Plein-air artist Ryan Henry always thought of taking a brief break from his usual landscape work to try murals and create art on the sides and fronts of buildings. “I had it in my mind for years,” said Henry, a South Padre Island-based artist. In late July, Ryan on an artistic limb, painted a great kiskadee above the entrance to his Meridian & Muse Fine Art Gallery on Padre Boulevard.…
The Port Isabel Lighthouse is more than a nearly 175-year-old landmark that once guided ships safely through the Gulf of Mexico and past the dangerous shoals near the Rio Grande. It shone a bright beacon that was visible for up to 16 miles in preventing shipwrecks and also acted as a strategic observation post for both Union and Confederate troops during the Civil War. Today, the historic lighthouse still stands…
Harlingen has been named by the National Civic League as an All-America City for its efforts in civic engagement and inclusiveness in solving local problems. For Harlingen, it is the second time the city has received the All-America honor, with its first designation being in 1992. Seven other cities in the Rio Grande Valley have received the honor since the 1960s, and they are Brownsville, Edinburg, Hidalgo, McAllen, Mission, Pharr…
The city of McAllen’s Fourth of July parade is nearing its 100th birthday as the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary. The convergence of the two is adding an extra element to this year’s early July celebrations in McAllen. The city has perhaps the most event-filled July 4th of any Rio Grande Valley city. The longstanding parade down Main Street got its start in 1928 and is a mainstay event in…
Frank Limon looks over a May calendar of graduation parties, school awards banquets and the wedding and quinceanera celebrations that are the staples of his Diamond Moon Events. The Iraq War combat veteran found the outlet he was looking for with an event planning business that takes him from Brownsville-to-Edinburg. His work includes big affairs like state-of-city events to family gatherings celebrating important milestones. In May alone, Limon and his…
Wildlife in Focus is currently seeking its Texas Wildlife & Nature Photographer of the Year. The nonprofit conservation organization is accepting photography submissions statewide until June 7. “Our mission has always been to use photography as a bridge to conservation,” said Miles Phillips, photo contest director for Wildlife in Focus. “This new Photographer of the Year contest invites every Texan to tell the story of our state’s wildlife, from prairies…
Gabriel Ozuna likens local preservation and historical committees to the planning and zoning boards found in many cities. The members of both types of commissions are usually appointed by local City Commissions. Each board sets forth rules and guidelines on development. The goal is to ensure orderly growth and development in the local community. The P&Z boards have long been essential components of local governments, but the same cannot be…
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and South Texas ISD announced on Tuesday an enhanced partnership to explore the development of a new Collegiate High School. This collaboration expands on what began four years ago between UTRGV and South Texas ISD – the Expanded Collegiate Partnership, a dual-credit program developed to increase college accessibility for students across South Texas. Through the partnership, UTRGV has invested more than $6 million…
The Texas Workforce Commission is now accepting applications for its Workforce Diploma Pilot Program. This funding opportunity is intended to support programs that help adult learners in Texas obtain a high-school diploma, earn industry-recognized credentials, and develop employability skills. The Workforce Diploma Pilot Program is designed to create new career pathways for adult learners. The program connects adults who have not completed high school with education providers that offer a…
The Texas Film Commission has designated the City of Mercedes as a Film Friendly Texas Certified Community after completing the multi-step training and certification process. “Congratulations to Mercedes on joining more than 200 Film Friendly Texas Certified Communities,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “The Texas Film Commission partners with communities in every region of the state to market their unique appeal and attract new investments in media production. Through ongoing Film…