Community Matters

(Community Matters) The Vanity Fair New Establishment at #9 and 25 years old, Lady Gaga’s the youngest on the list

Playbook: 15 members under the age of 40 … There are 14 billionaires on the list … Five member of the New Establishment are actively involved in space exploration … Eight of the New Establishment nominees can count themselves members of the ever growing Stanford Mafia Continue reading →

(Community Matters) A new way for Americans to petition the federal government on any range of issues.

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(Community Matters) Our friend Vikki Loving is hosting a conference where clients will discover their unique skills, strengths and aptitudes in a fun and creative environment. (Sept 8 or 9 – webcast or live)

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(Community Matters) I’m stumbling on bakers and pastries lately. Ever had the extraordinary pastries at Eastside Showroom, Second Bar + Kitchen or Dai Due’s booth at the Republic Plaza Farmer’s Market? They are Barrie Cullinan’s who’s featured in the summer issue of Edible Austin. Her almond croissants really are to die for.

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(Community Matters) No Texas universities among the top 25

I don’t know all the campuses in Texas any longer, but I do note remarkable progress at UT and A&M – I assume most other campuses as well.

(Community Matters) American Family Association radio host wants homosexuality recriminalized in all 50 states.

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(Community Matters)

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(Community Matters) Was a great weekend. We loved Allison Orr’s Trash Project (Graham Reynolds original score), enjoyed Saturday’s performance with Lori & Jason Heffron, Emily Keeton and Amy & Kirk Rudy.Two other dear friends weren’t able to make it and were missed.

The GoGo’s totally rocked. Not sure we’ve ever seen five sexier, vivacious rocking women in their 50s on stage as last night at the Paramount. Our friend Kathy Valentine made Austin proud. Many thanks to Eddie Safady and Suzanne Deal Booth for hosting the after party – and on a school night 🙂

(Community Matters) Startup Austin – it’s all about jobs. At yesterday’s luncheon, John Price cited a statistic I didn’t know, nearly every job created since the 1990s is from a company less than 5 years old.

Startup America is a private-public initiative launched by Steve Case (AOL), Scott Case (Priceline) and the Obama Administration. The board’s a big deal and includes Austin’s own, Michael Dell. It’s about bringing together a coalition of mentors, advisors, funders, major corporations and service providers to deliver strategic and substantive resources to help entrepreneurs start and scale companies. It’s especially focused on leading existing firms with high-growth potential (what they call “speedups”).

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(Community Matters) Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights campaign, announces his retirement today. It’s not too big a surprise on the street. It’s a widely known secret Joe wanted to retire after the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (which the administration gives him much credit for helping pass). Pam Spaulding (Pam’s House Blend) broke the story yesterday. Metro Weekly’s Chris Geidner added details which Pam’s noted at the bottom of her post.

lots of silly rumors and snipping about compensation – Blade survey here

(Community Matters) Startup Austin, an exciting initiative I heard about today – it’s all about creating JOBS, JOBS, JOBS.  Great luncheon with techies, chamber types, entrepreneurs (including rock stars Bob Metcalf and John Price).

Part of Startup America. I’ll try to post more about this over the weekend

chatting with Joshua Baer at the luncheon, I learned that he, Bob Metcalfe & John Butler are teaching an undergrad course on entrepreneurship – how cool is that?   ++  Capital Factory Demo Day is Sept 7 (corrected)

follow up posting here

(Community Matters) Photographer Francois Rousseau’s new coffee table book: Wet Men