Monthly Archives: March 2009

(Community Matters) Continuation of this war concerns me. Has anyone ever sustainably beaten the tribes of Afghanistan?

(Community Matters) Perfect timing – as our book club is wrapping up the reading of Billy Lee Brammer’s Gay Place, Nadine Eckhardt is publishing her own perspective of Austin/Texas/Washington DC times back then – way many gatherings at Scholz’s, partner swapping, Tx legislative votes for hire, long drives in the Texas Hill Country.

Nadine is a 78-year old Austinite, the widow of Brammer and Harris County’s Bob Eckhardt, mom of Travis County Commissioner Sarah Eckhardt and inspiration for Ouida in the Gay Place. Plus, gotta love a 78-yo woman who insists a reporter publish the fact that she smokes pot, details of Molly Ivins fan mail, what she really thinks of Ann Richards and, obviously, many other details. AAS article

(Community Matters) I’m not especially in disagreement with the Governor’s office decision to waive employment targets for corporations receiving monies from the Texas Enterprise Fund and which have banked credits. I appreciate the Governor’s empathy for our corporate partners in these challenging economic times and, frankly, don’t have enough details otherwise. I only wish Rick Perry’s empathy carried over for the men & women of Texas who might need extra assistance during these times – yet, he rejects stimulus monies for the unemployed.

(Community Matters) Our system of electing state judges and their critical reliance on contributions – especially from the legal community and special corporate interests – almost forces us to question any verdict overturning a juries’ opinion, in this case the appeals court too. Grisham couldn’t write a better setting for bias – whether perceived or real. O’Connor verdict against Exxon overturned

(Community Matters) Brewster’s campaign has released the below YouTube video, of which Burnt Orange Report’s Phillip Martin says,

the video is clever. It is refreshing, and it is a fun, new way to look at the campaign. I think it shows that Brewster can frame this race well, it uses Lee’s own words (and not some third-party attacks) against him, and it shows Brewster speaking…boldly and wisely. McCracken clearly is one that does not want to hunker down and weather the storm. McCracken is ready to go full speed ahead, and move forward with aggressive/progressive 21st Century policies for a City that prides itself not only on being weird, but on being ahead of the curve.

(Community Matters) Alexa Lange Wesner just sent me this picture from her luncheon last year for Michelle Obama – thanks!

with the First Lady

(Community Matters) Cliff Redd and company – especially co-chairs Candace Partridge & Eva Womack – certainly know how to throw parties. Thoroughly enjoyed last night’s event – the pre-event reception on the terrace, the dinner, the performances, backstage cocktail reception and terrace after party.

pre-event VIP reception on the terrace

Catalyst 8 co-founder, Tony Capasso & Alicia Jameson

Steven, Gary Cooper & Richard Hartgrove (First Anniversary Committee Member)

3M’s Russell Bridges (Long Center trustee) & Ralph Salinas

Long Center Founding Donors, Betty & Bill Nowlin

Nancy Scanlon

Larry Connelly, Betsy Harrad, James Armstrong

Larry crazy busy chairing Red, Hot & Soul, Zach Scott’s annual fundraiser taking place April 4 at the Hilton. According to Larry, they will meet their fundraising goals (established pre-market crash) which is a testament to the power of Larry & James. I think Betsy was one of two live auction winners of a private Anton Nel concert in the home of Joe & Teresa Long

Lovebirds, Heath Riddle & Graydon Parish

former Mayor Bruce Todd, Elizabeth Christian & Jeanne Claire van Ryzin

former Mayor pro tem Betty Dunkerley, George & Cis Myers

Was terrific seeing Betty Dunkerley who’s keeping quite busy working on tons of projects. George new in town, an entrepreneur, looking forward to connecting further. Cis Myers busy putting together a mayoral candidates forum for the arts community.

Pianist Anton Nel, Bill Jones & Robert Dailey

Anton has a performance at the Long Center on Sunday.

dinner

Lovely dinner in the tent just off the terrace. Many thanks to Marc & Carolyn Seriff, our hosts for the evening. Marc’s an enthusiastic Long Center board member. Other table guests: Suzanne & Marc Winkelman, Scott & Pamela Reichardt, and Larry & Fran.

John Hogg, Sylvia Acevedo & Becky Beaver

John Hogg & David Garza spent spring break in Santa Fe. This photo at a fun table also with Nona Niland & David Braun, Nan McRaven, Lavonne Roberts, John Duncan & Nancy Scanlan

Cliff Redd, Joshua Gindele & John Largess

The auction item I wish we had won – dinner for 30 and a private concert with the Miro Quartet at Fonda San Miguel . Joshua & John representing Miro in photo above. Marc started out bidding on it. Wish we would have jumped in and gone in halfies.

Carolyn Seriff, Cliff Redd & Marc Seriff

Lance Avery Morgan, friend & the long lost Charles Duggan

Long lost Charles Duggan. It’s true he & the boys have moved back to Austin- hair raising story about home invasion in Mexico. I’ve missed Charles – glad he’s back.

Steven and Michael Barnes

Michael Barnes is looking terrific and appears fully recovered from recent bad drug interactions – though I still think he outworks 20 year olds and ought to slow down a bit! – like come with me and Suzanne Deal Booth to Marfa on May 6! Suzanne was scheduled to attend last night but wasn’t able. Her father, Harry Deal, had quadruple bypass surgery yesterday and was doing well as of last night.

Michael’s blogged about last night here

Kathryn Anderson & UT Fine Arts Dean, Doug Dempster

Marvin Hamlisch & Linda Eder

Loved, loved, loved the performances. Marvin Hamlisch played with the symphony for 30ish minutes, then Linda Eder who we’d never seen or even heard of. Her powerful, full range voice quite enjoyable.

Hamlisch played us tunes from his composition for the movie, Sting, – the Scott Joplin piano rag so brilliantly adapted for the movie.

Candace Partridge & Marvin Hamlisch
at the backstage VIP reception immediately after the performances

Bettie Naylor, Linda Ball & Forrest Preece (committee member)

Suzanne & Marc Winkelman

When we arrived, Suzanne couldn’t believe we were there. We should have been at the Charity Bash event benefitting FuseBox Festival. ABPorter.org was the sponsor for Charity Bash last night. Scheduling mix up, so while we sponsored, we weren’t able to be there. Hear over 200 supporters in attendance. Dollars still being counted. Thank you, Alex Winkelman!

The Longs & friend

While chatting with Bill Dickson back stage

after party on the terrace

Fantastic evening. Saw lots more and so many there I didn’t see. Others included Carol & Chris Adams, the 3 J’s, Saundra Lomax, Robert Faires, Libby Sykora, Sandy Ball, Bill Dickson, Sarah & Ernest Butler, Sam & Sonia Wilson, Jeri DeAngelis, Autumn Rich, Diane Land & Steve Adler (where you there? I heard so but couldn’t find you!), Robert Brown & Dennis Karbach and Nina & Frank Seely (again, really? couldn’t find you either).

In its first year, 103 shows on the Meredith Family Stage in Dell Hall – over 150,000 people and 100k+ school children. Over 153 shows in the Rollins Studio Theatre. Grand total over 400k to Long Center in first year – and they burned their note in 2008!

Congratulations and thanks to all who made this happen

(Community Matters) Who cares if he went to a Britney concert instead of watching the President’s news conference? really

(Community Matters) Officials to raise dykes in Fargo, N.D. – I enjoyed an especially big smile, then saw this was in response to a rising river.

(Community Matters) Mavis Staples playing St. James Episcopal School’s benefit concert on April 18.

Tickets $100 and benefit the East Austin private school, striving for prep school standards for low & moderate income students. More information here

(Community Matters)

Aquarius: You’ll be involved in a project that is so seductive you can’t help but get inside of it.

(Community Matters) Tonight @ Speakeasy @ 7pm – Charity Bash supporting FuseBox Festival. DJ Zoo. Only $10 and terrific way to support Austin’s hottest performing art festival.