(Community Matters) and how to spend portion earmarked for education.

(Community Matters) Far Right sights seem set on Texas’ history curriculum, reportedly proposing to teach that Christianity is responsible for the United States and that we live by “republican” values, not democratic ones.

and, oh yeah, one of the state education board’s appointed curriculum members believes Vietnam and Katrina are because of homosexuality and “other sins.”

(Community Matters) I haven’t seen enough information to know whether or not the $1.1B is a fair return on Goldman Sachs warrants issued in exchange for TARP funds. Totally unimpressed by Treasury’s citation of a 23% ROI. We’re talking about a loan of last resort that helped the organization survive.

If Buffett sold his preferred shares today, what type of return would he make? That’s a better benchmark. I suspect his would be a multiple rather than a moderate risk return.

(Community Matters) Devastating – the murders of Stacy Barnett & John Goosey.

I always launched my classes with the LiveableCity survey cards and was surprised how the last few years students prioritized safety as a key concern. We’d talk about it; they’d talk about vagrants and other young adults who weren’t students but who’d stalk the neighborhoods late at night.

(Community Matters) Steven and I watched Kenneth Branagh’s Henry V last night to acclimate ourselves to Shakespeare speech in preparation for Robert Faires in Henry V tonight at the Off Center Theatre

St. Crispin’s Day Speech

(Community Matters) 2009 Assets Report

Our good friend Dr. Reid Cramer just released their assessment on the Obama Administration’s budget and policies and their impact on asset-building opportunities for low- and moderate-income Americans

(Community Matters) Mashable (the social guide to media) has named the top 5 TED videos on science.

These five TED talks on science tell a story about the complexity of the universe and our place in it. And they do it with panache – no boring science lectures here! What’s more, there’s plenty more where they came from.

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(Community Matters) Times Square’s Naked Cowboy is running for mayor of NYC. Gotta say, sorta like much of his platform

“The Naked Cowboy’s platform speaks to the real issues facing us, and will cultivate the rebirth of the small businesses that made New York City what it is today. Known as the ‘Naked Stimulus Package,’ the plan includes micro loans, tax holidays and other incentives to help small businesses thrive. Other points of Naked’s platform include Taxes (if you’re rich, stop whining and pay your taxes), Transportation (taxi call buttons on every city corner), Homeland Security (as mayor he will keep the city’s security on high alert, making frequent stops at the tunnels, bridges, and guard posts of every building), Gay Marriage (as an ordained minister and he’d love to marry all citizens of NYC, not just the straight shooters), and of course Tourism (he plans to build a Times Square Wedding Chapel and establish a billion dollar wedding business that will rival Las Vegas).”

(Community Matters) Amy Rudy emailed me this pic last night from her cell phone. She and Kirk were at the White House (along with our friends Bev Reeves and David Gail) for the concert. Allison Krauss, Charlie Pride and Brad Paisley played

(Community Matters) Barbara Chisholm’s Red Them Productions’ Henry V is in its last week at the Rude Mech’s Off Center Stage. Steven and I are taking friends on Thursday. Have heard rave reviews from friends. Just last night over dinner, friends were gushing about Robert Fairies depiction of multiple characters during the 80 minute show. Our dear friend Robert has been working on this in some way, some how his entire professional career.

Suggest no one miss it. Tickets here Last show Saturday!

Quotes from reviews:

“….. an exquisitely simple and thoughtful evening of theatre, one that will send audiences away feeling smarter than when they came in.”

“…..so uniformly excellent, so seamlessly integrated we hardly know where to begin describing its many virtues—-……..Faires’ Henry… is a stunning turn.”

“…..an interpretation of depth, grace and a profound understanding of Shakespeare’s language and text. It is not to be missed. Highly recommended.”

(Community Matters) She’s even more impressive in person. Fantastic NYTimes Mag story here

Valerie was in Austin in October, where she spoke to a group in the afternoon and another over dinner that evening. I was lucky enough to spend time with her at both and inbetween, including some one-on-one time. I remember thinking how if this lady chose BHO and Michelle as her best friends, it was just one more super credible endorsement of them; she’s super impressive. She told me a great story about the President, Buffett, Bernacke and Summers I’ve shared with many friends. picture at the White House during Cinco de Mayo Celebration

(Community Matters) Oh my gosh. Steven sent me this snapshot and I’ve gone online to check out Dumpling Man

You gotta understand my fascination with and love for dumplings – I can probably tell you best place for dumplings in most cities and countries (embarrassingly so). And now, a restaurant completely dedicated to dumplings – 12 different kinds with a choice of 4 different sauces. In St. Mark’s Place in NYC. Guess what I’m having for lunch today.