even offering bilingual education in Chinese, Korean & Spanish) and highly engaged parents & families – over 2,700 have volunteered 13,000 hours (enrollment currently at 397 students). Their PTA impressive, this year alone raising funds for a half-time technology teacher, equipping all classrooms with updated maps and globes and continuing to raise money to replace 10 classroom computers.

Nico emailed asking that I have lunch with him. Glad I did and really glad he’s our favorite 9-yo godson – soon to be 10!

(Community Matters) from Joe Jervis at Joe.My.God

“We have to get rid of that and start curing those sinners. It’s past time that this nation stopped placating sin and start putting them in education programs. Courts can force drug offenders into treatment centers and violent people into anger management. There’s no reason our courts can’t do that with homos.” – Pastor Steve Kern, husband of noted Oklahoma homophobe Sally Kern, speaking to a reporter posing as a supporter of Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett, who is pushing to have gay and lesbian titles purged from that city’s public libraries.

(Community Matters) Attended my goddaughter’s concert this evening at O’Henry Middle School.

Lauren in the center

(Community Matters) John Thornton posted a very interesting survey summary re: feelings of Texans toward Republicans. It’s encouraging

(Community Matters) Coming from a long line of curanderos on my mother’s mother’s side, I’m totally into this here

(Community Matters) Now 10 years old. today actually. Happy birthday, Ellie Rudy.

Admittedly, I’m kinda becoming a Rudy groupie – lucky me 🙂

Celebrated Ellie’s 10th birthday at the Whole Foods ice skating rink with Ellie, family and 20 of her St. Andrews friends friday evening.

Ellie

Kirk, Amy & Kelly Cooper

indulging me by wearing my happy birthday hat

(Community Matters) wow, I’m a bit behind on blogging, so pardon the couple of days delay. I think allergies are waging a mammoth war in my body. I don’t feel bad, just incredibly light on energy. Decided I had to chill last night, so regrettably, blew off two friends’ parties -including Eric Harslem’s holiday bash. Yikes, I need to get off apologies to both.

Thursday night, Steven and I had a Chez Nous dinner with Amy & Kirk Rudy, then attended the Equality Texas Silver Box holiday fundraiser as their guests. How wonderful that the top individual donors to the event are a straight couple. How not surprising that it’s Amy & Kirk. Amy’s passionate about cause and was at the Monarch earlier in the day helping set up. Kirk feels equally and has let that be known to more than one fair weather political friend.

I’ve stolen the pic of Kirk’s two oldest children – Hailey and Alex – from Michael Barnes’ blog since I forgot to bring a camera. They were total hits at the party which was fantastic – well attended, well organized, good food and ample drink. Oliver Everett and Craig Rancourt hosted at the Monarch. I’ve only met Oliver twice (previously at a Fuse Box party at our house) and he’s as gracious and classy as I keep reading. Oliver is partners with Alisa Weldon in L Style G Style who underwrote this year’s Silver Box event.

It was a busy night with probably 300 in attendance. We didn’t get a chance to greet Equality Texas ED Paul Scott, though Steven and I did spend time with political director, Randall Terrell. They are on top of the upcoming legislative session with a laundry list of issues and defenses, even if not yet prioritized. Enough so that we decided on the spot to become members of the founders circle. As we are heading into the potential enemy territory known as the Texas legislative session, I suggest all friends consider supporting Randall and Equality’s work – more information here.

Lots and lots of friends in attendance. Other event sponsors included Lew Aldridge, Charles Gentry, Richard Hartgrove & Gary Cooper, Paul Scott & Scott Simons, James Armstrong & Larry Connelly, Linda Ball & Forest Preece, Heidi Bloch & Zoe King, Susan Brodsky & Kimberly Allen, Robert Brown & Denner Karbach, William Crighton & Beth Chauvin, Bob Dailey, Debbie DeBerry & Marianne DeLeon, Mark Erwin & Stephen Rice, Gina Fant-Saenz, Kermit Johns & Abel Billheimer, Jim Lommori, Victor Martinez & Tom Spencer, Karen & Roy Spezia, Libby Sykora & Bettye Naylor, Darin Upchurch & Ted Burton, William Vaught & Lynne Wiggins.

(Community Matters) Any pre-bankruptcy bailout feels to me like good money after bad. $15B might be a compromise nevertheless it’s not forcing what has to happen for America’s auto industry to reinvent itself. We would deal with pensions and health care separately.

(Community Matters) Latest poll shows surge in American’s support for gay rights as well as optimism toward Obama & his cabinet – increasingly sour on Bush.

(Community Matters) Robert Faires really liked STILL FOUNTAINS – his Austin Chronicle review here.

tickets here

(Community Matters) Openings, holiday gatherings, graduations – this time of year, plenty of reasons to celebrate and see friends.

Barbara Wohlgemuth is teaming up with Vicki Faust and friends in her CPA tax practice. They had an opening at Vicky’s new offices – very cool place within the Kimber Modern, a new B&B just off South Congress, behind the block of buildings including the Continental Club. This is really a unique property that I highly recommend.

Andrews Kurth hosted a holiday gathering at Thistle Cafe. Chocked full of high tech types including tons of friends from Austin Ventures – Kim Hughes, Jeff Browning, Tom Ball, David Lack, Michael Rovner, Jenny Murphy and Mike Dodd – Bill Bock, Amanda Chiampi, Jay Campion, Mike Faulk, Stuart Edwards and lots of others (I arrived and left early).

And, the Anti-Defamation League celebrated its graduating Glass Leadership Institute class at the home of Lily & Yigal Saad. Again, tons of friends. Caught up a bit with Lily, Yigal, their son Jonathan, Mark Salmanson, Marcia Levy, Jeff Newberg, Jeremy Levine, Audrey & Ray Maislin, Lecia Sud, Rena Sonnenreich, Judy Waxman, Megan Flowers and Alice & Michael Kuhn.