Category Archives: Community

The McAllen ISD STRIDES Program is the inaugural winner of the Texas Restaurant Association’s Innovation in Excellence Award. The award serves to recognize individuals, groups or organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to innovation and excellence in the field of culinary and hospitality education. According to TRA, the award is a “celebration of those who have dedicated themselves to improving the education experience for both students and teachers and demonstrated…

Arts Studio Offers Everything ‘Under One Roof’

July 27, 2023

Ricardo D. Cavazos, VBR content editor

Arts e-Brief Features Featured News Comments

A view across the social media presence of the Rio Grande Valley Arts Studio reaffirms its founder’s assertion of having everything “all under one roof.” There’s a “beach dance camp” to go with galleries of colors featuring the artwork of children. There are photos of teenage girls immersed in a sewing workshop in preparing for a fashion show. Little ballerinas in another image are in poses they just took during…

Another Statewide First For South Texas College

July 24, 2023

VBR

Education Featured News Comments

The South Texas College Centers for Learning Excellence is the first in the state to be certified for its online services by the Association of Colleges for Tutoring and Learning Assistance. The national organization works to improve tutorial programs and related services among organizations across the country dedicated to college and university learning assistance or developmental education. The organization’s mission is to foster and promote racial and socioeconomic equity in…

Leadership Edinburg Class XXXV Applications Open

July 22, 2023

VBR

Community Featured News Comments

The Leadership Edinburg steering committee is now accepting applications for the Leadership Edinburg Class XXXV. Aspiring community leaders may to submit their applications through Aug. 18. For years, Leadership Edinburg has been a pivotal platform, connecting community leaders from across the city and region, empowering them with advanced leadership skills. The program’s commitment to excellence has consistently contributed to the growth and improvement of highly motivated professionals. “We are proud…

STC Police Academy Cadets Graduate With Guaranteed Jobs

July 20, 2023

VBR

e-Brief Features Education Government News Comments

The South Texas College 30th Police Academy recently celebrated the graduation and recruitment of every single graduating cadet in a ceremony joined by friends and family at the Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence in Pharr. For the first time in program history, all students were offered conditional job offers from the Hidalgo County Sherriff’s Office weeks before completing the 22-week program. Sherriff J.E. “Eddie” Guerra attended the ceremony and…

Quinta Mazatlan Holds Youth Nature Photo Contest

July 20, 2023

VBR

Community Events e-Brief Features News Comments

Quinta Mazatlán is currently hosting a free Summer Youth Nature Photo Contest along with nature photo workshops designed for children. In partnership with The Valley Land Fund, the center encourages children to get creative and explore nature with a camera and/or smartphone. Kids ages 5 to 18 are invited to take nature photos anywhere in the eight most southern counties of Texas this summer. Each child can enter up to six…

IMAS Receives Grant To Expand Arts Access

July 19, 2023

VBR

Arts Featured News Comments

The International Museum of Art & Science is the recipient of a grant from Texas Women for the Arts, a program of the Texas Cultural Trust. The grant funds will support art education through ongoing Student Art Exhibits at the museum. The Student Art Exhibits at the IMAS will be an opportunity for the Valley community to view the work of young artists in grades 6 through 12 in a…

Pharr Police Collaborates On Operation Slow Down

July 14, 2023

VBR

Community Featured Government News Comments

The City of Pharr Police Department, in partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation, is conducting Operation Slow Down from July 14 through July 30. The primary objective of this initiative is to enhance the enforcement of traffic safety-related laws, ultimately reducing the number of fatal and serious injury crashes. Operation Slow Down will involve increased enforcement efforts and public education campaigns to promote safer roadways. These efforts will emphasize…

City of McAllen Offers Cooling Centers

July 13, 2023

VBR

Community e-Brief Features News Comments

As temperatures and heat indexes continue to soar, the City of McAllen would like to remind the public that many city facilities are open and available to the community as cooling centers. McAllen Community Centers are open for patrons to come in and cool off. Seats are available in the lobby as well as access wi-fi and areas to recharge phones. In north McAllen, the Lark Community Center at 2601…

Edinburg Hosts 10th Annual FridaFest