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Sunday, October 25, 2020

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Manage Mosquitoes for a Safer and More Enjoyable Summer

Mosquito Web by Melinda Myers

Don’t let the buzz of mosquitoes keep you indoors. Most mosquitoes are a nuisance, causing rashes and itching but some species can transmit diseases that can make you sick. Understanding how they breed and spread disease can help you gain the upper hand in the battle against these pesky insects.

Mosquitoes serve as a carrier (vector) in the spread of certain diseases. It starts when they feed on an animal infected with heartworms or an animal or person with West Nile, Saint Louis Encephalitis, Zika or other mosquito-vectored disease. The young heartworm or virus is taken in with the mosquito’s blood meal. The heartworm larvae or virus is then transmitted to other organisms when the mosquito feeds on them.

McAllen Parks & Recreation Opens Summer 2020 Program Registration

Mcallen Parks and rec The McAllen Parks & Recreation Department has published the new Summer 2020 Activity Guide. The programs featured are in a weekly summer camp format at each of the three City of McAllen Community Centers- Lark, PalmView, and Las Palmas.

Texas Garden Icon-The Purple Sage

By Colleen Curran Hook, Executive Director at Quinta Mazatlan

Along with our friendly pride, we have various symbols that officially represent Texas. Today we are recognizing our native shrub, the Texas Purple Sage. When it rains in the Valley, you will notice this shrub as the purple flowers dominate the plant. The old timers in Texas called it the Barometer Bush as it has a habit of blooming right before a good rain. The native plant has been featured in many a Texas Tile like the famous western novel, “Riders of the Purple Sage”.

Songfest Under the Old Oak Thursday Evening in the Park

By Quinta Mazatlán

This summer, Quinta Mazatlán offers Thursday Nature Nights for kids and families. Join us every Thursday evening for new outdoor educational learning and nature discovery on the trails. Thanks to Freels Orthodontics, the outdoor summer series features great educational entertainment for Valley families.

Bring in the Birds with These Winning Plant Varieties

by Melinda Myers

Fill your gardens with beautiful plants that produce an abundance of seeds the birds will love. You’ll enjoy the flowers as well as the birds that visit to dine on the seeds. Best of all, there is no feeder to refill or clean.

Sunflowers are likely the first seed-producing plant that comes to mind. Their dark brown centers turn to seeds that attract a wide variety of birds and of course squirrels to your yard. Add a unique flare to your sunflower collection with the All-America Selections (AAS) winner Sunflower Ring of Fire. Its chocolate brown center is surrounded by a ring of red petals tipped in gold. The 4- to 5-feet-tall plants reach their peak late in the season, adding a fresh look to any flowerbed.

5 Tips To Keep Mosquitoes Away

Summer is on its way, which means so are mosquitoes. The flying pests invade neighborhoods like an army, but they aren’t just a backyard nuisance with bites that itch. They also can carry dangerous diseases, including West Nile virus and Zika.

Most regions of the U.S. have issues with mosquitoes, but knowing prevention and mitigation measures can stop them from mushrooming into a big problem, says Dr. Craig Stoops (www.mosquito-authority.com), a retired U.S. Navy medical entomologist and chief science officer at Mosquito® Authority, a mosquito control company.

Virtual Memorial Day Ceremony with George P. Bush

Join us in honoring our Texan Veterans this Memorial Day

AUSTIN — On Monday, May 25th, Texas Land Commissioner and Chairman of the Veterans Land Board George P. Bush will be hosting a virtual Memorial Day ceremony to honor and remember our military servicemembers who made the ultimate sacrifice.

The year 2020 has brought many unforeseen changes. However, one thing that has not, nor ever will change is our unwavering dedication to Texas Veterans and remembrance of the ones we have lost.