SOCIALIFE MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2022

Driscoll Children’s Hospital: Topping Off . . . . . 12

Edinburg EDC Meet & Greet: Raudel Garza . . . . 14

SOCIALIFING . . . . . . . . . . . 20

McAllen Man/Woman of the Year . . . . . . 24

Live2Lead: The Future Looks Bright 28

The Tradition of Rosca de Reyes 32

Hispanic Chamber: Noche de Gala 36

Access to Hope Gala 42

Socialfe Supperclub: Holiday Traditions 46

Struttin’ the Runway . . . . . . . . . 48

City of Edinburg Carefest . . . . . . . . 50

Edinburg Chamber Casino Night . . . . . . 52

Top Hospital: Mission Regional Medical Center . . . 54

Mission Veterans Day Festival . . . . . . . 58

Chanukah in the RGV . . . . . . . . . 62

Etiquestion . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

VSO Romantic Masterpieces 66

Mighty Homes of Hope 68

PNC’s Debut at Holiday Parade 72

Harlingen’s RioFest 74

Non-Profit Spotlight: Comfort House 76

History of the Poinsettia . . . . . . . . 80

Out & About: Rosca de Reyes . . . . . . . 82

Queen of Mariachi: Aida Cuevas . . . . . . . 84

Memorial . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

Pet of the Month . . . . . . . . . . 90

Christmas Puppies . . . . . . . . . . 91

Discover the Thorn Forest . . . . . . . . 92

Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . 98

With locations throughout the Valley, we are where you are:

FACILITIES: South Texas Heath System Behavioral South Texas Health System Children’s South Texas Health System Edinburg South Texas Health System Heart South Texas Health System McAllen

FREESTANDING ERS: Alamo • McColl • Mission Monte Cristo • Ware Road • Weslaco

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. 22651359-1156902 11/22

DRISCOLL CLOSER TO OPENING 1ST DESIGNATED FREESTANDING CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL IN THE RGV

Photography by Jose Tello

The Topping Off Ceremony for Driscoll Children’s Hospital Rio Grande Valley, currently being built in Edinburg, is Driscoll’s latest milestone in bringing the best pediatric healthcare possible to the children of the RGV. Held Thursday, Nov. 10, the Topping Off Ceremony was celebrated by placing the last steel beam on the building, which is expected to open in late 2023. A Mexican White Oak Topping Tree was also included during the ceremony, symbolizing good wishes for future occupants and continued growth. Driscoll has had a strong presence in the Rio Grande Valley for decades, with specialty centers in Brownsville, Harlingen, and McAllen staffed by Driscoll pediatric subspecialists and other team members.

ALONZO

CANTU, PHARR MAYOR AMBROSIO HERNANDEZ, M.D., AND FORMER

U.S. CONGRESSMAN RUBEN HINOJOSA

COUNCILMAN DAN DIAZ, COUNCILMAN JASON DELEON, EDINBURG MAYOR RAMIRO GARZA, AND MARIO LIZCANO

ERIC HAMON, PRESIDENT & CEO, DRISCOLL HEALTH SYSTEM

LORI LOZANO, SEN. JUAN “CHUY” HINOJOSA, ERIC HARMON, REV. ROD CLARK, AND MATTHEW WOLTHOFF

LORI LOZANO, PHARR MAYOR AMBROSIO HERNANDEZ, M.D., AND JEANENE ANTHONY

MARIO LIZCANO, JOSH MEJIA, MURPHY JEFFRIES, AND AUGUSTIN LOZANO

MCALLEN MAYOR JAVIER VILLALOBOS, EDINBURG MAYOR RAMIRO GARZA, AND PHARR MAYOR AMBROSIO HERNANDEZ, M.D.

EDINBURG EDC WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

RAUDEL GARZA

Photography by Jose Tello The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce welcomed the newly appointed Edinburg Economic Development Corporation Executive Director, Raudel Garza, with a welcome mixer. Edinburg Chamber members and community leaders had the opportunity to meet Raudel as he shared his vision for the Edinburg EDC. Society 204: Coworking Community hosted the mixer at their beautiful coworking space in downtown Edinburg! For more information on upcoming chamber events, please visit www.edinburg.com

COUNCILMAN DAN DIAZ, COUNCILMAN JASON DELEON, RAUDEL GARZA, MAYRA AYALA, AND EDINBURG MAYOR RAMIRO GARZA

MARIO RANGEL, ANN FORTESCUE, AND RAUDEL GARZA

NADALIE SOLIS, FREDDY GUAJARDO, GABY HERNANDEZ

SETH JONES, VERONICA GONZALES, RAUDEL GARZA, AND CHASSE CONQUE

VERONICA GONZALES, RAUDLE GARZA, AND EDDIE GARZA

VICTORY TAKES VISION

TEXAS STATE SENATOR, MORGAN LAMANTIA, BERT OGDEN ARENA, EDINBURG, TX

SANTA CLAUSE, SOUTH POLE OF TEXAS, MCALLEN

HERSHAL PATEL AT EMBASSY SUITES MCALLEN CONVENTION CENTER, TX

AAF DISTRICT 10 GOVERNOR, CRYSTAL GONZALES, CLAMPITT PAPER CO., DALLAS, TX

OVER 400 ATTEND MCALLEN CHAMBER MAN & WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Photography by Jose Tello

From

McAllen

BILL RUPPERT, PROVIDENCE BONETA, AND HECTOR GUERRA

PAUL RODRIGUEZ AND SONY REGO

the opening tune of the orchestra strings to the snazzy tuxedos and dresses, McAllen Chamber of Commerce’s 67th Annual Banquet for Man & Woman of the Year Awards ceremony was the place to be November 3rd. The sold-out masquerade-themed evening saw Paul R. Rodriguez and Sony Rego in the limelight for their outstanding work in the City of McAllen.

Chamber Chairman Stephan Wingert continued the tradition of presenting a pair of McAllen boots to past chairman Annette Franz. The Lifetime Achievement Award Honoring the Life of Kirk Clark was presented along with a special thank you to gala committee chair Sally Fraustro Guerra and Jesse De Leon for a decade of service.

PAUL AND MYRNA RODRIGUEZ

LIVE2LEAD: THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT

Photography by Jose Tello

4,

On November

2022, The Dream Big Facility and their incredible sponsors (H-E-B, City of Mission, Pablo Tagle III Chiropractic, Big Valley Auto Auction, City of McAllen, and SOCIALIFE Magazine) hosted the 9th annual Live2Lead at the Mission Events Center. This year’s lineup included John C. Maxwell, Patrick Lencioni, Eric Thomas, Dr. Tim Elmore, and Doris Kearns Goodwin, along with local leaders Dr. Pablo Tagle III, Cathy Garcia, Juan Curling, and Jaime Garcia. Leaders from all over the RGV were equipped and encouraged to lead the RGV into a brighter future. We can’t wait to see what the 10th annual Live2Lead has for us in 2023!

RYAN KRAUSE

RYAN AND BRIGETT KRAUSE

Offering physical, occupational and speech rehabilitation, at three locations across the Rio Grande Valley! We offer the following services:

Physical Therapy: Physical therapists can help improve strength, flexibility and balance, reduce pain and decrease fall risk. The goal of the therapist is to maximize functional mobility.

Occupational Therapy: Occupational therapists help teach the skills you need to care for yourself, with the goal of improving your independence following a surgery.

Speech Therapy: Speech-language pathologists can help you improve your communication, cognition and/or swallowing abilities through an individualized treatment plan.

THE TRADITION OF

ROSCA DE REYES

By Dr. Kimberly Selber

Anticipation. Who will get it? Will it be me? The knife slices smoothly around the ring, dividing the brightly decorated red, green, and white Rosca de Reyes—the colors of the Christmas holiday and the Mexican flag. The cake is served, and one guest exclaims - “It’s me! I found the baby Jesus.”

Rosca de Reyes, meaning kings wreath, is also known as three kings cake and is traditionally served on January 6th, the Feast of Epiphany. The word Epiphany comes from the Greek meaning appearance. In Mexico, it is also the day to receive presents. Epiphany is when the three wise men, searching for the ‘new king,’ found the baby Jesus and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

A popular Epiphany tradition in many cultures is hiding a

tiny baby Jesus figure in a sweet, round cake. Searching for the baby imitates the Magi’s search for the new king hidden from King Herod. The round cake, or Rosca, represents a crown and God’s eternal, never-ending love.

So what happens if you find the baby Jesus in your slice of the Rosca? It means you owe your group a tamale meal on February 2nd, also known as Dia de la Candelaria or Candlemas Day. This day commemorates the purification of the Virgin Mary (a Jewish tradition following childbirth) and the presentation of Jesus at the Temple.

So while you may want to skirt hosting a tamale party, finding the baby is considered good luck, and in Spain, you would be crowned king for the day.

Weight loss surgery may be recommended by doctors as part of a long-term solution. It may be just what you’re looking for to renew confidence about your future health and even reverse potentially serious health complications.

There’s an easy, quick way to find out if you’re a candidate for weight loss surgery. Take our short online assessment. Your results will be available right away, and there’s no further obligation.

Are you ready to take the next step?

To learn more, visit riohealth.com/redefine or call 956.661.3100 101 E Ridge Rd, McAllen, TX 78503 | 956.632.6000

If you have been struggling with weight control, we understand how hard it can be to find and stick with an effective plan.

I will enjoy dancing again.

As this year comes to an end, the City of Pharr is proud to reflect on its monumental efforts to take on the responsibility to address a gap in continuity of services by providing emergency medical services to Pharr and smaller communities in Hidalgo County. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Pharr addressed the need to care for our most vulnerable populations by distributing vaccines to homebound elderly and disabled residents. When emergency medical services were in jeopardy, Pharr stepped up to create the new Pharr Emergency Medical Services Department to serve Pharr and surrounding areas. Since its creation, Pharr EMS has provided state-of-the-art equipment, resources, medical staff, training, and the highest level of services to Pharr and surrounding communities. Pharr EMS promotes a sense of responsibility, expanding services and sharing life-saving training activities, exercises, and resources for neighboring communities, schools, organizations, the media, and the general public. Pharr EMS is also recognized for its leadership on the local, regional, and state levels.

Pharr EMS - serving our community and beyond!

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CARDIAC SAVE

• Deployed with Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office, DEA, HSI, CBP, & Texas DPS SWAT in missions covering all 4 RGV Counties

Medics received lifesaving commendation for successfully resuscitating a patient from Pharr from cardiac arrest - February 2022

BLUE STORK

Medics received lifesaving commendation for assisting in the delivery of a healthy baby boy in Pharr - November 2022

HISPANIC CHAMBER’S NOCHE DE GALA

by: Jose Tello

Photography

On November 4th, the RGV Hispanic Chamber (RGVHCC) held its Annual Noche De Gala at Kalos Event Center in Mission. The RGVHCC awarded Dr. Julieta Garcia with the Golden Eagle Award; Pilar Gonzalez, Dip It by Pilar, was awarded Business Woman of the Year; and Jesus F. Gonzalez, NIU Urban Living, as BusinessMan of the Year. The RGV Hispanic Chamber also awarded Memco Staffing as Small Corporation of the Year, The Radisson Hotel Mcallen as Medium Corporation of the Year, and Steel Coast Company as Large Corporation of the Year. Sponsors who helped make this night possible include Arcacontinental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, Frost Bank, South West College, SteelCoast Company, South Padre Island Visitors Bureau, Memco Construction Staffing, Radisson Mcallen Airport, and AT&T.

TOM CASTAÑEDA AND ELSA MEDINA

PILAR GONZALEZ AND GABRIELA CHAPA

ROXANE RAMIREZ AND DINA SABNANI

SONIA ARRIAGA AND STEVEN HILARY

KATHERINE DIAZ, GILBERTO GONZALEZ, AND ANA GONZALEZ

LUISA FERNANDA RODRIGUEZ, DR. ROSAS, DR. FLORES, AND DR.MILLER

LIZ GAMBOA, CAYETANO GAMBOA, AND LAURANN ELIZONDO

PATRICK AND KARRI WOODIN

MICHAEL AND LYNDA FURGATCH

JOSE CONTRERAS Managing Partner

JASON GONZALEZ

MIGUEL DOMINGUEZ

ADRIAN

ALYSSA

ALEX

ROBERT

ARMANDO

ROBERTO MARTINEZ

EDWARD POLACO

MARCO TORRES

PATRICK

ANA GUTIERREZ

ACCESS TO HOPE GALA

Photography by: Jose Tello

On November 5, 2022, Access Esperanza Clinics hosted its 58th annual Access to Hope Gala at the RGV Food Bank Ballroom. This year’s honoree was Dr. Fernando Otero, who is celebrating 20 years of volunteering as their Medical Director. Dr. Otero has provided access to reproductive and preventative healthcare for hundreds of thousands of women and men in the Rio Grande Valley.

GAYLE MARTIN

DR FERNANDO OTERO, MELINDA CRUZ, AND PATRICIO GONZALEZ

IRMA AND MARK MURRAY

JAMIE BROWN ROSAS, TOM CASTANEDA, AND DAISY COLLINS

RHONDA SALINAS AND J.D. SALINAS

BRANDON LAU, REY SOTO, AND MIKE CANTU

LUIS HEFNER AND NICOLE CARRANZA

Gilda & Bob Bowen, Nicole & Juan Carranza, City of McAllen, Dale & Klein, LLP, Lone Star National Bank , Marco De Luna, Meldon & Hunt, Inc. , Ann Millard, Ph.D., Gape Group, LLC, VTX1, Palacios, Garza, & Thompson, P.C., 956 Realty, Sandra Rodriguez, South Texas College, Christina Lopez State Farm & Strategic Insights Financial Planning Group

-B-Cutie,

Building healthy families, focusing on prevention

AccessClinics.org 956-688-3700

Benefitting low to no-cost preventive healthcare services in our community

AAA Gold and Silver, Jorge Alvarez, Bar

Patty & Larry Falleck, Jaime Gonzalez, Texas Senator Juan Hinojosa, North Park Lexus RGV, NOMA Studio, RGV Employee Benefits, UTRGV Foundation, Law Office of John Ball and Hendricks Wellness Center

Guy & Val’s Homemade Baileys

Guy and I make this homemade Baileys every December. He loves the sweetness & I loves the chocolate flavor. It will last for a few weeks in the fridge.

Cabbage Soup

Cabbage soup is a familiar comfort food in the mid-west and common among families with Irish or German heritage. It’s fun to improvise but always best in a slow cooker. I usually chop just over half a head of green cabbage (I also use a small amount of purple cabbage more for color than taste)

Protein: 12-16 ounce pre-cooked Kielbasa Sausage, chopped. Add at the two-hour mark. Definitely best in the crock pot on high for 4 hours. The vegetables will reduce the broth, so I usually add chicken stock about two to three hours in.

CHOPPED CARROTS – TWO LARGE CARROTS

DICED CELERY – TWO TO THREE LARGE STALKS

HALF A LARGE DICED ONION (WHITE OR VIDALIA)

TWO CANS OF DICED TOMATOES BABY RED AND YELLOW POTATOES CHOPPED SMALL – GENEROUS AMOUNT

CHICKEN STOCK – START WITH 32 OZ. BUT HAVE EXTRA ON HAND TO ADD IF YOU PREFER MORE BROTH.

ADD ONE CAN OF REGULAR V8 AND ONE SPICY V8 (OR TWO CANS OF SPICY IF THAT’S YOUR THING)

GENEROUS AMOUNT OF GARLIC POWDER

ADD SALT TO TASTE, WHICH WILL REMOVE SOME OF THE SWEET FLAVOR OF THE CABBAGE AS IT COOKS DOWN

HAND-FULL OF CHOPPED PARSLEY

TEASPOON OF CHILI POWDER AND A DASH OF CAYENNE PEPPER AND CUMIN

YOU CAN ADD OTHER SEASONINGS LIKE: ITALIAN, PAPRIKA, ONION POWDER, AND OREGANO

Guy Bailey, President of UTRGV

Val LaMantia Owner and Managing Partner of L&F Distributors

Kane Dawson Chief Executive Officer Mission Regional Medical Center

My Mothers Ambrosia

As long as I can remember, my family has had this fruit salad for every Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. The receipt is very forgiving. Ingredients can be adjusted to please your family. My sister and I carry on this tradition for our Holiday meals and have introduced “My Mothers Ambrosia” to our guests. I have fond memories of peeling and sectioning Texas Naval Oranges, which is the most time-consuming part of this salad.

Toss fruit together lightly (Fresh fruit is always preferred). Add whipped cream and toss lightly.

I wait until the last minute to put the salad together. Serve immediately.

As a hint, I always put my electric beaters and cream in the freezer for 15 minutes or so as the cream whips better cold.

My Mom’s Red Wine Poached Pears

Kay Jancik Owner of O’Kays

1/2 PINT OF HEAVY WHIPPING CREAM, WHIPPED WITH 2+ TEASPOONS SUGAR

4-6 TEXAS NAVAL ORANGES

4-6 BANANAS SLICED, 1/4 INCH THICK

2-3 CUPS FRESH PINEAPPLE, BITE-SIZE PIECES

11/2-2 CUPS OF SWEETENED SHREDDED COCONUT

I can still remember the first time my mother made this for a holiday dinner. Bright red and delicious, they look amazing on the table. They are a guaranteed hit at holiday dinners.

Zest and juice 1 sweet orange. Peel 6 firm small pears with a vegetable peeler. Slice another orange into ¼-inch rounds. Toss them in orange juice so they don’t brown.

Poach the pears - Add the sliced orange, 2 cups red wine (something you would drink), ¼ cup honey, 3 tablespoons sugar, 1 cinnamon stick, and ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom to a pot. (Choose a pot big enough to hold all 6 pears snuggly.) Bring the liquid to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Lower the heat and add the pears and orange juice.

Cover and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes. Carefully rotate the pears every so often until they have become tender. Stick them with a skewer to see if they’re ready.

Reduce the poaching liquid. Cook the wine and orange juice mixture down until it’s syrupy. Place the pears back into the pot, upright, until they are cool enough to serve.

Serve poached pears with a little cooking liquid drizzled on top, plus a sprinkle of orange zest. Some homemade ice cream pairs well.

Bronson delRio Director - Decibel Communications VP - Socialife VP - Centro Cultural Mexicano

STRUTTIN’ THE RUNWAY

Photography by Jose Tello Debi Lou Modeling Academy held its annual Mercedes Benz Fashion Show on November 10, 2022, at the Mercedes Benz Dealership of San Juan. Over 50 models modeled designs from Up Cycled Artist Carlos Villarreal, backdoor modern vintage, Leona style, By Maxwell, Glitz&Glamour, and Mila Hoffman Couture. Celebrity/community leader models included Karla Salinas, Marcy Martinez, Dr. Barbara Baggerly Hinojosa, Ginger Garza, Dr. Winona Moczygemba, Dr. Gloria Mireles, Sandra Mercado, Raquel Ponce, and Sally Fraustro Guerra. Money raised from the silent auction and 20% of the sales from By Maxwell Permanent Jewelry benefited CASA. Sponsors included

EDINBURG CARES

Photography by City of Edinburg The City of Edinburg, in partnership with the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District and H-E-B, held its 11th annual Edinburg Cares Food Drive on November 21, 2022. Groups of volunteers visited various low-income areas throughout the city to drop off turkeys and food baskets to over 1,000 families. The program aims to improve residents’ quality of life and ensure they have a warm, nutritious, happy Thanksgiving dinner.

SOCIALIFE the scene

EDINBURG CHAMBER CASINO NIGHT

Photography by Tiffany Miranda The Edinburg Chamber hosted its annual Installation & Awards Banquet, “Casino Night,” to celebrate a year of accomplishments, including reaching over 470+ members, launching its Explore Edinburg campaign, and empowering its small business community. Recognized at the event were the 2022 Ambassador of the Year - Frank Lara; 2022 Outstanding Leader of the Year - Dr. Aaron Salinas, 2022 Woman of the YearEstella Lopez; and 2022 Man of the Year - Senator Juan Chuy Hinojosa.

MARIO LIZCANO, ESTELLA LOPEZ, SENATOR JUAN “CHUY” HINOJOSA, MICHAEL WILLIAMSON, AND RONNIE LARRALDE

SOCIALIFE the scene

Because of the excellent work of physicians, nurses and healthcare workers at Mission Regional Medical Center, the hospital enjoyed an amazing, award-winning year in 2022 and is gearing up for an even better 2023 with several new doctors and clinics offering expanded services for the community.

The dedicated team of doctors and nurses has enabled Mission Regional to be recognized as one of the Fortune/ IBM Watson Health® 100 Top Hospitals in the nation. Mission Regional is also the Valley’s first hospital to be accredited as a Geriatric Emergency Department by the American College of Emergency Physicians.

In addition, the care and dedication of the physicians and staff have resulted in Mission Regional receiving several awards for patient safety – including an “A” grade on Leapfrog’s Hospital Safety Score for five years in a row – as well as being named in the top 5% of hospitals in the nation for patient safety (for two years in a row).

“Maintaining the highest national standards for patient safety is something we strive for, day in and day out,” said Kane Dawson, CEO of Mission Regional Medical Center. “This commitment to patient safety represents an inherent dedication by our medical teams to deliver safe, consistent, quality care to our community -- today and for years to come.”

AWARD-WINNING CARE

Mr.

Because of this, Mission Regional also received the following awards for 2022:

• Gold-Plus award for care of stroke patients (from the American Heart Association)

• 5-Star Recipient for Treatment of Hip Fracture for 5 Years in a Row (Healthgrades)

• 5-Star Recipient for Gallbladder Removal Surgery for 4 Years in a Row (Healthgrades)

• 5-Star Recipient for Appendectomy Procedures for 7 Years in a Row (Healthgrades)

• 5-Star Recipient for Treatment of Diabetic Emergencies

(Healthgrades)

• Among the Top 10% of Hospitals Evaluated for Obstetrics and Gynecology for 8 Years in a Row (Healthgrades)

• Among the Top 10% of Hospitals Evaluated for Labor and Delivery for 8 Years in a Row (Healthgrades)

• 5-Star Recipient for Vaginal Delivery for 8 Years in a Row

• 5-Star Recipient for C-Section Delivery for 8 Years in a Row

Dawson added that the hospital’s multiple recognitions are a testament to the work of physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals who are dedicated to providing “the highest-quality healthcare to residents of the Rio Grande Valley – every patient, every time.”

EXPANDED SERVICES

Another new service offered by Mission Regional is minimally-invasive, robotic-assisted surgery, which can be performed through small incisions. In some cases, this may benefit patients through a faster recovery time and shorter hospital stay. Surgeons at Mission Regional use the “da Vinci Xi” surgical robot as an extension of their own hands - to perform thoracic, urology, gynecology, and general surgery. More than 100 surgeries have been performed at Mission Regional using the robot.

During the new year, Mission Regional looks forward to continuing to serve the community, including through free health fairs and screenings for Hidalgo and Starr County residents. In addition, Mission Regional is planning to once again host the “Mission Pink” 5K Walk/Run for Breast Cancer Awareness, which successfully raises funds for life-saving mammograms for uninsured Valley women. For more information on these events, or on award-winning medical care, please call 956-323-9000 or visit www.MissionRMC.org/.

NEW PHYSICIANS

For the new year, Mission Regional is looking forward to even more awards and to offering expanded services to the community through additional clinics and physicians who were recently added to the hospital’s medical staff. These new physicians include:

Dr. Vaibhav ‘Van’ Kanawade, Orthopedic Surgeon

Dr. Kanawade is a specialist in various types of orthopedic procedures and recently performed the Valley’s first “biometric patient-specific hip replacement”. This surgery is personalized to each patient, with the system designed to fit the unique size and shape of each person’s hip.

In addition, a Mission woman recently underwent a life-enhancing total elbow replacement, the first procedure of its type that Dr. Kanawade has performed in the Valley. Dr. Kanawade says the surgery saves patients from pain, stiffness, and a need for long-term rehab that is often experienced following other types of elbow surgery.

Dr. Kanawade – who is is a Fellow of the International College of Surgeons -- is practicing at the “Restore Joints and Spine” clinic, located in the Mission Doctors Plaza West, 910 S. Bryan Road, Suite 205 (adjacent to Mission Regional; phone: 956-598-7070).

Dr. Hector Munoz and Dr. Miguel Sanchez, Family Practice

These two new board-certified family medicine physicians are experienced in preventive medicine, management of diabetes and high blood pressure; weight loss and more Dr. Munoz and Dr. Sánchez are available to see patients at the new Monarch Clinic, located in Doctors Plaza West, 910 S. Bryan Road, Suite 205, adjacent to Mission Regional. The Monarch Clinic is one of the lowest-priced clinics in terms of cash prices, which is helping to make healthcare more accessible for the community. For information, or to make an appointment, please call (956) 598-0890.

Dr.

Gabriel

Faz, Cardiologist

Dr. Faz is a board-certified interventional cardiologist who is available to see patients for heart and circulatory problems, including arrhythmia, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, chest pain, shortness of breath, congestive heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. Dr. Faz completed fellowships in interventional cardiology and cardiovascular medicine at University of Florida Shands Hospital. Dr. Faz sees patients at Mission Heart and Vascular, conveniently located near Expressway 83 and adjacent to Mission Regional, at 910 S Bryan RD, Suite 103 (Phone: 956-948-3899).

MISSION HOSTS ANNUAL VETERANS DAY FESTIVAL

This year, the City of Mission once again honored local military heroes with a Veterans’ Appreciation BBQ, parade, and festival over the Veteran’s Day weekend.

“The city is proud to honor our men and women in the military by providing an annual Veterans Day Celebration,” Mayor Norie Gonzalez Garza said. “This civic festival honors and celebrates the brave men and women who have fought and sacrificed for our freedom.”

The drive-thru BBQ event at Mission Event Center featured a chicken plate with all the trimmings. More than 1,000 plates were distributed. On Nov. 12, the full-day celebration kicked off with the Mission Veterans Parade. The festive parade showcased patriotic floats, RGV veterans, military vehicles, festooned golf carts, and local marching bands.

Community members then took part in the Mission Veterans Day Festival outside the CEED building in conjunction with the 5 x 5 Brewing Company and the Go Mission Foundation. At 7 p.m., there was an unforgettable spectacle in the sky. The Go Mission Foundation sponsored a drone show that has never been seen south of Austin. The patriotic show in the air was designed and choreographed by professional animators, blending creative storytelling with striking imagery for an engaging experience.

THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

CHANUKAH IN THE RGV

By Dr. Kimberly Selber

THE STORY OF CHANUKAH

It all started over 2,000 years ago when Antiochus the IV, who ruled over Syria in 174 BCE, believed he could unify his Kingdom through common religion and culture. Antiochus was a cruel ruler nicknamed Epimanes or the madman by a historian of his time, and Jewish worship was forbidden. Antiochus and his men went from village to village forcing the people to worship the pagan gods. Those who refused died as martyrs.

In the hills of Judea, a group of loyal and courageous Jews formed legions led by Judah the Strong. Antiochus sent his general to wipe out Judah and his followers, the Maccabees. Though the Syrians outnumbered the Maccabees, they were defeated by the smaller band. Outraged, Antiochus sent more than 40,000 men to defeat the small group of Maccabees. Clearly outnumbered again, Judah proclaimed, “Let us fight unto death in defense of our souls and our Temple.” Miraculously, the Maccabees were victorious.

The Maccabees then went to Jerusalem to liberate the city and to clear the Temple of idols, for, under Syrian rule, the

temple had been dedicated to Jupiter. The altar was rebuilt and dedicated in 139 BCE. To reopen the Temple, the eternal flame, the light that burns before the sanctuary, needed to be lit, but just a small cruse of pure olive oil was available. This small amount would only be enough to light the golden menorah for one day. Instead of waiting eight days to purify more oil, the Maccabees had faith and truly believed that the light would last, and so lit the menorah anyway.

By a miracle, the oil lasted for eight days.

Chanukah, which means dedication in Hebrew, is celebrated for eight consecutive days commemorating the recovery of Jerusalem, the rededication of the Second Temple, and the miracle that happened there.

CHANUKAH CELEBRATION IN THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY

This year, Chanukah begins at sunset on Dec. 18. Members of Temple Emanuel in McAllen will gather at the synagogue with their family menorahs to light the first candle together. “The children will perform, and we’ll have food,” said Rabbi Nathan Farb. “It is a wonderful celebration.”

Chanukah, the joyful eight-day festival of lights for Jews worldwide, celebrates freedom from persecution, tenacity, and, most importantly, belief.

CHANUKAH: WORDS TO KNOW

GELT

FRIED FOODS

DREIDEL

During the tyrannical rule of Antiochus, the Rabbis were not permitted to study the Torah, which consists of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament). So in secret, they would gather in small groups with a lookout. If any of Antiochus’s men came by, the Rabbis would hide their scrolls. A group of Rabbis sitting around would look suspicious, so they would play the dreidel game - it was quick and easy to spin the top and appear engaged in the game.

The dreidle is a four-sided spinning top used to play gambling games with either candy or real coins. Each side of the dreidel bares a letter from the Hebrew alphabet. These are mnemonic for the rules of a gambling game and, when said together, say, “A great miracle happened here.”

Today children play this game with chocolate coins or candy.

CHOCOLATE COINS

After the dedication of the Second Temple, a commemorative coin was minted. Today, chocolate coins symbolize this special coin and the coins used to play the dreidel game.

GIFTS

Giving gifts at Chanukah is a relatively new tradition beginning in the late 19th century. Traditionally, children were given gelt (chocolate coins) during the Chanukah celebration. But, according to Jonathan Sarna, professor of American Jewish history at Brandeis University, in the late 1800s, there was a shift to giving gifts at Chanukah. This shift came as Christmas became a national holiday in America.

Most holidays have traditional foods, and Chanukah is no different. This holiday is about oil, so fried foods in olive oil are the treats of choice—latkes (potato pancakes), donuts, and even chicken. Latkes are the most common foods associated with Chanukah. The topping, however, is a point of playful contention. “The ‘correct’ topping is apple sauce. But my wife will tell you it is sour cream,” said Rabbi Farb, chuckling. While these two are the most common, one does not have to be constrained with the accouterments on their latke.

Larry and Patty Fallek will attend the celebration at Temple Emanuel as they do every year. Larry’s family was part of the first congregation at Temple Emanuel in the 1940s. “We used to go to Weslaco when I was very young. It took forever to get there.” Fallek recalls with a chuckle. “Temple Emanuel was established in 1948 with 28 families. I think seven of those families were my relatives.”

Patty Fallek, who grew up in San Antonio, has an entire room dedicated to their Jewish heritage. The beautiful collection of art, menorahs, and dreidels is displayed year-round. “Each one has a story,” Patty says. “This Chagal lithograph found us when we were in New York visiting our daughter,” she says with a mischievous smile.

Chabad RGV will host its annual giant menorah lighting with Mayor Javier Villalobos at Archer Park in McAllen on Tuesday, Dec. 20, at 4:30 p.m., and there will be a concert by Israeli singer Yoel Sharabi. You can enjoy hot latkes, kosher hotdogs, rides, and games. This festival is open to the public.

Visitors who wish to attend the Temple Emanuel service on Dec. 18th are asked to contact the office in advance at 956-686-9432 or email: office@temple-emanuel.com to introduce themselves.

Larry and Patty Fallek

ETIQUESTIONS

Dr. Barbara Baggerly-Hinojosa

I am so excited about the holidays, but I really never know how to handle holiday gift-giving at the office. I consider some of my colleagues great friends and want to gift them something special during the holidays. However, not all of my colleagues are great friends, and I don’t usually give them as nice of a gift. What should I do so that feelings don’t get hurt and I am not seen as rude?

It is ok to give gifts to your closest work colleagues since they are your friends.  However, I suggest you give the gifts discreetly, preferably outside the office.  The last thing you want to do is hurt anyone’s feelings or, as you put it, be seen as rude.  Also, keep the gift simple and moderately priced.  It truly is the thought that counts.

Tis the Season!  I feel very blessed to have received several invitations to various holiday parties and events.  I noticed that all of the invitations request an RSVP.  Why is that?

I think the key to holiday party planning is to act early.  Get the invitations out early.  During the holiday season, people’s calendars fill up fast, so plan your holiday party guest list and send out your invitations four weeks in advance.  This allows everyone to plan accordingly so that they can be present on the big day!

It is a great time of year!  If an invitation requests an RSVP, it is important to honor the wishes of the host or hostess who is putting in lots of time, energy, and love to prepare and host a gathering.  Make sure to let the host know if you are going to attend by the deadline noted.  Having a good idea of who will attend allows the host to plan the amount of food, decorations, seating, parking, etc.  Make sure that if you RSVP that you will be attending, you don’t change your mind at the last minute.

Barbara Baggerly-Hinojosa, Ph.D. is a wife, mother, and educator living in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. She is a graduate of Our Lady of the Lake University with a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies. In addition, she holds an Associate of Arts degree in Education from McLennan Community College, Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas – Pan American, and a Master of Arts in Educational Supervision from the University of Texas – Pan American. Dr. Baggerly-Hinojosa’s current research is focused on servant leadership, gender issues in leadership, and leadership communication. www.leadershipempowermentgroup.com

I am planning our holiday party, and I am super excited.  What is the key to holiday party planning?  I want everything to be amazing for all of my guests.

VSO’S ROMANTIC MASTERPIECES

Photography by Tania Deluna

4,

On November

the Valley Symphony Orchestra began its 71st season with “Romantic Masterpieces,” featuring Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8. Soloist Dominic Cheli performed the concerto, and his appearance was made possible by support from Drs. Fuad and Liudmila Zayed. Tickets for the VSO’s spring performances are on sale now at www.valleyorchestra.org.

BUILDING HOPE

By Chalie

Photography

Luna Participating Rio Grande Valley Habitat for Humanity families, event sponsors, and non-profit organizations showed off their crafty sides by decorating tiny, model homes to vividly represent them in the collection of the 2022 Mighty Homes of Hope exhibit, featured at North Park Lexus Rio Grande Valley. RGV community members then bid on these unique homes during an online auction that concluded the day after Giving Tuesday. All proceeds will directly benefit Habitat for Humanity’s mission in the RGV.

JUSUE REYES, COURTNEY VILLARREAL, AND EDDIE RODRIGUEZ

NATHAN WENDORF, ANN FOTESCUE, MARY HINOJOSA, TONYA TORRES, AND GABY JONES

SEAN O’CONNOR, GABY JONES, JASON GONZALEZ, TRISHA WATTS, AND MARCO TORRES

SUSIE FLORES, TONY ALVAREZ, BRENDA RODRIGUEZ, IVAN SILVA, AND EDDIE GUTIERREZ

NATHAN WENDORF, CINTHYA OCHOA, AND GABY JONES

NATHAN WENDORF

DAVID DOBBS, IRMA DOBBS, ANNE GAMBLIN, AND DEB HEINRICH

PATTIE AYALA, MARIANO BEAN AYALA, WENDY HOLLINGER, AND JESSICA MONTIEL

PNC BANK MAKES DEBUT AT MCALLEN HOLIDAY PARADE

PNC Bank made its debut at the McAllen Holiday Parade and Christmas in the Park on December 2nd and 3rd. The PNC Bank team members hosted a corn hole booth with a chance to win PNC goodies. Team members were very excited to introduce a replica of PNC’s actual hot air balloon that will take flight next year, titled “Soaring Across the Sunbelt,” in the parade. PNC Balloon

excitedly participated in the famous “Vuelta” zone as the audience cheered them on.

handlers

HARLINGEN’S RIOFEST

On November 12 and 13th, the City of Harlingen hosted its two-day festival Riofest at the Harlingen Baseball fields! Celebrating culture, music, and art, attendees enjoyed a carnival, 5k, petting zoo, bbq cook-off, tailgate party, beer garden, art park, and live music from Kevin Fowler and the Eli Young Band.

NON-PROFIT SPOTLIGHT

In 1989, Comfort House Services, Inc. (CHSI) began its ministry to the dying under the auspices of the Diocese of Brownsville. Volunteers signed on to provide care in a threebed home near downtown McAllen. In 1992, the Diocese transferred oversight to a new community organization, Comfort House Services, Inc. (CHSI). Building programs in 1994 and 1997 increased our capacity to ten beds. However, we retained our homelike atmosphere, and volunteers are still the heart of CHSI.

Comfort House is a community-wide ministry of compassion to our residents whose mission is to provide a peaceful, home-like environment where a person may die in peace and with dignity while surrounded by loved ones. Our staff of committed, loving caregivers and volunteers assist residents and give hospitality to families. Our Caregivers provide twenty-four-hour palliative care for our residents. We do our best to ensure that no resident is left alone during this transitionary phase of their life.

We have proudly housed over three thousand individuals in the past thirty-three years. Our volunteers have been a big factor in assisting us throughout these years, as they are the heartbeat of CHSI. Volunteers are always welcome. Many come to cook for our families, read, sing, or play musical instruments for our residents, and some come to provide comfort by holding a stranger’s hand while they are in their last phase of life.

CHSI does not bill for services; the residents’ families are asked to make donations as they can. Additional support comes from the community, memorial gifts, fundraising activities, and foundation grants.

We are licensed as a 501C3 non-profit Special Care Facility for the terminally ill with a prognosis of four months or less to live.

617 Dallas Avenue, McAllen, Texas, 78501 Tel (956) 687-7367 Fax (956) 630-6423

history of the poinsettia

LA NOCHEBUENA

by René Ballesteros, Museum of South Texas History Community Engagement Officer

Euphoria pulcherrima, cuetlaxochitle, flame leaf, fire flower, flor de nochebuena, and poinsettia are all names given to a plant commonly used to represent the holiday season.

Indigenous to Mexico, the cuetlaxochitle (poinsettia) was once used by Aztec priests and healers for medicine and ceremonies. Montezuma, the last of the great Aztec warrior-kings, even imported poinsettias to the capital city of Tenochtitlan because the flowers could not be grown in the city’s high altitudes.

Following the Spanish conquest, legends of why nochebuenas (poinsettias) have red leaves sprouted in Mexico. One legend

tells the story of Pepita, a young Mexican girl who had nothing to offer the Christ Child. Determined to offer a gift, Pepita found flowering weeds along the road and made them into a bouquet. The cathedral that hosted the Christmas shrine was full of people when Pepita placed her bouquet of weeds before the manger. Suddenly, the weeds burst into blossoms of brilliant red, and everyone was certain they had seen a Christmas miracle.

This history offers some explanation for the plant’s popularity in Mexico, but how did the poinsettia become so widespread in the U.S.A. and worldwide?

In 1820, President Andrew Jackson elected Joel Roberts Poinsett to the United States Congress and appointed him as the first United States Ambassador to Mexico. Poinsett had a passion for botany. In December of 1828, Poinsett “discovered” a dramatic-looking flower growing alongside the road near the town of Taxco. Poinsett sent cuttings back to the U.S., where they arrived at John Bartram’s in Philadelphia. In 1829, Bartram’s granddaughter’s husband submitted the colorful flower to the 1829 Exposition of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.

The rest is history.

The nation’s largest creative competition is now open. Nearly 30,000 entries will be judged nationally this year. Take the first step toward national glory by entering your local competition today.

Entry Deadline: January 9, 2023

Awards Gala: February 18, 2023

Marriott Courtyard - South Padre Island AAF-RGV.ORG

Rosca!

La Reynera Bakery

221 N. D Salinas Blvd., Donna (956) 461-3381

2506 W. Freddy Gonzalez Dr., Edinburg (956) 287-7525

922 W. Monte Cristo Rd., Edinburg (956) 380-2577

8302 TX-107, Edinburg (956) 386-1950

121 S. Broadway St., Elsa (956) 262-6566

2633 Pecan Blvd., McAllen (956) 540-7128

401 S. Alton Blvd., Mission (956) 600-7283

3502 W. Main Ave., Mission (956) 580-4020

6115 W. Mile 3 Rd., Mission (956) 519-5255

1406 E. Nolana Loop, Pharr (956) 782-7555

1504 W. Pike Blvd., Weslaco (956) 968-1333

Las Palmas Bakery

1020 Palm Blvd., Ste #4, Brownsville (956) 548-1161

Los Pasteles Caseros de Gaby

1020 Palm Blvd., Ste #4, Brownsville (956) 548-1161

1001 S. 10th St., McAllen (956) 627-4099

600 N. Shary Rd., Ste A, Mission (956) 424-6379

THE QUEEN OF MARIACHI, AIDA CUEVAS, PERFORMS NATIONAL TOUR FINALE IN SOUTH TEXAS

Photography By Michael Sulartz

Grammy award winner Aída Cuevas, “The Queen of Mariachi,” celebrated the finale of her national tour with two unforgettable concerts –Nov. 9th at the TSC Performing Arts Center in Brownsville and Nov. 11th a the UTRGV Performing Arts Center in Edinburg. UTRGV Mariachi Aztlán was invited to accompany Aída to 20 concerts at the most prestigious venues across the country. Aida and her daughter Valeria generously donated one of the fabulous shows for the benefit of the mariachi program at UTRGV.

DR. DAHLIA GUERRA

VALERIA AND AIDA CUEVAS

OFIE VILLARREAL, ADELA GARZA, DR. DAHLIA GUERRA, AND TIM RAMÍREZ

AIDA CUEVAS, ADELA GARZA AND VALERIA CUEVAS

MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME CLERGY SOCIAL

On Wednesday, November 30th, Memorial Funeral Home hosted its Annual Clergy Social. The event, held at Memorial Event Center, is to show appreciation to priests and deacons from local area churches, as well as office staff and those involved in the rosary ministry for serving families during their time of need.

LEON AND VELMA DE LEON

�appy Holidays

MAY YOU HAVE PEACE AND PROSPERITY THROUGHOUT THE NEW YEAR

WITH SINCERE GRATITUDE YOUR FRIENDS AT Yira, Bronson, Sally, Kimberly, and Cliff

LOOKING FOR A LOVING HOME

SHELTER OF THE MONTH

1106 Markowsky Ave, Harlingen, TX, 78550 I (956) 425-7297 I info@hshtx.org

Celia | Female | 2 years old | Shepherd Mix

Stay Period: Over 70 days

Meet Celia! The longest-stay dog at the Humane Society of Harlingen. She has been under our care for over 77 days! We can’t imagine why. Celia is a total social butterfly! Celia is a girl that has to say hi to everyone that crosses her path to make sure they know how much she already loves them! She loves to go on long walks, have play dates with her furry friends and explore new places.

Raspberry Syrup | Female 1 year old | Shepherd Mix

Stay Period: Over 60 days

Meet Raspberry Syrup! A one-year-old shepherd with lots of puppy energy! Raspberry is just as unique as her name. She absolutely loves anything that includes toys, treats, and running around. We guarantee that Raspberry will put a smile on your face with her charming personality!

Ariel | Female | 1 year old | Terrier/Pit Bull Mix

Stay Period: Over 60 days

Meet Ariel! The prettiest princess at the Humane Society of Harlingen! She has the most beautiful white speckled coat and a sparkling personality. Ariel is a sweet lady that gets along with every dog she meets. She has yet to leave the shelter since her first arrival, which was over 60 days ago! Ariel would be the perfect addition to your home, whether it be through adoption or fostering.

Diglet | Male | 3 years old | Mastiff/Boxer Mix

Stay Period: Over 20 days

Meet Diglet! 52 pounds of good boy! He is the gentlest soul and gives the softest kisses to people he meets. Diglet loves when staff spends time with him in his kennel. Oftentimes, he picks up his blanket with his mouth and brings it over to staff to share a cuddle or two. We don’t know what’s more adorable - his sweet demeanor or him sharing his blankets!

CHRISTMAS PUPPIES

Things to Consider before you gift a pet

By Dr. Ruben Castro

It is finally December, which means we will see an abundance of holiday décor, listen to festive music, attend posadas, take vacations, host family visits, and shop for family, friends, coworkers, and significant others. It is the latter part that I would like to focus on because, from what I have seen in my 16 years of experience as a dog behaviorist, someone will give a puppy as a gift to someone else. The person receiving the puppy has no idea of the responsibility that comes along with owning a puppy. Usually, in January, I receive a substantial number of new puppy owners asking for help because their Christmas gift is not potty trained, is chewing up the house, and not listening to them!

Here are some things to consider if you are planning on gifting a puppy to someone:

Do not give a puppy to a child. They are not mature enough to handle the responsibility of properly taking care of it. When this happens, the burden of raising the puppy always falls on the parents or some other adult.

Do not give a puppy to someone who has a busy life. If a person has a full-time job, goes to school full-time, has a side hobby, or has another job, then this person will not have the time to take care of a puppy. When a busy person is given a puppy, they often end up rehoming it or just taking it to an animal shelter.

Adopt, don’t shop! A sad reality is that pet stores obtain their “purebred” puppies from puppy mills, which are commercial dog-breeding facilities that only care about their profits with no regard for dogs’ proper health and welfare. You can read more about these despicable practices here: https://www.aspca.org/news/3-shady-things-petstores-dont-want-you-know

If you do get a puppy for Christmas, here are a few key points to consider:

Make sure the puppy is at least eight weeks old because if puppies are removed from their mother before eight weeks, they can have personality defects such as rowdiness, being noisy, and being aggressive.

Take it to a reputable veterinarian to begin its vaccinations.

The optimum age for a puppy to imprint the desired behavior in its brain is 8-12 weeks. This is where you should look for a reputable trainer for help. This includes potty training.

8-12 weeks is also the optimum time to socialize your new puppy to as many sights, sounds, smells, people, animals, and experiences as possible. Doing this will make your dog a well-balanced, social animal that gets along with everyone.

12-16 weeks is when your puppy will figure out who the alpha of the pack is. Ask a professional dog trainer for help.

If you get an older dog, it would be a good idea to have it trained to know the expected behavior.

Having a dog can definitely bring joy to your life, but remember, a puppy given as a Christmas gift is not just a gift for the holiday. It is a gift for life!

Dr. Ruben Castro is a proud Catholic who is a husband, father, and educator born and raised in the RGV. He is a graduate of Northcentral University with a doctorate in Education with a specialization in Educational Leadership. He also holds a Master of Science in Sociology from the University of Texas-Pan American and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, with a minor in Psychology from the University of Texas-Pan American. Dr. Castro’s current research focuses on Education, Crime and Deviance, and Race and Ethnicity.

Quinta MAZATLAN

DISCOVER THE THORN FOREST

By Colleen Curran Hook, Manager of Quinta Mazatlan

Quinta Mazatlan in McAllen, Texas, has gone through many changes throughout its existence. The Matthews family in the 1930s built the adobe mansion in the middle of a forest. The Schultz family in the 1960s continued that practice and enhanced the home and gardens while protecting the forest for wildlife. The third family, the City of McAllen, expanded the urban sanctuary and brought partners together to support education, eco-tourism, and the environment for the health of all.

The archway to the Thorn Forest gives you a visual of what the estate grounds used to look like previous to 1935. Many guests have passed through the doorway to the Thorn Forest, which was opened to the public in 2006 by the City of McAllen. Countless families and nature lovers have passed through on their way to explore the Thorn Forest, looking for birds and butterflies.

A variety of trees, shrubs, and plants make up the Thorn Forest at Quinta Mazatlan. The assortment of vegetation attracts a variety of birds and butterflies to the estate. The gatekeepers for the estate are none other than the Plain Chachalacas, which are bountiful. Buffed-bellied Hummingbirds entertain you with their aerial acrobatics. Green Jays chatter to you from their condo homes in the forest. There are many more birds to see, including our migratory birds that make Quinta Mazatlan their hotel to regenerate their energy before continuing south. Lucky for us, some migratory birds call the estate their winter haven.

Butterflies are also bountiful within the Thorn Forest. Monarch, Large Orange Sulphur, Giant Swallowtail, Red-bordered Pixie, and many other types of butterflies flutter around the Thorn Forest, searching for flowering plants to get a meal.

Many native trees and shrubs within the Thorn Forest provide shelter and food for the forest animals. Granjeno, Fiddlewood, Kidneywood and Guayacan provide berries or seeds as a meal. Native plants that provide nectar to the animals are the Turk’s Cap, Scarlet Sage, and Texas Lantana. Though they are cactus, prickly Pear, Tasajillo, and Nightblooming Cereus, provide nectar, food, and shelter for many animals.

Though many trails meander around the estate, they all lead back to the historical mansion of Quinta Mazatlan. Quinta Mazatlán provides the community with an urban sanctuary working to enrich people’s lives by sharing knowledge about birds, plants, and environmental stewardship in South Texas.

Visit Quinta Mazatlan in McAllen this new year and check out the many Programs, Thursday Night Speaker Series, and Special Seasonal Trails & Festivals. Quinta Mazatlan is open Tuesday to Saturday, 8 to 5, and Thursdays till dark. Follow Quinta Mazatlan on Social Media for what’s happening in the Thorn Forest.

THE GLOBAL LUXURY DIFFERENCE

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November - January 12

Beyond Van Gogh Immersive experience McAllen Convention Center

December 1

Pretty in Pearls

Comfort House McAllen Convention Center 6 PM SL

McAllen Chamber Good Day Luncheon

Embassy Suites - McAllen Convention Center 11:30 AM SL

Lighting of the Christmas Tree City of Edinburg Edinburg City Hall Courtyard 5 - 10 PM

South Padre Island Tree Lighting Ceremony South Padre Island City Hall 5:30 PM

The 36th Annual Lighting of the Arroyo Mckelvey Park Harlingen 6:30 – 8:30

December 2

A Touch of Frost

Valley Symphony Orchestra McAllen Performing Arts Center 8 PM SL

Night of Lights Parade

City of Edinburg Closner Blvd.

Hometown Christmas Parade

Historic Downtown Harlingen 6 PM

December 2 - 4

Zoo Nights & Lights Gladys Porter Zoo 6 - 9 PM

December 2 - 17

Skate-A-Palooza Ice Rink Cameron County Amphitheater 12 - 9 PM

December 3

McAllen Holiday Parade City of McAllen McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium 5 PM

Lighted Boat Parade

South Padre Island Entertainment District 6 PM

Cameron County Tree Lighting & Fireworks

Cameron County Amphitheater & Isla Blanca Park 9 PM

Port Isabel Christmas Tree Lighting & Parade Dec. 3, 6 PM

Port Isabel Event & Culture Center Tree lighting @ Beulah Lee Park Dec 3, 7 PM

December 4

Breakfast with Santa Cameron County Amphitheater 9 - 11 AM

December 5

Hispanic Chamber Ugly Sweater Mixer Legacy Event Center 5:30 PM SL

December 7-31

South Pole Illuminated Festival McAllen Convention Center, Oval Park

December 7

Merry & Bright Valley Symphony Orchestra Basilica of Our Lady San Juan del Valle 8 PM

Strike Out Hunger

American Advertising Federation RGV Flamingo Bowl 5:30 PM SL

Bubbles & Bling

Boys & Girls Club of McAllen Deutsch & Deutsch 6 PM

December 8 - 9

Annual Mission Community Health and Wellness Fair

Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce Mission Events Center 7:30 - 11:30 PM

December 9

Valley Symphony Orchestra Cameron County Amphitheater SL

December 10

Denim & Diamonds

Sharyland ISD Education Foundation Las Palmas Race Park SL

Craft Beer Festival

Cameron County Amphitheater South Padre Island 6 PM

December 10-11

RGV Ballet’s The Nutcracker McAllen Performing Arts Center 3 PM

December 11

Serenata a La Virgin Gelman Stained Glass Museum 7 - 8:30 PM

BFF Holiday Paw Parade

Cameron County Amphitheater & Isla Blanca Park

December 12

RGV Food Bank Wine Tasting

Santa Fe Steakhouse & L&F Santa Fe Steakhouse Anasazi Room 7 - 9 PM

December 13 - 17

Illumina Fest Quinta Mazatlan 6 – 9:30 PM

December 14

Pharr Christmas Posada Downtown Pharr 6 - 11 PM

December 15

Member Appreciation Breakfast

Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce 8:30 - 10:30 AM

IF IT’S NOT

December 16

An Evening of Joy & Giving

Renaissance Cancer Foundation Renaissance Conference Center, Edinburg

6 - 10 PM SL

Country Christmas Cameron County Amphitheater

6 PM

December 17

24th Annual Lighted Christmas Parade

Magic of Christmas” Main Street La Feria 6 PM

December 18

Christmas Night Gelman Stained Glass Museum 6 PM

December 20

A Visit to the South Pole of Texas McAllen Wind Ensemble McAllen Performing Arts Center

7:30 PM

McAllen Menorah Lighting Ceremony

City of McAllen and Chabad RGV Archer Park

4:30 PM - Festival at 6:30 PM

January 5

88th Legislative Session Send-off Reception

RGV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce & RGV Partnership

UTRGV Center for Innovation and Commercialization

5 - 7 PM SL

January 17

Small has Never Been so Big American Advertising Federation - AAF Embassy Suites McAllen Convention Center

11:30 AM - 1 PM SL

January 19

Buenas Tardes Luncheon

Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce Mission Event Center

11:30 AM

HERE, IT’S NOT HAPPENING…

January 26 - 27

Annual Education Concerts Valley Symphony Orchestra McAllen Performing Arts Center 9 AM SL

February 7

Superheroes McAllen Wind Ensemble McAllen Performing Arts Center 7:30 PM

February 17

Out of this World

Valley Symphony Orchestra McAllen Performing Arts Center 8 PM SL

February 18

Send us your event: admin@socialifergv.com

March 24

Santa Fe Wine Classic Santa Fe Steakhouse & Cantina Quinta Mazatlan

armen y Mas Valley Symphony Orchestra McAllen Performing Arts Center 8 PM SL

March 24-26

The RGV Jalapeño Amateur Championship Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Tierra Santa Golf Club SL

March 31

American Advertising Awards American Advertising Federation - RGV Courtyard Marriott South Padre Island 7 PM

Puppy Love

Palm Valley Animal Society McAllen Convention Center SL

February 25

Throw Back for the Future 2023 Gala Boys and Girls Club of McAllen McAllen Convention Center 6 PM

March 2

19th Annual State of Real Estate Forum Edwards Abstract and Title Co. McAllen Convention Center 8:30 AM

March 3

BRAVO! VSO Gala

Valley Symphony Orchestra McAllen Convention Center SL

March 4

27th Annual VAMOS Golf Tournament McAllen Champion Lakes Golf Course SL

March 8

Latina Leadership Conference Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Mission Event Center 5:30 - 8 PM SL

Honor Roll Gala 2022 Teach For America Mission Event Center 6:30 PM SL

April 2

Memories McAllen Wind Ensemble McAllen Performing Arts Center 2 PM

April 15

Night at the Brewseum International Museum of Art & Science

April 20

Moon Over Mazatlan Quinta Mazatlan, McAllen, TX 6:30 pm to 11 pm SL

April 21

West Side Story Valley Symphony Orchestra McAllen Performing Arts Center 8 PM SL

May 6

Make-A-Wish Foundation Gala McAllen Convention Center SL