While working for the city of McAllen as a landscape architect, Andrew Heffner realized the region could support a full-time business that catered to commercial, residential and public clients who needed a landscape architect. Five years ago, he opened Heffner Design Team as a one-man operation. Today he heads a full-time staff of four designing landscapes with the aim they be “beautiful, functional and meet the client’s budget.” Licensed by…
Some elements of the new tax reform package that was signed into law late last year and took effect in 2018 are straightforward and simple to understand. Others are detailed and complex. And some areas are cloudy since the regulations haven’t been written yet. The simplest part of the package to understand is the lowering of tax rates in the seven tax brackets for individuals. “Whatever bracket you are in,…
With potentially millions of dollars in transportation funding on the line for the Rio Grande Valley, the idea of consolidating the region’s three Metropolitan Planning Organizations has been percolating for several years. But, so far, only the Hidalgo County MPO is on record as being firmly behind the merger. Hidalgo County MPO Director Andrew Cannon said such a consolidation could bring an additional $11 million a year to the Valley…
Several hundred dentists provide needed services throughout the Rio Grande Valley, and one of them owns and manages the largest network of clinics in the South Texas, and perhaps in the Lone Star State. Dr. Juan D. Villarreal, a Harlingen native who holds a doctor in dentistry from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, has turned the business that he first opened in 1983 on Ed…
At daycare facilities across the Rio Grande Valley, kids can be found playing ball, catching Frisbees or splashing in a swimming pool, and then maybe taking a good, long nap. Except these children are of the four-legged variety. Dog daycare is a growing segment for many dog-boarding businesses to meet the demand for short-term canine care. More and more dog owners are turning to daycare to avoid leaving their pets…
On a recent Friday, Edna Pena walked into the Dustin M. Sekula Memorial Library in Edinburg and seemed to know everyone and everything before making her way to the office of the director. “I’m a social butterfly and a free spirit,” said Pena, the president of the Edinburg Arts Foundation and a former president of the local chamber. “I never start at zero. I start at 100 percent and go…
Custom ice cream is made in small batches from close to 100 different recipes. You can buy a cup or a cone, or pick up a hand-packed pint or quart. Customers can choose flavors for a sundae or classic banana split with a variety of toppings. Shakes and floats and even ice cream pies round out the menu at Schoolhouse Creamery in Harlingen. The genesis for Schoolhouse Creamery took shape…
He came, he sang, he talked, he cooked. Lamar Jones joined H-E-B officials Feb. 8 in launching his newest addition to The Jank line, The Jank BBQ spice rub. And he did not disappoint shoppers who stopped to watch the show and sample some unique dishes. Shoppers were drawn in by dishes such as Jank Brussel Sprouts, Jankanero Dry Rub Chicken sliders and Marbled Jankanero Cornbread Cake. The new rub…
In front of the building already under construction, Lone Star National Bank hosted a groundbreaking ceremony Feb. 7 to celebrate its second Edinburg location. The new branch will be the 34th in a network of banks throughout both the Rio Grande Valley and San Antonio. “Our goal is to continue to grow in the Valley, Lone Star National Bank President and CEO David Deanda said. “We are always there to…
Exhibit opens Feb. 2 Art that challenges space and time will be the focal point for FOLD: Art, Metaphor and Practice, a series of art exhibits, lectures and live performances over the next two months in McAllen and Edinburg. Artwork by 13 women artists will converge in what is described as a presentation of works that explore the concept of the fold in terms of form and conceptual metaphor in…