Taste of the Valley

Winter Texan Friends Come and visit us at Baffin Bay and be prepared for a unique Gulf Coast eating experience! Winter Texans Welcomed!

Relaxing dining by the sea

361-297-5174 www.BaffinBaySeaFoodco.com

1294 Co Rd 2360 Riviera, Texas 78379

Los Comales American & Mexican Food RESTAURANT

Winter Texans Always Welcome 10% Off

Come Visit Mercedes Best Kept Secret! Handmade Tortillas • Traditional Mexican Recipes Free Coffee Every Wednesday from Open to Close

Open Everyday New Extended Hours from 6am to 3pm To Be Announced

(956)565-9966

151 1/2 N Texas Ave, Mercedes, TX 78570

While it may be a little farther than most restaurants, the Baffin Bay Seafood Company, located in Riviera, is certainly worth the effort to get there. The restaurant sits right on the coast of Baffin Bay, a well-known fishing spot for black drum, redfish and speckled trout.

One of the most popular items on the restaurant’s menu is black drum ribs, usually served with hand-breaded onion rings. The Baffin Bay Seafood Company may just be the only restaurant to serve these tasty ribs fried with cornmeal. They are delicious! Especially with their homemade tartar sauce made with special secret ingredients.

In addition to the black drum ribs, we tried the grilled and fried drum, which were both delicious. We just had to sample the fried shrimp and grilled shrimp. Both are very good, and my personal favorite was the big, plump grilled shrimp with a delicious fresh-catch taste.

Steaks and chicken are also available for those who aren’t in the mood for a great seafood dinner.

Save room for their delicious desserts! You’ll enjoy rounding out your meal with molten lava cake, brownies with ice cream or New York cheesecake.

A trip to the Baffin Bay Seafood Company, combined with a sightseeing trip to the King Ranch, might just be unbeatable. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. They are located at 1294 CR 2360 E on the coastline in Riviera.

10% discount per individual dinner plate. Authentic Family Recipes • Try our Molcajete • Queso flameado (Flaming Cheese Dip) • Fried - Stuff Avocado • Premium Fajitas Sun-Mon: 11am-9pm • Tues-Thur: 11am-10pm • Fri-Sat: 11am-11pm

(956) 421-2000 • 502 S. 77 Sunshine Strip, Harlingen, TX 78550 10% Off Coupon

Free Coffee, Lemonade or Tea with entree

Mon. - Sat. 8am - 10pm Sun. 8am - 2pm

(956)734-5002 105 W Tyler Ave

Harlingen, Tx 78550

FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY | NO SUBSTITUTIONS © 2020 DFO, LLC. Printed in the U.S.A. At participating restaurants for a limited time only. Selection and prices may vary. While supplies last.

20% OFF ENTIRE GUEST CHECK

*88881886*

88881886

One coupon, per table, per visit. Not valid with any other coupons, promotional offers, the 2468 Value Menu™, Super Slam™ or AARP discount. This offer can be redeemed only once by the original recipient. Coupon has no cash value. No change returned. Taxes and gratuity not included. Alcoholic beverages not included. Valid at participating restaurants for a limited time only. Selection and prices may vary. Photocopied and Internet printed or purchased coupons are not valid. No substitutions. Offer valid for dine in only. Not valid for online orders. Restrictions apply. © 2020 DFO, LLC. Offer ends 12.31.20 1-31-21

FREE CONE OR DISH WITH PURCHASE OF ANY COMBO MEAL Not valid with any other offers. Limited to one single cone or dish per guest.

Additional toppings and/or waffle cone available at an additional cost. Must present coupon to redeem. Dine-in-only. VALID AT PHARR, MCALLEN, HARLINGEN AND BROWNSVILLE, TX LOCATIONS ONLY. EXPIRES 03/31/2021

Senior Breakfast $8.49 Saturday 8:30 - 3pm Sunday 8:30 - 11am

Expires 12/13/2020 (956)421-5817 • www.goldencorralharlingen.com 1525 W Tyler Ave, Harlingen, TX 78550

What a coincidence. Recently I explained in one of my communications about how San Antonio remembered the birth of Christ with luminarias lighting the way for Mary and Joseph as they searched for a place for the child's birth. While it is not the same thing, what an opportunity it is for all of us to see 2,000 luminarias lighting the pathways at Quinta Mazatlan in McAllen. What a sight that will be.

Quinta Mazatlan is dedicated to spread appreciation of our natural flora of the Rio Grande Valley. The trails will be open on December 16,17,18 and 19 from 6 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. Tickets must be bought in advance with timed entries. There is a $5 per person entry fee. This is your chance not only to appreciate the luminarias and their special meaning but also to lend a helping hand to a very worthwhile organization. Have an enjoyable evening.

Quinta Mazatlan is located at 600 Sunset Dr., McAllen. Call them at (956) 681-3370.

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I know it is just December, but I am already thinking January 1 and New Year’s Resolutions. How many times did you resolve to lose weight, cut

The Christmas Extravaganza is now on display at Harlingen Arts & Heritage Museum featuring the creative ways people decorate Christmas trees. The exhibit runs through December 31.

Trees range in themes and types depending on business and organization that set up the tree. There are several trees inspired by the Spanish heritage in the area and feature sombreros, zarapes and flowers. There are also more traditional trees with white lights and ornaments. There is out sweets or stop smoking? I know! I made many of those same promises only to forget them some two weeks later.

But January 2020 was a little different. Instead of a negative resolution, I made a positive resolution that I did not forget. Are we not to accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative? Well, that is what I did. I vowed that I would remember to say please and thank you and to greet each person I met with a smile and "good morning". How simple, but what a difference it made - not just for me, but for all those around me. It was a win-win situation. I thought I would make other people feel good and I hope it did. But even as my salutations to known and unknown brought a smile to their eyes, that smile was reflected back to me and so it made me feel better also. Now what can be better than that?

Now that I have challenged you to make a positive resolution, I need to also make a positive one. And what shall it be? Well, that's the challenge. We have almost a whole month to think about it. In the meantime, I am going to enjoy this beautiful month of

Christmas trees on display

December. a small tree with decorated sun hats and flowers, and another with historic photos of the area. The North Harlingen Rotary tree is decked out in gold and blue. There are small trees and large trees. Some of the trees are made of wood displays, while another includes decorations on the wall. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. It is located at 2425 Boxwood St. For more information call (956) 216-4901. Admission is free; donations accepted.

The trails of Quinta Mazatlán in of the world with you. The outdoor exMcAllen will be lined with thousands of hibits celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, candle luminarias to celebrate the winter Kwanzaa, Chinese New Year, A Native holidays around the world. Presented by American Tipi Village, The Wild West, SpawGlass, Nature’s ILLUMINA Natural Fest 2020 Sculp takes place tures, on Decem- Winter ber 16, 17, Solstice 18, and 19 and Wildfrom 6 p.m. life. There to 9:30 p.m. will be Tickets go holiday fast and can music only be pur- and enterchased on- tainment line at www. along the ticketleap. illuminatcom, search ed trail. for Quinta “Illu Mazatlán. mina Fest

ILLU - is a great MINA Fest way to 2020 will Authentic tipis have been installed by the Lipan unite our feature over Apache Band of Texas in honor of their family’s heri- commu 30 Art Instal- tage in Texas and Mexico. Tipi night lights originally nity and lations shar- came from a wood fire inside or outside, depending celebrate ing the light on weather conditions. family,

The Weslaco Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center is keeping the cheer in their city. They are having a Christmas Light Display on December 12.

The city will have some fun curbside giveaways during the event. Visit them at 275 S. Kansas. Christmas cookies and hot chocolate will also be available for guests.

The chamber is also sponsoring a holiday lights tour and accepting nominations for your favorite commercial and residential outdoor display. Last year’s winners were Chick-fil-A and Northopolis. Link to nominate can be found on their Facebook page or contact the chamber. Nominations are accepted through December 16.

A virtual Santa Dash run/walk at your own pace will be held December 20 through 26.

You can find out more information on the chamber and city Facebook pages.

health and conservation,” says Colleen Hook Director of Quinta Mazatlán. “The City of McAllen is most grateful to SpawGlass for powering this event, along with the amazing support from Megamorphosis Architects and Interior Design, Renoworks, Zerimar Lighting Solutions, Staggs Welding, South Texas Pen Works, Charming Picnics, Douglas Clark, Jaime Villarreal, Bear Clan, Tenzo and many volunteers.”

Bring your family and friends to this premier winter event along a half-mile trail at Quinta Mazatlán, designed to be touch-free. Wear comfortable shoes as the approximately 45-minute experience takes place on a crushed gravel trail through the woods. Guests are asked to keep in small groups, wear masks and practice social distancing. Upon completion of the trail, families will leave the park in order to allow for the next group of visitors. Tickets must be purchased in advance online at Ticketleap, $5 per person with two years and under free. For more information, please call Quinta Mazatlán at (956) 681-3370 and follow them on social media.

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www.wintertexantimes.com WINTER TEXAN TIMES Texas Master Naturalist Training registration open

The Rio Grande Valley supports two chapters of Texas Master Naturalist and both chapters are taking applications for the new class training that will begin January 7. The deadline to register is December 18.

For the 2021 training session, the chapters will join efforts and provide virtual training; attendees will need a computer, iPad or Android pad. Using a smartphone is not recommended. In addition, field trips are a required element of training and will be online or in person depending on current county and departmental public health guidelines. Outdoor field trips will require appropriate masks and social distancing.

Residents over the age of 18 and Winter Texans are welcome to join either of the chapters, despite residential location. The Rio Grande Valley chapter generally covers Cameron and Willacy counties; the South Texas Border chapter supports Hidalgo and Starr counties. The chapters share Cameron and Hidalgo counties.

Texas Master Naturalist is a unique educational volunteer program sponsored by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Texas Sea Grant Program and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Both chapters share sponsors: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Agent Tony Reisinger in San Benito and Javier De Leon, Park Superintendent at Estero Llano Grande State Park in Weslaco.

“Texas Master Naturalist is a citizen volunteer program whose members have diverse interests and who become involved in myriad activities to learn about, work with, and help educate others about the special habitat and ecology of the Rio Grande Valley,” said Reisinger.

“When nature is left to itself, a unique ecosystem develops -- after hundreds of years,” Reisinger said. “Today, that unique ecosystem is what Texas Master Naturalists learn about and help sustain: the Rio Grande Valley’s native habitat and the critters that depend on it.”

Classes are taught by local university professors, and other field experts, including those from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Students attend weekly Thursday classes from 6 to 9 p.m. beginning January 7, through March 25. Special field trips provide unique access and learning opportunities.

Even with the social distancing mandates, trainees will still be able to join volunteer teams with other chapter members and work among the hundreds of local partners in activities at federal, state and local wildlife parks, coastal naturalist programs, cities, schools, and other public entities as restrictions lessen and more opportunities are again available.

Volunteering options to chapter members and trainees may include studying ocelots and other mammals, to joining cutting-edge university studies, developing public native gardens, learning about native plants and habitat, citizen science projects, bird migration and shore birds to Gulf and beach inhabitants and trends, docent positions and native field guides.

“Virtual classrooms this year may open the opportunity to those who, in the past, have been hesitant to join this organization,” said chapter sponsor De Leon, from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. “It is our hope to encourage more Valley residents to take advantage of this unique learning experience and volunteer opportunity.”

The cost is $150 and includes textbook, fees, t-shirt and one-year membership. Full scholarships are available. Requests for scholarships are also due by December 18. Note that scholarships are chapter specific.

To apply for the class, find scholarship information and pay options visit these links: Rio Grande Valley Chapter, www.rgvctmn.org at the New Class 2020 link. South Texas Border Chapter, www.stbctmn.org at the New Class link. Classes run from January 7 through March 25, on Thursdays, 6 to 9 p.m.

Across the state, since its inception in 1997, more than 13,000 people have been trained in the Texas Master Naturalist program, 6.2 million hours of service has been valued at more than $150 million, 2,230 miles of trails have been developed and maintained and 229,000 acres of native habitat has been enhanced in the state.