Monthly Archives: December 2011

(Community Matters) President Obama w/ Steve Kroft, on a double-length “60 Minutes” last night:

PRESIDENT OBAMA: “The problem is, is that our politics has gotten to the point, where we can’t have an honest conversation about the greatest income inequality since the 1920s. And we can’t have an honest conversation about the irresponsibility that resulted in the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, without somebody saying that somehow we’re being divisive. No, we’re being honest about what happened and we’ve got to be honest about how we move forward.” …

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(Community Matters) Hosts: Rachel Lomas & Andy Bowman together with Isabel & Dave Welland. We live in a great neighborhood – couldn’t stay late, gotta get packed.

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(Community Matters) Belated happy birthday to our favorite over 20yo god daughter, Melissa Henderson

today’s birthday brunch at Santa Rita

(Community Matters) Do they still anoint hostess with the mostess? I remember those articles from the 70s and 80s – perhaps they’d be considered sexist today, but assuming not – Carla McDonald would certainly be on every list. Ok, her husband Jack McDonald too 🙂

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Stunning setting, gorgeous food and delicious guests made for a super evening. In addition to the friends in the pics, spent time with others including Thom & Sara Singer, Brent & Hilary Bellm, Eric Copper, Michael Barnes, Erin Driskill & John Thornton, Becky Beaver & John Duncan, Mary & Rusty Talley, Kate & Robert Hersch

(Community Matters) two critical battleground states

New NBC News/Marist poll:

South Carolina:
Obama 45 — Romney 42
Obama 46 — Gingrich 42

Florida:
Obama 48 — Romney 41
Obama 51 — Gingrich

and Gingrich slamming ahead of Romney in each state

hat tip: David Gail

(Community Matters) Our dear friend Bishop Greg Rickel, St James’ former rector will preach at St James tomorrow at 11am.

(Community Matters) Steven’s on a 48 hour deadline with 72 hours of work, so Karl Scholz stepped in as my date.

Diane Land & Steve Adler and Kathy & Dwayne Thomspon won a private Kat Edmonson concert on the Paramount stage at a live auction. A cocktail/food reception followed by a 1 hour private performance. I haven’t heard Kat in a while & since Vino Vino; she was awesome. Heaps of friends in addition to the hosts including Paramount jefe Jim Ritts, Jeanne & Mickey Klein, Amy & Kirk Rudy, Liz & Sen Kirk Watson, Suzanne & Marc Winkelman, Trisa Thompson, Darlene & Dan Byrnes, MariBen Ramsey & Karen Kahan, and Gail & Jeff Kodosky

Followed by Juliana Sciaraffa’s and Manny Lee’s birthday bash in Allendale – outstanding Brazilian caterer, btw. Joined Milinda Mitchell, Michael Mitchell and met some new friends including Charlotte & Ben Johnson.

Husband was groggily reading by the time I returned home. So, then me in my steaming pool house watching Black Swan; I cannot watch such weird movies!

Of course big news of the night was SCOTUS’ scuttling of court drawn Congressional, State House & State Senate districts. Texts and emails during the concert about who might be stepping out/in for what.

(Community Matters) Rude Mechanical’s Kirk Lynn won one of 50 annual fellowships which comes with a $50k award. from Jeanne Claire van Ryzin.

I just learned about this last night from Jeanne Klein who (w/ Mickey & the Booths) is on the US Artists National Leadership Committee).

more on USA Fellows

(Community Matters) Ann Coulter:

I Want DADT For All Of Society, I’m Sick Of Hearing About The Gays

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(Community Matters) Steven’s biggest thrill for his 50th birthday

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Tasmanian Devil Sanctuary @ Craddle Mountain

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(Community Matters) Paul Krugman: All the G.O.P.’s Gekkos

(Community Matters) Reluctant to write more about it because we like it so much – Hopfields at 3110 Guadalupe. Their website is still “under construction,” but the bar is open and guests pouring in. Opened by Bay & Lindsay Anthon. Bay worked at Intel until recently; Lindsay most recently a stay at home mom. Her mom from the south of France and now in charge of the pub’s kitchen.

They feature beers and “savory” cocktails (from wine, beer, ports, vermouths, bitters and other elixirs since have beer & wine license). The grub: steak & frites, nicoise salad, lamb sausage in a baguette with frites – my, Steven’s and Michael Mitchell’s order last night, respectively. They also offer ratatouille, sandwiches including a brie burger, a tarte aux tomatoes, and a daily soup – cooked according to old Parisian family recipes. Loved, love, love the place – very casual, neighborhood, East Austin vibe. Stay away, or at least don’t sit at my table! 🙂