Category Archives: Uncategorized

(Community Matters) The Goldman Sachs forecast as summarized by Noam Scheiber of the New Republic

A plugged-in source points me to Goldman’s latest economic forecast, which anticipates -7% GDP growth this quarter and -3% GDP growth next quarter, down from an earlier forecast of -4.5% and -1%, respectively. What’s remarkable about the change, though, is that the new numbers factor in the stimulus, whose effects Goldman thinks will be significant (and positive), whereas the old forecast didn’t. And yet they still have the economy contracting by much more than previously thought. Kind of gives you an idea of what we’re up against…

For what it’s worth, they do see us back in positive territory by the summer.

(Community Matters) Good gosh, of course drug companies aren’t off the hook for bad side effects just because the FDA approved a label.

Never a fan of frivolous suits; nevertheless, free markets require the checks & balances of legal liability to keep the extraordinary powers of, especially, multinational/global businesses in check. Chief Justice Roberts, Alito and Scalia think drugs companies shouldn’t be held responsible beyond federal approvals. Thank gosh they are in the minority.

(Community Matters)
I’ve been against the idea of rescuing shareholders at banks; however, a couple of lines in today’s Thomas Friedman column give me pause.

Nationalizing Citigroup may sound good on paper, but putting Citigroup into receivership could trigger all kinds of defaults on derivative contracts that it has written . . . . set off more falling dominos, a la Lehman Brothers. Posted from my blackberry.

(Community Matters)
Wow, Fed Chair Bernacke is sounding out of touch. Scary.

(Community Matters) Guess that proves who’s the “de facto leader of the Republican party”

Michael Steele has apologized to Rush Limbaugh for referring to him as an “entertainer” who can be “ugly” and “incendiary,” Mike Allen reports.

“My intent was not to go after Rush – I have enormous respect for Rush Limbaugh,” Steele said. “I was maybe a little bit inarticulate. … There was no attempt on my part to diminish his voice or his leadership.”

EARLIER:

Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele took umbrage Saturday night when CNN’s D.L. Hughley referred to radio host Rush Limbaugh as “the de facto leader of the Republican party.”

“No he’s not. I’m the de facto leader of the Republican party,” Steele said. The RNC chief went on to call Limbaugh, who that very day delivered the keynote address to the Conservative Political Action Conference, a mere “entertainer” whose show is “incendiary” and “ugly.”

(Community Matters) Front page of the NYTimes: Markets Plung Around the World; DOJ Memos on Bush’s Power; Fallen Mortgage Giants; Secret Letter from Obama to Russia, Women Long Viewed As Chattel (Afghanistan).

Other articles on line about the Chairman of the Republican Party having to beg forgiveness of Rush Limbaugh, the guy hoping Obama fails.

It’s a scary world we’re living in – thanks to Rush Limbaugh’s GOP and GWB.

(Community Matters) Last night, we celebrated the Entrepreneurs Foundation’s 10 year anniversary with friends, board members and other supporters at the Four Seasons.

Super group of attendees including our mayor pro tem, Brewster McCracken as well as several of the EF founders including our board chair Bill Bock, John Thornton and Lynne Skinner. Current board members (AV’s Phil Siegel, vcfo’s Ellen Wood, Allegro Associates, Elizabeth Davis, AV’s Jeff Browning, Vignette COB, Jan Lindelow, Triton’s Scott Collier, Sentinent Venture’s David Lee), advisory board members (Deloitte’s Amy Chronis and SVB’s Doug Mangum), member company CEO’s, close friends & supporters from the venture capital/high tech world including tech rainmaker Pike Powers and our dear friend and community collaborator Dr. Ken Gladish from the Austin Community Foundation.

Bill Bock (EF board chair), Jack McDonald, John Thornton (EF Advisory Board, co-chair)

This year’s EF Community Leadership Awardee was my close friend Jack McDonald, CEO Perficient and rumored CD-10 candidate 🙂 Jack’s been an extraordinary community leader in his leadership roles at the GACC, Tech Alliance, PeopleFund, PeopleTrust, American Youthworks, Kipp School and People’s Community Clinic. Carla McDonald joined us as well. John Thornton presented Jack with the award, discretely mentioning the rumored first official fundraiser at the Thornton’s Old West Austin home on May 7 (rats, since Steven, Suzanne Deal Booth and I driving to Marfa that day). Previous awardees are Joe Aragona, Bill Wood and Bill Bock. Many many thanks to the Four Seasons for taking such great care of us last night. The food was outstanding, drinks more than plentiful and weather exactly what we asked for since so many enjoyed hanging on the terrace taking in the beautiful lake.

There was a beautiful moment last night. We had a looped slide show projecting. One of our bartenders happened to see a slide of EF presenting a $100,000 check to Habitat for Humanity (we’ve granted them $150k in the last year, in additional to $250k from the Chestnut affordable housing fund). She also saw slides of our volunteers working at the Kipp School. She was so excited. She’s owns a home built by Habitat for Humanity and her daughter attends the Kipp School. Like the cherry on top of a sundae, completely made my day.

(Community Matters) We’re hosting our international affiliates meeting this week – actually started with a dinner at our house on Sunday. There are 10 USA affiliates and one in Tel Aviv.

It’s going to be a very tough couple of years for most of the affiliates. (Thank gosh for Austin Ventures and Silicon Labs who are underwriting Austin’s budget for 5 years!) Austin and Silicon Valley by far the largest, healthiest members. Silicon Valley leads the tribe in CSR consulting and the fee for service model. Austin leads in community involvement programs, especially our model of leadership programs (i.e., bringing together business and social entrepreneurs). The Valley & Austin both have 200+ companies which have donated stock. Other affiliates 50 or less. Colorado, and Kentucky newest to join. Some movement in New Mexico but not yet launched. Boston a sleeping outpost with tremendous potential; Seattle is under reconstruction. Tel Avis is strong with impressive results. Northwest (Portland) probably the fourth most impactful franchise.

Great being with such smart and dedicated colleagues. Lots of good ideas about further building value to offer our member companies and sponsors.

(Community Matters) GOP strategist Mike Murphy:

The country is changing. Ronald Reagan won in 1980 with 51% of the vote. We all worship Ronald Reagan. But if that election had been held with the current demographics in America today, Ronald Reagan would have gotten 47 percent of the vote. The math is changing. Anglo vote is 74 percent now not 89. And if we don’t modernize conservatism, we are going to have a party of 25 percent of the vote going to Limbaugh rallies, joining every applause line, ripping the furniture up, we’re going to be in permanent minority status.

(Community Matters)  continued . . . . 

(Community Matters) Nice piece on our friend & neighbor Steven Dietz in today’s AAS. Article doesn’t mention that Steven’s wife, Allison Gregory, is an accomplished playwright too. We’re long overdue for an evening with these two. (AAS photo)

(Community Matters) Jump from 3/30/09 – Capitol City 10k

Maureen

retiring AAS Community Manager, Rhetta Kelly

Kathy & Claus with Tana

Stephen Yelenosky & Jill – Happy Birthday today, Stephen

the tribe

Lily

Ivy

a block over, a band just set up and played – rather perfect actually