RGV meat markets provide fresh, local items Eliseo Castro has been with the Lopez family – Lopez Supermarkets in particular – for 50 years. He’s done and knows pretty much everything there is to know about the business or meat markets, working his way up from a bag boy to general manager of the five Lopez Supermarkets and the carnicera that they recently opened. He’s seen changes, markets come and…
Local towing helps when bad things happen When bad things happen on the highway or in your driveway, towing companies and roadside assistance services arrive on the scene with solutions to the problem. Whether clearing an accident site or jumpstarting a car, whether summoned by you, your motorist assistance plan or law enforcement, towing companies must respond rapidly round the clock with the right equipment and personnel. Some of these…
Vocational schools Lead to career paths Individuals who want skilled jobs and technical training without taking the academic courses required by South Texas College, Texas State Technical College and Southmost College can enroll at Rio Grande Valley’s privately owned vocational schools. Providing no nonsense, adult-focused education, the proprietary school courses that focus on healthcare jobs prepare students for careers in vocational nursing, massage therapy, dental assisting and medical office skills.…
The three liquefied natural gas facilities scheduled to begin construction along the Brownsville Ship Channel in 2017 and 2018 will have an enormous effect on the economy of the Valley and the nation. Given the initial capital investments of $10 billion in the three plants, South Texas is poised to become an epicenter of the LNG trade and clean energy (including wind and solar). Within five years, the United States…
Think of all the towns that have chosen a totem: Port Isabel’s porpoises, Louisville’s horses, Mission’s butterflies, Chicago’s cows. Mercedes is the only I know of that choose to spotlight an industry: the bootmaking business. At one time, Mercedes had 12 bootmakers, according to Hernan Gonzalez, the executive director of the Mercedes EDC. When Mercedes’ bootmaking legacy was chosen to represent the city, it was decided that each four-and-a half-foot…
It takes more than great coffee to make a coffeehouse successful: comfortable, neighborhood vibes, an unrushed atmosphere, the chance to run into old friends and meet new ones, and of course, Wi-Fi. But step one in the coffeehouse seduction is the tantalizing smell of fresh roasted, fresh brewed coffee as soon as the door opens. A knowledgeable barista who cares about preparing you a coffee you will enjoy is step…
When you’re outside in the summer, a shady tree is the next best thing to an icy drink. Temperature in the shade runs about 15 degrees lower than adjacent unshaded areas. Shade trees near your business and home cast the same umbrella of cooler temperatures on the buildings. The result is less strain on your air conditioner (meaning lower bills) and less sun beating on the windows. Late fall is…
Behind every commercial and institutional building going up in the Rio Grande Valley is a general contractor. Years ago, contractors would bid on a project, win a bid, hire numerous subcontractors, oversee the work and strive to finish it all on time and on budget. The contractor would oversee the contractor to confirm that everything is done according to specifications. One alternative to traditional contracting is Design and Build. The architect…
Quicker than a karate chop, the Asian martial arts exploded across the country after the debut of the movies “Karate Kid” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” in the 1980s. The lure of self-defense skills, increased self-confidence and being part of a brotherhood attracted youth and adults to numerous martial arts academies. What they instill — in the form of blocks, punches and kicks — is discipline, respect, ethics and hard…
Keeping your independence as you age is a near-universal goal. Mobility is the defining characteristic of independence. Walking, driving or getting yourself around with a wheelchair, scooter or walker all contribute to that sense of independence. But with approximately 10,000 persons turning 65 daily, the market for mobility devices is predicted to keep growing. A brief look at the mobility market reveals some interesting facts. You can rent a mini-van…