Daily Archives: 01/28/2012

(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

Continue reading →

(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.