Monthly Archives: March 2009

(Community Matters) Pics from NYTimes, of SXSW:

Metallica performing at Stubb’s

Department of Eagles at Emo’s

Little Boots at the Perez Hilton showcase

Jason Lytle at Flamingo Cantina

(Community Matters) Steven and I noticed early on that not many Aldridge Place neighbors wielded campaign yard signs. Our neighbors across the street hadn’t placed a yard sign during our nearly five years here. Though, wondering if mine for

triggered theirs for

(Community Matters) This week’s Monday email from our favorite Senator focuses on his Senate Bill 608, a Center for Sustainable Business. Imagine, Kirk wants us to anticipate, prepare and perhaps get ahead of the Federal government in response to greenhouse gas emissions. Novel idea that might just pay off handsomely for Texas businesses in the long run. full newsletter here

(Community Matters) Over the weekend, a friend mentioned that she was hearing a lot of complaining about President Obama and the economic crisis. Since she’s in a setting which prompted me to wonder in which party most of her daily contacts would have voted, I asked if the folks now complaining were originally BHO supporters. Reflecting on this, she answered probably not – hmm, GWB supporters. Hmm, complaining about the mess we are in? I suggested she kindly remind them it is their president’s mess we are trying to clean up. And, that if they have no constructive ideas beyond cutting taxes, it’s okay to deprive us of their opinions for now.

(Community Matters) New York photographer Hatnim Lee (sister of playwright Soo-Jin Lee) was in town photographing SXSW. I recommend her photo blog.

The G-Spot (photo by Hatnim Lee)

Before I & Kelly Howe arrived Tuesday night, Hatnim caught Michael Mitchell, Martin Zimmerman and Martha Lynn Coon on the porch of the G-Spot. Hatnim was scheduled to stay until today but left yesterday, evidently caught a ride to NYC with a boy band – must be them in most recent pics.

(Community Matters) Is John Thornton suggesting we should reclaim Congressional pay because of their failure of oversight?

(Community Matters) Some more photos of Ireland from Steven

The cemetery slopes down the side of a rocky island just off the coast of Kerry. At low tide, you can wade out to it for a glorious view back to shore and the estate of Daniel O’Connell, the Liberator.

(Community Matters) Anna is opening Let Me Down Easy on Saturday, April 18 at Zach Scott. Previews begin April 15. Ran into her at the airport being picked up by long time friends, Chula Reynolds & Sophia Collier. Promised to see the show often. Rats, the April 18 show already sold out. (art by Rona Ebert)

(Community Matters) I love Steven’s answer to what does it take to reach the highest levels

I’d say the critical perspective shift is from “climbing the ladder, winning prizes, and meeting people’s expectations,” to “where do I want to use my sharpened skills and limited time and energy to make a difference”

(Community Matters) Attended Keija Parssinen’s & Michael Robertson’s wedding last night with Michael Mitchell at the Robin’s Nest on Lake Travis. Beautiful setting, ceremony, food & pies!

Michael’s become a dear friend as well as our garage apartment tenant. Has lived with us since starting law school three years ago, just after a PhD in literature from Chicago (check out the cool ink, a Blake poem). Keija is a Princeton undergrad who grew up mostly in Saudi Arabia and who is now in the University of Iowa graduate creative writing program. They seem made for each other. A terrific evening.

Afterwards, we headed over to Kirk Rice’s. Kirk hosted a dinner for Charlotte Hale, celebrating her 20 years as the executive director of Project Transitions.

I’m not really sure why the picture on the left pops up when you Google Charlotte Hale for images, but it must mean something 🙂

Charlotte has been there from the very beginning and has helped build not only her organization (hospice & respite care, assisted living and affordable housing, mostly for people with AIDS and HIV) but she’s also helped build the full continuum of care people with HIV & AIDS enjoy in Austin.

Those at Kirk’s celebrating Charlotte included Greg Barbutti & Mike, Jim Arth, Lew Aldridge, Robin Summers, Kathy Negrel, Sandra Martinez, Chris Long, Lee Manford & Casey Blass, Bill Dickson, Jim Campbell, Jay Billig, Bud Twilley, Martha Igelhart and lots of others. What a delight to also run into my dear friend & everyone’s favorite private cook, Chef Andrew of Spirited Food Co.

(Community Matters) Closer to finalizing. I like these. Comments?

(Community Matters) Fun pics from the weekend with nephew and niece, Eli & Paulina