Domonique Ramirez regains her crown

Domonique Ramirez regains her crown

SouthSaToday.Com
By Robert Castillo
March 24, 2011 5:00pm

Some say that it came as no surprise when jurors returned with a unanimous decision to restore the Miss San Antonio crown to 17 year old, Domonique Ramirez following a bitter court fight that lasted over a week. The jury's decision returns Domonique to her previous status as Miss San Antonio but with many other questions about who will be assisting her with her duties as queen.

Miss Ramirez thanked well wishers on the steps of Our Lady of Guadalupe church where she chose to make herself available to the press. Among those present was her mother.

"I knew she would be successful because even from the beginning I knew that everything she said was true. It was not fabricated. There were not lies. Everything was the truth. My daughter was prepared if we lost. We had talked about it.” said her mother.

It is not known whether Miss San Antonio will be managed by a new emerging board or continue with Caroline Haggard Flores, who initially stripped her of her title. There was speculation that a meeting between attorneys might take place to resolve the issue.

There was no word from Ashley Dixon who had been chosen to replace Miss Ramirez.

Story developing.

One of A Kind Bicycle Club needs members

The One of A Kind bicycle club is seeking more members to join their group and who are interested in customizing bikes. Luis Araujo, president of the group stated that most of their members come from the city's southside although they will accept interested bikers from anywhere in the city. Araujo and his club members attend various community events and consider the Palm Heights Neighborhood center as a place were they congregate. Today, they were scheduled to make their appearance at a bike rally near Probandt and Mitchell. Photography by SouthSaToday.Com.

Palms Heights Basketball Pavilion near completion

SouthSatoday.Com
By Robert Castillo

The City of San Antonio has under construction a much needed community project that will impact on the youth of the southside community.

The $305,635 construction project is a capital improvement project funded by certificates of obligation and is referred to as the Palm Heights Basketball Pavilion. Once completed, it will include several courts and its not know if it will have seating.

Attempts to get additional information were not successful at this time.

San Antonio Golden Gloves at Municipal Auditorium

SouthSatoday.Com
By Robert Castillo

Boxing aficionados are having a hard time getting any information about this year's Golden Gloves tournament that ends tomorrow at San ANtonio's Municipal Auditorium.

One such boxing fan complained that it has been difficult finding information about the event and blames organizers for seemingly making little effort to let the public know the details of this year's event.

Available information indicated that the event has been taking place since February 22 at the Woodlawn Gym starting at 7pm. Despite complaints, all events leading up to the finale this coming Saturday, have been a complete sellout with some being unable to get inside the event.

Saturday's event begins at 7pm at the Municipal Auditorium and tickets are available thru tickmaster.

Councilman David Medina Jr. Holds Open House
SouthSaToday.Com
by Robert Castillo

Councilman Medina from District Five held his monthly open house community meeting to a full house at his Southside district office on Nogalitos.

Present during the meeting were City of San Antonio department heads including SAWS representative, Cecilia Picazo. Picazo was introduced as former aide to District 5 City Councilwoman Patti Radle.

Medina announced the recent ground-breaking event for a 1/4 mile walking trail at Tejeda Park in addition to ongoing improvements currently being made to the Westside YMCA, Martinez Park and Collins Garden Park.

He also pointed out that in the past two years, he has seen over $12 million worth of infrastructure improvements to his district which included, drainage, roads and sidewalks.

For residents living adjacent to the railroad along Frio Road, he mentioned that efforts were underway to convert it into a railroad quiet zone.

Medina's next open house is scheduled for March 24 and April 28 at 3226 Nogalitos, starting at 11am.

Daddy-D working the Southside
SouthSaToday.Com
by Robert Castillo

He goes by the stage name of Daddy-D and has no serious aspirations of making it big in the world of rap music. Instead, he chooses to work a Southside corner at Commercial and Military Drive selling his two most recent rap cds to anyone that will give him a dollar. He has been doing this since May of last year.

"I'm doing ok, sometimes its good but other times its not so good. But I do it for my family." he explained.

Daddy-D is a married twenty three year old San Antonian, with a five and six year old at home.

"I remember the first day I came out here to sell my cds at this corner, I was so nervous that I threw up twice. I come out here because I have to support my family and also to take care of my little boy who has special needs." he added.

Daddy-D wanted for people to know that his music has no obscene language nor does it glorify drugs or crime but simply tells about everyday life and his life experiences as well as the pressures of living in San Antonio and particularly life in the Southside.

Before going back to work, he mentioned that he was working on his third CD which would be on sale soon at the corner of Commercial and Military.

Congressman Canseco against raising the debt ceiling

SouthSaToday.Com
by Robert Castillo

Congressman Francisco Canseco completed his Town Hall Tour at a meeting with constituents from his 23rd Congressional District at the Pan American Library in the city's south side. Public attendance was less than 10 people during his hour-long meeting.

In his opening statement, Canseco acknowledged and thanked a San Antonio police officer for his presence at the public meeting, making reference to the incident in Arizona that ended in several deaths and many others injured by a lone gunman.

Congressman Canseco's first topics dealt with his co-sponsoring a resolution to repeal the Health Care Law, which failed to pass by a 47-51 vote. His aim was to repeal the Health Care legislation while at the same time begin to replace it with House Resolution 9 which outlined several principles including lower health care costs without government takeover, medical liability reform, allowing Americans to purchase health care across state lines, increase use of health savings accounts, giving individual the same tax cuts for health care that business receive, and creation of high risk pools for those who might otherwise not be able to afford health care.

Congressman Canseco took comments, from several in the audience including Eduardo Mata you asked if he would be voting in favor of raising the debt ceiling beyond the 14.3 trillion level. Canseco answered that he would not be voting in favor of raising the ceiling. Jesus Esquivel commented about the Health Care bill and the benefits of being able to get insurance for those with pre-existing conditions.

Canseco also mentioned supporting House Resolution 22 which would cut the House of Representative's budget by reducing the amount authorized for salaries and expenses of House Members, committees and leadership offices. He explained that by voting to cut their own budget by 5% the House stood to safe 35 million.

House Resolution 38 was also voted on during the congressman's first thirty days in office with the hopes of cutting spending back to the pre-stimulus, pre-bailout levels.

The week long Town Hall Tour included meetings at Palo Alto College at Big'z Burger Joint and at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

According to his staff, Canseco may visit the border area in three weeks.

Sparky eating snow near Nogalitos in San Antonio's southside.

Congressman Canseco to meet with Southside

Congressman Francisco Canseco will hold a town hall meeting on February 5 in San Antonio's southside at the Pan American Library located at
1122 W. Pyron Avenue starting at 3pm and ending at 5pm. Earlier on the day of his southside visit, he will meet with the public at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

The meeting is part of his "Town Hall Tour" which started on February 3rd at Palo Alto College and at Big'z Burger Joint.

The National Weather Bureau and area meteorologists are forcasting up to an inch of snow by late afternoon on Thursday which should continue throughout the night until Friday. The last significant snow fall occurred in 1985 and temporarily brought traffic to a standstill. Snow is predicted by 5pm tomorrow. Snow around the Alamo was seen in 1985. For current weather and snow report click on Justweather.Com.

- Event Feb 1, 2011. Another reminder of tomorrows car show on the parking lot at the recently opened Bobby G's Old School BBQ and Catering located at the intersection of Walton and Nogalitos. See a top-featured cherry red Hot Rod and many prized show cares starting at 7pm. While there, try their terrific BBQ and their chili. SouthSaToday.Com

Sarah Lucero and Delaine Mathieu

San Antonio's Third Marathon now history

By Robert Castillo
SouthSaToday.Com

The cold weather in the morning hours of this year's annual Rock 'n' Roll Marathon soon changed to perfect weather for the more than 27,000 participants in this year's event.

The start of this year's race changed from Broadway street near Brackenridge Park to the downtown area near the Hilton Hotel.

As in other years, Sunday's event was for the benefit of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

With a final time of 2 hours 17 minutes, Edward Tabut of Kenya was declared the winner of the men's marathon and also from Kenya, Everlyne Lagat won the women's marathon with a time of 2 hours 42 minutes.

Second and third place in the women's race were taken by San Antonians Elizabeth Malesich at 2 hours 53 minutes and Emily Loeffler at 2 hours and 54 minutes.

Local celebrities also participated and included KENS 5 TV anchorwoman, Sarah Lucero with a time of 4 hours 26 minutes. Also seen among the runners was Delaine Mathieu, co-anchor from WOAI News 4.

"I don't like when citizens say its been this way for a year..It shouldn't be..let me know" -Lisa McKenzie- Graffiti Abatement coordinator

Low turnout at Palm Heights meeting
by Robert Castillo
SouthSaToday.Com
Web Posted: Nov 18, 2010 9:56AM

The low number of residents at last night's community initiative meeting matched an equal amount of city employees. Approximately twelve persons attended which was less than the expected one hundred.

District 5 Councilman David Medina Jr. was present for the opening of a city project presentation to announce a scheduled clean up drive set to take place in the coming days which is aimed at an area between Nogalitos and Zarzamora Street.

Besides the area cleanup, an intensive stray dog roundup will take place primarily in the Kelly Park area were residents report a high number of stray dogs. According to Medina, additional code compliance staff will be used for this project.

Glen Midkiff, supervisor of Animal Care Services added that the city staff plans to issue free dog licenses on December 4 provided that owners present verification that their animal has received the required rabies shots. The service will be held from 11am to 3pm at the Palms Heights Center.

Fire Department Captain Robert Westbrook also announced that free smoke or carbon dioxide detectors are available by calling 211. Firemen from the closest fire station will do the home installation.

In addressing the graffiti abatement efforts, Coordinator Lisa McKenzie, from the city's Graffiti Abatement Program reported that the police department made 350 graffiti arrests last year however, many property owners seldom pursued prosecution of the offenders. When presented with photos of one such eye sore in the area, she responed by saying, "With private property, people need to call me and let me know..if no one lets me know..don't assume we know about it. We have 10 employees for the entire city." McKenzie asks that residents report graffiti in their area by calling 311.

Incident at Collins Garden voting location
SouthSaToday.Com
By Robert Castillo
Web Posted: Oct 18, 2010 11:30PM

The first voting location salvo was perhaps fired at Collins Garden Library in the city's near Southside on this first day of early voting.

As is customary, reports of incidents at the polling places result in complaints and allegations of voting irregularities, as was the case where a poll worker was accused of political profiling and irregularities according to Graciela Hernandez.

Graciela Hernandez, a well-known political activist reported such an incident around 1:00 pm after she entered the Collins Garden Library to cast her early vote. By her own admission, she was voting outside her district a fact that was pointed out by the poll worker. It was eventually determined that this would not prevent her from voting at Collins Garden Library.

However, Hernandez further alleged that while at the voting cubicle, a poll watcher stood next to her while she voted and pointed out that she had left three boxes unmarked. Annoyed by his presence, she asked him to move away because he was invading her privacy.

Hernandez also added that after voting, she went to the library’s restroom and became upset when she found a printed label with her name and address on the floor of the adjacent cubicle. She explained that the label was part of the election material and should have been safeguarded. She said that this was significant enough to summon the San Antonio Police Department.

When contacted, Jacque Callanen, Election Administrator explained that there were four printed labels and that one of them was given to each voter. She also explained that voters could vote throughout the county regardless of their precinct.

"Yes, we are aware of Mrs. Graciela Hernandez's complaint and we have spoken with her." Callanen stated. Other Photos

St. James Catholic Church has Fall Festival

SouthSaToday.Com
By Robert Castillo
Web Posted: Oct 10, 2010 11:35PM

Hundreds of parishioners turned out on Sunday, October 10th for St. James Catholic Church's Fall Festival at the parish grounds complete with food booths, games and music.

Headlining the event was Female Vocalist of the Year, Elida Reyna Y Avante. The day long event helped raised needed funds for the parish. Both Father Archie Tacay and Father Plutarco Belanggoy visited with those in attendance. Unlike last year's festival, this one enjoyed cool and pleasant weather. Other Photos

Palm Heights Community holds National Night Out

SouthSaToday.Com
By Robert Castillo
Web Posted: Oct 5, 2010 11:21PM

National Night Out took place throughout San Antonio neighborhoods this Tuesday instead of the traditional first Tuesday in August. Texas in seeking to have it in better weather was given an exemption to change the date.

The Palm Heights community did their part by continuing a tradition of supporting this effort to increase crime awareness and bringing public attention to drug prevention programs.

With a gathering of over 100 citizens, which included District 5 city councilman David Medina, Palm Heights organizers provided games for children, music and a colorful performance by the area’s Ballet Folkolorico.

Participation in this citywide event has always been significant enough to rank San Antonio as second last year among municipalities with 300,000 or more in population. Other Photos

Local celebs in the 2011 Celebrity Calendar Pink Carpet Premiere

SouthSaToday.Com
by Robert Castillo
Web Posted: Sept 30, 2010 11:32PM

Local celebrities played a major part in an effort to raise funds for cancer research and also to help the Elf Louise Locker Beat Cancer Fund and The San Antonio Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Tonight’s event took place at San Antonio’s downtown Aztec Theatre with all the ingredients of a Hollywood event, complete with a walk down the pink carpet. The event also served to unveil this year's Celebrity Calendar with proceeds also going to cancer research.

Featured in this year’s calendar were 13 beautiful women, which included Sarah Lucero, Jennifer Broome, Ara Celi, Charity McCurdy, Karen Martinez, Rita Verreos, Erin Barry, Delaine Mathieu, Karen Grace, Eva Campbell Morales, C.J. Cruz, and Vanessa Macias Ballou.

Jazz musician, Bett Butler and crooner, Bobby Aragon also performed. Other Photos

SAPD and SAWS collect unwanted prescription drugs

SouthSaToday.Com
by Robert Castillo
Webposted: September 11, 2010 11:27 PM

SAN ANTONIO, TX - SAPD Officer Joel Zulaica and other officers from the San Antonio Police Department along with the San Antonio Water System joined forces this weekend and set up a prescription drug collection center on the grounds of the Alamadome.

The event has been held more than once a year with the aim of giving residents a safe manner in which to dispose of unwanted prescriptions while at the same time avoid contamination of our water supply or a potential danger to our local landfill.

The five hour event also collected hazardous chemicals such as old paint and solvents. The purpose for the collection is to keep resident from disposing of all medications or over the counter drugs thru household drains thus avoiding traces of drugs in the water system. Medications and hazardous material will the disposed in a safe manner.

Photo by SouthSaToday.Com.

La Michocana - prime tagger's target

Even with recent arrests, tagging continues to spread the neighborhood blight and property damage. What is obvious is that old taggers have either gone on to other areas or have been apprehended. Most of the recent designs are simply initialized displays, which cause the same amount of damage as the elaborate spraying of a year ago. It is not known if surveillance cameras are being used in the Southside but there seems to be a lull in the illegal activity. One favorite target has been the future site of La Michocana, which is expected to open on Nogalitos. In the meantime, taggers are having a field day. Photo by SouthSaToday.Com.

City holds third meeting on Heritage South Plan
by Robert Castillo

Staff from the City of San Antonio held their third community meeting on the proposed Heritage South Sector Plan Land use.

Saturday morning's meeting lasted about two hours and was held at the San Antonio Police Academy with approximately 50 in attendance. The presentation done by city staff was divided into several components, which included land use and urban design, transportation, utilities, housing, economic development, community services, education, parks and natural resources and historic preservation.

According to their printed material, this plan will determine appropriate uses and development within the south side area bounded by: Loop 410 to the north; the extraterritorial jurisdiction boundary to the south; I-35 to the west; and Hwy 181 to the east.

Questions raised by the public included whether there were any plans for hospitals in the southside while another person commented about the growing congestion on Roosevelt.

Ernest Chacon, a southside resident addressed the group from a prepared written statement concerning the buffer zone around the Toyota plant. According to Chacon, he owns several acres and felt that because of the concession made to Toyota, he is now locked in and cannot sell his property.

" Nobody here went to the meeting." said businessman Roman Pena, "the problem that is occurring is that you keep telling us that at the last meeting this was developed and nobody here was at the last meeting. So the thing is..you need to have a little more respect for the people. "

Pena asked that ample notice be given about such meetings.

City staff pointed out that information about Heritage South Sector Plan Lane use and meetings are on their website.

Many planned to attend the next meeting scheduled on June 22, 2010 at 6:00pm. The location will be 1901 S. Alamo.

(http://www.sanantonio.gov/planning/south_sector_plan1.asp)

Southside holds Legendary Tejano Night concert
SouthSaToday.Com
by Robert Castillo

Hundreds kept a date with Sunny Ozuna this past weekend when they attended the Legendary Tejano Night concert on the grounds of St. Cecilia Catholic Church. In the audience were many baby boomers that shared their own personal stories about Sonny Ozuna. Most already knew that he had grown up in the southside of San Antonio and had attended Burbank High. The legendary singer also recounted how and when he attained nationwide fame with his song "Talk to Me."

"It was a very exciting time for me in 1963. That was my senior year at Burbank and I remember talking to Mr. Terrell Gates, the school principal. Our song had just gone national and was listed in the Top 40. I asked Mr. Gates to give me a break so I could attend Dick Clark's American Bandstand." explained Ozuna. It was February of 1963 that Sonny did two shows on American Bandstand at the age of nineteen.

Among the other performers at Saturday's event was Ernie Garibay , who thrilled the audience with his vocals (I'd Rather Go Blind) and instrumental hits. Also from the sixties fame was energetic Rudy T. Gonzalez, the lead singer for the group originally known as Rudy Tee and the Reno Bops who is currently promoting a recent CD.

Also performing was Jimmy Edward that brought young and old to their feet with his hits from the 1970's (Todos Dicen, Bring It on Home to Me), and instead of taking center stage moved down among the crowd and delivered a performance that kept dancers on the floor throughout his set.

"Being here is actually being home. We grew up in this area and many of our songs and memories are from here." said Sunny Ozuna.

The Legendary Tejano Night concert ended late at night with crowds estimated in the hundreds during the day long event.

The Vincent Valdez mural is destroyed
SouthSaToday.Com

In 1994 Vincent Valdez, a 16 year old student at Burbank High School in San Antonio was allowed to paint a mural on a west side wall at the school which was visible from interstate traffic. The mural remained at Burbank High until this past weekend when school adminstration approved its removal.

While questions are being asked as to how this could have happened. It was reported that the artist's father, Arthur Valdez and Fernando Velazques visited the school on Monday with the hope of meeting with school Principal Mona Lopez. School staff informed them that she was not available until later.

During the course of the day, both were met by assistant principal Roy Gregg and informed that Mona Lopez would not be available after all. According to the news report, both Velasquez and Valdez were met by Gregg accompanied by two campus police officers.

The sudden removal of this mural has angered some in the community and they hope that those responsible will offer the public a thorough explanation as to how they reached the decision to have the mural removed.

Related Articles:

Update: Artist Vincent Valdez Mural Destroyed by SAISD Principal Mona Lopez
Loss of mural spurs call for apology
SAISD "History in the Making" - Facebook

Morgan's Wonderland becomes a reality
By Robert Castillo - SouthSaToday.Com

SAN ANTONIO - Mothers with their children slowly inched ahead hoping to get near the stage where San Antonio's famous actress, Eva Longoria Parker was busy signing autographs and posing with many for that much-sought photo.

Minutes earlier, she had thanked the estimated audience of 2,000 that took part in the official opening of Morgan's Wonderland, a unique recreational project developed by former real estate developer, Gordon Hartman. The 25 acre park was designed to serve those with mental or physical disability and took an estimate amount of $30 million to complete. Eva's family was also in the audience, including her sister whom she acknowledged as an inspiration.

With his daughter at his side Hartman thanked his daughter who he has stated has a cognitive delay condition. "Thank you, Morgan, for opening the eyes of your parents. With your attitude you have done so much for so many people" "We love you Morgan," Hartman stated.

Among the celebrities addressing the crowd, former Spur player David Robinson spoke about giving back to the community and helping all such projects as Morgan's Wonderland come to fruition.

Well-known Pastor Buckner Fanning, San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro and U.S. Congressman Charlie Gonzalez also participated in the official opening, followed by Grammy Award winning artist and percussionist Nina Rodriguez and her group "Unlock The Rhythm."

The opening activities were scheduled to end by 9 pm. Other Photos

COMMUNITY NEWS AND EVENTS

District Councilman David Medina Jr. cordially invites you to a District 5 open house at district field office on 3226 Nogalitos - Suite 102 on January 27th from 11 am to 12:00 pm. For any additional information, call 210-207-0963.

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