May / June 2016 - RGVision Magazine

MAY / JUNE 2016 | VOLUME 8 ISSUE 3

Co-working, incubating, and networking: the Valley has new ways of working together.

THE FIRST STEP OF A LIFE-LONG JOURNEY

FAMILY ROOTS

UNDERSTANDING MECHANICAL THERAPY

HERE BE DRAGONS!

Adult education programs like the GED open doors for future achievement.

Dear back pain, my physical therapist would like you to meet the McKenzie Method.

Valley Medical Arts Clinic is training medical students and growing along with the Valley’s families.

Myth, history, and nature come together at IMAS this summer.

THROUGH THE GRAPEVINES

Jaber Estate’s home-grown wine is a work of passion.

© 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.

MARIO DEL PINO MD FACS FASMBS

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.

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SOCIAL WORKER in the making.

South Texas College has pioneered tuition-free enrollment to over 90,000 high school students.

Now students like Elizabeth can pursue a career that will help others in The Valley.

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Indigenous Weaving: An Exhibition of Native Objects from The National Museum of History, Taiwan.

May 19 - October 2, 2016

1900 Nolana Avenue, McAllen, TX 78504 (956) 682-0123 | www.theimasonline.org

The exhibition gives visitors a rare glimpse into the unique lifestyles and value systems of Taiwan’s indigenous peoples for whom weaving is a distinctive and disappearing art form. Featuring 40 native textiles and artifacts made from ramie fibers, cotton, fur, metal and man-made fabrics, these rare objects represent not only skilled craftsmanship but also the cultural richness of the indigenous peoples of Taiwan.

GABE PUENTE

PUBLISHER/CEO

Summer is our favorite season at RGVision. The sun is shining, the kids are at home, and there are fun activities all around for those looking to enjoy the Valley. We can partake in wine tasting at our local Jaber Estates, and feast at a backyard BBQ or competitive grilling event. With family-friendly exhibits and events at our award-winning museums, there’s an outing for everyone. Of course, we can’t forget about the ever-present great outdoors. We’re lucky to have South Padre Island and other nature features right in our backyard. While we enjoy being among our native wildlife, these natural spaces are also vital for our health; our urban areas are lacking in air-purifying trees. As May is Clean Air Month, we encourage you to read our article about planting trees for cities on page 76; raised planting beds and certain species will facilitate efforts to populate our cities with enough green cover to keep our air clear and healthy.

May is also the month of Mother’s Day. Like anyone else, I love my mom; I’m also incredibly proud of her. Like the subject of our story on page 26, my

mom wasn’t able to pursue schooling in her youth due to circumstances outside of her control, and returned to her education as an adult. Growing up, I was lucky to have her as a role model. Her commitment to the education she took into her own hands made a permanent impact on me. Seeing her accomplish her goal cemented my mission to do well in school so I could attain a college degree for myself and made me particularly receptive to success stories that begin with nothing but a dream.

The Valley is no stranger to tenacity; we are known to be a hard-working region with high hopes for our future. Alternative education programs like the GED are an important first step taken by many people toward making their dream of a complete education possible - a factor not only for better economic positioning, but self-esteem and social mobility.

This is our dream for the Valley as a whole, and it’s one that we can attain through collaboration and an understanding that this is our home. Let’s take care of it and be proud of it. Thank you for reading.

Proverbs 6:20 My son, keep your father's commandment, and forsake not your mother's teaching.

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

EDUARDO ROBLES

AMY GLOVER

DIGITAL MANAGER

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CLAUDIA V. LEMUS

EDITORAL MANAGER

KAREN VILLARREAL ADRIANA RODRIGUEZ

DOMINIQUE Y. ZMUDA GRAPHIC DESIGNER/ILLUSTRATOR

ASHLEY BERRONES JUDITH BENAVIDES GABRIELA GONZALES

MARIELA PEÑA

ALYSSA A. GARCIA

GRAPHIC DESIGNER/ILLUSTRATOR

DAVID ALVARADO JENNILEE GARZA

KEVIN MARTINEZ

JOSE S. DE LEON III

PHOTOGRAPHER/SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

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TABLE OF CONTENTS EDUCATION Raising the Musical Bar

10

Not Your Typical High School Experience

12

Home Builder in the Making

14

Connecting the Valley

18

Making Waves in Research

20

Certified to Heal

24

Five HCISD students to perform on one of the world’s most prestigious stages: Carnegie Hall.

PSJA ISD students are first in the nation to participate in a nursing associate degree program.

Noe De La Cruz is not only building homes, but hope for the community with his new career path.

ON THE COVER Mapping an Entrepreneurial RGV

38

With an entrepreneurial spirit changing the face of the business world, opportunities are rapidly expanding for individuals and businesses in any stage of their emergence. Whether you’ve just come up with a great, new business idea or are already an up-and-coming company looking to grow, the Valley has something to offer.

By Abbey Ewing | Cover Illustration by Mariela Peña

Internet access in our region is among the lowest in the nation; TECHBus RGV is one mobile solution.

UTRGV’s physics department contributes to gravitational wave detection.

RGV Careers empowers local nurses like Mindye Willems to strengthen the Valley’s medical field.

The First Step

When Isabel Montiel-Escobedo obtained her GED, she didn’t expect it to lead to a Master’s degree.

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26

2016

BUSINESS

HEALTH

Sell That House!

28

Estate Planning 101

30

The Path To Citizenship

32

Make use of these summer tips to get open house ready.

Ensure the legacy you leave behind guides your family through a difficult and confusing time.

Naturalization may have a strong positive impact for permanent residents.

Balancing Life and Leadership

RGVisionary Woman, Alma Ortega Johnson shares her experience.

One Chip, One Dip, One Mission

34

Mission EDC initiative continues to drive local entrepreneurship.

In our Financial Advisors We Trust 42 Walter J. Reyna, Inc. offers a family perspective when it comes to managing finances.

QUALITY OF LIFE

Is it a Food Allergy?

46

Understanding the difference between a food allergy, food sensitivity, and food intolerance could change the way you eat.

An Option When There is No Other 48

Deep brain stimulation implant offers relief from Parkinson’s.

Convenience, Safety and Comfort 50 The Center for Pain Management’s operating room has it all under the same roof.

The Case of Joseph

54

Stress and anxiety threaten to derail a father’s life.

Will he find a way to manage?

Man on a Mission 36

VOLUME 8 ISSUE 3 May/June

Fortino Gonzalez educates and empowers his patients to continue their care at home.

Family Roots

Valley Medical Arts Clinic is training medical students and growing along with the Valley’s families.

56 60

Understanding Mechanical Therapy 64

Dear back pain, my physical therapist would like you to meet the McKenzie Method.

Get Excited for Clear Vision!

66

Stay Active with Playtime

68

For glasses-wearers, the moment when you get your first pair of frames is memorable and lifechanging.

Summer Nights at the Museum

72

The Next Stage

74

Trees In The City: Raise Them!

76

We <3 BBQ in the RGV

78

RGV Devils: 1st place!

80

Here be Dragons!

82

Through the Grapevines

84

Bridge history, culture, and community in this three-part series about the South Texas region.

McAllen Performing Arts Center to provide ample room for cultural art experiences.

Urban Forestry calls for shorter trees and raised planting beds.

Explore the tastes and techniques of local pitmasters.

Local 5v5 indoor soccer team proud to be national champions.

Myth, history, and nature come together at IMAS this summer.

Jaber Estate’s home-grown wine is a work of passion.

The summer school break is the perfect time for the whole family to engage in physical activity.

M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 6

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EDUCATION

Raising the musical bar: FIVE HCISD STUDENTS TO PERFORM AT CARNEGIE HALL By: Adriana Rodriguez and Ashley Berrones

arnegie Hall, a name synonymous with musical excellence, is the new ambition for musicians at the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District.

This quest to perform on one of the world’s most prestigious stages began when Gutierrez Middle School Orchestra Director Olga De Leon first decided to give the Middle School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall a shot and nominated Matthew Garcia because of his outstanding musical achievements during his seventh-grade year.

“We were really just testing the waters that year. It’s Carnegie Hall. It’s such a big deal. It’s hard to believe someone could go that far, but Matthew made it,” says De Leon. “Not only did he earn a spot in the program, but he also ranked second among all other viola players. The following year, after his success and knowing it was possible, I opened it up to everybody, and we had a few more students accepted into the program.”

Only students with proven talent, dedication, and achievement are selected.

In the last few years, several students from HCISD have had the opportunity to join this exclusive group.

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This year, a new milestone was reached with another school – Coakley Middle School – being represented at Carnegie Hall and a Gutierrez choir member being accepted into the program for the very first time.

Ensemble directors at Gutierrez and Coakley are proud that their students are putting Harlingen on the map and hope to increase their nominations of students and to have more students make it into the program.

“I’m hoping that seeing all the musicians who made it into the program this year motivates other students and that they get that ‘wow, I want to do it, too’ feeling,” says choir director Pamela Briones Gutierrez.

“Because when you have determination and passion, anything is possible.”

The Middle School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall challenges elite students to perform at their very best.

To apply for the program, students must submit an audition piece and compete against other students throughout the United States and Canada for a spot in one of three groups: Honors Junior Choir, Honors Junior Band, and Honors Junior Orchestra.

Garcia, now a freshman at Harlingen School of Health Professions, will return M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 6

as part of the National Youth Orchestra 2 while four middle school students – Adanis Guerra, Ashley Galvan, Gabriela Garza, and Estrella Serna – join the ranks of the Middle School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall.

Middle school students will conclude their trip with a performance under the direction of master conductors at Carnegie Hall. For Garcia, the NYO2 experience will culminate in Philadelphia with a side-by-side performance alongside The Philadelphia Orchestra at Verizon Hall.

As these young musicians prepare for this unique opportunity, they share their thoughts on getting to this moment. _____________________________

“I’M HOPING THAT SEEING ALL THE MUSICIANS WHO MADE IT INTO THE PROGRAM THIS YEAR MOTIVATES OTHER STUDENTS AND THAT THEY GET THAT ‘WOW, I WANT TO DO IT, TOO’ FEELING.” - PAMELA BRIONES GUTIERREZ

CHOIR DIRECTOR.

MATTHEW GARCIA, HARLINGEN SCHOOL OF HEALTH

GABRIELA GARZA, GUTIERREZ MIDDLE SCHOOL, 8TH GRADE

PROFESSIONS, 9TH GRADE

HONORS JUNIOR CHOIR – SOPRANO

NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA 2 – VIOLA

Q. How do you feel about being selected for such a

prestigious group?

Q. How do you feel about being one of the Junior Finalists for Carnegie Hall?

Q. What are you most looking forward to in New

A. I think it’s really amazing because I’ve always thought I was good at singing, but I never thought I would actually make it into this program. Just to have the opportunity to try out was great, so earning a spot is really exciting.

A. I’m looking forward to visiting the concert halls

York City and Carnegie Hall?

A. Being selected is intimidating, but it also gives me

confidence in my abilities as a musician. If I work hard enough, I can accomplish my goals.

York City and Philadelphia?

Q. What are you most looking forward to in New

and getting to play with so many talented people. I hope to make new friends. I still communicate with people from the last two years that have been in my previous programs. I’ll text them, and they’ll give me feedback. So it’s really a community where we get to learn from each other and help each other out.

A. At Carnegie Hall I am looking forward to meeting other students with the same passion I have. I am going to meet other people who love to sing and love to play their instruments. It’s just amazing that we can all come together and learn from the director, learn from each other. New York will be amazing.

ADANIS GUERRA, COAKLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL, 8TH GRADE

ESTRELLA SERNA, GUTIERREZ MIDDLE SCHOOL, 7TH GRADE

HONORS JUNIOR ORCHESTRA – CELLO

HONORS JUNIOR ORCHESTRA – DOUBLE BASS

Q. How do you feel about being one of the Junior

Finalists for Carnegie Hall?

A. It’s a privilege. It’s something huge because I love music and that’s what I want to do for the rest of my life. It’s something really good for me because someday I want to become a director and a composer.

Q. What are you most looking forward to in New York City and Carnegie Hall?

A. Well, I hope to meet a lot of new people, and I’m

going to meet awesome directors. I’m going to be able to better my technique and get more experience. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity; it’s going to be really awesome. I want to grow as a musician so I can share that knowledge with other people.

ASHLEY GALVAN, GUTIERREZ MIDDLE SCHOOL, 8TH GRADE HONORS JUNIOR ORCHESTRA – VIOLIN

Q. How do you feel about being one of the Junior Finalists for Carnegie Hall?

A. I think it’s a great opportunity. It’s pretty amazing because I know some people don’t have support from their parents. So the fact that my parents are happy that I made it and they’re helping me go is a great thing.

Q. What are you most looking forward to in New

York City and Carnegie Hall?

A. At Carnegie Hall I hear that the stage itself is very beautiful. So I am looking forward to that. I also want to see the Broadway show that they are taking us to.

I am also looking forward to an exchange of knowledge at Carnegie Hall. I know we are all good, but maybe we could teach each other new things that we didn’t already know.

Q. How do you feel about being one of the Junior Finalists for Carnegie Hall?

A. I think it’s an amazing opportunity. I mean, I have never gone to New York, and I feel like it is a good experience. It feels like my hard work actually paid off. All those hours of practicing are worth something.

Q. What are you most looking forward to in New

York City and Carnegie Hall?

A. I’m most looking forward to meeting new people and the opportunity to express our musical interests.

I’m also excited to see the different buildings and structures, too, because here in Harlingen, we don’t have a big city compared to New York. It’s going to be really big and exciting.

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EDUCATION

NOT Y UR TYPICAL HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE PSJA ISD students first in the nation to participate in Nursing Associate Degree Program while in high school

BY CLAUDIA V. LEMUS

PHARR—After

months of intense preparation and dedication, 14 students in the Nursing Career Pathway Program at Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD (PSJA) became the first cohort of high school students in the nation to participate in a Nursing Associate Degree Program, which will allow them to graduate with an associate degree in nursing in the spring of 2017. This is possible thanks to a partnership with South Texas College, Doctor Hospital at Renaissance and Region One Education Service Center.

First approved by the Texas Board of Nursing on July 23, 2015, PSJA’s Nursing Career Pathway Program is the first in the nation to address the growing need for registered nurses by providing a college-

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level associate degree to qualified high school students free of charge.

According to Cynthia Ann Shartle, the STC clinical instructor teaching the courses, the innovative program presents a great opportunity for students in the Rio Grande Valley.

“They’re practically getting their first two years of college and their associate degree without having tuition or an expense of books and uniforms,” said the STC professor.

For Larissa Lopez, a junior at PSJA T. Jefferson T-STEM Early College High School, participating in the program has been a privilege.

“Being a part of the first cohort is a wonderful experience,” Lopez said. “I feel that as a student I am going to be very prepared when I get out of high school.”

In order to get accepted into the program, the students had to have a good grade point average, demonstrate academic success and pass the Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI) entrance exam.

“This program overall has been quite challenging. We started with our prerequisites like Anatomy I and Anatomy II,” shared Lopez. “Those are classes that seniors take, so we had a lot of studying to do in order to meet the criteria and get the grades we needed.”

Besides advanced textbook learning material, students in the program will also have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through various tools.

“We’re using a classroom that can be

used for multiple functions so that they can have as much hands-on time and get visuals to attach the concepts they learn,” Shartle explained. “During the clinical experience, they will start out doing some virtual simulations where we will use mannequins that can be used for all kinds of things like be hooked on to a monitor, breathe and talk to you.”

For some students, this program has helped them define their career goals.

“At first I was confused and didn’t know if it was something that I wanted to do, but then I started thinking about my future and this is something that is interesting to me,” said Luis Silos, a student at PSJA North ECHS. “I want to be a nurse because you have the opportunity to help people.”

While there are numerous advantages and benefits to their participation, the STC clinical instructor said the program is anything but easy.

“It’s a very rigorous program of study.

There is a whole lot of coordination going on between us, the PSJA school district

and the counseling staff,” said Shartle.

“Students can expect to mature a lot and be exposed to a lot of things that they haven’t been exposed to before. They can expect to work very hard for their grades and very hard to become people that put patients first.”

With a whole year of rigorous schooling left to go before their graduation, the PSJA students remained optimistic and said that it will all be worth it in the end.

“It’s an important decision,” said Silos.

“We will be registered nurses by the end of our senior year. It’s not going to be easy and it will take time, but we can do it.”

As a result, the students said they are grateful for all the opportunities and support they have received so far.

“I would like to thank PSJA because they have done a lot for us,” said Lopez.

“Our uniforms, classes and books have been taken care of by the district so that all we have to worry about is our grades and being ready for our classes.”

Being a part of the first cohort is a wonderful experience. I feel that as a student I am going to be very prepared when I get out of high school.

- Larissa Lopez

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EDUCATION

Noe De La Cruz:

HOME BUILDER IN THE MAKING BY ANNIE SYKES here’s no place like home.” It’s been over 75 years since the debut of Judy Garland’s famous line in ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ yet the words still ring true today. For Noe De La Cruz, the phrase is more than a famous movie quote. It’s a lifelong dream.

As a child, Noe didn’t have a place to call home. He and his sisters were raised by their mother; despite working multiple jobs, Mrs. De La Cruz’s paychecks didn’t often cover family-of-four expenses. “We were never truly homeless - my mother made sure of that,” says Noe. “But we moved from one government housing apartment to the next for almost my entire childhood. The experience made me want a home of my own, and also to help others who didn’t have a permanent place to live, either.”

Today, Noe’s dreams are coming true.

He’s a proud homeowner on his way toward a career in building homes for others. Noe recently enrolled in the Construction Supervision program

at South Texas College, where he has excelled. “As a contractor, I’ll be able to build homes for those in my community.

It will be my childhood dream come true, and STC is helping me make this happen.”

Like many of us, Noe took some detours on the path toward achieving his childhood ambition. Always more comfortable in the workplace than the classroom, Noe started work right after high school as the “push cart guy” at Wal-Mart. “My mom always told us, ‘whatever you are, be the best one,’ and I took that to heart,” Noe tells us. “I took pride in my work.” His hard work paid off - within four months at WalMart, Noe had been promoted to assistant manager.

From there, he launched into a career

“As a contractor, I’ll be able to build homes for those in my community. It will be my childhood dream come true, and STC is helping me make this happen.”

- Noe De La Cruz

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in business. Noe’s spectacular work ethic and ability to perform under stress meant success in many fields, from car sales to management. “My father left when I was still a kid, and since my mom had to work all the time, I basically became the dad. I think that made me who I am today. I can deal with stress because I did it when I was young,” Noe recalls.

After several years in the business world, Noe began to wonder if his career choice was the right one. “I had been in car sales for a long time,” he says. “It was good money - I was able to support my wife, son, and daughter easily - but it made me feel kind of empty.” One afternoon, Noe opened up to his wife, an STC graduate herself, about the growing dissatisfaction he felt at work. “She said, ‘Well, why don’t you go back to school?’ I had never even thought about going back to school, but as soon as she said it, it made sense.”

While Noe was theoretically excited about returning to school, he had some reservations. “I didn’t know the first thing about enrolling,” he confesses. “I thought it would be a ton of paperwork. Now, I see that I was mistaken.

At South Texas College, starting

classes was simple and quick.”

Making college easy to attend is a hallmark of STC. In Noe’s case, they went above and beyond: “I went to visit the school and happened to stop by the Construction program booth at a student fair. The head of the department himself gave me his personal phone number, told me to call him anytime, and made sure all my enrollment procedures

M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 6

went smoothly. Within two days, I was ready to start classes. It was amazing.”

Noe’s time at STC continues to amaze him. “The professors are experienced and available. They bring in successful construction professionals as guest speakers.

They give us hands-on opportunities to supervise construction, from building stages for campus events to homes for Habitat for Humanity.” Noe has also benefited from the extracurricular activities his program offers. He’s president of the Construction Supervision Association, a position that has allowed him to see and be seen in the Valley’s construction community.

By this time next year, Noe De La Cruz will be ready to start work as a home builder. He’s even got his company name ready to go - be on the lookout for De La Cruz Construction. “I never thought it would be this easy to make such a fulfilling career change,” he says. “Every time I build a Habitat house and imagine the family who will get to call it home, and I smile.”

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TECH Busrgv EDUCATION

Connecting the Valley

by Annie Sykes “we can bring internet access, computers, and technology best practices to children and adults in our community, And, since it’s mobile, we can bring it to them where they are.”

- Gonzalez Alcantar

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T

he latest technology, the newest devices, the hottest apps ... in today’s world, trends come and go more quickly than ever. But amid the quicksand of technological evolution, there’s always one place to find solid ground: the internet.

The world wide web isn’t going anywhere. If anything, it’s becoming a bigger part of life. From job applications to government benefits, getting somewhere in this country takes an internet connection. That’s why it’s troubling that so many in our community live without household internet. In the 2013 U.S. Census, Valley towns made up three of the top five areas in the nation with the lowest percentage of wired homes.

TECHBus RGV wants to change that. “These days, you need internet access to apply to even minimum wage jobs,” says Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar, one of the founders of the TECHBus. Alcantar is also the force behind Border Kids Code, M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 6

an organization dedicated to teaching the fundamentals of computer science in K-8 spaces.

TECHBus RGV is a mobile lab filled with computer learning stations that also emits a wireless signal so people in the neighborhood where it’s parked can get online. However, it is far more than an internet hotspot - it is a complete mobile classroom. “Our goal is to give students and adults not only internet access, but also the skills to gain opportunities through that access,” says Gonzalez-Alcantar.

Aboard the TECHBus mobile computer lab, visitors learn today’s most important skills, including coding, Google Drive, and other digital skills that will help them land a job in today’s tech-savvy job market. Students and adults are initially walked through setting up a free email account so they’ll be prepared to receive and send digital information. “We also talk to our students about how to behave online,” says Gonzalez-Alcantar. “Today more than ever, it’s important to manage

[956] 631 - 5411 Family Medicine Night Clinic In-House Lab and X-Ray

your online reputation so that it reflects your best self.”

So how did the magic of the TECHBus come into existence? “We pitched the idea to Commissioner Cantu,” says GonzalezAlcantar, an educator and an entrepreneur.

Hidalgo County Commissioner Eddie Cantu has a history of making things happen in his community (see his ACT prep initiative for reference), and this project is no different. “In basically no time, we had our bus to serve Hidalgo County,” she says.

Together, Alcantar and Commissioner Cantu are a technological dream team.

Gonzalez-Alcantar brings the educational expertise and Commissioner Cantu brings,

well, the muscle. “With our skill sets, we can bring internet access, computers, and technology best practices to children and adults in our community,” says GonzalezAlcantar. “And, since it’s mobile, we can bring it to them where they are.” The internet is here to stay. With TECHBus RGV, you can make the most of it.

Want to check out the TECHBus? You can follow its location at www.techbusrgv. com and on social media. The bus can also be booked; school systems in Hidalgo County are already taking advantage of that feature. Join them and the many others who are creating a better life for themselves with technology.

Most Major Insurances and Medicare Accepted

“Health Care for Generations of the Valley.”

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EDUCATION

UTRGV PHYSICS D E PA R T M E N T C O N T R I B U T E S TO

GRAVI TAT IO N A L WAVE D ETECT IO N

By George Cox Photos by Kevin Martinez he event took all of 0.02 seconds and opened a new chapter in the study of the universe.

After traveling 1.3 billion light years, the brief impulse detected by earthbound scientists confirmed the existence of ripples in the fabric of space-time called gravitational waves.

First predicted by Albert Einstein in 1916 based on his general theory of relativity, gravitational waves are curves in the shape of space-time that propagate and carry information about the nature of gravity. Physicists have concluded that the detected gravitational wave was produced during the final fraction of a second of the merger of two black holes to produce a single, more massive spinning black hole.

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The discovery that has opened a new window to study the mysteries of the universe is the product of years of research involving some 1,000 scientists at 80 institutions in 15 countries – including the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, the home of what has developed into one of the nation’s top university physics programs.

A centerpiece of that program is the Center for Gravitational Wave Astronomy on the Brownsville campus, the biggest such research center in Texas and among the largest in the United States. High-profile universities like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Caltech and Columbia University are part of the network of institutions that played a role in the gravitational wave detection research.

UTRGV physics department faculty members have dedicated almost two decades of their research lives to search for these waves, according to Dr. Soma Mukherjee, physics professor and interim department chair.

The gravitational wave researchers in Brownsville are part of a global network of physicists, many of whom have crossed paths professionally while working on gravitational wave astronomy at different universities and research centers.

The UTRGV group today is made up of about a dozen faculty members along with more than 25 undergraduate and graduate students and post-doctoral fellows.

The detection occurred at 5:51 a.m.

Eastern Standard Time on Sept. 14, 2015, by the Laser Interferometer Gravitationalwave Observatory (LIGO), with twin detectors in Livingston, Louisiana, and Hanford, Washington.

Scientists immediately started to

analyze the data to validate and confirm the detection as a gravitational wave. In February the National Science Foundation, which has funded the research work to the tune of $1 billion, announced the findings.

“It’s sort of cool,” said Dr. Joey Shapiro Key, CGWA director of education and outreach. “We are an emerging research institution leading the cutting edge of physics discovery.”

Mukherjee brings an impressive depth of experience to the gravitational wave research at UTRGV. She has been a member of the LIGO Scientific Collaboration since its inception in 1998.

She collaborated with other scientists to achieve “first-in-the-field” contributions in detector noise analysis and search for gravitational wave signals from supernovae.

“Supernovae are rare astronomical events that occur during the last stage of a massive star’s life, marked by dramatic and catastrophic destruction explosion,” Mukherjee wrote in a recent article.

“The gravitation group at UTRGV is a multi-faceted unit,” she wrote. “It has grown in a wholesome and wellgrounded way to cover all aspects of a giant team effort. The group members can proudly boast of having made important

The gravitation group at UTRGV is a multi-faceted unit. It has grown in a wholesome and well-grounded way to cover all aspects of a giant team effort.

- Dr. Soma Mukherjee Physics professor and interim department chair.

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EDUCATION

An incoming wave would slightly warp these arms so that one became longer or shorter than the other by only a few thousandths the radius of a single proton, altering the flight time of the light and triggering a detection.

22

fundamental contributions to the discovery.”

According to Mukherjee, the South Texas research group is made up of people with experimental expertise who have worked at the detector sites. Others have been analyzing LIGO data since the turn of the century, and a team effort is under way to follow up on gravitational wave candidates using optical telescopes.

And the Brownsville connection not only did work leading up to the discovery, but participated in the immediate followup to confirm the data.

Dr. Mario Diaz, CGWA director and professor, along with other UTRGV professors, a post-doctoral fellow and a doctoral student, operated optical

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telescopes in the southern hemisphere in the hours after the event to look for possible visible counterparts in the sky.

“The group from the CGWA was one of only 20 groups of astronomers throughout the world who performed this follow-up,” according to Mukherjee.

The algorithm behind the gravitational wave detection is based on work done

by UTRGV professors Dr. Soumya Mohanty and Dr. Malik Rakhmanov in collaboration with professors from the University of Florida.

Some years earlier, University of Texas at Brownsville graduate student William Johnson, working under the supervision of Mohanty, began to lay the ground work for the algorithm in his master’s thesis.

“It’s the first working method that allows you to study the universe not using the electromagnetic radiation spectrum,” Rakhmanov said about the use of interferometer technology.

In its simplest form, an interferometer is an optical device capable of making accurate measurements of wavelength, wave velocity and distance.

Rakhmanov is intimately familiar with the detectors, since he spent years at the LIGO sites installing hardware and commissioning the detectors.

The twin stations in Louisiana and Washington pass laser light back and forth between mirrors along perpendicular

4-kilometer arms.

As described in a Scientific American article about the September detection, “An incoming wave would slightly warp these arms so that one became longer or shorter than the other by only a few thousandths the radius of a single proton, altering the flight time of the light and triggering a detection.”

The signal that was detected is actually energy radiated from the gravitational wave as it moves through the universe, said physics professor Dr. Volker Quetschke.

He said scientists had little doubt that gravitational waves existed, but the success of the LIGO experiment not only confirms the theory, but also launches a new era of discovery.

“We are going from detection to observation,” Quetschke said. “It’s a new tool for observation in space. “We know it works. We just need to make it better. We are bringing technology forward.”

During the years of work leading up to the gravitational wave detection, researchers at UTRGV and other universities have made significant advances in the optics, lasers and other equipment deployed in the cosmic search.

Headquartered on campus in Cavalry Hall, a building that dates back to the late 1800s as part of the old Fort Brown Army outpost, the CGWA is poised on the verge of a new frontier of exploration of the cosmos. A short walk from the administrative offices is a state-of-theart laboratory where researchers work to improve the optics that are so critical in gravitational wave detection.

Rakhmanov started the interferometric research lab when he came to Brownsville in 2008, working closely with his colleague Quetschke.

“This is as good of a lab as just about any university,” Rakhmanov said. “In fact,

we have people coming here from other universities to do work.”

Still in its infancy, the research and its possibilities for discovery are enormous.

And they will take time.

Holding up his cellphone, Rakhmanov noted that the technology behind the ubiquitous communication device has been around for a long time, with the first crude wireless phone dating back to the early 1900s.

“The technology behind the cellphone took about 100 years to perfect,” he said.

“We are still in the beginning of this new technology. It shows how preliminary this whole state of science is.”

And that’s where the excitement comes in for experienced scientists and students starting to explore the world of physics.

become immersed in the actual research work.

“Our students don’t work on textbook material,” Quetschke said. “They work on the cutting edge of experimental physics.”

The impact of UTRGV’s role in the gravitational wave detection also sends a message to the Rio Grande Valley as to the importance of the new university on education in South Texas.

“This can change the way that people think about education in the Valley,” Rakhmanov said.

He noted that many Valley students aspiring to advanced education in science and other fields historically have felt that they needed to go elsewhere to pursue their dreams.

“The Valley is somewhat different when it comes to education,” he said. “I

Over the last 15 years, the UTRGV physics department has landed some $35 million in federal grants to support the research efforts. Its role in the LIGO discovery will only add to the university’s prestige, allowing it to gain more funding and attract top-notch faculty and students.

Two of the newest physics faculty members arrived in Brownsville from the University of California at Berkeley and Columbia University.

Rakhmanov said a recent faculty addition was chosen from a field of 126 candidates.

All this means an environment where students can do more than study; they

realized that the local population views education differently. There’s a lot of vocational, practical, technical stuff.”

Rakhmanov said he believes an important role of UTRGV is to “change the way that people think about education in the Valley.”

Using his intellectual passion as an example, he said a bachelor’s degree in physics “is nothing. You have to have a PhD. And you can do that here.”

But he stressed that the same thinking applies to other fields as well.

“This is a modern university,” he said.

“We are doing exciting work here.”

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EDUCATION

CERTIFIED TO

HEAL RGV Careers Empowers Local Nurses To Strengthen The Valley’s Medical Field

By Karen Villarreal Photos by Kevin Martinez

There are many roads to the right job, and not all of them involve a four-year educational commitment. Mindye Willems, who is now happy in her career as a licensed vocational nurse, is the type of person who gets the most out of life. A mother of four, Willems found it possible to return to school with RGV Careers, an institute for higher learning.

RGV Careers offers healthcare professional courses that introduce students to the healthcare field and guides them towards licensed certificates such as CNA and LVN in the field of nursing, as Willems was able to do. Willems says this was the smartest move she could have made, as she is now in a position to help and inspire others the same way she was encouraged to join the field when she witnessed a particularly impressive nurse in action.

Willems encountered some minor health issue with her children’s allergies and asthma when they were young, and as a result spent their fair share of time in hospitals and clinics with medical staff of all types but especially nurses. “One in particular in the emergency room went above and beyond her duty with my son, and she made quite an impression on me,” says Willems. “After that I felt that was my calling.”

However, at the time she was far from qualified for her ideal career, but doors opened by chance that put her on the right track. She was offered a job as an allergy nurse, which required a CNA certification for the position. “I started looking around and RGV Careers had a certified nursing assistant program,” says Willems. “It was a very quick and efficient program. I was very impressed with them.”

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She got her certification and worked at the allergy company for four years, but when the company started to reduce her hours and lay off people, she decided to take the next step. “I figured, ‘Now is a good a time as any to go back and get my LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse) certification,’” remembers Willems. “I had been wanting to but hadn’t had the opportunity as a recently divorced mother of four.” RGV Careers was instrumental in helping her achieve her goals, says Willems, and hers is not a unique case.

“They try to offer as many stepping stones as possible to help out any situation that any student might be in,” says Willems. RGV Careers School Director Dr. Annabelle Palomo is known for pushing RGV Careers to go above and beyond what one would expect from a school. “Dr. Palomo was very empathetic to me being a single mom,” says Willems. Though Willems had an 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. class schedule, RGV Careers also offers evening and weekend classes. “For me it was a better fit to not work while I was going to school, but they try to accommodate those who have a daytime job so they can take night classes,” says Willems.

She also got information from Ari Vela, an outreach director at RGV Careers who pointed her toward the entrance exam and enrollment in the 13-month LVN program, which covers anatomy and physiology, nutrition, maternity and pediatrics, pharmacology -every aspect that graduates will need to perform their duties in a hospital setting, or in the case of Willems, a home health setting. “We learn IV skill, vitals skills, proper calculations for medication administration,” lists Willems. “Anything we need to be in the workforce.”

To learn more about RGV Careers, visit their website: http://rgvcareers.edu or follow them on social media.

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“I started looking around and RGV Careers had a certified nursing assistant program.It was a very quick and efficient program. I was very impressed with them.”

MINDYE WILLEMS LICENSED VOCATIONAL NURSE

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EDUCATION

T HE F IR ST S T EP OF A L I FE L ON G J OU R N E Y PHOTO & STORY BY David Alvarado

E

very year nearly 200,000 people try to improve their educational and employment prospects by taking the General Educational Development test, or GED, long considered to be the equivalent of a high school diploma. People who earn their GED and the proficiencies in math, science, social studies and language arts it represents have typically had to overcome many obstacles and work hard to better themselves; most people who hold a GED also tend to foster the attributes of perseverance and tenacity.

Isabel Montiel-Escobedo is one of these people. As a child, Escobedo idolized her teachers and set out to educate herself with the hope of one day teaching a classroom of her own. But education in the tiny pueblito of Zesceca in the Mexican state of Hidalgo consisted of little more than an incomplete building run a young pair of teachers.

“When I was very young, my mother left a 20 peso coin on the kitchen table,” said Escobedo, remembering herself at 4 years old. “I took it to the store across my house and purchased a notebook and a pencil.” Clutching her newly acquired school supplies in one hand and her sister’s hand in the other, she proceeded to the school building to learn how to read and write.

“I’ve always loved school and never stopped learning,” said Escobedo. “I wanted to be educated, and be around teachers and students.”

Though Escobedo never attended primary school in the United States and she faced a myriad of social and economic obstacles, her interest in school led her to always seek out education. It was at the age of 15, after meeting with a group of Christian missionaries from the U.S., that Escobedo was given the opportunity to attend secondary school in the Coahuila, then later Bible College at the Rio 26

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Grande Valley Bible Institute in Edinburg, Texas. It was where she met her future husband, who encouraged her to take the first step in the American education system: obtaining her GED. The GED test was created in 1942 for the U.S. military to test World War II veterans in reading, writing, math, science and social studies. It was in lieu of a high school diploma so that returning soldiers could apply for a job or enroll in college. However, in today’s economic climate, neither a high school diploma or a GED are sufficient. Further education, whether technical or baccalaureate, is critical.

“It’s not enough to just learn English or get a GED, it’s about what you’re going do with it once you get there,” says LeeRoy Corkill, Region One’s Education Service Center Adult Education Program Administrator for the past six years. As a teacher, principal and administrator throughout his 30 year career, he continues to be involved in almost every facet of education. “We want potential students to come to us, set some goals and think about going into post-secondary education.”

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A GED will get most students into a community college where they can earn a certification or an associate’s degree. Region One partners with area school districts and community organizations to address the need of adult students and individuals as Retirement not and currently enrolled in school. These dance for over 30 Yearspartnership sites are unique in cooperative that they offer students flexible schedules throughout the week at no cost to the student.

For example, Region One Adult Education offers its Career Pathways program. Together with South Texas College, adult students can co-enroll in a technical training program at STC while working towards their GED. This allows students to work on a certificate program or earn credits toward their associate's degree. “Ultimately, it’s never too late for anyone to set goals and try to reach them,” says Corkill.

The first time Escobedo took a GED test was more than 20 years ago through a program offered by Sharyland ISD. Although she passed the Spanish-language exam easily, this version was not accepted as an equivalency of the English-language version by the University of Texas-Pan American.

As a primarily Spanish speaker, Escobedo knew earning her English-language diploma would take some time.

“The language barrier was the hardest thing for me, but I decided to go for it,” said Escobedo, who took the Englishlanguage exam through South Texas College.

“My husband bought me a GED Study Book along with an English dictionary and motivated me to move forward.” On typical evenings, Escobedo and several other Spanish-speaking GED students, many of whom were parents with full-time jobs much like herself, would meet to help each other to better understand the content in English.

“Throughout my life, there have always been people motivating me to move forward, like my husband and Maria Salinas, who ran the GED program out of Sharyland,” said Escobedo. While she humbly thanks everyone who helped her on her educational pathway, it’s Escobedo’s own desire to learn that led her to obtain milestone after milestone. An associate’s from STC and bachelor’s from UTPA were followed by a master’s from the same, with which Escobedo was qualified for employment at South Texas College - teaching college-level courses to high school students at Mercedes ISD’s Early College Academy. Many years after taking the GED test, Escobedo was able to accomplish her lifelong dream of teaching.

“I’ve always loved school and never stopped learning. I wanted to be educated, and be around teachers and students.”

- Isabel Montiel-Escobedo

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BUSINESS

Sell that

HOUSE! For sale

Make use of these Summer Tips to Get Open-House Ready

H

owdy Summer 2016! We are glad to be done with sweaters and jackets, and welcome the lighter materials necessary to survive our scorching hot RGV summers!

Our closets need to be organized and groomed for the new season, and just as our closets need updating, so do our homes.

Summer is the perfect time to get any upgrades or updating done to your home that you have been putting off all year, especially if you have been contemplating selling your home. You might consider these practical maintenance tips to make your home energy efficient, and hopefully make your monthly energy bill a bit more bearable to open.

Hot RGV, Cool Home Home maintenance is a drag for those of us who lack DIY talents, but it has to get done! The more it is put off the bigger the price tags get. One common issue most homeowners overlook is the window caulking, and the weather strips on the doorways. Making sure both are properly sealed can help reduce the amount of air escaping or out-

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side heat penetration. If you have a bigger budget to work with, adding sun-screens or shutters are a great investment; buyers like those details.

The garage is probably the most inefficient square footage of your house and is probably treated as an extension of the outside. If your garage is attached to your home, the hot air penetrates the walls, the attic and can ultimately make your cooling system work harder to keep your home cool. If you are in the building process it wouldn’t hurt to verify with you contractor that the garage walls are insulated like the rest of the house. If you are looking to make a small investment with a great impact on your already-built home, the target should be the garage door.

Lining the interior of the garage door with reflective insulation will make your space cooler and quieter.

Now let’s talk about the energy guzzler, the air-conditioning. We spoke to HighPro Service owner Ricardo Benavides, who states that 40 percent of your energy bill is due to this luxury we have become accustomed to. This percentage can be reduced by servicing the units once a year in the early spring. This is especially critical for equipment that is 8 or more years of age. He also mentions that the higher the efficiency ratio “SEER,” the lower your electrical bill and carbon print.

These small home maintenance tips will keep your home in great shape through the years, and if you ever feel like it’s time to upgrade, keep reading to learn when the best time of the year is to put your home on the market!

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Tiny Details, Great Impressions Regardless of the fun and exciting holidays we celebrate year round, summer seems to be the time of the year the majority of the population looks forward to; this is also true for home buyers. The home-buying season peaks in April and typically reaches its highest point in June-July. This trend is ongoing because consumers prefer to move when school is out and the weather is good.

Getting your home ready requires some leg-work from the seller; your preferred realtor can do all the marketing, but if the home is not ready for showings, you will have to deal with low offers or expect your home to sit on the market for months.

The first thing a buyer is met with as the doors open is the scent, the second is visual, or how the home looks. And the third is how the home makes them feel.

Keeping the home cool and setting out cold water-bottles with a personal note during scheduled showings in the summer time is essential; imagine driving in 100 degree weather touring homes. You end up sweaty and sticky. By staying consistent with these small gestures, buyers will feel comfortable touring your home and spend more time getting to know the property, picturing their daily lives in that space.

By Judith Benavides, BIG Realty Judith@isellrgv.com RGVLOCATOR.COM 956.607.2383

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BUSINESS

ESTATE

PLANNING

101

Wealth Management Systems Inc. Bill Martin, CFP® Financial Advisor, 1845 Group at Morgan Stanley Morgan Stanley, McAllen, TX

T

he underlying goal of proper estate planning is to ensure the legacy you leave behind provides your family with essential information that can help guide them through a difficult and confusing time.

There are a number of fundamental components to consider when working with a financial advisor and estate attorney to draft your estate planning documents.

Below you will find an outline of each item.

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT

A Last Will and Testament (“Will”) is a legal document naming guardians for your minor children and directing the distribution of your assets upon your death. While a Will can be contested and does go through the probate process, a Will is the bare minimum legal protection you need. Without one, the court may appoint guardians for your children who may or may not provide for them as you desired.

PERSONAL PROPERTY MEMORANDUM

When writing your Will, one of the most important tasks is to identify who should inherit your personal property.

Do you want to leave everything to your 30

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spouse, for example, or do you have lots of items you’d like to leave to different relatives and friends? One solution is to draft a separate document, called a “Personal Property Memorandum,” which is simply a signed list, containing items along with the people you wish to inherit them.

A DURABLE GENERAL POWER OF ATTORNEY

This legal document gives someone you choose the right to make financial decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so. You name this person as your agent (this person does not need to be an attorney) who steps into your shoes, legally speaking. If you should become incapacitated, your agent can maintain your financial affairs until you are again able to do so, without any need for court involvement.

Without a durable general power of attorney, your closest blood relative – who may not be your choice and may not know your wishes – will generally be given this authority.

A LIVING WILL

This document is your declaration that you do not desire to receive life sustaining treatment if there is no significant hope of recovery. In the Nancy Cruzan decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that to be taken off life support (including intravenous nourishment and fluids), you must have declared your desire before becoming incapacitated. Even if you are young and in good health, you may want to consider having a living will in place. The failure to have a living will upon incapacity can create tremendous emotional and financial costs to your family.

A HEALTH CARE PROXY/ DURABLE MEDICAL POWER OF ATTORNEY

While a living will is your legal declaration not to use life sustaining measures, a health care proxy is designed to grant someone you choose the legal power to make medical decisions for you, if you are unable to do so on your own. As with a durable general power of attorney, if you don’t have a health care proxy, your M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 6

closest blood relative will generally be called on to make decisions for you.

These documents, combined with a holistic financial plan, will help build the foundation of your loving legacy.

Plan for a long life and keep certain vital documents up to date for your protection and the sake of those you love.

Sources/Disclaimer If you’d like to learn more, please contact Bill Martin, CFP®.

Article provided courtesy of a Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

The author(s) are not employees of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC ("Morgan Stanley"). The opinions expressed by the authors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley. The information and data in the article or publication has been obtained from sources outside of Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley makes no representations or guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of information or data from sources outside of Morgan Stanley. Neither the information provided nor any opinion expressed constitutes a solicitation by Morgan Stanley with respect to the purchase or sale of any security, investment, strategy or product that may be mentioned.

Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor(s) engaged RGVision Magazine to feature this article.

Bill Martin, CFP® may only transact business in states where he is registered or excluded or exempted from registration www. morganstanley.com/fa/1845group/. Transacting business, followup and individualized responses involving either effecting or attempting to effect transactions in securities, or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation, will not be made to persons in states where Bill Martin, CFP® is not registered or excluded or exempt from registration. © 2016 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. CRC 1446392 03/16

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BUSINESS

THE PATH TO CITIZENSHIP Naturalization May Have a Strong Positive Impact For Permanent Residents

O

ver the last year, I have seen an increase in permanent residents interested in obtaining their American citizenship. At the same time, the public discourse on the American immigration crisis is at an all time high.

Although we have seen large amounts of proponents on both sides of the issue, there is no question that a change in our system is urgent. With over 10 million individuals out of status and an overwhelming amount of immigration petitions pending, we are sure to see some of these changes happen pretty soon.

In the meantime, many U.S. legal permanent residents are asking themselves where they stand as it relates to having some type of guarantee to stay here long-term, and legally bring the rest of their family to the U.S.

Naturalized U.S. citizens generally have nothing to worry about unless fraud was committed in the process of obtaining the naturalization.

In addition, by becoming a U.S. citizen, a legal permanent resident can travel or live abroad as for as long as they want.

Permanent residents cannot live or travel outside the United States for more than six months at a time. If they do so, they can be found to have abandoned their residence, and therefore lose their green cards. Also, permanent residents who return to the United States every six months but only stay for a short period of time - for example, 2-4 weeks at a time - can also be found to have abandoned residence. U.S. citizens, on the other hand, can live outside the United States for as long as they want and still call America “home.”

By becoming a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident can accomplish many solutions that may have a strong positive impact in both their own lives and that of their families.

The answer to these questions is simple; you need to naturalize.

By becoming a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident can accomplish many solutions that may have a strong positive impact in both their own lives and that of their families.

A large number of legal permanent residents are unaware that making a single mistake - by committing a certain crime or other immigration violation, no matter how long he or she has lived in the United States - he or she could be placed in deportation proceedings before an immigration judge.

This can have devastating effects on the immigrant and his or her family members.

By: Alberto T. Garcia Attorney  albert@garmtzlaw.com  (956) 627-0455 www.garmtzlaw.com

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Many permanent residents also see themselves frustrated because of the waiting times to bring over their immediate relatives.

They may wish to bring their parents or siblings to the U.S. but are unable to do so under their current immigration status.

One of the goals of U.S. immigration law is family unity. Nonetheless, while permanent residents can petition for spouses and unmarried children, U.S. citizens can avoid the long wait times for their immediate relatives and petition for their parents, married children, and siblings.

These benefits are among several other perks that permanent residents can

enjoy once he or she has naturalized, such as the ability to receive estate and gift tax advantages, which is only available to U.S. citizens. Similarly, they obtain the right to vote, and the right to hold public office.

The general rule for a permanent resident to be eligible for naturalization is that you need to proof five years of legal permanent residency in the U.S., good moral character (i.e. no serious criminal convictions in the recent past) and proof of good standing with the IRS. If the permanent resident is eligible to apply, the applicant will need to communicate with the immigration officer in English at the time of the interview and take a brief U.S. history test as well as provide a reading/writing sample.

Certain exceptions apply to these requirements. For example, if the applicant obtained his or her permanent status through the U.S. spouse, the proof permanent residency is reduced to three years instead of five. Also, if applicant is over the age of fifty and has lived in the U.S. as a permanent resident for over twenty years, the interview can be conducted in Spanish. This exception is extended to applicants who are over the age of fifty-five and only have proof of fifteen years of legal permanent residence, as opposed to twenty. Applicants who are over the age of sixty-five and have been legal permanent residents for over twenty years are only required to study 20 of the 100 test questions.

With the current political environment and international security concerns, these requirements are likely to become more difficult to meet. As an experienced immigration attorney, I would highly recommend for all permanent residents to educate themselves on the benefits of naturalization and their eligibility before the current laws are changed.

“The law firm of Garcia & Martinez showed an impressive command of the law and the courtroom when they got us our $9 Million jury verdict.”

– Dr Juan and Sylvia Mancillas.

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BUSINESS

M AY - J U N E

Balancing Life

&LEADERSHIP AREA PRESIDENT FOR WELLS FARGO, ALMA ORTEGA JOHNSON, SHARES HER EXPERIENCE

RGVisionary Woman is a feature of the magazine that specifically spotlights the success of women in the region. Each issue, we will honor a prominent female leader in one of the following areas: education, business, healthcare, or quality of life. If you would like to nominate a local leader for this recognition, please send us an email at info@rgvisionmagazine.com.

A

BY AMY GLOVER

PHOTO BY JAMES HORD

lma Ortega Johnson, the area president for South Texas for Wells Fargo, believes change is both necessary and exciting.

She has been working in the banking industry for thirty five years and says her career started accidentally when her fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s friend called and told her to apply for a position at the bank. Since she was also attending college, it was very difficult to successfully participate in both but she puts a lot of value on focus so was able to power through. For four

of the four and a half years she went to undergraduate school, she worked at the bank. Both positions were full time. From there, she has built her career to the point that she now oversees all the branches in Corpus Christi, Taft, Ingleside, Portland, Rockport, Laredo and the whole Rio Grande Valley. Says Ortega Johnson, “for me, it has been very clear what I want to be and how I’m going to get there.”

It was a long journey to reach her current position but she always knew she wanted to be a president at the bank and along her voyage realized her passion for helping to develop people. “I really like to talk to my team members (employees) and ask them what they want to be. I like to help people develop a plan to reach their goals,” says Ortega Johnson of her passion. Since she struggled a lot trying to balance work and school, she wants to try and make reaching career goals a little easier for other people. She also wants her employees to be happy with their careers because they will be better able to serve customers.

with nonprofits and being on boards, she has little free time to go to the beach with her family, read, travel, and watch HGTV. However, she always makes room for Dallas Cowboy games. “I used to be on the board of IMAS as the president,” says Ortega Johnson, beginning to list her participation. “I am on the board of friends of Quinta Mazatlan, on the board of McAllen Education Foundation, on the executive counsel of the International Women’s board at UTRGV, the advisory board for the College of Business and Entrepreneurship of UTRGV. And I am on the advisory board for the management school at STC, on the board of COSTEP and in the Finance Committee of First Methodist Church.” The Wells Fargo area president says she and the company as a whole are committed to improving the community and its quality of life. At first it was difficult to be involved in so many affairs but she grew to love it.

With all of her responsibilities, being very stressed out seems plausible.

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SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2016 + ENGAGE – The Platinum Wedding Event

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016 + 2016 Youth Conference

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“The best way to reduce the stress is to get things done.”

Care Symposium

SUNDAY, MAY 22, 2016 + Ricardo Montaner

MONDAY, MAY 23, 2016 + RGV Partnership Honors Banquet

A few people helped shape her throughout her vocational journey. One of those people was Hector Lopez, a regional president for Banamex. He helped her learn that moving up in her career wasn’t going to happen quickly. Ortega Johnson said she wanted to “…advance in the company. I did a lot of movements in my career including stepping down. One time I took a lower level position in order to advance even further.

Outside of the office, she is just as busy. Part of the job at Wells Fargo is to be involved in the community and Alma Ortega Johnson is so preoccupied

However, one thing she’s learned throughout her career is that you must pick and choose your worries because not everything can be fixed. She believes that if you can take action, you should. Thus, what would be stress to others only makes her want to get involved further. She feels that if something is stressing her out, it easier to try and fix it than wait until it resolves itself. “It usually doesn’t have to do with managing my own stress but more of things not being done correctly,” she says.

“The best way to reduce the stress is to get things done.”

M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 6

FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2016 + Paquita La Del Barrio

For More Info:

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K . COM/ S T CA

MCALLEN CONVENTION CENTER

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700 Convention Center B McAllen, Texas 78501 Phone: (956) 681-3800 Fax: (956) 681-3840

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One Chip

BUSINESS

One Dip

One Mission MISSION EDC INITIATIVE CONTINUES TO DRIVE LOCAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

By Alyssa Aide Garcia Photos by Brandon Garcia

ocated on the U.S.-Mexico border, the Rio Grande Valley’s taste palate draws from both sides of the river.

Local restaurants and food stands that quietly serve up flavors as big as Texas to a dedicated fanbase become closely guarded Valley secrets; we don’t mind letting Austin and San Antonio fight over where the best tacos can be found because we know what treasure lies in our backyard. However, there are some food experiences that simply need to be shared, and with a little help from a Mission EDC initiative, two local companies will be bringing their products to a far wider market.

El Yaqui Mexican Products (which includes tortillas, tortilla chips and tostadas) and Dip It by Pilar (a Tamaulipas-inspired gourmet yogurt dip which also serves as a flavorful sauce) are soon to be discovered by foodies far from the RGV thanks to Ruby Red Ventures, an initiative that helps grow the

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economy in the Mission area by providing entrepreneurs with the tools they need to develop and implement a sustainable business plan.

ALL THAT AND A BAG OF CHIPS

Rafael Pacheco, CEO of El Yaqui Mexican Products, didn’t just pass through the Ruby Red Ventures initiative.

He actually played a vital role in the program’s development when he went to the Economic Development Corporation seeking assistance after he moved to Mission.

The most import thing Ruby Red has done for me is believe in me. They make you dream big and accomplish what you aim for. They are very involved; they follow you to make sure you have all the elements and tools to succeed. It really makes a difference.

- Pilar Gonzalez

Starting a business requires long hours and funding is often scarce since startups are risky business for banks. While most local EDCs have programs in place to attract big companies to their city, most do not have anything in place to help out entrepreneurs. Pacheco made his case to the EDC regarding the need to support individuals with business dreams.

“We had seen other businesses like Rafael’s and could not help them,” said Mission EDC’s CEO Alex Meade. “After Rafael, we finally decided to do something about it. Thus, we started Ruby Red.” Ruby Red is structured so that participants attend workshops given through the UTRGV Small Business Development Center. They then present their plan to local business leaders in a competition reminiscent of “Shark Tank.”

Ruby Red accepts participants twice a year with the potential to award $50,000 each round. While each company is eligible to receive up to $25,000, most of these startups say the real benefit to participating in the program is the knowledge and support Ruby Red Ventures provides. “I think what Ruby Red is doing is awesome!”

Pacheco says. “I think that’s what more cities in the Valley should do to improve the economy.”

During his presentation to the panel of local business leaders where he introduced El Yaqui’s business plan in hopes of being selected for the Ruby Red award, he gave the jury a sample of his chips. However, he realized he needed something just as appetizing to accompany them. He turned to his friend Pilar Gonzalez and her savory yogurt-based dip.

DIP IT GOOD

After retiring from the exciting world of radio and television, where she

held positions at the national level for such networks as ABC, Univision and Telemundo (and even won an Emmy!), Gonzalez retired and decided to pursue her passion for cooking and opened up a restaurant. When she sold her venture, people still wanted the dips her restaurant had featured. She began to manufacture them at home.

“My aunt was making these dips in Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico,” said Gonzalez. “She taught me 25 years ago how to make them.” These uniquely spiced dips are versatile and can be added to a variety of dishes as a sauce or garnish.

The zesty sauce that came to be known as Dip It comes in five flavors both familiar and exotic at the same time.

SUPER TEAM

When Pacheco paired his chips with Dip It , the panel of judges loved his chips as a vehicle for the bold flavors of her dip.

El Yaqui Products was awarded $25,000 in the inaugural round - the largest award a single company can receive.

Ruby Red Ventures helped Pacheco grow his company into what it is today: a success by any measure of the word. All Alamo Draft Houses carry El Yaqui’s tortilla chips, and he is in seven H-E-Bs Valleywide to date.

Pacheco urged Pilar to apply with Mission EDC to take her dips down the same path as his line of products. “I didn’t know Ruby Red existed,” said Gonzalez, but she went through the process, and was awarded in the next round. The $25,000 award got her out of her own kitchen and into an industrial kitchen located in Mission. She was also able to purchase much-needed equipment and hire a design team to create a new, modern logo. Through Ruby Red, Gonzalez also connected with H-E-B’s Primo Picks: M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 6

Quest for Texas Best. She entered and received second place, which came with a $15,000 award.

Tastes of home, such as cilantro, chile piquin, jalapeño, olive and chipotle are sometimes hard to find on chain store shelves, but by July 2016, Pilar’s product will be found in every H-E-B in Texas.

Spec’s, a sister company of our local Feldman’s, will also soon be carrying Dip It in all its locations.

Speak with either Pacheco and Gonzalez and they both are passionate about their products. They testify to the hard work entrepreneurs face, but are eager to encourage everyone to pursue their dreams of starting their own business. “The most import thing Ruby Red has done for me is believe in me,” Gonzalez explains.

“They make you dream big and accomplish what you aim for. They are very involved; they follow you to make sure you have all the elements and tools to succeed. It really makes a difference.” In helping these two companies grow, Ruby Red Ventures is helping to share the flavor of the Valley with the rest of Texas.

If you have an idea or are looking for support to expand your business, Ruby Red Ventures is accepting applications twice a year. Visit their website for more information.

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BUSINESS

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AN ENTERPRISE Mapping Business Development Resources In The RGV

By Abbey Ewing

B

usiness is booming in the Valley with an entrepreneurial spirit changing the face of the market. From budding artists to tech-savvy innovators, opportunities are rapidly expanding for entrepreneurs and businesses in any stage of their business life.

Emerging work sites called coworking spaces are revolutionizing opportunity in the Valley, with two locations opening up in the past year. The term “Coworking” was coined in 2005 when Brad Neuberg, California resident and native of our own McAllen, Texas, formed the first shared workspace environment of its kind engineered to provide a sense of community that fosters independent activity and the sharing of not only equipment, but also intangible benefits like ideas and networking opportunities. On top of that, coworking sites show increased productivity, offering up a place for work-at-home professionals to escape the isolation and distractions they often face. Since their beginnings in San Francisco, California, coworking sites have emerged all over the world, providing unique environments that are often attractive to freelance workers, corporate refugees, and even small businesses.

The RGV’s first coworking space, The Grindstone, located in Edinburg, opened up its doors this past November and calls for Valleyites to “Join our growing community of professionals working alone – together.”

With memberships starting at just $49 per month,

The Grindstone offers members workspaces, phone booths, private offices, conference rooms, mailboxes, and many other amenities for today’s modern worker.

With part-time and full-time memberships available, The Grindstone already boasts a thriving community of members to network with from media groups, realtors, nutritionists, photographers, coffee lovers, and more.

Reaching out to the lower Valley, The WorkPub in downtown Brownsville opened its doors in January to serve the needs of the bustling Brownsville community. Owner Luis Urquieta said, “Primarily, our goal is to be a platform for entrepreneurs and small businesses to connect, share knowledge and ultimately, thrive and be successful at their business.”

He added, “The intangibles are being able to network and work next to like-minded entrepreneurs at the same place; you’re still working independently, but the networking opportunities that you get from working at a coworking center, you can’t get from home or working at a coffee shop.”

With flexible memberships and a great price tag, both coworking sites are available for tours and offer a variety of options to meet the needs of entrepreneurs and small businesses at any level.

Now, when it comes to startups in the early stages of their business, an incubator may be the way to go. Though they both provide an office location, coworking spaces and incubators differ in their mission.

Incubators nurture young businesses, usually by

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BUSINESS

Primarily, our goal is to be a platform for entrepreneurs and small businesses to connect, share knowledge and ultimately, thrive and be successful at their business.

- Luis Urquieta

providing an affordable workspace along with handson services such as management training, marketing support, and access to resources like financing options, and ultimately aim to grow businesses to move out and make it on their own. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) has recently combined services previously offered by UT Brownsville and UT Pan American and now, through collaborative partnerships with public and private entities, UTRGV provides the Valley with an array of services based out of the Department of Economic Development.

For over 12 years, the Center for Entrepreneurship and Commercialization in Brownsville has provided incubation services with equipment and training to help startup businesses succeed. Additionally, the university provides a variety of business development services throughout the Valley, including a Veterans Business Outreach Center in Edinburg and the Small Business Development Center in partnership with the US Small Business Administration in Harlingen.

Cities across the Valley are doing their part, too. In 2005, with help from the city, the McAllen Chamber of Commerce jumped on board to create the McAllen Creative Incubator (MCA2). Now located at the former public library, MCA2 houses 20 low-cost artist studios and office spaces for expanding artists and art organizations. The venue fosters the creativity of tenants and provides the necessary managerial, legal and technical support to encourage continued professional growth of artists, in turn, enhancing the vitality of the local community. But they didn’t stop there. In 2015, the Chamber launched TechPlace in the same location to serve the needs of tech-minded entrepreneurs like app and software developers, programmers, coders, and more.

Brownsville is also making great strides in the arts and technology scenes. According to Brownsville Economic Development Council Executive Vice 40

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President Gilbert Salinas, in addition to the university’s entrepreneurship center, the city is working with SpaceX on what they call “Project STARGATE,” or known to real “techies” as the Spacecraft Tracking and Astronomical Research into Gigahertz Astrophysical Transient Emission. As just one component of the multi-faceted project, they plan to construct an aerospace-centered facility to focus on incubation of innovative entrepreneurs and the development and commercialization of cutting-edge technology.

Furthermore, up and coming artists can look forward to the opening of the Activating Vacancy Art Incubator. Their first public event kicked off on April 8. Thanks to a $50,000 grant from the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA), the building community or bcWorkshop nonprofit organization is restoring the San Fernando Building in Brownsville’s Downtown Market Square to house the new incubator.

In regards to the new projects, Salinas said, “We’re working on several fronts. Brownsville has reached a point where we’ve gone from a traditional border manufacturing community to a point where we’re growing and moving in a direction of innovation, arts, culture, and global investment for Brownsville, and 10 years from now, Brownsville’s fabric could potentially include all those different sectors.”

Coworking spaces and incubators, though different in nature, often cross paths in their missions of development, and the City of Mission is making a point to capture both opportunities. With the construction of the Center for Education and Economic Development (CEED), Mission is planning to serve a variety of needs with classrooms, coworking spaces, private offices, and incubation services.

According to Mission EDC President and CEO Alex Meade, along with their other initiatives, the center is expected to create a culture of entrepreneurship and should be up and running by July.

M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 6

Finally, for those determined and exceptional candidates with a little luck on their side, some other great resources are spreading across the Valley in the form of citywide contests like Mission EDC’s Ruby Red Ventures, which awards $100,000 to small business contest winners each year, the McAllen Business Plan Competition, and even South Padre Island’s new Sand Dollars for Success. For further networking and professional development opportunities, officials also recommend joining professional groups, which range from the Texas Society of Professional Engineers, to the National Association of Hispanic Nurses, the

Rio Grande Valley Real Estate Investors Club, and everything in between.

Depending on your niche, defining your local options will help determine the best fit for you and your business. Whether you’ve just jotted your ideas down on your napkin or are already an up and running company, the Valley has something to offer. For more information on business development opportunities in your area, contact your local Economic Development Corporation, Chamber of Commerce, or check out one of the entities listed below.

Below are some local options for you.

COWORKING SPACES:

The Grindstone

956-900-2190 506 W. University Dr., Edinburg, TX work@thegrindstone.co

Harlingen

The Prelude – Musician’s Incubator 956-335-5173 113 E Jackson Ave, Harlingen, TX 78550

The WorkPub

U.S. Small Business Administration 956-427-8533 2422 E Tyler Ave, Harlingen, TX 78550

INCUBATORS:

McAllen

956-641-9767 847 E. Elizabeth Brownsville, TX info@theworkpub.com

Brownsville

UTRGV Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center 956-882-4119 Resaca Village 1601 Price Rd., Suite E, Brownsville, Texas 78520

Edinburg

UTRGV Small Business Development Center 956-665-7535 CESS Bldg., Suite 1.200 1407 E Freddy Gonzalez Dr., Edinburg, TX 78539 UTRGV Veterans Business Outreach Center 956-665-8931 CESS Bldg., Suite 1.200 1407 E Freddy Gonzalez Dr., Edinburg, TX 78539

The LiftFund – Small Business 1-888-215-2373 220 N. 10th Street, McAllen, Texas McAllen Creative Incubator 956-687-2787 601 N. Main St, McAllen, TX 78501 USA

Mission

Center for Education and Economic Development 801 N. Bryan Rd., Mission, TX 78572

Pharr

Pharr Innovation Lab 956-402-4900 308 W. Park Ave, Pharr, Texas 78577

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Pharr Technology Incubator 956-402-4332 203 W. Park, Pharr, Texas

Raymondville

Small Business Rural Technical Skills Incubator Center 956-689-1862 700 FM 3168, Raymondville, TX 78580 Some other great opportunities are coming soon!

Brownsville

Activating Vacancy Art Incubator 956-443-2211 1109 Market Square St., Brownsville, TX Project STARGATE Brownsville, TX

Weslaco

UTRGV Center for Innovation and Commercialization 275 S. Kansas Ave., Weslaco TX 78596

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BUSINESS

IN OUR FINANCIAL ADVISORS WE TRUST

Walter J. Reyna, Inc. Offers a Family Perspective

By Gabriela Gonzales Photos by Johnny Quiroz

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O

ur financial system works largely because we trust it to. At any given time, Americans know the value of a their currency and can make decisions based on that constant information: a dollar is always worth 100 cents, and does not change.

Thus, the importance of a dollar bill is amplified from vessel for economic exchange to symbol of trust.

The financial advisors entrusted to protect and grow the wealth of Walter J. Reyna Inc.'s clients further amplify that message. They put an emphasis on giving their clients peace of mind that their financial decisions are not only safe, but actively work towards their goals. "This business was built on honesty, integrity and trust," explains Anthony Reyna, son of founder Walter J. Reyna. He has been taking a leading role alongside his father in the family business, which for over 30 years has built relationships with the Rio Grande Valley as one of the few Independent Registered Investment Advisory firms in the area. As an IRIA, they are held to a higher fiduciary standard than most other financial firms or insurance agencies. As a family operation, the advisors at Walter J. Reyna, Inc. hold themselves to a selfestablished standard by which generations of financial expertise and knowledge

enables them to strategically plan for wealth protection and creation no matter the economic atmosphere.

Walter J. Reyna knew the value of multi-generational financial planning as well as the complications that come with it when he founded Walter J. Reyna, Inc. decades ago. His thorough understanding of effective financial planning proved crucial for his clients looking for fiduciary guidance. Many years after first opening his doors for business, he has successfully passed down his passion for finance and improving monetary assets to the next generation of Reynas: his two sons, Anthony and Daniel. Now, the father and son trio combines over 50 years of work experience and study in finance to guide their clients to their desired goals.

“Family is everything,” says Anthony Reyna. “It’s fantastic coming to work with my father and brother every day."

“Family is everything. It’s fantastic coming to work with my father and brother every day.”

Anthony Reyna

M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 6

Walter has always viewed hard work and camaraderie as the cornerstones of success.

As Anthony is a trained and licensed advisor, he is able to work hard managing client portfolios with his dad. Daniel is licensed for insurance and works in that capacity. He is in the learning stages of his career, growing from the strong foundation established by his father and brother. Though he only recently joined them, Anthony says he admires Daniel's fantastic people skills, which will play a large part in this business, where the relationship between financial advisor and client is paramount. “We are all very proud,” says Anthony. “I look forward to his success as time passes and he learns more here.”

Anthony and Daniel will uphold their father’s commitment to providing his clients the most direct guidance by laying out all outcomes available for each distinct profile. “Walter has been relied upon for years,” says Anthony, explaning that the Reyna family builds their clients' confidence in their business by involving them in the process, and holds each partner at Walter J. Reyna, Inc. accountable to protect and grow these clients’ personal wealth and financial security through proactive measures and acute attention to detail. In this way, the up and coming leaders of financial advising at Walter J. Reyna, Inc. plan to uphold the trust granted to Walter J. Reyna, Inc. by the RGV.

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ENJOYING

Good Life THE

It’s never too early to start saving for retirement, but with so many options, it’s hard to know which type of account is right for you. Luckily, we’ve offered the pros and cons to a few common plans to help you understand the basics.

401(k): PRO: Employer matching programs PRO: High contribution limit with annual contribution adjustment options PRO: Contributions are tax deductible PRO: Loans are allowed CON: Limited investment options to other retirement accounts CON: Early withdrawal penalties possible before age 59 1/2 CON: Higher costs associated with hiring a third party administrator

Simple IRA:

403(b): PRO: Tax deductible with potential eligibility for tax credit based on deferred income into plan PRO: Taxes won’t need to be paid on growth until time of withdrawal

Traditional IRA: PRO: Contributions may be tax deductible PRO: Almost unlimited investment options

PRO: Contributions are tax deductible

PRO: All gains within the IRA grow tax deferred

CON: Limited investment options

CON: Limited yearly contribution amount

CON: early withdrawal penalties possible if funds not used for intended purpose

CON: Taxes must be paid on any withdrawal of funds

Roth IRA:

CON: Withdrawal of funds before age 59 1/2 could result in an IRS levied 10% penalty

SEP IRA:

PRO: Lower maintenance to manage with lower fees than other plans

PRO: Almost unlimited investment options

PRO: Annual contributions can be up to 25% of W-2 Compensation or AGI

PRO: Employer match up to a certain percentage

PRO: Contributions can be withdrawn without the IRS levied penalty

PRO: Larger contribution limits than Traditional or Roth IRAs

PRO: No age limit to open account & typically requires very little money to get started

PRO: Contributions are flexible and are not required every year in case of a down year

PRO: Contributions are tax deductible CON: Only available to business of under 100 employees CON: Loans are not allowed CON: Withdrawing funds within the first two years of opening an account will result in a 25% IRS penalty

PRO: Withdrawals at retirement owe no income tax

PRO: Contributions are tax deductible PRO: Almost unlimited investment options

CON: Limited yearly contribution amount

CON: Contributions are made by employers only, so there is no tax deduction for the employee

CON: Low contribution caps; exceeding limit requires withdrawal of funds or penalty fees

CON: Contribution amounts must be the same for each employee, including the employer

CON: Contributions not tax-deductible

CON: All employees who have worked for 3 of the last 5 years and are over 21 years of age are eligible.

This can become costly for an employer with many employees

To learn more visit walterreyna.com or call 956.682.4196.

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HEALTH

Food Sensitivities

&

Inflammation

Melissa Gauna, NTP, CHNC Nutritional Therapy Services

M

ay is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness month.

When you think of a food allergy, you might picture a child in anaphylactic shock after unexpected exposure to peanuts.

Food allergies can be pretty frightening, and non-profits like the AAFA are helping to create awareness about the seriousness of these types of allergies.

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), more than 50 million Americans suffer from all types of allergies, including food allergies, allergies to medications, and insect stings.

In these cases, the individual is usually aware of their allergy and can work toward

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eliminating and avoiding those allergens in their diet. But did you know that food sensitivities are actually much more prevalent than food allergies? They may not be life threatening; however, the ill effects can greatly reduce a person’s quality of life. Actually, many people experience the negative health effects of food sensitivities on a daily basis, and never connect the symptoms with the foods they’re eating.

What’s the difference between a food allergy, food sensitivity, and food intolerance?

These terms are often used interchangeably. However, they are very different. A food allergy is a response by the immune system to a particular protein in food. Peanut is the most common allergen, followed by shellfish, and then sulfites. A food allergy can cause an extreme reaction, such as anaphylactic shock, where the body is triggered to release large quantities M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 6

of histamine mediators.

Food intolerance, on the other hand, does not involve the immune system, but can produce symptoms similar to a food allergy. The most common food intolerance is lactose intolerance. A person who is lactose intolerant lacks the enzyme, lactase, which is needed to break down lactose. When food is not properly broken down, it is left to ferment in the small intestine. This fermentation results in symptoms such as bloating, loose stools, diarrhea, and gas. Supplementing with specific enzymes can help individuals break down foods properly, and avoid these uncomfortable and even painful effects.

Food sensitivities – sometimes referred to as delayed food allergies – are much more common, and can be more clinically challenging, since symptoms of food sensitivities can lay dormant, appearing up to 72 hours after ingestion. Additionally, the adverse reaction does not necessarily have to come from a food protein. Any food – even the “healthy” ones – or chemical, can cause a reaction depending on the person.

It is believed that food sensitivities can be a major source of inflammation, contributing to conditions such as IBS, migraines, fibromyalgia, arthritis, obesity, metabolic syndrome, ADD/ADHD, and even autism.

What’s more challenging is the fact that these delayed adverse reactions can be dose dependent, meaning people eating only one offending food may not produce a strong reaction, but a combination of trigger foods can produce a series of reactions including, but not limited to: gas, bloating, constipation, heartburn, mental

fog, fatigue, skin eruptions, headaches, acne, rosacea, and dark circles. Some of the most common culprits involved in food sensitivity reactions include: gluten, found in grains such as wheat, barley, oats, etc; dairy, corn, soy, eggs, and peanuts.

Many people experience the negative health effects of food sensitivities on a daily basis, and never connect the symptoms with the foods they’re eating.

But what causes a food sensitivity in the first place?

A growing number of medical practitioners suspect that intestinal permeability, or, “leaky gut,” may be the reason food sensitivities are on the rise.

The stomach lining can be compared to a net with tiny holes that only allow certain substances through. Undigested foods, medications, bad bacteria, and even stress can cause this net to become damaged and torn, or permeable. As the holes in the net (stomach lining) get bigger, food particles, as well as bacteria, viruses, and toxins are allowed to pass through and enter the bloodstream. The body does not recognize these particles and sees them as “foreign

invaders.” The immune system is triggered and attacks these invaders, producing an immune response otherwise known as inflammation. The effects of these inflammatory responses can manifest not just in the digestive tract, but also all over the body, from the skin, to the arteries, and even the brain.

It is very important to identify if you may have intestinal permeability and be suffering inflammation brought on by food sensitivities. The Oxford Biomedical lab in Florida specializes in food sensitivity testing. They offer the patented Mediator Release Test (MRT), a blood test which quantifies the body’s inflammatory

M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 6

response, or, the uncomfortable symptoms typical of food sensitivity reactions.

Knowing which foods produce an inflammatory response means you can avoid trigger foods, reduce inflammation, and heal your body from the inside out.

As a Nutritional Therapist, my goal is to customize a nutrition program that takes into account each person’s bio-individuality.

By facilitating Oxford Biomedical’s MRT food sensitivity test to clients, it allows me to determine which foods need to be removed in order to allow the body to heal itself. Visit my website, melissaguanantp. com, to schedule a free consultation today.

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HEALTH

AN OPTION WHEN THERE IS NO OTHER DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION IMPLANT OFFERS RELIEF FROM PARKINSON'S 48

By Amy Glover

RGVISIONMAGAZINE.COM

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Photo by James Hord

M

any people know from personal experience, or witnessing their older relatives or friends develop a trembling in the hands, that they didn't always have this problem. Parkinson's disease is progressive; often tremors begin in one finger before slowed movement and speech changes become readily apparent.

So far, there is no cure and new medical advances can be very rare for diseases like Parkinson’s that affect the central nervous systems of an estimated 7 to 10 million people worldwide. Fortunately for South Texan individuals suffering from tremors (one of the most debilitating aspects of the disease), there is a surgical option that can make them disappear completely. Dr. Betancourt, an experienced neurologist who has clinic hours in McAllen, Harlingen, and Brownsville, is trained to surgically install a device called the Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) implant to improve the quality of life of his patients.

Up until deep brain stimulation (DBS), the only option for people with

Parkinson’s was medication, which can cause complications such as dyskinesia after several years. This is the medical term for the reduction in effectiveness of medication experienced as the body builds tolerance to the drugs; increasing dosage is required to get the same effect. Eventually the drugs may lose all effectiveness. At this point, the patient becomes a candidate for DBS. The way the device works is fascinating.

It is similar to a pacemaker in that it is placed inside the chest, but with flexible leads that are attached to the brain.

Everything is under the skin. The device then sends electrical signals to the brain and movement is more easily controlled.

Manny Molina, a Medtronic sales representative for the DBS devices, says side effects are minimal and most can be fixed by reprogramming the device.

For the people suffering from late stage Parkinson's, Molina cannot stress exploring their options enough. “Most patients that I meet have never really heard

about this surgical option,” he says, which is unfortunate as he has seen how the device can change a person's life. “They go from being very rigid and stiff to actually being able to walk to and from the bathroom, or in and out of their car,” he explains.

Molina partners with Dr. Betancourt, who has done over 100 lead placements involved with the DBS treatment, so that RGV residents don't have to travel far from home for the surgery. Both he and Dr. Betancourt get a lot of satisfaction out of helping someone with this disease see that there is still hope.

The DBS device greatly improves quality of life, restoring mobility and function as the patient experienced before the onset of their Parkinson's. Patients are able to live as they were accustomed to; standing and walking, holding and playing with their children and grandchildren, and generally performing daily activities of their choosing without the tremor.

Dr. Betancourt is always accepting new patients.

The way the device works is fascinating.

It is similar to a pacemaker in that it is placed inside the chest, but with flexible leads that are attached to the brain.

Everything is under the skin. The device then sends electrical signals to the brain and movement is more easily controlled.

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Convenience, Safety and Comfort: The Center for Pain Management’s Operating Room Has it All

By Lauri Revilla

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ndividuals suffering from chronic pain ultimately need just one thing: relief. However, they often discover that relief is a work in progress and they require additional comfort and support even in the quest for treatment. The staff at the Center for Pain Management understands that long wait times in unbearable waiting rooms are exceptionally difficult for these individuals, and scheduling their various treatment procedures can also cause issues.

Familiar with the consequences of living with pain, the staff takes strides to reduce these situations whenever possible and has made the decision to build an operating room inside the clinic. A “one-stop shop” for pain relief, the Center for Pain Management can offer patients of Dr. Chowdhury the procedures they need to relieve their condition in a comfortable and familiar environment.

The operating room at Center for Pain Management is equipped with state-of-the art technology and devices that you would find in a large hospital. Although there is sometimes hesitance to get procedures done in an operating room outside of the office, M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 6

the center’s Clinical Supervisor, Araceli Gaona, provides some reassuring details.

“We have everything a hospital does but in a different setting. We are OSHA certified and are up to date with our accreditations. We follow all the same sterilization procedures that a hospital does,” explains Gaona. “We also have an anesthesiologist on staff that is there to administer anesthesia and monitor the patient throughout the procedure. We have six recovery beds so patients can continue to be monitored after the procedure.”

Gaoana and her team are involved in over 30 procedures a day. She has over 10 years of experience working at Center for Pain Management. After completing her internship under Dr. Chowdhury, she decided that she wanted to continue her career helping people that are dealing with chronic pain and applied for a position at the clinic. Two years later, she was promoted to Clinical Supervisor and has been leading the team since then.

95 percent of the procedures that the Center for Pain Management recommends to its patients can be done at the new operating room. These procedures range from an epidural injection to a kyphoplasty procedure offered to patients in pain from

Instead of having to go register and do multiple trips to the hospital with long waits. It’s an in and out thing where patients come in, get the procedure, get monitored a couple of hours and they’re ready to go. In addition, they don’t have to pay additional fees to a hospital.

Lead vest that protects from radiation

- Araceli Gaona

vertebral compression fractures. Having the operating room on site makes it very convenient for patients because everything is scheduled and billed at one location.

It’s also less nerve-racking to have the procedure done in a familiar environment with the friendly nurses and staff they already know.

Getting a procedure done at Center for Pain Management is quite simple.

Once the patient arrives at the clinic on their scheduled day, the nurses do a quick triage before they take him or her to the

operating room. Once they are in the operating room, they are prepped using sterile techniques and monitored. After the procedure is completed, they are taken to the recovery area, where they will be further monitored before they are sent home.

Convenience, comfort and expertise is what the Center for Pain Management offers its patients with their operating room. The goal is to eliminate obstacles that patients often have receiving the treatment they need to relieve their suffering.

“Basically, we offer the convenience of an outpatient service,” explained Gaona.

“Instead of having to go register and do multiple trips to the hospital with long waits. It’s an in and out thing where patients come in, get the procedure, get monitored a couple of hours and they’re ready to go. In addition, they don’t have to pay additional fees to a hospital.”

For more information regarding the Center for Pain Management’s operating room call, 956-631-9041 or visit http://cfpm.net.

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HEALTH

STRESS &

ANXIETY: THE CASE OF JOSEPH

By Alfonso Mercado, Ph.d.

F

or several weeks, Joseph has lived with an underlying sense of anxiety.

Rumors have spread throughout his work that several layoffs are forthcoming in an effort to save the company from financial ruin.

As a single father of two girls, such an event could prove to be catastrophic. His daughter, Jessica, is nearing graduation from high school and entering university. Julia, his youngest, attends guitar lessons and has discovered in the instrument a newfound passion. Yet, the rumors prove to be true, claiming Joseph as one of the many unfortunates.

As Joseph drives home from his last day of work, he recalls the weeks preceding his termination and seeks to find a degree of sense and meaning in the adversity. He is unable to find little of anything in the ordeal, only evidence of his own insufficiency.

He arrives home to the smiles and greetings of his two loving daughters, but the images of his beloved

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children, happy and flourishing, only serve to deepen his sense of worry, anxiety, and fear of loss.

Joseph awakens the next morning after only a few hours of sleep. His mind is still troubled, he is tired and concerned, but, he is determined. He updates an old resume, searches for new job opportunities, and submits several applications.

Despite nearly two weeks of continuous searching for new employment, Joseph remains unsuccessful and begins attempting to distract himself from the threat and dangers of prolonged unemployment with alcohol. His drunkenness, however, leads mostly to increasing rumination regarding his feelings of inadequacy and only worsens his sense of depression. In his current state of stress and anxiety, the alcohol also creates an unanticipated heightening of his anxiety when he is sober.

Joseph's nightly inebriation and alcohol-induced changes in behavior are disturbing to his daughters and threaten to strain their relationship.

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One evening, Joseph's daughters, who know their father's passion for film, ask him to join them at the movies in hopes of distancing him from his use of alcohol. The movie is enthralling for the entire family. For hours, they are completely engaged, as though their own setting, life stories, acquaintances and intimates were synonymous with those taking place in the picture.

After dropping the girls off at school the next morning, Joseph could not help but reflect on their enjoyment of the previous evening. He thought of his daughters and of his great surprise at their intelligence as they struggled aloud to predict the movie's conclusion.

These recollections of the previous night created a shift in Joseph's perspective.

The opportunity to enjoy more nights like these was right in front of him,

created by the very loss he had been deploring. “Rarely, is an experience all good or all bad,” he thought, “toward any experience, multiple, even contrary, perspectives are often possible.”

Once again, Joseph put himself to the task of filing applications. Yet, the phone calls did not come and he began to find himself struggling with new physical symptoms — insomnia, a lack of appetite, and a minor case of occasional tremors. To pacify his body, Joseph dedicated himself to a 15 minute session of breathing and progressive relaxation exercises followed by a 45 minute walk every evening. He finds that the combination of relaxation and walking place him, unexpectedly, in a pleasantly calm and pensive state of mind.

The phone rings and an hour later, Joseph is dressing for an interview.

Facts & Statistics: > Anxiety is the most common form of mental illness in the U.S. > Surveys conducted by StatisticsBrain suggest that:

Job, money, & relationship

76% of people cited

48% of people

difficulties are among the

money and work as the

reported lying

leading causes of stress.

leading cause of stress.

awake at night

Tips for The Management Of Stress: 1. Avoid predictably adverse situations.

2. Search for concrete solutions.

3. Distract yourself from negative states

of mind by engaging in activities that you find to be intrinsically rewarding.

4. Search for alternative views of the seemingly negative situation, i.e., if a job loss occurs, as in joseph’s case, spending more time with family, going back to school, or searching for a better job would help abate anxiety.

5. Engage in routine exercise and

relaxation activities.

In Joseph's story, all but the very first of the tips above were employed. He (2) sought concrete solutions by searching for new employment, (3) distracted himself by watching films with his children, (4) worked to maintain a sense of gratitude for the opportunity to spend more time with his daughters, and (5) began to regulate his physical symptoms with exercise. Though the stories of our lives do not always succeed in reaching such happy resolutions, knowledge of these basic strategies is often a vital step in the achievement of the emotional stability that is available to us all.

due to stress.

77% of people experience

73% of people experience

physical symptoms as a

psychological symptoms

result of stress.

as a result of stress,

Alfonso Mercado, Ph.d.

including irritability,

Licensed Psychologist Valley Psychological Services Assistant Professor-Department Of Psychology At The University Of Texas

nervousness, and sadness.

References available upon request Dr. Mercado’s Mental Health Lab at UTRGV contributed to this article (Armando Rivas, Jessica Riplow, and Cesar Martinez

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Rio Grande Valley 1201 West University Drive Edinburg, Texas 78539 www.utpa.edu/psychology

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FORTINO GONZALEZ

MAN ON A MISSION E M P O W E R I N G PAT I E N T S W I T H K N O W L E D G E

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t's crunch time at work, and you're putting in that overtime again. Hours of desk time later, the project is finished but now your back is flooded with pain; your body is punishing you for neglecting your posture. According to Fortino Gonzalez of McAllen Physical Therapy, the tense upper back and neck region experienced on a daily basis by many office workers should not be accepted as a naturally occurring side effect of the job.

“Stiffness is not normal. It is a prelude to pain,” he says. In fact, back and neck pain is enough to make over 65 million Americans visit a doctor every year, while countless more seek out “immediate relief ” from a masseuse. Gonzalez says that while any kind of manipulation is helpful, some methods are more effective than others to deal with root causes of episodic back and neck pain. “You can rub on it and it will help, but let's get to the source; the joint's not moving right,” he says. When pain is due to years of misuse, what the body needs is a physical therapist.

Gonzalez explains that three factors are guaranteed to predispose you to back pain: prolonged sitting, repeated bending, and an inability to extend. While back and neck pain can become so serious that individuals will consider surgery, Gonzalez says most people can avoid getting to that point (and reverse some of their current damage) with stretches and movements.

A more active lifestyle in general tends to help, but Gonzalez can teach specific, more effective movements that will help ease certain pain if carried out correctly. “Most issues I see have a directional preference; they tend to want to move in one direction but not the other,” says Gonzalez. “If you can't move normally, you will have pain.”

Gonzalez helps his patients find the right movement to carry through to the end to help restore flexibility and proper function. “If we decide after I examine you that doing some particular movement like pushing your head back helps you move better,” says Gonzalez as he tucks his head back in a simple neck movement, “wouldn't it make sense to teach you how to do it yourself so you can do it six times

a day, instead of once in a while when you see me?”

It would make sense, but many people in pain do not know that Gonzalez can help them. Part of the answer to his patients' questions of why they didn't find him earlier is that Texas law requires a physician's referral to see a PT. But according to Gonzalez, many other medical practitioners (dentists, chiropractors, podiatrists, and many more) can refer patients to him. He has also heard patients say they used to equate physical therapy to sports medicine or that they did not make their way to Gonzalez until a long list of alternative or conventional treatments was exhausted. They effectively wasted time and money – but worst of all, needlessly extended their suffering. When patients who have lived for years with pain are able to “fix it” in an average of six to eight visits with Gonzalez, he is time and time again convinced he's in the right field of work.

Gonzalez says he was first interested in the way the body moves as a 16-year-old athlete looking for a competitive edge. “I was a very average runner but I loved it,” he remembers. At the time, he also happened to be working as a janitor at the hospital where his mom was a registered nurse.

Among his duties was tidying the doctors' lounge. It was there that he saw a Physicians and Sports Medicine Journal sitting on the coffee table, which he “borrowed” to read the articles about muscle injuries and performance. “My mom dragged me by the ear to return it,” Gonzalez says. “The doctors thought it was the funniest thing ever, but it was the beginning of the idea of movement for me.”

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Some time after obtaining his undergraduate education and advancing from physical therapy school into the actual practice of physical therapy, Gonzalez was introduced to the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy.

The McKenzie Method is an assessment process intended for all musculo-skeletal problems, including pain in the back, neck and extremities. It was so clearly effective that he soon pursued becoming a Certified McKenzie Method therapist. (Read more about McKenzie on page 64.) “There are about 2,000 of us in the country,” says Gonzalez, “and to be a diplomat is the highest level of McKenzie training.”

Twenty eight years of clinical experience in orthopedic physical therapy later, Gonzalez has the rare distinction of being one of 12 physical therapists in the country to be an expert in both “camps” of physical therapy; he is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy as well as one of 150 Diplomats of the McKenzie Institute USA. This level of training enables Gonzalez to teach others not just about where their pain is located and when it occurs, but most importantly how to do something about it. He is known for finding the problem, applying the solution, and explaining the relationship between their pain symptoms and their movement patterns to his patients so they can understand how to treat themselves. “The patient’s success is driven by me educating them about what they should be doing when I'm not around,” he explains. “I just want to be honest, get the job done, and be really good at it.” While he wants to treat everybody, his passion is not to have more clinics; as he says, “I'm not a businessman – I'm a physical therapist.” He simply hopes to lead more people to understand their control over their bodies.

Fortino Gonzalez's patients leave the McAllen Physical Therapy office knowledgeable and able to carry out his individualized treatment at home, working towards a permanent solution to their pain while finding temporary relief without depending on a professional. He is thus able to satisfy his mission: to teach the South Texan population “to fish” so they can independently move forward.

“The most valuable tool a therapist can use is education,” he says. “It’s all about selfempowerment so patients can take care of themselves.”

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HEALTH

VALLEY MEDICAL ARTS CLINIC

FAMILY ROOTS GROWING THE PRACTICE, SERVING THE VALLEY

BY JENNILEE GARZA PHOTOS BY JOHNNY QUIROZ

M

ost of us can think about our family and reminisce over the stories we’ve heard countless times from our parents and grandparents.

Family history, knowledge and heirlooms passed down through generations end up finding us and molding us into the adults we become.

In McAllen, Texas, there’s a medical clinic that operates rather similarly. With over 65 years of service in the Rio Grande Valley, the Valley Medical Arts Clinic (VMAC) has brought a new meaning to the concept of a “family practice,” not only comprised of a family of doctors, but treating their patients as family, too.

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“We get to see teenagers and their parents and grandparents,” says Dr. Samuel Ramirez, who partners with Dr. Joel Solis. Together, they currently lead VMAC. “Growing over the years with the population that sees you as one of their own is one of the neat things about family medicine.”

Dr. Ramirez and Dr. Solis have built a practice on the foundation established in 1951 by Dr. James Fitch. A graduate of Baylor Medical School, Fitch practiced medicine as a Navy doctor in the Korean War, where he was awarded the Bronze star. He returned home to the RGV to open his own medical practice with his partner, Dr. Dean Woolridge. Fitch and M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 6

Wooldridge practiced for approximately 40 years before retiring and passing the clinic onto a new set of doctors in the early 80s. Dr. Jaime Rueda and Dr. John Worrell practiced together for approximately 30 years, retiring in September 2015. By that time, Dr. Solis and Dr. Ramirez had already been training and working with the practice for nearly 10 years. Today, their plans for the clinic’s continued growth and progress are deeply invested in the legacy left behind by the doctors who trained them.

“We want to stay true to providing quality of care and not focus on quantity.

These doctors established a solid reputation for quality of care and academics,” says

“We want to stay true to providing quality of care and not focus on quantity. These doctors established a solid reputation for quality of care and academics.”

- Dr. Solis

Dr. Solis. “We inherited 65 years of medicine - that’s a family that Fitch and Woolridge brought up. Our goal is to build our family around it and grow. And we will grow with new ideas, with medicine, and with the medical school.”

Dr. Ramirez adds that they are always looking for ways to improve their practice. “We want to move the practice to the forefront of modern medicine and technology,” he says. “Networking from our clinic to the hospitals and the sharing of information is key.” He explains that unnecessary, repetitive testing is sometimes ordered in the medical field because of a lack of information. To avoid this, VMAC was one of the first practices more than

fifteen years ago (before it was mandated) to make the switch to electronic records.

“That was the first piece. We’re working to be integrated with the community to curtail costs and practice cost-effective medicine,” says Dr. Ramirez.

Dr. Solis and Dr. Ramirez are not just partners at the clinic; they have a close friendship that spans over 15 years.

According to Dr. Ramirez, while he was attending UT Health Science Center School of Medicine-San Antonio, Dr. Solis was completing graduate work in San Antonio as well. It was Ramirez’s cousin, a mutual friend of theirs, who connected the two. “It was a fortuitous thing that we connected,” says Dr. Ramirez. Later, when M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 6

Dr. Solis found himself contemplating where to move after completing his medical education at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Dr. Ramirez helped convince him to relocate to the Valley.

“I was told to come here because it was a place where I could evolve as a clinician,” said Solis. “It was a great place to see things that perhaps, in other parts of the country, we wouldn’t be able to see; we have a high rate of diabetes and a primarily underserved community.”

He explains that while treating families continues to be VMAC's focus, they have found another avenue by which to serve the RGV: research and education.

The two family physicians continue

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“We want to continue to be an integrated part in the community in a variety of ways, from student mentoring to students rotating, to working with the medical school and the residency programs that are being established.”

- Dr. Ramirez

striving to teach and train their own and are focused on the incorporation of research within their Clinic. “Having research as part of your structure is pivotal because through research we learn how to better practice,” says Dr. Solis. “We’ve always been a hub; we’ve always been an extension of the local university in training mid-level care providers and training physicians.”

Dr. Ramirez explains that the purpose of starting residency programs is to grow their own population of young physicians who will hopefully stay in the region and provide healthcare to the community as aging physicians retire. Instead of recruiting from outside the RGV, VMAC wants to grow their own future leaders of the clinic.

“We want to continue to be an integrated part in the community in a variety of ways, from student mentoring to student rotating, to working with the medical school and the residency programs that are being established,” adds Dr. Ramirez.

VMAC serves as a precept, welcoming studying physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and medical students to practice approaching a patient and other bedside manners that aren’t learned firsthand from a textbook or in a lecture course.

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working with the new School of Medicine opening under The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

“Having a medical school start in our community is something that most clinicians will never get to experience in their lifetime, and we have it in our backyard,” says Dr. Solis. “To be a part of that as a clinician is something magical and we can work alongside the medical school, continuing to help the community.”

Part of supporting their community requires recruiting physicians who share a passion for giving back. Physician Assistants Carmen Solis and Edgar Garcia joined VMAC within the last 10 years. Carmen Solis left her position with a local Planned Parenthood to join the practice nine years ago. And Garcia, who graduated from Nikki Rowe High School, went on to study at Stanford University as a Gates Millennium Scholar, but returned to the Valley, where he wanted to practice medicine.

Beyond their passion for the community, Carmen and Dr. Solis also found soulmates in each other and ended up married a few years after she joined the clinic. According to Carmen, she found a new family at VMAC, not only among her colleagues, but among her patients as well. “I think that as the medical world is changing, it’s M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 6

losing that personal touch. You create these bonds and people start to trust you, and you end up knowing them for years,” she says. “There has to be a boundary in medicine, yes, but if you make it too rigid of a boundary, then you’ve lost being human.”

Dr. Solis and Dr. Ramirez are supported by an extended family of doctors who compliment the clinic with the skills and knowledge they bring to the table. These clinicians, who lend their time to VMAC on nights and weekends, include Belinda Jordan, MD, Beatriz Alvarez - Posada, FNP, and Melinda Rodriguez, DNP to name a few. The entire team at VMAC has a strong feeling of commitment towards the Valley, and Dr. Solis says he loves his community.

“The Valley is special; it’s not cliché.

We have a community that is eager to evolve and we’re on the heels of that.

We have a very smart, very diverse, very rich culture that is finding its way as one of the fastest growing regions in the country and with that, I think, we can make a difference,” says Dr. Solis. “We’re looking at doing this together - as a family.”

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HEALTH

UNDERSTANDING MECHANICAL THERAPY B A C K PA I N , M E E T T H E MCKENZIE METHOD FORTINO GONZALEZ, PT MCALLEN PHYSICAL THERAPY [956] 661 - 1964 | FORTINOGONZALEZPT.COM

Today we know that not all back pain is the same. However, most clinicians/ therapists still prescribe the same treatment for all back pain patients: a “shot-in-the-dark” combination of heating up, icing down, electrocuting, ultra sounding, vibrating, stretching, stabilizing, core strengthening, popping, aligning and compressing/decompressing. The results?

They might typically be no better than if you just waited it out! The natural history of most back pain is that 92 percent of cases get better in eight weeks no matter what we do. However, when you can change a person's symptoms quickly, then you're onto something.

Early in my career, I became frustrated with this standard treatment being taught for spinal pain. It is too general to be effective; it was always based on a diagnosis that didn’t really tell you how to treat the problem. None of those treatments ever had a great impact beyond temporary relief for many patients. “Surgery rates are going up, so are therapy bills, and people keep getting hurt,” I remember thinking.

“There must be something missing at the foundation of our education.” A colleague of mine suggested I look into

the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy, an assessment process intended for all musculoskeletal problems.

The McKenzie Method has been around since the late 1950s when Robin McKenzie made a chance discovery. It is the most-researched approach to back pain in the physical therapy world; the science is clear and understood. Although the McKenzie Method can be used to treat any extremity, it is most commonly linked to the treatment of the spine/back pain. I read his first book; then I read it 10 more times. It was like, 'Duh, where has this been my whole life?' It started to give me the framework to give my patients more specialized attention.

The McKenzie Method is based on the idea that there will be a cause and effect relationship between what we do and what we feel, and an understanding that the majority of back pain is mechanical in nature. This means that before you start to treat a patient, you must first understand the patient and the behavior of their problem. Through the art of the interview I am able to hear the patient, understand and classify the problem using

The objective is for the patient to self-treat and to become independent in treating their recurring pain. The ultimate goal is to teach patients how to prevent recurrences.

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M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 6

the McKenzie evaluation system, and then we can begin to treat it as a patienttherapist team.

The evaluation system uses repeated test movements and assesses the cause and effect relationship to help classify patients into an accurate sub-group. The most common example I use to help people understand this concept is if a doctor sees a patient with a complaint of chest pain, the physician’s task is to classify that patient into the correct sub-group. If the chest pain is coming from the heart, that means one thing; conversely, if the chest pain is the result of acid reflux disease, that patient will need a completely different approach. Hence, if a patient is diagnosed with back pain or say sciatica, you still need a way to determine how to sub-categorize that problem. The McKenzie Method is the system that helps me take that patient with spinal pain (low back or neck pain) and sub-classify their condition so that the correct movement can be prescribed which results in a much quicker recovery.

Most physicians that refer to our facility understand these concepts. When my patients leave the office, they will understand them as well. Self-treatment is the cornerstone of the McKenzie Method.

The objective is for the patient to self-treat and to become independent in treating their recurring pain; however, the ultimate goal is to teach patients how to prevent recurrences.

Individuals with back or neck pain should do their research as most people including physical therapists typically equate McKenzie with a specific type of exercise or movement, which could not be further from the truth. Additionally, many therapists/ clinicians claim to know the McKenzie Method; however, when you question them, you learn that they are not certified and many times not even trained in the method. You can be the best physical therapist in the world, but if you don't teach your patient how to self-treat, not only will you have done them a great disservice, you would be practicing in a manner that is negligent. This becomes a classic case of buyer beware. If it’s not certified, it’s not McKenzie!

To find a certified provider, go to mckenzieinstituteusa.org or to learn more, go to fortinogonzalezpt.com

HEALTH

GET EXCITED FOR

CLEARVISION!

BY AMY GLOVER

PHOTOS BY KEVIN MARTINEZ

Dr. Luis Navarro believes sight is precious. Like many people who wear glasses or contacts, he first discovered this on a trip to the eye doctor as a child. “When I was 12 years old, I went to go get an eye exam and I was prescribed a pair of glasses. I put them on and I was able to see very clearly!

It was phenomenal and almost magical to me,” says the optometrist. The difference he experienced inspired him to earn his degree in optometry from Puerto Rico in 2006, and today he shares this magical feeling of clear vision with his patients at Edinburg Vision Center.

“I thought that all those guys did was prescribe glasses and contacts,” remembers Dr. Navarro of his childhood impressions of optometry. “I was very naïve! As I got older, I realized that optometrists check for everything.”

Dr. Navarro has assisted in diagnosing people with ailments such as arthritis and multiple sclerosis. He loves being able to help people, and says his job is especially rewarding when people come back and say thank you. He also enjoys the lack of redundancy. On a typical day he can see anything from someone getting fitted with glasses for the first time to removing foreign bodies from the eyeball.

He has even detected a tumor or two.

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“When I was twelve years old, I went to go get an eye exam and I was prescribed a pair of glasses. I put them on and I was able to see very clearly! It was phenomenal and almost magical to me.”

- Dr. Luis Navarro

His work doesn’t stop outside the office, though. Dr. Navarro is president of the Rio Grande Valley Optometric Society; he says that most of the eye doctors in the area participate. Dr. Navarro has a responsibility to ensure they all have necessary information. Since optometrists need a certain amount of continuing education hours to keep their licensure, the society hosts seminars to keep members up to date. It is that type of commitment that drives Edinburg Vision Center to continue the work they've been doing for almost 50 years.

LOOKING BACK Edinburg Vision Center, now operated

by Dr. Navarro, first opened on June 11, 1968, under the guiding hand of a doctor by the name of Gary Ahlman. “He’s the one that hired me to come and work here,” says Dr. Navarro. “By the time that I showed up in 2007, he was nearing retirement. We were then able to transfer the practice into my ownership,” he explains. His office is appealing to patients because it has a clean environment, friendly staff, and a lab. The lab is unique because they have a lot of equipment that make it possible to have a

pair of glasses in your hands the same day.

Dr. Navarro says their office can make about 70 spectacles daily.

SEE FOR YOURSELF Many people love the way they look in glasses; there is an equal population that hates the look or feel of frames on their face. Contact lenses are the solution for some people's aesthetic situation as well as athletic, as anyone who's ever tried running in glasses will attest to. However, those choosing to wear contacts should be sure to follow their contact provider’s instructions and be especially hygienic.

“With contacts, the number one reason people get in trouble is because they sleep with them in or they over-wear them,” he explains. With new types of contacts in the market that can be worn for different lengths of time, it's important to be sure what is safe for the ones you are using.

Dr. Navarro is often asked for guidance on whether patients should use glasses or contacts, but he believes there is no right

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answer. “I think that whatever is best for that particular person is what’s best for that particular person,” he says. As people wear contacts for a variety of reasons, he is hesitant to make blanket claims. Each eye can have its own prescription, and each person can choose the most comfortable way to improve their vision for themselves.

The Edinburg Vision Center is open Monday through Friday 8:20 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. They are always accepting new patients and the staff will work diligently to assist you in any way they can.

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Get Active HEALTH

This Summer!

- Because exercise gets your blood flowing, that means more oxygen to your brain. And that means you can think better.

Exercise may:

- Keep you from zoning out in class or while doing your homework - Improve your scores on tests - Help you get better grades - Help you sleep better

How Exercise Can Put You in a Better Mood

- Exercise affects chemicals in your brain. And these chemicals can affect how you feel. Exercise can:

I

remember the summer of 1985: The original Nintendo had just come out, and as a result we didn’t spend much time outside during that break. It’s the same today with kids and their PS4s and Xbox ONEs. While I believe kids should be able to engage in their choice of recreational activities during their summer vacation, parents should be aware that a decline in physical activity during childhood is a major contributing factor to a rising obesity rate across all age groups, according to the National Center for Chronic Disease Control Prevention. From 1980 to 2008, rates of obesity in the U.S. increased from 6.5 percent to 19.6 percent in children ages 6 to 11 years old. Juxtapose those facts with research cited by the TEA in 2009, stating that students who are physically fit tend to do better on standardized tests, have good attendance, and fewer disciplinary referrals. This summer is a great opportunity to reinforce the idea

The National Association for Sport and Physical Education suggests that children get a minimum of 60 minutes of exercise every day.

By: Dr. David Sauceda, M.D. 68

How Exercise Can Help Your Mind:

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that physical activity is a lifelong pursuit for all to enjoy.

It’s not just video games keeping children sedentary; it is common for children to have access to an array of media at home including TV, smartphones and the Internet. Try reducing the amount of screen time allowed per day to help your child become more active. They will have to find other ways to entertain themselves, some of which may be physically engaging. Try enforcing a fair limit, such as no more than two hours of computer or TV per day for everyone in the family. Similarly, removing TVs from children's bedrooms can help prevent the sneaking in of long sedentary periods of binge watching.

Reducing sedentary activities is only half of the equation; the other half is getting active! The National Association for Sport and Physical Education suggests that children get a minimum of 60 minutes of exercise every day. Arranging daily outings for the family, such as bike rides, dog walking or trips to the playground or public swimming pool can help keep your kids healthy. The type of activity doesn't matter as long as it's either of moderate or high intensity. According to the NASPE, that includes anything from jump-rope to playing tag. Toddlers and preschool children should get 60 minutes of unstructured physical activity, and shouldn't be allowed to stay sedentary for more than an hour at a time. I find this rather interesting as I see a lot of children referred to me to be evaluated for ADHD when they are not able to sit through the entire morning’s class.

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- Give you energy so you feel good and can do things you want to do - Can help you relieve stress - Can help you relieve stress

Source: http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local/ many-texas-schoolchildren-fail-fitness-evaluatio-1/ nRZCL/

Older kids and teens are also not meeting their physical activity goals, and as a result their fitness is slipping. Students are required to take physical education classes for only one year out of the four at public high schools, and P.E. and recess are ever-shrinking at the elementary level. The recommended hour of exercise is often not taking place at school. More than two in five Texas schoolchildren were deemed unfit in a 2010 test, the “Fitnessgram,” which assessed the cardiovascular fitness of 2.9 million Texas students in grades 3-12. That data found that just 31 percent of third-grade boys and 37 percent of third-grade girls made a healthy score on all six tests in 2009-2010, and the older students got, the worse they did. By grade 12, just 8 percent of girls and 8.5 percent of boys passed all six parts.

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LIFE

Museum summernights at the

By Jennilee GARZA Photos by Kevin Martinez

T

his summer, submerge yourself in some historically and culturally rich Summer Nights at the Museum of South Texas History (MOSTHistory).

Provided by MOSTHistory in Edinburg, the 6th Annual Summer Nights at the Museum: A Family Adventure is an event for people of all ages. What began as a small production to attract more community members to the museum has evolved into one of the most unique takes on history in the Rio Grande Valley. In a night that bridges history, culture, and 72

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community, this three-part series embraces historical events particular to the South Texas region.

Each night begins with a vivid puppet show inspired by one of the three featured galleries. Children can enjoy popcorn as they watch theatrical puppetry and then partake in a game of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Find Me If You Can,â&#x20AC;? which incorporates museum artifacts referenced in the puppet show.

On June 9, the first gallery of the signature exhibition Rio Grande Legacy: River Frontier, begins the three-night series with a look at Native American history. Re-enactors utilize drums and M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 6

other percussion instruments to recreate ancient rhythms and beats. The interactive gallery includes other activities that highlight prehistory, early European exploration and the Spanish colonial era.

Summer Nights at the Museum continues its journey through history on June 30, with its second gallery, River Highway. The gallery explores the Mexican-American War and travels through time to the beginning of the 19th century, incorporating a steamboat and various aspects of the cotton and ranching industries. Viewers can try spinning cotton and enjoy musical entertainment by re-

many as 40 volunteers per night. Although enactors on the steamboat.

The final gallery featured on July 14 our staff runs this, it’s a volunteer-based is known as River Crossroads and takes event and we appreciate our volunteers attendees on a historical trip that begins a lot,” said Development Officer Lynne in the early 20th century, offering gallery Beeching.

What makes this volunteering experience goers the opportunity to crank a Model-T Ford and indulge in activities reminiscent unique is the knowledge volunteers walk of their parents’ or grandparents’ away with. Many times, volunteers will experiences. The gallery explores farm have a special skill, including re-enacting, irrigation, fruit packing, and thrifting and that helps make the event interactive for recycling during the WWII era. A fun spy the little ones. Sometimes volunteers will learn about South game allows kids to Texas history while decipher messages on the job. If the using a code wheel. night features a “Something matching game that we try to do about Spanish is get the parents Colonial Trade, involved. It’s not volunteers get the so much a night opportunity to where the parents learn about that stand back and just time period in the let the kids play, process of learning we want to get the how to run the parents involved, - Lisa Adam, activity. too. And, what’s Curator of Collections If you’re a fun for us as staff history buff and too, is to see family are interested in learning going on,” volunteering for said Curator of Summer Nights, call the Museum of Collections Lisa Adam.

Every year, the event turns out South Texas History at 956-383-6911 to approximately an average of 200 attendees learn about the brief application process.

Summer Nights is bound to be a per night and proves to be an exceptional thrilling event; clear your calendars and night of fun for the entire family. engage in the most unique approach to A Unique Volunteer Experience: The success of this three-night experiencing South Texas history.

“It’s probably one of the most unique production is greatly attributed to museum events in the Valley. It’s fun; it’s two hours staff and volunteers.

“We could not put this thing on without of good quality family time. There’s just our volunteers. Sometimes we have as nothing bad about it!” said Beeching.

What’s fun for us as staff too, is to see family learning going on.

Summer Nights:

7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Every Night June 9, 2016 – Rio Grande Legacy: River Frontier June 30, 2016 – Rio Grande Legacy: River Highway July 14, 2016 – Rio Grande Legacy: River Crossroads

Summer Nights is included in the regular museum admission fees: Adults: $7 Students, Senior Citizens (62+), Active Military: $5 Children: $4 Children three years of age and under: FREE

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LIFE

THE NEXT STAGE

MCALLEN CONTINUES TO KEEP THE ARTS ALIVE WITH NEW PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

BY LUIS ALANIZ CONTRIBUTOR: IVAN SILVA

A

s our community prepares to see the lights at the McAllen Civic Auditorium turned down for the last time, we stand at the crossroads of honoring the past while embracing the future. With thousands of performances and hundreds of thousands of patrons, to step foot in the auditorium is to take a step into the past and onto hallowed ground.

On April 28, 1960, Melba Huber, locally known as simply “Melba,” was tasked with putting on the inaugural show.

“The City and Chamber asked me to direct the first show to ‘show off ’ the new stage. We produced a variety show with all Valley talent. We even had a waterfall on stage that ran with the water from the water fountain. We had a big band that Jim Huber directed and played piano. The show was sold out for the two nights,” said Huber.

The venue has meant a lot to people not only in McAllen, but also across the Rio Grande Valley; a crown jewel of sorts accenting our culture and passion for the arts. Over the years, thousands of Valley residents attended performances, many as school children making the annual trip to watch The Nutcracker. Many others 74

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would come for concerts and have the best nights of their lives. There were countless first-dates and many unforgettable family experiences. The collective memories run the gamut.

Change doesn't always come easily but when it does come, it should be for the best. This new venue is just that - a community moving forward as one and making the leap to serve its people.

The City of McAllen continues its efforts to enhance the local arts and cultural experiences by delivering the most advanced performing arts center south of San Antonio. This venue will allow the city to host an immense variety of entertainment that has never been possible before in South Texas. Classic traveling Broadway shows such as The Lion King, Jersey Boys and The Phantom of the Opera are all possibilities in the future. This venture will give the local area an opportunity to continue enriching lives and follow the trajectory of its predecessor.

The new dynamic venue will also have the capacity to host a wide range of performances. In addition to the muchanticipated traveling Broadway shows, the venue will provide ample room for experiences such as concerts, dance recitals and symphonies. When complete, the four-level City of McAllen Performing Arts Center will total 93,471 square-feet and seat approximately 1,800 spectators.

Over the years, Melba, now owner of M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 6

Melba’s School of Dancing in McAllen, has put on countless shows and recitals.

Ending her final performance at the McAllen Civic Auditorium, she shared her appreciation for the auditorium and how well it served the community along with expressing gratitude for all those who have been continually supportive since that first show in 1960.

“We are very fortunate that the city has given us this wonderful building, and a really great one that is to come. It’s just a sad and glorious time to see everything go; but this is for the better. And we thank all of you so much for supporting this throughout the years,” said Melba.

Continued community support combined with the vision behind the $45 million Performing Arts Center will create a vibrant venue that rivals that of any big city and serves the local community.

The iconic facility will occupy the southeast side of the McAllen Convention Center and is expected to open in the Fall of 2016. McAllen Mayor Jim Darling, City Commissioners, developers, and others will be on hand for inaugural ceremonies.

MCALLEN CIVIC AUDITORIUM COMING FALL 2016

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LIFE

Trees In The City: Raise Them!

Raised Bed “Mounded” Tree Planting improves drainage, keeps roots out of puddled salty water & low air (anerobic) conditions.

Urban Forestry calls for shorter trees, raised planting beds

Water Dam

Mounded Soil with compost/ humas

12” to 24” High

By Karen Villarreal

Original Soil Line Weed Barrier-optional Yard & Lawn - leaves, sticks “rough” organic material. No weeds or grass roots.

Trees are vital for cities, providing cooling shade and purifying the air like naturally growing lungs for our concreteheavy habitat. Yet, there is a shortage of trees within city limits, and sadly, most urban trees have an unhealthy seven-year lifespan. One might be tempted to grab a shovel and run out and plant a field of trees, but in the limited space of our urban forest, the planting of trees must be deliberate so they grow to their full potential without becoming obstacles too large for the space.

Edward Kuprel, city forester for the City of Edinburg, recommends introducing shorter, more compact canopies to provide cooling shade, beauty, and critical habitat for urban wildlife including butterflies, hummingbirds, pollinators, and parrots!

Full canopy trees such as a Live Oak, Rio Grande Ash, Cedar Elm, or Texas Ebony are too large for most city areas, but there are tree species that are able to take advantage of tight spaces, such as those between the roadway and sidewalk. The 76

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4’ to 5’ Diameter Wide

perfect choice could be the Caesalpinia mexicana, or Mexican Bird of Paradise, which produces beautiful yellow flowers throughout the year. It is very effective under powerlines as it only grows 10-12 feet, yet is about as shady as a Wild Olive (Anacahuita), a Mesquite, or a Coma.

That’s enough for shading a picnic table in your yard. “I try to encourage pruning this into a single-stemmed tree,” says Kuprel, “instead of a multi-trunked shrub like you see growing along fence-lines in many Valley backyards.” To get a compact Caesalpinia mexicana capable of creating a shady area, we need to encourage a single leader trunk in its first years of life through aggressive structural pruning.

Even this perfect choice still needs to planted with care to ensure it will grow up healthy and strong; city life is tough for a tree. A tree’s branches (and foodproducing centers) are often at the mercy of overzealous and untrained pruners, the trunk is susceptible to the whipping of M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 6

lawnmowers and weed whackers (known to be the second leading cause of death to urban trees in the first two years after planting), and the roots, which make up more than half of the tree, regulate the first leading cause of tree death: under- or over-watering.

Under-watering seems a likely culprit in our dry, desert-like atmosphere, but native plants are very drought resistant, and the tendency might actually be to accidentally over-water. “We need to plant in raised beds (which ideally should be mulched to a 2-foot depth) so that when the rains come, our trees will not have ‘wet feet,’” advises Kuprel. Planting in raised beds protects the tree’s roots from sitting in water, which can cause it to drown.

Raised beds also offer opportunities for trees to work with companion plants.

Kuprel likes to look at each planting bed as an ecosystem consisting of trees, shrubs, and groundcovers in a raised, mulched, composted bed, even in small spaces.

“I always want to include a tree as a part of my mulched and composted, raised ecosystem with companion plantings, which helps a city tree to live for its normal healthy lifespan of 25 years or more in the case of the Caesalpinia, and 75 to 100plus years for the Mexican Olive,” he says. Caesalpinia acts as a “nurse tree” for larger, slower growing trees. It provides the slower growing tree with some protection from overhead heat and sun as well as some cold protection against the northern wind.

Trees and shrubs of various heights in the planted ecosystem give the raised bed depth with many canopies protecting each other from the elements. Additionally, the ecosystem will attract hummingbirds, butterflies, pollinators, and other beneficial urban wildlife. For example, Caesalpinia pulcherrima, cousin to the Caesalpinia mexicana, is thought to have evolved together with certain butterflies and even some hummingbirds. Its reddish flowers, like the tubular-shape flower of the pulcherrima, reinforce the possibility that hummingbirds and certain butterflies will come to your garden!

“Our group, Edinburg Forestry Partners, has convinced even the most skeptical planter that raised beds allow for better growth and less damage from flooding rains,” says Kuprel. “Even small planting beds can be raised, and Forestry Partners come in all shapes, ages, and sizes.” Kuprel encourages all homeowners to plant a raised bed with companion plants.

When we design raised, composted, mulched planting beds with a tree with shorter, more compact canopies in the center surrounded by some of the above mentioned companion plants, we not only help our urban environment, we also create vegetated areas acceptable to power, cable companies, and city utilities (both overhead and underground). This ensures that care taken when planting these trees will not be in vain, and these trees will not be uprooted in the future. “I hope these tips will help you have happy, healthy trees and plants,” says Kuprel. “Happy Planting!”

Suggested combinations for attracting butterflies and birds to raised beds: - Plant Caesalpinia pulcherrima on the outside edges of the 4’ x 8’-10’ bed, with the Caesalpinia mexicana structurally pruned to be the tall shade component. Consider companion under-plantings of Betony and/or Gregs Mistflower (Eupatorium betonificolium & greggii) as one of the two will usually adapt well to a site.

- Turk’s Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus) tends to be a hummingbird magnet almost without equal.

- The Mistflowers are a super nectar source, especially to Monarch and Queen butterflies and keep the garden full of fluttering orange wings. The tropical as well as its less-showy and native milkweed cousins are another mainstay for Monarchs.

- Pigeonberry (Rivina humilis), Tropical Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) and Mexican or Katy Petunia (Ruellia simplex) can fill in the smaller lower gaps between the mainstay shrubs and they all attract more than their share of butterflies and birds, especially hummers.

- Petunias and Pigeonberries will bring in native birds, hummingbirds, and smaller butterflies.

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LIFE

Explore the tastes & techniques of local pit masters b y D a vi d Al vara d o

F 78

or a cuisine that's defined by its tradition, barbecue in the Rio Grande Valley has been evolving at a rapid pace. Not only do Valleyites no longer need to drive a couple hundred miles North for quality smoked meats, but the Rio Grande Valley’s pitmasters have a few tricks even BBQ veterans in central Texas can learn from.

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From the Atlantic to the Gulf of Mexico, there is a stretch of the United States known as the “barbecue belt” by those who practice the art that brings the farm to the table. The history of American barbecue is as diverse as its people. The first indigenous tribes Christopher Columbus encountered on the island he named Hispaniola had developed a unique method for cooking meat over an indirect flame to keep the food from burning.

The Spanish referred to this new style of cooking as barbacoa: the original barbecue.

Barbecue, like art or politics, develops from conversation, from talking and listening to thinking and eating. Barbecue in America, particularly in Texas, is like beer in Germany or pizza in New York City. It’s more than just something to eat, it is an expression of who you are regionally and sometimes nationally.

Dishes like pan de campo, which has traditionally been made outdoors, fajita and charro beans represent this new breed that infuses classic Texas barbecue with Mexican flavors that events like Smokin’ on the Rio have utilized for almost a decade in their rise to area prominence.

Smokin’ on the Rio State Championship BBQ Cook-Off was established in 2004 by a group of local businessmen with the goal of raising money in support of youth agricultural projects in the Rio Grande Valley. Luis Saldaña, one of the core members of the organization, volunteers his time in pursuit of bringing people together.

“We all work as a team, we each bring a different set of skills. For me, I would say its my network with people,” said Saldaña.

“We‘re board members really only by name, not professionally. We organized Smokin’ on the Rio just as a way to support and promote youth in agriculture and because we’re passionate about barbecuing.”

At Smokin’ on the Rio, the annual

event is in its 13th year. Rio Grande Valley pitmasters can battle for bragging rights and cash prizes in categories sanctioned by the International Barbeque Cookers Association: chicken, ribs, and brisket.

The competition is unique in that cooks can also participate in the beans, chorizo, fajita, and pan de campo categories.

“Our competition makes BBQ unique in the area because we open it up to foods that people down here know a lot about,” said Saldaña, who is an RGV native, having grown up in Mercedes, where the event is held. “When we have people coming from all over the country, Minnesota, Oklahoma, or Virginia, they take that back with them and it really does put us on the map.”

On top of cooking and sampling BBQ, attendees take part in judging the competition which is open to the public.

The event has amassed $1,000,000 in contributions to 4-H and Future Farmers of America projects throughout its 13 years. More than 10,000 people attended the event this year and a record 248 cooking teams participated in making it largest sanctioned BBQ Cook-off in the state of Texas and the third largest event in the nation.

One person in particular vying for “The Best in Texas” crown has a commitment to serve top quality barbecue by participating in the competition for the first time ever.

“I’ve always had a thing with being around the fire,” said Nick Cantu, who religiously hosts BBQs out in his property in North Edinburg. “It’s really nice when people compliment you on how good your meat is and after a while, just like anything–-fishing or hunting--you get hooked.”

As Cantu explains, it all started during his “Sunday Fundays,” where he and a group of friends regularly organized cookouts in the backyard.

“As new dads, we’re trying to find our thing where the whole family can participate,” said Cantu. “All of my buddies are coming to the age where we have kids and our wives hang out. What we all have in common is that we all in the real estate business; what brings us together is sitting around the bbq pit.”

Cantu is an up-and-comer in the barbecue space and is still learning what

it takes to compete on the national level.

“This is not a poor man’s sport,” said Cantu. “We’re able to do it between a couple of people because buying just meat will put you under 300 - 600 bucks. We probably burned 300 pounds of oak during Smokin’ on the Rio.” In a competitive environment with over 200 people vying for the top prize, it’s clear that they are not doing it for the money. “If you win first place out of 240 people, that’s a huge bragging right,” said Cantu.

Simply put, there has never been a better time to eat barbecue in the Rio Grande Valley than right now.

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LIFE

RGV

DEV I L S 1st PLACE!

By Karen Villarreal

Photo by Kevin Martinez

Country’s Top 5v5 Indoor Soccer Team Proud to Play At Plaza Sports Center Playing the right game on the right field made all the difference in the world for local indoor 5v5 soccer team, RGV Devils. The five members play on several leagues at Plaza Sports Center, which recently hosted a 5v5 tournament that opened the door for them to compete at the national level. They moved up the ranks and crossed state lines to claim honor and glory for South Texas, which can now proudly call itself the home of the top ranked indoor soccer team in the country.

RGV Devils play pickup games at 80

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Plaza Sports Center, which is always bringing the latest in soccer trends, like bubble soccer, to the Valley. The sports center hosted an anniversary tournament in December, inviting local, non-professional teams to play 5-a-side soccer (a smaller version of the world’s greatest game) on their covered turf fields. 5v5 allows more individual ball time and continuous play and after a surge in popularity in Europe that is transferring to the U.S., 5v5 soccer is now a professional sport. Amateur leagues are starting to be more common.

The Plaza tournament was intended M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 6

to propel the best local team to national competition to represent the talent that resides in the Rio Grande Valley. With their victory in December, the RGV Devils won entry into the World Soccer 5s tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the chance to witness the Global Legends game concurrently going on at Sam Boyd Stadium. “Our guys got to see professionals playing from all over the world playing in a friendly game,” said Alma Caso, CEO of Plaza Sports Center. “I’m very proud that they’re from the Valley and that we were able to send them because they won one of our tournaments.”

Once there, amid the arid Las Vegas heat and wind, the Devils were in for a wild ride. The turf laid down over concrete as the playing surface made for the first difficulty, as did the tournament’s choice to use typical #5 soccer balls instead of #4 futsal balls, which have 30 percent less bounce. As such, the players had to

says she and the rest of the Plaza Sports Center team are very proud of RGV Devil’s great accomplishment in Las Vegas. “They showed great teamwork, fought for what was right (for them to play) and their amazing soccer skills got them the championship,” she says.

“We’re very proud because it was a difficult path and we had stiff competition,” agrees Quiroz.“We played against all the hardest teams.”

Coach Quiroz wants to thank everyone who supported the team, following their games and cheering them on. Recently, the Devils participated in an unrelated, indoor semi-professional league comprising of Texas, Colorado and Arizona. They went to the finals in March and won first place there, as well! “They are winning every tournament,” says Caso proudly.

contend with erratic bounces and difficult moves over a shifting turf. It was not ideal, but the RGV Devils gave it their all. The team played wonderfully the first day of the tournament, according to Caso and Quiroz, with many of their opponents complimenting their technique and demonstrating surprise at their skill.

Though the competition was stiff, with players from all over the world making up 120 American teams, RGV Devils won their first game and tied in the second.

“The RGV Devils team has been playing together and training since last October,” said Jorge Quiroz, who happens to play on the team as well as serve as coach. Their training paid off. They went home excited for the next day’s games, scheduled to begin at 11.

However, the next day they were alerted last-minute (via email) of a time change and were almost disqualified when they missed the match after not

seeing the notice. The team had come too far to let their dreams go due to a miscommunication like this. They fought against the unfair situation with the support of Plaza Sports Center, and eventually they were allowed to keep playing. “They realized it was wrong on their part,” said Caso. “So the RGV Devils went on to the next round, won the game, and then they went on to the final!”

In the final round against NY Ecuador FC, they tied 2-2. They went to penalties and the Devils lost by one penalty shot.

It seemed like it was second place for the RGV Devils. Though they wanted the first place win, they were still excited to have competed against the top non-professional teams in the nation - or so they thought.

It was at that point discovered that some of the players on the opposing team were not amateurs, as required by the league.

As such, the team was disqualified and first place went to the RGV Devils. Caso M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 6

We’re very proud because it was a difficult path and we had stiff competition. We played against all the hardest teams.

- Jorge Quiroz

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LIFE

Here be

Myths play an enormous role in creating and cultivating culture, and their power has not loosened its grip on our imaginations since our ancestors first told their tales of fantasy and metaphorical significance.

One such myth resurging in popularity today thanks to media like hit show “Game of Thrones” comes to South Texas this summer.

IMAS invites the RGV to explore the origins, symbolism and cultural significance of the dragon at their interactive exhibit from May 28 until Sept. 5. Featuring 4,000 square feet of live dragons and interactive stations in Discovery Pavilion at IMAS with 20 real-

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life lizards, guests of all ages will explore human-dragon cultural and historical connections and those of fanciful folklore, literature, mythology, and legend.

Visitors will travel back to medieval times and across continents to Asia with paleontology digs in the Dino dig box, experience the thrill of a medieval catapult, and create a magical world through puppets. Plus, they will be able to see the real live “dragons” of today as a variety of living species from around the world are included in this comprehensive exhibit, including Frilled Dragons, Basilisks, Monitor Lizards, and more. Visitors will be able to learn about what “dragons” eat, how they survive in the wild, their natural predators and challenges to their survival!

Vital information will be shared about how you can play a part in preserving “dragons” and their habitats.

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Bring the family to IMAS this summer for an engaging, unforgettable and inspiring experience. It is a rare opportunity to make connections between living, breathing creatures and culture, literature, folklore, religion, paleontology, history, and science. Be sure to mark the exhibition dates on your calendar!

This exhibition is not included in general admission. There is an additional entrance fee of $5 for this exhibit except for Family Premium Members and above.

“Here Be Dragons” is organized by the Potawatomi Zoo and produced by Build 4 Impact Inc.

Visitors will be able to see the real live ‘dragons’ of today as a variety of living species from around the world are included in this comprehensive exhibit, including Frilled Dragons, Basilisks, Monitor Lizards, and more.

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LIFE

Through the grapevines

By Jose S. De Leon III Photos by Brandon Garcia

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I cannot wait to finally try the wine,â&#x20AC;?

Stephanie Leal exclaimed as soon as we stepped out from the gusty fields of Jaber Estates into the bar where the tasting is held.

Leal and her group had spent the last hour touring the only combination winery/vineyard in the Rio Grande Valley. Located north of Mission, Jaber Estates is owned by 83-yearold Jorge Jaber, a former petroleum engineer in Mexico. He opened the winery in 2011 after planting the first of his grapes two years prior.

Walking the group through the grounds, Jorge had just explained how the white and red wine he produces goes from plant to bottle all on site. Both red and white grapes are grown on over eight acres, picked, processed, and finally fermented in the four giant stainless steel vats that make up the winery. He demonstrated the bottling process and showed us the roll of branded stickers he places on the bottles for the finishing touch. Surprisingly hands-on for his age, Jaber takes DIY craftsmanship to a whole new level.

He is also a wealth of information, and the wine tasting and tour offer an introduction to wine in a friendly atmosphere. Jorge was inspired 84

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to open the winery following his lifelong passion for drinking it, which he has had with every meal for the last 55 years. He has traveled extensively to try different wines, and some years ago he obtained a winemaker certification in Spain. However, he does not claim to be an expert and does not aim to convince anyone of anything.

He makes sure to tell every tour group that he has produced a good, well-made wine, but that it is up to them to determine if they enjoy it. “Wine is like food,” Jorge explains. “You yourself will know what’s good for you. Since everyone has different tastes, you can be the only one who decides what type of wine you’ll like.” And now, with heightened anticipation as we took our seats around the bar, we were about to taste the literal fruits of his labors.

Jorge uncorked a bottle of white wine first and filled the nine glasses that were sitting on the bar expecting us. Made from a variety of white grape called Blanc du Bois, the wine had a sweet, light fruity taste with a smooth aftertaste that reminded me of caramel. As we drank it, Jorge brought up how wine is a meal’s best friend. “[Wine] brings out the flavor of the food and it creates a very rich experience that leads to a much more satisfying meal,” he said. “White wine of course must always be served chilled and would work best with foods like pasta and white meat such as chicken.”

Jorge was inspired to open the winery following his lifelong passion for drinking it, which he has had with every meal for the last 55 years.

Jorge next pulled out a bottle of red wine, much to the delight of Stephanie, who said she had skipped refills of the previous wine to get more red. The red wine was harvested from Black Spanish grapes and had a tangy raspberry flavor that lacked the bitterness of most red wines I’ve had. As we sipped, Jorge continued his explanation about food pairings. “Red wine is paired best with red meats such as burgers or a nice fajita during a carne asada,” he said. I suddenly realized that by that point, I had drunk nearly four glasses of wine and the craving for fajita, or at least a burger, was strong.

After purchasing a bottle of white and red wine to take home, my friend Lea and I

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talked how fun it’d be to visit Jaber Estates again. Jorge had shared plans of building a kitchen near the bar, and he already has the space ready for a gift shop. Outside, with a view of the vineyard, he has an area prepared that is large enough for events.

It is complete with stage and bandstand, and Jorge shared that they recently hosted a wedding. With all the amenities in place and a supply of wine aged and ready to be served to the RGV, we wondered how we’d never heard of this place sooner.

Jaber Estates has weekly winery tours.

Call 956-330-3609 to make an appointment or like them on Facebook for news and more information.

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What you do makes you who you are.

Contact me about a career that can better your financial future while helping others with theirs.

Danielle Haddad-Goslin, Associate Partner South Texas General Office New York Life Insurance Company 222 E. Van Buren Suite 705 Harlingen, TX 78550 (956) 454-0304 dmgoslin@ft.newyorklife.com

Life Insurance. Retirement. Long-Term Care.

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