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Gladys Porter Zoo has discount weekends

BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS — Gladys Porter Zoo will have special discount admission prices for three select weekends only. Guests can rack up some impressive savings with 60 to75 percent off regular admission rates and see the new zoo babies that have recently debuted, including a baby orangutan, baby capybaras, baby flamingos and an adorable baby red-flanked duiker.

Admission for Brownsville residents will be only $4 per adult (ages 14+) and $3 per child (ages 2 to 13) on September 8th, 9th, and 10th. The following weekend on September 15th, 16th, and 17th, discount days will be held for residents of Cameron County, Willacy County, and Matamoros, Mexico. Admission will be $6.00 per adult and $4 per child.

Read more: Gladys Porter Zoo has discount weekends

September programs at Bentsen-RGV State Park

Fun and informative programs for all ages are always available at Bentsen-RGV State Park. Scheduled programs are free with park admission. Reservations required for some programs (marked with an *). All programs will meet at the tram turnaround at park headquarters unless otherwise specified. Please call ahead to confirm program schedule and details at (956) 584-9156. Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park is located on 2800 South Bentsen Palm Drive in Mission, Texas.

Read more: September programs at Bentsen-RGV State Park

Benefit Comedy show at Pharr Community Theater, July 29.

BenefitShow Austin VidalezRecalled Productions, a local comedy troupe and comic promotions venture, will host a benefit comedy show to raise funds for the medical expenses of 8-year-old Austin Vidales from La Feria, TX.

“Austin is a boy with eyes as bright as his smile,” says his loving mom.

He enjoys fishing with his family, MOD Pizza, and Super Mario. Austin has two favorite stuffed animals, boxy and foxy, both of whom go on silly adventures documented by his mom and dad through photographs they capture on their phones.

Read more: Benefit Comedy show at Pharr Community Theater, July 29.

Wreaths Across America kicks off Giving in July 2023

GIJ General SupportCOLUMBIA FALLS, ME – June 28, 2023 – Today, national nonprofit Wreaths Across America (WAA) announces the kickoff to its annual Giving in July campaign! For WAA, this is a month dedicated to celebrating local groups and individuals who participate in the organization’s $5 pay-back Sponsorship Group Program. Through this unique program supporters ‘Do Good Twice’ through each $17 sponsorship made. Not only will every sponsorship honor our nation’s servicemembers with the placement of a veteran’s wreath on National Wreaths Across America Day, but local nonprofits, civic groups and organizations will receive $5 back from each sponsorship made for their program or other efforts throughout the year.

Read more: Wreaths Across America kicks off Giving in July 2023

Seven tips to stay safe during the summer heat

Heat stroke triggersAUSTIN— The dog days of summer have certainly arrived, and with the soaring temperatures Texas State Parks is sharing seven tips to help Texans enjoy time outdoors safely. Last year, 47 state parks reported 141 heat-related illnesses in humans and pets. Since January 1, 77 heat-related incidents have already been reported, compared to 64 reported by this time last year.

Here are the top seven heat hacks recommended for park visitors:

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Tejano/Conjunto painter Roel Florez at Pharr Memorial Library, May 27

Pic 2 Cotton Fields by RF The Pharr Memorial Library is proud to present an exhibit and short talk with Roel Florez on his portraits and paintings that focus on Conjunto and Tejano music and Migrant work. Florez will also have copies for sale of his self-published book, based on his memoirs, entitled “La Ultima Pesada”/The Last Weigh-In, by Robert Longoria. (66 pages)

Read more: Tejano/Conjunto painter Roel Florez at Pharr Memorial Library, May 27

Artist shares vault of comic strips published in Russia

Jose Alaniz 2023The Museum of South Texas History will host the online Sunday Speaker Series presentation, “The Compleat Moscow Calling,” featuring author José Alaníz at 2 p.m. on May 28 on Facebook Live.

Alaníz’s “Moscow Calling” is the first ongoing American comic strip in Russia, appearing in the English-language newspaper The Moscow Tribune. The comic strip is a 1990s epic of expat life in Russia. Innocent abroad Pepe Pérez finds himself in a vibrant post-Soviet Moscow of colorful personalities, extreme contrasts and a “mafiya” boss after his head. Worst of all, there’s no Mexican food. “The Compleat Moscow Calling” gathers and concludes the strip along with additional material, including the unfinished sequel “Cassie’s Turn” and the novella “Moscow ‘93.” Copies of the comic books can be purchased at the Museum Store.

Read more: Artist shares vault of comic strips published in Russia

The Rio Grande Valley Humane Society over capacity, seeks community's help

The Rio Grande Valley Humane Society (RGVHS) dog kennels are over capacity at both Mission and Harlingen locations. RGVHS is asking the community to help find foster or forever homes for our canine friends. Dogs will be at risk of euthanasia if we cannot make space through adoption or foster.

Thanks to the support of our community, for over three years, RGVHS has not had to euthanize a single animal for space. With the severe weather on Friday evening, we have seen a massive influx of lost animals roaming the streets and anticipate heavy intake in the coming days. Lives are at risk and we need your help today.

All adoption fees for dogs are completely waived. All adopted pets will go home up to date on vaccinations, dewormer, on preventatives for fleas/ticks/heartworms, microchipped and either already spayed/neutered, or with an appointment for spay/neuter at no cost to the adoptive family. Anybody interested in adopting a dog should head to the shelter as soon as possible.

Fostering a pet is always free and incredibly rewarding. RGVHS will provide foster parents with everything they will need to care for the pet, including food, toys, and other care items. Foster families can customize the length of foster to meet their availability, with foster periods lasting a few hours to a few months.

Read more: The Rio Grande Valley Humane Society over capacity, seeks community's help

Kick-Off for Food Bank RGV’s Empty Bowls Season June 3

RadissonThe Radisson Hotel McAllen Airport will host the Food Bank RGV’s Empty Bowls Paint Party Kick-off from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, June 3, at 2721 S. 10th St, McAllen.

Food Bank RGV invites the public to participate in this family-friendly event and help paint bowls for the Food Bank RGV. The Radisson Hotel McAllen Airport will provide a hotdog and hamburger BBQ, D.J., door prizes, and more to celebrate the Empty Bowls season kick-off. To take part in this event, there is a $10 donation per person to cover the costs of paints and supplies for the Food Bank RGV.

Read more: Kick-Off for Food Bank RGV’s Empty Bowls Season June 3

Bird Banding with Dr. Timothy Brush at Quinta Mazatlan

Tim Brush w Green JayQuinta Mazatlan welcomes Presenter Dr. Timothy Brush on Thursday, June 1st from 6-7 p.m. Green jays and clay-colored thrushes are tropical birds that many visiting birders love to see. While they are often seen at nature centers and refuges, they are also readily seen in towns and cities as well.

Dr. Timothy Brush has been conducting a bird-banding study of these birds since March 2018 to better understand their lives in our area. Bird banding is a federally regulated process which requires extensive training to ensure the safety of the birds.

Read more: Bird Banding with Dr. Timothy Brush at Quinta Mazatlan

McAllen Public Library holds gardening program

Join the McAllen Public Library for a free gardening program on, "Garden Herbs," to be held on May 20, from 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. at 4001 N. 23rd St. in McAllen. This class is part of the Texas Master Naturalist series where speaker, Bill Rich, will present "Six Herbs From My Garden: Thyme, Parsley, Cilantro, Oregano, Dill, and Basil."

Learn how to preserve and cook with herbs, and how to chiffonade basil leaves. A food recipe will be demonstrated. Participants will receive a free herb plant, while supplies last. Registration required at 9(956) 681-3000.

May programs at Bentsen-RGV State Park

Smores Picture1Fun and informative programs for all ages. Scheduled programs are free with park admission. Reservations required for some programs. All programs will meet at the tram turnaround at park headquarters unless otherwise specified. Please call ahead to confirm program schedule and details at (956) 584-9156. Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park is located on 2800 South Bentsen Palm Drive in Mission, Texas.

Read more: May programs at Bentsen-RGV State Park

PCT to hold auditions on May 8-9

PCT LogoThis Summer Pharr Community Theater (PCT) will present The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit, a two-act comedy, in English, written by Ray Bradbury, (to be directed by Seres J. Magaña). The story is set in the 1970's in Los Angeles, where four young men pull together their money to buy a wonderful white suit that they believe will bring them better luck, especially in romance.

Read more: PCT to hold auditions on May 8-9

Premier of “Preserving South Texas Wildlands” documentary by Richard Moore

SebLem Pics0017Join The Valley Land Fund at Quinta Mazatlán on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 6:00 pm for the premier of "Preserving South Texas Wildlands", the latest feature created by local wildlife documentarian, Richard Moore. This documentary details the importance of preserving private lands, with more than 95 percent of remaining wildlands in Texas are in the hands of private landowners.

One man’s inspiring legacy is that of Dr. Steve Bentsen. A small animal vet and a respected nature photographer Bentsen became a landowner in 2002. His goal was to manage his own property and capture images of the flora and fauna that reflected his stewardship.

Read more: Premier of “Preserving South Texas Wildlands” documentary by Richard Moore

Sharing experiences of women impacted by Bracero program

Mayra AvilaThe Museum of South Texas History welcomes scholar Mayra Avila to the Sunday Speaker Series presentation, “Finally, Our Stories: How the Bracero Program Impacted Mexican Women,” at 2 p.m. May 7.

The Bracero Program, which ran between 1942 and 1964, was established between the United States and Mexico to ease the labor shortage during World War II and into the early 1960s. The program not only impacted Mexican workers but the women who were left behind. Many women were forced to take responsibilities outside of the traditional homemaker role in order to make ends meet. It also created a rift among working women and society’s patriarchal expectations for women. This presentation will highlight some of these experiences.

Read more: Sharing experiences of women impacted by Bracero program

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