Images Del Rio, TX: 2010

2010 | imagesdelrio.com ®

What’s Online Tour the state’s oldest winery, Val Verde Winery, with Michael Qualia.

del rio, texas

BRAIN STORMERS High schoolers excel in engineering

Blessed With Glorious Churches

EAST, WEST, NORTH, SOUTH City boasts four distinct neighborhoods

sponsored by the del rio Chamber of Commerce

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Del Rio

DEL RIO’S PREMIER FULL-SERVICE HOTEL

If you have been with us before, you know the history and mystique that is Ramada – Del Rio. For over 30 years, people have been experiencing the hospitality and hotel development of this legendary hotel that now features: 183 beautiful suites, mini-suites and executive guest rooms nestled around our scenic center courtyard graced by tropical palms, bananas trees and lush flower beds.

People continually appreciate our ongoing improvements of facilities and technology now offering a new, state-of-the-art 3,000-square-foot conference center and free high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the hotel and conference center.

Ramada – Del Rio is home to one of the hottest night spots for sports and entertainment: The White Horse Lounge.

Try the great American and Ethnic cuisine of the Summerfield’s restaurant offering delicious meals and appetizers until late night hours.

Expect a warm welcome at the Ramada – Del Rio, our personal touch is what sets us apart. Our staff is committed to making your stay exceptional in all aspects: be it one of our service or support members, event planners, or management team we strive to get to know you in hopes that when you do leave, we have earned a new and respected friend.

For a day of relaxing or as a break enjoy our palm-shaded outdoor pool with cabana hot tub, sun and lounging decks.

Try one of our three Jacuzzis or indoor pool, three saunas, or two fitness centers.

Enjoy our outdoor jogging/fitness track and youth playground that complement our facilities for your ultimate relaxation and enjoyment.

Whether you’re looking to plan a corporate meeting, retreat or simply escaping the stress of business; or wanting to just relax … fishing the best bass lake in the US; or planning the perfect wedding, family or class reunion, we provide the perfect setting for a truly memorable visit.

Remember: You do your thing … leave the rest to us.® 2101 Veterans Blvd. • Del Rio (830) 775-1511 • (830) 768-0481 fax www.ramadainndelrio.com

Amenities & Services

Amenities & Services

• Free Wi-Fi in all guest & conference rooms • Radio-alarm clock • Complimentary coffee/tea maker & supplies • Iron & full-sized ironing board • 37” flat-screen LCD TV • Refrigerator • Microwave oven • Speaker phone with modem port • Hair dryer & makeup mirror at vanity area • Tub/shower combination • Front desk staffed 24/7 to serve you • RamadaMart ® features assorted foods, drinks, sundries, etc. available 24/7

Summerfield’s Restaurant • Open at 6 a.m. daily

• Fresh breakfast buffet offering cooked-to- order omelets, waffles, American and authentic local ethnic specialties • À la carte menu available all meal periods • Dinner specialties also: 5-10 p.m. nightly • Room service coincides with Summerfield’s hours

The White Horse Lounge • Open daily until 2 a.m.

• Happy hour specials nightly • Free appetizers & snacks nightly • HDTVs with surround sound • Full menu available nightly until 12 midnight, Friday & Saturday until 2 a.m.

Room Entertainment

• 70 plus cable channels including: HBO1 & HBO2, three ESPNs, six Spanish Channels

Business Travelers Appreciated Amenities • Multiple electrical outlets at desk • Task lighting at desk • Free high-speed Wi-Fi in your guest room • Speakerphone with modem port • Voice mail • In-room safes (most rooms) • Safe deposit boxes available • Two laundry facilities on-site for guests • Valet laundry & dry cleaner service

Free Services & Amenities

• Free, fresh-cooked breakfast buffet for government employee & Wyndham Rewards members • Free morning paper for Wyndham Rewards members • Free shuttle from & to KDRT (Del Rio International Airport) • Free local telephone • Free parking • Free easy access boat parking & charging locations

2010 edition | volume 1 ®

del rio, texas

contents F eatures 12 Of Water and Wildlife Good times flow at local recreation areas.

16 East, West, North, South Diverse living options flow outward from Del Rio’s earliest neighborhoods.

20 When the Chips Are Up Julio’s Chips continues to grow from Del Rio Base.

42 Art in the Heart of the Queen Del Rio boasts a rich stew of dedicated arts organizations.

Del Rio BUSINESS 22 Made in Mexico Border proximity benefits businesses.

26 Biz Briefs 28 Chamber Report 29 Economic Profile

d e partm ents 7 Almanac: a colorful sampling of Del Rio culture

0 Image Gallery: Glorious Churches 3 37 Education: Brain Stormers 38 Sports & Recreation 40 Health & Wellness 45 Community Profile: facts, stats and important numbers to know

All or part of this magazine is printed with soy ink on recycled paper containing 10% post-consumer waste.

Please recycle this magazine

on the cover First United Methodist Church in downtown Del Rio Photo by Jeff Adkins

d e l r io

3

®

Now Showing in Our Video Gallery

Del rio, tex as Project Managers Ari Surdoval Proofreading Manager Raven Petty Content Coordinators Jennifer Graves, Erica Hines Staff Writer Kevin Litwin Copy Editors Lisa Battles, Joyce Caruthers, Jill Wyatt Contributing writers Melanie Hill, Joe Morris, Bill Sontag, Amy Stumpfl Media Technology Director Christina Carden lead Designer candice sweet Senior Graphic Designers Laura Gallagher, Jessica Manner, Janine Maryland, Kris Sexton, Vikki Williams Media Technology Analysts Chandra Bradshaw, Yamel Hall, Alison Hunter, Marcus Snyder Photography Director Jeffrey S. Otto Senior Photographers Jeff Adkins, Brian McCord Staff Photographers Todd Bennett, Antony Boshier Web Content Managers John Hood, Kim Madlom Web Design Director Franco Scaramuzza Web Designer Leigh Guarin Web Developer Jeremy Dickens Ad Production Manager Katie Middendorf Ad Traffic Assistants Marcia Miller, Patricia Moisan I.T. Director Yancey Bond I.T. Service Technician Ryan Sweeney Regional Sales Manager Charles Sweeney Sales Support/Community, Business, Custom Rachael Goldsberry Senior Accountant Lisa Owens Accounts Payable Coordinator Maria McFarland Accounts Receivable Coordinator Diana Guzman Office Manager/Accounts Receivable Coordinator Shelly Miller Integrated Media Manager Patrick Crawford Sales Support Manager Cindy Hall Chairman Greg Thurman President/Publisher Bob Schwartzman Executive Vice President Ray Langen Senior V.P./Sales Todd Potter, Carla Thurman Senior V.P./Operations Casey Hester Senior V.P./Client Development Jeff Heefner V.P./Content Development Teree Caruthers V.P./Custom Publishing Kim Newsom V.P./Visual Content Mark Forester V.P./Content Operations Natasha Lorens V.P. Sales Charles Fitzgibbon, Herb Harper, Jarek Swekosky Controller Chris Dudley Content Director/Travel Publications Susan Chappell Content Director/Business Publications Bill McMeekin Marketing Creative Director Keith Harris Distribution Director Gary Smith Recruiting/Training Director Suzy Simpson Executive Secretary Kristy Duncan Human Resources Manager Peggy Blake Receptionist Linda Bishop

Sit back and enjoy a preview of Del Rio amenities.

Explore its landscapes, cultural offerings, food and fun.

See its downtown, neighborhoods, parks and attractions.

Experience the history, hot spots and local happenings.

Del Rio is rated L for Livability

imagesdelrio.com

Images Del Rio Texas is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through the Del Rio Chamber of Commerce and its member businesses. For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by e-mail at info@jnlcom.com.

For more information, contact: Del Rio Chamber of Commerce 1915 Veterans Boulevard • Del Rio, TX 78440 Phone: (830) 775-3551 • Fax: (830) 774-1813 www.drchamber.com Visit images del rio texas online at imagesdelrio.com ©Copyright 2010 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved.

No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent.

Member

Magazine Publishers of America

Member

Custom Publishing Council

Member Del Rio Chamber of Commerce

4

i m ag e s d e l r i o . c o m

imagesdelrio.com (830) 775-0888 www.delrioarts.com

first friday exhibits

nationally acclaimed Performances

What’s Online

art education Classes

Serving our Community for over 30 yearS!

The definitive relocation resource

picture perfect We’ve added even more of our prize-winning photography to the online gallery. To see these photos, click on Photo Gallery.

relocation Considering a move to this community? We can help. Use our Relocation Tools to discover tips, including how to make your move green, advice about moving pets and help with booking movers.

Videos In our Interactive section, watch quick videos by our editors and photographers featuring people, places and events.

facts & stats Go online to learn even more about: • Schools • Health care • Utilities • Parks • Taxes

Local Flavor From the simple to the sublime, the delicious offerings here are guaranteed to satisfy every appetite.

About this magazine Images gives readers a taste of what makes Del Rio tick – from business and education to sports, health care and the arts.

“Find the good – and praise it.”

– Alex Haley (1921-1992), Journal Communications co-founder

d e l r io

5

Discover Del Rio BoRDeR CRossing – PAssPoRT ReQUiReD Duty Free Limit on Purchases United States travelers returning from Mexico may bring back purchases valued at $800.00 duty free. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is authorized by law to assess a flat rate of 0% on the first $1,000.00 worth of goods over the $800.00 exemption.

Whitehead Memorial Museum 1308 S. Main • 774-7568 www.whiteheadmuseum.org

Alcohol and Tobacco Information Once every 30 days, 100 cigars (other than Cuban cigars) and one carton of cigarettes (10 packages) may be brought into the United States duty free (18 years of age or older).

Warning Undeclared liquor purchases violate the Federal and Texas laws and incur heavy penalties for violators. State tax on tobacco and alcohol subject to change.

Del Rio, TX – CiUDAD ACUñA, MeXiCo To get to Ciudad Acuña, follow Gibbs St. west to Spur 239 to the International Toll Bridge. You may drive your car into Acuña without an auto permit of any kind. Visitors are limited to 15 miles into the interior of Mexico without a permit; however, to travel beyond the 15-mile limit, visitors must have proof of vehicle ownership such as automobile title, a U.S. driver’s license and proof of U.S. auto insurance for at least two months. Call the Mexican Consulate Office (830) 775-2352 for further travel information into the interior of Mexico.

AMisTAD DAM Length: . . . . 1.81 miles in United States . . . . . . . . . . . 4.25 miles in Mexico Total length:. . . . . . . . . . 6.05 miles Height: . . . . . 245 feet above river bed Shoreline: . . . 547 miles in United States . . . . . . . . . . . 304 miles in Mexico Total shoreline: . . . . . . . . . 851 miles

The gazebo at Brown Plaza – historic center of Del Rio and the home of Casa de la Cultura, a cultural preservation center. 302 W. Cantu • 768-2287 www.casadelaculturadelrio.com Del Rio Council for the Arts at the Firehouse 120 E. Garfield • 775-0888 • www.delrioarts.com Laughlin Heritage Museum 309 S. Main • 775-3561 • www.drchamber.com/directory San Felipe Golf Course is a beautifully maintained nine-hole facility. Tournaments and guest players welcome.

Hwy. 90 E. • 775-3953 • www.sanfelipecc.com Val Verde Winery, established in 1883, is Texas’ oldest bonded winery. Tours and wine tasting.

100 Qualia Dr. • 775-9714 • www.valverdewinery.com Swimming and picnic areas are on San Felipe Creek, fed by San Felipe Springs’ daily outpouring of 1 million gallons.

City Parks & Recreation • 774-8541 • www.cityofdelrio.com Amistad National Recreation Area • 775-7491 www.nps.gov/amis

Almanac

Life in the 1800s

A Force in the Economy Laughlin Air Force Base has some of the best-trained pilots in the world and also provides an important economic impact to Del Rio and the surrounding region.

According to the latest statistics, Laughlin has 2,800 military personnel on base along with 1,000 contract workers. The payroll related to Laughlin is nearly $125 million annually, and the base's economic impact for the 50-mile region that surrounds it is estimated at $260 million.

By the way, Laughlin AFB spans 4,500 acres and features 165 buildings and three runways. The dozens of aircraft on base are valued at $750 million.

History buffs and curiosity seekers: Want to know more about Del Rio? Whitehead Memorial Museum has been around since 1962, when noted local ranching family the Whiteheads purchased the old Perry Mercantile Building and donated it to Del Rio and Val Verde County. The family’s only stipulation was that the building would be used to house a museum – and it is.

In fact, 20 exhibit sites are showcased in nine different buildings that occupy the site’s two acres. Most of the exhibits pay tribute to 19th-century Del Rio. Also on display are children’s exhibits such as Dress-Up Corner as well as Wash Board, which shows how laundry was done before washing machines.

Take Your Best Shot Outdoor adventurers can be wild about wildlife hunting in Del Rio. The area is home to several ranches that specialize in hunting packages, with diverse opportunities for those who like to hunt by bow, rifle, from a stand, rattling or spot-and-stalk. Popular local ranches include Amistad Guide Service, Devils River Outfitters, Martin Ranch Management, Provost Adventures and Wineglass Ranching & Hunting.

Animals most popular with hunters in Del Rio include whitetail deer, rams, blue quail, Rio Grande turkeys and feral hogs. By the way, there is also excellent bass fishing on Lake Amistad.

d e l r io

7

DEL RIO TEXAS heart & soul

We are a modern city with a treasured history – join us and work, play, live Del Rio! For information, call (830) 774-8638 or visit www.cityofdelrio.com.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

CULTURE

INDUSTRY

BUSINESS

TOURISM

MANUFACTURING

let Del Rio warm your heart and soul

TRANSPORTATION

Almanac

Fast Facts n Del Rio typically welcomes scores of “winter visitors” each December. Many of these winter residents have treated the city as their second home for years, escaping harsh northern winters and enjoying local hospitality and amenities.

Hot and Spicy The food at Memo's Restaurant is as delectable as its history is long and colorful.

The popular eatery has been a Del Rio mainstay since 1936, when Guillermo “Memo” and Leonor Calderon opened the restaurant on the banks of San Felipe Creek. Their son, Moises "Blondie" Calderon, took over the business in 1959. Blondie later became the piano player and music director for country music legend Ray Price from 1967 until Blondie's death in 2000.

Today, Blondie's wife, Dolly, and their daughter, Patricia Ray, run the restaurant that features Mexican fare such as fajitas, enchiladas, tacos and chalupas, as well as steaks and sandwiches.

The Eyes Have It Latino aerobics classes and works of art by children are all part of Casa de la Cultura.

Casa is a community arts center that features murals, a butterfly garden with native plants, art camps and classes, a concert series and other events. Its mission is to promote the appreciation of Mexican-American culture.

The center is funded primarily through grants so that arts are accessible and affordable for the entire community. A couple of the grant sources are the Val Verde Community Foundation and the Texas Commission on the Arts.

n Amtrak’s Sunset Limited route between Louisiana and California serves the Del Rio area, and National Park Service guides from the Amistad National Recreation Area board the train to educate passengers about the area’s natural and cultural heritage as part of the Trails & Rails program. n This area is rich in archeological deposits, many of which contain elaborately painted murals that date back more then 4,000 years. Just 50 miles west of the city, instruction and innovative studies in archeology, ecology, natural history, prehistoric lifeways and expressive culture are under way at the SHUMLA School. n The people of Del Rio and sister city Ciudad Acuna love to celebrate. Major events are staged for the Fourth of July and Oktoberfest, to name a few.

d e l r io

9

DEL TEX RV & AUTO REPAIR CENTER Repairs - Parts - Service - Storage Jack & Barbara Plyler • E-mail: deltexrv@wcsonline.net 4220 HWY. 90 W. • Del Rio, TX 78840 • (830) 775-9715

10

i m ag e s d e l r i o . c o m

Biggest, Meanest Bulls The nastiest bulls this side of ornery arrive in Del Rio each May at the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding competition at the Val Verde County Fairgrounds.

Held in memory of legendary bull rider George Paul, who died in a plane crash in 1970, the event has been held for more than 30 years, making it the oldest continuous bull riding competition in the world.

Forty of the best bull riders in the country compete in a two-day format. The 15 riders with the top scores ride a third bull Sunday to determine the champion.

Schools of Thought Two convenient college campuses in Del Rio deserve gold stars.

Southwest Texas Junior College Del Rio accommodates more than 1,200 students. The numerous programs it offers include accounting, auto body technology, child development, criminal justice, cosmetology, microcomputer applications and wildlife management.

Meanwhile, Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College offers students bachelor's degrees in nearly a dozen fields, as well as master's degrees in education and business administration. The campus includes a new complex of buildings that house computer laboratories, learning centers and an auditorium.

Del Rio At A Glance POPULATION Del Rio: 36,491 (2006 ESTIMATE) Val Verde County: 48,053 (2008 ESTIMATE)

Del Rio is immediately across from the International Bridge that originates in Ciudad Acuña, Mexico, and is seven miles east of the Air Education Training Command’s Laughlin Air Force Base.

BEGINNINGS: Del Rio’s original name was San Felipe del Rio (Saint Phillip of the River) – a name given to the area by early Spanish missionaries who arrived here on St. Phillips’s Day in 1635. The name survived until 1883, when the first post office was established and officials suggested shortening the name to Del Rio in order to avoid confusion with the town of San Felipe de Austin, a town still in existence four hours east by car.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Del Rio Chamber of Commerce 1915 Veterans Blvd. Del Rio, TX 78840 Phone: (830) 775-3551, Fax: (830) 774-1813 www.drchamber.com

.

R

LOCATION: Del Rio is located on the Texas-Mexico border, midway between Padre Island and Big Bend National Park. The city is eight miles south of Amistad National Recreation Area which surrounds Lake Amistad, formed by the Rio Grande, Pecos and Devil’s Rivers.

Del Rio

s co Pe

Almanac

Juno 163

Pumpville

VA L V E R D E 277

377

Rio Grande

Comstock Amistad Res.

90

Del Rio

90

277

What’s Online Take a virtual tour of Del Rio, courtesy of our awardwinning photographers, at imagesdelrio.com.

d e l r io

11

12

i m ag e s d e l r i o . c o m

Of Water and

Wildlife

Photo Courtesy of National Park Service

Good times flow at local recreation areas

d e l r io

13

Photos Courtesy of National Park Service

Story By Amy Stumpfl

Panther and Parida Caves,” he says. “Hikers also can take a guided tour at Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site, which sits adjacent to Amistad.”

The park also attracts plenty of anglers, hosting a variety of fishing tournaments throughout the year.

“The tournaments provide a big boost to the local economy,” Garetz says. “They bring in about $30 million a year, generating business for local hotels and restaurants.”

Residents also enjoy fishing and swimming in San Felipe Creek. Featuring the fourth-largest springs in Texas, the San Felipe Area provides the perfect backdrop for community gatherings and recreation.

“Starting around late March, when the weather starts warming up, people begin heading to the creek,” says Anthony Rodriguez, interim superintendent for the City of Del Rio parks, recreation and facilities department. “Two of the most popular areas are Blue Hole Park and the area behind the [Dr. Alfredo Gutierrez Jr.] Amphitheatre. Here, people gather for cookouts, community celebrations and various holidays. And on Easter, people are even allowed to camp out at Blue Hole.”

Recognizing the tremendous value of this popular resource, the City of Del Rio has taken an active role in protecting San Felipe Creek.

“In January, we send out crews to collect litter from the creek, making it cleaner and safer for people to enjoy,” Rodriguez says. “Cane eradication is another important objective, helping make the creek more accessible to visitors while protecting the Devil’s River Minnow – an endangered species. The creek is a major attraction for our community.

We want to do everything we can to protect it for future generations.”

Left to right: Lake Amistad and the Amistad National Recreation area are located in Val Verde County and provide numerous recreational activities; clear water flows over Tardy Dam along the San Felipe creek.

14

i m ag e s d e l r i o . c o m

Jeff Adkins

W

hether it’s a relaxing afternoon of swimming and fishing at San Felipe Creek or exploring the scenic coves of Amistad National Recreation Area, the Del Rio area offers plenty of refreshing water recreation opportunities.

Situated along the U.S./Mexico border, Amistad National Recreation Area is a major draw for outdoor recreation, including everything from boating and fishing to camping and birding. The recreation area – which features a huge man-made reservoir and comprises more than 57,000 acres – welcomed more than 2.5 million visitors in 2009.

“The lake is an international reservoir, with a buoy line marking the U.S./Mexico border,” says Greg Garetz, the park’s chief of education and resource management. “The park’s boundaries extend up the Rio Grande, Devil’s and Pecos rivers, which makes it a great place for paddlers and overnight wilderness trips.”

Indeed, the park features a great mix of open water and secluded coves, and plays host to a unique mix of flora and fauna.

“Three major eco-regions come together here at Amistad – the Chihuahuan Desert, Edwards Plateau and Tamaulipan Shrubland,” he says. “People are often surprised after driving through miles of desert when they arrive at this clear, blue lake. Boaters come up the Pecos River and see these giant limestone cliffs – it’s just a perfect area for camping, birding and exploring.”

Garetz says the Amistad area also is home to the largest concentrations of rock art in North America, noting that the mysterious paintings date back roughly 4,000 years.

“There’s a lot of archaeology in the area, and depending on the water level, boaters can easily access the paintings in

d e l r io

15

16

i m ag e s d e l r i o . c o m

Springs

Eternal Diverse living options flow outward from Del Rio’s earliest neighborhoods

Story By Bill Sontag Photography By jeff adkins

D

el Rio’s most abundant natural assets – artesian springs, a robust creek and the confluence of three rivers – charmed 19th-century pioneers, settlers and investors. Then and now, such factors have motivated people to stay, sink roots in cobbly caliche soil, build and decorate edifices with native limestone blocks and stubbornly safeguard their heritage.

Del Rio’s earliest neighborhoods, San Felipe and south Del Rio, are at

once separated and bound by San Felipe Creek – a natural asset that is as beautiful as it is significant to the city’s very existence. The creek and the springs that feed it were among the key lures for the city’s earliest entrepreneurs, and it still serves as a preferred residential area and focal point for community activities.

San Felipe community pride is evident during events such as Brown Plaza fiestas, large Rotary Park gatherings on the banks of the creek,

New homes are being built near Lake Amistad on the north side of Del Rio.

d e l r io

17

and Fourth of July festivities at the Dr. Alfredo Gutierrez Jr. Amphitheater.

San Felipe’s cacophony of ranchera, mariachi and Tejano music floats across the narrow creek into the sedate streetscapes of south Del Rio, its avenues overlapped by soaring pecans, oaks and sycamores. Small adobe or frame houses are interspersed with imposing two-story homes encircled by manicured lawns.

Chihuahua is another residential community in the southern part of Del 18

i m ag e s d e l r i o . c o m

Rio, located just northwest of Garfield Avenue, sandwiched between Las Vacas Street and the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. The cultural and spiritual hub of the barrio is St. Joseph Church, which was established in 1927 by Catholic missionaries. Chihuahua also is known for UCO (United Civic Organization) Park, which is on the northern edge of the neighborhood and includes a baseball diamond, bleachers, picnic shelters and a members’ community center.

As Del Rio grew in response to

population and residential demands, newer neighborhoods were developed north of the railroad tracks and the parallel east-west Gibbs Street corridor of commercial development, such as Comalia. Along North Main Street, homes and a school emerged as the North Heights neighborhood in the 1930s and 1940s. There, the area’s popular open space, Star Park, was dedicated in 1932 to the memory of county men who died in World War I. Now it also commemorates the brave U-2

From left: Historic homes line the neighborhood streets; art classes at Casa de la Cultura are popular with children; mahjong is a popular game at San Felipe Country Club; the lounge at San Felipe Country Club

pilots of the Cold War in the early 1960s.

West of North Heights are Del Rio International Airport, Val Verde County Fairgrounds, Del Rio High School, and the campuses of Sul Ross University and Southwest Texas Junior College.

A complex of connecting open spaces – Del Rio Lions Park, Buena Vista Park and public swimming pool, and Amistad Trails parkway along Fox Drive and Kings Way Boulevard – provide ample walking and exercise opportunities to residents of the

sprawling Buena Vista neighborhood.

According to Realtor® Brenda Hunter, subdivisions within Buena Vista have familiar colloquial names such as “the Indian Reservation,” where the developer attempted a Native American theme with street names such as Arrowhead Trail, Warbonnet, Peacepipe, Tomahawk, Medicine Bow and White Feather. Fox Drive homes, Hunter says, were first developed in the early 1960s, while the Indian Reservation began to

flourish in the 1970s and 1980s.

At the far northern margin of Del Rio city limits is the newest, upscale subdivision, Ceniza Hills, straddling both sides of Agarita Drive. The neighborhood’s families are served by Buena Vista Elementary School. Ceniza Hills is easily found with a skyline search for landmark, side-by-side water towers. In wet spells, the desert beyond the towers is ablaze with color from native namesake shrubbery, cenizo, often mistakenly called “purple sage.” d e l r io

19

Local Flavor

Julio T. Garcia and his wife, Lillia, in the dining room at Julio’s restaurant

When the Chips Are Up Julio’s Chips Continues to expand from Del Rio Base

M

any fine mechanical inventions have come from American garages, but in Del Rio one outbuilding gave rise to something much tastier: Julio’s Chips.

Julio Garcia founded the company not long after he began making his chips and special seasonings from his home. A chef at the now-defunct Branding Iron restaurant, Garcia had created his own blend of spices for chips, meats and other foods, and quickly was so busy that his wife, Lilia, booted him out of the kitchen and into the garage.

Fast-forward a decade or so, and Julio’s Chips had become a large-scale operation with its own building, a distribution network and even a restaurant. The company’s products can be found throughout Texas and soon will be on grocery shelves in other locales as well. But everything still revolves around the Del Rio base of operations, says Miguel Garcia, president, who recalls just how small the initial outfit was.

“Dad was the salesman, and we were the production crew,” Garcia says of himself and his brothers, who remain involved in different facets of the business. “It really started with the seasonings, which we began to take to stores and meat markets. The chips we just fixed up using old cardboard sheets from the bottom of 24-packs of soda and then covered 20

i m ag e s d e l r i o . c o m

with freezer paper. Then we went to freezer bags and eventually to buckets.”

These days, Julio’s operates out of a plant that produces 2.5 tons of chips per day and also features a restaurant on site. Other Garcias involved include sons Pete, who acts as operations manager, and Jose, who operates a second factory and four restaurants in San Angelo. And while Julio himself is retired, his children continue with the same enthusiasm that has made the company a success.

“I can remember what a big deal it was when we got a new fryer,” Miguel Garcia recalls. “Dad started with a small pan on the stove, and we get excited every time we buy anything new for the business which really helps us.”

While the company continues to spread out in different directions, Del Rio is and will always be home, he adds.

“We plan to build a new manufacturing operation here, because we’re out of space where we are,” Garcia says. “Our food brokers say that we should be in San Antonio or Austin, because that would be more centralized for them. But we’re Julio’s from Del Rio, and this is where we want to be. We’re known for being from here, and this is where we want to grow our business.”

– Joe Morris

d e l r io

21

Business

Made in

Me

co

Border proximity benefits businesses

Story By Melanie Hill Photography By jeff adkins

J

ust minutes from Del Rio rests a manufacturing mecca that’s home to some of the world’s most prominent companies. From Kimberly-Clark to General Electric, dozens of global leaders have discovered the advantages of maquiladoras located in Northeast Mexico’s Ciudad Acuna.

Operating under the North American Free Trade Agreement, the Mexican factories import materials and equipment on a duty-free and tariff-free basis for assembly or manufacturing and re-export the assembled product back to the originating country.

“The main significance of doing business here is the low cost of labor,” says Don Newton, chairman of Acunabased Border Opportunity Saver Systems. “Companies looking for ‘offshore’ places to manufacture and save money also find that we’re easy to get to, unlike somewhere like China.”

With 115,000 square feet of manufacturing space in Mexico and 60,000 square feet of warehousing and distribution space in the United States, BOSS provides a full range of manufacturing services while adhering to strict federal regulations. The

company provides U.S. management style, multi-shift operations for global giants including Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble and Walmart. Smallbusiness owners who appreciate the cost efficiency and accessibility afforded by maquiladoras also utilize the factories.

“Our entire life is on both sides of the border,” says Kim Canseco, Del Rio resident and entrepreneur. “We work in Mexico but live in Del Rio and have lived that way for generations.”

Canseco’s family-run ranch, Rancho El Ojo de Agua, produces beef cattle and offers premier whitetail-deer

Hadlock & Fox Manufacturing Co., part of Border Opportunity Saver Systems, sells leather saddles.

22

i m ag e s d e l r i o . c o m

d e l r io

23

Business

24

i m ag e s d e l r i o . c o m

hunting in the Northern Coahuila, Mexico Canyonlands. In 2009, the environmentally minded Canseco and her family teamed with BOSS to create an accessory line using discarded feed sacks from the ranch and surplus maquiladora seatbelt scraps for handles. Today, Canseco’s eco-friendly Ojo de Agua Bolsas can be purchased online and throughout the U.S. with tags that read “Made with love,” in both English and Spanish.

“There are so many skilled people in Acuna, and we’ve been impressed with their sewing operation and what they can do,” Canseco says. “It’s a very efficient labor force with reasonable prices.”

Located within five industrial parks sprawled over more than 200 acres, Acuna’s maquiladoras are recognized for their healthy labor atmosphere and world-class work force virtually free of labor unions. Workers are exceptionally trained, as local universities and schools tailor programs to meet the specific needs of area employers.

Footwear, plastic containers, electronics and automotive parts are just a few of the industries represented in Acuna’s maquiladoras. Conveniently located along the border halfway between the east and west coasts of the United States, Acuna also offers lower prices on product loads and transfers of raw materials and finished products. In addition, Acuna-Del Rio is recognized for having the fastest crossing time on the Mexico-U.S. border, allowing business travelers the security of lodging in the U.S. while enjoying a Mexico commute time of less than 30 minutes.

“We have strong feelings for the people here and are glad to be providing jobs,” Canseco says.

From top left: a leather saddle at Hadlock & Fox Manufacturing; Margie Santellanes boxes orders at Hadlock & Fox; Rancho Ojo de Agua’s M-C brand Bolsa bag; saddle stirrups

d e l r io

25

Business

Biz Briefs Businesses – both large and small – that help define del rio’s economic climate

Scorecard Business At A Glance

$393,591 Retail sales ($1,000)

$11,385 Retail sales per capita:

2,716 Total number of firms: Source: U.S. Census QuickFacts

Buffalo Girls/The Brown Bag Biz: Boutique and deli Buzz: Appetites can be satisfied and wardrobes may be updated in one convenient stop, thanks to Buffalo Girls and The Brown Bag, next-door downtown Del Rio businesses owned by Shannon Brown. Buffalo Girls sells clothing, shoes, jewelry and home decor, offering brands including Jan Barboglio, JWLA, Ivy Jane, Miss Me, It Jeans, Theme and Yellowbox. The Brown Bag serves up deli food, such as soup, sandwiches and quiche. www.buffalogirlsboutique.com 26

i m ag e s d e l r i o . c o m

R.C. Taxidermy Biz: Taxidermy wildlife studio Buzz: R.C. Taxidermy offers mounting services for long-lasting hunting trophies at reasonable prices. Carmen Cantu serves as the head taxidermist after years of practice and study, striving to re-create each animal’s natural habitat by ensuring that the mounts are created with quality products. This wildlife studio is located at 302 E. 4th St. in Del Rio. www.rctaxidermy.com Casa de Vino Biz: Wine bar Buzz: Customers can relax in the comfortable atmosphere and choose from more than 350 different types of wine at Casa de Vino, a former gas station that was remodeled and reopened as wine bar in 2008. In addition to wine, Casa de Vino serves beer and hors d’oeuvres. This one-of-akind Del Rio establishment is located at 7991 Hwy 90 W. (830) 774-1968 Sugar & Spice Biz: Flower and gift delivery Buzz: Sugar & Spice provides fresh flowers and gifts for all occasions, and allows customers to conveniently place their orders online 24-hours a day.

Deliveries are made throughout the Del Rio area with flowers arriving to their destination in quality condition, complete with a personalized message from the sender. Sugar & Spice also offers services for special events. www.ftdfloristsonline.com/ designsbysugarandspice Union Café Biz: Café Buzz: The Union Café is best known for delicious fish tacos but also serves other Mexican-inspired food, including complimentary homemade chips and salsa. While it is not open for dinner, this local favorite stays hopping throughout lunchtime. The café is in Del Rio at 611 E. De La Rosa St. (830) 774-4174

Riding bulls is not an easy business. Neither is treating cancer. If you get bucked off, the only solution is to get back on. After 32 years of treating cancer aggressively, we could say the same about the practice of oncology. You may get bucked off and if you do, you dust yourself off and get ready for your next draw.

Dr. Susan Taylor and her staff offer cancer patients personalized care and the latest medical science has to offer. We’re not bullfighters, although we are pretty tough.

Just like you.

1301 Ave. G • Del Rio, TX 78840 • (830) 775-5800 tel • (830) 775-8811 fax

d e l r io

27

Jeff Adkins

Business | Chamber Report

The Del Rio Chamber of Commerce

Taking the Lead for Del Rio Chamber programs bridge industries and boost economy

J

ust a quick two-step from the Texas-Mexico border, the Del Rio Chamber of Commerce is hard at work bridging local industries and boosting the economy, one business at a time. Working with the region’s three largest financial contributors – Laughlin Air Force Base, tourism and industry – the chamber is finding new ways to stay a step ahead.

In 2010, the chamber continues its mission by welcoming the first Leadership Del Rio class. Composed of 20 local professionals from diverse industries, the nonprofit leadership organization provides ongoing opportunities for personal and community growth.

“We’re going to encourage members to talk among themselves about some kind of project that the class will work together on, whether that’s promoting youth leadership or identifying some type of problem to solve,” says Janna Castloo, coordinator for Leadership Del Rio. Applications will be accepted May through June 2010, with the first class meeting in September during a two-day retreat. Castloo, a Del Rio resident who has helped coordinate leadership programs in other cities, says the program is a win-win for members and the city alike.

“The program is designed to encourage networking and leadership in the community and give people the confidence and tools they need to take on leadership roles,” Castloo says.

“So many cities see they have to continually replenish their pool of volunteers, and the leadership program is a formal 28

i m ag e s d e l r i o . c o m

plan to do that.”

Employer involvement also is essential, as class members meet one day a month for nine months. And since the nonprofit organization is funded primarily by business and individual contributions, Leadership Del Rio will offer numerous sponsorship opportunities as well.

Guided by its annual Program of Work, the Del Rio Chamber of Commerce also supports programs aimed at utilizing and promoting the region’s many human and economic resources and creating a better appreciation of the vibrant area. Chamber members steer committees and programs ranging from border patrol and legislative relations to education and economic development. Additional groups dedicated to tourism and conventions, transportation, and lake and water resource management help fulfill that mission, while Red Carpet Ambassadors provide a distinctive source for promoting member businesses. Members also receive a membership plaque, monthly newsletter and access to exclusive advertising and networking opportunities.

Additional projects of the Del Rio Chamber of Commerce include monthly member gatherings, the annual chamber banquet, economic forums and the Annual Wild Game Dinner. Sponsored by the chamber’s special events committee, this popular December event features a variety of native and wild game. Valuable prize raffles and one-of-akind vendor giveaways help complete the memorable night.

– Melanie Hill

Business | Economic Profile

del rio Economic overview Tourism contributes greatly to the local economy since the region is a tourist destination for winter Texans, birders and sport fishermen.

Government Offices Del Rio City Manager 109 W. Broadway St. (830) 774-8558 Del Rio Mayor Office 109 W. Broadway St. (830) 774-8558 Del Rio Municipal Court 109 W. Broadway St. (830) 774-8506

Employment

55 Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing Jobs

420 Construction Jobs

635 Manufacturing Jobs

532 Transportation & Communications Jobs

628 Wholesale Trade Jobs

3,421 Retail Trade Jobs

844 Finance, Insurance & Real Estate Jobs

4,726 Service Jobs

3,065 Public Administration Jobs

Federal Bureau-Investigation 111 E. Broadway St. (830) 775-0076 US District Court Clerk 111 E. Broadway St. # L100 (830) 703-2054

education

4,648 Some College

1,081 Associates

2,610 Bachelors

1,555 Graduate information provided by:

US District Judge 111 E. Broadway St. (830) 703-2038 US Magistrate Judge 111 E. Broadway St. (830) 703-2050 US Marshals Svc 111 E. Broadway St. # 106 (830) 703-2075 Val Verde County Court At Law 400 Pecan St. (830) 774-7575 Val Verde County Judge 400 Pecan St. (830) 774-7501 Val Verde County Sheriff (830) 774-7513

MORE ONLINE imagesderio.com More facts, stats and community information, including relocation tools and links to resources.

Val Verde District Clerk 100 E. Broadway St. # 1 (830) 774-7538 Val Verde Regional Medical Ctr 801 N. Bedell Ave. (830) 775-8566

d e l r io

29

Image Gallery

A variety of nice homes are located on Del Rio’s south side.

30

i m ag e s d e l r i o . c o m

Photography By jeff adkins

d e l r io

31

Image Gallery

Stained-glass windows decorate the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church.

32

i m ag e s d e l r i o . c o m

Photography By jeff adkins

Lanterns glow on front of old Sacred Heart Catholic Church downtown.

d e l r io

33

Photo Image Essay Gallery

A building entrance in downtown Del Rio

34

i m ag e s d e l r i o . c o m

Photography By jeff adkins

Sacred Heart Catholic Church

d e l r io

35

Drs. Antonio & Veronica Cadena • Complete Family Care • Complete Physicals • In-house Laboratory and Lab Interpretation • Adolescent Health Evaluations • Well-Woman Care • Preventive Medicine • Dietary Counseling • Colorectal Cancer Screening

36

i m ag e s d e l r i o . c o m

• Prostate and Colon Cancer Screening • Minor Surgical Procedures • Complete Sports Physicals • Sports Medicine

Most Major Insurances Accepted 2201 N. Bedell Ave., Ste. A Del Rio, Texas 78840 (830) 775-8700 www.cadenafamilypractice.com

• Geriatric Medicine • Medical Management of Chronic Disease • Treatment of Acute Illness • Complete Inpatient Hospital Care

Thank you for the opportunity to serve Del Rio and the surrounding communities for the past 14 years.

Education

Pre-engineering student Carlos Rubio programs a robotic arm.

What’s the Big Ideas?

Del Rio students enroll in national engineering curriculum

T

here is a shortage of engineers in the United States, but students at Del Rio High School are doing their part to help remedy that situation.

More than 180 students at Del Rio High are enrolled in a program called Project Lead the Way, a nationwide initiative to address the country’s shortage of engineers. PLTW is designed as a four-year curriculum that fits into any student’s schedule, and is taught in conjunction with traditional math and science courses.

High school students ultimately take five rigorous, relevant, reality-based PLTW courses that help them become better problem solvers. The courses are called principles of engineering, engineering design, digital electronics, computer-integrated manufacturing, and engineering design and development.

Del Rio High teachers Brad Billeaudeau and Bill Davis run the PLTW engineering program that has been in place at the school since 2005. They are proud to point out that 185 students are enrolled in 2010, compared to 15 students when the program began six years ago.

By the way, those 15 students today are all currently enrolled in colleges, attending universities such as Rice, Texas A&M and the University of Texas.

“All of the kids involved in this program should eventually be successful in the work world, getting into careers for any kind of engineering design company – from designing makeup for Cover Girl to designing space shuttles for NASA,” Billeaudeau says. “And it’s not just boys who are interested in the program here at Del Rio High. Right now, the ratio is

about 60 percent boys to 40 percent girls. That means about 75 girls are currently involved in this excellent engineering initiative.”

The engineering lab at Del Rio High features equipment such as woodworking tools, a robotic arm, mills, a stress analyzer, 48 computer work stations and an oscilloscope.

“Some of our kids are taking Advanced Placement calculus and PLTW’s engineering design and development course and such,” Davis says. “If they had stuck with just the academic route, they never would have gained any hands-on use of tools for building things.”

Del Rio High is part of the San Felipe-Del Rio Consolidated Independent School District, which in 2005 specifically went looking for a high school curriculum that would help develop the local manufacturing workforce. Del Rio shares a border with Ciudad Acuna, Mexico, which has many maquiladora (twin plant) factories that import materials from the United States, then assemble or manufacture the materials before shipping them back to the U.S. “Thanks to the PLTW program, these twin plants are interested in apprenticeship programs with our students right now,” says Dianne Trevino, career and technical education coordinator with the San Felipe-Del Rio Consolidated Independent School District. “Then ultimately, they are looking at Del Rio kids to come back as university graduates.”

– Kevin Litwin d e l r io

37

Jeff Adkins

Sports & Recreation

Greenwood Park is located in the middle of downtown.

38

i m ag e s d e l r i o . c o m

Play Places Get a Boost Parks department tackles several improvement projects

B

eauty is in the eye of the beholder, and the city of Del Rio wants its residents to notice how the community is sprucing up in 2010.

Anthony Rodriguez with the City of Del Rio Parks, Recreation & Facilities says there are a number of significant projects on tap for the year that will yield significant improvements to residents’ play places.

Enhancements have been taking place in Del Rio since the first of the year, including a graffiti removal initiative and upgrades to various parks. One such endeavor was Onslow Park, which underwent pavilion and bathroom renovations that were completed in January 2010. New playground equipment was also installed at the popular recreation outlet.

Another site that is being upgraded in 2010 is Carranza Park, which has

new playground equipment already in place. By August 2010, pavilion and bathroom renovations are scheduled to be completed.

“We will also be installing new playground equipment this year at other locations throughout the city, including 14th Street Park and the skate park,” Rodriguez says. “In addition, new playgrounds will be installed in 2010 at both the amphitheatre and the Northside Walking Trail.”

Rodriguez adds that the parks department is also working with the city manager’s office to potentially construct a couple of new parks in Del Rio in the near future. One park is being planned for Noriega Street in the San Felipe area, and another on South Main Street in the downtown district.

“The land has already been secured for the Noriega Street park, with city

officials needing to design the facility and then order equipment,” he says.

“And the South Main Street site will be more of a place where people can relax and eat lunch, with benches and tables instead of playground equipment.”

Meanwhile, the parks department also has been tackling upgrades to the two public pools within the city. The Buena Vista pool has been undergoing bathroom pavilion renovations that include addressing some roof issues, while numerous maintenance upgrades have been addressed at the Moore Park pool. Those improvements include the addition of an all-new pool floor to increase safety for swimmers.

“The pool renovations were to be completed in time for a public opening during the first week of June 2010,” Rodriguez says.

– Kevin Litwin

d e l r io

39

Health & Wellness

Passionate People Providing Compassionate Care Val Verde Regional Medical Center Serves Wide Region

W

hen Polly Davenport decided to accept the job at Val Verde Regional Medical Center, she arrived there with a lofty goal. Her mission was to establish the hospital as medically renowned not only in the Del Rio community, but throughout the state of Texas and beyond.

Davenport became CEO of Val Verde Regional in February 2009, and since then has been busy recruiting more top physicians and expanding the volume of medical services at the longstanding hospital. Her vision today continues to be to eventually meet all of the healthcare needs for the fast-growing Del Rio community.

“We have been an important part of the history of Val Verde County for five 40

i m ag e s d e l r i o . c o m

decades and are proud of the fact that we serve patients regardless of their ability to pay,” Davenport says. “Simply said, we are health-care providers who care for the people of our community who need medical help. Our sincere hope is that the residents of this region will trust our medical family to help care for your own families, should you ever need us.”

Davenport says Val Verde Regional is especially important to residents of Del Rio and the surrounding area because the next closest tertiary medical center is approximately 150 miles away. For that reason, she wants Val Verde Regional to continue building its hospital staff to provide as many medical services as possible.

“For example, we recently

implemented inpatient renal dialysis specifically for our kidney patients so that if they do become ill, they don’t have to be transported to San Antonio or San Angelo,” she says. “We have excellent radiology and laboratory services on site, and excel in care whether a patient is an outpatient or needs to be admitted into our comfortable hospital setting.”

The medical center is also important to the local economy. It is one of the top 10 employers in Val Verde County with 350 employees, and 45 of those staff members have more than 25 years of service with the Del Rio facility.

Val Verde Regional has 50 registered nurses and three general surgeons on staff, along with four dentistry

Jeff Adkins

Val Verde Regional Medical Center

specialists. There is also a dietitian who oversees all meals served to patients admitted to the 93-bed medical center.

Departments at the hospital include obstetrics and gynecology, oncology, pediatrics, podiatry, nephrology, endocrinology and urology. There is also a women’s health center, a speech therapy program, cardiology procedures and orthopedic procedures.

“In addition, Val Verde Regional has a 24-hour Level IV trauma center, a 24-hour EMS service and around-the-clock intensive care services,” Davenport says.

“We also offer a specific care program for senior adults as well as a hospice program.

Our hospital has passionate people providing compassionate care.”

– Kevin Litwin

d e l r io

41

Arts & Culture

Art in the Heart of the Queen Del Rio boasts rich stew of dedicated arts organizations

D

Council for the Arts, locally called The Firehouse, located at 120 E. Garfield Ave. in the city’s historic downtown.

The colloquial name comes from its two-story, brick-red 1922 edifice – Del Rio’s first city hall, fire station, police department and jail – that has housed the arts organization since 1977.

More than 180 linear feet of gallery walls exhibit up to 18 exhibitions of two- and three-dimensional works annually.

The Firehouse is also an informal, relaxed entertainment venue, as well,

hosting “On the Patio” on the third Saturday of each month. The event features acoustic musicians and refreshments. The venue also hosts “Coffee Room,” an open mic night filled with poetry, music and, of course, java. Visit www.delrioarts.com for more information.

Del Rio and sister city Ciudad Acuña, México, straddle the border and share common Hispanic culture.

Preserving those traditions is El Comité del Pueblo’s Casa De La Cultura, located at 302 Cantu St. on historic Brown Plaza

Jeff Adkins

el Rio, Queen City of the Rio Grande, boasts a rich stew of dedicated artists and performers who keep the lights on in galleries and on stage. The arts scene is defined by local talent as well as traveling shows and exhibitions, including visual arts, dance troupes, classical musicians, folk singers and nostalgia entertainers.

Complementing all of these offerings are the warmth and hospitality that embrace patrons of the arts.

A hub of cultural performance, exhibition and education is Del Rio

42

i m ag e s d e l r i o . c o m

in the San Felipe community of Del Rio. The Casa focuses on educational programs for children and adults: ballet folklórico, rondalla, ceramics, piñatamaking, computers, drawing, painting and literacy. More than 42,000 participate annually in its programs.

Visit www.casadelaculturadelrio.com for more information.

Speaking of local artists, Del Rio resident Pam Bunch showcases her own work along with that of others in her gallery, the Lee-Bunch Studio & Gallery, located on the second floor of one of Del Rio’s historic buildings, Del Rio Loan Company, at 100 W. Greenwood St. The gallery displays works of a dozen local and regional artists. The homey, aromafilled gallery brims with pastels, watercolors, oils, hand-painted china,

pottery, fused glass and fabrics. Visit www.leebunchstudiogallery.com for the gallery’s schedule.

Lee-Bunch Studio & Gallery, the Casa and the Firehouse, along with Falcón Studio Arts Gallery, participate in First Friday Art Walk each month.

An estimated 15,000 people attend these events, enjoying visual arts exhibitions, performing arts and refreshments.

Performing arts also play an important role in Del Rio culture, and this is best experienced at Paul Poag Theatre, located at 746 S. Main St. With floor and the balcony seating, the

historic theater accommodates an audience of 476.

Manager Leno Hernandez says the diversity of the community is reflected in the venue’s variety of programming.

Follow Paul Poag Theatre on Twitter – paulpoagtheatre – to stay up-todate on the venue’s schedule.

– Bill Sontag

Visitors enjoy a colorful quilt show at the Del Rio Council for the Arts, which is located at the Firehouse.

The Real Estate Company you can trust with professionals you can rely on!

Residential • Commercial • Ranch • Water Front

Janita Hinds Real Estate 1800 Ave. G Del Rio, TX 78840 (830) 775-0010 (830) 774-1382 fax www.jhindsrealestate.com

d e l r io

43

visit our

advertisers Amistad Bank www.amistadbank.com Amistad Industries www.amistadmexico.com Ashley Furniture Homestore www.ashleyhomestores.com Cadena Family Practice www.cadenafamilypractice.com Cannon Graphics Printing Design Century 21 – Brenda Hunter & Associates LLC www.delriorealestate.com City of Del Rio, Texas www.cityofdelrio.com Comfort Tech Service Now www.iwantmyservicenow.com Del Rio Convention & Visitors Bureau www.drchamber.com Del Rio Council for the Arts www.delrioarts.com Del Tex RV & Auto Repair Center Edwards-Graham Insurance Agency www.edwardsgraham.com Janita Hinds Real Estate www.jhindsrealestate.com Mr. Appliance www.mrappliance.com/delrio Plaza Del Sol www.plazadelsolmall.com Ramada www.ramadainndelrio.com 2602 Veterans Blvd.

Del Rio, TX 78840 (830) 775-8518 Tel Brenda Hunter & Assoc. LLC

(830) 774-1780 Fax

century21@delriorealestate.com www.delriorealestate.com

44

i m ag e s d e l r i o . c o m

Rio Bravo Cancer & Blood PA Texas Community Bank www.txcommunitybank.com The Bank & Trust www.thebankandtrust.com Val Verde Regional Medical Center www.vvrmc.org Vista Verde Medical Plaza www.shannonhealth.com

Community Profile

Del Rio community overview Located in the central border region of Texas area across from the International Bridge, Del Rio is an oasis with San Felipe Springs flowing 150 million gallons of water per day through creeks and canals. Water and a temperate climate make Del Rio a recreational mecca.

community organizations AMERICAN GI FORUM (830) 775-1315 AMERICAN LEGION (830) 778-2159 BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF DEL RIO (830) 775-7927

climate

62.8 Avg Max Jan Temp

39.7 Avg Min Jan Temp

96.2

COMMUNITY COUNCIL OF SOUTHWEST TEXAS (830) 768-2854

SAN FELIPE COUNTRY CLUB (830) 774-2511 SAN FELIPE LIONS (830) 775-9331

74.3

UNITED WAY (830) 774-0704

population

48,485

imagesdelrio.com

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS (830) 298-2584

Avg Max July Temp

Avg Min July Temp

MORE ONLINE

DEL RIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (830) 775-3551

More facts, stats and community information, including relocation tools and links to resources.

VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS (830) 775-2712 information provided by:

Total Population

If you care about it, we can insure it.

Edwards-Graham Insurance Agency

Since 1906

Automobile • Home • Commercial • Boat • Motorcycle Life • Health • Disability • Long-Term Care

Rachel A. Beavan, Agent (830) 775-2411 • Toll-free: (800) 753-0102 1906 Veterans Blvd. • Del Rio (Across from the Del Rio Civic Center)

www.edwardsgraham.com

d e l r io

45