Walking into Coastal Americana Sign Co. is guaranteed to have a calming effect on everyone who enters their doors. A lot of it has to do with the décor, but the true heart and soul of this space are the people who created it – Jimmy and Lyza Garza-Gerow. The beginning of livin’ coastal “It all started with a gift for a friend,” says Jimmy. “Usually we’re the people who…
The third Young Hearts Matter Teen Dating Violence Operation Safe Talk hotline is tomorrow, Feb. 27. Assistant district attorneys, victim advocates, law enforcement officers, and crime victim liaisons will be available to answer questions dealing with family violence. Anyone who needs assistance or has questions in English or Spanish can call 956-661-6000 from 4-6:30 p.m. and from 8:30-10:35 p.m. Deputies trained in domestic violence will be available to answer questions,…
Sabor de Weslaco takes place Feb. 27, allowing guests a taste of various Weslaco eateries. The fundraiser for Leadership Mid Valley features restaurants such as Teddy’s Barbecue, Nana’s Taqueria, Tailgaters Sports Bar and Grill, and more. Guests can also partake in a silent auction, beverages and live music by Amarie. Sabor de Weslaco is from 6-8 p.m. at Valley Nature Center in Weslaco. Tickets are $35 and available at the…
The UT Health RGV/Knapp Family Health Center in Mercedes sits across the street from a high school for medical professions. For Dr. Miguel Tello, the proximity of the health center he oversees to the South Texas ISD High School of Medical Professions is more than symbolic. It points to the range of possibilities now available to Rio Grande Valley youth. “The whole cycle” is how Tello puts it in noting…
The Weslaco Area Chamber of Commerce‘s Leadership Mid Valley is celebrating 15 years. The eight-month program seeks to both identify and motivate emerging leaders. It also develops potential for community leadership by exposing participants to the realities, opportunities and issues the community may face. Leadership Mid Valley consists of monthly meetings that focus on one particular industry or topic. These include agriculture, history, healthcare, economics, media and more. In addition,…
Unique. Fun. Vintage. Those are the three words that come to mind when you think of The Happy Camper. Photo booths have been a growing trend over the last several years, and we’re all familiar with them. You step into the booth box, grab a couple of props and take a few pics. The Happy Camper owners Dina and German Hoppenstedt have taken this idea to a whole new level. …
Three new members are now on the Weslaco Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors for the 2019-2020 fiscal year. Robert Donalson of Texas Regional Bank, Alejandra Montenegro of Frost Bank and Omar Rodriguez of Rio Bank all accepted the nominations to serve a three-year term. Donalson is a loan officer at Texas Regional Bank in Weslaco. He is a graduate of Leadership Mid Valley XI and served on the…
Anna Martinez may not have imagined what coming home would mean for her and her 8-year-old daughter. Born and raised in Weslaco, Martinez and her family moved to Houston when she was in fourth grade. The years that followed were difficult. When Martinez became a teen parent, depression and anger sent her on a downward spiral. Then Martinez’s parents separated, adding to her pain. Three years ago, Martinez decided to…
Faculty in the UTRGV College of Education and P-16 Integration have been awarded a $1.2 million grant for Project PLEASE, a collaborative initiative to help grow leaders in special education administration. “Project PLEASE is a personnel training grant that will give scholarships and stipends to 14 vetted candidates to complete their doctorate in education in special education administration,” said Hsuying Ward. Ward is an associate professor of Human Development and…
Robert “Bobby” Calvillo is the board chairman of the Weslaco Area Chamber of Commerce for the 2019-2020 fiscal year. He began his service on the Weslaco Chamber board in 2015. For the last 23 years, Calvillo has served as executive director of Affordable Homes of South Texas Inc. AHSTI is one of the largest non-profit housing producers in the country. It serves as a subdivision developer, builder and mortgage company…