Community Matters

(Community Matters) I’m told these plans are being proposed to the UT Regents today.

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(Community Matters) More parents’ comments coming in concerned about Southwest Key’s stewardship of East Austin College Prep.

And, this has stoked my interest in knowing the results of two friends’, Austin business and political leaders investigations into the matters I raised. One friend was a board member and contacted me after my original posting. Rather than chastising me for raising concerns, I suggested he exercise his fiduciary responsibilities as a board member of SW Key and investigate whether my concerns were valid. He promised to do so. I never heard back but noticed he resigned from the board. The other friend was a paid consultant tasked with raising money. He asked me to stand down and I asked him to protect his reputation by investigating his employer before asking our friends for money. I never heard back but I do know he wasn’t working for SW Key a few months thereafter.  A revered Hispanic community leader wrote me questioning my connection with Hispanics in this community – suggesting I only speak out against Hispanic initiatives. Well, that would be wrong, though I appreciated her candid feedback and directness.

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(Community Matters) Seriously, is this a priority for some conservatives? Reading about the US House Bill to allow employees to take comp time (subj to scheduling with employer) in lieu of overtime. You know, for empowered employees, maybe this might work, though I think over time, most employees are becoming less empowered.

I’m really not a corporate basher. I believe the most sustainable form of charity is creating jobs. And, I know that sometimes hard, firm rules are the best way to ensure we operate fairly and aren’t tempted to cut corners.

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(Community Matters) kudos to our friends at ATC for a super CEO Summit today – though I wasn’t able to stay long after I briefly presented (left at lunch) since I’ve been sick (hopefully at the tail end of a 24 hour bug).

Lots of good presentations, especially the panel with John Arrow, Brett Hurt and Bob Metcalfe moderated by Mark McClain. And, Mike Maples Jr’s morning keynote. Brian Kelsey (Civic Analytics) presented on tech in Austin’s economy – 21% of the economy and nearly a third of all jobs including a multiplier). Sorry to have missed so many friends this afternoon including Tommie Meredith, John Thornton, Lou Marchetti, Bill Wood, Josh Baer, Mike Maples Sr and Gene Austin – big news that Gene is Bazaarvoice’s new president.

@M2jr spoke about The Power Rule, Exponential Thinking, Assessing an Entrepreneur’s Thought Habits and First Principles Reasoning. I’d forgotten what a brainiac Mike is. John Arrow blew me away with his wisdom; and I think he’s only 24 years old. Brett Hurt is thinking big and transformatively about how Austin gets to the next level. I’m surprised how old school Bob Metcalfe came across. Kudos to Julie Huls & everyone at ATC for pulling this off.

(Community Matters) “In 1995 an ad for the beer brand Guinness, that showed a couple of men in their home, was censored. Fifteen years later it was uploaded to the web, and 2 years after that it became a web sensation!”

(Community Matters) Rainer Judd in W Magazine

gotta say, I’ve also met her brother. They are equally beautiful.

hat tip: Tana

(Community Matters) a note I received this morning (I have not yet had time to confirm accuracy):

Good morning Eugene

As a disappointed parent from East Austin College Prep, I began looking for review online about our community charter school.  I didn’t find much, what I did find was a blog written in 2009 which states exactly how we feel. “Something doesn’t feel right here.”  

Many parent, including myself were under the impression  that EACPrep was been managed by Southwest Key. According the attached charter application, EACPrep does not have a management company instead  the East Austin Academia Inc. was organized to handle all of its development, financial, operations, and management issues.  Surprisingly come to find out all the current member on the East Austin Academia Inc. either work for  or are affiliated with Southwest Key.

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(Community Matters) We’re back to Austin early tomorrow morning to check out as many of the thousands of lemonade stands as we can find – Lemonade Day Austin.  Over the first 4 years, 60k+ kids have sold $1 million+ of lemonade and donated over $500k to their favorite charities.

We expect 8,000 stands and nearly 25k kids to participate this year.

(Community Matters) Charles Santos  (TITAS) is presenting two different Alvin Ailey shows today at 2 and again at 8 – headed to both. We’re in Dallas staying w/ Rickie & Charles for the weekend.

bummed to be missing Rob Dubbeldee’s memorial service today

(Community Matters) AT&T has told me to cancel the alerts, text: 26237 with the messsage “stop (amber)”

Not sure why I started receiving them but they blast my smartphone whenever they come through – and usually then several during the same day.

(Community Matters) The finalists for Ernst & Young 2013 Entrepreneur of the Year are:

1. Mark Friedman, Accruent

2. Eddie Machaalani and Mitchell Harper, Bigcommerce

3. Dan Graham, BuildASign.com

4. Bob Pruitt, Cal-Tex Protective Coatings

5. John Erwin, Carenet

6. Glenn Garland and Jim Stimmel, CLEAResult

7. Rony Kahan and Paul Forster, Indeed

8. Veronica Edwards, InGenesis

9. Kendra Scott, Kendra Scott Designs

10. Chris Hester, Kinnser Software

11. John Arrow, Mutual Mobile

12. R. Paul Deere, Tolteq Group  

The Tingari-Silverton Foundation Social Entrepreneur of the Year finalists are:

1. Karen LaShelle, Creative Action

2. Joyce McDonald, Frameworks

3. Ronda Rutledge, Sustainable Food Center

4. Max Elliott, Urban Roots

congrats to all and to so many outstanding nominees

(Community Matters) A really beautiful piece on love and what it means. If you watch it, ignore the opening sound effects, they’re only to place the dialogue in context.