Community Matters

(Community Matters) I’m excited about today’s kickoff of RISE.  I’ll help launch the week at tonight’s celebration, introducing Roy Spence.  Red McCombs tonight’s keynote  http://www.riseaustin.com/about/about

(Community Matters) Attended a reading of Allan Baker’s Midwinter Night’s Conversation last night – very good.  Excited about the April run of his play at the Off Center – more http://abbyproductions.com/.  I’ll post more when not on the run

(Community Matters) Father Reggie Payne-Wiens was installed yesterday as the Rector of St. James Episcopal.  Reggie and I had a super lunch meeting this week where we got to know each other better.  He and Steven already know each other much better since Steven served on the rector search committee.  Reggie’s a super addition to the St. James community – long tradition of inclusive and multi-cultural values.  [don’t be confused by my posting last week about Reggie’s sermon.  If you know me, you should know commentary, even disagreement is not meant personally]

Bishop Andy led the services.  The Very Reverend Robert Wright from Atlanta delivered an outstanding sermon (the title very is used to denote deans).  Among my favorite quotes: “the church exists to teach the world to say wow, not whoa.”

We are thrilled to have Father Reggie, Elena, Maya & Talia with us at St. James.  Yesterday was a good day.

(Community Matters) I’m thinking about this dispassionately. I’ve had dinner with and otherwise been around Gov. Perry lots of times. I’ve been with Mayor White a few times, recently seated next to him at the ADL dinner. From a personal perspective alone, I like ’em both. Mayor White talks about important ideas, pressing problems from a solutions perspective. Gov Perry is still a cheerleader.

Problem is, we’ve been eating our seed corn in this state – underinvesting in education & infrastructure, putting politics in front of Texas by turning away hundredes of millions in national aid for unemployment & education. White’s run the nation’s 5th largest city very successfully; he’s a successful businessman, and he bridges political ideologies. Perry’s chronies are taking advantage of his longevity and making millions while screwing things up. Sure we’re better off in the State of Texas than the rest of the country – but Rick Perry isn’t responsible for the competitive advantages of this great state – Texans are, as are those who invested in our education systems and infrastructure during the previous 100 years.

(Community Matters) Very cool that Julianna Smoot has been named the new White House social director & deputy assistant to the President.  She was our Obama for President campaign finance director, then Ron Kirk’s chief of staff. huffington post

(Community Matters) just because some never imagine doesn’t mean it isn’t true:

1. today in Austin a rally was held in response to a gay bashing downtown last Saturday night,
2. the governor of Virgina issued an executive order rescinding employment protections for LGBT Virginians, and
3. in Alameda County, CA, parents are suing to exclude gay students from protections against bullying

not to mention marriage, survivor benefits, military service, immigration . . . .

(Community Matters) the update I sent friends today who’ve donated to HelpHaiti – for which we’ve matched their contributions dollar for dollar:

Another brief update.  Welcome to new friends on this list.  I periodically send these personal updates to friends who have given to HelpHaiti.  As always, if you prefer to be taken off these periodic emails, please let me know.

The three $50k challenge grants we issued from your contributions and the match monies to Partners in Health (@PiH.org), Concern Worldwide (@Concern) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) have gone very well.

PiH_org challenged students on several university campuses to raise $50k against the match this week.  They exceeded the challenge and we’re thrilled to double the money raised by the students, i.e., again doubling your already matched monies.  Similar success by @Concern.  A group of Irish writers and musicians planned a fundraising event for NYC last week.  It was expected to bring in a few thousand.  Once @Concern let them know about the EF/AV HelpHaiti challenge grant, the momentum changed, they enlisted the Irish consulate’s aid, and they raised $57,000.  I haven’t heard final results from CRS but know they inquired about opportunities if they exceeded the match.

Continue reading →

(Community Matters) Cameron Lockley and I toured El Arbol restaurant today.  They’re going for “a mid-century classic Argentinean restaurant, both in atmosphere and gastronomic offerings.”  It’s that cool, white contemporary building on the southwest corner of 35th St. and  Glenview – across the intersection from Burger King and diagonally across from Jefferson Square – which has been under renovation for 2 years.

GM Victor Farnsworth (formerly from the Four Seasons Hotel) guided us through the 3 story and large patioed property – recently, extensively renovated – design by Joel Mozersky (The Belmont, Uchi, La Condessa and Antonelli Cheese Shop).

Also chatted with Chef Chad Dolezal. Chef comes back to Texas via Portland and has landed at El Arbol after a stint at Bess Bistro’ (which we’re not holding against him).  We talked briefly about the availability of seasonal, local food product – he’s developing his sources.  We’re not the Pacific northwest but making progress.  They’ve built a gargantuan 6-station grill.  Excited about their beef and about their seafood, of course, obtaining the latter from Roberto San Miguel.

I can’t wait to dine on the second floor, 4 to 6 of us in one of the booths. I’m ordering a Coco Pisco cocktail and the citrus cured seasonal white fish w/ spicy Peruvian peppers as starters.  Then, even though I’m not a big beef eater, I’ve gotta try the Eye of Ribeye – hopefully with someone who’ll split the 14oz steak.  I understand house sommelier, Crockett Moore (who I don’t know) is building an impressive list of Malbecs, so gotta let him introduce us to their best.  ok, maybe an Alfajores for dessert with a glass of port.

The outdoor dining should be perfect this spring.  Victor said the staff is finalizing their brunch menu now, so they should be launching in the next couple of weeks.

(Community Matters) Julie Speed in NY

I don’t recognize this painting – it must be new.

Have I seen a white cake?  and the red remanded to plates.  The hall reminds me of her house.  Julie’s been especially prolific the last several months.

I’d love to make the opening but am booked.  I’ll make the show though

(Community Matters) Luke Hayes and I met at McCallum High School for the academy’s performance of Evita.  It’s a super show, the kids were great – the first dual language production. Betty Reichman shot some great pics at last night’s dress rehearsal – all pics hers.

Spencer Reichman, AlineMayagoitia, Sarah Miller-Crews & Avery Martin

Rush Evans IV

Sarah Miller-Crews

Avery Martin & Sarah Miller-Crews

Bummed we didn’t find Ben Knaplund (my godson) & Lena Zisklind at the school – Ben and Avery close friends.

(Community Matters) The Austin American Statesman editorial is insightful and candid.  I still haven’t made up my mind.  Fond of them both – plenty of potential, if underwhelming records.

(AAS) Diligence, leadership overdue in East Travis County

We frequently have criticized Gomez’s performance on the court, but we don’t find an alternative in challenger Raul Alvarez, a former Austin City Council member. He is a nice guy and well-intentioned but lacks focus and displays little practical working knowledge of county government.  Granted, he has dreams, but reality is a harsh light that dreams rarely survive. Continue reading →

(Community Matters) my friend Nancy Graves sent. literally the loss of our senses

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