November / December 2021 - RGVision Magazine

N OVE M B E R/DE C E M B E R 2 0 2 1 | VO LUM E 13 ISSUE 6

RODEO DENTAL WINS BEST FOR THE WORLD 2021 How did the only dental service organization to achieve an honor of this caliber do it? p.50

GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS Sarah Sagredo-Hammond, La Jefa behind Atlas Services Inc. p.32

INFLATION IN THE VALLEY U.S. government response to coronavirus may be catalyst for Valley’s rising inflation rate. p.40

VALLEY RAILROAD HISTORY Laying the tracks to a modern RGV. p.78

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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 450 locations with a direct mail distribution to major hospitals and Superintendents within Region 1. The RGVision office is located at 801 N. Bryan Road, Mission, TX 78572.

PSJA ISD Brownsville ISD Ryan C. Solis Harlingen EDC COSTEP Dr. Alfonso Mercado Victoria Landers Quinta Mazatlán

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Be Thankful! 1 Chronicles 23:30 As we move into the Holidays, a sense of togetherness is starting to come back into our daily lives, and RGVision is thankful for it! We have come back to hosting mixers to honor the success stories within RGVision, while promoting local nonprofits - like the RGV literacy center. Their mission is to educate and help change the trajectory of lives through educational support. The RGV Literacy Center gives resources to those in need to help cycle out of poverty and empower our community. Their story, along with many others who positively impact our region, are found in this issue.

As many faced hardships and challenges this past year, one local brand found its way through a tumultuous season. Recently being recognized nationally for its company culture and success, Rodeo Dental shares its vision through its leadership. It is our privilege to share these stories with our readers. We have many local stories to share, and it’s our mission to provide our readers those stories to inspire, educate, and inform what is happening in the Rio Grande Valley. Thank you for your continued support!

Please share this with someone, and like us on all our platforms to get informed on upcoming articles and events. Thank you!

1 Chronicles 23:30: “They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord. They were to do the same in the evening.”

Rocio Villalobos Nathaniel Mata Steven Hughes Jose De Leon III Bryan Kirk Aimee Ashby Katie Goodman Lorenzo Zazueta-Castro

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TABLE OF

CONTENTS 2021

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VOLUME 13 ISSUE 6 RGVISION MAGAZINE

50 ON THE COVER

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RO DE O D E N TA L W I N S BE S T F O R T H E W O R LD 2021

How Rodeo Dental was the only dental service organization Awarded Best for the World™ 2021.

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G ET T ING DOWN TO B U S INES S Sarah Sagredo-Hammond, La Jefa behind Atlas Services Inc.

ION IN T HE VA LLEY 4 0 INFLAT U.S. government response to coronavirus may be catalyst for Valley’s rising inflation rate.

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EDUCATION PSJA Expands Efforts pg 10 Impacting Generations pg 12 Homeschooling pg 18 The RGV Literacy Center pg 20

BUSINESS Who is Ryan Solis? pg 24 Running for a Cause pg 26 Harlingen pg 30 SKY IT pg 36 Clarity in Crisis pg 42 A Sign of the Times pg 44 No Man is an Island pg 46

VA LLEY RA ILROA D HIS TORY Laying the tracks to a modern RGV.

HEALTH Winter Blues pg 48 Theraphy Dogs pg 58

QUALITY OF LIFE Christmas Bird Count pg 62 First Annual Gala pg 64 Blossoming Beauty pg 70 Recycling Resurgence pg 82 Take. Bless. Break. Give. pg 84

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RGVISION ADVISORY BOARD

Each and every member of our advisory board charges RGVision with growth and commitment within our business development, social engagement, and editorial efforts. Through their feedback and contributions, RGVision will continue to help tell and share the Rio Grande Valley’s stories and extend the invitation to join the conversation.

R O B ER T D U N K I N

J AV I ER D E LEO N

M A R I TZ A E S Q UE DA

R EN E A . F LO R ES

B Y R O N J AY LEW I S

E D D I E LUCI O I I I

D R . R EN E I . LU N A

B I LL M A R T I N

M A RK P E T E R S O N

A N D R EA R O D R I G U EZ

SAR AH SAGREDO HAMMOND

TO M TO R K E L S O N

V ER O N I C A V ELA W H I TAC R E

S A B R I N A WA LK ER H ER N A N D EZ

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PSJA ISD Expands College Readiness Efforts to Elementary Schools

The Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District has extended its college readiness preparation to elementary students for the 2021-22 school year through the district's Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Program.

According to PSJA Professional Development/AVID Director Stella Sanchez, AVID is a cohort-based college readiness system currently offered in PSJA ISD from sixth through 12th grade to support students as they engage in rigorous courses to ensure their success in the college of their choice.

"Our main focus is to support our teachers and better prepare students in order to continue closing the

Ten Schools to Offer AVID Program During 2021-22 School Year

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"The AVID Elementary Program supports all students on their path to college readiness by helping them develop the academic habits they will need to be successful in middle school, high school, and college in an age-appropriate and challenging way," Sanchez said. "In addition to developing important academic habits, students also learn numerous skills like organization, studying, communication, selfadvocacy, how to take structured notes, and how to ask high-level questions."

The following 10 PSJA ISD schools are offering the PSJA AVID Program during the 2021-22 school year:

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opportunity gap and prepare them for college and beyond," Sanchez said. "We are excited to expand our program to the elementary level for fourth- and fifth-grade students."

The program fosters a safe and open culture, high expectations for teachers and students, and collaboration in all classrooms. Additionally, it helps increase college graduation rates among diverse and underrepresented demographic groups.

Through the AVID Program, elementary teachers will receive professional development and support as they help lead the efforts to expand the program throughout their campuses and eventually to all the district's 25 elementary schools.

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For Guerra Elementary Principal Lillian Villarreal, implementing the AVID Elementary Program is important to further prepare her students for life-long success. Like all PSJA ISD elementary schools, Guerra Elementary promotes a college-going atmosphere.

"We are very excited to see how this program will benefit our students," Villarreal said. "It will help us continue developing independent learners and teach our students very important skills they can use throughout their educational journey."

According to PSJA ISD Superintendent Dr. Jorge L. Arredondo, these efforts support and align with the district's mission of preparing students to achieve the highest levels of success.

"This is a life-changing program that will help our students develop a critical foundation for lifelong learning,” Arredondo said. “It will also provide important support systems to successfully transition them from elementary to middle school.”

To learn more about PSJA ISD, visit www.psjaisd.us/ whypsja. PSJA welcomes students living anywhere in the Rio Grande Valley.

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PHARR • Allen & William Arnold Elementary • Geraldine Palmer Elementary • Dr. William Long Elementary • Daniel Ramirez Elementary • Raul Longoria Elementary SAN JUAN • Sgt. Leonel Treviño Elementary • Edith & Ethel Carman Elementary ALAMO • Augusto Guerra Elementary • John McKeever Elementary • Marcia Garza Elementary

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IMPACTING GENERATIONS A Closer Look at Brownsville ISD's Assistant Superintendents and Their Journeys b y F a i t h C h u a | p h o t o s b y J a m e s H o rd

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Nelson Mandela said that education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. Education becomes an avenue to help create a better society, providing more economic opportunities to families everywhere and reducing inequalities. The quality of education makes all the difference throughout the years, proven by the upcoming generations of the Rio Grande Valley.

The Brownsville Independent School District is one prime example of how learning can fundamentally change someone's life. These women, each an Assistant Superintendent in the District, come from diverse backgrounds. They have been shaped and molded by their education. Now on a mission to give back to the very community that helped them, they have been instrumental to the success found at Brownsville ISD. DR. DORA E. SAUCEDA - ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOLS: I never thought about becoming an educator, to be honest. I stumbled upon it accidentally. I had gotten a degree in biology and initially wanted to conduct research, but I came from a very low-income single-parent family, and I needed to get a job right away. I was able to get my first teaching job at Gladys Porter Early College High School, right here at Brownsville ISD. I really ended up liking teaching and continued with my goal of becoming an administrator.

I obtained my master’s degree in administration and then was lucky enough to obtain my doctorate with the UT Austin Cooperative Superintendency Program.

There truly is an impact on students at various levels.

As a teacher, you are directly influencing the students’ educational experiences, but as you continue towards the administrative trajectory, you indirectly impact student achievement by ensuring that the teachers and principals obtain the training and resources that will ensure teaching and learning is at an optimum. My belief is that I am an educator at heart, and now I get to teach the principals I supervise based on my 31 years of experience.

I was pleasantly surprised that my colleagues share the same belief system as I do. We work as a team of four, ensuring the campuses exceed the goals they have set for the school year. We keep the focus on student success.

We ensure all goals are met, from kinder to 12th grade. We want to make sure that students graduate with some form

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of certification that is aligned with the workforce needs.

Not all students want to attend college, so industry-based certifications are extremely critical, and we do a very good job at Brownsville ISD to offer a variety of certifications that increase the chances of a future graduate becoming gainfully employed. Additionally, the students have a huge variety of dual courses to pick from, so they will graduate with college hours.

My colleagues and I were principals at various levels.

For me, my proudest accomplishment dates back to when I first became a middle school principal at Cummings Middle School. It was a school that was close to becoming academically unacceptable by the Texas Education Agency.

I started off with a brand-new administrative team, and we quickly noticed that the campus was fractured and did not work well as a team. Through hard work and with the help of my administrative team, we were able to turn it around, and within three years, it became a TEA recognized campus. My other proud accomplishment is when I left Cummings, the teachers were working closely as a team with the vision of continuing the success they had accomplished.

Now, as an assistant superintendent, my favorite aspect of my current position as the Assistant Superintendent of High Schools is to again be within the campuses, visiting the schools and attending the various student body functions. I can connect once again with the students, perhaps indirectly, but through ensuring the principals feel supported, I believe it has a positive impact on student success. I like to talk to them and ask them what their future goals are and what they are expecting to do when they graduate from high school.

ROSE LONGORIA - ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF MIDDLE SCHOOLS: Often told by my mother that she saw something special within me as she frequently consented to play along, pretending our home was the classroom. Hours on end, she would sit with me as I pretended to be the teacher and she the student. Education is valued in my family, as I come from humble beginnings. My parents migrated from Mexico to the United States soon after they married.

Becoming an educator was an obvious choice due to my parent’s admiration for this noble profession and their great respect for teachers. In 4th grade, I knew education was to become my vocation due to my teacher Mr. Cavazos.

Knowing I was fluent in Spanish, he would have me lead a small group of Spanish speakers during their Spanish reading time. The students would work on their fluency as I led and corrected any of their reading mistakes. In addition, I would ask comprehension questions after they would read. I loved tutoring my peers, and I felt like the teacher I pretended to be when role-playing with my mother. I knew at that young age that serving others and making a difference was my path in life.

Since then, I have been an educator for approximately 33 years which includes being a teacher, an assistant principal, dean, principal, and now as an assistant superintendent.

Even though I was honored to have been awarded the

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H-E-B Excellence in Education South Texas Secondary Principal of the Year Award and State Finalist for three consecutive years, this was not my greatest accomplishment. Instead, the most memorable moments in my career occurred when I humbly served the Pace Early College High School Community as their proud principal.

Together with an amazing team of teachers and staff, we were able to transform the campus into a High Performing School that also earned the National Center for Urban School Transformation Gold Award (NCUST), among many other accolades.

The most daunting aspect of my career has been the fear of not being able to equitably serve all students due to this pandemic. The constant change has created a sense of urgency within education to ensure we work to meet all students’ needs. However, I am not surprised by our dedication and determination to come together as a district, and no matter what, COVID or no COVID, we stood as one team, a BISD family that worked towards finding the perfect solution for all our BISD students.

SANDRA G. LOPEZ - ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS: My parents are the ones who inspired me to pursue an education. I'm a first-generation graduate of higher education. Growing up, I saw the sacrifices my mother made for her to go to school to learn to read and speak the English language so she could support my siblings and me in our academic progress, so she can speak to our teachers and for her to make sure we kept on the right track. When my mom took those night classes, she would take me. I was very young, and she would sit me next to her in those classes, and I would listen in. Then we would go back, and she would have assignments and homework.

So, she would sit with me, and we would practice together.

Ever since then, I always thought I would become a teacher growing up, and I did become a teacher because I enjoyed learning from that experience.

I've been in education for 42 years. During those 42 years, I taught all grade levels from first to sixth grade. I became the Dean of Instruction, which helps support teachers in curriculum and instruction. That's been my passion, to help support teachers in the classroom so that they can deliver instruction to students with more academic success.

It was exciting when I first became an assistant superintendent. I had close to 30 schools at the time since there were only two assistant superintendents overseeing campuses. I saw it as a challenge, and I didn't see it as work. As a matter of fact, I was excited because my passion has been working with schools and helping principals, supporting them, and working with them. My favorite aspect was learning how to support and listen. I think it's listening to the people you supervise and providing support. I am pleasantly surprised that we have a lot of committed educators in our public schools. I am very blessed with working with people who care about what they do and ensuring that kids are successful.

There's so many things I'm proud of. Still, I think that I'm

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very proud that, together with my staff, I was able to turn around a low-performing school (Clearwater Elementary) into an exemplary school. This translates to students receiving a quality education and paying back what quality education I received growing up as a student. My journey of 42 years has been very rewarding as an individual.

ALMA CARDENAS RUBIO - ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS: I truly believe that when you go into education, so many factors play into that role. My father was a ninth-grade dropout. He later enlisted in the AirForce, allowing him to receive the GI Bill to go to college. He later became an educator, and within that time, he became a lawyer. My mother was born and raised in Mexico and was a fifthgrade dropout, but praise God; she received her GED and later became a cosmetologist. However, when I was in high school, especially my senior year, my parents went through a difficult divorce. This life experience impacted me differently; however, I focused on my school opportunities and faith.

As a senior, I earned a chance to attend the International Science Fair in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I remember vividly the experiences of exploring the world and seeing all that my teachers, community, parents, and family had done to nurture the environment that led me to continue my education. I have been with Brownsville ISD for 27 years as a teacher at Porter ECHS, Assistant Principal at Central Middle School, Principal at Raul Besteiro Middle School, District Bilingual Director, Assistant Superintendent for ISET, and now an Assistant Superintendent overseeing elementary schools.

The one event I would have loved my parents to have witnessed was receiving the 2010 HEB Excellence in Education State Principal award. Unfortunately, by the time I had received the award, they were both deceased.

However, my community, family, and children witnessed such a moment in time. I wanted my parents to see the power of one person going to college and how it impacts generations to come. I would say a lot of us carry our cross. Every family, student, educator carries their cross of concerns and worries. I was surprised to see people shy away from asking for help, and I had to learn that it was our job to facilitate open communication and serve our educators and parents. Our job is to find the variety of language and communication modes that best serve our community. Our need to facilitate open communication is forever a top priority as we help our families move forward, making the impossible possible.

--All four of the Brownsville ISD Assistant Superintendents came from different backgrounds, and all have their own stories of how they began their journey to where they are today. Yet, one thing remains consistent throughout all these women: The passion and love they feel for what they do and the people they serve are sincere and genuine. It is their primary motivator as they strive to do their best day after day and show in their work.

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HOMESCHOOLING VS. SCHOOLING FROM HOME

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Parents Share Their Experiences with Differing Forms of Education b y Ro ci o V i l l a l o b o s

Connie Glover-Nieto has been homeschooling her daughter, Grace, now 12, since she was in kindergarten.

She and her husband made the decision due to her music teaching schedule, which keeps her busy from 3:30 to 9:30 p.m. during the week.

“When we were thinking about what school to send her to for kindergarten, the realization that I was not going to be able to interact with my child from 7:30 in the morning to about 10 at night was really heavy,” she said. “Upon realizing my moments with her were going to be cut short because of my work, I thought, ‘You know what? I can homeschool. I can do this.’”

When school went virtual for a majority of the 202021 academic year due to COVID-19, children got a dose of homeschooling with remote learning. Now, with a better understanding of the virus and how to prevent its spread, along with vaccines readily available to qualifying individuals, school is back in session in the traditional setting for most students enrolled in public school — in classrooms among their peers. While roughly a full year was spent schooling from home, the experience differed from traditional homeschooling. And certain districts continue to offer a virtual learning option for a limited number of students.

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The flexibility of homeschooling has allowed Glover-Nieto to fulfill her desire to remain the biggest influence in her daughter’s life while continuing to teach music to other children. Though her daughter’s learning doesn’t have to start and end at the same time each day, Glover-Nieto has structured her education similar to a traditional school environment.

Glover-Nieto is part of a homeschooling co-op with other families in which the parents and guardians take turns teaching children of the same age different subjects.

“It really works for us and gives our children access to other teachers’ views,” she said.

“Deciding to homeschool is a big deal. We’re taking on the sole responsibility of educating our children, so we want to make sure we get it right.

“Having a community and support system to rely on is a tremendous help in this journey.”

While homeschooling, families can decide to emulate standard classroom learning.

Virtual public schooling from home abides a daily regime.

Jess LeFlore has three children enrolled in public school and said juggling their schedules — from start time to lunch to breaks — was a challenge. So, she switched them to homeschooling.

“With parent-led homeschooling, we are at our pace, on our time, and can focus on each child’s needs,” LeFlore said.

When it comes to their child needing extra help in a certain subject, homeschooling families must seek out their own resources and methods for supplementing their child’s

education, such as turning to one another or hiring a private tutor. Meanwhile, tutoring is offered to students in public schools on a regular basis.

“One of my boys has virtual school and is on all day, but he’s able to get more help from his teachers and attend tutoring following the school schedule,” Luci Ann said. “My son who is a senior is online for maybe three hours a day, with most of his assignments as independent work and the interaction with teachers very minimal — tutoring offered as needed.

“They love virtual and want to attend virtual as long as possible.”

While many families decide to homeschool to accommodate their family’s schedule, which may include travel, field trips, and their work, public schooling from home also provides for a more lenient schedule, with a school day typically falling hours short of the traditional in-person schedule, depending on the district.

Glover-Nieto had her reasons for homeschooling, but said the decision for every family is unique.

“What brings us to the table for homeschooling is really so different and personal, and that’s what’s so great about it,” she said.

If families are interested in homeschooling, she recommends connecting with a local homeschooling group or an online community.

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THE RGV LITERACY CENTER Empowering the Community and Making a Difference b y A i m e e A s h b y | p h o t o s b y J a co b M e n d o za

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Jose Asencio made his living at an air conditioner repair shop, learning on the job and working his way up. But when company had a change of ownership and modified its policies, requiring all technicians to have a high school diploma or a GED, Asencio lost his job -- he had neither.

Already in his 60s, he heard about the program at the RGV Literacy Center, enrolled, and eventually received his GED certification.

“He later enrolled at (South Texas College) to continue in AC-related courses,” said Diana Garza-Farias, the executive director of the center. “He eventually got back to work as a technician at a better pay rate and continued to work at the type of job that he loved.”

The RGV Literacy Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, community-based organization that offers adult education classes to people who need help achieving their educational and career goals. It was founded in 2006, and its main office is located at the Meadow Heights Pharr Housing Authority.

Some of the classes offered to adults with low and moderate incomes include English as a Second Language at five different levels, GED, basic computer, writing success, and U.S. citizenship classes. The organization has 21 locations in nine cities throughout Hidalgo County, including places like The Salvation Army, Amigos del Valle, the Progreso Community Center, several libraries and churches, and housing projects that have educational buildings. The RGV Literacy Center also has one location in Cameron County at the Family and Community Engagement Center in Rio Hondo.

The center provides teachers to conduct the lessons.

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them complete their education and try to get ahead. Participants have access to economic opportunities, as well as volunteer work in the community, such as the Food Bank.

The center has also received lots of support from the community and works in partnership with several entities, including Workforce Solutions, Barnes & Noble, Engagement Zone at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and South Texas College.

“We do have a small scholarship which we give to one or two of our GED students every year, and it was started by one of our former board members, Dulce Hernandez Phillips, and it is still going,” Garza-Farias said. “This year the recipient of the scholarship was Chelsey Germain.”

Germain is a mother of four who had been unable to complete school due to unfortunate events in her life. When she heard about the program at the literacy center, she enrolled and

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At this time, due to the pandemic, all classes are held online via Zoom. Teachers also use Google Classroom and other creative ways to make an impact.

According to their website, www. rgvliteracycenter.org, Hidalgo County has a dropout rate of 38% and an illiteracy rate of 50%.

“Our main goal of the RGV Literacy Center is for students to get their GED, get a career path, and motivate and help them get into college,” Garza-Farias said.

When students register and come into the classes, they form a team, bond, and become a family.

“I think the major impact that it’s made has been to give them a boost to their self-esteem,” Garza-Farias said.

The RGV Literacy Center works with adults of all ages, and some of them come in with very low self-esteem and need guidance to help

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was able to obtain her GED. Germain then enrolled in fall semester classes at STC and has been hired to work parttime as the data clerk at the center. She says her children have been very happy for her and told her, “You can do it, Mommy!” She is very thankful for Garza-Farias and Monica Delgado, the GED instructor, for their help and for making a difference in many people’s lives.

There are many more success stories stemming from the literacy center’s presence in the community.

Jazzmin Del Angel had a master’s degree and a successful career in urban development in Mexico. When H-E-B contacted her, asking her to recommend new store locations in Reynosa, she realized that learning English could not only help her communicate better with her new contractors, but also greatly expand her career. In 2011, she and her husband decided to start a new life in Pharr. Del Angel began English classes at the Rio Grande Valley Literacy Center and, with the help of her instructors, came to view her new world in a different way. Learning English helped her understand municipal laws critical to her profession.

“After two years of English classes, she was hired part-

time, and she began to teach GED preparation courses at the literacy center,” Garza-Farias said. “With a second career in education on the horizon — she has also acquired certification as a substitute teacher — Jazzmin decided to put a stamp on her residency in Pharr. In 2017, she became a U.S. citizen. Currently, she finds time to teach Citizenship Preparation Class and Spanish as a Second Language part-time. She also is a part-time Staff Recruitment Officer at the RGV Literacy Center and is living her dream of more opportunity.”

There are many students whose goal was to start a business or complete their GED and get a job to help their families. Some of them continue to stay in touch via the RGV Literacy Center’s Facebook page and will report on their progress.

The RGV Literacy Center also works in collaboration with Hidalgo County Precincts 1-4 to help adults who need to attain their GED as well as obtain community hours.

They are sent to the center to help improve their chances of success and become a contributing member of the community. The center has enrolled over 200 students during the COVID pandemic.

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Ryan C. Solis Law Office of Ryan C. Solis, PLLC 1410 W. Dove Ave. McAllen 464 W. Hidalgo Ave. Raymondville 956-686-9600

WHO IS RYAN SOLIS? RGV Injury Attorney Goes the Distance

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phot o b y B a r b a r a D el ga d o Ryan Solis has wanted to be an attorney and help those in need ever since he was a little boy. He grew up in a small town and saw firsthand how those without resources or connections could be taken advantage of. He vowed to fight this unfairness by becoming an attorney. In 2004, he was licensed to practice law by the Supreme Court of Texas and licensed to practice in U.S. federal courts in 2006.

He is passionate about representing victims who have been injured by the negligence or carelessness of others, and he takes each case seriously. His determination to win for his clients comes from knowing the trust that they place in him and how he could never let them down.

Additionally, Solis trains for and competes in triathlons, such as the Ironman, which consists of a 2.4-mile swim, 112mile bike ride, and 26.2-mile marathon run. Training for these endurance competitions requires strength and tenacity, which are traits he uses to fight for his clients. He’s an attorney who goes the distance for his clients, and he does not rest until his clients receive what they deserve.

Solis counts himself lucky to be able to live his dream of being an attorney by helping people who have been wronged.

He shows his gratitude by conducting frequent giveaways on Facebook as well as giving back to the community through charitable acts, such as providing hot meals during the recent winter freeze.

Reach out to the Law Office of Ryan C. Solis to discuss your personal injury claim or to inquire about rights you may have after an accident. Ryan works tirelessly to ensure that his clients are well compensated for their injuries -- and he represents clients throughout Texas.

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Running for a Cause Lacks, RGVDA to Host 5K Run/Walk for Diabetes Awareness

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b y Steven H u g h e s | p h o t o s p r o v i d e d On the morning of Dec. 11, families, friends, and event supporters will meet up at Town Lake at Firemen’s Park in McAllen for the Dasher & Prancer 5K run/walk hosted by Lacks and the Rio Grande Valley Diabetes Association.

The runners (Dashers) and walkers (Prancers) will start their journey at 8 a.m. sharp onto the path volunteers put together.

Attendees at the 5K run/walk share multiple interests — the fun for competitions and diabetes awareness.

Lacks raises diabetes awareness beyond its 5K run/walk. The company’s ownership, the Aaronson family, are strong supporters of diabetes awareness and have donated to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s efforts. One initiative supported by the Aaronsons was a program geared towards educating second-grade children about the disease while promoting a healthier diet.

The upcoming event is in collaboration with the Rio Grande Valley Diabetes Association.

The RGVDA works on diabetes prevention and spreading awareness throughout the communities it serves. Several RGV doctors saw the need for increased diabetes awareness in their community, leading to

establishing the organization. Similar to Lacks, the RGVDA has held 5K events in the past. The San Benito Newspaper reported that the organization’s 2014 “Walk-RunZumba” raised over $11,000.

“The RGVDA [is] a nice organization, somewhere to go when you’re not sure what to do when you have diabetes, if you need a glucose monitor, [or] need to check your sugar,” said Susan Fath El-Dem, the secretary for the RGVDA’s executive board. “If you want to talk to the doctor, he’s right [next door].”

Lacks has been supporting the RGVDA for five years, according to Fath El-Dem. This year, both organizers want to make the event bigger and better. The annual Dasher & Prancer 5K run/walk acts as a fundraiser for the RGVDA. Funds from the event will help the RGVDA provide services such as its educational cooking class. Each recipe made is crafted for people living with diabetes or have heart issues, among other challenges.

The RGVDA posts the cooking class recordings on its Facebook page.

“We want to make sure that our community and everybody around us stays safe, and they’re able to deal with their diabetes,” Fath El-Dem said.

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past, according to Linda Morales, Lacks PR/ community manager. For more information about volunteering, email Morales at linda. morales@lacksvalley.com.

“We always need volunteers to help us set up in the morning, at cheering stations throughout the route, giving out medals, passing out bottles of water and goodie bags,” she said. “Registration in the mornings can be hectic when people show up at once.

We encourage everyone to register early.”

Organizing the upcoming event is happening earlier than ever. Leading up to the event, Lacks and RGVDA representatives are working together to reach out to vendors and business partners for support.

“We are planning for an awesome event, and we hope to see lots of Dashers and Prancers out there,” Karr said.

To register for the event, you can scan the QR code below or visit the Lacks website. You can also register onsite at 7 a.m. on the day of the event.

w ww.lacks.com/5k

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Lacks has seen diabetes affect its employees as a large percentage of them are Hispanic, a group likely to get the lifelong disease. That motivated the company to host an annual 5K run/walk to promote a healthier lifestyle. On average, Hispanics are 17% likely to get Type 2 diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Type 2 diabetes can be passed down family lines, according to the American Diabetes Association.

“Diabetes is something that not only affects our outer community but our inner community, as well,” said Kris Karr, director of communications for Lacks. “The 5K is an event that helps bring awareness of the disease and promotes a healthy lifestyle to all who participate.”

The Dasher & Prancer event also promotes holiday cheer and draws around 200 people each year. The festive participants wearing reindeer costumes are Karr’s favorite thing about the 5K run/walk.

“For me personally, it’s the support I get from my family and friends that makes it even more special,” Karr said. “This year, because we are joining forces with the RGVDA, we expect our event to be huge. Our goal is to make it a great experience for everyone who is involved.”

There is another way to participate in the event without strapping on running shoes.

With the hundreds of people at the event to manage, Lacks offers a lot of volunteer opportunities. UTRGV has volunteered in the

Weslaco Corporate Office 705 S. Texas Blvd. Weslaco, TX 78596

K r is Ka r r , d i r e cto r o f co m m uni ca ti ons for Lacks

CONTACT US Phone: 956.969.5855 Fax Line: 956.969.5844 services@skyitsolutions.com www.skyitsolutions.com

"This year, because we are joining forces with the RGVDA, we expect our event to be huge. Our goal is to make it a great experience for everyone who is involved!”

A Veteran-Owned business proudly serving the Rio Grande Valley with quality computer-networking products and services for over 18 years!

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HARLINGEN Where Opportunities in Workforce Development and Education Abound

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b y B r ya n K i r k | p h o t o s b y J a co b M e n d o z a Harlingen is changing. In fact, the change has been happening for quite some time. The once sleepy community that, for decades, was predominantly driven by agriculture and farming industries, has shifted to new and different industries.

While agriculture is still an important industry in Harlingen, the job market has diversified. This means young people just now entering the workforce have choices beyond what was available to their parents and grandparents.

Educational opportunities have increased and industries that were uncommon decades earlier have come to Harlingen, Brownsville, McAllen, Edinburg, and other South Texas cities, which over time, have sowed the seeds to create a robust workforce.

“We have to be cognizant of what our strengths and assets are, so that we can recruit the right types of companies and the right types of employers,” Raudel Garza, manager and CEO of the Harlingen Economic Development Corporation, said during a recent filming of a Choose Harlingen episode.

This is done through a process called “asset mapping,” where the companies coming to a region are matched up with a quality labor force. Asset mapping has been a process used for years through the Texas Workforce Commission and Workforce Solutions.

For this to be successful, the Harlingen EDC had to determine which industries to focus on, which have included automotive parts manufacturing and metal fabrication, tourism and hospitality, health care, and aerospace.

Some of those organizations include United Launch Alliance, Penn Aluminum International, Valley Baptist Medical Center, and United HealthCare Services.

Of course, the workforce has to be developed through education. That's where institutions like the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and Texas State Technical College come into play.

“We see the healthcare industry as one that is growing tremendously across the Rio Grande Valley,” said Veronica Gonzales, who serves as the senior vice president for

Community and Government Relations at UTRGV. “We just started a residency program here at Valley Baptist Medical Center in surgery, and, of course, we have others in internal medicine and several others.”

Gonzales said the university is working with other partners, such as the Early College High School, the High School for Health Professions in Harlingen, and TSTC, to ensure they can help the healthcare industry keep growing in the Valley.

“If you’re a talented student and want to pursue a career in medicine, and you meet certain criteria, you will have early admission into the medical school,” Gonzales said. “From the time you get out of high school and start college, we will start to prepare you so you can become a doctor.”

Gonzales added that the goal for all students who come to UTRGV is to ensure they are on the path to a great career no matter which industry they choose.

Like UTRGV, TSTC trains future medical professionals at all 10 of its campuses in Texas. However, the TSTC medical training program is more of a hybrid program that trains students in labs rather than college-style lecture halls.

“Here in Harlingen, we have a very large Allied Health Division,” said Cledia Hernandez, associate vice chancellor for External Relations and Workforce Development at TSTC. “We have programs such as surgical technology, we have an LVN program, and an LVN to RN transition program.”

TSTC also has an EMS/paramedic program and a fully functional dental hygienist clinic that takes appointments for patients in the community, Hernandez said.

TSTC, however, has for decades been known for providing hands-on training and certification for automotive technology, diesel technician, aviation technology, metal fabrication, welding and machinist, and technical fields in high demand within the oil and gas industry.

Many of the students who graduate from these and other programs often turn to Workforce Solutions to help them find the right job.

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G l o r i a H e r n a n d e z , Associate Vice Ch an cel l or for E xtern al Rel ation s an d Workforce Devel opmen t at T STC

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“Workforce development and partners in education are a tool in the toolbox of the economic development corporations. Our focus is placement and employment, because they are walking out with the right skill set.”

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“The economy here in South Texas as a region is 80 percent in health care, retail, education, and in government,” said Pat Hobbs, executive director for Workforce Solutions in Cameron County. “We have what is called a targeted occupation’s list. We don’t want to spend money on training somebody who isn’t going to make a decent wage, so we sort through the demand occupations -- and there are a lot -- down to about 40 targeted occupations that will fund. Healthcare jobs are a large part of those.”

Hobbs said Workforce Solutions uses federal funds to train the workforce, which amounts to about $2 million annually.

Those funds have been used to train manufacturers in aerospace and other high-demand industries in the Valley.

“Workforce development and partners in education are a tool in the toolbox of the economic development corporations,” Hernandez said. “Our focus is placement and employment, because (our students) are walking out with the right skill set.”

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Getting Down to Business Sarah Sagredo-Hammond, La Jefa Behind Atlas Services Inc.

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plethora of knowledge and is just brilliant.”

She began working on the financial side in 1997 and was a full-time employee by 2008. After her mother suffered a stroke in 2011, her father handed over his share of the business to tend to his wife.

Running Atlas Services Inc. was nothing new.

However, that transition did not come without its challenges as a female executive in a male-dominated industry. Sagredo-Hammond has heard everything from "let me speak to the man in charge," to "I won't work for a company that is run by a woman," to “I don't want a woman to be telling me how to fix my AC." The challenge only motivated her even more.

“You can't take yourself too seriously,” she said. “You can't blame them if all they know is that stereotype.

It's not about me, it's about a culture change."

A change was indeed needed, which was exactly what she intended to do.

After taking over her father's business in 2011, Sagredo-Hammond knew she would have to make some changes in order for the company to continue growing. Since then, she and her brother have

When you think about who might own a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, or refrigeration business, you may not imagine Sarah Sagredo-Hammond.

But this owner of Atlas Electrical, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, and Plumbing Services Inc. is breaking stereotypes one generation at a time.

The story of this business is one that is close to the hearts of many Mexican-Americans. SagredoHammond’s father, Rogelio Sagredo, started out as a migrant worker. After learning electrical and HVAC in the U.S. Air Force, he had the tools to start his own business, changing the course of his family's lives.

From a very young age, Sagredo-Hammond had been involved on the financial side of the business.

As a 12-year-old, she would work after school and on the weekends to help with the family business within the financing and collections department. Her older brother, Roy Jr., learned the trade alongside their father.

"He is like ‘rain man,’” Sagredo-Hammond said of her brother. “He likes to stay in the engineering and design area of the company because he has such a

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"Being an entrepreneur is a 24/7 job. You have to be available for the team when they need you.”

Sa r a h Sa gr ed o-Ha m m o n d , own er of Atlas Services I n c.

Sarah mentioned how her work ethic stems from her own mother.

"She worked really hard and was always alone, a total superwoman,” she said. “If I can be half the woman she is, I will be proud."

By assigning intention and value to what she is doing, she is creating a lasting impression, affecting generations to come.

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added both refrigeration and plumbing to their list of services. They have become a one-stop shop for all home repair needs.

PRESSURE MAKES DIAMONDS Sagredo-Hammond’s most used services are for HVAC and generators. When the Texas freeze happened in February 2021, she had a major influx of requests for generators that reached around 100 requests per day.

However, the freeze was only one of many challenges.

COVID-19 impacted every industry. Due to closures, it was difficult to get equipment at times, and SagredoHammond had to work with other vendors. Price changes occurred due to product shortages and jobs became backed up.

“Being an entrepreneur is a 24/7 job,” SagredoHammond said. “You have to be available for the team when they need you."

Atlas Services Inc. isn't the only business SagredoHammond helms. She also runs a mobile home facility and a leasing center.

"Multiple streams of income are important for longterm success," she said.

This business advice is partly the reason SagredoHammond’s family were able to do so well -- even in times of great uncertainty.

EMPOWERING OTHER WOMEN Sagredo-Hammond isn't only affecting generations within her own family, but for other women, as well, as one of the three directors of the national organization, Fem City.

The workplace has been difficult for women not just because of glass ceilings, but also because of working relationships. Fem City gives women the tools for better communication and harmony with one another. The organization cultivates a safe and empowering space for every one of its members. Once a month, members have access to events and training.

DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU'RE WORKING WITH? Sagredo-Hammond sits on several boards that are in alignment with her career path, including the National Board of Women in HVAC, The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, RGV Partnership Board, and the Better Business Bureau of Houston and South Texas.

Raising the bar even higher, she is a world-renowned speaker, having led and spoken at various leadership conferences for both men and women. She is also the author of Upward, a book on leadership for women.

Sagredo-Hammond’s plans for the future include expanding services at Atlas Services Inc., growing Fem City, and appearing for more speaking engagements.

BALANCING FAMILY AND CAREER So how does a powerhouse of a woman handle work and family life? Luckily, Sagredo-Hammond’s husband is very supportive of her commitment to the business and being a female executive has created valuable lessons for her three daughters at home.

Sagredo-Hammond "leads her life with intention." She assigns intention to her work, which creates value for her children by explaining how, "mom has to work in order for us to go on vacation or have nice things." Her daughters fully understand the value of work ethic and look forward to growing up to be just like their mother.

For more information about Atlas Services Inc., call (956) 585-7775 or visit atlasrgv.com. To learn more about Fem City, go to femcity.com/join-femcity/.

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CHOOSE HARLINGEN FOR BUSINESS!

• Valley International Airport has three new destinations and leads as the largest airport in the region • United Launch Alliance, located in Harlingen, has launched more than 145 satellites into orbit • Award-winning educational institutions located in Harlingen create a qualified talent pipeline that strengthens our workforce • Harlingen collected just over $16.8 million in adjusted sales tax – an increase of 11.9% compared to 2020!

• From road, rail, air, and water, Harlingen’s accessibility keeps businesses connected

Visit us at Harlingenedc.com to learn more about Harlingen.

Come grow your business here!

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SKY IT The Sky's the Limit for SKY IT

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Esteban Mejia isn't only serving the community of the Rio Grande Valley, he's also serving his country.

In fact, at the time of publication, Mejia is currently serving with his Air Force Reserve unit in the Middle East. So how does someone run a thriving information technology business when they're not even in the country?

HOW IT ALL BEGAN Mejia first went into active duty in 1996 and continued to serve until 2002. While still in the military, he attended Louisiana Tech to pursue a degree in IT Information Systems. During that time, he decided he wanted to implement his talents locally, but he needed to take a few more steps to make that happen. With $100 in hand, he registered his business name and began selling his services door to door. Eighteen years later, he has multiple employees and numerous customers in the RGV. SKY IT is a firmly established information technology company that offers a wide range of technology products and services.

“We bring proven, cost-efficient solutions in the areas of networking, security, video surveillance, telephone communications, and wireless technologies," Mejia said.

He has worked with local, state, and federal government agencies as well as health, dental, education, small business, and corporate entities.

The times are ever-changing, as is the technology that comes along with it.

"In this business, it's our job to stay current with technology," Mejia said.

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"We bring proven, cost-efficient solutions in the areas of networking, security, video surveillance, telephone communications and wireless technologies."

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E s te b a n M e j i a , SKY I T

HOMEGROWN BROADBAND SERVICES SKY IT doesn't stop there. Five years ago, Esteban launched a sister company, Sky Comm Broadband Services, which offers broadband internet services in Weslaco, Progreso, Santa Maria, and San Juan.

Are you tired of dealing with large companies who take forever to answer your calls over the phone and that treat you like a number rather than a valued, human customer? Sky Comm Broadband Services might be the route for you.

The main benefit of working with SKY IT and Sky Comm Broadband Services is that you will be working with local professionals. They understand the specific needs and challenges found in the Rio Grande Valley and offer a familiar and family-like courteousness in all of their business dealings. In other words, this is an organization that you would feel safe referring your abuelos to.

"The RGV is a close-knit community, and we must stick together," Mejia adds. His business has found success due to this personal customer care.

VETERAN SUCCESS Mejia credits his training, skillset, and mentors from his 25 years of service in the U.S. Air Force Reserves for shaping his direction in life.

"The Air Force has served as an incredible

foundation for cultivating diligence and discipline," he said.

He also finds purpose in training and shaping younger people into successful leaders. Luckily, the army keeps this passion alive on a daily basis, as Mejia is a master sergeant in the 433rd Logistics Readiness Squadron.

“My goal is to give back and to mentor like others have done for me,” he said. “That's why I stay in."

Mejia elaborated about how he was able to achieve these goals while facing down difficulties both personal and professional.

"There have been many challenges, but each one is a learning experience,” he said. “Having a strong team is the key to avoiding and overcoming burnout."

While Mejia is off serving his country, he relies on his team to help with in-person services and installations. However, he can still be accessed even from halfway across the world.

This veteran-owned business is experienced, established, and trustworthy. Even still, he has plans for growing the company.

Learn more about SKY IT at skyitsolutions.com.

For more about To inquire more broadband services, visit skyitsolutions.com/skycomm.html or call Diana Palomo at (956) 969-5855.

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THE VALLEY U.S. Government Response to Coronavirus May Be Catalyst for Valley’s Rising Inflation Rate

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INFLATION IN b y B r y a n Ki r k The Rio Grande Valley was among the hardest hit regions in Texas by the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. A year after this deadly outbreak, vaccines are now readily available and are provided to the public to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Many believe this was a gateway to helping Americans who were furloughed or laid off in 2020 to return to the workforce.

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However, the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that Texas’ unemployment rate dropped slightly from 6.2% in July to 5.9% in August. States with the highest unemployment rate during that same period included California at 7.5%, New York at 7.4%, and Nevada, which had the highest in August at 7.7%.

The numbers suggest that there are more available jobs than there are unemployed people, but Bill Martin suggests that there are many more who are jobless and have fallen out of the system.

Bill Martin adds that some of his clients who advertise for skilled labor in the Valley are having difficulty even attracting unskilled labor.

“It takes a while for producers to produce things and to ramp up production normally, but when you throw in a labor shortage, then you (can) have hyperinflation,” Bill Martin said.

Thankfully, the local economy is not seeing hyperinflation yet. In fact, the last time the Valley experienced out-ofcontrol inflation was in the late ’70s and early ’80s, when Martin’s parents, John and Audrey Martin, were both financial advisors in McAllen and lived through the impact of hyperinflation on businesses in the Valley.

In those days, their clients in Mexico would ask them to invest in Certificates of Deposit (CDs) at the bank because the peso was so devalued, and they could be paid in dollars instead.

John Martin said that it’s typical for the initial impact of rapid inflation increases to impact markets in New York before they begin to trickle down to the rest of America’s households, and into Mexico, before impacting the Valley.

Meanwhile, Audrey Martin added that while things are tough now, it’s not as bad as things were in the late ’70s and early ’80s.

“We don’t have hyperinflation yet,” she said. “We may get there, but we are not there now.”

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But what if those American workers who lost their jobs because of COVID-19 decided to stay home? What if many of those formerly displaced workers opted instead to continue collecting unemployment insurance benefits, federal benefits, and the occasional stimulus payment instead of returning to work?

It’s possible that the inflation rate would increase to the point that could result in a recession, and the abundance of available jobs that were unfilled from late 2020 until now would disappear completely.

The economy, of course, isn’t in this dire state yet, but that is a very real possibility. This could happen with so many able-bodied Americans deciding that they can make more money collecting government benefits.

“This is a good example of a very painful injury to the economy that we did to ourselves,” said Bill Martin, vice president of Investments with Raymond James Investments in McAllen. “We didn’t cause COVID-19, but our reaction to it is what is reverberating throughout our economy right now.”

Martin said shutting down the economy for months while paying people to stay home instead of reopening the economy has created a labor shortage where jobs before the pandemic were plentiful.

“There was a lot of pent-up demand because people really weren’t doing much for most of the year, and when they were released to go be active to shop and build ... the demand outstripped supply very quickly,” Martin said.

However, some businesses that were deemed essential were impacted when some of their workforce contracted COVID-19, resulting in shutdowns. Meat and poultry processing plants, such as Tyson and Sanderson Farms, were among those processors impacted, which also impacted farmers.

“If you’re the farmer who has the chickens that need to go to the processor, you don’t have a market,” John Martin, a retired financial advisor, said. “You reach a point where you can’t sell them, so you basically have to bury them. When the market comes back, there are no chickens.”

Since March 2020, Congress has passed several aid packages that have paid out trillions in stimulus payments, unemployment insurance payments, and federal benefits in the form of pandemic relief. The first of those was the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act, signed

by President Donald Trump, followed by the American rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021, signed by President Joe Biden.

Despite these efforts, concerns of a post-coronavirus recession have been widely discussed in a number of media outlets since the start of the pandemic.

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CLARITY IN A CRISIS

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North Park Lexus RGV Team Delivers a Personalized Care Approach b y Lor enz o Z a z u e t a - C a s t r o | p h o t o s p r o v i d e d

Jose Luis Contreras believes that during these uncertain times, luxury car consumers want a sense of clarity in a time of chaos.

"Guests are thirsty for solid direction. They're looking for somebody who really knows what's going on with the market and has their best interests in mind," the North Park Lexus Rio Grande Valley General Manager said.

When the pandemic first began to disrupt supply chains in March 2020, the auto industry changed its game plan to accommodate a contact-less

experience for its clients, online sales, and athome deliveries. This became the norm throughout the industry.

Navigating through the pandemic, Contreras and his award-winning team at North Park Lexus RGV in San Juan believed it was essential to maintain a sense of normalcy during a very unstable time.

And now, the chip shortage -- all a result of the pandemic. Some manufacturers are stocked with rows of built vehicles waiting for microchips. In fact, satellite images of this inventory have made

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"As a result of the crisis, trade values are at unprecedented highs," Contreras said. "This poses an opportunity for many clients."

He said above all else, his team at North Park Lexus, one of three Lexus dealerships in South Texas, prides themselves on their loyalty — working hard for the Rio Grande Valley market, community, and their guests.

"We're people trying to take care of people. We're listening because everyone's needs are different.

Circumstances are different. Some people might just have that itch and might be excited about doing something new — but it might not really make sense for them to do anything, right now," Contreras said. "We'll make sure to explore (the) best options before we just try to sell a car.

"It takes a team who truly cares for people and somebody who really understands what is currently evolving in this marketplace."

Contreras said he and his staff are prepared for each guest’s individual circumstance, whether they were thrust into the market for a vehicle, or if they just feel like they might have a good trade-in opportunity. His team will guide them.

Conteras said North Park Lexus RGV always puts people first — always striving to take care of their guest's best interests.

"Relationships are paramount,” he said.

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the rounds on social media to underscore the extreme nature of the disruption to the industry.

The chips are essential in vehicles and a myriad of other items and impact everything from engine temperature monitoring, dashboard lighting, airbags, anti-lock brakes, and GPS navigation, to name a few.

Currently, industry experts hypothesize that vehicle production levels will continue to remain low through at least 2022 and as far as into 2023.

"This shortage and subsequent rise in demand has many dealers pricing common vehicles well above MSRP, price gouging — oftentimes, a lamentable and unnecessary practice," Contreras said. "I understand a hot market, but this is all still part of a pandemic... a crisis.”

One point of pride for Contreras at North Park Lexus RGV is the Posted Price Promise.

"Customers can take advantage of what we offer without worrying about price gouging,” he said.

Contreras added that 85% of his new car inventory at North Park Lexus RGV is still priced at a discount.

Despite the challenges for consumers, including higher-than-expected prices this year, Contreras said his team is dedicated to looking at every possible avenue to find what best suits the guest.

The steep rise in value for used vehicles may present an advantage for consumers, he added.

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A SIGN OF THE TIMES The Sign Depot Stands the Test of Time in the RGV

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expert graphic design team tackles.

Cepeda told of the vehicle wrap for Atlas Electrical, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, and Plumbing Services Inc. that won a national award for design and how that changes the way people look at the business and work vehicles.

He uses the phrase "think louder" to summarize the design process while going into an interesting theory about how our mind sees images and not words even when thinking about words.

Over the years Cepeda has seen things change and technology change the way business runs -- and also what companies ask for.

"The business has changed a lot," he said. "We've seen the industry change dramatically. Before, it was just details and letters -- usually one color. And then came what we call large-scale printing."

The Sign Depot also follows the trends like LEDs and whatever a customer might ask for. Cepeda isn't afraid to pass a job to another company or ask around for assistance to meet project goals.

The shop even has a sister store that specializes in flags called Sooper Flags as the popularity of flags lining the street has grown. His approach to that site in Pharr is to make the interior so ridiculous and comically fun that customers can't stay in a bad mood -- and are tempted to make a purchase.

Cepeda is such a staple in local business he sits on the Better Business Bureau. He remarked that the region is bustling with new opportunities -- something he says you can notice just looking along the expressway.

"The Valley is booming as long as we help each other," Cepeda said. "Don't get greedy -- there's no room for that.

That's our philosophy. There's enough for everybody. No one should go hungry."

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Signs and storefront imagery are massively important.

Catching customers' eyes and making the first impression is key to potential business or being overlooked altogether.

Whether it's the bustling downtown entertainment district on McAllen's 17th Street or the shops that dot the business-heavy district of 10th Street -- even down to Brownsville's commerce areas along the expressway and, of course, South Padre Island -- businesses vie for everyone's attention and signs do that job.

That's where The Sign Depot hopes to come in and turn things around.

"A business with no sign is a sign of no business," Ruben Cepeda said.

The Sign Depot is a long-standing sign business that's been in operation for decades, and it's no wonder why when you speak to the charismatic leader there. He has an "it" factor that goes just beyond sales and business. He comes with a personality that can't be imitated.

Talking to Cepeda for just a few minutes is sure to produce a few gut-moving laughs. He's a funny, lighthearted man who is passionate about his business and the people that he serves to keep The Sign Depot a local leader.

"We don't believe in a sale, we believe in a relationship,” he said. “We can all sell each other something, but build a strong relationship with someone that will last for years.

That goes so much further than just a sale."

The Sign Depot has been in operation for 30 years.

"We were one of the few sign companies in the Valley.

Now everyone and their mother has a sign company," Cepeda said. "But that's OK. Bring it on. We might not know about them, but I'm sure they know about us."

Design is at the forefront of the company's operation.

They install signs and manage projects, but many times, it begins with an idea that turns into a unique design that an

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NO MAN IS AN ISLAND

The Rio Grande Valley is known for its strong sense of camaraderie and closeness. Each business, city, and individual helps contribute to strengthening one of the region’s most significant assets: its people. However, the famous saying, “no man is an island,” also applies to the region.

As strong as the sense of community is, it does not do the people or region any good if it is isolated from most of the world. Many may say the Valley is not as well known as it could be.

COSTEP’s Board of Directors and Management saw the potential the area offers and has set out to raise awareness and further widen the region's reach.

On Sept. 1, both COSTEP’S Vice President of Economic Development Matt Ruszczak and Senior Vice President of Business Development Adam Gonzalez flew to Munich, Germany, to attend the IAA Mobility 2021 tradeshow.

Recently, they attended the North American Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Expo in Novi, Michigan, with further plans of traveling to Pontiac, Michigan, to attend the North American International Automobile Show’s Motor Bella event.

COSTEP’s on a Mission to Expand Rio South Texas’ Reach

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The main goal COSTEP wants to achieve is increasing awareness of the region and hopefully attracting more domestic and international mobility industry manufacturers to invest in the area. The trade shows also serve as a factfinding undertaking for Ruszczak and Gonzalez that will help them to not only garner knowledge about current and upcoming industry technology, but also learn which companies are looking to localize or expand their operations.

“One of the challenges that our region has is not the value it has to offer but the fact that it may not be well-known,” Ruszczak said. “So one of the things we are excited for is to tell the story to our new contacts and really engage actively in promoting our region to a new audience.”

Another excitement for the team? Having front-row seats to a changing industry.

“We’re getting all these different angles and learning which direction the mobility industry is going to head to next,” Ruszczak said. “So it’s not just exciting to learn about how things are going to be changing, but the fact we’re going to get to be on the cutting edge of that knowledge. And with any industry that changes, this always creates opportunity.”

Gonzalez says that COSTEP’s efforts have been going well.

“We have been talking to a lot of people,” he said. “It’s not just cars, trucks, and trains. … It’s very interesting to see the direction where it is all headed. It is becoming clear that in order to supply the necessary workforce, the region’s colleges and universities cannot just focus on the current demands, but also need to focus on future skills requirements in the advanced technology area and the STEM field. I think there will be a lot of opportunities for our region.”

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More information can be found on COSTEP’s social media (Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn) and on their website, www. costep.org.

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Winter

BLUES

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Coping with COVID-19 and Seasonal Depression

As we approach this winter season and look forward to sweater weather, we are reminded that we all have our own favorite seasons. The reasons for it are varied.

The transition of seasons may feel like a drastic change for some people. With winter just around the corner, some may start to feel the winter blues. As the temperature drops and daylight hours decrease, energy levels and moods may become negatively affected.

Feeling less energetic or feeling low during the cloudy days of winter is quite normal. Indeed, winter blues is a general term, not a medical diagnosis, and as mental health expert Dr. Matthew Rudorfer puts it, "it's fairly common, and it's more mild than serious. It usually clears up on its own in a fairly short amount of time."

Nevertheless, it is important to note that some people may experience a more severe onset of winter blues. This condition is called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and is considered a depressive disorder that affects 6 out of 100 people in the U.S. Specific symptoms may appear during the fall and winter seasons. Therefore, SAD is sometimes called winter depression. People who experience SAD display an overproduction of melatonin and underproduction of vitamin D due to less sun exposure as the winter days become darker.

Common symptoms include:

• Feeling sad most of the day, almost every day • Decrease in energy levels or fatigue • Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed • • in appetite • Difficulty concentrating • Feeling agitated • Feeling hopeless, worthless, or guilty • Isolating • Thoughts of death or suicide

SAD symptoms may present in children and adolescents in additional ways, such as: • Changes in sleep, either insomnia or hypersomnia • Difficulty arising in the morning • Irritability or sadness • Fatigue or lack of energy • Changes in appetite or weight • Difficulty concentrating • Withdrawal from usual activities

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• Therapy. Mental health professionals can provide assistance and support to people with SAD. In addition, therapists who utilize CBT can be effective in treating their client's symptoms.

According to a recent study, during quarantine, parents "can help to reassure kids/teens that they are safe at home and encourage them to engage in some healthy activities including indoor sports and some physical and mental exercises."

Mental health professionals encourage people to take care of their mental health during the pandemic by: • Spending time with friends and family members, including children and elderly people. If face-to-face interaction is not possible, weekly virtual gatherings with friends can be arranged using available online platforms.

• Getting active by getting involved in different healthy exercises and sports activities.

• Following a structured schedule or routine to help in keeping active and engaged in our day-to-day lives.

This year, the symptoms of winter blues could be further aggravated by spending another winter in quarantine.

In fact, past research examining seasonal depression symptoms suggests that isolation from family and friends during winter is a predictor of winter depression. This suggests that people experiencing winter blues are at a higher risk to present symptoms of SAD or experience severe symptoms while quarantined. Knowing this, you may be wondering how you can take even better care of your mental health.

Managing symptoms can be challenging, but fortunately, there are treatment approaches that can assist in coping with SAD during the winter days. From medications to coping strategies, here are some approaches to combat symptoms of SAD: • Antidepressant medications have shown to be effective in treating symptoms associated with SAD. Consulting with your doctor can help you find the right medication.

• Light therapy (phototherapy). As the winter days become darker, the decrease in sunlight can trigger SAD symptoms. Light therapy acts as artificial light and can counter the decrease in sunlight. Light therapy can also be very effective for children and adolescents. Research has shown that light therapy dramatically improved sleep, appetite, speech, fatigue, and energy in children and adolescents.

Co-authors include Dr. Mercado's Mental Health Lab at UTRGV: Pablo Ruiz, Sandra Valeria Chapa, Andy Torres,

• Vitamin D can greatly benefit those with SAD. Studies have shown that lower levels of vitamin D are linked to depression but increasing its levels may reverse this association.

ARTICLE PROVIDED BY

Alfonso Mercado PH.D., Licensed Psychologist Valley Psychological Services - Assistant Professor Department of Psychology at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | www.utpa.edu/psychology

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Frances Morales and Alfonso Mercado.

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People who experience SAD display an overproduction of melatonin and underproduction of vitamin D due to less sun exposure as the winter days become darker.

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CULTURE OF INCLUSION, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND COMMUNITY IMPACT

How Rodeo Dental Was The Only Dental Service Organization Awarded Best for the World™ 2021

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foundation that allowed for the betterment of their communities.

From its humble beginnings in the Fort Worth Stockyards and the Rio Grande Valley to now having locations across Texas and Colorado, the multidisciplinary dental practice has made it a priority to use their business as a force for social good to create value for their patients, team members, and communities.

Over the past decade, Rodeo Dental has largely contributed to and advocated for a number of foundations and organizations across the country that align directly with its vision. One of those efforts is Dentists Who Care, a nonprofit organization providing charitable dental care to children and families in the Rio Grande Valley.

When Rodeo Dental & Orthodontics launched in 2009, partners Dr. Raffy Kouyoumdjian, Dr. Saam Zarrabi, Dr. Yahya Mansour, Dr. Brian Dugoni, and Dr. William Dunklin aimed to disprove the idea that access to high-end dental care for underserved communities was an impossibility.

“When my partners and I began practicing dental medicine, we witnessed how incredibly vast the issue of tooth decay was in children,” Zarrabi said. “We experienced the scale of this problem, both in urban and rural communities, and had an intention to correct it.”

As a group, they set out to create a dental practice that not only primarily provided access to high-quality, affordable care for every child and family -- regardless of means, status or location -- but to build an organizational

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“We’re an organization that relies completely on volunteerism. Without great volunteers like Rodeo Dental, we wouldn’t be able to continue to impact and make a difference in our community,” said Jacqueline Flores, executive director of Dentists Who Care.

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Dentists Who Care team had to shut down the operation of their mobile unit -- their only source of treating patients. With a community in need and nowhere to go, Rodeo Dental, along with Dentists Who Care board members Dr. Adam Lalonde, Dr. Miguel Castillo III, and Dr. Gary Schwartz, pledged their time, expertise, and clinics to offer access to care for those patients.

“Their organization’s culture of giving back is like nothing I have ever seen before -- they are truly making a difference and changing lives,” Flores said. “We’re so blessed to have them in our community.”

In collaboration with Dentists Who Care, Rodeo Dental has also been able to offer career development and growth opportunities for their doctors and dental assistants with specialized mini-residencies. This year so far, they have collectively been able to host three mini-residencies and provide services to a combined 64 patients across the Valley.

“It’s a plus that they offer events like these where we can really give back to those patients who don’t have the resources to get their own dental care,” said Dr. Madeline Rodriguez, a general dentist at Rodeo’s Ruben Torres location. “It’s also an incredible learning experience for us and an opportunity to advance our skills.”

Rodeo Dental has also been a significant contributor to the renowned Leadership Excellence and Achievement Program (LEAP) Foundation’s LEAP Week -- an annual leadership program hosted for young adults across the globe at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where they’re able to learn lessons from world-class mentors for higher life, personal, and academic achievements.

“About 60% of the students who attend LEAP Week come from underserved families that could not afford the tuition and are sponsored,” said Dr. Bill Dorfman, America’s leading general and cosmetic dentist and founder of The LEAP Foundation. “Dr. Zarrabi and Rodeo Dental sponsor more students than any other organization, donating up to 60+ scholarships a year and making a life-changing positive impact on the lives of many of their dental patients.”

“Their organization’s culture of giving back is like nothing I have ever seen before ­­– they are truly making a difference and changing lives. We’re so blessed to have them in our community.”

J acqueline Flores, exe cuti v e di r e ctor of D e nti s ts W h o Care

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Over the past 12 years, the company has been able to send hundreds of local students -- virtually and in-person -- to participate in the leadership program. More than 30 of those students are IDEA Frontier Brownsville scholars.

Rodeo Dental has since made a commitment going forward that every established practice will send at least one student each year to attend.

“As we grow the Rodeo brand throughout Texas and beyond, we will continue to honor that commitment in order to give more and more students each year the opportunity to experience this renowned and transformative program,” Zarrabi said.

Since its inception, Rodeo Dental has maintained its social fabric to do good, evolved its mission-driven orientation, and empowered social responsibility efforts.

A true testament to the social good a business demonstrates is achieving a certified B Corporation status. The B Corporation status, certified by B Lab, is a badge of honor for brands who are thoroughly committed to using their business as a force for good and go beyond standard business practice to achieve it. This certification proves that a business meets the highest standards for positive social and environmental impact.

The B Impact Assessment (BIA) measures an organization’s impact and its sustainability beyond commercial metrics. It illuminates not just the product or service being offered but the overall positive impact of the company behind it. This score is weighted by five impact areas, including governance, workers, community, environment, and customers.

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“These accomplishments are bigger than us as the founders. This is all thanks to the dedication of our team members, doctors, specialists and the community of patients who have trusted us to provide them with access to highend dental care.”

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The scoring process is intentionally rigorous and is precisely what gives the certification its value and credibility. To qualify for a B Corporation certification, a minimum score of 80 points is required with the average B Impact score of a standard business being 51. While most companies work to do great things for the communities they serve, many of them are still unable to meet the 80-point bar upon the first attempt.

With the combination of their mission and core values in action, this year, Rodeo Dental became the first in the dental service industry to hold a certified B Corporation status with an overall B Impact Score of 108.6.

Additionally, each year B Lab recognizes and honors the top-performing Certified B Corporations within each impact area, an initiative they call the Best For The World

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“Dr. Zarrabi and Rodeo Dental sponsor more students than any other organization – donating up to 60+ scholarships a year and making a lifechanging positive impact on the lives of many of their dental patients.”

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are proud to be recognized as ‘Best For The World’ in regards to how we conduct business and know that this award raises the bar in terms of continued performance and community expectation. The Rodeo Team is always ready to level up.”

The Rodeo Dental team has incorporated their mission and core values into the DNA of their company structure over the past decade, which has resulted in a staff that aligns directly with their vision of doing the right thing, an assemblage of more than 100 consistently awardwinning doctors, and a community of patients who have provided them with more than 50,000 five-star reviews.

“These accomplishments are bigger than us as the founders,” Zarrabi said. “This is all thanks to the dedication of our team members, doctors, specialists, and the community of patients who have trusted us to provide them with access to high-end dental care.”

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program. These are companies recognized for operating at the very top of their class in their designated size group.

Scoring in the top 5% of all B Corps across the world, Rodeo Dental was also awarded 2021 Best For The World within the governance impact area for their best practices regarding mission, ethics, accountability, and transparency. Of the more than 4,000 elite B Corpcertified companies across the globe, 12 won this recognition in the largest size company category of 250+ employees. Only four of those were in the United States.

With this recognition, Rodeo Dental is representing the entire healthcare industry in governance impact.

Additionally, they’re the only dental company in the world to ever achieve an honor of this caliber.

“Our deep-seated core values are steadfast in promoting a culture of inclusion, accountability, and impact,” said Ben Rouse, president of Rodeo Dental. “We

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Dr. Bill D or fma n, A m e r i ca’s l e adi ng ge ne ral an d cosmetic den tist an d fou n der of T h e LE AP Fou n dation .

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THERAPY

DOGS Four-Legged Friends Offer Physical, Social, Emotional Benefits in Variety of Settings

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They offer companionship, unconditional love and can always brighten up your day. Dogs are a human’s best friend. And they offer more benefits than many people may realize.

Through animal-assisted therapy — which can also include cats, horses, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, pigs, alpacas, and llamas — people can improve their mental and physical wellness by bonding with an animal.

Denise Silcox has served as a volunteer evaluator and instructor with Pet Partners for nearly 15 years and has one of her three dogs active in the Therapy Animal Program. To enroll, a person and their pet must complete a handler’s workshop, then be evaluated as a team to ensure they work well together.

“People look at their animal and say, ‘Wow, this dog is so good with people. It would be a good therapy dog,’ but they forget they need to be good at it too,” said Silcox, who is also a licensed professional counselor and clinical assistant professor for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s School of Rehabilitation. “The workshop covers basic obedience and skills and testing their aptitude for therapy-type situations involving escalating stress levels.”

Once trained, the animal — which Silcox said are primarily dogs — can be employed in a variety of environments, from prisons to hospitals to schools and more.

“Basically anywhere there are people and the agency will let the animals in, they can go in,” Silcox said. “There are a lot of benefits, and they sometimes differ in different populations, but generally, physically, research shows just five minutes of petting a dog can lower blood pressure, increase dopamine and serotonin receptors, and lower levels of anxiety and depression.”

A study from Loyola University Health System

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“There are a lot of benefits, and they sometimes differ in different populations, but generally, physically, research shows just five minutes of petting a dog can lower blood pressure, increase dopamine and serotonin receptors, and lower levels of anxiety and depression.”

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Den ise an d F l ip, y el l ow jacket in dicates th at th ey are a crisis respon se team wh ich is an advan ced design ation an d is con ju n ction with Pet Partn ers an d F E M A.

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Do n n y a t UT R GV.

At r i ght, Don n y atten ds y oga. Bel ow, h e li s te ns to a story du rin g a readin g even t.

shows patients recovering from total joint replacement surgery who received animalassisted therapy in the form of five- to 15-minute daily visits experienced a 28% lower need for oral pain medication compared to patients who did not.

In addition to physical and emotional benefits, animal-assisted therapy provides social benefits, as well.

“With seniors, it can increase their communication,” Silcox said. “They may only pet dogs for a couple of minutes, but they’ll then start talking about the dogs they’ve had in the past.”

Another common setting for animalassisted therapy are libraries, where the dog or animal can lie down for a few hours and be read to. This is also a less rigorous visit that older dogs near retirement are well suited for.

“People have done studies that have concluded reading out loud to a dog raises a child’s reading level by two grade levels,” Silcox said. “It sounds kind of silly reading to a dog, but reading out loud increases their fluency.”

Though animal-assisted therapy is provided on a volunteer basis to help others, Silcox said the handler also reaps some benefits and strengthens their relationship with their pet.

“All you really have to do is have an animal you can work with and have the heart to help

people,” she said. “In order to do it right, it is time-consuming.”

To reduce the risk of transmitting any infection, the animal must be bathed or cleaned and have their nails or hooves trimmed prior to the visit. Furthermore, to become part of the Pet Partners Therapy Animal Program, most species of therapy animals require their rabies vaccination, and all must go through a health screening and be re-evaluated every two years.

With dogs as the most commonly used animal for the program, Silcox said any type of breed can have success -- depending on their individual temperaments and personalities.

“One of the best therapy dogs I’ve seen in my life came from Corpus Christi,” Silcox recounts. “Gang members had gotten ahold of him, caused him physical harm, and left him on the side of the road to die.”

Silcox continued to explain a friend of hers saved him, brought him back to health, and started using him for animal-assisted therapy.

“He went to the children’s hospital every week and was the sweetest, most forgiving dog -- even though he had every reason not to be,” she said.

Prior to the pandemic, Silcox said there were 10 local Pet Partners teams, but the number has since wavered. She is hoping to recruit and help certify more volunteers.

Anyone interested may visit petpartners.org or reach out to Silcox at dsil418@aol.com.

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BIRD COUNT Keeping a Bird Checklist and Checking It Twice

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by Quinta Mazatlán World Birding Center-Urban Ecologist-John Brush There are millions of birders around the world. In 2011, there were an estimated 47 million birders in the U.S. alone. These millions of birders do what all birders do: find birds. They don’t just find them, though; oftentimes, birders keep meticulous notes of where they were, how many of each species they saw, and then they share this information with other birders. In the data-driven world of science and conservation, this makes birders a valuable resource for collecting data.

Enter community science projects (also called citizen science) developed to harness the diligence of enthusiasts around the world. There are many examples of these projects, from eBird -- an online, crowdsourced database managed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology -- to the U.S. Geological Survey’s Breeding Bird Survey (active since the 1960s). However, the longest-standing community science project is the Christmas Bird Count (frequently abbreviated as the CBC).

The CBC was started in 1900 by the Ornithologist Frank. M Chapman. Like a growing number of other birdenthusiasts at that time, he was concerned by the sheer volume of birds being killed each year -- especially during the popular holiday hunts. He proposed a simple idea: Instead of shooting and counting birds, people should just count them. The idea quickly caught on and has become one of the most popular birding events in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.

For participants, these sort of community science projects offer extra purpose to doing an activity they already enjoy and can actually enhance their experience.

For example, the eBird project is an easy way for birders

to not only track where and when they have seen birds but also can be used to help find birds through rare bird alerts and a searchable database of birding hotspots. Some birders keep track of how many days in a row they have submitted data to eBird for extra motivation.

For scientists, these projects offer data at a volume and scale that they would not be able to collect otherwise.

Instead of a team of scientists having to spend countless hours traveling, counting, and entering data, they can simply aggregate and download what they are interested in and begin analysis. Since 2020, thousands of scientific articles and books use or reference eBird data.

Community science projects like eBird and the Christmas Bird Count are more than just fun activities for birders to experience. They also do more than just generate data for scientists to analyze and explore sometimes esoteric questions about birds. Counting birds for these projects also can have direct impacts on conservation efforts and environmental policy. In 2019, an article published in the Journal Science used community science data to discover that there are 3 billion fewer birds than there were in the 1970s -- a whopping 30% decline -- and identified key groups of birds and habitats that were especially impacted. Without knowing the problem, there would be no way to fix it.

There are many reasons to count birds; it’s fun, joins you with a community of people also counting birds, and can help conserve the very species you are counting.

Whether you are in your yard gardening, visiting a local park, or driving hundreds of miles in search of an elusive species, it’s good to count (and share) birds.

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First Annual

GALA Greater Chamber of Harlingen Has Much to Celebrate

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by Faith Chua | photos provided Upon entering the room, you are greeted with several people dressed in beautiful and elegant clothing, walking around and mingling with one another. Soon, the lights dim until the primary light source is the brightly illuminated stage. Servers instantly started making their rounds, offering refreshments as people began to settle in. As the noises started to die down, the Master of Ceremonies, Dr. Art Cavazos, made his way to the podium and addressed the audience.

Oct. 21 marked the first annual gala held by the Greater Chamber of Harlingen. This evening marked many milestones the chamber has undergone in the past year, including a new President/CEO, Javier De Leon, and an entire new team. One of these huge milestones consisted of incorporating five small surrounding cities (Rio Hondo, Santa Rosa, Los Indios, Primera, and Combes) that had no chamber of commerce to now be under the umbrella of the Harlingen Chamber of Commerce. This immediately changed the vision of a singular chamber to a regional chamber called the “Greater Chamber of Harlingen”. A result of this regionalist approach by the Greater Chamber will now allow for a stronger traffic flow coming into Harlingen from those smaller cities while the Greater Chamber of Harlingen will be providing the resources and networking opportunities that the small cities would never otherwise have had.

It was the first event since the COVID-19 pandemic where businesses and members of the chamber received awards for excellent service. The event also marked the official introduction and passing the baton from past to future chamber board officers.

The first annual gala served as congratulations to the businesses who managed to not only survive the pandemic but to find ways to adapt and become better because of it.

The keynote speaker for the evening was Julian Alvarez

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III, the current commissioner representing the Labor of Texas Workforce Commission. Alvarez, who is from Harlingen, was sworn into his current position in 2016, and he shared a few words about that experience that later shaped how he would promote the Texas workforce.

Since taking on the role, Alvarez and his team have been working tirelessly with city officials around Texas to help close the skills gap.Their efforts are also being felt at the secondary education level as Harlingen CISD is the first school district in Texas to implement virtual reality equipment training for their high school students.

Through their efforts, the unemployment rate of Texas has dropped to 5.9% and has continued to decline since the event. The drop is impressive since our society is still readjusting to life as we now know it. Alvarez also acknowledged how difficult the pandemic has been for people and businesses, including the commission.

"Now, I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge that fact,” he said. “During the pandemic, we as an agency were receiving 62 calls every second of the day. Pick up how overwhelmed we were, but we were listening to the industry at the same time. We were talking to our legislators. We talked to higher ed. We were listening. We were able actually

to put these individuals into employment right away.”

As the event continued, many businesses and individuals received awards for their exceptional work and dedication, especially during the pandemic. This year, there were also three new awards: the Chairman's Choice Award, the Nonprofit Excellence Award, the Woman Empowerment Award, and the Achievement and Community Outreach Award. These new awards rewarded and promoted businesses' efforts to foster a more inclusive and equitable environment.

The Greater Chamber of Harlingen’s Javier De Leon stated,“The expectation from the community, business and industry and our Chamber of Commerce members is one that we do not take lightly. The Chamber team is constantly looking towards not only ways of being relevant, but continue to build a chamber that is the synergy of information in Harlingen. Our laser focus goal will be to look at ways to bring in business, but more importantly, to ensure that the businesses that invested in our community have all the resources available for their success.”

The first annual gala for the Greater Chamber of Harlingen signals a new beginning for economic prosperity within the Rio Grande Valley.

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BLOSSOMING

BEAUTY Flower Farm and Nursery Continues Providing Services to the Community

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by Jose De Leon III | photos by Mark Puente and provided A field covered in flowers is among the many sights awaiting those visiting Wild August Flower Farm and Nursery.

Located at 16802 Garrett Road in Harlingen, Wild August is best known for creating bouquets for customers who wish to brighten someone’s day with some of the most beautiful blossoms that can be found at the flower farm.

Wild August also hosts farmer markets on their farm and events at their venue. Jennifer Wilson, who started the business with her husband, Jimmy, did not imagine her business would grow like this.

“I never intended to be a florist,” Wilson said. “I wanted to grow roses and plants, and I still get to do that. But I never intended for it to be a flower shop.”

Wild August started as Lucy’s Garden in 2005. At the time, the tiny retail nursery specialized in heirloom roses.

“I started cutting flowers out of those rosebuds to make bouquets thinking that people would see the roses and want to come to buy a rose plant and grow it themselves, but nobody did,” Wilson recalled. “Everyone wanted more bouquets. I started getting more calls of that nature from people asking for them.”

Wilson, who at the time was a teacher, spent her nights and weekends making the bouquets for a year until she decided to quit teaching to make bouquets full time -- and Lucy’s Garden became Wild August.

“And it’s just taken off from there,” Wilson said.

Today, Wild August has just under 1 acre of land containing 200 plants that represent 50 different varieties of cut-flower production -- as well as the small, heirloomrose nursery that started it all.

Wild August’s popularity has even crossed over to outside the farm. Wilson and her husband used to go to

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“I started cutting flowers out of those rosebuds to make bouquets thinking that people would see the roses and want to come to buy a rose plant and grow it themselves.

Everyone wanted more bouquets.

I started getting more calls of that nature from people asking for them.”

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NOV/DEC 2021

Jennifer W i l s on, W i l d Augus t

local farmer’s markets to sell bouquets to promote the business, where business exploded, Wilson said.

“After that, we quit going to farmer’s markets and now host our own market on the weekends,” Wilson said. “We have dozens of vendors here, and every year it grows a little bit more. Our goal is to have the flower market open every day except Sunday, so people grab a bouquet and walk through the garden as the place is only open during our farmer’s market. I hope we become a great little spot in the community because people don’t come here for the flowers, they come here for the community in the market.

It’s so fun.”

Prior to the pandemic, Wild August held community workshops to teach members of the public how to make bouquets. Wilson said she hopes to host more workshops again so people can celebrate the local flowers.

“The bouquets speak to the seasons, locale, and voice of the Valley,” she said. “It’s a celebration of our place because we’re also using things that are here.”

Despite the success of Wild August, Wilson is humble about her business and has been since the beginning.

“When I started using my own flowers in bouquets, I was very intimidated and thought, ‘If people only know that I’m not a florist and used stuff I cut from around my house, they’d think I was a fraud,’” she said. “Now, after all this time, I feel the opposite. I feel very proud of using all these flowers. I feel like the profession chose me.”

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VA L L E Y R A IL ROA D

HISTORY Laying the Tracks to a Modern RGV

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by N a t ha ni el Ma ta | ph otos pr ovi d ed b y M a r g a r e t H . M cA l l e n Memor i a l Ar c h i ves a t th e Mus eum o f S o u t h Tex a s H i s t o r y The railroad running through the center of towns across the Rio Grande Valley is a community staple. The train that runs alongside Business 83 is something all of us are used to, and we can't remember a time without it.

Today it might cause a slight delay in your car commute, but over a century ago, it put the Rio Grande Valley on the map in a way it never was before.

We only have to travel back in time to examine the rails' genesis and importance to the area. The RGV's premier history institution helped paint the picture of 19th- and 20th-century conditions that led to the infrastructure boom.

According to Museum of South Texas History (MOSTHistory) CEO Alejandro Guajardo, much of the credit for attracting a rail down to the Valley from up north goes to John Closner at the turn of the 20th century.

"The national narrative is really centered around industrialization, modernization, and urbanization," Guajardo said. "Those three concepts are the frame of the railroad coming to South Texas. If there is no push to industrialize across the country, then the railroad doesn't come to the Valley, if there is no push to modernize -- innovation and invention were unstoppable across the country."

The national and even international push for advancing society reached

both South Texas and northern Mexico in the decades of peace following both the Mexican-American and American civil wars.

"What this country was doing post Civil War, in the age of reconstruction and of course Jim Crow, you have an unbelievable historical precedent of the invention. You also have major investments in steel and coal."

Guajardo said.

The "father" of the local railroad in the Rio Grande Valley was lawman and entrepreneur John Closner. You might have driven on the road with his namesake in Edinburg city limits, but his push to bring the railroad had an even greater impact. He arrived in the RGV in the 1870s after assisting with the railroad project in Mexico.

In the late 19th century, he was heavily involved in the modernizing of northern Mexico. He helped accelerate that same process in the RGV. He was at the forefront of the irrigation push that moved this area's focus from largely ranchingfocused into farming and agriculture.

Closner was a larger-than-life character who was not always a saint, getting involved with multiple women and leveraging his eventual friendship with powerful lawyer J.B. Wells into a position as Hidalgo County sheriff. He was also a local tax boss and was in the know of who was behind on taxes, often

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Sam Robert son Const ruct i on Cre w Crew l ay in g rail wit h su rfacer crew com in g from beh in d.

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On Ju l y 1, 1912, th is l in e from bran ch in to E din bu rg was taken over by St. Lou is, Brown svil l e, an d M exico Rail ro a d at a mon ey ou tl ay of $50,0 54 for th e road an d equ ipmen t , in cl u din g two pret t y wel l worn ou t l ocomotives.

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Flossi e t h e Trai n

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" F l o ssi e t h e Tr a i n .

T hi s v ie w o f t h e e n g i ne s ho w s s i d e o n w hi ch the w o r d C h apin does n ot appear. Smal l portion of passen ger car sh owin g on l e ft a n d p o r t io n o f w a t e r to w e r s ho w i ng on r i ght. Fr om le f t to righ t, Rich ard (Dick) Hou ston , An n ette (Dottie) Grover-foster dau gh ter wi t h t h e ir d o g Kin g in f r ont of he r. R i char d (D i ck) Mar s h a gu est of M orris Hotel an d roomin g h ou se n ext door E ast; Ch arl ie He c k a ssis t a n t e n g in e e r, Johnny G e i ng co nductor w i th G e ne Diaz stan din g beh in d h im. F l ossie h ad th e abil ity of a san d crab, sh e c o u ld ru n e q u a l l y a s w e l l ba ck w ar d s as f o r w ar d s . She cam e to Ch apin an d backed h ersel f to San Ju an .

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acquiring land that way.

His enemies even tried to assassinate him at one point … but back to the railroad.

"There's a dramatic story of John Closner as a political boss who amassed large chunks of land, who built a pumphouse, who grew lush sugarcane in a place that's very difficult to grow sugar cane that he then entered in the World's Fair in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1904 in the crop competition," Guajardo said.

Closner's sugar cane won first prize against growers from around the world, hailing from South American, the Caribbean, and as far as Asia.

Guajardo said there is no other explanation for this endeavor but as a launching point for out-of-town investment and attracting commerce, citizens, and a railroad.

The rest is history, and perhaps without this ambitious, head-strong, and sometimes bullish push for modernization, the RGV might have a much smaller footprint in this world.

The railroad today still serves a purpose and still runs daily. Businesses along the track are able to move products up and down the Valley. In Harlingen, the train switches and heads northbound alongside US-77 towards the industrial hubs of Corpus Christi and eventually Houston.

The Rio Grande Valley Switching Company interchanges with Union Pacific Railroad in Harlingen, delivering all kinds of goods from the RGV as well as north from Mexico. The website says it services the Mexican trucking industry as well as the bustling oil and gas industry in Mexico's Burgos Basin.

Now when the train horn goes off or even stops you dead in your tracks, you'll know the rich history of how the railway came to be and how it drastically shaped and molded the area we call home today.

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RECYCLING

RESURGENCE Young People Lead the Way in Recycle, Reuse Efforts

by Nathaniel Mata Finding ways to reduce our carbon footprint, reuse products beyond their

plastic

with

bottles,

plastics.

It

glass,

can be processed is all the rage these

because different places sometimes only

days. With climate change and more

depends

do certain levels," she said.

eco-friendly initiatives, many people

Her weekly routine consists of taking

are making sure to be conscious of

all of the family's recyclables over to

their habits.

the McAllen facility, which offers dropoff for non-residents. At the center, there are huge containers for cardboard,

Since Alaniz presented a school

glass, metals, mixed recyclables, and

project to her parents, the whole family

debris. McAllen residents have access to

was hooked on better practices to reduce

additional services.

waste and recycle.

"My family has been recycling since

NOV/DEC 2021

recycle

cardboard,

this is nothing new.

.

"We

original purpose, and recycle things that

For Alamo native Annemarie Alaniz,

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must make a trip to a center.

Alaniz believes that if more towns made recycling easier and a part of

I was in the third grade," she said. "It's

residents'

just something that was a natural part

increase participation.

weekly

routine,

it

would

of my life. It's not something that I really

"I do wish more cities did curbside

question, so with other people, when I

collection because I feel like more people

go over to their place, and they're not

would be motivated to start recycling,” she

recycling, sometimes it catches me off

said. “It's not a huge change.”

guard that, yeah, not everyone does this."

She's lived outside of the Valley and says

It's true that not everyone recycles.

that places like Austin or Los Angeles have

This is amplified because not all cities

recycling built into the culture and economy.

in our region have convenient options for residents to recycle.

"If the place I moved to had access to a place I could take my recycling, it was

McAllen and Edinburg are the two

always really close and not out of the way,”

RGV municipalities that offer curbside

she said. “It doesn't disrupt your routine. If it

recycling pick-up, where residents just

wasn't inconvenient to people's day-to-day, I

need to collect in their homes and put out

think it would work better.

a bin once a week.

For residents like Alaniz in Alamo, they

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The tide does seem to be turning, with RGV leaders exploring more options and

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"It has the potential to create jobs, and in a time when people are looking for that or wanting new opportunities, I think it will be wonderful and more beneficial to the community than people assume."

Our Policy is Caring

Annem a r i e Al a ni z

donated, they often end up in developing countries' landfills or coasts.

Road that non-residents can use. Edinburg

Local business owner Portia Lopez makes

also has a drop-off center, as does Weslaco

candles using discarded bottles and small

and Brownsville.

pots. Her brand, SowGoodCandles, also

Brownsville expanded a program to offer

comes with seeds to plant and begin a new

weekly drop-off cities in each of its four

life. This practice is known as “upcycling”

districts to give residents a chance to take

and fits in a low-waste lifestyle. Her unique

reusables. Mayor Trey Mendez told the media

vegan candles have gained strong traction

that this was an interest gauging effort to

on social media, getting orders around the

possibly add curbside recycling services

world.

down the line.

Alaniz believes that there can be an impact on the economy and job creation if

dove head-first into reuse culture and small

cities Valleywide built facilities and pushed

businesses. Thrift stores and vintage shops

for recycling.

have exploded in popularity, tackling the "fast

"It has the potential to create jobs, and

fashion" industry. This refers to Americans'

in a time when people are looking for that

excessive purchasing of clothing items only

or wanting new opportunities, I think it will

to be thrown away after minimal use.

be wonderful and more beneficial to the

Reports say even when clothes are

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Like Alaniz, other locals in the Valley have

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building facilities to recycle.

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TAKE. BLESS. BREAK. GIVE. One Organization's Mission to Spread the Word of God through Food b y Fa i th C h u a | p h o t o s b y J a co b M e n d o z a

said. “We're in God's country, so it's wonderful

businesses and factories have streamlined

to be outdoors hunting and fishing. And so,

the meat processing and fishing industry, it is

while we're outdoors, of course, we're very

not hard to take food availability for granted.

mindful of the Holy Spirit. And then, if we're

The current consumption rate of meat and

able to harvest an animal, we pray over the

fish in the United States alone has caused

animal after we harvest it.”

growing environmental concern. One group

Members of the order often hunt to help

has found a way they can personally help not

with wildlife management. Often, certain

only the environment but also the community.

species need to be hunted to maintain the

Rev. Rod Clark from the Diocese of West

herd's health and not overpopulate the

Texas and Rev. Christian Baron from the

ecosystem. Some members hunt on their

Diocese of Western Michigan founded the

own land for various animals like whitetail

Order of Naucratius. The idea came from

deer, nilgai, feral pigs, and turkey. Ethically

being more conscious of the meat we

hunting some of these animals helps them

consume and its impact on the environment.

manage their estates better and keep the

The

environment balanced.

organization

is

affiliated

with

the

Episcopal Church and believes that meat and

The order usually donates what meat

fish are sacred gifts from God and shared with

they've hunted and processed to nonprofit

those in need.

organizations such as the local food bank

The order goes by three rules of life:

and Loaves and Fishes. Occasionally, there

prayer, conservation, and charity. Rod Snell, a

will be particular gatherings to show gratitude

member of the organization, talked about the

towards members of the community. Clark

importance of sharing food with others while

sometimes takes some of the meat from

maintaining the balance of consumption and

the Order and uses it for cooking breakfast

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.

"First of all, we pray when we're hunting,” he

grocery store and pick food off the shelf. As

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preservation of nature.

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Far from the days of hunting and gathering, many of us have to drive to our closest

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tacos for members of the U.S. Border Patrol.

we're just a little drop in the bucket. They

Some members, such as Snell, will take their

have a 10,000-square-foot facility where they

initiative outside of the organization. Snell

process thousands of pounds of meat that

likes to take his wife and children and go to a

people donate on a daily basis."

neighborhood in need to hand out some meat they have.

"It's

really

so

During the pandemic's peak, the order could

appreciative and so thankful,” he said. “And

a

great

thing

they're

not harvest as much as they usually do due

when we tell them that it's deer meat, I mean,

to restrictions. Fortunately, the organization

their eyes light up. They know exactly what

is starting to regain some traction and

they're getting because they know it's fresh,

encourages everyone to join.

it's organic, it's lean meat, it's very healthy for you."

"We're just simple guys that like to hunt and fish, and we love the outdoors, and we love God, and we love to spread ministry,” Snell said. “Women are also invited to participate

an affiliated organization in San Antonio.

… and kids too. Kids love to hunt and fish,

"If we have excess meat and we're not

and it's really healthy to get them outdoors

sure what to do with it, we can always call

get them away from video games and all the

them,” Snell said. “They'll send a truck down

distractions of social media in this day and

.

Still, there will occasionally be some meat left over, so the order will contact Trinity Oaks,

from San Antonio, and they'll pick up 1,000

age. Anything you can do to raise your kid

RGVISION MAGAZINE

NOV/DEC 2021

As much good as the organization does, they were not left unaffected by COVID-19.

pounds or 2,000 pounds of meat and take

according to the Bible and God's creation,

it back up to their processing facility. There

getting them out there, it's special."

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