Monthly Archives: November 2009

(Community Matters) Terrific fundraiser for Rob Miller, who’s running for Congress in S. Carolina against the infamous Joe Wilson (“you lie”). Rob’s a Marine, Iraq war veteran and small business owner. I really like him – very practical, experienced, dedicated and fiscally conservative/socially moderate.

He’s also the first cousin once removed of Laurence Miller, who hosted last night’s event. Lots of friends in attendance including Judy Willcott, Congressman Doggett, Alexa Wesner, Adrienne Donato, Kirk Rudy, Charles Duggan, Glenn & Linda Neland, Meredith Marks, Luke Hayes, Emmy Ruiz and others (my memory is getting worse, ughh).

(Community Matters) why, how

(Community Matters) my husband – in from NYC last night sometime past midnight, off this morning to teach, then off to Philly until Saturday.

(Community Matters) so, Jan Hill had a dream of a ride that one day raised $1,000,000 for breast cancer services in Central Texas. She had this dream about 5 years ago. About 4 years ago she teamed up with Nan McRaven and they gathered up all the breast cancer service providers to talk about services and volunteer opportunities. About 3 years ago, the Entrepreneurs Foundation agreed to adopt the collaboration of providers as a leadership project. Marion Cimbala joined EF and worked for the collaboration. We talked about a vision for the continuum of services, incubated new ones, raised monies, conducted studies and reengaged in conversations about this ride. About 2 years ago, David Smith agreed to create the Mamma Jamma Ride AGAINST Breast Cancer. One year ago, Kerry Tate agreed to serve as honorary chair of the ride (I haven’t seen anything honorary about it, she worked her tail off too).

Kerry Tate, Jan Hill & David Smith

Last night at Galaxy Cafe (Mamma Jamma sponsor extraordinaire!) David, Jan & Kerry announced we raised $564k our very first year.

Jan’s dream was to one day raise $1,000,000. We budgeted to raise $250,000 our first year, though we all hoped to hit $400,000 – wow, $564,000 our first year.

Teresa Ricar and daughter Amy Lynn

Teresa volunteer in charge of corporate teams and giving – for the Mamma Jamma & the Hill Country Ride for AIDS

Kevin Johns, Mark Kelly, Becky Taylor & Brigid Shea

David Altounian (Motion Computing), Joanna Luttjohann (Pervassive), Larry Stone (Motion)

Funny story about Dave and his first training ride. There were some issues which needed to be addressed. Thankfully Dave expressed his concerns, the issues were addressed and Dave became one of the ride’s biggest cheerleaders and supporters. He went on to co-chair the EF corporate teams.

Jackie Oaks & Sandi Aitken

Jackie co-chaired logistics; Sandi chaired outreach. They obviously both way exceeded expectations 🙂

Alisa Weldon, Millie Price, Lynn Slayton Yeldell, Oliver Everette

Amon, Carol & Scott Burton & Brandi Clark

Cherie Matthews & Sloan Foster

Wow, the team blew away expectations. Just being with them last night, easy to see how. Congrats

(Community Matters) A friend asked what do I think about AmericaBlog’s call for a DNC boycott. My answer:

I certainly understand John’s and others’ frustrations – of course we all share impatience for achieving full equality

So much of what John Aravosis lists in his FAQ is flat out wrong, and he knows it. We exchanged emails earlier this year about some of this. And, John and Joe are important voices in our community.

I’m glad there’s dissension and impatience, though a boycott of the DNC and OFA? That’s extraordinarily counterproductive and shortsighted. (I appreciate the reference to a break rather than a boycott)

There is and always has been movement on all these fronts in the big white house on Pennsylvania Ave. As to frustration with the Hill, they should really be boycotting the DCCC and DSCC, but let’s not do that either.

I continue to believe that a stronger economy and healthcare reform will impact more LGBT families than military service and marriage combined. I don’t believe in mutual exclusivity and I do understand gathering votes. Thus, I support not losing even one hanging-by-the-thread vote on healthcare reform before bending (maybe breaking) arms to get DA/DT and DOMA repeals done. President Obama remains our friend and advocate. The DNC and OFA exist to support the President’s agenda. I support both.

(Community Matters) The Church of LDS supports Salt Lake City passage of LGBT employment and housing ordinance.

(Community Matters) Steven’s taking a little break

lunch on Wall Street

(Community Matters) . . . . awards in Austin. Are going to be way cool. @ the Four Seasons, terrific production informed by Victoria Hentrich and David Kurio, a rocking after party at the Trio, fantastic honorees (Amy & Kirk Rudy, James Armstrong, Larry Connelly), a most-fun, hard working event committee – we met last night at the Land/Adler home. So much good stuff . . . .

(Community Matters) Wow, love reading this. Suggests my dear friend Bryan Jones on the right path . . .

SAN FRANCISCO — Google Inc. is buying mobile advertising network AdMob for $750 million, underscoring the Internet search leader’s determination to ensure that its marketing machine reaches the growing number of people surfing the Web on phones.

The all-stock deal announced Monday also represents the latest sign that Google’s leaders are feeling better about the economy’s direction, encouraging them to spend more freely after clamping down this year.

The AdMob acquisition would be Google’s most expensive purchase since it bought online ad service DoubleClick for $3.2 billion in March 2008.

Bryan, we should take your DAF up to a full 1%. You’ll wish you had if this happens – imagine the power to do good

(Community Matters) hard to believe the Wall first fell 20 years ago, though it was back & forth for months. I remember scaling to the top of the wall at the Brandenburg Gate, standing up and looking over both sides. I also remember scurrying down pretty quickly after East German rifles were pointed at me.

(Community Matters) Interesting polling of Texans at Texas Tribune.ORG

. . . . other issues:

Texas remain split over illegal immigration, with 50 percent saying undocumented workers should be deported and 41 percent saying those workers should be given a chance to keep their jobs and to apply for citizenship.

Texans oppose “cap and trade” legislation that would limit companies’ greenhouse gas emissions by a margin of 37 to 44. But they support government requirements to make residential, commercial, and industrial buildings energy efficient.

They’re split on the quality of public education in Texas: 48 percent consider it “not very good” or “terrible.” But 47 percent consider the schools “excellent” or “good”.

They’re split on abortion and choice, with groups of similar size saying women should always be able to abortions and that it should only be allowed in cases of rape, incest, and the life of the mother.

Finally, in answer to a question that’s been in the news, 52 percent of Texas voters say it’s not appropriate for a governor to remove a sitting appointee from office for political reasons. Only 26 percent think the governor should do that.

The Internet survey of 800 registered voters was conducted October 20-27 and has a margin of error of +/- 3.46 percent.

(Community Matters) Another Sunday night on Wheeler

On our first date, we connected over the concept of feeding and talking with students in our home