Community Matters

(Community Matters) Got to be kidding me – a condo association in Florida writing deed restrictions to keep out gays & lesbians. 

(Community Matters) The Atlantic – “The Tyranny of Buffness”

My boyfriend expected me to be lean and muscular. But I couldn’t live up to that standard, and neither can a lot of guys–and we shouldn’t have to.

Hat Tip: Towleroad

(Community Matters) and a former aide recorded her raging against gays, lesbians and transgendered – calling us disgusting. She and her, then, chief of staff openly discussed framing their objections in a way that would disguise their personal animus but that would play well to her political base. The San Antonio Express News published an editorial and a column about it. They’ve included a link to the recordings.

(Community Matters) I had lunch this week with an old friend who I haven’t seen in ages, Elizabeth Gonzales. Elizabeth is a board member of SW Key and East Austin College Prep. She’s absolutely convinced both do outstanding work (while acknowledging the growing pains at the school). I’ve mentioned before in previous postings that when I toured SW Key facilities in Dallas and Houston in the early 90s, I was impressed with their work. I even helped them secure a sizable bank line of credit. Elizabeth also assures me Juan doesn’t have any equity interests in vendors or contractors doing business with SW Key or the school.

A couple of months ago, I had lunch with Leo Ramirez who’s gone to work for Juan Sanchez. I have incredible respect for Leo and his integrity. And, today Leo told me his dad might be doing some work for the school. For those who don’t know, Mr. Ramirez is legendary. He was a math teacher in McAllen who nurtured, cajoled and mentored many Valley students to go on to Ivy League colleges.

Where am I at with SW Key & East Austin College Prep? I’d like to believe the boards have thoroughly vetted the concerns about lack of financial transparency. I’m impressed that Elizabeth, Leo and his dad are involved. I remain sympathetic to the concerns expressed by parents and past & current employees to me directly or through this blog. I am encouraged but not yet endorsing nor willing to support funding.

Earlier posts accessed through here1 & here2

(Community Matters) Article on police overreach in Pensacola . We’re investigating the same here in Austin. The stories out of Marfa are increasingly epic – rogue sheriff, sheriff’s deputy and border guards. A federal judge intervening in NYC. NSA overreach. I’m not sure what exactly is going on. I know most of these men & women risk their lives daily and have society’s best interests at heart.

Our 23 yo nephew from Pensacola sent me the article asking what I thought might be going on? Perhaps systematically, we’re pushing just too far toward militarization of local & domestic security. The weakening of checks & balances leads to overreach.

(Community Matters) In Sojourners’s “Simple is the New Chic,” by John Carr, who spent more than two decades as the U.S. bishops’ top peace and justice officer.

Pastor Prophet, Pope by Stephen F. Schneck. Pope Francis—refreshingly candid and seemingly repelled by the perks of the papacy—offers new hope for the Catholic Church and beyond.

(Community Matters) Austin has selected three finalists in the design competition for the Seaholm Intake building.

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article in ABJ

(Community Matters) I find the parallels Thomas Friedman draws between monoculture farms in the Middle West and monoculture societies in the Middle East fascinating. Thoughts jump to permaculture farming and what we’re learning, thus what are these lessons applied to civilizations. Kansas and Al Qaeda.

(Community Matters) Perseid Meteor Shower  – “best on the nights of Aug 11-12 & Aug 12-13. From northerly latitudes, you often see 50 or more meteors/hr, and from southerly latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere, perhaps about one-third that many meteors.” EarthSky: Everything you need to know: Perseid meteor shower

(Community Matters) Are we investing to preserve our quality of life and affordability in the face of unstoppable growth? 

Forbes: Austin earned No. 1 status thanks to an annual job growth of 4 percent, a median income just under $60,000, and an unemployment rate of 5.5 percent, while also wooing companies like Facebook, Apple, AT&T and, of course, Google Fiber.

People are flocking to Austin to take advantage of companies hiring and the city’s cool reputation. The metro boasts a net migration rate that is the third fastest in the country over the past five years. Population growth is triple the national average and that helps fuel demand for services in the area. Austin ranks No. 14 on our list of the Best Places for Business and Careers and only thing preventing a higher showing are business and living costs that exceed the national average.

(Community Matters) Good outcome in the City’s White Lodging decision. White Lodging’s argument is bullshit. Two years ago they were debating whether or not they would accept the waiver, understanding that the prevailing wage requirement could exceed the waiver amount. Appears they sought and received a soft escape by cajoling a bureaucrat who was leaving to form an engineering & design firm which would be selling into the industry asking for the favorable interpretation.

(Community Matters) What does it take – directly from the fingers of a cool company CEO who’s a 20-something – Chuck Gordon, Sparefoot. It’s about Trust