The familiar The Red Kettle Campaign of The Salvation Army will soon be in full swing in Harlingen. The Christmas season represents the organization’s busiest and most important fundraising time of the year. Every dollar raised through the iconic Red Kettle Campaign remains in the community. The donations makes it possible for The Salvation Army to deliver life changing programs and services throughout the year. “From its humble beginnings in…
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce is currently coordinating McAllen Day in Austin during the upcoming 88th legislative session. The capitol visit will take place Feb. 15-17, 2023, with an entire day at the capitol on Feb. 16. During this time, the group has the opportunity to make personal visits with every Texas legislator. The group will divide into teams and visit with assigned legislators so they get to meet with…
Farming and ranching history and heritage runs deep in Mercedes. The city was founded in 1909 by a land company which built some of the first canals in the Rio Grande Valley to irrigate farm fields and attract agricultural interests from the Midwest. The Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show would find its home in Mercedes in the late 1930s and continues running strong to the present. The Farm Fest this…
The Rio Grande Valley communities between McAllen and Brownsville for much of their history lacked a local higher education option to college campuses a long commuter drive away. Donna, Mercedes, Weslaco and surrounding Mid-Valley communities with their high school graduates may have seen a college education, or technical training, as being out of reach. In the late 1990s, the gap began to be addressed with the launch of the Mid-Valley…
The U.S. Small Business Administration is currently celebrating National Veterans Small Business Week through Nov. 4. The week includes a series of virtual and in-person events highlighting the entrepreneurial spirit and resilience of veteran small business owners. The celebration also comes on the heels of SBA announcing additional funding opportunities for community-based organizations to create targeted, impactful programming and expand access to SBA resources to support veteran entrepreneurs. “Each year we celebrate…
Brownsville’s extensive network of hike-and-bike trails has a new addition with the opening of the West Rail Trail. The nearly 7-mile-long trail was officially opened on Oct. 14 at Oliveira Park during a ceremony with remarks from Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino Jr. and Brownsville Mayor Trey Mendez. The $8-million trail project runs from Palm Boulevard in the heart of the city and on northward past Alton Gloor Boulevard. It…
The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce recently hosted its inaugural RGV Chamber of Commerce Alliance Breakfast on Oct. 17. The private event hosted over 12 local chambers from throughout the Rio Grande Valley at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance. Texas Governor Greg Abbott proclaimed Oct. 17-21 as Texas Chamber of Commerce Week. The Edinburg Chamber led the efforts regionally by bringing together area chambers by recognizing their efforts in advancing…
South Texas College was recently honored with a 2022 Veteran Education Excellence Recognition Gold Award by the Texas Veterans Commission’s Veterans Education Program. STC is the only college in the Rio Grande Valley to receive this highest distinction. According to a press release from Governor Greg Abbott’s office, the award recognizes universities and colleges for providing excellence in education and related services that significantly contribute to the academic success of…
McAllen Public Library will welcome the community to its free, in-person ninth annual South Texas Book Festival Oct. 27-31 at the library on 4001 North 23rd Street. The festival features a diverse group of national, regional and local authors participating in readings and panel discussions. Also on the schedule are crafts, food trucks and other activities. This year, the festival will include a special night just for the over 18…
The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce and the City of Edinburg are now accepting community entries for its Edinburg Night of Lights Parade. Individuals, schools, businesses and organizations may participate in the festivities with this year’s theme “A Storybook Christmas.” The parade of brightly decorated floats and a visit from Santa Claus rolls on Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. The parade route will be along North Closner Boulevard beginning at the…