A Worthwhile Cause

Click here for the pdf verion of the invitation

The local San Antonio Rape Crisis Center is holding their 2nd annual Partners for Change event on September 22, 2008 at the Pearl Stables.

In July 2008, 114 families in San Antonio were faced with dealing with one of the most horrific crimes - sexual assault. The Rape Crisis Center responded to each of these "cases" - and, on average, works with three families each and ever day who are forced to deal wit sexual violence.

The Center was established in November 1975 by a group of concerned victims and visionary leaders as part of a grassroots effort to address the needs of sexual violence victims, their families, and the community at large. Today, the Center has grown into of the largest "stand-alone" sexual assault centers in the state, serving as a community resource for San Antonio and surrounding counties by providing:

-24-hour crisis hotline services via the telephone and internet
-Advocacy and support for survivor receiving medical exams at area hospitals
-Free counseling services for children, women, and men impacted by sexual violence and their loved ones
-Community Awareness and Public Education for community groups, the business community and / or school districts

Partners for Change

Recognizing Four Champions

in t Fight Against Sexual Violence

Jane Macon, Partner Fulbright & Jaworski, LLP. Ms Macon has been committed to women's issues, and is one of the founding members of the Rape Crisis Center.

Anita Perry, First Lady of Texas, who as earned the reputation of championing women's health issues throughout Texas and across the country.

U.S. Representative Charles A. Gonzalez, 20th Congressional District of Texas, is passionate about the City of San Antonio, and supports the Rape Crisis Center and its programs through sponsorship of various legislative bills.

U.S. Representative Ted Poe, 2nd Congressional District of Texas, has worked tirelessly through the Congress to sponsor legislation in support of victims of sexual assault and victims' rights.

6:00 - 6:45 pm Cocktail Reception

7:00 pm Partners for Change Award Presentation

Co-hosts Representative Joe Straus and Cynthia Lee, Fox News @ 9 anchor

7:30 pm Dinner & Headliner Entertainment by Mingo Fishtrap

The entertainment is going to be great and I am so happy to Mrs. Perry, First Lady of Texas recognized. She has used her political clout to push through legislation for Centers across Texas and to raise funds for education and done quite a bit of work for our own local Rape Crisis Center here in San Antonio.

Click Here for sponsorship information. If you can't attend, please send a donation. Any amount is helpful.

Tony & Eva Parker Celebrity Casino Night

August 9, 2008

Pedrotti's Northwind Ranch

13715 FM 1560 North (just outside loop 1604 / Hausman)

Doors open at 5:30 pm

Dinner at 6:00 pm

Casino and Poker Tournament begins at 6:30 pm

Tony and Eva Parker invite you to join the First Annual Tony and Eva Parker Celebrity Casino Night Benefiting Eva’s Heroes. Eva’s Heroes was founded by actress Eva Longoria to provide support for children and young adults who are developmentally challenged. Hosted at Pedrotti’s North Wind Ranch in San Antonio, TX, on August 9th, the event will include traditional casino games such as blackjack and roulette, and guests will also have the chance to participate in a Texas Hold ‘Em poker tournament with the grand prize of a seat to the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.

Here is a partial list of celebrites who have committed to attend:

• Eva Longoria Parker (Desperate Housewives)


• Tony Parker (San Antonio Spurs)


• Ricardo Antonio Chavira (Desperate Housewives)


• Katie Chonacas (Righteous Kill, Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans)


• Tim Duncan (San Antonio Spurs)


• Sean Elliott (San Antonio Spurs)


• Willie Garson (Sex and the City)


• Phil Hellmuth (11-Time World Series of Poker Winner)


• Ashton Holmes (Smart People, The Pacific)


• Jennifer Morrison (House)


• Adam Rodriguez (CSI:Miami)


• David Zayas (Dexter)


• and more...

While this list is partial - you can expect Tony and Eva to kick it up a notch. Last year at the golf tournament, there were easily more than twice that was expected.

I hope to see you there Saturday night! The dress is Casino Chic

Creative Donations for Mission Road Ministries

Bill and Delaina Harrison at their mini-shindig Jan 2006

I have posted a few times about a non-profit I am committed to serve as long as I can be of service. This year, I am assisting in production and live auction items. In the past, I have contributed to the live auction item called the "mini-shindig". Here is the back story:

Many years ago, fresh out of college, awaiting to attend medical school, I volunteered with an organization call Communities in Schools. Their summer program employed many at-risk youth (at-risk of dropping out or getting in trouble if they had nothing to do). I was in charge of 5 teens who worked at a place called Mission Road Developmental Center (now called Mission Road Ministries). The program was called the Summer Outreach And Reacreation program (SOAR) and it was their first year. It was the most amazing experience of my life and I went to college in ROME and had mass with the POPE and swam in the AEGEAN SEA! There were so many great moments from that semester, but the SOAR program eclipsed it all. I left Communities in Schools and started medical school here in San Antonio, but my heart was with MRM. I went back, asked and for applied for a part time job. I was the part time recreation director. It was a blast. I held that position for about 2 years and then left medical school (much to the dismay of the parents) to take a QMRP (qualified mental retardation professional - more on that in another post) position with the adult program. I loved it....every minute. People with disabilities are so unique, yet so much the same like the rest of us. I have been a maverick in the industry and a forward thinking and always felt I was always ahead of my peers in thinking about this population in our society. Did you know Texas has ranked consistently last or next to last in funding for people with developmental disabilities for the past 15 years...so organizations like MRM need additional funds to supplement their programs. I have worked for 5 non-profits, both public and private in my 10 year career and hands down, MRM taught me everything I know in this career path. They also rank very high in the dignity and respect category. I have always been proud to have learned from them at such a young and impressionable age and hope to continue to serve.

The staff, leaders and the clients of MRM need YOUR support. Whether it be a small donation or a call to your friend who has something of value we can auction, use or otherwise gain benefit for and continue to serve. Every year, their large scale event is the Shindig. Last year it was the Great Train Robbery, this year it is the Boot Scooting Shindig. They have included mini-shindigs as an auction item. One of those years was purchased by Bill & Delaina Harrison. I think Bill bought this by proxy so Delaina wouldn't know. He used his mini shindig to throw a surprise 39th birthday party for Delaina. She was SHOCKED. He said she would expect something for her 40th but not her 39th. All their friends came out and it was wonderful. This year I am calling on my friends in the event industry to help create another mini-shindig for the live auction.

I am also calling on all my West Texas friends. I think a good old fashioned Deer Hunt in Sutton County would be great.... Jack Wardlaw, I'll be coming to see you soon.

I am calling on my friends in Port Aransas where we like to weekend, we need a big game fishing trip too.

If you have any suggestions, please post it on the comments here.

Hispanic Heritage Awards Gala

I had the best time this evening at the Omni Ballroom at the Colonnade this evening. I haven't had an event there in some time. This is a perfect location for those looking for sites away from downtown. The premiums and food and bev minimums for downtown location are easily 25% higher than other hotels like the Omni....but...I am posting as a guest and not an event planner.

So many wonderful people were honored tonight and monies were raised for young people in need of college scholarships. My new friends, Tino and Millie Duran, founder / owner / publisher of La Prensa have raised more than 1.6 million dollars for local scholarship recipients. The best part of event planning is these large fundraising galas. I was fortunate to be a guest of Dr. Kent Hamilton who owns the White Pearl Medical Spa. Dr. Hamilton is very generous and recently supported us over at the Rape Crisis Center. Our table was incredible, of course our host, Dr. Kent Hamilton, Judge Michael Mery (a long time friend of mine), Pascual Gonzales of Northside ISD, Judge Peter Sakai, Larry Ricketts (candidate for Bexar Co. Sheriff), and Chico Rodriguez. Randy Beamer, my favorite local anchorman was hilarious and kept it fun.

Tino and Millie are great people who have done so much for our community. I recommend you go out and buy La Prensa to show your support. It's been awhile since I read it, so I will be out looking for next week's addition real soon. pics coming soon.


Speaking of fundraisers, Eva Longoria's local non-profit, Eva's Heroes is hosting their first golf tournament. As I have said many times, I support so many community activities, but hers is dear to my heart. There are so many children with developmental disabilities and a large void in our community for them to have inclusive activities with their developing peers. My previous bride, Christianne Perkins-Garcia is the Executive Director of Eva's Heroes and although the fundraiser is a sell out, I know they could still use a donation. Click here to visit the website with contact information and to learn why the organization is called Eva's Heroes. I'll try to come back tomorrow and give a report. I am looking forward to meeting again comedian George Lopez. I know I will be laughing the entire time. He is a great entertainer.

Lastly, GO! Spurs! GO! I will be starting off the season right and trying to attend every single game. I can't even spell or pronounce our opponent tomorrow... the Cowboys and the Spurs, what a great year we are having!

Partner for Change photos

Lynn Blanco, President / CEO, Peter Holt and Governor Rick Perry

Partners for Change Awards 2007

Partners for Change

Coming Together to help Make a Safer Workd

We have been working diligently on this event. Three agencies are coming together for an one of a kind awards gala. Here are the evenings three honorees:

Spurs Sports & Entertainment – The Rape Crisis Center for Children and Adults, along with Spurs Sports & Entertainment (Silver Stars) launched the Choose Respect effort, a national campaign to help youth form healthy relationships and to prevent dating abuse before it starts. The initiative targets 11 to 14 year-olds and the caring adults in their lives with messages that dating abuse is not just unacceptable, but preventable by choosing respect.

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott – Across our state, General Abbott has made capturing online sexual predators a top priority of his administration. In 2002, he launched the Cyber Crimes Unit, which targets those who solicit children online for sex, and the Fugitive Unit, which locates convicted child sex offenders who have violated the terms of their parole and could be stalking children. Attorney General Abbott's initiative has resulted in more than 500 arrests of such offenders. His office also has obtained convictions against 57 people on child pornography charges as a result of the Cyber Crimes Unit’s activity.

McAfee,Inc., Industry-leader in consumer Internet security technology – The nation’s first secure online sexual assault hotline, launched by RAINN, and staffed by the local San Antonio Rape Crisis Center is an innovative tool offering live anonymous help to sexual assault survivors via instant messaging technology. To ensure the safety and security of sexual assault crisis intervention online, McAfee, Inc. provides secure server technology and infrastructure monitoring, and conducts regular reviews to further ensure the safety of the service. Anonymity and confidentiality were paramount concerns in the development of the online hotline, and the support of McAfee, Inc. ensures that users of the online hotline can be confident that their conversations are secure.

side note: Peter Holt is bringing the 4 championship trophies with him! Buy a ticket and get your picture taken with the trophies and the various Spurs who attend.

Take a picture with the 4 Spurs Championship Trophies

There is an opportunity for you to get your picture taken with the, count them all, 4 Spurs Championship trophy.

If you are interested, email us here. Details will be posted by Wednesday morning.

Word is there will be some players there as well, but I can't yet confirm which....You don't want to miss it.