The Valley Times - January 10, 2018

VOL. I, NO. 24

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2018

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Texas Secretary Of State To Speak At Mission Chamber

Rolando Pablos, 111th Texas Secretary of State, will help The Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce kick off 2018 as the keynote speaker for the Chamber’s “Buenas Tardes Luncheon” on Thursday, January 11, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM at Cimarron Country Club on South Shary Road in Mission.

In announcing Pablos as its first “Buenas Tardes Luncheon” speaker for the year, the Chamber described him as “an economic development expert who understands the importance of leveraging strategic community capacity building for the purposes of attracting investment to Texas. Join us as Secretary Pablos shares with our members, partners and community his expertise in economic development and insight on how to attract more investment to the State of Texas.”

According to Robert Rosell, President and CEO of the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce, “We want to bring speakers who can offer something different to our members. We look people who have a connection to the area or to the border and for speakers who have been successful either at the state or national level.”

In January 2017, Governor Greg Abbott appointed Rolando Pablos Continue -- PG 4

More Runners Expected For McAllen Marathon 2018 It’s a ‘Boston Marathon Qualifier’; Deadline is Friday, January 12th There’s still time to register for one of the runs at the McAllen Marathon on Sunday, January 21, 2018 at the McAllen Convention Center. The McAllen Marathon is hoping to attract runners who are ready to compete in the Boston Marathon. The McAllen Marathon is a fun, fast and flat USATF certified course that can qualify you to live your dream of running in the famed Boston Marathon.

“This year, the McAllen Marathon has a volunteer committee made up of citizens who are passionate about the event and the sport of running,” said Veronica Whitacre, McAllen City Commissioner

District 6. “In 2017, we hosted 1,800 runners with some of them coming from Mexico, Canada and Denmark.”

More competitors, from several states and several countries, have already signed up for 26.2-mile marathon, half-marathon and as legs in the five-person relay-marathon. Organizers say McAllen’s average weather temperature in January is in the 60’s and 70’s, which is good for runners.

The McAllen Parks and Recreation Department added a 10K-Run to encourage runners to participate. There is now a 5K, 10K, and the Kids Marathon Final

Mile run which will occur on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at the McAllen Convention Center. There is also an Expo open on Saturday for packet pick up and for spectators and their friends and family at the McAllen Convention Center Exhibit Hall.

“We understand people train for months to get ready for a marathon and we want to provide a great experience for the runner, visitors and residents in McAllen,” said Mike Hernandez, Director of the McAllen Parks and Recreation Department. “I encourage the community Continue -- PG 8

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Wednesday, January 10, 2018

OPINION

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The GOP Is Sabotaging This Sacred Mandate

By CATHERINE RAMPELL WASHINGTON -- The Founding Fathers must be spinning in their graves.

Not because of cavalier threats about nuclear apocalypse and attempted erosion of First Amendment rights (OK, maybe those things, too). Because our federal government is failing to execute one of its most basic constitutional

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duties: the decennial census.

The decennial census is the country’s largest civilian mobilization. It determines where billions of federal dollars flow each year, and how many congressional and electoral college seats each state gets. The results have enormous influence over the decisions of businesses and local governments, too.

It’s also, yes, mandated by the U.S. Constitution, right there in Article I, Section 2.

Yet despite all the brandishing of pocket Constitutions on the right, the Trump White House and Republican lawmakers are sabotaging this sacred mandate. First they refused to sufficiently fund it. Now they’re taking actions that would severely depress participation.

This raises the prospect that those final, critically important numbers will be -- to use one of our president’s preferred adjectives -- WRONG. You might be thinking: It’s only 2018!

The census is a couple of years off. We have time to get it right.

While the enumeration itself doesn’t happen until 2020, planning begins years in advance. The Census Bureau must try out questions. It must testdrive technologies -- especially important this time around, because for the first time, the questionnaire will be administered primarily online.

The bureau must also figure out which community groups can help with public outreach and what kind of messaging will be most effective in getting people to stand up and be counted.

This last task is especially challenging in an era marked by record distrust of government. (More on that in a bit.)

Already, funding shortfalls and administration disorganization have left these efforts woefully behind.

A scheduled dress rehearsal for the 2020 count was whittled from three sites to one, in Providence County, Rhode Island.

One goal of such tests is to find ways to maximize participation of “hardto-count” populations, such as immigrants, the homeless and households below the poverty line. Because these are largely Democratic constituencies,

Republicans may shrug at the setbacks they’ve created.

But Trump Country is also at risk at being overlooked.

That’s because funding uncertainty forced the Census Bureau to kill its “only opportunities to test, in a real-time, census-like environment, special counting methods for rural areas,” as Vanita Gupta, president of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, explained in recent congressional testimony.

Apparently not content to shortchange funding, the administration is also taking steps that will actively decrease participation.

As ProPublica first reported, the Justice Department recently sent a letter to the Census Bureau asking it to add a new question to the 2020 form. Adding a question -- any question -- this late in the game is risky; there’s no time to field-test how people will respond to it.

But this particular question is unusually hazardous: It’s about citizenship.

The Justice Department claims it needs finely grained citizenship data to enforce the Voting Rights Act, a proposition that every census alumnus and civil rights expert I interviewed rejected.

Whatever the administration’s motives, the main consequence of adding this question is clear: It would spook immigrants (legal or otherwise) and especially Hispanics anxious about how the government might use their data.

In unrelated survey testing last year, respondents fretted about what would happen to information they gave to the Census Bureau. Unprompted, some

mentioned the “Muslim ban,” “discomfort ‘registering’ other household members” and fears that immigration authorities would come after them. Some falsified names and dates of birth.

Those survey respondents were paid, too, suggesting they’d be more likely to cooperate than would the general population.

“The politics have changed everything. Recently,” one field representative explained, according to a Census Bureau memo.

In a statement, the bureau said it was still “evaluating” the Justice Department request. Even if the Census Bureau ultimately leaves this question off the form, though, the reputational damage may already be done. Significant undercounts could distort how dollars and congressional seats are divvied up. Likely (and perhaps not coincidentally) to the advantage of Republicans and their constituencies.

The Constitution requires the decennial census to count all people, not just all citizens. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, whose department oversees the census, seems to truly want to produce a full, accurate, nonpartisan count, not least because the business sector wants one.

But in an era of data trutherism and political tribalism, Republican lawmakers and the rest of the administration appear to have other priorities.

Catherine Rampell’s email address is crampell@washpost.com. Follow her on Twitter, @crampell. (c) 2018, Washington Post Writers Group

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

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Mission Chamber Offers Leadership Game Night For individuals and groups seeking to sharpen their leadership skills, the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Game Night offers a fun, interactive approach to honing their leadership skills. The session is set for Thursday, January 18, from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm.

According to Robert Rosell, President and CEO of the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce, the event is part of the chamber’s services to its members.

“This provides professional development for our chamber members. We want to provide more of these services for our businesses.”

Rosell said attendees are divided into group of 5-6 people and given challenges to complete. This allows the group to determine their individual and group strengths.

“We recommend for our members to bring their top management so that they learn about themselves and then take that knowledge back to the work environment. It’s a good way to enhance the company’s leadership base,” Rosell explained.

The event is being led by Bridgett

and Ryan Krause, who will use the John Maxwell Team Leadership Game. The activity is a challenging experience designed to assist individuals and teams to better understand the core values and principles of healthy leadership.

According to information provided by

the Maxwell organization, “Playing this game with 6-12 of your most influential leaders will bring about positive change through communication and connection and introduce the timeless principles of the kind of leadership that creates great work-place culture and

delivers impactful, positive results.”

Bridgett and Ryan Krause are international trainers, speakers and executive coaches with the John Maxwell Team. Ryan has been a business leader for over 20 years. Bridgett is the founder and CEO of the Dream Big Facility. Together, they bring more than 40 years of executive experience to the table.

John Maxwell is an American author, speaker, and pastor who has written a number of books, primarily focusing on leadership. Titles include “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership” and “The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader.” His books have sold millions of copies, with some on the New York Times “Best Seller List.”

Rosell said the Chamber held the first Leadership Game Night in September of 2017. For 2018, he plans to hold the event once a quarter.

The cost is $10 per person for members and $20 per person for non members and will include light refreshments. RSVP is appreciated at events@ missionchamber.com or 956-240-4047.

VSO Concerts Spring Line Up Brings Something For Everyone

The second half of the Valley Symphony Orchestra Symphonic Visions Season starts with a beat that won’t quit with América, América and follows up with music perfect for Valentine’s Day, Broadway classics and even

Forbidden Pleasures.

América, América starts at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 2. The concert, sponsored by Trudie Elmore Abbott, will take place at the McAllen Performing Arts Center at 801 Convention

Center Blvd. in McAllen.

You won’t want to miss the vibrant and exciting symphonic music from countries like Brazil, Cuba, and Mexico. The guest artist of the evening will be UTRGV Mariachi Atzlán sponsored

by Col. R.T. (Ret.) & Carol Ann Dixon.

Just in time to keep the Valentine’s Day romance going, on Thursday, February 15, Couture Ravel, Chamber Concert II will feature: VSO Concertmaster Geoffrey Wong, violin; Benjamin Ponder, cello; and Daniel Steenken, piano performing. The three artists will perform a trio piece by Maurice Ravel that will captivate you from the very first measure.

The evening will be hosted at the Sky Tower Club at the Chase Bank Tower in McAllen with a reception at 6:30 p.m. and musical program at 7:00 p.m.

Concert V brings the reemergence of Broadway classics and the return of Atlas, Hall & Rodriguez, LLC sponsored guest pianist, Asiya Korepanova, performing Tchaikovsky’s Piano Con-

certo No. 1.

The concert, fitly named Spectacular Broadway and Much More is set for 8:00 p.m. on Friday, March 2 at the McAllen Performing Arts Center. Experience the rush of energy of the best Broadway shows of their time.

The final concert of the season will feature the Valley Symphony Chorale and Rio Bank sponsored guest vocalists soprano Heather Phillips, tenor Brian Yeakley, and bass Lee Poulis, in Forbidden Pleasures of Carmina Burana at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, April 6 at the McAllen Performing Arts Center.

The masterpiece by Carl Orff will stun audiences with the sheer power of over 200 musicians on the stage.

Single tickets for all concerts are currently on sale and range in prices: Orchestra ($58), Front House ($48) and Back House ($38), with Chamber Concert ticket at $50. To get your tickets, visit www.valleyorchestra.org, or visit the McAllen Performing Arts Center box office weekdays from 10AM-5PM.

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Wednesday, January 10, 2018

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Texas Secretary Of State To Speak At Mission Chamber

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Pablos formerly served as a Texas Public Utility Commissioner and then chaired the Texas Racing Commission.

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him to serve on countless nonprofit and governmental boards and commissions.

Secretary Pablos has been instrumental in the success of many community development projects designed to improve quality of life, deliver educational opportunities and help bring prosperity to the people of Texas. Pablos has been described as the “driving force” behind the creation of the San Antonio campus of Hilton College, at which he formerly served as adjunct lecturer of hospitality law.

Pablos grew up in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, and El Paso, Texas. After obtaining a B.A. from St. Mary’s University, Secretary Pablos earned an M.B.A. from the University of Texas at San Antonio College of Business, and an M.H.M. from the University of Houston’s Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel & Restaurant Management. He subsequently earned a J.D. from St. Mary’s University School of Law and has been a member of the State Bar of Texas since 2000.

Mr. Pablos and his wife, Dr. Laura San Martin, live in Austin with their four children: Cristina, David, Mia and Andrea.

The Cimarron Country Club is located at 1200 S. Shary Road. For more information on tickets, call the Chamber at (956)-585-2727 or email at events@ missionchamber.com for tickets, tables, and sponsorship opportunities. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

Tickets are first come, first served. Reservations are limited.

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Wednesday, January 10, 2018

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Edinburg CISD Students Take Top Filmmaker Awards

Edinburg CISD Career and Technical Education’s Audio Video Production Program students pose for a photo with their awards during the CineSol 36 Hour FilmRace awards ceremony in McAllen.

UTRGV Mariachi Aztlán, Ballet Folklórico Celebrate New Year With First 2018 Show The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is kicking off the new year with the pageantry and beauty of the music of Mexico.

The School of Music Patron of the Arts Series is presenting the nationally award-winning Mariachi Aztlán, together with the award-winning Ballet Folklórico, for three performances at the Performing Arts Center on the Edinburg Campus: • 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19 • 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20 • 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21 UTRGV Mariachi Aztlán has captured first place in numerous national competitions and has performed with renowned symphony orchestras and opera companies.

The Ballet Folklórico has enjoyed national recognition with performances at the John F. Kennedy Center for the

UTRGV Mariachi Aztlán

Performance Arts in Washington, D.C., in 2012, 2014 and 2016.

Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the door, or online at UTRGV. edu/Patron of the Arts. Call (956) 6653881 for more information.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) was created by the Texas Legislature in 2013 as the first major public university of the 21st century in Texas. This transformative initiative provided the opportunity to expand educational opportunities in the Rio Grande Valley, including a new School of Medicine, and made it possible for residents of the region to benefit from the Permanent University Fund – a public endowment contributing support to the University of Texas System and other institutions.

UTRGV has campuses and off-campus research and teaching sites throughout the Rio Grande Valley including in Boca Chica Beach, Brownsville (formerly The University of Texas at Brownsville campus), Edinburg (formerly The University of Texas-Pan American campus), Harlingen, McAllen, Port Isabel, Rio Grande City, and South Padre Island.

UTRGV, a comprehensive academic institution, enrolled its first class in the fall of 2015, and the School of Medicine welcomed its first class in the summer of 2016.

Several students from the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District Career and Technical Education’s Audio Video Production Program recently won top honors during the CineSol 36 Hour Film Race, including Best Script and Audience Choice awards.

“The CineSol film race is a great experience for the students,” Audio Video Production teacher Susan Smith said. “It reinforces the film production skills they learn in class and they get feedback from judges who are professionals in the field.”

Edinburg CISD had two teams enter the competition. The Smith Awakens Team

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was comprised mainly of advanced students and the District Fourteen Team the Teenth was comprised mainly of first-year students.

“The Best Script award was won by first-year students,” Smith said. “It was great to have students who love to write recognized for their script writing skills.”

The list of winners from Edinburg CISD included: • Audience Choice: False Face - The Smith Awakens Team • Best Supporting Actor: Robbie Palacios - False Face - The Smith Awakens Team • Best Script: Raquel Pantoga, Gloria Aguilar, Grayson Hernandez - Another Type of Way - District Fourteen Team the Teenth • Best Creepiest Politician: Raquel Pantoga - Another Type of Way - District Fourteen Team the Teenth “The Audience Choice award was a big surprise,” Smith said. “The goal of most movies is to appeal to an audience and it was great for the students to be recognized as the best film by an audience at the film screenings.”

During the 12th annual competition, participants had to produce movies no more than ten minutes long, which were then reviewed and judged by moviemaking professionals.

Don’t Just Throw Away Your Christmas Tree McAllen Recycling Center will turn trees into mulch Out with the old and in with the new.

Valley cities are reaching out to their residents to collect their natural Christmas tree rather than throw them away in the regular brush collection where they will wind up in the Valley’s landfills.

The trees being collected are strictly the natural Christmas trees without any of the decorations and tinsel. Most of these trees will be turned into mulch for use by Valley businesses and homeowners in their landscaping.

The McAllen Recycling Center is assisting residents with their after holiday cleanup by providing two Christmas tree drop-off locations: -Recycling Center located at 4101 N. Bentsen Road, Mon.-Fri. from 8 a.m.4:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 a.m.

– 12 p.m.

-Composting Facility located at 15201 N. 29th Street, Mon.- Fri. from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

McAllen’s Christmas tree drop-off deadline is February 3, 2018. Trees will then be grinded into mulch and available for customers to purchase in March at $2.15 per 2 cubic feet bag.

Edinburg asks its residents to place Christmas trees in front or behind the curb for pick up. Edinburg is only accepting trees free of decorations and tinsel.

Flocked (white) trees should be placed with the regular brush collection.

The City of San Juan’s recycling center will be accepting Christmas trees through Jan. 20th. Trees will be accepted at the San Juan Recycling Center, 323 W. First St., Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon. For more information, call (956) 223-2340.

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Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Code Academy Announces New Training Sessions Code RGV, Inc. this week announced the next series of free events to educate and engage the Rio Grande Valley in the tech industry. The series will cover the first quarter of 2018 for the Code Academy Code Academy presents a chance to focus on one subject at a time to build better knowledge and understanding of a particular concept. Each session will feature a guest speaker who is well-versed in the topic, have hands-on activities, and then break up into groups to socialize and work on projects together.

The Code Academy meets every first and third Thursday of the month. Meetings are held at The Old Church Winery at 700 N Main Street, McAllen, and begin at 7:00 pm.

The topics include: • Bitcoin, Part 2, on January 18 • Using Cryptocurrency to Invest in Cryptocurrency and Lending for Ether Bitcoin and ICOs, on February 1 • Applications Used in Analytics, on

February 15 • Cryptocurrency from a Financial Professionals perspective, on March 1 • How can the startup scene in the RGV avoid many of the social pitfalls experienced by other startup communities around the country, on March 15 Code RGV is a nonprofit that creates tech entrepreneurs and skilled professionals for local jobs by educating, promoting, and certifying professionals.

They strive to promote community participation and collaboration to invigorate creativity, innovation, and the local economy.

Our region’s graduates, startups, and businesses need to be valued and compensated accordingly. At Code RGV, “we continue to work with businesses and municipalities so that their beliefs are aligned with ours: we have high caliber professional individuals and businesses.”

For more information, contact Code RGV at: (956) 410-CODE or email at: info@codergv.org.

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IMAGINE

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WITHOUT

JOINT PAIN

Futuro McAllen To Hold District 1 Candidates Forum Futuro McAllen will hold a Candidates’ Forum for the McAllen District One special election. The forum will be held tomorrow, Thursday, January 11, at the McAllen Public Library Auditorium at the corner of West Nolana Loop and North 23rd Street.

The three announced candidates are Joseph M. Caporusso, Javier Villalobos and Timothy Wilkins. Caporusso is a podiatrist and former McAllen ISD Board member. Villalobos is an attorney and former Hidalgo County Republican Party Chair. Timothy Wilkins is a tax property consultant and real estate broker. All three have confirmed to attend the forum. As in previous forums, each candidate will be given time to make an opening presentation. The meeting will then be opened up for Futuro members to ask questions.

Early voting for the City of McAllen’s special election starts runs through Tuesday, January 16. Election Day will take place Saturday, January 20 from 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. at one polling location, at Gonzalez Elementary, located at 201 Martin Ave.

The City of McAllen purchased new electronic voting machines that will be used for this election during both Early Voting and Election Day. Paper ballots will not be used for this election.

McAllen’s District One runs from East Nolana Loop north and then west across Tenth Street to Monte Cristo Road.

Futuro McAllenis a citizen activist group that has spent almost 20 years advocating for “smart growth” and quality of life issues in McAllen. They have now grown to address regional issues through Futuro RGV. The regional group is committed to bringing information on quality-of-life issues affecting the area, including quality economic growth, educational opportunities, healthy families, safe neighborhoods, green space, culture and the arts.

Futuro RGV will hold a candidates’ forum on Tuesday, January 23, for candidates in the March primaries for the County Judge, District Attorney, County Clerk, and State Rep. District #41 candidates. That forum will be held at the McAllen Convention Center.

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7

Pharr State Of The City Address Set For Jan. 18

McAllen Approves Drainage Utility Fee

By Davis Rankin Starting in March, McAllen residents will begin paying a fee for drainage improvements, with it showing up as a line item on monthly water bills. The fee will range from as low as $1 per month to a high of $75 per month, and what you pay will depend on how much ‘impervious cover’ your property has.

City commissioners passed the fee unanimously at their regular Monday meeting this week. The fee is the fruition of at least two years of work and discussion by staffers and commissioners of city drainage needs. The commission, as of now, is planning to take a drainage bond issue to the voters in May. Staffers think most residents will pay about $1.50 per month. Impervious cover is cement and asphalt.

City engineering staff held two public meetings before Christmas last year at which City Engineer Yvette Barrera explained the city’s drainage plans, and how they were arrived at, as well as explaining how they came up with the fee. About 20 people showed up at the first meeting at the Lark Community Center and only one

person attended the second at Palmview Community Center, and that person is a Mission resident who owns property in McAllen.

In a 2015 opinion survey of McAllen residents, Barrera told commissioners, citizens ranked drainage improvement as one of their top three improvement projects.

Staffers have drawn up a list of 66 projects totaling $46 million, and general fund revenues can’t pay for them all, so staffers came up with several “revenue streams” to pay for the work, she continued.

The funding sources include, according to Barrera, $2.5 million from the city’s Capital Improvement Projects fund, $823 million from Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), various grants of $5.3 million, $7.3 million from a TIRZ (Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone) that includes La Plaza Mall and $11.2 million from the new fee over about five years. Barrera added that their plans include $20.5 million from a planned drainage bond issue.

As passed Monday, the new drainage fee can only be spent on storm water-related projects, and it will be reviewed by commissioners each year at budget time.

Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez The City of Pharr will hold its Second Annual State of the City Address Thursday afternoon, January 18th. In his planned address, Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez will focus on some of the city’s biggest accomplishments over the past year and what is in store for Pharr’s future.

The event will take place at the Pharr Events Center, 1800 N. Cage, Pharr. For tickets and reservations, call (956) 4014332 for more information.

During last year’s event, Mayor Hernandez entered the event with a group of students from the PSJA school district and a marching band leading the way.

He focused on how the city of Pharr is a great place to live, work and play. Mayor Hernandez sounded themes of accountability and transparency, vowing to fight for Pharr residents and their quality of life.

Under Mayor Hernandez’s leadership, the City of Pharr underwent the biggest tax reduction in more than 20 years.

In his speech he pointed out how, together with the Pharr City commission, they gave utility ratepayers their money back. “We did this by identifying excess

funds in our utility account and responsibly gave it back to them.”

Mayor Hernandez also presented former mayor Leopoldo “Polo” Palacios an award, which will be annually bestowed upon an individual who embodies the qualities of service, leadership and pride. The honoree for this year’s award has not been announced.

There were more than 500 individuals in attendance at last year’s event.

Attendees ranged from local, state and federal officials, business and community partners, and educational leaders.

Mayor Hernandez reassured Pharr residents that Pharr is truly moving forward and becoming a progressive city with positive changes in the near future.

“I am proud to announce that the state of our great City of Pharr is financially strong, healthy, and well positioned as a regional leader in the Rio Grande Valley, and we are in a prime position to continue progressing forward.”

Growing up in Pharr, Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez was educated in the PSJA Independent School District’s school system. Dr. Ambrosio “Amos” Hernandez serves as Medical Director of Surgical Services in the RGV - Driscoll Children’s Hospital, Chief Medical Compliance Officer and head of Nursing Education Doctor’s Hospital at Renaissance (DHR), and is a member of the Ronald McDonald House, Border Health PAC, and Advocacy Alliance Center of Texas. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and Chemistry from The University of Texas-Pan American in 1990. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree, from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1995. He did his General Surgery Residency & Master of Medical Science degree at The University of Texas – Medical Branch at Galveston in 2002.

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Wednesday, January 10, 2018

WWW.RGVTIMES.COM

Mario Lopez To Host Edinburg B&G Club Fundraiser

More Runners Expected For McAllen Marathon 2018 From -- PG 1

to participate in many of the activities, either the family events on Saturday, including the Health Expo or just come out and cheer on the runners.”

This is the 5th Annual McAllen Marathon Scott Crane Memorial Run. The marathon was renamed for former City Commissioner Scott C. Crane who died a couple of years ago. Crane was an avid runner and one of its biggest supporters.

“Thanks to our great partnership with the McAllen Independent School District and our media partners The Monitor and Telemundo 40, we are encouraging our young children to start running early, helping them to get healthy and in shape,” said Roel “Roy” Rodriguez, P.E. City Manager for the City of McAllen. “I ran the half-marathon last year, I encouraged City of McAllen employees to sign up and run in the McAllen Marathon in either the 10K, relay marathon, half-marathon or full-marathon.”

Packet pick up is on Saturday, January 20th from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and the Health Expo is also on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the McAllen Convention Center. If you’re running on Sunday, you have two chances to pick up your packet either during the Health Expo on Satur-

day or Sunday before the race at 5:30 a.m. The marathon will start at McAllen Convention Center.

Race organizers call the race courses flat and fast with a South Texas breeze on asphalt routes that will cut through the city. There will be entertainment in a couple of stops on the course. There will be several water stations manned by volunteers and cheer teams to support the runners throughout the course.

Runners can still register until Friday, January 12th at the www.mcallenmarathon.com and if you have any questions, please call McAllen Parks and Recreation at 956-681-3333.

The 11th Annual “Steak” In Your Community fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Edinburg RGV will feature television personality Mario Lopez as the host.

The event will take place Saturday, January 13, at the Boys and Girls Club of Edinburg RGV, at 702 Cullen Street, Edinburg.

“The gymnasium will be transformed into cowboy heaven, so pull on your best jeans, throw on your hat, step into your boots, get here by any means and Cowboy Up For Kids, Buckaroo!” Marissa Castañeda, Honorary Chair and Chief Operations Officer, Senior Executive Vice President at Doctors Hospital at Renaissance, said in inviting businesses and the community to join in the annual fundraising event.

“An expected five hundred business and civic leaders will be having some fun mixin’ and some fixin’s as we kick up our heels because we are making a big deal for our special guest, television host and actor, Mario Lopez,” Castaneda added.”

Host of “ExtraTV” and the nationally syndicated radio show ‘On With Mario,’ Mario Lopez Jr. has appeared on several television series, in films, and on Broad-

way. He is known for his portrayal of A.C. Slater on “Saved by the Bell,” whom he also portrayed as a regular on “Saved by the Bell: The College Years.” He has appeared in numerous projects since, including the third season of Dancing with the Stars. He has also hosted America’s Best Dance Crew for MTV. In 2012, he co-hosted the second season of American version of The X Factor with Khloé Kardashian-Odom, and was the sole host for the third and final season.

The Youth of the Year will be named at this event. Most importantly, the evening will raise much-needed funds through the live auctions, bonanza boards, treasure trough and Save-the-Date Card Raffle to support the academic success, healthy lifestyles, and character and civic engagement programs.

Table sponsorships are still available.

Contact the Edinburg Boys and Girls Club at 956) 383-2582.

Sponsors include Doctors Hospital at Renaissance, KRGV5 News, the Greater Texas Federal Credit Union, Magic Valley Electric Cooperative, Gateway Printing and Jones & Cook Stationers.

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Wednesday, January 10, 2018

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CATERING GET READY FOR THE

JANUARY 12

Adult Worship Vocals Class: Fri 7 PM

(Musical Living Academy, McAllen) Join us for an evening of Q & A about our Adult Worship Vocals Class! This past semester we opened up a worship vocals class for teens and had several calls from adults asking if we would offer this class for adults.

Because of that, we’d like to have an evening of Q & A where you can come in and meet the instructor as well as see how can benefit from this class.

JANUARY 13

Basic Nutrition for Health Certification - Sat 9 AM

(Rio Grande Valley Diabetes Association · Edinburg) A nutrition course for everyone! It will help you understand how to choose good food, distribute macros, and practice clean eating for health & weight management. The instructor has over 15 years in the nutrition field and has a bachelor’s in Nutrition and a Sports Nutrition Diploma from the International Olympic Committee. Register to change your life and relationship with food today!

Ultimate Grapefruit Pie Baking Showdown - Sat 9 AM

(Mission Community Center, Mission) Email nydalonzo14@sbcglobal.net for guidelines and registration details.

Winners will be announced during the Texas Citrus Fiesta’s Product Costume Show.

Lakewood RV Car Show & Shine - Sat 10 AM

(Lakewood RV Park in Harlingen) Join the AACA RGV at Lakewood Rv Park as we bring back this popular Winter car show. Registration 8am10am and car show is from 10am to 2pm. No entry fee to show a car or to

de la Casa

Serving Authentic Mexican Food Since 1983

attend the show. Prizes to be raffled off as well as a 50/50 raffle. Location is Lakewood Rv Park, 4525 Graham Road in Harlingen.

Benefits of Aloe Vera - Sat 11 AM

(McAllen Nature Center) Join us for an informative program about the uses and benefits of Aloe Vera. Following the program, guests will have an opportunity to take a plant home (Limit one per person). In the event of rain or extreme temperatures, the program will be cancelled and the site will be closed. Admission is a $1/ person suggested donation. Public programs are provided free of charge. change your life and relationship with food today!

Longest Causeway Run & Fitness Walk - Sat 9 AM

(Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce, Port Isabel) Scheduled for the 13th of January, 2018, the 34th Annual promises to be even bigger and better. This year’s event will also follow the 6.2 mile (10K) course starting at the Port Isabel Community Center, continuing on to the Queen Isabella Causeway and over the Laguna Madre Bay and ending in front of Louie’s Backyard on South Padre Island. Awards ceremonies and lunch will be held immediately following the race/walk at Louie’s Backyard on South Padre Island.

JANUARY 14

Sunset Meditation - Sun 5 PM

(McAllen Nature Center) We all work more efficiently with a clear mind.

In this meditation program we will explore simple techniques to reduce stress and increase well-being. Bring a yoga mat if desired. This program is provided FREE of charge! Site admission is $1/person suggested donation.

TO HAVE YOUR EVENT LISTED IN OUR WEEKEND LISTING, PLEASE EMAIL TO EDITOR@RGVTIMES.COM

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