This years’ Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson Holiday party was a very slimed down version of the usually highly anticipated party of the year. The who’s who of San Antonio usually start looking for the invitation around November and start planning with their friends what to wear in December. It was certainly slim pickings when it came to food and décor. For dinner you could dine in your tuxedo or beautiful dress on the not so gourmet chicken fingers and macaroni & cheese and for the big finish a pretty cookie for dessert. They should’ve just packaged the whole dinner in a lunch box and handed us a juice box. I remember the days when the glamorous upscale event was held at the Witte Museum with a specialty Martini bar, candy canes and mints floated at the bottom of the holiday Martini, on the back patio of the Witte guests would gather near a chocolate fountain where they dipped pretzels, brownies, marshmallows and cookies under a warm chocolate fountain. Tuxedo clad guests enjoyed several different rooms set up to entertain with music and conversation. Clearly this year missed the mark and was not the same kind of party. The get together was held at the Pearl Stables where plain looking tables were set up outside for people to mingle. Insides a meager buffet lined the back wall (you were lucky if you could find the plates and “silver” ware) The Paul Elizondo band performed and entertained the very dressed down guests. People actually wore jeans and cowboy hats. An acquaintance of a friend showed up and he was wearing a football team jacket. Did I not get the memo for the new attire requirements? Years ago this was the invitation to get, now not so much. After this review I probably won’t be invited back. Through out the evening the sentiment was the same…”what happened to this party?” People left early after checking out the unimpressive crowd, though there were a few heavy hitters there who stopped in and left shortly afterwards. I’m sure some people really enjoyed the event although many of the guests were expecting the usual highbrow and impressive party given by a great law firm. Next time, go back to the Witte!
The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce did things a lot better than the previously mentioned party. The upscale event was held at the Hyatt Hill Country Resort, a little far from downtown, but made up for the long drive with a great view. The Hyatt Hill Country Resort is a nice change of pace for a Chamber event providing a great open space perfect for mingling, gossiping and making new friends. Everyone gathered in the main entryway swarming around the big shots waiting to shake hands and say hello or hand out their business cards. Although the Mayors time in office is almost up he has a certain something that makes people gather around him like he’s handing out money. Look for a big crowd and I can almost guarantee that somewhere inside the circle you will find the Mayor. His beautiful wife Linda Hardberger was also in attendance that night. The Lawyers from Cox Smith Matthews were there in force rubbing elbows with clients and were nice enough to donate some of their great spurs tickets to the silent auction. I’m pretty sure I spotted CEO and owner of Spurs Sports and Entertainment Peter Holt dashing through the crowd. Before the dinner and speeches started the silent auction took place around the corner with some really interesting items, like a signed lyric sheet from the popular band U2, a signed Rolling Stones Album and Reggie Bush signed football. Guest circled around their most wanted item all night long protecting their bid and waiting the auction to be over. The guest who won the Reggie Bush football wasn’t going to go down without a fight, unknown to him he was bidding against his wife who wanted to surprise him with the football. The actual dinner wasn’t bad and the speeches by Brenda Vickery Johnson 2007 Chairman of the Board and Dr. Francisco Cigarroa the new 2008 Chairman of the Board weren’t too long or boring. Richard Perez President and CEO of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and his wife took pictures outside the dinning room. After dinner the silent auction ended and guests retired to the hotel bar to talk about the night’s events and discuss how much money they spent buying/supporting the chamber with the silent auction.
Valentines Day is just around the corner and San Antonio has a lot to offer you and your special someone. Flowers and chocolates are so over done and besides everyone is still trying to keep their new years resolutions, going out to dinner can be a hassle as well – making reservations at an overly packed restaurant where they only have a pre set menu. So I offer you a few suggestions that can make your Valentines Day exciting and unique. Fred Astaire one of the greatest dancers of all time cofounded the Fred Astaire Dance Studio where you can learn how to dance anything from Country Western to Salsa or the Fox Trot. I’ve had the privilege of having taken a few dance lessons from our instructor Carlos. In just a few classes we have learned the two-step, the tango (my favorite) and plenty of fox trot moves. Carlos is a great teacher he explains dance steps in his own unique way, like describing a dance move using basketball moves! Really you have to see it to believe it but it works. For dancers who are more advanced not to worry the instructors at Fred Astaire Dance Studio and some of the best trained dancers around. The studio space is beautiful and for those guys who never want to miss an important game a big flat screen tv is on in the waiting room. You can get a gift certificate for 2 private lessons and 1 group for lesson for only $25. It’s a lot of fun and a really romantic Valentines Day gift.
Central Market Cooking School is also offering some great classes for Valentines Day to get everyone into the romantic mood! Make the day really special for a loved one by creating a beautiful chocolate box filled with chocolate truffles. If chocolate isn’t really your thing try exploring the culinary delights of Italian cooking with Chef Giuseppina Pizzolato, Cooking instructor at Gattoria Bassetto in Tuscany. Giuseppina is collaborating with Brendina Culinary Excursions and the Central Market Cooking School to bring him all the way from Tuscany to San Antonio. Learn how to make Insalatina Di Mare Calda (Warm Seafood Salad) Risotto Con Carciofi (Risotto with Artichokes) and Crostata Al Cioccolato (Chocolate Crostata topped with Hazelnuts). Throughout the cooking experience Italian wines will be paired with the dishes. Make sure to call early for reservations or get your hands on a cooking school calendar to learn about other
Interesting classes.
Melissa Castro-Killen and husband Rob Killen winded down the holiday season with a tre chic party at their newly remodeled Monte Vista home. Friends, politicos and co-workers gathered around the kitchen and talked about all kinds of interesting tid bits. Holiday parties are great for catching up on gossip! Although lots of rumors were flying around, I’ll wait till the next issue to include those conversations. Topics included upcoming elections and plenty of humorous antidotes. Sonny Torres and his wife Nicole, Kenny Compton, Debra Guerro V.P. of development for NRP, Mike Dunn a lobbyist out of Austin, and Edward DeLaGarza and Ayda Gonzalez, GDA engineers (Gonzalez and Assoc. engineering) all made themselves at home that night. It was a great ending to a great holiday season!
