Daily Archives: 09/12/2010

(Community Matters) I’ve joined Steven in Traverse City, Michigan where he has a few days work.  It’s gorgeous, progressive and cool.  Staying in an historic hotel in the middle of the city – our own very cool terrace overlooking downtown and the lake.  Planning to hang a bit at Amanda Chiampi’s family lake compound & may take a day to check out Mackinac Island.

(Community Matters) Hard to describe how extraordinary last night was – a restored copy of Fritz Lang’s Metropolis shown at Seaholm (could have been a set from the, then, futuristic scene of the 1927 epic).  It was brilliantly accompanied by Graham Reynolds’s & Peter Stopschinski’s new, original score, which amplified the undercurrent of oppressive power in the film  while simultaneously conveying Frader’s compassion.  Kudos to Tim League and the Alamo Drafthouse for making this happen.

Lauren Ross, Robert Hammond, Steven and Suzanne Deal Booth

Lauren and Robert were in from NY. Robert’s one of two co-founders of the High Line project; Lauren is their director of arts programs.  Enjoyed catching up with Robert who I met while with Suzanne in Rome early this summer (he was a fellow at the American Academy).

Katherine Valentine, Jenny Lebermann and Steven

.

Kevin Keim was with us too.  Also connected with Lora Reynolds, Shawn Sides, Lana Lesley, Danny Roth, John Rosato, John Riedie and several others friends

Seriously, the setting, movie and score – the perfect storm, perhaps one of my favorite art productions in many years.

(Community Matters) Frank Rich’s column is super (again) http://mobile.nytimes.com/2010/09/12/opinion/12rich.xml

Don’t overlook the reference to media touting the *abridged* poll results. Absolutely right about need to motivate our base. That why we’re investing $50mm cash & $100mm in-kind thru OFA on our ground game. First time 2008 voters can tip the scales in the close congressional districts. If we visit them at their home, the President appeals for their help, the Congressional candidate makes a connection, and we remind them to vote, we keep the House. Lots of must dos, and we’ve done it before.

(Also point that this isn’t a national election; it’s 435 congressional district races and 33 (or 34?) statewide ones. Posted from my blackberry.

(Community Matters) If you haven’t read this column in today’s NYT, I recommend. http://mobile.nytimes.com/2010/09/12/opinion/12khakpour.xml

I realize xenophobia is nothing new in America and this makes it no less right. Consider it perfectly logical that we hold ourselves to higher standards today than before. Posted from my blackberry (in route to TVC).