“Texans don’t like back-shooters.”
The surprise hit of the fourth Toast of the Town party this season was District Attorney Danny Buck. At a West Austin home with a spectacular view of the skyline, Buck seemed reluctant to speak after “Bernie” director Richard Linklater and actress/mom Kay McConaughey.
Yet once he got rolling, Buck performed as smoothly Matthew McConaughey who played him in the movie. When did he know that he’d convict Bernie Tiede, the sweet East Texas who shot a mean old lady in the back? “As soon as I saw the jury of working women and men.”
What would he have done if he were Tiede’s defense attorney instead? “I wouldn’t have that jury. I wouldn’t put him on the stand. And I’d have him sobbing through the whole trial.”
No slacker himself in front of crowds — this one raising money for heath sciences scholarships through the St. David’s Foundation — Linklater walked us through history of the movie, while at his side, the famous mom flicked out expertly timed wisecracks.
The Toast of the Town parties continue at private homes through May.
Anna Sanchez and Paul Scott
Castello di Gabbiano, a Tuscan winery near Florence, Italy, is lucky to have charmers Elizabeth Hooker and Federico Cerelli broadcasting the virtues of their products. Cerelli, the winemaker, is tall, curly-haired, unpretentious and a natural enchanter. Hooker, based in Napa Valley, puts that sunny California spin on the business angle.
We joined the short Gabbiano wine-tasting at Estilo, the anchor boutique in the Second Street District. This place is as New Austin as it gets. Stylish owner Stephanie Coultress has the eye and she picked out some tempting menswear to pair with the wines, or at least the season and the occasion.
Looking forward to the day when I can be proud to wear her clothes.
Elizabeth Hooker and Federico Cerelli
Cameron Silver, the Bravo TV series host, held court at the stately but comfy home of Carla and Jack McDonald later that night. Silver will have a role in the massive UT Fashion show tonight and has a new “Decades” book out.
We spent most of our time, however, engrossed in the ideas of guests such as Lynn Meredith, Mary Tally and Alex Winkelman. There was much talk of “infrastructure” — a fancy word for the things Austin hasn’t done to become a great city.
It used to be about attracting management talent, more diversity, bigger money and worthier showcases for our indigenous culture. Now, the needle has moved in the direction of projects that change the entire city — a medical school and integrated clinic system, Waller Creek improvements above and below the ground, land conservancies, smart energy, mass transportation and increased density.
Heady stuff. Jack McDonald ascribed this insight to John Thornton, his colleague at Austin Ventures: “In the future, Austin will be the place between the coasts where people will want to be.” What about Chicago? “We’ll be a boutique version. Because we haven’t built the infrastructure,” McDonald added.