The heat’s on: it’s time to get in your boat and fish, cruise and chill. Our beloved bay boats, those shallow-water-loving, tunnel-hulled vessels, let us float across the flats of the Laguna Madre, spotting redfish finning and dolphins jumping. In boats zipping down the Intracoastal canal with friends and family, we are happy to get away from it all and to drift past the islands and sloughs. On good days,…
The Valley’s top outdoor tourist attractions are simultaneously magnets for residents enjoying a staycation. In fact, three of the most popular Valley destinations rely on local clientele in the same way they count on local suppliers to keep them operational. So it makes sense this summer, when you are ready for a break from the ordinary or a mini-vacation, to look no farther than Schlitterbahn Waterpark & Resort, Gladys Porter Zoo and Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge. These outside destinations…
For years the Valley has prided itself on its bicultural food traditions: barbacoa and barbecue, pecan pie and flan. Ethnic foods remain the most durable link to our heritage and our families. Yet the Valley is becoming visibly multi-cultural as seen in the proliferation of ethnic markets catering to immigrants and visitors from Asia, India, Africa, the Middle East and South America. On McAllen’s 10th Street alone, you will find Japanese,…
Music, particularly live music, has the power to reach us no matter our age. A great evening out or a memorable party can be enhanced by live music. It might be a black-clad classical guitar virtuoso playing “Malaguena,” a duo singing ballads for a supper crowd, or a rock band moving feet that bopped to the same music 50 years ago. Prized for soothing the savage beast, live music can also tempt others to rock the night away or come a…
The sub-tropical RGV looks lushly green most of the year, but a new definition of green is becoming part of the landscape of palms and poincianas. The contemporary greening of the Valley encompasses environmentally sensitive practices that are becoming visible in green buildings and green walls and in the spreading use of native plants and water-wise irrigation systems. Companies involved in green construction, water conservation and ecotourism are finding opportunities for…
Back in the day, men could retreat to their library or study. Later, males found their havens in the basement or garage. Today, with men more vocal in their need for a space of their own, the testosterone-drenched sanctuary has become the celebrated room called the man cave, manland or manscape. At home, but at a remove from the domestic hub-bub and female-centric preferences in décor, man caves are perfect for indulging in favorite pastimes, such as watching sports and films, tying fishing flies, brewing or raising orchids. Retrofitted into older homes…
Golf has been called a good walk spoiled, but the 29 million active golfers in the U.S. beg to differ. The activity offers challenges and camaraderie along with outdoors exercise and skills development, including anger management. Golf may be a mental discipline but it promotes fitness, flexibility and fun. The majority of American golfers are married, male college graduates over 40 with an average household income of $95,000. This significant segment of the population (9%) contributes to the GDP with their…
Let’s add one more item to the list of things that’s not like your grandfather’s — your office. Contemporary office furniture is two generations away from obligatory black chairs and heavy, dark brown furniture The office of today combines functionality, comfort and a lively sense of style. After all, we spend most of our waking hours in our offices. We are most productive when our surroundings are esthetically pleasing, visually…
When it comes to Texas citrus, the Rio Grande Valley has no competitors. While consumption of Valley red grapefruit is growing nationally, sales of Florida and California grapefruit are decreasing. This season, Valley packing houses expect to ship between nine and ten million cartons of citrus, primarily grapefruit. Marketed under the names Ruby Red, Rio Star and Rio Red, Texas grapefruit attracts consumers because of its color, but the naturally…
The rigid businessman’s dress code of 50 years ago — dark suits, hats, cuff links, long socks — has faded away. Today business clothing for men and women seeks to convey tasteful, effortless style. The goal still is to look professional, confident and worthy of clients’ trust. Business attire is trending to natural shoulders, flexible collars and comfort, with greater leeway accepted in the creative fields and on Casual Fridays. …