Category Archives: e-Brief Features

BCIC Approves Millions for Quality of Life Projects

Brownsville Sports Park is one of many quality-of-life facilities due to receive support from the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation.

The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation board of directors recently approved a total of $5,915,394 million to fund 25 quality of life enhancement projects throughout Brownsville. The projects are designed to significantly enhance community parks, recreational facilities, and public spaces, improving the well-being and experience of residents and visitors. The 25 approved projects fall under three funding categories: BCIC’s FY 2025 Quality of Life Grants, the City of Brownsville FY 2025…

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Sunset Live Returns with Free MIJA Fest

Sunset Live

The Sunset Live Outdoor Music Series is back for its 23rd season on April 12, bringing free live music, arts and outdoor fun to the McAllen Convention Center Oval Park. The Saturday kick off is also the inaugural McAllen International Jazz Alliance Festival, a free, all-day, family- and pet-friendly celebration featuring musicians from across the U.S. and Mexico. The festival will feature two stages and an expanded schedule, running from…

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Upcycled Fashion Makes Its Way to McAllen

Five featured artists and their upcycled outfits remade will be part of “ReMade in the RGV: A Sustainable Fashion Show” April 3 at Quinta Mazatlán. The free, 5:30 to 9 p.m. event welcomes participants to learn about the global fashion industry, upcycling techniques, what artists and scholars are saying, and how this is expressed and related to geographical context. Community artists include Regina Montemayor, Samuel Ruiz, Eva Ryan, Natalia Saldana,…

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SBA Announces Local Small Business Winners

Abygail T. Elizondo

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office is celebrating the Small Business Person of the Year and six additional honorees as it prepares for National Small Business Week from May 4-10. Taking top honors as as the district’s Small Business Person of the Year is Abygail T. Elizondo, owner of Elizondo Insurance Services in Harlingen. “I am truly honored to be recognized as the SBA’s Lower Rio Grande…

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Night at the Brew-seum Returns April 5

Night at the Brew-seum

The International Museum of Art & Science hosts the 17th annual Night at the Brew-seum, presented by Clark Chevrolet and Clark Knapp Honda, on April 5. This annual fundraiser, co-chaired by Gaby Jones and Annette Garcia, supports IMAS and its year-round art and science education programs in the Rio Grande Valley. For over 17 years, Brew-seum has celebrated the region’s growing craft beer culture. This year’s event will feature a…

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South Texas All Hazards Conference Next Week

South Texas All Hazards Conference

The 11th annual South Texas All Hazards Conference takes place March 26-27 at the McAllen Performing Arts Center and McAllen Convention Center. As the second-largest emergency response training event in Texas — and the only one of its kind offered at no cost — the conference expects to host over 3,000 professionals from public health, public safety, law enforcement, emergency management, public works and educational institutions. STAHC follows the National…

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BRG Celebrates 40 Years of Service

OmniTRAX, the rail and real estate affiliate of The Broe Group, recently commemorated the 40th anniversary of its Texas rail affiliate, Brownsville and Rio Grande International Railway, at a ceremony of economic and community partners in Brownsville. Dignitaries from the Port of Brownsville, state and local economic partners, community leaders, and rail customers joined a leadership delegation from OmniTRAX and BRG to recognize the railroad’s pivotal role in keeping North…

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Mission Mom’s Balance Pays off with VIDA

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…

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PNC Adventure Day Brings Learning Fun to IMAS

IMAS guests participate in an activity during PNC Adventure Day at the Mobile Learning Adventure exhibit.

Families are invited to the International Museum of Art & Science on March 19 for PNC Adventure Day, a spring event celebrating young children and early childhood learning. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature engaging activities tailored for children ages 6 and under. Visitors will have the opportunity to experience the PNC Mobile Learning Adventure, a traveling educational exhibit designed to provide…

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Weslaco EDC & UTRGV Launch Kauffman FastTrac

Kauffman FastTrac Program

The Economic Development Corporation of Weslaco is partnering with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Entrepreneurship & Commercialization Center to bring the Kauffman FastTrac Program to Weslaco. The nationally recognized program equips aspiring entrepreneurs and existing business owners with the tools, resources and knowledge to successfully launch, manage and grow their businesses. This seven-week program provides 21 hours of in-person instruction and will begin on May 9. It is…

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