Daily Archives: 05/13/2010

(Community Matters) What an awesome day, from coffee with one of my dear friends this morning (Walker Moody) hearing his terrific news.  Then discussing LemonadeDay success around the country in a conference call with founder Michael Holthouse.  Wrapping up lots of lose ends at EF before leaving on vacation, including celebrating Peter Frey’s great work for EF these last, nearly two years and Carl Tyson’s birthday – with Iron Works BBQ and an devine coconut cake a la Buttersweet Bakery (Amanda Chiampi).

Then to Austin Ventures for a HelpHaiti grants committee meeting with Phil Seigel, Philip Berber and Isabel Welland.  We approved new grants totaling $150k to provide cash-for-work funding as well as health & nutrition assistance for the children of Fonkoze’s women borrowers and savers.  Immediately followed by an Entrepreneurs Foundation board meeting including members Bill Bock, Jeff Browning, Scott Collier, Elizabeth Davis, David Lee, Jan Lindelow & Phil Siegel.  Corey Bathula represented Ellen Wood; Elisabeth Gagel Anderson representing Paul Hurdlow. The board definitely recognized the fantastic work Amanda Chiampi, Shobie Partos, Leigh Christie and Peter Frey accomplished in just the first four months of 2010 – over $1.5mm and 6,000 volunteer hours for other nonprofits in these four months.

Day capped off with a bon-voyage dinner for Tana Christie at Julio’s including Joe Christie, Melissa Henderson & Drew Valcourt, Milinda Mitchell, Janet Maykus & Mark Smith, my godsons Nico Selby and Ben Knaplund, Robert Torian and Michael Mitchell.  Days rarely get better than this except when they include Steven, who enjoyed a day off and roaming in NYC (including observing a class teaching will-be DJs).

(Community Matters) from Mike Allen’s POLITICO Playbook Daily Update:

WEST WING MINDMELD: With release a few polls in the last few days, the West Wing can’t help but point out that a trend seems to be emerging: A Public Policy Polling survey showed the President’s approval at its highest since October (50%). http://bit.ly/aNgVdL A Fox poll a week ago showed Obama approval up net of +5 (48 approve/43 disapprove from 46 approve/46 disapprove). And Fox yesterday showed Obama’s highest favorability all year (53%), the lowest Dem deficit on generic congressional ballot this year (Dems -2) and big progress in enthusiasm gap / NBC/WSJ poll last night showed Obama approval up net of +5 (50 app/44 disapp from 48 app/47 disapp), and is first poll of theirs since October to show net approval on handling the economy.

(Community Matters)

Happy Birthday, Carl

the ever gentle giant

happy birthday dear friend, Steven & Eugene

(Community Matters) Don’t think I’ve missed three days of blogging in a very long time.  Steven’s been out of town (left Monday for NY) and I’ve been buried wrapping up work and projects before leaving town – and good stuff going on:

Mamma Jamma Ride for Breast Cancer – yesterday afternoon the organizers (yes I am one of those) were wined and dined by Seton as thank you for a $39k gift to their breast cancer emergency fund.  Chris Attal, Diana Phillips and their team organized a very thoughtful reception.  Jan Hill (the mamma of mamma jamma) and David Smith also spoke, launching the 2010 ride  – all very exciting. Carol Johnson, Vivian Smith, Jessica Pavelka and many others also on hand.

Foundation Communities – broke ground yesterday on their new $20mm plus affordable housing project at MLK, across the street from the Meredith’s Featherlite site.  I was there with Tommie, Lynn, Will, Rudy Green and Ken Gladish to announce a $1mm gift ($500k grant; $500k loan) from the Chestnut Fund.  The ACF Chestnut Fund was established when we created the Chestnut Commons condominiums project and – in partnership with Terry Mitchell & David Mann – directed 50% of profits and all land costs into the affordable housing fund.  The Meredith Family donated the land to that project.  The project eventually raised nearly $1.3mm for affordable housing.  EF was a contributor/organizer in the earliest days.  $250k was granted to Habitat for Humanity in 2007, with which they rehabilitated owner occupied housing of longtime, elderly and low income Chestnut Neighborhood residents. Mayor Leffingwell and council members Martinez and Morrison were on hand. speaking of AHFH, where has Michael Willard been; I miss connecting.

Theater – interesting session at our house yesterday afternoon.  Rude Mech’s Kirk Lynn asked if I’d assemble a few friends so he and his colleague, Melanie Joseph, could ask us some questions as part of their research for a new play.  Margaret Keys, Amy Bryant, Carrie Fountain, Diane Land, Steve Adler & Michael Mitchell joined us.  Diane, Steve and I had dinner at 34th St. Cafe and then toured the new space with favorite 27 year-old godson, Cameron Lockley.

Are you shitting me? Seriously, Texas is considering allowing in other states’ nuclear waste?  Even before reading the story I knew it had to be Rick Perry’s closest former aides (all now gazillionaire lobbyists).  And, I know how this is done; it ain’t just them getting rich. As a banker in the 80s and early 90s, I heard too many times how the “governor” was also in this deal, his name couldn’t be on it but his buddies eventually figured out how to share the wealth.  story1 and story2-Texas Dump Might Get Other States’ Radioactive Waste Under Rick Perry, we’re run like a banana republic – best example of absolute power corrupting absolutely . . .

Austin School Board Runoff – I stayed out of the general election because I liked too many of the candidates to take sides.  In the runoff, I’m persuaded by many dear friends to support Tamala Barksdale.  I don’t know Tamala, though we spoke only once and ever so briefly.  She’s strongly supported by folks who I know and love and who vouch for her acumen and passion.