Community Matters

(Community Matters) Happiness is . . . . going to bed snuggling to get warm, then waking up warm and toasty

. . . . then squeezing oranges for fresh juice, making fresh tortillas, black beans, fresh salsa, eggs, cheese & bacon for the world’s best breakfast tacos . . .  then heading back to bed . . . . all in Marfa, Tx w/ Steven Tomlinson

(Community Matters) Driving through a blizzard, snow coming straight at us, was like being inside a snow globe . . . . or watching one of those wheels that hypnotize you.

Alas, the snow had already been through Marfa – not snowing once we arrived.  We unpacked, then nice dinner at Cochineal – Tom & Tochi, Tobi Levy, Mary Farley, Liz Lambert, Valerie & Robert Arber and Caitlin Murray all there too.  Totally chilling for a week, then arrival of our friends/family

(Community Matters) Steven and I are halfway to Marfa. Wow, lots more to do getting out of town than planned, not just work but on all fronts. So boned tired, I think we are going to hibernate for a few days before joining the social scene on the desert plains. Happy holidays, merry christmas and happy new years to all. Posted from me blackberry. (Btw, alexer, don’t forget to feed my fish)

(Community Matters) So the young woman begging for money, holding a sign which reads, “Laid Off. Yes I’m embarrassed but I’m doing this for my children,” is the same young woman who came to my door a month or two ago selling magazines and claiming to be a neighbor’s high school daughter raising money for a school trip.

(Community Matters) Occurs to me reading this morning’s article on Texas healthcare stats (I’d link to AAS but can’t figure out how to find specific articles) – including one in four Texans uninsured, one in three working adults – Senators Hutchinson or Cornyn could have extracted extraordinary financial assistance for Texas if they had negotiated their support for the healthcare bill.

(hey, I’m not defending the egregious deal making that rewarded Nebraska and Louisiana, I’m just saying . . . )

(Community Matters) What was once an annual tradition hopefully got back on track last night – dinner and 37th St strolling/light viewing with our dear friends Kip Keller & Michael Barnes.  Post 3-day family gathering I decided last minute I was no longer up for cooking, so we enjoyed Fonda San Miguel’s hospitality, then a most delicious 2003 Black Cougar Ridge cab (thx guys) and dark chocolates for dessert.

37th St lights aren’t back up to Jamie Lipman’s days (who with his wife Sharon Smith has left the hood) but they’re coming back.  The crowds are thinner – at least they were last night – but that’s a good thing.

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(Community Matters) Is it just me or is the new website format the most user UN-friendly site anyone has ever seen?  Previously, I went to the site multiple times a day.  Now, I do so much less because it is such a source of frustration. Sorry guys; it is seriously bad.  I’ve withheld saying anything as long as I can.

(Community Matters) After our luncheon where we discussed this topic, UT Professor Michael Brandl posted a historical explanation of how the US financed past war deficits and the implications for today.

(Community Matters) Since Steven and I won’t be with the family on Christmas, we celebrated early with a full Xmas dinner yesterday afternoon.  Even gave the niece and nephews their gifts.

and enjoyed touring South Congress later in the evening

(Community Matters) The Anti-Defamation League has recently issued a report, “The Aryan Circle: Crime in the Name of Hate,” the site here, the full report here.

ADL’s website detailing its initiatives in this arena

I had breakfast this morning with ADL’s Southwest Regional Director Martin Cominsky and national Associate Director, Bob Wolfson.  Sorry to have missed yesterday’s strategic planning retreat for our region.  Good to be caught up on the good work nationally and regionally.

(Community Matters) Suppose our brief plan for a day trip to DC for this afternoon’s White House Christmas party wouldn’t have worked after all.  Hoping our friends arrived in DC before the airports were closed and are able to make it – from Austin, I think the Rudys, Wesners,  Merediths & Neelands

rumor Byron Nease (Charles Santos’ former lover) is performing

(Community Matters) Some pics from the weekend

Mom, Dad & their grandchildren

Eli & Paulina

Eric, Bridget, Mom, Luci, Eli & Dad

Dad, Mom, Billy (Matt’s assistant), Eric, Matt Rainwater, Eli

Bridget & Shaun

Bridget & Luci

Eli & Paulina

They only agreed to pose for this pic because they were being extra sweet hoping I’d let them open their Christmas gifts early (I overheard Eli tell Paulina to they had to be extra nice for this reason).  Alas, their loyalty to their dad’s school (their uncle’s too) is fun, but I fear it’ll limit their options as young adults

Steven, Eli, lil’ Eli and dad   (breakfast at the house on the park)

Paulina & Shaun (my oldest nephew)

mom & Paulina