RIP Bert Lozano

This week has been a tough one for a lot of people for a lot of reasons but the WFAA and news family around Texas is particularly saddened this week at the loss of one of their own. Emmy Award Winning Reporter Bert Lozano.

Below is a moving tribute from one of his former colleagues and friend Houston reporter Kristing Galvan Scott:

On Monday morning I learned a good friend from my past was hospitalized in critical condition. Bert Lozano reported for my old station KRGV in the Valley, then KSAT in San Antonio, and WFAA in Dallas.

I met Bert while he was with KSAT. At the time I worked for KRGV, and since we were an ABC affiliate and didn't have a Sat truck, we worked with KSAT quite a bit.

We did things differently at KRGV. We were more of a reporter/ photog steady team, and I always worked with KRGV's then chief photographer Izzy Alfaro. Izzy and Bert were old friends, and before long I considered Bert a guardian angel. He was such a good guide and mentor. I experienced the Tony Sanchez/ Dan Morales showdown, the demise of Shuttle Columbia, the capture, rescue and return of Mission's POW during the start of the Iraq war, the bolting of Texas Democrats during the 2003 redistricting crisis, and Hurricane Claudette with Bert at my side, and in some cases sharing an IFB!

Bert, Izzy, and I laughed at Lt. Governor David Dewhurst's response (in terrible Spanish) to one of my questions. Uhmm, Mr. Dewhurst, yes I work for a Valley station, but it's an ABC station, not Univision!!!

He stood right next to me in a plain white tee shirt that I knew Jenny Martinez (KRGV's News Director) would have a fit if I had been wearing during Hurricane Claudette. Since I was working through his KSAT truck, I had to take what I could, and the truck operator couldn't switch Bert's IFB for mine in time. That meant I had to listen to KSAT's programming while reporting for KRGV, hoping the IFB would switch in time for my tag. It didn't, but Bert never left my side. I can still see him mouthing " Focus, Focus, Focus." I've since learned to pull that thing out of my ear and hope my photog can dial up the producer booth and cue me on time.

Bert died today. He was just 42 years old.

Izzy and I cried over it. Theres a special thing about KRGV. That station breeds family. This weekend was suppose to be a huge KRGV stationreunion at South Padre Island. I wasn't planning on being there because of another commitment, but Bert was going to be there... to see all the people who shaped him through his career, and those whose careers he helped shaped.

You shouldn't have died so young, Bert. I'll miss you. We will all miss you... your amazing smile, your creativity, your drive.... as David Dewhurst once said:

"Yo piense que la gente de el valle......"

Love you very, very much...

I know I do.

Kristine Galvan Scott

Organic in the City

Looking for something fun this Wednesday? Experience cutting edge sustainable and organic couture fashion with Texas Discovery Gardens’ Organic in the City Fashion Show + Auction — then take it home with you! The show and auction is Wednesday, March 10, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Enjoy an evening of fashion led by WFAA’s Gloria Campos featuring the latest organic styles in Dallas. See and support tomorrow’s brightest fashion stars with show pieces from El Centro College’s Fashion Design students.

Featured designers include Ross Bennett with a new collection that makes green fashion elegant and fun, and Lindsay Weatherread with a look at her exciting new collection.

The evening will kick off with hors d’oeuvres, wine, and music while you shop during the silent auction. Items include sustainable clothing, jewelry, spa treatments, dinner and entertainment packages from Dallas hot spots like Smoke, the Belmont Hotel, and the Fairmont, garden and lawn service packages, and tickets on Southwest Airlines.

Following a sizzling fashion show the live auction will give you the opportunity to snag custom made to size couture right off the runway and other one-of-a-kind fashion items.

Our guest Susanne Taylor (of Susanne Taylor & Associates) will talk about the latest in organic clothing today and how important it is to incorporate sustainable thinking in all aspects of our lives.

Tickets are $40 through March 5; $50 after March 5 or at door. For details, call Susan Lee, Director of Development, at (214) 428-7476 x 260 or SLee@TexasDiscoveryGardens.org.

Proceeds benefit Texas Discovery Gardens’ new hands-on educational initiative.