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Published: Thursday, 24 October 2024 21:56
By: U.S. Senator John Cornyn
Monarch butterflies have captured the hearts of Texans for generations, from students in grade school classrooms growing them from caterpillars to full-grown adults to the Texas legislature designating the Monarch butterfly as our official state insect in 1995. What many Texans may not know is that these seemingly delicate creatures share our same grit and steadfast determination to survive.
Each year, Monarchs embark on a journey that spans thousands of miles, one of the most impressive migrations in the animal kingdom. This incredible voyage transcends borders, cultures, and time.
You may have spotted the Monarch migration, which can cover up to 3,000 miles from Canada to Mexico, passing through Texas. This 300-mile wide path stretches from Wichita Falls in the North to Eagle Pass in the South, making Texas a waypoint for these beautiful butterflies. During their migration, the Monarchs face numerous challenges, including extreme weather conditions, habitat loss, and a shrinking food supply, but in true Texas fashion, they face these challenges head—or antennae—first.
Read more: Texas’ Reigning Monarchs
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Published: Thursday, 24 October 2024 21:48
For Texans, saving millions of migratory birds could be as simple as flipping a switch.
Each year, nearly two billion birds migrate through the Lone Star State. Many of the migratory species use the night sky as a tool to navigate through the state and back to their homes and breeding grounds.
However, nighttime light pollution has become a growing challenge for many birds, leading to high rates of building strikes and migratory bird deaths. Lights Out, Texas! is an initiative focused on reducing bird losses to building strikes by enlisting the help of Texans.
Read more: Three ways to protect migratory birds this fall
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Published: Friday, 18 October 2024 16:26
Hello and welcome back to South Texas and to the Rio Grande Valley! We are so excited that you have come back to visit us. And if you are new to the Valley – you are definitely in for a treat.
The Rio Grande Valley is a great place to be – we say and hear it every year from our Winter visitors and friends. Great weather, great people, and great friends.
I am looking forward to cooler temperatures – which haven’t quite made it this way yet, but it looks like we have some in the forecast. At least it isn’t crazy hot. This slightly cooler weather encourages us to be outdoors a bit more and gives us a chance to enjoy more of what the Valley has to offer. We always find that this time of year is just the right time for everyone to make their return to the Valley – those crazy hot temps have left, and y’all bring the cooler temps with you.
Read more: Welcome back to the RGV!
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Published: Friday, 18 October 2024 16:24
Get ready to celebrate one of the biggest and most anticipated events of the year – Fiesta de Palmas is back at the McAllen Convention Center from October 18 to 20. Whether you’re a local or visiting from afar, we invite you to join in for three days of unforgettable fun, food, music, and cultural festivities.
Come out for an incredible weekend as the picturesque grounds of the McAllen Convention Center come alive with excitement and entertainment. This year, Fiesta de Palmas promises to be bigger and better, packed with local flair, engaging activities, and memorable moments for the whole family.
Read more: McAllen hosts Fiesta de Palmas this weekend
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Published: Friday, 18 October 2024 16:21
Mission Bell Tradewinds RV and MH Resort will be holding a Cancer Benefit Dance with Leslie Blasing on Saturday, October 19, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Mission Bell Hall. The event will feature a silent auction, 50/50 raffle and food will be available for purchase.
The event is being held to help at least five residents who are fighting cancer and are currently undergoing treatments. They are battling things such as skin cancer, breast cancer, throat cancer, or colon cancer.
Park Manager Janice Crouch said she got involved because she was watching her residents struggle day to day with long days of treatments and some of them have no spouse to support them. Some travel hundreds of miles in search of special treatment and they need a helping hand.
Read more: Leslie Blasing performs for fundraiser at Mission Bell
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Published: Friday, 18 October 2024 16:19
Join Siesta Retirement Village for a spooktacular evening in Weslaco. They are excited for their Halloween Dance and Outdoor Birthday Bash. The event will feature live music by Rico Cantu on Thursday, October 31. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., dance is from 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $8 per person and are still available.
If your birthday is in October, let them know, and they’ll add you to the celebration list – have a great birthday bash. There will be Halloween costume contests and door prizes, so come dressed to impress.
Read more: SRV invites you to their Halloween Bash
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Published: Friday, 18 October 2024 16:18
The Museum of South Texas History hosts Logan Dovalina to present “The Discovery of Shary Heights: A Mid-Century Journey,” a Sunday Speaker Series presentation at 2 p.m., October 20.
This presentation will focus on Shary Heights, an undiscovered post-war neighborhood in Mission, Texas. Shary Heights is an example of mid-century dynamics, showcasing landscape architecture, community development and the importance of flora in modernist living. In its early days, it served as a canvas for five Valley architects and welcomed dignitaries, including former President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Today, it is nominated for the National Register of Historic Places and is the subject of an upcoming book, “Una Vida Moderna: Self-Discovery and Architecture in the Texas-Mexico Borderlands.”
Read more: The Discovery of Shary Heights
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Published: Friday, 18 October 2024 16:12
The Rio Grande Valley Woodcarvers have begun 2024-2025 seasonal meetings. The woodcarvers are meeting at the Nomad Shrine Club, 1044 W. Nolana Blvd., in Pharr.
The club has a long history in the Valley dating back to 1983. Carving club members come from as far away as New York, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, and Canada, not to mention the members from right here in the Valley. They visit to follow a common passion: woodcarving.
Read more: Woodcarvers are ready for the season
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Published: Friday, 18 October 2024 16:10
Native Plant Project's guest speaker for the October 22 meeting in Weslaco will be Ernesto Herrera, a wildlife biologist born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley. Herrera received his MS in Biology at UTRGV where he researched pollinator syndromes and distribution. He spends his free time collecting native plants and seeds and caring for his many pets.
In summarizing his program, Herrera asks, "Have you ever looked closely at our local wildflowers and noticed a plethora of tiny bees that look nothing like the well-known European honeybee? They're likely native bees! This program will cover what those bees are named, their habitats, and how you can help them to thrive."
Read more: Native Plant Project meeting October 22
