Monthly Archives: April 2012

(Community Matters) We’re one of the fastest growing, most desirable markets in the country, we shouldn’t be making deals as if we’re Detroit.

I remain a fan of strategic incentives to attract the most desirable employers (only because that’s how the market works today). Kudos to Travis County for requiring Apple to hire local unemployed & economically disadvantaged. As well, the Green Water Treatment Plant is a unique and extraordinarily valuable site. The City of Austin shouldn’t buy poor boy arguments. If Trammel Crow can’t at least deliver on its original affordable housing promises, we should let them out of their letter of intent and reopen bids for the development. I’m not sure we shouldn’t reopen the project for new competitive bids, anyhow. It’s a new time in the market.

AAS, this morning “Austin-area Growth Rate 2nd in Nation,” “Affordable Housing Plans for Green Redevelopment,” and “Travis County Was Wise to Seek Share of Jobs for Locals.”

(Community Matters) a moving story about a teen coming out to his mom – it could have gone the other way. Too many other kids have chosen suicide instead.

I have been so scared of them finding out that I’m gay because I know that they would hate me and would want me out of their life and at the same time I can’t keep this secret anymore because it is not something I asked for, never in a million years would I ask to be gay in a town like this where everybody would hate me. And anyways I can’t keep this secret anymore because I’m about to do something crazy like run away or hurt myself or something. I just want to be dead sometimes. story

I still remember when two family members told us we couldn’t encroach on their religious beliefs which held that we lived in sin. Yeah, and this sort of justification was once used to support slavery, to support discrimination against anyone who wasn’t white, who wasn’t male, even bi-racial couples.

this is the original post referred to in the story – I’m Christian, Unless You’re Gay.

(Community Matters) Thom Singer wrote a super blog posting on Steven’s presentation at today’s National Speakers Association luncheon

(Community Matters) Steven’s presenting today at the National Speaker’s Association – 11:30 in Austin details.  They’ve dubbed it: deliver thoughtfully prepared content with an informal, conversational spontaneity that can rivet an audience.

(Community Matters) breakfast with my friend Charlotte Hale yesterday who reminded me the Hill Country Ride for AIDS is this month, April 28th.

Over the years, the Ride has raised $4.5mm, now averaging nearly $700k, attracting 600 participants last year – they’re hoping for 700 riders and 200 volunteers this year.

I’m noticing top raisers so far this year include: Tommy Navarre ($6.4k), Steve Crorey ($4.9k), Bill Sheldon ($3.3k), James Mauseth ($3k), Ted Smith ($2.7k),  Jan Soifer ($2.3k), Leah Mesches ($2.1k), Lee Manford ($1.8k), Donna Miller ($1.8k), Ann Fields ($1.8k), Everett McKinley ($1.7k), Chelsea Griffo ($1.6k), Irene Erion ($1.5k), Jack Landers ($1.5k), George Hetrick ($1.4k), Edward Yarbrough ($1,4k), Becky Helton ($1.4k), Rachel Robinson ($1.4k), Beverly Dale ($1.3k), Tracy Butchee ($1.3k), Jeff Folmar
($1.3k), Casey Blass ($1.3k). . .

wow: teams: Team WFM ($12.6k), Austin Front Runners
($12.3k), Heavy Breathers ($10k) . . .

(Community Matters) not to be too cynical but perhaps why Geraldo has been such an ass

MEDIAWATCH — N.Y. Times B1, “Talk Radio Face-Off Approaches,” by Brian Stelter: “The radio station owner Cumulus is also creating a local traffic service, selling a morning show by Geraldo Rivera and seeking other hosts for other time slots – giving talk radio stations new alternatives to Clear Channel and making for a turbulent time in the radio business. About six months ago, Cumulus completed a $2.4 billion takeover of Citadel, giving it about 570 radio stations, second in the nation to Clear Channel’s 850. Cumulus is in the market for more stations … Mr. Huckabee is on the front lines. … Other news media personalities, like Bill O’Reilly, have tried to go up against Mr. Limbaugh and failed, but Mr. Huckabee has the advantage of his political credentials and Mr. Limbaugh’s own weakened position.” http://nyti.ms/HCCjE7

An enlightening comment from a friend: I get not loving the gangsta style but blaming the hoodie in this case reminds me a lot of blaming the rape victim for wearing “too sexy” cloths and just asking for it…

(Community Matters) Wow, great response to my Craigslist ad

Gardening (Near UT Campus)

looking for help with garden – estimate 2 to 5 hours per week – planting, weeding & harvesting.

Four average sized raised beds. Ideal for a graduate student. I live in the Hemphill Park/Aldridge Place neighborhood. Want to grow flowers, vegetables and herbs. $8 – $15 per hour depending on experience. Please send resume and summary of experience/interest to Eugene Sepulveda by email.

(Community Matters) Every Palm Sunday at St James, Fred the donkey leads our procession along the grounds to the sanctuary.

(Community Matters) I’m probably the last to know . . .  Elaine Martin (co-founder of Eastside Cafe) has opened Elaine’s Pork & Pie in the casita that housed the Eastside Cafe gift shop. We didn’t try their fare but it looked delicious – pulled pork sandwiches, mini-pies, frozen lemonade and a daily vegetarian lentil soup to go or to eat among the gardening. Elaine explained that she’s bought Dorcey Barger out from the restaurant. Dorcey’s now full time devoted to HausBar Farm, an urban farm in Govalle.

Steven and I stumbled on all this while having brunch today w/ Stephen Rice & Mark Erwin

(Community Matters) Wow, Maggie Gallagher is getting good at this – scary

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(Community Matters)  Congr Aaron Schock – not sure he even tries. Towleroad on latest controversy

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(Community Matters) The building consensus against bullying may be one of the decade’s legacies

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