Contempo CULTURE / BUSINESS / POLITICS / FASHION / TECHNOLOGY / TRAVEL
DECEMBER 2010
Presenting ALLIE GONZALEZ MISS McALLEN 2011 the Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
page 1 ContempoMag.com
My passion for gourmet cuisine took me from the Valley to explore the fine art of cooking in Europe where I spent four years studying and working in Spain and France with noted chefs like Paul Bocuese. My dream, to create a European styled eatery in McAllen has now materialized with the opening of Jaber at the Art Village, a European fine dinning establishment combining French, Basque, Italian and Authentic Mexican flavors. A true Chef’s cuisine. Better knows a “Cocina de Autor”. Please come and try our delightful Tasting Menu of lamb, veal, salmon and lobster. It also features prime ribeye from the “Double R Ranch” in Iowa. We have a great selection of Spanish Tapas including braised scallops, Iberic ham and Kobe beef among many other popular Spanish favorites ranging from $3 to $15.
New Year’s Eve Dinner Party 2011
Five Course Dinner of traditional lucky cuisine including grapes, lentils, kale, blackeyed peas and pork. For reservations call 956-627-2556
One of my great pursuits is wine pairing so our full wet bar is stocked with some of the finest French, Spanish and Italian wines in the Valley including Chateau Baron Lafite Rothschild of France. I hope you will find our cocktail menu delightfully creative with only fresh juices squeezed into our margaritas, mojitos and martinis so please join us for a, one of a kind, European dining experience I promise you won’t forget.
SUITE 420 / 800 N. Main / at Hackberry / The Art Village McAllen, Texas 78501 / (956) 627-2556 Tues. thru Thurs. 5:30 pm to Midnight / Fri. and Sat. 5:30 till 2 am / live music Thurs. 10pm-1am, Fri. 9pm-1 page 2 ContempoMag.com
Financial Financial independence independence starts starts now. now. Having Having aa tailored tailored financial financial plan plan is is the the first first step step toward toward living living the the life life you’ve you’ve always always wanted—before wanted—before and and after after retirement. retirement. It It all all begins begins with our unique Dream > Plan > Track >®® approach to financial planning. Working with you one-to-one, I’ll help you define your dream, develop your plan and track your progress over time. It’s a long-term relationship, designed around your dreams. To start a conversation, call (956) 618-0050. James James Tabak Tabak Business Business Financial Financial Advisor Advisor 4516 4516 S. S. McColl McColl Rd Rd Edinburg, Edinburg, TX TX 78539 78539 956-618-0050 956-618-0050 Fax: Fax: 956-618-4833 956-618-4833 James.M.Tabak@ampf.com James.M.Tabak@ampf.com
Ameriprise Financial cannot guarantee future financial results. Brokerage, investment and financial advisory services are made available Ameriprise FinancialFinancial cannot guarantee future financial results. andservices financialmay advisory services areinmade available through Ameriprise Services, Inc. Member FINRA and Brokerage, SIPC. Someinvestment products and not be available all jurisdictions through Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. Some products and services may not be available in all jurisdictions or to all Ameriprise clients. or to all clients.Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. © 2009-2010 © 2009-2010 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. the Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
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restaurant • bar • hookah lounge
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Contempo CULTURE / BUSINESS / POLITICS / FASHION / TECHNOLOGY / TRAVEL
DECEMBER 2010
On the Cover: Miss McAllen 2011, Allie Gonzalez of DebiLou Productions, shares her styling fabs from Just Convinced at Cimarron for our cover this month. Congrats for winning the pageant along with Miss Mission, Krystal Cavasos, also featured in this issue.
Contempo is a publication of Contempo Magazine Inc. All opinions represented are of the authors & not necessarily the views of the publisher. The publisher makes no representations regarding advertising content. Contempo Magazine is a trademark of Contempo Magazine Inc. All rights reserved. All content published and constructed by Contempo Magazine is the property of Contempo Magazine Inc. Permission for reprint shall be granted only upon written request and authorized release from Contempo Magazine Inc.
President / Ralph Magaña Aisha Rodriguez / Copy Editor Business & Latin American Affairs / Tony Magaña Landscape & Home / Jorge Oliver Guest Contributor / Barbara Delgado / Art Culinary Culture / Abraham Jaber Photographer / R. Magaña
Ad Sales Ralph Magaña 467.7880 Distribution / Rosa Lopez Co-founder & Webpage Editor / Tony Magaña
e-mail: wmagana@rgv.rr.com web site: www.contempomag.com 2210 Sabinal St. Mission, Tx 78572
Printed in the Mexico the Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
BOUTIQUE STYLE Angels of Love Style Show
11
IRON CHEF food fight
16
McALLEN’S FARMER’S MARKET at Alhambra
18
CONTEMPO ARTWALL Artist Maria Casso color, culture, caribe
26
THE OLD HIDALGO PUMPHOUSE museum feature
29
PINEDA COVALIN STYLE SHOW at the art village
32
BREAKING PAR SIGNATURE GOLF Salvador Morales
34
BOOK REVIEW In the Shadow of the Mexican Revolution
36
LANDSCAPING with Hibiscus
38
page 5 ContempoMag.com
THE CLUB AT
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Ring your Bell at this year's New Year’s Eve Boogie Wonderland Bash! Friday, 12.31.10
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Come Enjoy and Dance your Shoes Off on our Lighted Dance Floor with Grupo Ache Show Band and Retro Disco with DJ Joe Roxks! Heavy hors d'oeuvres Tapas Station, Dessert Station and a Breakfast Buffet at Midnight are also included for only $75.00++ (Advance Ticket Price). Champagne Toast is included at Midnight. Bar is additional.
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Cristina Pineda and Ricardo Covalin, mexican young designers, first developed the Pineda Covalin Fashion House in 1996 in collaboration with the Mexican National Institute of Antrophology and History. In the last ten years, Pineda Covalin has evolved becoming a global fashion brand where creativity and quality drive each collection. The Pineda Covalin collections reflect the magic and passion influenced by the history of Mexico and its popular arts. Their patterns are taken from unique textile traditions, ethnic groups from all over the Mexican Republic, and from ethnic rituals and costumes. Many of the designs of Pineda Covalin are inspired from the mystical heritage of Huichol, Aztec, Mayan and Zapotec cultures and from the natural beauty of the Mexican landscape, while others capture the distinct heritage of great Mexican artists like Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.
ties scarfs shoes shawls jewelry handbags swimwear long scarfs page 10 ContempoMag.com
The Pineda Covalin Collections, originally slatted for distribution in Mexico, have gone global with popularity growing in Europe, the United States, Canada and South America. In the US, The Pineda Covalin line can now be found in important museums such as the Del Barrio Museum in New York, the Seatle Museum, and the MOMA in San Francisco. The Texas area franchise for Pineda Covalin is located in the ZM Gallery, at the corner of west Hackberry and Main Street, the Art Village in McAllen. Z M GALLERY Mon. thru Sat. 11am - 6pm 800 North Main Suite 100 McAllen, Texas 956-618-4422
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FOOD FIGHT VALLEY CHEFS JOIN FORCES TO SUPPORT C.A.M.P. UNIVERSITY AT THE CLUB at CIMARRON for THIRD ANNUAL IRON CHEF FOOD FIGHT by Executive Chef Abraham Jaber After spending a number of years away from the valley while studying abroad in Europe I didn’t come to realize how advanced the culinary arts had become back home. “The good old days”, when a trip to Luby’s constituted an amazing feast, are indeed relic. After all, it was not that long ago that one had to travel to Weslaco for an attempt at Italian. Now, authentic chefs command the palettes at dozens of fine cuisine restaurants along the Valley corridor. The spectacle of great food, and the thrill of competition helped make the night a big success for C.A.M.P. University, a local charity that assists children with autism, down’s syndrome and other developmental delays. The Third Annual IRON CHEF Food Fight at page 16 ContempoMag.com
Exec. Chef-Larry Delgado of House.Wine. giving final presentation Winner First Place-Iron Chef Judged Competition 2010 1st Runner-Up People's Choice Division
the Club at Cimarron took the competition to the next level with a tiered elimination format that required the use of a variety of surprise ingredients to better test the skills of the Valley’s finest chefs. The Host Chef, Executive Chef Santiago De La Cruz of Cimarron and Co-host, Executive Chef Ruben Aleman of Feldman’s Market Center also introduced a new pastry chef division. This year, the competition came from across the Valley, including executive and sous chefs from So. Padre Island to Mission, Texas. Competing in this grueling two day event were: Carlos Almaraz (Feldman’s), James Canter
(Alhambra), Richard Carney (Wild Fork), Vladimir Cruz (The Patio on Guerra), Larry Delgado (House. Wine.), Henry Hamor (Calesa), Alex Lopez (Yoko’s), Danny Ordaz (The Club at Cimarron), David Secrest (The Spanish Room-Renaissance), Whilliam Vieza (BarCelona), and Omar Sanchez (El Divino).
Day One-Chef Division
Each chef is given one hour to prepare and present to four judges an array of courses that must include a pre-determined special, secret ingredient. Typically the secret ingredient,
(continued on page 22)
Executive Sous Chef Vladimir Cruz Second Place Finish-Culinary Division
IRON CHEF 2010 Criteria: One hour on the stop-watch to plan, prep and serve Judges in a three round advance. Required use of secret ingredients incl. duck foiegras, grits, sun-dried tomatoes, and tuna roe that are sealed until the event. Proceed through three rounds of judged elimination on taste and presentation over a two-day period with an audience present for Rounds Two and Three. Live Feed broadcast was provided by .. Executive Pastry Chef Cake Decorating competition-One single round.
Mabis Rodriguez of Sweet & Tasty First Place Finish Pastry-Cake Decorating the Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
page 17 ContempoMag.com
page 18 ContempoMag.com
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page 19 ContempoMag.com
Roasted Lady Apple filled with Chocolate Ganache with Pomegranate seeds, Executive Sous Chef Vladimir – The Patio on Guerra
Short Ribs and Foie Gras Napoleon with Basil Oil, Executive Chef Omar Sanchez – El Divino
Roasted Rack of Lamb with seared Foie Gras and fingerling potatoes, Executive Chef Whilliam – Barcelona
(continued from page 18)
chosen by the Host Chef in advance, is a rare culinary item that requires a great deal of creativity and fast planning to make the grade. Whereas last year, only one special ingredient was applied to the contestants, this year four different ingredients where chosen-duck foie gras, grits, sun-dried tomatoes and tuna roe. Two sets of four judges spent a total of eight hours on day one and six hours on day two ranking the field of distinguished chefs. After a highly competitive first round, four challengers advanced to round two. All four are no strangers to culinary competition. Alhambra’s James Canter, House.Wine’s. Larry Delgado, and The Patio on Guerra’s Vladimir Cruz have competed and won titles from around the state. Cruz just returned with a first place title in Austin, while Larry Delgado of House.Wine. took first for the People’s Choice Award at the 2009 IRON CHEF event last year and second in the judged sector. Alhambra’s James Canter recently competed against 22 teams from around the world including Spain at Paella Rance 2010 in Austin for Paella Lovers United winning first place. Carney from the Island’s Wild Fork Restaurant has been recognized as the #1 restaurant of the Urban Spoon award. On day one, Judges Rodrigo Rodriguez and Danielle Iruegas of Savor the Flavor, Rudy Sanchez of Texas Ice Carvings, and I sampled over 30 entries from the 11 challengers.
Onion & Bamboo ash encrusted ballontine of Pork & Foie Gras basting liquid, Executive Chef James Canter – Ahlambra
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Deep Fried Spiced Chicken wing crusted with white grits and Grit polenta cake, Executive Chef James Canter–Ahlambra
Oil basted Chargrilled beef T-bone, roasted tomato and roasted garlic, high heat seared Foie Gras, Executive Chef – Calesa
Among the judges for two final rounds on day two were John Cain of Goombada’s Sandwich Shop, Executive Chef Marcel Fortuin of Bistro M, Chef Rudy Sanchez of Texas Ice Carvings and Ralph Magaña of Contempo Magazine. MC for the evening of day two was popular TV personality, Tim Smith of KRGV Channel 5 News. Five top area Bakeries participated in the Cake Decorating competition including: Ganache Gourmet Cakes, The Black Box Cheesecake Co., Gourmet Delights, Sweet & Tasty Bakeries, and Ybarra’s Cake Shop. Judging the pastry entries where Amy Nicole Smith of the Monitor, Executive Chef Elton Musolllari of H.E.B. and Cynthia Ebrom of Cynthia’s Cake. The first place finish in the Cake Decorating Division went to Mabis Rodriguez of Sweet & Tasty Bakeries while second place was scored by Martin Ibarra of Ibarra Cake Shop & Bakery.
House. Wine. Chef Larry Delgado’s Salad Entry for First Place judged competition Himalayan salt rock and sugar cured magret of duck– Chef James Canter, Alhambra
Day Two-Chef Division
The creative talents of competing chefs were put to the test this year with exotic special ingredients and the live video broadcast feed provided by Hermes Music that offered the audience an interesting perspective on the happenings in the Cimarron kitchen. Video screens, positioned in the clubhouse dining room, enabled guests to see the fast pace of action unfold in the kitchen.
Grilled Pork Ribs and Foie Gras with Chipotle cream, Executive Sous Chef Vladimir –The Patio on Guerra
The Patio on Guerra’s Chef Vladimir’s Round Three Final Entry for a 2nd Place Finish–Judged Comp. the Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
page 21 ContempoMag.com
There was, of course, no real food fight but instead, a level of competitive excellence that was exceeding remarkable. All chefs displayed amazing talent at work in the kitchen and in their presentations that was indicated by the tight scoring in the final round.
MC, Tim Smith presents Executive Sous Chef, Whilliam Vieza, of The Patio on Guerra and his entries for the final round.
Finalists–
The People’s Choice Award this year went to a new face on the culinary cuircut, Yoko’s Executive Chef Alex Lopez. Alex has specializes in japanese cuisine for over 16 years in the Valley. In the final round of the judged culinary division, Executive Chef Larry Delgado from House.Wine. captured first place, while first runner-up for the judged competition was awarded to Vladimir Cruz of The Patio on Guerra. Congratulations to both on their achievements and to all the great Valley chefs who participated this year. Chairperson of the third annual event, Abby Sasser expressed a heartfelt thanks to all the participants, sponsors and guests–“Your generosity makes tonight possible, and more importantly, gives more families the joy of knowing that their developmentally delayed child can continue to learn and become a contributing part of the Rio Grande Valley.” To learn more about supporting C.A.M.P. University on-line visit www.campuniversity.org.
Hermes Music provided live-feed videocasting so guests could watch the action unfolding in the Cimarron Kitchen where Chefs worked in pairs.
The Spanish Room’s David Secrest of Renaissance Casa de Palmas Hotel works in tandem with his staff and Richard Carney of the Island’s Wild Fork Restaurant. Paired Chefs are staggered by 15 minutes to present their entries. page 22 ContempoMag.com
Day One Judges – Danielle Iruegas, Rodrigo Rodriguez, and Ralph Magaña pictured here with Host Jimmy De La Cruz.
Executive Chef, Whilliam Vieza, Finishes of a Rack of Lamb entry for Barcelona
McAllen Mayor Richard Cortez and wife, Elva Cortez
Judges Executive Chef, Marcel Fortuin of Bistro M, John Cain of Goombada’s Sandwich Shop and Chef, Rudy Sanchez of Texas Ice Carvings scoring day two.
Priscila Lozano & Walter Verdugo of Yoko's– First Place Finish-People's Choice Award
Cimarron’s Ex. Chef Jimmy De La Cruz with People's Choice Award Winner–Alex Lopez
Mimi Gonzalez-Owner Barcelona– Spanish Mediterranean Cuisine
After two days of grind, executive chefs, sous chefs and judges head out for the after-party at winners Jessica & Larry’s place. the Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
page 23 ContempoMag.com
Cimarron’s Santiago De La Cruz & Feldman’s & Ruben Aleman Dedicate Their Talents to C.A.M.P Hosts Jimmy De La Cruz & Ruben Aleman in the Cimarron Kitchen preping for the fight.
H
ost for the 3rd Annual Iron Chef Food Fight was executive chef Santiago “Jimmy”, De La Cruz. In his third year hosting the event, De La Cruz the executive chef for the Club at Cimarron and his Co-host, Executive Chef, Ruben James Aleman of Feldman’s Market Center put together an enhanced crowd pleasing format for the challengers this year. Jimmy founded the event three years ago to benefit local charities and to showcase local chefs and their talents. His expertise is in world cuisine with a particular interest in French, Mediterranean, American Southwest, Asian and his own style of world fusion.
About the Author:
Before coming to Cimarron he served as the Chef for The Woodlands Resort, Hotel, Conference Center and Country Clubs in Houston and the Lajita Golf Resort ant Spa in West Texas. Jimmy began his culinary career at the Oak Hills Country Club in San Antonio under the direction of German Certified Executive Chef Paul Rossmeier after attending culinary school and appreticeship with the Texas Chef’s Association and the accredited American Culinary Federation.
Executive Chef, Abraham Jaber studied gastronomy for one year in Spain and for three years in France at the prestigous Institut Paul Bocuse in Paris. While there, he worked with famous chefs at the Three Star Michelin Levels. Upon returning to the United States Abraham conducted a co-op at Chef Thomas Keller’s, The French Laundry in Napa Valley, California. He now is owner of the new, chic European styled restaurant in McAllen, Jaber at the Art Jimmy keeps his competitive spirit running too. District at the corner of Hackberry and Main Last year at the Culinary Institute of America at Street. Greystone in Santa Helena, California, Jimmy placed first in a blind tasting challenge against page 24 ContempoMag.com
twelve chefs from around the country. Jimmys’ Co-Host, Ruben James Aleman, who now serves as Corporate Executive Chef for Feldman’s Market Center, brings much of his unique skill and culinary talent from his experience at famous resorts in Florida that catered to celebrities and dignitaries. There, he apprenticed under such renowned chefs as Mathew sobon (L’Escalier) and Mathias Raddits (The Breakers). His work at the Hilton Hotles in South Carolina and particularly at The Breakers, a five-star diamond resort in Palm Beach, brings a wealth of culinary sophistication to the Valley. Their job was to provide a challenging and level playing field for the competitors, as well as to make the night an entertaining success for the guests and a great source of charity for the benefit of C.A.M.P. University. For they and their sponsors, the event was a superb success. C.A.M.P. University offers families of children with Autism, Down’s Syndrome and other developmental delays. The special efforts of C.A.M.P. provides these children with programs and transportation that help them achieve the dignity of a prosperous and productive life.
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Art Wall
ALMA CASSO Artist, Alma Caso’s passion is evident in every
one of her paintings. It is fed by her innate ability to find beauty everywhere, and her desire to share it. In their strong movement, their layers of color, texture and light, her paintings pulse with the lushness of the environments that have shaped her unique view of the world. First, there was Campeche, on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, where she was born and spent her early years. Set on a cliff at the edge of lush, green jungle growth, the white buildings of colonial Campeche overlooked the brilliantly water where the Gulf of Mexico merges with the Caribbean. Later, living in the arid Mexico/Texas border region of Reynosa, Alma learned to appreciate the special light, space and subtleties of open land, with its signature shapes of cacti and mesquite. Alma attended school in Monterrey, where she could view the endless shapes of the Sierra Madres and later, settled in the Rio Grande Valley. With a bachelor’s degree in communication, and an MBA, Alma pursued a successful career in education, business, government and health care. But, always wanting to be an artist – to capture and share the beauty she saw, Alma returned to art and began experimenting in many media – oils, acrylics, egg tempera, and sometimes raw pigments. She developed her own intense style using brushes, palette knives and even her fingers to express the emotions that drive her. “I want people to feel an emotional impact when they see my work,” Alma says. “..to realize they are surrounded by beauty and energy.” You can see Alma’s work on display at Imagine Showroom, located in the heart of the Art District, There motto is "Arts For the soul arts for humanity." We promote local artist and some international artist to the valley. by Barbara Delgado page 26 ContempoMag.com
Light house - Oil On canvas 35x23
S H O W R O O M
956-686-ARTS 800 N. Main, Suite 110 Art Village on Main Imageshowroom.com Lennon - Oil On canvas 21x17
Life insurance premiums are near historic lows. Term life insurance premiums have dropped to levels not seen in years. Do you have enough coverage to support your loved ones? Now is a good time to provide more protection for your family. Call today for a free, no-obligation life insurance review. This review is not, in any way, intended as an invitation to replace your existing policy coverage. Such an exchange is often not suitable due to such factors as surrender charges on your existing contract, the surrender charge period on the new contract, transaction costs associated with the exchange, the values of the new contract versus the old contract, and the various fees and expenses associated with the new product. Therefore, replacing an existing policy should only be considered after a careful evaluation of these factors as well as a thorough review of your existing coverage. Insurance products are offered through nonbank insurance agency affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company and are underwritten by unaffiliated insurance companies.
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Wishes Our Readers a Joyful Holiday Season & a Happy New Year
page 28 ContempoMag.com
FAMILY FUN
The Old Hidalgo Pumphouse Museum by Ralph Magaña
the Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
page 29 ContempoMag.com
100 YEARS OF VALLEY HISTORY The Roar of Spinning Turbines is all that is missing from this stunning restoration, but you won’t be disappointed. It’s been A 100 year transformation in the making for this First Rate Valley amusement, a site to behold. Located just off the River, in what was once the heart of Old Hidalgo, Texas, this century old steam pump house played a big part in making the Rio Grande Valley “Magic” by elevating irrigation water from the Rio Grande River to canal height. From there, with gravity alone, the water could be transported to feed the expanding citrus, cotton and market crops at the turn of the century. This development along with the railroad at the time, provided one of the greatest influxes of people the Valley had ever experienced.
WHAT TO SEE & DO Now you can visit this restored pump house in Hidalgo, which looks much as it did in 1905. You will find an amazingly clean, well restored facility that offers a surprising number of exhibits including steam turbines, tractors, water treatment vats, an outdoor amphitheater and a fascinating miniature train display. It also is host to a birding center, a nature trail and a botanical garden. page 30 ContempoMag.com
MODEL RAILROAD EXHIBIT
A real treat for kids of any age, the model railroad (circa 1960) is a scaled, on going work in progress. It is fashioned with a northeastern style, common to Appalachia, that includes a small town, a village, an industrial facility, a pump house lift station (resembling the one in Mission, Texas), a round house, rail yard and several passenger stations. The impressive layout can handle up to eight running trains at once. The designer, facility. It was restored to it’s existing condition Arthur Nemes, will invite guests for a close up if by McAllen architect, Teresa Morales, of McAlhe is around working on the project. len. She won several prestigious national awards for the design including the National Trust for BOTANICAL GARDEN Public Historic Places Award. The Botanical Gardens on site offer an easy GETTING THERE stroll through a cloud of butterflies grazing on fresh pollen from the colorful and aromatic wild It is located on the original site of the cenflowers all around. You can wonder off along the ter of Hidalgo and is easy to find. Heading south nature trail to see all kinds of native wildlife. on 23rd Street from McAllen, make a left before In the main building of the old pump house entering bridge traffic at the Burger King. Then, you will find literally tons of exhibits of well pre- make a right on 2nd. Street in town and it’s just served artifacts from the early 1900’s. A station a few blocks straight ahead. It is open Monday pump, several early model tractors, tools, pump through Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM and on Sunhouse artifacts and the model train layout are all day 1PM to 5 PM. In addition to tours, events can inside. I was really impressed with how well kept be scheduled at the Old Pump House. the place is, giving one the sense that you have gone back in time, as you enter the well restored By Ralph Magaña
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Z M Gallery & Pineda Covalin
Fall Fashion Show
Art Village Showroom
The emblem of the company is its large silk scarves which, tied creatively, can become shirts, blouses, dresses, skirts, belts or other trendy accessories; turning one fashion accessory into a multiple wardrobe. Several distinguished personalities have worn the charismatic pieces designed by these Mexican designers. Among them: Crown Prince Felipe of Spain, and his wife Princess Letizia of Asturias, Mexican President Vicente Fox, and his wife Marta SahagĂşn de Fox; and actress Rebeca de Alba.
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Simply Scrumptious
Susy Gramoff of Susy’s Dance & Fitness performs a flamenco for the audience With boutiques in Miami, Madrid, Barcelona and around Mexico, the trendy design house has managed to conquer the interest of museums across the USA and around the world, having a series of pieces within their store portfolio. As the designers put it “the idea of going international lies mainly in our passion to increase the knowledge about the richness of the Latin American culture through objects and designs that portray it through a high-quality product in a contemporaneous and unconventional way.” Among the nine museums in California that carry these charming pieces are the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach, and the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. Locally, Pineda Covalin selections are available at ZM Gallery on Main St. at Hackberry.
city café and catering
City Café and Catering is your full service caterer and event planner for Corporate Parties, Business Luncheons, Dinners and Private Parties in the Rio Grande Valley. City Café and Catering offers only complete satisfaction, delicious menus and prompt professional service for your organization or business meetings. We will custom cater the perfect menu for your company and your guests – whatever the occasion. Complete satisfaction, delicious food and prompt professional service is our commitment to you and your guests. You can count on us to design your entire event down to the last detail including flowers, party rentals, service staff, decor and more.
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page 33 ContempoMag.com
BREAKING PAR
Natural Ability, Disciplined Training, or Both? Salvador Morales, aged fifteen has been playing golf now for only fifteen months. He grabbed a driver from his dad’s set on his first day at the range and sent a range ball, on line, about 250 yards. It didn’t take his dad, Mariano, long to get him a set and on the range with a pro trainer. After eight lessons and daily practice, Sal is now crunching drives with an planned draw or fade upwards of 300 yards and occasionally scoring in the mid-seventies. He looks to be seated second on the Sharyland golf team this year. This is one to keep your eyes on. (Here, on Cimarron’s number 6, par 5, Salvador hits a 300 yard drive, reaching the water hazard from the championship tee box with a slight draw, showing good form on his follow-through.) page 34 ContempoMag.com
Our Mission: As personal trainers, our objective is to give you the knowledge and necessary tools to live a healthy lifestyle. We will help you understand how exercise and dieting can greatly improve your overall quality of life. We stress the importance of strength training for improving performance, and self confidence. Our main goal is to create effective exercise routines that compliment an individualís hectic lifestyle. With our help you will improve your overall fitness, sports performance and self image. Through proper goal setting and motivation, exercise will become more than just another day at the gym. It becomes an attitude that affects every aspect of your life.
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Oxygen with no Boundaries When you were initially diagnosed with having a need for oxygen therapy (perhaps your physician called it chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] or another ailment), it may have been hard to imagine at the time that you would ever live life to the fullest again. But through the use of the unique FreeStyle™ Portable Oxygen Concentrator by AirSep®, you truly can experience oxygen with no boundaries!
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The Only “Wearable” Oxygen Concentrator FreeStyle is the world’s lightest, most compact, and only “wearable” portable oxygen concentrator (POC) available. A POC makes its own oxygen, as needed, everywhere you go. And because the portable oxygen concentrator enables you to be free of the need for oxygen refills and deliveries, you are never limited to where you go or how far Oxygen you venture.with no Boundaries When you were initially diagnosed with having a need for oxygen therapy (perhaps your physician called it chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] or another ailment), it may have been hard to imagine at the time that you would ever live life to the fullest again. But through the use of the AirSep Corporation unique FreeStyle™ Portable Oxygen Concentrator ®, you truly can experience oxygen with by AirSep 401 Creekside Drive no boundaries!
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IN THE SHADOW of the MEXICAN REVOLUTION by Hector Aguilar Camin & Lorenzo Meyer
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In the Shadow is a well documented social & political account of the events surrounding the evolution of political mechanisms and the figures who created them, from the revolution forward through the presidency of De La Madrid. Although chronological, the authors overlap historical periods to emphasis the transitions that occurred as the government, redirected the forces of the revolution into the party apparatus able to influence national policy. Of particular interest are the periods covering the notable Mexican militias of Zapata in the south and Villa in the north, and their changing roles during the revolutionary era. The lives of Madero, Caranza, and the role of the Sonorense are detailed and how the ideals of their great cause transformed from a violent beginning into a political system over time. In reading In The Shadow, one clearly gets a feel from reading the passages, the Mexican character and refreshing national perspective of the authors. For anyone who yearns to discover what makes our neighbor to the south click on the political, social and economic level, and why, this is your ticket. Find it at the Museum of South Texas History located in Edinburg, on the Square.
Cimarron Welcomes New Golf Pro with Major Course Experience, PGA Member, Cody Vaughn The Club at Cimarron welcomes PGA Member, Cody Vaughn. Cody has been playing golf for more than 25 years and started his golf career by playing junior golf, which led to a collegiate career, playing at Abilene Christian University for two years before transferring to the University of Texas at Austin to complete up his degree in psychology.
Cody's background in the business side of golf has taken him to Louisiana where he opened the MGM Grand Casino Coushatta golf course Koasati Pines (nominated by Golf Digest as one of the best new courses for 2008/2009). TPC Piper Glen in Charlotte NC; TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney TX (home of the Nationwide Tour Championship); and recently The Woodlands Country Club home of the Adminstaff Sr. Championship. Cody will be the Lead Golf Professional at Cimarron. Congratulations Cody and welcome to the Valley!
Experience Yesterday Today in
Discover North America’s Fountain of Youth in the Heart of Old Mexico, in a Climate Made Specially for Homo Sapiens. Hot Springs. Fresh Air. Golf. The Best of Accommodations & Fine Dining await you in Tequis.
learn more about tequis at: www.tequisquiapanqueretaro.gob.mx the Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
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Chinese, or Evergreen Hibiscus, (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) offers an excellent source of summer landscape color and is one of our most popular tropical or sub-tropical flowering plants. In recent years, the popularity of hibiscus in Texas even appears to be on the rise, although insects, diseases and the possibility of injury during the winter place limitations on its use.
CHARACTERISTICS
Hibiscus plants are known for their large, showy flowers with deep-colored bases. The plants range from low, spreading forms to upright varieties reaching 20 feet in height. Some are compact and dense while others are open and thin. The flowers can vary in size from blossoms two inches in diameter up to 12 inches, with colors ranging from white to purple. The flowers of most varieties last only a day, with the blossoms opening early in the morning and wilting by late afternoon; however, the flowers of a few varieties remain open for two days. Most hibiscuses are odorless, but some of the basic varieties have a modest fragrance. Although the six basic colors are red, orange, yellow, white, lavender, and brown, breeding has created a wide range of color combinations and shades, and flower forms. Hibiscus flowers are basically characterized as single or double forms with variations in the number and arrangement of petals. Flowers that have been picked from the plant don’t need any water, but, if they’re going to be used in the evening, should be refrigerated until it’s time to display them.
PLACEMENT
Hibiscus are used in the landscape as informal hedges or screens, background or foundation plants, usually in a mass plant-
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ROZZMEN IRRIGATION ing of a single variety. Selected varieties, called “standards,” may be trained to grow with a single trunk and are often used as attractive specimen plants for patios, terraces, and flower gardens. In areas that are subject to frost, hibiscus can be grown in pots and brought inside for the winter. Many of the basic, non-grafted varieties will come back from the roots if a frost kills the upper plant. When a hibiscus plant dries out to the point where the leaves wilt for more than one day, the leaves will dry up and fall off; however these leaves will grow back rapidly. Dropping leaves is a method the plants use to reduce moisture loss.
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PLANTING
Hibiscus require about a half-day of sunshine to perform well. Containers should be used with a potting mix consisting of peat moss, perlite, vermiculite, and pine soil conditioner to insure both good drainage and moisture retention. Dolomitic lime should be added so that a pH of about 6.5 to 7 is present in the mix. Hibiscus require regular watering, especially in the afternoon heat. Both a time-release fertilizer and a watersoluble fertilizer, each with minor nutrients, should be used from April through October. The first should be applied about every 6 to 8 weeks as a top dressing and the latter once a week.
SENSITIVITIES
Hibiscus are cold sensitive and MUST be protected from freezing temperatures. The leaves are usually shiny. This is in contrast to the perennial hibiscus that dies to the ground every fall. The top is removed and the plant sprouts again from the underground roots. The perennial hibiscus is root hardy, meaning that it will come back from the root after the top dies. the Valley’s No. 1 On-Line Magazine
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