JULY / AUGUST 2016 | VOLUME 8 ISSUE 4
The 21st Century Child Well-balanced kids grow up confident and smart when provided chances for social, mental, and physical engagement. Immersion in nature and technology are part of today’s complete childhood.
The Confidence Place
New Taste Experiences at Bodega
The Future of Medicine is Here
The Little Gym helps children develop physical motor and social skills.
Innovation at the only kitchen, tavern, and meatcuring room south of San Antonio.
Modern surgical services at Rio Grande Regional Hospital bolster the Valley.
Remembering Guelaguetza Looking back fondly at Oaxaca, Mexico’s celebration of coming together.
© 2010 Southwest Airlines Co.
WHEN WE SERVE TOGETHER IN OUR COMMUNITIES, EVERYONE SOARS. Southwest Airlines® proudly partners with those who are helping to shape our communities all across America. One good deed—when coupled with another and another and another—can truly make a positive difference in our daily lives.
THE ART OF SURGERY
MIN IMA LLY IN V A SIV E SURGERY WEIGH T LOSS A N D ROBOTICS
Minimal invasive surgery guided by the same surgeon who is teaching others his art Dr. Mario del Pino, a talented and experienced surgeon,performs minimally invasive procedures using the most advanced laparoscopic and robotic technology. Having operated on over 1000 weight loss surgery patients, performing more than 300 robotic procedures, Dr. Del Pino has been recognized as the busiest robotic surgeon south of San Antonio! His experience is vast and assures confidence when taking care of you and your family. In fact, he is a doctor who is teaching others how to do what they do in robotics. The technology is top notch. The surgeon is excellent. The benefits are numerous. Minimally invasive procedures are safe, and result in faster and easier recovery.
M A R I O D E L PI N O M D F A C S F A S M B S
If you are scheduling surgery for yourself or a loved one, be sure to ask if it can be done using a minimally invasive procedure by Dr. Mario del Pino. The skills, the knowledge, the confidence and the art make the difference. It is all here, close to home.
TYPES OF SURGERY INCLUDE: Gall bladder Hernia Weight loss Colon Reflux & Appendix MARIO DEL PINO MD FACS FASMBS Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship training at the University of Pittsburg Proctor, Da Vinci Robotic Surgery platform Board Certified by the American Board of Surgery (Fellow American College of Surgeons) Medical Director Bariatrics Rio Grande Regional Hospital Surgeon Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence (Fellow of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery)
For more information on how robotic surgery can benefit you please call us at (956) 631-8155.
Find our facebook page “Mario del Pino MD”
110 E Savannah Ave Bldg A 202 | McAllen TX, 78503 http://www.southtexaslapband.com/
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The first and only in 3-D mammography in the Valley. When it comes to breast healthcare, early detection is key to improving outcomes. Tomosynthesis, also known as 3-D mammography is an innovative technology that allows for greater detail with a low dose of radiation,* and may allow for earlier detection of breast cancers and fewer call-backs for additional diagnostic imaging.
Call (877) 635-1987 to schedule your mammogram today. 2101 Pease St. Harlingen, TX 78550 ValleyBaptist.net If you have not had a mammogram before, a 3-D mammogram is recommended for a baseline screening. Additionally, if you have dense breast tissue, tomography may be a better choice for accurate imaging. *When compared to a standard 2-D mammogram.
Israel. STATE TROOPER in the making. With affordable tuition at South Texas College, anyone in the Rio Grande Valley community can take their career to the next level. For Israel, South Texas College provided him the opportunity to raise his rank in law enforcement while raising his son.
ONE OF THE MOST AFFORDABLE COLLEGES IN THE NATION Learn more at SouthTexasCollege.edu
MAKING LIVES Founded in 2008 by a group of emergency room physicians, Neighbors Emergency Center operates as a freestanding emergency room, providing patients with the same level of service as a hospital-based emergency room. We operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Neighbors Emergency Center takes pride in only hiring local board certified physicians to care for patients. By doing this, our physicians provide nothing less than the highest of quality patient care. Neighbors Emergency Center is rooted in and driven by a purpose that sets us apart from the healthcare industry as a whole. Our purpose drives our vision which is inspired by our patients, culture and community. Neighbors Emergency Center believes in providing extraordinary care that is dedicated to making lives better every day. Neighbors Emergency Center operates around an unfaltering vision to be “The Best Neighbors Ever” – this means providing unparalleled medical care driven by compassion, respect and dedication.
BROWNSVILLE
HARLINGEN
MCALLEN
2073 E. Ruben Torres Sr. Blvd. Brownsville, TX 78526
1725 N. Ed Carey Dr. Harlingen, TX 78550
6700 N. 10th Street McAllen, TX 78504
956.546.1524
956.412.5900
956.664.1100
ho use c ur ed me ats C hi c k en L i v er Pate Jala pe Ăą o C h e d da r S a u s age Sm o ke d H a m Pi g H e a d T e r r i ne M o r ta del l a Sal a m i C o t t o Sal m o n R i l l e te s Nduja
(95 6 ) 6 2 7 - 0482 | 2901 N . 10th Stre e t, Su ite s A/B, McAlle n
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GABE PUENTE
PUBLISHER/CEO
Summer – the season when we get to enjoy vacation time and breaking away from normative routine. The freedom makes us think back on our childhood, when the question of “What are we going to do today?” was met with a million creative ideas. Today, the young children of the RGV have opportunities for their education that we never dreamed of. From childfocused technology to programs, camps, and activities that improve skills, healthy development, and encourage social engagement, the Valley is helping mold the 21st century child. In this issue you will find a few of the many organizations offering educational development over the summer and their significant impact on our community and future. Our July/August cover story only highlights a small selection of the summer programs that encourage human development, but they are a tribute
to those who sacrifice their vacation time for the benefit of others: the dedicated few who organize, host, and work those very same summer programs. This issue contains many more inspiring and informative features. We consider the fate of a historical bridge, explore local fine dining, and celebrate the Mexican culture that blends on the border. Our travel story on page 82, Remembering Guelaguetza, gives us a glimpse of Oaxaca’s better days and reminds us of the beauty of coming together. We thank you for picking up this issue. We hope you stay encouraged, inspired, and educated over these coming months. In the spirit of Guelaguetza, share this issue with someone who may not know about all that the Rio Grande Valley has to offer. Start the conversation!
Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Copyright by rgVision Publications Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without expressed written permission of the publisher is prohibited. The opinions and views expressed in the magazine don’t necessarily reflect those of our advertisers or collaborators. rgVision magazine is published bi-monthly and circulates 12,000 copies across the Rio Grande Valley in 420 locations with a direct mail distribution to major hospitals and Superintendents within Region 1. The rgVision office is located at 506 W. University Dr. #101 Edinburg, TX 78539. To receive an annual subscription of RgVision publications for $29.99, email info@rgVisionMagazine.com.
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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS ANNIE SYKES GEORGE COX LAURI REVILLA
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KAREN VILLARREAL LAURA L. REAGAN ASHLEY BERRONES
DOMINIQUE Y. ZMUDA GRAPHIC DESIGNER/ILLUSTRATOR
GABRIELA GONZALES AARON CUMMINGS DAVID ALVARADO
KEVIN MARTINEZ PHOTOGRAPHER/SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
JENNILEE GARZA JOSE S. DE LEON III LORI HOUSTON
EDUARDO ROBLES
ABBEY KUNKLE
DIGITAL MANAGER
CONTENT CONTRIBUTORS
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
ADRIANA DOMINGUEZ, HCISD CLAUDIA V. LEMUS, PSJA
KEVIN MARTINEZ JOHN FAULK
BILL MARTIN, CFP ® JUDITH BENAVIDES, REALTOR WALTER REYNA, CFP
MELISSA GAUNA, NTP CHNC
JAMES HORD GABRIEL ELIZONDO JOSE ANTONIO PEÑA
FORTINO GONZALEZ, PT MARIO DEL PINO, MD
QUINTA MAZATLAN IMAS
For editorial comments and suggestions, please send e-mails to info@rgvisionmagazine.com. For advertising information, please call us at 210.618.8930 or e-mail us at info@rgvisionmagazine.com.
TABLE OF CONTENTS EDUCATION
30
Swimming with Sharks
12
In the Making
14
Lining up Options
16
PSJA Gives Back
20
Summer Learning Staples
22
The Waldorf Classroom
24
The Confidence Place
30
Young entrepreneurs discover their passion with Shark Tank competition at HCISD.
Elizabeth Mondragon is training to be a social worker at South Texas College.
RGV Careers prepares individuals like Jennifer Pineda to transform their lives.
ON THE COVER “21st Century Childhood” Opportunities for childhood development abound in the RGV!
A complete childhood today means immersion with nature and technology. Parents can raise well-balanced kids who grow up confident and smart by providing chances for social, mental, and physical engagement. This can take the form of access to educational resources like apps, classes, and lots of the great outdoors. Check out the stories on pages 22, 24, 30, 76, and 78!
Cover Illustration by Mariela Peña
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PSJA Education Foundation awards more than $250,000 in student scholarships, grants.
Can’t keep your child off their tablet? The right apps can actually boost their learning.
Learn about Pace Academy’s alternative pedagogy based on the Waldorf education system.
The Little Gym helps children develop pride in physical motor skills and social development.
2016
BUSINESS
42
58
QUALITY OF LIFE
Meet the Aerotropolis
Valley International Airport’s strategy to solidify its ranking as the leading transportation hub in the RGV.
34 Let’s Talk About Pain
It’s important for you to be as specific as possible in describing your pain to your physician.
53
RGVisionary Woman
74
Try a Concha Burger!
38
Conquering Sugar
Most people aren’t aware of how damaging sugar consumption can be.
57
Vitamin “N” Deficiency
76
Explore the Museum
78
Suspended in History
80
Remembering Guelaguetza
82
Orchard Lounge’s surprising flavor components represent Texas in national sustainable dining contest.
A Presidential Forecast
Comparing presumtive candidates to see what a new POTUS could mean for the real estate market.
Innovation at Bodega
41
The Valley’s success is quantified through measurements of our region as a whole: Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs).
Saving for College
The Future of Medicine
42
58
Rio Grande Regional Hospital’s surgical services, like childrens’ anesthesia, bolster the Valley.
Options for Obesity
Chef Adam Cavazos serves boldness and passion at the only kitchen, tavern, and meat-curing room south of San Antonio.
We are Better Together
HEALTH
VOLUME 8 ISSUE 4 July/August
64
Robotic metabolic surgery is like a reboot, offering a fresh start for maintaining a healthy weight.
Got Blood?
66
United Blood Services calls for aid against RGV’s low donor participation this summer.
46 Heads Up
68
Defend against “text neck”! Learn how to control your posture before it controls you.
49
A financial planner breaks down some options for saving towards your child’s higher education.
Mental Health Matters
82
Stephanie Moore, chairwoman of the board of MOSTHistory, is dedicated to preserving the history that unites our region.
Get your dose of “Vitamin Nature” with summer activities for the whole family at Quinta Mazatlan.
Go around the world with summer exhibitions at the International Museum of Art and Science!
Considering the future of the historic Roma Bridge, which still has much to teach us.
The current situation in the state of Oaxaca is once again tense, but we can still reflect on the annual celebration of coming together.
70
More than just a state of mind, mental health is perhaps the key component to living a wellrounded life.
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BACK OR NECK PAIN? Is pain limiting your activities and defining your lifestyle? Dr. Jaime Gasco, Neurosurgeon with the Valley Care Clinics Neuro-Spine Institute, delivers patient-centered, holistic care and focuses on improving a patient’s quality of life using specialty treatments that range from conservative methodologies to surgery, including minimally invasive techniques for brain, spine and peripheral nerve disorders with the goal of improving your functionality and your life.
To schedule an appointment, call 1-855-VCC-APPT
Jaime Gasco, MD Neurosurgery
CLINIC HOURS Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. 4302 S. Sugar Road, Suite 100 Edinburg, TX 78539 New patients welcome. Fluent in Spanish and English. 160491
STRENGTH.
POWER.
VITALITY. It’s all about
CARDIAC CARE.
Visit the Heart Clinic.
Advanced procedures and technology … skilled comprehensive cardiac care … convenient locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley.
For an appointment, call 956-630-5522.
If you or someone you care about has heart disease, skilled cardiac care is close to home. With a specialty-trained staff that includes board-certified cardiologists and cardiovascular and cardiothoracic surgeons, the Heart Clinic offers six convenient locations and a broad range of cardiac services including:
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Cardiac catheterization
•
Coumadin® clinic
•
EKG/Stress tests
•
Vein clinic
•
Echocardiograms
•
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Angioplasty/Stents
Vascular studies and procedures
•
Carotid and other vascular ultrasounds
•
Pacemakers and defibrillators
•
Heart failure clinical care
Why
Heart Attack Survival Guide at www.heartclinicpllc.com.
Edinburg • McAllen Mission • Rio Grande City Weslaco 160560
EDUCATION
Swimming
$harks
with
By: Adriana Dominguez
Y
oung entrepreneurs and inventors shined at the Heroes for Harlingen Shark Tank finale held at the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District administrative building on May 24. Following the format of the hit ABC show, students from Dr. Abraham P. Cano Freshman Academy pitched their creations to a panel of inquiring judges in hopes of securing an investment to bring their products to market. Superintendent Dr. Art Cavazos took the opportunity to speak to the groups before they presented. “You’re getting an experience like none other at Dr. Abraham P. Cano Academy,” said Dr. Cavazos.“Don’t ever underestimate the lessons that you are learning here and the opportunities you are receiving. It’s important to be able to collaborate,
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Young entrepreneurs discover their passion with Shark Tank competition be given opportunities to communicate, think critically, and to create. The 4 C’s – Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Creativity, and Communication – are our focus at Harlingen CISD, and they are skills that will serve you well as you move on to postsecondary education.” In collaboration with their team members, students presented solutions to solve real-world scenarios, such as providing stress relief, recycling rainwater, and saving infant lives. For Ravin Saldana, this gave her the opportunity to implement an idea that she has held close to her heart since sixth grade. “When I was in sixth grade, I heard on the news that a parent had left their child in a hot car, and the child passed away as a result,” said Saldana. “This broke my heart. I started thinking of a way to prevent tragedies like this from happening.”
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Saldana and her team member, Rudy Cavazos, put their heads together to create their product, Baby’s Little Hero Car Seat, which is equipped with a mat that has pressure and heat sensors along with GPS to alert EMS and police when a child is left in a hot vehicle. The culminating event featured the top 24 competitors, who were selected to compete out of nearly 400 students in the Business & Industry Endorsement track at Cano Academy. With only 10 days to prepare to face the Sharks, Karina Lopez, an English teacher and advisor on the Shark Tank project, provided students with valuable feedback so they could perfect their products and presentations. “I didn’t hold anything back when critiquing their projects because I knew that the Sharks wouldn’t either,” said Lopez. “Our students had great ideas. They tackled real issues like preventing the deaths of young children in hot vehicles. That’s what our industry is supposed to be about, solving problems in our world.” “Our group had to rebuild our product twice, but after a few talks and a couple of healthy arguments about what to do, we got it to work,” said Alex Torres. “I learned a lot about collaboration and how businesses work. It was a lot of fun and a valuable experience.” Torres, along with team members Isaiah Molina and Jyammari Moore, aimed to solve a gutter problem on campus. When rainwater falls steadily,
it accumulates on a particular spot and could potentially kill the grass beneath the gutter. To address the problem, the group devised a plan to redirect the water collected by the gutters for use elsewhere on campus. “Our project is called the Upstream Water Filtration,” said Torres. “There would be a container under the ground and the water stored in there is purified, and then tubes that can suck the air pressure out take the water up through a tube. We could then redirect that water to a restroom, sink, or water fountain.” Ravin Saldana and Rudy Cavazos took first place with their creation, Baby’s Little Hero Car Seat. Bother Ball, a stressrelief product created by John Duncan and Mallory Brownell, took second place. The Upstream Water Filtration group, which consists of Isaiah Molina, Jyammari Moore, and Alex Torres, took third place. Judging the event were local business professionals Nick Consiglio from Texas Regional Bank, Francisco Castellanos from Chick-fil-A, Carlos Quevedo from Lone Star National Bank, David Flinn from Ferris & Flinn LLC, and Sergeant Alfredo Alvear from Harlingen Police Department. The Shark Tank event is a direct outcome of the Teacher Externships, a component of the Heroes for Harlingen program. For more information on HCISD, please visit HCISD.org.
“Our project is called the Upstream Water Filtration. There would be a container under the ground and the water stored in there is purified, and then tubes that can suck the air pressure out take the water up through a tube. We could then redirect that water to a restroom, sink, or water fountain.” - Alex Torres, HCISD student
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EDUCATION
Elizabeth Mondragon: SOCIAL WORKER IN THE MAKING By Annie Sykes Social workers have a saying: “We’re not in it for the income. We’re in it for the outcome.” For Elizabeth Mondragon, rising college freshman and aspiring social worker, the phrase rings true. “I want to be a social worker so I can give a voice to those who don’t have one,” she says. “It’s a tough career, but it’s what I want to do.” And it’s what she will do. In fact, she’s already on her way. Elizabeth recently graduated from Thelma R. Salinas STEM Early College High School with enough credits for an associate degree. “Having that leg up in terms of college credit is invaluable,” says Elizabeth. “I’ll be able to graduate faster and spend less on my education. Plus, doing well will be easier because I’ve been taking college-level courses my whole high school career.” Those college-level courses were made possible through a partnership with South Texas College. Elizabeth’s alma mater, part of La Joya ISD, is one of 30 Valley early college high schools with which South Texas College partners. “I had actual STC professors as my high school teachers,” says Elizabeth. “They challenged me to think, write, and read on a college level. It was tough, but it’s clearly paid off. Now, I’m the first person in my family to go to college.” For many years, Elizabeth thought of college as a pipe dream rather than an achievable goal. “The first 10 years of my life were spent moving constantly.”
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Elizabeth, her brothers and sisters, and her mother were trying to outrun their father, an abusive man who caused the family to split their time between Las Vegas and Mexico for years. “When you live like that, you feel a continual fear that makes it hard to imagine a stable life, let alone college,” she says. “The experience was terrible, but it also gave me direction. It inspired me to become a social worker.” Things started to change when Elizabeth and her family were finally able to settle down. “We moved to Mission, Texas and got enrolled in the local schools,” she explains. “After middle school, I signed up to go to Thelma R. Salinas. I didn’t know much about it,
only that I would have STC professors as teachers and get college credit during high school. The thought that I could leave high school halfway to a bachelor’s degree made college seem like a reality for the first time.” Elizabeth’s first few years at the early college high school were no walk in the park. STC’s curriculum is designed to prepare students for college-level rigor, so starting off can be a challenging adjustment. “I remember it being very stressful in the beginning,” she recalls, “but soon I got used to the expectations. Now I feel totally prepared for college.” And college is on the horizon. Elizabeth has been accepted into UTRGV, where
“Going from where I used to be – a scared kid with no real roots - to where I am now - about to be a college student – feels incredible. Soon I’ll be able to help
more kids like me find the same kind of bright future I see ahead of me.” -Elizabeth Mondragon
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she plans to earn her bachelor’s degree in social work. Because of the credits she’s already earned from South Texas College, Elizabeth will be ahead of the curve. “Going from where I used to be – a scared kid with no real roots – to where I am now, about to be a college student, feels incredible. Soon I’ll be able to help more kids like me find the same kind of bright future I see ahead of me. And now my older sister is figuring out how to go to college, too.” They say social work is the art of listening and the science of hope. An effective social worker trains hard, keeps up with the latest research, serves with confidence and gentleness, and has the grace to do it all in the bleakest corners of society. Elizabeth Mondragon, social worker in the making, will soon join the ranks of this noble profession, and there is no doubt she will succeed.
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EDUCATION
LINING UP
OPTIONS RGV Careers Prepares Individuals To Transform Their Lives By Karen Villarreal Photos by Kevin Martinez
Reasons for returning to school are as varied as the vast number of people making the decision to do so. Whether individuals are looking for a change in career, are seeking education for the first time, or are returning as non-traditional students, it’s a boon to their individual lives as well as the local economy to pursue an education that will expand their opportunities. “It’s never too late to go back and improve your education,” according to Jennifer Pineda, a recent graduate of RGV Careers. Jennifer just started a new career as a pharmacy technician and is looking forward to growing in that field. RGV Careers educates students in a variety of health-care fields, preparing them for jobs like medical billing and coding or National Board Certification as a pharmacy technician, the option that Jennifer chose to pursue. Jennifer says that the foundation she received at RGV Careers will make taking the next step in her education that much easier. As a stay-at-home mom, Jennifer was looking for something she could fall back on in hard times. She first heard about RGV Careers from Bobby Villarreal, the school’s creative director. The relatively short duration of the course options really appealed to her, as it showed that the security of a good job – or even career – didn’t have to be a distant dream. The Rio Grande Valley has a substantial health-care industry with many major hospitals, clinics, and private practices, as well as ancillary services. RGV Careers helps train the workers who will fill these structures and attend to the needs of the Valley’s many patients. Parts of the Pharmacy Technician course at RGV Careers were challenging for Jennifer, especially the medical terminology class. “But our teacher, Mr. Terrazas, was very helpful in making sure we fully understood everything,” says Jennifer. The hands-on experience she 18
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gained in class made her feel much more comfortable starting her real-world job. “The back of our classroom was set up just like a real pharmacy so that we could get used to the work environment right from the start,” she says. Toward the end of the course, the students were placed as interns in several pharmacies in the area to gain more work experience. “RGV Careers has given me the opportunity to have many options of places to work,” says Jennifer. Not only are there a wide variety of retail pharmacies in the Rio Grande Valley, but there are also hospital- and nursing home-based pharmacies that employ pharmacy technicians. Saenz Pharmacy has employed several pharmacy technician graduates from RGV Careers, including Jennifer. Jesus Saenz, R.Ph., says that they have a pharmacy technician graduate at each of their seven locations. “I really like the idea that RGV Careers has a pharmacy technician program because every pharmacist needs a good right hand to free them up to consult with patients.” RGV Careers has very good pharmacy technician instructors that have experience working in their field. “The interns at our pharmacies are well prepared to take on the day-to-day tasks that the position requires.” Jennifer has recommended RGV Careers to several of her friends already. “The programs they offer are all in the medical field, which will ensure you will never be out of a job,” says Jennifer. “The staff and teachers are very helpful and friendly, it’s affordable, and they accommodate everyone.” RGV Careers offers daytime and evening classes and the staff really works with the students individually to figure out financing options. RGV Careers has changed Jennifer’s life by showing her that she can succeed even further than she had imagined. “After I get a little more experience as a pharmacy technician, I would love to go to school again to hopefully become a pharmacist,” she says.
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“The back of our classroom was set up just like a real pharmacy so that we could get used to the work environment right from the start.” - Jennifer Pineda, A recent graduate of RGV Careers.
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LET US BUILD THE FOUNDATION FOR YOUR GROWTH 956 | 520 | 8183
nobletexasbuilders.com 435 S. Texas Blvd. Weslaco, TX
NOBLE TEXAS BUILDERS provide hands-on professional consultation services and pro-active solutions that deliver quality craftsmanship by an experienced and trusted team.
PSJA Gives Back EDUCATION
By Claudia V. Lemus
C
ome the month of May, there is nothing more nerve-racking for high school seniors than the anticipation of opening college acceptance letters and finding out how much funding they have been awarded to help pay for their postsecondary education. “Will I get enough? Will I have to take out a loan? What if my parents can’t afford to pay my tuition?” Now, thanks to the PSJA Education Foundation, hundreds of students have received additional scholarships to help pay for their college education. Aware of the hundreds of low-income students who face financial barriers when attending college, local businesses and education leaders in the Pharr-San JuanAlamo Independent School District joined forces to form the PSJA Education Foundation and provide direct support to PSJA graduates as well as teachers through classroom innovative mini-grants. First founded in 2013, the PSJA Education Foundation is an independent non-profit organization that promotes excellence in education by developing and sustaining financial and non-financial support from the private sector to PSJA ISD students and staff.
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PSJA Education Foundation awards more than $250,000 in student scholarships, grants. For Joel A. Gonzalez, PSJA Education Foundation president, the organization was created to better the lives of students and teachers in PSJA ISD. Since its creation, the foundation has awarded close to $500,000 in scholarships and grants. “The PSJA Education Foundation is important because we believe education is the key to a brighter future,” said Gonzalez. “It’s an honor to be leading an organization that will have an impact on shaping the future leaders of our community. The support our students receive from the community instills a sense of belonging and motivation to complete their education.” In order to give hundreds of thousands since its creation, leaders in the foundation as well as members of the community dedicate countless hours each year to fundraise. The foundation’s primary fundraiser is an annual concert where local
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$500,000+ in student scholarships, teacher grants and promoting literacy since 2013 “Being awarded this scholarship allows me to attend my dream university.” - Leonardo Gutierrez
businesses and PSJA alumni are able to donate to the cause. In addition, more than 650 PSJA ISD employees contribute monthly to the foundation through generous payroll deductions. As a result, according to Gonzalez, this year the foundation gave $220,000 in student scholarships. For the first time, the foundation also awarded five 4-year $2,500 scholarships and nine 4-year $1,500 scholarships to the top-rated applicants. “Being awarded this scholarship allows me to attend my dream university,” shared Leonardo Gutierrez, a recipient of a total of $10,000 in a 4-year period. “I would like to thank my PSJA family and the PSJA Education Foundation for giving me an opportunity to study at one of the most prestigious universities in Texas.” Gutierrez plans to major in psychology while at Baylor University in Waco. In addition to awarding scholarships, the PSJA Education Foundation also awarded more than $25,000 in competitive Teacher Mini Grants to PSJA educators. Early this year, Foundation Board Members visited 20 district campuses during a two-day period to surprise the selected recipients. From over 80
applications received, they awarded 34 grants ranging from $500 to $1,000. Projects selected touched on a variety of different topics including literacy, career pathways, environmental projects, science and even fine arts. For Michelle Rosales, librarian at McKeever Elementary in Alamo, receiving a $1,000 grant to purchase new books for her students left her in tears. “I feel so very honored,” said Rosales. “A lot of them don’t have money to get new books or go to Barnes & Noble. Some have never even been there. These books are going to help them so much.” While the PSJA Education Foundation is proud to be able to help students fulfill their educational goals and teachers create innovative classroom projects, the president said their efforts would not be possible without the endless support and generous donations from the community. “I would like to thank the PSJA teachers and employees, as well as the business donors for their continued support,” said Gonzalez. To donate to the PSJA Education Foundation or become a sponsor, please visit www.psjaisd.us/foundation.
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$250,000+ awarded in scholarships, teacher grants and promoting literacy in 2016 alone
650+
PSJA employees contributing through monthly payroll deductions
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EDUCATION
summer Learning
staples
Apps can help kids keep their edge over summer break By Laura Lyles Reagan
y
8
6 3 2 S
ummer vacation is every child’s favorite time of the year. In their young minds, it means two months of fun – and forgetting all about school. However, this can negatively impact their learning when they return in the fall. According to the National Summer Learning Association, all students experience learning losses when they do not engage in educational activities over the summer months. Most lose about two months of grade level equivalency in mathematical computation skills.
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Experts recommed cutting down on screen time to encourage children to play in other ways; however, we know children love their tablets, computers, and cellphones. “Kids and technology go together like peanut butter and jelly these days,” says Susan Valverde, vice president of Sylvan Corporate Franchise Operations. “Educational applications or apps can maximize learning fun and reduce summer learning loss.”
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Parents and children can both be happy this summer if the screens they are tapping are unlocking learning potential. The National Summer Learning Association has multiple free resources and links, which include playkidsgames.com, wegivebooks. com, and education.com. Others include: Top Tech Apps to Prevent Summer Learning Loss as outlined at http:// www.funeducationalapps.com/2014/05/bestapps-for-to-help-prevent-summer-learningloss.html.
Sylvan Rio Grande Valley recommends the following:
Splash Math
fun learning elementary worksheets Splash Math Grades 1 to 5 app is a collection of fun and interactive math problems aligned to Common Core Standards. The app reinforces math concepts with self-paced and adaptive practice anytime, anywhere.
Mathcubes
Addition and Subtraction
Your children can enjoy math. With Mathcubes they will solve sums and subtractions without hardly making an effort. You will see their control of numbers grow in a short amount of time. It will surprise you!
Fun with Reading (Ages 3-4)
Kids Learn to Read is the perfect app to help your children sound out words, match words to pictures, and spell words accurately. Stick with it, and soon your kids will be reading you to sleep!
Digital Doodle Days (All Ages)
Do your kids love to paint … with their food? Well, now you can keep their artistic juices flowing, minus the spillage, by downloading Draw on the Table. Watch them create art with their orange juice and broccoli without wasting a single one of your groceries. Kids of all ages will enjoy this one.
Ka-Ching! Cashing Out (Ages 5 and up)
DragonBox Elements
the game that secretly teaches geometry Discover the fundamentals of geometry with your family! Watch your kids learn geometry in a matter of hours, without them even noticing they're learning!
In this day and age, a money-conscious child can only be a blessing. Hand over your iPad and let your kids play Cash Register, a simple app that allows them to count up dollar amounts, print virtual receipts and cash out. If nothing else, your little one will be captivated by the realistic cash register sound effects.
Tick-Tock, Learn the Clock (Ages 3-12)
Have fun with digital and analog clocks using the Interactive Telling Time Lite app. Your child will learn the art of telling time … in no time!
A Walk on the Wild Side (All Ages)
For reasons unknown to us, kids adore animals. Wildlife Jigsaw Puzzle 123 helps kids identify the names of more than 40 animals while improving their motor skills, concentration and memory.
Grandpa in Space
A Great Learning Adventure for Kids
Grandpa in Space is the newest addition to the Fairlady Media's Grandma and Grandpa Collection. It is a great game developed for 6 to 8-year-olds, with a focus on outer space fun. Kids travel from planet to planet while practicing a variety of math and language skills.
SylvanPlay
Score big with your family with SylvanPlay, a network for grades 1-4! SylvanPlay is a library of fun, Sylvan-approved educational apps all packaged together. Your child will love the entertainment; you’ll love that he or she is learning.
Brainfeed
Top Educational Videos: Learn about Everything!
Children love watching videos, but not everything on the internet is kid-friendly. Brainfeed selects the best educational videos available on the net, so kids can learn about anything and everything!
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Sources: iphone.appstorm.net/roundups/50-learning-apps-for-kids/ parents.com/fun/entertainment/gadgets/best-apps-for-preschoolers/ www.bestappsforkids.com momswithapps.com www.coolmomtech.com www.giggleup.com www.commonsensemedia.org/guide/best-first-kids-apps/kindle-fire www.funeducationalapps.com/music-apps-for-kids/ http://www.sylvanlearning.com/resources/sylvanplay Laura L. Reagan is a parenting journalist, author, speaker and coach. She can be reached through her website at www.lauralreagan.com for more resources and coaching sessions.
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EDUCATION
EXPLORING: The Waldorf Classroom
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Pace Academy Offers An Alternative Pedagogy
“There are many names for children and adults who have developed problem-solving skills. We call those people innovative; we call them entrepreneurs. We call them leaders.” - Robin Wilson-Clipson Founder, Pace Academy
By Lori Houston Photography by Gabriel Elizondo
T
he face of education is changing, and education alternatives are popping up everywhere. From online schools to charter and private schools, approaches to getting educated are as varied as the students themselves. One of those alternatives here in the Rio Grande Valley is Pace Academy. Robin Wilson-Clipson founded Pace Academy in Combes, Texas two years ago. After researching various educational methods, including Montessori, Reggio, and KIPP, she happened upon Waldorf. She and an associate took a trip to the Waldorf school in Austin to see what it was all about. “We’re there for probably five minutes and I realize – I have found the school I want to duplicate,” says Wilson-Clipson. When Pace Academy first opened, they served Pre-K through sixth grade, with the intention of adding a grade each year. This fall they will be adding eighth grade, and plan to continue a steady growth including a move to a new, larger facility in the future. A Waldorf education is essentially divided into three stages. Early childhood focuses on hands-on activities and creative play. Elementary accentuates artistic expression and social skills, while secondary develops critical thinking and empathic understanding. Wilson-Clipson says, “We chose the Waldorf curriculum because it aligns with the idea we have that it’s not just good enough to improve someone’s academics or their ability to to do academic work; we also have to give our children the ability to solve their own problems. There are many names for children and adults who have developed problemsolving skills. We call those people innovative; we call them entrepreneurs. We call them leaders.” Developing the social skills that will allow children to work effectively with others is a constant endeavor at Pace Academy. “Kindness is very important when you’re working with other people, so we talk about the three gates,” says Wilson-Clipson. When children are talking to their classmates, they need to stop and make sure information passes three tests: Truth, Necessity, and Kindness. “Ask yourself, ‘Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?’ says Wilson-Clipson. “If it doesn’t pass all three, keep it to yourself.” The children have an hourJ U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 6
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EDUCATION
It is vital that a teacher, student, or parent of a student in a Waldorf School understand the importance of science, art, and music working together with math and English.
long recess where they have ample opportunity to practice their social skills in all their interactions. Education at Pace Academy isn’t quantified by grades for each learning goal, so what is the role of homework? “I truly believe that a child cannot really be responsible
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for homework until they can be more responsible for themselves,” says WilsonClipson. Her goal for the classroom is that the children learn what their instructor intended them to learn. If they successfully grasp the concepts, they move on. If not, they get another lesson on the subject.
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“We teach things to help a child be more responsible: We don’t break or peel our crayons. We don’t throw them on the floor; we have little containers for our crayons. The responsibility starts with their crayons and color pencils - making sure that they’re replaced each and every time.” She explains that they enforce these ideas because responsibility takes practice to become habit. If children understand that they must take care of possessions like their crayons, it establishes a norm of being respectful and careful. If they can be responsible with things, they may be ready to care for a pet, which in turn prepares them for the larger responsibilities that come with growing up. The lessons and ideals taught at Pace Academy will continue to influence the lives of the students well into adulthood, regardless of what career and life paths they choose to take. Wilson-Clipson believes that it is vital that a teacher, student, or parent of a student in a Waldorf School understand the importance of science, art, and music working together with math
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and English. “Because they are developing left brain and right brain at the same pace and giving it equal importance, music and art are not less important than math and English. They come together to help create a student that is well balanced,” says WilsonClipson. A successful Waldorf school is supported by its community. Parent volunteers are invested in the school and want it to succeed, and their contributions are immeasurable. “I love the idea of different people from the community coming in and teaching the kids how to bake bread, how fix a lawn mower, how to weld a seam – there are a million things that kids can learn. You never know what kid has been looking for that one thing to latch onto to say ‘I need to keep going to school because that’s what I want to do.’ They never would have found it without that person coming in.” To learn more about Pace Academy, visit www.facebook. com/paceharlingen.
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EDUCATION
By Laura L. Reagan Photography by Kevin Martinez
H
ave you ever noticed that children love to run and play – especially when they’re supposed to be sitting still? It can be frustrating for parents, teachers, and really anyone in the vicinity of an active toddler, but the child in motion might be on to something! Countless studies tout the benefits of movement to early brain development and learning. Nevertheless, schools are formatted for sedentary desk learning, which does nothing to combat the escalating obesity rates our children are facing. Little Gym of McAllen, Texas, has found the balance for healthy development that sets the stage for an active lifestyle. Bright colors, children’s laughter, and relaxed parents greet you at The Little Gym of McAllen. Positive feedback abounds in this non-competitive facility. Little Gym offers progressively structured classes, patient instructors, and a positive learning environment to create opportunities for children to try new things and build self-esteem as a result. But don’t tell them that; kids think they are just having fun in this positive environment.
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Little Gym’s trained instructors implement a curriculum to promote motor skill development through gymnastics classes, parent/child interactive activities, camps and parties. The instructors use a technique called Specific Positive Feedback (SPF). Little Gym trains their instructors via video and face-toface mentoring with a veteran instructor. Positive reinforcement guides learning with specific improvement in the points of detail for gymnastics, which can be applied to tackling any new challenge. Alton Britton, owner and CEO of Little Gym, says that’s what Little Gym is all about. “We teach confidence – whether that’s a cartwheel in the gym or confidence in working out math problems. Kids feel confident!” All programs are built on a philosophy of serious fun. It is a proprietary philosophy called Three-Dimensional Learning, in which physical activity is the avenue to nurturing whole child development. The Three-Dimensional approach to young child learning means that every class offers growth in three areas – Get Moving! Brain Boost! and Citizen Kid!
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“Whether that’s a cartwheel in the gym or working out math problems. Kids feel confident!” - Alton Britton, CEO Little Gym
THREE-DIMENSIONAL LEARNING:
Get Moving! – develops flexibility, strength, balance, and coordination through varied physical activities.
Brain Boost!– builds listening skills, concentration and decision-making.
The newest program for children ages 3 and 4 called “Wonder Kids Club” focuses on motor skills development integrated with cognitive development. WonderKids Club™ is a three-hour preschool prep program that extends The Little Gym experience. Britton says Wonder Kids helps children prepare for school by focusing on all the components of Little Gym’s philosophy: physical, mental, and social development. WonderKids Club provides a safe, structured, familiar environment with active learning and center activities, arts and crafts projects, and various art media, story time, and creative play with LEGO® DUPLO® bricks. The first hour is curriculumbased with learning enrichment activities. The second hour is
Citizen Kid! – promotes sharing, teamwork, cooperation, and leadership by interacting with other children and parents.
gymnastics instruction, practice, and guided play. The last hour returns the child to learning enrichment. Parents are welcome to drop off children or stay and observe. Britton feels privileged to have served thousands of families through Little Gym for more than a decade. Some of his former students are now instructors, which serves as a ringing endorsement. The cost per week for classes is surprisingly affordable, at under $20. Wonder Kids Club costs an extra $10 per class. Payment plans are also available. Little Gym summer enrollment is underway. Call (956) 687-5353 to register.
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Edinburg Vision Center was established June 11, 1968 by
Dr. Gary L. Ahlman. A full surfacing lab was added in 1976. It is the largest optometric practice in Edinburg. It is with pride that we boast of the success of Edinburg Vision Center through our loyal patient base via referrals from family, friends, co-workers, and other health care professionals.
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Optometric Glaucoma Specialist Therapeutic Optometry
AERO TRO POLIS BUSINESS
Airports need to be more than just airports in order to succeed in a modern world. That’s the thinking behind Valley International Airport’s strategy to solidify its ranking as the leading transportation hub in the Rio Grande Valley.
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By George Cox
Known as the Harlingen Aerotropolis, the plan is a multifaceted economic development approach using a relatively new airport business model to meet the demands of the future, including the growing aerospace industry in South Texas. “All airports are trying to reinvent themselves to diversify revenue streams,” VIA Aviation Director Marv Esterly said. “Our top priority is airline service and we want to make sure our rates are low for air carriers,” he said. “The aerotropolis is really an answer to that. It spreads the cost beyond the airlines.” With only four major air carriers dominating the market following years of mergers and acquisitions, the competition for air service is as tough as ever and airports need to make adjustments in the way they do business to remain viable. Already the Valley’s busiest air cargo center and the secondbusiest passenger airport, VIA is in a unique position to tap into
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the growing aerospace industry in South Texas as well as other air-related companies. Fields of cotton and grain sorghum adjacent to VIA could one day give way to a diverse economic development complex. The airport owns 480 acres of that farmland and the basic infrastructure to make it “shovel-ready” for development is already in place. In 2015, McCallum Sweeney Consulting, hired by American Electric Power, certified the Harlingen Aerotropolis as an AEP Quality Site, meaning that it’s ready for development. “The basics are there and it’s ready to go,” Esterly said. “All the utilities are there, everything they need to start, so all they have to do is get a building permit.” At the time the certification was issued, Lindsey Myers, senior consultant and director of site readiness programs for McCallum Sweeney, said that shovel-ready communities have an upper hand in attracting new business.
“Companies are not willing to wait for a community to find an appropriate site and determine its suitability for development. That due diligence needs to be completed in advance of a prospect visit,” she said. “The Harlingen Aerotropolis at Valley International Airport is the first certified site in the entire state of Texas using AEP’s Quality Site Program.” The aerotropolis concept is designed to attract air-related businesses such as companies that frequently ship and receive parts and goods by air, light commercial, as well as organizations that could locate headquarters near an airport for the convenience of doing business and travel. “And we definitely want to bring in high-tech,” Esterly said. With United Launch Alliance well-established at VIA manufacturing and assembling rocket components and the arrival of the SpaceX launch facility in Cameron County, the aerospace industry is a prime target for Harlingen Aerotropolis. Esterly described ULA as a “cornerstone business to attract
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BUSINESS
related businesses” such as other component manufacturers and payload companies. Part of the idea behind an aerotropolis is to create a diverse planned business community that could include residential areas for company executives and workers as well as restaurants and retail. There is more than the 480 acres of shovel-ready farmland behind the vision. The fact that VIA operates independently as a self-sufficient airport with its own board of directors gives it an edge in being able to move quickly in the quest to develop the Harlingen Aerotropolis, Esterly said. Its central location in the fast-growing Valley, proximity to the Port of Harlingen, and easy access to major highways, railroads, and international bridges also combine to beef up the credentials of the aerotropolis.
“I’m very excited to promote a very exciting area,” said Marv Esterly, who came to VIA in early 2015 to replace retiring aviation director Michael Browning.
VIA has also reached out and created partnerships within the Harlingen community to help plan and market the aerotropolis concept. The Harlingen Economic Development Corporation came on board to assist with marketing Harlingen Aerotropolis, providing consulting and the production of a video touting the project for prospective tenants. Texas State Technical College, with its campus right next door to the airport, is another partner, with many of its students already hard at work to develop marketing materials and plan potential projects. TSTC engineering students have been involved with designing a 3-D computerized prototype of what the aerotropolis could look like and the types of buildings that could occupy the 480 acres. At the north end of the airport stands an old concrete building that once served as a military jet engine testing facility before it was abandoned in the 1970s. The one-foot-thick steel reinforced concrete walls contain four testing rooms and two control rooms that are now sort of a laboratory for TSTC students to develop ideas on how to upgrade and repurpose the building as a modern propulsion test center. The student involvement provides yet another selling tool for the Harlingen Aerotropolis. 38
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Part of the idea behind an aerotropolis is to create a diverse planned business community that could include residential areas for company executives and workers as well as restaurants and retail.
“A lot of ULA workers are already coming right out of TSTC,” Esterly said. “We can tell prospective tenants: Here’s where a lot of your employees will come from. That’s always a big question we get asked.” As the farmers harvest their summer crops, the people behind the aerotropolis are developing marketing tools and reaching out to explain the vision to prospective customers by visiting trade shows and contacting companies to explain what Harlingen has to offer.
“We make sure we have all the feathers in our hat when we go visit companies,” Esterly said. “Right now is getting the name out, getting the word out. It’s a long process, but if you don’t do anything, you are always at square one. “I’m very excited to promote a very exciting area,” said Esterly, who came to VIA in early 2015 to replace retiring aviation director Michael Browning. “I’m excited about promoting Valley International Airport as the regional airport.”
Sponsorship opportunities are available!
Learn more: http://bit.ly/28SzUZ5
BUSINESS
SURPRISING FLAVOR COMPONENTS REPRESENT TEXAS IN NATIONAL SUSTAINABLE DINING CONTEST ORCHARD LOUNGE'S CONCHA BURGER MADE TOP 10 IN BLENDED BURGER PROJECT BY KAREN VILLARREAL
“It’s a battle. It’s something big. It’s an opportunity for the RGV to make history,” says chef Adrian Cruz about the James Beard Foundation’s nationwide Blended Burger Project. Immediately recognizable to anyone familiar with the RGV, a concha as the top bun of his burger is surprising, but it’s only the first of many unexpected components in the entree that could further reinforce the RGV’s emerging position on the culinary map. “A concha is a Hispanic thing that needs to get out there,” says Cruz, a self-taught culinary artist who has been working as a chef for over 16 years. “This competition is opening the door for the Valley, and Texas. There are a lot of like, French foods, for example, that are mainstream – baguettes, macaroons,
pretzel buns – so why not concha buns?” Yes, they are meant to be dipped in coffee. As you can imagine, a traditional concha bunch falls apart in the burger, even the wonderful ones that come from Orchard Lounge’s mother restaurant, which has a bakery. Fighting for its position in the top 10 after months of voting, this concha bun has been modified to hold up under pressure. “I tweaked it when the blended burger competition came out,” says Cruz. “My brother and I came up with a brioche style bun with a concha top.” (High egg and butter content give it a rich and tender crumb). The pink, black, and chocolate sweet topping counterbalances the inside patty, which is the second savory, salty, and spicy surprise: it is made of 25 percent mushrooms, the qualifying factor for entry into the Blended Burger Project.
The pickled onions give you acidity that brings out the flavor of the meat, but the homemade strawberry fig jam spread on the concha balances it. Then you get to the egg fried in duck fat. 40
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According to the James Beard Foundation, “Simultaneously achieving nutrition, sustainability, and flavor is a core value of America’s food system.” Local chefs are doing their part to participate in this shift towards sustainable dining in the RGV by introducing meat substitutes that are not just palatable, but gourmet. “There has to be a healthier way to eat a burger,” says Cruz. “And portabella mushrooms are like steaks; you can grill them and fry them and they have a nice, meaty texture and taste.” The concha burger patty is a blend of shiitaki mushrooms, beef, and chorizo to further reinforce the South Texan flavor profile. “A lot of combinations give you all the flavors,” says Cruz. “In order to get the balance, we have the sweet and savory blend with the smoked gouda to give it the smoked flavor. A lot of people know that bacon goes very well with sweet – we include applewood bacon, and a chipotle aioli (an egg-and -oil-based, mayonnaise-like spread). We include some Enokitake ( Japanese string mushrooms), butter lettuce, pickles, onions, and cucumbers.” The veggies are done in house with a citrus vinaigrette
that makes them pop. “The pickled onions give you acidity that brings out the flavor of the meat, but the homemade strawberry fig jam spread on the concha balances it,” says Cruz. Then you get to the egg fried in duck fat. Who doesn’t love an egg in a burger? “You can get it any way you want, but I like to serve it with the gooey center falling all over the cheese,” says Cruz. With over 9,500 votes as of June 25 and still a month to go in the competition, the Concha Burger is fighting to stay in the top 5. “Those are the ones that go to New York to cook their burger for 1,000 people. It might be the nominees that get to go on Oct. 16,” says Cruz. “If we can stay in the top 5, we made it.” He is hoping to get more support from the RGV. “We’re not doing this just for us; we’re doing it for the Valley – for Texas – because we’re the only ones representing in thw top 10. A lot of the competitors are corporate restaurants, but we’re the new
kids on the block.” He is eager to do well in the competition and get some recognition for the RGV’s culinary talents. “Last year I was in San Jose; I got to try out different restaurants and meet a lot of chefs. They told me, ‘You’re very talented – what are you doing in Texas? There’s nothing down there.’ That was when I realized I had to come back.” Cruz has been working alongside his brother with the Orchard Lounge for only a few months, but he is enjoying the creativity he is able to freely incorporate into his dishes. “Here I have the chance to pick my colors and then pick my food. Every day find something to do! I’m an artist; I used to paint. I think, ‘What can I use in this dish to use these colors?’ Presentation is everything.” Cruz, RGV Iron Chef in 2012 and 2013, has a large online following and has made several TV appearances. In September, he will be a U.S. chef
Night Clinic
Most Major Insurances and Medicare Accepted
If you develop a recipe and just hold on to it, you’re not going to go far.” He is quick to point out that he is not alone in raising the bar for next-level dining in the RGV. “There are a lot of talented chefs down here, but we need more chefs to step forward and do the work that they want,” he says. “Texas Monthly only goes as far as San Antonio. But we’re down here and we have what you want.” You can vote once a day per device until July 31 at www.jamesbeard.org/ blendedburgerproject/vote. To read more about Chef Adrian Cruz, visit chefsroll. com/ChefAdrianCruz.
YOU CAN VOTE ONCE A DAY FOR YOUR FAVORITE BURGER THROUGH JULY 31! J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 6
Family Medicine
In-House Lab and X-Ray
We’re not doing this just for us; we’re doing it for the Valley – for Texas – because we’re the only ones representing in this competition. A lot of the competitors are corporate restaurants, but we’re the new kids on the block.
ambassador for the chefsroll.com blog. “My work speaks for itself,” says Cruz. “I’m also a Cardinal international plating artist. I have about 15 dishes posted with them. I like to inspire young chefs; they tell me, ‘You make me want to pick up my plating skills,’ which is great.” He explains that the chefs that are young are hungry, and the older ones are hungrier – worried that the younger ones will take them out. But on the other hand, the older ones are passing torches. “I’m all about sharing,” says Cruz. “I’m sharing myself and my style with another chefs, who share it through their food with other people and that’s what I want.
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“Health Care for Generations of the Valley.”
Samuel Ramirez, MD Board Certified in Family Medicine
Joel Solis, MD Board Certified in Family Medicine
Valley Medical Arts Clinic, PA 5201 North 10th Street McAllen, TX 78504 P: [956] 631 - 5411 F: [956] 631 - 7129
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BUSINESS
A PRESIDENTIAL FORECAST WHAT A NEW POTUS COULD MEAN FOR THE REAL ESTATE MARKET
By Judith Benavides, BIG Realty Judith@isellrgv.com RGVLOCATOR.COM 956.607.2383
If you are planning on becoming a homeowner in the next four years, paying close attention to the candidates’ economic plan is crucial–especially their housing plan and finance reform. It can affect the mortgage process for your home loan, the amount of your down payment, your monthly mortgage, and factor into whether you will be able to afford to own your own piece of the land of the free. There are 9 million more renters now than a decade ago, so pay close attention so you don’t get stuck there. As a voting citizen, you might have already chosen where your vote will be cast or like many undecided voters, you are weighing your options for the candidate that best suits you.
PRESUMPTIVE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE HILLARY R. CLINTON
Early in her campaign, Hillary Clinton released the $125 billion “Economic Revitalization Initiative.” Her campaign says the initiative is part of Clinton’s “Breaking Every Barrier Agenda,” which includes, among other reforms, plans for providing every child in America a world-class education and adequate housing. $25 billion of the Economic Initiative will be used for the housing investment program that aims to help more families through sustainable homeownership. Clinton has also detailed a comprehensive plan to increase investments in the Low Income Housing Tax Credit to garner the production of more affordable rental properties. This aims to protect citizens from skyrocketing rental rates and allow them breathable room to potentially join the homeownership pool. She has vowed not to
THERE ARE FOUR STEPS TO IMPROVE THE COUNTRY’S HOUSING SYSTEM ACCORDING TO THE INITIATIVES PLAN:
• Help future homeowners save for a down payment by matching $10,000 in savings for “responsible homeowners who earn less than area median income to put towards a down payment on a first home.” • Update underwriting tools to reflect today’s dynamic job market and broaden the number of credit-worthy borrowers.
make any changes to the current tax rates. She plans to pay for the initiatives by taxing Wall Street, ensuring that the financial institutions that contributed to the recession do their part in bringing back the communities that suffered the most. Clinton has raised close to $3 million from the real estate industry and it is said she maintains deep connections with the National Association of Realtors’ deep pockets. She has been praised by Ed
• Making government agencies that support mortgage lending give a clear understanding of what it takes to get access to qualifying for a mortgage. • Counseling programs; helping borrowers become sustainable homeowners by counseling on the significant financial commitment of homeownership.
Brady, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders, stating, “We applaud Secretary Clinton for recognizing the significant role that housing plays in our local communities and economy and being one of the first presidential candidates to present a housing and community development plan that will help boost homeownership, rental housing and employment opportunities for the American people.”
PRESUMPTIVE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE DONALD J. TRUMP
Trump is known as a real estate tycoon so that can only mean great things from him, right? We will have to wait and see, as Trump has not released a Housing Plan as of June 25. Many websites and housing experts have expressed that a Trump presidency would have a negative effect on the housing market because of his unpredictability. Zillow.com spearheaded a survey with 107 leading economist. Trump scored negatively on the expected impact on home values, Housing Finance Reform, and overall economic outlook. Roberton Williams, from the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, mentions that Trump’s planned tax cuts could actually drive up interest rates. This could make buying a home more expensive. However, under his federal tax cuts, you might have more money in your bank account, but fewer tax deductions.
NOV. 8 IS QUICKLY APPROACHING.
MAKE SURE TO HEAD TO THE POLLS AND CAST YOUR VOTE! J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 6
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i n n o v a t i o n in the
Kitchen
& Tavern BY DAVID ALVARADO PHOTOGRAPHY BY GABRIEL ELIZONDO
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boldness and passion have long fueled McAllen’s creative culinary spirit. These qualities are enduring among the city’s best chefs, who garner and satisfy the appetite of local devotees every passing evening.
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A
dam Cavazos, owner of Bodega Tavern & Kitchen, believes that a passionate cook is always learning. And at some point, a seasoned chef might find a niche, but Cavazos is still looking for his. “I do know that I like to cook and be creative,” said Cavazos. “I like to show off a bunch of different techniques in one plate and give you something that you’ve never seen before – or something that you have seen, but in a new way.” The Rio Grande Valley has been fortunate enough to have a handful of talented chefs attempt to uplift the dining community. At Bodega, his new 10th Street restaurant, he’s hoping to bring high-end dining back to the heart of McAllen by serving regional Texas cuisine that adheres to today’s popular organic and sustainable principles. In addition to this, Bodega has separated itself from the rest of McAllen’s dining scene due to their execution and commitment to quality, locality and service. Bodega is a restaurant with a decisive point of view and iden-
tifiable personalities, regardless of price points or cuisine. “Bodega takes the farm-totable concept to another level, sourcing much of their decor and menu items locally,” said Robert L., one of the restaurant’s very first customers. “The highlight of the restaurant is its meat curing room. This is the only restaurant south of San Antonio doing this.” Execution and presentation are hallmarks of Cavazos’ cooking. Bodega’s bold menu features flavors pulled from an array of culinary traditions, and because of Cavasos’ commitment to freshness, the menu changes seasonally. Determined by the availability of local produce, past menu offerings have included tender tongue and cheek sopes with charred cabbage, radish and jalapeño lime caviar; and a wild boar belly and chop with tomatillo-piquillo relish garnished with edible flowers. The sweetest ending to any meal, a seasonally-available Shiner Bock pound cake with prickly pear ice cream drizzled with piloncillo caramel, will
“I like to show off a bunch of different techniques in one plate and give you something that you’ve never seen before - or something that you have seen, but in a new way.”
Adam Cavazos
chef, owner bodega tavern & kitchen
leave you with the enduring taste of Texas. An impressive cocktail menu caters to diners looking for a trendy downtown restaurant destination set in a contemporary space with a patio that’s perfect for those warm South Texas nights. On any particular evening, one can enjoy an Aviación, a riff of the classic Aviation cocktail made with gin and tequila (hence the Spanish name) instead of the traditional maraschino liqueur.
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The essence of cooking at Bodega revolves around Cavazos’ simple yet personal philosophy when running his kitchen. “I like to have fun, and it shows when you’re cooking and in your food,” said Cavazos. “Food is a reflection of your mood that day. I truly believe that if you and your staff are having fun while doing it, it shows and it makes everything run smoother.” Bodega’s kitchen is a well-
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Food is a reflection of your mood. I truly believe that if you and your staff are having fun while doing it, it shows and it makes everything run smoother.”
Adam Cavazos
chef, owner bodega tavern & kitchen
oiled machine, with the cooks effectively maintaining Cavazos’ high standards of quality. Cavazos is the mastermind behind the menu, but he invites his kitchen staff to brainstorm when it comes to developing a new recipe. A good idea as a result of this collaboration could very well be incorporated into the next chef ’s special or menu addition. Guests have come to expect the creativity of Cavazos’ menu and know it is carefully curated to include only the most delicious, original plates. “You never know what they are going to put together,” said Eloy G. “I’ve seen everything from watermelon and blueberries to chipotle and goat cheese - always a fun surprise.” This is Cavazos’ first time as both the head chef and principal owner of a restaurant. Although it has proven to be his most challenging undertaking to date, his motivation stems from his youthful desire to belong in the kitchen. “I was always fascinated watching my grandmother cook and take something raw and turn it into something edible and beautiful,” said Cavazos, who has been working in the industry since the age of 16, first by garnishing plates and pulling tickets. “Cooking always fascinated me. I never dreamt of making it my career.” 46
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As with most children who are asked what they want to be when they grow up, Cavazos seemed to always feel pushed to pursue a profession that earns a lot of money, such as a doctor or lawyer. “That just wasn’t me. I didn’t want to be in a suit or tie,” said Cavazos. He found that he enjoyed the pace of the restaurant and the camaraderie that one finds among cooks of the line. “It really is its own little world, working in the kitchen.” Once Cavazos earned his undergraduate degree, he decided to enroll in the Texas Culinary Academy at Austin, Texas. Determined to pursue what he felt was the only road for him, Cavazos made his way from one kitchen to the next, eventually branching off to start his own enterprise: Bodega Tavern and Kitchen. Cavazos’ latest endeavour hopes to be McAllen’s fine dining focal point in a competitive dining scene that would be unrecognizable a few years ago. Bodega offers so much for those in the area that crave a modern dining experience and unique food. It’s for those who are adventurous and seek out the extraordinary and unconventional.
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The Valley’s success is quantified through measurements of our region as a whole: Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs). 48
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By Laura L. Reagan
T
he Valley has grown beyond “Friday night lights territorialism” to enjoy regional collaboration. We still have our hometown pride, but the 956 is a large umbrella we are proud to share, and it is growing ever larger. While the feeling of camaraderie (or at least, friendly rivalry) in the Valley makes living here that much more interesting, what is truly impressive is the growth happening all around us – and the fact that we’re managing to keep track of it all. Populations and economies don’t stop at the borders of cities - or in our case, countries. In some cases it makes more sense to calculate the Valley’s success as a whole. Metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) allow us to take quantified measurements of our region’s resources and need. Thus informed, leaders can take accurate moves forward as a region. “Our communities throughout the Rio Grande Valley, specifically the McAllen-Mission-Edinburg MSA, have recently been energized with remarkable economic growth – hundreds of new jobs, large population growth, new construction projects, prosperous economic development corporations, a new university and medical school,” says Texas Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa. MSAs are geographic entities delineated by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for use by federal statistical agencies in collecting, tabulating, and publishing federal statistics. The U.S. OMB delineates MSAs according to published
standards that are applied to Census Bureau data. According to the Census website, a metro area contains a core urban area of 50,000 or more in population; as of July 2015, there are 382 metropolitan statistical areas in the United States. Our hometown MSA, uniting all of Hidalgo county, is ranked the sixth most populated metropolitan area in the state. Anchored by the cities of McAllen, Edinburg, Pharr and Mission, the McAllen–Edinburg–Mission MSA in South Texas, is also part of the transnational
metropolitan area of Reynosa–McAllen. (The title of each MSA consists of the names of up to three of its principal cities; additional cities qualify if specified requirements are met concerning population size and employment.) The southern half of the Rioplex includes the Mexico border cities of Matamoros, Rio Bravo, and Reynosa, which contribute at least another 1.7 million to the region’s population. All together, the South Texan region is one of the fastest growing economies in the nation – and we do want to be together. Sen. Hinojosa says a regional approach among our cities, county, and governmental entities is key. “We must encourage a regional mindset and collaborate to improve our critical infrastructure and transportation needs, to facilitate more trade with Mexico, to expand educational opportunities, and to increase access to health care for our uninsured,” says the region’s senior Texas senator.
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Our communities throughout the Rio Grande Valley, specifically the McAllen-Mission-Edinburg MSA, have recently been energized with remarkable economic growth – hundreds of new jobs, large population growth, new construction projects, prosperous economic development corporations, and a new university and medical school. - Texas Senator J u a n “ Ch u y ” H i n oj os a .
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Gains to be Made
Facts:
However, Sen. Hinojosa says we still have significant needs in our region that we must address to continue this economic boom. “We cannot sustain this growth or create a better future for our families without continuing to work together,” he says. While OMB recognizes that a number of agencies, both inside and outside the federal government, make use of the delineations of metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas for non-statistical programmatic applications, OMB delineates the areas for statistical purposes only. In delineating metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas, OMB does not attempt to anticipate or take into account any non-statistical uses that may be made of the delineations, nor will OMB modify the delineations to meet the requirements of any nonstatistical program. Laura Lyles Reagan is an area sociologist and freelance writer.
**The 2010 Census placed the population of the McAllen MSA at 774,769, a 66.8 percent increase over 2001. (Market Profile - McAllen Chamber of Com-
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merce, mcallen.org/business-community/market-profile/.
MSA collaborative projects have included but are not limited to: •The international bridges have been collaborations between the cities of McAllen, Mission, Hidalgo, and Pharr. •Border Security Interoperability has involved all McAllen MSA law enforcement agencies. •Hike and Bike Trails and Corridors connecting Edinburg, Pharr, McAllen, and Mission is planned and being build. •The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Medical School will serve the entire region.
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College Board® reports public four-year institutions have raised their average tuition and fees by 40% within the last ten years; at this rate, a degree from a public college could cost upwards of $62,000 within the next decade. As tuitions continue to rise, it’s important to know your financial options when planning for your child’s education. A College Savings Calculator is the easiest way to estimate how much to save. It takes numerous factors into account including estimated college start date, as well as annual inflation rates and price fluctuations based on in-state or out-of-state tuition. From there, you can find a savings plan tailored to your goals. A 529 Savings Plan:
529 Prepaid Tuition Plans:
Coverdell Education Saving Accounts (ESAs)
A 529 Savings Plan is operated by state or educational institutions to help you set aside funds for future college costs. They offer tax breaks on the federal, and sometimes state, level and the funds are not taxed upon withdrawal. Although there are no income restrictions with a 529 Savings Plan, contributions are limited to the amount necessary to provide the education; exceeding the annual contribution limit may lead to taxing of your funds.
529 Prepaid Tuition Plans help you manage future tuition costs by allowing you to prepay higher education costs at today’s rates at eligible public and private colleges or universities.
Formerly known as Educations IRAs, Coverdell Education Saving Accounts (ESAs) offer virtually limitless investment options. ESAs are tax-deferred and withdrawals can be made tax-free. You can also withdraw funds tax-free for private elementary or high school expenses and post-secondary school expenses. ESAs do come with contribution limits; you can give up to $2000 annually per beneficiary.
These plans do come with residency requirements and other limitations, so consulting a financial advisor is recommended.
Source: Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
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HEALTH
Describing Pain r i c b s i
e Doctor to D Your g
n
Pain
accurate assessments can help pain management professionals choose the best course of treatment BY Lauri Revilla
Some types of pain, such as muscle injuries or sprains, are well-known to all of us and getting relief is easy. Finding the right treatment for chronic pain, however, is far more convoluted. The process begins with the patient translating their unique experience into words. Whether it’s excruciating pain or minor discomfort, finding a way to describe your experience to pain management professionals is vital so they can fully understand the situation and diagnose your condition correctly. The Case Management Society defines pain as a “complex phenomenon causing an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience” that is experienced differently by each individual. Because tolerance to pain greatly varies from person to person, it can be challenging for doctors to determine how much pain the patient is actually experiencing. They must rely on
Because pain varies so much from one person to another, it’s important for you to be as specific as possible in describing your pain to your physician. the patient’s description to make decisions about treatment, especially when dealing with chronic conditions like fibromyalgia and arthritis, when the root cause of pain can be more difficult to pinpoint. At the Center for Pain Management, Dr. Chowdhury and his staff hear patients describe the pain that they’re experiencing on a daily basis. According to the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Health and Human Services, around 30 percent (700 million) Americans experience chronic pain, resulting in a loss of 700 million dollars due to lost days of
work. Pain affects people at any age and can greatly vary in intensity, location, duration, and cause. Thinking about your pain on a 0-10 scale can make it easier for you to describe its severity to your doctor. A good way to do this is to recall the worst pain that you’ve ever felt in your life and assign it a 10. You can then assign a number to your current pain in comparison to that pain. However, this may not be enough to acurately describe your experience. The American Pain Association recommends using the LOCATES scale to describe pain to your health-care professional. With this methods, patients describe the Location of their pain; Other symptoms related to the pain, such as numbness, nausea, or weakness; the Character of the pain, whether it’s throbbing, dull, burning, or sharp; what factors Aggravate or alleviate the pain; the Timing or duration of the pain; if there is a certain Environment where the pain occurs; and the Severity of the pain on the 0-10 scale. Even though chronic pain is very widespread and can affect anyone at any time, it doesn’t mean that you have to suffer with it all of your life. The Center for Pain Management is a free-standing interdisciplinary outpatient facility that has been specializing in acute and chronic pain for over 22 years. Dr. Chowdhury and his staff are known their cutting edge procedures and compassionate care to help patients live more comfortable lives. Every day, they work hard to fulfill their mission of contributing to a healthier, more productive, and happier community and a brighter and more optimistic future for all. Visit www.cfpm.net or call 956-6319041 for more information or to schedule an appointment. J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 6
remember the “locates” scale!
L O
ocation Where is the pain?
ther symptoms Are you feeling pain-related numbness, nausea, or weakness?
C
haracter Can you describe the character of the pain? Examples: throbbing, dull, burning, or sharp.
A
ggravate/alleviate Do any factors affect the pain for better or worse?
T
iming What is the duration of the pain, and when does it feel the worst?
E
nvironment Have you identified any situations when the pain occurs?
S
everity Put a number to the pain on a scale from 1-10.
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HEALTH
OVERCOMING SUGAR YOU MAY WANT TO RETHINK THAT AFTERNOON SNACK. By Jose S. De Leon III
Sugar, according to nutritional therapist Melissa Gauna can be just as addicting as drugs. Despite being consumed on a daily basis, Gauna says most people aren’t aware of how damaging sugar consumption can be. “Sugar is a stimulant; it makes people feel good. It gives them a and Gauna presents clients with a list of foods to eat or avoid high, then they crash so they want that high again,” the McAllen throughout the program. resident explained. “Sugar triggers the same parts of the brain Clients are encouraged to eat whole-foods, unprocessed and drugs do, it’s why they’re so addicting. Your body will start craving unrefined, “as they come in nature.” it and you’ll eat more sugar. That becomes a problem.” “This program works because it’s not just information we’re Sugar is highly inflammatory and can lead to many degenerative sharing, we’re building trust that will lead clients to feel confident diseases, Gauna said. Excess sugar turns to fat, which leads to as they take part in the five-week program. We’re teaching them obesity, increased blood sugar, impaired sleep, and interferences how to better fuel themselves, be energetic and eat sugar in true with neurological functions. Those interferences can create moderation.” anxiety as well as loss of focus and sleep. Gauna hopes to educate If they follow the program closely, Gauna believes her clients people on the dangers of high sugar consumption and how to can be empowered with the knowledge they gain from the better balance their health through the RESTART® Program, a RESTART® Program. “Once you learn to balance your meals, 21-day program dedicated to helping clients control their sugar not only will your body no longer crave sugar and other unhealthy cravings, reduce sugar consumption and more. foods, you’ll eventually be able to appreciate the taste of real food “It takes 21 days to break a habit,” Gauna said. “The program and feel better in general.” According to Gauna and her clients, is a good starting point to help people wanting to better balance this kind of balance can lead to overall vitality where individuals their diet. It’s not a weight-loss program, but clients do end up feel confident enough to want to manage other areas of their lives. losing weight while having more energy, appreciating the taste of More information on the RESTART® Program can be found at real food and learning how to improve their blood sugar.” www.melissagaunantp.com or by contacting Melissa directly at The RESTART® Program is a five-week program where the 956-252-1945. group, consisting of eight to 10 people, meets once a week for a total of five sessions. In each session, Gauna leads a This program works because it’s not just series of discussions covering information we’re sharing, we’re building topics such as digestion, trust that will lead clients to feel confident stress, the importance as they take part in the five-week program. of fatty acids, and sugar We’re teaching them how to better fuel dysregulation. Clients are themselves, be energetic and eat sugar in encouraged to keep a food MELISSA GAUNA, NTP, CHNC true moderation. journal to track their meals
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NUTRITIONAL THERAPY SERVICES
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The Future of Medicine is Here
Rio Grande Regional Hospital’s surgical services bolster the Valley By Karen Villarreal Photography By James Hord 60
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If you ever need convincing that we’re living in a marvelous age, take a look at the way medical technology is developing. The stuff of sci-fi is quickly becoming reality implemented just beyond waiting room doors. Locally, Rio Grande Regional Hospital offers robotic surgery and other surgical services that make undergoing “the knife” more of an awe-inspiring experience than anything to fear. Surgeons, doctors, anesthesiologists, nurses, and other professionals make up Rio Grande Regional Hospital’s surgical teams that embody precision and vigilance. Each member seamlessly carries out their part of the larger task: gently restoring a patient’s body back to working health. J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 6
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“The moment a child is entrusted to us, we become the person who watches every heartbeat, controls every breath - who makes sure the body is working the way that it should to recover from the surgery the child is undergoing.” - Dr. Edward Requenez
Chief of the Department of Anesthesia at Rio Grande Regional Hospital, Board Certified in Anesthesiology and Pediatric Anesthesiology
When the patient is a child, Dr. Edward Requenez, Board Certified in Anesthesiology and Pediatric Anesthesiology and Chief of the Department of Anesthesia at Rio Grande Regional Hospital, says it takes a special kind of person to manage that high-stakes situation. “Children are not little adults; their health problems are distinct from what an adult would present with,” he explains. Sick children in the Valley who need critical care are transferred to Rio Grande Regional Hospital, which serves as the pediatric referral center for the area. There they will be in the good hands of specialists who have experience with and knowledge of congenital abnormalities. Dr. Jennifer “Jenna” Garza, Board Certified in General Surgery and Pediatric Surgery and Chief of the Department of Surgery at Rio Grande Regional Hospital, is one of these special people who takes care of the Valley’s children and babies. “What we’re looking for in a baby is very different from what we’re looking for in an older child,” says Dr. Garza, one of only two pediatric surgeons in the Rio Grande Valley. Babies can’t tell you where it hurts; they don’t have a medical history, and some are born with multiple issues which may complicate their anatomy, especially when they are premature. Head bleeds, bowel perforations, compromised lungs – these are only a few of the complications and congenital anomalies Dr. Garza encounters regularly, as the area has a high rate of these cases, but Rio Grande Regional Hospital is well-equipped to handle them. “We have a wonderful support team,” says Dr. Garza. “I am so lucky because we are the only hospital south of Corpus Christi which has six pediatric-boarded 62
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anesthesiologists. The security of working with them is such a blessing.” Several years back, Dr. Requenez was the only pediatric anesthesiologist to be found in the Rio Grande Valley. “Now we are six – and the only six – in the entire Rio Grande Valley,” says Dr. Requenez. “We have more boardcertified pediatric anesthesiologists at Rio Grande Regional Hospital than some small medical schools do.” Pediatric anesthesiologists are important team members who do a lot more than put the child “to sleep” before surgery; they have taken additional training to become familiar with critical care issues that pertain specifically to children to ensure their safety and comfort before, during, and after surgery. “The moment a child is entrusted to us, we become the person who watches every heartbeat, controls every breath – who makes sure the body is working the way that it should to recover from the surgery the child is undergoing,” says Dr. Requenez.
Knowing that experts in anesthesia and surgery for children are on the case are a benefit to both the surgeon and the patient’s family, and the doctors do what they can to ease the emotional burden the family is experiencing by answering questions and explaining procedures. “Anticipation and unknown are big stimulators of fear,” says Dr. Garza. “Making parents aware of what’s going on puts them at ease.” In the adult area of the hospital, Dr. Mario del Pino and Dr. Rene Luna are performing some major surgeries in a minimally invasive way. What used to require a large incision can now be done with as few as four tiny ones – each up to only 2 centimeters! A tool is inserted in each incision; among them is a camera which allows the entire team to have a clear view of the operation. In traditional surgery, the surgeons and their assistants all have to get involved, handling and managing the various tools required. As of two years ago when Rio
“We have a wonderful support team. I am so lucky because we are the only hospital south of Corpus Christi which has six pediatric-boarded anesthesiologists. The security of working with them is such a blessing.” - Dr. Jennifer Garza
Chief of the Department of Surgery at Rio Grande Regional Hospital, Board Certified in General Surgery and Pediatric Surgery
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Grande Regional Hospital acquired a da Vinci medical robot, the entire surgery could be conducted remotely by a surgeon from a seated console several feet away, which has foot pedals in addition to hand controls to enable them to switch between tools. “The robot makes such a difference, starting with the visuals,” says Medical Director of the Bariatric Program at Rio Grande Regional Hospital Dr. Mario del Pino, Board Certified in General Surgery. “In the robotic console, you see the image in 3-D and you can enhance and enlarge up to 16 times.” The robot mitigates the vibration of the surgeon’s hands, allowing for more accurate control over their cuts and sutures. The da Vinci robot allows surgeons to practice surgery that is medically pristine and has an element of art to it: A master surgeon’s delicate movements with tiny instruments yield a result that is all to the benefit of the patient. The smaller the wound or incision, the better. This lowers the risk of infection, results in a faster recovery and a smaller scar (if any). Patients spend less time in the hospital recovering, which saves them money in medical costs and time missed from work. Dr. del Pino leads Valleywide in the number of robotic surgeries undertaken, with over 400 of them under his belt. He is the medical director at Rio Grande Regional Hospital for both the bariatric surgery and the da Vinci surgical programs. He recommends the robot particularly when he has to do revisional surgery (when a patient has had one surgical procedure and needs to be operated on again for any reason. “There is scar tissue and it is more complex,” he explains. But he believes the robot has a bright future for performing many more types of surgery. He performs what is called multi-port surgery with the robot, but he says the future is single incision. “You’ll have just one cut and one arm which will deploy many instruments,” says Dr. del Pino. The first stages of single-site surgery are already being carried out at Rio Grande Regional Hospital. Dr. Rene Luna, Medical Director of Rio Grande Women’s Clinic in Alamo, Board Certified in Obstetrics/Gynecology, explains that
single incision site surgery allows the surgeon to carry out entire hysterectomies, hernia surgeries or cyst removals from a single, small (up to 2.5 centimeters) incision. Because there is a single, small wound that needs to heal, a surgery that would previously take days of recovery at the hospital and up to months at home has been reduced to often same-day release from the hospital and one to two weeks at home. Patients also love that they don’t have to carry the signs of their operation the rest of their lives. “Cosmetically, to the patient, it looks fantastic,” says Dr. Luna. “There is no visible scarring on the belly. We’re excited to be doing this procedure.” The movement in health care towards minimally invasive care is only part of Rio Grande Regional Hospital’s mission. “We’re hoping to provide additional surgical options to the people of the RGV,” says Dr. Luna. “You don’t have to travel far; the technology you can get in a big city, you can get here.” Echoing his sentiment, Dr. Garza says she returned to the Valley after her fellowship to help ease the difficult situation many families face when their children fall ill. “Our population is such that a lot of families can’t afford to go north for care that may take months. Rio Grande Regional Hospital lets Valley families stay at home and be taken care of in less-stressful circumstances.” Rio Grande Regional Hospital has partnered with the Texas Institute for Robotic Surgery, demonstrating the hospital’s commitment to bringing the highest level of care and technology to the Rio Grande Valley.
“The robot makes such a difference, starting with the visuals. In the robotic console, you see the image in 3-D and you can enhance and enlarge up to 16 times.” - Dr. Mario del Pino Medical Director of the Bariatric Program at Rio Grande Regional Hospital, Board Certified in General Surgery
“Cosmetically, to the patient, it looks fantastic. There is no visible scarring on the belly. We’re excited to be doing this procedure and we’re very happy to offer that to the Rio Grande Valley.” - Dr. Rene Luna Medical Director of Rio Grande Women’s Clinic in Alamo, Board Certified in Obstetrics/Gynecology
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Our comprehensive Surgical Services have positioned Rio Grande Regional Hospital as The L E A D E R in the number of minimally-invasive robotic surgeries in the Rio Grande Valley.
The FI RS T
to offer a Surgical Weight Loss Program in the Rio Grande Valley. The O N LY hospital in the Valley to provide pediatric surgical services with board-certified pediatric anesthesiologists.
da VinciÂŽ | Bariatric | Pediatric Surgery | Anesthesia
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Danielle Haddad-Goslin Associate Partner South Texas General Office New York Life Insurance Company 222 E. Van Buren Suite 705 Harligen, TX 78550 (956)454-0304 | dmgoslin@ft.newyorklife.com
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HEALTH
OPTIONS FOR
OBESITY Rebooting Metabolisms with Robotic Surgery in the RGV By Karen Villarreal
Adjustable Gastric Band
Gastric Bypass
Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy
Each surgery has its advantages and complications, which is why Dr. Mario del Pino recommends that individuals schedule an appointment to better discuss their medical situation.
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Obesity is the elephant in every room in the RGV. Our region is notoriously unhealthy, with the rate of obesity and diabetes topping national lists year after year. While almost all of us could “stand to lose a few pounds,” there is a morbidly obese population whose lives are on the line – and these individuals know it. You see them taking steps towards better health: eating small, healthy meals and working out at the gym. And sometimes you don't. For people struggling with obesity, it can feel like it doesn't matter what they do. “A lot of people who are severely overweight (with a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 35) can lose 15 to 20 pounds, but most people – like 99 percent of the time – will gain all the weight back or more,” says Mario del Pino, MD. He says weight loss is not so simple for someone morbidly obese. “People say, 'All you have to do is eat right and exercise,'” says Dr. del Pino. “It's impossible. They are fighting their body's natural response to try to defend its weight.” However, Dr. del Pino offers a surgical solution to manage the high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes of certain obese patients. “Bariatric surgery is surgery to lose weight, but we realized as people lost weight they were improving their health,”
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says Dr. del Pino. “Now we use the term 'metabolic surgery,' because when we perform the surgery the metabolism changes, and that's how we manage those medical problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol.” He performs three main types of metabolic surgery: Robotic Gastric Bypass, Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy, and Adjustable Gastric Bands. Each surgery has its advantages and complications, which is why Dr. del Pino recommends that individuals schedule an appointment to better discuss their medical situation. Also insurance coverage can be an issue because some insurance plans do cover the surgery but others don’t. “Some insurance providers do have specific caveats, so we recommend that potential patients give us a call and we can see where we go from there,” says Dr. del Pino. While bariatric surgery like gastric bypass is nothing new (Dr. del Pino has performed over a thousand of these operations), it has become safer and recovery is streamlined. “Most people who have gastric bypass, a sleeve or band go home the next day. Most people are back to work in two weeks – so in that regards we have already optimized it,” says Dr. del Pino. Laparascopic surgery is a safe, minimally invasive technique in which the operation is conducted through small
1 MILLION FINANCIALLY EDUCATED
FAMILIES BY 2020
The surgery is like a reboot, offering a fresh start for maintaining a healthy weight.
incisions (up to 2 cm). Dr. del Pino explains that several “arms” inserted through the incisions hold different tools, including a camera, which provides the surgical team a real-time, accurate vantage point to work from. Members of the surgical team control the arms. When Dr. del Pino uses the da Vinci robot in surgery, he controls all of the arms from a seated console. “The robot allows me to be very precise when I suture,” says Dr. del Pino, which is why he prefers to use it – especially when conducting gastric bypass surgeries. Dr. del Pino always tells his patients that the main goal of the surgery is to improve their health. The weightloss process is slow and progressive, and aesthetic benefits are a secondary consideration. Everyone’s weight loss is different based on their habits and starting weight. “When you lose weight, you are losing muscle, fat – all kinds of tissues,” says Dr. del Pino. He explains
that the skin is like an envelope. “If we take out the insides, it will look like more 'envelope' because now it's empty. People have different kinds of skin – some have more elastic fibers than others. We emphasize to patients that if they are going for the aesthetic outcome, it will require more time with a plastic surgeon, but we recommend they wait at least a year-and-a-half after the surgery before they have that done,” he says. The surgeries have a very high success rate, but it requires the patient to adhere to strict lifestyle and dietary guidelines. Dr. del Pino observes that the main reason patients gain weight after surgery is that they stop following through with their new habits. “Some people think I give you an operation, you keep eating whatever you want, and you lose weight – no,” he says. The surgery is like a reboot, offering a fresh start for maintaining a healthy weight. Ultimately, it is the patients who have control over their health.
LegacyShieldSM Legacy shield educate you on your last will and testament needs. Helping organize financial information, and final wishes. Leave your legacy to your family not to the lawyers. Plus: TRS, Texas Teacher Retirement System Presentation: Overview, FAQ, your options and choices.
FREE Lunch and Learn 12pm Event Location and dates: Edinburg Grind Stone - 506 W University Edinburg TX 78539 July 7th – "Legacy Shield" July 21st – "How money works” August 4th - "Legacy Shield” August 18th - "How money works” Mission Retama Business Center – 2112 S Shary Rd Mission TX 78572 July 14th - "How money works” July 28th - "Legacy Shield” August 11th - "How money works” August 25th – "Legacy Shield” Contact (956) 457 – 0397 or (956) 342-0939
Mario del Pino, M.D
Board Certified in General Surgery Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) Fellow of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (FASMBS)
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HEALTH
BLOOD DONATIONS NEEDED WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU DONATED BLOOD? BY ABBEY KUNKLE In the Rio Grande Valley, 185 units of blood are needed every day for routine procedures and scheduled elective surgeries - and that’s not including the units that are necessary in cases of emergency or traumas. Factoring in those emergencies, the number only increases. As it stands right now, a group of 10,000 donors are supporting the blood needs of a community with over 1 million people. It is so important that the people of the RGV realize how much their help is needed. Blood cannot be manufactured, and it cannot be made in labs – it can only be obtained from willing donors that want to help save lives. In that spirit, United Blood Services hopes that the community will show their support this summer and help save a life with their blood donation. Summer is one of the hardest times for blood collection since almost half of UBS’s donor base - 40 percent - are high school students who go on vacation. If it wasn’t for these young donors, the blood supply of the RGV would not be able to sustain our patients’ needs and medical care would be very severely affected. 68
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ZIKA & THE RGV’S BLOOD SUPPLY As a border community, the majority of our residents frequently travel across the border to our neighbor in the south, Mexico. Because of this travel and the imminent threat of the Zika virus (which has confirmed cases in Mexico), our community blood drives have been unable to collect the pints of blood that we need. (Anybody that has traveled to Mexico or certain South American countries in the last 28 days cannot donate for an entire month after their visit.) The Zika virus is just one of the unique challenges that the RGV must continuously overcome. Help keep it from affecting our blood supply by donating often.
United Blood Services currently serves as the Rio Grande Valley’s only local, non-profit blood provider and strives to achieve its mission of saving lives in our RGV community. UBS serves 15 area hospitals throughout the Valley.
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An RGV resident is five times less likely to donate blood than a person residing in any other area of the U.S.
LET’S CHANGE THAT!
UPCOMING UBS COMMUNITY DRIVES:
July 8, 9 & 10 Guns ‘N’ Hoses
La Plaza, Sunrise & Valle Vista Malls 1:00-6:00pm Fri, Sat & Sun
July 22, 23 & 24 Christmas in July La Plaza, Sunrise & Valle Vista Malls 1:00-6:00pm Fri, Sat & Sun
Aug. 4, 5 & 6 Harley Davidson Blood Drives IN THE U.S., AN AVERAGE SEVEN PERCENT OF THE POPULATION DONATES ON A REGULAR BASIS. IN THE RGV, HOWEVER, THAT’S ONLY 1.7 PERCENT. If you are able to donate, help change that statistic to one that reflects the attitude of the RGV: We take care of each other! Schedule an appointment online with your nearest blood bank at unitedbloodservices. org or check out some of the community drives that will be held in upcoming weeks to the right.
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Harley Davidson locations in San Benito and McAllen 1:00-6:00pm Fri, Sat & Sun
Aug. 26, 27 & 28 Labor of Love
La Plaza, Sunrise & Valle Vista Malls 1:00-6:00pm Fri, Sat & Sun RGVISIONMAGAZINE.COM
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HEALTH
HEADS UP: Are you developing text neck? Text Neck is the term used to describe neck pain damage that is caused by looking down at your mobile, tablet or other wireless device. Do you suffer from: Nagging pain in the upper back? Sharp or severe upper back spasms? Shoulder pain and tightness? Tension headaches? Pain, numbness, or tingling radiating down your arm or hands?
Learn how to control your posture before it controls you. Hold your phone or device at eye level as much as possible. Take frequent breaks from your phone or laptop. Set a timer to remind you to get up and walk around every 20 to 30 minutes. Avoid looking down for extended periods of time. Make sure you sit square in front of your work screen.
FORTINO GONZALEZ, PT MCALLEN PHYSICAL THERAPY [956] 661 - 1964 | FORTINOGONZALEZPT.COM
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HEALTH
MENTAL HEALTH matters
The World Health Organization defines mental
by G e o rg e Co x
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MORE THAN JUST A STATE OF MIND, MENTAL HEALTH IS PERHAPS THE KEY COMPONENT TO LIVING A WELL-ROUNDED LIFE. HOW IS THE RGV SERVING OUR MINDS?
health as “a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stress of life, can work productively, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.”
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That’s how most of us probably see ourselves moving through our daily existence as we relate to others at home, in the workplace, or out in the community. It sounds rather simple but as society becomes more complex, it turns out to be an elusive goal for growing numbers in all age groups. The average American has an almost one in two chance of developing a mental health disorder during their lifetime, according to the WHO. “Multiple social, psychological, and biological factors determine the level of mental health of a person at any point of time,” the WHO reports. “For example, persistent socio-economic pressures are recognized risks to mental health for individuals and communities.” The Rio Grande Valley has a long history of struggling with socio-economic pressures like poverty, low levels of education and high unemployment, all of which combine with other factors like discrimination and unhealthy lifestyles to create an environment of high risk for mental health problems. With approximately 1.3 million people living in the Valley, the region is served by only 34 practicing psychiatrists, with about half of those working at institutions, according to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Six of the Valley psychiatrists treat juvenile patients, but only one of those treats youth full time. While reliable local statistics are hard to come by, national trends portend a frightening indicator of problems down the road, since half of all chronic mental illness begins by age 14 and three-quarters by age 24, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. NAMI also reports that 20 percent of young people between 13 and 18 live with a mental health condition, that 50 percent of students 14 and older with a mental illness drop out of high school and 70 percent of youth in the juvenile justice system have a mental disorder. Moreover, a growing number of young lives are being cut short as a result of mental problems. In the United States, suicide is the third leading cause of death for individuals in the 10 to 24 age range, with 90 percent of those cases attributable at least in part to an underlying mental illness, NAMI statistics show. All the while the number of psychiatrists and psychologists has not kept up with the growth of the general population, leaving many communities, including those in Deep South Texas, underserved. But that could be about to change in coming years.
NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE
In May, which was Mental Health Awareness Month, UTRGV announced that its School of Medicine received accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education to offer a medical residency program in psychiatry. Starting in July 2017 the four-year program will take in six residents a year, who will be based at the Regional Academic Health Center in Harlingen and practice at various hospitals and mental health-care providers around the Valley. According to Dr. Francisco Fernandez, inaugural dean of the UTRGV School of Medicine, the residency program is largely intended to help meet the needs of the Valley’s growing community, which is greatly underserved in psychiatric care. “We are committed to providing unsurpassed training opportunities for our students, residents, and professionals seeking graduate medical education,” he said. “This will allow us to training community-minded psychiatrists committed to serving the Valley and improving the lives and well-being of its residents.” The program will be a multi-institutional, community-based initiative that emphasizes prevention, early intervention, development, and the education of residents in a variety of interventions, according to Dr. Arden Dingle, UTRGV School of Medicine clinical professor of psychiatry and neurology and director of the new residency program. “We are going to be teaching them a broad spectrum of treatments with a lot of opportunities for people to choose specialized experiences, work in the community, and do research,” she said. “The program is trying to utilize the strengths of the Valley and help develop services and resources in the area.” Rapid social change is often cited by mental health professionals as a factor in the development of mental disorders. As society becomes more complex many people have difficulty coping and adapting, and young people are often the most vulnerable. Even as more psychiatrists are trained in South Texas, community-based efforts to raise public awareness of mental health issues and promote the importance of seeking help are of utmost importance, particularly when it involves the mental well-being of young people. And on the front lines of the battle, parents who stay involved with their children’s lives are in the best position to spot warning signs of mental problems and take action to intervene by seeking help from a family doctor or mental health specialist.
1-800-273-TALK (8255) suicidepreventionlifeline.org J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 6
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LIFE
JUL-AUG
Stephanie Moore: PRESERVING THE HISTORY THAT UNITES US By Jennilee Garza
She has always been interested in history – you could say it runs in her family. In the 1960s, her grandparents Argyle and Margaret McAllen decided to push forward on a project: a museum dedicated to Hidalgo County history. Their vision turned into reality, and our rgVisionary Woman shares that some of her earliest memories with her grandparents are of sitting in the archives, looking through photos and letters. The museum in Edinburg is still receiving visitors almost 50 years after it first opened, and though history doesn’t change, the McAllens would probably be surprised at how their project has evolved under their descendant’s leadership.
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Stephanie Moore is the current Chairwoman of the board at the Museum of South Texas History, which she says has a focus beyond Hidalgo County: the history of Northeastern Mexico and all of South Texas. “That is who we are,” says Moore. “Our history isn’t defined by just one area. It’s defined by this whole span.” The MOSTHistory preserves the artifacts that tell the blended stories of two countries. You would be hard-pressed to find a South Texan who does not identify with the history and art contained in the MOSTHistory. “It’s really quite amazing,” she says. “This gateway of history starts right here in our backyard and travels up through Texas.” Moore grew up in the Valley and is proud of our region, to say the least. “South Texas is very rich and inspirational for art,” she says, describing the rolling plains, wildflowers, and cattle that make up the South Texas landscape. It is also imbued with culture and history, which we are able to experience via the time capsule that is the MOSTHistory. “It’s so important to preserve our history and learn from it,” says Moore. “Without knowing our history, we can’t move forward into our future. We have such a wonderful resource in our museum; our kids have the opportunity to experience history through hands-on learning with their family.” Over the past 45 years, the resource has
“The Museum of South Texas History is a place that is all of us; it’s our community.” - Stephanie Moore
UPCOMING EVENTS SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2016 + Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan
FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2016
Chairman of the Board, MOSTHistory
+ La Semesienta
SATURDAY, JULY 16, 2016 + STFC 39 MMA Cage Fighting
SUNDAY, JULY 17, 2016 + PokeFest 2016
Historic jail (under renovation)
FRIDAY, JULY 22-24, 2016 + Texas Hunters and Sportsman Expo
grown. “I remember the museum when it was just housed in the Historic Jail,” she says. Today, the expanded museum includes more permanent exhibits: prehistory and Spanish colonial settlement, the steamboat era, late 19th century ranching, and a tour through the 20th century. “When school groups go through, there’s something to capture the imagination of each child,” says Moore. “I can just imagine the conversations the kids are having about what they saw, and it’s not just one thing (the jail) anymore.” A former school teacher, Moore lives to share her passion for art and history. This is what drives her to continue efforts to educate – the same passion that drove her grandmother to organize persons within the area to create a museum to serve the Rio Grande Valley. “We’re here to serve,” says Moore. “Without the community, we wouldn’t be here.” In recent years, the MOSTHistory has hosted festivals and programs like Nights at the Museum to entice more visitors to learn about their culture. “I wish my grandparents were still here to see how much the museum has grown and how many visitors come to our Ranching and Pioneer Days and Summer Nights,” says Moore. Though she’s the chairwoman of the board, Moore is quick to share credit
for the museum’s success with her team. “What I love about the museum is that I’m not alone,” says Moore. “We’re a strong working board; we all bring something to the table. We all have great ideas and we build off that. She also recognizes the museum’s super volunteer team. “The museum has cultivated multi-generations of volunteers, and that speaks to the power of the museum,” she says. “Anyone who is interested in history is encouraged to participate.” Though the museum’s archive is named after her grandmother, Margaret H. McAllen, Moore says that many other families have contributed to the museum for generations; the MOSTHistory tells all of our stories. “I want to encourage everybody to visit the museum,” says Moore. The Museum of South Texas History in Edinburg, chaired by Stephanie Moore, is where we learn who we are and where we’re going. “It’s a place that is all of us; it’s our community.”
FRIDAY, JULY 29-31, 2016 + Games of Texas
FRIDAY, AUG 5, 2016 + Omincon 2016 + Los Locos Suarez: Hector Suarez y Hector Suarez Gomiz
MONDAY, AUG 8, 2016 + Rio Grande Valley Wedding Fair
SATURDAY, AUG 13, 2016 + 2016 Viva McAllen Streets + Pumped Nutrition: Body Building Competition
SATURDAY, AUG 20, 2016 + Saxet Trade Shows Mcallen
SAVE THE DATE: PALMFEST (OCTOBER 1ST AND 2ND) + Sunset Live- Second Saturday of the month Starting in October
For More Info:
MC A CON V EN T I O
NS
MCALLEN CONVENTION CENTER
700 Convention Center B McAllen, Texas 78501 Phone: (956) 681-3800 Fax: (956) 681-3840
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LIFE
10 WAYS TO GET MORE VITAMIN Have you had your dose of Nature? By Quinta Mazatlan World Birding Center You take a daily multivitamin for your health, but it could be lacking a vital component you can’t find in pill form! In the past 10 years, research has pointed to the health benefits of getting more “Vitamin Nature,” or spending more time among flora and fauna. A walk in the woods not only provides physical exercise but boosts your overall happiness and emotional health.
Some studies conclude that a dose of “Vitamin N” is correlated with decreases in anxiety levels, attention deficit disorder, bullying, and depression. Minutes from the mall and airport in McAllen is a beautiful urban sanctuary, Quinta Mazatlan, where the entire family can get their fill of “Vitamin N” activities for the summer! With medical research pointing to a need for a prescription to the great outdoors, we recommend summer activities for a happy day and healthier life.
Take A Walk In The Woods!
Enjoy a half-mile walk along the bronze Sculpture Trail through the “thorn forest,” where bunnies and birds come to the trail’s edge. Sculptures of native animals bring wildlife up close for observation.
Enjoy A Picnic In The Park! Spread out a blanket and serve up a little nature with your dinner. Try it on a Thursday evening before catching an outdoor show in the park at 7 p.m. 78
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Play Nature Detective!
Get to know our Valley nature by searching for birds! Every Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m., enjoy a family bird walk guided by our naturalist.
Challenge Yourself To Learn 10 Valley Backyard Birds!
In the richest biological area of the country, it’d be like walking past a patch of gold coins not to learn the birds that people come from all over the world to see! The LIVE Raptor Show ( July 7, 7 p.m.), or the Saturday “Parrot Parade” program ( July 10-11 and Aug. 2-3), or WildArt Camp (Aug. 2-5 for 9 to 12-year-olds) are just a few fun ways to learn about birds.
Plant A Flower, Feed A Butterfly!
One of the best doses of “Vitamin N” comes from planting native plants! Learn about how to lure these creatures to your yard during our July 14 family program, “Flight of the Butterflies,” at 7 p.m. on the outdoor movie screen.
Enjoy Nature Through the Lens!
One of the healthiest life-long hobbies of all is nature photography. Join staff on “Photo Fridays” (10 a.m. to noon) for photo tips and information on the Valley Land Fund’s FREE Youth Nature Photo Contest. There are cash prizes for ages 8 to 18 (take photos in June and July and enter by July 31).
Bring 3 Generations Into Nature!
Knowledge of plants and animals might be stored in science books, but the power of learning about nature from one’s abuelita or abuelo is the most invaluable nature education. Pick up a “Junior Naturalist” journal at the front desk and go exploring.
Take The Summer Family Adventure Challenge!
Come to “Spiderman” night ( July 28 at 7 p.m.), or take the 1-mile “Wildcat Tracks” walk (Aug. 11 at 7 p.m.), and you will have fulfilled two of the challenges in the booklet provided at the front desk.
Attend A Live Animal Show!
There’s just something about meeting your nature neighbors that adds a little excitement to life! “Animal Contacto” visits on June 30, and LIVE Animal Night is July 21. All activities take place at 7 p.m.
Attend A Summer Concert-In-The-Park.
Kid
Adding music to nature is like a vitamin super boost! Sing and dance with your little ones at the “Bubble Concert” on Aug. 4 at 7 p.m., featuring the famous Joe McDermott.
Nature has a sneaky way of being the BEST medicine in the world. Make sure you get your Vitamin N at Quinta Mazatlan! Quinta Mazatlan is open Tuesday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday evenings. For more information visit www.quintamazatlan.com.
LIFE
EXPL
RE
THE MUSEUM
Go around the world with summer exhibitions at the International Museum of Art and Science!
THE WORLD OF JAN BRETT
INDIGENOUS WEAVING
HERE BE DRAGONS
Reading invites children to explore their imaginations, traveling the globe and becoming a part of their favorite books. The World of Jan Brett, brings to life the stories of this beloved children’s author and illustrator. The exhibition features about 50 original paintings from Jan Brett’s bestselling books, including “Gingerbread Friends,” “The Umbrella,” and “Honey…Honey…Lion!” Her illustrations are adored for their classic beauty and vibrant, life-like images of animals, landscapes and flourishes from cultures around the world. From cave paintings to Norwegian sleighs to Japanese gardens, she studies the traditions of the many countries that she visits and uses them as a starting point for her children’s books. The exhibition will be on display in Clark Gallery at IMAS through Aug. 29, 2016.
Indigenous Weaving: An Exhibition of Native Objects from the National Museum of History, Taiwan, provides visitors with a rare glimpse into the unique lifestyles and value systems of Taiwan’s indigenous peoples. Weaving is a distinctive craft for the indigenous peoples of Taiwan. The indigenous tribes migrated to Taiwan thousands of years before the first Chinese Han immigration. The great variety of indigenous cultures and the diversity of their traditional knowledge have become an integral part of multi-cultural Taiwan. Young weavers in Taiwan are training in the ancient methods in an attempt to keep this rich culture from vanishing. The exhibition, featuring 40 native weavings from Taiwanese indigenous peoples, including the Atayal, Truku, Amis, Puyuma, Paiwan, and Rukai tribes, will run through Oct. 2, 2016.
Featuring 4,000 square feet of handson interactive stations, Here Be Dragons will delight, engage, and inspire all ages by making connections between living, breathing dragons and those of fanciful folklore, literature, mythology, and legend. Visitors will explore human-dragon cultural and historical connections by traveling back to medieval times, across continents to Asia and through time with paleontology digs. Experience the thrill of a medieval catapult, become a paleontologist in the Dino dig box, create a magical world through puppets and much more. Plus, visitors will be able to see the real live “dragons” of today, as 20 real-life iving “dragon” species from around the world including Frilled Dragons, Basilisks and Monitor Lizards will be present to educate visitors about challenges to their survival. The exhibition will be on display in the Discovery Pavilion at IMAS through Sept. 5, 2016. This exhibition is not included in general admission. There is a $5 additional entrance fee for this exhibit except for Family Premium Members and above.
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LIFE
SUSPENDED
Considering the Future of the Historic Roma Bridge
By Aaron Cummings Photo By Jose Antonio Peña
What is 630 feet long, almost 90 years old, and in critical condition? In Roma, Texas, the answer is a historic suspension bridge. The bridge is no secret: its likeness is featured on the Roma city seal, and the historic structure is clearly visible to anyone crossing via the nearby modern bridge. What passers-by may not know, however, is that the older bridge is in imminent danger of destruction. Jorge Perez, a Roma native and civil engineer, explains why the endangered bridge deserves a second lease on life. Before the bridge, Roma was “in the middle of nowhere,” says Perez. In the late 1920s a group of American investors contracted George Elmer Cole to build a bridge between Roma, Texas, and San 82
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Pedro de Roma, Tamaulipas (now Ciudad Miguel Alemán). Cole was a star of the bridge-building universe; immediately after completing the Roma bridge, Cole would go on to design the Royal Gorge Bridge near Cañon City, Colorado. Towering nearly 1,000 feet above the Arkansas River, Royal Gorge was the world’s highest bridge from 1929 until 2001. Construction on the Roma bridge began in 1927, and the bridge opened in 1928. Initially, the Roma bridge was one of four Rio Grande-spanning suspension bridges. The others were built at Zapata, Hidalgo, and Mercedes. According to Mr. Perez, the last-named bridge was a testament to Texan creativity during Prohibition. At a time when alcoholic beverages were illegal J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 6
in the United States, Mercedes’ “bridge to nowhere” gave Texans access to liquor. The bridge even enjoyed the dubious distinction of having been crossed by infamous Chicago crime lord Al Capone. Today, the historic Roma bridge is the only suspension bridge remaining on the Rio Grande. In 1978, a new bridge was built adjacent to the historic bridge. When Roma residents (including Perez and a local history professor) learned that the older structure was slated for demolition, some rallied to the iconic bridge’s defense. The efforts of Perez and others put the bridge in the National Register of Historic Places, thus granting the imperiled landmark a stay of execution. In 2004, Mexico’s Instituto
in History “There’s a lot of love from the citizens of Roma and the citizens of Miguel Alemán, but we’re getting close to losing it because nothing has been done.” - Jorge Perez
Civil Engineer
Nacional de Bellas Artes designated the bridge a Sitio Artístico Nacional, and in March 2016 both the Texas and Mexico sections of the American Society of Civil Engineers declared the bridge a historic civil engineering landmark. The latter event was celebrated in downtown Roma by engineers and politicians from all over the region. Unfortunately, celebrations cannot mask the challenges to the bridge’s survival. One of the bridge’s pillars is leaning slightly and the steel cables are fraying, so the bridge can no longer safely support vehicular traffic. The bridge’s future – if there is to be one – lies in tourism, as the bridge could be restored and re-opened as a pedestrian tourist attraction. While restoration is estimated to cost as much as $10 million,
Dora Robles, P.E. of the American Society of Civil Engineers Rio Grande Valley Branch, asserted that based on the latest presentation given by the Texas Department of Transportation, federal money is available for the purpose. Robles and Perez agreed that the challenges to spending that money are primarily bureaucratic: Since the bridge is internationally managed, any potential contractor needs to clear the hurdles of two countries’ contract bidding requirements. Thus far, no savior has emerged. If restoration can ever get underway, a happy retirement may yet await Roma’s emblematic bridge. The bridge enjoys the greatest asset of any real estate: location, location, location! The suspension bridge could serve as a picturesque pedestrian J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 6
pathway into the heart of Roma’s national historic district. Further, the bridge functions as an educational time capsule of engineering. Built at a time when engineers learned “by trial and error,” as Mr. Perez explained, the Roma suspension bridge lacks the stiffening structures of modern bridges. When brick-laden trucks crossed over, the bridge looked as if it were making waves. This oddity provides an opportunity for learning: recently engineering students from UTRGV have used the bridge to study the history of civil engineering. In the meanwhile, the bridge’s fate hangs in the balance. “There’s a lot of love from the citizens of Roma and the citizens of Miguel Alemán,” says Perez, “but we’re getting close to losing it because nothing has been done.”
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LIFE
Remembering
Guelaguetza
By
Abbey Kunkle
& Karen Villarreal
Photography By John Faulk 84
RGVISIONMAGAZINE.COM
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The United States has no celebration
comparable to that put together every July by the people of Oaxaca, Mexico. Delegations from each of the eight regions throughout the state come together to collaborate on decorations, performances, food, drink, and other commemorations of their culture. With every hand in the community hard at work to put on a collective show of color, sound, and pure exuberance, you can feel the sense of solidarity, universal camaraderie and giving that the Guelaguetza celebration is about.
THIS YEAR, THE STATUS OF THE CELEBRATION IS UP IN THE AIR. THE CURRENT SITUATION IN THE STATE OF OAXACA, A STATE IN MEXICO KNOWN FOR ITS VIBRANT AND TUMULTUOUS HISTORY INTERTWINED WITH THE FIERCELY INDEPENDENT ZAPOTEC CULTURE, IS ONCE AGAIN TENSE. For over 20 years, a Oaxacan teachers union has protested low funding and reforms for teachers and rural schools; these strikes by the the National Coordinator of Education Workers (CNTE) often ended peacefully. In response to police action against the protestors in 2006, the teachers were reinforced by sympathizers
who organized as the Popular Assembly of the Peoples of Oaxaca (APPO). In the following weeks, APPO protests brought to light concerns over governmental corruption and called for the resignation of Oaxacan governor Ulises Ruiz Ortiz. That year, the state-organized Guelaguetza festival was canceled for the first time due to continuing protests. The people, however, still gathered in one of the many historic plazas during what was known as the People’s Guelaguetza. On June 19, 2016, the protests escalated after the government sent in riot police. News sources reported that at least nine people, including one journalist, were killed in Nochixtlán and about 100 people were injured. Demonstrations continued over the next two weeks, with more than 18 highway blockades causing shortages of fuel, food, and medications in Oaxaca. At the end of June, a five-hour meeting between federal officials and representatives of the CNTE ended in no agreement, but future meetings were planned. At the time, according to mexiconewsdaily.com, the economic costs of the protests were estimated to total 2.7 billion pesos (US $148 million). Aside from property damage and lost productivity, business who cater to tourists are suffering. Oaxaca City is a national treasure that shines brightest during the annual celebration of Guelaguetza,
drawing thousands of international appreciators of Mexican culture to the capital. Tourism flourished in the ancient city after 1987 when it was designated as a World Heritage City by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). However, violence and oppression threaten to overshadow the beauty and power that comes from cultural pride and historical awareness. While concerns about safety could cancel the annual celebration of identity once again, we have hope that it can withstand the storms facing Oaxaca today. With hearts heavy for the peoples’ struggle, we fondly remember Guelaguetza.
GUELAGUETZA IN ITS PRIME
Rio Grande Valley-based commercial photographer John Faulk has had the opportunity to visit Oaxaca during Guelaguetza in prior years, and shares that it is a wonder to experience the largely grassroots celebration that fills the streets in Oaxaca City and continues in surrounding towns. Dating back hundreds of years, Guelaguetza celebrates the cultures that pressed on in the face of conquests and acculturation. Happiness, music, and pride swells in waves over the streets of Oaxaca City for two weeks, aided by liberally distributed mezcal and heralded by a grand parade.
Riot police battle Sunday, June 19, 2016, with protesting teachers who were blocking a federal highway in the state of Oaxaca, near the town of Nochixtlan, Mexico. The teachers are protesting against plans to overhaul the country’s education system which include federally mandated teacher evaluations.(AP Photo/Luis Alberto Cruz Hernandez) (The Associated Press)
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LIFE
DESPITE THE TRIALS FACING THE STATE, THE SPIRIT OF THE GUELAGUETZA CELEBRATION REMAINS ABOUT COMING TOGETHER. A citywide, miles-long welcoming parade kicks off festivities for the massive celebration. Leading the parade is a boisterous group of men, joyfully taking turns spinning the oversized canvas “marmotas” familiar to Oaxacan celebrations. Their holsters help carry the weight of the traditional decorations, but the leather straps also function as catcher’s mitts: the men are so skilled at managing the large, hollow globes that they throw them spinning into the air when it’s time to trade hands, with the next man in line catching the handle in his holster. This display is met with cheers and applause, and often rewarded with shots of mezcal. The marmotas are followed
by “monos,” or “mojigangas,” operated by young men and teenage boys. They worked hard to prepare the larger-thanlife paper-mache puppets; the fact that all members of the community contribute their effort makes Guelaguetza a success. Making up a majority of the parade, exquisite dancers in traditional garb dazzle the crowd. The beautifully embroidered dresses worn by women and teenage girls are “trajes” worn at cultural events like parties and celebrations, and the parade showcases the eight distinct aesthetics that make up Oaxacan culture. Trajes are not the same as “costumes” worn by performers on stage to entertain an audience. However, performers from the eight
WATCH OUT FOR MOJIGANGAS! Because visibility is limited while inside of the monos, they bring an element of surprise to the parade. Their long, spinning arms and braids keep the first rows of viewers on their toes - lest they be smacked in the face by a waving puppet arm! 86
regions (which include the Valles Centrales, Sierra Norte, Sierra Sur, La Cañada, La Mixteca, La Costa, Papaloapan, and the Istmo de Tehuantepec) do later don costumes on stage, beaming with pride as they showcase their treasured traditions through theater, music, and dance. According to the official event website,www.viveoaxaca. org, festivities around the city are scheduled to begin July 1, with the kick-off parade slated for July 23 and 30, and
auditorium performances July 24, 25, 31 and Aug. 1. As of June 25, there is no indication as to whether the people of Oaxaca will once again find an alternative way to share their cultural pride; despite the trials facing the state, the spirit of the Guelaguetza celebration remains about coming together. Whether it be in Oaxaca or South Texas, we can honor the spirit of Guelaguetza by paying it forward in our communities.
John Faulk
RIO GRANDE VALLEY BASED COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHER John Faulk specializes in the photography of architecture, industrial manufacturing, travel and the performing arts. You may view his work at his website www.FronteraMedia.com Email: jfaulkdal@aol.com
WELCOME TO GUELAGUETZA Thousands of people line the streets on the third and fourth Mondays of July to watch the welcoming procession. Other than the parade and the main performances, there are numerous ongoing festivals, cultural presentations, dance performances, concerts, and markets. The city has developed world-renowned art and culinary scenes, hosting art exhibits during the event as well as their famous Mole Festival. Quite a few events are free to the public and live music carries through the streets at all hours of the day.
HERBINGERS OF REVELRY Boisterous group of men joyfully taking turns spinning the oversized canvas “marmotas� familiar to Oaxacan celebrations.
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CENTER STAGE If Guelaguetza is the treasure of Oaxaca, the stage performances are the crown jewel. Performances take place at Auditorio Guelaguetza, a stadium overlooking Oaxaca City and a backdrop of mountains. With morning and evening performances, visitors and locals have four chances to enjoy the three-hour show. True to the spirit of Guelaguetza, all are welcome and though tickets are sold far in advance, the last several rows of the stadium are free admission.
REGIONAL PERFORMANCES Delegations from each region sends musicians, dancers, and traditional gifts. After each dance, the performers shower the crowd with regional favorites. Viewers scramble to catch flying bananas, hats, handmade rugs, and even some formidable clay pots!
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TRADITIONAL CLOTHING The beautifully embroidered dresses worn by women and teenage girls are “trajes” worn at cultural events like parties and celebrations, and the parade showcases the eight distinct aesthetics that make up Oaxacan culture. Trajes are not the same as “costumes” worn by performers on stage to entertain an audience.
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