Category Archives: e-Brief Features

Chance Encounter Leads To Career Success

Abdiel Ramirez

“There is a saying, something along the lines of, ‘Society grows when men plant trees whose shade they will never be able to sit under.’ Likewise, we, as a society, need to look out for one another. Only in that way will we be able to grow and progress to a stable community.” ~ Abdiel Ramirez Back in seventh grade, Abdiel Ramirez found reading books about a variety of medical…

Read More

Winter Arrives at IMAS

IMAS Christmas Tree Forest

The International Museum of Art & Science invites the community to celebrate with them in its upcoming winter festivities. IMAS will host a Biodiversity Festival & Market at the Museum and its “Annual Christmas Tree Forest” as well as Winter Programs including a Winter Camp and an Adult Folk Art Workshop. The Biodiversity Festival celebrates the variety of life on Earth. Patrons may explore the field of biodiversity through hands-on…

Read More

McAllen To Celebrate South Pole Illuminated Festival

The City of McAllen will celebrate the South Pole Illuminated Festival, presented by H-E-B, Nov. 30 through Jan. 1. The 33-day event at the McAllen Convention Center will unveil the tallest RGB Christmas Tree in America, spanning over 10 stories tall. The digital red, green, blue color light model tree will be just one aspect of helping guests to experience a walking journey through millions of lights. The South Pole…

Read More

Brownsville Bakers Find Sweet Spot With H-E-B

Manuel Alvarez and his wife, Nadia Escalante, sit at their display at H-E-B offices in highlighting their Japanese cheesecakes. (Courtesy)

Manuel Alvarez and his wife, Nadia Escalante, started out with an at-home bakery in Brownsville, creating their Pastel Japones. Said another way, they are Japanese cotton cheesecakes. The popularity of the fluffy sponge-looking cake would take off. In part it was due to the uniqueness of the product in the Rio Grande Valley market. It’s a region filled with pan dulce shops and custom cake bakeries.  It’s difficult to find…

Read More

TWC Looks To Increase Child Care To Military Families

MCCYN-PLUS

Texas Workforce Commission is partnering with the Department of Defense on the Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood-PLUS program to increase access to child care for military families. Through the program, DOD provides fee assistance to eligible military families to offset the cost of child care when there is no availability on base. In October, MCCYN-PLUS expanded into Texas, home to 15 active duty military installations with an economic impact of over $100…

Read More

Farm Fest Launches Efforts To Raise Historical Awareness 

Farm Fest on Nov. 5 will highlight the community’s connection to agriculture.

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…

Read More

STC’s Benavidez Named ACCT Chairwoman

Rose Benavidez

South Texas College Board of Trustee Chairwoman Rose Benavidez was recently inaugurated in New York City as the chairwoman of the Association of Community College Trustees board of directors. She is the first Latina to hold this distinguished position in the organization’s more than 50-year history. The Starr County native will serve on the national stage, working with leadership from the White House to Congress and the U.S. Department of…

Read More

Chamber Seeks Vendors For Weslaco Holiday Market

The Weslaco Area Chamber of Commerce is currently accepting vendors for its Holiday Market taking place Dec. 1. The market takes place from 6:30-9:30 p.m. after the tree lighting ceremony, which also includes school performances, light displays and more. The Holiday Market will be held in the Weslaco City Hall parking lot at 500 South Kansas Ave. Booth fees are $35 and food truck fees are $55. Weslaco Chamber member discounts…

Read More

West Rail Joins Brownsville’s Trails Network

City Commissioner Rose Gowen, center with scissors, and Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino Jr., left holding ribbon, among the community leaders celebrating the opening of the West Rail Trail. (Courtesy)

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…

Read More

Weslaco EDC Announces Second Industrial Park

Glazer’s Beer and Beverage announces its move to the future Mid Valley International Industrial Park.

A groundbreaking ceremony took place Oct. 14 in Weslaco, with the Weslaco EDC announcing the development of the Mid Valley International Industrial Park. The second industrial park for the city will be on the corner FM 1015 (International Blvd.) and Mile 9 Road (Sugarcane Drive). The development is a master-planned, 146-acre industrial and retail subdivision. The existing park, less than a mile away, has limited space available and the demand…

Read More