Monthly Archives: June 2011

(Community Matters) Very proud of Randi Shade, her service and her efforts in the race. Congratulations to councilmember-elect Kathie Tovo and her supporters on a strong win.

(Community Matters) An extraordinary story, a Middle Eastern parable.

I highly recommend this film. It’s intense and enriching. more here

(Community Matters) Clear differences between two candidates. One goes to bat for Hyde Park’s oldest living resident (99yo), the other goes against her.

Vodpod videos no longer available.

(Community Matters) Robin Cravey is an elder statesman of Austin’s environmental community – Founding President of Friends of Barton Springs, Past Pres Zilker Neighborhood Assoc and Past Pres Zilker Elem School PTA

Vodpod videos no longer available.

(Community Matters)  According to the 2008/2009 study, companies with engaged employees* experience 26% higher revenue per employee, 13% total higher total returns to shareholders, and a 50% higher market premium. 87% of employees who volunteered with their companies reported an improved perception of their employer. Full story here

* obviously goes beyond just volunteer programs

(Community Matters) Internationally award winning-architect, professor Juan Miró on the balance between Austin as a Landscape City and a Compact City – AAS guest column

excerpts: there are two ways to think about the city, two fundamentally different models that must be understood as we plan the future growth of Austin: the Landscape City and the Compact City. . . . The Landscape City is the dominant model in America: open, with low density and the majority of people living in single-family houses. . . . Austin always has been and still is fundamentally a Landscape City, a low density city of single-family houses in a forest. As the city grew, former “suburbs” like Hyde Park or Travis Heights became the “city core.” Austin is a particularly successful Landscape City. In fact, the overall beautiful integration in its natural landscape has been an important attraction for people moving here. . . .

the Compact City model emphasizes high density and multi-family housing. It is the prevalent model in Europe, where cities were walled off for defense purposes, sometimes well into the 19th century. These cities grew dense out of necessity. The Compact City model relies on mass transit and pedestrian-oriented buildings with vibrant street life. . . .

Great cities don’t give up on the ambitions and aspirations that define their identity. In Austin, we need to send an ambitious message to our City Council: We want both models.

First, we must preserve and continue to create the best Landscape City possible, adjusting this model of development as necessary so it can sustain the balance between nature and human habitation.

Second, we must commit to creating a viable alternative, a diverse and affordable Compact City that thrives, not only in the central core, but also in nodes across the city and the transit corridors that connect them.

Juan is a founder of Miró Rivera Architects. He, his wife, Rosa, and his founding partner Miguel Rivera are very dear friends

(Community Matters) Aaron Franklin opened a food trailer on a vacant lot in Austin in 2009. Today, his bricks-and-mortar restaurant serves what we’re calling the best BBQ in Texas, if not America. Let the debates begin

(Community Matters) A wise young man just wrote me:

This is why i got out of nyc politics – when everyone is more or less a democrat/liberal, the only thing left is personal attacks and tribal warfare.

(Community Matters) From Andy’s blog:

GREECE

A very smart friend who saw the last credit-default-swap crisis coming tells me that the banks have been writing similar insurance on sovereign debt on the PIIGS – Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain.  If so, it could be a challenging summer.

(Community Matters) at Towleroad here

(Community Matters) Just finished Paula McLain’s novel about Hemingway’s and Hadley Richardson’s first years in Paris and loved it. Especially after just watching Woody Allen’s new movie – not to mention convalescing the last 36 hours from some ailment – it was transportive.

Now launching into Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast – this time in hard copy instead of on my kindle – a nostalgic experience.

(photo from AP; Hemingway collection)

(Community Matters)

Dear Friends:

Today is the last day for early voting in the City Council place 3 runoff. Please vote to reelect Randi Shade. Early voting locations listed here.

As you know, Randi came in second during the general election race – significantly behind her opponent Kathie Tovo. Yet, we’ve seen this same spread before – Brewster was similarly behind Margot Clarke and in the runoff he defeated her 64% to 36%. As of yesterday, 20,196 voters had cast a ballot in the run-off election. That’s higher than the total cast in all of Early Voting in May — with one day still left for Early voting. The precincts turning out look favorable to Randi, but if I had to guestimate, I’d bet we’re no better than even, possibly a few hundred to a thousand votes behind. That’s why every single vote counts. Please, Please, Please take the time to early vote.

Why Randi? She’s the best. Seriously, the former UT Student Body President, Harvard Business School grad, high-tech startup entrepreneur (creating an internet site that raised money for nonprofits), Gov. Ann Richards staffer who launched Texas’ AmeriCorp, wife, and mom of two young children weighs all perspectives & opinions and makes her decisions based on what’s best for Austin’s long term interests balanced with today’s needs. Continue reading →