SAHCC VOICES Podcast Episode 2
Our latest SAHCC VOICES episode takes listeners on a personal journey with cultural restaurant icon and world-famous Chef Johnny Hernandez as he discusses small business resiliency during COVID-19 and shares some valuable insights and business understandings during this pandemic. Listen to Johnny talk about how his company was able to pivot during the economic disruption and how his community and professional network helped him find answers. From his early beginnings and finding success across the U.S., Johnny gives a comprehensive insight into the inner workings of his leadership style and experience with the Hispanic Chamber’s Senior Vice President of Business & Program Development, Leonard B. Rodriguez, leading the interview and conversation. SAHCC VOICES is a podcast brought to you by the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a strong advocate for Hispanic-owned businesses and Hispanics in business for almost 100 years. SAHCC is the oldest Hispanic Chamber in the United States and five star accredited, the highest honor bestowed on a chamber. During these unprecedented times, the podcast will cover the experiences, advocacy, resources and best practices of businesses and leadership with a focus on the chamber’s five pillars: education, small business, economic development, leadership and international...
Patricia Vonne Rodriguez, Mexican-American Singer, Actress, and San Antonio Native Will Co-Host and Perform on the Next Episode of Artist, David Blanca’s, Virtual Program
PRESS RELEASE Contact: Vincent Estrada FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (210) 347-3297 vincent@aguillon-associates.com San Antonio, TX, May 19th, 2020 – Mexican-American singer, songwriter, filmmaker, actress and San Antonio native, Patricia Vonne Rodriguez, will co-host and perform live this Friday, May 22nd with mural artist David Blancas on his virtual program – Live with David Blancas. Patricia will be performing her unique style of Tex-Mex Renaissance music while honoring the life and legacy of Randy Garibay, who is one of the many notable musicians painted on the La Musica de San Anto Mural. Patricia Vonne Rodriguez has a loyal following in the city of San Antonio, the state of Texas, and Europe. Her newly-minted, Tejana-supergroup, Texicana Mamas, includes band members, Tish Hinojosa and Stephanie Urbina Jones, who are working on releasing their debut album coming soon; all three women originally from San Antonio with Westside community roots. “As a Texicana Mama my greatest hope is to share the love of music from my heart and heritage. I am honored to be a mama coming together to celebrate and honor who we are and where we came from through our stories in song. I pray our music inspires joy, pride, compassion, passion and of course, many gritos and dancing in the kitchen.” says band member Stephanie Urbina Jones....
TEXAS’ LEADING MEDICAL CANNABIS BUSINESS MAINTAINS COMMITMENT TO STATEWIDE DELIVERY TO PATIENTS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Compassionate Cultivation continues to deliver needed medication to patients across the state safely and effectively during this time of crisis By Heather Wagner Reed Compassionate Cultivation, Texas’ leading medical cannabis provider, maintains its ongoing dedication to its patients statewide by providing them with needed medication during the current pandemic. Amidst the COVID-19 crisis, Compassionate Cultivation has been deemed an essential business by the State of Texas, and as Texas’ shelter in place ordinance went into effect at the end of March, the company implemented every possible measure to safely supply patients with their treatments, serving families in need and keeping their patients and employees healthy. “It’s important now more than ever that our patients continue to have access to this life changing medicine,” said Morris Denton, Compassionate Cultivation CEO. “We know that many of our patients have compromised immune systems, and we’re going to great lengths to ensure we can get our medicine into the hands of our patients quickly and safely and without compromise.” In the wake of COVID-19, Compassionate Cultivation continues to provide service to patients requiring their medication while simultaneously increasing the safety protocol for their delivery drivers and adopting strict measures to ensure that both patients and drivers are kept safe during the transaction. The Compassionate Use Program is regulated by the Texas Department of Public Safety, and Compassionate Cultivation continues to work closely with them to ensure all compliance measures remain in place. “At Compassionate Cultivation, nothing is more important than the safety and health of our patients, co-workers, stakeholders, and community at large,” said Dalton Edwards, Manager, Safety and Compliance at Compassionate Cultivation....
Councilwoman Sandoval’s Statement on Right to Cure Vote
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Matteo Treviño, 210-323-2835 matteo.trevino@sanantonio.gov SAN ANTONIO (May 14) — Councilwoman Ana Sandoval voted in favor of a Right to Cure ordinance that would have granted renters a 30 day period to pay outstanding rent before their landlord could file for eviction if they applied for rental assistance from the City. Her statement follows: “I voted for what I felt would have helped renters without leaving landlords with an unfunded mandate. The amendments offered today addressed each of the concerns that landlords and property managers brought to our attention.” “There are many responsible and compassionate landlords who have helped tenants during this time. Yet I’m still concerned that San Antonio is on the precipice of a public health and homelessness crisis. In 2018, San Antonio averaged 33 evictions a day. If this pattern holds true in 2020, and we have no reason to think it won’t, then City Council must act quickly to protect as many renters as possible. “We heard many testify today asking the City Council to consider alternatives to the Right to Cure ordinance. One of the options still on the table is the Renters’ Commission that Councilman Treviño has proposed. It is my hope that, as soon as regular business resumes, we can take up the proposal and make sure renters have a voice at City Hall. “I’m grateful to each of the community members who testified at today’s council meeting. While it may not always be rainbows and roses, effective government depends on civic engagement.” ### San Antonio: America’s 21st Century City San Antonio is a global city with a dynamic...
Texicana Mamas Bring “Esperanza” (Hope) on Mother’s Day in Support of BorderAid
Nashville, TN - May 8, 2020 -- The Texicana Mamas are set to premiere a lyric video for their latest song, “Esperanza,” to be released this coming Mother’s Day, May 10, in support of BorderAid. The newly-formed Latina supergroup includes Tish Hinojosa, Stephanie Urbina Jones, and Patricia Vonne. All San Antonio natives with deep roots in the Latino/Anglo culture of South Texas, the Texicana Mamas are on a mission of genre melding and bridge building—their musical influences range from singer songwriter, folk, conjunto, Americana, flamenco, country, Tex-Mex rock ‘n’ roll, the Texas singer-songwriter tradition, mariachi, corrido and norteño traditions of the border, and Lone Star country-rock. “Esperanza” (Stephanie Urbina Jones / Mark Marchetti / Jack Williams ) is a powerful song that tells the story of a young mother’s hope and desire to provide for her children through a harrowing border crossing. Not only is Esperanza the name of the song’s central character, but it is also the Spanish word for “hope.” The accompanying lyric video illustrates the heroism and love of a mother carrying her baby “Esperanza” as she makes the journey across the southern border of the United States and the Rio Grande River. “I wrote ‘Esperanza’ over 15 years ago after having my own daughter,” says Jones. “Like every mother, as I held her in my arms, I was overwhelmed with a love I had never known. I knew then and there that no matter what, I would do whatever it took to protect, feed, and take care of her—there is nothing more powerful than a mother’s love.” To that end, Jones and her fellow Texicana Mamas are excited to partner with BorderAid, an organization that seeks to empower...
Happy Mother’s Day Amelia J. Duran
Feliz Dia de Todas las Madres La Prensa Texas would like to share a special message of love and gratitude to the mother of our publication, Amelia “Millie” Duran. Thank you for your support and inspiration. You always remind us of our mission to preserve the legacy of your family. We would like to extend a message of love and gratitude to all the mothers of our city: To all the mamas, abuelas, tias and sisters who support our lives and provide us with so much love, guidance and warmth. Thank you for being there and taking care. This holiday comes at a time of crossroads where we can always depend on the guidance of the maternal figures in our lives. Let us celebrate our madres, the ultimate artists, creating life. Saludos with one shot of our finest...
Westside Development Corporation (WDC) teams up with Centro SA and SAGE to launch #SmallBizBingoSA to help support local, small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic
#SmallBizBingoSA encourages San Antonians to support small local businesses while practicing social distancing San Antonio, TX – The Westside Development Corporation (WDC), in partnership with Centro San Antonio and San Antonio Growth for the Eastside (SAGE), has launched #SmallBizBingoSA, designed to encourage San Antonians to support locally owned, small businesses that have been among the hardest hit during the coronavirus pandemic. “This is a great opportunity for the community to come together in a fun way to support our local small businesses – and, c’mon, who doesn’t love BINGO?! It's also an opportunity for us as nonprofits to partner and cross-promote the incredible businesses our respective neighborhoods have to offer,” says Ramiro Gonzales, Interim CEO of WDC, whose goal is to expand the program to include more and additional types of businesses. Players can get a BINGO by supporting five participating businesses in a row and submitting their receipts via email to bingo@SmallBizBingoSA.com for a chance to win a $25 gift card to one of the participating businesses. Each Bingo round runs for two weeks, where five lucky winners will be selected at random and announced on the Facebook page. After every drawing, a new round of Bingo cards with new businesses will be provided and the game starts all over again. “A healthy business ecosystem includes main street businesses, “mom-and-pop” shops, legacy and micro-businesses. They are essential to the San Antonio culture and quality of life. This is one-way community members that love the local spots can help,” adds Edward Romero, VP Marketing and Community, Centro San Antonio. Game details and bingo cards can be downloaded at the Small Biz...
Bexar County Invites Local Businesses to a 2020 Disparity Webinar
Bexar County is committed to making sure that small, minority, women, disadvantaged, disabled, veteran, and LGBTE owned businesses have an equitable opportunity to participate in the County’s procurement process. To this end, Bexar County has contracted with Griffin & Strong, P.C. (GSPC), a law and public policy consulting firm to conduct a disparity study. The study will gather information necessary to determine whether all qualified firms have an equal opportunity to compete for and participate in Bexar County’s procurement of prime contracts and associated subcontracts. On April 29 and April 30, Griffin & Strong, P.C. will kick off the study by hosting two informational webinars. Business owners and residents are invited to attend one of the free, online sessions to ask questions and learn about the study process. There will also be a discussion about how business owners can share their experiences doing business or attempting to do business with Bexar County. The meeting will also be posted with closed captioning on the Study website: BexarCountyDisparityStudy.com. Thank you, Mari Zepeda MVW Communications (210) 710-7238 Media Contact: Omekah Edmondson E-mail: BexarCountyStudy@GSPCLaw.com Phone: (678) 364-2962 ext.104 For Immediate Release BEXAR COUNTY INVITES LOCAL BUSINESSES TO 2020 DISPARITY WEBINAR EVERYONE DESERVES THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A SEAT AT THE TABLE SAN ANTONIO, TX (April 6, 2020) - Bexar County is committed to making sure that small, minority, women, disadvantaged, disabled, veteran, and LGBTE owned businesses have an equitable opportunity to participate in the County’s procurement process. To this end, Bexar County has contracted with Griffin & Strong, P.C. (GSPC), a law and public policy consulting firm to conduct a disparity study. The study will...
Covid And Climate
Welcome to La Prensa’s new column about San Antonio, the environment and you. My name is DeeDee Belmares and I’m Public Citizen’s climate justice organizer in San Antonio. Public Citizen is a Washington-based non-profit organization whose mission is to protect Americans from corporate and government abuses. In San Antonio, it’s my job to raise awareness of environmental threats and to push decision-makers to protect all neighborhoods in town. I was born and raised in San Antonio. I grew up on the south side in a working class family. Conservation of natural resources and protecting the planet came naturally to our family, as my father insisted that we not waste water or electricity, and that we reuse as many household items as possible. I think my family was like many throughout San Antonio – common-sense, resourceful and protective of each other. In fact, protecting our children and families is the cornerstone of Latino life. Unfortunately, it seems it’s getting more difficult to keep our families safe from environmental degradation. We hear on the news of so many different threats facing our communities. One of the most urgent is climate change and its dramatic impact on the world we live in. We see raging wildfires in California and Australia, massive flooding in the Midwest and devastating droughts and hurricanes right here in Texas. In Texas, Latinos bear a disproportionate burden of environmental threats because we often live closer to highways and breathe in the tailpipe pollution of thousands of vehicles every day. Our homes and schools are located dangerously near coal plants, contaminated sites and other industrial facilities that release toxic...
SAN ANTONIO RIVER AUTHORITY ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL
PARK CLOSURES FOR EASTER WEEKEND To Help Slow Down Spread of COVID-19 By Gloria R. Carmona The San Antonio River Authority (River Authority) announced today that it is taking additional safety measures to reduce crowds and help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) during Easter Weekend. The River Authority has already closed access to some park amenities such as pavilions, basketball courts, and playgrounds, which will remain closed until further notice. Now, however, the River Authority is joining with other local governments in closing areas where larger groups gather in parks for picnicking during Easter, which is a holiday weekend that has historically seen large family gatherings in parks. “For the purpose of community health and safety, we must do our part to limit large gatherings along the river and at our parks,” said Suzanne Scott, San Antonio River Authority General Manager. “We know this difficult decision will cause many families to adjust their Easter celebrations. We hope to see families and large groups back enjoying our river parks and gathering areas as soon as it is safe for everyone.” The River Authority will close some of its parks entirely as well as some large gathering areas along the river from Friday, April 10 through Sunday, April 12. Following Easter Weekend, River Authority parks and amenities including trails, camp sites, disc golf courses, restrooms, and green spaces will re-open on Monday, April 13 as an outdoor resource for the community to use while still practicing social distancing. A list of River Authority park closures can be found below and on the River Authority website at sara-tx.org by clicking on...