SOCIALIFE MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2019

HIDALGO CO. EDITION YEAR 15 ISSUE 11

p.8

p.20

p.54

p.68

UTRGV New Biomedical Research Building

Santa Fe Wine Classic

City of Pharr Moving Forward

Capable Kids Red Cape Gala

CIT Y OF PHARR MAYOR

Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez

Solving our Drainage Problems for Today, and for Future Generations

2019

THE VALLEY’S ONLY SOURCE FOR

LINCOLN

LUXURY

877-686-7411 1400 EAST HIGHWAY 83 •

www.BoggusLincoln.com SUNDAY IN CHURCH

956.994.0970

BOLD GOLD COLLECTION

Santa Fe Steakhouse & Cantina Wine Dinner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 UTRGV Biomedical Research Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

SALLY FRAUSTRO GUERRA PRESIDENT + PUBLISHER

Bob’s Steak & Chop House Wine Dinner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Easterseals Egg preview at CARATS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 IDEA Groundbreaking Ceremony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Pharr Phall Phestival. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Santa Fe Wine Classic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 DHR Health Ribbon Cutting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Census . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 GMCC Annual Banquet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

BRONSON DELRIO

VICE PRESIDENT + PUBLISHER

2019 Festival of Color. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Live to Lead. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 SOCIALIFE Halloween Party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 City of Mission. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 HWNT State Conference. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 City of Pharr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

KARLA KERNZ

Easterseals Annual Gala. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

EDITOR

Etiquestions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Memorial Funeral Homes Award. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 MOST History - Fandango!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Non-Profit Spotlight: C.A.M.P. University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 ECC- Annual Banquet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

CHRISTINA BARRERA SALES COORDINATOR

Capable Kids - Red Cape Gala. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 VSO - James Bond Meets Brahms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 RGV DA - Dancing with the Stars of Hidalgo Co.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Great Minds Drink Alike: Coffee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 RGV HCC - Manic Monday Mixer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 STC - A Night with the Stars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Quinta Mazatlan: Six Steps to Save Birds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

CLIFF RANSON

PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR

University Drafthouse Beer Fest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 MOST History: A Birder’s Diary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 PSJA Centennial Sock Hop Dance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Bob’s Steak & Chop After hours Mixer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Coldwell Banker Commercial RGV Mixer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

Design

Decibel Communications

Valley Land Title Ribbon Cutting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Event Photographers

Sergio Arratia Erika Barrera Dustin Coronado Victoria Gaytan Felicia Cuellar Antony Martinez

NHPO Monthly Mixer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

Guest Photographers

Quinta Mazatlan Norberto Treviño Ivan Michael Silver Salas

Guest Writers

Letty Leal Jane Smith Dr. Barbara Baggerly-Hinojosa Quinta Mazatlan Ernesto Salcedo Jonathan Vazquez Pamela Morales

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SOCIALIFE

Calendar of Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

FOR ADVERTISING OR OTHER INQUIRIES, REACH OUT! Kelly Francis-Love Nanette Palomo Karina Cardoza Dalila Garcia

E-mail: admin@socialifergv.com Office: (956) 683-8499 Web: www.socialifeRGV.com Socialife is published by Socialife News, LLC Permission to use any material herein must be approved in writing by the publisher.

Socialife is printed in Mexico Please recycle this magazine!

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S C H E D U L E

M O N D AY

Jake CoRtez ROCKING-GYPSY BLUES GUITAR

T U E S D AY

Jake CoRtez ROCKING-GYPSY BLUES GUITAR

W E D N E S D AY

R A M DA N E S S E SMOOTH ROCK + BLUES

T H U R S D AY

Jake CoRtez & Perla romos ROCKING-GYPSY BLUES GUITAR DUO

F R I D AY

LAST PAGE INTERNATIONAL POP MUSIC & DANCE

S AT U R D AY

LAST PAGE INTERNATIONAL POP MUSIC & DANCE

EVERY NIGHT IS A GOOD NIGHT

HAPPY HOUR NIGHTLY 5-8pm PREMIUM COCKTAILS & WINE 1/2 PRICE FEATURED APPETIZER ELEVATED BAR MENU: PRIME RIB SLIDERS, TUNA TARTARE… CANTINA HOURS:

MON-WED 5:00pm-12:00am THUR-SAT 5:00pm-2:00am Closed Sundays

1918 South 10th St. McAllen

KEENAN WINE DINNER

AT SANTA FE STEAKHOUSE & CANTINA McAllen Photography by Norberto Treviño

On October 23rd, Santa Fe hosted their monthly wine dinner with winemaker Michael Keenan. Santa Fe Steakhouse & Cantina always strives to create moments that are meaningful for their guests, and what better way to create an unforgettable experience than to have them meet and dine with the Keenan Wines winemaker, Michael Keenan.

SONY REGO, MICHAEL KEENEN AND SUSANA PARTIDA

MICHAEL KEENAN AND ALBERT REGO

MICHAEL KEENAN

6

SOCIALIFE

WWW.SOCIALIFERGV.COM

Lone Star National Bank

Proudly Honors All Who Served.

From Starr County to Cameron County, from the Rio Grande Valley to San Antonio, Lone Star National Bank is growing across South Texas. Our banking centers throughout South Texas are providing the resources and the expertise to help Texas businesses grow and prosper, communities expand and invest in the future, and individuals and families succeed in achieving their dreams.

Established in 1983, Lone Star National Bank has provided banking services to communities in South Texas for over 35 years. Lone Star National Bank is an independent bank with more than 2 billion in total assets and thirty-four (34) locations throughout South Texas.

Come by and meet our outstanding team of bankers. Lone Star National Bank...The Valley’s Bank.

1-800-580-0322 www.lonestarnationalbank.com

UTRGV NEW BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH BUILDING OPEN HOUSE McAllen Photography by Silver Salas

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley hosted an open house for its new Biomedical Research Building on October 24. Guests included Dr. Jim Wilson from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), along with other campus and community partners.

This state-of-the-art facility is home to researchers from the departments of Neuroscience, Human Genetics, Immunology and Microbiology, Molecular Science, and the new Cancer Immunology Institute. Additionally, it provides laboratory, classroom and collaborative space for investigators working in 16 different areas of research important to the Rio Grande Valley community.

DR. JOHN KROUSE

COMMISSIONER VICTOR “SEBY” HADDAD, DR. JOHN KROUSE, AND MARIO LIZCANO

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SOCIALIFE

DR. JOHN KROUSE AND SENATOR JUAN “CHUY” HINOJOSA

WWW.SOCIALIFERGV.COM

AMICI CELLARS WINE DINNER AT BOB’S STEAK AND CHOP Edinburg Photography by Victoria Gaytan

SOPHIA SARMIENTO AND RUBEN PINERO

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SOCIALIFE

Friday, October 18th was the return of Amici Cellars at Bob’s Steakhouse and Chop for their monthly wine dinner. “Amici began as a small project between friends, but has grown beyond our wildest imagination.

Making wines at the highest level has always been the inspiration behind our work at Amici,” says Bob Shepard, Amici owner. Bob created an amazing pairing for each one of the presented wines. The first course was Amici Cellars Chardonnay, Napa Valley, which was paired with the amazing Bob’s homemade prime tenderloin sausage drizzled with a balsamic glaze. The second course highlighted the Amici Cellars Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County, with a delicious focaccia bread topped with vinaigrette roasted vegetables and goat cheese. For the third course, Bob’s Steak and Chop put together the Amici Cellars Reserve: Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, paired with an exquisite prime ribeye or prime filet mignon finished with a demi glaze and served with roasted butternut squash. Last, they served the Amici Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, with raspberry and luxardo cherry chocolate dessert.

RUDY MORENO AND CHRISTOPHER CAVASOS

VANESA ALLEN AND SPENCER ALLEN

KATHY WOOD AND JANIE ELMORE

JAIME CAVASOS AND JOSE SOLIS

WWW.SOCIALIFERGV.COM

Steaks. Wine.

Mistletoe.

The Perfect Trio for Holiday Parties.

Specializing in Private Dining Events • Luncheons • Holiday Parties • Corporate Events

bobs-steakandchop.com

613 E. Trenton Rd., Edinburg, Texas 78539 Located at The Shoppes at Rio Grande Valley For Reservations, Private Dining or Special Events Call (956) 380-2627

CELEBRATING THE EXPERTISE AND EXCELLENCE THAT HAPPENS ALL ACROSS MCALLEN ISD!

SAM HOUSTON ELEMENTARY IS A NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL!

EASTERSEALS EGG PREVIEW AT CARATS

McAllen Photography by Dustin Coronado

The 2019 Egg Preview event hosted by CARATS provided a beautiful setting to get a preview of the ostrich eggs and meet the artists who created them.

The guests also enjoyed the Matthew Campbell Laurenza (MCL) Trunk show, with partial proceeds going to Easterseals.

GABY GARZA, ANA EVERHART, NORMA ESCOBAR AND SAUL SANCHEZ

CARLOS MELGUIZO AND ADDISON BORTNICK

FRED KURTH AND PATTIE ROSENLUND

BILL RUPPERT, JOANNE WRIGHT, AND HECTOR GUERRA

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SOCIALIFE

SYLVIA JOHNSON, JENNIFER WINGATE AND CINDY DISQUE

ADDISON, REBECCA, AND STEVE BORTNICK

WWW.SOCIALIFERGV.COM

S U N D AY S 1 1 A M - 3 P M

PRIVATE DINING

HAPPY HOUR

BRUNCH

LUNCH

Corporate/Social Events

M-F 3PM - 7PM

M-F 11AM - 3PM

SUNDAYS 11AM - 3PM

Copyright 2019 © Il Forno Brands

MIMOSA BOTTLE SERVICE, BLOODY MARY & MICHELADA BAR

(956) 391-1397 www.primebyilforno.com

IL FORNO BRANds

3817 N 10th Street McAllen, TX (956) 688-8325

905 N Main St. McAllen, TX (956) 377-4333

3400 W Exp. 83 Suite 140 McAllen, TX (956) 391-1397

For Locations Call (956) 688-8325

4900 S, I-69C (Inside Bert Ogden Arena) Edinburg, TX

IDEA PALMVIEW

GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY Palmview Photography by Sergio Arratia

On October 9, IDEA Public Schools hosted community leaders, board members, supporters, IDEA students, and others to celebrate the groundbreaking of its newest campus in the Upper Valley, IDEA Palmview, which will be located at 4100 N. Schuerbach Rd. IDEA Public Schools was founded in the Rio Grande Valley in 2000. Since then, they have opened schools in Austin, San Antonio, El Paso, Tarrant County and Southern Louisiana. By 2022, IDEA will operate more than 200 schools in 10 regions preparing to serve 100,000 students and families. In the Rio Grande Valley, IDEA currently serves 27,000 students at 39 schools. They are poised to serve 38,000 students at 55 schools by 2022. Since IDEA’s first graduating class in 2007, 100% of their seniors have been accepted to colleges and universities nationwide.

BRENDA ENRIQUEZ, ABRAHAM C. PADRON, AND NICOLAS CRUZ

TOM TORKELSON

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SOCIALIFE

WWW.SOCIALIFERGV.COM

EVERY CHILD CAN AND WILL SUCCEED IF GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY.

At IDEA Public Schools, we are closing the opportunity gap and increasing levels of achievement by preparing students from underserved communities for success in college and in life.

We believe that no student’s potential should be limited.

DISCOVER MORE AT IDEAPUBLICSCHOOLS.ORG

2019 PHARR PHALL PHESTIVAL Pharr

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SOCIALIFE

The City of Pharr celebrated a safe and fun-filled Halloween as it hosted the Pharr Phall Phestival for the Pharr community at the Pharr Events Center.

Hundreds of excited children and families attended, sporting adorable costumes and enjoying the free community event, which featured candy, a costume contest, games, activities, food vendors, moon jumps, and more. Thanks to all who attended!

WWW.SOCIALIFERGV.COM

2019 SANTA FE WINE CLASSIC McAllen Photography by Erika Barrera

ALBERT REGO, MOLLY SHEPARD, AND KENT SHEPARD

It was another great year for the annual Santa Fe Wine Classic, presented by the Santa Fe Steakhouse and McAllen Chamber of Commerce and held at historic Quinta Mazatlan. This year’s Wine Classic was inspired by the iconic movie “Casablanca”, which created an even more luxurious event by showcasing over 300 wines from the world’s most renowned winery regions and catered by the most prestigious local restaurants. All guests enjoyed the evening with live entertainment and a silent auction benefiting the McAllen Chamber of Commerce Education Initiatives.

CELESTE CANTU AND ANDREW RAMIREZ

ESTHER HARMS

SUSANA MADDRIGAL, KENT SHEPARD, MOLLY SHEPARD, LAURIE LOZANO, AND ROBERT LOZANO

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SOCIALIFE

MARCO TREJO, JENNY TREJO, MARTHA BENAVIDES-DEL RIO, BRONSON DEL RIO, SHAHROO GONZALEZ, AND DR. J.A. GONZALEZ

WWW.SOCIALIFERGV.COM

ROBBIE VALADEZ, DAVID PEREZ, DR. KELLY SCRIVNER, AND DR. HERB NASSOUR

BRYAN HINOJOSA, YVETTE HINOJOSA, RAUL CANO, AND EVELYN CANO

AMANDA HINOJOSA, SENATOR JUAN “CHUY” HINOJOSA, ANNETTE VILLALOBOS, AND COMMISSIONER JAVIER VILLALOBOS

WWW.SOCIALIFERGV.COM

SOCIALIFE

21

Les Pétales Place Vendôme Collection

AQUATIC THERAPY INSTITUTE GRAND OPENING

McAllen Photography by Sergio Arratia

DHR Health proudly celebrates the grand opening and ribbon cutting of its newest service line, DHR Health - Aquatic Therapy Institute. Located at 2001 South Cynthia Street, Suite E in McAllen, Texas. This new facility combines the benefits of therapeutic exercise with the advantages of an enclosed warm-water pool environment. This service line is led by Dr. Amir Esmaeili, Director and Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists. Aquatic Therapy Institute offers an inviting environment, high quality land and water-based physical therapy services, one-on-one treatment conducted by licensed clinical professionals, a brand new climatecontrolled warm-water therapy pool built for accessibility, a clean and wellequipped land-based therapy gym, two extra-large examination rooms for client comfort and privacy, and crystal clean men’s and women’s locker rooms--each with three showers and a wheelchairaccessible changing room and shower.

DR. AMIR ESMAEILI

24

SOCIALIFE

WWW.SOCIALIFERGV.COM

We are here to help.

Diabetes can be managed with proper diet and exercise. DHR Health Diabetes & Endocrinology Institute is here to help with medical guidance tailored to your specific health needs. Our multidisciplinary team of board-certified physicians is dedicated to realizing our vision of a world without diabetes.

Edinburg Clinic 2609 Michael Angelo Dr. / Edinburg, TX 78539 Weslaco Clinic 505 Angelita St., Ste. 14 / Weslaco, TX 78596 Mission Clinic 2121 E. Griffin Pkwy., Ste. 17 / Mission, TX 78572 Brownsville Clinic 4770 N. Expy. 77-83, Ste. 302B Brownsville, TX 78520

For more information, call (956) 362-5650.

Doctors Hospital at Renaissance proudly meets the federal definition of a “physician-owned hospital” (42 CFR § 489.3). As required by law, a list of the hospital’s physician owners and investors is available at www.dhr-rgv.com. DHR, Ltd. and its affiliated entities comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.

MODERN JAPANESE GRILL THE FIRST ROBATA GRILL IN THE RGV

A traditional style of cooking over 1900ºF Japanese binchōtan charcoal

Salmon Aji Roll

RIb eye

ramen

www.MoriRGV.com (956) 631 - 2590 NOW OPEN • LA PLAZA MALL

raw bar

REFRESH BUSINESS STOREFRONTS

City of McAllen City Manager Roel “Roy” Rodriguez and Rebecca Olaguibel, Director of the City of McAllen Retail & Business Development spoke at a press conference at the McAllen City Hall to announce the recently approved grant for the McAllen revitalization program.

The City of McAllen is the premier retail shopping destination in South Texas and northern Mexico. While new shopping centers and big box retailers continue to land in McAllen, McAllen city leaders realize that small businesses are a critical component of the overall success of the community. The revitalization program is for designated business corridors in McAllen and will allow for businesses to apply for a matching grant of up to $15,000 through the McAllen Retail & Business Development Department. The goal of the newly established revitalization grant is to stimulate and improve the physical, economic, and cultural vitality of McAllen’s most visited areas.

WITH THE NEW REVITALIZATION PROGRAM McAllen Photography by Antony Martinez

MAYOR JIM DARLING, COMMISSIONER VICTOR SEBY HADDAD, REBECCA OLAGUIBEL, AND ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER MICHELLE RIVERA

HIDALGO COUNTY EDITION YEAR 14 ISSUE 5

p.10

Rio Carnival at Quinta Mazatlan

p.20

David Tutera Inverview

p.32

Rio Grande Regional Hospital Top 100

HIDALGO COUNTY EDITION YEAR 14 ISSUE 4

p.55

p.12

Edinburg State of The City

scantech chooses the valley

THE MAGAZINE OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY

HIDALGO COUNTY EDITION YEAR 14 ISSUE 7

HIDALGO COUNTY EDITION YEAR 14 ISSUE 9

p.48

p.30

why i love the valley

meet the new utrgv executive team

2018

p.6

p.26

p.30

p.42

p.10

p.22

p.30

p.44

UTRGV Alumni Reception

Mochila Ministry

The RGV Killer Bees Are Back

Inside The Kitchen Chef Fernando Perez

Pharr Mayor Hernandez Celebrating our Heritage

Carats Fine Jewelry and Gifts

Bert Ogden Arena #GameChanger

Voyage into Fate

THE MAGAZINE OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY

p.18

mission events center open for business

THE MAGAZINE OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY

HIDALGO COUNTY EDITION YEAR 14 ISSUE 8

UTRGV THE POWER TO

THE MAGAZINE OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY

p.14

p.28

p.34

p.48

The Perfect Pair

Valley Symphony Orchestra

All Across the Plains of Mexico

DHR Health Transplant Institute

THE MAGAZINE OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY

CHANGE OUR COMMUNITY

This

is not a COMMISSIONER EDUARDO EDDIE CANTU, OLIVIA GOMEZ, CITY MANAGER ROEL ROY RODRIGUEZ Building

YEAR 14 ISSUE 12

HIDALGO COUNTY EDITION YEAR 14 ISSUE 7

HIDALGO COUNTY EDITION YEAR 14 ISSUE 8

p.14

p.28

p.34

p.48

p.6

p.26

p.30

p.42

The Perfect Pair

Valley Symphony Orchestra

All Across the Plains of Mexico

DHR Health Transplant Institute

UTRGV Alumni Reception

Mochila Ministry

The RGV Killer Bees Are Back

Inside The Kitchen Chef Fernando Perez

2018

p.26

p.36

p.47

p.58

MCC- Annual Man & Women of the year

City of Mission Texas Citrus Parade

Jones & Jones

UTRGV Athletics Hall of Fame

MAYOR JIM DARLING

THE MAGAZINE OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY

THE MAGAZINE OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY

THE BEES ARE BACK IN TOWN!

T H E VA L L E Y SY M P HONY ORC H E ST R A 2018

2018

HIDALGO COUNTY EDITION YEAR 14 ISSUE 10

2018

YEAR 14 ISSUE 12

2018

p.14

p.20

p.42

p.78

p.26

p.36

p.47

p.58

Aeromar

Cattle Baron’s Ball

City of Pharr

A Night in Paris

MCC- Annual Man & Women of the year

City of Mission Texas Citrus Parade

Jones & Jones

UTRGV Athletics Hall of Fame

2018

YEAR 14 ISSUE 11

THE MAGAZINE OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY

p.16

p.44

p.56

p.74

INB & Vantage Bank Mixer

McAllen Holiday Parade

North Park Lexus Now Open

Harry Potter Halloween Concert

THE MAGAZINE OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY

THE BEES ARE BACK IN TOWN!

The City of T H E VA L L E Y SY M P HONY ORC H E ST R A 2018

YEAR 14 ISSUE 11

2018

2018

p.16

p.44

p.56

p.74

INB & Vantage Bank Mixer

McAllen Holiday Parade

North Park Lexus Now Open

Harry Potter Halloween Concert

HIDALGO COUNTY EDITION YEAR 14 ISSUE 10

YEAR 15 ISSUE 3

2018

p.14

p.20

p.42

p.78

Aeromar

Cattle Baron’s Ball

City of Pharr

A Night in Paris

p.18

p.44

City of McAllen State of the City

DHR Health Gastroenterology

2019

p.74

p.60

CajunFest 2019

RGV Day At the Capitol

THE MAGAZINE OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY

THE MAGAZINE OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY

Diagnosis:

The City of

A H E A L T H I E R VA L L E Y

YEAR 15 ISSUE 1

2019

YEAR 15 ISSUE 3

p.08

p.28

p.38

p.68

p.18

p.44

TXOGA Energy Summit

MoTown Gala

Hidalgo County

VSO A Touch of Frost

City of McAllen State of the City

DHR Health Gastroenterology

2019

YEAR 15 ISSUE 2

p.74

p.60

CajunFest 2019

RGV Day At the Capitol

p.16

p.26

City of Pharr State of the City

Q&A with Precinct 4 Commissioner Ellie Torres

Quinta Mazatlan Monarch Migration

THE HEART OF

Diagnosis:

EDINBURG CISD IS SCHOOL FAMILY

A H E A L T H I E R VA L L E Y YEAR 15 ISSUE 2

p.52

p.40

Edinburg CISD

2019

2019

YEAR 15 ISSUE 1

HIDALGO COUNTY EDITION YEAR 14 ISSUE 6

2019

p.12

p.16

p.26

City of Pharr State of the City

Q&A with Precinct 4 Commissioner Ellie Torres

A Night at the Races CAMP University

p.52

p.08

p.28

p.38

p.68

Quinta Mazatlan Monarch Migration

TXOGA Energy Summit

MoTown Gala

Hidalgo County

VSO A Touch of Frost

p.40

Edinburg CISD

p.26

p.32

Lionel’s Western Wear and Boutique

Mcallen ISD Highlights Individual Greatness

p.40

Non- Profit Spotlight Betty Ramirez-Lara

THE MAGAZINE OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY

District of Champions

THE HEART OF

McAllen ISD

EDINBURG CISD IS SCHOOL FAMILY

YEAR 15 ISSUE 1

2019

YEAR 15 ISSUE 3

p.08

p.28

p.38

p.68

p.18

p.44

TXOGA Energy Summit

MoTown Gala

Hidalgo County

VSO A Touch of Frost

City of McAllen State of the City

DHR Health Gastroenterology

YEAR 15 ISSUE 2

p.74

p.16

p.26

RGV Day At the Capitol

City of Pharr State of the City

Q&A with Precinct 4 Commissioner Ellie Torres

p.60

CajunFest 2019

2019

Diagnosis:

p.16

p.26

City of Pharr State of the City

Q&A with Precinct 4 Commissioner Ellie Torres

EDINBURG CISD IS SCHOOL FAMILY

2019

YEAR 15 ISSUE 1

HIDALGO COUNTY EDITION YEAR 14 ISSUE 9

2019

p.52

p.08

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Quinta Mazatlan Monarch Migration

TXOGA Energy Summit

MoTown Gala

Hidalgo County

VSO A Touch of Frost

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Edinburg CISD

Quinta Mazatlan Monarch Migration

THE HEART OF

A H E A L T H I E R VA L L E Y YEAR 15 ISSUE 2

1950 Paredes Line Rd. Brownsville, TX 956-542-2553

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Pharr Mayor Hernandez Celebrating our Heritage

Carats Fine Jewelry and Gifts

Bert Ogden Arena #GameChanger

Voyage into Fate

205 Pecan Blvd.

McAllen, TX 956-618-2300

THE MAGAZINE OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY

THE HEART OF

This Building

EDINBURG CISD IS SCHOOL FAMILY

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scantech chooses the valley

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meet the new utrgv executive team

BML y Fragoso, S.C. Matamoros, Tamps., MX 011-52(868) 812-12-14

is not a

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A Night at the Races CAMP University

why i love the valley

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Lionel’s Western Wear and Boutique

Mcallen ISD Highlights Individual Greatness

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Rio Carnival at Quinta Mazatlan

Non- Profit Spotlight Betty Ramirez-Lara

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David Tutera Inverview

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Rio Grande Regional Hospital Top 100

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Edinburg State of The City

THE MAGAZINE OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY

THE MAGAZINE OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY

THE MAGAZINE OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY

District of Champions McAllen ISD

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Rio Carnival at Quinta Mazatlan

UTRGV THE POWER TO

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David Tutera Inverview

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Rio Grande Regional Hospital Top 100

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Edinburg State of The City

scantech chooses the valley

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meet the new utrgv executive team

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why i love the valley

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CHANGE OUR COMMUNITY

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2018

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UTRGV Alumni Reception

Mochila Ministry

The RGV Killer Bees Are Back

Inside The Kitchen Chef Fernando Perez

Pharr Mayor Hernandez Celebrating our Heritage

Carats Fine Jewelry and Gifts

Bert Ogden Arena #GameChanger

Voyage into Fate

THE MAGAZINE OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY

THE MAGAZINE OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY

HIDALGO COUNTY EDITION YEAR 14 ISSUE 8

UTRGV THE POWER TO CHANGE OUR COMMUNITY

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The Perfect Pair

Valley Symphony Orchestra

All Across the Plains of Mexico

DHR Health Transplant Institute

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2018

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MCC- Annual Man & Women of the year

City of Mission Texas Citrus Parade

Jones & Jones

UTRGV Athletics Hall of Fame

www.bmltexas.com

MAKING TEXAS COUNT:

CENSUS OFFICE OPENS IN THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY Edinburg Photography by Erika Barrera

On October 10, the Rio Grande Valley joined other major cities around the State of Texas to open an Area Census Office (ACO) in the McAllen/Edinburg area, ahead of the 2020 census. The office will serve as the operational hub for the constitutionally-mandated decennial census and will begin hiring thousands of staff across South Texas in the next several months. The event was a celebration and gathering of people key to the success of the census.

Speakers included U.S. Congressman Vicente Gonzalez, City of McAllen Chief of Police Victor Rodriguez, Cameron County Clerk Sylvia Garza-Perez, and Reverend Edward De La Rosa. Also in attendance was a nationally recognized mariachi group and U.S. Census Bureau leadership.

U. S. CONGRESSMAN VICENTE GONZALEZ, CAMERON COUNTY CLERK SYLVIA GARZA-PEREZ, AND CITY OF MCALLEN CHIEF OF POLICE VICTOR RODRIGUEZ

CITY OF MISSION DEPUTY CITY MANAGER AIDA LERMA AND ROSIE PENOLI

AREA CENSUS OFFICE MANAGER WILMER RAVELO DUARTE

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CONGRESSMAN VICENTE GONZALEZ AND UTRGV STAFF

WWW.SOCIALIFERGV.COM

Trust the emergency care that’s close to home.

We are a leader in emergency care with four convenient locations close to your home.

Staffed with board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals, our four emergency room locations are open 24/7 and offer shorter wait times and the same diagnostic and treatment tools used at the hospital.

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ANNUAL AWARDS GALA

GREATER MISSION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Mission Photography by Dustin Coronado

GERMAN SEGURA, DEBORAH CORDOVA, AND ESTELLA SAENZ

The Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Awards Gala on Thursday, October 17, 2019, at the Mission Event Center. This year’s theme was a “Circus Extravaganza”. The event kicks off the beginning of a new Board year for the Mission Chamber; incoming Chairman, Cesar Suarez of Texas Regional Bank, introduced the newly elected Board Directors as well as recognized current Directors who are still serving their terms. The evening also served as a celebration of our Mission business community where the GMCC presented 3 prestigious awards: Business of the Year, 5x5 Brewing Co.; Business Leader of the Year, Mr. Ben Cavazos of MAE Power Equipment; and Community Impact Award (Non-Profit of the Year), MCISD Education Foundation.

OMAR GUEVARA, NORMA GUEVARA, AND JUDGE RICHARD CORTEZ

ISRAEL SILVA AND RONNIE ONTIVEROS

RANDY PEREZ AND NORMA GUEVARA

BRENDA ENRIQUEZ AND BEN CAVAZOS

BRONSON DEL RIO, MAYOR DR. ARMANDO O’CAÑA, MARIA O’CAÑA, SALLY FRAUSTRO GUERRA, AND NEIL BARRACLOUGH

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WWW.SOCIALIFERGV.COM

HECTOR OLIVAREZ AND BRENDA ENRIQUEZ

YVONNE HARRIS, PAUL HARRIS, KEVIN LEDBETTER, AND DIANA LEDBETTER

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FESTIVAL OF COLOR Mission Photography by Ivan Michael

ALKA VASWANI AND CATIA HERNANDEZ HOLM

YVETTE AND BRYAN HINOJOSA

Alka’s Divine Boutique held the 6th Annual Festival of Color fashion show on Oct 18, 2019 at the Mission Event Center to benefit Infinite Love. Not only was it a magnificently unique fashion show, it was also a cultural event showcasing different states of India. It was dazzling, colorful and exciting! All the models were community leaders who volunteered their time to make this event a successful one. Infinite love is a nonprofit organization serving the community to foster inner growth. For more information please go to www. loveisinfinite.org.

DINA SABNANI AND JERRY WIGHT

GEETA THADANI, SAJU VASWANI, MALKA SHIVDASANI, AND ALKA VASWANI

MANISHA MAYANI MUKHI

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ALYSSA YARRITU

JUDGE NEREIDA LOPEZ- SINGLETERRY

MALKA SHIVDASANI, SAJU VASWANI, AND ALKA VASWANI

RONNIE ONTIVEROS

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CHEF MARCEL AND SYLVIA FORTUIN

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McAllen the Official South Pole of Texas

50+ ILLUMINATED FLOATS GIANT CHARACTER HELIUM BALLOONS CELEBRITIES & GUEST PERFORMANCES OPENING CEREMONY EXTRAVAGANZA CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK & CANDLE LIGHT POSADA

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LIVE TO LEAD 2019

The Dream Big Facility has served over 2000 leaders from the RGV over the past 6 years, and 2019 was the best year thus far. Over 300 leaders from businesses, churches, hospitals, school systems, and nonprofits across the RGV benefited from this amazing experience.

Mission Photography by Sergio Arratia and Abel Riojas

DR. ANGELA GONZALES, ADALIA DEL BOSQUE, AND LAUREL WILLIAMS

JIM VANDER KOLK

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BRIDGETT KRAUSE

GISELLE VILLARREAL AND PRISCILLA WHITEAKER

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www.Ambiancemcallen.com | (956)731-9370 |

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SPOOKTACULAR ANNUAL HALLOWEEN PARTY SPONSORED BY SOCIALIFE

McAllen Photography by Felicia Cuellar and Christopher Cabello

Witches and Warlocks and Ghouls!

Oh My! Socialife Magazine held its Customer Appreciation Halloween party on Saturday, October 26 at Quinta Mazatlan. It was an evening of mayhem, and mischief, and other such frights!

There were some haunting spirits and wicked brews, as well as, an abundance of fabulous creatures donned in their costumes, old and new!! It was a Happy Halloween Party Night!

HECTOR GUTIERREZ, LAURA GUTIERREZ, CASSIE CONTRERAS, AND JOSE CONTRERAS

DAVID PEREZ

DENISE INGRAM, JOHN INGRAM, NORA MUSULE, AND RUBEN RAMIREZ

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CINDY SALAZAR AND ALEX MAHESHWARI

TRACEY REPETTO AND HORACIO REPETTO

DAVID AND CRIS RIVERA

MICHAEL AND BETSY DOBBS

SHAWN SALADIN, SANDRA HANSMANN, JENNIFER BARGER, AND CULLEN SWENSON

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BOBBY GARCIA, JULIE ALVAREZ FALCON, LORENA GONZALEZ, AND CONGRESSMAN VICENTE GONZALEZ

FALLON GARZA

DR. JACK AND DR. HELEN KROUSE

STEVE AND JEANETTE AHLENIUS

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CHRISTINA BARRERA, SALLY FRAUSTRO GUERRA, AND KARLA KERNZ

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MARK AND C.C. WILKINS

SANDRA FRAUSTRO ALVAREZ, MANUELA FRAUSTRO, MYRTA TIJERINA, AND LETTY LEAL

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WWW.SOCIALIFERGV.COM

LEONOR PEREZ, CINDY MORA, AMANDA PEREZ, AND LUPITA TIJERINA

LESLEY AND BERNARDO GOMEZ

CANE DAWSON, BRENDA ENRIQUEZ, ALKA VASWANI, AND JERRY WIGHT

LINDA BROTHERTON, SALLY FRAUSTRO GUERRA, NAN COGHILL, AND DAVID COGHILL

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WE GREATLY APPRECIATE OUR CUSTOMERS

Thank you to all the incredible vendors who participated in our successful event!

Quinta M A Z AT L A N

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COMMUNITY PRIDE

CITY OF MISSION PICKS UP PRESTIGIOUS TML AWARD

MISSION EARNS MUNICIPAL EXCELLENCE AWARD FIRST TIME APPLYING During the 2019 Texas Municipal League (TML) Annual Conference in San Antonio on October 9-11, the City of Mission picked up a prestigious Municipal Excellence Award in the management innovation category for cities more than 25,000 in population.

“This award is only given to five cities across Texas in our population category. We competed against some stellar communities and cities that are much bigger than us,” Mayor Dr. Armando O’Caña said. “First All-America City and now this. This is an outstanding example of the great work that is being done every single day in our community. We continue to make history.”

The award was presented to Mission for the Mission Economic Development Corporation Ruby Red Ventures Program. Mayor O’Caña, Mission City Council members and city leaders were on hand to accept the coveted award.

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Ruby Red Ventures is a small business fund that was created by the Mission Economic Development Corporation (EDC) in collaboration with the City of Mission. The venture aims to nurture entrepreneurial spirit and promote the creation of innovative businesses. Venture participants take three business courses facilitated by The University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley, and then they pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges in hopes of securing funding. It is the City of Mission’s version of Shark Tank. Since its formation, Ruby Red Ventures has funded 47 small businesses in the City, totaling more than $625,000 in grants.

“In Mission, we have seen the true value of helping startups and small businesses expand.

We are honored and glad to see that the state recognizes these efforts,” Mission EDC Chief Executive Officer, Daniel Silva said. “We will

WWW.SOCIALIFERGV.COM

“This is an outstanding example of the great work that is being done every single day in our community. We continue to make history.”

- Mayor Dr. Armando O’Caña

continue to offer help to these businesses and have big plans to make the program even better.”

TML Municipal Excellence Awards recognize and encourage the achievements of Texas cities in meeting the challenges of municipal government.

Innovative problem-solving, excellence in management, increasing citizen participation, and reaching toward higher service levels are all daily occurrences in Texas cities, and they deserve acknowledgement. This awards program seeks out the best of these programs to recognize.

Awards are given in only two population categories: under and above 25,000--- and in five categories: management innovations, city spirit, public safety, communication programs and public works.

This is the first time the City of Mission applies for the TML Municipal Excellence Award. TML is a voluntary association of 1,160 Texas cities.

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LIVE TO LEAVE A LEGACY HWNT ANNUAL STATE CONFERENCE McAllen Photography by Erika Barrera

The Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas celebrated their 33rd Annual State Conference in the Rio Grande Valley. Women from all over Texas came together to celebrate and empower women. HWNT’s Conference is an annual event focused on providing professional development and networking opportunities for professional and student women at all levels of their career. This two and a half-day seminar took place at Embassy Suites Convention Center in McAllen.

With great educational platicas and break out sessions, this annual conference marked another successful year. Honored as the HWNT 2019 Latina Trailblazers were Chief were Justice Dori Contreras and Cristina Tzintzun Ramirez. Also, the HWNT 2019 Estrellas de Tejas recipients were honored during this event, including our very own Karla Kernz. Each of them are truly examples of Latinas who are building a legacy!

For more information visit www.hwnt. org

COMMISSIONER ELLIE TORRES, JUDGE LINDA YAÑEZ, MAYOR JIM DARLING, HWNT STATE CHAIR NORA SILVA, CHIEF JUSTICE DORI CONTRERAS, AND JUDGE JOANNE GARCIA

TANISIA CASTILLO, ELVIRA MUÑOZ, ANETTE SOTO LANDEROS, AND CECILIA MCKAY

DORA TRINIDAD, NORA SILVA, AND SALLY FRAUSTRO GUERRA

2019 TRAILBLAZERS CRISTINA TZINTZUN RAMIREZ AND CHIEF JUSTICE DORI CONTRERAS

2019 RGV ESTRELLA DE TEJAS KARLA KERNZ AND MEMBERS OF THE HWNT RIO GRANDE VALLEY CHAPTER

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WWW.SOCIALIFERGV.COM

Non-stop McAllen to Phoenix/ Mesa YOU CAN NOW FLY TO PHOENIX/MESA YEAR-ROUND TWICE WEEKLY Phoenix offers the entire family an array of activities to choose from that is sure to make for a memorable vacation. You will be able to shop, dine, visit museums, botanical gardens, a zoo, parks, and attend professional basketball, baseball, football, and hockey games.

book now at allEGiant.com

@McallenAirport

Non-stop McAllen to Mexico City FLY NON-STOP WITH AEROMAR AT MFE With incredible food and sightseeing opportunities, Mexico City is a must see destination. Visit Xochimilco, the Mexico City Historic Center, the Teothihuacan Pyramids, Bosque de Chapultepec and the Papalote Children’s Museum.

Lifetime memories are just a non-stop flight away.

book now at aeromar.mx

SOCIALIFE

COMMUNITY PRIDE

CIT Y OF PHARR MAYOR

Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez

Solving our Drainage Problems for Today, and for Future Generations When I was first elected into office as Mayor of Pharr in 2015, as an accomplished physician by trade, I brought to the office certain characteristics such as persistence and determination, as well as specific skill sets such as oversight and management of budget with the overall goal of maintaining the city’s financial health and our taxpayers’ wellbeing. Our constituents trusted and knew that we were going to be problem solvers and leaders of action to get things done.

In my first term in office, we analyzed the city’s bottom line and were able to adjust our revenues and expenditures to successfully reduce the property tax rate and the water rates for our Pharr residents and families, not only once, but twice. We hope that this gave our Pharr families a nice respite.

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As a physician, when it becomes clear in the course of normal evaluations of a patient that the patient presents with the symptoms indicating a serious illness or ailment, a doctor will identify the most appropriate course of action to take, develop a plan of treatment to ensure the patient is receiving the best quality of care, and provide them with their best chance at managing their illness to continue to lead long, productive, and healthy lives. This may mean perhaps that the individual has to make a minimal investment in preventive or maintenance care to keep the illness in check.

Such is the case with the status of our city’s water supply and drainage infrastructure.

Years of population growth and commercial development have put a strain on our aging water service delivery system, and we

must act now to meet our current demand for safe, sanitary water, as well as to be able to accommodate for future growth and development.

With two straight years of unprecedented rain events impacting our area and the constant threat of tropical disturbances passing through this region, our Pharr residents and city suffered millions in damages. Homes, businesses, and properties were lost. Our city’s drainage infrastructure and capacity are in need of improvements. Our plan is to enhance the drainage system in areas that are most in need.

We must make investments now to take care of our current needs and prepare for our future.

WWW.SOCIALIFERGV.COM

We are the administration who will solve our problems, and we are not afraid to do what needs to be done. We must take care of ourselves. We must take care of each other.

Here in Pharr, we are taking the initiative to plan ahead for the future. Our $40 Million drainage plan will increase drainage capacity to accommodate a 500-year, or very rare, flood event. Our plan is to save lives, save homes, and save our properties.

We are also working with students from our public school district through our PSJA Southwest Drainage Project, so that their input, research, and ideas to address these issues with innovative solutions are taken into consideration.

We thank our Pharr residents for their continued support of our efforts to improve the quality of life, health, safety, and wellbeing for all our families, and we want to assure them that we will continue working in the best interest of all Pharr families.

WWW.SOCIALIFERGV.COM

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EASTERSEALS RGV 2019

This special evening at the McAllen Convention Center included a celebration of Easterseals 100 Years of Service across the country, the introduction of board members, the presentation of the 2019 Humanitarian Award, and the live Ostrich Egg Auction!

The Mission Moment sets the stage with the Bernal family sharing their story and how Easterseals impacts lives of the families served.

The Board of Directors recognized key volunteers who support the Easterseals mission and serve as champions in the Rio Grande Valley. This year’s Humanitarian Award recipients are Billy and Dolores Canales, for their longstanding service to Easterseals Rio Grande Valley and the RGV community.

The Business of the Year: Lone Star National Bank. The Volunteer of the Year: Edna De Saro. The Advocate of the Year: Gracie, therapy dog.

ANNUAL DINNER

McAllen Photography by Erika Barrera

SAUL SANCHEZ AND CARLOS MELGUIZO

ANGEL CLARISSA MEYERS

STATE REP. BOBBY GUERRA, PATTIE ROSENLUND, AND SUSAN SULLIVAN

LAURA MACLAIRD, MELBA GUTIERREZ FRANKLIN, CYNTHIA ALVAREZ, AND SUSANNA MADDRIGAL

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RIO GRANDE CITY MAYOR JOEL VILLARREAL, DOLORES CANALES, BILLY CANALES, AND MCALLEN MAYOR JIM DARLING

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SOCIALIFE

WHAT THE?

ETIQUESTIONS Dr. Barbara Baggerly-Hinojosa

“Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use.” ~ E m i ly Pos t

What do I do if I notice that my glass or my fork is unclean?

if any of your dishes or utensils are unclean, discreetly ask for a replacement the next time a server stops by. Don’t use your napkin to try to rub off smudges. Also, don’t announce the problem to everyone at the table-especially your host.

I am sometimes confused as to whether or not I reuse my plate when I am eating from a buffet. What do you do with the used plate?

Because you can usually make as many trips to the buffet as you wish, there is no need to overload your plate. When you go back for seconds, leave your first plate and utensils on the table for the wait staff to remove. Used utensils and plates could spread germs to a serving area and clean plates look more appealing.

Often when I attend a gala or social event, I never know from which side the waiter will try to collect my dishes.

Help?

The norm is for your waiter to serve your meal and any condiments or sauces on your left and pour beverages on your right. The waiter will usually remove dishes and glasses from your right.

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

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WWW.SOCIALIFERGV.COM

Kumori makes giving gifts easy this Christmas!

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Memorial Funeral Home Receives National Recognition for MODERN - SOPHISTICATED - SHOWSTOPPING Innovative Programming, Outstanding On-Site CeremonieCommunity s – Ample Parking – Courtyard - COutreach atering and More!

Memorial Funeral Home of San Juan and Edinburg has been honored by the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) with the 2019 Pursuit of Excellence Award. Only 160 firms from around the world received this prestigious recognition, placing Memorial Funeral Home among an elite group of funeral service providers. Pursuit of Excellence Award recipients raise the bar on funeral service excellence by adhering to the highest ethical and professional standards and providing unsurpassed service to families and communities.

To earn an NFDA Pursuit of Excellence Award, a participating funeral home must meet or exceed business standards set forth by the program and demonstrate proficiency in key areas of funeral service, such as compliance with state and federal regulations; providing ongoing education and professional development opportunities for staff; offering outstanding programs and

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resources to bereaved families; maintaining an active level of involvement within the community; participating and actively serving in the funeral service profession; and promoting funeral home services through a variety of marketing, advertising and public relations programs. Participants are also required to adhere to a Pledge of Ethical Practices.

“Memorial Funeral Home’s voluntary participation in the Pursuit of Excellence Award program reflects a steadfast dedication to exceed the expectations of those they serve,” said NFDA Chief Executive Officer Christine Pepper, CAE. “This prestigious recognition assures families of the high-quality, compassionate service they will receive the moment they walk through the funeral home’s front door.” More20information the NFDA Pursuit of 8 East Cantabout on Excellence Award program Edincan burgbe , Tefound xas on the association’s website, www.nfda.org/pursuitofexcellence .

Schedule your tour today!

956-720-4332

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MODERN - SOPHISTICATED - SHOWSTOPPING On-Site Ceremonies – Ample Parking – Courtyard - Catering and More!

208 East Canton Edinburg, Texas Schedule your tour today!

956-720-4332

¡FANDANGO!

On Oct. 5, ¡Fandango!-History Mystery took place at MOSTHistory. Over 425 guests enjoyed a fun evening dedicated to historians past and present whose works help unravel the mysteries of history. Entering the event via the newly restored 1910 Jail, guests’ critical thinking skills were tested by curiosities from the collections as they tried to determine the object’s original purpose.

Then, it was off to the party where items donated by the community were offered through online and live auctions, “Who Won It Buckets?” and Mystery Boxes.

AT MOST HISTORY

Edinburg Photography by Norberto Treviño

JUAN AND JOANN GAMA

TIM SMITH

BETSY AND DANIEL VELA

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DANIELLA CANTÚ AND ROBERTO TREVIÑO

FRANK AND DEBBIE SCHUSTER

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DR. FRANCISCO GUAJARDO

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SOCIALIFE 63

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200 N Closner Blvd | Edinburg, Texas 78541 | 956.383.6911 www.mosthistory.org

NON-PROFIT SPOT LIGHT

C.A.M.P.

UNIVERSITY

Can Achieve Maximum Potential

Did you know that approximately 1 in 59 children are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, according to the CDC? In addition, the World Health organization estimates 1 in 1,000 are diagnosed with down syndrome. Did you know that the Rio Grande Valley rivals Houston and Dallas in terms of the number of special needs cases, including but not limited to autism and down syndrome? What about the ever-increasing number of high school graduates from the special education departments all over the RGV, many of whom do not find work or go to college after graduation?

We didn’t know about any of that either, until thirteen years ago when our founder’s daughter, Emily, graduated from high school.

Her developmental delays prevented her from attending college, driving, getting a job, or even calling her friends. Realizing this, her parents called her friends and started meeting for movies, dinner, and other social activities. The family realized Emily was not the only graduate that is faced with the question, “What now?”

C.A.M.P. University is a nonprofit day habilitation operating solely in the Rio Grande Valley. The organization provides opportunities for young adults with special needs to continue developing life, social, and job skills after high school and provides a respite for their families. C.A.M.P. stands for Can Achieve Maximum Potential, and it is based on the belief that special education graduates can and should continue staying active socially, mentally, and physically in order to reach their own maximum potential.

sorority (Gamma Alpha Lambda or GAL’s). They learn about philanthropy by helping and volunteering with other nonprofits.

Just like their peers might in college, CAMPers take road trips and have fun outings together. They take “basics” just like their peers, but in the form of learning skills. They take interest-based classes like their peers, in the form of science, gardening, cooking, arts and crafts, music, reading, etc. The big exception is that C.A.M.P. University doesn’t graduate or age out the CAMPers. They stay in the program as long as it is beneficial.

This great program has found a home at 4200 N. Main in McAllen. After purchasing the property just over a year ago, the organization began to make capital improvements that benefit the CAMPers, such as a garden that allows CAMPers to learn about responsibility and teaches life science. C.A.M.P. University will be fundraising on Giving Tuesday, December 3rd, and throughout November and December, to raise funds to install an elevator which will give CAMPers access to the upstairs classrooms.

If you would like to know more about this fundraising project or about C.A.M.P. University’s services you can visit www.CAMPUniversity.org or call 956-800-5292 You can also follow C.A.M.P. University on Facebook or Instagram. @CAMPUniversity

Although not an actual university, CAMP does provide ways for CAMPers to challenge themselves and explore interests just as their peers might in college. CAMPers will occasionally attend games at UTRGV and will participate in Special Olympics. This year they even participated in a Greek mixer at UTRGV after joining their own fraternity (Gamma Upsilon Psi or GUY’s) and

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2019 ANNUAL INSTALLATION BANQUET EDINBURG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Edinburg Photography by Christopher Cabello

The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce hosted their Annual Installation Banquet on Wednesday, October 23rd, at the Marbel Event Center.

The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce honored the 2019 Man and Woman of the Year, Carlos and Sister Guerra, Owners of La Muñeca Cattle Company.

Carlos and Sister Guerra, throughout a lifetime of community involvement, have consistently demonstrated such qualities as compassion and a selfless dedication to the needs of others in their community.

SALVADOR CONTRERAS, DR. LANCE NAIL, RICK ANDERSON, LUIS LEAL, AND JAYSHREE BHAT

BILL RUPERT, DENISE GARCIA, AND JUAN GARCIA

SISTER GUERRA, CARLOS GUERRA, YOLANDA GARZA, AND GLORIA ANN PEREZ

MARIO LIZCANO, CARLOS GUAJARDO, JENNIFER GARZA, HIRAM GOVIND, AND RONNIE LARRALDE

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NAYELI ZENTENO AND ZAYDA PACHECO

JERRY GUERRA, CARLOS GUERRA, JOE OCHOA, OMAR OCHOA, AND VICTOR G. GUERRA

DAWNIEL KENDALL, RICKY KENDALL, EDNA PENA, AUGUSTINE AUGIE LOZANO, AND MINDY LOZANO

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There is no substitute for experience.

Here are some examples of our work: MODERN JAPANESE GRILL THE FIRST ROBATA GRILL IN THE RGV

A traditional style of cooking over 1900ºF Japanese binchōtan charcoal

MORI JAPANESE GRILL

TORCH: Anonymous Crime Reporting App

MONSTER JAM

Get Your Tickets Today!

STATE FARM HIDALGO ARENA RIB EYE

RAMEN

LOBSTER TEMPURA

Salmon Aji Roll

Competitors shown are subject to change. © 2018 Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Geisha Ad 9x13.indd 1

1807434

www.MoriRGV.com OPENING SOON BEHIND LA PLAZA MALL

MonsterJam.com

6/19/19 3:26 PM

HIDALGO COUNTY

HIDALGO COUNTY CENSUS 2020

MCALLEN CRIMESTOPPERS

KUMORI

SOCIALIFE

PITBULL + BABY BASH

DISNEY ON ICE

FRED LOYA INSURANCE

DUELO

DIGITAL MEDIA + PRINT + WEB + TV + RADIO SOCIAL MEDIA + CELEBRITY ENDORSEMENT

www.decibel.rocks (956) 367-5282

MAR 22 – 24

RED CAPE GALA

CAPABLE KIDS FOUNDATION Pharr Photography by Sergio Arratia

Capable Kids Foundation held its annual Red Cape Gala, “Noche en San Miguel,” on October 18 at the Pharr Events Center. Six hundred guests were invited into an elegant Mexican courtyard, thanks to the incredible decor designed

by Elevents. The evening featured a parade of CKF families, Mexican cuisine, live music, dancing, auctions, Sparks Cheer performances, and a beautiful video presentation. Proceeds will fund programs that enrich the lives of individuals with disabilities across the RGV.

CARLOS MELGUIZO, MYRTHA TIJERINA, SALLY FRAUSTRO GUERRA, AND SAUL SANCHEZ

DR. PANKAJ AND NORA SHAH

DR. J.A. AND SHAHROO GONZALEZ

VANESSA SOTO, CITY OF MISSION MAYOR ARMANDO O’ CAÑA, AND EDUARDO SAENZ

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CITY OF MCALLEN MAYOR JIM AND SANDRA DARLING

JACQUELINE FLORES AND MICHELLE ZAMORA

JIMMY NOTZON, CHIEF JUSTICE DORI CONTRERAS, AND IMELDA PALACIOS

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CONNIE HERNANDEZ, EVELYN CANO AND AMANDA SASSAR

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JAMES BOND MEETS BRAHMS VALLEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA McAllen Photography by Christopher Cabello

On October 25, the Valley Symphony Orchestra presented James Bond Meets Brahms at the McAllen Performing Arts.

The evening’s program, conducted by Maestro Peter Dabrowski, included The Best of Bond, featuring music from the iconic James Bond films as well as two masterful symphonic works by Johannes Brahms. The concert was presented with generous support from Wanda Boush, Drs. Tawhid & Mihaela Shuaib, and North Park Lexus - Rio Grande Valley.

ANNE CRAGG, LINDA MILLER, AND KAY JANICK

EVA MULLIS AND KAY COY

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MERRY

CHRISTMAS

HAPPY HOLIDAYS from our families to yours!

JOSE CONTRERAS General Manager

&

MANAGEMENT

MARCO TORRES Service Director

ARTURO FIGUEROA New Vehicle Director

EDWARD POLACO Pre-Owned Vehicle Director

PATRICK FERGUSON Parts Director

SERVICE

ALEX PALACIOS Service Advisor

ROBERT PONCE Service Advisor

ROLANDO AMAYA Lexus Diagnostic Specialist

ALYSSA GONZALEZ Controller

FINANCE

ARMANDO LOZANO Parts Specialist

ROBERTO MARTINEZ Finance Manager

www.nplexusrgv.com

MARCO RODRIGUEZ Finance Manager

JENNIFER GARCIA Finance & Guest Services

SALES

ADRIAN GARCIA Certified Sales & Leasing Consultant

RUBEN IBARRA Certified Sales & Leasing Consultant

Certified Sales & Leasing Consultant

HECTOR MORALES Certified Sales & Leasing Consultant

JENNIFER VILLARREAL DENISSE VILLEGAS Certified Sales & Leasing Certified Sales & Leasing Consultant Consultant

DAVID GUERRA Certified Sales & Leasing Consultant

FERNANDO GALINDO Certified Sales & Leasing Consultant

MALIK AWAN Certified Sales & Leasing Consultant

BIJU PHILIP Certified Sales & Leasing Consultant

DAVID R. GONZALEZ

CONCIERGE

MARK SALINAS Internet Director & Lexus Technology Specialist

ANGELA MANCIAS Executive Assistant & Sales Concierge

CONNYS CAMPBELL Sales Assistant & Sales Concierge

JORGE ROCHA Lexus Delivery Specialist & Sales Concierge

KARLA HERNANDEZ Warranty Specialist & Service Concierge

ANA GUTIERREZ Courtesy Specialist & Service Concierge

DANCING WITH THE STARS OF HIDALGO COUNTY

Mission Photography by Felicia Cuellar and Christopher Cabello

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This year was the 13th Annual “Dancing With the Stars of Hidalgo County”, Rio Grande Valley Diabetes Association’s (RGVDA) main fundraiser of the year which helps to provide several educational programs for our community. The event was held at Mario’s Banquet and Conference Center. The main feature of the night was the performance of the wonderful Celebrity Dancers. The guests enjoyed happy hour that featured margaritas and a Texas-inspired meal. With the generosity of local businesses, there was a great silent and live auction. The evening continued with dancing to the music of the River Rock Band.

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77

PRESENTS

with the

Of HIDALGO COUNTY The Rio Grande Valley Diabetes Association (RGVDA) would like to thank our celebrity dancers, professional dancers, sponsors, auction item donors and attendees for their continued support of our 13th Annual “Dancing with The Stars of Hidalgo County� on October 12.

With their support, the RGVDA is able to continue providing service to the residents of Hidalgo County.

SOCIALIFE

OUT AND ABOUT

This is how we brew it Coffee Zone

1108 S McColl Rd., Edinburg

n i e e f Cof

Mon - Fri 6:30am - 8:00pm | Sat 8:00am - 8:00pm | Sun Closed

Jitterz Coffee Bar 1625 N. Conway Ave., Mission

La Reserva Coffee Roasters

3400 W Exp. 83, Ste. 130 McAllen

Mon - Fri 7:00am - 10:00pm Sat 8:00am - 10:00pm Sun 8:00am - 7:00pm

Mon - Fri 6:00am - 10:00pm Sat 7:00am - 10:00pm Sun 8:00am - 10:00pm

V G R n the

Luna Coffee House 113 W Nolana Ave, McAllen

Mon: Closed Tue - Fri: 11am - 11pm Sat: 11am - 12:00am

Weslaco’s Daily Grind

409 S. Missouri Ave, Weslaco

Semilla Coffee Lab 4717 N 10th St., McAllen

Mon - Fri 8:00am - 10:00pm Sat 9:00am - 10:00pm Sunday Closed

Mon – Sat 6:30am - 10:00pm

MANIC MONDAY MIXER AT TOPGOLF

Pharr Photography by Christopher Cabello

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The Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce hosted their monthly Manic Monday Mixer at TopGolf.

Attendees had the opportunity to meet new entrepreneurs and widen their professional circle. Great company, delicious appetizers and cool beverages were enjoyed while also taking part in a little golf competition with fellow guests. This Mixer also included a meet and greet with local and state politicians who are running in the 2020 elections.

The fun and informal setting gave the opportunity to have a one on one talk about their views on matters that were important to each of the guests.

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A NIGHT WITH THE STARS GALA A TRIBUTE TO STAR SUPPORTERS OF EDUCATION Mission Photography by Dustin Coronado

JESSICA SALINAS, HAZIEL LOPEZ, AND ALYSSA PEREZ

CARLOS AND SANDRA SANCHEZ

South Texas College held its 14th Annual “A Night with the Stars” scholarship fundraiser on October 10, 2019, at Corinthian Events Center. This annual gala celebrates the generosity of community sponsors dedicated to higher education among our youth. Net proceeds provide scholarship awards up to $2,000 for Valley Scholars Program students. The program also promotes academic excellence through leadership development, specialized advisement, and community engagement.

YOLANDA GONZALEZ AND MARIO LIZCANO

KATY SALAZAR AND KATHRYN FRANZ

JOHN GATES, NICOLE GATES, BAILEY GURWITZ, AND GARY GURWITZ

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COMMUNITY PRIDE

Six Steps to save Birds

By Quinta Mazatlan Center for Urban Ecology ft. John Bush

You may have seen the news lately, with numerous headlines and reporters proclaiming the loss of billions of birds across North America. The scientific paper behind the outcry, “Decline of North American Avifauna”, summarizes its results in one sentence: “Cumulative loss of nearly 3 billion birds since 1970, across most North American biomes, signals a pervasive and ongoing avifaunal crisis.” Put simply, the state of our continent’s birds is troubling.

Keep cats indoors. Despite being cute and cuddly (well, sometimes), cats are instinctually predatory and will hunt native animals, whether they are well fed or not.

In the United States alone, outdoor cats kill roughly 2.4 billion birds per year. Keeping cats indoors not only will help save the lives of birds and other wildlife, but it’s also is better for our cats – outdoor cats typically live less than 5 years, whereas indoor cats often live upwards of 17 years.

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Yet there is hope. Some groups of birds that had been struggling in the 20th century have seen dramatic turnarounds. Wetland birds, like ducks and geese, actually increased by over 10%, and raptors (hawks, eagles, and falcons) have also made a strong comeback. Both of these success stories are due to conservation actions, such as the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and the banning of the pesticide DDT. At Quinta Mazatlan World Birding Center, we work to encourage participation in the preservation of our natural heritage.

We have outlined six actions we can all take to help our North American birds towards recovery and to save and restore bird habitat. Habitat loss and alteration threaten birds around the world. Here in the Rio Grande Valley, for example, between 90-95% of our natural habitats have been destroyed or degraded. Despite the vastness of the problem, we can still make a difference in a space as small as our yards.

By limiting food-desert lawns and adding native plants, we can create habitats that sustain many of our favorite birds.

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SOCIALIFE

Make your windows bird-friendly.

Collisions with windows kill between 365 and 988 million birds in the United States each year, with homes being responsible for 44% of those deaths. We can reduce the number of sickening thuds during the day by adding screens, films, paints, or other ways to break up reflections.

The key is that they have to follow the 2x4 rule: no more than 2 inches apart in height and 4 inches apart in width. At night, we can reduce our outdoor lighting by turning off unnecessary lights or using downward facing lights, both of which lure nocturnal migrants down into danger.

Drink bird-friendly coffee. Much of the coffee we drink is grown in full sun, meaning those fields are vast monocultures (kind of like a big lawn) that do not support birds. Sun-grown coffee also typically uses more pesticides. Shade-grown coffee, on the other hand, leaves canopy trees that help migratory birds survive. You can buy shade-grown, bird-friendly coffee in Quinta Mazatlán’s gift store.

Use less plastic. Many birds, particularly

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seabirds, die from ingesting or becoming entangled in plastic. Avoid single-use plastics as much as possible, and make sure to recycle whatever you can!

Avoid using pesticides. The biggest problem with pesticides is that they do not just affect our targets.

They can kill wildlife directly and indirectly on up the food chain. In addition, they can even cause harm to humans. Whenever possible limit pesticide use, and when using them follow all safety precautions.

Quinta M A Z AT L A N

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Tradition Comes To Light

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quintamazatlan.com

2019 UNIVERSITY DRAFTHOUSE BEER FEST

Edinburg Photography by Antony Martinez

SUSANNA MADDRIGAL, GORDANA GEHLHAUSEN, AND ANNALISA MADDRIGAL

HECTOR GONZALEZ AND ALBERT REGO

The University DraftHouse Beer Fest was held at the Edinburg City Hall Courtyard.

Guests attended for the coolest craft beer in the country and stayed for the mouth watering food, live music and fun! Attendees experienced an array of unique brews and their favorite porters, stouts, pilsners, ales, wheats, belgians, ciders, and lagers, to name a few. One hundred plus premium and craft beers from eighty-five plus breweries from around the world were poured. The night also included live music, interactive games, a wine garden, free food from the best local restaurants and so much more. And the best part was that every drink benefited the arts, culture, education and historical restoration for the City of Edinburg.

AGUSTIN LOZANO JR. AND JOE ESCOBEDO

RICK AND PRISCILLA DE LA CRUZ

RUBEN R. RAMIREZ, JULIA RAMIREZ, YVANN SALINAS, AND JORGE SALINAS

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CELEBRATING CELEBRATING

20 years

SAVE THE SAVE THE DATE DATE APRIL 23, APRIL 23, 2020 2020 •• 6:30PM 6:30PM MISSION EVENT CENTER MISSION EVENT CENTER 200 N. SHARY ROAD MISSION 200 N. SHARY ROAD MISSION

RECEPTION RECEPTION AUCTION AUCTION

• PROGRAM • PROGRAM • AFTER PARTY • AFTER PARTY

To request sponsorship information contact Rose.Marques@ideapublicschools.org.

To request sponsorship information contact Rose.Marques@ideapublicschools.org.

A Birder’s Diary for Birders, the call of a bird in the Rio Grande Valley could mean a new addition to their life list

By Kelly Francis-Love the archivist for MOSTHistory

For some, the call of birds in the morning is just background noise. For others, it means the start of a new adventure. For birders, the call of a bird in the Rio Grande Valley could mean a new addition to their life list.

The Rio Grande Valley is considered a hot spot for birding. There are more than 500 bird species found in the area. The Valley falls within the northernmost range for many tropical species, so there are many birds found here that cannot be found anywhere else in the U. S. The World Birding Center has nine locations located across the Rio Grande Valley. Harlingen hosts a birding festival in the fall. There are companies that specialize in RGV birding tours.

An estimated 4 million people come to the Valley each year in search of elusive species, bringing in $300 million in commerce from ecotourism.

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Birding can be a casual hobby or a full-time activity. Many birders keep a diary or life list of the birds that they have seen. The Margaret H. McAllen Memorial Archives contains two of these diaries. One of them belonged to Harold Crandall from McAllen.

He kept a more formal diary, in a notebook specifically meant for the purpose. The diary contains a list of birds he saw between 1967-1990. Many were from the Rio Grande Valley, although it appears he traveled around the U. S. looking for more species to add to his list. The other list is more casual--handwritten lists on sheets of paper belonging to Fanny Heacock, who was a member of the Audubon Society. Her lists date from the early 1900s. So next time you hear a bird call, take a look around. You may catch a glimpse of something truly special.

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The Board of Directors of the Rio Grande Council Boy Scouts of America requests the pleasure of your company at it’s thirty-third Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner honoring

Dr. Noel E. Oliveira*

in recognition of his significant contributions to the advancement of Scouting, the youth of South Texas and public education, and higher education in the State of Texas Thursday, the fifth of December two thousand nineteen Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance 118 Paseo Del Prado Edinburg, Texas 78539

Keynote Address by United States District Judge Ricardo H. Hinojosa Reception at 6:00 p.m. / Dinner at 6:30 p.m. R.S.V.P. For more information contact Ernie Aliseda at 956-533-6451

PSJA CENTENNIAL SOCK HOP DANCE Pharr Photography by Erika Barrera

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The community danced the night away at the PSJA Centennial Sock Hop Dance.

This 50’s-themed event took place on Thursday, October 24 at the Pharr Events Center. All PSJA ISD alumni, staff & community members were welcomed. Guests enjoyed a night of dancing and also could participate in costume, hula hoop and limbo contests.

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AFTER HOURS MIXER AT BOB’S STEAK AND CHOP

Bob’s Steak and Chop hosted their after hours mixer on October 7th, honoring the 2019-2020 season ticket holders for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. It was a great night filled with drinks, food and fun!

Edinburg Photography by Victoria Gaytan

JEFF FAWCETT, DINA FAWCETT, TERRY VINA, AND ROBERT VINA

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AFTER HOURS MIXER

COLDWELL BANKER COMMERCIAL RGV Edinburg Photography by Victoria Gaytan

On October 3rd, Coldwell Banker Commercial Rio Grande Valley hosted an After Hours Mixer at 2800 W. Trenton in Edinburg to highlight some of their office availability. 2800 W. Trenton is a beautiful, Class A office building in The Heart of Edinburg’s Medical Corridor and is home to tenants such as New York Life, Molina Healthcare of Texas, and National Interventional Radiology Partners. For information on leasing please call 956-631-1322.

MICHAEL PACHECO, JULISSA TREVINO, AND CARLOS TELLES

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LEASING • BROKERAGE • PROPERTY MANAGEMENT • DEVELOPMENT

Nightingale Plaza – Office - McAllen

Freestanding Restaurant Location – Retail - McAllen

Mid Valley QSR Location – Restaurant - Weslaco

Former Capital One Location – Office - McAlllen

Former Toy’s R Us Box – Retail - McAllen

Stone Oak Plaza – Retail - McAllen

Nightingale Plaza is conveniently located in North McAllen on the Tenth Street and Nightingale Intersection. The location is perfect for any office, medical, or professional service user and has proximity to shopping, entertainment, and dining.

Negotiable Lease Rates.

This former Slim Chickens location is ideally located in the heart of The Mid-Rio Grande Valley. The site sits on the Northeast corner of Westgate Drive and Interstate 2 and sits in a Home Depot anchored shopping center. Proximity to Weslaco’s only High School and South Texas College provide for high day time population.

This former Toy’s R Us location is situated in one of South McAllen’s busiest and fastest growing areas. The site is adjacent to Simon’s newly renovated, La Plaza Mall and is divisible. Pad Site also available fronting Interstate 2.

This Former Slim Chickens Restaurant is ideally located in North McAllen, TX, just south of Nolana Avenue on McColl Road. The Walmart Neighborhood Market outparcel has excellent proximity to Interstate 69C (Highway 281) and has a full kitchen set up, sitting adjacent to Starbucks.

This Former Capital One Bank location is ideally located in North McAllen off of 10th Street and Violet. The space is extremely well kept and is move in ready. The space also enjoys a drive thru set up and is perfect for any office, professional service, or medical user.

This Academy anchored shopping center is located in one of McAllen’s busiest retail districts. The 3,000 square foot expansion has excellent frontage on Ware Road and will be available mid 2020. Perfect for any retail or service user.

DANIEL GALVAN, CCIM | 956.451.2983 | dgalvan@cbcworldwide.com

www.cbcworldwide.com

Listing information provided by Coldwell Banker Commercial RGV. Information is deemed to be reliable but is not guaranteed. ©2018 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, dba Coldwell Banker Commercial Affiliates. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, dba Coldwell Banker Commercial Affiliates fully supports the principles of the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated. Coldwell Banker Commercial and the Coldwell Banker Commercial Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, dba Coldwell Banker Commercial Affiliates.

VALLEY LAND TITLE CO.

Valley Land Title Co., Mission branch opened its doors for business on September 9, 2019, at its new location 1514 E. Griffin Parkway. A grand opening & ribbon cutting celebration was held on October 25 and was attended by representatives from the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce, special guests, customers, city and local business leaders along with staff. All were invited to tour the new facility, enjoy delicious food catered by Pepper’s at Uptown, beverages, and music provided

by Street Corner Soul Band. Valley Land Title Co. has been in Mission, Texas for 15 years and are extremely excited to have a beautiful new location and plenty of parking to better serve their customers for another 15 years.

GRAND OPENING AND RIBBON CUTTING Mission Photography by Erika Barrera

MYRNA RODRIGUEZ, ABRAHAM GARCIA, IRMA MURRAY, HORTENCIA VILLARREAL, AND MICKIE GARCIA

JUAN PEÑA, MANUEL CANTU, AND EMILIO SANTOS

BONNIE RAMOS, IRIS HEREDIA, AND DAVID GUERRA

MANUEL CANTU, JUAN PEÑA, ALONZO CANTU, PAUL RODRIGUEZ, RONNIE ONTIVEROS, AND EMILIO SANTOS

PAUL AND MYRNA RODRIGUEZ

MONICA GARZA, GILBERT PEREZ, JUAN DE LA GARZA, AND JOHN VALLEJO

LARRY HOELTER, GRACE MONTALVO, GERMAN GARZA, SUSAN VALDEZ, RONNIE ONTIVEROS, BRENDA ENRIQUEZ, AND JAMES E. CAPT JR.

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PHARR TOWN CENTER

500 North Jackson Road, Pharr, Texas 78577

MEDICAL SPACE AVAILABLE - 8,505 SF

For more information: info@levcor.com 713.952.0366

PROPERTY HIGHLIGHTS Located in the booming retail area of Pharr, Texas Located along the highly trafficked N. Jackson Road & Highway 83 470,000 S.F. Shopping Center Anchor tenants include Main Event, Cinemark and Academy Over 3 million visitors to Pharr Town Center a year 1.5 million people live in the Rio Grande Valley There are over 5 million people within an hour’s drive from our center across the border that come to Pharr to shop and eat.

• Jackson Road is on of the main thoroughfares from Mexico that leads right into our project.

• • • • • • •

Traffic Counts

124,000 cpd - US Expressway 83 25,000 cpd - North Jackson Road

Parking Provided Parking Ra�o

Consumer Expenditure - Ent. and Rec.

Average

3,381 9.6 / 1,000 cars

Index

Total

Entertainment/Recrea�on

$5,165

166 $81,143,703

Entertainment/Recrea�on-Fees & Admissions

$1,154

181 $18,135,780

NHPO-RGV NETWORKING EVENT AT BODEGA TAVERN & KITCHEN McAllen Photography by Victoria Gaytan

ROBERT RAMON, ERIC LUEBANOS, AND DANIEL MONTANO

DANIEL TREVINO AND BRENDA GONZALES

The National Hispanic Professional Organization--Rio Grande Valley Chapter hosted their monthly mixer event at Bodega Tavern & Kitchen. Members and guests joined in for a great monthly networking event with business cards on hand and enjoyed door prizes and appetizers while learning about the upcoming activities in the community.

JOHNNY HERNANDEZ, MONICA DE LA CRUZ HERNANDEZ, AND ARMANDO MARROQUIN

MARI LOU RESIO, JERRY WRIGHT, AND MONICA DE LA CRUZ HERNANDEZ

KAROL LIPPERT, MIKE LIPPERT, RITZ ARAMBURO, AND RIGGO LEAL

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2300 Solera Drive : Mission, TX 78572

$2,500,000

8 Bed / 8 Bath 3 1/2 Bath

3 Car Garage

Solera Subdivision

Sharyland ISD

104 SE Greenbriar Square : McAllen, TX 78503

$895,000

5 Bed / 5 Bath 1/2 Bath

3 Car Garage

Country Club Terrace

McAllen ISD

5601 N 4th Street : McAllen, TX 78504

$799,000

6 Bed / 5 Bath 1/2 Bath

2 Car Garage

Tuscany Estate Subdivision

McAllen ISD

Sally Fraustro Guerra

B R O K E R A S S O C I AT E

REPRESENTING BUYERS + SELLERS COMMERCIAL / RESIDENTIAL (956) 458-0085 (956) 631-1322 sally.guerra@coldwellbanker.com

2019

November 1

November 11

RGV Partnership Foundation Tierra Santa Golf Club - Weslaco Save the Date

RGV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Cimarron Country Club Save the Date

32ND ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

November 2

JALAPEÑO GOLF CLASSIC

GOLF TOURNAMENT

TECATE CATRINA MUSIC FESTIVAL

City of Mission Shary Municipal Golf Course 8:00 a.m.

DIA DE MUERTOS AT MOST HISTORY

November 14

McAllen Convention Center 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Museum of South Texas History 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

DIWALI FEST - FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

MANA: RAYANDO EL SOL 2019 TOUR Bert Ogden Arena 8:00 p.m.

Edinburg City Auditorium 5:30 p.m.

November 15

November 7

Access Esperanza Clinics Mission Event Center 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

McAllen Chamber of Commerce Save the Date

November 21

November 8

McAllen Convention Center 6:00 p.m.

Texas State Veterans Cemetery 4:00 p.m.

November 27 - January 6

November 9

McAllen Convention Center Save the Date

Texas Citrus Fiesta Inc. - Mission 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

November 28

VETERANS DAY PARADE

RGV Cycling & Running Bentsen Palm Park 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

7TH PAELLA FESTIVAL

December 2

65TH ANNUAL BANQUET “MAN AND WOMEN OF THE YEAR”

FLAG LAYING CEREMONY

VETERANS COOK-OFF

Downtown Mission 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

McAllen Pregnancy Center Provenza Ranch - Edcouch 3:00 p.m.

SALUTE TO VETERANS PARADE AND FIREWORKS Downtown Pharr 4:30 p.m.

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ACCESS TO HOPE GALA

2019 BORDER TEXAN OF THE YEAR

FRIO MCALLEN

11TH ANNUAL RGV TURKEY TROUT

THE BLUE MAN GROUP McAllen Performing Arts 7:30 p.m.

December 5

GOOD DAY MCALLEN LUNCHEON McAllen Chamber of Commerce Embassy Suites Convention Center 11:30 a.m.

CITIZEN AWARD DINNER

Boy Scouts of America -RGV Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance 6:00 p.m.

December 7

MCALLEN HOLIDAY PARADE

McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium 6 p.m.

December 8

MUSIC CON SOUL

Renaissance Cancer Foundation Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance 6:00 p.m.

December 10

A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS LIVE ON STAGE McAllen Performing Arts 7:00 p.m.

December 12-14 ILLUMINA FEST

Quinta Mazatlan 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

December 12 STYX LIVE

Bert Ogden Arena 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

December 13

A TOUCH OF FROST

Valley Symphony Orchestra McAllen Performing Arts 8:00 p.m.

December 29

GREAT RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER McAllen Performing Arts 5:00 p.m.

IF IT’S NOT HERE, IT’S NOT HAPPENING… Send us your event: admin@socialifergv.com

2020

January 11

HOT WHEELS MONSTER TRUCKS LIVE

HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS

Bert Ogden Arena 12:30 p.m.

Bert Ogden Arena 7:00 p.m.

January 19

March 3

MCALLEN MARATHON

Scott Crane Memorial Run Save the Date

January 23

ALL ABOUT WOMEN “LEGENDARY BUSINESSWOMEN’S LUNCHEON” McAllen Chamber of Commerce Radisson Hotel McAllen Airport 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

January 28

FINDING NEVERLAND - THE MUSICAL McAllen Performing Arts 7:30 p.m.

January 30

BUENAS TARDES LUNCHEON

Jersey Boys

MCALLEN PERFORMING ARTS 7:30 p.m.

March 5

HOPE IS IN BLOOM

Catholic Charities RGV Save the Date

March 8

McAllen Convention Center Save the Date

March 27

DESIGNED BY DABROWSKY Valley Symphony Orchestra McAllen Performing Arts 8:00 p.m.

April 4

12TH ANNUAL NIGHT AT THE BREW-SEUM International Museum of Arts & Science 7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

April 4 - 5

CHER- HERE WE GO AGAIN TOUR 2020

April 16

McAllen Performing Arts 7:00 p.m.

Bert Ogden Arena 7:30 p.m.

March 11

February 7

McAllen Convention Center 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

49TH ANNUAL MCALLEN MAYOR’S PRAYER LUNCHEON

Teach for America McAllen Convention Center Save the Date

March 13-14

February 14

Victory Cup Save the Date

MERCYME

TASTE MCALLEN

THE ILLUSIONISTS - LIVE FROM BROADWAY

Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce Save the Date

HONOR ROLL GALA

March 26

RGV POLO MATCH & HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL

PAW PATROL

Bert Ogden Arena Save the Date

MOON OVER MAZATLAN Quinta Mazatlan Save the Date

GABRIEL IGLESIAS - BEYOND THE FLUFFY Bert Ogden Arena 8:00 p.m.

April 23

IDEA - DINNER & AUCTION SCHOLARSHIP GALA Mission Event Center 6:30 p.m.

April 28

Bert Ogden Arena 7:30 p.m.

March 15

INDIANA JONES AND THE WILD WEST

McAllen Performing Arts 7:00 p.m.

20th Anniversary Tour McAllen Performing Arts 7:30 p.m.

March 19 - 22

May 1

Bert Ogden Arena 7:30 p.m.

McAllen Performing Arts 8:00 p.m

February 28

Valley Symphony Orchestra McAllen Performing Arts 8:00 p.m.

February 29

PUPPY LOVE GALA

BEAUTIFUL - THE CAROL KING MUSICAL

CIRCUS DE SOLEIL

RENT - THE MUSICAL

RAIN: A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES

Mission Events Center 6:00 p.m.

SOCIALIFE 105