Monthly Archives: May 2009

(Community Matters) Krugman’s NYTimes column

What’s presumably going on here is that key interest groups have realized that health care reform is going to happen no matter what they do, and that aligning themselves with the Party of No will just deny them a seat at the table. (Republicans, after all, still denounce research into which medical procedures are effective and which are not as a dastardly plot to deprive Americans of their freedom to choose.)

The fact that the medical-industrial complex is trying to shape health care reform rather than block it is a tremendously good omen. It looks as if America may finally get what every other advanced country already has: a system that guarantees essential health care to all its citizens.

(Community Matters) The group departed today at 11:30. 12 back to Los Angeles & Newport Beach; Suzanne & David Booth & Kevin Keim returning to Austin.

I’m staying until tomorrow – dinner tonight with Indi Jacob Gallery owners (Villis Indie & Tom Jacob) and Cochineal proprietors (Tom Rapp & Toshi Sakihara).

Miss Steven and wish he could have been here this weekend; he would have loved the tours, dinners and meeting new friends. Though, he had a terrific long weekend seeing plays in London, now settling in for a week of work.

(Community Matters) Fairfax Dorn one of our hostess on this trip. We toured her Ballroom Marfa (which she founded with Jenny Lebermann) on Friday and Saturday night she hosted a super dinner at her Marfa compound.

Fairfax & Kevin center

Louise O’Connor & Julie Speed at Fairfax’s dinner

Our entire party (16) plus Fairfax, Jenny & John, Louise, Julie & Fran, Marianna Stockebrand, a couple of executives from Green Mountain Energy and a few stray friends at the dinner Saturday night. I was having so much fun, forgot to take more pictures 😦

(Community Matters) Friday night at Cochineal’s, I met John Poindexter who invited me to bring the group to tour the 30,000+ Cibolo Creek Ranch. It’s an extraordinary place. Do click on the ranch name for their rich history and other information.

Susan Stockel, Chris (Cibolo Creek), Kevin Keim & USC Dean Ma

a harmless rat snake found on the way out

I think everyone who toured hopes to be a guest; it’s exquisite

(Community Matters) Julie Speed and Fran Cristina hosted our group for drinks and hors d’oeuvres Friday evening. I can’t resist showing off Julie’s art – some of my favorite.

Julie & Peter Cooper

Peter Cooper and his wife, Sue, two of my new favorite friends – long time friends of Suzanne & David’s. Coincidentally they’ll be in Austin this coming week. Those friends attending the Charles Moore Foundation dinner will have a chance to meet.

Fran in the center

Julie & David Booth

David & Suzanne relatively new to Austin and important contributors to Austin philanthropically and in business. David the founder and executive chairman of Dimension Fund Advisors. Suzanne an art preservationist and more than full time volunteer as a board member for national and international arts organizations.

Robert Arber in the center

A couple of doors down from Julie’s studio is Robert & Valerie Arber’s gallery and studio. Robert was the print maker for Donald Judd and continues to print fine works. He also grows extraordinary garlic.

some Donald Judd prints

the four on the bottom: David Robinowitch prints

Julie & Fran more than terrific and very dear friends. Not only did they host us in the studio, they joined us for dinner Saturday night, then for Padres and hosted us for tours of the new home they are building. Two of my favorite Marfa friends.

(Community Matters) Friday, Suzanne arranged lunch at Austin Street Cafe and for historian Cecilia Thompson to join us. Ms. Thompson grew up in the area and has written two books on Presidio/Brewster Counties history.

@ 12:00: Suzanne Deal Booth, @ 1:00 Dr. Cecilia Thompson

Lots of good lore on Marfa’s founding, naming, politics and the art community. Loved her characterization of Marfa when it was founded – nothing but “a Chinese restaurant, a saloon and a brothel.”

Pictures from the Frank Dugan collection (in Marfa 1916 – 1929):

(Community Matters) lots of pics & stories from Marfa. gotta get time to post.

Friday reception at Julie Speed’s, dinner at Cochineal, after at Padre. Yesterday, Ballroom Marfa, meeting with Tim Johnson, tour of Cibolo Creek, dinner party at Fairfax Dorn’s, after party at Padre’s

(Community Matters) Well, in additon to the fact my new friend (Sue Cooper) who I’ve just met in Marfa worked with my first lover, Alan Waite, in Auckland, New Zealand in the 70s . . . . this morning, Steven ran into Marc Winkelman in London.

(Community Matters) Steven and I are sorry to have missed Kate Meredith’s and Pedro Andrade’s engagement party last night. Thanks to Michael & Susan Dell for the invite & for hosting. No doubt last night a highlight of the spring.

(Community Matters) Wow, certainly didn’t expect Lee’s lead in the runoff to be 20 points. I received word of the lead from the early voter results and spoke with Brewster. I’m quite proud of the way he helped navigate the conversation about economic development – our campaign errors in strategy of field operations and endorsements notwithstanding. And, proud of Lee and his team (Mark Nathan, JD Gins, David Butts & Amy Evarhard) in running such a strong race.

Chris Riley – this shouldn’t surprise anyone. He is uniquely qualified & experienced among most new council members elected during the last several years. Pearla is an outstanding young woman who’ll be an important player in Austin in the years ahead.

Sheryl Cole and Mike Martinez easily & wisely reelected. Prof Bill Spellman returned to council without an opponent – a testament to his tenure on the council the last time and to his policy perspective and longtime dedication to everything Austin.

(Community Matters) grrr, Steven seeing 5 shows in 3 days in London without me.

(Community Matters) love the idea, love our president.

(photo: ES 5/4/09)