Local Republicans turnout for petition signing, 11-3

L-R: Signing Statement, Firefighter's Union Legis. Dir. Nathan Alonzo, judicial candidates Celeste Brown, Bob Behrens, Stephani Walsh, Jerry Kagan & daughter, Linda Molina & friend Sandy Galvan, Kim Petitte, Daphne Previti Austin, Jason Garrahan, Julie Wright, Jim Wheat, R. C. Pate, Daid Martin, Joseph Hoelshner, Susan Skinner, Patricia Rouse Vargas, Allison Lanty, Kelly Cross, Crystal Chandler & son, Eric DeWalt, James Millan, Virginia Maurer, Jefferson Moore, former Judges Rene McElhaney, Steve Hilbig, Karen Crouch & husband, Gerald Flores, Judges Joe Appelt, Richard Price, Walden Shelton, Melisa Skinner, Bill Donovan, Sol Casseb, Jeff Wentworth, John Flemming, Scott Roberts, Carol Stryker, cap, Gale Sayers, SA Post Publisher Ruben Espronceda, former Judge Bill Chenault, Jerry McGraw, Nathan Morgan, Republican Party of Bexar County Chair Robert Stovall,  former HISD Board Member Robert Castenada, & wife, Gina, John Lujan & wife & son, banner, local Republicans, signs, Firefighter's Union sign

"Just a Thought" Column runs in La Prensa of SA, 11-3

Just a Thought: Celebrity Song Slam
By Steve Walker

This past week I was fortunate to attend the 11^th Annual American Sunrise Gala Celebrity Song Slam hosted by former Mayor Henry Cisneros and his wife, former Councilwoman Mary Alice Cisneros. I have participated for a few years by covering the event in photos as the Editor of the Walker Report photo blog like I do for La Prensa. This year was no exception.

While the La Prensa Foundation Awards Gala raises money for college scholarships, American Sunrise’s mission is to create a model of comprehensive educational and financial literacy services that will transform the lives of disadvantaged communities.

By attempting to lift people out of poverty, American Sunrise’s goal is to also break the cycle of illiteracy by offering those services that will equip them to at some point apply for those scholarships that are offered by the La Prensa Foundation. Since I think like a teacher having been in the classroom for 26 years the connection makes sense to me.

Unlike La Prensa which is not limited to a designated area, American Sunrise concentrates on a one square mile area in the poor section of the Westside and infuses all the energy programs and funds into that targeted area to make measurable and visibly significant differences and improvements. It includes Prospect Hill where the former Mayor and Councilwoman reside.

The event was very entertaining as four diverse community leaders who claimed they could sing a song or two volunteered to perform in front of the crowd and put their reputation on the line. It turned out to be a really competitive and entertaining evening with the audience voting on their favorite singer. 

Reminiscent of “America’s Got Talent” and “The Voice” the contestants sang their hearts out in hope of making the second round and compete for the prize of two plane tickets to anywhere in the United States.

The four contestants included San Antonio Express-News Columnist and past President of the San Antonio Association of Hispanic Journalists Elaine Ayala, San Antonio City Clerk Leticia Vacek, SABEResPODER CEO (Spanish Language Media) Raul Lomeli-Azoubel, and SAMM Ministries CEO Navarra Williams.

Judges included: “America’s Got Talent” semi finalist 13-year-old Sebastien de la Cuz, former news anchor for KMOL-TV (now News-4 WOAI) Maria Elena Torralva (1^st Latina to anchor) and local singer Evelyn O’Leary who performs in local restaurants and night clubs with local bands. 

Raul Lomeli-Azoubel, and Navarra Williams moved to the second round with Williams winning the competition with his rendition of the Temptations song “Moving” with dance moves and hitting high notes in a falsetto voice. It was an evening with great entertainment and fundraising for literacy.

Anyway, as always, what I write is “Just a Thought.”

Steve Walker is a Vietnam Veteran and former Justice of the Peace and Journalist.

More West San Antonio Chamber of Commerce photos, 11-1

L-R: West San Antonio Chamber CEO Gabe Farias & friend, with honoree Sister Jane Slater, with Congressman Lloyd Doggett, Chamber President John Leal, judicial candidate Rosie Gonzalez & Hilda Solis, Mistress of Ceremonies & KENS-5 Great Day SA Co-Host Eileen Teves, honoree Jimmy Casiano's grandson, Vincent (accepting in behalf) with Chamber CEO Gabe Farias, honoree Sister Jane Slater with Mrs. River Walk,  honoree Ray Flores with Chamber CEO Gabe Farias & Board President John Leal, honoree Leonard Flores,with Chamber CEO Gabe Farias & Chamber Vice President Grace Rodiguez, & beauty queens, honoree Alicia Cendejas with Chamber CEO Gabe Farias, honoree Deacon Rudolph Rodriguez & son, Rudolph, Congressman Lloyd Doggett with wife, Deputy Asst. Secretary of Education Dr. Libby Doggett,  National Anthem singer Erica Gonzaba, La Prensa Assignments Editor Joe Sandoval, Invocator Father Kevin Fausz, Trish Gonzalez, Councilman Rey Saldana, former Councilman & ACCD Board Member Joe alderete, & wife, Chris, Invocator Father Kevin Fausz, with Gilbert Casillas, Mistress of Ceremonies & KENS-5 Great Say SA Co-Host Eileen Teves with event corodinator Diana Arevalo, sign