The Rio Grande Valley’s well-deserved renown for being a national birding hotspot overshadows another element of wildlife that attracts eco-tourists to the region. The Valley has a stunning array of butterflies. Almost 40 percent of the over 700 species of butterflies in the United States live in the region. The National Butterfly Center south of Mission is at the forefront of this brand of eco-tourism. The center’s 100-acre site features…
What do you think your body language communicates to others? When used properly, body language can be your key to greater success. Your body language can help you build positive business relationships, influence others, motivate others and help you communicate more effectively with others. An effective leader understands the power of using body language as another effective communication tool. Understanding how to communicate with more than words is critical to…
More than $25 million is coming to the 15th Congressional District following the passage of the recent 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 ensures funding for critical government functions and programs, supporting various sectors and agencies in fiscal year 2024. Part of the total funding was the $7.4 million allocated for terminal improvements at the McAllen International Airport. “Thank you to Congresswoman De la Cruz for…
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual Legendary McAllen Women’s Luncheon March 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the McAllen Convention Center Ballroom. The chamber invites the community to join them as they honor eight trailblazing women. “The McAllen Chamber is thrilled to organize this special event dedicated to celebrating the remarkable achievements of women whose leadership has left an enduring impact on our community,” said McAllen…
When friends told Weslaco resident Melba Gutierrez about the Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement, she listened intently. At the time, financial struggles made it difficult for her to attend nursing school full time because she had to work to help with basic necessities for herself, her partner and their two daughters — a pre-teen and a teen. Gutierrez, in her early 40s and a first-generation college student, applied to…
Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission recently authorized the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to pursue acquisition of approximately 477 acres for a new state park in exchange for approximately 43 noncontiguous acres from Boca Chica State Park. “This is an exciting opportunity to acquire land that has been of interest to us and the conservation community for many years,” said TPWD Executive Director David Yoskowitz. “We look forward to working…
The Pharr EDC Foundation’s scholarship application period is now open and accepting applications for students graduating in the 2023-2024 academic year. The scholarship was established to help students pursuing higher education at the vocational, trade, technical or any university level fund the tuition and get the skills they need to secure prosperous careers. Applicants must be Pharr residents and applications close on March 14 at 5 p.m. Candidates can visit…
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has acquired H-E-B Park, designating the venue as the primary home for the upcoming Vaqueros football program. The announcement came during a recent press conference at H-E-B Park, now to be referred to as UTRGV Stadium. Since 2017, the venue had served as the home of the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros of the United Soccer League. The organization ceased operations in December…
Harlingen Mayor Norma Sepulveda is known for making the rounds of her city and dropping in on locally-owned small businesses. In mid-January, she made such a visit to The Reading Turtle. In the mayor’s words, it’s “a cozy bookstore” and where she made a pact with her young son. “I’ve made a deal with my son,” Sepulveda wrote on her Harlingen mayor Facebook page. “Every time he completes a book,…
Windsor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center of Raymondville recently unveiled to the public its newly remodeled skilled facility at 1700 South Expressway 77. The ceremony incorporated speeches from the administrator Joe Longoria, Regency Integrated Health Services Senior VP of Operations Matt Triplett, family members speaking highly of the facility and care provided to their loved ones, Mayor Gilbert Gonzales and Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Elma Chavez. After the ceremony, guests…