First Two Weeks of December Packed with Outings for Engelhart Campaign
Monday December 3 began and ended with the Noriegas. In the morning, the engelhart4judge.com 2008 green hybrid got up with the chickens and coasted silently in electric-only mode to our favorite taqueria, Taqueria del Sol by Hobby Airport. There we attended the early morning sendoff for Rick Noriega as he headed to Austin to file for the U.S. Senate race. The room was packed with electeds and other friends. We met a lot of great folks and saw many old friends again. One of our favorite volunteers, Mirel Herrera, was there working the door. She's so dedicated to Democratic political causes. Our campaign got a chance to say a few words to the crowd. Great event.
That night we finished off with the other half of the Noriega duo, Melissa, at her event at the Cadillac Bar. We got to spend some quality time with Senators Gallegos and Whitmire, which was a treat.
I believe it was on Wednesday, December 5 that the green hybrid coasted silently in you-know-what mode to Montrose to a beautiful home for the HGLBTPC holiday event. I saw my friends Nick, Jennifer, Maria, Phyllis, and Amy, to name a few. Jennifer, Annise Parker and Sue Lovell gave great talks. There was much discussion of the recent city council elections and the caucus's role in backing the winners. Everyone was very enthusiastic about Democratic chances in Harris County in 2008. I really enjoyed the company of the caucus members, and the brotherhood and sisterhood of the attendees.
On Thursday, December 6, we cruised over to Virginia Street to attend the Harris County Democratic Lawyers Association's holiday dinner. Galvin Kennedy, a friend, was there with his lovely bride, as were many of the Democratic judicial candidates (as always). We talked about Democratic politics, gossiped about certain candidates and races, changes, additions and deletions. After that, it was a race to the Bay Area New Democrats holiday event in Seabrook. Another candidate and I carpooled so we could save gas and use the carpool lane. We got there in plenty of time to meet with organizer John Cobarruvias, and many of the member of this new, active group.
Saturday night, December 8 was a terrific night. Mrs. engelhart4judge.com 2008 (Eva) and I attended the annual John O'Quinn holiday party downtown. It was a black tie affair, and we were dressed to the teeth. I had my old Justin Ropers on as it was a black tie & boots invite. It was kind of hot and muggy, so it was a tad stuffy. But, as always, the food and drinks were great. We got our souvenir of a picture of the two of us. We talked about politics and the legal profession with some friends we hadn't seen in a while.
At one point, we ran into a particularly endangered incumbent Republican judge. We said hello and he refused to look me in the eye! He stared at the ground and mumbled for about 10 seconds and then scurried away. It was somewhat unfortunate. I felt like telling him he probably still had a legal career to fall back on. Oh well.
The next week was just as busy. At activist/operative Max Cardenas's suggestion, we attended Representative Ana Hernandez's function at Saga on Milam in midtown Houston on Tuesday night. We saw Steve Mostyn and Alan Jamail and many others. Representative Hernandez had a great crowd, and the event was just terrific.
On Wednesday, December 12, we zipped around the corner from our law office to Farago's for the HBA Appellate Section's holiday party. We could only stay for a few moments, but were able to speak with Judge Jeff Brown about recent rumors. It was nice to see him again and he seemed happy to see us.
The next night, December 13, we met our good friend and steering committee member, John Padilla, and his associate, James Rodriguez, at Skybar for the MABA holiday party. There were more Republican judges at this event than at any I have been to this winter. Several Democratic candidates were there too. We met a number of folks who were very excited about Democrats taking back Harris County, and who pledged their tireless support, and for that we were grateful. We felt exceedingly bienvenidos. From there, we headed up to the Heights for Armando Walle's event at the home of Frumencio and Janie Reyes. There were enough Walles there to field a starting 5, and have some left on the bench. They are a terrific family -- very kind, and engaged in Democratic politics. Armando will be well served by them.
Friday night was the 2nd big annual dress-up event for me and Mrs. engelhart4judge.com 2008. I wore my (badly needed) new suit. I met a hero of mine, Rick Casey, of the Chronicle. I can't remember the last time I read a good muckraker's column before Rick came to town from San Antonio with Jeff Cohen. I got to dance with my beautiful wife as well as with my good friend and mentor Barbara Radnofsky. Mary Flood was there causing trouble, as usual, too. This is always an outstanding event and 2007 was no exception.
Saturday night brought the engelhart4judge.com 2008 green hybrid up to the Heights again for the Heights Dems (there are just about infinity Democratic clubs around town these days -- great sign) holiday party. It was SRO at a beautiful Victorian home on Tulane Street. Just about all of the Democratic candidates were there, as were a ton of club members. David Patronella was there, and said he is looking forward to having some more Democratic colleagues in 2009.
After that party, we headed downtown and actually got a decent parking spot for the hybrid near the Rice Lofts. The Stonewall Dems had their first annual holiday function at a really nice loft/party room. It was cold as heck outside, but the room was warmed with the excitement and confidence growing about Democrats chances for 2008. Many young party activists were in attendance, and helped make the party very memorable. I made some new friends on Saturday night, and it was a blast.
Finally, yesterday, Sunday, December 16 was a really special day. First, we headed over to Harwin Street where about 4 dozen party activists were getting trained to become delegates to the National Convention at a great new restaurant called Mezban. The food was yummy, if a bit spicy for my tastes -- but that was good on a very cold day. AJ and others put on a great presentation about the nuts and bolts of becoming delegates. Houston should be well represented with well known activists at National next year.
Then we headed over to an event run by Councilwoman Carol Alvarado and others at the George R. Brown for underprivileged kids and their families. They gave out dozens of new bicycles and other Xmas toys to the kids. There was great musical entertainment, and what seemed to be a fine meal. Attendees got t-shirts and, thanks to me, some literature about a certain Democratic judicial candidate's campaign. Seemed to be Democrats only in attendance at this event.
Well, that brings us up to date on the engelhart4judge.com 2008 campaign. In the next week, we expect to officially file for our spot on the primary ballot, and attend the HCDP Holiday Party and the ROADwomen's holiday party. At the end of the month, Eva and I will be headed for a little R&R in Fredericksburg for a couple of nights, and we're really looking forward to that.
I can't wait for 2008!
Mike
Political advertising paid for by Michael C. Engelhart, P.O. Box 540081, Houston, Texas 77254-0081 in compliance with the voluntary limits of the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act.
That night we finished off with the other half of the Noriega duo, Melissa, at her event at the Cadillac Bar. We got to spend some quality time with Senators Gallegos and Whitmire, which was a treat.
I believe it was on Wednesday, December 5 that the green hybrid coasted silently in you-know-what mode to Montrose to a beautiful home for the HGLBTPC holiday event. I saw my friends Nick, Jennifer, Maria, Phyllis, and Amy, to name a few. Jennifer, Annise Parker and Sue Lovell gave great talks. There was much discussion of the recent city council elections and the caucus's role in backing the winners. Everyone was very enthusiastic about Democratic chances in Harris County in 2008. I really enjoyed the company of the caucus members, and the brotherhood and sisterhood of the attendees.
On Thursday, December 6, we cruised over to Virginia Street to attend the Harris County Democratic Lawyers Association's holiday dinner. Galvin Kennedy, a friend, was there with his lovely bride, as were many of the Democratic judicial candidates (as always). We talked about Democratic politics, gossiped about certain candidates and races, changes, additions and deletions. After that, it was a race to the Bay Area New Democrats holiday event in Seabrook. Another candidate and I carpooled so we could save gas and use the carpool lane. We got there in plenty of time to meet with organizer John Cobarruvias, and many of the member of this new, active group.
Saturday night, December 8 was a terrific night. Mrs. engelhart4judge.com 2008 (Eva) and I attended the annual John O'Quinn holiday party downtown. It was a black tie affair, and we were dressed to the teeth. I had my old Justin Ropers on as it was a black tie & boots invite. It was kind of hot and muggy, so it was a tad stuffy. But, as always, the food and drinks were great. We got our souvenir of a picture of the two of us. We talked about politics and the legal profession with some friends we hadn't seen in a while.
At one point, we ran into a particularly endangered incumbent Republican judge. We said hello and he refused to look me in the eye! He stared at the ground and mumbled for about 10 seconds and then scurried away. It was somewhat unfortunate. I felt like telling him he probably still had a legal career to fall back on. Oh well.
The next week was just as busy. At activist/operative Max Cardenas's suggestion, we attended Representative Ana Hernandez's function at Saga on Milam in midtown Houston on Tuesday night. We saw Steve Mostyn and Alan Jamail and many others. Representative Hernandez had a great crowd, and the event was just terrific.
On Wednesday, December 12, we zipped around the corner from our law office to Farago's for the HBA Appellate Section's holiday party. We could only stay for a few moments, but were able to speak with Judge Jeff Brown about recent rumors. It was nice to see him again and he seemed happy to see us.
The next night, December 13, we met our good friend and steering committee member, John Padilla, and his associate, James Rodriguez, at Skybar for the MABA holiday party. There were more Republican judges at this event than at any I have been to this winter. Several Democratic candidates were there too. We met a number of folks who were very excited about Democrats taking back Harris County, and who pledged their tireless support, and for that we were grateful. We felt exceedingly bienvenidos. From there, we headed up to the Heights for Armando Walle's event at the home of Frumencio and Janie Reyes. There were enough Walles there to field a starting 5, and have some left on the bench. They are a terrific family -- very kind, and engaged in Democratic politics. Armando will be well served by them.
Friday night was the 2nd big annual dress-up event for me and Mrs. engelhart4judge.com 2008. I wore my (badly needed) new suit. I met a hero of mine, Rick Casey, of the Chronicle. I can't remember the last time I read a good muckraker's column before Rick came to town from San Antonio with Jeff Cohen. I got to dance with my beautiful wife as well as with my good friend and mentor Barbara Radnofsky. Mary Flood was there causing trouble, as usual, too. This is always an outstanding event and 2007 was no exception.
Saturday night brought the engelhart4judge.com 2008 green hybrid up to the Heights again for the Heights Dems (there are just about infinity Democratic clubs around town these days -- great sign) holiday party. It was SRO at a beautiful Victorian home on Tulane Street. Just about all of the Democratic candidates were there, as were a ton of club members. David Patronella was there, and said he is looking forward to having some more Democratic colleagues in 2009.
After that party, we headed downtown and actually got a decent parking spot for the hybrid near the Rice Lofts. The Stonewall Dems had their first annual holiday function at a really nice loft/party room. It was cold as heck outside, but the room was warmed with the excitement and confidence growing about Democrats chances for 2008. Many young party activists were in attendance, and helped make the party very memorable. I made some new friends on Saturday night, and it was a blast.
Finally, yesterday, Sunday, December 16 was a really special day. First, we headed over to Harwin Street where about 4 dozen party activists were getting trained to become delegates to the National Convention at a great new restaurant called Mezban. The food was yummy, if a bit spicy for my tastes -- but that was good on a very cold day. AJ and others put on a great presentation about the nuts and bolts of becoming delegates. Houston should be well represented with well known activists at National next year.
Then we headed over to an event run by Councilwoman Carol Alvarado and others at the George R. Brown for underprivileged kids and their families. They gave out dozens of new bicycles and other Xmas toys to the kids. There was great musical entertainment, and what seemed to be a fine meal. Attendees got t-shirts and, thanks to me, some literature about a certain Democratic judicial candidate's campaign. Seemed to be Democrats only in attendance at this event.
Well, that brings us up to date on the engelhart4judge.com 2008 campaign. In the next week, we expect to officially file for our spot on the primary ballot, and attend the HCDP Holiday Party and the ROADwomen's holiday party. At the end of the month, Eva and I will be headed for a little R&R in Fredericksburg for a couple of nights, and we're really looking forward to that.
I can't wait for 2008!
Mike
Political advertising paid for by Michael C. Engelhart, P.O. Box 540081, Houston, Texas 77254-0081 in compliance with the voluntary limits of the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act.
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