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Published: Wednesday, 10 December 2025 14:01
Light the World Giving Machines make giving easy and fun this Christmas.
Have you ever bought a goat from a vending machine? How about warm clothing for a child, groceries for a family, or job training for the underemployed?
From December 10th through January 1st, visitors at McAllen Food Park (10 N. Broadway St.) can purchase essential items like these from a Light the World Giving Machine to help those in need here in McAllen or throughout the world. This is the first time a Giving Machine will be hosted in McAllen.
Read more: Unique vending machines coming to McAllen
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Published: Wednesday, 10 December 2025 13:49
Christmas is coming and the geese are getting fat. Please do put a penny in an old man's hat.
If not a penny, a half penny will do. If not a half penny, God bless you.
By the time you read this it will be approximately two weeks until Christmas. Have you finished your Christmas shopping? I always have a hard time shopping for the immediate family members. Will they like what I choose for them? And then the other problem is that what I would like to give them is never within my budget.
High on my list every year are two items that always seem to hit the spot. How about some Valley citrus fruit and some delicious tamales. Both of those items represent our wonderful Rio Grande Valley. And what could be better? Plus, in our family we have Christmas traditions. Christmas Eve means we all sit down together and a chosen one reads aloud Dickens Christmas Carol, or we all watch the movie. Then one - and only one gift - can be opened early on Christmas Eve. Dinner on Christmas Eve is always tamales and homemade chili.
In a previous story, probably last year, I made a mistake. I encouraged you to visit the Gelman stained glass museum and suggested you plan to spend plenty of time viewing the seventy-four stained glass windows all taken from churches in the northern Mid-West and Northern United States. Be prepared. There are not seventy-four beautiful stained-glass windows, there are a total of one hundred seventy-four windows. Allow at least two hours. Hopefully you will all be able to identify what scripture from the Bible is depicted in each window.
We have a multitude of first-class museums scattered across the Rio Grande Valley. Most of these fabulous museums tell the story of the history of the Rio Grande Valley from the pirates who raided the ships off the coast of South Padre to the cannibalistic Indians who made life miserable for the settlers from Europe who wanted to find a new home in this vast, fertile country in which we live. You can find plenty to entertain your guests that may be visiting our magical Rio Grande Valley not just in museums but at the Beach, a drive by of Space X or the flavors of nearby Mexico.
Have a BLESSED AND MERRY CHRISTMAS as you celebrate Christ's birthday.
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Published: Wednesday, 10 December 2025 13:23
If you love mariachi music, you will fall in love with the sounds of the all-female mariachi, Mariachi Mariposas.
Mariachi Mariposas began their musical journey in the summer of 2012 in the Rio Grande valley as a 12-member mariachi. The group launched to provide musical opportunities to talented female musicians who shared the same common goal of supporting, promoting and safeguarding the art of mariachi music.
Read more: Join UTRGV for a Merry-Posa Christmas
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Published: Wednesday, 10 December 2025 13:13
Valley residents, Winter Texans, visitors, birders and those just getting interested in birding are invited to join a team in the count areas for the annual Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count. Novice or pro, come join the count!
The CBC is a one-day event per area within established count circles. This year’s count will be held from December 14 through January 5, 2026. Local counts are listed below with contact information for those interested in joining a team.
Read more: Annual Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count dates set
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Published: Wednesday, 10 December 2025 12:23
The Pharr Community Theater (PCT) is pleased to announce its holiday production of the year: a vibrant Spanish-language adaptation of Charles Dickens’s “A Tejano Christmas Carol,” reimagined especially for the Rio Grande Valley.
In this regional and contemporary version, the classic protagonist is transformed into Ezequiel Codos, played by Pharr’s Pedro Garcia, a greedy lawyer and water broker whose ambition to sell large portions of Rio Grande water jeopardizes the community’s environmental and social future. The story takes a deeply local turn by introducing the spirits who visit Codos.
Read more: PCT presents “A Texas Christmas Carol” in Spanish with a RGV twist
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Published: Wednesday, 10 December 2025 12:11
By Joey Gomez, STC
South Texas College students are helping to transform a developing 30-acre camp for children with Type 1 diabetes by utilizing their skills to build furniture, recreational features and sensory stations for the South Texas Juvenile Diabetes Association (STJDA).
For more than a year, STC faculty and students from multiple programs have partnered with STJDA to support its vision of creating a residential camp for children with chronic illnesses and special needs. Since then, STC programs including Construction Supervision, Architecture, Culinary Arts and Welding have contributed to the camp’s development on the outskirts of Willacy and Hidalgo counties.
Read more: STC students use skills to support Valley children living with diabetes
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Published: Wednesday, 10 December 2025 11:56
The City of Mission along with Weslaco Animal Services and Palm Valley Animal Shelter is excited to announce its upcoming Mega Adoption Event at the 721 Bryan Road on Saturday, December 13, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., offering families the opportunity to welcome a new furry friend into their home just in time for the holiday season.
This community event will feature over 250 adoptable dogs and cats, all looking for loving, permanent homes. Many of the pets available for adoption have been vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and are ready to go home the same day. Adoption fees may be reduced to help more animals find families before the end of the year.
Read more: Mission to host Mega Adoption Event
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Published: Wednesday, 10 December 2025 11:55
AUSTIN – Falling leaves, chilly weather and migratory birds heading south mark the beginning of the holiday season in Texas. Starting this weekend, come enjoy a suite of different seasonal activities hosted by Texas State Parks for visitors of all ages, ranging from Thanksgiving potlucks to themed guided walks, crafting events and more.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) highly encourages anyone planning a trip to a Texas State Park to reserve a day pass in advance since some parks are expected to reach their capacity limit. Reserve day passes online or over the phone by calling (512) 389-8900.
Read more: Celebrate the holiday season outside at a Texas State Park
The McAllen Public Library (MPL) is kicking off its Youth Winter Drive to help keep children and teens in our community warm this season. The effort calls for collecting winter essentials for local youth, with donations supporting the Teen Essential Shelves at the Lark, Palm View, and Main branches.
