January / February 2022 - RGVision Magazine by RGVision Magazine

JAN UARY/FE B RUARY 2 0 2 2 | VO LUM E 14 ISSUE 1

Made in the Valley: TEXAS SOUTHMOST COLLEGE MARKS 95 YEARS The Valley’s first higher education institution continues to play a vital role in region’s development and success. p.44

BOTH OARS IN THE WATER How the Rio Grande is an everlasting connection between two countries and their people. p.24

NATASHA DEL BARRIO CEO of Bert Ogden and Fiesta Auto Group shares story. p.30

Chorizo de San Manuel Successful chorizo brand honors history and builds a tasty future. p.38

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RIO GRANDE VALLEY CHAPTER

WE BUILD THE VALLEY Experience the priceless advantage of RGV AGC membership. THANK YOU TO OUR 2020 RGVAGC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Noel Munoz President

Michael Montalvo Treasurer

Tre’ Peacock GC Director/ State Director

Jason Eberle Associate Director

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Jorge Gonzalez Past President Tri-Gen Construction LLC

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Kevin Bennett GC Director Vaughn Construction

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Joey Trevino Executive Director RGVAGC

Rio Grande Valley Chapter of AssociatedGeneral Contractors of America 6918 West Expressway 83 Harlingen, Texas 78552 | Phone: 956-423-4091 | Fax: 956-423-0174 RGVAGC

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

James Hord Barbara Delgado Carlos Maximo Cantu

WRITERS

CONTENT CONTRIBUTORS

1 Corinthians 12:25-26 Most successful leaders I have met have a gift of compassion, and can see past their own problems to provide solutions that positively impact those around them. "Believe, when you are most unhappy, that there is something for you to do in the world." - Helen Keller. In this issue of RGVision, we get to hear from leaders with a similar mindset who have healed, fed, and educated our community. In every issue of RGVision, we feature leaders in the medical, education, government, and corporate sectors who have had a positive impact on our community. We are proud to publish these articles about issues that we all have faced. It is only through our readers, like you, who pick up and share these stories that we can continue to inspire, educate, and inform the world about the region we call the Rio Grande Valley. “so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored every part rejoices with it.”

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Elisa Garcia Rocio Villalobos Nathaniel Mata Steven Hughes Jose De Leon III Bryan Kirk Aimee Ashby Katie Goodman Elsa Cavazos

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TABLE OF

CONTENTS 2022

VOLUME 14 ISSUE 1 RGVISION MAGAZINE

38 ON THE COVER

MADE IN THE VALLEY: CHORIZO DE SAN MANUEL

Successful chorizo brand honors history and builds a tasty future.

B OT H OA RS IN T HE WAT ER

NATA S HA DEL B A RRIO

T EX A S S OU T HM OS T C OLLEG E M A RK S 95 Y EA RS

How the Rio Grande is an everlasting connection between two countries and their people.

CEO of Bert Ogden and Fiesta Auto Group shares story.

The Valley’s first higher education institution continues to play a vital role in region’s development and success.

EDUCATION Dual Language for All pg 10 Joy of Learning pg 12 Standardized Testing pg 16 Back to School pg 18 Beyond the Uniform pg 20

BUSINESS Maximize Your Recovery pg 22 How to Start a Business pg 28 Building a Bigger Future pg 34

HEALTH To the Beat of the Heart pg 48 Student Mental Health pg 50 Bright & Healthy pg 52 Spicy Food pg 54 Butter pg 56 Orthopedic Care pg 58

QUALITY OF LIFE Nature Resolutions pg 60 Step by Step pg 62 Growing Appetites pg 66 The Port Isabel Lighthouse pg 70 See You Later Alligator pg 76 Bringing the Outside In pg 82

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.

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DUAL LANGUAGE FOR ALL

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PSJA ISD Among School Districts Selected by TEA to Pilot New Statewide Dual Language Initiative Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD is among the few school districts selected to be part of the first-ever statewide dual language initiative — the Texas Effective Dual Language Framework — being developed by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to increase dual language enrichment programs across the state. As one of the few districts in the Rio Grande Valley and Texas to offer a districtwide Dual Language Enrichment Program, PSJA ISD will play a key role in helping develop a framework that will be used statewide. The key goals of the new statewide dual language initiative include increasing dual language effectiveness, increasing the number of dual language pre-K through 12th-grade programs across the state, and reflecting on student outcomes of biliteracy, bilingualism, academic achievement in both languages, and social-cultural competence growth, according to TEA Dual Language Coordinator Dr. Xochitl Rocha. As part of the initiative, leaders from TEA’s English

Learner Support Division visited classrooms at Santos Livas Elementary and PSJA Memorial Early College High School in November 2021. “We know that PSJA ISD has been the pioneer for dual language, so we wanted to bring them into the picture to collaborate and provide us feedback based on their experience to really refine the framework to be usable and manageable across the State of Texas,” Rocha said. First started in 1995, the PSJA Dual Language Enrichment Program’s mission is to help students develop biliteracy skills and maintain high levels of cognitive abilities. Through a rigorous curriculum, students who participate in the program receive academic instruction in English and Spanish from pre-K to 12th grade. Currently, there are more than 14,000 elementary, middle school, and high school students in the program. “From this experience, we are also hoping to take our program to the next level,” said PSJA Dual Language Director Olivia Martinez. “In the RGV, most school districts

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ABOUT THE PSJA ISD DUAL LANGUAGE ENRICHMENT PROGRAM First started in 1995, the PSJA Dual Language Enrichment Program’s mission is to help students develop biliteracy skills and maintain high levels of cognitive abilities. Since its creation, over 1,000 students have graduated with Dual Language Bi-Literacy Seals on their high school diploma. This seal is given only to those students who complete the rigorous program, helping them master both academic English and Spanish languages. Each year, thousands of elementary, middle school, and high school students participate in the program. In addition to learning a third language — Mandarin Chinese or Arabic — at select schools, all students who participate in the program are academically instructed in English and Spanish from pre-K to 12th grade. As a result, students enhance their education by developing the ability to fluently speak, read, write, and think critically in English and Spanish, which allows them to compete successfully in a global economy. To learn more about the PSJA Dual Language Enrichment Program, visit www.psjaisd.us/duallanguage.

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students are among our top-performing students, often ranking in the top 10% of their class.”

offer dual language mostly up to middle school, but at PSJA ISD, our program is available all the way through high school to make sure students continue to develop cognitively, linguistically, and academically in both languages. Another aspect of our program is the socialcultural component to really help our students understand their roots, identity, language, and history — and why it’s important.” In addition to receiving rigorous instruction, PSJA ISD students can graduate with a Bi-Literacy Seal on their high school diploma. This seal that officially certifies them as bilingual and bi-literate is nationally recognized by employers and education institutions. As part of the district’s continuing commitment to support dual language education districtwide, the PSJA School Board unanimously passed a Dual Language Program Policy in 2020 to ensure that the program has the necessary support to continue developing students who achieve high academic standards in both languages. As part of the policy, PSJA ISD committed to continue hiring and retaining quality staff, funding appropriate professional development, and providing program facilities and instructional resources. “It’s an honor to be part of this pilot. To be able to have TEA here wanting to learn from our PSJA teachers and principals confirms that we are the ‘standard’ of what can be possible when you emphasize and recognize the importance of a dual language curriculum and the pedagogy that goes along with it,” said PSJA Superintendent Dr. Jorge L. Arredondo. “The data in our district is very clear and consistent that our dual language

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JOY OF LEARNING Valley's Newest Free Charter School Will Offer Dual Language Teaching from Pre-K Through Eighth Grade by Br ya n K irk | ph otos pr ovi d ed

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• Two-way dual language immersion where students master both Spanish and English • Classical-plus education that focuses on cultural content • Deep family involvement in which parents are involved in their child's academic development and honored as their child's first educator • Character formation based on the cardinal virtues of courage, wisdom, justice, and self-control Brenner said he and Gallagher listened to what parents in the Valley wanted for their children and couldn't find a school that met their needs. So they began laying the groundwork and ultimately obtaining the charter, which is poised to open its doors in August 2022. "There are definitely schools that talk about being classical, and there are schools that are integrating technology,” Brenner said. “There are even schools that emphasize character, but I think what's unique about us is that we are combining those pieces in a comprehensive yet seamless model. This isn't only a unique school in the

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JAN/FEB 2022

Courage, wisdom, justice, and self-control. These are all core virtues for Brillante Academy, the Rio Grande Valley's newest charter school program for elementary school students. Located in Mission, Brillante Academy is modeled after the highly acclaimed Brilla Public Charter School in the Bronx, New York, and is led by founder and Superintendent Aaron Brenner and founding principal Cecilia Gallagher, who between them have nearly 50 years in education experience. "Our vision for Brillante Academy is to be both a duallanguage and a classical-plus school,” Brenner said. “A school where we are focused on the great books, and we are also focused on literature and content that represent the voice of our local community.” The focus of the academy is to ensure that students in the Valley are prepared for high school, college, and beyond. Some of the key design elements of balancing tradition, innovation, personalization, and character formation also include:

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"When we say holistic, we mean that children will grow (in) mind, body and spirit," Brenner said. In addition to mastering reading, writing, and speaking in English and Spanish by fifth grade, Brillante scholars will "be exposed to rich cultural content, be engaged in the classroom through the socratic method, and build their character through learning virtue — all in partnership with parents as their child's first educators,” he said. Brenner said he wants families in the Valley to understand that there are options to a traditional public education for their children. That includes the unique model offered at Brillante Academy, which he referred to as "an option of excellence." There are no assessments for students to be admitted to Brillante. "We are accepting applications now, and are excited to give families a new, yet proven option for their children in the Valley," Brenner said.

Valley. It's a unique school across the state of Texas." It's free to attend Brillante Academy, which will begin by teaching children in pre-K, kindergarten, and first grade in 2022. The academy then plans to add a grade each year up to the eighth grade. As the student body will be smaller to start, some parents who are still hesitant about sending their children to school amid the pandemic may be comforted. Gallagher, a native of the Rio Grande Valley and the first in her family to graduate from college, said too many school districts are phasing out Spanish out of a fear that English comprehension will suffer. However, she noted, gaining mastery of two languages enriches all subjects and allows native-Spanish speakers to maintain relationships with Spanish-speaking family members – and leverage their abilities in future careers. The two-way dual-language approach, which means that all subjects will be taught in both English and Spanish rather than having a single Spanish class during the day, is what first caught Gallagher’s attention. "Our school isn't just for Hispanic students," she said. Gallagher herself came from a successful charter school program in the Valley. "Brillante Academy is for any parent who wants to see their child receive an excellent and holistic education." And it's a model parents love, as 98% of parents are satisfied or more with Brillante Academy’s sister school, Brilla Academy.

To learn more about the benefits of a Brillante education, scan the QR code or visit brillanteacademy.org.

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STANDARDIZED

TESTING How Pandemic Impacts Student Outcomes in Standardized Assessments

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b y Ai mee As h b y In March 2020, schools across Texas and the nation had to quickly adapt to a new way of delivering instruction because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Teachers and students were suddenly having to navigate learning in a virtual environment, and the adjustment proved to be challenging. Parents had to take on the role of educational facilitators for their children, while many also struggled to balance their work schedules. Student productivity was affected by these changes. State assessments came into focus during that same transitional time. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced the decision to cancel the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness program for the remainder of that year due to the effects of the pandemic, and A-F accountability ratings for schools were also paused by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) during that year. A year later in spring 2021, students were given the option of taking the STAAR. There was a state participation rate of 87% compared to 96% in 2019. The TEA released results that showed a decrease in academic performance and found that the negative impact of the pandemic erased years of improvement in reading and math. Preliminary results showed that students who met their grade level had dropped from 47% in 2019 to 43% in 2021 in reading and from 50% to 35% in math in grades third through eighth. Some education leaders remain optimistic that the return to in-person learning will benefit students and help improve scores.

In spring 2020, many Texas colleges and universities also waived the ACT and SAT entrance exam requirements, and some made the tests optional through fall 2022 due to continued limited access to testing opportunities for students. Many testing sites closed due to their inability to meet social distancing requirements. As a result, many testing dates were canceled. According to its website, the University of Texas at Austin is implementing a more individualized holistic approach to admissions now and will use criteria such as school transcripts, essay prompts, and letters of recommendation for consideration. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has also made SAT and ACT submission optional this year, according to information on its website, and is implementing criteria such as class rank, prior college hours, community involvement, leadership experience, and career goals as part of its admissions process. Christina Hernandez, principal at Gonzalez Elementary School in McAllen, says that teachers and staff have been working hard to make sure all students are making academic progress and are prepared for state tests, but it will take time to address the learning gaps that occurred with some of the students. "In some cases, we do expect to see the effects of the pandemic when the scores are released,” she said. “Students lost almost two years, and it is going to have an impact.” For example, some fifth-graders at the

JAN/FEB 2022

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every student had access. With the use of engaging apps, teachers and district coordinators held students’ attention. Assessments at the beginning of the school year showed that these efforts may have paid off. "There are students that are doing very well, and we anticipate that they will continue to do well,” Hernandez said. “We have given two six-weeks assessments, and they continue to grow.” Some students, however, may need additional help, including those who are new to the district and those who came from out of state. Gaps in their learning will need to be filled with accelerated instruction as well as tutoring and other interventions. Some of the same issues will likely apply to middle school and high school students when they take the STAAR this coming year. Teachers are working to ensure that the students are getting their needs met. "Our district was rated A, which tells you that schools in McAllen did a phenomenal job,” Hernandez said. “Gonzalez Elementary was also rated A. Of course, we are hoping that we will maintain it, but I am being extremely cautious about that because of all the learning that has been lost. We are certainly aiming toward that A. I think eventually, in a year or two, we will get back to where we were pre-pandemic.” Time will tell. Students from third grade through high school will participate in the STAAR this spring, and results may be released toward the end of the school year.

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school have never taken the STAAR, as they were in third grade when the pandemic first forced schools to close. “The test was not administered then, and in the spring of 2021, it was optional,” Hernandez said. “There are some students that don't even know what the STAAR looks like, and they will need to be exposed to all the content and material that was lost during the last year and a half — and to the format of the test itself.” The beginning of virtual learning was challenging. Teachers had to learn new technology overnight, and it was stressful and time-consuming. Sometimes, there were problems with Wi-Fi connectivity, or students could not log in to certain apps or programs. Staff was made available to help parents and students solve problems that arose. There were also issues with motivating some of the students to attend classes daily. Teachers worked with the parents, and students got better about logging in and participating in the lessons. Hernandez applauds her team’s efforts during this time. They adapted to all the changes, and it has made them much stronger. "Students in McAllen were very fortunate to have been provided the tools they needed to do virtual learning,” she said. “The district immediately rolled out iPads to the students that did not have a device at home, and hotspots were provided to families that did not have internet service to ensure that

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BACK TO SCHOOL In-Person Classes, Extracurriculars Return Excitement to Campuses by N a t ha ni el Ma ta

For most of modern U.S. history, school is one of the most consistent parts of society. Young people need to get an education, and there's very little that can disrupt that important process. Even during world wars, school went on. So when the pandemic caused the education sector to go remote, a whole new era began — an era dominated by Wi-Fi, Zoom, Google Classroom, and virtual education from kindergarten to doctoral dissertations.

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Since the world is still recovering from the pandemic's effects while addressing ongoing variants, it's difficult to tell the long-lasting impact.

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mind is available by the vial. Guerra believes that as students resume normality slowly but surely, things will return to normal. "I think the kids will bounce back," he said. "The more time they spend in school as far as social skills, they'll catch up." There is big talk nationwide about a potential "learning gap" that students in the age of COVID will face. Since the world is still recovering from the pandemic's effects while addressing ongoing variants, it's difficult to tell the long-lasting impact. Guerra is glad that the “no pass, no play” rule is effective so that students wishing to participate in sports or the arts still need to maintain a passing grade in each class. "At the very least, they're earning a 70 if they want to participate in activities," he said. In addition to academic work, extracurricular activities are a crucial part of the true return to normality for the thousands of RGV students who re-entered the educational setting. UIL athletics like football and basketball are back in full swing, as are academic events like mock trials, masterminds, and more. As these events become more commonplace and shots get into the arms of more people, the light at the tunnel gets a little brighter as we get closer to the COVID crisis being a thing of the past.

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In 2021, in-person classes resumed for many. Despite the lingering COVID-19 situation, many were happy to return to educational settings — especially considering the difficulties of virtual learning. David Guerra is a grade school educator from Edinburg who has watched his profession and the students he guides change over time. "I'm happy to be back in the classroom, especially with the STARR exam up in the air," he said. "It's definitely easier to teach to actual faces and bodies rather than names on a screen." As most of us who resorted to online meetings know all too well, it can be difficult to get engagement while people are in the comfort of their homes. With students, this is compounded because social skills are learned at school and were put under a microscope as that time was lost to health precautions. One of the challenges is the emotional and social gap for students who spent nearly two years and parts of three school years in an awkward virtual limbo. "In many ways, seventh-graders are still fifth-graders," Guerra said. "That's no one specific group's fault. They were just out of school for two years." Many districts are involved in assisting vaccine efforts. With shots now available for children as young as 5 years old, peace of

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BEYOND THE

UNIFORM A Closer Look at Brownsville ISD’s Police Department b y Fa i th Ch ua | ph otos pr ov i d e d At the start of the 2021-22 school year, many campuses nationwide once again hosted the lively chatter and footsteps of students and faculty returning after a long period of online classes. In-person classes offered an opportunity to revisit the importance of school safety and in partnership with the local community — including her in the Rio Grande Valley. Brownsville ISD is committed to working

in tandem with its students and the community. With the belief that students are the district’s number one resource, Brownsville ISD strives to foster a healthy and safe environment where everyone can thrive. The district police and security services there play a significant role in ensuring that students continually feel secure and protected. The school district believes in

engaging with the community as a whole, not just the students. These leaders look to take a proactive part in students’ lives. “We come from a very deep-rooted Hispanic culture,” said Oscar Garcia, Brownsville ISD chief of police. “When I was growing up, our grandma was at home with us. We learned very early that the nucleus of the family is very important. We strongly believe in that and have a strong commitment not only to our children in this community, but we also have a commitment to the parents that bring children to BISD.” The police department is unifying the district and community through the Safe Schools Parent’s Academy. This biannual program is designed for those already actively engaged with Brownsville ISD as volunteers, partners, or supporters of the district. Topics include how to keep students safe and secure with how Brownsville ISD approaches school safety. Another unique aspect of the Brownsville

"(The pandemic) is so challenging, but we feel as a department our team is really focused, and they provide a tremendous support to our schools — and, more importantly, to our children.”

changes and modifications to the programs to better accommodate students’ needs at any given time. When COVID-19 hit, and while students were learning from their homes, training for the Brownsville ISD police department did not stop. Members of the department connected with one another virtually. It was burdensome, Garcia said, to learn how to navigate Zoom and other teaching methods. In spite of the difficulties, work continued, and operations returned to a more traditional format this past fall. “Had we had some challenging times? Of course,” Garcia said. “Every school, every community goes through that, and we’re no different. We have many challenges. Who would ever think that we would work with a pandemic? (The pandemic) is so challenging, but we feel as a department our team is really focused, and they provide a tremendous support to our schools — and, more importantly, to our children.”

O s ca r G a r i ca ,

Brown svil l e I SD ch ief of pol ice

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ISD police department is its training division, one of the leaders in the development and delivery training programs the school district offers to enhance school safety and security. The training division allows members of the community to become a Texas Commission of Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Peace Officer or TCOLE Reserve Peace Officer. “We’ve been very fortunate to not only have that distinction here at BISD police department, but it also allows us to offer training and assist other agencies who need the mandated training,” Garcia said. “We have topics from active shooter and crime scene containment to cultural diversity training that’s required. It’s an honor actually, to have had that [TCOLE certification program] bestowed upon this department from the State Commission on Law Enforcement.” Working so closely with the community and constantly training, there are inevitable

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Steps to Take to Leverage the Value of Your Claim As traumatic as a car accident can be, what happens afterward can be just as scary. The other driver’s insurance company may try to bully you by denying the claim or by offering an embarrassingly small amount of money. It can be a nightmare trying to navigate the claims process to get your car repaired. You wish you could hire a lawyer to help, but money is tight. Rest assured, you won’t have to pay any money out of your pocket to hire an injury lawyer. Injury attorneys usually work on a contingencyfee agreement. This means that you do not pay an attorney unless he or she collects money for you. The fee structure is often 33% of settlement proceeds if your case is resolved without having to file a lawsuit and 40% if a lawsuit is filed. Injury attorneys will also pay for case expenses out of their pocket and will be reimbursed out of the settlement proceeds. It is a good idea for your attorney to have some “skin in the game” to ensure that he or she will work to maximize your recovery, thus maximizing their fees. After a car accident, you might need to see a doctor or a chiropractor. If you don’t have medical insurance, this can mean paying out of pocket for a doctor’s visit. Fortunately, most injury lawyers work with medical professionals who are willing to treat clients based on a Letter of Protection (LOP). An LOP is a letter that assures the professional that their bills will be paid out of the settlement proceeds.

This allows the client to receive the care they need without having to worry about paying for medical procedures or even medication. Most people’s biggest concern after an accident is how they will get to work or get their children to school. Car repairs following a traffic accident can sometimes take as long as three weeks. With supply chain issues and a lack of parts, clients have been waiting even longer. What will you drive in the meantime? Do you have to pay for a rental car? Sometimes a client’s insurance policy will provide for a rental car after an accident. If yours does not, an injury attorney can help get you into a rental car. An attorney can advance funds to a client so that he or she may be able to rent a car. The attorney will be reimbursed for this advancement from the settlement proceeds. As you can see, a car accident does not mean that you will be out thousands of dollars. You can leverage the value of your claim to help get your life back on track. An injury attorney has the tools to assist in this pursuit. He or she will work with the other driver’s insurance company to maximize the value of your case and ensure that you receive what you deserve. From the proceeds of your claim, you can pay your attorney, medical professionals, and any funds advanced for a rental car. Don’t let a lack of funds keep you from pursuing your claim against a negligent driver. Contact an injury attorney today.

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BOTH OARS IN THE WATER How the Rio Grande is an Everlasting Connection Between Two Countries and Their People

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by Fa ith C h ua | ph oto pr ovi d ed

nation and around the globe. “These bridges [of Rio South Texas] are the arteries of the region,” said the Counsel for South Texas Economic Development Progress (COSTEP) Vice President for Economic Development, Matt Z. Ruszczak. One of the main connecting points in the region is the Laredo International Bridge System. According to the bridge’s website, its mission is “to serve as the most convenient and safe crossing points for all citizens and tourists of both U.S. and Mexico, as well as facilitate the crossing of all freight and importexport trade that utilizes the Port of Laredo.” One look at the crossing’s annual statistics verifies that the Laredo International Bridge System meets this goal with aplomb. The Laredo International Bridge System is by far the number one truck border crossing in the United States with 2,133,327 crossings for the first 10 months of 2021, almost twice the quantity of the

What do you think of when you hear the word "border?" The Cambridge dictionary defines it as “the line that divides one country or place from another.” The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as a boundary or “something that indicates or fixes a limit or extent.” No matter where you look, the word border indicates division and separation. However, for the Rio South Texas region, the border is anything but divisive. Looking at a map, the Rio Grande (known as Rio Bravo or “Brave River” by residents on the southern riverbank) looks as though it would divide the United States from Mexico. However, rather than divide the two nations, it serves to connect them. From an economic and cultural standpoint, the river sees thousands of people and commercial goods traveling between the two countries across its system of bridges on a daily basis. These bridges have become essential aspects of daily trade, not only to the region but also to businesses across the

For those who live in the region, that border, delineated by the river, is a means to connect, trade, and collaborate with others. Being at the connecting point of the U.S. and Mexico allows for a distinct and rich culture to grow and for future-oriented commerce to thrive. Rio South Texas is a unique region due to its history and geographic location, and COSTEP invites the rest of the world to explore the opportunities it provides.

number 2 ranked crossing, with 1,162,478 trucks for the same time period. Additionally, the Laredo International Bridge System truck crossing numbers are up 11.7% compared to the same time period in 2020, and they are also up 6.7% compared to the first 10 months in 2019, which outperforms pre-pandemic conditions. Using the river to facilitate the transport of goods and people is nothing new to the Rio South Texas region, which dates back to at least the 14th century. While the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo had been part of daily life for centuries, it wasn’t fully mapped until the passing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. Around this time, steamboats, which had become popular throughout the United States, were also used on the river. While today’s river is no longer as deep and as wide as it used to be, due to the dams built in the past decades for irrigation purposes, the history, culture, and importance of the river runs deeper than ever.

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For more information on Rio South Texas, visit www. costep.org or follow the organization on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter: @costep

JAN/FEB 2022

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Your Heart

IS IN GOOD HANDS With Our Award-Winning Cardiac Care

For more than 25 years, South Texas Health System® Heart has been committed to helping improve the heart health of our patients and community. Our award-winning cardiac care can assist in identifying your risk of developing heart disease and diagnosing any conditions you may already have. As one of the first dedicated cardiology and cardiovascular facilities in the country and the Valley’s only dedicated heart facility of its kind, we offer round-the-clock care. Our cardiac care team offers advanced diagnostic testing, noninvasive and invasive treatments, cardiac rehabilitation and preventive education, as well as the region’s only dedicated cardiac emergency room.

• Recipient of the Healthgrades Coronary Intervention Excellence Award™ for 3 Years in a Row (2020 – 2022)

• Named Among the Top 10% in the Nation for Cardiology Services for 3 Years in a Row (2020– 2022)

• Named Among the Top 10% in the Nation for Coronary Interventional Procedures for 3 Years in a Row (2020 – 2022)

• Five Star Recipient for Coronary Bypass Surgery for 6 Years in a Row (2017 – 2022)

• Five Star Recipient for Treatment of Heart Failure for 4 Years in a Row (2019 – 2022)

Call 956-994-2000 or visit southtexashealthsystemheart.com to learn more about our innovative services.

Physicians are independent practitioners who, with limited exceptions, are not employees or agents of South Texas Health System. The System shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. For language assistance, disability accommodations and the nondiscrimination notice, visit our website. 22651359-656042 12/21

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O W N E R S H I P

1 0 1 :

HOW TO START A BUSINESS IN

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HARLINGEN Harlingen EDC, City Leaders Outline Tips for New Business Owners 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 Starting a business is a dream to many Americans, but it can take a lot of work and planning before the dream of business ownership becomes a reality. Sure, you’ve written a business plan for a restaurant, bar, or boutique, but that’s as far as this dream has progressed. There’s a lot to do, and it’s hardly uncommon for people looking to start a business to feel overwhelmed. So what needs to happen? Where do you

need to go, and what do you need to do next? Which permits will you need to begin improvements to the rental space? These were just a few of the questions Harlingen Economic Development Manager and CEO Raudel Garza discussed during a Choose Harlingen meeting with city leaders. Garza was joined by Beverly Loftus, the Harlingen EDC’s commercial development manager, Robert Gomez, the City of

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“The incentives are for those people who are trying to start a business and who aren’t sure whether Harlingen is the right spot or not. We will help you decide by going through that process, and hopefully bring them back, so they can choose Harlingen.”

industries in the South Texas region, and companies are often looking to start in industrial areas, particularly with a warehouse. In this case, they have to comply with the building codes, especially if there are necessary upgrades, and have to go through the permitting process. However, just like with retail or restaurant spaces, if the use is the same as the building was designed for, the business would require a re-occupancy inspection. So, where does the Harlingen EDC come in? Sometimes Loftus will act as a liaison between the customer and the city and help them navigate the process of starting a business. The Harlingen EDC may also offer incentives to new business owners who choose to locate their business in Harlingen, which usually requires completing a project review form. The project review form is a key document that helps the Harlingen EDC advocate for this business to its board and may help determine incentivization. “Sometimes those incentives are based on job creation, capital investment generated, and the sales tax that’s being created from that business,” Loftus said. Garza said a meeting with the Harlingen EDC should be the first step of every potential business owner. This allows the corporation to showcase the Harlingen community, especially for those potential businesses with no ties to the community. “You need to apply for these incentives before you buy the property, and before you actually make up your mind to build in Harlingen,” Garza said. “The incentives are for those people who are trying to start a business and who aren’t sure whether Harlingen is the right spot or not. We will help you decide by going through that process, and hopefully bringing them back, so they can choose Harlingen.”

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Harlingen’s chief building official, and Xavier Cervantes, the city’s planning director. One of the first things that a potential business owner should consider, especially if they already have a specific property in mind, is the location and how it is zoned. “We have different categories for commercial zoning, so depending on the type of business that is pursued, there may be different zoning categories for that business,” Cervantes said. “Hopefully, the property would be in a commercial corridor, which would make it easier to get that zoning.” The planning department would also have to determine if the property is subdivided and if the property has the proper infrastructure, such as drainage, sidewalks, water, and electricity. Once those are approved, the business owner would submit construction plans to the planning department for approval. The building plans are routed through several city departments and can take a minimum of two weeks for final approval. “There are times they want to come in and remodel the space,” Gomez said. “In a case like that, there are documents the applicants will need to submit in order to apply for the building permit: the site plan, the floor plan, and possibly engineering may be required.” Of course, there are instances where there’s no need for remodeling. This is most common with retail or restaurant space, Gomez said. In cases like these where the applicant wants to start a retail business in a retail space, the city will schedule a re-occupancy inspection. There are also different rules for business owners looking to build an original structure. In this case, a building that is 5,000 square feet or larger will need plans that have already been approved by a licensed engineer. Delivery services and logistics are one of the key

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Ra ud el G a r z a , H ar li nge n Eco nomic Devel opmen t Corporation M an ager an d CE O

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Natasha Del Barrio CEO of Bert Ogden and Fiesta Auto Group Shares Story

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by Elisa Garcia | photo by Barbara Delgado Not many people can say they are the CEO of a company they used to work for while in high school, but for Natasha Del Barrio, this rings true. She became the CEO of Bert Ogden and Fiesta Auto Group in 2017. Del Barrio explained it was never her intention to become CEO, but the opportunity grew through a healthy work environment, dynamics, and relationships. Two years after becoming CEO, Del Barrio was recognized in Automotive News with the 40 Under 40 award. Before Del Barrio graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in marketing and a Master of Business Administration degree from the then-University of Texas-Pan American, her career journey began while doing small family jobs like babysitting, cleaning, and taking care of pets. Having built a work ethic around such jobs, she explained that her uncle, who worked in the automotive industry, took notice. "My uncle called me after school one day, and he said, 'Hey, there's a position open in the marketing department for marketing directors looking for an assistant, and I think you'd be a good fit. But if this

is something you want to do, then you've got to take the initiative, and you've got to get the job yourself,'" she recalled. But when Del Barrio asked for the number to call, her uncle hung up on her. "That's a love lesson there,” she said. “Those are good life lessons." Having been hired as the part-time marketing assistant in 1999, Del Barrio maintained the position throughout high school and well into college. She went on to work for CitiGroup and JP Morgan Chase after graduating. While at JP Morgan Chase, Del Barrio said she became pregnant with her first son, Ethan, and she was traveling for work about 26 weeks out of the year. Her new life chapter led her to work at Bert Ogden as a corporate strategist in 2012. She explained that she wanted a job where she could be home every night for her son. In fact, Del Barrio said her identity is not complete without her three children. "I'm a mom first before I'm a CEO, and that's that," she said. "That is one thing that I will grant as an absolute. These little ones are so precious to me, and they motivate me to do better, to do more. And

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"I just feel a very significant responsibility to the team members here and into making the best decisions for the overall wellbeing of the team members, the company, and the community.”

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N a ta s h a D el B a r r i o, C E O of Bert Ogden an d F iesta Au to Grou p

they motivate me to set a great example for them, one of honesty, integrity, working hard, and doing what's right." Del Barrio takes her personal motivators and applies them to her responsibilities as CEO. A typical day for her is nonexistent, but this detail about her role is one of the things she loves about the job. "There's certainly rhythms to our business. But my work is far more project-based and broad scope overall. There's nothing routine about it, which I really like because I don't get bored," she said. Some of her favorite projects include acquisitions and philanthropic giving — as well as devoting her time and attention to her team. "I just feel a very significant responsibility to the team members here and into making the best decisions for the overall well-being of the team members, the company, and the community,” she said. Although Del Barrio is now the CEO, she explained it was never her intention to come back in 2012 to climb the ladder as she did. "Even from my early college years, I would observe (Robert) Vackar working and running these dealerships, and I would think to myself, 'Someday, I want to run this dealer group,'” Del Barrio said. “But it was a very far-fetched concept. It was one that you don't even think that you're entitled to speak out loud because it's just so outlandish." Del Barrio said she is not one for absolutes — there are many pieces of advice she would have for future young women aiming to be the next CEOs

and community leaders. "Take your seat at the table. Don't be afraid to speak up,” she said. “You have been given a beautiful and powerful voice; use it, but use it wisely. Use it to learn more, use it respectfully and thoughtfully express opinions.” Another piece of advice has to do with advice itself. "Listen to all the advice and only take what applies,” Del Barrio said. “Everybody's got an opinion. It doesn't hurt to listen. But you got to figure out how to filter out what's good from what's not necessary.” Surrounding yourself with good people is something else Del Barrio recommends. “You've got to figure out who your people are,” she said. “Having a tight circle of good-hearted, sincere people is critical to anyone trying to get anywhere in life — not just in business, but in your personal life." Despite Bert Ogden having 21 buildings and 24 franchises across the Rio Grande Valley, the company continues to be in growth mode. "We continue to look for opportunities to bring new dealerships to the Rio Grande Valley and represent new products to the customers here," Del Barrio said, adding that her company looks forward to more electric vehicle fleets. "We're really excited for what the future holds with that and taking all the necessary steps to make sure that we're perfectly ready." To learn more about Bert Ogden and Fiesta Auto Group, visit bertogden.com.

95 YEARS of SERVICE

TO OUR COMMUNITIES in the RIO GRANDE VALLEY

As the longest serving institution of higher education in the Rio Grande Valley, TSC is celebrating 95 years of academic excellence. With over 50 programs to choose from, TSC is the most affordable institution in the region. After 95 years, our students, alumni and extended family continue to be Scorpion Proud and Scorpion Strong.

tsc.edu (956) 295-3600

•

80 Fort Brown | Brownsville, Texas

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BUILDING A BIGGER FUTURE Expert Discusses Construction Growth in the Rio Grande Valley b y J o s e D e Le o n I I I

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It’s a sight that has become a nuisance for drivers in the Rio Grande Valley these last several months: traffic on the expressway due to a project to expand it, expected to be completed in 2023. For Joey Treviño, executive director of the RGV chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America, the sight of traffic on the expressway is a sigh of success. “Driving along the expressway now, you can tell the traffic has increased,” Treviño said. “Twenty years ago, the expressway was expanded from two to three lanes, and now we’re going to four lanes. You can tell that’s a sign of growth.” According to results from the 2020 census,

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“Development is important for any reason to grow through economic investment in the community. It gives us an opportunity for the community to expand job growth potential and educational potential.”

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J o e y Tr e v i ñ o , execu tive director of th e RGV ch apter of th e Associated Gen eral Con tractors of America

the population of the Rio Grande Valley grew by over 117,000 residents in the last decade. The population of the four-county region now stands at nearly 1.4 million people. “Our area is growing, cities are developing new parks and hike and bike trails — amenities we’ve needed for a long time, and that young people want,” Treviño said. “We’ve been developing for this. There’s a housing boom leading to new subdivisions being created all over the Valley to address the population growth. It’s taking a while, but slowly and surely, it’s coming to fruition.” Treviño, who attended the then-University of TexasPan American in 1998, recalled how small the Rio Grande Valley was at that time. He credits education for advancing the area. “All we had was urban and regional planning,” Treviño said. “There were no jobs here, and unemployment was 16-17%. Then the region started to grow because of different educational opportunities with the expansion of UTPA, the creation of STC in the 1980s, and the creation of The University of Texas at Brownsville. All those schools gave us more opportunities to learn and grow. And we grew economically as well.” As education in the Valley grew, so did construction, leading to more businesses in the area and the expansion of several schools in the Rio Grande Valley,

Treviño said. “Development is important for any reason to grow through economic investment in the community,” Treviño said. “It gives us an opportunity for the community to expand job growth potential and educational potential.” With the growth came economic opportunities for the Rio Grande Valley that attracted businesses, Trevino said. “Our sales tax numbers in the area are great, and even through the first year of the pandemic, the figures were steady,” Treviño said. “Even through COVID, retail still boomed, so that’s attracting retailers we’ve never seen before. That’s a positive change.” The growth, Treviño said, addresses the issue of what he calls “brain drain,” where local talent ends up moving elsewhere and not coming back to the Valley. “Now the opportunities here are changing that,” Treviño said. “We have a young workforce here, and they are seeing how the area is growing and choosing to stay here. We have SpaceX, which is making the area attractive and bringing in new businesses and construction of homes and subdivisions throughout the Valley. This area has been steadily increasing.” To keep the growth going, Treviño said the public needs to take part in the community. “Educate yourself here, hire and work local,” he said. “It’s possible to get a good job without leaving.”

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Made in the Valley:

Chorizo de San Manuel Successful Chorizo Brand Honors History and Builds a Tasty Future

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by Nathaniel Mata | photos by M e l i s s a G u e r r a a n d p r o v i d e d by Chorizo de San Manuel

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If you've lived in a Mexican-American family in the Rio Grande Valley in the last 40 years, there's a good chance you've seen and eaten chorizo with the iconic green label that reads Chorizo de San Manuel “Guerra's Brand” Inc. The Mexican-style sausage made of seasoned pork is a taste of home, a taste of the Valley, and a taste of history. When local residents think of comfort food, there isn't much more familiar than Chorizo De San Manuel.

THE LEGEND OF GUERRA'S BRAND For decades dating back to World War II, in the small town of San Manuel, Adolfo “Shorty” Guerra and his brothers opened a small general store. There, Guerra began to produce the tasty homemade chorizo, which customers could buy by the link or the pound. The general store attracted RGV residents who were either leaving or returning to the Valley, and served happy

— now throughout Texas and neighboring states. Their three grandsons have now joined the business. Once the Flores family took ownership of the proven successful recipe in 1975, they worked to get the chorizo into local stores and restaurants. They eventually became USDA inspected, giving them more opportunity for growth. "Ever since I was born, I grew up at [what is now]

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customers for years. Eventually, it was time to move on from the business and retire. Guerra made an offer and eventual sale to Luis Flores Jr. Luis Flores Jr. and his wife, Vicky, gradually expanded the company to serve the growing and hungry Rio Grande Valley population. Eventually, his children joined the family business and expanded it beyond the RGV

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The Flores family would like to thank all their loyal customers for their support over the years. The family will continue to strive to stay true and authentic to their brand.

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THE NEXT LEVEL The current factory is hard to miss from any of its surrounding roads. The facility has capitulated the company into a new stratosphere of production. The iconic chorizo doesn't just have a Valleywide reach. "Our company has grown quite a bit," Marco Flores said. "The stories I have been told by my grandma, about how my grandpa and his brothers used to sell chorizo to the mom-and-pop grocery stores, convenient stores, and restaurants delivering out of an old milk truck. We eventually worked up to delivering to our local H-E-Bs. From there, we worked into [H-E-B's] warehouse and went from there. Now it's in Walmart, Sam's Club, Costco, Kroger, Aldi. We're even shipping to some Walmarts out of state." The company has shipped products to individual customers across the U.S. from New York to Hawaii — and overseas, he added. It's another example of the power of a quality product and the strong desire for food that takes you back home, back to your childhood, and never disappoints. From local routes on an old milk truck to supplying distributors across the nation, the Flores family has worked hard to build a brand, a reputation, and ultimately, a Rio Grande Valley icon. The Flores family would like to thank all their loyal customers for their support over the years. The family will continue to strive to stay true and authentic to their brand.

COMMUNITY-CENTRIC Even though the chorizo company comes from a small town, Chorizo De San Manuel makes a big impact on the lives of South Texans. Looking at a growth chart of the Valley and the chorizo company is like looking at mirror images. The RGV population in 1980 was 600,000. Today it is more than 1.3 million. In 1985, Chorizo de San Manuel built its first federal-inspected factory in a 4,500 square-foot facility. In 2005, it moved into a new 20,000 square-foot space. Marco Flores said the company often receives kind messages about their food. "Every time we go somewhere, and [people] see our cap or our shirts, they're like, 'Man, I really love your chorizo, it's the best, that's all we buy,’" he said. “It's really nice and humbling to hear people talk well about our product. “When people ask me where San Manuel is, and I am explaining to them where it is, and then they bring up something like, ‘Oh, where the chorizo plant is,’ and I say, ‘Yes, that’s it,’ it’s an awesome and inspiring feeling that

people recognize our small community,” he continued. “Linn-San Manuel is a tight-knit community, but it's growing, and we're happy to be a part of that."

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our older chorizo factory down the road. Now we're at this building here off of [State Highway] 186 and [U.S.] 281," said Marco Flores, one of Luis Flores Jr.’s grandsons. "I graduated college in 2014 and came back to work for the family. It's been part of mine and my cousins’ whole life." “Guerra's Brand” became a part of the official name and on the packaging when it was incorporated back in 1976. Luis Flores Jr. did this in order to pay respect to Guerra. The recipe and quality have stayed consistent, and is a 100% natural product — a big part of the success of the Mexican-style sausage.

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TEXAS SOUTHMOST COLLEGE MARKS

95 YEARS The Valley’s First Higher Education Institution Continues to Play a Vital Role in Region’s Development and Success

has played a critical role in the economic development around here since it was created.” While the college has grown in its programs and initiatives, accessibility has remained a priority. Since 2013, the Board of Trustees has reduced tuition and fees twice — making TSC the most affordable higher education institution in the RGV as well as one of the fastest-growing community colleges in the state. The college’s accessibility goes beyond the cost. On top of its traditional Monday to Friday class schedule, TSC offers evening, online, hybrid, and accelerated six-, eight-, and 12-week courses — and it will soon launch the TSC Beyond Initiative. This initiative was designed for adult learners in mind and utilizes a hybrid class model through which students can earn an Associate of Arts degree in general studies in under two years. “Holding a college credential creates resiliency in the workforce,” said TSC Board Chair Ruben Herrera, who is also a TSC alumnus. “Associate degree graduates have access to higher-wage jobs and a degree provides a pathway to advancement for entry-level workers, qualifying them for supervisory positions.”

The Roaring ’20s did not miss the Valley. Much like the rest of the nation, Brownsville was in a period of prosperity and rapid growth. According to U.S. Census data, Brownsville’s population increased by more than 85% from 1920 to 1930 with more than 22,000 people counted in 1930. As the region grew in both population and development, including the Gateway International Bridge and Brownsville International Airport, so did the need for advanced education. In 1926, Texas Southmost College was established as the RGV’s first institution of higher education. Over the past 95 years, TSC has stayed true to its mission of providing a high-quality, affordable education close to home. As a TSC student in the early ’60s, Board of Trustees Vice Chair Dr. Tony Zavaleta can attest to how the college helps lay the foundation for a prosperous career. “I was able to get my academic start at TSC, then branch out and have my credits transferred to the University of Texas at Austin,” he said. “I had to work throughout college, and this is the case for many students and families in the RGV. So, the community college is a great option, and it

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by Rocio Villalobos | photos provided

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campus up to date with state-of-the-art equipment and technology. Looking ahead to the next century, leaders see TSC continuing to play a vital role in the region’s growth and development through its investments in its students and the community. “Above all, TSC will remain committed to student success,” TSC President Dr. Jesús Roberto Rodriguez said. “The strong collaboration between the college and the communities we serve will ensure TSC remains on the front lines of innovation in promoting student academic success and workforce development. Together, we will help keep our communities Scorpion Strong.”

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With all of TSC’s leadership local to the RGV, Herrera said all decisions are made with an understanding of the culture, passions, and priorities of the community. “We benefit from good leadership and a united board,” Herrera said. “The Board of Trustees, president, and all of the campus leaders work, live, and raise our families right here in the Rio Grande Valley.” He added that evolving along with the needs of the community has been the key to overcoming challenges and continuing to grow. In addition to its associate degrees and short-term training programs designed to immediately launch students into the workforce, TSC has a presence in the community’s entire education life cycle by providing STEM camps for local middle schools — and early college high school and dual-credit courses — all at no cost to families. “The life cycle continues through degree programs that transfer to the university or allow graduates to be employed immediately upon completion,” Herrera said. “After securing employment, continuing education programs and customized corporate training provide community members with the ability to upskill or retrain for an employment opportunity supporting workforce development.” Workforce development is supported with capital investments. Over the past three years, more than $23 million has gone toward installing new workforce labs and active learning classrooms, as well as keeping the

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

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H E A L T H

TO THE BEAT OF THE

HEART South Texas Health System Offers Award-Winning Care at the Valley's Only Dedicated Heart Hospital

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by Elisa Garcia | photos provided In the United States, heart disease is the leading cause of death for most ethnic and racial groups, per the Centers for Disease Control. In the Rio Grande Valley, one hospital stands to provide dedicated heart-related medical care to patients: South Texas Health System Heart (STHS Heart) hospital in McAllen. When it opened in 1996, STHS Heart was one of the first freestanding cardiology and cardiovascular hospitals in the U.S. Today, it remains the RGV's only freestanding heart hospital and has provided award-winning care to cardiac patients in need. In the past three years, STHS Heart has been named among the top 10% of the Nation for Cardiology Services and Coronary Interventional Procedures. It is also the only hospital to receive the Healthgrades Coronary Intervention Excellence Award for three years in a row. Carol Mejia, director of advanced cardiac care services, has been working with STHS Heart for a little over 20 years. Mejia oversees the Structural Heart program, specifically the Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) program. She is also a part of the shared care Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) team, among others. “The most rewarding part of my job is providing support and information to help patients, and their caregivers, understand their diagnosis — and how they can participate in their care to

optimize their quality of life," Mejia said. "With the Structural Heart program, I most appreciate working with the patients in the preparation for the valve replacement procedure, seeing them through to the procedure and beyond, seeing them obtain relief of symptoms, improved health, and quality of life." One of the many heart services provided by STHS Heart is the TAVR procedure. Mejia works closely with the physicians who perform the procedure, which involves the insertion of a manmade valve to help increase blood flow from the heart to the body. TAVR patients can begin to restore blood flow and decrease symptoms of aortic valve stenosis, which is the narrowing of the valve between the left lower heart chamber and the body's main artery. "(TAVR) patients have a lower length of stay, minimal discomfort, those kinds of things. So it's a much less invasive manner to replace their aortic valve," Mejia explained. "Aortic valve stenosis comes along with a lot of symptoms of shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, and decreased quality of life. So, when we can offer an option, and especially one that's less invasive and easier on a more frail and possibly more elderly patient, it's nice to be able to offer something that they feel like, 'Gosh, I think I could get through that,' compared to an open surgical procedure is quite difficult for a very frail or elderly patient to endure."

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“The most rewarding part of my job is providing support and information to help patients, and their caregivers understand their diagnosis, and how they can participate in their care to optimize their quality of life." Carol Mejia,

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Mejia further described a fairly new device offered at STHS Heart, CardioMEMS, that helps heart and congestive failure patients monitor their condition with pulmonary artery pressure remote monitoring. "One of the things with heart failure patients is almost a daily self-monitoring of symptoms and close communication with their physicians," Mejia said. "So the CardioMEMS is a small pulmonary artery pressure sensor placed in the body into the pulmonary artery. It will continually monitor the pulmonary artery pressure, and that's the first place in the body that volume overload starts to cause an increase in pressure where someone could notice that and treat it early. It's just a nicer way to avoid a lot of exacerbation and hospitalizations." Along with surgical care, STHS Heart offers the South Texas Health System Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation program, which is one of the only intensive cardiac rehab programs in South Texas. If you or anyone you know may be at risk for heart disease, STHS Heart offers noninvasive and low-cost cardiac screenings to assess one's heart health. For more information, the hospital is located at 1900 S. D St., McAllen, TX 78503 and can be reached at (956) 994-2000.

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director of advan ced cardiac care services

H E A L T H

STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH AND INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

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From Pre-K to Grad School Students of all ages, from pre-K to grad school, face challenges with their mental health as well as issues that can affect it. Common difficulties include academics, family situations, and personal problems. It's crucial for students, and anyone else, to seek professional help if they experience mental health issues. While there are many aspects of mental health that can only be treated by professionals, parents and families have the power to help their children. It can begin with parental awareness of children's behaviors and recognizing when their children are experiencing difficulties.

The Centers for Disease Control found in 2021 that 1 in 6 students experience a form of mental health disorder. Although any minor can experience any form of mental health symptom, anxiety symptoms are much more likely among school-age children, peaking in the ages of 12 to 17 years of age, according to the CDC. Luckily, parents can play an important support factor: • Pay close attention to your child's eating and sleeping habits. Major changes in them can indicate a need to seek professional help. • Actively monitor academic performance and your child’s experience in school. • Actively listen to your child's concerns. Stress is unavoidable, but the impact of parental and family love is a great protective factor.

UNDERSTANDING MENTAL HEALTH Students are vulnerable to higher stress levels related to the demands from school, including adjusting to changes related to online learning during the pandemic.

H E A L T H

• Schedule family or parent-child bonding times. Spending moments with your child can be a great source of joy for you both. Seek activities you and your child enjoy. Similarly, college students experience psychological distress and are at higher risk for mental health symptoms that could last throughout the completion of their degree. For example, the early 20s are a likely onset age for many mental illness symptoms, with anxiety and panic disorder symptoms being the most common — followed by depression symptoms, according to a 2015 study. Once again, college stressors may be unavoidable, but the family plays a vital role in decreasing the impact of college life afflictions. Here are some tips to help your college-bound family members: • Talk about mental health. Speaking freely and nonjudgmentally about mental health with your family can increase the bond and foster a sense of trust to disclose afflictions. • Talk about care providers. It may be beneficial to have a list of trusted health providers to seek mental health services from. During the pandemic, telehealth services are also available and are easily accessible. • Talk about on-campus health services. If the college has mental health services, encourage seeking such services when needed. SEEING THE SIGNS It's pivotal that parents recognize any changes in their child's behaviors to get them help with their mental help. Common symptoms of a student/child struggling with their mental health include:

GET HELP FOR YOUR FAMILY Resources are available to provide mental health care to your child or to access information about mental health. Below are some resources available to you. As always, in case of emergencies, call 9-1-1. Tropical Texas Behavioral Center: (956) 289-7000 National Suicide Prevention Line at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Self-harm crisis text line: text HELLO to 741741 Parent Project: parentproject.com/mental-health/

• Withdrawing from social interactions • Giving away possessions or saying goodbyes to loved ones • Changes in mood or behavior • Drastic weight loss or gain • Lack of concentration • Major changes in academic performance • Major changes in sleep patterns • Excessive worrying • Feeling restless • Fatigue • Anger and irritability

Co-authors include Dr. Mercado’s Mental Health Lab at UTRGV: Josue Cerroblanco, Sandra Chapa, Marcos Valdez, Andy Torres, Frances Morales, Amanda Palomin and

ARTICLE PROVIDED BY

HOW DO I HELP MY CHILD COPE WITH MENTAL

Alfonso Mercado

HEALTH ISSUES? As a parent or caregiver, you will play an important role in your student's treatment. To care for your student and yourself, you should:

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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Dr. Alfonso Mercado.

JAN/FEB 2022

• Talk to a health professional about your concerns with your child’s behavior. • Ask your student’s health provider for more information about the behaviors and symptoms that worry you. • Enroll in parent training programs related to mental illness. • Ask your child about their feelings and actively listen to what they say. • Communicate in a straightforward manner and be aware to speak at an appropriate level to your child's age and development.

H E A L T H

KEEPING YOUR CHILD’S SMILE

BRIGHT &

HEALTHY Rodeo Dental & Orthodontics Shares Best Practices for Pediatric Dental Care b y Roc i o Vi l l a l o b o s | p h o t o b y M a r k Pu e n t e

state of development physiologically, emotionally,

Establishing a proper dental hygiene routine at

and mentally.

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JAN/FEB 2022

an early age helps ensure a lifetime of good oral — and overall — health. With some guidance and

“What they eat and how they maintain their oral

encouragement, kids can learn to make better food

health at such a young age will invariably dictate their

choices for the sake of their smile — and to enjoy

habits and health for the rest of their lives,” he said.

practicing healthy habits.

“A child that neglects their oral health will eventually begin their journey in life with bad habits that will

In honor of National Children’s Dental Health Month,

affect their health as adults.”

celebrated in February, RGVision caught up with Dr. Hisham S. Ayoub of Rodeo Dental & Orthodontics

You don’t have to wait until your child’s first tooth

to discuss some of the most important practices in

comes in to schedule their first dental visit. That

pediatric dental care.

initial visit should be set for as early as when they

START EARLY

are 6 months old, but no later than their first birthday. Beyond the initial visit, parents should take their

As Ayoub explains, children are in a constant

H E A L T H

children to the dental office twice a year. And before their teeth come in, parents can wipe their child’s gums with a soft washcloth. KEEP A VIGILANT ROUTINE Brushing at least twice a day for two minutes — morning and nighttime — and flossing is known as the standard to maintain good oral health for both children and adults, but did you know how risky skipping this routine for a few days can be? “It is very common to see patients who admit to brushing every morning diligently yet, at night, they brush sporadically depending on their mood or how sleepy they may be,” Ayoub said. “In fact, brushing at night before bedtime is as important as, if not more

While also high in vitamin D, he said parents can

so, than brushing in the morning. By not brushing

also ensure their child receives enough of this vitamin

before bedtime, you are, in fact, keeping all food that

through sunlight exposure and providing them with a

was consumed during the day on your teeth, gums,

diet rich in vegetables.

and tongue. It is at night that we sometimes have dry

Soda is another big culprit. Beyond its high

mouth due to mouth breathing, especially in children,

sugar content, it wreaks havoc on tooth enamel.

and this allows bacterial populations to spike, and

Ayoub advises parents to begin watering down their

hence, bad breath and oral infections.”

children’s sodas and juices to get them to let go of the habit.

He advises parents to have their children brush

LEAD BY EXAMPLE

right after dinner to avoid any issues and notes a toothbrush should be replaced every three months

Parents’ orders can only go so far. In fact,

on average, or when the bristles become frayed, bent,

mentoring their child by demonstrating how they

or stained.

maintain their own oral health, Ayoub said, is the best

LIMIT SUGAR

thing a parent can do. “Children are sponges, and with any good habit

As the main cause of Early Childhood Caries — an infection in patients under 6 years old — sugar should

or activity, they will want to absorb

be limited and consumed as a rare indulgence, not

everything that their parents

a habit.

are doing or saying,” he said.

“This misconception that milk is the greatest thing

dance and hum a song

for a growing child’s body should be corrected,” he

as you brush. You will be

said. “Milk is high in sugar, so it is great for a growing

surprised

baby or infant. But once a child is over breastfeeding,

your children will be

it is imperative to cut milk consumption to as little

to brush their teeth

as possible.”

every day.”

excited

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how

of the mirror, and together,

Ayoub said, is milk.

JAN/FEB 2022

“Stand side by side in front

A big culprit of sugar that parents may not expect,

H E A L T H

SPICY FOOD

Do Peppery Recipes Affect a Healthy Gut? b y Ka t i e G o o d m a n

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Have you ever wondered how that extra spoonful of hot sauce is affecting your gut health? Colon and rectal surgeon Dr. Al Pena has shared the facts and fiction of spicy food. His answers may surprise you. Pena specializes in digestive diseases specific to the lower digestive tract and has been serving the Valley area for over 13 years. Based in McAllen, he sees patients on a daily basis who are working through cancer, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and Crohn's disease. There is an age-old question many people want to know the answer to: Is spicy food the cause of stomach pain, and does it cause damage? "There is no real data that says spicy food will cause problems,” Pena said. “However, that is not the case if you already have gastritis, acid reflux disease, or GERD. In that case, avoid both spicy and fatty foods.” Much of the time, the spicy component is complicated by the food that accompanies it. “For example, both Indian food and Mexican food tend to have higher fat content,” Pena explained. “Highfat content foods and lactose are the actual culprits. When you throw hot spices into the mix, it could make matters worse." After his brother had a heart attack years ago, Pena began to do a deeper dive into nutrition and fitness. "I began eating better and working out at the same time,” he said. “I noticed what I ate could either hinder or help my performance. A healthy meal helped me to feel better and more alert. At that point, I realized nutrition was much more important than I had originally thought." After making these basic lifestyle changes, which included a diet consisting of protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats, Pena lost over 100

H E A L T H

"The goal is to consume in moderation. Anything in excess is bad." Moderation is key to living both a healthy and happy life." Dr. A l Peña , MD, FACS, FASCR S

UPCOMING EVENTS SATURDAY JANUARY 1-23 TUESDAY JANUARY 25

SATURDAY JANUARY 29 SUNDAY FEBRUARY 6 MONDAY FEBRUARY 7 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 8

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 12 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 15 SATURDAY FEBRUARY 19 FRIDAY FEBRUARY 25

JAN/FEB 2022

close to the border, making it easy to have access to antibiotics when antibiotics aren't always necessary,” Pena said. “For example, a common cold should not be treated with antibiotics, but many people are either incorrectly prescribed to them or incorrectly self-medicate." Antibiotics should only be used when absolutely necessary, as they destroy both the good and bad bacteria in the gut. Pena advises that if his clients eat healthy 80% of the time, they should be okay to cheat for the remaining 20%. This means eating healthy Monday through Friday and leaving indulgence for the weekends. "Overeating is OK every once in a while,” Pena said. “There is no need to guilt yourself over having an indulgent dinner with your loved ones." Make the memories. Eat the pie. To connect with Pena, reach out to the Texas Digestive Specialists at (956) 365-4400.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 26 SUNDAY FEBRUARY 27

MONDAY MARCH 7 TUESDAY MARCH 8

WEDNESDAY MARCH 16

956.681.3800 www.mcallenpac.net

@MCALLENPAC

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pounds. Getting back to the basics and throwing in fitness can really make all the difference. Pena added that people become more lactose intolerant with age. "We weren't designed to eat dairy, and animals don't drink milk outside of infancy — nor do they drink other species' milk,” he said. “So we shouldn't, either." That doesn’t mean that dairy lovers should completely eliminate their favorite foods from their diets. "I love a cheeseburger as much as the next person,” Pena said. “The goal is to consume in moderation. Anything in excess is bad." Dairy isn’t the only type of food that can complicate gut issues like spicy food can. Alcohol is also a common culprit. “I can drink four to six cups of coffee a day, but as soon as I throw alcohol in the mix, it goes downhill from there,” Pena said. “Alcohol is a huge cause of gastritis and GERD. Antibiotics can also disrupt the gut microbiome." The gut microbiome comprises millions of both good and bad bacteria, fungi, and organisms that coexist together in the small and large intestines. It plays a pivotal role in the operation of the body. This is why the gut is referred to as the second brain. Unfortunately, medications like antibiotics, which help the body, can also hurt the body. "As we know, the Rio Grande Valley is very

H E A L T H

BUTTER 'NOT REALLY AN ESSENTIAL PART OF A BALANCED DIET’ Ideal Meal, Diet Comes Down to Moderation From street tacos in McAllen to breakfast tacos from Stripes, one ingredient they share is butter. At home, you grab a tortilla and butter. While your comal or pan heats, you smear the butter all over the tortilla and place it on the hot metal. It sizzles and smokes, and the smell fills the room. You pick up additional butter and throw it on a pan to melt. You grab some protein (animal or plant-based) and toss it into a pan to cook for your soonto-be-made taco. The meat sizzles alongside the tortillas. Grease bubbles pop while you season the cooking meat. As you grab a plate, you turn off the stove’s heat. Each tortilla is hot and soft, and the food gives off steam and oozes grease and butter. They come together to make a delicious meal. Butter is a diverse ingredient that’s seen worldwide use. It revolutionized French refined and gourmet recipes, Butter of France wrote. It can make protein taste

differently, like salt. “Most broadly, butter would be classified as a fat,” nutritionist Ari Garza said. “It’s commonly used in cooking to add and enhance the flavor, as well as flavor and texture in baking. Although butter has some good attributes like calcium and vitamin D, butter is not really an essential part of a balanced diet and is often consumed in higher quantities than is recommended.” As Garza said, people often overuse butter while cooking, baking, or eating. Butter can be made with or without salt, or as clarified butter, substitutes, or plantbased alternatives, to name a few options. The type of fat prevalent in many kinds of butter is saturated fat. Medline Plus says this type of fat maintains its shape at room temperature compared to unsaturated fat, which is liquid in similar conditions. Saturated fat is in several

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b y St e v e n H u g h e s

H E A L T H

UPCOMING EVENTS SATURDAY JANUARY 15

TUE-WED JANUARY 18-19

SUNDAY JANUARY 23

SAT-SUN JANUARY 22-23

FRI-SUN FEBRUARY 4-6

SAT-SUN FEBRUARY 26-27

For More Info:

MCACONV E NTI O

MCALLEN CONVENTION CENTER

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

JAN/FEB 2022

But a healthy diet is key for individuals with diabetes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Hispanics are 17% likely to get Type 2 diabetes. The Rio Grande Valley Diabetes Association adds that Type 2 diabetes can be passed down family lines. A keyword for going on a diet is “balance.” “Foods can generally be broken down into three categories: protein, carbohydrates, or fats; each of those groups has dozens of subgroups from there,” Garza said. “To have a balanced meal, you would want to have a bit of each of these components at each meal.” The idea of a balanced meal can come in many different forms, and has changed throughout the years. An example of this is an iconic poster from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that showed the food pyramid. However, 1992 studies revealed it was flawed by recommending consuming complex carbohydrates and eschewing all fats and oils, according to an article in the Scientific American. Although there are many online sources to learn more about diets, nothing beats asking a registered dietitian or nutritionist in person. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics explains that these professionals use “food and nutrition to promote health and manage diseases.”

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foods like milk, beef, and grains. The American Heart Association warns that consuming a lot of saturated fat can lead to higher “cholesterol levels, which can increase your risk of heart disease.” Interestingly, some diets require consuming a lot of fat. “Some eating plans [like Hello Fresh] actually require increased consumption of fat, like the Keto or Modified Atkins diet, but those may not be suitable for everyone and should be regularly monitored by a physician or registered dietitian,” Garza said. Another problematic ingredient in diets is protein. The New York Times reported that American adults were eating about 100 grams of protein per day, or roughly twice the recommended amount in 2017. “I think one of the biggest misconceptions of the typical American diet is the overreliance on animal-based protein sources,” Garza said. “Daily protein consumption varies from individual to individual and can be affected based on factors like height, weight, age, level of activity, disease state, etcetera.” The word “diet” is tossed around, especially at the start of a new year on social media, television ads, or in passing conversations.

H E A L T H

ORTHOPEDIC CARE IN SOUTH TEX AS

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Winter Texans Seek Out Expertise of Local Surgeon by Bryan Kirk The seasonal changes from summer to fall are hardly noticeable in South Texas — unless Mother Nature ushers in a cold front that drops the temperatures into the 70s. The Valley is among the unlikeliest of places for anyone looking for beautiful fall foliage, but it’s the place to be for Winter Texans who flock to the region to escape the bitter cold in northern states.

Dr. Ross Chapel, one of the most wellknown orthopedic surgeons in the Valley, knows many of these Winter Texans well because some of them are his patients. “I love taking care of the Winter Texans,” he said. “Those shoulder problems are not just isolated to those people who are native to the Rio Grande Valley. I’ve traveled over the nation to be able to take care of people’s shoulder

H E A L T H

“I traveled all over the nation learning from some of the top doctors and professionals in the field of shoulder, elbow, and hand surgery.”

treatments of carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff repair, shoulder replacements, and treatment for de Quervain's tenosynovitis, trigger fingers, tennis elbow, and Dupuytren’s disease. However, Dr. Chapel said he can and will treat any problem with the arms or legs. Qualifications like these have not only helped him build a solid reputation in the Valley, but have spread by word of mouth and reached the ears of Winter Texans. “The Winter Texan appointments tend to ramp up about October, and I am pretty busy with shoulder problems and carpal tunnel issues until about April, when they return home.” Dr. Chapel said. “It’s about a six-month period that they are down here.” Many of Dr. Chapel’s Winter Texan patients — most of whom are 50 and over — live in northern states like Michigan, Iowa, or Minnesota. It’s not uncommon for one of his patients to develop an issue in their home state, sometimes weeks or even months before he is able to see them. Because of his reputation among his patients in the Valley, many of these Winter Texans don’t have an orthopedic surgeon they can see where they live, and will wait until they are back in South Texas to be treated by Dr. Chapel. Dr. Chapel’s passion is treating shoulder pain. He spent additional time training under worldrenowned shoulder surgeon Dr. Mark Mighell out of Tampa, Florida, to master operative and conservative treatments for all causes of shoulder pain. If you are interested in consulting with Dr. Chapel for any of your shoulder, elbow, or hand problems, call (956) 992-0404 to set up an appointment today!

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pain and upper extremity problems, regardless of where they are from.” Dr. Chapel, who was born and raised in southern Louisiana, attended Louisiana State University, where he majored in biological sciences and graduated with honors. Dr. Chapel attended medical school at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, where he was the recipient of the Walter G. Sterling Award for Academic Excellence and nominated to be a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. After graduating from medical school, Dr. Chapel completed a one-year internship in general surgery at Greenville Memorial Hospital in South Carolina before moving on to the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, where he completed his orthopedic surgery training and also developed an interest in surgery for the upper extremities. He then completed his orthopedic surgery training at the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center. Dr. Chapel received sub-specialty training in hand and upper extremity surgery under Dr. William Geissler at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. “I traveled all over the nation learning from some of the top doctors and professionals in the field of shoulder, elbow, and hand surgery,” Dr. Chapel said. “I kind of picked up some tips and tricks and the right way to do it.” In 2016, Dr. Chapel, who is affiliated with Rio Grande Valley Regional Hospital, opened his own practice in the Rio Grande Valley. He is the only fellowshiptrained shoulder surgeon south of San Antonio. His specialties include some minimally invasive

JAN/FEB 2022

D r. Ros s Ch a pe l , orth opedic su rgeon

L I F E

NATURE RESOLUTIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR Explore the Outdoors with Quinta Mazatlan

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by Quinta Mazatlán World Birding Center Urban Ecologist John Brush that nature helps us feel happier is through something called “soft fascination.” It’s an almost meditative state caused by simply existing in nature, not concentrating hard on particular activities but allowing our minds to gently shift from one thing to the next — such as a frog to a leaf or a tree to the soil — as we walk, sit, or lay in a natural setting. Stephen and Rachel Kaplan, psychologists who study the relationship between people’s health and nature, call those sorts of moments “restorative experiences,” where people recover from mental fatigue. In some respects, this could be the easiest New Year’s resolution because all it takes is being in nature, whether it’s at a local park,

New Year’s resolutions are nothing new; people have been making (and breaking) them for thousands of years. While the effectiveness of this “new year, new you” sort of goal-setting has been studied with varying results, the idea of a fresh start (at a particularly meaningful time) is certainly a powerful one — a fresh start to improve your physical and mental health, to learn something new, to pick up a new hobby. Not-so-coincidentally, all three of those goals can be met in nature. Studies repeatedly show that being in nature benefits our bodies and minds. Here are a couple of Quinta Mazatlan’s nature resolutions you can use to start the new year: NOTICING NATURE. One particularly meaningful way

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and recognizing species of birds. There are plenty of online resources to help you learn how to identify the organisms around you, but one that is growing in popularity is iNaturalist, a nature program (app and website) that connects people and uses computer vision to help identify organisms. It also helps keep track of what kinds of plants and animals you have documented and shared to its biodiversity database. Of course, there are many more resolutions that could be tied to being in nature that you could explore. We hope you do! And even if you do not make New Year’s resolutions, spending time in nature is a great way to feel better and enjoy the world around you.

your neighborhood, a nature center, or national wildlife refuge — wherever there are plants and animals sharing a space with you — and taking the time to be in that place. STARTING A NATURE HOBBY. While this option certainly does not preclude the previous one, it is a bit more focused. It is also quite varied, as there are many different hobbies you can pick up in nature. One straightforward hobby in nature is to try to learn how to recognize different species. This can be done with any animal group, from butterflies to beetles, trees to wildflowers, fish to reptiles, and more. For example, millions of people around the world consider themselves birders, or people that enjoy being around

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L I F E

REACHING YOUR GOALS STEP BY STEP Runners Race in RGV 5Ks for Many Motivations

As much of an annual tradition as singing “Auld Lang Syne,” New Year’s resolutions drive many to achieve personal goals — often in the realm of increased exercise and weight loss. One way to reach those future fitness goals is running 5K races. Running has become a personal hobby for many based on the physical and mental benefits it can offer. At the same time, competition and the

by Elsa Ca va z os

goal of receiving a medal encourages

L I F E

Our Policy is Caring

Cantú signed up for a 5K scheduled to be held Jan. 1 and a half-marathon scheduled

Diana Cantú, who is originally from

for Jan. 16. She is doing both for her

McAllen, said she does races because

personal health and is using the events as

obtaining a medal is rewarding for her for

motivation to run more. It is now a New

multiple reasons.

Year’s resolution for her to be able to get

“Running allows me to clear my mind

grow as a runner.

better at running.

and feel better about my personal health,”

“I felt my best when constantly running

she said. “A race allows you to meet people

and hope to get back to that routine,” she

within your community or elsewhere and

said. “I felt much better, my mental health

see firsthand the support spectators are

improved, and it allowed me to let go of

willing to give.”

thoughts I had, which would only worry me.”

avillarreal@twfg.com 956-381-0951 www.eddievinsurance.com 2167 S. McColl Rd. Edinburg, TX 78539

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people to want to run faster and eventually

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L I F E

“I always encourage people to sign up because regardless of your fitness level, the motivation you get while being in a 5K is so rewarding. People are cheering you on, and it's a fun activity to do.” Vi a nney M e n a

In a similar fashion, Vianney Mena decided to

a 5K for the first time. I always encourage people

start racing in 5Ks just for fun until she placed in

to sign up because regardless of your fitness level,

her age group. Now, she feels motivated to attend

the motivation you get while being in a 5K is so

running events to get better at her pace.

rewarding. People are cheering you on, and it's a

“You really get inspired by the people you see in

fun activity to do.”

those races,” Mena said. “There are people of all

While races encourage many to get healthy,

types of fitness levels — you see moms, families,

it can also raise awareness or provide help for

groups of friends, even people with their dogs. It

specific purposes.

really is about having fun. Plus medals can be very

Over the course of a decade, Monica Lopez of Harlingen ran 5Ks with her husband. He died 16

This year, Mena is only participating in one race.

months ago from colon cancer, which prompted

She is recovering from an injury and wants to go

her to organize a 5K in his honor called Miles

easy on her body. She said usually she does three

for Manny. This way, money raised will be going

to four 5Ks a year.

toward people fighting cancer as well.

“I started running as my main workout about

“That was something we enjoyed doing all the

three years ago,” Mena said. “I was in a very dark

time, running 5Ks for whatever cause it was or to

place in my life where I felt that running was the

help people raise money for one thing or another,”

only thing that made me feel accomplished.”

Lopez said. “Also, it made us feel good and kept

She describes running as a solo sport, meaning

us in shape.”

that nothing else is needed but your own body

Miles for Manny helps continue those memories

to keep going. For Mena, running has become

while contributing to a good cause.

a way to push herself to her own limits, which is

“Knowing how much he enjoyed it and how we both love to give back to the community, to people

something she can work on every year. “It's fun to push yourself once in a while and

and to our friends that helped us so much when

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addictive to win.”

know that you achieved something by yourself,”

we were going through cancer, I wanted to do that

Mena said. “For me, it's placing in my age group.

same thing for someone else,” Lopez said. “He

For others, it might be being active or completing

would have really liked this.”

Enjoy life with less pain.

The RGV’s Comprehensive Orthopedic Network If joint pain is keeping you from enjoying the movement of life, the team at the Valley Baptist Orthopedic Center of Excellence is here to help. We are your community built on safe care. Our award winning program offers solutions for simple and complex orthopedic needs (both adult and pediatric), including: Traumatic and elective procedures Joint replacement surgery Hip, knee and shoulder surgery Fractures and sprains Sports medicine and related injuries Wrist and hand problems Rotator cuff and labral repair

Find a doctor at Valleybaptist.net or call 855-720-7448

Valley Baptist Medical Center HARLINGEN

A COMMUNITY BUILT ON CARE

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F A

PRIME STEAK & SEAFOOD Three Years of Top-Notch Service

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b y Steven Hugh es | ph otos pro v i d e d PRIME Steak & Seafood has been serving up a quality dining experience for three years. Joel Williams, the floor manager for PRIME Steak & Seafood, credits the success of the restaurant to the owners, managers, chefs, and the staff — he’s been a part of the crew since its opening. He said the goal of the restaurant is to provide good service. “We just want to grow,” he said. “We want to serve more people, [and] give people a good experience. Our [chef] strives hard to create a menu that people would enjoy and would recommend to others. We focus on good service. The servers need to know what they’re serving. They need to be able to recommend wine, cocktails, [and] different foods for different people depending on their preference. There always needs to be somebody nearby to refill water, refill wine, [and] refill everything.” Before opening for general service, PRIME tested its recipes on VIPs and friends of the owner. The restaurant also hosted private events. Once the restaurant perfected its service and welcomed the public, it averaged about 60 customers on a weekday and about 120 customers during the weekend.

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Ro b e r t D e l g a d o, Ga s t r o nom y D e s i gne r

Now, those numbers have skyrocketed to approximately 140 people during weekdays and 200 people during weekends. PRIME’s menu offers a range of foods. One of its appetizers is a bacon-wrapped scallop ($21); it includes roasted cauliﬂower, puree sun-dried tomato sauce, and fried sage leaves. Another, an avocado salad ($11), comes with romaine and iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, olives, mozzarella, red onion, avocado dressing, and a tortilla strip. PRIME counts its Chemita Fillet ($42) among its signature dishes, wrapping the meat in bacon with a beef butter sauce, mash potatoes, grilled asparagus, and green onion. The grilled Spanish octopus ($34) is also a popular choice, chargrilled with tricolor patatas bravas and a roasted piquillo puree. For other tastes, a ratatouille pizza ($15) comes with San Marzano tomato, zucchini, yellow squash eggplant, mozzarella, mushroom, and tomato sauce. An impressive tomahawk steak ($160) weighs in at a delicious 48 ounces. Another dish that’s garnered a lot of interest from customers is the Wellington ($42). It’s a six-ounce filet covered in a puff pastry, and it includes stuffed mushrooms, prosciutto spinach, a side of mashed potatoes, and the vegetable of the day.

PRIME Steak & Seafood has changed its menu since it opened. The restaurant also adapted what it offered when another eatery, Kocina Il Forno, closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. “They had to shut down for a while. So that chef moved over to our restaurant for a little bit, and we started doing a dual menu,” Williams said. “We did a Peruvian menu, and we also did our steak and seafood. We had lots of Latin, Central, and South American influences on our menus back then. We also did a lot of European-style seafood and steak.” Since then, Kocina Il Forno reopened with a new brand and name: Laguna. PRIME refocused accordingly on its steaks, Williams said. The mark of a good restaurant is the quality of its service. That’s what PRIME Steak & Seafood works toward. “I think our service is top-notch, and our food is topnotch,” Williams said. “We were a strong contender in the Valley for [being] a great restaurant. Our servers are personable. Our customers are, generally, requesting the servers that they want. It’s a person-toperson experience, and there’s just a lot of hospitality.” PRIME Steak & Seafood is located at 3400 W. Expressway 83, Suite 140, in McAllen. To book a table, visit the restaurant’s website or call (956) 731-4338.

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THE PORT ISABEL LIGHTHOUSE

A BEACON OF HOPE AND LIGHT

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harsh weather conditions, and the introduction of the railroad to South Texas. As the railroads began to play a bigger role in the import and export of supplies to the area, there was little need for a lighthouse, ultimately leading to its decommission in 1905. Valerie Bates, marketing director for the City of Port Isabel, has been the site manager for the Port Isabel State Historic Site since 2019, when the lighthouse was transferred from the Texas Parks and Wildlife department to the Texas Historical Commission. Bates explained that the lighthouse plays an important role in the city's economic growth. "(The lighthouse) is absolutely (the city's) identity, our brand," she said. "It's on the city logo. It's virtually on everything that the city of Port Isabel represents. Historically, it's created job creation and retention. It affects all the businesses around the area. It increases the quality of life for a business owner who comes into town, opens a business, and lives here. The ripple effects of the lighthouse are really pretty endless in our small town. It's not just a tourist attraction for me." By the late 1920s, the small fishing village of Point Isabel continued to be bypassed as a tourist destination in comparison to the newly developed South Padre Island, which was reachable by ferry. In 1928, the city had a goal to attract more visitors to the area, and decided to rename the city Port Isabel and reopen the lighthouse to the general public. However, after a devastating hurricane hit the area, much of Port Isabel went underwater, disrupting the town's development projects. The lighthouse was padlocked and left to the elements until 1952, when the Texas Parks and Wildlife repaired, improved, and staffed the site through a historic program. On April 26, 1952, the new tourism beacon became a state park and an unofficial private aid to navigation. Later, the visitors center was built using the blueprint plans of the original lighthouse keeper's cottage. "(The lighthouse) is about history,” Bates said. “It's also about experiencing something unusual or exciting. You see a family of four and that none of them have been there before. And they're all experiencing it for the first time through their own eyes."

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Over 176 years ago, sea captains looking for a safe haven to land their ships along the South Texas coast would be welcomed by nothing more than a natural bluff that rose 25 feet from Laguna Madre. The now busy shorelines of South Padre Island and Port Isabel were unremarkable back then — just a flat line of land extending continuously to the west. That was until 1853, when a beacon of light stretched from the coast of Port Isabel, then called Point Isabel, 16 miles out to sea, welcoming those to shore for a safe landing: the Port Isabel Lighthouse. Today, the lighthouse is a designated Texas Historical Commission State Historic Site and a major tourist destination, wedding venue, market days location, family-friendly cinema site, and educational tool for youth. But this was not always the case. In 1850, the 50-foot brick lighthouse was commissioned for $15,000 by the U.S. government at the site of Fort Polk, which was used by U.S. Gen. Zachary Taylor and his soldiers during the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). Although the fort was evacuated by this time, Fort Polk continued to be used by the U.S. Treasury Department, so a lighthouse was needed to safely bring in ships through the Brazos Santiago Pass. By April 20, 1853, at what was once the site of the interior of the main earthen bastion of Fort Polk, now stood the Point Isabel Lighthouse, along with the beacon at Brazos Santiago on South Padre Island, a black, square wooden tower. During the lighthouse's 40 years of on-and-off service, it endured the Civil War, countless

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Families can make memories while climbing to the top of the lighthouse, exploring the view from the catwalk, and enjoying the breeze. “And then, every time you pass that lighthouse, there's that conversation in the car, 'Remember when we were there?'” Bates said. “That has its value." During the pandemic, the lighthouse was not able to welcome visitors the way it had in the past and remained open sporadically throughout much of 2020 and early 2021. Finally, on May 28, 2021, the lighthouse opened its doors full time to the public to once again enjoy its rich history and breathtaking view. To date, the lighthouse has welcomed 32,796 visitors since reopening. Bates added that the lighthouse will soon be available to experience in a virtual setting through an app developed by the Texas Historical Commission. The goal is to build virtual field trips for each of the 32 state historic sites so students can travel to a desired location without leaving the classroom. This spring, a new feature will be added to the lighthouse: a Fresnel lens, a composite compact lens

developed by French physicist Augustin-Jean Fresnel. The lighthouse was installed with such a lens in 1888, which was then removed when decommissioned in 1905. Currently, the lighthouse holds a mercury-vapor light. "We will have a new, functioning lighthouse. But it's not a navigational beacon. So the light will rotate like it did when it was first put in the lighthouse in 1888," Bates said. "In 1853, when the lighthouse was lit, the configuration of the top of it looked a little bit different. And so the light that's going to be put in the lighthouse coming up is going to resemble the one that was installed in 1888. We think this is going to be a really exciting opportunity for education." Today, the Port Isabel Lighthouse is still a functional beacon and marked by sea charts as a navigation aid. Out of the 16 lighthouses built along the Texas coast, the Port Isabel Lighthouse is the only one open to the public. The lighthouse is open Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday through Monday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

Advanced, Compassionate Care for Nearly 100 Years We’re here for you in every stage of life. For nearly a century, our focus has always been providing the most advanced, compassionate and comprehensive care to our patients and their families. Our experienced, attentive staff knows that care is more than medicine. We personalize treatments and services based on the needs of each patient and backed by an award-winning and nationally recognized network of resources, expertise and innovation. Brownsville is our home and we’re honored to serve the South Texas community.

We celebrate the generations of patients we’ve served and those to come.

To learn more, visit ValleyBaptist.net or call 855-720-7448

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See You Later,

ALLIGATOR Meet the American Alligators at South Padre Island's Alligator Sanctuary

to return to freshwater to drink. With the center located around the Laguna Madre Water District, where there's a freshwater outflow, alligators have been able to reside in the area for years. Today, visitors can learn about the American alligator through the center's educational programs while seeing about 50 live nuisance alligators roam the sanctuary. Alligators in the sanctuary are mostly juvenile alligators that range from 3 to just over 5 feet long. Once an alligator reaches 6 feet, they are transferred to Gator Country, a partner sanctuary in Beaumont, Texas. The SPI sanctuary’s main priority is to educate the general public about the native habitats, ecosystems, and animal species of the RGV's coastal area. Over the last couple of years, the organization has focused on the alligator population and how to keep them from being a safety problem. "I like to teach the community about how to create habitat at home and educate them about our local and migratory wildlife just to build awareness about it," nature specialist and educator Javier Gonzalez said. "Once you build awareness, and you start to see it, and then

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Before humans roamed the earth, dinosaurs inhabited the planet … until 65 million years ago, when they went extinct. However, not all dinosaurs died out. Today, the southeastern U.S. counts about 5 million dinosaur descendants that can be found in freshwater ponds, lakes, swamps, and marshes from North Carolina to Texas: the American alligator. The Rio Grande Valley is home to nearly 25,000 alligators, some of which can be seen at South Padre Island Birding Nature Center and Alligator Sanctuary. The birding center first opened its doors in 2009. In 2019, the alligator sanctuary was added to serve the nuisance alligator population in the RGV and other parts of Texas. According to the organization’s website, aside from a few wild alligators that reside in their wetlands, most alligators on the property are rescued nuisance alligators, meaning they've been rescued from backyard piers, ponds, or pools and were threatening public safety. Now, they live in enclosed habitats. In contrast to crocodiles, which can survive in either fresh or saltwater, alligators can only survive in freshwater. They can tolerate saltwater for a short period, but need

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you start to appreciate it. Once you build an appreciation for nature, then you want to conserve it." However, not all alligators are considered nuisance alligators. Gonzalez explained that most alligators will stay away from humans if left unbothered. When humans begin to feed wild alligators, that will alter the creatures' behavior. Alligators will begin to fear humans less and see them as a food source — thus becoming nuisance alligators. Gonzalez explained that the fate of a nuisance alligator is bleak. "You cannot relocate (alligators) back into the wild because their behavior has changed," he said. "They're known to just come right back home. They have a homing ability. They just show up again next week. They can swim 60 to70 miles back home. Relocation sometimes is really not an option, and they get put down." The specialist said the center holds a permit from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to house a sanctuary on the property to help combat the nuisance alligator problem. He said the opportunity to help the general public learn about the creatures came about when one of the center's wild alligators, Banker, got into some trouble. "He was free to roam. And all of a sudden, he started wandering out by some boat channels that run behind some condo buildings just south of the Birding Center. Well, he was being fed fish scraps by fishermen," he explained. "At that point, he became a nuisance. He was deemed a nuisance by Texas Parks and Wildlife. Once deemed a nuisance, that alligator needs to be removed by law." Banker served as a big part of the wetlands as an apex predator and also created ecosystems for other species to thrive in. Plus, visitors of the center loved to spot the wild gator if they were able to. Luckily, Banker was rescued and transferred to Gator Country. Through this ordeal, the SPI Birding and Nature Center decided they, too, wanted to A li ga to r, Bi g Pa d r e. Pho to p r ovided.

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help rescue and spread awareness about the magnificent creature. Gonzalez said the important thing for people to know is that alligators can remain wild. "This is one of the most important animals in the wetland," he said. "As an apex predator, they create a balance in nature by keeping the other animals in check. They are also one of the few animals that actually create habitat. They are cold-blooded. So when it gets too hot or cold, they can't regulate their own temperature, so they dig huge holes. Those holes over the years get bigger and create habitat for other animals. Later on, the hole becomes a pond with fish, turtles, and frogs that live there. So alligators are a major part of the ecosystem, but they just suffer from a lot of myths." Two key attractions at the sanctuary are Big Padre and Lady Laguna, which are both permanent residents of the sanctuary. Big Padre, a 54-year-old male measuring 12 feet 6 inches and pushing 900 pounds, is one of the first gators visitors can see along the center's boardwalk along with 27-year-old Lady Laguna, his companion. "I would say the best way to see him is to come early and through the wintertime," Gonzalez said. "He'll come out of the water to try to heat up with the sun — especially on the days after a cold front when the sun comes back out, and the temperatures rise. He comes out in the heat and lies out on the bank the whole day. That's when you get to see his whole size, and it's pretty impressive." To learn more about the American alligator, the sanctuary offers daily Gator Talks at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. with the purchase of a general admission ticket. Attendees can learn about alligator awareness ecology and important safety tips. The center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.

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BRINGING THE

OUTSIDE IN A Look into Five Plant Types That Thrive Indoors

Indoor plants can provide a diverse way to decorate a room. Arts and Entertainment reporter Diana Nollen wrote in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Gazette that incorporating one or several house plants into a room can add color, enhance the mood, and clean the air. There are many species of indoor plants that can handle different lighting situations. Some people enjoy having indoor plants so much that they’ll fill each corner of a room with them. Julien Solomita, a YouTuber and Twitch streamer, is one popular plant enthusiast. He recently posted a YouTube video showing off his growing plant collection. He uses his plants as a living backdrop during live streams, changing the mood of his aesthetic from “gamer den” and “dark” to “happy” and “breathable.” It’s easy to purchase an indoor plant. Large retailers like Walmart, Lowe’s, and Home Depot have outdoor sections that house their respective selections. Some local businesses specialize in plant sales, such as Lesslie’s RGV Plants. There are also websites with plants for purchase, such as Bloomscape. With many shopping options available — and thousands of plant species to explore — here are four ideas for your next potential plant purchase.

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by St ev en Hugh es | ph otos b y C a rl os Ma xi m o Ca ntu

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BONSAI TREES According to the website Bonsai Empire, although the word “bonsai” is Japanese, its origins are from China approximately 5,000 years ago. The Chinese started an art form that used special techniques to grow dwarf trees in containers. Today, trimming the branches of their plants is a popular activity by bonsai owners. “The reason why people love bonsai trees (is that) they find it relaxing to have (them) indoors and trim to their liking,” said Lesslie Cortina, owner of Lesslie’s RGV Plants. “They (feel like) it’s a stress relief to shape the tree.” CACTI Cacti are resilient plants that thrive in harsh environments such as deserts. They are a common sight in the Rio Grande Valley as they make themselves home on people’s roofs and in their gardens. Since they live in dry climates, cacti don’t need a lot of water — they store it inside themselves. “It’s an amazing plant to have because people [often] forget to water their plants indoors,” Cortina said. “The beautiful thing about cacti is they absorb the little water you give. It can last a while [between] watering.” SUCCULENTS Succulents are similar to cacti as they also enjoy dry climates. This plant variety’s popularity grew when gardeners wanted something with the resilience to handle California droughts in 2011, according to The Little Botanical website. As a hashtag, #succulents garnered 12.7 million posts on Instagram. “I forgot to water one for a long time, and it was on my back patio,” recalled Jeanette Robles, a local plant enthusiast. “It rained, or the morning mists watered it, and a few days later it had (a) strange antenna growing out of it. I thought it was a vine or was mixed

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“My favorite is the pothos. [They can] go anywhere in the house. They don’t require a specific kind of water, they can grow fast, you can trim them and propagate them and share them with your friends.”

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J ea nette Rob l es

with something else, but it started budding into little white flowers.” VINES The vine people often have at home hanging is the pothos. Vines can thrive in shaded areas. They can also live under fluorescent lights. That uniqueness made them prime candidates for people to use for decorations in stores, hotels, and offices. “My favorite is the pothos,” Robles said. “[They can] go anywhere in the house. They don’t require a specific kind of water, they can grow fast, you can trim them and propagate them and share them with your friends.”

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