A call to support the men & women in uniform

Texas Chapter Announcement Dinner

The time is now for Americans to come forward and unite to support our men and women in uniform bravely serving to preserve our freedoms and to support their missions overseas.

Families United for our Troops and Their Mission (www.FamiliesUnitedMission.org) is a group of parents, brothers and sisters and others who have lost loved-ones in Afghanistan or Iraq or other conflicts. The group has since grown to over 30,000 supporters and chapters in multiple states.

Where: Hilton San Antonio Airport Texas A Ballroom, 611 NW Loop 410

When: Saturday, August 4th, 6:30 p.m.

Please join Families United for Our Troops and Their Mission

Chair, Merrilee Carlson, Army Sgt. Michael Carlson, for a complimentary dinner as we launch the Texas Chapter of Families United for Our Troops and Their Mission and connect and get energized with fellow Gold and Blue Star Families, Veterans and Proud Americans.

Please RSVP by 10 a.m., Friday, August 3rd to: Christin

Evanscevans@noblestrategic.com

512.474.2005

www.familiesunitedmission.com

Congressman Bob Filner coming to SA, August 5th

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Henry Cuellar announced that Congressman Bob Filner, Chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, will be his special guest in San Antonio on Sunday, August 5th, to meet with veterans in an effort to address some of their top concerns.

The meeting will take place at the University of Texas at San Antonio Downtown Campus, Buena Vista Building – 1.236, 501 W. Durango Street, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

“This will be a historic occasion for the veterans in this area. Through meeting with veterans’ organizations of the 28th district, it is clear that better access to healthcare is their top priority,” said Congressman Cuellar. “I invited the Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman so he can hear first hand what the veterans in my district are facing. He was very gracious to accept the invitation to South Texas, and all veterans are urged to attend and participate in this very important gathering.”

The purpose of the meeting is for veterans to engage in a dialogue about critical veterans’ issues and specific problems experienced by veterans who live in South Texas. A strong advocate for veterans’ benefits, Congressman Cuellar stated that recent legislative activity by both chambers of Congress increased the Department of Veterans’ Affairs budget by $6.6 billion. This discretionary funding represents the largest annual increase to Veterans’ Affairs healthcare spending in the department’s 77-year history.

“One of our greatest responsibilities is to protect our veterans who protected our country. It is a responsibility I take very seriously and am proud that we were able to increase this funding and help improve healthcare for our veterans,” said Congressman Cuellar. “We appreciate Chairman Filner’s taking time off from his busy schedule to meet with the veterans of South Texas and hear their concerns.”

For more information or for directions to the event, please call Eddie Zavala or Jose Luis Rodriguez at the local Laredo office at 956-725-0639.
Congressman Henry Cuellar is a member of the House Homeland Security, Small Business, and Agriculture Committees in the 110th Congress; accessibility to constituents, education, health care, economic development and national security are his priorities. Congressman Cuellar is also a Senior Whip.

Minnesota Bridge tragedy causes folks to cry foul

Contact: Terri Hall, Founder/Director of Texans Uniting for Reform and Freedom (TURF)
PHONE: (210) 275-0640
EMAIL: terri@TexasTURF.org
WEB: http://www.TexasTURF.org

Minnesota bridge tragedy causes citizens to cry foul
Collapse due to frivolous earmarks, starving the gas tax & diverting funds away from roads/bridges

San Antonio, TX Friday, August 3rd – Citizens against the push for privatizing & tolling our highways in order to address our Nation’s aging infrastructure see the Minnesota bridge tragedy as a transportation wake-up call.

“It’s criminal that our politicians passed a highway bill in 2005 that funded a $223 million bridge to nowhere in Alaska instead of retrofitting this heavily traveled bridge on one of America’s most heavily traveled interstates,” fumes an incensed Terri Hall, Founder/Director of Texans United for Reform and Freedom (TURF). “We have serious misplaced priorities in this country and politicians who are derelict in their duties.”

The 2005 federal highway bill (SAFET-LU) had 6,000 earmarks (http://satollparty.com/post/ for frivolous Congressional pet projects taken from our gas taxes at a time when the Bush Administration was pushing the privatization & tolling of our highways saying new taxes were necessary to address congestion and aging infrastructure. By design, they want to Double Tax toll the traveling public to plug their own leaky boat.

“What we have are politicians who are now blaming the taxpayers for NOT giving them enough of our money to pay for infrastructure when, in fact, it is they who have habitually pilfered and diverted billions from both federal and state gas tax funds (http://texasturf.org/ which has caused our infrastructure to fall into disrepair. Now they are guilty of needless loss of life. Truly blood is on their hands,” reflects Hall.

In Texas, twenty-five percent of fuel taxes are diverted to public schools and another 5% to things that don’t relate to highways. The Texas Legislature has diverted $10 billion from the state highway fund in the last 20 years alone while also defrauding taxpayers into thinking the only way out of our infrastructure woes is to now toll us for what our taxes have already built and paid for and to sell our highway system to the highest bidder while still failing to keep our bridges and highways safe.

“Let the revolution begin! The public WILL rise-up to boot these politicians out of office if indictments don’t do it first. Heads need to roll rather than to come after us for tolls,” remarks Hall.

Veteran's Forum-August 5th at UTSA Downtown

Media Advisory: San Antonio Veterans Forum to Feature House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman

Congressman Bob Filner, will travel to Texas to meet with San Antonio veterans at a Congressional Veterans Forum to be held on Sunday, August 5th. Chairman Filner, along with Congressmen Ciro Rodriguez & Charlie Gonzalez & Henry Cuellar, will answer questions and provide an update on recent congressional activity affecting veterans.

"I appreciate Chairman Filner accepting our invitation to come to San Antonio. It is important for the voice of our local veterans to be heard on a national level," said Congressman Ciro D. Rodriguez, a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee.

"Issues like those at Walter Reed always make it into the national media spotlight, but the truth is that veterans all across the country, including many here in San Antonio, are struggling with a benefits and healthcare system that has failed them for too long."

Veterans are encouraged to submit questions and comments to be addressed at the Forum to: http://TX23VetsQuestions@mail.house.gov

A Veteran's Services Fair is scheduled immediately following the forum where State, Federal and non-profit organizations will be available to provide services, answer questions, and process veterans' casework.

What: Congressional Veterans Forum withVeterans Affairs Committee Chairman, Bob Filner
When: Sunday, August 5th - 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: UTSA Downtown Campus - Buena Vista Theatre (BV 1.236)501 W. Durango - San Antonio, TX

NHPO sponsors mixer at Copa Bar

L-R: Barbara Slusher, sister Sandy Salinas & Yolando Delgado, Irma Duran, Anais Biera, Chair Marcus Jasso, Maria De La Cruz, Chris Correa, Danny Hermosillo, NHPO attendees, Copa Bar

The National Hispanic Professsionals Organization (NHPO) sponsored a mixer at the Copa Wine Bar, 19141 Stone Oak Parkway, August 2nd.

Eighth Annual Music at the Museum

Eighth Annual Music at the Museum
October 15, 2007
5:30 pm reception, 6:45 p.m. program
Tickets are $40 per person. There is limited seating.

San Antonio Museum of Art
200 West Jones Avenue
San Antonio, TX 78215
For more information or to purchase tickets, call 210.978.8138

The San Antonio Museum of Art is proud to announce an exclusive program of classical music presented by various musicians of the San Antonio Symphony at the Museum’s Eighth Annual Music at the Museum. Guests will enjoy wine and hors d'oeuvres in the Great Hall beginning at 5:30, followed by an up-close musical performance by their very own San Antonio Symphony. Guests are also invited to view the newly reinstalled Contemporary Galleries prior to the program. Proceeds support the educational programs of these two non-profit organizations.


Leigh Baldwin
Public Relations and Marketing
San Antonio Museum of Art
200 West Jones Avenue
San Antonio, TX 78215
www.samuseum.org

"A Letter to my Grandson" book signing

Reverend Claude Black Jr. (photo)


Grandpa Was A Preacher: A Letter To My Grandson by Rev. Claude, W. Black Jr. (Author), Taj, I. Matthews (Author)


Author Discussion/Signing
When: August 26th, (Sunday)
Time: 3 p.m.
Where: Barnes and Noble, Fiesta Trail, 12635 IH-10 West, 210-561-0205
Admission: Free

Book Description

Grandpa was a Preacher: A Letter to My Grandson is an intimate look at the life of Rev. Claude William Black Jr. As a pastor, civil rights icon, humanitarian and politician, Rev. Black has captured the hearts of thousands with his advocacy for issues affecting senior citizens, children, mentally handicapped and less fortunate. The memoir opens with his upbringing in a segregated neighborhood on San Antonio's eastside as son of a Pullman Porter and grandson of slaves.

The reader receives great details about his desperate search for personal meaning and purpose in life. He shares the foundations for which his ministry has been built including the incidents that resulting in the creation of an African American credit union and several social service agencies.

The role of Rev. Black with the Civil Rights Movement in San Antonio and within both the National Baptist Convention and American Baptist is examined. This memoir is ended with 90 year old Rev. Black's observation on the world of today.

Communities in Schools host "Project Stuff the Bus"

Ilsa Garcia (photo)

“Project Stuff the Bus”
Friday, August 3rd

IH 10 @ Vance Jackson Wal*Mart location. (near Freiling)
Live on the “Living Show” between 10 a.m. & 11 a.m.

Event from 7 a.m. -7 p.m.

Ilsa Garcia
Volunteer Marketing Coordinator
520-8440 ext.225

"The Road to Fame" article in Scene in SA Monthly

L-R: Diana Arevalo, talent agent Jimmy Villarreal with "Dancing withthe Stars" actor Mario Lopez, Erica Gonzaba

The August Issue of Scene In SA Monthly is known at the Courthouse as the “Lawyers Issue,” but this time around it’s a little bit special. San Antonio natives "Objetivo Fama finalist” Erica Gonzaba and talent agent, Jimmy Villarreal are featured in a special entertainment section of this month’s magazine.

The article is titled, “The Road to Fame” written by Diana Arevalo. Diana had the opportunity to work with Villarreal and serve as a Big Sister to Erica Gonzaba at Incarnate Word High School. “I always knew that Erica was going to have a successful career in music. But, I just still remember her as a young lady walking down Madeline Hall with a big smile on her face.

"Now she walks down the red carpet with the same smile. She has a big talent, and it’s great to see her share it with the world.” As for Jimmy, Diana says, “I liked interviewing him, because he gave some good advice for those trying to get their big break. The readers are going to learn a lot about preparing for success in entertainment.” According to Arevalo, copies of the August 2007 Scene In SA Monthly magazine can be purchased at select H-E-B stores, Barnes & Noble, Borders, etc.

Photos are “Courtesy of the Walker Report.”

Tickets, Tickets, & more Tickets!!

Diana Arevalo (photo)

Dear Walker Report Readers,

The Walker Report has teamed up with Ticketmaster and we’ve decided to give the gift of live entertainment to all Walker Report readers. Check out the latest ticketdeals.

Presale Tickets: See Aaron Lewis from Staind at the Majestic Theatre.

Complimentary Tickets: Take your friends and co-workers to the Latino Comedy Show * (service charges and handling fees apply)

Hope to see you there!

Sincerely,
Diana Arévalo

Marketing Manager-San Antonio & S. Texas , Ticketmaster