Cinco de Mayo en San Antonio

Hoy es lunes, el cinco de mayo. I don't state this as merely an exercise in beginning Spanish (meaning "Today is Monday, 5 May."). You see, dear reader, it's also Cinco de Mayo (notice the caps), a Mexican holiday that's actually celebrated more north of the border!

Much Cinco de Mayo activity in San Antonio is centered in el Mercado. And I did pass thru Market Square briefly Sunday afternoon, just to scope out the celebration. A couple of stages were featuring live musical performances, and some food booths were set up. But it wasn't nearly as busy or crowded as it was during the ten days of Fiestalast month. Thank goodness! While I was there at el Mercado I chose to take advantage of free admission (for the holiday?) to el Museo Alameda, and viewed a couple of new exhibits in this still fairly-new museum (an affiliate of the great Smithsonian).

The Westside also has a share of Cinco de Mayo observations. And so late in the afternoon I returned to the Westside, to Guadalupe Theatre, for the final of a series of concerts presented around town for Cinco de Mayo by the San Antonio Symphony. These talented professional musicians presented several pieces, mostly MExican, but also one Spanish. And the program was augmented by the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center's dancers. They danced traditional Mexican dances to acouple of the numbers, and a Spanish flamenco to another. And the student mariachi group of the GCAC also performed in the middle of the show's schedule! They did four numbers (all new to me, but all performed just fine): Bonito, Tú Solo Tú, El Rey, and Sergio el Bailador.

This entire Cinco de Mayo show was wonderful! In the midst of my great delight of listening to these live performances I couldn't help but think again of the words of that David Lee Garza Band song "Who's that Gringo?": "I may be white on the outside, but in my heart I know I'm refried!"

Area Church Assembly

The church denomination of my membership, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), might be said to have a "modified congregational" polity (church organization). The basic organizational unit is the local congregation, such as Alamo Heights CC(DC) or Mexican CC(DC). Equal to (and supposedly NOT greater in authority) are Regions and the General Church. The latter is mainly offices and ministries located in Indianapolis; Regions are co-equal with states, portions of states or 2 or 3 states. This Region, The Southwest, is so large and contains so many Disciples that it subdivides into Areas. We -- AHCC, MCC and myself -- are in the Bluebonnet Area of the Southwest Region.

The Bluebonnet Area extends from the Austin vicinity and the Hill Country thru Del Rio, Victoria and Corpus Christi to the lower Rio Grande border. The Bluebonnet Area Assembly for 2008 occurred Friday and Saturday (2 and 3 May), mainly in the Disciples Ministry Center. This is a facility that was and still is home to Woodlawn CC (DC), a shrinking congregation. Spanish CC (DC), a rather new congregation for folk of Spanish surname -- Puerto Rican, Cuban, Mexican-American, etc. -- also uses the building.

The facility is roughly a rectangle enclosing un patio (a courtyard). The side paralleling Elmendorf Street (west) is the sanctuary. It features stained glass windows, each with a Christian symbol (similar to AHCC but more "structured") and a cathedral ceiling supported by dark wood trusses (similar to MCC). The Area offices occupy the Gramercy Street side (north), and a small chapel and offices for the two congregations the third side. The back side has Harris Hall, a long and comparatively narrow fellowship hall. The courtyard/el patio is charming, despite the contemporary-modern architecture that encloses it, as it has a well-kept lawn shaded by trees and banana plants.

Late Friday afternoon I entered the main door, on Gramercy next to the sanctuary. I verified my registration and with packet and name tag I crossed el patio to Harris Hall. Folk were already in line receiving their dinner plates, dished out by volunteers in the kitchen. I quickly saw Disciples of the Bluebonnet Area whom I knew, including from my two congregations, AHCC and MCC. After I sat down a gracious, middle-age Afro-American woman passed me, and I read her name as "Lois Hodrick". Immediately I considered that she was the mother of one of my roommates at Brite Divinity School. And "sho 'nuf" she sat down next to a gentleman whom I recognized as Clarence, my former roomie -- even after 30 years! Wow! talk about a reunion!

A much more recent former "roomie" was also there: Arlie Lammers of Kerrville and Kairos Prison Ministry. And these two are just the beginning of beloved faces whom I got to greet! One I knew I had seen but could not put a name with (and whom I didn't take opportunity with which to get reacquainted) sang in a beautiful tenor in the post-dinner worship service. As soon as he opened his mouth I remembered that he was Hermano David Figuerado, Pastor of a Hispanic Disciples congregation in Robstown (near Corpus Christi). He had graced the last anniversary observance of Mexican Christian Church with preaching and singing! And now he was gracing all attendees at the BBA Assembly with that magnificent tenor!

On Saturday I was back in time for breakfast. At first this was nothing more than donuts, coffee and a little fruit (think: watermelon chunks). But after awhile folk arrived with milk, orange juice, fruit, MORE donuts. . . and finally that South Texas dawn staple, the breakfast taco (courtesy Taco Cabana). after considering dressing up for this second and final day of the BBA Assembly, I chose instead to wear my Kairos polo shirt. Then I noticed that at least half a dozen brothers were wearing suits and ties, including Arlie. Oh, well!

During this Saturday session of the Assembly, we had more Worship -- after breakfast and a closing one after lunch -- workshops on various church-related topics, and a quiet area for clergy (to meditate or just rest). This latter was upstairs above the fellowship hall, and was in the church library. After I helped for a little while to man the refreshment table en el patio (MCC was in charge of the table), I wandered in to the clergy area. No one else was there, so I looked around at the books. I was delighted to see a new book (new to me) by one of my favorite Christian authors: Max Lucado. The San Antonio pastor's title was "3:16, the most important number"; it was an in-depth inspirational reflection on the most-translated and best-known verse in the Bible, John 3:16. Good book!

The closing Worship was, among other things, a farewell to our Area Minister, Dr. John Callison. This Assembly is his final activity in this capacity, as he will immediately leave S.A. to re-enter the pastoral ministry at a Christian (Disciples) church north of Houston. So there were parting gifts and parting words -- all positive and appreciative -- for John. I myself made sure to one-on-one thank him for being the first friendly face I saw when I arrived in San Antonio in January of A.D. 2002. Back then he was very gracious, to return to the Greyhound depot after I was late arriving due to being bumped off my scheduled bus in Dallas. I wanted to be sure he understood my deep gratitude for his instrumental part in my arrival here!

And so, a good Assembly came to an end. As did a good area ministry! May our Lord bless both the Bluebonnet Area and its most recent former Area Minister now and in the future!

Happy Birthday, S.A.!

«Te saludo, San Antonio. ¡Feliz cumpleaños, mi ciudad!»

Yes, dear reader, today is the 290th birthday of the city of San Antonio. I celebrated, I suppose you might say, by attending the opening of the S.A. City Council meeting. I wished to make some comments during the opening of the meeting, regarding certain issues on the Agenda, along with comments on the related topic of no digital billboards. But I also devoted a few word, twice, to the significance of the date, 1 May.

On this date, in A.D. 1718, Franciscan friars founded Misión San Antonio de Valero. Years late, this mission that was the first permanent settlement here became a fortress known in Spanish as el Álamo, after a military unit that was stationed there and their source back in central Mexico.

Four days after the mission's founding, the Captain commanding the accompanying soldiers proclaimed the foundation of the protecting presidio (fort) and its adjacent village (for families of the soldiers and a few civilian settler families), San Antonio de Béjar (or Béxar). A few years later both la misión and el presidio/la villa got moved to better nearby locations, by el Marqués de Aguayo. This Spanish nobleman and rancher was appointed governor of Coahuila and Texas by the Spanish viceroy. Miguel de Azlor Virto y Vera -- no wonder he was usually referred to by his title of nobility! -- was sent to drive out the French from far East Texas (the remote boundary of the French Louisiana and the Spanish Texas was uncertain and debatable). He succeeded in this effort and others to cement Spain's claim to its northeastern province of its Nueva España. And being a personal friend of the Venerable Fray Antonio Margil, he got included in the name of the mission that this tireless missionary founded near Misión San Antonio de Valero. This new mission's full name is Misión San José y San Miguel de Aguayo.

And so, already within its first decade of existence the new frontier settlement of San Antonio was well on its way to enlarging its presence and firming up its permanence. The first century was a difficult one, but since Texas became one of these United States, this city has continued to grow and prosper as a business center and a tourist target.

And in just ten years we can celebrate the city's tricentennial! I can hardly wait! ¡Viva San Antonio!

Reflections on THE Party, '08 edition

It's Monday, the day following the final day of Fiesta 2008. Unlike some of my San Antonio neighbors, I don't have a hangover. What I DO have, as every year on post-Fiesta Monday, is a case of the blues. You see, every Fiesta seems to conclude too soon; at least one event that I truly want to go to but lacked the time. After all, we're talking well over 100 events which comprise the party-to-end-all-parties! (This counts each & every day of multi-day events; even not counting each day separately would probably still total over 50.)

However, in this Year of Our Lord 2008 I shall NOT sing with Willie Nelson: "Turn out the lights, the party's over. . . ." After all, as I've affirmed so many times in my years of residence here, San Antonio's middle name is "Party"! Folks, we've just one week to rest up & recover from Fiesta. This very next weekend will be time for Cinco de Mayo celebrating! Hey! workers at el Mercado might as well keep booths and stages in place and San Saba Street closed (the block passing thru Market Square, that is). After all, el Mercado is a major venue for Cinco de Mayo frolics! Soon also, the party called "Texas Folklife Festival" will take place. And so on. And on. And on. Talk about "good times never end"!

Before we move on to S.A.'s future parties, allow me to indulge one last backward gaze at Fiesta '08. Here are some reflection about the just-concluded Fiesta 2008, particularly its final weekend.

First of all, one concluding reflection on the Battle of Flowers Parade. While I was aboard the VÍA bus heading downtown to my accustomed "stake-out" spot to watch the parade, I was glad I wasn't using a POV ("Army-ese" for a privately-owned/operated car). Not only was traffic dreadful (as usual during Fiesta). Parking was more expensive. Lots near the parade origin point were exacting $15. A little further away the price went down to $12, then on St. Mary's Street near the San Antonio Museum of Art parking lowered to $10. Riders on my bus were remarking about these prices - and THEN we passed Central Catholic High School. Students there were waving signs advertising "Fiesta parking" for $8! I remarked (rather loudly, I admit), "Look! Yay, Catholics!"

I confess that I found myself at "Fiestas Fantasías" at Market Square (el Mercado) multiple times -- even more than once on Fiesta's opening weekend! Well. . . I like the heavily Mexican ambiente of the place and live performances of Mexican and Tex-Mex styles of music: conjunto, Latin rock, Tejano, mariachi. . . . But -- smile -- I almost longed to tell someone nearby, preferably a chicano, "I simply HATE Mexican-American music! It's so danceable, it gives me an insatiable urge to dance, and I have no one with whom to dance!" (More confession: at times I simply gave into the urge and discreetly danced solo.)

If I can't really, truly dance with my whole heart and body due to lack of a partner, I can certainly enjoy simply sitting and observing while lucky couples cut the rug. A most delightful episode happened on Saturday the 26th. Inside the Farmers Market building of Market Square a large central open area has a permanent platform, a stage for song & dance performances all thru the year -- often by children of all ages. In this case a boy and a girl age 7 or 8 took the stage. He was dressed in boots, jeans, Stetson and a reddish western-cut shirt; she wore a long skirt to match his shirt. And wow! could this young, young couple cut the rug! We were all (audience surrounding that stage) hollering encouragement and clapping our hands to the beat of "Jambalaya!"

I experienced more than one incident of what I shall call "camaraderie" (for lack of a better word). The State Motto since 1930 is "Friendship" -- supposedly "Texas" or "Tejas" was the Spaniards' rendition of a native, Caddo, word that meant "friends". And San Antonio is renown as a very friendly city! So during Fiesta my fellow citizens, and visitors, let down what little guard we may have. We're all friends the first time we meet! I remember one evening I found myself listening to the group performing on the stage under the raised interstate highway passing above the west edge of el Mercado. They sounded really good -- and danceable, too! -- and I commented on such to a couple standing beside me. (I cannot say that I said it to encourage these two to get out and cut the rug, but whether I did or not, they didn't, alas!)

Finally, allow me to remark about the honoring of the military that takes place during Fiesta. San Antonio is often labelled a "military city" or some other title that hi-lites the military presence here. So it's natural that the U.S. armed forces get honored and feted all during the ten-day party! Of course, Fiesta began in 1891 as a remebrance of the heroes of the battles of The Alamo and San Jacinto -- indeed, it always falls in April so that the 21st is included, and that's the anniversary of the San Jacinto victory that won Texas independence. So we have the "Official Opening Ceremony" in front of The Alamo, and a "Pilgrimage to The Alamo" on San Jacinto Day.

And on the final Sunday afternoon there is an "All-Veterans Salute" in Memorial Plaza in front of Municipal Auditorium. I was there this year, altho' I missed the opening minutes of it and the main speaker was already into his speech. Due to the strong, gusty wind one could hear him only with difficulty. And indeed, the emcee for the ceremony at one point had to walk back to the podium and hold down the speaker's papers! This was unfortuante, because what one could hear of the speech it was very inspirational. He was a retired General Brady, who earned the Medal of Honor in Vietnam. The Medcom Band from Fort Sam Houston provided music. They quietly played "Abide with Me" while attendees filed down the walkway to the Vietnam Memorial. This is a larger-than-lifesize statue of a soldier (a medic) squatting over a fallen comrade and gazing up in the skies -- as if either in prayer or in search of a 'copter. Several people laid flowers or wreaths or bourquets along the base of the memorial.

"Good times never end!"

My title quotes a slogan I heard many times during the four years I lived in the chapter house of Lambda Chi Alpha at the University of Idaho. I heard it especially whenever we had a kegger or dance or some other party. As this week of Fiesta 2008 goes by this slogan comes to mind again! Often!

Monday evening the Citizens Advisory Council had its monthly meeting at VÍA Metro Center, specifically the Administration Building. As soon as it was over I went down to the Riverwalk near the Central Library to take in as much of the "Texas Cavaliers River Parade" as I could. I don't think I missed much! The floats which actuallyand ltierally "float" down the San Antonio River, were as colorful as always, and there was lots of music (live or recorded).

Thursday I found myself, for only the second time, at NIOSA. "A Night in Old San Antonio" happens in La Villita for four evenings, and is sponsored by the S.A. Conservation Society. In the 1980s the family went, and I was looking forward to it, due to the sponsorship and to its publicity of being a sort of mini-Folklife, with lots of celebrating of the city's (and perhaps state's) history and cultures. Not! Shoulder-to-shoulder people, like a sardine can, and about the third time some drunk spilled his beer on me, I said, "Never again!" Only. . . thanks to strong urging by fellow Conservation Society members, with advice to visit NIOSA early, and a complementary ticket provided me, the "never again" came to an end.

I'm glad it did come to an end. I didn't get beer spilled on me, and found room to maneuver in the "Little Town". I spent much of my time in La Villita Assembly Hall, where I had been the past Saturday evening for the Ball. This time it was decorated like a German beer hall and had a live "oompa band" playing. I requested that they do Ein Prosit der Gemuetlicheit -- and then missed it (they played it while I was out exploring the rest of NIOSA). In compensation, I suppose, I got to do "The Chicken Dance" twice!

After a little over an hour at NIOSA, I caught the bus to Alamo Stadium for a Fiesta event I never miss if I can help it: "The Battle of Flowers Band Festival". The theme of '08 wasn't all that thrilling: "Broadway. . . and All that Jazz" -- also theme for the parade
the next day. Still, I always enjoy the marching of the high school marching bands, the on-field performances by the three or four featured bands, and the grand finale of all the bands massing on the field and performing theme music while the fireworks burst overhead!

Surprises this year at the Band Festival were that Alamo Heights HS didn't enter its band, and the McCollum HS band is much smaller. In earlier years McCollum was enormous -- even tho' it's a Class 4A school. Lanier's band was larger than in earlier years, while Sam Houston, like McCollum, presented a smaller marching band. But the mostly Afro-American school's marching instrumentalists in uniform still presented their "jungle-beat" stepping as they marched down the stadium's track.

Friday morning I once again took my folding chair, got on the bus and after alighting near Broadway and Third I set up the chair on that intersection's southeast corner next to a light pole. It's a great location to watch the best parade of all parades and the original Fiesta event: "The Battle of Flowers". From here I view the left side of parade units (their left side, my right) as they approach on Broadway, and after each turns onto Third to head for The Alamo, I observe their right side, close up!

Skies remained mostly overcast (but not threatening precip) and it was muggy. But I think I'd rather have that than clear sunny skies and humidity!

This year I actually saw someone I knew and who knows me! Norman Collins, science teacher (and department chair) at AHHS, was in the third set of "pooper-scoopers" from the high school! I cheered him and gave him a high five! I also saw and greeted Commission President John Steen, with whom I had spoken at UTSA's Fiesta event a week earlier.

Focus of this parade, I suppose, is the floats bearing the feminine royalty who were feted at a "Coronation" event in Municipal Auditorium (only a couple of blocks north of my spot) a few evenings before. Tickets are expensive, so I don't go, but the color of the ceremony must be awesome. I day this because the lovely young ladies on the lovely, colorfu and flowery floats are engaging in the parade setting!

Years ago the "Battle of Flowers Parade" became my favorite of any and all parades I've ever seen, live or on television. On Monday evening of the past couple of Fiestas, I've come away from the "Texas Cavaliers River Parade" thinking that this particular year the river parade was so good that it would unseat BoF as my fave. BUT THEN along comes the BoF; it always manages to retain its place as Number One in the heart of this parade lover!

Weekend's over, but THE Party isn't!

Yup, dear reader, the first weekend of Fiesta San Antonio 2008 is over. But of course the party goes on for ten days total, thru next weekend. And in the meantime, I'm into the thick of it!

Saturday morning I attended one of my favorite among Fiesta events: "Walk Across Texas" at the S.A. Botanical Gardens. This time there were no signs set up near the entrance, which is thru a relocated and restored carriage house, to indicate the way to the "Walk". Considering the complexity of the Botanical Gardens, which include formal areas, a garden for the blind, an underground Conservatory, glass roofs for which jut up high above the surroundings, etc., and the manner in which the paved paths wander every which way, it's a challenge to locate the three parts of the gardens where the "Walk" is conducted. These represent three of the major ecological areas of the Lone Star State: the East Texas Piney Woods, the central Hill Country and the South Texas chaparral (or matorral, as signs in Spanish in that part label it).

After three attempts I located the start of "Walk Across Texas" and shortly was enjoying coffee and biscuits made from scratch from Pioneer Mills (here in S.A. and going back to the 1800s). This was at the Ault House, a restored cabin of Hill Country vintage. Once I'd enjoyed a cup of "java", a biscuit with gravy and another with jelly, I proceeded on to the other restored house, a German fachwerk edifice (half-timber), in the "Hill Country" area. Then I moved on to the East Texas "Piney Woods" section, which surrounds a beautiful pond, home to several water fowl. On its banks is a log cabin. And finally I briefly took in the "South Texas" area which presents an adobe hut typical of this most Spanish-Mexican portion of the state.

As I scrutinized signs and handouts identifying and detailing vegetation (and some animals) of the three regions, I considered how much I enjoyed this knowledge and this experience of God's good outdoors. I also considered how I came by this interest and enjoyment naturally. You might say it's in my genes, since my mother is also a student of botany!

From "Walk Across Texas" I went across town, to the Westside and Guadalupe Plaza, for "Piñatas en el Barrio". More singing, more dancing -- including by the flamenco dancers again (they were at Friday's opening ceremony) -- more refreshments. In a word, MORE PARTYING! I suppose that THIS particular Fiesta event is one of the most Latin-flavored, being as it is in the original barrio (Spanish "neighborhood"). And I suppose that I stuck out like a sore thumb among the sea of chicanos. No matter! I enjoy just being on the Westside among my chicano fellow residents. The song "Who's that Gringo?" says it all: "I may be white on the outside, but in my heart I know I'm refried!" Yes, dear reader, my heart is definitely and positively refried!

After a couple hours of "Piñatas en el Barrio" it was back to el Mercado for awhile. Both Friday and Saturday I was keeping an eye out for a group I had seen recognized at the City Council meeting last Thursday, and associated in some way with TxDOT, that promotes "Fiesta safe, Drive sober, San Antonio". They were said to be distributing attractive bags with this slogan in the market place. But I didn't see them at any time I was there for Fiestas Fantasías. However, I did find a sash to buy, with which to display some of my sizable collection of Fiesta medals and pins. I've acquired or bought a few dozen over the seven Fiestas of my residence in San Antonio.

Later I went home, rested awhile and then got dressed for a Ball. On my way to that event's venue I went by The Alamo to see the beginning of the ceremonial "Investiture of King Antonio LXXXVI". While seated on the bleachers before the hallowed chapel I arranged the medals on the sash. I used a Battle of Flowers button from a few Fiestas back to pin the sash ends at my waist. Then I went on over to La Villita Assembly Hall, for the "Patriotic and Historical Ball". This is sponsored by the Texas Pioneers Association and is free, but ticket-controlled. I'd used my associate membership in the San Antonio Conservation Society to finagle a ticket and a seat at the Conservation Society table. You see, somehow I'd managed to acquire a ticket last year and had enjoyed the party so much I really longed to return this year.

Because of my brief stop-over at the king's investiture before The Alamo I was still signing in at the door when the ball program commenced with the Pledge, Invocation etc. I was a bit surprised when I got escorted to the San Antonio Conservation Society table and I was the first there! There were some brief speeches by Pioneer officials, and then we were treated, as last year, to singing by the 82d Airborne Men's Chorus. They sang two verses of "America the Beautiful" -- including my dearest verse, the one that begins "O beautiful for pilgrim feet." It always makes me think of the Oregon Trail, "a thoro'fare for freedom" passing by Boise, where I grew up. They also sang, "I Am an American Soldier" by Toby Keith, and my buttons almost popped off from my pride of being a vet soldier! And from having a brother, and nephew and a best friend all currently on active duty with the US Army! The chorus concluded with Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA". Talk about a "patriotic ball!"

Fiesta royalty, including the just-invested King Antonio LXXXVI put in appearance, to be honored by the attendees and to give greetings to the same, and presents to the Pioneer officials, etc. Then the program portion of this Ball concluded with the "Grand March". This is done by having couples go toward the door into the hall and walk in single file across the floor toward the stage. As each couple neared the stage they were directed alternately to the left or the right; these circled back, beside the tables to approach the door again. Once all couples had passed toward the stage, one couple from the left and one from the right linked arms to make a foursome and the foursome walked toward the stage. Alternately each quartet was sent to the left or the right to again go toward the door. Then THIS time two foursomes linked up to make a line of eight.

So finally we had an orderly mass on the floor, consisting of rows of eight people. The band ceased the "grand march" music and played "The Eyes of Texas Are Upon You". UT alumni went crazy, of course, lifting their right hands in the "hook 'em 'Horns!" sign. Two girls in front of me responded by raising their hands in the Baylor "Bear claw". In like "protest" manner I lifted the TCU Horned Frog sign! This is done by folding the thumb over the ring and little fingers of the right hand while strongly hooking the other two fingers above these. TCU students and alumni began this sign after I was at the school earning my M.Div. (1979)

And then there was Sunday! I opened this by attending the "Fiesta Mariachi Mass" at San Fernando Cathedral. Lots of Fiesta royalty and officials were prominent in the wall-to-wall crowd. In his opening, welcome remarks, Father David García, the Cathedral's rector, remarked about how Fiesta is a time of fantasy in San Antonio, when a few people pretend to be kings or queens or royalty and important people. "And the rest of us play along and honor them." Father David also mentioned how Fiesta events also raise a lot of money for charitable causes. And as he often does in his homilies, Father David related the lectionary readings for the day, particularly the Gospel reading, to San Antonio now -- which today meant relating it well to the party!

After a small breakfast in the cafe next to the cathedral I bused over to the Westside and my church, Mexican Christian Church (Disciples). We had a pretty good turn-out for our small congregation, and I led them in the praise singing to start Worship. One song I led them all the way thru was "De Colores".

Once worshp concluded I sought out a non-official party. It's one that's sure to become an official Fiesta event after the requisite two years. This "Mariachi Fest" event had been announced by handout sheets and verbally during the "Piñatas en el Barrio" Saturday afternoon in Guadalupe Plaza. One of the speakers, in describing this new "Mariachi Fest", said that it would begins on Sunday about noon and go on "hasta que nos cansamos (until we get tired)". To which I replied, "Tanto me encanta la música de mariachi que jamás me canso. (Mariachi music enchants me so much that I'd never get tired of it)".

And indeed, while I was at the "Mariachi Fest" listening to, first, recorded mariachi music and then to two live mariachi groups -- all young people -- that I felt quite invigorated, very much "at home" here on the Westside, and definitely that "I may be white on the outside, but in my heart I'm refried!"

Fiesta '08 - Let the Party begin!

Today is the official opening day of Fiesta San Antonio 2008. Yup, dear reader, it's time for S.A.'s annual party-to-end-all-parties!

And what be-e-e-eautiful weather the "Man Upstairs" gave us for the opening! Cool with low humidity (despite a brief but noisy thundershower in the wee hours). The sky above The Alamo and the opening-ceremony site was a clear deep blue. Or as our golden-throated neighbor George Strait might say, "blue clear sky". (That's the name of one of his albums and its title song, one of Strait's many, many #1 country hits.)

In that opening ceremony, hosted by two local TV personalities and broadcast live by their TV station (a Fox affiliate newly awarded Fiesta coverage), Texas' "First Lady", Mrs. Rick Perry, was one of the speakers, as were His Honor Mayor Hardberger, this year's Fiesta San Antonio Commission President John Steen and County Judge (and former S.A. Mayor) Nelson Wolff. The most prominent speaker, I suppose, was U.S. Senator John Cornyn. He was introduced as "born in Houston, but he got to San Antonio as fast as he could!" This is a play on the popular slogan of auslanders (a Deutsch term for Texas residents who were born out-of-state): "I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could!"

A unique element of the program for this year's "Official Opening" was that ladies of the Battle of Flowers Association, attired in their typical yellow dresses and yellow sun hats (wide flat brims and low crowns) came out from behind the stage (from the direction of The Alamo chapel), bearing hand baskets filled with flowers. They proceeded to throw the blooms at people on the stage, in the audience and each other. This was a re-enactment of the very start of Fiesta! Back in 1891 society ladies had decided to entertain President Harrison (first sitting US President to visit S.A.) AND honor the heroes of The Alamo and San Jacinto by staging a parade of carriages bearing flowers and having a "flower battle" in front of the Cradle of Texas Liberty. How delightful to have this re-enactment of how the annual party-to-end-all-parties began!

Our city's Mayor, Phil Hardberger, was attired in suit and tie, like all the men on stage and unlike Mayor Ed Garza at my first opening ceremony for Fiesta (the party in A.D. 2002), who came in a guayabera. Well, the male encee (from the Fox station) was casually attired, now that I think about it. Mayor Hardberger, among his remarks, mentioned that Fiesta was "ten days to not think!" Hm-m-m. . . I'm not in complete agreement with that assessment! However, the co-hosts took advantage of the remark later, when the lady emcee, Cynthia Lee, said that she was looking forward to not thinking for ten days - and co-emcee, Mike Valdes, quipped something like, "Oh, is that anything new (with you)?" Arr-rr-gh!

We were also treated to musical entertainment, including by a military band beside the stage, flamenco dancing and the ceremonial cutting of an official's ugly necktie, to signify "business casual" apparel for the ten days of the party. I've not minded the cutting of one tie, but in recent years all officials on the platform and men in the audience were all but ordered to come out of theirs. It's a pity that high-ranking government officials have to submit to this indignity. Today two men up there did NOT remove their neckties! Neither did I take off my Fiesta 2002 tie! Let's have a big "Hooray!" for men who KNOW that we guys CAN have fun while sharply attired!

The ceremony concluded with everybody cracking cascarones over one another's heads while shouting, "¡Viva Fiesta!" or responding, "¡Viva!" Then I took the bus across downtown to El Mercado for their Fiesta event. And then I rode out to UTSA for theirs.

Once I was on the "ugly-modern-grey-concrete" campus of the university (my description of this very unattractive campus), out near Fiesta Texas, I searched in vain for my brother Lambda Chis. In the past two years they had run a food booth, one year with kabobs for sale and the other fajitas. But in this A.D. 2008 version of Fiesta UTSA we were not to be found! Wonder why.

However, the entertainment and the food that I did sample were quite enjoyable. As is custom, at one point a goodly selection of Fiesta royalty showed up and made a processional from the building that houses the Library upstairs and the cafeteria at ground level, along a red carpet under la Sombrilla (a fancy grating that provides some variegated shade to the pavement below), to a shaded seating area. Various of the royalty were introduced and brought up on the stage, as was UTSA President Romo. I couldn't help but notice that Fiesta Commission President John Steen again sported his necktie! I congratulated him for looking sharp again, as I also pointed to my Fiesta 2002 necktie.

Later on I passed by the Cattlemen's Square on the west side of downtown' just west of the elevated IH 10-35 and north of Houston Street. This is the site of Fiesta's "Tejano Explosion" and I wanted to read the line-up of artists and groups who will perform various types of chicano or Tex-Mex music during it ten-day run. (Actually I think T.E. run a day or two longer that Fiesta's officical ten days.)

Finally, I returned to el Mercado for a while, to enjoy the live music on four or so stages set up around Market Square for their ten days of "Fiestas Fantasías del Mercado". However I didn't stay very long. I wanted to get home and get some shut-eye, to be ready for Saturday's full schedule of Fiesta partying!

¡Viva Fiesta!

Plaza de las Islas, reopened

Sunday evening (last evening) I went downtown to experience the "grand re-opening" of Main Plaza, also known as Plaza de las Islas. The latter name (Spanish), the older name for the location, refers to the islands from whence came the Canary Islanders who arrived in San Antonio in March of A.D. 1731. They founded the first civil settlement and municipal government in Texas, began the time-consuming erection of Texas' first parish church (as opposed to mission church or presidial chapel), and laid out the square (plaza) as the heart of their new town.

Main Plaza/Plaza de las Islas has seen numerous major changes of appearance over the approximately 177 years since then. And the latest radical alteration of appearance was celebrated this past evening.

I went, resigned that the square would not have the two north-south streets, which had been eliminated by the planned renovation. By this fact alone it now varies further than ever from the standard design of city squares of the colonial Spanish Empire. I was ready for this, but I consoled myself that the vista-blocking undergrowth and the ugly central fountain would be gone. And surely anything would be an improvement.

Not!

Much to my surprise, pedestrian access from the south into the central portion of the renovated square was blocked by gardens and the ends of low walls. And such access from the north into the center did not include gentle ramps for the disabled, just steps and low retaining walls which can be used as impromptu benches. The center portion's surface consisted of three things. Some areas were covered with rough and uneven ashlar (quarried stone). In at least three places waterworks consisting of small geysers or fountains of water bathed rectangles of finished stone or concrete; the boundaries of these waterworks were mostly defined by where the wet ended and the dry began. Thirdly, large areas consisted of no more than bare dirt. It was easy to guess that at our first gully-washer this "new" Main Plaza will become a muddy hog wallow!

The layout of the raised and lowered areas and the placing of permanent kiosk-like structures make it impossible that Main Street and Soledad Street will ever again pass thru the square, as before. Thus north-south traffic thru the plaza is permanently blocked. I was vigorously against this from the beginning of announcement of public hearings on plans for Main Plaza renovation.

I had read of several elements to be included in the ceremony of Sunday evening, and sort of looked forward to it. But in this I was disappointed, too. For one, catering of picnic boxes for purchase had been set up inside the new square by Bill Miller Bar-b-cue, one cookie-cutter store of which sits at the northwest corner of the square. Now, why couldn't the body that fabricated this celebration have chosen Grady's with its superior bar-b-cue, or the fried chicken of Church's (another S.A. eating establishment), or something from Jim's Restaurants?

When the male-female pair of emcees for the main portion of the ceremony were introduced, they were both from KENS TV-5, and the male in the pair was weatherman Bill Taylor. The usually sharply-apparelled Taylor was sporting a suit and dress shirt, but no necktie! At least one public official on the platform was similarly garbed (i.e., no tie). Mayor Hardberger, his wife and the cathedral's Father David Garcia were in the front row of seats up there; this trio was the driving force behind Main Plaza renovation. Indeed, conventional wisdom among S.A. citizens is that she (Mrs. H) was THE driving force.

These folk and some other spoke about the history of Plaza de las Islas/ Main Plaza. Before all the talk there were some dramatic presentations by Canary Islander descendants and a military group in period costume. In all of this there was no mention of anybody or anything that happened in what is now downtown San Antonio between the times of the nomadic Coahuiltecan bands and the Islanders' arrival in 1731. I was distressed that there was in this a forceful effort to represent that this city as a permanent community began with those settlers from the Canaries! What about the original mission, San Antonio de Valero, founded on 1 May A.D. 1718? (Years later it became the famous fort and battleground, The Alamo.) What about el presidio, the protecting fort, also called San Antonio, founded four days later? And the villa set up for soldiers' families and a few farmers and craftsmen who also settled in 1718? What about the second mission, San José, founded in 1720?

Let's hope, dear reader, that there isn't such shunning of the first decade plus of this city's true history as a settled community when we get to A.D. 2018. That is when this so unique and historic city can celebrate its tricentennial. Let's also pray that this city gets a wiser set of leaders in its municipal government by then, who will seek to undo the deleterious effects of the current redoing of Main Plaza!