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Published: Wednesday, 30 October 2019 00:00
Right now, the Monarch Butterflies are migrating right through the Rio Grande Valley - and so were the Monarch Ultra Runners. On Sunday, October 20, the runners made an overnight stop in Pharr before crossing the Mexican border the next morning to follow the path of the Monarch as they fly from Ontario, Canada to their winter home deep in Mexico. The migration route used by these colorful creatures covers 2,671 miles.
Three locals joined the Ultra Runners on their last leg into Pharr - Harlingen cardiologist Dr. Charles Mild; Jose Uribe, from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; and Angel Guzman, a high school science teacher and Texas Master Naturalist.
These runners hope to draw awareness to the declining number of Monarchs and to encourage the planting of native plants that will attract and help sustain the butterflies on their long flight. Mayors from cities across the United States have joined together in their pledge to support habitats to help save the iconic Monarch from further decline. Harlingen's Mayor Chris Boswell became the most recent mayor to sign the pledge when he became the 500th signer. McAllen, however, is a Monarch Butterfly Champion City, an honor bestowed on only a few cities in Texas.
The Rio Grande Valley is blessed to have the National Butterfly Center located near Mission, and right next door to Bentsen Rio Grande State Park. The NABA - North American Butterfly Association - has designated Mission as the Butterfly Capitol of the United States.
Annually, the butterflies begin their migration from Canada to preserves located in the state of Michoacan, Mexico. For years no one knew where these beautiful orange, black and white spotted creatures migrated.
Can you imagine banding these delicate creatures hoping that someone, somewhere, would see the band and report their whereabouts? And that is exactly what happened.
There are two preserves high in the pine covered mountains near Angangueo, Mexico. Another preserve is in Valle de Bravo. Perhaps there are others still waiting to be discovered but those are the preserves that are recognized at this time.
Towards the end of October, South Padre Island annually recognizes the importance and beauty of the migratory Monarch with a Gala and a two-day celebration. Mission will celebrate the migration with their 24th annual Butterfly Festival on November 2 at the 100-acre National Butterfly Center, abundantly planted with native plants that butterflies thrive on.
But nothing can equal the actual experience of visiting the Winter home of the Monarchs located in the Sierra Madres of Mexico. From a distance, the pine trees covering the mountain side will look orange - not green - from the millions of Monarchs that are clustered on the branches. As the Monarchs begin to wake up, they will fall to the ground. Stunned, but not dead, they wait for the sun to warm their wings before they fly down the mountain side for water and food.
All the visitor must do is be patient, be still and be quiet. Listen and you might even hear the flutter of their wings. Better yet is when the Monarchs land on you, in your hair and on your clothing. It will be a magical moment!
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Published: Saturday, 26 October 2019 06:00
The 2018-19 NBA G League Champions, Rio Grande Valley Vipers, affiliate of the Houston Rockets, have announced their 2019-20 schedule and look to defend their title. This year’s schedule features a total of 50 games, including 24 home games at Bert Ogden Arena, 24 games on the road and two games at the NBA G League Showcase.
The Vipers open the season with back-to-back games versus Austin Spurs, NBA Spurs affiliate, starting off at Austin on Friday, November 8. Then, the Vipers will host the Spurs for the home opener at Bert Ogden Arena on Saturday, November 9.
This season’s home opener will embrace the 2018-19 NBA G League Champions by presenting the Vipers their championship rings and the hanging of the third championship banner.
This season’s home schedule will also feature themed night games honoring the local community. On December 17, the Vipers will host an 11 a.m. Kid’s Day Game versus Memphis Hustle. The annual Kid’s Day Game rewards students through the team’s Perfect Attendance and Honor Roll programs.
The Vipers will also hold the 10th Annual All-Valley Showcase on March 28th. Top RGV high school boys and girls will compete east against the west prior to the Vipers final regular-season home game versus Austin Spurs.
This 2019-20 G League season will consist of seven back-to-back games. The Vipers will host 10 weekday games and 14 weekend games; a total of five Friday games and nine Saturday games at 7:30 p.m. There will be seven Tuesday games, one Wednesday and two Thursday games at Bert Ogden Arena all with a 7 p.m. tip-off.
The RGV Vipers are the winningest G League team with three championships; 2010, 2013 and 2019.
Season tickets for the Vipers 2019-20 season are on sale at (956) 972-1144 or the RGV Vipers website. The complete schedule can be found at www.rgvipers.com.
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Published: Friday, 25 October 2019 17:08
UTRGV Office of Public Art is hosting a new art exhibit at the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex Lobby on the Edinburg Campus called DreamScapes. The exhibit is a posthumous celebration of the lives and talents of a family of area artists – Maxine McClendon, Edward Edson Nichols and Christopher Nichols.
McClendon was an internationally renowned artist well-known for her acrylic on stuffed canvas. Her husband, Edward, was an art professor at UTRGV legacy institution UT Pan American for 33 years, making an impact on hundreds of artists in South Texas before retiring from teaching in 1999. Their son, Christopher, a UTPA alumnus, was known for his watercolor scenes.
Dr. Dahlia Guerra, assistant vice president for Public Art, said this exhibit is a wonderful way to view the landscape through the eyes of three people who obviously loved the area.
“The artistic creations of the Nichols family celebrate the beautiful landscapes and traditions of the Rio Grande Valley and Mexico,” she said.
The exhibit, curated by Elena Macias, professor of art in the UTRGV School of Art, will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and during all evening concerts. The exhibit will run through February 7, 2020.
For more information on the exhibit, contact the UTRGV Office of Public Art at (956) 665-2353. The UTRGV Performing Arts Complex is located at 1201 W. University in Edinburg.
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Published: Thursday, 24 October 2019 08:00
Port Isabel Lighthouse was one of eight state historic sites welcomed by the Texas Historical Commission last month. The lighthouse was previously managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
The properties were transferred on the recommendation of the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission. The action will allow both the THC and TPWD to improve efficiency by focusing each agency on its core mission – THC’s role as the state historic preservation office, and TPWD’s as steward of the state’s impressive natural resources and hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation attractions.
“Our primary goal as stewards of these sites has always been the preservation of these iconic landmarks for the enjoyment of current and future Texans. We entrust the future care of these notable parks to the capable hands of the THC and know they will continue these high standards of maintenance and operations going forward,” said Carter Smith, Executive Director of TPWD. “TPWD is proud to have been the caretakers of these historic sites for many decades, and we will continue to care for the hundreds of historic buildings, archeological sites, and other cultural resources that exist within state parks and natural areas across Texas.”
The City of Port Isabel held a celebration on October 2 with other city organizations, the THC vice-chair and the public to announce the transfer.
“We’re all looking forward to the exciting future that this partnership brings. The Lighthouse is important and vital to us. The City of Port Isabel and the Port Isabel Economic Development Corporation have been partners with the State for many decades and are happy to continue in that role,” says Calvin Byrd, Port Isabel Economic Development Board Chair.
“We’re happy to co-host this event with the Texas Historical Commission and Commissioners on this important day and invite the public to join in the celebration,” added City Manager Jared Hockema.
The Port Isabel Lighthouse, originally called Point Isabel, was constructed in 1852 to guide ships through the Brazos Santiago Pass into the Laguna Madre. Built at the direction of President James K. Polk, it was also used for the protection of Fort Polk, once located along the coast where Port Isabel now sits.
Opened as a state park in 1952, it is the only lighthouse now open for viewing in the State of Texas. The lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage on the grounds now houses the Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce.
The lighthouse is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on admission and its history, visit www.portisabellighthouse.com or call (956) 943-2262.
Other TPWD sites transferring to the THC include San Jacinto Monument and Battleground in Harris County; Washington-on-the-Brazos and Barrington Plantation in Washington County; Kreische Brewery and Monument Hill in Fayette County; Lipantitlán in Nueces County; and Fanthorp Inn in Grimes County.
“Texas Parks and Wildlife and their professional staff have done impressive work stewarding these historic places,” said Mark Wolfe, THC Executive Director. “We welcome this challenge to build on their legacy and continue the preservation of these unique sites for new generations of visitors to enjoy. We are pleased that we will be able to work with many of the same staff who have operated and maintained all the transferring sites. We welcome them and these sites to the Texas Historical Commission family.”
Additionally, the 86th Legislature turned management of the Star of the Republic Museum in Washington County (part of the Washington-on-the-Brazos complex) to the THC, effective Jan. 1, 2020. The THC is working with the site’s owner, Blinn College, on management logistics; the THC may assume operation of the museum prior to the beginning of the year.
The addition of the new sites means that the THC now manages 31 State Historic Sites representing nearly every era of Texas’ storied history—from the legends and culture of the original American Indian inhabitants of Texas, to the epic stories of the state’s revolution and independence, to the humble birthplace of one of the nation’s greatest leaders, President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
To learn more about these sites or to plan your next trip, visit StoriedSites.com.
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Published: Thursday, 24 October 2019 06:00
The seasons may change but one thing doesn’t – the Texas Quilt Museum will always have interesting and unique exhibits which change out quarterly. Their fall displays include Fascinating Rhythm: Art Quilts by Katie Pasquini Masopust and Mama’s Got the Blue. They will both be on display until December 22.
Read more: Texas Quilt Museum exhibit showcases quilt legend, antique masterpieces
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Published: Wednesday, 23 October 2019 00:00
Every year, in an effort to not only preserve the local history but also to celebrate the local culture, Mission Historical Museum hosts folklife festivals that indulge in the local traditions. This time of year, it’s the Day of the Dead festival. The festival will be held on October 26 from 4 to 9 p.m.
This year’s Day of the Dead Festival: Noche de Calacas will consist of various attractions. Artisans and food vendors will take over the street and be selling items such as tacos de bistec, tacos de tromp, empanadas de pollo and de picadillo, brisket sandwiches, funnel cakes and more. This is a chance to enjoy what locals have to offer.
The event will also feature free face painting and carnival rides. Entertainment will be performed by Mission Parks and Recreation Folklorico and the Crescendo Music Institute. International entertainment will be provided by Mission’s very own sister cities, Francisco I. Madero, Coahuila, Mexico and Valle Hermoso, Tamaulipas, Mexico.
Featured attractions include an exhibition in the main building including a community altar exhibit, a traditional sand painting done by artists from Mexico, and an outdoor altar replicating the historic La Lomita Chapel. Installation of the sand art will begin October 25.
The Mission Historical Museum is a 501 c 3 non-profit organization that collects, preserves, exhibits and promotes the history and cultural heritage of Mission and its surrounding communities. We are located at 900 Doherty Avenue and are open Tuesday – Friday, 10 am – 5 pm and Saturdays, from 10 am – 2 pm. For more information on this program or any upcoming events contact the museum at 956-580-8646, check out our website www.missionmuseum.org
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Published: Wednesday, 23 October 2019 00:00
Join the National Butterfly Center on Saturday, November 2 – Tuesday, November 5, for the 24th Annual Texas Butterfly Festival, and see for yourself why USA Today calls Mission, Texas, “the butterfly capital of the USA.”
Renowned for a volume and variety of wild, free-flying butterflies that cannot be found anywhere else in the country, deep south Texas is home to the country's premier butterfly event, featuring field trips and educational activities for beginners to experts, private gardens and guided 'hot spot' tours, The North American Butterfly Photo Contest, and a free community day fun.
The three-day event starts off with the Running of the Monarchs 5K Trail Run and one Mile Fun Run. The run will be held across the National Butterfly Center’s grounds and gardens. Participants must pre-register for the event to receive a commemorative Monarch Medal. The entry fee is $24 for adults and $12 for children. All funds are used to support the environmental conservation work of the center. Seed bombs will be provided to participants to throw along the route of the run.
The community day will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors can learn how to make their own Banana Brew, attend arts and crafts session, hunt the hackberry trail, pin the tail on the Swallowtail, and more.
The National Butterfly Center is honored to host the festival and provide attendees a remarkable and rewarding outdoor experience. Registrants will spend three days exploring renowned public lands and private properties with world-class trip leaders, where you may reasonably expect to see more than 60 species in a day.
Last year, attendees from 23 states and four countries registered to experience one of the most biologically diverse areas in North America, with the assistance of expert guides. Come see for yourself why the Rio Grande Valley has earned worldwide recognition for its outstanding butterfly and birding spots, inviting thousands of visitors each year to discover its remarkable assortment of preserves, refuges, nature parks, trails, and more.
Whether you are an accomplished naturalist or a beginner enthusiast, the Texas Butterfly Festival is the place to be. Here, many eyes 
make for exciting discoveries, including U.S. records, super rarities, subtropical strays, seldom-seen species, 'life' and chase butterflies that may only be found in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV), where the river winds its way toward the Laguna Madre at the Gulf of Mexico. This unique region encompasses no fewer than 11 different types of habitat, from tidal wetlands to riparian forest, brushland scrub to prairie savanna, and is home to more than 1,200 different species of plants, 500 species of birds, 200 vertebrate species, roughly 300 species of butterflies, and over 90 species of dragonflies.
To learn more about the one and only Texas Butterfly Festival, where to stay, what to do, and how to participate, visit the website at www.texasbutterflyfestival.com.
The McAllen Wind Ensemble, under the baton of Music Director Roger Olivarez, will open their 45th season with a concert dedicated to our American heroes. This exciting start to the 2019-20 season will be held Tuesday, November 12 at 7:30 p.m. on the McAllen Performing Arts Center stage. All veterans, current service members, and first responders are invited to be guests of the McAllen Wind Ensemble with free admission to the concert.
The Harlingen Concert Association, originally the RGV Civic Music Association in 1933, has been proud to bring internationally acclaimed touring artists to the Rio Grande Valley since its inception. Some of this year’s acts include Broadway Bound, The Maxwell Quartet, Sons of Serendip, Dan Miller’s Cowboy Music Revue, Sail On – Beach Boys Tribute and Burlap to Cashmere.
