Keep McAllen Beautiful (KMB) is looking for elderly McAllen residents who need help in removing their dead landscaping affected by the freeze and anyone who would like to volunteer to help in this effort.
Read more: Keep McAllen Beautiful seeks applicants, volunteers
The Museum of South Texas History will host a closing reception on the Bearing Witness initiative during the Sunday Speaker Series Online presentation at 2 p.m. on March 21 on Facebook Live.
Bearing Witness documented the lives of community members who were lost to COVID-19 in the year 2020 through a series of articles published in conjunction with local newspapers The Monitor, Valley Morning Star and The Brownsville Herald. The museum’s initiative to preserve and present stories of the COVID-19 pandemic was spearheaded by Exhibits Coordinator Melissa Peña and CEO Francisco Guajardo. Peña and Guajardo will share stories on the process and impact of writing about local community members and the loved ones whom they lost due to COVID-19 complications.
By William Renner, Reference Librarian
Speer Memorial Library in Mission invites you to join us on Tuesday, April 6, for a discussion of the book The Joy Luck Club, to take place via Zoom at 5:30 p.m. in Spanish, and at 6:30 p.m. in English. We will send a link for this virtual meeting to all who sign up.
Wreaths Across America Radio (WAAR) is proud to announce the first in a series of four free roundtable discussions focused on Veteran Healing through sharing stories of resilience, purpose, and success. This live discussion will take place on Thursday, March 25, at 7 p.m. EST, and can be heard exclusively on WAAR.
Read more: Wreaths Across America Radio hosts first radio round table
As the number of patients with COVID-19 continues to increase nationally, DHR Health Institute for Research and Development, which is affiliated with DHR Health, is pursuing innovative ways to treat patients infected with the potentially life-threatening disease. Through this study, first coordinated by the Mayo Clinic, DHR Health continues to provide convalescent-plasma therapy to patients in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) hospitalized with severe COVID-19.
The Museum of South Texas History will host the Sunday Speaker Series Online panel discussion, “Conjunto and Texas Folklife’s Big Squeeze in the Rio Grande Valley” at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 14, on Facebook Live.
This presentation will feature researcher and historian Evaliza Fuentes, musician and Los Fresnos High School Conjunto director Juan Longoria and Texas Folklife Program Director Sarah Rucker.
Read more: The history of the Big Squeeze competition presented at MOSTH
Since the Gladys Porter Zoo opened in 1971, it has never been the home to nurse sharks, which can grow up to 13 feet. The Zoo is excited to announce that they have added two males to their collection last month. These two male nurse sharks were brought from the Mississippi Aquarium and are now living in the 30,000 gallon Gulf of Mexico tank found in the Russell Aquatic Ecology Center. The sharks are about five feet long and are definitely larger than any other species the zoo has ever housed.
By Herb Moering
Running a business, especially a large operation, is not without complications in these times. Bob and Dana Huck’s Tropical Star Nursery in Alamo is just one example.
The couple was slated to be recognized at a City of Alamo Museum reception on Feb. 25 for the donation of vintage women’s dresses from the era of the 1900s to the 1920s. Wouldn’t you know it, a business emergency cropped up requiring the Hucks to transport 15,500 seedlings of watermelon, tomatoes, and cabbage to Houston truck farmers when their normal hauler couldn’t guarantee delivery due to the huge backlog caused by the winter storm.
Quinta Mazatlán is celebrating Irish Heritage Month by hosting Champion Irish Dancer and Director of McAllen Irish Arts, Angelika Eleni Ruiz on Thursday, March 18th, 2021 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on The Back Porch at Quinta Mazatlán—located at 600 Sunset Drive. Angelika will discuss the history of Irish dancing, the different styles of dance, and will conclude with a cultural dance lesson.
With over 25 years of experience in competitive dancing, Angelika Ruiz is as spirited as the music she so passionately dances to. Originally from Dallas, Texas, Ruiz had the opportunity live in Dublin, Ireland to finish her postgraduate studies at Trinity College before moving to Florianopolis, Brazil. Ruiz now calls McAllen, Texas home and has launched ‘McAllen Irish Arts’ out of the Creative Incubator.
Read more: Celebrate Irish-American Heritage Month at Quinta Mazatlán
An exhibition of photographs by members of the Upper Valley Art League will open on Friday, March 12, at the Kika de la Garza Fine Arts Center Gallery.
After a hiatus due to the COVID pandemic, this year’s exhibition will showcase various styles of photography ranging from traditional, digital, and mobile created by UVAL members.
The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its first Spring Member Market. The outdoor event will happen Friday, March 12, from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Edinburg Chamber Depot located at 602 W. University Dr.
The chamber’s Spring Member Market will allow attendees to discover new products and services from different Edinburg Chamber vendors and creators.
By Herb Moering
The look was different for the Ron Hoover RV & Marine Center Boat Show this past weekend in Donna. Masks were the order of the day in the huge showroom and on the grounds where some 50 plus business vendors set up shop under huge tents along with displays of boats, travel and camper trailers, motor coaches and golf carts.
Read more: Boats, trailers, fishing tips and more at Boat Expo
By Anastasia Brunson
The 11th Annual McAllen International CarFest was held this past Saturday, February 27th, at the McAllen Convention Center. On arrival, the senses were greeted by live music that echoed through the venue and the smells of funnel cakes and spiropapas. An area was gated off with marked entry and exit points making it easy for people to navigate and walk around the circular enclosure that had multiple lines of cars, as well as various vendors selling both refreshments and handmade items. Gratefully the weather was pleasantly cloudy and breezy, making this outdoor event a comfortable one.
The historic Port Isabel Lighthouse has reopened to the public.
Weather permitting, hours of operation will be Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Last ticket sold at 3:30 p.m. Tickets may only be purchased at the Keeper’s Cottage Visitors Center with a credit or debit card. COVID-19 restrictions apply.
Tours of the Lighthouse will be self-guided and will be limited to 15 minutes. Groups no larger than six persons may tour at one time. Masks required. Hand sanitizer will be available at the Lighthouse and all ticket holders are advised to sanitize their hands before and after the tour.
The park at the Lighthouse is open to the public. The Keeper’s Cottage Visitors Center/Chamber of Commerce is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Humane Society of Harlingen will be hosting a drive-thru kitten shower to prepare for the upcoming kitten season on Sunday, March 7th from 9 a.m. to noon.
With kitten season just around the corner and thousands of furry bundles of joy on the way, HSH is asking for the community's help to ensure that they have all the necessary supplies to give each of them the best quality care before adoption.
