Community Matters

(Community Matters)

Happy Birthday, Kirk

(Community Matters) Spent last night tasting gins with Graham Reynolds at Peche on W 4th St.  Who knew there were so many gins, so many production styles, so many variations of content?

First, Peche: this is a unique bar well worth being on everyone’s list – beyond knowledgeable bartenders.  Carter Wilsford was our bartender last night; he was the liquor buyer for Specs.  Claims to know over 3,000 liquors, and our conversations suggest he does.  My drinking companion is no intellectual slouch either – about liquors, art, politics or any number of matters, so those two provoked & answered lots of questions.

We tried seven gins (just tastes, three sips max of each); there were probably 30 or 40 gins on the shelf.  1) Citadel (French) – lighter, flowery, batched distilled rather than continuous*.  I liked this one, probably my third favorite. 2) Oxey – pressure distilled*, heavier, brighter, introduction of fresh fruits.  My first or second favorite, have to retaste, 3) Bluecoat – was fine, 4& 5) Boomsa, a Genevar style (aka Holland style)  gin, tried the young and the old – preferred the old.  Malted.  Not favorite.  Didn’t like the young, 6) Brokers – quite clean, crisp, a steeped gin (like Beefeaters which is historically one of my favorites). this is probably my favorite, quite simple and traditional.  7) Junipero – the most juniper.  Over the top, like Bombay Saphire

Again, Peche, can’t recommend it enough.  The food too.  I had a lamb burger to die for, with an extraordinary, sauteed green tomato on top.  I 86ed the fried egg.  And the company – well, I admit to having a boy crush.  Excited about Graham’s & Peter’s compositions and playing for Metropolis at the Seaholm next week.  Michael & I attending the Intergalatic Nemisis preview on Thursday (which he composed and will play), and there are very interesting gigs shaping up, including a new commission in November and a most unique creation/collaboration for FuseBox.

* the bartender was talking about heads, hearts and tails in the distillation process and how batch distillation produces a cleaner liquor as you are able to separate the heads and tails from the heart. Also discussion about pressure vs heat distillation and how pressure allows for the introduction of fresh fruit

(Community Matters) I had dinner with my close friend Kevin Keim last night – one of the most renaissance men I know among 30-40 year olds (my husband being another).  Kevin runs the Charles Moore Foundation.  I shouldn’t let so much time pass between our visits.

(Community Matters) The 10 point Gallup poll GOP edge, ought to bring out the fighting spirit on our side.  We’ve been further behind before – predictions of the demise of the Obama campaign in the primary, in the general, of health care reform, of financial regulatory reform . . . been there, done that.  And, it must appropriately motivate us all.

(Community Matters) funding the Tea Party: “The Kochs are longtime libertarians who believe in drastically lower personal and corporate taxes, minimal social services for the needy, and much less oversight of industry—especially environmental regulation.” The New Yorker article

on the Tea Party, ““What they don’t say is that, in part, this is a grassroots citizens’ movement brought to you by a bunch of oil billionaires.”

(Community Matters) Conversations over the last week have reminded me, I too can be badly behaved.

I’ve always believed in civility, and my passions sometimes runneth over. During the last week, some felt I created a hostile environment for those who disagree on the Muslim Community Center issue.  That doesn’t create a space for dialogue nor certainly reconciliation.

Hope to better practice what I preach, which is that everyone I’m engaged with in conversation, or in community, who isn’t harming others, should enjoy these rights: 1) to be heard, 2) to be seen, 3) to feel safe, 4) to belong, 5) to make a difference.

I can’t promise to be perfect but I can promise to try hard to do better.

(Community Matters) in various conversations during the week, I’ve expressed fear of radical conservatives from all religions – Muslim, Christian and Jew.  Many from each of these groups would outlaw my family, some even my right to hold a job & to live where I wish – some who believe gays should be put to death. So, the biggest, real threat is a rise in influence of radical conservative religious fanatics.

update: I should add Mormons to above

(Community Matters) drinks this afternoon with blogger Mike Rogers, BlogActive, Mike’s the DC-based blogger who outs gay politicians hypocritically working against our community. Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to imagine the story he’s pursuing in Texas.

(Community Matters) Jill McRae made the best gelato, presecco & vodka cocktails as part of dessert – after salad nicoise while trying 5 different Sancerres.  Jill, Judge Yelenosky, Judge Pitman, Michael Mitchell & Steven – history, politics, health care . . .

(Community Matters) We’re so excited.  Steven will soon have an office at Thinkwell too – more chances to hang during the day

Kenneth who’s building out the office space

(Community Matters) reading articles on why these Middle East Peace negotiations might or might not succeed.

Wondering: what if the US & Europeans declared we’d cut financial aid to Palestine and Israel by 20% every year until a peace is negotiated? Wondering if this might add additional motivation

(Community Matters) and, always an honor to get a mention by my friend Andy