Monthly Archives: January 2012

(Community Matters) What a great birthday bash – gospel singing program at Sweet Hill Missionary Baptist Church, a tour of the new home (next door) and savory & sweet treats from Megan at Spoon & Co. Margaret Keys celebrated her 70th in true Margaret style – in the hood, in her favorite community space with friends & family.

Lots and lots of friends there including: Michael Mitchell, Nancy Scanlan, BeeAnn Smith, Barbara Miller, Nancy, Keith, Emma & Max Graves, Janine Sagert, Lee, Jenn, Gabriella and Giulia Walker, Jeff Sandefer, Nancy Giordano, Jenn Spencer, Shawna Butler, JoLynn Free, Lavada & Jim Steed, David Smith & Skot Tulk, good gosh, and about 75 more

(Community Matters) I don’t have details but learned earlier today that Tim Young’s (attorney) & Trisha Young Brown’s (CEO, hospital district) son Joel Young passed away in the last few weeks. He was living in Colorado.

Joel’s older brother, Jared, passed away in late 2009

(Community Matters) In early Dec, I mentioned Mike Maples & Roger McNamee’s Hypernet Blog.

Mike’s recent article: Catching the Next Tech Wave in today’s AAS.

(Community Matters) Russ Gregory’s first novel, Blue, is . . . well, you won’t believe it’s a first novel. Gay mystery, complex, interwoven, multi-storied, and the setting is Austin, especially NUNA, Hyde Park & downtown. I’m sure he’s already working on the next – hoping it might be a series. I’d like to see what develops in Austin with Matt & Thatcher.

While reading this novel, I caught myself reflecting on whether or not the LGBT community shares any responsibility for the behavior of gay bashers. If most gay bashers are latent homosexuals or suffer gender identity crises, could we as a community do more for these sick people? I decided no – no we don’t share any blame for their criminal behaviors. No, undoubtedly the rhetoric of bigots who flame the hate is more to blame. Yet, I’m still thinking  . . . could we do more.

(Community Matters) Robert Kagan, The New Republic, “Not Fade Away: The myth of American decline”

Hat Tip: Politico Playbook

(Community Matters) Huff Post: Allen West To Liberals: Get the Hell Out Of The U.S.

This especially irks me because it is vividly reminiscent of what what two men told me & Margo. We served on the steering committee of a supposedly transformational community initiative. An MLK Foundation consultant had somehow mesmerized experienced and dedicated long time community leaders. Can’t remember the consultant’s name now but the king had on no clothes. Margo & I got this and inadequately tried communicating it to the steering committee. Seriously, when you actually listened to the words of the otherwise silver tongued charlatan, they said nothing about how, just painted a compelling picture of what. After being told to get on board or resign, we resigned.

(Community Matters) Recipes from the American Academy in Rome, chef Mona Talbott revered for the simplicity & authenticity of her twice daily meals. I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy Ms Talbott’s meals a hand full of times over the last couple of years.

I’m uncertain as to the level of collaboration with Alice Waters but know there is one.  “The fifty recipes draw from the four traditional categories of Italian soups: those made with water (aqua cotta), with stock (brodo), with cream (veloute), and soups for the evening meal. The recipes are arranged by seasons.”

(Community Matters) Who is this man who’s recently contributed $10 million in support of Newt Gingrich’s presidential race? NY Times

(Community Matters) I hadn’t heard of David Lennon until commenting on the FB site of my friend, Russ Gregory. We were commenting on the Kirkus review of his new book, Blue – I think it’s a well deserved, good review by the way. Russ’ first novel is outstanding – complexity of plot & characters. I hope it become a series.

anyhow . . . David mentioned getting through the reviews of his first book. I looked him up and realized, noticing that his second book, Echoes, won the 2011 Lambda Literary Award for Best Gay Mystery. Since last week I’ve read 1) The Quarter Boys, 2) Echoes, 3) Second Chance, 4) The Blues Bayou, and I’m looking forward to the Reckoning, being released this April or May. His main character happens to be gay – & of course, I love supporting gay artists.  And, more than that – you can really follow the development of David’s writing style and character development. I especially like his author notes through which readers get a peek into the tent. It’s a bonus that the the first three stories take place in New Orleans (the fourth near Baton Rouge). In the 80s I spent a lot of time in that city and loved it. I’m eager to reacquaint myself and introduce it to Steven.

During Dec I launched into the Vince Flynn’s Mitch Rapp Series. Just found out there are four of eleven I haven’t read and another comes out next week. I’m eager to get back to autobiographies but am enjoying fantasy land.

(Community Matters) received a blast email from Emmet & Lisa Fox (FINO & Asti) about a FINO cook who was evidently randomly attacked downtown. Scott will need rehabilitation and therapy. The restaurant is continuing his pay even while he’s recovering and they sent an email out to customers asking for contributions to help Scott pay medical costs. Heartened to see they’ve already collected over $14k.  More information below the jump

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(Community Matters) what the hell – why not both?  just kidding. Great evening with our dear friends Carla & Jack McDonald at Fonda San Miguel’s last night. I think we literally ate and drank for 4 hours.

Exquisite evening – goes without saying we would have a super evening with these two anywhere, and Fonda is just so over-the-top fantastic. First evening Brad has ever been our waiter – omg, he’s fantastic – a literature teacher at the fine arts academy and a food & wine expert. Loved, loved, loved the Moroccan meritage, though I don’t remember its name but it was great, served a bit chilled and was only $44/bottle.

(Community Matters) Met w/ David Sandal yesterday; we’re co-located at the Center 61 space. David’s a ee, former navy flight pilot, Applied Materials manager turned social entrepreneur, or as he like to call it, someone launching a “for benefit” company – Give As You Get.

David’s reached agreements with heaps of online merchants – they’ll contribute a percentage of your dollars spent (mostly 1% to 5%) to anyone of the nonprofits you select.  Merchants include: Amazon, 1-800-Flowers, Barnes & Noble, Cabela’s, Cooking.com, Expedia, iTunes, Kmart, Office Depot, Petsmart, Petco, Sears, The Container Store, Wine.com – full list here

of course I asked if I could still use one click & our prime account with Amazon – the answer is yes. Not sure why I wouldn’t shop at these online stores through the site – I’m hoping David will add OutYouth as one of the beneficiary organizations.