This month’s VIDA spotlight is written by Chris Ardis and VIDA Staff For years, Mission resident Maria Garcia had juggled the responsibilities of being a wife and mother to three energetic children, now ages 4, 8, and 12. Yet, despite her best efforts, Garcia found herself facing unemployment, her dreams of a stable career dimmed by the weight of financial burdens and uncertainty. Garcia’s dreams came back to life while…
The Clark Family has rolled out a new brand identity, unifying its Honda and Chevrolet dealerships under one cohesive vision. According to a release, the rebrand “reflects the Clark’s long standing commitment to their customers, their deep-rooted presence in the Rio Grande Valley, and focus on delivering an excellent automotive experience.” “Since 1933, the Clark Family has been known for its exceptional service and dedication to our customers. This rebrand…
McAllen’s commercial corridor did not stretch much further north than Dove Avenue in the early 1980s. Flash forward to the present and the city’s north-bound landscape has been transformed. What was once far north McAllen is now a restaurant and shopping mecca. Developer Shavi Mahtani’s plans will add to making the area north of 10th Street and Trenton Road a place where families and friends will meet to shop and…
The OrigoWorks portfolio is an extensive one. The Brownsville-based company got its start as a design-oriented firm. Origo today has the capabilities to offer turnkey projects to its clients. The firm over the years has expanded to include construction, sales and marketing, and property and asset management to the services it offers. Origo headquarter offices are housed in what was once an Edelstein’s Furniture warehouse along railroad tracks that are…
As a boy growing up in Harlingen, Pat Reilly was enchanted by the sights and sounds of the Confederate Air Force show featured annually at the city’s airport. Reilly’s home was located just a few miles away from the airport. Looking up to the skies, he could see the vintage World War II airplanes fly overhead during the CAF’s hey days at the Harlingen airport in the 1960s and 1970s.…
A battle-worn firefighter’s helmet rests on a shelf over the bar at Chris Cuellar’s restaurant in Weslaco. The rigors of the job he held for over 10 years in service to his community would take a physical toll. Injury problems would compel him to leave the Weslaco Police Department and bring a need to reinvent himself while still being a young man. Being a restaurateur is a thought that had…
The City of McAllen has shattered its all-time sales tax record, receiving an unprecedented $11.9 million in February’s sales tax allocation for the same month of December (2024 vs 2023). This is a 12.3 percent increase over last year’s collection for the same period. The milestone surpasses the previous high of $10.6 million collected last year. “McAllen’s long-term strategy of becoming a destination city, encouraging booming residential and commercial development, facilitating international…
San Juan resident Rosa I. Diaz describes life as a single mother with four children as both challenging and rewarding. Working full time as a provider, she earned above minimum wage; however, stretching her $11-per-hour earnings proved to be no small task. “While I was grateful for my job, I knew I wanted more for myself and my family,” Diaz said. She saw an advertisement for the Valley Initiative for…
McAllen International Airport achieved a historic milestone for commercial air service in the Rio Grande Valley in 2024 with more than 1.2 million travelers. This achievement marks a 25 percent increase in year-over-year total passengers. “Thanks to McAllen International Airport’s expanding air service, reaching 1.2 million flyers marks one of the many achievements for McAllen in 2024,” said City of McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos, “Non-stop service to key domestic and…
The Dallas Cowboys recently concluded another disappointing season but the lack of success will hardly lessen the devout following the NFL franchise enjoys in the Rio Grande Valley. George Dunn, a senior retail manager for the Cowboys, says the RGV ranks third in Texas for sale of team merchandise, T-shirts, caps and all manner of gear with the familiar blue star. The third-best market ranking (only Dallas-Fort Worth and San…