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APRIL 2009
2009 Membership drive favorable
Message from Executive Director
Downtown Art Walk celebrates first anniversary
An array of automobiles assembled downtown
Art Walk successful in first year
Travel to San Angelo encouraged
2009 membership drive favorable
By Lucie Hofheins
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Organization Committee Chairman Kathleen Hicks, headed Downtown San Angelo, Inc.’s 2009 Membership “Call-a-thon” at the Top of The Cactus Hotel on February 24 and 25.
Assisted by former Chairman Lee Pfluger and DSA staff, Miss Hicks spearheaded the activity which proved successful once again. Several DSA Board Members and volunteers were on hand to place calls and process mail out information in the two-day event.
Participants remarked that the response from the community was very favorable due in large part to the hard work and many accomplishments by the Downtown San Angelo, Inc. organization.
The annual Call-a-thon has become a well-established fundraising tool which is both effective and gratifying. To date 68 new members were placed on the member roster, and pledges continue to come in.
DSA members are kept up-to-date on downtown activities, economic development and projects in which various groups have joined together to accomplish.
Additionally, members with Web sites are provided the opportunity to have a link on the DSA site: downtownsanangelo.com
Annual membership gatherings are conducted and offer the opportunity to provide updated development information. Keynote speakers are made available to address insights and upcoming projects accordingly. Seminar information will be provided to members soon.
To inquire about joining DSA call 325-655-1234.
“As adults, we sometimes face situations as I did, when President Bob Stribling asked me to serve as Organization Chairman. I was excited but a little afraid. As fate would have it, when I stuck my foot in that first shoe, someone was there, holding out his hand. I want to thank Lee Pfluger for the shoes and most especially for the hand, without which it would have been impossible to move forward.” — Kathleen Hicks
Executive Director’s Message
By Del Velasquez
We’ve concluded one of the most exciting three months since the last newsletter. All four committees have been active and running in meeting our 2009 goals.
The Call-A-Thon was successful in obtaining DSA’s goal to meet our financial obligation. Led by Organizational Committee Chairman Kathleen Hicks, and Immediate past President Lee Pfluger, we can proudly announce 70 new members and pledges amounting in excess of $55,000.
Thanks to Promotion Chairman, Mary Valva, the “Sheep Happens” t-shirt sales have been fabulous! The first day we sold 60 of the 100 ordered and subsequently placed two additional orders.
Thanks to our partners: Black Swan, D’Vine Wine, The House of Fifi Dubois, The Glass Prism, M.L. Leddy’s and the Wool & Cotton Shop.
The Downtown Art Walk had a rough start mostly due to weather and a variety of competing events in January and February; however, in March and April we saw an upswing in attendance and sales activity.
The Downtown Classic Car Show brought in two car clubs from New Mexico and entries from Sweetwater, Brownwood.
We are working furiously as partners with the Visionaries In Preservation Public Policy Task Force and Economic Restructuring Committee to develop the types of incentives that will be viable and carry the message to developers that we are serious about building and revitalizing the downtown district in both the commercial and residential arena.
This week we celebrated Administrative Professionals Day. There are no words to describe the value, dedication and hard work of our Lucie Hofheins. she truly is the backbone of our organization. She keeps me focused and mostly out of trouble (sometimes). I guarantee without her, the foundation of what we are working to accomplish would be much more difficult. God Bless Lucie!
Downtown Art Walk celebrates first anniversary
By Lucie Hofheins
Coordinating with Downtown San Angelo, Inc. several downtown art groups, San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, and the San Angelo Cultural Affairs Council came together in March 2008 to kick off the Downtown Art Walk. One year later much has been learned and gained from this event.
Downtown streets have become alive with activity in the evening hours. Some of the downtown merchants have remained open later in the day to accommodate visitors and have indicated increased business as a result. Visitors to downtown San Angelo have developed a keen interest in a variety of art offerings, which include music, restaurants, galleries, shops and more. In addition, the free trolley service has allowed visitors the opportunity to navigate larger areas as the number of art walk participants increases.
The Art Walk continues on the third Thursday of each month. Further information is available here or call 325-655-1234.
An array of automobiles assembled downtown
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By Lucie Hofheins
Downtown San Angelo was overcome with colorful classic cars at the 6th Annual Car Show sponsored by Downtown San Angelo, Inc. Forty plus entries included automobiles from Snyder, Eden, Brownwood, Early, Jal, Eunice, New Mexico, and a number of local exhibitors participated.
The car show held in the parking lot next to Tarpley Music, serves as a family friendly event, which attracts visitors to the downtown area.
A variety of classes ranging from a vintage 1927 Ford Model T , a 1948 Anglia, a 1957 Chevy Bel Air hard top to a 2000 Dodge Magnum were made available for viewing. Two antique pedal cars were part of the show.
The large crowds gathering downtown for an array of events strolled among the gleaming chrome, the popped hoods and plush interiors looking for their favorite.
Awards for top three in each class were presented, and the New Mexico Road Ratz Car Club presented a unique Car Grill plaque to the best in show. This award was accepted by Adam Perez for his 1967 GTO, which also won one of the top three in the Street Machine Class and the “People’s Choice” prize.
Additional winners: Gary Essman, Duke Wilson, Bobby Wood, Marye Steadman, Mike King, Ronnie Heady, Sonny Smith, Richard Heady, Shelly Rhomfeld, Rick Sosa, Jay Milenez, Guillermo Carillo, Robert Espinosa, Marland Squire, Elmer Stone, Jerry Mullinix and Donnie Seale.
Local sponsors provided door prizes, which were given out throughout the day.
The cars all formed a procession and cruised downtown streets to end the day’s event.
DSA appreciates the sponsors and volunteers who helped in coordinating this event: D’Vine Wine, Elite Physique, Goodfellow AFB Volunteers, Johnny Carino’s Restaurant, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Parts Plus, Staybridge Suites, Tom’s Tire World, Town & Country Food Stores and Walmart.
Art Walk successful in first year
By Lucie Hofheins
March’s Downtown Art Walk served as the one year mark for an activity that has developed a substantial following. Participating galleries and merchants, have reported increased traffic in their establishments on designated art walk nights.
Featured galleries and merchants have provided a giveaway prize which anyone who visits is eligible to win. Leticia Harper was the lucky winner of a painting valued at $700 provided by The Black Swan Gallery. The House of FiFi Dubois, featured merchant in April, provided a unique gift basket, which included a pink flamingo won by Carolyn Reed-Jones.
The Art Walk has many facets. Historic Murals, The Tom Green County Library, San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, Fort Concho, Mosaic Magic by the Art In Uncommon Places Group and much more.
Art walks are scheduled on the third Thursday of the month but are subject to change. For detailed information each month call: 325-655-1234 Art Walk maps have been made available to the public and can be downloaded here.
Historic murals chronicled
By Marilyn Ross
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“There is nothing new in the world except the history you do not know.” —Harry S. Truman
Since the formation of Downtown San Angelo, Inc. in 2004, local citizens, tourist, and all who visit our “Treasure of the Concho City” have been able to experience a very enlivened version of the Who-What-and-Where of San Angelo’s background. Now, fortunately, due to the efforts of Historic Murals of San Angelo, Inc., all can see and learn of the “how.” Yes, the “how" of San Angelo becoming the successful and thriving bridge nestled in the cradle of Texas between the lush Hill Country and the vast dry land of West Texas.
We like to think of this area as an oasis in which our pioneer families found respite and thought it was too good to leave and search further for greener pastures.
Too few green pastures in this area led settlers to innovative ideas of livelihood. Thus, the sheep and mohair goat ranching industry began. These daring pioneers turned a virtual wasteland into a highly successful enterprise, which resulted in a Texas-sized industry that has enabled our region to be prosperous and much sought after ranch land.
Historic Murals of San Angelo, Inc., (HMSA), founded in 2002 by historian Susan Morris, is dedicated to showcasing our local history. Currently, HMSA is paying tribute to and honoring our pioneer ranchers and their ranching descendants by immortalizing their contributions with a larger-than-life ranching mural.
The Ranching Mural, now in progress, is located on the west wall of Bill’s Man Shop. This location is truly the “western gateway” to downtown San Angelo—located at the corner of Beauregard and Randolph streets. To date, this is the largest mural that HMSA has undertaken at 20 feet x 107 feet.
The renown Texas muralist, Stylle Read, has graced much of West Texas—and several other states—with his talent and respect of Texas’ heritage. After sketching ideas of historically researched data from various archives, Stylle met with many of the current day sheep, mohair and Hereford cattle ranchers for their input. He has gone to extreme measures to replicate an authentic reproduction of our local history.
The result is an epic saga contained in a relatively small area. It will most certainly be a “must see” among San Angelo’s major focal points. While in progress, Stylle will keep viewers informed weekly on the mural’s progress and enlightened on each phase of his creation. This information can be accessed on site via phone posted for a Guide-by-Cell audio narration (201-9037, after prompt enter 9#). Since San Angelo is naturally an interested and curious population, all are invited to visit and view each day’s progress and enjoy a part of San Angelo’s history coming to life.
For more information about previous murals that Historic Murals of San Angelo, Inc. has created, please visit the Web site at historicmuralsofsanangelo.org.
Viewers can also contact HMSA via: ssmorris@zipnet.us or (325) 944-1443
Travel to San Angelo encouraged
By Pamela Miller
Recently the White House encouraged Americans to travel. Soothing words for the tourism industry that has been complaining for weeks that a remark from the president about corporate junkets that has led to a chilling effect on business travel. Now, urged by travel industry leaders, the White House has stepped in to recommend that Americans hit the road.
Some of the larger cities are especially affected. According to the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority they have had 340 events cancel in the past 90 days. Regionally, West Texas has also been affected. As our local occupancy rates are also down the San Angelo Convention and Visitors Bureau is trying to “bump up” our individual traveler numbers. Visitor surveys tourists have completed at our visitor center show that the major reason they travel to San Angelo is for a weekend getaway, getting away from the hustle bustle of bigger cities.
Additional advertising has been secured in new publications for the CVB such as Texas Journeys (free to all AAA members), Ride Texas and Travel Host. San Angelo was also recently featured in the April edition of Texas Monthly magazine with a four-page feature. These publications are great tools for the traveling public when deciding where to go for a weekend away. This advertising and all of our great events planned from April through July should help bump up our individual tourists.
Economic development update
- Façade Grant Project: Competed projects totaling $75.000 include M.L. Leddy sign, Fuentes Café, Johnny’s Appliance, Mercer Boot Company, Teacher Store, J & J Electric, Master Cabinet Shop, Memory Antiques, SAMFA, Dan Fleming. 2008 façade projects pending include Cole’s Army Surplus, Ronny Harrison, Eggemeyers, & J. Wilde’s. Funds for pending projects have been allocated.
- Proposed Downtown San Angelo Historic District: to include current proposed economic incentives for this district.
- Vacant Building Policies: This proposal is Under consideration with public safety concerns the primary basis for deliberation of a governing policy.
- Downtown Residential Living: Presently Identifying potential developers and providing financial incentives to add residential living as a viable option. A downtown living survey has been distributed to assist in recognizing the needs of potential downtown inhabitants. Economic Restructuring Committee members are in the process of establishing a developer/contact list.
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