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STC Cosmetology students provide complimentary services

CosmetologyServices5 webBy Joey Gomez

South Texas College Cosmetology students say the program is giving them the opportunity to prepare for their future dream careers while promoting a culture of service and a spirit of giving back to the community.

Under the guidance of faculty, students can perform complimentary services such as updos, pedicures, haircuts, facials and much more for visitors.

Services are available to the public Monday through Thursday at the college’s Cosmetology Center located on the second floor of the Shah Eye Center at 1506 E. Griffin Pkwy. in Mission.

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Team USA regains bragging rights

DSC 0268 webBy Herb Moering

After Ed Martens threw out the ceremonial first pitch, it was all business as the Division A USA Team garnered the bragging rights for the coming year and its name engraved on the beautiful trophy with a win over the Canadian Team in Friday’s International Senior Softball Tournament.

Team USA regained the trophy after the Canada team won it in 2024. In fact, Canada has had its name on the trophy for four of the last seven years of the CanAm senior’s tournament. The USA Division B Team also won its game with Canada. The trophy is housed by the City of McAllen.

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PSJA Golf Classic to benefit student scholarships

The inaugural PSJA Superintendent’s Scholarship Golf Classic will take place on Saturday, March 29, at Tierra Del Sol Golf Club in Pharr, with registration beginning at 7 a.m. The event aims to raise funds for student scholarships through the PSJA Education Foundation.

The event will feature three-person teams in an 18-hole format, with a tee-off time of 8 a.m. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, as well as for the longest drive and closest to the pin.

Proceeds from the tournament will benefit educational scholarships for graduating seniors. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for those interested in supporting PSJA ISD students.

For more information or interview requests, please contact PSJA Communications Department at (956) 354-2027. Tierra Del Sol Golf Club is located at 700 E. Hall Acres Rd.

Relatives of RGV natives from around the world presented by Joey Santore

In Variations on a Theme, Joey will take us on a journey beyond the Rio Grande Valley to see how related plants in the same genera and families have evolved in dramatically different environments across the globe. Discover the unexpected connections between our local flora and their distant relatives and gain a deeper appreciation for the incredible diversity of plant life.

From Outside magazine about Joey: “An ex-punk and former train engineer who is self-taught in the sciences, Joey Santore does not fit the mold of the stereotypical botanist. He has lots of tattoos and no college degree... Joey’s YouTube channel, Crime Pays But Botany Doesn’t, has more than a quarter-million subscribers … he’s getting … many different kinds of people to geek out on plants.”

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Hawk Watch and more at Bentsen State Park

Bentsen Moth webExciting programs are taking place at Bentsen-RGV State Park next month. For bird lovers, Hawk Watch continues, as does the weekend bird walks. For the healthy minded, there are the Wild Wellness classes.

There are fun and informative programs for all ages. Scheduled programs are free with park admission. Reservations are required for some programs. All programs meet at the tram turnaround at the park headquarters unless otherwise specified.

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McAllen Chamber launches March Foodie Tour

FOODIE TOUR webThe McAllen Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the City of McAllen and Visit McAllen, launched the McAllen Foodie Tour—a month-long celebration of the city’s vibrant culinary scene. The tour kicked off on Friday, March 7, bringing together restaurant owners, city officials and food lovers to highlight the importance of McAllen’s restaurants.

Recognized by travel magazines and critics for its equally diverse and delicious cuisine, the City of McAllen is showcasing everything from homegrown favorites to renowned restaurant groups, giving the community and visitors a taste of the best the city has to offer.

Throughout March, McAllen residents and visitors will explore new restaurants, uncover secret menu items and participate in exciting social media challenges. By following Visit McAllen’s social media accounts on Instagram and Facebook, food lovers can discover new featured restaurants and earn chances to win prizes, including thousands of dollars in gift cards, hotel stays and discounts.

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Tips for adventures at Texas State Parks

20101001 FWT Bentsen State Park hawk tower platform E webAUSTIN – You can enjoy spring too, at any of Texas’ State Parks. If you’re not into visiting during the month of March, there is plenty of time to visit on your way back up north. Texas State Parks still have day-use and overnight availability for anyone looking for an outdoor adventure.

“Spring is a special time to get outside, with warmer temperatures and blooming wildflowers — parks are perfect places to experience both,” said Tara Humphreys, director of interpretation for Texas State Parks. “We are excited to welcome visitors and showcase our parks and encourage every Texan to ‘take a walk on the wild side’ and visit a Texas State Park.”

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Go west for a change

DSC 0144 webAs a Winter Texan, you know you can’t stay cooped up in your RV park all the time so when you want to venture out for a day it usually means passing Freddy Fender’s water tower with a trip to Brownsville or South Padre.

Haven’t you heard the expression, “Go West, Young Man, Go West”? So, if you have not followed the Valley to the west, here is a little help. Forget the bypass, there is little to see. Stay on Business 83 and go through Penitas and La Joya. Look for the small highway sign that points you to Los Ebanos, take that side trip for five minutes and you can see the rope drawn ferry across the Rio.

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IMAS unveils Destino Sur exhibit

IMAS CarlosLimas 10 webThe International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) announces Destino Sur, a solo photography exhibition by acclaimed artist Carlos Limas, on exhibit now, and running through June 22. This exhibition, supported by the Texas Commission on the Arts, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) - Center for Latin American Arts, and South Texas College (STC), takes visitors on a visual exploration of Peru’s rich cultural and geographical landscapes.

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Journey Through the Lens open at UVAL

2025 UVAL Photo Exhibit Flyer Single webThe Upper Valley Art League is ready for their annual showcase. Titled “Journey Through the Lens,” this year’s exhibition will showcase various styles of photography ranging from traditional, digital, and mobile created by UVAL members.

According to Cyndee Galindo, curator for the 2025 exhibit, “I believe as visual artists, it is imperative that we strive for creative growth and be exposed to different mediums, genres, methods, and techniques to expand our personal vision and push photography into a new era of expression. Photography has evolved and it’s time we embrace it.”

Read more: Journey Through the Lens open at UVAL

Sift through South Texas ancient history at Quinta Mazatlán

20250226 Quinta Nick Morales Head Shot webQuinta Mazatlán is excited to welcome, Nick Morales, resident geologist of South Texas and Northern Mexico specializing in mineralogy, local geology and lithic (stone) artifacts, Thursday March 6, 6 to 7 p.m. for a presentation centering on how geology influenced the manufacturing of lithic tools in South Texas and Northern Mexico and how they are identified and used.

Born and raised in McAllen, Nick Morales is a collector of worldwide minerals and local ancient stone tools. He has undertaken research, along with faculty at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, in the geology and archaeology of this region. Morales was a guest lecturer in Geology and Environmental Sciences at the University of Texas–Pan American and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

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Walk to Freedom event March 3-9

20250226 Sal DEl Rey Freedom Walk DSC 0228 1 webRepresentatives from the Harriet Tubman Museum and Educational Center in Cambridge, MD. will participate in the Rio Grande Valley’s first “Walking Southern Roads to Freedom” event from March 3 to March 9.

Roseann Bacha-Garza, manager of the CHAPS program at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, said the event’s goal is to “increase awareness about the resilience and resolve of freedom seekers of African ancestry who participated in underground railroad-like activities from south Texas to Mexico, as well as bring awareness to the valuable shared history of our region.”

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Gladys Porter Zoo hosts annual Ocelot Run

20131028 Laguna Atascosa Ocelot webThe Gladys Porter Zoo is back with their annual 5K and one-mile fun run to support ocelot conservation. The Ocelot 5K Run will take place on March 8 starting at 7:30 a.m., and the one-mile fun run will start at 8:30 a.m. at the Gladys Porter Zoo. The run will begin in the zoo’s parking lot.

The 5k route will take guests through some of the most popular areas around the Mitte Cultural District before leading them into the scenic Gladys Porter Zoo for the final stretch. The one-mile route will take guests through a fun and colorful run around the Zoo.

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