Monthly Archives: January 2013

(Community Matters) Not so bad for Central Texas:

Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin — Appropriations; vice chair, Culture, Recreation and Tourism

Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin — Appropriations; Higher Education; vice chair, House Administration

Rep. Elliott Naishtat, D-Austin — vice chair, Public Health; Human Services

Rep. Eddie Rodriguez, D-Austin — Business and Industry; Economic and Small Business Development

Rep. Mark Strama, D- Austin — International Trade and Intergovernmental Affairs; Ways and Means

Rep. Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs — vice chair, Rules and Resolutions; Environmental Regulation; Economic and Small Business Development

Rep. Paul Workman, R-Austin — Business and Industry; Economic and Small Business Development

(Community Matters) Holy shit; I didn’t realize games killed more than 30,000 American per year.

#GunDeaths

(Community Matters) much fun

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=KYChtZtXkN4#!c

(Community Matters) “Governing from the hard left sunk Democrats in 2010 and would cost them again in 2014,”  Karl Rove

I disagree and don’t think Karl would be sharing the secret with us if he had it anyhow. 2010 was a perfect storm of Stratospheric 2008 expectations returning to earth; irrational, bigoted hate for a black president by 1/4 of Americans; and a mini American Arab Spring where we “throw the bums out” [sic].

Admittedly, while I cite bigoted hate for a black president, many of these same people hated a white Democrat from Arkansas. Can’t decide if their reasons had anything to do with why Toni Morrison named him the first black president.

(Community Matters) Austin eagerly awaits the opening of Paul Qui’s East Austin restaurant. Rumor has it that the first seatings will be for one of the Austin Food & Wine Alliance’s benefit dinners – expect this to sell out within an hour of the email blast.

(Community Matters) gotta love him for putting his money where his mouth is. And, he exemplifies the best of what I see in many super wealthy friends, capable of speaking the truth and willing to invest time, talent & wealth to make good things happen.

from Politico’s Playbook

TOP TALKER – Mayor Michael “Bloomberg’s Washington footprint explodes,” by Maggie Haberman, Anna Palmer and John Bresnahan : “From guns to gay marriage to immigration to infrastructure – and most recently, in the battle for billions of federal dollars in Hurricane Sandy relief – Bloomberg’s presence in Washington has grown exponentially since 2011. And he has just retained three Republican lobbyists to press Congress on new gun control measures …

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(Community Matters) The 22nd Broadway Bares, Winter Burlesque,” raising money for Dancers Responding to AIDS – Boy Culture pics, and Boy Culture NSFW pics

(Community Matters) Send messages in favor of nondiscrimination. The Boy Scouts of America board is scheduled to discuss the matter of ending the gay discrimination ban next Wednesday. Right wing groups are voicing their loud opposition.

Their National Service Desk at 972-580-2330. A representative will answer and ask if you are for or against the policy change. Emails to nationsupportcenter@scouting.org. GLADD also suggests posting support on their Facebook page

HT: Towelroad

(Community Matters) Vanity Fair’s Italian Cover this month – Italian Dancer Roberto Bolle, currently a principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre

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(Community Matters) Congrats to this year’s Austin Under 40 finalists:

Arts and Entertainment

• Shawn Cirkiel, Heather Ladage, James Moody, Lauren Smith Ford, Joah Spearman

Business & Entrepreneurship

• Allison Davidson, Jesse Herman, Kendra Scott, Ellis Winstanley, Yuen Yung

Community Service

• Amber Fogarty, Chelsea McCullough, Michael Nellis, Hannah Nokes, Leo Ramirez Continue reading →

(Community Matters) In Culture Map, Nerdwallet.com:

With the highest percent growth in population and the lowest unemployment rate, Austin is a clear winner as the best choice for job-seekers. The median income is moderately high, and the cost of living is low.

(Community Matters) Dave Steakley’s directing threads 33 Variations’ three distinct stories in staging as Kaufman did in the script. A satisfying academic mystery with clues for how to heal a relationship is sharpened, enlivened by Beth Broderick’s Zach Scott debut. Anton Nel’s live performance also a coup for Zach Scott and adds a fourth dimension to the evening. Dave’s direction, Beth Broderick, Anton Nel and stellar cast members – including Barbara Chisholm – Zach’s presentation of 33 Variations is a powerful & deeply satisfying performance, providing the audience with a full tour of our emotions. I’m glad we laugh and smile at the end.