July 16 - 20, 2005 AALL comes to San Antonio, Texas! President Tory Trotta's theme? Strategize: Values, Visions, Vistas.
As co-chairs of the Local Advisory Committee (LAC), you might say Mary Forman & I (a/k/a M&M) are already implementing Tory's theme as we "strategized" to gather chairs for the sub-committees. Well, we'll call it strategize, but others might say we got them at a weak moment! Either way we are now organizing for the first AALL annual meeting to visit Texas in 22 years!
Among the excellent programs and opportunities for networking, there will be time to discover the beautiful vistas of San Antonio and her surrounding areas, the ethnic diversity of the area, fabulous food and historically significant sites. "But," you say, "Texas, in July!" Well there's not much we can do about the thermometer, but hey, Texas has some of the most efficient air conditioning in the country. You might need short sleeves outside, but you'd better pack a jacket for the inside! In the coming months we'll be sending out some survival tips (like drink lots of water, or other cold beverage of your choice, wear a hat, carry a portable fan, walk slowly and enjoy the smell of some of the best food south of the Red River) and we'll highlight the multicultural experiences that make up San Antonio.
"Things are Bigger in Texas!" Just take a look at the giant sized boots outside North Star Mall. A tribute to just two of my not so secret vices, shopping and shoes! San Antonio has fabulous shopping, and La Villita, a complex of 27 restored buildings on the site of a Coahuiltecan Indian Village, is next to the Hilton. Each building showcases various artists. There's painting, jewelry, pottery and beautiful weavings, all unique to the region. Just a short trolley ride down Commerce St. is El Mercado, a veritable warehouse of pottery, and then there's the farmer's market. If you don't get enough to eat browsing the stalls, then head to the restaurants. La Margarita is my favorite, and I can picture it now as the colorful waiter carries the sizzling fajitas platter, the steam streaming behind and, oh, the aroma! But, for those with a car, head north on I-35 for about 30 minutes and be prepared to visit the mecca of all shopping. The factory outlet stores of San Marcos, hundreds of them, too many to mention, but definitely worth the trip when you consider the savings.
Ah, but I digress. For those who love shopping for footwear, there are marvelous bootmakers. Try Lucchese, hand made bootmakers since 1883, or Crazy Horse custom boots, both in San Antonio. For me, shoes are everything, and the factory outlet shoe stores are an option. But, if you want something closer to the convention center, then Dillards & the shops in RiverCenter have a wonderful assortment. When all are tried on and bought, there's nothing like relaxing at a table on the Riverwalk level, watching the tourists and the riverboats, sipping a Starbucks coffee, knowing that the bags surrounding you are full of shoes just waiting for the right occasion, like, the General Business meeting.
The Preliminary Program will be out soon, so look for the fascinating library tours (one of which is the very private library at The Alamo), the fun trips like tubing down the Guadalupe River, and information about a fantastic closing banquet. Come visit San Antonio, relax, and enjoy our Texas hospitality!