(Community Matters) WSJ article

We asked six experts which 10 cities will emerge as the hottest, hippest destinations for highly mobile, educated workers in their 20s when the U.S. economy gets moving again. Our panelists—demographers, economists, geographers and authors on urban issues—picked their cities based on the criteria they deem most important, from economic diversity to lifestyle.

Right now Washington is a magnet. It has become the new New York

(Community Matters) Former city councilmember Raul Alvarez is running for County Commissioner, Pct 4. No word yet if Commissioner Margaret Gomez intends to run for reelection.

(Community Matters) Reading Maureen Dowd’s column on William Safire, it’s hard not to like the fellow. And, it is certainly inspiring toward maintaining civility and class, no matter the political volume.

Only hit people when they’re up

(Community Matters) James Huffines is pretty amazing. Just reading that he’s agreed to chair the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce in 2011. He currently serves as chairman of the University of Texas board of regents. And, he has a day job. James and his wife, Patty, are extraordinary in the time and effort they dedicate to community.

(Community Matters) Such a tough issue – NYT article here.

We desperately need immigration reform. It is certainly a much more complicated story than rhetoric provides – Immigration Stories, From Shadows to Spotlight

(Community Matters) Who knows if Gov Perry’s web broadcast was hacked or badly managed. If we look at how competently his administration has handled state service privatization, border cameras or governance at universities . . . or Texas’ place among all 50 states in high school graduation, teen pregnancy, health insurance coverage . . .

I do acknowledge job growth in our state. And, this feels like Wall Street profits to me – maximizing short term results with disastrous long term implications.

(Community Matters) So, Steven and I have this running debate – I’ve explained to him since we met how I’ve always seen myself as a proxy for what’s normal, regular behavior. He disputes this. Though, I assert that since he is so idiosyncratic, he might simply be too far from the average to judge.

This afternoon, I mentioned this to Habitat for Humanity’s Michael Willard and was afraid he might bust a gut, he laughed so hard. hmm, could I be mistaken?

Steven contends that my top 3 idiosyncrasies are:

1. I laugh when things get too serious
2. I’m neurotic about people being on time & listening attentively – but I do blackberry while listening to others
3. I adopt a demanding and aggressive posture with folks I like in order to coach them about something I think matters.

I remain unconvinced

(Community Matters)