Quinta Mazatlán invites the community to discover the rich botanical history of the Rio Grande Valley during a special Thursday Night Live presentation, “Robert Runyon Plants,” with longtime native plant grower Mike Heep, on Thursday, January 8, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
As the holiday season winds down, the City of Edinburg invites residents to join in the environmentally friendly tradition of recycling Christmas trees. The Tree Recycling Program encourages residents to transform their festive evergreens into valuable mulch at designated drop-off locations.
By Anastasia Brunson
Bring a Friend, Share a Meal, and Make some Memories! That’s the slogan for this local eatery. The building’s façade lets you know you’re in the right place right away with the eye-catching cast iron logo. There’s a sense of home and local community from the warm welcome to the comforting flavors on every plate. Inside you’ll notice that it’s bright and homey with the back wall that displays a colorful mural from a local artist. In one corner, there’s merch for sale, cute mugs and T-shirts if you want to rep your new favorite spot. There’s a wall displaying art from local artists. It’s clear that this is a place that loves its community, and the community loves it back.
Read more: Biscuits & Gravy: More to love with expanded hours and menu
Happy New Year to everyone! I hope you had a safe and fun one. I know lots of parks had sold out dances and entertainment for New Year’s Eve. I am sure everyone had a blast, and it is evident by the many photos I have seen on Facebook.
And then there was the New Year’s Day Polar Bear Plunge. I saw a video of the hundreds that joined in at South Padre Island. I also saw a few parks that used their own swimming pool to hold the event.
Just about every park has something special for New Year’s Eve. Many have special entertainment lined up with dinner and other events throughout the night. Many of these parks sell out of tickets weeks before New Year’s Eve. So, if you didn’t get a ticket in time and are still looking for things to do, there might be a few places you can go to still have some fun.
By Herb Moering
Remote car racing has grown in popularity in the past few years with dirt and paved track ovals popping up in recreational vehicle parks in the Rio Grande Valley.
Quinta Mazatlán invites you to end your year with a morning of Birding, Wednesday, December 31, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., with Education Specialist and life-long birder Isidro Montemayor. Winter is a great time to get out Birding welcoming an amazing variety of Valley Specialty birds, like the Green Jay, Great Kiskadee, and Plain Chachalaca to name a few. The season also welcomes birds that spend their winter down in South Texas. Ducks, sparrows, owls, even rare birds from Mexico can be seen in the Valley during winter. From binocular basics to bird calls and behavior, you’ll leave this guided experience feeling more in-tune with our avian friends.
The mind-body connection is vital for overall health because your thoughts, emotions and behaviors directly influence physical health, and your physical state affects mental well-being.
Read more: STHS Behavioral to highlight importance of mind-body connection at webinar
AUSTIN – Celebrate the beginning of a new year and the start of America’s semiquincentennial (America 250) with a First Day Hike at a Texas State Park.
Read more: Kick start 2026 with a First Day Hike at a Texas State Park
There are many upcoming programs at Bentsen-RGV State Park to enjoy this January. Several programs are continuing, and there will be a double dose of the speaker series. There will also be two birding tram tours offered in addition to the regular bird walks. Thomas “TC” Riddle, park interpreter/volunteer coordinator at the park says they are hoping to add even more programs, so keep an eye on the park website or Facebook page for the latest updates on programs.
