Community Matters

(Community Matters) ST sent link to me. Economist says he’s brought back classical guitar – Matthew Hinsley might have an opinion on this 🙂

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(Community Matters) from Andy Tobias:

If you have five minutes (or a uterus), watch this censored Florida legislator make his case for choice.  He calls out his state legislative colleagues for espousing small, hand s-off government for corporations but big, intrusive government for average citizens like his wife.

Incorporate My Uterus.com

(Community Matters)

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(Community Matters) I’ve never watched it. But, just saw these pics of contestant Jovany Baretto. I may start.

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(Community Matters)  On Sunday, all around Austin 12,000+ kids are hosting lemonade stands. It’s really an educational program to teach them entrepreneurship (but don’t tell them this. To most of them it’s just about having fun and making spending money). Please drive far and long and buy lots of lemonade

(Community Matters) omg, I’ve been clueless

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(Community Matters) Duke & Duchess of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn and Baron Carrickfergus. She’s also HRH.

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(Community Matters) Updates at Marfa Public Radio site

(Community Matters) a dear friend, ignoring birthday party instructions, sent a beautiful ceramic sculpture from an Austin artist, April Stockwell of Right Brain Studios. It isn’t the piece in this photo (which I copied off her site & have since purchased) but it is a piece of Raku, which as it’s in the final firing with the proper glaze applied, she pulls out and places into combustible materials. As it flames up, she then takes a container and covers it, trapping the air in a small space. While the oxygen burns away, colors appear showing the flame pattern. We like her work. Amy Bryant always has a great eye.

(Community Matters) Last night’s dinner outdoors, under the stars: Sonya Cote’s (Eastside Showroom) cooking (all from the farm, except for Sebastien Bonneu’s wild pigs) exploded dormant taste buds; Buzz Moran & the Butcher Bear titillated the mind with sound; Paula Angerstein (Paula’s Texas Spirits) provided libations – a sublime evening. And, I got to hang with Shawn Sides, Anna Jackson, Sam Webber, Katherine Catmull, Wayne Allen Brenner & Katherine Kiger as well as Graham, Ron & Hank for an evening – an extra special treat.

I’d love to attend this afternoon’s Martini Digestible Feats at Congress Bar – alas, I better catch up on work and have a drink free evening.

(Community Matter) After emailing city manager Marc Ott recommending that the city auditor perform a review of the procurement process around the Holly Power plant, I received the following message from Rudy Garza:

I am Rudy Garza, Assistant City Manager and responding on behalf of the City Manager to your message below.  During the initial solicitation several issues and concerns were identified.  As a result, the proposals were all rejected and the solicitation was re-bid.  The evaluation matrix was recalculated with a greater emphasis on cost.  Additionally, a new evaluation panel was formed, and finally, I personally reviewed the final evaluations.  While there is understandably questions regarding the price changes, I can assure you the process has been carefully monitored and fair.  Finally, please see the attached memo from TRC.  Apparently it is the media that has stated that the former Mayor is part of the team, as TRC states that he is not and has not been on their team.  Thanks

Rudy Garza

Seems a little ridiculous to punt my recommendation to the person who’s department I recommended be independently reviewed by an auditor. Rudy included a copy of an email from Mike Holder of TRC Solutions clarifying that Mayor Gus Garcia “is not and has not served as a consultant and/or lobbyist on any past, current or future solicitations including the Holly Street Demolition contract currently pending before the City of Austin.”

I agree with today’s AAS editorial

(Community Matters) Fusebox Festival 2011 – musicians, chefs & bartenders collaborating on an evening. Last night’s Digestible Feast, Eat.Drink.Listen was created by Composer Graham Reynolds, FINO Exec Chef Jason Donoho and Mixologist Josh Loving. Of course Digestible Feast manager Hank Cathey and FINO general manager Brian Stubbs had a lot to do with the evening.

First course: an Avacado Fattoush Salad (with radish, cucumber and crispy pita) served with a White Girl cocktail (pisco, combier triple sec, lemon and tenneyson absinthe), and accompanied by The Cure.  The chef had an added challenge adhering to Graham’s vegan principles; as I’ve learned this is nearly always a welcome challenge by chefs and among the best, always yields great results – in this case using the radish, cucumber and crispy pita to achieve the texture and substance for a ceviche (was the chef’s first thought given the already selected music and cocktail).

Second course: Harissa Glazed Vegetables (quinoa, carrot-saffron puree & eggplant), Sloe Ryed (a nontraditional manhattan – equal parts – of michter’s rye whiskey, sloe gin, bonal vermouth and px sherry – going for equal parts to meet the composition’s simplicity & clarity) accompanied by Rejected Beauty. This was my favorite in all senses – Graham’s original composition (all 3 were original and selected from 6 he submitted to the mixologist and chef) a richly classic, clean & crisp movement accompanied by a bass and drums.

Dessert was a Conconut Panna Cotta, served with a Blood & Sand (grouse scotch, orange juice, cocchi vermouth and cherry heering) and accompanied by Graham’s Spanish Spy Movie. All three were fun and explosive

My friend Sonya Cote, chef from Eastside Showroom, was at the dinner. She’s the guest chef for tonight’s Delectable Feast at Springdale Farms.

Springdale Farms hosts Chef Sonya Cote of East Side Showroom, sound engineer and Foley artist Buzz Moran, and musician and composer Ben Webster AKA Butcher Bear as they mic and mix the entire process, from food prep to the sighs and moans of satisfaction, creating tantalizing tastes for the ears. Chef Cote’s feast will feature only locally sourced, happily raised produce and meats. Locavores and sound nerds unite!

Tonight won’t be vegan. Sonya told me she’s already deboned ferral hogs – there’ll be one per table. Tickets still available. After, surprise at the Marfa Public Radio sponsored Late Night at Seaholm