This is your chance to meet with one of the most powerful individuals within the Republican Party!

The Meet and Greet will take place on Tuesday, August 15, 2006, at 2:30 p.m. at the Leon Valley Community Center (located at 6427 Evers Road) to benefit the Texans for Nelson Balido Campaign. 

A minimum donation of $5.00 will be charged at the door. Sponsorships are available at $100 minimum for those individuals/organizations who would like to be placed on the Host Billboard, which will be displayed at the event.

Refreshments will be provided at this event.

Seating is VERY LIMITED so please RSVP to Katy@nelsonbalido.com or phone us at 520-5555.
 

Where:  The Omni Hotel, 9821 Colonnade Blvd., San Antonio, Texas 78230 (210-699-0073)

Time:  6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. (Remarks: 6:45 p.m.)

Cost:  FREE

Please join us for this special “Meet and Greet” style reception. Bring your friends, business associates and family members so they can have an opportunity to meet one of our most respected jurists in Bexar County. For further information, call Joe Solis at 725-0479.

We encourage you to send this invitation to your personal network via e-mail. You have our permission to post this online invitation on local electronic bulletin boards. Help us get the word out about this FREE networking opportunity.

Justice Rebecca Simmons of the 4th Court of Appeals:
Commentary by Joe Solis/South Texas Republicans

(This article first appeared on September 19th, 2005, in our newsletter.)

Last week, we had an opportunity to sit down with a member of our South Texas Republicans Legal Board of Advisors. An interesting discussion about Justice Simmons emerged from our one-hour visit. We present segments of the interview.

Leadership on the Bench:

Justice Rebecca Simmons is a deliberate and thoughtful justice because she is genuinely interested in understanding the positions of all the parties in the dispute. She has a unique desire to internalize the issues that are being presented to her. She will seek to understand the parties themselves. Justice Simmons will also seek to comprehend the human elements of the dispute.  Before handing down a decision, she asks – How will the decision by the Justice impact the parties involved?  It is this kind of leadership on the bench that makes her so special.

Family Law:

We were impressed with the fact that Justice Simmons works hard to fashion her rulings so they are not just a cure for the symptoms. In other words, how do you structure a remedy that will solve the problem in the first place? Her probing on the bench seeks to determine the core issues of the problem. She is diligent because she knows that her decisions will have an impact on families.

The Art of Listening:

Our advisor told us that Justice Simmons would patiently allow each party to present their cases until she thoroughly understands all the elements of the case. Several weeks ago, at the Fourth Court of Appeals, Justice Simmons began her dialogue with counsel with a completely open mind. She started to ask questions once all sides were heard in the dispute. The attorney we interviewed actually said that he is never upset when Justice Simmons rules against him because he has confidence that she gave him a fair shake from the beginning.

Did you know that Justice Simmons represents the following counties:   

Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Brooks, Dimmit, Duval, Edwards, Frio, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Kinney, LaSalle, Mason, Maverick, McMullen, Medina, Menard, Real, Starr, Sutton, Uvalde, Val Verde, Webb, Wilson, Zapata and Zavala.

PLEASE FORWARD this E-MAIL to your FRIENDS and FAMILY MEMBERS in these counties. 

Let them know the good word about Justice Simmons today. One e-mail can make a difference. 

We would like to thank Justice Rebecca Simmons for her friendship and her leadership on the bench. South Texas Republicans has always been impressed with the fact that Justice Simmons always brings her beautiful mother to assorted grassroots functions. Family values in Action!

[Note from Joe Solis: Justice Rebecca Simmon’s mother, Virginia, passed away during the past year. May God bless her and the Simmons’ family.]
 

Cost:  FREE  (Campaign donations are welcome.)

Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (Remarks at 6:45 p.m.)

Location: Luciano’s By The Strand, 11255 Huebner Rd, #200 (210-561-9700)

We encourage you to attend this important networking event on August 31st. Come and meet Diane Rivera, Candidate for Judge of the 45th District Court, and Ted Terrazas, CEO of the “Fastest Growing Company” in the United States, according to Hispanic Business Magazine. 

From Hispanic Business Magazine: TerraHealth No.1 on Fastest-Growing Companies

July 31, 2006, Scott Williams

2006 Fastest-Growing 100® Companies

”Mr. Terrazas, CEO of TerraHealth, Inc., the No. 1 ranked company on the 2006 Hispanic Business 100 Fastest-Growing Companies directory…”

”Much of TerraHealth's 8,338 percent five-year growth rate is due to the specialized knowledge Mr. Terrazas gained working as a Medical Service Corps officer while on active duty with the U.S. Air Force. His knowledge of the Department of Defense procurement systems and military healthcare missions drove TerraHealth’s gross sales figures from $180,000 in 2001 to $15.19 million in 2005.”

http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/news/newsbyid.asp?id=42727

This event is being organized and sponsored by Alamo City Republican Women and South Texas Republicans. 

Sponsorships are available:  Please contact Joe Solis for more information at SolisJoe@sbcglobal.net

Bio of Diane Rivera
 

Time: 6:00p.m.-7:30p.m. (Remarks at 6:45p.m.)

Cost: FREE

Hosted by Alamo City Republican Women, South Texas Republicans, & Quico Canseco.

This event will feature national speakers like Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family; Brent Bozell of the Media Research Center; Reverend Don Wildmon of the American Family Association; Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council; Paul Weyrich of the Free Congress Foundation and many more! As part of the entertainment, “Mr. President” Steve Bridges will be on hand doing his impersonation of President George W. Bush.

My goals for this trip are 4-fold:

1. Recruit nationally recognized speakers for our Rough Riders of Bexar County Educational Series

2. Build new relationships with national conservative organizations and individuals for South Texas Republicans, P.A.C.

3. Utilize these contacts to gain support in terms of resources and finances for the P.A.C., and our South Texas Candidates at the state and federal levels

4. Demonstrate the strength of the Republican Party in South Texas at the grassroots level

As a result of my most recent trip to D.C. in May for the Jesse Helms Communications in Foreign Policy School, I developed a relationship with Peter Brookes, Senior Fellow of National Security Affairs with the Heritage Foundation. Because of that relationship, South Texas Republicans is in talks with Peter about speaking to grassroots activists here in San Antonio in the fall!

The costs to attend the ‘Washington Briefing’ in D.C. will be about $1,800. The package to attend all 3 conference days and gain admittance to the exhibit halls/book signings will cost $550. The hotel room on location (Omni Shoreham in D.C.) will cost $550 for 3 nights (needed by August 15th!!). Roundtrip airfare is expected to run about $400-600 (plus tax).

All work I do for South Texas Republicans, P.A.C. is as a volunteer. I live strictly on my disability income, which only amounts to $500 a month.

Ideally, to get whatever price breaks I can for travel, and the conference, I need the funds available by August 30, 2006. This would allow for plenty of time planning arrival and transportation while in our nation’s capitol.

Checks/Money Orders can be made out to me, and mailed to:

Schuylar Crist

9570 Autumn Shade

San Antonio, Texas

78254

You may also reach me by phone at (210) 663-6093 or via e-mail at skyskyrider@hotmail.com

You can also check out conference information at www.frcaction.org

Thank you in advance for your prayerful and thoughtful consideration.
 

COMMENTARY: W. GARDNER SELBY/ Austin American Statesman

Selby: Dewhurst, Hutchison speak out on immigration

Possible future foes stake out stands in San Antonio, Washington.

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Just when summer seemed sleepy, two Texas Republican heavyweights aired fresh stands on the simmering issue of illegal immigration. Coincidentally, David Dewhurst and Kay Bailey Hutchison both seek re-election and might fence for governor in 2010.

Lt. Gov. Dewhurst huddled privately this month with folks connected to the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. He reportedly said: "I don't see why we don't give all 12 million (illegal) immigrants worker permits after they step forward. Of course, they have to get registered so we can know who they are."

A chamber leader, Ed Riojas, confirmed the wording, which became public in an e-mail blast this week from GOP activist Joe Solis. Riojas, a credit union executive, said Dewhurst stressed the need to identify immigrants so they can pay taxes.

A.J. Rodriguez, chamber president, didn't recall the remark but said the lite guv "understands the need for the immigrant work force here." Dewhurst also supported development of tamper-proof ID cards that hold key information for all U.S. residents.

Solis said Dewhurst would never have suggested work permits for immigrants at the June GOP state convention in San Antonio, where border security was Ouchy Topic A. "That would NEVER happen in a 1,000 years," Solis wrote. "That would be the end of his political career."

Balderdash, Dewhurst said Wednesday, stressing that like other conservatives, he opposes amnesty for illegal immigrants, but believes that it's probably impractical and inadvisable to deport law-abiding workers who should have shots at seeking temporary worker permits once U.S. borders are secure. At the GOP convention, Dewhurst did not dwell on immigration, focusing on changes in school and tax laws. He suggested this week that if he had waxed on immigration, he would have received as loud or louder applause than others who hammered on the border.

U.S. Sen. Hutchison this week pitched a proposal she cobbled with U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., to start a temporary worker program and establish a 17-year path to citizenship for illegal immigrants once borders are secure. Privately run "Ellis Island" centers would screen applicants once they had self-deported themselves to countries of origin.

"We owe it to our country to solve this issue," Hutchison said.

Hutchison's Democratic opponent, Barbara Ann Radnofsky, called Hutchison's offering wacky and unworkable. "Just puffing; she did it for attention," Radnofsky said. "A sad grandstand."

Partisans are mindful. Cathie Adams of the conservative Texas Eagle Forum, focused on securing U.S. borders, said Dewhurst and Hutchison seem to speak for corporations. "What we are up against is the taxpaying citizen versus the elites who are only looking out for the cost of doing their own business at the expense of mom-and-pop taxpayers," Adams said. "This is hurting. I'm sorry that maybe our voices haven't been loud or clear enough. . . . If Dewhurst and Hutchison are at the same place on this, it's bad news."

wgselby@statesman.com; 512-445-3644

Find this article at: 

G. Selby
 

Conservative Grassroots Activist

Co-Founder of the Ronald Reagan Conservative Society

The answer is, of course, a resounding “YES.”  So, why are there so many sides to this issue?  Because the sensible solution affects a lot of people and it may not be a popular solution. Immigration reform is similar to the age-old social security problem. We all know how social security is scheduled to go bankrupt by 2042 but nobody in DC wants to tackle it.  Both topics are cursed and resolutions are most likely destined to fail! For our country’s sake, I hope not!  

Our “great” Washington elected officials are telling us that they all want a “comprehensive” immigration reform. Is this possible? The US House bill H.R. 4437 is very tough, but it is also right on the money. The Senate, on the other hand, is taking a softer stance on the issue. They are telling us the benefits of “legalization” (i.e., amnesty) and the guest worker program are the best for our country and for the employers who have difficulties finding Americans willing to work these jobs. Is it true?

Immigration Reform? It won’t happen when our elected officials are preoccupied with the November elections. They are going to take the road that they believe will give them the votes. Additionally, there is thought amongst Republican circles that if illegal immigrants are allowed to become legal aliens, that the Republican will be the recipient of their votes. 

Here are some facts about the illegal immigrant population:

1.There are over 10 million illegal immigrants in the US. There are some who believe the actual number is closer to 20 million.

2. The illegal immigrants cost billions of dollars a year. Analyses of the latest census data indicate Texas’ illegal immigration population is costing the state’s taxpayers more than $4.7B per year for education, medical care, and incarceration (a few of the largest costs).  Texas and California are the two major states suffering the most from this problem. The Federation for American Immigration Reform group (www.fairus.org) calculates that the annual fiscal burden amounts to approx $725 per Texas legal resident – the illegal population is over 1.2M and growing!

3. The US prisons are full of the illegal immigrants. According to several studies, the illegal prisoners are over 25% of the overall inmate population.

4.The largest majority of the illegal immigrants are people who have overstayed their visas. The “old INS” never tracked them (INS is now called US Citizenship & Immigrations Services and it is under the Department of Homeland Security).

5.Most of these illegal immigrants carry fake social security cards while some carry fake driver licenses. States that allow illegal immigrants to get drive licenses very easily continues to grow.

6. Each day in Texas illegal immigrants commit a violent crime

7. We use the word “illegal” immigrant and lately the liberal media is recommending that we use “undocumented workers.” Let’s examine the meaning of the word “illegal”. It means “NOT LEGAL; PUNISHABLE BY LAW.” Thus, any person breaking the law is an illegal. Thus illegal immigrants are those who are illegally in the United States. The first question to ask is: was it a choice? I believe the answer is “YES.” The illegal immigrants made a choice to come to the US and overstay their visas or to come “illegally” through the borders. They took a risk and they knew what they were doing and that if they got caught they would face deportation.

What are the major myths?

1. Generally speaking, there is a misperception that these illegal immigrants do not pay taxes. They do make contributions to social security and pay federal and state taxes under fake social security numbers. However, these contributions are only a small fraction of the overall cost.   

2. The rhetoric of "jobs Americans won’t do" and "labor shortages" are myths. Companies prefer to use illegal immigrants for a simple reason – LABOR COST!

The House bill is considered by our “wonderful liberal media” to be too tough. They are portraying the Republican Congressmen’s bill as heartless and insensitive, while the Senate bill is being considered fairer. There are responsible and rock solid senators who understand the problem with the Senate Bill who voted against it. While in Texas, we have two such Senators in Kay Bailey-Hutchison and John Cornyn. Another solid conservative Republican is Senator George Allen from Virginia. These, along with another handful of Senators, seem to be in touch with their constituents and understand amnesty is not the option that most Americans want.

If we were to offer an amnesty program, how will we pay for future benefits? How much quicker will the social security fund disappear? How much more money will we need to pay in taxes to fund everything from education, medical, etc? So, what can we do? 

Our liberal brethren would like to see an even more liberal solution. There is one group called National Immigrant Right (a Pro-Immigrant organization), which has scheduled a conference in Chicago in August to discuss their liberal immigration agenda. The points they want to discuss are:

Unconditional legalization for ALL

No to H.R. 4437 and similar senate version legislation

No to the criminalization of immigrants

No to border walls and militarization of the borders

No to guest-worker programs

No to employer sanctions

No to deportations

No to the use of local law enforcement for immigration purposes

The organizers want to take advantage of the momentum gained from the protests last March to continue to push the liberal agenda and use this as a factor to bring Hispanics to the polls in hopes of getting Democratic votes.

What is wrong with this picture? Are they asking us to totally eliminate our borders? Maybe we should eliminate the police and the military, too. Why not? The law of the land is too obsolete to be obeyed. Why do we need it? As a matter of fact, there are some “scholars” saying the borders are things of the past and totally irrelevant to this century.

The most upsetting thing is that the liberal media represents every Hispanic as agreeing with them. It is so far from the truth. At least in my circle, I do not know many Hispanics that agree with the liberal agenda. In fact, most of us do not agree with them at all. Every time a conservative Hispanic has a different position, the liberal media simply ignores OUR opinion! Most conservative Hispanics would like to see a tough immigration reform. We want to see everyone going to the same process as the rest of the legal immigrants. 

Personally, I feel very strongly that we need to enforce the current laws and protect our borders.  The reform can only really start when the borders are locked down. I know it is a very difficult task, but it is one that can be achieved. We have the technology and the manpower. As far as the manpower, did you know we have fewer border officers than the City of New York has police officers? We need to increase border security in several ways: increase the number of border patrol officers, increase the implementation of the technology (via surveillance cameras, motion detective system, infra-red cameras), and build walls (as well as fix the existing barriers). After this, we should start enforcing the existing laws. Employers who hire illegal immigrants need to face consequences as described in the current laws. The social security card needs to be modified so that it is more difficult to falsify. Immigrants overstaying their visas should be tracked down and deported. This is only a good starting point.

The “guest worker” program concept in theory is a good idea, but the implementation of the program is almost destined to fail. The idea of creating a nationwide database and “guest worker” database and validation process is an implementation nightmare for the federal government.  Another flaw with the program is the idea that the guest worker would have a path to become legal residents and eventually US citizens. I could be wrong, but the idea of guest worker is a temporary thing, right? Did I miss something? If it is a temporary permit then why should it lead to anything else? I don’t get it. The program could work as long as each “guest” comes for a maximum of 3 years. After that time, the worker must leave the country. Another aspect of the program is how to deal with the immediate family.

As I said early on, immigration reform is going to be a tough battle. The answer and solution is relatively simple, but the implementation and ramifications are difficult. I would like to see the President and Congress start with the border protection. Sending the military to assist the border patrol is a good start, but we need more. It is not enough!

Most importantly, we, conservative Hispanics, need to voice our opinion on this as well. The liberal media is using what happened in the demonstration as if we are all in the same boat. I am not! I can guarantee you that. Additionally, our elected officials need NOT assume that we are all in agreement with anti-immigration reform marches. We all have different ideas and wishes. As for me, I am foreign born. I am an American by choice and very proud of it. I came to the U.S. like many foreigners before me in search of the American dream!  I’m saying this so that it’s clear that you know that I have gone through this process and understand the situation.

We need to review both the legal and illegal immigration policies. Get involved!  Let your government officials know that you support tougher immigration reform, and that you agree that control is needed to protect our freedom, lands, people, and our children. Again, get involved! 

The NOVEMBER election is almost upon us. Remember to go out and vote! It may be optional, but you should know it is your civic duty! 
 

August 7, 2006

Decades of experience demonstrates that changing the K-12 system’s central commands or the people that implement them doesn’t yield much improvement. In fact, additional rules generally make things even worse. Political control of schooling policies yields disappointing results because of: 1.) Unintended Consequences (May 22 Newsletter); 2.) The Lawmaking Process (July 3); 3.) Resistance to Change (July 24); 4.) Debilitating Uniformity; and 5.) Information and Incentive Deficiencies. Debilitating Uniformity is the subject of this installment.

Children differ greatly in how they learn, but the political process yields one-size-fits-all policies. They are an inherent result of an appearance of fairness imperative, difficulty centrally planning product diversity, and compromise within the majority coalitions. Schools are quite similar. Even with perfect implementation, relative uniformity assures generally poor academic outcomes. Uniformity also explains why family traits account for the lion’s share of academic achievement differences. Politically determined uniformity is also the reason for socially corrosive lawsuits from groups with strongly held minority viewpoints, and divisive political competition over which policy to impose on everyone.

Use of attendance areas policy creates uniformity. It would seem unfair to offer services in some neighborhoods, but not others, and doing so would also force some children into unacceptable mismatches between their needs and their assigned school’s practices. Assigning children to schools based on attendance areas precludes specialization in the strengths of each school’s staff, and through choice, matching those strengths to the learning styles and interests of the children that would choose each school. Attendance zones force each school to offer something for everyone, a practice that is in total denial of what we know about the relationship between specialization and productivity. It also causes children and educators to get lost in the shuffle of cafeteria-style mega-schools – the appearance of fairness imperative answer to student diversity - trying to offer something for everyone under one roof.

But the political process tends towards uniformity without attendance areas. Because a majority coalition must approve the policies of all schools, a high degree of uniformity exists even when public school choice might otherwise facilitate schools with specialized missions.

The nature of education makes choice among specialized schools especially important. Educators and children are co-producers. The child-client is not a passive service recipient. The effectiveness of instructional services depends on the active engagement of a child, someone with an especially short attention span and lacking the maturity to see the long-term value of uninteresting material. Children differ. So do educators. A good match between a child’s topical interests and learning style, and the specialized mission of a school and the strengths of its professional staff maximize the engagement of the child in the ‘production’ process.
 

George Antuna invites you to the ground openings of his northeast and Southside campaign headquarters offices.

The official opening of the northeast office will be held on Saturday, August 12th, beginning at 10 am. The northeast headquarters is located at 2117 Pat Booker Rd., Suite C.

The following day, Sunday, August 13th, the Antuna campaign will host the opening of its Southside office located at 6734 South Flores. The Southside headquarters is three blocks south of SE Military Drive.

“It’s an exciting time for my campaign. We are picking-up new support everyday and the opening of our two campaign offices will help us reach even more of the voters in District 118,” stated Antuna.

For more information visit our website, www.georgeantuna.com, or call (210) 566-7010.
 

If businesses with trucks/fleets on the highway want a SHOCK, read this quote from the article linked below...

The same two companies bidding for 281/1604 are raising toll rates to astronomical levels on other roads around the country--

"Cintra-Macquarie will raise truck tolls on the Indiana Toll Road from $14.85 to $32 by 2010."

This is where privatization of limited public assets leads. Astronomical toll rates by entities unaccountable to the taxpayers!

Toll hogs: World’s largest toll operators hungry for U.S. market

Foreign management of infrastructure profoundly different than foreign investment

For every article like Stuart Anderson's: Foreign Investment Under Direct Assault, I can find 5 more on the dangers of foreign investment in America (here's a sampling: http://satollparty.com/post/?p=87, http://satollparty.com/post/?p=220, and http://satollparty.com/post/?p=278). However, I believe there is a strong distinction to be made here. The Dubai port flap wasn't so much about foreign investment as it was about foreign investors (and in this case a foreign government) having control of our PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE. There's a HUGE difference in Toyota coming to town and providing jobs in a free market environment where no one is forced to work there or buy their goods, and the government selling or leasing our limited public assets (like ports, airports, and highways) to foreign investors where we don't have a choice whether or not to use or "buy" their goods, not to mention the potential threats to national security and personal privacy to have foreign companies have bank account and credit card information, and the power to revoke our driver's licenses (for failure to pay tolls, for instance) simply to use publicly-owned assets! 

We can't go build ourselves a competing Hwy 281 somewhere if we don't like the way they toll this one (there won't be a choice since the free lanes on 281 will be frontage roads, not highway lanes). In fact, the non-compete agreements forbid any "free" routes from being improved or expanded which might compete with their toll revenues. Our government is derelict in its duty to build, maintain, and protect our PUBLIC infrastructure bought and paid for with taxpayer money when it delegates that authority to private foreign companies with no accountability to the public and where profit (like all companies, including my own), not the public good, is their governing philosophy. 

Join the revolution at http://www.SATollParty.com.
 

This is a series by an anonymous political insider in Bexar County. The views of this author do not represent the views of South Texas Republicans. 

Last week I broke the news that Roy Barrera Jr., former Bexar County Republican Party Chairman crossed over party lines to endorse Democratic District Clerk Margaret Montemayor. Ernesto Ancira took the plunge as well.

I opined that the two parties were rushing across each others lines at will and party purity was slowly becoming a thing of the past. I even joked that the party lines were getting so blurry you couldn’t tell who was who or what was what.

As soon as I finished my column and sent it in, more dramatic crossovers occurred. Since I wasn’t fast enough to edit and beat the clock, here is what was left out from last week. While it is old news now, none-the-less, this is what I wrote about last week.

Then there is the Southside where anything can happen and usually does. Now we see where Democrats are crossing over to the Republican side. Who knew?

Former County Commissioner/ City Council Woman Helen Dutmer, along with the Tejeda dynasty, and former Council Woman Toni Moorhouse have also crossed the magic line to endorse Republican George Antuna for the State Rep. District 118^th. I am dizzy.

Since writing this column for the past seven months, I have maintained that Democratic candidate Joe Farias was in trouble, and not the strongest candidate. Even last week I maintained that he was not up for the race and his staff was inexperienced at best. It’s good to be from the Southside.

In this past week’s Republicrat, Editor Joe Solis tacked on an invitation to an event he was hosting for Republican Marialyn Bernard who is running against former Juvenile Judge, Democrat Peter Sakai for Judge of the 225^th District Court. I would only point out that the two articles are not related.

This past Wednesday, former vice-presidential wannabe Senator John Edwards buzzed into town and made a quick appearance at the behest of local attorney Frank Herrera.

Word is that the rank and file Democrats’ party activists were not invited to the swanky luncheon at the Plaza Club. Only Democrats with money were invited. Since most Democrats are poor and near poverty, they were excluded.

It was one of those raise money for the national party and forget-the-local- yokels type of affair. And they wonder why Democrats in Texas can’t elect anybody at the state level – because they take all the money and run.

I was told that Bexar County Democratic Chair Carla Vela did a credible job in speaking at the event. I noticed the Democratic website covered the event extensively.

The national polls lately keep telling us that there is a national backlash against incumbents. The polls are indicating that Democrats will take back the House. I will believe it when I see it. We can’t even seem to hold the ones we have here in Bexar County.

Let’s see, if the Southside can hold on to the 118^th state rep. race. It is all about family values. 

Apparently both sides of the political coin are anxiously holding their breath waiting to see how the re-districting fiasco is progressing. Democrats are praying that Henry Bonilla will face-off with the other Henry, known as Cuellar the Republican.

 Southsiders are praying that the judges don’t split the Southside in half between the two of them. Neither Bonilla nor diet Bonilla is particularly liked by the Southside. So what else is new?

That is the moderate viewpoint. I AM the "Republicrat"!

Readers of the 'Republicrat': Please Join Us For Dinner With Special Guest:

A Message and Invitation from Joe Solis:

Marialyn Barnard is an experienced attorney with “stellar credentials,” as noted in the San Antonio Express News!

Marialyn is an experienced civil litigator. She was an attorney to state and federal judges at both the trial and appellate levels before she became an Assistant United States Attorney in civil litigation.  She has been a corporate attorney, as well as having worked on family law cases and probate matters. She has the broad base of legal experience needed for the 225th District Court. 

Marialyn is truly dedicated to public service in all areas of her life. She was a high school teacher and social worker before becoming an attorney. She has volunteered extensively through many charitable organizations, including San Antonio Metropolitan Ministries (SAMM), Habitat for Humanity, the Children’s Shelter, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Community Justice Program, and much more, all for disadvantaged individuals and families. 

I am hosting this special dinner for individuals who have never met Marialyn. This is not a fundraiser or campaign rally. It is classic meet and greet that includes a fabulous dinner by Chef Paul Arrendondo. There are only 40 seats available. Please contact me today if you would like to attend this special event.

When:  August 29th, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Where: Chef's Farmers Market, 7034 San Pedro (210) 320-3442, (210) 683-1082

Menu:
We will be serving our wonderful Pasta Station. This menu consists of three different types of pastas and sauces such as: penne, linguine, and rotini pasta; then you have a choice of pesto, marinara, and our creamy alfredo sauce (which are all made from scratch). You also have a choice of enjoyable mix-ins, such as: spinach, green peppers, onions, mushrooms, chicken, meatballs, Italian sausage, and succulent tomatoes. This is also served with Parmesan and buttered garlic bread served on the side for your liking. In order to wash down all this fabulous food we are serving Iced Tea. For whoever may have room for dessert, we are serving an amazing Tres Leches cake and coffee.

Chef's Farmers Market:
All of this amazing food will be cooked by Mr. Paul Arredondo, Executive Chef. He has worked at various places and maybe you have had the chance to taste his exquisite cooking at any of these places: La Mansion – he was the Banquet Chef, The Hilton Airport – he was the Executive Sous Chef, The Embassy Suites and Double Tree Hotel – he was the Executive Chef. Now he is working for himself and has opened Chef's Farmers Market, which has been open for a year since May 15, 2005. He has his family, including wife, daughters, nieces and nephews that have come together to make his dream become a reality. We also have our non-family workers who are considered family because of everything that they have done to help for the sake of this fantastic restaurant.

We hope that you all enjoy this sensational food. It is also a pleasure to have you all at Chef's Farmers Market.

RSVP to Joe Solis (210) 582-5857 E-mail: SolisJoe@sbcglobal.net