Issuu

END HUNGER IN THE RGV!

Most popular fundraiser Empty Bowls is just around the corner!

UPCOMING EVENTS!

Check out our monthly listings of what’s happening in the RGV!

SOME LIKE IT HOT!

Junior League of McAllen, Inc. shares a delicious recipe for spinach quiche!

Welcome Home See details on page 2.

See calendar on page 10.

Try their recipe on page 14.

RIO GRANDE VALLEY

September 2016

• • • your official connection to the rio grande valley • • •

Valley Parks Win Big at the TRVA Annual Convention Special to Welcome Home RGV

The T

here’s a saying that “there are only a few things in life that are guaranteed... death and taxes.” While that may be true, I have to add ‘change’ to the list. Over the last few months, I’ve seen a whole lot of change. As I adjust to being an empty nester, I find myself dealing with a whole lot of changes. Some things that changed were a given – the grocery bill being cut almost in half, the laundry room not only staying neat but also being available any time I need it, and my personal favorite---where in the world did all the dirty dishes go? And then there are those things that hit me even harder than I expected, like the silence of an empty house and finding out just how much I miss making lunches in the morning. But I’m also enjoying some unexpected changes. Phone calls before my daughter left were reminders and discussions about errands to run or things to do. Now we actually have conversations. (And they aren’t ALL pleas for money.) We talk about her day, the people she’s met, the classes she’s taking. I find myself talking to an adult, not a teenager. I’m sad, I admit, but the joy of knowing she has an exciting future ahead of her outweighs the sadness ten to one. I’m excited about the things to come and embracing the changes in my life with a sense of calm, knowing we’re all going to be just fine. Change may be guaranteed, but how we respond to it can make all the difference. • We’re just connecting the dots,

Kristi

Texas Recreational Vehicle Association (TRVA) held their annual convention in Austin August 12-15. For years, one of the highlights of the convention has been the naming of the “Park of the Year” winners for small, medium, and large RV parks throughout the state of Texas. This year, the Rio Grande Valley swept the competition, bringing home the “Park of the Year Award” for all three categories! Congratulations to the managers, staff, and residents of Oleander Acres of Mission, VIP La Feria of La Feria, and Llano Grande Lake Park Resort & Country Club of Mercedes. This is the third time VIP La Feria has won and the second year in a row that Llano Grande brought home the title. The awards are based on 1) Customer Service/Reviews, 2) Association Involvement, 3) Excellence in Operations, 4) Park Promotion, 5) Management Skills and Relationships, 6) Community Service, 7) Park Growth and Innovations, and *) Visual Appeal of the Park and

Upkeep. Each park must submit three copies of their entry with supporting documentation, which may include, but is not limited to, photos, newspaper clippings, letters of recommendation or commendation, user reviews, customer testimonials,

and any other information the park(s) think would be of benefit. Thank you to all of our parks, whether you’ve been recognized or not, for continuing to make the Rio Grande Valley the best winter destination in Texas! •

McAllen and Pharr among 23 Texas Cities to Earn Prominent Scenic City Certification in 2016 Special to Welcome Home RGV

A total of 23 Texas municipalities

have been awarded Scenic City Certification through the Scenic City Certification Program, a project of Scenic Texas. The Scenic City program supports and recognizes cities for commitment to high-quality scenic standards for public roadways and public spaces. Nine cities are now certified for the first time and 14 are recertifying or upgrading existing

certification status, bringing the total certified cities in Texas to 66. The Scenic City Certification Program is the first in the United States to incorporate a comprehensive set of model standards for design and development of public roadways and public spaces into one program.

Cities apply to the program for a rigorous evaluation and scoring of existing municipal standards against the model. Those with the highest SCENIC CITY CERTIFICATION PROGRAM CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 >>

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR 2015-2016 SEASON SPONSORS

September 2016 • • • Welcome

Home RIO GRANDE VALLEY • • • your official connection to the rio grande valley

South Texas International Film Festival Returns to Edinburg in September Special to Welcome Home RGV

After

the successful 2015 inaugural South Texas International Film Festival (STXFF), the time has come to once again welcome film aficionados back to Edinburg. The 2016 festival promises to be another colossal triumph as it expands to a three-day event. This year, the festival starts Thursday, September 8, and ends Saturday, September 10. Thursday’s events will be held at the Carmike 20 and Friday and Saturday events will be at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance. STXFF is a competitive film festival that includes feature-length and short film screenings, film industry workshops, and an awards ceremony. It will showcase local, regional, and international films that have a unique voice and style. The goal of the festival is two-fold-to showcase the work of visionary filmmakers from all over the world and to bring local filmmakers and artists together to help connect the South Texas film industry with the world. Last year’s success earned the festival the support and approval

Welcome Home

of the Texas Film Commission, as well as that of other local film industry organizations. Festival organizers acknowledge that the local film industry is growing and that filmmakers are recognizing the potential of the Rio Grande Valley. Letty Leija, one of the co-founders of the film festival and director of library and cultural arts for the City of Edinburg says she’s looking forward to the event and hopes it will be a catalyst for a new cultural movement in the region. “Last year was a very positive

experience-the number of submissions received and the response of the people was amazing. This year, we have added an extra day. We encourage the movie-loving community to come to the festival and enjoy the screenings of the official selections, and for those interested in the film industry, we will have the tech expo as well as various panel discussions, screen writing workshops, and question and answer sessions,” Leija said. Submissions are now closed and short films have been chosen from the United States, Switzerland, Spain, Iran, and the UK. Additionally, five films from the U.S., UK and Mexico, as well as two regional movies, one from the Rio Grande Valley and one from San Antonio, were also chosen. The categories are divided into short films that are 40 minutes or fewer

Monthly e-Blasts

WINTER TEXAN

Kristi’s e-Blasts are sent monthly April - September to our subscribers. Find out what’s happening across the Valley. These e-Blasts include helpful links and fliers for “Featured Events.” Sign up today at: info@welcomehomergv.com

your official connection to the rio grande valley

Publisher

Kristi Collier

kristi@welcomehomergv.com

and feature length films that are longer than 40 minutes. STXFF is once again being brought to Edinburg through a partnership with the City of Edinburg, the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation (EEDC), Edinburg Arts, a division of the Edinburg Library, and the Consulate of Mexico in McAllen. For more information about the 2016 Festival, visit www.STXFF.us or the South Texas International Film Festival Facebook page. •

Food Bank RGV’s Empty Bowls September 13 in Pharr Follow Us on E Facebook!

Administration Amie Gray

agray@welcomehomergv.com

Colette Brookins

colie@welcomehomergv.com

Sales & Marketing

Special to Welcome Home RGV

Cheryl Palacios

cheryl@welcomehomergv.com

Communications Director Matt Davis

matt@welcomehomergv.com

1st Responder Coordinator Rita Huether

rita@welcomehomergv.com

Activity Coordinator Fran Adams

fran@welcomehomergv.com

Editor

Chris Ardis

news@welcomehomergv.com

Graphic Design

Jenny R Carpenter silentBYTES design

artwork@welcomehomergv.com

Welcome Home

rio grande valley

219 W. Nolana, Ste A • McAllen, Texas 78504

956-687-5115 www.welcomehomergv.com

© Copyright 2016 Welcome Home, Rio Grande Valley, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic means without written permission from Welcome Home, Rio Grande Valley, LLC.

mpty Bowls 2016 is right around the corner! It’s the Food Bank RGV’s biggest and most popular fundraiser of the year. A mix of the Valley’s best buffet and networking opportunities combined with a stellar way to bring attention to the problem of hunger in the Valley, Empty Bowls is that one event those in-the-know look forward to each year! At this very popular annual event, local restaurants provide a filling lunch for ticketholders while musicians perform throughout the event. Silent auctions and mystery boxes will be back again! One-ofa-kind ceramic bowls are included with each ticket. They stand as a reminder for the hunger faced by many throughout the year in the Rio Grande Valley. Over 800 guests attended last year, making this one of the more popular fundraisers, so get your tickets soon! Empty Bowls 2016 will be held

Welcome

from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 13, at the Boggus Ford Events Center, 3000 N. Cage in Pharr. Tickets are $30 pre-sale and $35 at the door and are available at www.foodbankrgv.com. For more information, please contact Philip Farias, manager of corporate engagement and special events, at 956-904-4513 or by email at pfarias@foodbankrgv.com. Also visit www.foodbankrgv.com at any time for information regarding our other programs and events. •

Home RGV has three ways to join the conversation on Facebook. Our WHRGV page is dedicated to community events and information that will appeal to people of all ages. Our Winter Texan page is more specific to our Winter Texan target market. Finally, our latest addition is our Winter Texans RGV group. Member parks and business partners can send event fliers to us at news@welcomehomergv.com, and we will be happy to post them on our social media sites any time! Perks for Partners! •

www.facebook.com/whrgv www.facebook.com/wintertexan www.facebook.com/groups/wintertexansrgv

www.welcomehomergv.com • • • September 2016

Elva Cerda Dedicates Volunteer Award

City of Alamo Promotes

the Rio Grande Valley

to Stephanie Contreras - Melissa Hinojosa Zamora - Jennifer Rodriguez

Special to Welcome Home RGV

The

McAllen City Commission chose Monday, August 8, as “Elva Cerda Day” in honor of a longtime community volunteer. The award followed Cerda’s recent induction into the Texas Festivals and Events Hall of Honor at their state conference held in Corpus Christi for her work and dedication in the creation and development of the McAllen PalmFest Folklife Celebration. Cerda served as the founding Chair for the event, which made its debut in October of 2006 at the McAllen Civic Center. Today, the festival has expanded, and approximately 52,000 visitors attended the 2015 event, which is now held on the McAllen Convention Center grounds and inside the facility. At the city commission meeting, the proclamation was read before a capacity crowd by Richard Cortez, former mayor and current city commissioner. Cerda commented that being a volunteer is deeply ingrained in who she is and credited her father with instilling in her that serving others should always be key in her life, with no expectation of getting anything in return. Cerda’s volunteer service in McAllen includes advocating for affordable housing through her long-term board

service with Affordable Homes of South Texas, where she also served as president of the board and on the President’s Council. She works closely with construction industry issues on the Government Affairs Committee of the RGV Builders’ Association and currently serves on the board of the McAllen Housing Authority. Cerda is a graduate of Leadership McAllen and one of the founders of the LM Alumni Association. She is also a founding member of the McAllen Heritage Center museum of history and culture. Upon receiving the proclamation, Cerda said, “Although a volunteer is simply someone who does work without getting paid, I believe we do get paid, just not monetarily or with anything deemed of monetary value. We get paid by the level of gratification we gain when we see a project come to fruition that is of benefit to others and to our community and through the team building which many times result in added lifetime friendships. Receiving such payment is truly priceless.” Cerda went on to say that many accomplishments in our community are the result of volunteer work for which no one has to foot the bill.

in Minnesota

Special to Welcome Home RGV

The City of Alamo exhibited at the She then dedicated her recognition and special day to the many volunteers who work tirelessly for our community toward improving quality of life through the Arts and historic preservation, education, affordable housing, women’s safety and health needs, and children’s insurance needs. Cerda especially noted the work of Stephanie Contreras, a McAllen ISD educator and tireless volunteer advocate working to improving mental health services, Melissa Hinojosa Zamora, who started the RGV Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and Jennifer Rodriguez, a McAllen High School teacher who started a volunteer group of students to fight bullying in our schools. Cerda closed by asking everyone to consider becoming a volunteer, taking advantage of at least one of the many opportunities available in order to improve life for someone and to better our communities. •

Minnesota Good Sam Club’s State Rally in Hutchinson, Minnesota, August 4-5. Our City of Alamo Winter Texan Ambassadors, the Ortons and the Halls from Alamo Palms, joined us to man the booth, along with Dick and Marcia Fabricius. •

Left to right: Dick and Marcia Fabricius, Alma Colleli, Terry and Jay Orton.

September 2016 • • • Welcome

Home RIO GRANDE VALLEY • • • your official connection to the rio grande valley

Fall Fundraising Events for the Tip of Texas Family Outreach Special to Welcome Home RGV

The Tip of Texas Family Outreach is

a nonprofit organization established to strengthen families and prevent child abuse and neglect by providing an array of supportive services. Program services are designed to help parents improve communication skills, strengthen family relationships, and help minimize the risk of child maltreatment. Every year the organization has multiple fundraising activities in an effort to help support programs and avoid interruption of services. The fall will be an important quarter, as we have several events lined up. We encourage you to SAVE THE DATES and support our activities to benefit our child abuse prevention programs: Thursday, September 29 Girls Night! Paint & Wine 455 E. Levee, Brownsville Admission: $30 Bring some friends and join the fun! All materials included! Saturday, October 8 5K Zombie Run & Monster Mile Race time: 5 p.m. Mile start time: 5:15 p.m. Location: 455 E. Levee, Brownsville Registration: $25* for 5K participants $15* for Monster Mile participants *registration fee includes one admission to the Haunted Office

Friday, October 21 Spooktacular Monster Bash Venezzia The Venu 5 Event Center in Brownsville 8:00 p.m. to midnight Admission: $50 per person (must be 21 years of age or older) Join us for a spooktacular night filled with fun and excitement! There will be Halloween costume contest, great food, live music, a silent auction, and more! Saturday, November 12 Holiday Market Days Location: Galaxy Bowling Center, 3451 Pablo Kisel Blvd., Brownsville Time: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission: FREE Join us for some holiday shopping featuring gourmet food, holiday wreaths, home decor, children accessories, jewelry, makeup, and much more! Bring the kids to take pictures with Santa! For more information on ALL upcoming events, please call Alma Herrera at 541-5566. •

Dazzling Mendelssohn Piano Trio Set to Perform September 6 Special to Welcome Home RGV

The

Valley Symphony Orchestra is proud to present The Dazzling Mendelssohn Piano Trio Tuesday, September 6, at 7:30 p.m. at the Sky Tower Club atop the seventeenth floor of the Chase Neuhaus Tower, located at 200 South 10th St. in McAllen. A complimentary hors d’oeurve and wine reception will precede the concert at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $50 per adult and can be purchased at the VSO Box Office, located in Suite 104 of the Chase Neuhaus Tower, or online at www.valleyorchestra.org. The Dazzling Mendelssohn Piano Trio features Diana Seitz on violin, Gita Ladd on cello, and Asiya Korepanova on piano. A native of Russia, Seitz made her public solo debut at the age of nine with a

chamber orchestra in Moscow. She received her bachelor’s degree in violin performance from Tchaikovsky Moscow Conservatory and served as Associate Concertmaster of the Moscow Bach Center Orchestra. She is currently joining the string faculty at UTRGV after serving as assistant professor of violin and string area coordinator at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. PIANO TRIO CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 >>

>> SCENIC CITY CERTIFICATION PROGRAM CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

evaluation scores earn certification. “Through the Scenic City Certification Program, cities access a valuable diagnostic tool,” said Anne Culver, executive vice president of Scenic Texas. “A detailed 360° analysis of existing infrastructure standards supplies cities with a roadmap for future growth and development. We are pleased that so many municipalities applied this year for either first-time certification or recertification.” Cities earning first-time certification or recertification in 2016 include: Bee Cave* Mansfield Benbrook Marble Falls* Buda McAllen Cedar Hill Nolanville* Cibolo* North Richland Denton Hills El Campo* Pearland Fairview Pharr* Fort Worth* Richmond* Frisco Roanoke Heath Shavano Park* Hutto Webster *Cities earning first-time certification

A reception to present these 23 municipalities with their Scenic City Certification will be held October 6, 2016, in Austin during the Texas Municipal League’s Annual Conference Week. The Scenic City application process

for the 2017 round of Scenic City evaluations opens January 1, 2017. Any incorporated Texas municipality may view the Program standards and application process by visiting www. sceniccitycertification.org. Joining Scenic Texas as partners in the Scenic City Certification Program are the Texas Municipal League, Urban Land Institute – Austin, Urban Land Institute – Houston, American Planning Association Texas, HoustonGalveston Area Council, American Council of Engineering Companies Houston, Keep Texas Beautiful, Texas Downtown Association, Texas Economic Development Council, Texas Historical Commission, North Central Texas Council of Governments, Scenic Houston and Scenic America. Scenic Texas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the visual character of Texas. We promote enhanced design standards for public projects, sign regulation, freeway landscaping, and scenic byway development. Visit www.scenictexas.org. •

www.welcomehomergv.com • • • September 2016

Master Gardener Lori Murray Receives Top Honors in State Recognition Program

Special to Welcome Home RGV

Her soft voice and sweet smile

Master

Gardener and Valley Morning Star Gardening Columnist Lori Murray was honored recently as the first place winner in the Texas Master Gardener Association, Inc.’s Search for Excellence award. Murray won a statewide competition in the written education arena for spearheading a weekly Sunday gardening section in the Valley Morning Star which began four years ago. She has chaired the Cameron County Master Gardener Association committee and writes the majority of the articles. Murray inspired association members to contribute articles by offering writing clinics, editing, and motivation to local members. Under Murray’s guidance, the team has published more than 200 articles using Aggie Horticulture principles to teach readers about local gardening in this area that differs so greatly from the rest of the state, according to Cameron County Master Gardener President Charles A. Malloy III, who presented the award. “Lori’s articles promote Texas and Cameron County, Texas, Master Gardener goals,” Malloy said. The Master Gardener Association educates communities about local plants,

Master Gardener Lori Murray displays the recognition plaque presented to her by Cameron County Master Gardener President Charles Malloy III at recent ceremonies.

gardening practices, and earth-kind gardening principles and encourages environmentally friendly practices for landscape design. In addition, the association generates awareness of sensitive emerging and environmental issues, such as citrus greening and Asian citrus psyllid. “Lori has created quite a following with local readers, and our educational events have seen a steady increase in participation due to this dissemination of information to the public,” Malloy TOP HONORS CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 >>

Do you plan to make the Rio Grande Valley your Home for the rest of your life? John Knox Village is a resident managed, non-profit corporation.

Where Life is Care Free and Life Care is assured. We offer affordable, luxurious retirement living that includes Guaranteed Life Care when you need it.

Come and see us today!

Call (956) 968-4575

to get the details, and tour our 40 acre campus.

A Shelter Client’s Story

always captured my attention when she greeted staff and other clients at The Salvation Army. I learned that her smile reflected the peace she found after traumatic situations she experienced in her childhood and in her adult years. To respect her request, I will not reveal details of those experiences. But I will share her journey to The Salvation Army in McAllen. Sepriana Ledda, a former shelter client at The Salvation Army, managed to live through her adult years in California where she grew up, even after her first traumatic experience. She had her siblings nearby, a fulltime job, and a house she shared with her partner. However, after another awful experience that mirrored the one she went through as a child, she lost hope and trust in others. Immediately, Ledda resorted to drugs to cope with her problems. She smoked 2-3 packs of cigarettes daily and drank all the time. She spent all of her income tax return on one ounce of meth and smoked all of it in one night. She believes only God kept her sane after that. Ledda eventually lost her job and became homeless. One day, someone offered her a job and access to more drugs. So she accepted the offer to traffic drugs across the border. After a couple of times that she participated in this illegal activity, she could not handle it any longer. “If you really actually exist and you actually really love me, then take this all away from me,” Ledda cried out. She remembers saying this to God as she sat on the edge of a bridge in Mexico before she crossed back into the U.S. But what she was really asking for was for God to somehow make it possible for her life to end. Soon after her cry for help, Ledda was caught at one of the U.S.-Mexico international bridges with meth worth a quarter of a million dollars. She was sentenced to federal prison for 10 years. “God had a different plan for me,” Ledda said. “I did not go through any drug withdrawals, any alcohol withdrawals, or even nicotine withdrawals while in prison--that was all God. He’s the one who kept me sane through all of this…I went into prison as a criminal, but I did not want to leave prison the same person. I wanted to change.” After her time in prison, Ledda was sent to the halfway house in Edinburg for six months. When she was released, she had nowhere to go in the Valley. A staff member from the halfway house referred her to The Salvation Army’s

shelter. At the shelter, she met staff member Norma Resendiz. “Norma and Armando (Norma’s husband) were God-sent for me,” Ledda said. “I could talk to them and they would always listen. They were a huge help to me since I knew no one down here.” At The Salvation Army, Ledda received her meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) for the three months she stayed in the shelter. She also received clothing vouchers. She also volunteered at the kitchen and store. Then, with the help of Tropical Texas Behavioral Health, Ledda was able to move into her own apartment and get additional help. Today, she continues to volunteer at The Salvation Army on her days off. “Even if I can only reach just one person out there who feels so lost, I would hope that my story will show them that it’s not worth getting involved in illegal activity. The law and federal prison do not play around. They will sentence you to years. Those are years you could be spending with family or doing something better with your life.” The Salvation Army Emergency Night Shelter welcomes anyone needing a place to sleep. (By law, we cannot accept sex offenders or anyone actively engaged in criminal activity.) The shelter consists of 60 beds divided into a men’s dorm, a women’s dorm, and family units. Registration takes place from 6-9 p.m. every night, 365 days a year. Requirements include providing I.D. and birth certificates of the children accompanying their parents. The first five nights are free to clients. After that, clients will be asked to pay $5 per night. Clients may stay for up to 60 days if they are in compliance with shelter rules and regulations. During their stay at the shelter, clients have access to showers, hygiene items, and three meals a day. We invite you to partner with us in helping others. For more information about our programs and/or partnership opportunities, please call us at 956682-1468. We are located at 1600 N. 23rd St. in McAllen. To give a monetary donation, you may send a check payable to The Salvation Army to the following address: P.O. Box 4766, McAllen, TX 78502. Thank you! •

September 2016 • • • Welcome

Home RIO GRANDE VALLEY • • • your official connection to the rio grande valley

Quinta Mazatlan Awarded Conservation Grant from Great Texas Birding Classic Special to Welcome Home RGV

Texas

Parks and Wildlife Department, through the Great Texas Birding Classic, awarded Quinta Mazatlan a conservation grant to support its Great Homes for Great Birds project. The project focuses on Purple Martins, the largest swallow species in North America that rely on humans for nesting sites, and aims to increase bird habitats, support further research, and offer new and innovative educational and outreach programs. Quinta Mazatlan, The Mansion with a Mission, is an urban sanctuary that works to enrich lives by sharing knowledge about birds, plants, and environmental stewardship in South Texas. The grant will allow the center to provide gourd housing and trees as additional habitat for birds, install nest cameras inside gourds for livestreaming video of birds in the nests, support bird banding research, and encourage citizen science projects that enlist the public’s help in counting and recording observations of bird populations in the area.

“We are fortunate to have been awarded this grant, especially in light of the competition. This is a great accomplishment,” said McAllen Mayor Jim Darling. “We look forward to visitors of Quinta Mazatlan being able to view birds in their natural habitat via livestreaming video and assist in birding research.” By promoting interaction between birds, visitors, and researchers and utilizing every resource, Quinta Mazatlan aims to become a model of bird conservation that can be replicated in back yards, schools, and local communities throughout South Texas. The Great Texas Birding Classic, celebrating its 20th anniversary, had a record 750 participants applying for a range of tournament categories. To date, the Classic has awarded over $800,000 for on-the-ground habitat acquisition, restoration, and enhancement projects. This year, Quinta Mazatlan was one of seven organizations that received funding totaling $36,000. •

Texas Wheels is Ready to Boot Scoot Boogie this Winter Special to Welcome Home RGV

Texas

Wheels, formerly Texas Country Band, would like to welcome back all of our friends for dancing fun in the Rio Grande Valley. Clyde, Homer, Jay, Manny, and Andy are ready to play some great new songs, as well as all of the fan favorites you’ve requested throughout the years. We have combined professional experience of over 150 years. We look forward to continuing this tradition for your dancing and listening pleasure. We play classic country music, as well as some newer material: waltzes, polkas, Cajun, classic rock, line dancing, shuffles, trail dancing, and even some cumbias. We play a variety of songs at our dances, with the focus always on danceable, steady beats. Come join us during the season. You’ll have a GREAT time! We welcome you to join our dances

at Casa del Valle, 1048 N Alamo Rd. in Alamo, every Saturday starting September 17 from 7 to 10 p.m. Admission price is $5.00 per person, and the public is welcome. Check out our Facebook page at Texas Country Bannd (Yes, double “n”) for our schedule and updates. Also, search Texas Wheels on YouTube. We are an award-winning country western band. Thank you, Fans!! Please contact Andy Gonzales at 956-793-8099 or at TexasWheels2016@gmail.com. •

Come visit Mustre Dental Clinic - the people’s favorite dental office in Nuevo Progreso.

Excellence in Dentistry.

Friendly and Professional Service. With over 30 years in town, we have become one of the most, if not, the most trusted dental office. All of our dentists are certified and highly qualified to do dental work that you will be satisfied with. We welcome you to our office Monday-Saturday from 8:00am to 6:00pm and Sundays from 8:00am to 12:00pm. Stop by today or give us a call for more information.

www.welcomehomergv.com • • • September 2016

Harlingen Medical Center Achieves 4-Star Rating in New CMS Services Ranking Special to Welcome Home RGV

Harlingen

Medical Center has achieved a 4-star rating, reflecting high levels of quality healthcare being provided to Rio Grande Valley residents, in accordance with the recently released “Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings” by the U.S. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The 4-star rating, on a scale of one to five, indicates an above-average performance by the award-winning and nationally recognized hospital. By comparison, most other hospitals in the Valley, and across the country, received only a 3-star rating. Star ratings are commonly used in other industries and are familiar to most consumers. According to the CMS website, there were no hospitals scoring higher than four stars south of San Antonio. The ratings are available to the public on the “Hospital Compare” website (www.HospitalCompare.hhs.gov). The CMS’ new “Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating” combines 64 measures of the quality of healthcare into a single rating. These measures include seven major categories of healthcare ratings: 1) Safety of care 2) Mortality rates 3) Readmission rates 4) Effectiveness of care 5) Patient experience 6) Efficient use of medical imaging 7) Timeliness of care

Harlingen Medical Center scored above the national average in safety of patient care, in effectiveness of patient care, and in having low mortality rates and low readmission rates to the hospital. “This outstanding score -- tied for the highest in the Valley and South Texas -- reflects the dedication of the physicians, nurses, and other health professionals at our hospital, in serving our patients with high-quality, compassionate, and personalized care,” said Brenda Ivory, president and Chief Executive Officer at Harlingen Medical Center. “At Harlingen Medical Center, we are all committed to creating an exceptional

patient experience. And that includes ensuring we effectively communicate with our patients, ensuring we are responsive to their needs, and ensuring we provide a quiet and clean environment during their stay with us.” “Our people are what make the difference at our hospital. They are our greatest asset,” added Amy Flores, Chief Nursing Officer at Harlingen Medical Center. “We are here to serve. At the heart of all of these quality ratings ,and of everything else that we do, is to take care of our patients in the best possible way.” The ratings are based on data collected over a two-year period between January 2014 and December 2015. Across the country, 102 hospitals received a 5-star rating, 934 hospitals received a 4-star rating, 1,770 hospitals received a 3-star rating, 723 hospitals received a 2-star rating, and 133 hospitals received a 1-star rating. For more information on the quality programs and services available at Harlingen Medical Center, please visit www.HarlingenMedicalCenter.com. •

The Many Stages of Old Man’s Beard An

more prominent. The leaflets are an important food to white-tailed deer. Rio Grande turkeys occasionally will eat the leaves. The names for this plant are as varied as the flowering stages and include Texas Virgin’s Bower, Graybeard, Love-in-the-mist, Grandad Beard, and Goat’s Beard or Barbas De Chivato. Blooming spring through fall, late summer is the special time of year to study this vine when the female flowers begin a unique and elegant transformation as the fruits form. Three-inch-long silvery wisps of tendrils flow from the center of the

Keep McAllen Beautiful

Earns National Award Special to Welcome Home RGV

Keep

McAllen Beautiful recently received the Keep America Beautiful (KAB) President’s Circle Award. The President’s Circle Award recognizes exemplary performance made by certified affiliates of the national nonprofit organization that have helped in building and sustaining vibrant communities. Keep McAllen Beautiful has met KAB’s standards of merit by conducting an annual Community Appearance Index and administering activities in the areas of litter prevention, recycling, waste reduction, beautification, and community greening. “We are very proud of our community volunteers and all the projects we have accomplished,” said Chris Lash, program coordinator, adding thanks for the Board of Directors for the excellent work they do. In 2015, 1,618 volunteers from across the Valley donated 6,653 hours of service. •

KMB board members pictured top row from left to right: Ernesto Sepulveda, René Gonzalez, Carmen Pacheco, Gloria Doyle, Jackie Palacios, Carlos A. Sanchez, director of public works, and Mike McClure. Bottom row, left to right: Bobby Guerra, Belinda Leal, Marie Perez, Hilda DeShazo, Tiffany Soliz, Amanda Coody, and Cecilia Guillot

>> PIANO TRIO CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

by Anita Westervelt, Rio Grande Valley Chapter, Texas Master Naturalist

interesting late summer sight along city fences, fields, and roadsides may seem like a fluffy mass of colorless fuzz--something to ignore as uninteresting and messy. Don’t disregard it. It’s a native plant worthy of closer inspection. The scientific name is Clematis drmmondii. Locals know it as Old Man’s Beard. The fluffy mass starts to take shape the closer you get to the plant. It has a number of shapes. Like most vines here in the Valley, it doesn’t mind what it climbs over fences, small shrubs, or clumps of tall grass or through young scrub trees or when it sprawls on the ground. Other shapes to note are the many stages of flowers. Interestingly, it has male and female flowers on separate plants, which is what is known as being dioecious. The vines intertwine so intricately on long, slender, somewhat-woody stems that it is hard to determine which flower is on what stem. During spring and summer, the flowers are somewhat insignificant and the small, lobed leaflets are

flower dancing and sparkling on the wind in their iridescence. These plumes will serve as the vehicle to carry mature seeds in the wind. The flowers in this stage of the plant’s life give the plant its old man and goat’s beard names. The vines tolerate drought, assuring us of their annual show even in the driest of years. Vines are important to our native habitat, providing cool shelter for snakes, lizards, ground-nesting birds, and other critters. Above ground, they are a hive of activity, their blooms used by butterflies, dragonflies, and other beneficial pollinators. •

Esteemed cellist Gita Ladd has been considered one of the most sought-after musicians in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. area for the past 20 years. On top of her numerous classical accolades, Ladd has demonstrated her performance capabilities touring and recording with artists such as Tony Bennett, Clay Aiken, and Manheim Steamroller. Ladd is currently serving as Principal Cello with the Baltimore Opera Company, Concert Artists of Baltimore, and the Post Classical Ensemble of Washington, D.C. Asiya Korepanova’s piano repertoire includes over 55 concerts, solo recitals, and chamber performances all over the world. Korepanova is currently pursuing her Doctorate of Musical Arts degree at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. Aside from her musical prowess, Korepanova is also an artist and poet, having two of her books published in her teenage years. For more information on the Mendelssohn Piano Trio performance, please call 956-661-1615 or visit valleyorchestra.org. •

September 2016 • • • Welcome

Home RIO GRANDE VALLEY • • • your official connection to the rio grande valley

Valley Baptist Medical Center-Harlingen Receives Certification as Comprehensive Stroke Center: First and Only South of San Antonio Special to Welcome Home RGV

Valley

Baptist Medical CenterHarlingen is the area’s first and only Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC), not only in the Rio Grande Valley but south of San Antonio. “This is a major milestone for Valley Baptist but also for our Valley Community,” said Manny Vela, Chief Executive Officer of Valley Baptist Health System. “With stroke treatment, every minute counts, and residents deserve to have access to the lifesaving services of a nearby Comprehensive Stroke Center.” The hospital was surveyed in June by DNV Healthcare, part of Det Norske Veritas, and received the final results July 28. DNV accredits acute care and critical access hospitals and provides Comprehensive as well as Primary Stroke Center Certification. For Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification, a hospital must be able to meet the standards to be able to treat the most complex stroke cases, including: • Availability of advanced imaging techniques • Availability of vascular neurology, neurosurgery, and endovascular neurology personnel • 24/7 availability of personnel for imaging, surgery, and endovascular

facilities • Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit • Experience in treatment of large ischemic strokes, intracerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhage According to the DNV, “Comprehensive Stroke Centers are typically the largest and best-equipped hospitals in a given geographical area that can treat any kind of stroke or stroke complication.” One of the major differences between a Primary Stroke Center and a Comprehensive Stroke Center is the availability of 24/7 neurointerventional services, but there are other significant differences between the two. A Comprehensive Stroke Center must participate in research studies, meet minimum patient volumes, focus on the overall care continuum, and meet other requirements. “When someone has symptoms of a stroke, it is important to call 911 and get to the closest Primary Stroke Center as soon as possible,” said Dr. Ameer Hassan, endovascular neurologist and head of the Neuroscience Program at Valley Baptist Medical Center. “At that point, the medical team can determine the most appropriate treatment plan.

If the patient needs a higher level of stroke care, he/she can be transferred to Valley Baptist. For example, if it has been more than four hours since stroke symptoms began, and ‘clot-busting’ drugs can no longer be administered, we offer further endovascular intervention 24/7. This treatment, where we enter the brain and remove the clot, can help save patients from the lifelong damages of a stroke.” “This important designation is the result of the entire Valley Baptist stroke team working together toward the common cause of comprehensive stroke care,” said Dr. Wondwossen Tekle, director of the Stroke Program and neurocritical care at the hospital. “Neurologists, neurosurgeons, ER doctors, and other physicians work in tandem with the ER, Neuro ICU, Stroke Unit, Imaging, Research, Rehabilitation, administrative, and other staff to provide the highest level of stroke care in the Valley” “This certification is the result of years of dedication to stroke care at Valley Baptist, initiated by Dr. Victoria Parada more than a decade ago and continued by Parada, along with Dr. Ameer Hassan, Dr. Wondwossen Tekle, and the stroke team to achieve this important recognition as a Comprehensive Stroke Center,” added Vela. •

>> TOP HONORS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

said. “Readers call to report on a gardening situation or a plant they feel we should know about. We have acquired a strong voice to the community via Lori’s gardening articles to the public.” The local association kept the award secret until the presentation. Murray had high praise for her fellow members who have helped submit articles, photographs, and diagrams. As a volunteer opportunity, the 500-word weekly submission is a hefty obligation that includes research, factual editing, and commitment. “It is a labor-intensive activity but very rewarding and an excellent way for our members to self-educate,” Murray said. “I want to continue to inspire and encourage more of you to get involved in discovering the benefits of writing about what we feel is important. I’ll help every step of the way.” The Master Gardener Association of Cameron County is a nonprofit educational and charitable association working with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to improve gardening skills throughout the community. Program objectives are implemented through the training of local volunteers known as Master Gardeners. The association collaborates with AgriLife Extension to conduct TOP HONORS CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE >>

www.welcomehomergv.com • • • September 2016

D From the Inside, Out D by Marge Flados

The Function of Numbers

For

La Plaza Mall Construction Milestone Special to Welcome Home RGV

Construction continues at La Plaza

Mall as crews assemble the two-level Macy’s parking structure, adding approximately 740 spaces to the mall. The garage is expected to open this November in time for the busy holiday shopping season. In addition to this activity, a 17,000 square-foot portion of the slab for the new expansion wing is now in place at the mall. The Macy’s parking structure is just one of the significant enhancements currently underway at La Plaza Mall as the property undergoes a transformative expansion. Slated for

completion in Fall 2017, the highly anticipated expansion will feature a new 245,000 square-foot wing with additional retail and dining options, as well as upgraded interiors and a second parking deck. •

Julie Speed: Undertoad Exhibition at IMAS Special to Welcome Home RGV

The painstakingly crafted details in

the work of Texas artist Julie Speed call for close inspection. Working with gouache, collage, and etching, Speed creates bizarre, mysterious scenes where signs of our mortality persistently lurk. This dark reality underlies a decade’s work, from 20042015, in the exhibition Undertoad on display in Central Gallery at IMAS from August 27 to November 13. In the title work from 2015, Speed combines gouache and collage in a leafless, eerie tree hung with collaged elements, including fans, a skull, and a toad among the root. Collage is a particularly important component of her work, created with found and printed papers gathered over decades and carefully placed to create deceptively simple compositions. A colorful bird in Undertoad brings twigs to a nest built in the empty eye socket of the skull—life and death literally intertwined. With a keen sense of the absurd, Speed ponders the big questions - the role of religion, isolation and longing, sexuality, sin, and guilt with a sly, sometimes dark, sense of humor and a steadfast refusal to offer the viewer any tidy resolutions. It is the emphatically open-ended and omnivorous nature of her work, combining anxiety, erotica, and violence with the subversive power of beauty that puts Speed in the

was today, and my feeling the past ten years I of inadequacy regarding it. have belonged to a discussion Without taking a breath, he group that meets once a month said, and I quote: ‘Numbers for lunch and discussion are man’s perception of the of a pre-selected topic. A quantification of the space, learned group of men and time continuum.’” women, they inherited me via The line went silent. my husband’s membership. Marge Flados He said, “Mom, are you When I asked why they called themselves the Rhinos, I was told there?” membership requires a tough hide I said, “Yes, I am here. Where would and a willingness to stand your ground I go? I am on the phone with one of my when challenged. Needless to say, smart sons.” after my 10-year participation, it has Then he continued, and I quote broadened my interest in topics I didn’t again, “If the Rhinos are as smart and spend much time studying, such as erudite as you say they are, they will Creationism vs. Determinism, Free Will understand exactly what you are saying or Genetic Engineering. I have learned here. So just take it from there.” Which a great deal from these fellow Rhinos ended the conversation. who are well read and have a penchant I looked up from my paper and said, for writing letters to the editor of the “I am assuming you do. So numbers are everywhere, around us and among local newspaper, as do I, now. I have long suits, but I have a few us. Our lives are more or less controlled short ones, too, and one of them is by numbers. That said, I defer to the anything dealing with numbers. Or next presenter.” math. So when the selected topic was That ended my presentation. I looked “The Meaning of Numbers,” I gave about the table and saw smiles. I serious thought to running away. But sighed in relief and sat back and I began to give the topic my attention listened to some very interesting because I believe one should never information about numbers. Fantastic information that I had never known stop learning. Never! Rhino members give a preliminary before. Yes, it was a fascinating topic, five-minute presentation of our yes, I learned, yes, I feel grateful to viewpoints on the topic for the day have the opportunity to learn things before any questions or discussion is from interesting people. entertained. I peered down at my puny Anyone interested in visiting or little report. When it was my time to joining our Rhino group is welcome. We speak, I began to read my “research meet the first Saturday of each month in private homes for lunch at 1:00 p.m. paper.” “I do know that numbers are a and discussion until about 3:00 p.m. constant that we are obligated to Even though we are a diverse group, deal with whether we are buying blue we are nice to each other. Send me an jeans, making biscuits, adjusting a belt e-mail, and I will make sure you receive buckle, taking medicine, or playing the an invitation. • piano. That fact confirmed, I decided M. Flados is a resident of Harlingen and can to consult one of my smart sons. I be reached at nflados@rgv.rr.com called him and told him what our topic >> TOP HONORS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

vanguard of a return to figurative painting in contemporary art. Julie Speed: Undertoad is organized by Flatbed Press, Austin, and RuizHealy Art, San Antonio. A catalogue of the exhibition with essay by Lyle W. Williams, curator of prints and drawings at McNay Art Museum, will be available. Join us for all of our new programs and activities! General admission is FREE for IMAS members; $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and students with an ID, and $4 for children ages 4-12. Ask us about our Museums for All program. For more information, please call 956-682-0123 or visit www.theimasonline.org. •

community and youth education, to establish and maintain demonstration gardens, and to provide a speakers’ bureau. The Master Gardeners maintain a demonstration garden, The Arboretum, which is located at the corner of Williams Road and Expressway 77 in San Benito at the County Annex. It contains butterfly gardens, a selfguided compost demonstration, vegetable gardens, and labeled trees that grow well in Deep South Texas. AgriLife County Extension Horticulture Agent Jennifer Herrera is the Cameron County AgriLife sponsor to the Master Gardeners. In addition to a variety of workshops and demonstrations, the local association holds semi-annual plant sales and annual training for new members.

Master Gardener Lori Murray (center) with Cameron County Master Gardener President Charles Malloy III at recent ceremonies. AgriLife Master Gardener sponsor Jennifer Herrera received a duplicate plaque to display at the AgriLife Extension office.

The 2016 classes will begin in the fall with an awareness orientation August 30 for prospective members at the San Benito extension office meeting room. Classes also are available in Hidalgo County. For more information, call 956-361-8236 for Cameron County or 956-383-1026 for Hidalgo County. •

September 2016 • • • Welcome

Home RIO GRANDE VALLEY • • • your official connection to the rio grande valley

DANCE ENTERTAINMENT & SHOWS

CALENDAR OF EVENTS MONTH OF

September 1 - 30, 2016 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2016

Volunteer in the Park, 08:30 AM, McAllen Nature Center, 4101 W Business 83, McAllen. All equipment is provided; gloves are limited. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own work gloves. Projects include weeding, watering, planting, raking and more. For information call 956-681-3333. Here Be Dragons, 09:00 AM, International Museum of Art & Science, 1900 W Nolana Ave, McAllen. “Here Be Dragons!” exhibit! For information call 956-682-0123. Indigenous Weaving: Native Objects from Taiwan, 09:00 AM, International Museum of Art & Science, 1900 W Nolana Ave, McAllen. “Indigenous Weaving” featuring 40 native weavings from Taiwanese indigenous people. For information call 956-682-0123. Membership Promotion, 09:00 AM, International Museum of Art & Science, 1900 W Nolana Ave, McAllen. Mention the promo code

BOOK TODAY!

SEPTEMBER 2016

SHOWS ON SOUTH PADRE ISLAND Boomerang Billy’s Every Saturday and Sunday 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Weather Permitting)

Louie’s Backyard

Every Friday and Sunday 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Palm Street Pier

Every Wednesday 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Every Saturday 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Happy Hour at Victoria Palms

Open to the Public • BYOB Pass the Hat September 12 • No Cover 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM • Donna, TX

Available for private parties, dances, and functions at all RV Resorts in the Valley!

BOOKING RV PARKS NOW for 2016/2017 Season!

CALL TODAY (956) 761-4347

Email LBlasing@rgv.rr.com Or visit www.chuckandleslie.com and www.lesliepresents.com

JAM SESSIONS

MEALS

SALES

Looking for something to do here in the Rio Grande Valley? Our calendar of events has been the goto source for our retirees to check out the lighter side of the Valley by listing entertainment events, dances, meals, jam sessions, meetings, and even garage sales. For more information on submitting your events and activities, please email calendar@welcomehomergv.com. Starting in October when we return to our weekly newspapers, the deadline for submission is Mondays at 5:00 p.m. •

Back to School 16 (BTS 16) enjoy $10 off for a yearly membership! For information call 956-682-0123. US Too Prostate Cancer Support Group, 07:00 PM, Texas Oncology, McAllen. US TOO Prostate Cancer support group, Spouse/partner are welcome to attend. For information call 956-687-5150. Live Entertainment w/Trio Tres en Punto, 08:00 PM, San Miguelito Restaurant, 6101 N 23rd St, McAllen. Live Latin music, romantic music hits from the 40’s to the 60’s. For information call 956-862-6763.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2016

Here Be Dragons, 09:00 AM, International Museum of Art & Science, 1900 W Nolana Ave, McAllen. “Here Be Dragons!” exhibit! For information call 956-682-0123. Country Jam Session, 12:30 PM, Casa Del Sol, 400 N Val Verde Rd, Donna. For information call 956-464-2272. McAllen Artwalk @ Archer Park, 06:00 PM, 101 N. Broadway, McAllen. Arts and craft vendors, plus the live outdoor music series Music After Hours, every month. Free and open to the public. www.mcallen.net/residents/arts.aspx Dance w/SweetWater Band, 07:00 PM, Texas Trails RV Resort, 501 W Owassa Rd, Pharr. $5.00 pp. For information call 956-787-6538. Live Entertainment w/Trio Tres en Punto, 08:00 PM, Las Margaritas, 3505 TX107, Edinburg. Free admission. For information call 956-862-6763.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2016

St, McAllen. Local farmers, ranchers, chefs, and artisans each contributing to the healthy life style changes our community desperately needs. Country Jam Lunch!, 11:00 AM, Green Gate Grove, 700 N Bentsen Palm Dr, Mission. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. For more information call 956-584-1561. Country Jam, 12:30 PM, Green Gate Grove, 700 N Bentsen Palm Dr, Mission. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, Lunch served at 11:00 am. For more information call 956-584-1561. Harlingen Farmers Market, 03:00 PM, Downtown Harlingen, ‘A’ Street. The Market is on Jackson and Monroe, behind Grimsells and in front of New York Deli. Producers supply residents the freshest locally grown food, come take advantage of the best Harlingen has to offer! Dance w/SweetWater, 07:00 PM, Trophy Gardens RV Resort, 800 Highway 495, Alamo $5.00 pp. For information call 956-685-5300.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2016

Here Be Dragons, 09:00 AM, International Museum of Art & Science, 1900 W Nolana Ave, McAllen. “Here Be Dragons!” exhibit! For information call 956-682-0123. Port Isabel Antique & Flea Market, 09:00 AM, Beulah Lee Park, W Queen Isabella Blvd, Port Isabel. 956-455-6798. Free admission. Vendor fees apply. Church Service, 10:00 AM, Paradise Resort Estates, 301 E Hall Acres Rd, Pharr. For information call 956-787-1521. Rio Valley Church of Nazarene, 10:45 AM, Rio Valley Church of Nazarene, 1400 W Nolana Ave, McAllen. Please visit our website rvcnaz. org for more information. We are a mixed congregation including Spanish Speaking, as well as Winter Texans. Pastor Kevin Sheese. Farmer’s Market @ The Shores, 11:00 AM, 8500 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island. Fresh produce, fresh eggs, fresh seafood! Healthy shopping for healthy foods. Located at ‘The Shores’ north of SPI Convention Centre. Live Entertainment w/Trio Tres en Punto, 12:30 PM, El Ahuehuete Restaurant, 2708 N Texas Blvd, Weslaco. Free admission, live Latin music. For information call 956-862-6763. RC Racing, 02:00 PM, Fun-N-Sun RV Resort, Zillock Rd, San Benito.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2016

Here Be Dragons, 09:00 AM, International Museum of Art & Science, 1900 W Nolana Ave, McAllen. “Here Be Dragons!” exhibit! For information call 956-682-0123. Dinner Dance w/Keys, Strings & Harmony, 04:15 PM, Leisure Valley Resort, 1920 E Bogey, Mission $3.00 pp, “Bring A Dish” BYOB, snacks. Tickets will be sold in advance. Dinner will consist of: entree, vegetable, salad, desert and ice tea. Call 972-816-0527 with selection of item you will be bringing. Summer Jam, 05:30 PM, Enchanted Valley Ranch, 7300 Monroe St, Mission. Great music, dancing if you want, intermission we have coffee and cookies. No meal, but you can bring food in, we sell ice cream bars, water and soda. For information call 956-580-6938 or 612-310-3484. Magic Valley Chorus Of Sweet Adelines International, 07:00 PM, St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, McAllen. For information call Shirley 956661-9926 or Janet 956-682-8245.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2016

Maxan Street Farmers’ Market, 04:00 PM, The Garden, Port Isabel. The Garden on Maxan Street in Port Isabel’s Lighthouse Square. Additional parking at Pirate’s Landing. For information and vendor opportunities, call 956-433-9675. Dance w/Bottomline Band, 07:00 PM, Tip O’Texas RV Resort, 101 E Sioux

www.welcomehomergv.com • • • September 2016

DANCE ENTERTAINMENT & SHOWS Rd, Pharr. $5.00 pp, BYOB. For information call 956-787-6461.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2016

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

Country Jam Session, 12:30 PM, Casa Del Sol, 400 N Val Verde Rd, Donna. For information call 956-464-2272. Dance w/Jealous Heart, 07:00 PM, Texas Trails RV Resort, 501 W Owassa Rd, Pharr. $5.00 pp. For information call 956-787-6538. Live Entertainment w/Trio Tres en Punto, 08:00 PM, Las Margaritas, 3505 TX107, Edinburg. Free admission. For information call 956-862-6763.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2016

Bird Walks @ Resaca de la Palma, 08:30 AM, 1000 New Carmen Blvd, Brownsville. Travel by foot or on our new and amazingly quiet electric trams to reach our destinations. We have many different trails to venture onto that are relatively flat and ADA accessible. With 1,200 acres of lush, riparian woodlands we will also be birding by ear. For information call 956-350-2920. Brownsville’s Farmers Market, 09:00 AM, Ringgold Street & E 6th St, Brownsville. Brownsville has its own farmer’s market each week, across the street from Gladys Porter Zoo. For information call 956-882-5896. RGV Quilt Guild Meeting, 09:00 AM, South Texas College, Weslaco. Guild meeting is held in Room 191--turn right at the first hallway. The RGV Quilt Guild is open to anyone at any skill level interested in quilting. The annual dues of $25 entitles them to monthly meetings. The Market @ McAllen, 10:00 AM, McAllen Public Library, 4001 N 23rd St, McAllen. Local farmers, ranchers, chefs, and artisans each contributing to the healthy life style changes our community desperately needs. Country Jam Lunch!, 11:00 AM, Green Gate Grove, 700 N Bentsen Palm Dr, Mission. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. For more information call 956-584-1561. Country Jam, 12:30 PM, Green Gate Grove, 700 N Bentsen Palm Dr, Mission. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Lunch served at 11:00 am. For more information call 956-584-1561. Harlingen Farmers Market, 03:00 PM, Downtown Harlingen, ‘A’ Street. The Market is on Jackson and Monroe, behind Grimsells and in front of New York Deli. Producers supply residents the freshest locally grown food, come take advantage of the best Harlingen has to offer! Dance w/Steven May, 07:00 PM, Trophy Gardens RV Resort, 800 Highway 495, Alamo $5.00 pp. For information call 956-685-5300.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2016

Church Service, 10:00 AM, Paradise Resort Estates, 301 E Hall Acres Rd, Pharr. For information call 956-787-1521. Rio Valley Church of Nazarene, 10:45 AM, Rio Valley Church of Nazarene, 1400 W Nolana Ave, McAllen. Please visit our website rvcnaz.org for more information. We are a mixed congregation including Spanish Speaking, as well as Winter Texans. Pastor Kevin Sheese. Farmer’s Market @ The Shores, 11:00 AM, 8500 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island. Fresh produce, fresh eggs, fresh seafood! Healthy shopping for healthy foods. Located at ‘The Shores’ north of SPI Convention Centre. Live Entertainment w/Trio Tres en Punto, 12:30 PM, El Ahuehuete Restaurant, 2708 N Texas Blvd, Weslaco. Free admission, live Latin music, for information call 956-862-6763. RC Racing, 02:00 PM, Fun-N-Sun RV Resort, Zillock Rd, San Benito.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2016

Happy Hour w/Leslie Blasing, 03:00 PM, Victoria Palms Resort, 602 N Victoria Rd, Donna Pass the hat, Pina Colada & Margarita set-ups, soda setups available, free popcorn and ice. For information call 956-782-3263. Summer Jam, 05:30 PM, Enchanted Valley Ranch, 7300 Monroe St, Mission. Great music, dancing if you want, intermission we have coffee and cookies. No meal, but you can bring food in, we sell ice cream bars, water and soda. For information call 956-580-6938 or 612-310-3484. Magic Valley Chorus Of Sweet Adelines International, 07:00 PM, St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, McAllen. For information call Shirley 956661-9926 or Janet 956-682-8245.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016

Volunteer in the Park, 08:30 AM, McAllen Nature Center, 4101 W Business 83, McAllen. All equipment is provided; gloves are limited. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own work gloves. Projects

JAM SESSIONS

MEALS

include weeding, watering, planting, raking and more. For information call 956-681-3333. Diabetes Management Class, 01:00 PM, 3rd Floor, McAllen Medical Center. East Classroom, classes are provided in English and Spanish every other week. For information call Mary Escaname at 956-971-5850. Overeaters Anonymous, 06:00 PM, Unity Church of the Valley, 301 E Polk Ave, Pharr. Are you having problems with food? Come join us for an informative support group on how to help control your cravings. For information call Carmen 956-475-3791.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2016

RGV Garden Club Meeting, 09:30 AM, Speer Memorial Library, 801 E 12th St, Mission. Every month we provide speakers for gardening tips and timely information. In September we are lucky to have Seth Oleander from Oleander Nursery in Mission. He will have information on different fruit trees that grow here, such as Lingon berry and candy apple. He is also knowledgeable about cactus and native plants. Come join us at

SALES

9:30 and meet fellow gardeners. Any questions call Penny Curry at 956203-9123 or Sue Thaxter at 956532-9789. Social Hour w/Diego, 03:00 PM, Siesta Village, 2712 S International Blvd, Weslaco. Chili, hot dogs, nachos, popcorn and soft drinks available. For information, call 956969-3558 or 952-200-8646. Maxan Street Farmers’ Market, 04:00 PM, The Garden, Port Isabel. The Garden on Maxan Street in Port Isabel’s Lighthouse Square. Additional parking at Pirate’s Landing. For information and vendor opportunities, call 956-433-9675. Dance w/Bottomline Band, 07:00 PM, Tip O’Texas RV Resort, 101 E Sioux Rd, Pharr. $5.00 pp, BYOB. For information call 956-787-6461.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2016

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 >>

September 2016 • • • Welcome

Home RIO GRANDE VALLEY • • • your official connection to the rio grande valley

DANCE ENTERTAINMENT & SHOWS

JAM SESSIONS

MEALS

SALES

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11 raking and more. For information call 956-681-3333. Grief Support Group Workshops, 06:30 PM, McAllen Medical Center, McAllen. The UT Health Science Center Allograft Resources Bereavement Support Department invites the community to attend monthly grief support workshops, which focus on helping families that need support after losing a loved one or friend. The workshops are free. and open to anyone in the community. Register in advance by calling 956-365-8650. Live Entertainment w/Trio Tres en Punto, 08:00 PM, San Miguelito Restaurant, 6101 N 23rd St, McAllen. Live Latin music, romantic music hits from the 40’s to the 60’s. For information call 956-862-6763.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

Country Jam Session, 12:30 PM, Casa Del Sol, 400 N Val Verde Rd, Donna. For information call 956-464-2272. Dance w/Route 66, 07:00 PM, Texas Trails RV Resort, 501 W Owassa Rd, Pharr. $5.00 pp. For information call 956-787-6538. Entertainment w/Dino Mulic, Piano, 07:30 PM, TSC Arts Center, 80

Fort Brown St, Brownsville. $10.00 General admission, $5.00 Senior, Students (with ID) and children. For information call 956-882-7025. Live Entertainment w/Trio Tres en Punto, 08:00 PM, Las Margaritas, 3505 TX107, Edinburg. Free admission. For information call 956-862-6763.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2016

Country Jam Lunch!, 11:00 AM, Green Gate Grove, 700 N Bentsen Palm Dr, Mission. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. For more information call 956-584-1561. Country Jam, 12:30 PM, Green Gate Grove, 700 N Bentsen Palm Dr, Mission. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, Lunch served at 11:00 am. For more information call 956-584-1561. Harlingen Farmers Market, 03:00 PM, Downtown Harlingen, ‘A’ Street. The Market is on Jackson and Monroe, behind Grimsells and in front of New York Deli. Producers supply residents the freshest locally grown food, come take advantage of the best Harlingen has to offer! Dance w/Diego, 07:00 PM, Trophy Gardens RV Resort, 800 Highway 495, Alamo $5.00 pp. For information call 956-685-5300. Dance w/Texas Wheels, 07:00 PM, Casa del Valle, 1048 N Alamo Rd, Alamo. $5.00 pp. For information call 956-783-5008.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

Church Service, 10:00 AM, Paradise Resort Estates, 301 E Hall Acres Rd, Pharr. For information call 956-787-1521. Rio Valley Church of Nazarene, 10:45 AM, Rio Valley Church of Nazarene, 1400 W Nolana Ave, McAllen. Please visit our website rvcnaz.org for more information.We are a mixed congregation including Spanish Speaking, as well as Winter Texans. Pastor Kevin Sheese. Farmer’s Market @ The Shores, 11:00 AM, 8500 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island. Fresh produce, fresh eggs, fresh seafood! Healthy shopping for healthy foods. Located at ‘The Shores’ north of SPI Convention Centre. Live Entertainment w/Trio Tres en Punto, 12:30 PM, El Ahuehuete Restaurant, 2708 N Texas Blvd, Weslaco. Free admission, live Latin music. For information call 956-862-6763. RC Racing, 02:00 PM, Fun-N-Sun RV Resort, Zillock Rd, San Benito. Early Music Festival Concert, 03:00 PM, TSC Arts Center, 80 Fort Brown St, Brownsville. $5.00 General Admission. For information call 956-882-7025.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2016

Summer Jam, 05:30 PM, Enchanted Valley Ranch, 7300 Monroe St, Mission. Great music, dancing if you want, intermission we have coffee and cookies. No meal, but you can bring food in, we sell ice cream bars, water and soda. For information call 956-580-6938 or 612-310-3484. Magic Valley Chorus Of Sweet Adelines International, 07:00 PM, St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, McAllen.

For information call Shirley 956661-9926 or Janet 956-682-8245.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016

Volunteer in the Park, 08:30 AM, McAllen Nature Center, 4101 W Business 83, McAllen. All equipment is provided; gloves are limited. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own work gloves. Projects include weeding, watering, planting, raking and more. For information call 956-681-3333. Diabetes Management Class, 01:00 PM, 3rd Floor, McAllen Medical Center. East Classroom, classes are provided in English and Spanish every other week. For information call Mary Escaname at 956-971-5850. Overeaters Anonymous, 06:00 PM, Unity Church of the Valley, 301 E Polk Ave, Pharr. Are you having problems with food? Come join us for an informative support group on how to help control your cravings. For information call Carmen 956-475-3791. Valley’s H.O.P.E. Stroke Support Group, 06:00 PM, Valley Baptist Medical Center in the Woodward Conference Room. The H.O.P.E. (Haven Offering Patient Encouragement) Stroke Support Group meets monthly in Harlingen at Valley Baptist Medical Center in the Woodward Conference Room. For more information call 888-902-5433.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2016

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

Country Jam Session, 12:30 PM, Casa Del Sol, 400 N Val Verde Rd, Donna. For information call 956-464-2272. Art Night, 06:00 PM, Numerous Locations around Harlingen. FREE Admission. Numerous venues downtown

www.welcomehomergv.com • • • September 2016

DANCE ENTERTAINMENT & SHOWS Jackson Street, 3rd Street to Commerce VanBuren, Commerce to ‘D Street. Map available call 956-367-1973. Dance w/Diego, 07:00 PM, Texas Trails RV Resort, 501 W Owassa Rd, Pharr. $5.00 pp. For information call 956-787-6538. Live Entertainment w/Trio Tres en Punto, 08:00 PM, Las Margaritas, 3505 TX107, Edinburg. Free admission. For information call 956-862-6763.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016

Spectacular Saturdays!, 08:00 AM, Edinburg WBC, 714 Raul Longoria Dr, Edinburg. The weather is enjoyable and wildlife are arriving by the day. Throughout the day there will be puzzles, crafts, games, and guided nature hikes upon request. Binoculars are available free of charge. For information call 956-381-9922. Bird Walks @ Resaca de la Palma, 08:30 AM, 1000 New Carmen Blvd, Brownsville. Travel by foot or on our new and amazingly quiet electric trams to reach our destinations. We have many different trails to venture onto that are relatively flat and ADA accessible. With 1,200 acres of lush, riparian woodlands we will also be birding by ear. For information call 956-350-2920. Brownsville’s Farmers Market, 09:00 AM, Ringgold Street & E 6th St, Brownsville. Brownsville has its own farmer’s market each week, across the street from Gladys Porter Zoo. For information call 956-882-5896. The Market @ McAllen, 10:00 AM, McAllen Public Library, 4001 N 23rd St, McAllen. Local farmers, ranchers, chefs, and artisans each contributing to the healthy life style changes our community desperately needs. Country Jam Lunch!, 11:00 AM, Green Gate Grove, 700 N Bentsen Palm Dr, Mission. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. For more information call 956-584-1561. Country Jam, 12:30 PM, Green Gate Grove, 700 N Bentsen Palm Dr, Mission. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Lunch served at 11:00 am. For more information call 956-584-1561. Harlingen Farmers Market, 03:00 PM, Downtown Harlingen, ‘A’ Street. The Market is on Jackson and Monroe, behind Grimsells and in front of New York Deli. Producers supply residents the freshest locally grown food, come take advantage of the best Harlingen has to offer! Dance w/Diego, 07:00 PM, Enchanted Valley Ranch, 7300 Monroe St, Mission. $5.00 pp, ice, soda & water available. Bring your own snacks. For information call 563-340-0840. Dance w/Route 66, 07:00 PM, Trophy Gardens RV Resort, 800 Highway 495, Alamo. $5.00 pp. For information call 956-685-5300. Dance w/Texas Wheels, 07:00 PM,

Casa del Valle, 1048 N Alamo Rd, Alamo. $5.00 pp. For information call 956-783-5008.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2016

Fit Family 5K Run, Walk & Stroll, 08:00 AM, McAllen Fireman’s Park, 201 N 1st St, McAllen. For information visit: www.facebook.com/ events/272407513130020/ Church Service, 10:00 AM, Paradise Resort Estates, 301 E Hall Acres Rd, Pharr. For information call 956-787-1521. Rio Valley Church of Nazarene, 10:45 AM, Rio Valley Church of Nazarene, 1400 W Nolana Ave, McAllen. Please visit our website rvcnaz.org for more information. We are a mixed congregation including Spanish Speaking, as well as Winter Texans. Pastor Kevin Sheese. Farmer’s Market @ The Shores, 11:00 AM, 8500 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island. Fresh produce, fresh eggs, fresh seafood! Healthy shopping for healthy foods. Located at ‘The Shores’ north of SPI Convention Centre. Live Entertainment w/Trio Tres en Punto, 12:30 PM, El Ahuehuete Restaurant, 2708 N Texas Blvd, Weslaco. Free admission, live Latin music. For information call 956-862-6763. RC Racing, 02:00 PM, Fun-N-Sun RV Resort, Zillock Rd, San Benito.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2016

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2016

JAM SESSIONS

MEALS

Entertainment w/Daniel Hunter-Holly, Baritone, 07:30 PM, TSC Art Center, 80 Fort Brown St, Brownsville. $10.00 General admission, $5.00 Senior, Students (with ID) and children. For information call 956-882-7025.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

Social Hour w/Diego, 03:00 PM, Siesta Village, 2712 S International Blvd, Weslaco. Chili, hot dogs, nachos, popcorn and soft drinks available. For information call 956969-3558 or 952-200-8646. Maxan Street Farmers’ Market, 04:00 PM, The Garden, Port Isabel. The Garden on Maxan Street in Port Isabel’s Lighthouse Square. Additional parking at Pirate’s Landing. For information and vendor opportunities, call 956-433-9675. Dance w/Bottomline Band, 07:00 PM, Tip O’Texas RV Resort, 101 E Sioux Rd, Pharr. $5.00 pp, BYOB. For information call 956-787-6461.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016

Volunteer in the Park, 08:30 AM, McAllen Nature Center, 4101 W Business 83, McAllen. All equipment is provided; gloves are limited. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own

SALES

work gloves. Projects include weeding, watering, planting, raking and more. For information call 956-681-3333. Valley Transplant Support Group, 06:30 PM, 4th Floor, McAllen Medical Center, 301 W Expressway 83 McAllen. The Valley Transplant Support Group’s goal is to educate and help patients have an understanding of the challenges that may arise before and after transplantation and the resources available to assist them. For information call 956-971-5726. Live Entertainment w/Trio Tres en Punto, 08:00 PM, San Miguelito Restaurant, 6101 N 23rd St, McAllen. Live Latin music, romantic music hits from the 40’s to the 60’s. For information call 956-862-6763.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

Country Jam Session, 12:30 PM, Casa Del Sol, 400 N Val Verde Rd, Donna. For information call 956-464-2272. Dance w/George & The Texas Outlaws, 07:00 PM, Texas Trails RV Resort, 501 W Owassa Rd, Pharr. $5.00 pp, for information call 956-787-6538. Live Entertainment w/Trio Tres en Punto, 08:00 PM, Las Margaritas, 3505 TX107, Edinburg. Free admission. For information call 956-862-6763. •

September 2016 • • • Welcome

Home RIO GRANDE VALLEY • • • your official connection to the rio grande valley

Join the RGV Garden Club

Some Like It Hot

Special to Welcome Home RGV

The RGV Garden Club meets every

second Wednesday of the month from September to May at the Speer Memorial Library, 801 E 12th St. in Mission. Every month, we provide speakers for gardening tips and timely information. In September, we are lucky to have Seth Oleander from Oleander Nursery in Mission. He will have information on different fruit trees that grow here, such as Lingon berry and candy apple. He is also knowledgeable about cactus and

with Junior League of McAllen, Inc. Special to Welcome Home RGV

native plants. Come join us at 9:30 a.m. and meet fellow gardeners. If you have any questions, please call Penny Curry at 956-203-9123 or Sue Thaxter at 956-532-9789. •

Savory Spinach Quiche

Randy Hoelscher: The Border Cook Special to Welcome Home RGV

Crispy Pork Carnitas

I have seen pork carnitas called The King of Taco Meat. Carnitas literally

means “little meat.” It is typically pork, often cooked in lard. If you are like me, you do not have a bucket of lard to use, and my research told me it adds no flavor to the meat; it only helps cook it better than liquids. The recipe I am providing uses the fat naturally available in the pork to boost flavor and cook the meat. Recipes that add liquid seem to result in dry meat, not juicy, perfectly cooked pork. This slow cooker recipe results in tender, juicy pork with the crispy tasty edges achieved by frying the cooked pork once it is done and pulled apart into small pieces. Enjoy! Buen Apetito! •

Serves 8-10 • 1 (10 oz.) package frozen, chopped spinach • 1 minced garlic clove (optional) • 1 (3 oz.) package cream cheese, softened • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese • 1 (9-inch) pastry shell, unbaked • 5 eggs, slightly beaten • 1 thinly sliced tomato • ¼ teaspoon salt • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese • ¼ cup chopped green onion Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Cook spinach according to package directions. Drain well and squeeze to remove excess water. Set aside. Combine cream cheese, cheddar cheese, eggs, salt, onion, garlic (optional), and parsley; beat lightly with a fork. Stir in spinach and pour mixture into unbaked pastry shell. Arrange tomato slices on top and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake for 35 minutes or until set. The Junior League of McAllen, Inc. envisions significantly improving the quality of life of the children and youth of our community by preserving the innocence of childhood, encouraging responsibility, and promoting a safe environment. Cookbooks can be purchased through the Junior League website at www.juniorleaguemcallen.org, as well as at Barn White and Quips & Quotes in McAllen.

Picnic Possibilities: Crispy Pork Carnitas Serves 6

Ingredients

• About 3 lbs. pork Boston butt – boneless pork shoulder • 1 stick cinnamon – broken into 3 or 4 pieces • ¼ cup vegetable oil • 2 T kosher salt • 2 large cloves garlic – peeled and cut in half • 1 orange – quartered • Ground black pepper – liberally sprinkled • 1 medium onion – quartered • 1 tsp ground cumin or cumin (comino) seed • 1 T ground oregano

Instructions: Cut the pork into 2-3-inch cubes; do not trim off fat. Sprinkle the pork cubes with the salt and pepper. Place the cubed meat tightly in the bottom of your slow cooker. Try for a single layer of pork. Drizzle the meat with the vegetable oil. This is just to prevent drying. Cover the pork with the other ingredients, squeezing some juice from the orange. Set your slow cooker to high and cook for at least 3 hours, until the pork is tender and falling apart. Try to maintain a temperature of about 208 degrees F. When the pork is tender, remove the orange, cinnamon, garlic, and onion and discard. Remove the meat from the cooker and allow to cool until you can handle it. Reserve the pan liquid. When cool, use your fingers or two forks to shred the meat into small pieces, removing the excess fat. Place the meat in a bowl. Using a spoon, remove the fat from the reserved pan liquid. Discard the non-fat liquid. To achieve a nice, crispy finish to the pork, drizzle the reserved meat fat over the pork and fry the meat in a large frying pan at high temperature, turning frequently. When the desired crispy edges are achieved, it is ready to serve. Serve in tortillas – corn or flour – topped with your favorite ingredients, such as cilantro, diced onion, diced tomatoes, guacamole, sour cream, shredded cheese, etc. Randy Hoelscher is a transplanted Texan and half-time RGV resident. A long-time cooking enthusiast, he enjoys being “The Border Cook,” spreading the word about Mexican and Tex-Mex Cuisine on his web site - TheBorderCook.com - as well as on social media.

Great Food to Eat Outdoors

Pecan pie is a wonderful picnic dessert

since it doesn’t need refrigeration, is sturdy enough to pack into a basket with no worries about spilling and many people love it. I don’t make good pie crust, so I depend upon the people at Pillsbury to help me out. •

by Sandy Olson

South Texas Pecan Pie • 3 eggs, slightly beaten • 1 cup sugar • 1 cup dark corn syrup • 1/8 teaspoon salt • 1 cup broken pecan pieces • 1 unbaked 9” or 10” pie crust • Whole pecan halves for garnish Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Whisk the eggs, sugar, corn syrup, and salt together, mixing well. Stir in the pecan pieces. Pour into the pie crust and garnish the top with the pecan halves. Bake for about 60 minutes or until the filling is mostly set. It still might be a bit jiggly in the center, but that’s OK. It will continue to set after removing from the oven. Serves 8. Sandy Olson, lifelong foodie, restaurant reviewer, cooking teacher. Summer Iowan; Winter Texan. You can contact Sandy at midwestfoodie@gmail.com.

www.welcomehomergv.com • • • September 2016

Mexican Citrus Chicken Salad

Recipe compliments of Lone Star

Compliments of Lone Star Citrus Growers

Citrus Growers--surprizingly sweet with a hint of zing. Be sure to visit and like their Winter Sweetz Facebook page, where you’ll find more great recipes and lots more! •

At the Heart of The Lamb’s Loom in McAllen Special to Welcome Home RGV

Sending Mexican Citrus Chicken Salad Makes 4 servings • 2 Texas Rio Star Grapefruit, sectioned • 6 cups mixed salad greens, torn into bite-sized pieces • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts • 2 scallions, thinly sliced • 1 large red bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced

Mexican seasoning • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 teaspoon salt • 1 teaspoon chili powder

• 1 teaspoon garlic • 1 teaspoon cumin • ½ teaspoon dried oregano

Pound chicken to ½ -inch thickness. In a small bowl, prepare Mexican seasoning. Brush seasoning over chicken and grill or boil for 10 to 18 minutes or until cooked through. Baste with additional seasoning, if needed. Remove from heat and cut into strips. Arrange the greens on four plates. Add chicken strips, red pepper, and grapefruit. Garnish with scallions. Serve with dressing of your choice. Winter Sweetz™ Grapefruit is “surprizingly sweet with a hint of zing.”

prayers and hugs, along with our knitted/crocheted items, is at the heart of all we do here at The Lamb’s Loom! The Lamb’s Loom is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit prayer shawl ministry, and the yarn shop has been opened as an extension of this ministry to help fund all that goes on around here! We work with various missionaries around the world to provide prayer shawls, hats, and scarves. We specialize in FUN, too! Our “sit-n-knit” room is available for y’all to come by and chillax! We also give classes in loom knitting, needle knitting, and crochet. Everyone loves to bring projects for show-and-tell and to just, in general, have fun!

The shop portion is growing daily with shipments of yarn and notions. We also have handcrafted gifts for sale by some very wonderful consignment friends. We thank you for all your support of our shop. This will help fund the prayer shawl ministry and send hugs and prayers around the world. Everyone is welcome to join in. The Lamb’s Loom is located at 1209 Pecan in McAllen, inside Jac-Lin’s Florist. You can also find us on Facebook or give us a call 956607-6855. We are open Wednesday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Thursday and Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. •

MHDBRK00003552

Craig Gilley (956) 500-4333 MHSLSP00043489 cgilley@wthsinc.com

Lela Mary Weber (956) 367-2231 MHSLSP00042920 lweber@wthsinc.com

We are the #1 Broker of new and pre-owned manufactured homes, with 201 homes and over $4,000,000 in sales for 2015. Serving the Rio Grande Valley from South Padre Island to La Joya. Contact any agent to find out how we can market your home for sale or assist you in finding your new Winter Dream Home!

Lance Conn (956) 245-9969

MHSLSP00042265 lconn1968@yahoo.com

Bernie Ohlhauser (303) 204-6028 MHSLSP00043116 amobmo1@gmail.com

Rafael Adame (956) 570-3423

MHSLSP00043952 radame@wthsinc.com

602 N. Victoria Rd. #3000 • Donna, TX 78537 (956) 782-3587

Linda Giesen (956) 929-1961 MHSLSP00042363 lgiesen@wthsinc.com

Cindy Jalife (956) 532-9024 MHSLSP00042704 cindyj@wthsinc.com

Tim Hoffman (956) 873-9550

MHSLSP00043078 thoffman@wthsinc.com

www.wthsinc.com

September 2016 • • • Welcome

Home RIO GRANDE VALLEY • • • your official connection to the rio grande valley

Enjoy Savings. Maximize Life.

COUPON

CONNECTION

Looking for ways to SAVE right here in the Rio Grande Valley? Our weekly coupon section will help you SAVE while you’re here, enjoying life in the Valley. •

Dr. Edieberto Palacios

217 W. Nolana Suite 25 • McAllen, TX 78504 • 956-404-4666

7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise

Sailing out of Galveston

PACKAGE INCLUDES:

Chuck & Enid Olsen

will be joining Kristi, from Welcome Home RGV as co-hosts on this exciting cruise!

ALL cruises to be booked through

CHUCK OLSON TOURS & CRUISES 3827 N. 10th St, Suite 203 McAllen, TX 78501 956-664-2916 800-568-9890

• Pre-Cruise Hotel Stay (Evening Meal & Breakfast Included) • Round Trip Transporation from the Valley • Stateroom and all Cruise port fees & taxes • $100 On-Board Ship Credit per Stateroom • Group get-together with Kristi

PACKAGE PRICING per person

Cat N : Inside Stateroom $1165/pp Cat I : Oceanview Stateroom $1257/pp Cat E1 : Balcony Stateroom $1760/pp

*Prices are subject to change based on availability and are based on double occupancy. ***All itineraries are subject to change without notice.