Community Matters

(Community Matters)

(Community Matters) Speaker Straus released committee assignments today. Rep Strama on public education – which is huge for Central Texas. I’m told he didn’t want chairmanship of his old committee any longer.  Duke keeps appropriations; Howard high-ed; Elliot gains human services, remaining Public Health VC; Rodriguez on calendars & transportation

(Community Matters) really too tired to post but couldn’t stand leaving my posting about my own birthday at top of blog another day.

Michael Barnes posted about the celebration of the gifts our friend Dana Friisen-Hansen has shared with Austin these last 12+ years. Regret we missed the celebration; we’ll share a meal with Dana & Mark Holzbach soon upon their return. They’ve both been huge contributors to Austin – sure hope they stay here.

Michael Mitchell posted on Robert Torian’s birthday. Robert’s one of my dearest, oldest friends; we celebrated his 50th at the Highball tonight. I had to skip out a little earlier than the others. Start another big week this weekend and need a few early nights.

Big EF board, planning & strategic discussion meeting yesterday. We’re lucky to have one of the best nonprofit boards in the city – chaired by Bill Bock and includes Jeff Browning, Scott Collier, Elizabeth Davis, Dave Hood, Paul Hurdlow, David Lee, Jan Lindelow, Phil Siegel, Ellen Wood & moi. Terrific and challenging discussion – as it should be. Nice shot in the arm to reload, refocus and further challenge ourselves.

The W Hotel – finally checked it out last night. It’s become quite the buzz downtown. Enjoyed the lounge, seated by a big fire with friends Adrienne Donato (in from DC), Kirk & Amy Rudy, Luke Hayes & Wyeth Wiedeman.  Adrienne & I enjoyed a late night dinner at Congress Bar after – can’t get enough of Chef Bull’s cooking. Since I’ve become so paranoid about driving even after just a couple of drinks; the W’s driver offered me a ride home.

The Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce celebrated Lance Armstrong as the 2011 Austinite of the Year today at a luncheon. Many thanks to my friend (affectionately known as one of my two other husbands) Doug Ulman for inviting me to join him at the LIVESTRONG table. Mark Winkelman was with us and was delightfully misbehaved. Great friends from Austin Ventures all around us. Lance deserves this; he’s built an extraordinary foundation empowering survivors around the world. Enjoyed meeting with LIVESTRONG EVP of Mission, Andy Miller and our friend, Paul Scott who now runs AIDS Services of Austin immediately after. Andy’s their board chair elect. Watch out, they’re a powerful team.

Oh yeah, and two unexpectedly delightful meetings starting out my morning – breakfast with Ed Wendler, Jr. Can’t believe we’ve never met; I adored his dad. He’s got enough of his dad in him (the champion of liberalism, inclusion and advocacy sides) that I enjoyed our chat despite some differences. And, coffee with an entrepreneur who’s relatively new to town, Evan Loomis, who might just help change the world. Be on the lookout for Treehouse; the WholeFoods of home building supplies. Might have just made a new, close friend.

[gosh, how’d I forget. Waited over an hour for a cab this morning and just couldn’t get one to the house. Finally, saw a neighbor in his yard and begged for a ride. There’s a punch line here but I can’t rat him out. He gave me a ride & I felt guilty as hell.]

And following up on my New York meetings last week. Hard to imagine how the results could be better. Working on a team that includes Andy Tobias and Jamie Citron is energizing. Charles Myer joining us is like an extra booster rocket.

And, Steven’s in London working for a rock star Austin company. I miss him when he’s away. Good gosh how this man empowers me.

(Community Matters) low key celebrated my 50th birthday this weekend.

w/ Benjamin Brooks

Friday and Saturday nights a few close friends hosted small, intimate dinner parties (not birthday parties). Margo Weisz’s & Gregory Brook’s 5-yo son, Benjamin, decided to make me a present, and I proudly wore the birthday crown.

My fifties . . . feels like I’ve been waiting for this age all my life, even though I wasn’t always sure I would reach it. The momentum for my ability to share my gifts, talents and networks has been building so it feels like I’m launched into an exponentially productive time.

Steven & I will soon enter our 13th year together  – there’s beyond much to be said for our intimacy & friendship, our marriage – and there’s much to be analyzed and understood about the synergy of our principles, talents and ambitions. We fell in love discussing community, family and friends (in addition to my realizing he was that tall, goodlooking genius scholar, artist and theologian I’d always dreamed about). Our definitions of community have expanded – in some contexts even globally – and certainly we include a few new friends within our definition of family. Neither of us are without a healthy ego, and I’m lucky to have fallen in love with a man who’s ego (as I flatter myself into thinking likewise) is mostly feed by the numbers being helped, befriended and empowered. Yes, of course our egos also have egocentricities:  my husband loves the applause of the stage, the affirmation of students; I love access and not waiting in lines.

Steven’s ahead of me in discerning the wisdom which allows us to do more gently and in a way which even further empowers others. That’s one of my ambitions for my 50s. And, my words for this year – Let’s Play,  inviting others to join us in making good things happen, while having fun – are complimentary.

(Community Matters) I was in NY during the blackouts so didn’t think much about ’em. Texas Observer on ERCOT, potential market manipulation – guess all would qualify as price gouging, and I think that’s still illegal. I don’t have the foggiest on this topic, however. I’ve never really followed the issue except the headlines which I think suggested energy companies were responsible for manipulating the CA blackouts several years ago. If I had some time, I’d like to learn more.

Hat Tip: Burnt Orange

(Community Matters) excellent summary of who is Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt

“Global perceptions of the Muslim Brotherhood & of political Islamists have not distinguished btwn pragmatist & militant Islamists, especially after 9/11 & rising fears over Hamas’ & Hezbollah’s successes. Instead, the MB often has been lumped in with the most radical of the radicals in Western eyes. Very little attention has been paid to the majority of Islamists who are not jihadists and instead are political forces. . . .the MB remains an untested political force that faces infighting & competitors for the Islamist mantel & a large secular population….the MB of Egypt is viewed as a very opaque organization, which increases U.S. & Israeli trepidations.”

well, I believe it is an excellent summary. Occurs to me I should seek out an opposing perspective. If you see one, please forward

(Community Matters) an afternoon email from Stratfor

The international campaign to head off Iran’s nuclear program would be strengthened if Israel would pursue peace with the Palestinians, British Defense Secretary Liam Fox said Feb. 6 at an annual Israeli security forum, Reuters reported. Israel previously stated that peace talks hinged on first curbing Iran. Progress toward a secure and universally recognized Israel alongside a viable and contiguous Palestinian state is important to defuse Iranian influence in the region, Fox stated. Regional powers and neighbors should not be obstacles and must ensure Iran is not using them to avoid or water down the impact of economic sanctions, Fox said.

An interesting switch of cart and horse. Instead of being read as evocative, wondering if Israelis might use as cover for relaunching peace talks – everyone seems to have an added incentive to do so today

(Community Matters) good gosh, now they are publicly planning & coordinating their attacks w/ GOP: next week we’ll be hearing comparisons to middle east unrest & Jimmy Carter & rising oil prices. Of course, let’s just ignore that people rising up for Democracy is a good thing

(Community Matters) there’s an interesting video here, of Stratfor CEO George Friedman suggesting it isn’t the crowds pushing Mubarak out but the Egyptian military

from Stratfor, satellite imagery of military presence/placement in Cairo

video here

(Community Matters) Big deal for Austin, groundbreaking for Zach’s Topfer Theatre. Michael Barnes’ posting here. Didn’t mention Tom Terkel’s extraordinary leadership for the capital campaign nor Tommie Meredith’s, so I’ll add.

Steven and I adore Zachary Scott & recognize it/them as critical to Austin’s eco system. Were our resources (time & treasure) more abundant, we’d definitely play there too. Thank gosh so many do – thank you

(Community Matters) I only met Charles Nolan twice and didn’t get to know him, other than through a few first hand stories from his partner Andy Tobias and a few of their mutual friends. I didn’t even realize how serious the situation was until over dinner with Andy three weeks ago.

Charles passed away on Sunday. Andy’s fortitude amazes, mystifies and inspires me.

a friend posted this about the service (scroll down just a bit)

and, Andy’s “interview” of Charles is a must read!

in the pic, Andy on the left, Charles on the right

(Community Matters) Quick trip, great trip – I keep making new, good friends and just had a wonderfully successful visit. Of course, how wouldn’t it be fun when get to hang with folks like Andy Tobias, Jamie Citron, Charles Myers, Paul Boskind, Mitchell Draizin, Brayden McCarthy, Sarah Richardson, Corey Johnson and others. Sorry missed old and new friends Rob O, John Paul & Ken M this visit – looking forward to catching up with them and others when Steven and I are back for the Point Foundation dinner in a few weeks.