Community Matters

(Community Matters)

2010 Blandy Lectures
September 21 & 22

The Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest’s 2010 Blandy Lecturer is Jeff Sharlet, the author of the New York Times bestselling book The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power.  Jeff has been newly appointed to the faculty at Dartmouth College, and is a contributing editor for Harper’s and Rolling Stone.  He has been writing about the intersection of politics, fundamentalism and culture for more than a decade.  Visit www.jeffsharlet.com to learn more.

At the Tuesday evening lecture, Jeff will discuss his soon-to-be-released book, C-Street: The Fundamentalist Threat to American Power.  The Tuesday morning lecture will cover the controversy surrounding the Ugandan anti-homosexuality bill.

This year’s Hal Brook Perry Award recipients are the Rev. Esteban Saucedo, ’57 and Dr. Harry Gunkel, ’08, and the McDonald Teaching Award will be presented to the Rev. Dr. Ray Pickett.

(Community Matters) Nothing to crow about, and one might have thought the figure was 90% given the rhetoric.

Mike Allen, Politico: independents’ disapproval of the president has reached an all-time high, with 57 percent giving him negative marks. … A majority of independents – 59 percent – say they would prefer to have Republicans in charge of Congress to serve as a check on the president’s agenda.”

Still . . . gotta create jobs – #1

(Community Matters) It appears Lilly Archuletta has come out and revealed herself.  Glad to see she’s back posting; her blog, inkydinkyparlezvous is one of my favorites. And, if I were one of her children, I’d petition for the alias, but hey, her children are my godchildren and probably feel the same about Community Matters.

(Community Matters) Politico: Former campaign manager David Plouffe said as long as Democrats focus on making each election a choice between candidates on a local level and get Democratic voters to the polls, the majority party will stay that way.

(Community Matters) I like Michel Blue’s guest editorial in this week’s Austin Business Journal

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Happy Birthday, Cameron

(Community Matters) After reading this article and seeing this portrait, I so want to be in either Madrid or Marfa. http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/09/05/travel/05Heads.html?ref=travel

(Community Matters) I agree with today’s AAS editorial and am glad this program is being reevaluated. Its intent is sound and there’s too much potential for abuse.  For instance, it’s increasingly used to prevent homeowners’ demolition plans – and sometimes (thankfully) unscrupulous developers’ plans, though that was not its intent.

We should reassess the ordinance’s original intentions, modify or redefine ambitions, and implement new historical preservation incentives – likely with tax break limitations which appropriately compensate homeowners while protecting municipalities’ tax bases.

City staff, the historical commission and the planning commission should be challenged to recommend new, more fair, best of class practices.  Council members might spend more time balancing their appointees to these bodies, even recruiting broader perspectives, rather than agreeing to appoint/reappoint.

Neighborhood associations also have a responsibility to better manage their involvement and representation. In the North University Neighborhood Association, we have elected new leaders and are reevaluating our practices and bylaws.

(Community Matters)

checking out the cool roof top penthouse in today’s AAS homes, I learned about the Commodore Perry – who knew it’d been a hotel?  And, I didn’t know Hugo Keuhne had been the architect – he designed our house.

(Community Matters) Sunday, Sept 19, fundraiser supporting Congressman Doggett’s reelection campaign – hosted by Diane Land & Steve Adler. Who’s who  host committee – including the Ausleys, Barnes, Aimee Boone, all the Garriotts, Kleins, Hogg-Garza, Amb McLelland, Nelands, the fabo politico women, Senator & Liz, Wellands, Melba & Ted, Calendar Club moguls . . . . an event not to be missed.

or, simply contribute here

(Community Matters) Mazel Tov

(Community Matters) Reminds me of Steven’s scene in American Fiesta