Community Matters

(Community Matters) New images from the Hubble’s upgrade and repair are due to be released today. These Early Release Observations (EROs) intend to demonstrate the telescope’s new technology. more here

updated:

Butterfly emerges from new Hubble images. Credit: NASA, ESA, and the Hubble SM4 ERO Team

Stephan’s Quintet. Credit: NASA, ESA, and the Hubble SM4 ERO Team

(Community Matters) What if we looked at this date upside down?

(Community Matters) I find it pretty unremarkable that Gov. Perry has insinuated himself into university governance. It’s no surprise he and select supporters wish to dismantle the tenure system at state universities. And, I’m appreciative that most of the UT regents exhibited independence in the chancellor selection process.

(Community Matters) Spent half the day Friday and all today reviewing the Entrepreneurs Foundation’s performance during the last five months and projections through the end of year. Good gosh, it’s been a busy, productive and beneficial summer; it’ll be an even busier fall. I’m lucky to work with an exceptional staff, an outstanding board and extraordinary supporters – especially Austin Ventures, Silicon Labs and Trilogy, not to mention Thinkwell, DLA Piper, MFI Foundation, Square One, Silicon Valley Bank, Jones Lang LaSalle, Wilson Sonsini, Andrews Kurth, Vinson & Elkins, Baker Botts, Comerica, JP Morgan Chase, vcfo and so many others (ugh, I’m going to get in trouble for forgetting to mention someone/group really important).

EF board meeting tomorrow afternoon. Sorry to those I had to cancel today. I get into this zone and just can’t pull out.

(Community Matters) Michael’s launched the listing of his & the Austin American Statesman’s Fortunate 500 on his blog. First listings are the All-Star and the Arts categories. I’m assuming remainder of list forthcoming shortly.

(Community Matters)
We have tried to reform healthcare for 70 years. NO ONE has been successful.

Medicare will go bankrupt soon if it isn’t fixed.

Lots of folks have ideas about what the President is doing wrong, how he’s mishandled the whole debate. Hmm, has he?

Sure reminds me of all the backseat quarterbacking during the primary, during the general election. And, how’d that turn out? A progressive Black man, a national newbie beat Hillary Clinton in the primary and won the general election by a margin unseen by Democrats in 20+ years.

The President hasn’t handled healthcare reform like everyone thinks he should have either. He articulated broad principles – universal access, competitiveness and a system that pays for itself, with a quantified investment. He let Congress, the industries and the public debate, brainstorm and propose how to reach these objectives. Now he’ll propose specifics with the benefit of all the debate, research and negotiating. (Reminds me of the story Valerie Jareett told of his economic debate – Buffett, Volcker, Bernanke and Sumners debating for 1.5 days, then the president integrating their best ideas).

Lots of friends and politicians bemoaning the political risks of the President’s approach and emerging proposals. This reminds me of something else – of President Johnson securing the passage of the Civil Rights Act and acknowledging that he’d lost the south for the Democrats. Thank God LBJ had the courage to act in the best interest of the American people over the election prospects of his party and politicians.

Posted from my blackberry.

(Community Matters)

about it here

(Community Matters)

(Community Matters) Marfa Lights Festival, Labor Day weekend – all good & means all really busy. Our bad that we didn’t lock down plans until Thursday. And, by then everything in Marfa booked, so this drove us to stay in Ft. Davis – which we’ve quite enjoyed. The house is a mansion owned by Hotel Limpia – usually rents as three separate suites. We’re enjoying having the entire home, on a big white picket fenced lot, the two Rudy dogs & a huge wrap around porch with plenty of rocking chairs

Kirk Rudy & Andy Friedman

Our “house in Marfa” is actually the home of Andy Friedman & David Egeland (of Chicago) which we sorta timeshare. Turns out (we’ll I’ve known for some time) Andy & Kirk grew up together in Houston. The boys were in this weekend, thus we couldn’t use the house. Quite nice to finally be up at the same time since we enjoy their company so much.

David Egeland & Amy Rudy

Taylor, Amy & Ellie

Taylor is Ellie Rudy’s best friend. Terrific idea to bring her with us. I’m sure it’s made the trip a lot more fun for Ellie and we’ve enjoyed meeting Taylor. The Marfa Lights Festival seems more local, lots of families and family reunions. Big celebration at county courthouse town square.

We were able to catch up with Tim Johnson & Caitlin Murry at Marfa Bookstore and Barbara Hill who gave us a private tour of her new collection.

Star Party at the McDonald Observatory Saturday night where Robert Torian and Kurt joined us.

Dinner last night at Cochineal Restaurant

yesterday, Steven, Kirk & I took a tour – Alpine, Marathon, the Gage, Big Bend National Park, Terlingua, Lajitas, Big Bend State Park, Contrabando movie set, Presidio, Julie Speed/Fran Christian new home, Padres & Marfa Bookstore. The girls slept in, hiked in the Davis Mountains State Park & swam at the Limpia pool

We didn’t really connect with many other friends, though plenty here this weekend including Janet Maykus & Mark Smith, Dana Friis-Hansen, Mark Holzbach, Dale Rice & Antonio La Pastina

@ Terlingua Ghost Town – kinda says it all about that place

(Community Matters) hmm, ft davis . . . .

and time today in Marfa running into lots of friends, including Robert Torian & Kurt. Marfa Lights Festival.

McDonald Observatory Star Party tonight; touring Big Bend and Terlingua tomorrow.

(Community Matters)
Didn’t realize speed limit dropped to 65mph at night. Well, guess did know, forgot. Both of our cars were just pulled over. The officer ticketed Steven who was driving my car with Kirk. He only gave Amy a warning: it was us and the girls. Posted from my blackberry – just north of Ft Stockton on I-35.

(Community Matters) asking a regent to resign for supporting KBH