May / June 2022 - RGVision Magazine by RGVision Magazine

M AY/J UN E 2 0 2 2 | VO LUM E 14 ISSUE 3

Open for Business

FASTSIGNS RGV adapts during COVID-19 outbreak to serve Valley residents and first responders. p.30

BUSINESS GROWTH Harlingen EDC discusses future development of industrial and commercial space to attract new businesses.p.42

SERVING WHERE THE HEART IS RGV-born doctor returns home to make local impact.p.62

TENNIS FOR EVERYONE Harlingen welcomes renovated H-E-B Tennis Center.p.76

ENROLL TODAY! BISD supports Early Childhood Education for school readiness with our Pre-K Programs! Our mission is to ensure that our students get a firm foundation with skills to be curious, confident and successful learners! Early literacy opens the door to higher learning. Preregistration for all students new to BISD who will be entering Pre-K to 1st grade in August 2022 is underway at all elementary schools.

EARLY

D O O H CHILD PK children participating gain up to one year of additional learning.

N O I T A EDUC

Scheduled activities focus on developing readiness skills for reading and math.

Pre-K 3 year-old programs are offered full day at 34 elementary school sites and 8 elementary sites are in collaboration with NIÑOS Headstart. Pre-K 4 year-old Programs are offered full day at all 34 elementary school sites for all students.

Established curriculum follows the state’s Pre-K Guidelines, state resources, and CIRCLE Progress Monitoring Assessment which ensures a solid foundation for literacy.

Campuses provide extended day activities for our young learners based on need.

To enroll your child and for more information, contact the individual campuses or check the website at www.bisd.us.

All safety guidelines are followed.

Parents are engaged in parental involvement activities at each school.

1900 E. Price Road, Brownsville, Tx. 78521 (956) 548-8000 | www.bisd.us

All BISD teachers are Early Childhood Certified.

Children will participate in our food services program to address their nutritional needs.

CHOOSE HARLINGEN FOR BUSINESS!

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

Visit us at Harlingenedc.com to learn more about Harlingen. Come grow your business here!

LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST! At Rio Grande Comprehensive Upper Extremity Center, Dr. Ross Chapel is committed to changing and improving patients' lives through comprehensive orthopedic care. Our highly advanced orthopedic surgery practice is proud to serve the Rio Grande Valley. Make your appointment today!

SPECIALIZING IN • Minimally invasive rotator cuﬀ repair • Shoulder replacement • Reverse total shoulder replacement • Carpal tunnel • Cubital tunnel • Dequerveins Tenosynovitis • Dupuytrens disease • Trigger Fingers • Tennis Elbow • Medial epicondylitis • Trauma and fractures of the shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand!

DR. ROSS CHAPEL orthopedic surgeon

FOR MORE INFO VISIT US AT www.upperextremityspecialist.com | (956) 992-0404 222 E Ridge Rd, Suite 106 McAllen, TX 78503

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

NM Contracting LLC

Holchemont Ltd.

Peacock General Contractors Inc.

Eberle Materials Inc.

Jorge Gonzalez Past President Tri-Gen Construction LLC

Alfredo Garcia Vice President Noble Texas Builders LLC

Kevin Bennett GC Director Vaughn Construction

Thomas Bennett Associate Director Aguaworks Pipe and Supply

Gilbert Enriquez Alternate State Director E-Con Group LLC

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

DR. FILIBERTO RODRIGUEZ

SUMMER

MAKEOVERS We offer the following procedures: • Breast Augmentation • Facetite • Vein Procedure Do you have swollen painful legs? • Private ultrasound technician • Insurance accepted* coverage may vary • Minimal pain & scarring post-op

Ask about our financing options

Dr. Rodriguez and his team are committed to patient safety! Call 956-622-4755 to make your appointment today.

www.rgvcosmetic.com 3 1 3 1 W. Freddy Gonzalez Dr. Edinburg, TX 78539

RGVISION

STAFF D O M I N I Q U E Y. Z M U DA GRAPHIC DESIGNER/ILLUSTRATOR/ CONTENT MANAGER

DA N T E T U EX I DIGITAL MANAGER

ELI S A G A R C I A DIGITAL MARKETING EXECUTIVE/WRITER

GA B E P U EN T E PUBLISHER/CEO

WA LD O PA LO M A R ES VIDEO PRODUCTION LEAD/PHOTOGRAPHER

J AC O B M EN D O Z A VIDEOGRAPHER/PHOTOGRAPHER

FA I T H C H UA

PUBLISHER'S NOTE

If you are interested in receiving issues delivered to your home, please go to RGVisionMagazine.com/Subscribe or send us an email at info@rgvisionmagazine. com to subscribe to RGVision for $6.50/month. Copyright by RGVision Publications Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without expressed written permission of the publisher is prohibited. The opinions and views expressed in the magazine don’t necessarily reflect those of our advertisers or collaborators. RGVision magazine is published bi-monthly and circulates 12,000 copies across the Rio Grande Valley in 450 locations with a direct mail distribution to major hospitals and Superintendents within Region 1. The RGVision office is located at 801 N. Bryan Road, Mission, TX 78572.

PSJA ISD Brownsville ISD Sergio Contreras COSTEP Dr. Alfonso Mercado Alejandra Tamayo Quinta Mazatlán Katherine McAllen

Abe Hernandez Brenda Bazán Barbara Delgado

WRITERS

CONTENT CONTRIBUTORS

Matthew 17:20 Faith is like a mustard seed. Many companies have been coming through and planting themselves in the Rio Grande Valley. These companies see the potential in the local economy, the drive in our workforce, and the region's quality of life. RGVision Magazine started in 2009 to drive a regional mindset, sharing success stories of the many individuals in the Rio Grande Valley who have impacted the growth of the region. Today RGVision is the leading publication and number one magazine that consistently drives this message in every issue ― that this area has more talent and assets than it gets credit for. It is the mission of RGVision to share that talent through the highlights and features we share in each issue around education, business, health, and quality of life. Many companies find this region unique in that the city government and economic development entities align to drive our communities forward regionally! Positive change does not happen by chance; at times, it takes boldness and a step of faith to make educated decisions to see plans come to fruition. Thank you for picking up this issue, and I hope you get informed, educated, and inspired about the many ideas and stories we share that started with ideas that led to executive decisions that continue to drive the Rio Grande Valley forward. "He replied, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

PHOTOGRAPHERS

WRITER

Rocio Villalobos Nathaniel Mata Steven Hughes Bryan Kirk Katie Goodman Selene Guerrero Brianna Bullion Kari Kurz

For editorial comments and suggestions, please send emails to info@rgvisionmagazine.com. For advertising information, please call us at 956.431.0103 or email us at info@rgvisionmagazine.com. A special thank you to all the advertisers who support this publication: You are the power behind the flywheel igniting positive change that keeps the conversation going. P RI N T ED I N MEXI CO

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

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RGVISIONMAG

TABLE OF

CONTENTS 2022

VOLUME 14 ISSUE 3 RGVISION MAGAZINE

32 ON THE COVER

OPEN FOR BUSINESS

FASTSIGNS RGV adapts during COVID-19 outbreak to serve Valley residents and first responders.

EDUCATION Hands-On Experience pg 10 Reduce, Re-Use, Recycle pg 12 Preparing the Badge pg 14 Raising the Bar pg 18 A Crucial Crossroad pg 20

BUSINESS 'Never About Yourself' pg 24 Life is a Highway pg 30 Reveille Trucking pg 38 Real Estate Market pg 46

B U S INES S G ROWT H

S ERVING WHERE T HE HEA RT IS

T ENNIS FOR EVERYONE

Harlingen EDC discusses future development of industrial and commercial space to attract new businesses.

RGV-born doctor returns home to make local impact.

Harlingen welcomes renovated H-E-B Tennis Center.

HEALTH Sweet Dreams pg 50 Welcome to Rodeo Dental pg 54 In an Emergency pg 60 Life Star pg 64

QUALITY OF LIFE Wildlife In Need pg 66 Capable Kids Country Dance pg 68 Uncovered Spaces pg 70 Musical Expression pg 82 Mikhuna pg 84

RGVISION ADVISORY BOARD

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

R O B ER T D U N K I N

J AV I ER D E LEO N

M A R I TZ A E S Q UE DA

R EN E A . F LO R ES

B Y R O N J AY LEW I S

E D D I E LUCI O I I I

D R . R EN E I . LU N A

B I LL M A R T I N

M A RK P E T E R S O N

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

SAR AH SAGREDO HAMMOND

TO M TO R K E L S O N

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

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

Save the Date JUNETEENTH

PERFECTING UNITY CELEBRATION Village in the Valley (ViVa) is happy to announce the 2nd Annual Juneteenth Perfecting Unity Celebration. Observing the oldest nationally commemoration of slavery’s end in the United States, this EVENT will kick off the Rio Grande Valley’s observation of this national holiday. Guests will enjoy an evening of music, food, beverages, and a live auction, as we celebrate what Juneteenth means to us – Perfecting Unity. Keynote speaker, Dr. Francisco Guajardo, CEO, OF THE Museum of South Texas History will highlight the Southern Underground Railroad and the Rio Grande Valley connection.

June 11, 2022 6 -10 pm DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel McAllen

Sponsorships and tickets available www.villageinthevalley.org

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HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE IN

DENTISTRY

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MAY/JUN 2022

Students to Earn Dental Assistant Certification While in High School

It is all smiles at The Smile Clinic in Alamo, especially on Fridays, as that is the day when Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD high school students visit the office to gain handson experience as they pursue their dental assistant certifications. Under the tutelage of dentist and PSJA alumna Dr. Olga Ruby Salinas, a dozen of PSJA ISD students, who will be graduating from high school this May 2022, receive invaluable work experience and are ready to enter the workforce through the PSJA Career & Technical Education Program's Health Science Career Pathway in partnership with South Texas College.

As part of the dental assistant certification, they are pursuing, students are currently getting to complete their clinical labs in a real setting at The Smile Clinic. For Salinas, a PSJA Memorial High School Class of 2008 graduate, opening the doors to her practice to current students is her way of paying it forward. "This is my way of giving back to the school system that gave me so much," Salinas said. "I attended PSJA ever since I can remember. It was in third grade that my teacher, Mrs. Warren at Doedyns Elementary, identified me as a gifted and talented student. I always go back to that moment in my life because I believe that if she had

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not seen what I could offer, I would not be here. I have a lot to thank PSJA for." According to Salinas, during her time at PSJA ISD, she earned over 40 college credit hours, completing most of her basic coursework by the time she started at the University of Texas at Brownsville. Like Salinas, more than 3,500 PSJA ISD high school students are enrolled in college courses each semester through the district's Early College Program. While she received a great education at PSJA ISD, she remembers being afraid of not being able to afford college. "We come from families where we are the firstgeneration to go to school. I knew that going to college was going to require financial help," Salinas said. "I remember my financial aid advisor working with me to try to find the best opportunities for me to ensure that I kept going to school and that money wasn't a factor." Despite the challenges, Salinas is grateful for the support she received through her financial aid officer and the PSJA College Transition Program — she was awarded a full-ride scholarship to UTB, which allowed her to graduate without debt. With the head start she received while in high school, she went on to graduate with two bachelor's degrees, one in biology and the other in secondary education, in 2012, only four years later. In 2016, she graduated as a doctor of dental surgery from the University of Texas School of Dentistry in Houston. Today, Salinas takes pride in sharing her knowledge with current PSJA ISD students. Through this opportunity, PSJA students practice real skills they will need in the workforce, gain knowledge, and have a mentor they can count on throughout their future dental careers. "I hope these students walk away with a bigger sense of purpose and a clearer pathway career-wise, so they know what they need to do to get to where they want to be," she said. "If I can help them by mentoring them and guiding them, then I would be happy knowing I can do that for them." For current PSJA Memorial Early College High School senior Deimy Hernandez, one of the students currently completing clinical labs at The Smile Clinic, her dream of working in the dental industry has now come true. "Ever since I was little, I have always wanted to be a dentist. I'm grateful for the education I'm receiving and the experience here," said Hernandez, who hopes to use her dental assistant certificate as she continues her postsecondary education once she graduates in May. "As a

"Ever since I was little, I have always wanted to be a dentist. I'm grateful for the education I'm receiving and the experience here. As a first-generation student, this will help me help my family. This is a great opportunity for us." De i m y H e r n a n d e z , PSJA M emorial E arl y Col l ege Hig h

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first-generation student, this will help me help my family. This is a great opportunity for us." Humbled for the opportunity to give back and continue partnering with her alma mater, Salinas expressed tremendous gratitude for where it all began. "Thank you PSJA for the opportunities you provided me and my family, for believing in me and having such great people within the PSJA Family that care. What you do matters," she said. PSJA ISD welcomes students living anywhere in the Rio Grande Valley. High school students interested in the PSJA Health Sciences Career Pathway can visit www.psjaisd.us/ cteopportunities to learn more.

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Sch ool sen ior

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REDUCE, RE-USE,

RECYCLE Brownsville ISD’s Pledge to Recycle and Conserve

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b y B r i a nna B u l l i o n | p h o t o s p r o v i d e d

delivered to Brownsville ISD schools and facilities to start the commingled recycling program. Dual-stream recycling, or source-separated recycling, has been in place in Brownsville ISD facilities for several years. Various departments have taken part in dualstream recycling. The district’s Food and Nutrition Services Department has recycled paper and cardboard, while the Records Management and Transportation Departments have recycled paper, cardboard, and metal using separate containers. Brownsville ISD also purchases recycled products as part of their recycling initiatives. Purchasing recycled materials helps minimize the creation of waste by reusing materials, recycling materials that are unable to be source-reduced, and purchasing environmentally preferred products. “Brownsville ISD involves the community and Brownsville ISD students by creating and collaborating

Since 2009, Brownsville ISD has been committed to teaching students about the importance of recycling. Micaela Escobar, director of Records Management and Recycling for the school district, believes that teaching students about the significance of recycling is essential. “It is very important to teach our students about recycling and conservation,” she said. “Our students can be our strongest advocates, both within our school district and our community, in protecting our planet, for our future and the future of generations to come.” Brownsville ISD has implemented several recycling initiatives, including commingled recycling, dual-stream recycling, and purchasing recycled products. Commingled recycling — also known as single-stream recycling — involves the recycling of paper, cardboard, metal, and plastic items. The Brownsville ISD Board of Trustees voted to approve the initiative in November 2020. In December 2020, 63 recycling containers were

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Arbor Day Celebration, fifth-grade students inquired if their new middle school had a recycling student club. For this reason, Brownsville ISD and the City of Brownsville - Keep Brownsville Beautiful are in the process of developing a program where elementary and secondary campuses can become affiliates under their (Keep America Beautiful) charter. Our goal is to establish recycling student clubs at each campus.” Brownsville ISD currently offers recycling clubs for secondary schools and is hoping to be able to provide recycling clubs for elementary-age students. If they accomplish this goal, Brownsville ISD will be the first school district in the Rio Grande Valley to provide widespread recycling clubs for elementary schools. This year, Brownsville ISD hosted the second annual Recycle Rally on April 22 in the Brownsville ISD Administration Parking Lot. This event included presentations by the City of Brownsville and Keep Brownsville Beautiful, Gladys Porter Zoo, Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, and Sea Turtle Inc. Recycling is a simple way to protect our environment. Everyone can find a way to do their part and recycle, reduce waste or save water. “You can pledge to save energy, not wastewater, use reusable bags, not litter, and encourage family and friends to be kind to our planet,” Escobar said. To learn more about Brownsville ISD’s recycling initiatives, visit the Brownsville ISD website, Facebook page, or instructional television station.

with community stakeholders,” Escobar said. “Raising awareness on the three Rs (reduce, reuse and recycle) is just one part of a much larger program of activities through which the district takes an increasingly active role to further understanding and preservation of the environment in the years to come.” In September 2009, Brownsville ISD was awarded five grants by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in cooperation with the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council for the purchase of various recycling materials, including education materials for elementary and secondary schools, recycling bins and containers, a large baler and a garbage truck. Brownsville ISD involves its students and the community in these recycling initiatives in several ways, including sponsoring an annual art contest, hosting an Earth Day rally, hosting an Arbor Day celebration, providing educational videos and advertising to promote the district’s recycling program and fostering a competitive spirit between students by publishing participation in recycling initiatives. The district has recycled over 376 tons of materials during the 2021-22 school year. During the 2020-21 school year, Brownsville ISD recycled over 338 tons of materials. Brownsville ISD students have become cognizant of recycling practices within their community. “I have seen the impact on how much students care about recycling since the implementation of the recent initiatives,” Escobar said. “During Brownsville ISD’s first

MAY/JUN 2022

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PREPARING

THE BADGE RGVISION MAGAZINE

MAY/JUN 2022

South Texas College’s Police Academy Gets Officers Ready for the Field b y N a th a ni el Ma ta | ph otos b y Wa l d o Pa l o m a r e s a n d J a co b M e n d o z a South Texas College’s Law Enforcement program is built for aspiring law enforcement officers and those who want more skills to further their careers. Instructor Jennifer Rosillo is a perfect example of that path. She was working as a dispatcher and wanted the skills and training to become a full-time police officer. She trained through the STC Police Academy, became an officer, and less than 10 years later is an instructor in the program, passing the knowledge onto budding and future law enforcement officers.

“This program helps you to become a successful law enforcement officer,” Rosillo said. “You get all the tools, all the knowledge you’re going to need once you’re out there patrolling the streets.” Rosillo eventually left her position of patrolling the community to teach students on a full-time basis. She says the work is rewarding, and seeing the success keeps her motivated. “I love it, especially after my cadets come in full uniform and just seeing them smile and be proud to

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“This program helps you to become a law enforcement officer. You get all the tools, all the knowledge you’re going to need once you’re out there patrolling the streets.” Jenni fer Ros i l l o, i ns tru ctor

Ar a s el i G uer r er o, of f icer

“The program has prepared me by focusing on penal code, criminal code, procedure and a lot of scenarios that help develop that muscle memory to use out in the field.”

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“STC was the foundation of my career — it was the stepping stone,” Rodriguez said. “It’s what helped me learn and grow into what it means to be a police officer.” Something that kept coming up in responses was the vital focus on practical tools to succeed in the heat of a very stressful career path. “From my experience here at STC, we do scenarios,” Rodriguez said. “Those scenarios help us when we’re out on the street. Not only what it takes for us to arrest somebody, but these practice scenarios show us more than just the law. It shows us events that the officers or department do, and how to interact with the community in that aspect. It helped me communicate better, and to see the perspective of law enforcement officers more.” Pharr Police Chief Andy Harvey highlighted the impact of STC on the Law Enforcement field and the region in general. “We have a real gem here in South Texas College for the Valley,” Harvey said. “They provide so many

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wear that uniform,” Rosillo said. “It just makes me proud because I know I helped them get there.” Officer Araseli Guerrero serves as a police officer in Raymondville. She was inspired to join the field because she has a brother in a high rank in the DallasFort Worth region. “When I was a little girl, I looked up to him, and that motivated me to join the police academy,” Guerrero said. “The program has prepared me by focusing on penal code, criminal code, procedure and a lot of scenarios that help develop that muscle memory to use out in the field.” Officer Jacklyn Rodriguez of the Pharr Police Department also had dreams of wearing a badge from a young age. She used STC to springboard her into a career in a community she feels is growing. “Every since I was young, I wanted to be a police officer,” Rodriguez said. “Most of my coworkers went through the program at STC.” Rodriguez says the program was a huge part of her professional development.

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“STC was the foundation of my career — it was the stepping stone. It’s what helped me learn and grow into what it means to be a police officer.” Ja c k l yn Rod r i guez , officer

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programs, speaking from the law enforcement side, I can tell you their passion to help people and develop officers is amazing. Here in Pharr, the Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence is something you don’t see very often in the nation. It provides top-notch training and top-notch instructors.” Rosillo said that the program does a great job of breaking molds and helping women break into a male-dominated field. She’s seen timid women join and make a complete 180 change before entering the job. “At times, it gets difficult for females to want to join the force only because in this career, you’re surrounded by a lot of men,” Rosillo said. “You have to have thick skin and a lot of confidence because we’re just as able to do anything a man can. Women are just as able.” Harvey said women in the police force are huge assets. Statistics show they receive fewer complaints and communicate well with the community.

“It seems like females can communicate in a way that is less threatening and that’s not to say that’s weak because females are very strong and they just bring something different to the table that makes us better,” Harvey said. STC offers multiple paths depending on if an individual is already a law enforcement officer and looking to expand their education in an academic program or if someone is aiming to go through the police academy for the first time. Details and application requirements can be found at southtexascollege.edu/academics/lawenforcement/index.html. As the RGV grows, STC is in a position to help facilitate this growth and train students in programs that target the career and technical education fields so that employment gaps are filled. Supported with THECB Perkins Basic funding. For more information visit: https://bt.southtexascollege. edu/persist/.

“We have a real gem here in South Texas College for the Valley. They provide so many programs, speaking from the law enforcement side, I can tell you their passion to help people and develop officers is amazing." And y Ha r vey, Pha r r Pol ice ch ief an d city man ager

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RAISING THE BAR FOR CLINICAL CARE UTRGV School of Medicine Developing the Next Generation of Physicians b y Ka ti e G ood ma n | p h o t o s co u r t e s y o f U T R GV Dr. Michael Hocker has big plans for meeting the needs

staying in Texas, with 20% staying in local programs to

and demands of the healthcare community in the Rio

complete their training. Others leaving the state do so

Grande Valley.

to attend prestigious residency programs, including two

This year, the UTRGV School of Medicine received over

students who will attend Mass General Harvard and others

7,000 applications, and only 55 students were selected.

at Stanford, Duke, Johns Hopkins, Cedars-Sinai, Cornell,

According to Hocker, 35-38% of the students in medical

and Emory.

school classes are from the Valley. UTRGV has created a

One student from the Valley, Adriana Saavedra-Simmons,

pipeline to take high school students and undergraduates

was accepted into the Harvard program but plans to return

through medical school and residency training.

to the region after her residency. This student is just one

"I think it's exciting as we look at the kids of the Valley

example of how the medical school can create a full circle for aspiring med students.

education, but then come to a phenomenal medical school

While it is important to cultivate local talent, it is just as

and one of the most diverse in the country,” he said.

important to recruit talent.

Hocker added that 50% ot this year’s students will be

"We're no longer a new medical school, but we're still evolving,” Hocker said. “We still have so much work to do here as we develop departments and specialties. There's still a tremendous shortage of physicians and especially specialists."

MAY/JUN 2022

who now can stay here and get a great undergraduate

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He is grateful for the alignment of the community, the University of Texas System, the state, and partnering hospitals to make it all possible. "We're not just developing the next generation of physicians, but true physician leaders, and we want to do that in innovative ways while providing high-quality specialty clinical care in those areas that don't exist here,”

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"I can't wait to see what medicine looks like in the Valley in 10-20 years, and what we can do to change and impact that. To transform the health of the Valley." D r. Mi c h a el Ho cke r, UT RGV M edical Sch ool dean

Hocker said. “Raise the bar for clinical care.”

"How do we change that, and how do we change the

UTRGV Medical School faces a unique challenge, as its

health of the people in the Valley through our research and

mission is like none other in the rest of the country. There

discovery?" Hocker asked.

are degrees of poverty and a lack of access to specialty

Many patients in the RGV are forced to travel to

and primary care.

surrounding cities or regions to receive specialty care. A

“We have great people, but there is still so much to do,”

marker of success for Hocker will be when residents can get

Hocker said. “I can't wait to see what medicine looks like in

Hocker prefers to keep the attention on the work being

get that advanced life-saving, high-quality clinical care here

done at the medical school.

in the Valley."

"It's not about me — I'm a person who believes in

UTRGV has a full accreditation site visit coming in

leadership development, and good leaders are servant

February 2023. Hocker’s top priority is to have a medical

leaders,” he said. “It's really about how I can make this

school that meets accreditation standards.

institution better, how I can make the people who work for

"It's not service to our community, it's service within our

me and with me better, and really impact our community

community,” he said. “It's not just the education or the high-

and provide service within our community. I think that's

quality care, but how do we really become the fabric of the

the legacy UTRGV needs to leave. I'm fortunate to be in a

community we live in and serve it? The entrepreneurship of

leadership position, but it has nothing to do with me."

how to create a sustainable school of medicine that supports

Some unique opportunities set UTRGV apart. The Rio

all of those different missions and things we need to do. "

Grande Valley has significantly higher rates of diabetes,

To learn more about Hocker and the UTRGV School of

hypertension, obesity, and Alzheimer's.

Medicine, visit uthealthrgv.org.

go get quality cancer care,” he said. “You should be able to

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For example, "we don't need people to leave the Valley to

and impact that — to transform the health of the Valley.”

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the same level of care here.

the Valley in 10 to 20 years, and what we can do to change

B U S I N E S S ARTICLE PROVIDED BY

Sergio Contreras

RGVISION MAGAZINE

MAY/JUN 2022

President/CEO RGV Partnership

A CRUCIAL CROSSROAD FOR OUR

ECONOMY The Rio Grande Valley Plays a Significant Role in Both the State and the Nation’s Economies

In 2021, the architecture, engineering, and construction industries within the RGV supported approximately 72,160 jobs and accrued $478.6 million in state and local taxes.

to compete with their counterparts in other countries due to rising costs of operations, but it could directly put the paychecks of those right here in Texas in harm’s way. A study from the Texas Association of Business shows that an increase in the GILTI rate could potentially lead to the loss of upwards of 100,000 good-paying jobs for Texans. Decisions like these by Congress may also impact other sectors of our region’s economy, most notably including the healthcare and biomedical, architecture, engineering, and construction industries, which provided $13.7 billion and $12.9 billion in economic impact for the region this past year. American businesses provide much more for communities than what meets the eye. In 2021, the architecture, engineering, and construction industries within the RGV supported approximately 72,160 jobs and accrued $478.6 million in state and local taxes. These are the same businesses that sponsor our community gatherings, provide jobs for our family members and friends, and produce the goods and services we need to make modern life possible. In a time when many of our communities are still trying to build back from the economic impact caused by the global pandemic, now is not the time to use the back of our business community to fund spending bills.

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Home to nearly 1.4 million hardworking Texans, the business community of the RGV offers investment opportunities in international trade, a growing healthcare presence, and a manufacturing industry that keeps America and the world moving into the future. However, higher taxes to fund federal spending packages will place additional financial burdens on the economy and our workforce. Texas has once again proved to be our nation’s largest exporting state since 2000. In 2020, we sent nearly $280 billion worth of goods abroad, of which $203 billion came from Texas manufacturers in the form of motor vehicles, pieces of technology like computers, and materials such as metal and other minerals. The RGV continues to play an integral role in trade due to our 12 bridge crossings and four maritime ports that allow international trade to flourish, provide goodpaying jobs, and supply the resources to build the infrastructure that supports our growing towns and communities. For those who call South Texas home, a decision by policymakers in Washington, D.C., to increase the Global Low Intangible Tax Income (GILTI) rate to 15% would be especially dangerous, putting our multinational corporations and the nearly 267,000 jobs they create for the manufacturing industry at risk. Increasing the global tax minimum could not only harm American businesses’ ability

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Break with Tradition

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L A

J E F A

Never About

Yourself' Olivia Lemus Lucio Helps Transform Lives Through Food Bank RGV, Community Involvements

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b y Roc i o Vi l l a l obo s | p h o t o b y B a r b a r a De l g a d o

Olivia Lemus Lucio first got involved with the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley as a member of their Empty Bowls fundraising committee. Four years and two titles later, she now serves as director of Development & Donor Services — the economic engine of the food bank that raises over $3.6 million each year to continue its operations. As a Valley native and graduate of the then-University of Texas-Pan American, Lemus Lucio said she finds her work especially gratifying. "It's so rewarding to hear testimonies from the clients that have been positively impacted by our emergency food distributions, pantries, nutrition classes, and many

life-sustaining programs from the Food Bank RGV," she said. "It makes me so proud and honored to know that our team of food bankers helps impact thousands of people across our region. Our mission simply makes sense." With more than 76,000 people fed weekly and just under 50 million meals distributed annually, Food Bank RGV — which serves Hidalgo, Cameron, and Willacy counties — is the seventh-largest food bank in Texas. Food Banks RGV has an efficiency rate of 97% as designated by Charity Navigator, meaning 97 cents out of every $1 donated is used for food acquisition, distribution, and program support, and the remaining

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"It's so rewarding to hear testimonies from the clients that have been positively impacted by our emergency food distributions, pantries, nutrition classes, and many life-sustaining programs from the Food Bank RGV."

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Ol i vi a Lemus Luc i o, director of Devel opmen t & Don or Services

for overhead expenses. Beyond simply combating hunger in individuals day to day through the distribution of meals and groceries, the vision of Food Bank RGV is to put an end to hunger entirely and support a healthy quality of life in the RGV. Spreading awareness for food insecurity and the work Food Bank RGV puts into addressing the issue is the first step in achieving this vision, according to Lemus Lucio. "We ensure that when somebody is eager to learn more about us, they not only understand our mission, but how they can become advocates of our cause," she said. "We're not just saying, 'Well, let's just feed our community facing food insecurity temporarily.' "Really, it's about focusing on what are we doing to transform their lives and take them out of poverty — not just placing a band-aid to this prevalent issue and saying, 'OK, we're just feeding you today.' They're going to be hungry again tomorrow. So, we — alongside other fervent and avid community partners — have to work together to help take food insecure families from hunger to health and economic stability. And that's where our nutrition programs, classes, and services come into play, where we're really educating our community on how to consume healthier foods while providing greater access to fresh produce and nutritious commodities." One program she's particularly proud of is the Kids Produce Market program, where the food bank visits underserved schools throughout the RGV and establishes farmers markets where children can "shop" for produce. "On a personal level, a highlight for me is seeing everything we're doing for our most vulnerable populations — kids and seniors," Lemus Lucio said. "Through programs like these, kids get the chance to see, 'Hey, this is what shopping feels like,' and they are encouraged to pick vegetables rather than other less healthy snacks." Though it's not without its challenges — one of the largest being when the food bank's clients more than tripled during the height of the pandemic — she says it's an honor to serve in her role.

"I keep the mindset that I get to go to work, not have to go to work," she said. "I have an opportunity every day to make an impact." When a circumstance feels overwhelming, she turns to wellness practices to gain perspective and find the energy to tackle the situation. A few practices that Lemus Lucio enjoys include meditating, staying active, and listening to positive affirmations. "Taking the time to prioritize your mental health makes you realize there's a bigger purpose for you, for your role, and for who you are as a human being," she said. "My husband and I love to go out for walks every Friday. That's like our little detox. "We leave our phones at home and really enjoy ourselves. You have to remember that in order to give, you also have to take care of yourself just to be the best version you can be." In addition to her full-time role, she's active in other community organizations, including Junior League of McAllen and Leadership McAllen — which both connect back to the RGV Food Bank through the underlying mission of being of service. Looking ahead, Lemus Lucio looks forward to advancing within Food Bank RGV and continuing to expand its presence throughout the Valley. Over the next couple of years, she said they plan to establish a physical presence in Cameron County to further increase their services and programs to the food-insecure families residing in the Lower Valley. For anyone searching for the right career fit, Lemus Lucio advises first finding something you're skilled at and opening yourself up to feedback from people you admire and respect. "You have to remember that not everyone knows what career path to pursue right away," she said. "It may take some time exploring different areas to get experience in different fields. And when you finally jump into that career or field that makes you forget that it's 5 o'clock, that's how you know you're in the right path. "Because it's no longer a job. It's your passion."

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COMPREHENSIVE

Stroke Care

When residents of the Rio Grande Valley need stroke care they can count on, many turn to South Texas Health System® McAllen – one of the five certified facilities within the South Texas Health System Neurosciences & Stroke Institute. South Texas Health System McAllen is designated by the Texas Department of State Health Services as a Level I stroke facility, making it an invaluable regional resource. It has also been certified as a DNV Comprehensive Stroke Center and the facility meets the current Brain Attack Coalition, American Heart Association® and American Stroke Association® recommendations.

When minutes matter, count on South Texas Health System to provide stroke care you can count on. To learn more, visit southtexashealthsystemmcallen.com/stroke

In short, South Texas Health System McAllen provides the most advanced level of stroke care to the communities we serve – 24 hours a day, seven days a week. South Texas Health System is one of only a handful of facilities in Texas to be awarded the Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Gold Plus award as well as all three target levels: Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus, Target: Stroke Advanced Therapy and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll.

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. 22651359-774450 3/22

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LIFE IS A

HIGHWAY A Brief Overview of the Interstate Corridors of Rio South Texas

major industrial hubs of San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, and Fort Worth. I-35’s Mile Marker 0 is actually in Rio South Texas, in Laredo, where the above-mentioned I-69 West also joins it. While I-69 and I-35 are the major north-south arteries on the North American supply chain, in Rio South Texas, they are tied together by the I-2 corridor, an east-west freeway. Currently under development via upgrades to the existing U.S. Highway 83, once fully built out, Interstate 2 will span between I-69 East in Harlingen to I-69 West / I-35 in Laredo. It provides the Rio South Texas region’s international points of entry with an efficient east-west connection, as well as offering the industrial and logistics centers along the border of Tamaulipas, Mexico, with access to I-35 and I-69. In addition, I-2 also connects to the Rio South Texas region’s airports, rail network, and deep water sea ports, thereby creating multi-modal access to the North American supply chain. The Council for South Texas Economic Progress (COSTEP) is an organization that is focused on advancing regional prosperity through the addition of a strategic framework for economic development. If you want more information, visit our website www.costep.org today or follow us on social media @COSTEP.

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Rio South Texas is a crucial player for the North American supply chain. With 3.74 million trucks entering the region via international points of entry in 2021, it is natural to wonder about the different journeys these trucks take to deliver commercial goods on an international scale. COSTEP is here to shed light on some of the major highways commonly used to transport goods and materials quickly and efficiently via Rio South Texas. Here are the highway infrastructure resources that play a pivotal role in transporting commercial goods between the United States, Mexico, and Canada. First is the I-69 system, which extends through Texas to Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, and Michigan. The system corridor is designated to be almost 1,088 miles long in Texas alone and is under ongoing development. The Texas portion of the I-69 system, which runs through the state’s major industrial hubs at Houston and Corpus Christi, is undergoing a series of incremental upgrades and relief route projects so, as construction and upgrades continue to go on, the efficiency of the I-69 system in Texas will continue to improve. Rio South Texas is home to three legs of the I-69 system, namely I-69 East, I-69 Central, and I-69 West, all of which connect to the region’s International Points of Entry. Up next is the I-35 corridor, which extends through Texas to Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, and Minnesota. Its Texas length is almost 589 miles, and it travels through the state’s

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by Faith Chua

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OPEN FOR BUSINESS FASTSIGNS RGV Adapts During COVID-19 Outbreak to Serve Valley Residents and First Responders

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b y B r ya n K i r k | p h o t o s b y B r e n d a B a z á n Rod and Rose Snell are the picture of what many may perceive the American Dream of business ownership is, especially if they’ve never considered the possibility of opening a business themselves. For almost 25 years, Rod and Rose Snell have owned and operated two FASTSIGNS locations in the Valley, and have recently moved their McAllen store into a new and larger store. It’s a dream come true, but it certainly wasn’t the plan they had coming out of the University of Texas-El Paso. In fact, that concept was far away from what they thought their future held for them when they moved from El Paso to Harlingen in 1994. Rose had graduated with her bachelor’s degree in finance, while Rod earned his bachelor’s degree in engineering. Rose found a job right out of college and started working in management for The Limited retail stores, but Rod had a harder time finding work. Engineering jobs were difficult to come by in the early ’90s, and after six months of going on countless interviews around the United States — only to come up short — Rod and Rose decided they had to do something to support themselves. Rod, who’d been a tennis pro at one of the El Paso country clubs when he was in college, decided to pick up his racket again, and within a week of sending out his

first application, he was hired as the head tennis pro at the H-E-B Tennis Center in Harlingen. “Our first thought was, OK, we’ll be here about three years, and then we’ll work our way back to El Paso, but that changed,” Rod said. “We are still here, and we love it.” As it turned out, the move from West Texas to the Valley was more than serendipitous, it was destiny. Within two years, Rod was hired at Lockheed Martin in Harlingen, which later became United Launch Alliance, while Rose embarked on her dream of business ownership. “Ever since I was a little girl, my dad would always tell me that I’d have my own business,” Rose said. “That was always in the back of my mind.” While Rod was designing and building rockets, Rose was beginning to hear from friends in El Paso about a franchise called FASTSIGNS. They traveled to El Paso to explore and discuss business opportunities in Harlingen when they had a chance meeting with the owner of the FASTSIGNS franchise in El Paso. Rose said the franchisee told them how difficult it would be and tried to discourage them from opening their own franchise. “I’m glad we didn’t listen because this is probably one of the best decisions we’ve ever made,” Rose said. In 1998, the Snells opened their first FASTSIGNS

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franchise in Harlingen. Rose operated that franchise for eight years, and in 2004, they purchased the McAllen location from the previous owner. Rose ran both locations until 2011, when Rod was furloughed from United Launch Alliance. “They furloughed me for a year and a half, so that enabled me to go and work the business with Rose for that period of time,” Rod said. He went back to designing rockets in 2013, after those 18 months passed, but eventually returned to work with Rose full time. “Mechanical engineering was like a means to an end,” Rod said. “I knew it was a good occupation, and I knew I was good at math, computers, and processes. I liked it, but I never saw myself as a mechanical engineer. All that has led me to this.” That level of soul searching led to him eventually leaving the mechanical engineering field and working in the McAllen store full time, while Rose worked at the Harlingen location. The business continued to flourish until the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, and businesses in the Valley were forced to close. Like a lot of business owners, they were unprepared and at first unsure how they should react. Then, fear set in when the phones stopped ringing. Rose said they struggled and cried, and prayed each day they would not have to lay off any of the 21 employees, many of whom have been with FASTSIGNS since they opened the first store in Harlingen. “We did not stop going to work,” Rose said. “We kept going. We are firm believers in perseverance and in pushing through. We are survivors.” Everyone stayed busy cleaning, organizing, painting, and waiting for their phones to ring once again. Days of waiting turned to weeks, and then things began to change. The phones began to ring again, the FASTSIGNS family took it as a small victory. Soon, the business began to shift. As the demand for party or event banners

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For almost 25 years, Rod and Rose Snell have owned and operated two Fast Signs locations in the Valley, and have recently moved their McAllen store into a new and larger store.

more than a year, and Rose said it was Rod who found what they feel is their ideal location. “I love driving up to our new building every day,” Rod said. “We are having more through-the-door traffic and more foot traffic [to the store]. People really appreciate the convenience, because when we were in the strip center, it was just jam-packed, and parking was always bad. Now, our employees have all the parking they need, and our customers have all the parking they need.” In the two years since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the Snells say they are able to look back with a sense of pride when they consider how their staff handled the stress each day, both personally and professionally. In fact, they consider it the greatest moment in the history of their business. “Everybody was scared. That was the first thing our employees would talk about each morning,” Rod said. “The Bible says, ‘fear not’ over and over, so we tried to strengthen ourselves. It was the fear factor we had to overcome, and our employees were solid.”

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and signs waned and evaporated, FASTSIGNS became the go-to place for pandemic related products, such as instructional or public awareness signage, desk shields, and face shields, all of which were still in high demand. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, they were deemed an essential business. “Sales increased during the pandemic because we were able to react quickly to the community’s demands,” Rose said. “We were able to adapt, because we deemed ourselves as the COVID-19 relief signage company. We have an amazing staff.” Business boomed during the pandemic, and the demand for COVID-19-related products remained a highdemand staple of their business for more than a year, Rod said. This made it possible for the Snells to end their lease at the old McAllen location, and secure a low-interest loan that allowed them to purchase a 7,000 square-foot building to relocate their McAllen store. The Snells had been looking for a new building for

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Trusted for Over Two Decades, Harlingen-Based Reveille Trucking Ensuring Safe, Reliable Freight Transportation b y Roc i o Vi l l a l obo s | p h o t o s b y J a co b M e n d o z a

TRUCKING

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REVEILLE

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Reveille sets the standard. Established in Harlingen by David O’Brien with just two trucks in 1995, Reveille Trucking Inc. has grown over the years into an international 100-plus truck operation with an on-time performance record of 98.5% Though the company experienced steady growth in its first decade, President Tim O’Brien, David’s son, helped accelerate the pace when he joined in 2008. Over this period, Reveille expanded from 27 trucks to 112. “Our success comes down to our team,” Tim said. “It’s an overall effort by everybody to help.” From drivers to those in accounting, dispatch, or sales, in the family-run business, each employee is treated as such. According to Tim, Reveille has employees dating back to its start; this is due to the company’s principles, valuing its employees and offering competitive benefits. Reveille transports across the continental U.S, Canada, and — through its carrier partners — into Mexico.

“While we’re in an industry that operates 24/7, we understand that everyone needs time to be at home with their families,” Tim said. “Even with our drivers, we make sure they’re home two days a week. They don’t bounce around the country; they go and come right back.” Similarly, they have clients who have been around just as long. A few from throughout the years include Pentair, BBB Industries, Stanley Black & Decker, Century Aluminum, and LG. “They know to expect dependability and quality service,” he said. “I have the best staff there is, without a doubt. The Reveille team is top-notch.” This is ensured by investing in its employees through orientation and training initiatives and upholding strict operator qualification requirements. As an essential industry, Reveille’s transportations did not halt with the onset of the pandemic. Though an unprecedented challenge that temporarily led business

T i m O’B r i e n , presiden t

committed to saving its customers time and money through its efficient, quality systems backed by more than 22 years of experience. Tim adds they are always looking for new people to join the ever-growing operation. With several trucks on order for the year, they are especially in need of drivers to fill the seats. For more information on Reveille’s employment opportunities and transportation services, visit ReveilleTrucking.com.

“Our success comes down to our team. It’s an overall effort by everybody to help.”

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to slow down, Tim said by remaining united, they were able to weather the worst of it — with safety remaining the top priority. He ensured measures were put in place to minimize the risk of people getting sick, which proved successful. “I was very impressed with my team and everyone pulling together to do the best they could during a certain time,” he said. “Then, fortunately, the pace picked up, and we were really able to take advantage of the booming economy.” Another value Reveille holds is environmental responsibility. As a SmartWay Transport Partner — a program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Reveille has updated its fleet to lower emission vehicles with above average miles per gallon to minimize its carbon footprint. “It’s just about doing our part,” Tim said. If in need of reliable transportation, Reveille is

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BUSINESS GROWTH Harlingen EDC Discusses Future Development of Industrial and Commercial Space to Attract New Businesses b y B r ya n K i r k | p h o t o s b y Wa l d o Pa l o m a r e s The Harlingen Economic Development Corporation could soon be hanging out the for-lease sign on a number of industrial properties that are currently being updated for future occupancy. Raudel Garza, Harlingen EDC’s executive director, shared his vision during an April meeting with local project developers, which also included his plan to attract new businesses to Harlingen’s industrial market. “We understand that the market for industrial space is scarce in the Rio Grande Valley, and really scarce here in

Harlingen,” Garza said. “A lot of the [business] prospects that we are missing out on are prospects that require very large square footage.” Wayne Lowry, executive director at SOG Properties LLC, has been involved with the Harlingen EDC’s speculative building program, which provides tax abatements or incentives to developers who take on projects that provide commercial workspaces or industrial work spaces in certain communities. Over the last couple of years, Lowry has taken on

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several redevelopment projects in Harlingen that had been previously ignored by former investors. One of those was the downtown post office, which was converted to a bank building that was formerly home to Capital One Bank. When Capital One moved, the property sat vacant for several years, allowing Lowry and SOC Properties to purchase the building and transform it into executive office spaces that have since been leased out to new tenants. Another of those properties — the San Pedro Plaza, a fixture in downtown Harlingen for decades, had fallen into disrepair and had become something of an eyesore. SOG Properties invested in and restored the building, and kept some of its original 1930s grandeur intact with a touch of 21stcentury flair, which has generated quite a bit of interest. “Having both of those properties and seeing the level of interest in commercial office space/downtown retail told us there was interest in Harlingen,” Lowry said. Two of Lowry’s partners were involved in several redevelopment projects in the upper Rio Grande Valley, indicating there was a lot of commercial and industrial interest in Harlingen. This interest helped create the relationship between SOG Properties and the Harlingen EDC, Lowry said. “So far, the process has gone rather well,” Lowry said. “We feel like the HEDC has brokered a great environment for [business] growth.” Currently, SOG Properties is developing a 150,000-square-foot industrial space, with space for an additional 150,000-square-foot space. Lowry said the new development will be marketed to manufacturers or other industrial companies who are considering a move to the Valley. Chris Hamby, president of H2O Construction Services and a Harlingen native, has been involved in the industrial and

commercial construction business for more than 20 years. Some of his projects include the 32-acre property located at the intersection of FM 509 and FM 106, which only had a 10,500 square-foot pad at the time. Hamby added a building to the pad, and leased the facility to Trailboss Enterprises. “I leased to them for about a year, and then sold to them,” Hamby said. He subdivided the remaining acreage and added more industrial facilities to draw new tenants, which included Texas Plating and Polishing Solutions, and required an electrical transformer pad on the property. Hamby has since purchased and developed several smaller industrial properties that have totaled more than 207,000 square feet since 2019. “This shows a strong need for more industrial space in Harlingen,” Garza said. “We have very few industrial buildings that are not occupied. There are a few buildings out there that need a lot of work.” Garza said there are few — if any — Class A or Class B industrial facilities available, which makes it difficult to bring in companies who are looking for industrial space immediately. Some of the industries he’d like to see come and grow in Harlingen include the aerospace industry, health care, automotive parts manufacturing, sheet metal fabrication, electronics, and alternative or green energy. “We love for developers to come into Harlingen and build new space because those spaces bring us opportunities to create more jobs and more investment,” he said. “We are constantly prospecting. We are constantly working with different lead generators to get in front of companies.” Garza said there are several companies that the Harlingen EDC is having discussions with who are looking at relocating closer to the U.S.-Mexico border, but those discussions are mostly in the early stages.

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

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

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NAVIGATING THE

REAL ESTATE

MARKET Brandon & Audrey Real Estate Help Valley Residents Buy and Sell Homes

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The Brandon and Audrey Team make dreams come true in the Rio Grande Valley, one home at a time. As a husband and wife duo, Brandon and Audrey Krupala provide real estate services in the greater Rio Grande Valley. If you're looking to buy, sell, or refinance your home, Brandon and Audrey can help. Not only do Brandon and Audrey have 20 years of combined experience in real estate, they are also Rio Grande Valley born and raised. They both attended Harlingen South High School and have frequented the surrounding areas since they were young. Brandon and Audrey are excited to be a part of the growth happening in the Rio Grande Valley. Their deep love for their community motivates them to see the region and its residents flourish and grow. Brandon and Audrey love helping single residents, married couples, and families navigate their home transaction. With a little girl of their own, Brandon and Audrey understand how important it is for people to find the right home at the right price. They have helped over 400 families buy and sell homes and have over 70 fivestar reviews. Using their marriage to their advantage, Brandon and Audrey pride themselves on being able to move quicker by working together. They tag-team clients, ensuring fast and efficient management of transactions. Relying on one another helps them move as quickly as the real estate market does, resulting in happy clients and $77 million in sales volume. One of their clients, Marco A. Arona, was impressed at how responsive Brandon has been. "Anytime I need him, he will answer the phone, he has always been informative, all the paperwork has been on time … he is always there for me," Arona said. There's no doubt that Brandon is a seasoned professional with skill navigating the real estate market. Brandon graduated from Texas A&M University and started

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b y Ka r i Ku r z | p h o t o s b y Wa l d o Pa l o m a r e s a n d J a co b M e n d o z a

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Brandon and Audrey are excited to be a part of the growth happening in the Rio Grande Valley. Their deep love for their community motivates them to see the valley and its residents flourish and grow.

his real estate career as soon as he graduated. He loves helping people with various aspects of real estate, including investments, fix and flips, rentals, and new construction. Another client, Denise Dvorak, was happy when Zillow paired her with Audrey. "We enlisted her help to show and sell the home we were living in,” Dvorak said. “She did a wonderful job. When we decided to buy a house, we enlisted Brandon's help. So they worked together, which made it twice as easy as far as I am concerned." Dvorak added that Audrey was "a delight to work with." Audrey graduated from University of Texas at Brownsville and spent time as a school psychologist before jumping into real estate with Brandon. Her deep care for people and knowledge of the real estate industry makes her a great guide through what can feel like a scary process. The husband-and-wife team can transform the entire experience, client H Clay Hodges found. "After a negative buying experience in the Valley, my wife and I chose Brandon and Audrey to sell our home,” Hodges

said. “Despite it being in the middle of COVID-19, they sold our home in record time, and we were able to make money off of the sale. They were the ultimate professionals. We are very thankful for Brandon and Audrey. Great people and great agents!" It is evident from Brandon and Audrey's legacy that these words ring true. The Krupalas are great people, and they also know how to get the job done. Brandon and Audrey are active in their local church and have a strong commitment to their faith, which is the foundation of their marriage. Audrey enjoys coffee, spending time with people, and staying active — even if that just means keeping up with her busy toddler. Brandon loves to barbecue, play drums and guitar, and enjoys fishing the Laguna Madre. You might find Brandon at his favorite restaurant, Pepe's Mexican Restaurant, or Audrey at New York Deli. They love meeting new people, so be sure to say hi! To learn more about the Krupalas, visit their website at https://brandonaudreyteam.com.

H E A L T H

SWEET DREAMS

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Tips For Better Sleep And Common Sleep Disorders Getting the recommended amount of sleep has long been known to be essential in promoting positive health, well-being, and safety. During sleep, our body restores our energy to help us feel refreshed the next day and helps improve our memory and mood. It is recommended that adults receive around seven to nine hours, teens eight to 10 hours, and school-aged children nine to 12 hours of sleep per night to maintain a healthy sleep schedule. Trouble falling or staying asleep can have many different causes, including stress. Stress can include concerns about work, school, finances, relationships, or even difficult life events. Thoughts about worldwide events, such as increasing gas prices, the COVID-19 pandemic, or the war in Ukraine may also lead to sleep difficulties. It may be difficult for everyone to receive the recommended amount of sleep, and if you don't get enough sleep, this can lead to sleep deprivation. Sleep

deprivation can lead to daytime sleepiness as well as the following problems: • Fatigue • Irritability • Cardiovascular disease (including high blood pressure, stroke) • Weight gain or weight loss • Poor cognitive performance (such as shortened attention span, memory difficulties) • Sleep-wake disorder The National Sleep Foundation revealed that 40 million people in the U.S. experience sleep disorders, which can lead to sleep deprivation and insufficient sleep. We've included several examples of the most common sleepwake disorders: • Insomnia disorder is characterized by difficulty falling

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and staying asleep, as well as early-morning awakening without the ability to fall back asleep. Individuals with insomnia may experience the following symptoms: • Fatigue • Irritability • Depressed mood • Significant difficulties with daily functioning • Sleep apnea causes you to stop and start breathing while sleeping, repeatedly. Individuals with sleep apnea generally have limited air reaching their lungs while they sleep, causing continuous interruptions in sleep throughout the night. The following symptoms may be experienced: • Fatigue • Irritability • Loud snoring • Difficulty concentrating • Narcolepsy is caused by excessive, uncontrollable sleepiness during the day. Individuals may experience sudden attacks of sleep lasting anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes, causing disruptions to one's daily routine that interferes with education, employment, and relationships. The following symptoms may be experienced: • Excessive drowsiness during the day • Restlessness and irritability • Vivid hallucinations while falling asleep or waking up

beverages such as coffee or sodas a few hours before bedtime might make it harder for you to fall asleep and decrease the quality of your overall sleep. Try drinking some chamomile tea or cold water instead. • Keep Electronics Away. Electronic devices, such as phones and tablets, should be put away 20 to 30 minutes before bedtime. The blue light that is projected from these devices may hinder your body's melatonin production, making it harder for you to fall asleep. Instead of using your phone before bed, try reading or journaling instead.

It is recommended that you talk to your healthcare provider about any concerns or symptoms.

For more information regarding sleep health, visit, The National Sleep Foundation: https://www.thensf.org National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute – Sleep Health: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/education-andawareness/sleep-health

What Can I Do to Improve My Sleep? Consistently maintaining a healthy sleep schedule is just as important as eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water, and exercising. We gathered a few recommendations that may help you improve your sleep:

(Co-authors include Dr. Mercado’s Mental Health Lab at UTRGV:

• Put Sleep First. Our lives can get hectic, but prioritizing sleep over deadlines, errands, and other activities can help you become more alert and productive during the day. It might be helpful to schedule when you want to go to sleep and wake up every day, so your body can get used to this pattern. Setting up a healthy sleep schedule may improve your circadian rhythm and improve your quality of sleep.

María Sevilla-Matos, Pablo Ruiz, Andy Torres, Amanda Palomin,

ARTICLE PROVIDED BY

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

• Avoid Caffeine Before Bedtime. Drinking caffeinated

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and Frances Morales.)

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•Create a Serene Environment and Relax Your Mind. Dimming your lights and blocking out noise can help create a peaceful environment to help you fall asleep quicker. Try listening to relaxing music before bed to create an effective sleeping environment. Meditation and deep breathing can help relax your mind and get your body ready for sleep.

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ValleyBaptist.net or call 956-698-5400 1040 W Jefferson St. Brownsville Texas 78520

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WELCOME TO RODEO DENTAL The Rio Grande Valley is the Heart and Soul of Rodeo Dental Culture

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by A lej a nd r a Ta ma yo | ph otos b y Ja co b Mend oz a a nd pr ovi d ed Through its mission to "Give Every Family the KEY to Access High-End Dental Care," Rodeo Dental has created a place where families in need have the opportunity to receive high-end dental care when it might have previously been out of reach. Rodeo's mission-driven culture has created an environment of inclusivity and support for the communities in the Rio Grande Valley while changing the perspective surrounding the typical dental experience. Tita and Raul, two veteran Roadies, as they are called, shared their thoughts on Rodeo Dental's impactful culture. Why do you think the Rodeo Culture is key to effectively living out the company’s mission and core values? How does it translate in your day to day? TITA: Rodeo culture is respect, trust, integrity, growth, and teamwork. The culture impacts how employees interact with their work every day, and it greatly impacts their happiness and satisfaction. When we can do that, it's transformational to the experience of our patients because you can feel when someone loves what they do, and they are passionate about it. My role as the Upper Valley area lead allows me to be hands-on with this. RAUL: The Rodeo Culture is our personality. It's who we are. Our culture is a reflection of our company's core values, and we keep them front and center in all aspects every day. As the procurement and compliance specialist,

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"Our culture shines through our teams and creates instant connections with our patients because we truly do care about what we do."

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Ra ul

my workflow is fun. I enjoy knowing that my work makes an impact. It starts with our team interactions and how we treat our patients with compassion and care. How is Rodeo Dental boosting that culture for the patients and the team every day on an office level? TITA: Boosting our culture daily to our patients is my favorite! The first thing we do is welcome them with a big "Welcome to Rodeoooo!” We want to make sure they know that visiting the dentist can be a positive experience. We provide patients with an activity while waiting in the lobby and even have their favorite movie playing in our theater. It's a big celebration when it is their birthday, or we have one of our big bashes. We even have patients take pictures with our dentists and the team! Finally, we end our interactions by always asking them how they felt about their time at Rodeo Dental because we genuinely care about their visit. RAUL: I agree with Tita. In terms of our team, I think the culture is boosted daily! Every morning our team leader hosts a fun, focused, organized morning team huddle so we can start the day on the right foot, looking for opportunities for collaboration, games to boost creativity, recognizing the wins, and congratulating the team on successes that they accomplish. Starting the

day with good motivation lets you transmit and connect with others easily. This is how we engage with our patients on a daily basis, helping them in any need, we listen, we serve and we care! Why do you believe the Rodeo Culture is so powerful in the Valley? TITA: It differentiates us from everyone else. It creates a positive, fun environment for the staff to grow and learn, while impacting a community who truly delivers the message of inclusivity in different ways, and we get to share that culture. We find that a lot of people in the Valley are hesitant to visit the dentist, and we get to change that through originality and passionate team members. After all, "Culture is simply a shared way of doing something with a passion." RAUL: Our culture shines through our teams and creates instant connections with our patients because we truly do care about what we do. It makes the Valley a special place to create a large impact within the community because we've been accepted with open arms, and the impact will be far greater than just an average trip to the dentist. It has become a conversation about what a traditional dental practice has always been versus the incredible horizons that Rodeo Dental has reached throughout the entire Valley.

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IN AN EMERGENCY Count on the South Texas Health System Trauma & Critical Care Institute

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b y Sel ene G u e r r e r o | p h o t o s p r o v i d e d It may come as a shock, but accidents and unintentional injuries are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On average, injury accounts for more than 150,000 deaths and more than 3 million non-fatal injuries per year. Medical emergencies happen every day, and South Texas Health System (STHS) is ready to provide nationally recognized emergency and critical care when and where you need it. STHS is home to the South Texas Health System Trauma & Critical Care Institute, which encompasses the largest network of trauma and critical care services in the Rio Grande Valley. “While you can’t plan for the unexpected, you can take comfort in knowing that South Texas Health System is here to provide emergency and critical care when you need us, where you need us,” said Todd Mann, chief executive officer of South Texas Health System in McAllen. South Texas Health System consists of four acute-

care facilities, six freestanding emergency departments, and a behavioral hospital, all at the ready to serve the community’s medical needs, especially in an emergency. While all the system’s freestanding emergency departments and hospital ERs are prepared to provide round-the-clock care during medical emergencies, including a dedicated emergency room just for kids at South Texas Health System Children’s, South Texas Health System McAllen is designated a Level II Trauma Center. What exactly does that mean for the community? In short, the Rio Grande Valley residents have access to board-certified trauma surgeons and specialists immediately available and are less likely to have to be transferred out of the region for advanced care. Dr. Carlos Palacio, director of research for STHS’ Trauma Program and Advanced Trauma and Life Support director, has been serving the Rio Grande Valley community for four years and has been a part of connecting the Rio Grande Valley to the quality health care this area deserves without having to leave the region.

Grande Valley. In fact, Palacio added that in the last year, only one trauma patient was sent to another facility. STHS McAllen also has one of the lowest trauma mortality rates, at 2.14%, according to their website. “By continuing to build and grow the trauma care program, we will provide this area the level of care that we need and deserve here,” Palacio said. So when care can’t wait, count on the South Texas Health System Trauma & Critical Care Institute.

Network to help survivors and their families rebuild their lives after a traumatic injury. Other education and community programs that STHS McAllen offers include Advanced Trauma Life Support Course, Stop the Bleed, Reality Education for Drivers, Mental Health First Aid Training, and others. Since the Level II designation, STHS has reported a lower rate of transfers to facilities outside of the Rio

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“If you are injured in a car accident, the trauma team will not only perform your surgery but will continue providing care at the ICU (Intensive Care Unit), providing critical care from the moment the patient arrives at our facility,” Palacio said. That means that the patients are under the team’s care 24/7, and the staff understands the patient’s injuries, needs, and can provide the critical care needed for their recovery. The STHS McAllen Trauma Department focuses on patients who have suffered severe injuries from car accidents and penetrating injuries like gunshot and stab wounds. The team provides those life-saving procedures to patients who are in critical condition. The trauma team is made up of general surgeons, orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgery, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, radiology, and critical care specialists. This sort of care right in our own backyard has ensured that our once underserved community now has the care needed to meet the desperate needs of patients with life-threatening injuries or illness. “One thing that has changed is the ability to care for patients here,” Palacio said. “We are hiring quality physicians who are able to care for the patients right here in the Valley.” Palacio emphasized that STHS was the first in Hidalgo County since 2018 to be designated Level II, and aside from offering this valuable care, STHS has been improving the education component by offering injury prevention courses. STHS also has organized support groups for severe trauma patients through the Trauma Survivors

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Heart Is RGV-Born Doctor Returns Home to Make Local Impact

by Nathaniel Mata | photo provided

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SERVING WHERE THE

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Rio Grande Valley general surgeon and gastrointestinal specialist Dr. Michael Martinez holds the Valley close to his heart. Even though he went east to pursue an Ivy League education, Martinez knew he wanted to return to serve. The Yale Medical School graduate is a part of Texas Digestive Specialists. “It was extremely important to me when I left. I always had the idea I was going to come back and be a part of the community here,” Martinez said. “I was born and raised in Edinburg, and my family has lived in the area for several generations. When I went away to school, I knew I wanted to bring those skills back here and be a part of the Valley moving forward. It’s grown in so many ways since I first left, but I knew it was on the upward trajectory in so many areas, especially in my particular area as far as health care.” Growth in the Rio Grande Valley’s healthcare sector is hard to miss. The construction and accreditation of a medical school were a part of the catalyst to bringing all sorts of advancements in medical training and patient care. “We have the medical school, several residency programs that have opened up, new hospitals, new advanced treatments are coming down to the Valley, and it’s just exciting to be a part of that,” Martinez said. The advent of better healthcare options has a plethora of benefits for patients and their likelihood of recovery. “The No. 1 reason that it’s important is it actually leads to better outcomes,” Martinez said. “If you have a patient that has a particularly complex disease or medical problem that’s able to stay home near their family, they don’t have to leave the immediate area around the state … they can get treatment sooner and don’t have to take time off of work or leave their support system. Those patients just do better in the long run. And that should be the goal of everyone who provides care; to find a way for patients to be more comfortable during the process without sacrificing the care. We don’t want them to stay in the Valley to get substandard treatment. People in the Valley deserve that just as much as the people in San Antonio, Dallas, or Houston.” Martinez’s focus is what is known as the “foregut,” which is a specific part of the GI (gastrointestinal) tract that the small bile, stomach, and lower esophagus. He said when it comes to preventing issues in these areas, of course, watching diet is a must, but also including physical activity to your routine is vital.

“We have the medical school, several residencies programs that have opened up, new hospitals, new advanced treatments are coming down to the Valley and it’s just exciting to be a part of that.” Dr. M i ch a e l M a r t i n e z , gen eral su rgeon

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“One of the things that have changed in the Valley is there’s a lot of activity that didn’t used to exist,” Martinez said. “There are walking trails and bike trails. You can find groups of people doing something that you enjoy doing. People are roller skating or doing yoga. There’s no substitute for physical activity. There’s no medicine that you can take that will replace just going out and being active with your body.” He also stressed that this doesn’t have to be a cost to the community. Many activities are available for free or low-cost. “From a preventive standpoint, I would tell the entire community [to] just take advantage of the facilities we have now, and so many of them are free or low-cost,” Martinez said. “So it does not matter your financial or social situation. It should be possible to get out there.” His last message to the community was the fact that getting into the medical field is a possibility for everyone, not only for doctors. “I think it’s so important for people to realize how wonderful a place this is — how high the level of care can be here, especially from a healthcare standpoint and how many opportunities there are in the area,” Martinez said. “Sometimes people don’t see themselves as able to get into the medical field, or they think the medical field is only doctors, nurses, and surgeons. There are hundreds of positions that affect the daily health of people in the area.” As the Valley advances and produces doctors and medical professionals of its own, we can only hope that many have the same positive attitude and willingness to serve the community to continue pushing the needle of health in the right direction.

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an d gastroin testin al special ist

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LIFE STAR The Rio Grande Valley’s Go-To for Safe and Reliable Medical Transport

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b y Ka ti e G o o d m a n | p h o t o s p r o v i d e d

Did you know ambulances are also used for nonemergency situations? Whether you’re a child or an adult, Heather Segovia and her husband, Moises Segovia, have you covered. Owners of two ambulance businesses, St. Michael’s and Life Star, their beginnings are both humble and inspiring. Moises Segovia started out as a medic and has over 16 years of experience under his belt. In fact, his decision to start his own business came from an incident with a previous employer. His boss would not allow him to take an elderly woman to her husband’s funeral, who had been a patient of Segovia’s for years. He was told that if he took this woman to her husband’s funeral, he would be fired. Moises Segovia chose to put his values over his employment and was terminated shortly after, allowing his patient to say her final goodbyes to her husband. “We believe in treating every patient like they’re your own mother,” Heather Segovia said. “Our patients deal with a lot with family and their diagnoses. The last thing

they need to be worried about is how they’re going to get from here to there.” With newfound unemployment, Moises Segovia had to make a decision: continue his life’s passion of helping others or move on. For $30,000, Segovia pieced together the couple’s first ambulance using an older back box paired with a new front chassis. Since then, they have grown their fleet to 14 ambulances. The majority of patients whom Life Star assists are bed-bound, obese, need oxygen, or need restraint. Many elderly patients need transport from their nursing homes to the hospital. The non-emergency transportation service Life Star provides is critical in the health management of patients who need more than a taxi service for their commute to their medical appointments. Whether you need safe and reliable medical transportation across town or across the country, Life Star can help you. Specializing in long-distance transfer, also known as LDT, Life Star is the go-to ambulatory transport

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EMS service was the only service allowed to work there. The Segovias received eight citations simply for trying to help during a city-wide catastrophe. “COVID has opened the eyes to the city’s ambulance system, which is operating as a monopoly,” Heather Segovia said. “We’re only allowed to transport patients into or out of the city, but not within the city. It’s the same with Harlingen, but they are closer to changing their policy. “People are waiting up to four hours for an ambulance because the city only has eight to 10 trucks for the whole City of Brownsville, yet we have 14.” The staff at Life Star are experts at making a very difficult situation a little easier through caring for their patients the way they would their own family. Every truck is fully equipped with the latest state-of-the-art medical equipment to ensure all proper measures are taken for a safe and comfortable patient experience. Those interested in non-emergency ambulance service may call (956) 660-6543 or visit https://lifestarems-rgv. business.site/ to get an online quote today.

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business in South Texas. In a recent case, the company transported an elderly man across the country so he could spend his final days with his family. Life Star accepts all insurance as well as private pay. In this situation, the family was able to utilize the private pay option. While Life Star has proven to be an exceptional aid to the Rio Grande Valley area over the years, the truly lifesaving moments occurred during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. When the ambulance system for the City of Brownsville hit capacity, many institutions, such as The Center for Dialysis, had nobody to turn to. “By law, all transports are covered by insurance if the patient has been diagnosed with COVID,” Heather Segovia said. “Therefore, the city hit capacity fairly quickly.” Life Star made the easy choice to transport patients from their nursing homes to their dialysis appointments on a daily basis. Unfortunately, their assistance did not come without pushback. Even though the city only had eight trucks to cover the entire city of Brownsville, the city’s

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Every truck is fully equipped with the latest state-of-the-art medical equipment to ensure all proper measures are taken for a safe and comfortable patient experience.

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Wildlife In Need

What to Do if You Find a Baby Bird b y C e n t e r f o r U r b a n E co l o g y, Q u i n t a M a z a t l a n

and return the baby to it. If you cannot find its nest, or reach it, you can make a substitute and place it in the same tree. Nestlings have their eyes open and more developed feather tracts. As they age, parents may starting bringing them different foods than earlier in their lives. Older Golden-fronted Woodpecker nestlings, for example, are fed more fruits as they mature. If you find a nestling out of the nest, proceed the same way as with a hatchling; try to put it back, or create a makeshift nest in the same tree. Fledglings are much more mobile than nestlings, able to walk, hop, and make ungainly flights. If you find a fledgling, do not remove it from the immediate area. Fledglings, despite their gawkiness, are supposed to be out of their nests and exploring the world. They still rely on their parents to feed them, so taking them into your home, or to a local park, effectively cuts them off from their parents’ care. The most you should do, and only if the chick is in immediate danger (such as a cat stalking it), is place the bird in a nearby tree or tall shrub. The Migratory Bird Act protects over 1,000 native bird species, meaning that unless you have the appropriate permits, you cannot legally attempt to care for a baby or injured bird. The best ways to help birds long-term are to protect habitats and make our cities safer for them by keeping our cats indoors and working to prevent bird-window collisions.

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Every spring and summer, nature centers and wildlife refuges receive countless phone calls asking the same question: What do I do with the baby bird I found? The most important thing to do is be patient and assess the situation. The unfortunate truth is that many baby birds are inadvertently kidnapped from their parents simply because a concerned person sprang into action too quickly, thinking they were coming to the rescue. Before taking any action, there are two questions to answer: Is the bird hurt? How old is the bird? If the bird is visibly injured, you should contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Texas Parks & Wildlife has them listed by county on their website. Signs of injury include obvious wounds (blood), breathing problems, inability to stand, partially closed eyes, and being unable to sustain flight. The inability to fly (or inability to fly well) is not always an indicator of a bird being injured. Young birds are unable to fly for varying amounts of time, and early in their air-borne career can be awkward and lack flight stamina. Most songbirds go through three stages of development: hatchling, nestling, and fledgling. Hatchlings are extremely dependent on their parents. They need to be kept at the right temperature (brooding) and fed often. If you find a hatchling out of a nest, the best solution is to find

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C APA B LE KI D S C OUNTRY DANCE Capable Kids Foundation Hosts Country Dance

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by Ka rina Rodri guez , progra m a ssista nt for C a p a ble K ids Found a ti on

The Capable Kids Foundation recently hosted an annual event to celebrate its members who are 14 years old and up. Prior to COVID-19, the foundation hosted an annual prom, but the pandemic pushed them to get creative on how they could best celebrate their members while still looking out for their health. Capable Kids hosted their first country dance with over 170 guests at the La Estrella Ranch in Mission. The members were greeted at the sign-in tables by the smiling faces of volunteers and staff who were eager to assist them in starting off their exciting night. Along with their caregivers, all of the members were decked out in amazing country outfits with cowboy hats, bandanas, western shirts, denim dresses, and cowboy boots to dance, mingle, and enjoy their night. La Estrella Ranch was the perfect place for the event as it balanced elegance with the rustic look that would

normally be found at a country dance. The tables were decorated with beautiful tablecloths and sunflower centerpieces that added the ideal amount of glam for the event. The night was full of members dancing to classic country songs, line dances, popular hits, and some more of their favorite songs. Throughout the night, volunteers from different high schools and organizations across the Rio Grande Valley joined the members on the dance floor, which made for a night of unity and excitement. At the tables, members could be found mingling with their friends and family, enjoying great food, and celebrating their night. You could also find them taking pictures at their Mirroring Memories Photo Booth. By the end of the night, members, staff, volunteers, and caregivers were all seen wobbling their way to their cars after a long night of dancing, eating, partying, and fun.

While many of the members and other guests present may have left with blistered feet from their boots, they also left with wonderful memories that will stay with them forever. Preparing for this event included a plethora of phone calls to local businesses, coordinating with staff and board members, and of course, reaching out to local businesses who would possibly be interested in sponsoring the event. To say that this event was a community effort would be an understatement. This event truly would not have been possible without the amazing support of the community. Capable Kids would like to thank its amazing sponsors, including H-E-B, Church's Chicken, Elotera M&C, Elevents Events, Carol Watson, Mirroring Memories, Materiales El Valle, Courtyard by Marriott SPI, Peter Piper Pizza, RGVDS, and PNC Bank.

The night was full of members dancing on the dance floor to classic country songs, line dances, popular hits, and some more of the their favorite songs.

Capable Kids Foundation’s next country dance was held toward the end of April in Los Fresnos to serve their Lower Valley members. The organization is still eager to hear from anyone who is interested in helping with the next event. For more information on how you can get involved, you can contact Capable Kids via email at info@ckrgv.org.

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M argarita Cabrera, Space in Between - N opal (Rosa E . de l os San tos), 20 16, cou rtesy of Tal l ey Du n n Gal l ery . Ph oto credit: @Carl osL imas70

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UNCOVERED SPACES A Community Arts Exhibition of Contemporary Artists Celebrating Women and Pride Month

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Pomona, California), Jana Harper (performance artist and professor, Vanderbilt University), Maria Fernando Barrero (mixed media artist, Monterrey, México), Melissa Potter (multidisciplinary artist and professor, Columbia College, Chicago), Daisy Patton (mixed media artist, Western Massachusetts), Lauren Sandler (ceramicist, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), and Linda Behar (artist and educator, Parkland, Florida) with scholarly contributions by ebecca VanDiver (art historian and professor, Vanderbilt University). THE GENESIS OF THE EXHIBITION Uncovered Spaces began with leadership of the Center for Latin American Arts (CLAA) at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), where director McAllen collaborated with her friend and colleague Filsoofi from Vanderbilt University to create this exhibition. Together they have brought artists, educators, and students to the museum to create a unique and cutting-edge show at the IMAS in South Texas. This exhibition creates a stronger community of artists in the Rio Grande Valley with national and international networks of exchange between artists in the U.S. and Latin America and institutions such as Vanderbilt University. “Valuing the arts is crucial for our community to enjoy creative expression, innovation, and appreciate the beauty of our visual culture,” McAllen said. “By celebrating the diversity of our artists’ voices, we can make a positive impact in our community to uncover spaces and begin new dialogues through art.”

Uncovered Spaces presents a groundbreaking exhibition with celebrated contemporary artists from around the world coming together to share their creativity at the International Museum of Art & Science in McAllen. This exhibition featuring women and LGBTQIA+ artists creates a place for artists and audiences in our community to engage with contemporary art, appreciate aesthetics in various media such as sculpture, photography, video art, and painting, and examine our social expectations and identity. The exhibition is open through July 10 at the IMAS in McAllen, and visiting the show is free to all museum members. Artists from New York, Nashville, and Miami, and from countries in Latin America, including Mexico, Cuba, Venezuela, and Colombia, represent the many places of art production in the cultural diversity of this show, organized by Dr. Katherine Moore McAllen and Raheleh Filsoofi. The participating artists of Uncovered Spaces include Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons (multimedia artist and the Cornelius Vanderbilt chair of Fine Arts, Vanderbilt University), Wendy Red Star (multimedia artist raised on the Apsáalooke [Crow] reservation), Margarita Cabrera (multimedia artist and assistant professor, Arizona State University) Erika Diamond (textile artist and director of Galleries Chautauqua Institution, New York), Vesna Pavlovic (photographer and professor, Vanderbilt University), Zac Thompson (artist, performer, and photographer, Brooklyn, New York), Natalia Arbelaez (multimedia artist and visiting artist, The American Museum of Ceramic Art,

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b y Ka th er i ne Mc Al l en | ph o t o s b y J a co b M e n d o z a a n d C a r l o s Li m a s

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Za c T h o m p s o n in f r o n t o f the i r v i de o, You Ma y Touch My D u st Bu t Pl ease Do n' t Wr it e I n It , 2 0 19.

“The Rio Grande Valley has the potential to become a hub for intellectual, creative, and cultural exchange in the northern and southern hemispheres." Rah eleh Filsoofi, cur a to r

Filsoofi shared her thoughts about the importance of this exhibition as a former resident of this community and an immigrant herself. “The Rio Grande Valley has the potential to become a hub for intellectual, creative, and cultural exchange in the northern and southern hemispheres [in its location close to Latin America],” she said. “So many artists and scholars around the world can also benefit. As an artist and educator who lived and worked in this area for over four years. I have seen the impact of this place on my own practice. My story as an immigrant coalesced with the stories of many people here and gave me a pivotal perspective about the political landscape of this country.”

CELEBRATING UTRGV ALUMNI SUCCESS AT UNCOVERED SPACES Three generations of student-educator relationships and UTRGV alumni support have also made Uncovered Spaces a successful arts-based community project. Former UTRGV students Cristina Correa and Fatima Lai, who are now fine arts instructors and leaders in the public school system, are leading high school students across the upper and lower Rio Grande Valley to participate in the concurrent IMAS student art exhibition titled “Student Crossroads: Contemplating Uncovered Spaces” opening May 19 and running through July 10 sponsored by H-E-B and the Center for Latin American

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Arts at UTRGV. Correa is an art instructor and AP leader at IDEA College Preparatory San Juan, and Lai is an instructor at Rivera Early College High School in the Brownsville Independent School District. Working with McAllen, Correa, and Lai’s leadership creates opportunities for past, current, and future students to create, appreciate, and learn about art together. Uncovered Spaces functions to realize the vision of the CLAA at UTRGV and the IMAS to connect multiple generations of art students and inspire them to succeed and connect with their creativity through the power of art in the museum space. This exhibition would not have been possible without the efforts of the Center

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M a r ía F e r n a n d a B a r r e r o, J us t Be f o r e the Stor m , 2018 . Ph oto credit: @Carl osL imas70

We n d y Re d St a r, A p s á a l o o ke F e m in i s t #1, 2016 ( a n d in b a c kg r o u n d) M a r ía M a g d a l e n a C a m p os - Pons , F in d in g B a l a n c e, 2015, cour te s y o f B e r n ic e St e in b aum G a lle r y. P h o t o c r e d it : @ C a r los Li m as 70

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Foundation, the Alice Kleberg Reynolds Foundation, H-E-B, the Brown Foundation, and the Hollyfield Foundation. The IMAS also thanks the Texas Commission for the Arts for their support of the IMAS and this exhibition. Visit the IMAS and the UTRGV CLAA website to learn more about the exhibition: utrgv.edu/claa

and

theimasonline.org/

uncovered-spaces/. Follow the CLAA on Instagram: @claa. utrgv

and

Facebook:

facebook.com/

UTRGVCLAA and IMAS social media: @imasmuseum

and

imasmcallen.

facebook.com/

The exhibition is open through July 10, 2022, at the IMAS in McAllen, and visiting the show is free to all museum members.

CLAA, including the Raul Tijerina Jr.

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for Latin American Arts artists and graphic designers team of Carlos Limas and Angela V. Scardigno, UTRGV alumni and talented contemporary artists and graphic designers for the CLAA. Also, Jessica Treviño, in the Dean of the College of Fine Arts Office, and student employees at UTRGV, contributed important support to make this exhibition possible. These students and graduate alumni at UTRGV include Daniel Ymbong and Carol López, and more recently, Raja Ayoubi, Kathy Bussert-Webb, Ricky Sullivan, and Joe Lopez. The Center for Latin American Arts also sends its thanks to the generous financial support of nonprofit institutions who have given winning grants to the

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E ggs h el l G a r m e n t f o r Hu g gi ng II, 2015 (a nd i n backgr ound) N atal ia Arbel aez, Passages of Absen ce, 20 22.

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TENNIS FOR EVERYONE

Harlingen Welcomes Renovated H-E-B Tennis Center by Elisa Ga rcia | ph otos b y Ab e Her na nd ez

On Friday, Dec.10, the City of Harlingen held a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the completion of the new and improved H-E-B Tennis Center located at Pendleton Park on Morgan Boulevard. The 14-court center now has a new pro shop, air-conditioned space equipped with restrooms and a lobby, and a covered patio that will be the center for future tennis games and tournaments. As the future of the new tennis center looks bright, its beginning dates back to October 1973, when H-E-B introduced the center to the community. Known and beloved across Texas as a reputable grocery store, not many know of Howard E.

In addition to the facility's ability to host large events, the H-E-B Tennis Center also offers a range of classes for individuals at the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels who wish to take up a new hobby.

building tennis facilities." Heavily influenced by his father's health journey, in 1933, Howard and his wife, Mary, founded the H.E. Butt Foundation with a mission to provide medical, educational, and recreational resources to the communities where they had stores. Now, nearly 50 years after Harlingen welcomed the tennis center to the community, the revamped courts are a testament to the role Butt played in Texas tennis. Don VanRamshorst, director of tennis at the center, said the decision to revamp the center came from the fact that there

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Butt Sr.'s contribution to the sport of tennis within the state. Bianca Reeves, director of operations at the H-E-B Tennis Center, explained Butt's passion for tennis began as a young boy when his father, Charles C.C., moved the family from Tennessee to Kerrville in 1905 for health reasons. "Howard had a passion for healthy living, mental wellness, and physical fitness," Reeves said. "One of his passions was tennis — and also swimming. He had a passion for just staying fit. And tennis was one way that he was better able to do that. Out of that passion grew a heart for

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was not a proper facility to host players and tournaments. "There was a pro shop located on the grounds for about 12 years. That pro shop was then demolished," VanRamshorst said. "In the meantime, there was a small, 50-square-foot trailer with one bathroom. And the only other bathrooms were located across the parking lot. So it was a huge inconvenience for the players out here. It was also really challenging for us to have any type of tournaments or large gatherings without facilities." The new pro shop includes apparel, accessories, rackets, snacks, and drinks for players and visitors. The center's staff also has a fully equipped training room for school tennis games and state tournaments.

get their education paid for," he said. "So I get a lot of enjoyment of seeing that with the kids." Throughout the 1960s and '70s, H-E-B tennis facilities were built in other Rio Grande Valley cities such as Donna, Edinburg, and Pharr. Today, the only Texas cities with H-E-B tennis centers are Harlingen, Kerrville, and Corpus Christi. Despite many old centers being torn down, Butt's contribution to tennis was recognized in 1982 when he was inducted into the Texas Tennis Museum and Hall of Fame. The H-E-B Tennis Center in Harlingen is open to the public seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information on the new tennis center, call (956) 536-7607 or visit hebtenniscenterharlingen.com.

played with paddles and a wiffle ball. Reeves explained that it's a variation of tennis that is gaining popularity. "We see that players that have played pickleball in the past are able to catch onto tennis really quickly, and vice versa," Reeves said. "(Pickleball is) really gaining popularity. I think racquet sports, in general — with COVID these last couple of years — tennis was one of the sports that you were still able to enjoy because it's a no-contact sport." VanRamshorst admitted that one of the most rewarding aspects of his job is seeing players improve their technique with the sport. "A lot of the kids, you know, the ones that really stick with it, they get to go to college, and they get to pay it off, they

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"We are hoping to get (tournaments) to be a lot bigger and have people come from, not just the Rio Grande Valley, but also players from North Texas to come down and enjoy our facility and play in those tournaments," Reeves said. "Also, we are in talks with colleges like UTRGV, and we are hoping to get college conference tennis tournaments to be played here." In addition to the facility's ability to host large events, the H-E-B Tennis Center also offers a range of classes for individuals at the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels who wish to take up a new hobby. Another variation of tennis that VanRamshorst and Reeves said they hope to bring to the facility are pickleball courts. Although similar to tennis, pickleball courts are one-fourth the size of a tennis court,

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Musical

Expression Valley Musicians Share Their Musical Journeys b y St e v e n H u g h e s

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Musicians choose to pursue this calling for a hobby, work, or various reasons. The Rio Grande Valley is home to famous musicians such as Freddy Fender, a country and rock’n’roll musician. There are many brain health benefits to playing an instrument. John Hopkins Medicine wrote that making music keeps our brains engaged as we age. Music, like any art, is rewarding. It’s a lot more than hearing pretty sounds. Learning an instrument has benefits outside of school. The Alzheimer’s Association said studies showed those with middle stages of the disease had reduced agitation and improved behavioral issues while listening to music. Anita Collins, an award-winning music teacher, and researcher in brain development and music learning, said in a TedTalk YouTube video, that “playing music is the brain’s equivalent of a full-body workout.” However, there can be moments of frustration while practicing. The feeling can stem from struggling with a series of notes or other challenges. Although this happens,

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He’s performed at Harlingen’s Market Days and in Downtown McAllen. Getting out and performing is how Garza landed gigs while street performing. He’s been in bands as well. All that grew to Garza being able to live off of gigs. Regardless of the type of instrument, all musicians must practice. How else are you going to learn a solo and perform it artistically? The time-consuming session is critical in learning a new instrument. Sierra went through Brownsville ISD’s music education. She did the concert and marching band. In addition to being a university music student, her practicing style stems from all that. She practices her scales, etudes, tone, technique, and repertoire. Music students work on these areas in various music practice books. Sierra works out of the Trevor Wye Practice Book for the Flute, a book that’s sold over a million copies. Hinojosa learned to use the BeatBox through a different avenue. He used a desktop app called Melodics. It has music he followed along with the MIDI Controller by flashing the buttons on the instrument. “That’s a great practicing tool,” Hinojosa said. In addition to Melodics, he practices the instrument with his work. He does it because it offers him the material he wants to learn. Garza said he doesn’t practice often. However, since he plays often, it works for him. “I should practice my saxophone,” he said. “But I don’t. I know that’s what separates me from a lot of [other musicians]. I play what feels natural.” Music goes beyond being useful for academics. It gives musicians tools to express themselves, whether in a concert hall or at a bar. It’s not easy and takes years of practice, but it’s worth it.

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musicians understand practicing leads to growth. Daniela Sierra, a flutist and University of Texas Rio Grande Valley music education major, knows this first hand. She’s been playing since her childhood. She learned her scales, music theory, and flute fundamentals. At the time of this interview, she was preparing for her April 30 recital. The event is critical for music students because their GPA is on the line. Naturally, stress comes along with them. Sierra has her own method to calm herself. “When I get frustrated in my practice, and I know I’m not making any progress, I step away,” she said. “I’ll be on my phone, watch a TikTok [video], or [any] video. Then, I’ll come back.” As there are hundreds of musicians, there are countless instruments built. For example, digital instruments garnered a lot of use. Carlo Hinojosa, a full-time musician, plays one of these. Like any musician, Hinojosa faced frustration learning his BeatBox Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) Controller. “I am not to the ability that I should be,” he said on Facetime. The BeatBox MIDI Controller is a versatile electronic device that users change its sound to be like a drum or violin. Hinojosa uses it for live DJ-ing performances. He also plays string instruments. Although he considers himself a “full-time musician,” he made that decision recently. At first, he felt no one took him seriously. However, he later garnered attention on Spotify and Instagram. Now, he’s had inperson shows at events such as the Orange Valley Art Show. Many musicians earn money in various ways, such as playing at gigs. Leo Mood Garza, a saxophonist, has been doing that for years. He plays three nights a week.

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MIKHUNA BRINGS PERUVIANJAPANESE FLAVORS TO SOUTH TEXAS Allow Your Tastebuds a Taste of the World at Mikhuna Peruvian-Japanese Restaurant

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by Selene Guerr er o | ph otos pr ovi d ed Located in the heart of McAllen’s historic art district, Mikhuna is a Japanese-Peruvian restaurant that is serving up unique cuisine creations to our part of the world. The Il Forno brand restaurant specializes in preparing “nikkei” style food using Peruvian ingredients with Japanese influences. Don’t worry. Though that might sound a little daunting, I will guide you through the experience. For starters, you might want to call ahead for a reservation or stop in on a weeknight. Even then, the restaurant at 905 N. Main Street in McAllen was buzzing with customers. There is indoor and outdoor seating, both offering a warm and inviting ambiance. Peek inside at the colorful mural created by a local artist. It is worth taking a snapshot in front of and posting on the socials. Selfie, anyone? OK, let’s get to the food. That’s what we’re here for, right? “Peru has a large number of Japanese immigrants and that has greatly influenced cuisine in that region,” said Stephanie Ramirez, of Il Forno. “We knew Mikhuna was something very different to the community, but the flavors are very adaptable to the palate.” The menu has a variety of options that include appetizers like Inca Gyoza — made with pork and vegetables that comes with aji amarillo and

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spicy ponzu sauce — and entrees like one of the restaurant’s more popular dishes, Ropa Vieja. The dish is prepared with shredded brisket, pork, sofrito salsa, white rice, black beans, plantains, and avocado. Is your mouth watering yet? Or try some of the seafood dishes like Arroz con Mariscos. This rice dish includes shrimp, calamari, mussels, clams, and green peas topped with cilantro and salsa criolla. It’s very similar to classic Spanish paella. And of course, you want to try the inspiration for the restaurant. The Nikkei items like sushi are created using top quality fish imported fresh every week from the Honolulu Fish Company. If you have a question about the menu, the staff is very knowledgeable and will help you select items fit to your tasting. Really, there is not a dish on there that isn’t mindfully made to taste delightful. Our server helped us through the experience, and she really did create a food experience by offering at least three to four different options to try from the appetizer, entrée, and dessert selections. If you’re up to try something new and full of flavor, check Mikhuna out. This well-priced restaurant is perfect for a date night or a night out with your best pals. Don’t forget to check out the cocktails. Some fan favorites include Mezcalito, made with mezcal and serrano peppers for a spicy margarita. Other favorites are Maracuya Pisco Sour and Chicha Morada Margarita. All are served using quality ingredients and liquor. Mikhuna also offers an extensive wine, beer, sake, and sangria menu. “We have an inviting, local vibe, and it’s a great place that keeps attracting people from all over,” Ramirez said. So, what did I try? Appetizer: Wistupiku, shredded chicken empanadas that come with creamy aji sauce but our server suggested we go with the house sauce — perfect choice! Entrée: Pulpo a la Parilla, grilled octopus that was cooked to perfection and so tasty. It came with fried sweet potato, feta cheese and salsa criolla Dessert: Matcha cheesecake with Oreo Crust. it was great and served with a scoop of ice cream. Drink: Red Sangria

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