Former Gallery Watch Manager Now a Videographer

The entrepreneurial spirit of people who work around the Capitol never ceases to amaze me! I recently heard from Jorge Flores, who worked at the Legislative Reference Library under Sally Reynolds, and then moved to Gallery Watch, where he was the Manager of Operations for 3 years. After it was absorbed into CQ-Roll Call, Jorge decided to open a video production company called Waterloo Films.

Jorge specializes in making short and long videos out of events - weddings, quinceaneras, anniversary parties, and corporate events. Because of his knowledge of the Capitol, I bet he'd be very good at videotaping political events/campaign rallies that could, in turn, be made into campaign commercials, or short clips on a Facebook page.

So if you're looking for a cameraman who knows his way around the halls of government, Jorge is your man! You can contact him through his website, www.waterloofilms.com.

Spivey's Texas Swagger

Many of us are familiar with Ray Spivey because of his work as the governmental relations person for the Teachers Retirement System AND because of the lithographs and notecards he creates of the Capitol at the close of every legislative session. After UT won the national championship in football in 2005, he painted 12 scenes from the game. He's a talented guy.

Now Ray has a new venture with his friend Andrea Sheridan, the Texas Swagger website. There, they sell burnt orange t-shirts that say Texas Swagger in big, white letters. Looks like the perfect gift for the rabid UT fan to me (aren't we all?)

Check out the site, buy a t-shirt, become a fan of Texas Swagger on Facebook, and let's hope UT gives Ray (and other UT fans) another national championship on January 7th that he can immortalize in a new piece of art.

Lonestar Legacies Shopping Opportunity

If you're like me, and you haven't bought a single Christmas present yet, or if you're like the people I'm terribly jealous of who just need one or two more, you should hit the Holiday Open House at Lone Star Legacies this Thursday, December 10.

It's an all-day kind of party, starting at noon and running until 8 p.m. Lone Star Legacies is located at 301 W. 14th Street, just a block and a half west of the Capitol.

Owners Holly Mace Massingill and Mark Bell are offering discounts on certain items - everything marked with a red dot will be 40% off, while some framed wall art and home decor pieces will be 25% off.

Best of all, they're serving free beverages and snacks. It's a great excuse to do some shopping while hanging out with friends.

Go. Who knows? You might find that perfect gift for your granny.

Bivins Birthday Bash at the Continental - Tonight

Friends of the late state senator/U.S. Ambassador Teel Bivins are invited to join us tonight at the Continental Club, 1315 S. Congress Ave., to celebrate his life, Austin-style. During the 15 years he was a senator, Bivins enjoyed Austin's music scene as much as (more?) any local. We had a fabulous committee party at the Continental Club circa 1999, and the same band that played that night will be playing tonight, Heybale with Redd & Earl (they play at 10 p.m.).

The lobbyist who introduced Sen. Bivins to Heybale also took him to numerous SXSW shows through the years. He said, " We had some great SXSW experiences, though I think he was happiest seeing Willie Nelson and Delbert McClinton on separate occasions at Stubb's. He was also the inspiration for Sine Die weekends at the Continental, so it is especially fitting that you all will gather there!"

Tonight's event was planned after his memorial service in Amarillo in October. Many people, including about 20 former staff members, made it up there from Austin, but not everyone who enjoyed working with him at the Capitol could be there. So if you're in town and want to drink a beer in Teel's honor, come on over to the Continental Club tonight.

I meant to report on the memorial service, which was very uplifting, not sad at all. It was held at the church he'd gone to for many years (maybe his whole life?), St. Andrews Episcopal Church, which is just steps away from the Bivins home where the ambassador spent his final days. Karl Rove gave a touching eulogy, telling us how he had described Sen. Bivins to someone who had never known him. I wish I had a copy of the speech to share, but essentially he described Teel as someone from an earlier place and time who was gracious, kind, fun, loyal, and a damn good hunter.

Some of the elected and/or former elected officials who came to the service were: Sen. Bob Duncan, Sen. Craig Estes, Sen. Jane Nelson, Sen. Kel Seliger, Sen. Florence Shapiro, Rep. David Swinford, Rep. John Smithee, Rep. Warren Chisum, Speaker Pete Laney, Sen. Kyle Janek, Sen. David Sibley, and Sen. Bill Ratliff. Someone told me they saw former Comptroller John Sharp sitting in the overflow room. I'm sure there were other important people there that I didn't see. The main thing is the church was overflowing with love for Teel.

After the service, there was a gathering at the nearby Bivins home. And then there was a gathering of former staff at Macaroni Joe's, hosted by Sen. Seliger, where we toasted Teel and told stories about the crazy things that happened to us when we worked for him. His daughter Katie was there and laughed as hard as the rest of us. Everyone has at least one good "Teel story" to share. Some had worked on his first campaign, and some helped him pack up the office for the move to Sweden in 2004. Here are a few more photos from the gathering...















One thing we learned from these stories, the last movie Teel watched was "Blazing Saddles." How funny is that? I think that says more than I ever could about why we adored him.

Where Are They Now - Update on Annette Glass, Comedienne

Annette Glass disappeared from the Capitol scene early in 2008, After working for Rep. Warren Chisum for fifteen years, Annette resigned and spent a few months writing before she accepted a position at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). She is the Senior Program Specialist in the Radioactive Materials Division.

Annette is now using the comedy talent we all know she has and will make her first amateur stand up comedy performance (she stresses amateur) on Monday November 16, 2009 at 8 p.m. at the Capital Comedy Club in Austin.

“I want to invite everyone to come,” Annette explained. “The tickets are free and can be obtained by contacting me. There is a two drink minimum (or drink and food item). The doors open at 7 p.m. and the showroom usually fills up fast. The show features amateur comics who have completed a workshop through the Comedy Gym, but there will also be professional comics to keep it moving.”

Comedy Gym owner Sam Cox, has organized the evening and has scheduled Annette for the first half of the night, Annette told us. “That’s so my friends who appreciate clean comedy can see me and leave before any potentially offensive comedy starts.”

“Please com out for my debut,” Annette urged. “I need all the support I can get. For tickets, contact Annette at annette@PlainEnglishUSA.com.

Sen. Bivins was the Best

Of course I'm biased, he allowed me to work for him for 8 years. Many of us (former staff) are headed to Amarillo today for the memorial service tomorrow. I will have photos and memories to share later in the week. I know we're going to laugh as hard as we're going to cry. The world was a better place with him in it.

Sen. Bivins' longest-serving staffers, Linda Griggs and Sharon Miner, were with him and his family until his last day. I admire their never-ending loyalty so much. Teel would have said, "Good staff work!"

Our thoughts and prayers are with his beautiful family, especially the children he so dearly loved.

Haynes Heads to Chesapeake Energy & Raises Money for Lance Armstrong Foundation

Adam P. Haynes, who has been executive vice president of the Texas Independent Producers & Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO) for the past 5 years, is taking a new job with Chesapeake Energy as their Senior Director for Corporate Development and Government Relations. TIPRO had a very gracious announcement about the difference Adam has made as a leader of their association. He'll still be involved with the association, but as a representative of Chesapeake.

Those of us who know Adam from the Capitol know what a terrific guy he is -smart as a whip, hard worker, funny as hell, and a cancer survivor. In fact, Adam is riding this weekend in the Lance Armstrong Foundation's Ride for the Roses bike ride/fundraiser that supports cancer research and services for cancer patients. Here's a message from Adam about his ride:

"I am riding with some guys from my church in support of the LAF and its mission to help cancer patients through their struggle with cancer. The theme this year is to 'pick a fight with cancer.' Fortunately for me, I was able to pick a fight with cancer. I did not let it get the best of me and I will continue to fight it for myself for the next 3 1/2 years, and for others for long afterwards.

Let me give you two short stories - I have an acquaintance, David, who I know, and Kerri knows his wife very well. David was diagnosed with colon cancer in June of 2009. He has just finished his initial chemotherapy, radiation, and initial surgery. He is facing 6 months of additional chemotherapy and surgery. Sound familiar? His schedule of treatments is a mirror of mine two years ago. I know David will do great, but he has a fight. Please help David with the support to 'pick a fight with cancer.'

Another story, a woman in my church, Virginia, was diagnosed with breast cancer this week. Last week, I rode in a breast cancer awareness ride for support of all women afflicted with this terrible disease. This week I am riding for David and Virginia. I need your help. Please follow this link and donate to the cause. You can donate in the name of any of my team members. The donations go to the LAF in support of cancer prevention and support.

I am riding 65 miles on a mountain bike. I know, my biking friends say I'm crazy. Why not just ride on a road bike and be done? Well, if I can commit to riding on a mountain bike, you should commit to supporting my cause. Besides, I know that regardless of how tough it will be, trust me when I say I have done worse. So when the miles get long or the hills get steep, I know I can say to myself that I have endured much worse, and David and Virginia have much worse ahead of them. I will be there for them. Will you?"

I hope those of us who work around the Capitol will support Adam, and others from our community who may be riding or running in LAF events this weekend. They are my personal heroes! (including the one and only Wendy Chioji!)