Patrick Neel heard all the motivation he needed as he rounded the bases.
“Run faster, run faster,” the frantic voice of his wife Darlene echoed from the stands.
“I'm running as fast as I can,” Neel laughed.
In the end, Neel went into the scorebook as hitting a grand slam. It was during the Winter Texans U.S. versus Canada game that signals the end of the Winter Texan softball season.
TEXAS! What a huge state we live in with a history as big as the state. Texas was tamed originally by settlers who established ranches and farms so big they boggle our minds. Those early settlers, those men of vision left their mark on Texas - Richard King who fulfilled our American dream of from rags to riches was just one of those many famous settlers who left their mark on Texas.
Ralph Kuster has been a Valley favorite for several years. He is well known for his variety of acts, wide-ranging vocals and the energy he puts into his shows. With what he does now, you would not believe that he spent many years teaching golf.
When not teaching, he could be found singing something in his car, in his room, or anywhere else he had a chance to sing. His love for singing eventually led him to pursuing a career in music in 2005.
It was in 2006, performing in Nashville, where someone told him he needed to go to Branson. He later found out that someone was a member of Toby Keith’s band.
Once he got to Branson, he created his own show and rented his own theater, paying for all the expenses of running a show. It was a struggle, he said, but he kept going. By 2008 he had a leading one-man show in Branson.
The showcases held the last two weeks for activity directors throughout the Valley were an opportunity for the entertainers to shine – and they did just that. Despite being held outside, even during a dreary Thursday, the showcases were attended well and fun was had by all.
Making a movie can be fun and if you are a beginner most experts will tell you, first start with a short film to practice the craft and work your way up to a feature. One of the most important aspects of filmmaking is having a decent script to begin with. Writing good dialogue for characters and stories will help you. Pharr Community Theater is offering teens and adults online screenwriting classes for beginners, with RGV independent filmmaker and producer Robert Longoria.
Another essential for the movies are actors. Famous movie actor, producer and director, Clint Eastwood, says, “you’ll have less problems on a movie set when you cast right.” In other words he prefers to work with actors who either have training and knowledge about performing or in some cases raw talent. Pharr Community Theater is also offering acting classes for kids and teens.
The City of McAllen has once again partnered with the Juneteenth community leaders, this time, to participate in a month-long list of activities in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. They started celebrations on Monday, January 18, and are continuing through Black History Month.
“Martin Luther King, Jr. was truly an inspirational man,” said McAllen Mayor Jim Darling. “In light of recent events, the celebration of MLK’s non-violent methods of protest are more important than ever, as is this quote by him: ‘We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.’”
This year’s observation will feature events throughout the Rio Grande Valley, celebrating the theme “Building a Stronger CommUNITY Through Service.”
AUSTIN – The Texas Center for the Book is continuing its the #TXBookChat series with a third lineup of virtual literary events for spring 2021. This online program from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission launched in 2020. The #TXBookChat series offers brief discussions and programs with authors, librarians, and literary professionals. These informal “coffee chats” last about 30 minutes and offer a quick look into different aspects of the state’s literary world. The #TXBookChat series seeks to bring together diverse voices and perspectives.
The International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) presents Max Vityk’s Warriors of Light. The exhibit is on display in the Main Gallery through March 28.
Warriors of Light is part of the figurative series of the artist Max Vityk. In this series Vityk investigates the narrative elements and figures of ancient rock engravings and mythological and folk symbols.
“The emotional vulnerability of the Warriors of Light fuels their plea for change; it is something akin to going into battle naked… a certain nakedness protected only by an unfaltering conviction of ideals. Vityk’s work feels less like a personal enterprise and more like an ode, or an act of adulation to the spirit of change — a spirit plagued by credulous hope for something better… something happier,” stated Nahla Samaha, Cairo, about the exhibit.
The Humane Society of Harlingen dog kennels are at capacity. HSH is asking the community to step up as adoptive and foster parents for canine friends.
For a limited time, all adoption fees for dogs over six months old are donation based, meaning the adopter can choose how much to leave as a donation. All adopted pets will go home up to date on vaccinations, dewormed, on preventatives for fleas/ticks/heartworms, microchipped and either already spayed/neutered, or with an appointment to spay/neuter at no cost to the adoptive family.
Puppies under six months old have a $100 adoption fee, except during Puppy Power Hour (3 p.m. to 4 p.m. every day) when their adoption fees become donation based as well. Anybody interested in adopting a dog should head to the shelter as soon as possible. All adoptions are done on a first come, first serve basis, curbside.
Fostering a pet is always free and HSH will provide foster parents with everything they will need to care for the pet, including food, toys, and other care items. Foster families can customize the length of foster to meet their availability, with foster periods lasting a few hours to a few months.
To see an updated list of available dogs, visit hshtx.org/dogs. This list is updated live with all the animals in our care. Clicking on photos of the pet will take the viewer to a pet profile, which contains more photos and information about the pets age, breed, sex, size/weight, and a short bio. For more information, contact the Humane Society of Harlingen at (956) 425-7297 or by email at info@hshtx.org.
While the International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) art galleries continue to exhibit exquisite collections and artwork and remain open for a comfortable socially-distanced experience, the museum has also further enhanced its online programming. The museum invites the community to access a variety of virtual exhibits and educational resources on its website, and to participate in hands-on programs at home. From adult art workshops to afterschool programs, the IMAS offers safe ways to engage with art, science, and culture. Many of these programs are accessible for no cost to the public while some are paid workshops and discounted for IMAS members.
