While McAllen has seen a growth in business in the last 20 years, it has also seen a growth in what it offers for outdoor activities.
The entire Rio Grande Valley is a huge birding hub. McAllen has not been left out in the birding area. McAllen features one of the World Birding Center’s at its historic Quinta Mazatlán.
The Texas Citrus Fiesta (TCF) will host their annual Product Costume Show this week, Saturday, January 16. The event will be held at the Mission Event Center, 2425 Ruby Red Blvd., from 1 to 4:30 p.m.
Each year, the Fiesta chooses a theme that participants carry on in their costumes. This year’s theme is Let Your Dream Blossom. Participants then walk the runway showing off their handmade creations.
Texas Citrus Fiesta has their schedule for this year’s events up and is ready to put on a show this year. They do have a stipulation that the schedule is subject to change, so please visit their website or call if you have an questions.
Learn to draw with IMAS. Learn sketching techniques as they demonstrate how to quickly draw images from real life. This kit includes a sketchbook, sketching pencil set, and sharpener all in a travel case. The program is recommended for ages 12 and up. The Workshop will be held online on Wednesday, January 20 from 3 to 4 p.m.
Tune in every third Wednesday of the month for a new art workshop that you can follow along with at home. A limited number of supply kits are available each month for registration. Kits are picked up at the museum via curbside delivery.
Visit theimasonline.org and go to the Explore tab to register. Kit pickup is every Saturday prior to workshop from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m.
Share your work with IMAS using #IMASArtist and #ExploreIMAS for a chance to be featured on IMAS social media.
Previous workshops are available for viewing.
The International Museum of Arts and Sciences is open and has several exhibits on display and programs taking place. The IMAS galleries are open weekly Wednesday through Saturday with modified hours and scheduled admission tickets. Currently admission is $1 for guests four and up, and IMAS members and children under four receive free admission. Visit theimasonline.org for the most up to date visitor information. IMAS is located at 1900 W. Nolana Ave in McAllen.
There is a whole lot of feathered fun happening on January 23rd at Quinta Mazatlan. The Center for Urban Ecology is hosting the first Hobbies in Nature session of 2021, “Begin to Birdwatch”. The one-hour program invites guests into the world of birds, where they will be amazed by the beautiful colors, fascinating behaviors, and incredible diversity of birds found all around us.
Wild Bees, an exhibition showcasing the works of Paula Sharp and Ross Eatman, is a collection of stunning macro photographs depicting the world of America’s native bees. The exhibit is on a national tour of prominent museums, botanical gardens, and galleries. Originally set to end in October, the exhibit is still buzzing through February 7 at IMAS.
January 5 celebrated National Bird Day. The International Museum of Arts and Sciences had presented a lesson on creating your own backyard bird log on their website. Just because the day has past, does not mean you still cannot make one. The information is still on their website and available any time.
In 2002, Born Free USA, a non-profit focused on wildlife conservation, activism, and education, in collaboration with the Avian Welfare Coalition, launched the first annual National Bird Day to promote awareness of birds every January 5th. Many nature and bird lovers observe National Bird Day.
He goes by “Pineapple Joe,” or “Big Joe.”
At Canyon Lake RV Resort, on the marker board outside the dining hall, it simply reads: 4 p.m. - Veggie Man.
All of those monikers represent Jose Ybarra and for 21 years he has driven his portable market stand filled with produce and more to Winter Texan parks across the Rio Grande Valley. He brings good deals, fresh vegetables, fruits and more and when his truck appears in a park/resort, the lines start growing.
While the coronavirus pandemic has restructured the way people live, they still need to eat, and Ybarra provides. While the lines may not be as long as in the past, they still know when Ybarra is about to show up and they have their internal clocks ready.
McAllen has a long history even before it was officially incorporated on February 20, 1911. Some records have the development of the city going as far back as 1767 when some land grants were granted to Juan Antonio Villarreal and Antonio Gutierrez by the Spanish crown. The City of McAllen was developed from parts of these grants.
By John Brush, Urban Ecologist at Quinta Mazatlán, McAllen
The falcon, aglow with the evening’s golden light, banked sharply over the onion field. In response, the seemingly inactive rows suddenly propelled into motion as pipits burst into flight, alarm calls ringing out in warning. After just seconds of the birds whirling together, the falcon flew away empty-taloned, wheeling to the west, and the field returned to its visual dormancy. This time, however, I knew that the pipits were there in the bunches of onions, perhaps trying for one last insect snack before going to roost.
South Padre Island is hatching a very special sea turtle on the Sea Turtle Art Trail at Beach Resort South Padre Island. Painted by local muralist and artist Christina Salazar, “Liberty” is a stunning tribute to the dedication and service of first responders and frontline healthcare workers. A heartbeat is painted on her shell and the overall theme takes on the feeling of the flag in red, white, and blue elements throughout.
Mission, being full of history, is also a hotspot for birding and butterfly enthusiasts. Mission also has a hiking and biking trail, a state park, and other sites to suit just about any interest. Having a little bit of everything in Mission, makes it a great place to visit any time of year.
The U.S. Constitution and Color take center stage in the Texas Quilt Museum’s winter exhibits Deeds Not Words: Celebrating 100 Years of Women’s Suffrage and Red, White, & Blue. Both exhibits will run January 7-March 21, 2021.
Read more: U.S. Constitution takes center stage in new exhibit
The International Museum of arts and Sciences (IMAS) is open and has several exhibits on display and programs taking place online. Currently online, IMAS has released their “Inside the Vault” series. In this new series by IMAS, the series will take a special look inside the vault of their permanent collections.
Were you in the Rio Grande Valley in 1990? Do you remember the fear over a new insect introduced to the area? The Museum of South Texas History (MOSTH) present “Killer Bees! The Panic over Africanized Honeybees in the Rio Grande Valley” featuring Dr. Jamie Starling. The presentation is part of their Sunday Speaker Series that will be presented online on Facebook Live on Sunday, January 10 at 3 p.m.
