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Summer 2018 Issue 2 â€¢ Volume 2

FUN THINGS

TO DO THIS

SUMMER WITH YOUR KIDS

TAKING CARE of your skin Tips on how to keep your skin safe when the sun is blazing

F I N D YO U R

s u o R U T N E V AD side

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Check out these swimsuit coverups that will jazz up your great summer look.

The summer of YOU Editor

Lisa Seiser

Content

TEAM

Writer Alexis Aguirre

Photographer Maricela Rodriguez

Graphic Design

Summer’s here and it’s time to take a few moments to slow down and enjoy life. Too often, we don’t do that. Women are notorious for focusing on everybody but themselves. We drive our kids around to all their activities. We cook and clean for our spouses, take care of the children and even ensure the pets have food, water and all the love they need. We don’t stop all that and do things just for ourselves. Because, we think that would be selfish. But, in order for us to be healthy, happy and lead our families, we must make more time for ourselves. So, that’s why in this edition of Valley Women Inspire, we will help you become a better version of you. Want to find that adventurous side this summer? How about a tandem skydive over South Padre Island with Skydive RGV or learn how to surf in the Gulf of Mexico with Rachel Gore. Not so adventurous? Instead, are you interested in getting into shape and changing your body for the better? There are many places you can do that and we will show you some amazing results from Gabby Salazar of Natural Weight Loss Fitness. Gabby also has an inspirational story to tell, herself. Want some new clothes to impress this summer? We have some great outfits from Brownsville’s Country Casuals that can go from daytime

to a night on the town quickly and easily. How about giving your living room a new look? Harlingen interior designer Christina Rodriguez is here to help you find your style and she has some tips for starting your home redesign. And there’s much more for all women to enjoy in this edition. As you all know, we also make sure we tug at your heartstrings in Inspire. Everyone will feel some emotion reading about Joaquin Ellis and his amazing parents. At just 17 months old, Joaquin died unexpectedly. Despite the tragedy, Hayden and Clarissa Ellis decided Joaquin’s reason on this Earth was to help people. Their decision was his final gift – the gift of life through organ donation. Once again, we have created a beautiful, inspirational, educational and entertaining magazine for you all. It’s summer, so most of it is light and fun – fashion, food and adventure. But, we have some serious substance in here, too. As always, enjoy your Valley Women Inspire. Here’s to it helping you find yourself during this summer of you.

Lisa Seiser Editor

TEAM

Victor Cerda

Sales

Graphic Design

Ad Director

Representative

Ana Villaurrutia

Christina Castillo

Kristin Appell

Emily Anderson

Marco Alejandro

Digital content

Ad Director

Representative

Diana Maldonado

Linda Medrano

Leroy Gomez

Orlando Gutierrez

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Summer 2018 • Inspire

in·spire

verb 1. fill (someone) with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative. Find us on : https://www.facebook.com/InspireMagazine250727555359202/ @InspireRGV

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lseiser@valleystar.com 956.430.6215 Want to advertise in Inspire?

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Brenda is showing off a short, but colorful sarong. These are versatile and don’t take up much space in your suitcase or bag. A sarong should be at the top of your travel accessory list. But, make sure you pick out the right length for you. There’s very short, to long. This one already has a tie on it, while others allow you to tie them in various ways. It is the perfect complement to your swimsuit, especially if you can match the colors with your suit, as Brenda shows here. $ to $$$

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Summer 2018 • Inspire

Summer 2018 â€¢ Inspire

This is ‘

my purpose’ Family decision to donate organs following tragedy helps heal Story LISA SEISER Photos courtesy of THE ELLIS FAMILY The emotion is still raw and the tears flow freely. For Hayden and Clarissa Ellis, memories of that night in late January still haunt them. It’s something they can’t erase from their minds and in many ways know they never will. The death of a child changes everything you ever thought was important. It has changed this couple and their family forever. However, from the tragedy of a sudden and unexpected death of a beautiful, smiling baby boy, comes some comfort. The end of Joaquin’s 17-month life resulted in his organs being donated to others to give them a chance at life. That was Joaquin’s purpose. It was two years earlier when the couple experienced one of the happiest moments anyone can have. Clarissa was pregnant with their first child. Both from Weslaco, the pair, who had met coaching gymnastics, had married in July 2014. They attended Texas A&M and returned to the Valley to be closer to family. Solid in their careers, Hayden as an insurance agent at Smith Reagan in San Benito and Clarissa a high school chemistry teacher at Weslaco East, the next part of their life was directly in front of them. “We had the whole gender reveal and everyone was so excited,” Clarissa says about the pregnancy. “This was going to be the first boy on my side of the family, the first grandbaby on both sides of the family and the first greatgrandbaby on his side.” But, it didn’t take long for the joy of having a baby to turn into questions and worries. A blood test in May revealed Clarissa, a young and healthy first-time mother, had high levels of alpha beta proteins, a sign of a potential birth defect. Another test days later, confirmed what Clarissa

had known in her heart, the baby had hydrocephalus - extra fluid on the brain. “I was crying,” Clarissa says about when the doctor told the couple. “How did this happen? What caused this? That was our next question. How and why?” Doctors stated the case was severe and the baby’s head was quite enlarged. The diagnosis about the baby wasn’t all the bad news the family would endure Clarissa also found out she had a vasa previa, a condition in which the fetal blood vessels cross or run near the internal opening of the uterus. If she had a natural childbirth, the vessels could have ruptured and both her and the baby could have bled out quickly. So, in order to prevent that potential from happening, doctors were planning a C-section six weeks prior to the due date. There was some good news - the baby had nothing wrong with his heart and everything else looked good. However, doctors knew surgery would be necessary on the baby within hours of birth to place the shunt that would help drain the fluid on

“He brought so much joy,” Hayden says. “That was his final act.”

Why they did it Hayden Ellis says some people fear the idea of donating organs because it means they have to come to grips and think about their own mortality. “It is kind of terrifying,” he admits. However, the decision to donate their 17-month-old son’s organs wasn’t difficult for Clarissa or Hayden. “There’s just no doubt,” Clarissa says. “We have the best of both worlds. He is living on this earth in someone else and he is watching over us from Heaven.”

Summer 2018 • Inspire

his brain. On Aug. 16, Joaquin Ellis was delivered in Corpus Christi. It was a typical birth. He looked normal, other than having a larger head. However, that’s when it all became surreal for the Ellis family. “I got to touch his hand,” Clarissa says before he was whisked away to another hospital. “He cried and everything.” Within 24 hours of his arrival, Joaquin had surgery to place a shunt in his head to help drain the fluid. For the next six weeks, Hayden made many trips between Corpus Christi and the Valley, while Clarissa basically lived at Driscoll Children’s Hospital. Finally, on Sept. 27, Joaquin was cleared to go home. “Our neurosurgeon was very optimistic,” Hayden says about Joaquin’s long-term prognosis. “He is going to get it, just might be slower. He will walk and he will talk. He was talking and trying to crawl and trying to stand up.” He was receiving physical therapy and speech therapy and was doing well. Things were delayed, but as the months passed, Joaquin was a normal child. At a year old, Joaquin wasn’t walking yet, but he was starting to sit up on his own. He was progressing and doing well, just a little slower than other kids. He also had quite a personality. “He was such a goofball,” Clarissa says. “He had this giggle that was so mischievous. It was the cutest thing.” Joaquin would pick up items with his feet like a monkey, Clarissa and Hayden describe. He also loved bananas and hated peaches. “He would eat the pears and the oranges and knew what they tasted like, but he would take and throw the peaches on the floor,” Clarissa says smiling. “And we have dogs in the house, so they knew and the dogs 10

Summer 2018 • Inspire

would take care of it.” Life kept rolling along for the happy little family. Joaquin was talking - using words like banana, momma, dadda and baba for bottle. He was healthy and happy, smiling and laughing all the time. He was loving, giving kisses and hugs to everyone. But while things were good, there still were questions. Even after 800 genetic tests on Joaquin, doctors never determined what caused him to have hydrocephalus. “They couldn’t figure out why he had it,” Clarissa says. “This kid baffled him and nobody could tell us why.” However, Clarissa and Hayden along with doctors, were confident he was going to be fine.

What is Hydrocephalus? An abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain. The fluid is often under increased pressure and can compress and damage the brain. This can arise before birth or any time afterward. It may be due to many causes, including birth defect, hemorrhage into the brain, infection, meningitis, tumor or head injury. It is a common companion of spina bifida. In infants, the most obvious sign of hydrocephalus is usually an abnormally large head. Treatment involves insertion of a shunt to let the excess fluid exit and relieve the pressure on the brain. The shunt is a flexible, plastic tube with a one-way valve. It diverts fluid into another area of the body. The prognosis for children with hydrocephalus depends on the cause and timing. However, many children treated are able to lead normal lives with few, if any limitations.

personnel were there, Hayden and Clarissa were confident everything would be OK. It wasn’t. Despite hospital personnel stating that he woke up and was conscious, a short time later, it was determined Joaquin was brain dead. “His heart was still beating, there was nothing wrong with his heart, chest, nothing was wrong with him,” Clarissa says remembering that night. “The doctor just said his brain stopped working.” “Two hours before, he was laughing,” Hayden says with more tears. “It will certainly change your perspective on life. I have never been less scared of dying or crying. It doesn’t make sense and we are still trying to figure it out.” Both Clarissa and Hayden agree one of the most difficult aspects is reliving that horrible night. They agree it is likely similar to a post traumatic stress disorder situation. Some of the other sadness revolves around not knowing what happened. The doctor couldn’t tell us why he died,” Clarissa says as the tears rolled down her cheeks. “The doctor said his brain just stopped working.” “It was an act of God,” Hayden adds while wiping away the tears.

That’s when tragedy struck. It was an evening in late January, on Clarissa’s birthday. Joaquin appeared to have a stomach bug or had eaten something that didn’t agree with him. He had thrown up, but after measuring his head and checking his shunt, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. “I was holding him and he hugged me around the neck,” Hayden says with tears rolling down his cheeks. Clarissa laid with him, patted him on the back and gave him water. Joaquin was in and out of sleep. “He just looked like he didn’t feel good,” Hayden says. “He

had no fever, nothing.” Clarissa was going to take Joaquin to the doctor the next morning. “An hour later, she came in frantic,” Hayden recalls. Joaquin had stopped breathing. While he performed CPR, Clarissa called the paramedics. Despite being two minutes from where the ambulances are stationed, it took emergency personnel 10 minutes to reach the house. “That was the longest 10 minutes of my life,” Hayden says. But, once the emergency

Just minutes after the end of Joaquin’s life, Clarissa and Hayden were asked if they wanted to donate his organs. Clarissa said she and Hayden were taken into a room where a volunteer from the Texas Organ Sharing Alliance talked to them. “She said, although Joaquin is gone, he still has the opportunity to save lives,” Clarissa says. “She said he can donate his organs. He was healthy. There was nothing wrong.” “He was perfect,” Hayden quietly adds. Clarissa states she knew someone who was 27 and died in an accident and was able to save six lives. She and

What you need to know In Texas …

125,000

Men, women and children await lifesaving organ transplants

Percent of patients waiting are in need of a kidney

Percent of patients waiting are in need of a liver

8,000

People die each year because the organs they need are not donated on time.

How can you help? 1. Sign up – Visit DonateLifeTexas.org or say yes to donation when you apply for a Texas driver license or ID. Registering legally records your lifesaving decision to be a donor hero after death. 2. Share your decision – Be proud of the hope and healing your decision can make possible for others. Talk with your family and friends about donation. Ask others to join you on the donor registry. 3. Learn more and do more – Get the facts about donation at DonateLifeTexas.org. Find info about volunteering, becoming a living donor or other ways to get involved with Donate Life Texas in your community. Interested in getting your name on the list? Register at donatelifetexas.org

Summer 2018 • Inspire

“When we were at HEB, he had the helmet on and he would just make you smile,” he says, tears still streaming. “They were watching him and there was just something about him that brightened up a room,” Clarissa says. Sometimes Joaquin went to work with Clarissa.

The service for Joaquin was standing room only, showing the impact his young life made on so many. “They were touched,” Clarissa says. “They had fallen in love with him. I posted about him on social media and they got to see him. People who hadn’t even met him came to

“

If there was some good that could come of it, then that is what we were going to do. It made me feel better knowing that part of him would be living on.” Hayden Ellis

“I still have people tell me, ‘You have no idea what Joaquin did for me that day. I was having a horrible day and I saw Joaquin and I don’t know what happened. He just brought me back up. Multiple people have told me that. It was just his presence that livened them up.”

the service. They just felt like they loved and knew him. He brought so much joy to everyone he met.” That was the same for his parents. “For us, it was the happiest time of our lives,” Clarissa says. He brought so much joy to our lives.”

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Hayden and Clarissa admit he changed their lives, for the better. “He saved my life,” Hayden says. He also has some valuable advice for fellow parents. “All parents have been through times when they wish the baby would stop crying or go to sleep,” Hayden says, tears in his eyes. “I regret not cherishing those moments. Don’t take anything for granted. It can change in an instant. We are powerless no matter how much wealth we have or physical strength or knowledge we have. Live every day as if it is your last.” Cherish every moment and laugh, Clarissa adds. “If you have the ability to save someone else’s life and be a miracle for someone else, why not?” Clarissa says. “If you haven’t found any other purpose, maybe that is it.” They believe it was Joaquin’s purpose.

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Hayden’s decision hit close to home and was not long after that incident. “There wasn’t a doubt in my mind,” Clarissa says of donating Joaquin’s organs. “If we could give a life to someone else, it’s not our miracle, but he was someone else’s. He could do more with his life than many of us can.” Although they haven’t had the opportunity to see those Joaquin was able to save, the couple knows a boy in Florida received Joaquin’s liver, pancreas and small intestine. His heart was used also. “If we could meet those recipients, we would love to hug them and hold them and tell them not to feel guilty,” Clarissa says. “That’s our baby and we love him and it doesn’t matter. We are proud that he saved their lives.” That wasn’t all little Joaquin did. Hayden called his first son “an angel” who impacted everyone he came in contact with, even strangers.

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I guess my time on this earth has come to an end. Just as I was brought into this world by the grace of God, I am leaving by the grace of God. I know so many people loved me and I was able to love them. I took every opportunity to be held and hugged and kissed and give hugs and kisses back. Even though I will be flipping up a storm in heaven, Mommy and daddy have planned for me to save lives. My liver will go on to save another infants life. My lungs will go on to save another infants life. My heart, which never stopped beating and never gave up, will go on to save another infants life. I pray Mommy and daddy will be able to meet my donor recipients and know that I live on!! In only 17 short months, I am fulfilling God’s purpose in my life, to save and deliver others, to help understand that there is a God and He is so good!! Most people it takes a lifetime for them to realize what their purpose in life is, why God made them exist... THIS IS MY PURPOSE. -JPE

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To those who don’t know, there is a difference between interior design and an interior decorator. An interior designer makes spaces functional, safe and beautiful by selecting colors, lighting and materials. An interior decorator determines style, budget and needs of the client, determines the color palette, furniture options and more. Christina Rodriguez, the founder and owner of Diva by Design, Harlingen, does some of both and she’s really good at it. A music and art lover, she brings that creativity to her work. “I was always the kid who

moved furniture around in her room,” Christina says. “It never looked the same.” Christina was in high school when she admits, she “caught the design bug.” However, she later decided to attend college at Sam Houston State to pursue singing. In 2011, Christina found her way back to her passion and talent. She couldn’t be happier, helping people find their style and enjoy their homes. “I think it is an art and science,” she says of her interior design work. “There are certain ways you have to do things, but every project is different. No two projects are the same so there’s no way for it to be boring.” It’s personal, Christina says, but not for her. “You are not coming to me to get my style,” she says. “You are coming to me to get your style. You live there after I am gone. I help them find their style.” Read more about Christina’s story in the next edition of Inspire.

Ask Christina a question - e-mail lseiser@valleystar.com 14

Summer 2018 • Inspire

Feeling overwhelmed with decorating choices? One of the biggest home decorating dilemmas is how overwhelming it can be. You surf the internet and see pictures of beautiful homes and you wonder how they do it. There are so many options you can’t even begin to make a choice out of fear it will be the wrong one. Then, there’s the question of where to start. Here are six simple steps to help you decorate your own home. 1. Decorate in phases by starting with the room you use the most. Trying to do the whole house at once is why you feel overwhelmed. 2. Make a list of what you truly need in that room. Then list things that you want. Making lists helps you focus and decide on a plan. 3. Prioritize each item on your list. What is the most important to you right now? 4. Next, find your design style by searching the internet for images of rooms you love. Save them all together in a file on your computer or one of the websites created for that purpose. 5. Make a mood board by choosing the types of furniture pieces, paint colors, lighting, and accessories that you see over and over again in the images you saved. This is your personal style. There are

websites where you can do this, or you can print them out and cut and paste. 6. Decorate in layers * First are your structural, built-in, and permanent fixtures. * The second layer is paint and wallpaper. * New flooring goes in after you paint. * Now you can place your furniture. * Place your lamps making sure all areas of the room will have a light source. * The last layer are your accessories and you’re done. Having a plan for your home decorating project makes it so much easier to accomplish your goal. Once you place that last accessory, sit back, relax, and enjoy your new space

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Summer 2018 • Inspire

y h t l a e h

Gabby Salazar has overcome her own problems, now she’s HELPING OTHERS with theirs Story LISA SEISER Photos MARICELA RODRIGUEZ When you first see Gabby Salazar, you notice her stature. She’s 4-foot-11. Her pink tank top reveals her muscular arms and small, toned waist. As she walks, you notice a limp and a small black brace on her lower left leg. However, those physical characteristics disappear the second you see her wide smile and the intense energy you feel when she looks into your eyes and grips your hand. In her element, Gabby grabs her workout headset microphone and turns on the music. She smiles and says workouts don’t go without loud music, mostly of Mexican style. “The power of the body comes from the mind,” Gabby says over the blaring noise in both Spanish and then English as she sets up in the front of the room, the mirror behind her so she can watch everyone as they work toward their goals. Gabby’s Natural Weight Loss Fitness gym in San Benito is for people looking to get healthy and change themselves for the better. It’s the way Gabby lives every day now. But, she hasn’t always been fit, happy and healthy. Less than 10 years ago, Gabby weighed 180 pounds

and was using a cane and braces on her legs still affected by her childhood accident. But it would get worse. Over the net few years, Gabby’s weight ballooned to 205 and the impact on her body was significant. She was receiving back injections every three months and had chronic pain doctors said would persist forever. It was her pregnancy in 2013 that led her to change. She was on bed rest for six months. Although her baby was fine, Gabby’s older daughter asked her why she couldn’t do the same things other mothers do. “She asked why I couldn’t be like other mothers,” Gabby says. “Well, that’s when I said, ‘I will be.’ That day, I started looking at the pictures and wondered how I had gone so far.”

Gabby’s nutrition tips • Stay away from flour and starches • Eat eggs, turkey and quinoa – but you can eat a little bit of anything you want • Eat slowly and enjoy

food, especially when going out to dinner • Share meals when eating out • Keep a consistent eating schedule and don’t eat late at night

Natural weight loss to Gabby means, don’t stop eating. She understands and says one must still eat in order to lose weight, but some people do things unnaturally by not eating enough.

“

I am a trainer, but I want to change people’s life in and out. It’s not just about the weight. It’s about health, how you keep it going and be happy.” Gabby Salazar

Obesity epidemic in the valley Gabby Salazar knows about life in the Rio Grande Valley. She also believes there are a couple key points that make obesity a problem here. Not eating breakfast – According to Gabby, too many people skip breakfast and eat too late at night. Time – Valley residents are always doing things for their kids, working for a living and making sure the house is clean for any surprise guests. Gabby says “we’re always on the clock.” With that, comes the lack of food preparation and too much eating out. It takes 15 minutes in the drive through – the same time it takes to cook some eggs, Gabby says. Summer 2018 • Inspire

Personal stories Before and After BEFORE

AFTER

Sanjuana Sandoval

In three months, she’s lost more than 20 pounds. Her knees and back were hurting. She’s 69 and at 70 wants to get up and down and feel good. She couldn’t bend her knees. She feels better. BEFORE

AFTER

Gabriel Jimenez

A restaurant owner who has three kids and had health issues that were getting worse. The doctor told him he could have a heart attack. He said, no, his kids are too young. Every other day he works out. His health conditions are now good. His goal is to tone more.

BEFORE

AFTER

Olga Sandoval

A 47-year-old who drives to class from Brownsville, is hoping to be muscular at age 50. She has lost about 20 pounds since October. Olga says the hardest part is eating healthy, but admits it’s a blessing to work out with Gabby and the others in class. BEFORE

BEFORE

Oneyda Escarano

Has lost 38 pounds in a year. She was told she could develop Type 2 diabetes and she didn’t want to have to take medication. She came from a gym, but her results weren’t what she wanted. She is the first one to arrive every day. BEFORE

AFTER

Libertad Contreras

She came because she was somewhat depressed and doctors recommended exercise. When she worked out and listened to the music and joined the group, it makes her feel happier every day. It’s like a second home to her and it has changed her outlook.

AFTER

Miriam Ramirez

Has lost significant weight during her time at Natural Weight Loss Fitness. She attends the morning class and works out on a daily basis.

GABBY’S ROUGH EARLY LIFE Born in Honduras, Gabby was just 11 years old when a bus drove over her. It broke her pelvis, spinal cord and destroyed the parts of the body where the tires rolled. She had dramatic skin loss to the point where her bones could be seen. 18

Summer 2018 • Inspire

In 1998 because of the accident, Shriners Hospital for Children in Galveston brought Gabby to America to help her. A few years later, after more than 20 surgeries to repair the damage done by the bus, Gabby decided to stay in the United States.

At that time, just 15 years old and here all alone, she went to work at McDonalds. Three years later, she met her husband online. He was in the military and they eventually moved to the Valley in 2009.

So, she started walking. Then, with few dieticians in the area to help, she studied nutrition and how food ties in to being healthy. She also studied online about fitness. Then, she started going to a gym. That’s where she was noticed. “People asked me if they could work out with me,” Gabby says. “By the time I knew it, in two or three months, I had like 17 girls in there with me.” But, Gabby wasn’t certified and she was using someone else’s gym. “The owner told me I couldn’t do it anymore because it was like a class,” she says. “I didn’t have a license, but I got used to helping and having other people around me.” Her membership to that gym was cancelled and she wasn’t allowed there anymore. However, it made Gabby realize there were many others out there who were seeking improved lives and wanted her help.

Gabby leads 1-hour workouts in her gym. They combine aerobic exercise with free weights and each day is different. But there’s two constants – it’s hard and Gabby is there to lead and motivate. “I do say, it won’t be easy, but it will be amazing,” she says with a smile and laugh. Those who participate in her classes have averaged a total weight loss of 500 pounds each year. She reports them stating they have more energy and are stronger than they have been in a long time, or ever. “It is awesome to know we are changing lives,” Gabby says.

HA-30090291

Understanding how upset Gabby was she couldn’t work with the women anymore, her husband suggested she open her own fitness facility. “I said, ‘you are crazy, how do I do that?’” Gabby remembers thinking and saying. For a long time, she had worked 16 hours a day – an admitted workaholic,

who had saved money for vacations they had never taken. “He said you have money,” Gabby recalls. “I told him the money was for other things. He said money is to make you happy and I have never seen you happier than when you were helping those girls.” So, that was it. Two years ago, she opened Natural Weight Loss Fitness. “Money is nothing to me,” Gabby says. “I had an accident, 23 surgeries and been in bed for months. Money doesn’t make me happy, but this makes me happy.” Now, five days a week, twice a day,

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FIND YOUR

ADVE

“

Don’t be afraid. Fear is in your mind. It is not there. It is an illusion. Up there was a moment of bliss.” Gabriela Ruanova

Summer 2018 • Inspire

ENTURE As women, it can be easy to get caught up taking care of everyone else. This summer, learn how to take care of yourself and find out who you are. Dust off that old bucket list and do what youâ€™ve been waiting too long to do. Find your adventurous side. Whether it is catching the highest wave or diving in the deepest part of the ocean, adventure is out there. Sometimes it just takes you being able to say yes and trying something new.

Summer 2018 â€˘ Inspire

SKY

HIGH Looking for an adrenaline rush

abriela Ruanova hoisted her arms straight in the air over her head, fists clenched and wore a smile that seemingly couldn’t get any bigger. With the sun shining brightly at high noon, the Gulf of Mexico in front of her and dunes of sand behind her and under her feet, Gabriela had completed something she’s wanted to do since she was 18. Just minutes earlier, the 42-year-old nurse who resides in Mission, had jumped from an airplane at 12,000 feet. She soared in a freefall for several seconds under the clear blue skies over South Padre Island. She pulled

Summer 2018 • Inspire

open her yellow and orange striped parachute and floated to the ground, where she and her tandem skydiver William Pardo landed softly in the sand on the north end of the island. “I want to do it again,” she said with excitement seconds after landing. “I really enjoyed it.” William, who has performed more than 7,600 jumps himself never turns down an opportunity for flight. They could immediately head back to the Brownsville Airport and get on the plane, he said. They both laughed. This isn’t a rare situation, according to William. Most people who skydive for the first time

enjoy it. They do it for a special occasion or because they have wanted to all their lives. Gabriela admits this is something she wanted to do before going to heaven and now she wants to do it again and again. She also states she was motivated because someone told her she couldn’t do it. She says she is not the type of person to let a challenge like that fall by the wayside. “I was looking forward to the adrenaline rush,” Gabriela said before the jump. And she experienced all of that and more. “It was exciting, she says after

Story by LISA SEISER Photos by LISA SEISER and courtesy of SKYDIVE RGV

“

Every girl should do this.” Gabriela Ruanova

Summer 2018 • Inspire

“ When they open the door, you know there is no

turning back.”

YOU PROBABLY DIDN’T KNOW • During freefall, every 6 seconds equals 1,000 feet. • In order to earn a skydiving instructor rating, you must make 500 jumps and be doing it for 3 years. • William Pardo and his brother Ira were Guinness Book record holders in 2014 for the most tandem skydives from sunrise to sunset, performing a total of 286. • William, an admitted adrenaline junkie and adventurous by nature, has taken more than 4,000 people on tandem skydives. He started the company in 1999 when he realized there was no place to skydive in the area. His first jump was in Florida.

Summer 2018 • Inspire

landing. “When they open the door, you know there is no turning back. You just try to remember everything you were taught.” It’s when you fall out of the plane Gabriela says gives you the greatest rush. “Those three or four seconds, is an adrenaline rush,” she says. “There is no comparison. It is amazing and the fear goes away.” William says even after all the times he has jumped out of a plane, the adrenaline rush is still there. “The exhilaration is the same,” he says. “It is not any less now than the first one. Sometimes it is more because the first ones were a little scary. I have been amazed at that. I am told that I still yell the loudest when we leave the plane. I just love it that much.” While up there, Gabriela says you can see everything - the weather, the wind and everything is perfect, quiet and peaceful. Born in Mexico City, Gabriela moved to the Valley with family. She finished high school here and earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering in Dallas. About 10 years later, she decided to go into nursing. Now she is a home health nurse working with veterans.

“

Some of the greatest things in life are just on the other side of fear. That can apply to a lot of things. Changing jobs, moving to another state, having kids, getting married. Taking that leap out of the airplane, just on the other side of fear, is amazing. It really is an incredible feeling.” William Pardo Owner of Skydive RGV

But, she was always trying to find another adrenaline rush compared to what she deals with on her job. “I like the thrill when I save someone’s life and I have rescued people,” she says. But, there’s also the other side of nursing. “I just am seeking the adrenaline rush in a different way,” she says. Now, after her first jump, she admits she’s hooked. She plans

to take the 25 lessons from Skydive RGV to learn to go up and come down on her own. She plans to come to the Island about every weekend until she is certified. “I knew from the beginning I would enjoy it,” she says. “I knew I would love it.” Her plan is to make it a hobby and add it to her resume. Engineer, nurse, skydiver ... check. Summer 2018 • Inspire

Story ALEXIS AGUIRRE Photos MARICELA RODRIGUEZ 28

Summer 2018 â€¢ Inspire

SURFING WITH RACHEL GORE

Learn the ways of the waves on SPI

tanding in the water with her hands around a surfboard, holding it steady for a student, Rachel Gore gives some tips on how to get up. You can barely see the top of her head through the waves. On a Wednesday morning, Rachel is teaching her first class of the day on an open Isla Blanca Beach near the jetties. The sun is out and the waves are plentiful, making it easier for Rachel’s students to learn how to surf.

“

The open waters and space on the beach are two of the things that make South Padre Island the ideal place for Gore to surf. Growing up in Tennessee, Rachel heard the call of the ocean and sought out colleges along the coast. She landed in Galveston and on one of her first days, she ran up to a stranger on the beach who was holding a surfboard and asked him to teach her. The next day Rachel went out to

buy her first surfboard and hasn’t missed a wave since. “I grew up, for whatever reason, in Memphis Tennessee and I just knew that I was going to live my life here.” Rachel has had plenty of adventures. She has surfed all around the world, from Australia to Hawaii. She’s caught 25-foot waves during Hurricane Katrina and has broken her board in some pretty rough waters.

If you find that thing that drives you and gets you out of bed and going, It’s healthy for you. It makes the people around you feel your energy and drive.” - Rachel Gore

Summer 2018 • Inspire

To Rachel, all weather is surfing weather. “Nothing really scares me out in the water,” she says while standing in the bright sunshine with the waves coming in. “I’m a confident swimmer. I’ve had boards break. I’ve surfed in hurricane waves. I’ve surfed in North Shore Hawaii during the winter. I guess I’m just confident in my own skills. I wouldn’t go out in conditions I wouldn’t be able to handle.” Rachel says she thinks it’s super important for everyone to do what excites them. For her and many others, that can be something like surfing. “If you find that thing that drives you and gets you out of bed and going,” Rachel says. “It’s healthy for you. It makes the people around you feel your energy and drive.” After graduating, Rachel and her husband decided to start their own surfing school that has been in business for 20 years. “Learning to surf is not hard,” Rachel says. “Most people I teach are going to learn in one hour.” When students first meet up with Rachel, the first thing they are taught

Summer 2018 • Inspire

is safety. In a one-hour course, students are given instructions on safety and then quickly make their way into the surf which is usually waist deep. From there, Rachel helps her students learn how to jump on the board and stand to catch their wave. The sport requires core strength and balance but to Rachel anyone can learn how to surf.

SURF STUDENT Kelly Randle, 54, drove down from the Austin area to take a surf class with Rachel Gore. After her lesson, Kelly says surfing was one of those things on her bucket list she was looking to check off. “It was nerve wracking at first but after three to two runs on the board, you get the hang of it,” Kelly says. Hopping on the board, Kelly was able to maintain her balance in the water for a short period of time before falling off. After every fall, Kelly walked deeper into the ocean with her board to try again.

“

Nothing really scares me out in the water” - Rachel Gore

Choose your own

ADVENTURE More activities you can do this summer

ATV – 4-wheeling

Of course, you can do this on your own, but it wouldn’t be the same type of adventure as going on a tour along the border with Texas Border Tours, located in Progresso Lakes. Be taken to a location perfect for the ATVs, which includes uneven terrain, natural barriers, steep slopes, inclines, declines, hills, holes, trenches, mud and sand. Hop on. Your first time, it may be scary for a few minutes and likely will get your adrenaline rushing, but then it will be nothing but fun for all. If you love the mud, there’s a tour that includes more time getting down and dirty. There’s also more obstacles, challenges and maximum speed on the ATVs. As the wind blows through your hair and the dirt and mud is flying all around, you will know this is an adventure to remember.

Scuba diving and snorkeling

The warm Gulf waters and amazing, huge iron reefs just off the coast of South Padre Island make diving and snorkeling premier adventurous activities in the Valley. Once you learn how to dive and are certified, which can be done on the Island through American Diving and other companies, you can go deep under water to see some of the most amazing decommissioned ships and oil rigs – The Los Torres and Texas Clipper as reefs a few miles from SPI. The Texas Clipper, a 473-foot long World War II troopship is sunk as an artificial reef 17 miles out and rests on its side. The natural dive site called 7-1/2 Fathom Reef is a heavily decorated with crustaceans and sponges. Maybe not ready for the scuba diving? Take a snorkeling trip with American Diving where you can go to the Laguna Madre Estuary and feed the fish from your hand. No prior experience is needed and it’s guaranteed to be fun and an adventure you won’t soon forget. 32

Summer 2018 • Inspire

The Laguna Madre is one of the best areas to enjoy these great outdoor activities. There’s not a day that goes by you won’t see some folks participating in these activities on the bay side of South Padre Island. There’s even a paddling trail that follows the South Bay in a loop of about 8 miles. This shallow area is located south of the Brownsville Ship Channel and is a subtropical body of water 3,500 acres in surface size. The wind tidal flats, shallow depths and vegetation provide excellent feeding, resting and wintering habitat for many migratory birds. This area also is within the Lower Rio Grande Valley Wildlife Refuge. If you want to add more adventure to this, you can try some fishing out there, too. Diversity of fish is amazing. Launch sites for South Bay includes the South Bay Kayak Launch, Isla Blanca Park and South Point Marina in Port Isabel.

Canoeing, kayaking and stand up paddleboarding

Deep sea fishing

There’s plenty of fish in the sea, and we’re not talking about boyfriend or girlfriend potential here. No, this is about fishing. Want to have an experience few have hauling in red snapper, amberjack, king mackerel, sharks, dorado, tuna, wahoo and marlin? Right here, we are in the perfect place for sportfishing and you can get in on the action, too. Go out on a private charter or join 35 others on a day or half day fishing experience. When you have that marlin or other big fish on your line, your adrenaline will be pumping. This adventurous experience will give you memories for a lifetime. It won’t disappoint.

4. Summer 2018 • Inspire

Summer Brunch Story ALEXIS AGUIRRE Brunch is gaining popularity among women as a time between breakfast and lunch for women to gather, drink mimosas and talk.

The entrĂŠe Ceviches, often made from fresh seafood and vegetables, are nice light meals for the summer. Alana Alaniz, owner of CevicheCeviche in Harlingen, says the key to a good ceviche is love.

Poke ahi tuna, pineapple, a coconut, cabbage, tun

With the warmer weather that summer brings, brunch is the perfect time to meet up with friends and catch up on everything that is going on. Here are some wonderful and unique fresh summer foods to kick your next brunch up a notch.

Love and customization is what makes the ceviche perfect. Alana allows her customers to become as specific as they like during the ordering process and lets her employees have creative control in the design of the dish making each ceviche unique.

Classic shrimp, avocado, cilantro, tomato and onion

Sauces are what put Alanaâ€™s ceviche over the top. Made in-house, the custom sauces were a way for Alana to use the ingredients she already has with out letting them go to waste. Itâ€™s about knowing the flavors, using the freshest ingredients and trusting your gut.

Custom

lon, shrimp, kiwi, mango, me rry be aw str , cabbage, jicama

The drinks Cool off with these light and fruity beverages

Mojito Nothing complements a good ceviche better than a mojito. The light beverage with the taste of mint and lime will leave you feeling refreshed and is perfect on a hot and sunny day. INGREDIENTS (ONE SERVING) • 2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice • 2 teaspoons superfine sugar • 1 cup of crushed ice • 12 fresh mint leaves • 5 small sprigs (for garnish) • ¼ cup of white rum • 2 tablespoons club soda

Sangria Mimosa Looking for the old-fashioned way of celebrating brunch? The tried and true mimosa with fresh orange juice will be a wonderful edition to any brunch. INGREDIENTS (ONE SERVING) • 1/3 cup of chilled sparkling wine • 1/3 cup of chilled orange juice • 1 tablespoon of triple sec

Get a taste of all the fruits. If you want a little something fruity and fancy, go for a nice sangria. INGREDIENTS (SIX SERVINGS) • ½ cup of Brandy • ¼ cup of lemon juice • 1/3 cup lemon concentrate • 1/3 cup orange juice • 1 bottle of red wine • ½ cup triple sec

• ¼ cup white sugar • 1 lemon sliced into rounds • 1 orange sliced into rounds • 1 lime sliced into rounds • 8 maraschino cherries • 2 cups club soda (optional)

Alternate entrée Not into seafood or allergic to shellfish? Try this easy recipe for a chicken salad sandwich on a toasted croissant.

INGREDIENTS • One whole boiled chicken • Half a cup of mayonnaise • Half a cup of

mustard • Sliced almonds (to taste) • Sliced grapes (to taste) • Box of croissants

STEPS In a large mixing bowl, de-bone and shred chicken Mix in mayonnaise,

mustard, almonds and grapes* Toast croissants and slice in half Add batch in sandwiches

*TIP: Wait to add the almonds and grapes to the salad

mix once creating the sandwich to keep the crunch

Summer 2018 • Inspire

BOOK REVIEW

“Breaking Up with Busy: Real-Life Solutions for Overscheduled Women” Your to-do list is a mile long. Every day, you add three things for every one you cross off and you’re starting to resent That List. What’s worse – accommodating everything on the list means there’s no more you for you. In “Breaking Up with Busy” by Yvonne Tally, you’ll see that it’s time for the list to get lost. You are not having fun. You’re busy – over-busy, in fact – and while it can be exhilarating and exciting for awhile, it’s also “exhausting.” It affects your personal life, your family, your job, and even your health, as Yvonne Tally learned when busyness led to a panic attack and a trip to the hospital in an ambulance. She was what she now calls an “OSW,” or an overscheduled woman. Her definition is that an OSW has “Superwoman-like powers” and is “everything from a well-intended problem-solver to a driven and tireless overdeliverer.” You already know that can’t be sustained and, sooner or later, something has to give. The first step to ridding yourself of the problem is to know the 10 signs of needing to “break up with busy” – a list of traits with which most of today’s working women will be familiar. Secondly, remember that being overly busy is a habit that, like many habits, can be altered or eliminated altogether. Separate needs from wants and know how both relate to goals you’ve set. Learn to “re-wire” your mind to respond to stress and busyness. Stay away from “OSW Traps” that are lurking everywhere on your calendar. They’re “reinforced by the shoulds of life” and can cause you to lose focus. Take advantage of 36

Summer 2018 • Inspire

Tally’s quick worksheets, to know what kind of OSW you are, where you stand, and where work is needed. Learn her “Super Solutions Process” for assessing tasks. Be mindful, learn to listen better, and learn to meditate. Deschedule in a way that doesn’t add to your stress. Finally, “count your yessings.” A little two-letter word (“no”) can mean a world of difference. At one point in “Breaking Up with Busy,” author Yvonne Tally mentions something that absolutely lends urgency to her entire book. Your kids learn by example. Is over-stressed and over-scheduled what you want to teach them? Using case examples that may hit uncomfortably close to home, Tally shows how a packed calendar and no time for one’s self is akin to being bullied. The solution doesn’t appear to be easy and Tally’s ideas can have a whiff of new-agey-ness to them but, while they’re quite commonplace in relation to other books of this kind, her fixes seem usable and sound. The one exception: at least initially, it’s not clear how one is to find time in an overscheduled day to learn to unschedule in order to find time … Still, for businesswomen who long for 10 extra hours in a week, this book can’t hurt. At the very least, it’s a place to start. You might even want to add “Breaking Up with Busy” to the top of your to-do list.

“Breaking Up with Busy: Real-Life Solutions for Overscheduled Women” By Yvonne Tally c.2018, New World Library $18.95 / $27.50 Canada 203 pages

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Summer 2018 • Inspire

aking care

of your skin

Story LISA SEISER Photos MARICELA RODRIGUEZ

esiree Gonzalez started her massage therapy with one room in her father’s construction company building on Harrison Avenue. Now, she has 10 rooms that make up Desiree’s Spa and Massage and her father has been relegated to a small office in the back. With soft music playing in the background, Desiree quietly talks about the road to building a popular and successful establishment. Her voice tender and gentle, Desiree admits she fell in love with massage after taking some classes. She knew she wanted to go into business and the praises she received while in school for

massage therapy ended any question she may have had. Another key to her success has been family, including her parents, brother and husband. They have all aided her in the business, which started so small back in 2007. “I never would have imagined being where I am now,” she says. “I am so grateful.” Now, with 11 employees, she has dreams of even more. Down the road, a sauna, whirlpool and relaxation room to make it a truly a day spa feel. “I want to make it perfect,” she says of her business. “That is our goal, to make it an amazing experience.”

What a facial can do for you A facial should leave your skin smooth and more hydrated. You will immediately notice your face is rosier because of the blood flow and you will have a nice glow. Desiree’s Spa esthetician Melissa Dimas starts with a double cleanse and using all organic skin care products made of fruits and vegetables.

Step 1 - Skin is assessed first as well as a discussion about skin care goals and base products used. Fellow esthetician Yunhe Quintana says in the Valley, hyper pigmentation, spotty skin is something they see often.

You probably didn’t know •

•

Here in South Texas, a lot of people have oily skin. So, they may feel like they don’t need moisturizer. But, according to Yunhe Quintana, their skin may actually be reacting and creating more oil because of a lack of use of moisturizer. Using moisturizer would actually make your skin less oily. Facials are suggested every four to six weeks. If you have a great skin care regimen, it doesn’t need to

Summer 2018 • Inspire

Step 2 - Skin scrub using a fruit pulp. Stone Crop mask, a succulent plant like aloe is used. For drier skin, this is super hydrating and calming. During the facial, the neck and chest is massaged as well as a scalp massage.

Melissa

Desiree

Yunhe

Protecting your skin during a Valley summer The gals at Desiree’s Spa and Massage have some special tips for you on what to do to keep your skin safe when the sun is blazing and the heat is on.

What you need to know about suncreen The most important thing to do is protect your skin from the sun. That is every day. It is suggested that if possible, stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 pm. That is when the rays are the strongest. If you have to be out, wear a hat and long sleeves. Stay hydrated by drinking a lot of water. Use a teaspoon of at least SPF30 on your face and neck. Use a shot glass amount of sunscreen on the rest of your body.

You probably didn’t know Organic sunscreens use ingredients such as titanium dioxide, which can block the sun’s harmful rays from reaching your skin - UVA which can cause aging and UVB, which can cause cancer.

More tips • Exfoliate twice per week for clearer, smoother skin This removes dead, dulling skin to prevent congestion and improve hydration. Exfoliate in the mornings prior to applying moisturizer, makeup and sunscreen. After exfoliating, follow with a hydrating body cream to seal in moisture and always shield freshly exfoliated skin with an SPF. • Keep skin hydrated - Up your skin regimen of hydration. Boosters are great, working best when layered underneath a moisturizer. Toners are a refreshing moisturizer.

Summer 2018 • Inspire

Summer 2018 â€¢ Inspire

r e m m u S chic

Go from day to evening without losing your cool Story NADIA TAMEZ-ROBLEDO Photos MIGUEL ROBERTS As summer heats up, there’s a myriad of ways to stay fashionably cool both day and night - without having to go through a complete wardrobe change. The most valuable tools in transitioning a casual summer daytime look are accessories, jackets and jewelry, says Robin Gelfer Pierce, one of the family members who owns Country Casuals on Boca Chica Boulevard in Brownsville. The store, which has seen so many fashion trends over its 50 years, is stocked with boutique designers and garments that can’t be found at department stores. “You might want to be understated during the day,” Robin says, “and at night, you might want

to bling it up.” Brownsville heat puts a kibosh on any ensembles that require layering garments, but color, patterns and accessories can still be used to create chic looks. “Sleeve treatments are probably one of the biggest trends in tops right now,” she says. Ruffled, embroidered, pleated, one-shouldered and fluttering sleeves are all part of the trend. Lace and sheer sleeves are particularly good for summertime. “Cold shoulder” cutouts are a spin on sleeve treatments that are flattering on all body types, Robin adds. When it comes to what types of prints are in this summer, Robin says it comes down to personal style.

Checkered patterns of all sizes are in demand, she says, typically in navy blue or black and white. Summer is also a season for botanical and floral prints. All shades of blues and pinks are popular during the summer, as are pastel tones in green and yellow. Stylish treatments on pants are similarly en vogue, she says. The trend of frayed hems on jeans is going strong not only locally, but nationally. Embellishments like embroidery or beading down the side of the pants can have an elongating effect, Robin says. Cotton and cotton-blend fabrics, which allow for more form-fitting silhouettes, are summer fabric staples – as are silks and linens.

Summer 2018 • Inspire

A coral blouse combines the lace and floral summer trends. Pierce said a wide spectrum of pink shades â€“ from blush to hot pink â€“ are popular this season.

Summer jewelry, like garments, is an opportunity to have fun with color and sparkle. A new trend is the addition of natural stones like amethysts. Silver is a popular choice for summer jewelry and sunglasses, along with mixed metals like silver and gold combinations. Pierce says pearls remain a summer staple in Brownsville and add a polished touch to wedding outfits.

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One of the simplest ways to make a casual day look happy-hour-ready is by adding a light-weight jacket with a dash of sparkle. This rose-colored Dolcezza piece with rhinestone embellishments is cut to resemble a denim jacket. It features laces insets along the sleeves and a lace-up detail on the back. Pierce says the stretchy material is wrinkle-resistant, ideal for tossing it into your luggage during summer travel. Pierce says tops with metallic writing is another summertime fashion trend that works for day or evening occasions. Accessorizing the ensemble with a goldbuttoned jacket adds another element of flair. Because itâ€™s a neutral color, pierce says the jacket would work just as well with a solid-colored blouse.

A sleeveless, form-fitting white top with black appliqué stays in the neutral color family and can be dressed up or down. The addition of silver Pandora jewelry makes it ready for an evening event.

Summer is a great time to accessorize with turquoise.

Skinny jeans are still in for summer. This white denim pair is embellished with black beading along the side for a classic color combination with an elongating effect.

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fun things to do this summer with your kids

Story ALEXIS AGUIRRE

School is out for summer and for the next two months, the kids will be home. Ditch the couch and leave those “I’m bored,” comments behind. The warm days of summer are a time to become creative and take advantage of everything the

Summer 2018 • Inspire

Valley has to offer. Whether you are looking for something free and easy to do or want to splurge on a once in a lifetime experience, this list has everything you need to know to make this summer the best one yet.

Hike the local trails • Start scavenger hunting! Download the Geocache app and look for hidden treasure around town.

Ziploc bag, 1 quart Ziploc bag, 1 cup of milk (preferably whole) 1 tablespoon of sugar, ½ teaspoon of vanilla, 1/3 cup of salt, ice (Optional: toppings such as m&m’s, nuts, chocolate sauce) How to: Pour the milk, sugar and vanilla in the smaller Ziploc bag. Fill the larger bag ¾ full of ice and add salt. Place smaller bag in the larger bag and seal. Now shake hard for five minutes. • Sidewalk chalk photo shoot What you’ll need: chalk, a camera and a sidewalk How to: draw some fun pictures like a crown and lie down against it and begin the photo shoot

• Hot Skate Roller Rink, Harlingen

• Make a home movie What you’ll need: a camera and an imagination How to: write a script and begin the filming process

• Play a game of mini golf Bobz World, Los Fresnos Froggy’s Minigolf and Grill, Brownsville

Have a water balloon fight

$$ • Turn your backyard into an outdoor theater What you’ll need: a large wall, shoebox, magnifying glass, cell phone

Visit the Laguna Atascosa

Visit Sea Turtle Inc on South Padre Island and learn about sea turtle conservation • Take an Osprey fishing trip at South Padre Island

• Tie dye shirts and sheets for some colorful fun

• Visit the Harlingen Heritage Museum • Make homemade ice cream What you’ll need: 1 gallon

• Enter a free kid’s workshop at Home Depot or Lowes

Visit La Sal Del Rey (Reminder: Take water. It gets hot!)

• Visit the Gladys Porter Zoo • Go roller-skating

Visit the Light House at South Padre Island

Little Cubs Academy

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Go bowling Creasey’s Bowl, Harlingen Galaxy Bowling Center, Brownsville

High speed boat rides Rent jet skis at Parrot Eyes on South Padre Island

• Take in a show at the Harlingen Performing Arts Center

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• Gravity Adventure Park at SPI has different adventurous activities for the family looking to get their blood pumping • Visit the Dolphin Research Center and learn more about conservation of the water mammals

Banana boat rides at the beach Gather your family and hop on a banana boat through Sonny’s Beach Service

• Go dolphin watching • Horseback riding Texas Border Tours, Progresso Lakes Wells Stables, Los Fresnos

Go to the movies

Take a sandcastle lesson from Andy Hancock at Sand Castle Lessons • Watch a sports game

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INSPIRE, a quarterly magazine that empowers, energizes and enlightens any woman in the Rio Grande Valley. It is a collection of local stories and images focusing on fashion, health, fitness and cuisine.

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