March 17, 2021 - Rina's Ramblings
The season is ending soon, and it just seems to have flown by so fast. While we were able to attend a few activities this year, we missed the yearly expos and other events where we get to meet and talk to you.
We have also missed some entertainment this year. Last year we were able to attend quite a few shows and activities before the season was put to a close by the virus, so we were really hoping for some similar fun this year.
I am thrilled that we did get to go on with the showcases and the Valley Star Awards and some other events. It was nice to get out there and mingle as much as we could.
It was also nice to just get outside this year. While I was working on the city stories, I was able to walk the downtowns of several Valley cities, walk in some of the nature parks, and put my feet in the sand. While it was all work, it sure did feel nice to experience the Valley in a whole new way.
If you have not had the chance to get out and explore, do some before you head back north, you will not regret it.
The Museum of South Texas History will host the Sunday Speaker Series Online panel discussion, “Conjunto and Texas Folklife’s Big Squeeze in the Rio Grande Valley” at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 14, on Facebook Live.
Since the Gladys Porter Zoo opened in 1971, it has never been the home to nurse sharks, which can grow up to 13 feet. The Zoo is excited to announce that they have added two males to their collection last month. These two male nurse sharks were brought from the Mississippi Aquarium and are now living in the 30,000 gallon Gulf of Mexico tank found in the Russell Aquatic Ecology Center. The sharks are about five feet long and are definitely larger than any other species the zoo has ever housed.
By Herb Moering
Quinta Mazatlán is celebrating Irish Heritage Month by hosting Champion Irish Dancer and Director of McAllen Irish Arts, Angelika Eleni Ruiz on Thursday, March 18th, 2021 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on The Back Porch at Quinta Mazatlán—located at 600 Sunset Drive. Angelika will discuss the history of Irish dancing, the different styles of dance, and will conclude with a cultural dance lesson. 
It seems to me that the best thing we can do right now is to look forward. Certainly, looking back at what we have gone through this season does not bring us too many happy memories. If we look outside, all those dead plants do not present a very pretty picture either. But it is going to get better! 
An exhibition of photographs by members of the Upper Valley Art League will open on Friday, March 12, at the Kika de la Garza Fine Arts Center Gallery.
