The Valley Times – October 18, 2017

VOL. I, NO. 12

South Texas Delegation Members Gain Stature In Texas Legislature While the regular Texas legislative session ended in May, members of the South Texas delegation are looking forward to the next session in 2017 as Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa and Rep. Oscar Longoria received appointments to key committees.

Last week, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick appointed Senator Hinojosa to the Joint Interim Committee to Study State Judicial Salaries. The committee is charged with studying the creation of a formula to calculate state judicial salaries.

“Thank you to Lt. Governor Patrick for appointing me to the Joint Interim Committee to Study State Judicial Salaries. Our judiciary is an equal branch of government, yet our judges are underpaid for the significant responsibilities they hold,” Hinojosa said.

“We continue to lose very experienced, responsible, and qualified judges to the private sector because of low pay. These judges make important decisions that impact our lives and result in serious consequences. This issue needs a long-term resolution and we must develop a plan that fairly calculates state judicial salaries and adequately reflects the significant responsibilities our judges carry out each day.”

Other members of the committee include: Sen. Joan Huffman (Co-chair), Sen. Brian Birdwell, Sen. Sylvia Garcia, and Sen. Bryan Hughes.

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2017

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DHR Launches Clinical Trial to Test Zika Vaccine

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Weslaco Chamber to Host Annual Luncheon and Awards November 1

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Quinta Mazatlan Celebrates 3rd Annual “Planta Nativa” Party

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‘US Citrus’ Drives Innovation in Citrus Industry

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Wednesday, October 18, 2017

OPINION

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THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT HAS BECOME A TRIBE OF SYCOPHANTS

By MICHAEL GERSON At the Family Research Council’s recent Values Voter Summit, the religious right effectively declared its conversion to Trumpism.

The president was received as a hero.

Steve Bannon and Sebastian Gorka -- both fired from the White House, in part, for their extremism -- set the tone and agenda. “There is a time and season

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for everything,” said Bannon. “And right now, it’s a season for war against a GOP establishment.”

A time to live and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to uproot. A time to mourn and a time to embrace angry ethnonationalism and racial demagoguery.

Yes, a time to mourn.

There is no group in America less attached to its own ideals or more eager for its own exploitation than religious conservatives. Forget Augustine and Aquinas, Wilberforce and Shaftesbury.

For many years, leaders of the religious right exactly conformed Christian social teaching to the contours of Fox News evening programming. Now, according to Bannon, “economic nationalism” is the “centerpiece of value voters.” I had thought the centerpiece was a vision of human dignity rooted in faith. But never mind. Evidently the Christian approach to social justice is miraculously identical to 1930s Republican protectionism, isolationism and nativism.

Do religious right leaders have any clue how foolish they appear? Rather than confidently and persistently representing a set of distinctive beliefs, they pant and beg to be a part of someone else’s movement. In this case, it is a movement that takes advantage of racial and ethnic divisions and dehumanizes Muslims, migrants and refugees.

A movement that has cultivated ties to alt-right leaders and flirted with white identity politics. A movement that will eventually soil and discredit all who are associated with it.

The religious right is making itself a pitiful appendage to this squalid agenda. If Christian conservatives are loyal enough, Bannon promises that they can be “the folks who saved the Judeo-Christian West.” All that is required is to abandon the best of the Judeo-Christian tradition: a belief in the inherent value and dignity of every life.

This belief in human dignity leads to a certain moral and political logic. It means that the primary mission of Christians in public life is not to secure their

own interests or to defend their own identity. It is to seek a society in which every person can flourish. This is the definition of the common good -- which is not truly common unless it includes the suffering and powerless.

The common good is a neglected topic in our politics. It is not identical to market forces, or to legal rules that maximize individual autonomy. It is the result

with loyal acceptance of his priorities.

The prophets have become clients. The priests have become acolytes.

It is possible for Christian conservatives to support the appointment of conservative judges without becoming a tribe of apologists and sycophants. It is possible to selectively endorse elements of the administration’s agenda without becoming Bannon’s foot soldiers.

A time to live and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to uproot. A time to mourn and a time to embrace angry ethnonationalism and racial demagoguery. Yes, a time to mourn. of prudent public and private choices that strengthen community -- the seedbed of human flourishing -- and ensure the weak are valued and protected. The idea of the common good emerged from religious sources, but provides a broad, political common ground.

If there is a single reason that Republican health care reform has failed, it is because party leaders could not make a credible case that the common good was being served. Even if individual elements of the various plans were rational, they did not add up to a more just, generous and inclusive society.

Who would now identify conservative Christian political engagement with the pursuit of the common good? Rather, the religious right is an interest group seeking preference and advancement from a strongman -- and rewarding him

There is more at stake here than bad politics. When Christians ally their faith with bias and exclusion, they are influencing how the public views Christianity itself. They are associating the teachings of Jesus Christ -- a globalist when it came to the Great Commission -- with ethnonationalist ideology. This should be a sobering prospect for any Christian.

But few seem sobered. Instead, the faithful give standing ovations to the purveyors of division and prejudice.

When anyone or anything takes priority over the faith, there is a good, strong religious word for it: idolatry. And the word is unavoidable, as religious conservatives carry their golden calf into Bannon’s battles.

Michael Gerson’s email address is michaelgerson@washpost.com. (c) 2017, Washington Post Writers Group

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Doctors Hospital Challenges Perceptions By Landing Zika Vaccine Clinical Trial

For decades, South Tex- tions and experience of our include at least two others in veloped the NIAID Zika virus gently needed to prevent the as was ignored when critical doctors, research staff, phar- Texas and others in several re- investigational DNA vaccine. often-devastating birth defects medical research was being macists, labs, and other key gions of the country. This is the It entered early-stage human that can result from Zika virus developed and tested. That departments. They wanted to second phase of clinical trials. testing in 2016 following ex- infection during pregnancy. changed in a major way with know that we had the ability The first phase was done on tensive testing in animal mod- Evidence also is accumulating an announcement last week and capacity to run such an a small number of volunteers els. Initial findings indicate that Zika can cause a variety of health problems in that Doctors Hospital important reand focused the vaccine is at Renaissance will be adults as well. This search projmore on how safe and able trial marks a signifone of a small number ect.” test subjects to induce a icant milestone in of locations selected The Prinreacted to neutralizour efforts to develop to run a clinical trial cipal Investithe vaccine. ing antibody countermeasures for of a potential vaccine gator for the The second response for the Zika virus a pandemic in progtrial is Dr. phase inagainst Zika ress.”

According to Dr. Luis Alberto cludes simivirus.

The Principal Dr. Ricardo Dr. Patrick Dr. Dynio Lisa Trevino, vice Once the clinical Rosas, MD. lar issues and Phase 2/2b Investigator Garcia Noonan Honrubia trial is completed, the president of Research Sub-Investialso looks at trial aims to Dr. Luis A. and Development at gators are Drs. Ricar- how well it protects against gain more safety and immune results will be reviewed and Rosas DHR, the selection of do Garcia, MD, Pat- infection from the Zika virus. response data and determine if the NIH will determine whethDHR for the clinical trial rep- rick Noonan, MD, and Dynio The Research Institute at this immune response protects er the vaccine merits further resents a tremendous honor Honrubia, MD. Renaissance is made up of a against disease caused by nat- study and clinical trials. Those future trials may or may not be and step forward for the HosThe review teams also looked group of professionals of ex- ural Zika infection. pital and region. at the Hospital’s policies and cellent academic level and vast “We are pleased to have ad- done in South Texas. Howev“We had to go through a lot procedures and the Hospital’s experience in research studies vanced rapidly one of NIAID’s er, a successful completion of of review and testing to be se- infrastructure. “They want- under the direction of Lisa Tre- experimental Zika vaccines this clinical trial will position lected for this type of clinical ed to be sure we could deliv- vino, PhD and other physicians into this next stage of testing the Hospital to submit applicatrial,” Trevino explained. “We er the quality data they need at DHR. in volunteers. We expect this tions for future trials for a Zika had to submit quite a lot of when reviewing a vaccine for The clinical trial will take study will yield valuable in- vaccine as well as other treatdocumentation with our orig- approval. This involved sever- 92 weeks, almost two years. sight into the vaccine’s safety ments for other diseases. This inal application to participate al months of review and visits During that time, the DHR re- and ability to prevent disease type of successful research in the clinical trial. After that, from experts,” Trevino said. search team follow up with the caused by Zika infection,” can possibly fuel the region’s said NIAID Director Antho- growth and a research center they came to visit and inspect DHR is among several sites test subjects, the Hospital, our research fa- across the country taking part Scientists at NIAID’s Vaccine ny S. Fauci, M.D. “A safe and in other fields, as well. cilities, review the qualifica- in the clinical trials. Other sites Research Center (VRC) de- effective Zika vaccine is ur-

DHR Launches Clinical Trial to Test Zika Vaccine

The vaccines will be administered intramuscularly with a PharmaJet needle-free injector. The device uses pressure to push the vaccine fluid into the arm or thigh muscle.

Even as South Texas health officials gear up to fight an expected increase in mosquitos after recent rains to combat the threat of Zika, Doctors Hospital at Renaissance will join the fight against Zika through a national clinical trial of a potential vaccine to the virus.

As part of the research project, the Research Institute at Doctors Hospital at Renaissance Health System (DHR) is recruiting healthy people between the ages of 15 and 35 years to participate in a clinical trial in which they might receive an experimental vaccine against the Zika Virus.

The effects of the vaccine on a developing fetus are unknown, and therefore women who are pregnant or plan to

become pregnant will not be eligible for the trial. Women who participate in the trial will undergo pregnancy prevention counseling and will be asked to use an effective form of birth control leading up to and during the trial. If a woman does become pregnant during the trial, she will be removed from the product administration schedule but may be asked to return for some follow-up visits and blood draws.

The Zika vaccine does not contain live or inactivate Zika virus therefore does not contain infectious material and cannot cause Zika infection.

Initial findings indicate the vaccine is safe and able to induce a neutralizing antibody response against the Zika virus.

A key goal of the trial at DHR is to determine if the vaccine can effectively prevent disease caused by Zika infection. This research is sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

A Zika vaccine is urgently needed to prevent the often-devastating birth defects that can result from Zika virus infection during pregnancy. It could also prevent symptoms of the disease such as: low fever with rash, pain in the joints or conjunctivitis. The infection is spread through the Aedes aegypti mosquito, or through sexual contact. There are no specific treatments or vaccines against Zika virus yet. From

2007 to 2016, the virus spread to the east, across the Pacific Ocean to the Americas.

The vaccines will be administered intramuscularly with a PharmaJet needle-free injector.

The device uses pressure to push the vaccine fluid into the arm or thigh muscle.

DHR staff have already started recruiting volunteers for the clinical trial. The trial is expected to take almost two years to complete. Volunteers will be provided with medical screenings and a small monetary compensation for their time and participation.

Individuals wishing to participate in the study may call 956-362-2380 for more information or visit the website at www.dhr-rgv.com.

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Honorees at last year’s Weslaco Chamber Annual Luncheon included: Man of the Year – Richard Lehman; Woman of the Year – Anabel Cardona; Lifetime Achievement Award Pablo G. Pena; Business of the Year – Lowe’s Home Improvement; Volunteer of the Year – Sulema Cuellar; Board Member of the Year – Kevin Bloomquist; Retiring board members Jeff Walker, Walker Realty and Ruben Cardenas, State Farm Insurance and outgoing Board Chair, Melissa Neuhaus, Neuhaus & Co. This year’s luncheon will be held Wednesday, November 1, 2017 at Knapp Conference Center.

Weslaco Chamber To Host Annual Luncheon and Awards November 1 The Weslaco Chamber of Commerce will host its Annual Membership and Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, November 1 at the Knapp Medical Conference Center at 11 a.m. The highlight of the evening will be announcement of the Woman and Man of the Year honors.

Area businesses and residents can buy their $25 per person tickets, and reservations with payment can be made by calling the Weslaco Chamber at 968-2102. Reservations need to be made by Friday, October 27. Table sponsorships are available.

The Weslaco Chamber will be presenting four major awards at the luncheon – Man, Woman and Business of the Year, and the Lifetime Achievement Award. Board Member of the Year and Volunteer of the Year will be presented also. Nomination forms for all four major awards can be found online at: www.weslaco.com.

Incoming board members for the Weslaco Chamber of Commerce will be recognized, as well as retiring board members. This year, Troy Gearhart, Texas Regional Bank, Corinna Humphreys, Weslaco Regional Rehabilitation Hospital, and Ruben Villanueva, Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites have been elected to their first term.

Retiring board members include Mary Arce, Melissa Neuhaus, Neuhaus & Co. and Sue Peterson, Weslaco ISD. For reservations and additional info, call 956-968-2102. Knapp Conference Center is located at 700 Knapp Medical Blvd. in Weslaco.

The Weslaco Chamber of Commerce works for the development and voice of business success in the Weslaco area by providing opportunities for businesses and individuals who invest in the community. Located in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley, Weslaco is home to three exceptional nature parks, a historic downtown and a rich culture.

The Weslaco Area Chamber of Commerce was established in 1935. It is a business organization consisting of local businesses, organizations, professionals and individuals. The Chamber is not a civic club, charitable organization or department of government. It is a private, nonprofit entity.

The strength of the Chamber lies in attracting the greatest number of members, creating a pool of resources for ideas, energy and finances. It is a coalition committed to building a healthy economy and improving the quality of life within the local community.

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Quinta Mazatlan Celebrates 3rd Annual ‘Planta Nativa” Party

With balmy weather forecast for to- student science poster presentations morrow night, Quinta Mazatlan will on display. UTRGV recently established celebrate the 3rd annual Planta Nativa a research and teaching program in Party on Thursday, October 19, from Agroecology. Agroecology is the study 6:30 to 9:30 pm at the urban sanctuary of ecological processes that operate in in McAllen. The evening works production systems. A deep to celebrate the Valley’s natural understanding of the ecologand cultural history. ical implications of the ways Tickets are available for $25 we produce our food, fuel, and per person in advance. For tickfiber is required to effectively et and other information, call manage these systems in ways (956) 631-3370 or visit the that are more environmentally Dr. Douglas website at: www.quintamazatsustainable. The Agroecology W. Tallamy lan.com. program at UTRGV combines Award-winning author Dr. Douglas student-centered research, education, W. Tallamy of “Bringing Nature home” and community engagement in various will have a live presentation on the projects to address locally relevant islarge outdoor LED screen and will also sues that affect agroecosystems in South be signing books afterwards. Tallamy is Texas, including in sustainable agriculprofessor and chair of the department ture, community supported agriculture, of entomology and wildlife ecology at urban forestry, and sustainable food systhe University of Delaware in Newark, tems.

Delaware, where he has taught insect The focus of the event will be the Nataxonomy, behavioral ecology, and other tive Plant Sale. On hand will be Mike subjects. Chief among his research goals Heep, from Heeps Nursery in Harlingen, is to better understand the many ways James Lovegren, from L&L Growers of insects interact with plants and how San Benito, and Betty Perez, from Perez such interactions determine the diversi- Ranch Nursery in Penitas. They will over ty of animal communities. a wide variety of native plants for sale In his critically acclaimed book, Tal- and will be on hand to explain the imlamy eloquently weaves science and portance of native plants and how to use passion to explain the unbreakable link them in landscaping. between native plant species and native The Marcel Adjibi & Group Native wildlife. As he points out, most native Drum Ensemble will perform for the atinsects cannot, or will not, eat alien tendees. The Parula Winds Woodwind plants. When native plant species dis- Quintet will also perform during the appear, or are replaced by alien exotics, event. the insects disappear, thus impoverishPresenting sponsors for this annual ing the food source of birds and other event at Texas Regional Bank, the Naanimals. In many parts of the world, tive Plant Project, Perez Ranch Nursery habitat destruction has been so exten- and the Valley Garden Center. sive that local wildlife populations are Quinta Mazatlan is the McAllen Wing in crisis and may well be headed toward of the World Birding Center under the extinction. stewardship of the City of McAllen. Its Food and entertainment will be mission is to preserve the 1930s adobe on hand. The amazing local brewers estate and the native plants and animals from Big River Brewery in Pharr, Rab- of the Rio Grande Valley, by providing a ble-Rouser Brewing Company in McAl- sanctuary for environmental education, len and Border Brewers in Weslaco eco-tourism and inspiration to people of will have their best brews on tap for all ages. the event. Chef Nancy Melham, from Greens & Lemons, will have her healthy, delicious Mediterranean specialties on hand. Lebby Salinas and her Home Bakers Market will offer a wide variety of specialty healthy desserts. Luis Heffner and The Art Agency will feature several Valley artists in the Art Walk and Sale.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Agroecology Program will have

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Wednesday, October 18, 2017

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Texas Finally Marks The Matanza (Massacre) of 1915

hung them rather than take them to jail.

The Rangers left the bodies hanging out in the open for months. “Several weeks later, on October 19, after a dramatic attack derailed a passenger train heading north On a fateful day in September 1915, a from Brownsville, Rangers detained ten group of Texas Rangers spotted two rid- ethnic Mexicans nearby, quickly hanging ers in the South Texas brush along a road four and shooting four others. Cameron near Edinburg. Without warning, Ranger County sheriff W.T. Vann blamed Ranger Captain Henry Ransom shot two Mexican Captain Henry Ransom for the killings.

Americans in the back, Jesus Bazan and Vann took two suspected men from RanAntonio Longoria, Bazan’s son-in-law, as som and placed them into his custody and likely saved their lives. Both proved they rode not far from their ranch.

The men were not wanted criminals to be innocent of any involvement.”

In his 2003 book, “Revolution in Texand had not been accused of any crimes.

Still, the Rangers suspected they sym- as: How a Forgotten Rebellion and Its pathized with Mexican bandits. It was Bloody Suppression Turned Mexicans during a time when bandits from south of into Americans,” Dr. Benjamin Johnson, the river had been raiding local ranches. assistant professor of environmental hisThe bodies were left where they fell. The tory at Loyola University, tells one story Rangers did not bother to find out who about a Mexican teenager killed only moments after arriving by train at Mercedes. they were or to tell relatives.

The story might have been forgotten A group of Rangers were on the lookout there had it not been for Roland War- for a suspected bandit shot in the hand in nock, a young ranch hand at the time a recent raid. The teenager wore an arm sling because of a hand who witnessed the killtumor. The Rangers aring and helped bury the rested the teenager on bodies of his neighbors. sight, only to be shot He later recorded an dead several minutes oral history of the event. later.

Kirby Warnock, Roland’s That dark period was grandson, eventually finally acknowledged used that first-witness with the unveiling of a story as part of his 2004 state historical marker documentary, “Border this past Saturday, OctoBandits.” The film tells ber 14. The marker is at the story that has been the I-2 Southbound Exit largely left out of Tex16, Parking/Rest Area as history books about between the San Benito a violent – often only Antonio Longoria, undated and Los Fresnos exits. whispered about – time photo, courtesy Refusing “I reminded the good in South Texas when To Forget Project. people of Texas that alscores of innocent Mexicans and Mexican-Americans died in most 100 years ago, citizens of the Lone what has been called The Matanza (Mas- Star State in the Valley faced discrimination so extreme that it cost hundreds of sacre) of 1915.

“There were so many innocent people people their lives, and Rep. José Tomás killed in that mess that it just made you Canales (1877–1976), my grand uncle, sick to your heart to see it happening,” with the support of the Texas Legislature, Roland Warnock said in a recording his took action to put a stop to such atrocigrandson made in 1974 for Baylor Uni- ties in the name of the law,” Rep. Terry versity’s oral history project. “If those Canales recalled. Canales represents Texranchers caught a Mexican with a bunch as House District 40 in central Hidalgo of cattle, they didn’t ask him where he County. Canales was the only Mexican got them, they killed him. A man’s life American in the Texas Legislature in 1919. just wasn’t worth much at all.”

According to the Texas Historical State There were many other incidents. According to the Refusing To Forget Proj- Association, José Tomás Canales “stood ect, on September 28, 1915, Rangers out as the only prominent local Democaptured about 12 raiders and promptly crat to call for an end to Texas Ranger

Atrocities by Texas Rangers and Vigilantes Terrorized South Texas 100 Years Ago

STORIES

This archival photo from the early 1900s shows Texas Rangers with the lassoed bodies of men they had shot. Theoriginal caption said “dead bandits.”

and vigilante oppression of the Hispanic from Texas, have built a website, Refuspopulation of the lower Rio Grande Val- ingtoForget.com, to document this period ley. His most dramatic maneuver came on of history and make it accessible to the January 31, 1918, when he filed nineteen public. The scholars’ efforts are paying charges against the Texas Rangers and off. Thanks to their lobbying and help demanded a legislative investigation and from Rep. Canales, the Bob Bullock Texas the reorganization of the force.”

State History Museum opened an exhibit Later that year Ranger Frank in January about the era, inHamer threatened the legislacluding the killings. tor because of his criticism of “We cover all of the stories of the force. Canales would often Texas, and this is one of them,” have to travel to the hearings said Margaret Koch, the musesurrounded by friends and um’s director of exhibits. “It’s supporters because they feared important to tell this story.” for this life.

The exhibit at the Bob Bull“Rep. José Tomás Canales ock State History Museum in faced numerous threats of viAustin called “Life and Death olence and greatly endangered on the Border, 1912 to 1920,” himself and his family to speak Rep. Jose T. Canales, received great critical acclaim out against these tragedies,” official photo for the and drew record numbers of said Curtis Smith, Canales’ 29th Texas Legislative visitors to the Museum. The Session, 1905.

Chief-of-Staff, who has been exhibit also documents other working with Rep. Canales and a group tragedies, such as the Porvenir Massacare of historians for about four years seeking in Presidio County, Texas in the Big Bend an official State of Texas acknowledge- area. In that case, 15 Mexicans working ment of The Matanza (Massacre) of 1915. at a ranch were killed by Texas Rang“Because these Texas legislative hearings ers and local ranchers days after a raid (in 1919) reflected so poorly on the state, by Mexican bandits. U. S. Army soldiers copies of the hearing transcript were not accompanied the Rangers; however, it is made accessible to the public until the unclear whether the soldiers participated 1970s,” Smith noted. in the killing. Later investigations, includFrom 1915 to 1919, scholars say, the ing Canales’ hearings, determined that Rangers and vigilantes killed hundreds, the Rangers covered up the mass killing. possibly thousands, of Mexicans and TeThe highly successful Bob Bullock Texjanos in South Texas. Some victims were as State History Museum exhibit was a bandits or Mexican revolutionaries trying test run for an exhibit the historians hope to stir up trouble. But many were like Ba- to bring throughout the border areas. zan and Longoria — people caught in the They are actively fundraising to bring the crossfire. exhibit to the Rio Grande Valley.

A group of scholars, including four David Diaz contributed to this article.

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

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‘The Sand Sheet’ Captures The Beauty, Harshness Of South Texas Longoria To Discuss His Book at MOSTHistory Sunday Speaker Series

The Museum of South Texas History welcomes historic naturalist Arturo Longoria for a book signing and presentation of “The Sand Sheet” on Sunday, Oct. 22 at 2 p.m.

Joining the presentation is Victoria Cappadona, from the Cappadona Ranch.

Attendees will be able to sample their Cappadona Ranch mesquite bean products, including roasted-mesquite bean coffee and mesquite bean jellies. Longoria’s book and Cappadona Ranch products will be available for purchase at the Museum Store.

More than two million acres of sand, born and blown from an ancient sea beginning about ten thousand years ago, stretch across eight counties in deep South Texas. Known as the Coastal Sand Plain, the Texas Coastal Sand Sheet, or just the Sand Sheet, it is a region of few people and little rainfall. Among the dunes and dry, brown flats, only the hardiest shrubs and grasses provide habitat for the coyotes, quail and rattlesnakes that live here.

Longoria, whose cabin sits amid the sand scrub and desert motts of granjeno, brasil and mesquite, knows this land intimately.

A student of bushcraft and natural history, Longoria found refuge in this remote and hostile country as he recovered from a rare illness. He weaves a story of beauty and survival in a land where the vastness of Texas’ storied ranches and rich oil fields serves as the backdrop for a steady migration of long distance “travelers,” who cross over the border and into “el desierto” at great peril.

“The Sand Sheet” is about a harsh and dangerous landscape that has nonetheless given sustenance and solace to a writer for whom the Sand Sheet became both his home and his inspiration.

Longoria is a writer and former journalist and teacher. He is the author of two award-winning books of non-fiction, “Adios to the Brushlands” and “Keepers of the Wilderness,” also published by Texas A&M University Press. Cappadona Ranch is locally run by the Cappadonna family in Linn, Texas, who use natural products from South Texas.

Sunday Speakers Series is included in the fee for regular museum admission.

South Texas Delegation Members Gain Stature In Texas Legislature From Pg. 1 Rep. Longoria was appointed to serve as Vice-Chairman of the newly formed Subcommittee on Disaster Impact and Recovery, which is part of the 27-member House Committee on Appropriations.

House Speaker Joe Straus appointed the subcommittee to review how the federal and state governments are helping the victims of Hurricane Harvey.

In heeding the call of the Speaker of the House, the House Committee Sen. Juan on Appropriations “Chuy” Hinojosa promptly held its first public meeting, which took place on Monday, October 2, 2017 in Houston. “We were able to hear firsthand from state agencies on their response efforts, and from local community leaders and stakeholders who have been directly affected

by Hurricane Harvey,” said Longoria.

Sen. Hinojosa represents the counties of Nueces, Jim Wells, Brooks, and Hidalgo (part). He currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, and serves on the Senate Committees on Natural Resources & Economic Development; Transportation; Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs as well as the Sunset Advisory Commission.

Longoria serves as Vice-Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations. He represents House District 35, which Rep. Oscar covers portions of Longoria Hidalgo County and Cameron County, and includes all or portions of La Joya, Sullivan City, Peñitas, Alton, Mission, Hargill, Monte Alto, Edcouch, La Villa, Mercedes, Weslaco, Santa Rosa, Primera, Palm Valley, Combes, Harlingen, and La Feria.

FRIENDS of the Museum are admitted free as a benefit of FRIENDship.

This program is made possible with generous support from the Carmen C. Guerra Endowment. Mrs. Guerra was deeply committed to supporting educational opportunities in the Rio Grande Valley. This named endowment was created at the museum

by her family to honor her memory and to continue her commitment to providing opportunities for education to the community.

The Museum of South Texas History is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. It is located in downtown Edinburg at 200 North Closner Boulevard on the Hidalgo County Courthouse square. Hours of operation are from 1 p.m.–5 p.m. Sunday and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday.

Founded in 1967 as the Hidalgo County Historical Museum in the 1910 Hidalgo County Jail, the museum has grown over the decades through a series of expansions to occupy a full city block. In 2003 following the completion of a 22,500 square foot expansion, the museum was renamed the Museum of South Texas History to better reflect its regional scope.

Today, the museum preserves and presents the borderland heritage of South Texas and Northeastern Mexico through its permanent collection and the Margaret H. McAllen Memorial Archives and exhibits spanning prehistory through the 20th century. For more information about MOSTHistory, including becoming a Friend, visit: www.MOSTHistory.org or call (956) 383-6911.

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Wednesday, October 18, 2017

WWW.RGVTIMES.COM

‘US Citrus’ Drives Innovation In Citrus Industry Through Micro-Budding You may not know it, but an innova- Skaria and Dr. Cheri Abraham, an ention through micro-budding is showing tomologist and the Operations Managsigns of revitalizing the citrus industry er, have more than 60 years combined in South Texas. You can find it in Hargill, academic and industry experience. about ten miles north of Edinburg in an They bring this depth of experience and orchard with short, densely packed cit- knowledge to US Citrus. Before launchrus trees, mostly limes, that seem oddly ing US Citrus, Dr. Skaria worked at the out of place in South Texas where large, Texas A&M University-Kingsville Citrus widely spaced citrus orchards are com- Center in Weslaco for 25 years and at monplace.

Washington State University where he Dr. Mani Skaria, a plant pathologist witnessed the high-density planting opand the Founder and CEO of US Citrus, erations. is driving the revolution with his all-natUS Citrus has two operations, the ural, fast-growing citrus, made possible nursery where they grow more than through Micro-budding, a novel, propri- 130 different varieties of citrus, and the etary grafting innovation. Dr. Skaria de- orchards where they grow mostly limes veloped the method approximately two for food suppliers in the country. US and a half decades ago after Citrus nursery citrus trees many years of research. are certified and regulated “I was a plant patholoby the Texas Department gist, someone who looks at of Agriculture and the U.S. the diseases and insects that Department of Agriculture. damage crops. I saw that the They are safe to ship anyway the industry was going, where. especially down here, was “We strictly control evnot good. Many growers erything that goes on in our were going out of business nursery. All of our root stock because of hurricanes, freezis grown in a controlled enes, droughts, disease and vironment with filtered wathe cost of operations going This unusual citrus is ter with a precise mix of nuup. So, I thought, why not the Fingered Citron, trients. We do not use any commonly called look at changing the way herbicides,” Dr. Skaria exBuddha’s Hand. the entire operation works.” plained. “Our products are The work he did in South Citron originated in also non-GMO (genetically Texas was modeled on work northeast India and modified organism).’

China. Mandarins, he did with apple growers in The nursery is under Citrons and Pummethe state of Washington. lock and key, with entrance los are the parents of “The key was changing all members of the strictly controlled. Inside, how the trees are develthe large number of varietCitrus family. oped. All citrus is grown ies of limes and other citthe same way. A seed is planted and rus are on display. Within the nursery, then the nursery has to wait about nine there are what seems like endless rows months before they can graft the right of tables of growing citrus plants. They fruit-bearing variety they want. Then are tightly packed in small growing conthey have wait up to 18 months before tainers just a few inches wide and about they can plant that in an orchard. The a foot deep. Because micro-budding algrower then has to wait another three lows US Citrus to develop its plants at years before they expect their first har- an earlier stage, the plants can be grown vest,” Dr. Skaria explained. in small tubular containers, saving on Using his proprietary Micro-budded water, space, nutrients and other costs.

“Our citrus trees are more like bushes system, Skaria says it only takes about six months after a business decision has but they fruit a lot more and earlier in been made to plant new orchards. Mi- their life cycle,” Dr. Skaria said. “They cro- budded citrus produces fruit within only need to grow to around ten feet, two years of seed, instead of five years which makes it easier, faster and safer to pick because workers don’t have to be as traditionally grafted citrus do.

In 2016, Dr. Skaria was honored with carrying around ladders.”

Because of the smaller size, Skaria’s the prestigious Potts Award, recognizing outstanding scientific contributions and US Citrus’ 550-acre orchard operation service to the Texas citrus industry. Dr. has up to 880 to 1440 trees per acre,

Dr. Mani Skaria, CEO and founder of US Citrus, stands in the nursery where they hold thousands of citrus plans read for shipment.

Dr. Cheri Abraham works the computerized water filtration and nutrients delivery system at US Citrus.

compared to only about 140 per acre in a traditional orchard. This means that the tonnage per acre is higher with the US Citrus approach, giving growers a much faster and higher return on their investment.

US Citrus is the largest producer of Persian limes in the United States, thanks to Skaria’s proprietary Mi-

cro-budding® system. Until the year 2000, Florida was the dominant lime, but now the majority of limes to satisfy over 800 million lbs of Persian lime consumption in the United States come from Mexico.

Home owners can purchase US Citrus trees at https://uscitrus.com and major box retailers, including Home Depot.

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

WWW.RGVTIMES.COM

Beer Fest Returns to Edinburg This Saturday The name says it all: Beer Fest. Or, to be more precise The University DraftHouse Beer Fest takes place this Saturday, Oct. 21, at the Edinburg City Hall Courtyard.

Scheduled to run from 6:30 to 10:30 pm in front of City Hall at 415 W. University Drive in Edinburg. Tickets are $60 per person.

This is the third year Beer Fest has been hosted in Edinburg. Hosted by The University Draft House, attendees will experience an array of unique casks, one of a kind collaborations, and your favorite porters, stouts, pilsners, ales, wheats, Belgians, ciders, and lagers to name a few.

They will be pouring 100+ premium and craft beers from 85+ breweries from around the world. Beyond beer, there will be live music, interactive games, a wine garden, food samplings from the best local restaurants and so much more.

With the purchase of your University Draft House Beer Fest ticket, you will receive a sampling card redeemable for 24 1-oz beers. The state of Texas and the Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission does not allow “unlimited tasting” events. The maximum amount of beer Texas allows to be sold at any one time is 24 ounces.

The University Draft House Beer Fest welcomes everyone 21 and over.

So bring your lawn chairs or blankets and spend the day tasting something new at Edinburg’s beautiful City Hall Courtyard.

Holiday Inn Express on 312 W. Nolana Loop will be providing FREE shuttle service to and from the University Draft House Beer Fest event for all registered Holiday Inn guests along with 15% off any suite!

Tickets can be purchased at The University Draft House, The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce or The Edinburg Library. Additionally, tickets can be purchased online at: www.universitydrafthousebeerfest.com.

Proceeds will benefit the renovation of Ediburg’s historical buildings and cultural community projects.

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