Monthly Archives: June 2011

(Community Matters) a friend commented on a posting below:

As I bike along, most (not all, but most) of the Tovo signs I see in Hyde Park and Judge’s Hill and other neighborhoods are in thick green plush lawns…St. Augustine, a lot of rich, colorful blooming gardens. In the worst drought in half a century, the people who have derided Shade for voting for the water treatment plant because Austin can meet all its water needs with conservation aren’t leading by example.

hey, I’m watering the lawn as we speak, so not throwing stones, just noting. And, we are installing new landscaping and irrigation to more efficiently maintain a yard

(Community Matters) Much fun last night at the MRL LXV, aka Mike Levy’s 65th birthday bash. Louie Mueller Barbecue from Taylor (mike considers it the best in Texas), a bar, a nearly full house at the former ACL studios @ KLRU and two terrific bands – Graham Reynold’s Duke! (w/ string) and Mother Falcon.

lots of family, friends and politicos. Guests were admonished not to bring gifts, and Mike did introduce two friends from MD Anderson who had very encouraging reports about the fight against breast cancer.

At Mike’s request, Graham discussed the process of his composition – enlightening, especially as he explained the creation of the string quartet in Duke! As I watched the guests, saw they were mesmerized. The folks behind me kept yelling Bravo! and noting Graham was such a genius. I forget too many in Austin still don’t know Graham’s work.  Jeremy Burch (drummer) was especially on last night, sharing the spotlight. The role of percussion as critical infrastructure in the Duke! movements only struck me last night – and I know these works very well.

Our young friends in Mother Falcon also delighted the audience. There’s a new player/singer who’s name I didn’t catch – a baritone who played the piano & accordion and sang, he’s a great addition. I’m looking forward to meeting him. Nick Gregg & Clare Puckett, as always, were impressive leads. Loved watching our proxy godson, Isaac Winburne, go into his own world on the drums, and big news – Maurice Chammah starts a Fulbright in Egypt this fall. Wasn’t able to catch up with my favorite youth minister but Matt Puckett played at least four instruments & sang during the set.

I’d intended to have an after party for the bands at our house. However, Steven’s Chicago travel delayed and he’s more supportive of after parties while he’s away

(Community Matters) Contrary to disinformation from Kathie Tovo’s campaign – Not Only Developers Are Supporting Randi – Steven Tomlinson and I are queer, married Democrats – he’s VP of NUNA, I’m a nonprofit manager, former UT lecturer and former high-tech exec. We’re as far from Republicans and from developers as you can get. AND, we support Randi Shade.

She’s fair and balanced – a life long Democrat who went to work for Ann Richards establishing AmeriCorp in Texas. She’s also a business woman who started a high tech firm after graduating from Harvard business school – the firm help raise money for nonprofits. Randi and her wife, Kayla are Clarksville neighborhood activists, have donated thousands of dollars to various D candidates and progressive causes.

Why would RECA be supporting Randi? Because she is fair and balanced. While she’s a progressive, she also understands we need growth and jobs to maintain quality of life and affordability.

It’s interesting to hear Kathie talk about the importance of affordability when her closest supporters dismiss the implications of rising utility rates which middle class families can hardly afford (in fact aggressively lobbying for increases in unaffordable electric rates). Sure, I want more green energy sources too. I just want to balance that against monthly electric rates some seniors and poor families can’t even afford now.

And many of her supporters are perfectly willing to impose overly restrictive conditions on neighbors, ignoring the impact on homeowners and the value & uses of their property. Austin’s live music industry is very threatened by the group of neighborhood elitists who would shut down long time, favored live music venues.

A key Tovo supporter who represents the sentiments of some of her closest supporters is on city council video stating that he’d rather see higher unemployment in Austin than growth in jobs and companies. These aren’t bad people, their end objectives and ideas are laudable, they just don’t seem to care about affordability or private homeowners’ rights. I don’t know Kathie personally and I’m sure she’s a nice woman; I know she gives a lot to the community through her work for schools and on the planning commission. However, Austin can’t afford the elitist policies promoted by her closest supporters. We need jobs, public safety, infrastructure – and a sound environment and unique local culture

(Community Matters)

photo by Ruby’s mom, Amy

Lewis Hines has nothing on Amy

(Community Matters) fascinating. Hit hyperlink to see trends for specific careers

Business Insider article

Hat Tip: David Gail

(Community Matters) Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris –  to live in 1920’s Paris, among Gertrude Stein, Hemingway, F. Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald, Picasso, Matisse, Dali, Man Ray, Cole Porter and T.S. Elliot. Dining at Les Deux Magots with Ernest or with Pablo at La Rotonde – and an even earlier era evening at Maxims with Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Gauguin and Degas.

The movie isn’t set in an earlier Paris, it’s about a contemporary engaged couple (Owen Wilson & Rachel McAdams) on holidays with her parents (she and they a European stereotype of an American bore) and who happen to run into “friends” from home – even worse than bores, pretentious, pendantic pseudo intellectuals. At midnight, Owen stumbles into a not-quite unbelievable way of transporting to his idea of the golden age, 1920s Paris.

The movie opens with scenes of Paris’ familiar sites, corners and strolls, easily taking you back to your last visit.  On the heels of last month’s visit and  in the middle of The Paris Wife: A Novel, gotta say, not sure there’s a better movie – Loved It!

and . . . we all loved Austin’s new Violet Crown Cinema located in the AMLI midrise on 2nd Street, a block west of City Hall. Parking?  It’s not an issue – free valet. Steven, Brent, Hilary and I joined Emily Keeton. Dinner & drinks in the lobby before hand (pizzas, Mediterranean dishes & cake balls); you can carry your dinner and/or drinks into the theater. Claire & Carl Stuart and Karen Bernstein, w/ a friend from Marfa, there for the movie too. I’ll go back to see it again.

Owen Wilson was surprisingly good in his role, and Kathy Bates could have been Gertrude Stein.

After the movie, drinks and treats at Congress Bar, then a stroll up Congress Ave where the Republic of Texas Biker Rally was in full swing – even a stage and bands at 6th and Congress. While not a stop at Le Dome, a walk along the Siene, nor strolling the narrow streets of Montmartre. . .  still . . . uniquely Austin, and surprisingly analogous.

Fun thesis on cafe scene and art

(Community Matters) Paul Krugman’s Rule by Rentiers

I can’t help but be a populist. And, since I believe a thriving middle class ensures domestic prosperity, I don’t consider populist positions anti-capitalist or anti-elite. I am becoming less and less persuaded by global arguments while we’re watching declines in the welfare of America’s middle class

(Community Matters) Tommie Meredith was awarded as a great supporter of entrepreneurs, E&Y managing partner Mike Blue correctly noting that Tom is as well known for his philanthropic contributions as his business successes. (in photo to right: Sarah Meredith, Pedro Andrade (son-in-law), Abby Meredith and Tom).

First year for a youth entrepreneur award: Daniel Henderson, a senior from St Michael’s Academy (HS) won in recognition of his enterprise, In the Flash. He received a $1k prize.

Social entrepreneur of the year: Lisa Fielder, founder and ED of College Forward. The Silverton Foundation (Pam Ryan & Bill Wood) launched this E&Y award 6 years ago and their foundation provides a $100,000 grant to the nonprofit of the awardee.

Entrepreneurs of the Year: Hossein Hagigholam (Mamacita’s Restaurant & Cantinas) of Kerville, Christophe Lavigne (LDR Spine), Gabriel Krajicek & Don Shafer (BancVue) and Hemi Thaker (Anue Systems).

Terrific evening – especially spent time with the Abby, Sarah, Pedro, Kim Hughes, Ross Cockrell, Mike Turner, Mark McClain, Kevin Cunningham and a few other friends.

(Community Matters) I’m looking forward to tonight’s EOY awards at the Hilton. I’m joining our friends from Austin Ventures as their guest. It’s been fun serving as a social entrepreneur judge this year as well as on the EOY advisory board.

This year’s finalists: Hemi Thaker (Anue Systems, Inc), Gabriel Krajicek (BancVue), Don Shafer (BancVue), Glenn Garland (CLEAResult), Allen Lassiter Gilmer (Drilling Info Inc), Christopher Lavigne (LDR Spine), Hossein Hagigholam (Mamacita’s Restaurant & Cantinc Inc), Phil Miner (Miner Holding Company), Mark McLain & Kevin Cunningham (SailPoint). Social finalists: Lisa Fielder (College Forward), Frank Fernandez (Green Doors), Joyce McDonald (Frameworks Comm Develop) & Suzanne Santos (Sustainable Food Center). The winner of the social entrepreneur award receives a $100,000 grant for their nonprofit – thanks to the Silverton Foundation. Also, we’re presenting an honorary award to one of our dearest friends tonight; I think it’s a secret until announced.

(Community Matters) An hour out on the board is a good workout. I’m loving my trainer, Cody Butler. He’s come to know me well. On Tuesday, I showed up pissed off about some business, so he changed up our workout and we boxed – he kept his distance since I was enjoying letting off my steam a bit too much.

We paddled just beyond and back from the Seaholm Power Plant intake building on Townlake and Lady Bird Johnson park. They were hanging the trapese for Blue Lapis Lights’ performances next week

(Community Matters) here

(Community Matters) gotta love Alamo Drafthouse, Tim & Karrie League

Vodpod videos no longer available.