Tag Archives: Harlingen

City officials and community leaders gathered May 1 for a ceremony and ribbon-cutting to formally dedicate the Harlingen Convention Center. Attendees had a chance to tour the building and a community open house was on the schedule for the evening. Mariachis entertained guests upon arrival. A color guard made up of officers from the Harlingen police and fire departments started the ceremony. Harlingen school district students then led the pledge…

Natives Grow in Popularity

May 1, 2019

George Cox

Agriculture News Retail Comments

Mike Heep spends his days cultivating native plants and educating people about the benefits of using indigenous vegetation in gardens and landscaping projects. Native plants are drought and freeze tolerant, and attract the birds and butterflies for which the Rio Grande Valley is famous. In 1964, Heep moved from San Antonio to the Harlingen area with his family. He operates Heep’s Nursery on the same two-acre tract where he grew…

Jumping to Heights of Success

May 1, 2019

George Cox

Featured Food & Entertainment News Recreation & Tourism Comments

The business plan is pretty simple. Offer modern facilities with kid-friendly fun, competitive pricing and top-notch customer service, and people will come. Xtreme Jump Trampoline Parks began in San Benito about three years ago and last month opened its newest location in Harlingen. They also have operations in McAllen, Corpus Christi and Laredo, with more planned in the near future for the Rio Grande Valley and other towns in Texas…

Tampico Style Food on Wheels

May 1, 2019

Ricardo D. Cavazos, VBR content editor

Food & Entertainment News Comments

The kitchen is hot, customers are lining up, and Connie Chavirra is ready to serve. “You want jalapenos with that, mama?” she asks a customer, handing over a heaping plate of taquitos with slices of avocado, grilled onions and two lime slices on the side. Her husband, Gonzalo Martinez, is flipping over hamburger and hot dog buns on the grill, with a fajita quesadilla ready to go. The couple and…

Multiple Harlingen Entities Receive TWC Grants

April 25, 2019

VBR

Education Manufacturing/Industrial Professional Services Comments

Three grants will benefit workers in the Workforce Solutions Cameron area thanks to the Texas Workforce Commission. Workforce Solutions Cameron, in collaboration with Harlingen Economic Development Corporation, receives the $49,900 High Demand Job Training grant. A Skills Development Fund grant of $155,721 goes to Texas State Technical College – Harlingen, in partnership with a manufacturing consortium. The final grant, a $116,412 Jobs and Education for Texans, grant is for the Harlingen Consolidated Independent…

UTRGV Launching Executive Education Programs

April 18, 2019

VBR

e-Brief Features Education News Comments

UTRGV, through its new Office of Professional Education & Workforce Development, will launch several executive education programs in the coming months. Given the complexity of leading an organization in today’s fast-changing world, providing both knowledge and guidance for top-level decision makers is becoming increasingly important. The design of the new UTRGV’s programs keep in mind today’s executives. The first program is the hybrid course, Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership. It…

Fresh, Tasty Tale of Success

April 1, 2019

George Cox

Food & Entertainment News Retail Comments

A beauty and beast team is riding a wave of success of almost fairy tale proportions with a line of fresh, healthy meals and other related products. On a good week, Beauty & Beast Cuisine cooks and packages in the neighborhood of 27,000 meals in its Edinburg kitchen. “It’s just been an explosion of opportunity,” said Carlos Hernandez, the beast in the partnership with his wife, Francesca, the beauty. “It…

Discovering Guilt-free Donuts

April 1, 2019

Ricardo D. Cavazos, VBR content editor

Food & Entertainment News Comments

In the spring of 2018, Sophiah Rodriguez was worried about her health. She was in search of something that could change the way she felt. “My health was not where I wanted it to be,” said the Harlingen native, born-and-raised. She then settled on trying a ketogenic diet, which seeks to dramatically lower carbohydrates by eliminating grains, rice, beans, potatoes, sweets, milk and fruit. The keto diet lowers insulin levels…

Helping People Clean House

April 1, 2019

George Cox

Featured News Professional Services Comments

With the rapid-fire rhythm of an auctioneer’s chant, Ruben Balboa cajoles buyers to bid higher and higher amounts to acquire the merchandise up for sale. Whether selling a small piece of jewelry or a large antique chest of drawers, conducting a successful auction is an art form all its own. Balboa Auction Company of San Benito primarily conducts estate auctions and sales, although the business also holds monthly general auctions.…

Local Humane Society Support Growing

March 28, 2019

Ricardo D. Cavazos, VBR content editor