July Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber by Ramzy Dezigns

J u l y 1 , 2 00 8 In This Issue Special Feature…..…….…………………..………...….1 Member Highlight....……………..………....…….….2 New Member Spotlight…..……...….……..….…….3 Economic Development……………..…...…………5 Education…………………………………………………….….8 Upcoming Events…………………………...…...…….10 Community Updates………………………...…….…11 Member Recognition……………………...…...……12 Corporate Members……….……..………...………13 Staff……………………………………………….……………...13

Board of Directors Robert Franco, Jr. - Chair Bank of America Blanca Zamora-García - Chair-Elect Casa Blanca Realty Larry Graham - Treasurer Texas Gas Service George Gutierrez - Secretary Austin American Statesman-Ahora Si! James W. Rash II - At Large Wal-Mart Supercenter #1253 Pilar Sanchez - At Large Housing Authority of the City of Austin Paul M. Saldaña - Immediate Past Chair Adelánte Solutions, Inc. Al Beavers Lower Colorado River Authority Bryan Cady urbanspace Realtors, LLP Paul Cruz, Ph.D Austin Independent School District Susan Franzen LifeU, Inc. Myndi Garrett VMware Sam Guzman SGJ Essential Services Jose Marrero JAM Latino Anna Marie Martinez IBM Tim McCoy Univision Radio Dianne T. Mendoza, Ph.D. Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Eva Muñoz AT&T Flynn Nogueira del Fuego Companies, LLC Sebastian Puente Eko Communications Audra Terrazas Launey XO Communications, Inc.

Vo lum e 7 , I s su e 1

International Business Center hosts News Conference on NextDooring On June 5th, our International Business Center hosted a News Conference at the Mexican American Cultural Center to outline NextDooring, our unique new program to develop high tech partnerships between businesses in Austin and Mexico. Consul General of Mexico Rosalba Ojeda joined GAHCC President Andy Martinez, GAHCC Chair-Elect Blanca Zamora-Garcia and Consul General of Mexico Rosalba Ojeda and Aportia Inc President GAHCC President/CEO Andy Martinez Amado Espinosa in announcing this program Through NextDooring, we are that will encourage businesses to introducing Aportia, an Information look to Mexico for assistance with Technology Consortium in Guadalatheir high tech needs. jara, Mexico, as an innovative alternative for companies with IT sourcing We also had the participation at needs. the podium of Mr. Andrew Bailey Vice President of Sales of Iuxta America Working with Aportia, the InterCorporation, a GAHCC member that national Business Center’s goal is to has seen the benefits of doing busihelp build the wealth of Hispanic ness with Mexican partners. In fact, Chamber members by providing they have already started a working unique alternatives to enhance busipartnership with Aportia. ness efficiency and to reduce cost of operations. This program is aimed at US companies that are already outsourcYou can have access to the news ing overseas to introduce our “next clips regarding this program by door neighbor” Mexico as a smart, visiting www.gahcc.org economical alternative to offshore outsourcing. Rather than outsourcing For more information regarding IT services overseas, some US busiNextDooring and Aportia, please connesses have found that working with tact Nayeli Gallegos, Director of Inhigh tech companies in Mexico is ternational Business Development at saving from 20% to 40% of the cost ngallegos@gahcc.org or 512-462of outsourcing to countries on the 4302. other side of the globe. Copyright © 2008 Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Agreement could produce $100 billion in contracts for Texas Hispanic businesses Source: Austin Business Journal, Thursday, June 19, 2008 - 2:35 PM CDT

The Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce will ink an agreement next week with state agencies and universities that could lead to as much as $100 billion in procurement opportunities for Texas Hispanic-owned businesses in the years ahead. The parties will sign the memorandum at an event at the Texas Capitol on June 24. The agreement calls for a number of state agencies and universities to earmark procurement work for Hispanic-owned businesses statewide. According to those involved, the total value of the procurements over the next several years could reach $100 billion. "This is a historic moment for TAMACC and Texas state agencies and universities," says Arcilia Acosta, chairman of TAMACC. "It is historic because of the cooperation between TAMACC and these state entities, and the amount of money that will be available to qualified Texas...firms." State agencies participating in the initiative include the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Texas Department of Transportation and the Texas Health & Human Services Commission. Texas Tech University in

Frank Cortez, TAMACC President & CEO Lubbock and The University of Texas at Austin are among the universities involved. The procurement work will run the gamut, ranging from audio/visual to legal and construction to video production. More details on the exact types of procurement opportunities will be available after the signing on June 24. For additional information visit www.tamacc.org.

You are cordially invited to attend the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Welcoming Reception for the TAMACC 33rd Annual Convention and Expo July 31st 7pmâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;10pm at the Long Center for the Performing Arts Tickets: $20 in advance $25 at the door Noticias 2

To pay in advance, visit www.gahcc.org or call (512) 475-7502

New Member Spotlight: Austin 3-1-1 Whether you need information on City of Austin events or need to request a new sign or file a non-emergency police report, Austin 3-1-1 is always available 24 hours a day, seven days week, and 365 days a year. Kind, courteous customer service ambassadors are ready to answer your questions and assist you with your City of Austin service needs. In 1997, the 3-1-1 number was standardized for nationwide use by the Federal Communications Commission as a way of immediate access to nonemergency police and other government services. The Austin Police Department successfully launched 3-1-1 for police in 2001 as a way to off load the non-emergency police-related calls that were going to 9-1-1. In 2004, the City of Austin expanded the 3-1-1 services to include other City service requests including Public Works, Animal Control and Parks and Recreation. The call center continued growing and adding more departments and now takes over 150 different kinds of service requests. Austin Police 3-1-1 and Citywide Information eventually merged to create Austin 3-1-1 in August 2007. As part of the City’s initiative to provide uncomplicated access to City’s services, Austin 3-1-1 uses bilingual agents as well as a translation service to assist citizens from all backgrounds. “Austin 3-1-1 is moving toward having a more personal experience with our Hispanic community,” said Joe Calabrese, Process Manager for Austin 3-1-1. “As we began this experience we had a contract with a translation service company to assist with Spanish calls that our bilingual ambassadors were unable to take if they were all on other calls. Now, we want to focus on providing citizens of Austin a real customer service experience and in order to do that we need to move

toward having more bilingual ambassadors available at 3-1-1 to assist our Hispanic community” states Calabrese. Austin 3-1-1 also gets involved in the community by attending outreach events such as the Getting Connected Business Resource Fair and the “A Tu Lado” campaign with APD and Univision. More outreach is planned for the next year including neighborhood association meetings and continuing efforts with the GAHCC. Whether over the phone using 3-1-1 or (512) 9742000 for those out of area calls or on the web at www.austin311.org, Austin 3-1-1 is truly your all day, any day resource for City of Austin information or issues.

City of Georgetown Launches Texas Home Repair Program The Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is reaching out to all Construction and Home Repair Contractors located in Georgetown, Texas and Williamson County to invite Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise participation for the City of Georgetown, Texas Home Repair Program. Contractors located in Travis, Hays, Caldwell and Bastrop Counties that have offices in the Williamson county area will also be considered for participation in this program. Contractors in business for a minimum of three (3) years who are interested in being added to the City’s approved Contractors list can contact: Mary Martinez, Vice-President of Economic Development for the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce at (512) 462-4307 or Jennifer C. Bills, Housing Coordinator at (512) 930-8477, (512) 930-5892 fax, or via email at jbills(at)georgetowntx.org. Noticias 3

Financial Author, Ruben Ruiz, Sweeps International Latino Book Awards in Los Angeles with ‘Six’ Awards Ruben Ruiz, author of “The Richest Latino in America,” has been recognized on an international level, and the book hasn’t even been released yet. Ruiz topped the list in six categories at the 10th annual International Latino Book Awards in Los Angeles, California, for two books, and was the only Author that won multiple book awards. Ruiz competed against Latino authors from the U.S., Mexico, Canada, and Spain, South America and other countries around the world, including authors that have landed on the New York Times Best Seller list. The newest English book of “The Richest Latino in America,” won first place for Best New Age self-help book; second place for Best Reference Book; and third place for Best Business Book, and the book has not been released yet.

room. Many of the financial self-help texts currently on the market are so complex and uninspiring that Latinos find themselves struggling to read from one cover to another, and they lose interest long before they’ve been able to successfully implement the techniques they teach. Readers will have the opportunity to follow the path of “John Doe” Ricardo Barrera Vasquez as he goes from being a nameless, faceless member of middle class America to a self-directive, educated Latino that is on the way to becoming one of the ‘Richest Latinos in America’. The novella uses clever dialogue and memorable characters to teach readers the Seven Miracles of Wealth Creation, a wealth building plan so simple that anyone can implement it, regardless of their level of education, and so effective that they will begin to generate results wi thi n a matter of weeksguaranteed.

“The drafted copy of the book was sent in back in January to the Latino Book Awards Offices in LA. I’m glad it won so many different categories because it really tells about the diversity of the book,” Ruiz said. In fact, the book is considered the first financial self-help; Novella; or a story or a parable in America, which changes the look of self-help books for Latinos around the Globe, by wrapping entertainment and education into one.

“Another very important characteristic of a truly successful individual is that they recognize that all men are only men.” Roland Serna, the first Mentor of seven compadres characters in the book, says,” While all men are only men, there’s no reason that all men shouldn’t be wealthy men”!

The award winning book puts dry, boring texts firmly in the past where they belong and offers Latinos the opportunity to learn how to build net worth & financial independence without having to thumb through pages of facts and statistics better suited for a college class-

“It’s a really great story of a family that travels through America looking for the principles or secrets of wealth,” Ruiz said. A “miracle” happens in each of the seven cities that the family visits, like

Noticias 4

San Antonio, Los Angeles, Miami and other large cities with heavy Latino influence, he said. “The America of today is a far cry from the America of our ancestors, and the biggest obstacle standing between Latinos and the realization of their dreams is themselves,” Ruiz said. “It is time for Latinos from coast to coast to throw this obstacle aside and take the steps forward that will lead them into a bright new future.” Additionally, Ruiz won three awards for the Spanish Translation of his first book, ‘El Millonario Hispano En Una Hora’ (The One Hour Hispanic Millionaire) 1st place Best Business Book; 2nd place for Best Self-Help Book, and 3rd place for Best Reference Book. The Books will not be in stores until November, 2008, but are available on the Author’s website, www.rubenruiz.net

Austin Absolute Realty Recognized by State of Texas as a Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Austin Absolute Realty has been recognized by the State of Texas as a Historically Underutilized Business (HUB). Austin Absolute Realty is 1 of 15 in the Austin Metro Area. As a minority or woman-owned business, only certified HUBs are listed in the online Texas HUB Directory. For purchases of $5,000 or less, state entities can directly contact a business to buy goods and services. More than $41 million of these small-dollar purchases were made in 2007. The Texas HUB Directory is also searched by vendors looking for certified HUBs to include in their subcontracting plans for projects of $100,000 or more. “We are please to hold this certificate and we look forward to continued success.” states Rodney Bustamante, founder of Austin Absolute Realty. Rodney Bustamante is a HUD Foreclosure Registered Broker, an Ambassador for Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and serves on the Government Affairs Committee with Austin Board of Realtors.

For more information, please visit http:// www.window.state.tx.us/procurement/prog/hub/hubcertification/. Founded in 2000, Austin Absolute Realty has successfully assisted hundreds of first-time home-buyers to reach the American dream of home ownership. As the market continuously brought change, so has Austin Absolute Realty, opening their list of services and offerings for investors, commercial tenants, land deals, assisting first-time home-buyers and providing guidance through real estate transactions. Austin Absolute Realty re-located to their new office in North Central Austin and are currently hiring licensed agents. For more information, contact Rodney Bustamante at 512-535-1134 or at info@txaar.com. Austin Absolute Realty is located at 1005 West 41 Street, Austin, Texas 78756. Learn more by visiting www.txaar.com.

Central Texas Regional Health Coverage Project Texas ranks number one in the nation for uninsured with one-in-four Texans having no healthcare coverage. Among the reasons for our high uninsured rates are the numbers of Texas business that are unable to offer coverage to their employees.

deductibles, co-pays and coinsurance Governance: Locally-based, locally run non-profit corporation; regional Board of Directors Adds to Insured Pool: Small employers who have not offered insurance for specified time Market Target: Minimum 10,000 employees by 3rd year

The Central Texas Regional Health Coverage Project’s mission is to offer, on a multi-county basis, a basic, lowcost health plan(s) for small employers and their employees that: • Improves the health and access to healthcare of those insured by the program • Helps small businesses remain competitive with a healthy workforce • Expands the size of the insured pool in Central Texas • Adds more revenue to the region’s healthcare system • Encourages patient responsibility in their health

How can you keep the costs lower than a commercial insurance product? • Small Business price barriers removed - No health status, industry type, or size underwriting • Basic plan(s) covering major medical service catego ries • Prevention and disease management – healthier population will keep costs down. • 3-Share – only for lower income individuals, offer some level of subsidy • Large pool of employees – target of at least 10,000 by the 3rd year of operations • Nonprofit approach – avoids business need to pay shareholders, executive salaries • Technology – innovative use of health information technology to streamline overhead costs.

Product Description: Target Launch Date: Fall 2008 Services: Includes major services (physician, hospital, medications, mental health) Providers: Reasonable payment rates, regional provider network Premium Payments: From $70 to $228/mo/employee depending on age/gender and plan Limitations: Coverage limitations, annual maximums, Noticias 5

To learn more, please contact Ann Kitchen at 512.804.2090 ext 201 or akitchen@icc-centex.org. For more information, please visit www.healthcarecentraltexas.com. Copyright © 2008 Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Do You Need The Critical Update? The Critical Update provides peace of mind and affordable technology solutions to business owners and managers by implementing simple preventive steps that save time and increase productivity. Their goal is to build long term relationships with clients, partners and staff to become a trusted resource for all technology needs. The Critical Update began in response to a number of complaints from friends who had several bad experiences with technicians that charged too much and never really resolved the problems. By implementing simple preventive steps and focusing on proactive support, since then, they have been able to grow to support hundreds of users all over the United States. They provide IT consulting and support services to companies from one to two hundred users. Their services are customized to fit each individual client such as technical consulting, network administration and support. They can also can handle all IT operations or serve as additional support to in-house staff. In addition, they sell licensing software and hardware to small and medium size businesses, Government and Charities in Texas. They evaluate the needs of their clients, develop a plan, implement and manage the solution and help our clients get the most value for their technology dollars. For more information on the services provided, please contact Luis Delgado at 512.336.2970 or LuisDelgado@TheCriticalUpdate.com.

On June 18th, The Critical Update sponsored a Microsoft Across America truck event in conjunction with GAHCC, HTIA and WorkSource.

Visitors tested new products launched by Microsoft.

Elizabeth S. Gonzales, CLTC Financial Services Professional*

New York Life Insurance Company 6200 Bridgepoint Parkway, Suite 300 Austin, TX 78730 Bus. 512 329 4264 Fax 512 314 6926 Cel. 512 947 4263 Res. 512 282 1499 esgonzales@ft.newyorklife.com www.elizabethsgonzales.nylagents.com Se habla español

The Company You Keep® Noticias 6

About The Weekend Pro The Weekend Pro is a small company, located in Austin Texas, with a vision to take an excellent putter and

hole the greatest number of putts. The Weekend Pro was formed to deliver such an instrument.

make it better. Having identified the Railgun as a scientifically developed putter that was rated Best Overall by

The mission of the Weekend Pro is to provide an inno-

Golf Test USA, including #1 in Accuracy, #1 in Feel, #1

vative scientific alternative to the current existing putters

one in Control and not so good in Appearance, the Week-

that are high on promise but low on delivery. Their mis-

end Pro set out to take the “ugly” out of the Railgun. The

sion is to be acknowledged as the national leader in the

Weekend Pro is a small giant killer -- a start-up company

production of putters that golf lovers can incorporate into

that has dared to improve upon the work of the original

their game to yield enhanced pleasure in each round of

inventor to develop the new and improved Railgun II. The golf and lower handicaps. To accomplish their mission, they commit to deliver top-notch personal service as we improved putter builds on the attributes of the Railgun putter (patent number #5993324), under whose patent

place our precision instrument in the hands of our valued

license the Railgun II is now offered.

customers.

The purpose of the Weekend Pro is to elevate the golf flat stick to a level of prominence that is commensurate with its contribution to the total score on a given round of golf. Since the putter is the most used club in the bag and the ultimate determinant of the score of each round of golf, it is only logical that its selection be scientifically and logically made to bring the maximum pleasure to the golfer and

Noticias 7

Their business philosophy is to deliver value at a reasonable price with no dissatisfied customers. It is also to know that users will feel they got their money’s worth when they purchased a Railgun II . Specifically, they are looking for the golfer who aspires to be a “weekend pro” and does not mind spending a few dollars to improve his/ her game. They plan to appeal to intelligent golfers that will readily appreciate the engineering for success inherent in the Railgun II. For more information, please visit www.railgun.com.

Campus to Be a ‘School of Choice’ for Students Districtwide — TEA Approves AISD’s Repurposing Proposal Texas Education Commissioner Robert Scott informed Austin School officials on Wednesday June 18th, that he has approved the District’s Repurposing Proposal that will open a new high school for the Eastside, serving Grades 9 – 12, to be housed at the former Johnston High School campus. The new school will open on Monday, August 25, as a “school of choice” for students from throughout the Austin School District. In August 2009-2010, AISD will open a second new school at the campus. Both schools will provide rigorous college and career focus, and incorporate an innovative instructional model. Superintendent Pat Forgione said the Commissioner’s decision allows AISD to continue planning for a New Vision with parents, students, and the community to ensure that the new high school for the Eastside will move beyond the limits of a traditional high school. AISD has been conducting parent/community forums, focus groups, and surveying students and parents to identify students’ needs and community values. This intensive community engagement will continue throughout the summer months. Earlier this month, Austin School Trustees submitted to TEA a proposal to repurpose the campus, after Commissioner Scott ordered Johnston closed due to five successive years of low ratings in the State Accountability System. Sam Guzman, District 2 Trustee, said, “We have been through many changes over the last few years. But I believe we’re on the right path to a school that will endure and build a new legacy of hope and educational opportunity for the Eastside.” Instrumental in working with the state to achieve this goal has been State Senator Kirk Watson. With the Commissioner’s approval to open a new Eastside high school, the District will proceed immediately to recruit students for the first day of class. No one will be automatically enrolled. Students living in the attendance zone for the former Johnston High School will receive a “choice application” in the mail that they will return to AISD indicating their choice of high school. They will have the option to attend any high school in the District, with transportation provided, but must complete the application. Community participation to name the new school will also begin. Based on community input, the AISD Board of Trustees is scheduled to name the new high school campus on Monday, August 11. In the first year, AISD will create a new high school that will implement strong new academic programs new to the campus, and some new to the district, hire new teachers with strong experience, and begin to prepare students for the rigorous college and career focus of the two new schools: • • • • • • • • • •

Hire eight new master teachers. Provide incentive pay to recruit experienced teachers. Create an intensive ninth grade experience to change the culture for new students. Open a College and Career Support Center. Expand dual credit offerings for college credit. Initiate a Personal Education Plan for every student that sets academic and non-academic goals, with monitoring against the goals on a monthly basis. Teach “learning to learn” skills such as study skills, organizational skills. Provide extensive tutoring support. Focus on gaps in skill levels in core areas. Provide individualized and self-paced instruction.

In 2009-2010, AISD will open the second new school, and at that time, the two schools will launch new instructional models that will be innovative and targeted to the specific needs of the campus. Final selection of the models will be made by the AISD Board of Trustees after the extensive community engagement process. Noticias 8

Acclaimed Billboard Recording Artist Chingo Bling

Addressed Local Students at Summer Hillside Concert This summer the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation (GAHCC EF), in partnership with the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department, deliver the hottest recording artists and local celebrities at the 2008 Summer Hillside Concert Series. Targeted toward high schools with large Hispanic populations, this one-of-a-kind summer music series is designed to embrace the Hispanic culture and promote the importance of education and staying in school. On Tuesday, June 24th, over 500 Austinites packed the Oswaldo A.B. Cantu Pan-American Recreation Center in East Austin as top Billboard recording artist Chingo Bling shared his inspirational story. Michelle Valles, KXAN News anchorwoman/local celebrity welcomed the audience and introduced “Chingo Bling”.

from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas in 2002 with a BS in business administration. He is CEO and founder of the record label Big Chile Enterprises. In early 2006, Chingo Bling made headlines when he drew the attention of major record labels eager to sign him, including Bad Boy Latino, Universal Records, Asylum (owned by Warner Music Group), Capitol Records, and Atlantic Records. On April 1, 2006, he made the announcement on Chicano Radio Network that he has signed a distribution deal Asylum Records. While he still maintains his independent status from the label, his $80 million distribution deal will manage to give him major financial backing for his up coming projects. This free concert event is one of three Hispanic Chamber Education Foundation initiatives to promote its High School Redesign efforts in partnership with the Austin

The GAHCC EF also invited the “ACC Mobile Go Center” that brings college-related information, motivation, and assistance directly to students and their families. Mobile Go Centers are part of the College for Texans Campaign to support state Closing the Gaps efforts to draw an additional 630,000 Texans into colleges and universities by 2015. About Chingo Bling: Chingo Bling was born Pedro Herrera III. He graduated

HAL Deadline is quickly approaching! Monday July, 7th 5:00 p.m. The Hispanic Austin Leadership Program will engage the participants in hands-on leadership experiences that will allow them to be mentored by Hispanic businesses leaders, educators, and corporate professionals. If you have a person in your organization who exemplifies the characteristics of an up and coming leader, please have that person complete a formal application. Individuals selected for the Hispanic Austin Leadership Program must commit to an opening retreat, five sessions, a closing retreat, and a graduation luncheon. Their time commitment will be one day per month for the next seven months. Classes are held every second Tuesday of the month from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at various locations. If you have further questions regarding this program, please contact me or Linda Medina at lmedina@gahcc.org or 512.462.4313. Noticias 9

Save the Date: Community Service Awards Luncheon The Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GAHCC) announces the 10th Annual Community Service Awards. This is your opportunity to nominate an outstanding individual or organization from your community. The GAHCC is recognizing the people who dedicate their time, energy and resources to making Austin a better place to live by educating the community on health initiatives. Additionally, this year the GAHCC is announcing its Lifetime Achievement Award to the individual or organization that has consistently (minimum of 25 years) distinguished themselves by contributing to the community. In keeping with the theme “Your Health Matters”, this year we are recognizing the Lifetime Achievement in the area of healthcare. The GAHCC understands and embraces the importance of community service and how that service is vital to our growing community. On Thursday, September 25th, 2008, we will pay tribute to the Community Service Award recipients at a luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. In submitting a nomination, you must fill out the online form as completely as possible. Entries will be evaluated by a panel of judges based on the information provided on the form. You may nominate more than one person or organization, but you may only include one nomination per form. Nominees are those who: • • • • • •

Are current residents of the Greater Austin Area; Have had a direct and powerful impact on those with whom they have served; Have made significant contributions to their communities over and beyond their professional duties; For Lifetime Achievement, have distinguished themselves consistently for a minimum of 25 years in serving the Community; Exhibit support of the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Mission and Vision as they affect the quality of life in the Greater Austin Area; Must be present at the Awards luncheon on September 25, 2008.

Five key practices of exemplary leaders or visionaries are: challenging the PROCESS; inspiring a SHARED VISION; empowering others to ACT; modeling the WAY; and encouraging the HEART. (By Communities in Schools) The GAHCC seeks to honor the individuals and organizations in the community that show leadership in educating the Hispanic community for a healthy future. In the following areas: Youth Leadership, Community Leadership, Volunteer Leadership, Professional Leadership, Non-Profit Organization Leadership, and the Lifetime Achievement Award. For a description of each category, please visit www.gahcc.org. Forms are available on-line on our website at www.GAHCC.org , at the GAHCC office at 2800 South IH-35, Suite 260 or by calling the chamber at (512) 476-7502. They may also be requested via e-mail at CSA@GAHCC.org. Nominations must be submitted to the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce no later than 5:00pm on Friday, July 18, 2008. Noticias 10

Community Updates—Liz Lopez Austin Classical Guitar Society offers Summer Concert Series The Austin Classical Guitar Society’s (ACGS) unique and exciting concerts this summer are ones you do not want to miss. The series is in support of the organization’s educational outreach program. In June, Jorge Caballero and the Axis String Quartet presented two evenings of South American music at the Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC). The concerts were well attended and very enriching, with Caballero’s performance accompanied by some of New York City’s finest strings, violinists María Conti, Alissa Smith, Krzysztof Kuznik and cellist Jameson Platt. Caballero is a winner of the 1996 Walter Namburg award and has performed as a soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic among many others.

program began in 2001 at McCallum High School with just over 20 guitar students, and has grown to currently serve around 300 students in six locations.

ACGS provides free instruments, now nearing 75, and 8 hours per week in free lessons taught by expert classically trained, degreed guitarists to economically disadvantaged students who show interest in advancing their study in classical guitar. ACGS is involved in six schools that are provided with substantial classroom and curricular support for class activities in varying degrees. Complimenting these services, ACGS brings two guest performers per year through its community concert series to contextualize learning, offers free tickets for The concert included the premiere performance of a new educational outreach students to attend International Concert Series events, provides appropriate performance ACGS-commissioned quintet by Argentine Maestro Jorge Morel who was in attendance at the MACC from New York opportunities for all students, and assists in building community support for guitar programs. City where he now lives and works. Since his debut at Carnegie Hall in 1961, he has performed in many counThe results of our program have been substantial. ACGStries around the world. affiliated program participants that have competed at the UT Brownsville National Guitar Ensemble Competition win The series closes with top prize in their division. Also, the majority of Austin one of the premiere classical guitarists in UIL and solo and ensemble festivals guitar quartets in the world, the Brazilian Gui- receive top ratings. ACGS was nominated by Johnston High School in 2006 as AISD Partners in Education Parttar Quartet, on Friday, July 25th, at 7:30 p.m. ner of the Year. A McCallum High School guitarist won a The concert will be held recent Texas Young Masters Award and has since pursued college study of classical guitar with a scholarship to the at the Northwest Hills Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Students from both United Methodist McCallum High School and Martin Middle School have Church, 7050 Village been featured on television programming on several local Center Drive. ACGS teams up with the Austin Chamber Music Center (ACMC) stations. In 2007, the ACGS "Music First" Curriculum was to present a pre-concert performance at 7p.m. from stu- employed in Austin’s Lamar, McCallum, Martin, Crocket, Johnston, Austin, San Juan Diego Middle and High dents of the ACMC’s Summer Festival. schools, as well as in Brownsville and Houston, Texas, The ACGS Educational Outreach goal is to provide the Oklahoma and Georgia. best possible instruction on the classical guitar in Austin’s public schools through a combination of curriculum devel- For information regarding ticket information and the Educational Outreach Program, contact Travis Marcum at opment, classroom instruction, and individual support (512) 300-2247 and www.austinclassicalguitar.org (lessons & instruments) for low-income students. The

Austin Tejano Music Coalition debuts new electronic newsletter The Austin Tejano Music Coalition has a new electronic newsletter that made it’s debut in June 2008. This new source of information enables the public to stay connected with Tejano music news and events in the Austin and Central Texas area. Serving as officers for the Austin Tejano Music Coalition are Leonard Davila, President; Liz Hernandez, VicePresident; Ross Gomez, Treasurer and Mary Ann Gomez, Secretary. The Austin Tejano Music Coalition welcomes your comments, questions or suggestions. To request the newsletter and provide information, write to dontmesswithtejanomusic@yahoo.com Noticias 11

Member Recognition NEW MEMBERS

RENEWAL MEMBERS

Small Business

Individuals

Ponce Landscaping

(512) 272-5450

Dr. Charles Roeckle

(512) 471-2306

Discover Hope Fund

(512) 351-9938

Martha Cantu

(512) 970-1777

Franklin Bank

(512) 280-3805

3 cosas

(512) 576-4750

Taqueria Rodriguez

(512) 835-7673

KVUE - TV

(512) 459-6521

Breakthrough Promotional Solutions

(512) 464-1200

Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel

(512) 478-7000

Small Business

Casabella Architects

(512) 458-5700

WorkForce Solutions

(512) 597-7264

Global Equations

(512) 310-8544

Kelly Services

(512) 383-9320

Farm Credit Bank of Texas

(512) 483-9204

Just Be & Co

(512) 905-9900

Non-Profit/Gov. Agency

UBS Financial Services - Williamson

(512) 330-8025

Economic Growth Redevelopment Services

(512) 974-7756

Verizon Wireless

(512) 241-2622

Easter Seals - Central Texas

(512) 478-2581

Intercultural Business Consulting

(512) 306-7367

Literacy Council of Williamson County

(512) 244-8445

The Junior League of Austin

Non-Profit/Gov. Agency

American YouthWorks

(512) 472-8220

Serie Project

(512) 385-3591

City of Austin - Ass. to the City Manager

(512) 974-7789

Girl Scouts-Lone Star Council

(512) 453-7391

American Diabetes Association

(512) 472-9838

Corporate Level

Noticias 12

Coldwell Banker United, Realtors

(512) 691-1960

Seton HealthCare Network

(512) 324-7326

US Food Service Inc

(512) 927-3400

Harutunian Engineering, Inc. Austin Coca-Cola Bottling Co.

(512) 454-2788 (512) 832-2615

C o r p o r a t e M e m b e r Contact Us

Recognition Premier Investor

Power Investor Applied Materials AT&T Bank of America BMP Radio

H.E.B. Univision Radio & Univision TV Wells Fargo Bank Texas, N.A.

Prestigious Investor Austin American-Statesman / Ahora Si! Austin Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Austin Energy DELL Inc. Harutunian Engineering, Inc. IBM

International Bank of Commerce Mac Haik Ford Lincoln Mercury Seton Family of Hospitals State Farm Insurance Companies Texas Gas Service University of Texas at Austin

Contributing Investor 3M Access IT AeroMexico AMERIGROUP Community Care Amplify Federal Credit Union APORTIA Between Amigas Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Charles Maund Toyota/Scion Coldwell Banker United Realtors Compass Bank El Mundo Newspaper Faulkner USA Frito-Lay Frost National Bank Grande Communications Guaranty Bank Hilton Hotel Noticias 13

Hispanic Today IKEA iTalent Corporation MarketPlace Austin Nationwide Insurance Pepsi Bottling Group Prime Outlets San Marcos Radisson Hotel & Suites Austin Samâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club Southwest Airlines Sprint Nextel Corporation Time Warner Cable Titus Electrical Contracting, Inc. University Federal Credit Union US Foodservice, Inc. Velocity Credit Union Wachovia Bank, N.A. Washington Mutual XO Communications, Inc.

President/CEO Andy Martinez (512) 476-7502, amartinez@gahcc.org Executive Assistant Aricella Navarro (512) 462-4316, anavarro@gahcc.org Economic Development Mary Martinez (512) 462-4307, mmartinez@gahcc.org Finance & Human Resources Mari Perez (512) 462-4303, mperez@gahcc.org International Business Nayeli Gallegos (512) 462-4302, ngallegos@gahcc.org Events & Tourism Cary Duval (512) 462-4318, cduval@gahcc.org Website & Communications Alicia Maldonado (512) 462-4310, amaldonado@gahcc.org Marketing & Corporate Recruitment Raquel Jaimez (512) 462-4305, rjaimez@gahcc.org Membership Gabriela Castillo (512) 462-4306, gcastillo@gahcc.org Education Foundation Linda Medina (512) 462-4313, lmedina@gahcc.org Selina Aguirre (512) 462-4314, saguirre@gahcc.org Hispanic Technology Institute of Austin Heberto Ochoa (512) 462-4311, hochoa@gahcc.org Nidia Ramirez (512) 462-4300, nramirez@gahcc.org

Visit Us 2800 South IH-35, Suite 260 Austin, Texas 78704 P:(512) 476-7502 F: (512) 476-6417 GAHCC.org

Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

2800 South IH 35, Suite 260