Please consider going through the list below to see how you can donate to help the victims of the massive fires sweeping across Central Texas right now. Already tens of thousands of acres of land with people’s home and personal belongings have felt the wrath of this natural disaster. Although there is so much tragedy engulfing the area right now, neighbors, Texans, and people across the US are banding together in support of the cities. Below are links to the local Red Cross chapters, churches, food banks, shelters, and even baseball teams looking for donations of food, clothing, personal items, and money to help continue to fight the fires and the devastation left in its wake.

Picture courtesy of http://www.kvue.com.

EMERGENCY COUNTY BROADCASTERS

Check out information from the local emergency response government sites about the fires, shelters, and more detailed information here:

LOCAL NEWS

Local news channels and radios provide more links and donation facilities here:

DONATIONS

Donation stations accepting food and/or clothing and other supplies this week:

UPDATED (9/14/2011):  Blankets for Bastrop is recruiting crafty people to make blankets for the families once they relocate or get back into their homes:

http://blanketsforbastrop.wordpress.com

And learn about how you can donate supplies or precious quilts to keep them warm in the winter and bring love into their new surroundings.

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Do you have a loved one overseas, out of state, in the hospital?  Watch the UTSA graduation online:

http://dlat.utsa.edu/accordent/Static/UTSAxCommencement+Ceremonies/

And for more detailed information from UTSA’s Graduation Office, please see this link:

http://utsa.edu/oit/video/ITV_commencement.html

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Did you wait until the last minute to purchase a Christmas present this year?  No fear!  UNICEF is here.

The best gift is a gift that keeps giving…and what could be better than a gift that literally saves lives, natural resources, and makes the world a better place!

A couple of Sundays ago, at my church Oak Hills in San Antonio, Max Lucado quickly showed a video of missionaries from our church sent to different parts of Africa to build fresh water wells w/ money raised from the Bibleland Children’s Sunday School classes.  Not only were the children there laughing and thanking us, they are now able to enjoy clean, fresh water without worrying about contamination, disease, and travelling many miles to fetch a tiny amount.

Check out all the ways to give back to children around the world:

About UNICEF:

Working in over 150 countries, UNICEF provides children with health care, clean water, nutrition, education, protection, emergency relief, and more.

22,000 children die EVERY DAY from preventable diseases.  Imagine being able to buy a gift that saves the life of one or many children in poverty stricken parts of the world!  Several, charitable organizations like UNICEF let you do just that!  Dedicate the purchase in the name of a loved one or friend and send/print notification.

Right now the featured gift is a “Winter Child Survival Pack” that includes:

• supplies to sustain child for 6 months!!
• vitamins and minerals to grow healthy
• measles and polio immunizations
• enough water purification tablets for 50,000 liters of water!!

ALL of that is possible w/ a small donation of $81.35!  And if that’s too much they take general donations of $5 and more.

• Education & Play - school supplies, soccer balls, and more give these children a chance for quality educations!
• Immunizations – vaccinations for diseases that don’t even exist in modern countries ($20 buys 412 tetanus shots)
• Water – water pumps, purification, and family water kits
• Nutrition – baby scales, ready to eat food, vitamin powder ($18 buys 604 individual doses of vitamins and minerals!)
• Emergency – high energy food, water kits, tents and more to help during emergencies
• Health - first aid kits for field workers, mother/baby packs, for $80 save 1000k from deadly diseases

Did you know that as you’re shopping for people on other sites you could still be helping children fight preventable diseases?!

American Airlines | Causes on Facebook | Delta Air Lines
FEED | Gucci | H&M | IKEA |  Western Union

Click on the links for more details!  American Airlines is fighting diseases w/ incentives to donate to UNICEF by offering 2 AAdvantage miles in return for EACH dollar donated.  Donate right now!

The special edition “Gucci for UNICEF” Sukey bag, designed by Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini in grey “La Pelle Guccissima” leather, is being sold in Gucci stores in over 20 countries and from April 15, 2010 through February 28, 2011, Gucci will donate 25% of the retail price!

UNICEF Social Media

• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/UNICEF-USA
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/unicefusa

TeachUNICEF is a portfolio of UNICEF-focused resources designed and collected by the U.S. Fund for UNICEF’s Education Department for educators, afterschool instructors, and parents. The units, lesson plans, stories, and multimedia cover topics ranging from the Millennium Development Goals to water and sanitation.

*Teaser for my next blog “Teach UNICEF”

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Tasty Byte: The Lodge at Castle Hills

Website: http://www.thelodgerestaurant.com

Address: 1746 Lockhill Selma | San Antonio, TX, 78213 { MAP }

Phone: 210.349.8466

Restaurant Week – Lunch – Menu

The second you drive onto the lavish grounds of The Lodge, the noise from the city and life in general quickly fades.  You’re struck by the spacious mansion and green landscaping.  Finally getting to visit during lunch, during Restaurant Week no less !!!, I was not disappointed.  Celebrating my birthday there a couple years ago and enjoying on of their opulent 7 course menus on another visit, I was curious as to the ambiance and food mid-day.

The restaurant was fully bustling when we arrived at noon…I would definitely recommend reservations.  Some of the other stops during Restaurant Week did not require them but this one is not one to chance.

We waited semi-patiently for a couple minutes in their plush , rustic lounge area before being led up the winding staircase through several different smaller rooms.  We were sat in a bright, open table with windows on 3 sides of us.

With 2 choices for each course and math minors on our diplomas, my friend and I quickly calculated getting of each dish.  The lobster-shrimp bisque was hearty and satisfying.  The mixed green salad that included apples, candied pecans, cherve goat cheese, and a vinaigrette was a playful interpretation of a classic with the flavors dancing happily together.

The main course, a choice of chicken roulade or Atlantic salmon were both enticing choices.  The salmon had an incredible taste and texture and left us guessing what patient steps the chef carefully executed.  The chicken with pearl onions and wild mushrooms was juicy and delicious.

The dessert was an apple tart and nutella-dark chocolate souffle .  The souffle, rich, and laden with chocolate on chocolate, paired with a banana caramel milkshake!  The tart was accompanied w/ a sharp house made caramel sauce that made the dish pop.

For $15, this meal was a steal.  Fortunately you won’t be limited to thievery to only this week – The Lodge servers lunch, 2 courses for $12 dollars and 3 courses for $16 on a daily basis.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/San-Antonio-TX/The-Lodge-Restaurant/125358970821184

Twitter: http://twitter.com/thelodgesa

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Tasty Byte:  Boudro’s Texas Bistro

Website:  http://www.boudros.com

Address:  421 E. Commerce | San Antonio, Texas 78205 {MAP}

Phone:  210.224.8484

Restaurant Week – Lunch – Menu

Visiting the Riverwalk frequently with out of town guests, I’m horrified that it has taken Restaurant Week to finally make time for Boudro’s Texas Bistro.  After entering from the street level, taking the elevator to the River level, and entering through the back of the restaurant, this eatery left little to be desired and many memories to savor!

Starting with the heirloom tomato salad and tomato soup with a HUGE mound of lump crab tabbouleh, we knew our meal was going to be good.  Both 1st course choices were 1st rate indeed!

Choosing the chopped salad and grilled filet with a vegetable enchilada, the steak was fabulous and the salad, mixed tableside, left us wanting more!  The meat was a generous medium-rare and disintegrated in your mouth.

The dessert was so refreshing that I’ll continue to crave it on hot summer days.  A trio of fresh sorbets, the mango peach was expectantly good, the blackberry light yet flavorful, and the lemon basil had us spreading the good news of the winning combination.  With raspberry coulis drizzled and supported on an almond lace wafer, the dessert remains my favorite.

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/San-Antonio-TX/Boudros-Texas-Bistro/114824508566992

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/TexasBistro

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In an impassioned attempt to support the local economy, a friend and I have enthusiastically participated in and relished San Antonio’s 1^st Annual Restaurant Week which started Saturday, August 21^st and lasts through Saturday, August 22^nd!

So many choices, so little time! How to choose? Check out where I ate and see mouthwatering pictures showcasing the lunches at 5 San Antonio eateries. Each post contains restaurant menus, contact information, Twitter/Facebook pages, and more reasons to attend, this week and go back subsequently!

WARNING: Pictures of food are incredibly tempting and should not be viewed if adequate meal is not forthcoming!

Sun., Aug. 22 – Las Canarias

Although distracted by the Sunday Champagne brunch, the lunch menu offered throughout the rest of the week looked incredible tempting!

Mon., Aug. 23 – The Palm

Even though it all started in 1926 in NYC, The Palm is still the place to be, with international locations! The San Antonio location kicked off Restaurant week on a high note!

Tue., Aug. 24 – Boudro’s

Boudro’s is a Riverwalk gem and ammunition for anyone who says you can’t find good food on the River. Incredible lunch, left very little to be desired.

Wed., Aug. 25 – The Lodge at Castle Hills

A San Antonio classic, the lunch did not disappoint. The restaurant, a converted mansion nestled within two and a half acres, offered an instant mid-day escape from everything else.

Thu., Aug. 26 – Tre Trattoria

Another Chef Jason Dady treasure, this Tuscan Italian restaurant offered a great ambiance and an equally scrumptious lunch!

Formally the New World Wine & Food Festival, Culinaria is sponsoring this event offering the opportunity to try some of the Alamo City’s BEST culinary masters’ finest dishes in an affordable fashion.

After this week, I’ll never view lunch the same!

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Tasty Byte:  Las Canarias

Website:  http://www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/SanAntonioLaMansionDelRio/Dining.aspx

Address:  112 College Street | San Antonio, Texas 78205 { MAP }

Phone:  210.518.1000

Restaurant Week – Lunch – Menu

Although the plan was to celebrate the beginning of Restaurant Week with a 3-course meal, we were distracted by the incredible, lavishly prepared weekly Sunday Champagne Brunch that left nothing to be desired.

Instead of spending $15 a person, we spent $40 but for a special treat or occasion, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate!

This meal included:

• unlimited mimosas and free flowing champagne
• whole-shrimp chevice, raw oyster bar, smoked salmon/capers/creme fraiche
• salad station where you select ingredients and the station manager mixes them w/ dressing
• homemade breads, olive tapenades, a wide range of cheeses, fresh veggies
• breakfast favorites like french toast, fresh fruit, bacon, eggs, sausage, hashbrowns
• hearty lunch options like a pan seared fish, prime rib w/ choice of 3 different sauces, pastas, briskets, excellent/crisp veggies
• desserts included fruit tarts, a banana fosters station, German chocolate cake

I thought everything was fabulous and recommend this to everyone!  The Restaurant Week menu looks very appealing as well, don’t forget to check it out…just not on a Sunday.

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/omnihotels

Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/omnihotels

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Start following the tweets of your favorite conference or become their fan on Facebook with this all inclusive list! Don’t search the internet; I have it all here, ready for easy following! I was curious so I found them for myself to stick in my sports tweet list:

http://twitter.com/geekettebits/sportstweeps

but you can start following from your own accounts…check back for my next round of NCAA tweeps to follow!!

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Find your favorite retailers on Twitter! Follow their tweets for contests, promotional offers, great deals, and coupons! Get even more connected to the company! Contact their customer service department if you got less than stellar service! Here are the ones I follow, for the most updated retailers following my own retailers list on Twitter:

http://twitter.com/geekettebits/retail

and of course my tweets here:

http://twitter.com/geekettebits where I post a lot of coupons and deals I find!

Over 250 retailers including clothing, book stores, hardware, techie, automobiles and more!

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Tasty Byte:  Watermark Grill

The second restaurant by Patrick Kennedy (see Brasserie Pavil) in San Antonio, with a repeat occurrence from Pavil chef Scott Cohen offers a beautiful setup, tasty food, and the freshest seafood.  I was invited to their VIP preview where we were offered all you can eat appetizers and all you can drink cocktails!  With a wide selection of both, this is a wonderful spot for a fun happy hour.

Website:  http://www.watermarkgrill.net

Address:  18740 Stone Oak Parkway | San Antonio, TX, 78258  { MAP }

Phone:  210-483-7600

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/WatermarkGrill

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/watermarkgrill

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