Adelante Newsletter - November 2008

RIBBON CUTTINGS & BUSINESS AFTER 5 MIXERS

A ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration was held for Gulf Stream Wireless on October 23, 2008. The ribbon cutting was conducted by the Hispanic Chamber Embajadores, along with owner Stephanie Fowler, members and guests. Gulf Stream Wireless is a CricKet authorized dealer and will soon offer Dish Network and Time Warner Cable Services. Gulf Stream Wireless is located at 1117 N. 7th Street in Harlingen, next to Save-A-Lot. If you would like more information on services or promotions Gulf Stream Wireless has available, call (956) 423-1242.

In addition to the golf tournament, the Harlingen Hispanic Chamber of Commerce held a Pre-Tournament Mixer on October 2, 2008, sponsored by Valley Race Park. Members, guests, and players had a great time and enjoyed great food, drinks, a silent auction and networking.

The Oxygen Bar held an After 5 Mixer on October 9, 2008 in celebration of their 1 Year Anniversary. Hispanic Chamber members and guests enjoyed free beer, appetizers, live music and networking.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING AND INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS

The Harlingen Hispanic Chambr of Commerce held it's Annual General Membership Meeting and Installation of Officers on Thursday, September 25, 2008 at the Courtyard by Marriott in Harlingen. Hispanic Chamber President, Nat Lopez, gave a year in review of the programs and events sponsored and coordinated by the Harlingen Hispanic Chamber. The newly elected board of directors and officers were sworn in by the Honorable Judge Migdalia Lopez, 197th District Court. The newly elected officers are: Chairman, Frank Puente Jr., Puente Roofing Contractors; Chair-Elect, Lyle Garza, PSI; Treasurer Ronnie Garcia, Texas Gas Service Co.; Parliamentarian Rolando Vela; V/C Fundraising Connie Salas; V/C International Trade & Relations Sergio Contreras, AT&T; V/C Membership Kori Marra, RE/MAX Lone Star; They currently join board members Lisa Lopez, Jim Solis, Paula Gonzalez, and Albert Salinas. Outgoing Chairman, Rolando Vela was presented with a Certificate of Recognition from Chairman Frank Puente, Jr. Two special awards were also presented at the meeting for "Embajador of the Year" and "Volunteer of the Year". Tony De La Rosa of Prudential Cummins and Balli Realtors is this year's Embajador of the Year and Julie Parra of Country Inns & Suites was named Volunteer of the Year. Congratulations to Tony and Julie!

9th ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

The Harlingen Hispanic Chamber's 9th Annual Golf Tournament was held at Treasure Hills Golf Club on October 3, 2008. It was a record turnout with players enjoying a day of golf in great Texas weather, great BBQ dinner, prizes, and networking. Proceeds from the golf tournament benefit the HHCOC's membership and community development programs. Congratulations to Dayna Olivarez of Insurance Associates of the Valley for winning the raffle prize of two Southwest Airlines tickets to anywhere Southwest Airlines flies!

The Hispanic Chamber would like to thank all the Tournament Sponsors, Hole Sponsors, and the members and businesses that donated door prizes, silent auction items and items for the tournament.

Double Eagle Sponsor: Valley Morning Star Eagle Sponsor: Jim Solis Attorney at Law, Wal-Mart Harlingen, Wal-Mart Brownsville, L&F Distributors Birdie Sponsor: Long Chilton LLP, Texas Gas Service Co., First Community Bank, Trinity Funeral Homes Par Sponsor: Insurance Associates of the Valley, Cristian P. Villarreal CPA, Valley International Airport Hole Sponsor: Magic Valley Electric Cooperative, Montalvo Insurance Agency, South Texas Emergency Care Foundation, Valley Transit Company, White Cleaners & Stacey Mitchell Cleaners Silent Auction Items/Donations and Door Prizes: Texas Health Spring, Wal-Mart Harlingen, Wal-Mart Brownsville, L&F Distributors, Valley Coca Cola, Elliott's Custom Golf, Treasure Hills Golf Club, RSC, Country Inns & Suites, Collision Stop, Southern Texas Title Co., BigRed/7Up, SYSCO, MTL Mortgage, Trinity Funeral Home, RE/MAX Lone Star, Montalvo Insurance Agency, Gulf Aviation, Frost Bank, AT&T, South Texas Emergency Care Foundation, Juan & Connie Salas, Southwest Airlines, Johnny's True Value, First Community Bank, Home Select C.C., Prudential Cummins & Balli Realtors, A&M Nursing Services, Valley Baptist Health Plans, South Texas Fishing, Brenda Amaya, Hand of Man, Judge Migdalia Lopez, Austin Camacho Fishing & Hunting Guide Service, Stewart Title Co., and San Jacinto Title Co. Pre-Golf Tournament Mixer: Valley Race Park

A very special thank you to our Golf Tournament committee and volunteers. Your hard work and efforts are greatly appreciated and we thank you for all you have done. A big thank you also goes out to all the teams that participated and the businesses that sponsored them your financial support is greatly appreciated. THANKS!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE TOURNAMENT WINNERS! First Place: TEAM MARTINEZ PAINTING INC. Nestor Martinez, Victor Valverde, Sabas Lopez, Ross Ledesma Second Place: TEAM AT&T Sergio Contreras, Bill Summers, Ruben O'Bell, Arnold Flores Third Place: TEAM AMIGO HOME HEALTH CARE Roel Cavazos, Rick Galvan, Duke Davila, Albert Garcia. Congratulations to Henry Cabrera for winning the Putting Contest, Duke Davila was the lucky winner of the Closest to the Pin contest, and Longest Drive contest winner was Ross Ledesma.

Want to advertise your employment opportunities? Hispanic Chamber members can post job opportunties by simply submitting the information by email to hhcoc@harlingenchamber.com or by fax to (956) 364-1879. Take advantage of this feature service available exclusively to HHCOC members.