Monthly Archives: August 2011

(Community Matters) I’m stumbling on bakers and pastries lately. Ever had the extraordinary pastries at Eastside Showroom, Second Bar + Kitchen or Dai Due’s booth at the Republic Plaza Farmer’s Market? They are Barrie Cullinan’s who’s featured in the summer issue of Edible Austin. Her almond croissants really are to die for.

Continue reading →

(Community Matters) No Texas universities among the top 25

I don’t know all the campuses in Texas any longer, but I do note remarkable progress at UT and A&M – I assume most other campuses as well.

(Community Matters) American Family Association radio host wants homosexuality recriminalized in all 50 states.

Vodpod videos no longer available.

(Community Matters)

Vodpod videos no longer available.

(Community Matters) Was a great weekend. We loved Allison Orr’s Trash Project (Graham Reynolds original score), enjoyed Saturday’s performance with Lori & Jason Heffron, Emily Keeton and Amy & Kirk Rudy.Two other dear friends weren’t able to make it and were missed.

The GoGo’s totally rocked. Not sure we’ve ever seen five sexier, vivacious rocking women in their 50s on stage as last night at the Paramount. Our friend Kathy Valentine made Austin proud. Many thanks to Eddie Safady and Suzanne Deal Booth for hosting the after party – and on a school night 🙂

(Community Matters) Startup Austin – it’s all about jobs. At yesterday’s luncheon, John Price cited a statistic I didn’t know, nearly every job created since the 1990s is from a company less than 5 years old.

Startup America is a private-public initiative launched by Steve Case (AOL), Scott Case (Priceline) and the Obama Administration. The board’s a big deal and includes Austin’s own, Michael Dell. It’s about bringing together a coalition of mentors, advisors, funders, major corporations and service providers to deliver strategic and substantive resources to help entrepreneurs start and scale companies. It’s especially focused on leading existing firms with high-growth potential (what they call “speedups”).

Continue reading →

(Community Matters) Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights campaign, announces his retirement today. It’s not too big a surprise on the street. It’s a widely known secret Joe wanted to retire after the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (which the administration gives him much credit for helping pass). Pam Spaulding (Pam’s House Blend) broke the story yesterday. Metro Weekly’s Chris Geidner added details which Pam’s noted at the bottom of her post.

lots of silly rumors and snipping about compensation – Blade survey here

(Community Matters) Startup Austin, an exciting initiative I heard about today – it’s all about creating JOBS, JOBS, JOBS.  Great luncheon with techies, chamber types, entrepreneurs (including rock stars Bob Metcalf and John Price).

Part of Startup America. I’ll try to post more about this over the weekend

chatting with Joshua Baer at the luncheon, I learned that he, Bob Metcalfe & John Butler are teaching an undergrad course on entrepreneurship – how cool is that?   ++  Capital Factory Demo Day is Sept 7 (corrected)

follow up posting here

(Community Matters) Photographer Francois Rousseau’s new coffee table book: Wet Men

(Community Matters) Humility, Service, Love and Care – as in Care Communities.  The height of a good charity event is when it oozes who and what the nonprofit is, what it does, and how it does it. And, there’s an even higher standard . . .when an evening’s awardee(s) also oozes the essence of an organization, its clients & its volunteers.

Continue reading →

(Community Matters) Larry Wright’s latest on Rick Perry. I love he’s introducing the real Rick Perry to the rest of the country. This guy’s as dangerous as a cobra.

(Community Matters) Castro’s working up a critique of opponent Doggett

A reader commented on Herman’s column by noting Congressman Doggett’s effectiveness – but let’s get real . . . in 16 years, he’s passed 3 bills (and two of those were renaming federal buildings).

Continue reading →