Author Archives: Ricardo D. Cavazos, VBR content editor

Ricardo D. Cavazos is a Rio Grande Valley native and journalist who has worked as a reporter, editor and publisher at Texas newspapers. Cavazos formerly worked as a reporter and editorial writer at The Brownsville Herald, Dallas Times Herald, Corpus Christi Caller-Times and San Antonio Light. He served as editor of The Monitor in McAllen from 1991-1998 and from there served for 15 years as publisher at The Herald in Brownsville. Cavazos has been providing content for the Valley Business Report since 2018.

All-American City Right Here in the RGV

Mission is one of only 20 finalists for the 2019 All-America City Award.

The City of Mission is at an elite level of American cities in becoming a finalist for the 2019 All-America City Award. Mission is one of 20 finalists which include cities from all parts of the United States. In addition, it is one of only five Texas cities in the running for the 10 winners to be chosen in June. Neighboring Edinburg, along with Houston, San Antonio and El Paso…

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Growth of a Spirited Business

To stay competitive, Holiday Wine and Liquor owner David Hernandez’s Rio Grande Valley business evolved from selling cold beer to a chain of full-service liquor stores. (VBR)

Fresh out of college at 23 years of age, David Hernandez saw an opportunity and then seized it. With $30,000 in hand from his relatives, Hernandez used it as seed money to open the first of what would become 12 Pop-A-Top stores in the Rio Grande Valley. The yellow stores with blue trim became ubiquitous across the region. “Coldest Beer In Town” was the Pop-A-Top signature line and Hernandez meant…

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Discovering Guilt-free Donuts

Sophiah Rodriguez turned her personal quest for better health into a business with Keto Mini Donuts. (VBR)

In the spring of 2018, Sophiah Rodriguez was worried about her health. She was in search of something that could change the way she felt. “My health was not where I wanted it to be,” said the Harlingen native, born-and-raised. She then settled on trying a ketogenic diet, which seeks to dramatically lower carbohydrates by eliminating grains, rice, beans, potatoes, sweets, milk and fruit. The keto diet lowers insulin levels…

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Local Humane Society Support Growing

(Courtesy Humane Society of Harlingen)

The Humane Society of Harlingen is looking forward to its annual Wine & Whiskers event – and this year’s event will hold special meaning. The March 30 fundraiser will honor the Humane Society’s founders – Marilyn White, Susan McCarthy, Laverne Hill and Dr. Marguerite DeWitt. The event starts at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the TSTC Cultural Arts Center. It’s a sellout, a credit, in part, to the flurry of activity…

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Battle Born, Texas Made and On the Move

5x5 Brewing Co.'s Brunette Bombshell Limited 2018 Release is the brewery's first ever barrel-aged product. (Courtesy)

The “Battle Born, Texas Made” beers of the 5X5 Brewery Co. of Mission are now across South Texas with a variety of tastes from the Irish red to honey brown ale. In less than a year of operation, 5X5 has moved quickly in reaching 85 South Texas restaurants and bars. Their reach stretches from Rio Grande City to South Padre Island and north to Kingsville. The key, said Sean Downey,…

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Delegation Gears up for McAllen Day in Mexico

McAllen Convention Center (photo McAllen.net/City of McAllen)

The McAllen Convention and Visitors Bureau is gearing up for its annual McAllen Day in Mexico City on March 28. Organizing and making the event possible is a huge undertaking that involves city government, the Chamber of Commerce and La Plaza Mall. Delegates are also instrumental, including travel agents, tour operators and hotel representatives in promoting the city’s amenities and shopping opportunities. In all, it will be a delegation of…

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Warriors on the Move

Training For Warriors promotes group solidarity and camaraderie in its workouts.

The black-and-yellow of Training For Warriors of Harlingen has taken its fitness and nutrition program to a larger and new location. Bobby Muniz, a pharmacist and Harlingen school board member, owns and runs the program. Muniz has a passion for matching resistance training with the right kind of cardio exercises to improve the health and well-being of his clients. While training, he is also teaching them about nutrition. Muniz has moved…

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Homemade Snacks Pack La Real Michocana

An array of paletas (Courtesy)

Walk into La Real Michoacana on north Texas Boulevard in Weslaco and you’re met by splashy colors of yellow and orange and vibrant reds with big photos of ice cream cones and paletas. It’s a happy vibe at a business geared to families and fun get-togethers as customers revel in what general manager Hilario Lozano said is “un sabor de Mexico.” A taste of Mexico from a state in the…

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Converting Art to Boots

Henry Camargo in his shop working over leathers.

Henry Camargo dispenses with any high-tech gadgetry when it comes to making boots. After five decades of stitching, sewing, hammering and stretching leathers to make boots for celebrities and common folk alike, Camargo said he’ll stick to the time-tested basics of the craft. “I’m old school,” Camargo said at his Mercedes shop Camargo’s Western Boots on Business 83. “I do everything by hand.” By his side is his brother, Santos,…

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Saddle Up For the RGV Livestock Show

The Livestock Show provides area youth with the opportunity to compete for prizes in exhibiting their projects.

It’s time for the 80th edition of the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show, as the iconic event continues to showcase its connections to area communities. “Ask anyone who has grown up in Mercedes and the Rio Grande Valley, and they will name the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show & Rodeo as one of the best-known and attended events of each year,’’ said Beatrice de Leon Edwards, a local historian and…

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