Monthly Archives: April 2012

(Community Matters) Michael Mitchell & I attended the Scriptworks reading of Dennis Bailey’s & David Mixner’s new play, Jacob’s Ladder. My interpretation of the play is that it’s about anti-semitism in WWII America. Surprised me that others thought it is about a rejected response to increasing American awareness of the Nazi concentration camps.

Awesome assembly of actors reading: tv/movie star Beth Broderick, Babs George, Jenny Lavery, Paul Galvan, Judd Ferris and Lowell Bartholomee.

(Community Matters) A.B. Porter is a name Steven and I created. Since we don’t share a last name, we wanted a “brand” that stood for us & “our family.”

A.B. stands for my aunt Abie, who was a great woman and inspiration in my life. She taught me about grassroots organizing and taking care of neighbors. Porter is the maiden name of Steven’s maternal grandmother – who similarly taught him a great deal, including how to ballroom dance.

Abie Martinez in this picture

(Community Matters) NYT: Ex-Security Chief in Israel Questions Current Leadership

people need to figure this one out quickly. Seems we risk WWIII here – not to mention the increased nationalism cited, which appears increasingly a global problem.

(Community Matters) from Fusebox founder, artistic director Ron Berry:

Some context for the Suzanne Bocanegra/Paul Lazar piece that might be helpful:

Suzanne was commissioned by MoMa in NYC to give an artist talk.  She decided it would be fun to get Paul Lazar (one of her favorite actors from NYC) to do the talk for her, or with her to be more precise.  He is absolutely one of my favorite actors working today.  Amazing/wonderful.

It is a brilliant, hilarious, wonderful show.  And a strange, wonderful take on the artist talk.

When a Priest Marries a Witch, an Artist Talk by Suzanne Bocanegra starring Paul Lazar

(Community Matters) HelpHaiti: This afternoon I received the final report on the $163k match grant we seeded to Concern Worldwide & Fonkoze targeting the  500 families relocated in the Tabarre camp. Lots of specifics, lots of lessons learned, and an important summary:

Over the 266 beneficiaries who benefited from the cash and skills transfer before end of March 2012, a total of 203 (76%) are currently running a sustainable, profitable income generating activity and can take care of their families.

(Community Matters) #1, Tim Cook, CEO, Apple Computer. Matt Drudge is #16; I didn’t even know he was.

2. Ellen Degeneres
Spokesperson/Talk-Show Host/Producer, 54

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(Community Matters) in this month’s electric bill newsletter

Free document shredding – up to five 24 x 24 x 36 boxes per household free at Austin High lot on 5/19 8am until 1:30 pm

(Community Matters) ABJ on the former Featherlite site

Will Meredith (photo) has been leading the project, actualizing the visions for the last 6 years

(Community Matters)

If your nonprofit or business has interns who are University of Texas undergraduate students, encourage them to look into The Ted Strauss Civic Internship Award ($2,000) to supplement their paid or unpaid summer internship in the fields of public policy, public service, government, or politics.  Previous award winners have worked for CNN, the U.S. Department of Education, the United States Senate, Defenders of Wildlife, the Muscular Dystrophy Association among other organizations and governmental agencies. Submission deadline is April 30. Info at: http://communication.utexas.edu/strauss/ted-strauss-civic-internship-awards

(Community Matters) Anticipating summer approval at the General Convention, Texas Bishop Doyle yesterday issued a document outlining how congregations within the Diocese of Texas* may bless same sex unions and how more conservative congregations may opt out. Bishop Andy explains how this will proceed  upon approval at the Convention (Texas doesn’t yet allow for same sex marriage).

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(Community Matters) Christopher Hayes’ book, Twilight of the Elites will be released June 12. Most of our friends know his brother, Luke Hayes, our godson.

Over the past decade, Americans watched in bafflement and rage as one institution after another –  from Wall Street to Congress, the Catholic Church to corporate America, even Major League Baseball – imploded under the weight of corruption and incompetence.

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(Community Matters) Wow – 901 million Facebook users. New stats from amended S1 filing

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