Trade snow for sand this holiday season and head to South Padre Island. Whether you’re a local, visiting from out of town or just passing through, be sure to check out these holiday festivities the whole family will enjoy.
Native Plant Project's guest speaker for the November 22nd meeting in Weslaco will be Anita Westervelt, a freelance photojournalist who has written a newspaper nature column for the McAllen Monitor for seven years.
Anita is the author of Anita's Blog, a look at the natural world of the Rio Grande Valley, for the past eight years. She has acquired over 6,600 volunteer hours as a South Texas Border Chapter Texas Master Naturalist. Anita holds a Fine Arts degree from the University of Maryland, European Division, and a Communication Degree from Pittsburg State University. She has been intrigued with plants since early childhood and, prior to retirement, photographed flora wherever she was deployed as a U.S. Navy Chief Journalist.
AUSTIN — With the first sightings of iconic, endangered whooping cranes along the Texas coast being reported, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is reminding Texans to be on the lookout for these impressive birds as they move through the state.
By William Renner, Reference Librarian
Join Speer Memorial Library in Mission on Wednesday, November 16, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., or from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., for an Internet Basics class.
Have you ever wondered what the Internet is, or how exactly to use it?
The class will give you a demonstration of how to use and navigate the Internet. You’ll get hands-on computer practice on how to use an Internet search engine to find your way across the world of online resources.
The Us. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is celebrating its 75th year of delivering hope to children in need across the Nation. U.S. Marines and volunteers will be conducting over 830 local toy collections and distribution campaigns in all 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, and U.S. Virgin Islands. This year, Toys for Tots will highlight their extraordinary Reserve Marines, past and present, as well as showcase the incredible effort from communities across the Nation that has enabled Toys for Tots to support over 281 million less fortunate children.
Valley cities welcome Winter Texans
For as long as I can remember, the City of Mission has been home to the most Winter Texan parks in the Rio Grande Valley. Although many cities have had new parks pop up, I think Mission is still number one in that category. There are several streets you can drive down and pass by more than one park, sometimes three or more along the way.
With the incoming of Winter Texans to the Valley, the cities saw what Winter Texans brought with them. Winter Texans have had a huge impact on the communities they live in, and those they visit while residing in the Valley. You not only make an economic impact, but you also help those in need, bring culture, share your talents and more. Because of this, many cities have recognized its Winter Texan community with events throughout the year.
The City of Alamo Museum will join much of America in observing Veteran’s Day on Friday with the opening of a World War II exhibit.
The materials on display come from the museum’s collection and include reprints of newspaper front pages with headlines about the most important aspects of the war in Europe and in the Pacific. Also, many war time postcards and recruiting posters are on display.
The World Birding Center (WBC) parks hold events throughout the year. Most of them have weekly repeating events with special events thrown in at least once a month. Estero Llano Grande and Bentsen State Park are two very active parks, along with Quinta Mazatlan and others.
There are nine parks in the system spread throughout the Rio Grande Valley, so you should be able to find one close to you to visit. Or make it a point to visit each one this year. They each have something different to offer.
The Carden International Circus is proud to announce the Spectacular Circus is returning to The Payne Auto Group Rodeo Arena at the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Showgrounds for four performances Saturday, November 12 and Sunday, November 13. Thrills and excitement will fill three rings with acrobats, aerialists, animals, daredevils, and clowns. All this and more come to life bringing unforgettable memories to all. No video games required. Bring your entire family to see real-life masters of gravity, jaw dropping stunts, belly-jiggling hijinks, and so much more. Tickets are on sale now.
Laredo will host their second Annual Holiday Market soon. The event is to be held the weekend of November 18 to 20. Times for the event are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.
It’s always fun to take a stroll through one of local World Birding Center parks. Last week we went out to the Old Hidalgo Pumphouse to see what was happening at the park. Main goal was to catch the model trains in action, but the offices had closed early, so we decided to walk part of the trail and enjoy some of the grounds.
A Mandarin Duck was recently the main attraction at Pendleton Park in Harlingen. It was a sight to see for many birders in the area, and there were many that made a drive to Harlingen to see if they could spot the rare bird – that really shouldn’t be where it was found.
Winter Texan parks have a myriad of activities
The Winter Texan Times has been featuring activities at the local Winter Texan parks since its inception, after all, that was part of the intent of the paper – to highlight the parks and the activities held within them.
In its first issue, and during its first season, the Winter Texan Times featured small articles submitted by the parks, talking about their activities, what the park had to offer, and more. This week I am going to delve into some of these activities and mention some of those that take place today.
On Saturday, November 12, upper valley residents will join the fight to end Alzheimer’s disease at the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® — the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research.
Read more: Upper Valley residents set to raise awareness for Alzheimer's
The Aliento a Tequila (or The Spirit of Tequila) exhibition explores and celebrates the landscape, culture, and traditions that gave birth to tequila, Mexico’s national drink. In this series, photographer Joel Salcido includes the original distilleries that literally founded the industry, as well as several artisanal tequileras committed to the ancestral ways of making tequila from harvest to bottle. Aliento a Tequila is supported by L&F Distributors and opens Thursday, November 10 at the International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) in McAllen.
