Monthly Archives: January 2009

(Community Matters) It was Clark, Thomas, Winter & Nugent the last time I was involved. I’ve known the firm all my adult life since they were intimately a part of Capital National Bank aka Texas Commerce Bank aka JP Morgan Chase. Ambassador Clark and Donald Thomas were still with the firm while I was a baby banker. Think Rick Chapa had been the only Hispanic banker up until I arrived. He was in retail; I was in commercial. I still remember a few chats with the ambassador who seemed to be susin’ me for a political run. (small world, when I started traveling to Australia to be with Alan (my first boyfriend) he lived next to a woman who grew up as a closest friend to, then, Ambassador Clark’s children).

Sad to read of the firm’s tribulations in today’s AAS. Walter Demond was always an important partner. I have no experience other than extraordinary integrity and accountability with the firm and with its partners. And, I realize what constitutes conflicts of interest and what passes for arms length transactions have evolved over time. I’d find it hard to believe any intentional misdoing on behalf of the firm or Walter. And, as my readers know, I have been a vehement critic of PEC, its former management and its former board members.

(Community Matters) so my laptop’s 3-year warranty has expired, meaning it’s time for a new one. Wow, options. I’ve only ever had IBM/Lenovo laptops. Love the X series (ultra-light weight and portable). I overspent last time buying the notebook. Haven’t used that feature. And, not thinking I can justify the expense of the a) 300 series vs b) 200 series, which means a 12.1″ vs 13.3″ screen, no built-in optical drive and a 5100 (vs 5300) wireless LAN adapter. However, this will save me nearly $1k, even after upgrading the 200 to a 128GB solid state drive and 4GB ram.

If anyone has other recommendations or insights, please let me know.

(Community Matters) Last night hosted a dinner party for our godson’s, Ben Knaplund, 16th birthday.

Ben and Lena

Nico, Janet Maykus (mom), Mark Smith, Steven, Lena, Ben & Robert Torian
we missed older brother, Austin Knaplund, but he’s at Hampshire

(Community Matters) Thankfully no sign of truth to the rumor that local megalomaniac Mike Levy filed notice of a treasurer for his mayoral race.

(Community Matters) hmm, gives some credibility to those stories of how Stanford faculty felt.

(Community Matters) Sad to miss UT’s opening tonight – know they put on a great event. Timing is always difficult. Know that several of our friends departed DC for Park City’s Sundance Festival. Imagine many other Austin arts patrons have as well.

Tonight’s priority was celebrating our godson’s 16th birthday – we hosted a dinner party in his honor.

Rumor on the street is that UT PAC’s directorship offer extended to Kathy Panoff from the University of Richmond. I haven’t heard this off the 40 acres but indirectly from NYC. Big shoes to fill replacing Pebbles. Wishing the very best of luck to Ms. Panoff if rumor is true and she accepts.

(Community Matters) Take a minute to enjoy this morning’s beautiful sky. Posted from my blackberry

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(Community Matters) Thom Singer, Wm Seth Adams, MM, Caren, Kim & Kip 🙂

(Community Matters) rats, thought I was getting better but I’m feeling worse.  Will have to miss an important event, the Annual Anti-Defamation League’s Stakeholder Meeting – which I’m co-chairing along with Judy Berkowitz and Judy Waxman.  Marcia Levy the yeoman behind this event too.

We’ll be reporting back on the good work of the ADL in Central Texas during the last year, especially our No Place for Hate programs in over 100 public schools. Also awarding Outstanding Educator awards to an administrator, a teacher and a district superintendent.

After, everyone joining in the main auditorium to hear Dr. Levine, “I Didn’t Mean to Sound Anti-Jewish: How & Why Sermons Go Wrong.”  (thanks to Irwin Salmanson)

apologies to my friends who I’m unable to join.  Many thanks to the generous suppoters.  More information at http://regions.adl.org/southwest/events

(Community Matters) I know John & Julie were in DC. We should have seen them in section 16 at the swearing in. Alas, my only connect thus far is catching up on his blog postings. I think this one on Obama, economic policy – the high road & the low road – and creating the consensus for real change via persuassion/mobilization is excellent.

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Janet is like my sister – also questionably behaved at times! 🙂