Jim Darling first came to McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley in 1977. The freshly minted graduate of the Baylor Law School who was looking for something new. “I saw the palm trees and felt the warm weather, and thought, ‘I think I want to stay here,’” said Darling, a native of Rochester, NY. Stay Darling did, serving 28 years as McAllen’s city attorney. Many of those years, he was…
The International Museum of Art & Science presents a community Holiday Market Dec. 5. The event helps kick off this year’s annual Christmas Tree Forest. The festive artist and artisan market takes place from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. near the west entrance and Welcome Pavilion. The community is invited to support these local artists and artisans and then visit the Christmas Tree Forest and museum exhibitions. In addition to…
Juan de la Rosa of Donna was working as a cook at Longhorn Steakhouse when he decided to pursue a career in a high-demand field where he could earn more money while helping people. He decided to enroll at South Texas College in the Patient Care Technician Program. In this program, de la Rosa knew he would also be taught entry-level skills in phlebotomy, EKG and monitor technician. While enrolling…
Small Business Saturday 2020 is on Nov. 28, marking the 11th annual Small Business Saturday. Last year, shoppers came together in full force to support their local communities. Small Business Saturday hit a record high with an estimated $19.6 billion in reported spending. This year surviving COVID-19 has become the sole mission of many small businesses. Despite the challenges, I have learned that local small businesses are resourceful and resilient.…
This year, the McAllen Holiday Parade will honor local essential workers and organizers are asking the public to nominate their favorite frontline hero to be parade grand marshals. Entry deadline is Nov. 30 at 11:59 p.m. “This year has been a difficult year for everyone,” said McAllen Mayor Jim Darling. “As we learned to navigate through the challenges of wearing a mask, curbside delivery, Zoom meetings and Google classrooms, others…
The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce is currently seeking nominations for Man and Woman of the Year for 2020. Nominations are due Dec. 1 by 5 p.m. The candidate, throughout his/her career and personal work should leadership characteristics. The chamber is also seeking a person who has successfully demonstrated abilities as an individual, as a team member and as a leader. Nominees should have a willingness to serve and assist other…
Texas Southmost College of Brownsville continues to develop its industrial sector education by recently celebrating its first graduates in one program and offering a new degree program in another. The college this month marked its first graduates in its Industrial Insulation program. Nine students were part of the inaugural class. The graduates were promptly offered jobs with BrandSafway, a leading global provider of services for industrial and commercial markets. Juan…
McAllen residents are being encouraged to show off their holiday spirit and decorating skills with Keep McAllen Beautiful’s Holiday Home Lights Contest. The best three homes will win cash and prizes. The Holiday Home Lights contest encourages residents to help beautify and illuminate the McAllen landscape by lighting up their McAllen home. Those who would like to compete need to register by 11:59 p.m. Dec. 15. The Keep McAllen Beautiful…
The Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley and Clark Knapp Honda are making the holidays brighter for families in the RGV. Clark Knapp Honda has made a donation of $5,000 to sponsor a special Thanksgiving Drive-Thru Emergency Pantry at the Food Bank RGV Nov. 18. From 7-10 a.m., or until capacity, The first 1,500 families will receive turkeys. The DTEP will follow the Food Bank RGV’s mobile drive-thru model…
The City of McAllen is reimagining Christmas in McAllen this year with the South Pole Illuminated Drive and Theatre Experience. The McAllen Convention Center District will transform into a one-mile drive-thru holiday show of millions of lights and sound. “It has been a year of cancelled events, but one thing was for sure: the City of McAllen was not going to cancel Christmas,” said Mayor Jim Darling. “I am so happy…