5 WINTER TEXAN TIMES www.wintertexantimes.com DECEMBER 11, 2024 December 14 – The McAllen Farmers Market will be held at the McAllen Public Library from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is held every Saturday. The library is located at 4001 N. 23rd St. For more information visit mcallenfarmersmarket.com. December 14 – McAllen Heritage Center will host the annual McGrinch event at La Placita Park, 301 S. Main St., in McAllen, from 2 to 7 p.m. The event will feature photos with McGrinch, food vendors, holiday music, and more. McGrinch and ugly sweater attire is encouraged. Parking is available at 221 S. 15th St., weekend fees apply. December 14 – The City of San Benito will hold their holiday parade on Sam Houston Blvd. at 6 p.m. December 15 – The South Padre Island Farmers Market is held at The Shores, 8605 Padre Blvd., every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Shop for fresh produce, meats, cheese, juices and more. To see this event and others, visit https://www.sopadre.com/listing/ south-padre-island-farmers-market/1099/. December 15 – Buena Vida Farmers Market will be held from 2 to 4:30 p.m., every Sunday, at Bannworth Park, 1822 N. Shary Rd., in Mission. Pre-orders can be made online at BuenaVidaFarmersMarket.com. For vendor info, call (512) 554-9713. December 17 – Join the Valley Symphony Orchestra Chorale and Holiday Brass Quintet at the holiday concert, Merry and Bright Around the World. This event will be held at the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle, 400 Virgen de San Juan Blvd., in San Juan at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.valleysymphony.org. December 18 – Gelman Stained Glass Museum presents Winter Texan Day with $5 off their regular $20 admission. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It’s a self-guided visit that includes a digital map compatible with smart phones. The museum is located at 411 Virgen de San Juan Blvd., in San Juan. Call (956) 601-0838, or visit www.gelmanmuseum.org, for more information. December 20 – McAllen Wind Ensemble presents Noche Magica, at 7:30 p.m. at the McAllen Performing Arts Center. Although the event is free, you must have a ticket to enter. You can obtain a ticket at www.mcallenwindensemble. org. VA holds blood drives Blood is perishable and must be constantly replenished. According to the American Red Cross, one in seven patients entering a hospital needs a blood transfusion. In partnership with Vitalant Blood Center, VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System is hosting a series of blood drives. This is part of a nationwide effort by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to address the on-going need for blood. Two Valley VA clinics will hold blood drives. The McAllen VA Outpatient Clinic will hold their blood drive on Friday, December 13 from 9 a. m. to 1 p.m. The clinic is located at 901 E. Hackberry Ave. On Tuesday, January 14, the Harlingen VA Outpatient Clinic will hold a blood drive from 9 a.m. to noon. The clinic is located at 2106 Treasure Hills Blvd. “We are a proud member of the Rio Grande Valley community and are doing our part to meet the constant need for blood and blood products.” said Public Affairs Officer Hugo Martinez. “We ask Veterans, family members, and all members of the community make the time to donate blood.” ID is required. Scheduling an appointment is recommended. Walk-in donations will be accepted. For more information or to register, visit https://donors.vitalant. org/dwp/portal/dwa. For future events, check https://www.va.gov/ texas-valley-health-care/events
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