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Published: Wednesday, 25 March 2020 14:00
By John Brush, Center for Urban Ecology at Quinta Mazatlan
Many of us are facing restricted movement and changes in our routines due to the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, yet there are still ways we can explore and enjoy nature from around our homes. One way is with the City Nature Challenge and iNaturalist.
The City Nature Challenge, started by the California Academy of Sciences and Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, invites people around the world to make observations of nature in urban areas. The event has two phases: (1) making observations from April 24 – April 27, and (2) identifying other people’s observations from April 28 – May 4.
Read more: Exploring nature around our homes
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Published: Wednesday, 25 March 2020 11:00
Palm Valley Animal Society (PVAS) is asking for foster families to help get animals out of their shelter now. PVAS is taking serious measures to reduce the number of animals that are in the shelter, as they prepare for potential closure.
“We want to reduce our shelter population by 50%. That means that we need to get 200 animals, dogs and cats alike, into temporary foster homes by Wednesday, March 25th. We’ve had higher-than-usual intake for the past three weeks and want to get ahead of any worsening in the trend. It is my primary goal to get our community to step up and help us save these animals. We don’t want to be forced to euthanize for space. We need our community support now, more than ever,” says PVAS Executive Director, Mike Bricker.
Read more: PVAS needs foster families
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Published: Wednesday, 25 March 2020 10:21
Wow! What a season. Carina and I have had such a great time in our first season as the new publisher and editor of the Winter Texan Times. Having grown up with this paper, my feelings for our Winter Texan community have grown from appreciation to admiration to love over the years, and we are so humbly grateful for the opportunity to continue what my Dad and Grandmother built for all or you. But, I’ll get back to that in a bit.
Read more: From The Publisher Stay Healthy, Safe Travels and Thank You
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Published: Wednesday, 25 March 2020 10:04
By Carina A. Brunson
Us here at the Winter Texan Times have been trying to connect with our Winter Texans more this year. In doing so, we have developed relationships with some that we are finding hard to say goodbye to for the season, and with the COVID-19 pandemic we are now worried for our friends – for all of you.
Y’all have been on our minds as we are making our own decisions on working from home, shutting down the office, and other decisions that we don’t have to face on a day to day basis.
What we are hearing from those we talk to is that you are taking this one day at a time for now – as we all are. We are all watching the news, staying on top of the current findings, current regulations in our city, county, state and nation. It’s a bit chaotic to stay on top of everything, but we are trying our best.
Read more: Winter Texans taking it one day at a time
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Published: Wednesday, 25 March 2020 09:28
Talk about being prepared! How about being over prepared? During the past ten days, two speeches have been written, rehearsed and ready to present. But there is nowhere open for the presentation. Two speeches, but nowhere to speak. It's like ‘All dressed up and nowhere to go.’ But writing is thought provoking so the time in preparing the speeches was valuable as a learning experience.
Read more: The Four Way Speech
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Published: Wednesday, 25 March 2020 09:14
By Pete Luna
When anyone reaches a retirement age, we all have a choice to enter a sedentary or an active lifestyle. While relaxing and going out to eat in all the wonderful restaurants the Rio Grande Valley has to offer is a great way to enjoy leisure time during the winter months, cycling and other outdoor physical activities are a fantastic way to create a wellness balance for Winter Texans. Regular physical activity helps to improve physical, cognitive and psychological health as we obtain a well-earned departure from the working life. Therefore, hobbies and exercise should be introduced into your routine. While arts and crafts, fishing, shooting are no doubt fun activities to do; cycling is something that creates an influence on all aspects of your life.
Read more: Bicycling – A sport good for your soul
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Published: Thursday, 19 March 2020 09:00
Bentsen Palm RV Park recently showed their appreciation of its residents by holding special events all week. Events included boat races, special get togethers, and an Amazing Race.
The Amazing Race was a challenge race where participants were given locations of items – or hints on where to find items – in the park. The participants then raced off on their golf carts to find the items, take a picture and then head back to the clubhouse. After three tasks were completed and approved by the judges, the participants then had to complete challenges that were set up in the clubhouse – challenges included a ring toss, basketball, and other games. All challenges and items had to be completed to declare a winner.
The week was capped off with a fully catered dinner, in which Marcie Swenson, activity director at the park, said it was so no one had to do anything. It was fully catered with others doing the work – letting park residents and volunteers relax and enjoy themselves without having to worry about who was going to clean up.
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Published: Thursday, 19 March 2020 00:00
Palm Resaca Mobile Home Park in Brownsville recently unveiled a plaque recognizing the oldest known anacahuita (Mexican Olive Tree) in the United States. Seven hundred years. The plaque reads that the tree was a seedling before the turn of the 15th century and, therefore, mature and reproductive before the arrival of Spanish explorers.
“It’s incredible as we mere mortals gaze on a majestic Mexican olive tree, to fathom life that has flourished for 700 years,” said Dianne Miller, park resident.
Read more: Honoring 700 years of growth
By Herb Moering 
Pedro De La Fuente is passionate about night sky photography and will be sharing his skill at Nights at the Mansion speaker series. Visit Quinta Mazatlán Thursday, March 26, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. for his informative presentation.
