Working at home as a full-time wife and mother has been recognized as an honorable and rewarding job, as well as one of the most difficult. And, unfortunately, it does not come with a paycheck. Vanessa Cantu of Brownsville watched her husband, Norberto, go to work each day as a driver for a car dealership as she cared for their three sons. Despite his commitment to his job, they struggled…
Lou Ann Sarachene was already well-versed on David’s Law. It was passed by the Texas legislature in 2017 to strengthen the penalties for cyberbullying while teaching ways to combat all forms of bullying. Sarachene reached out earlier this year to Maurine Molak, the co-founder (along with husband Matt and sons Cliff and Chris) of David’s Legacy Foundation. Sarachene is the former principal of Ruben Hinojosa Elementary School in Sharyland. She…
Four years ago, Brownsville resident Rogelio Garcia depended on government assistance to feed himself, his wife and their five children. Today, thanks to the Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement, that’s no longer the case. In early August of 2013, Garcia had a near-fatal accident that resulted in him going on disability. During his recovery, a friend told him about VIDA and its Commercial Electrician Program, focused on increasing the…
Help Wanted. Now Hiring. Join Our Team. Signs posted at entrances and on marquees of many local businesses share these messages. Employee shortages seem to be affecting most industries, resulting in shorter hours of operation, canceled flights, sections of restaurants closed and rising stress levels. Martha Vela Hinojosa believes she was created for these current times of employers searching for workers. Born and raised in Mission, Hinojosa graduated from Mission…
In his article, “Omne Trium Perfectum: Three May really be the charm,” in the July/August 2019 issue of Modern Aesthetics, Dr. Steve Dayan wrote, “In Kabbala philosophy, the number three signifies harmony. To the Chinese, the number three is considered lucky. And in Christian lore, the number three represents divine wholeness, completeness, and perfection, hence the Latin phrase Omne Trium Perfectum: everything that is three is perfect.” For Harlingen resident…
Many business owners were forced to temporarily close in the spring of 2020, leading Jessica Zarate to open a shop, Beary Creative, from her home. Its name belies the fact that Beary Creative does not carry stuffed bears. “I’m a Bear,” Zarate said of being from Pharr-San Juan-Alamo. If you live in the Rio Grande Valley, you likely know Bear pride runs deep in PSJA High School graduates. “I started…
Edcouch resident Lupita Caballero felt fortunate to have a job as a health-care provider but earning $10 an hour placed her in a situation countless Rio Grande Valley residents know all too well. She knew she needed a degree in nursing to advance in the field of health care, but on her salary, she had no discretionary income to pay for college classes, textbooks and uniforms. Though the hurdles never…
Seconds matter. Awareness and preparation matter. The Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with DHR Health, invited the public to a free, two-hour Active Shooter/Critical Incident Training on June 8 at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance. Senior deputy Rick Garcia stressed the importance of awareness and preparation in his presentations. Hidalgo County Sheriff Eddie Guerra said over 45,000 civilians across the state have been trained with sessions done at…
Savanah Arellano of San Benito had a job as a mental-health technician earning $10 an hour. While Arellano knew she wanted to stay in the healthcare arena, she also knew she needed to earn a much better salary if she wanted to be self-sufficient and not struggle just to pay her bills. Because Arellano’s parents divorced and her father passed away, she had seen those struggles firsthand. Arellano enrolled in…
“You are always on my mind” is a fitting theme for Lou’s Brunch & Brews in McAllen. Jose Garcia, who owns the restaurant with his wife, Iesha, chose the name to honor his mom, Guadalupe Garcia. Jose’s dad, Tim Garcia, affectionately calls her “Lou.” “I want to be reminded of her every day,” Jose said. His mother epitomizes strength and courage as she is currently undergoing cancer treatments for the…