Issuu

FORE! GOLFING IN THE RGV!

This week features the scenic South Padre Island Golf Club!

UPCOMING EVENTS!

Check out this week’s listings of what’s happening in the RGV!

RECIPE CONNECTION!

Executive Chef Bettina Tolin is back at it again with her potato gratin!

Welcome Home See details on page 8.

See calendar on page 16.

VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 2 • October 26, 2016

Try her recipe on page 15.

WINTER TEXAN

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

Los Colores Del Muerto Special to Welcome Home RGV

had the opportunity to visit South Padre Island this weekend, and I was so happy that I was following a car with Alberta plates! It brings me great joy to see all the out-of-state plates and recreational vehicles on the highway. One of these days, I hope to be just like you and hit the road. Seeings how I just celebrated my forty-sixty birthday, that might be a while. So in the meantime, I will soak up as many stories, words of wisdom, and advice on getting to that sweet spot of retirement. (And live vicariously through you.) Since I can’t retire just yet, I’ve built a business around serving those who can...and did! The next six months will be fast--filled with activities, entertainment, and social gatherings--and we look forward to being right there with you. Thank you for allowing us to get a glimpse of the joy retirement brings and for your endless support of Welcome Home RGV! • We’re just connecting the dots,

Kristi

The

Museums of Port Isabel, in collaboration with the City of Port Isabel, the Laguna Madre Museum Foundation, the Port Isabel Economic Development Corporation, and the Laguna Madre Art League, present their Annual Day of the Dead festival – Los Colores Del Muerto - Saturday, October 29, from 4 to 11 p.m. in Washington Park in Port Isabel. (New location: 156 W. Madison St.) The event includes hands-on activities, including sugar skulldecorating and altar-making, vendors with a variety of food and wares, costume contests, dancing and music, and a play performance-Capt. Isley Bell & Los Ratones. No admission charge to the event. The Port Isabel Lighthouse, Historical Museum and Treasures of the Gulf Museum (where the altars will be on display) will be open from 10 a.m. -4 p.m. Saturday, October 29. Special event admission is $1 for each site.

Telling Our Stories Thursday, October 27 at the Treasures of the Gulf Museum (7 p.m.) Saturday, October 29 at the Day of the Dead Celebration (during the Day of the Dead Celebration) Original Play by Gloria Bates~ Capt. Isley Bell & Los Ratones

Captain Bell was the customs administrator of the Custom Duty House on St. James Island off Point Isabel in 1857. This exciting drama includes the Texas Rangers, the local town beauty, Queen Isabella (suffering memory loss due to amnesia), a princess stowaway (from Spain, who lands on Brazos Island), and a dashing Capt. Bell, the hero. Lots of wheeling and dealing and tricks! Justice prevails in the end! Honesty pays, and the truth triumphs! The Museums of Port Isabel and the Laguna Madre Museum Foundation are proud to present its “Telling Our Stories” Series 2016 Thursday, October 27, at the Treasures of the Gulf Museum, located at 308 Queen Isabella Blvd.,

at 7 p.m. No admission charge. Open to the public. Refreshments. Call 956-943-7602 for more information. About the Day of the Dead—Dia de los Muerto, Day of the Dead, is a Mexican custom of celebrating All Souls and All Saints Day in a festive atmosphere. Because the Hispanic culture finds joy in remembering loved ones who have passed away, they spend a night and a day at the burial site of the deceased family members, honoring the memories of their lives. Traditionally, the Day of the Dead was a three-day, three-night festival that mixed Spanish Catholicism with Mesoamerican Indian roots. MUSEUMS OF PORT ISABEL CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 >>

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October 26, 2016 • • • Welcome

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It’s Time to “Recycle right!” McAllen New recycling program hopes to improve compliance with recycling rules Special to Welcome Home RGV

he City of McAllen Solid Waste Division has launched “Recycle right!” a program designed to dramatically improve blue bin compliance by residents in the city’s curbside recycling program. The program includes an education outreach effort by Solid Waste employees, notices for noncompliance and finally, loss of blue bin, and increased Solid Waste service fees. “Recycling is the right thing to do, not just for our community and not just for our children, but also for the future of our environment,” said City of McAllen Mayor Jim Darling. “Recycling is such an easy thing to do, an easy thing for all of us to do our part to help preserve our dwindling natural resources.” “Recycle right!” is the new message for the residential recycling

Welcome Home

WINTER TEXAN

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Publisher

Kristi Collier

kristi@welcomehomergv.com

Sales & Marketing Cheryl Palacios

cheryl@welcomehomergv.com

Administration

collection service provided to the 35,000 households and should remind McAllen residents what is, and what is not, allowed in the blue bins. Acceptable recyclable materials include paper, plastic bottles and jugs, aluminum cans, tin cans, cardboard, and glass bottles and jars. All recyclable items should be clean and free of food waste. Everything else goes in the trash can, including food, medical waste, diapers, Styrofoam, garden hoses, and any recyclable items contaminated with food waste. City leaders hope residents will better understand how to maximize the use of their recycling bin by ending the chronic use of blue bins for garbage. The goal of “Recycle right!” is to increase the amount of recycling tonnage collected, currently at 2,000 tons annually, and reduce the amount of contaminated recycling received, which today is at approximately 75 percent. In fact, the city’s recycling rate is an amount only reached when

employees with the Solid Waste department separate the trash from the recyclables by hand. Currently, the garbage collection rate is 6,000 tons annually. In the coming weeks, McAllen residents can expect to receive an educational packet with information on what can and cannot be recycled in the blue bin, as well as information on blue bin inspections in their neighborhoods. Starting November 1, recycling bin inspections will be conducted in all McAllen neighborhoods to check for compliance. All resident blue bin inspections will be completed within a six-month period. Upon inspection, residents found to have a contaminated blue bin will receive a yellow warning tag for their first violation. A yellow warning tag notice will be left at each residential account, informing the residents that their bin was found to be in violation of having non-recyclable material. A second violation of noncompliance will result in receiving a red notification tag, indicating their blue recycling bin has been removed and a second trash bin – a black bin – will automatically be provided.

Additionally, a $10.50 monthly fee for the second black bin will be charged on the resident’s utility bill. If the bin is determined not to be needed by the homeowner, it may be removed after one month. The homeowner can reapply for the blue bin after a six-month waiting period. City leaders hope to impress upon the community the impact of recycling has on the environment. According to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, one recycled aluminum can will save enough energy to run a computer for three hours or a TV for two hours. One ton of recycled paper will save 17 trees. The City of McAllen residential recycling program has been in place for 22 years and curbside recycling has been provided since 1994. McAllen is the only city in the Rio Grande Valley with a dedicated curbside recycling program, and residents pay one of the lowest garbage and recycling rates in the state. For more information on “Recycle right!” call 956-681-3111 or visit the website at www.mcallenpublicworks. net. •

Weekly e-Blasts Kristi’s e-Blasts are sent weekly October - March 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

Amie Gray

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Welcome Home

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! •

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www.welcomehomergv.com • • • October 26, 2016

Halloween Programs at Edinburg

Save the Date for the 3rd Annual Mustang Market Day

Special to Welcome Home RGV

et your holiday shopping done early at the 3rd Annual Mustang Market Day, November 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. in McAllen Memorial High School’s two cafeterias. Over 60 local vendors have signed up to entice you with their beautiful jewelry, clothing, school mascot yard signs, and much, MUCH more. The MHS Student Council works year-round to promote a sense of community. Our recent projects include working with the Catholic Charities to help immigrants who need assistance, clean-ups with the City of McAllen’s Adopt-a-Spot, Wounded Warrior projects, and Vannie Cook Children’s Cancer & Hematology Clinic pantry drives. We also promote spirit at school activities, literacy at different school-sponsored events, and social consciousness for serious topics, such as suicide, depression, cancer, and bullying. We also raise MHS faculty and staff morale by providing treats and other surprises for them throughout the year. Making all

Get

World Birding Center

in the Halloween spirit and join the Edinburg World Birding Center (EWBC) for some Halloweeninspired programs. Saturday, October 29, families can create their own keepsakes and watch a puppet show to learn about night-time animal friends. Give your Halloween decorations that final touch by joining the EWBC from 10 – 11:30 a.m. to create a pumpkin planter garden. Bring your pumpkin, and the center will supply the soil, plants, and other decorations needed to create your pumpkin masterpiece. It’s sure to add a spooky, yet beautiful, spark to your decorations, just in time for Halloween. Registration is required at least two days before the program. The fee is $5 per family per pumpkin planter (supplies bundle). Then, from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m., join the EWBC for the debut of the “Night Critters” puppet show. Nocturnal animals can often seem mysterious or even spooky, but these animals play a

critical role in the environment. The entire family will enjoy learning more about these often misunderstood animals and the special adaptations they have that allow them to survive in the dark. There will be various games and crafts for families to enjoy after the show. This program is free. The Edinburg World Birding Center is located at 714 S. Raul Longoria Road in the Edinburg Municipal Park. For more information or to register for these programs, call 956-381-9922 or visit www.edinburgwbc.org. •

Special to Welcome Home RGV

of this happen requires sizable funds. Three years ago, we decided to host a fundraiser that makes money but also gives back to our community. Mustang Market Day was our answer. We are also raising funds to send our students to our annual State Student Council Convention. The Texas Association of Student Councils hosts a convention where over 5,000 students in the State of Texas come together and learn new ideas to promote a sense of community, not just in our schools but in our city. The funds raised will pay for registration, hotel, transportation, and meals. In the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, “To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived---this is to have succeeded.” This is what we hope to instill in all MHS StuCo members and in the people we serve. For more information on being a vendor or on Mustang Market Day, please contact Vivian Tamez at 956-632-5201. •

October 26, 2016 • • • Welcome

Home WINTER TEXAN • • • your official connection to the rio grande valley

I Ate the Elephant One Bite at a Time! The story of an amazing cyclist, based on an interview with Carolyn Carter

Every

once in a while I get the opportunity to meet other cyclists who have done some amazing things. I recently saw a Facebook posting about a 69-year-old female cyclist who crossed the United States on an antique-type bike. To tell you the truth, I really just thought it was another one of those fake articles you see online. But I was in for a rude awaking! In early October, I contacted Steve Carter, the husband of cyclist Carolyn who rode the bike. He responded, and we arranged a time to meet and develop the content for this story. Steve and Carolyn Carter are retired Winter Texans who decided to move permanently to the Rio Grande Valley in Deep South Texas a few years ago. Steve and Carolyn are avid cyclists and runners and have been for a long time. They have been active members and involved in antique cycling and the heritage of such in America. Their main forte, or interest, is high-wheel bicycles--circa 1800s. (See the following website for more info on the club they been active in for over 30 years: www.thewheelmen.org) Steve is a retired firefighter with a full beard and handlebar mustache

46” High Wheel Bike circa 1880s

that make him look like a rider from the 1800s--so he looks the part. In the 1990s, Steve rode his 50” highwheel bike from San Francisco to Boston and set a world record for the fastest male rider to accomplish that feat. His world record was officially recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records. So, yeah, that is something special, but how is this related to Carolyn? His wife, Carolyn, is a retired real estate agent and school bus driver. So why would someone like her decide to ride an antique high-wheel bike across the United States? I asked her that question, and she basically said she always wanted to because Steve had done it, and no woman had ever done it. She had retired, so why not? Wow, really, you’re retired? Most people decide to take it easy! After planning and preparation, on May 28, 2016, Carolyn started her journey on a 46” antique-style highwheel bike. Her plan was to begin her daily ride at dawn, be done by 2 p.m. each day, and enjoy the ride. Her typical day on the bike was between 50-60 miles each and every day. The route was to follow the original Thomas Stevens route from 1884. Stevens rode from San Francisco to Boston from April 1884 to August 1884 on a 50” Columbia High-Wheel bike. This was also the route her husband, Steve, took and that Carolyn Carter planned to take in 2016. When Carolyn left San Francisco, she had the support of Steve, who drove most of the route providing a support

by Richard Cavin

Carolyn Carter with her high wheel bike she rode over 3,200 miles across the USA

vehicle, if needed. Being an avid cyclist myself, who has done some tours on “normal” bicycles, I asked Carolyn all the typical questions, still a bit in disbelief that someone could do this. So how was the weather? She readily admitted she had very good weather for most of the ride. So how was the ride on such an uncomfortable bike? Carolyn admitted that the essentially solid-core tires were not “too bad,” having only one gear on the bike was “tolerable,” and no brakes made the ride tricky sometimes. Most people would not even consider riding a bike like that across the USA! Can you imagine riding a bike cross country, up and down mountains, with only one gear, no brakes, and solid tires? Wow! Impressive, to say the least. In some cases, Carolyn walked up and down mountains and hills just to continue her journey. She said it gave her time to “smell the roses” or enjoy the scenery. I asked her if she had any mishaps and mechanical issues on the trip. There was just one minor mechanical issue but nothing major. But Carolyn did have one accident. Only 2.5 miles from the “finish line” in Boston, she was clipped by the mirror of a vehicle and went down. Luckily, she was OK, with only minor

issues. Just 2.5 miles on a journey of over 3,000 miles. She was still able to finish. July 30, she finished her ride and felt somewhat relieved but found it anticlimactic. The ride from San Francisco to Boston covered 3,294 miles. She did it! Whew! So let’s summarize this. A retired real estate agent/school bus driver at the age of 68 decides to ride an antique high-wheel bike, with no brakes, one gear, and solid-core tires 3,296 miles across the United States just because no other woman has done that. Wow! I am often humbled by other people in my life, and this is one of those times. Both Carolyn and Steve are in my “Hall of Fame of Cycling.” I’ve met other cyclists who also fall into that category, and they are now part of a select few I admire greatly for their achievements. A couple of obvious things came out in our conversion. I heard both Carolyn and Steven mention many times, “Use it or lose it,” as they were talking about staying physically active. They are both prime examples of that. One thing asked Carolyn is how did you do it and stay focused on such a difficult task? She said, “I ate the elephant one bite at a time.” Guess that sums it up. Carolyn Carter. Well said, and well done! •

If you’d like to discuss cycling, have comments on his short article, or suggestions, send Richard an email at rwc5830@gmail.com. Richard is a technology professional who lives and works in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) of South Texas. He is also an avid cyclist. The tale of an ordinary citizen, a cyclist…..past, present and future. How cycling has enabled me to meet so many interesting people. Until next time, Be Safe and Ride On! Please visit rgvrandos.org and the Facebook group Cycling Friends.

www.welcomehomergv.com • • • October 26, 2016

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The Return of Annual Day of the Dead Festival and Halloween Bash at IMAS Special to Welcome Home RGV

he International Museum of Art and Science (IMAS) welcomes you to join us as two cultures collide during a very special weekend of exciting and unique events centered around Halloween and Day of the Dead, with our Halloween Bash October 29 from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and our Day of the Dead Festival October 30 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. Explore the history of both holidays and explore their rich cultural heritage through exciting demonstrations, lectures, and familyfriendly activities. IMAS’ Halloween Bash is an exciting and engaging family celebration that explores the history and traditions surrounding Halloween, with a guest lecture for children and adults, spooky stories “under the moon,” pumpkin decorating ($2 per pumpkin), “blood and ‘guts” science experiments, spooky science demonstrations, facing painting, and more! Become an artist as you create monster puppets and spider-web art! Enjoy the day dressed in your Halloween costume as you trick-or-treat throughout the museum! End your weekend with our highly anticipated Day of the Dead Festival

Sunday, October 30. Day of the Dead is a festive time of remembrance, honoring deceased relatives through the decoration of celebratory memorial altars. Keeping with the rich cultural traditions of a Day of the Dead Festival, IMAS is proud to host a number of altars created by members of our community, including those made by schools, organizations, local artists, and families. Each altar will honor the work of a noted Latino artist. In addition, IMAS’ Day of the Dead Festival will feature local artist and artisan stalls, traditional foods, sugarskull-making workshops, paper-flower and papel-picado activites, guest lectures, folklorico, and a Dress-Likea-Catrina Contest. Weekend passes are available on sale at a discounted rate: $10 for adults, $8 for seniors or students with an ID, and $6 for children ages 4-12. Individual day passes are also available at our general admission rate. For more information, please call 956-682-0123 or visit www. theimasonline.org. IMAS is located at 1900 W. Nolana Avenue in McAllen. •

MHDBRK00003552

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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!

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Lance Conn (956) 245-9969

MHSLSP00042265 lconn1968@yahoo.com

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October 26, 2016 • • • Welcome

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>> MUSEUMS OF PORT ISABEL CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The ancient custom has now been transformed to fit the MexicanAmerican households of today. The Hispanic culture believes deceased children return to visit Earth on the last day of October, and the faithful dead return November 2. At this time every year, families gather at cemeteries to clean and adorn the graves of their deceased loved ones. The museum celebrates the heritage and artistic expression of this custom with traditional and nontraditional altars and festivities. There are a number of different customs surrounding the celebration of the Day of the Dead. Altars are created to present food and beverages for the dead to partake, in spirit, and the living to consume later. These altars, or ofrendas, are generally arranged with flowers (traditionally marigolds) and a candle for each dead soul and adorned with mementos, photos, and other remembrances of the deceased. Incense can also be used. Calaveras are obituaries set to poetry. They are often attached to ofrendas as a placard. They generally describe the character of the deceased in a jovial or satirical tone. Papel picado are a popular decoration in Mexico. The tissue banners are made using scissors, but since the 1940s, they have been cut with tiny chisels called fierritos. Today, skilled artisans use more than fifty different chisels to make various cuts in up to fifty sheets of

tissue paper at the same time. Colored banners are displayed October 31, the day the angelitos (deceased children) arrive, at 3 p.m. November 1, the angelitos depart and the animas (deceased adults) arrive. When this occurs, the colored banners are removed, and the black and white banners are displayed. Food is an important part of the celebration. Typical foods include: bread, chalupas, enchiladas, fruit, vegetables, and sweets. Other delicacies are sugar skulls (bought from bakeries with the names of family members, alive and deceased, inscribed on them), candied fruit and pumpkins, tamales (corn meal with meat or raising wrapped in corn husks), and maize dough cakes. The traditional pan de muerto, dead bread, is commonly decorated with sugar. The bread is always placed on the altar and not removed until the visit to the cemetery for the soul. Beverages placed on the memorial include water, coffee, beer, tequila, and atole (a special hot drink made from corn meal). Day of the Dead can also be a very private celebration as a great deal of the event focuses on the home and the cemetery. Each community can bring their own heritage and culture to the event, creating a variation of expression. •

Things I Have Learned

A somewhat random and reckless look at life from a fairly old guy. by William Ward

Today’s Wisdom: “In the end, it’s

not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” ~ Abraham Lincoln Hello fellow Winter Texans. I am thrilled to have been invited to share a few reckless and random thoughts with the readers of Welcome Home Winter Texan over the coming season. I have been sharing my stories with people in rural Minnesota for some time but now have the privilege of bringing this column to all of you in my winter home on an every-otherweek basis. Over the next few months, we will explore a variety of topics encountered by the older generation. I hope to spur some great memories, share some observations about life, and maybe leave just a little inspiration to help you or someone you know have a better day. This will be a safe column to share with others, as I will not discuss politics or religion. Other than that, who knows where we might go. I write about what I see around me--the profound, the mundane and maybe the crazy.

New Kid on the Block

Sometimes it even gets corny. It’s all fair game. And while I will usually write in the first person, this column is really not about me. It is about you as I digest and reflect on what I see in the people around me and what they teach us. The neat thing about Winter Texans in the RGV is that we all live tightly packed together. We hang out, play, and work together. It is a target-rich environment, and I appreciate all the stories and insights many of you have already provided. You maybe didn’t notice me in the crowd. But I noticed you, and I have already shared some of your stories back in Minnesota. Keep them coming. If something strikes you as especially good, I enjoy hearing from you. Even if you think I’ve gone completely nuts, you can tell me that, too. My wife enjoys the confirmations. I’m just sayin.’ •

Bill Ward is a retired health care administrator from Minnesota, and a regular columnist, author, and untalented rock n’ roll musician. He winters at Casa Del Sol in Donna. You can contact Bill by email at bwward@charter.net.

www.welcomehomergv.com • • • October 26, 2016

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Día de los Muertos festivities and decorations are not only about sugar skulls and colorful face painting. This year at the Museum of South Texas History, a tradition will be introduced: the panteón, a resting place for those who have departed. MOSTHistory, a museum chronicling the heritage of South Texas and Northeastern Mexico, invites the community to participate in the 13th Annual Día de los Muertos celebration October 29 from 4 - 10 p.m. This year’s event will highlight the panteón (or pantheon). In Mexico, it is believed that during Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), the souls of loved ones return to visit their living families. Ofrendas, or offerings, are made to ancestors in two places-the altar, which is made at home, and at the panteón. Part of the offerings, thousands of cempazuchil (marigold) flowers are used in decorations, including at the panteón. On the day of the event, the museum’s Will Looney Legacy Park will be decorated with several panteóns, including the iconic marigolds. As the sun sets, candles at the panteóns will light up the park. Other festivities will include a folklórico performance line up

and mariachi music. Also expect traditional Mexican foods, such as elote in vaso, pan dulce, and fajita tacos. Artisan vendors include Día-delos-Muertos-themed jewelry, Mexican imports, such as crosses and window frames, clay-fired ceramic skulls, and Oaxacan attire. The 13th Annual Día de los Muertos event is included in the regular museum admission: $7 adults (ages 18+); $5 seniors with ID (ages 62+) and students with ID (ages 13+); $4 for children (ages 4 to 12); free for children ages 3 and younger. FRIENDS of the Museum are admitted free as a benefit of FRIENDships. For more information on the event or on becoming a FRIEND of the Museum, call 956-383-6911. The Museum of South Texas History is located at 200 N. Closner Blvd. on the Hidalgo County Courthouse Square in Downtown Edinburg. •

October 26, 2016 • • • Welcome

Home WINTER TEXAN • • • your official connection to the rio grande valley

Golf Courses in the RGV • • • Nature Meets Golf at the South Padre Island Golf Club Special to Welcome Home RGV

ur course this week is located in Laguna Vista and is rightly named the South Padre Island Golf Club. This course is surrounded by nature and is located along the Laguna Madre Bay. It is a public course that you must play in order to appreciate the sights, sounds, and smells of nature along the bay. The South Padre Island Golf Club course was built in 1996 by Landmark Land Company. The fairways are Bermuda grass and the greens are Champion Bermuda. The course is complete with sand traps, water hazards, and natural borders of wildlife corridors that run from the property into the bay. The course has four sets of tees, so the golfer has a choice. Par for the course is 72. Men’s tees are rated 73.5/129 from 6931 yards, 69.3/125 from 6291 yards, and 66.6/120 from 5542 yards. The shorter tees at 5406 yards are rated for women at 69.5/121. The Oak Tree Grill, located on the property, serves breakfast and lunch during the season from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. It also has a fullservice bar with great daily Happy Hour specials on food and drinks. Chris Meade, a 16-year member of the PGA, is the general manager and head golf professional. He can be found at No. 1 Golf House Road in Laguna Vista or by

calling 956-943-4653. For lesson information, email Chris at cmeade@ spigolf.com. Tee times can be made online at spigolf.com or by phone. •

If you LOVE golf, you have found one more reason to LOVE the Rio Grande Valley! Across the RGV, there are great golf courses for all levels of golfers. Our region boasts 20+ 18-hole courses and nearly as many nine-hole courses. Some courses are public and some are private. Each week, we will highlight one of the Valley’s courses. Perhaps you can spend this season trying them all! FORE!

Kick Up Your Heels in Little Nashville Special to Welcome Home RGV

Don your boots and kick up your

heels for Mercedes’ thrilling event - Little Nashville - across from the historic City Hall and fire station in Downtown Mercedes. October 27, Fourth Street and Ohio will be transformed into a little music mecca, with original sounds of Matt & the Herdsman and The Tony Perez Band. Take Texas Avenue south over the railroad tracks to Fourth Street, and you’re there. The event is designed to get people from the Valley into the downtown area of Mercedes to discover the hidden treasures of the community known mostly for the Rio Grande Premium Outlet Mall. Hernan Gonzalez, executive director for the Development Corporation of

Mercedes said, “This community has much to offer, and we are excited to share it with the rest of the Valley.” The event is free and starts at 7 p.m. Thursday, October 27. Bring your dancing shoes and a hungry belly because there will be plenty of food vendors ready to serve up all your favorites. And to feast your eyes, fine artists will display their work, as will craftsmen from throughout the Valley. •

www.welcomehomergv.com • • • October 26, 2016

An Invasion of Snow—

October 27 at Quinta Mazatlan Special to Welcome Home RGV

Snowy

Owls have an almost magical ability to capture the imagination, and it is no wonder one was the chosen companion of a certain bespectacled wizard. International owl expert Denver Holt will visit Quinta Mazatlan Thursday, October 27, at 6 p.m. for a presentation on these beautiful white wonders of the north. Denver is founder and president of the Owl Research Institute and the Ninepipes Wildlife Research Center, a nonprofit organization located in Charlo, Montana, and he has been studying Snowy Owls in Barrow, Alaska, for over 20 years. Since 1978, Denver’s focus has

PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy photos

been researching owls and their ecology. He has published more than 90 papers and technical documents, including four species accounts for the Birds of North America project. He was also team leader for the Strigidae family (owl) species accounts for The Handbook of the Birds of the World, Volume 5, covering 189 species of the world’s owls. Denver’s Snowy Owl research has been the focus of the British Broadcasting Company’s (BBC) documentary series, Frozen Earth, a sequel to the highly acclaimed Planet Earth series. In 2011, Denver worked closely with a PBS documentary film crew featuring the breeding ecology of the Snowy Owl. Denver’s research on Snowy Owls in Barrow, Alaska, was featured in the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology’s Living Bird magazine. The Nature Speaker Series takes place on Thursday evenings through May 2017 and is proudly sponsored

by Thurmond Eye Associates. The program fee is $3 per person, and no advance reservation is required. Quinta Mazatlan is located at 600 Sunset Drive in McAllen, one block south of La Plaza Mall on 10th Street. For more information, please contact Quinta Mazatlan at 956-681-3370 or visit www.quintamazatlan.com. •

October 26, 2016 • • • Welcome

Home WINTER TEXAN • • • your official connection to the rio grande valley

McAllen Evening Rotary Hosts Fall Garage Sale October 29 Special to Welcome Home RGV

The

McAllen Evening Rotary is having a Fall Garage Sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, October 29, at St. Mark United Methodist Church, 301 Pecan Blvd. in McAllen. This is one HUGE garage sale. Lots of families are participating and loads of items will be for sale. There will also be a photo booth, face painting, snacks to eat, and door prizes. Furniture, household appliances, books, clothing, toys, small appliances, garden pots, tools, and much more! Admission is $1, and

kids 12 and under are free. Please join us for some fun and a little shopping to support our community. Interested in selling? Rent your table/area (10 ft. x 10 ft. space) on a first come, first served basis for $45. Table set-up begins at 8 a.m. with tear down from 2-3 p.m. For more information and to reserve a table, please call or text Erasmo Garza at 956-639-5124 or email mcalleneveningrotary@gmail.com. You can also find information on our Facebook page under McAllen Evening Rotary. •

Some Like It Hot with Junior League of McAllen, Inc. Special to Welcome Home RGV

Chicken Marsala Serves 4 • 4 chicken breasts, skinned and boned • ½ cup butter • 1 cup flour • 2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms • ¼ teaspoon salt • 1 cup Marsala wine • ¼ teaspoon white pepper • Parsley for garnish Pound chicken breasts to ¼-inch thickness. Coast chicken with mixture of flour, salt, and white pepper. Melt ¼ cup butter in skillet; sauté mushrooms. Remove mushrooms, add remaining butter, and brown chicken on both sides. Return mushrooms to skillet; add wine. Simmer until chicken is done and sauce thickens. Garnish with fresh parsley. Note: If you chill chicken for one hour after flouring, the coating adheres better during frying. 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.

www.welcomehomergv.com • • • October 26, 2016

Grapefruit Mango and Grilled Steak Salad R

ecipe compliments of Lone Star 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! •

Compliments of Lone Star Citrus Growers

Grapefruit Mango and Grilled Steak Salad

Ready in 20 Minutes Makes: 4 servings • 1 Texas Rio Star Grapefruit, sectioned • 12 ounces boneless beef top loin steak (1-inch thick) • 1 10-ounce package torn mixed salad greens • 1 mango, sliced • ¾ cup refrigerated blue cheese salad dressing • ½ teaspoon salt • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper • Cracked black pepper Sprinkle both sides of steak with salt and pepper. Place steak on the rack of an uncovered grill, directly over medium heat. Grill until desired doneness, turning once halfway through grilling. To serve, thinly slice steak across the grain. Arrange greens on a serving platter; top with meat, mango, and grapefruit sections. Top with salad dressing and cracked black pepper. Winter Sweetz™ Grapefruit is “surprizingly sweet with a hint of zing.”

HOT Off the Grill: with Sandy Olson

Recipes for All Outdoor Chefs

ost Winter Texans LOVE to cook on their grills and smokers. Clean up is easier and the flavors just can’t be duplicated by food cooked indoors. This recipe uses those handy little 1 ½ pound plastic-wrapped pork tenderloins. Please be sure to buy the unseasoned ones; you will add your own touches! •

Grilled Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches • 2 pork tenderloins, trimmed of any fat • 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning

• 1 cup zesty Italian salad dressing • 1 teaspoon black pepper

Whisk the dressing, Italian seasoning, and pepper together thoroughly to make a marinade. Cut each tenderloin crosswise into 3 pieces. Place each piece between layers of plastic wrap or waxed paper and pound them until they are ¼ – ½” thick. Place the pork slices into the marinade and refrigerate for 4-6 hours • 1 large yellow onion, peeled and sliced • 1 large green bell pepper, seeded and sliced • 1 large red bell pepper, seeded and sliced • 1 large clove garlic, minced • 6 sturdy sandwich buns • 6 slices mozzarella or provolone cheese • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil Heat the oil in a skillet and sauté the onions for 3-4 minutes. Add the pepper slices and garlic, plus salt and pepper to taste. Stir over medium heat until vegetables are cooked. Drain the pork slices and discard marinade. Cook pork over medium heat almost done, 4-5 minutes. Flip and add a slice of cheese to each. Cook a minute or two more to melt the cheese. (Put the cover down on the grill.) Put a pork slice on each bun (you can toast/grill the buns, if you like) and top with some of the cooked veggies. Serves 6, with side dishes. Sandy Olson--lifelong foodie, restaurant reviewer, cooking teacher, Summer Iowan, and Winter Texan, she spends the season at Palm Shadows RV Park in Donna. You can contact Sandy at midwestfoodie@gmail.com.

The Lamb’s Loom Ladies Share Their Stories by Peggy

recently moved to the McAllen area and immediately started looking for a way to meet some ladies with similar interests. The Lamb’s Loom was suggested to me, so I contacted them through their Facebook page. I have rarely found such a warm welcome or such a great group of ladies! The shop itself is dangerously beautiful. Dangerous because there are so many lovely yarns and tools that I could spend way more than I should! But that just means that there is always something to look forward to next time. I am an avid crocheter and have been crocheting for 50 years - since I was 12 - and taught myself from a booklet. All my family and friends have about all the hats, scarves, blankets, and shawls they can use, so I am very thankful

The Lamb’s Loom provides an outlet. They send the things we make to so many different places where there are people in need of them. And besides a warm article of clothing, the recipients know there are people who care enough to create these things for them. But for me, the best part of The Lamb’s Loom is the fellowship of like-minded women. In days gone by, women would congregate to help each other with work that goes easier with helping hands, such as quilting or canning and preserving. That sort of sisterhood can be hard to find in today’s world, but I have found it at The Lamb’s Loom. Women of all ages from young to “not-so-young,” all sharing their talents with one another in a spirit of encouragement and support. •

The Lamb’s Loom is a non-profit 501(c)(3) prayer shawl ministry, and the monies you spend here will benefit children and less privileged folks all around the world. Everyone is welcome to join in! The Lamb’s Loom is located at 1209 Pecan in McAllen, just inside Jac-Lin’s Florist. You can also find them on FaceBook or give them a call at 956-607-6855.

October 26, 2016 • • • Welcome

Home WINTER TEXAN • • • your official connection to the rio grande valley

www.welcomehomergv.com • • • October 26, 2016

McAllen Increases its Level of Prominent Scenic City Certification Special to Welcome Home RGV

cAllen was presented with Scenic City Certification Thursday, October 6, at the Hilton Austin in conjunction with the Texas Municipal League’s Annual Conference. City officials and business leaders were on hand to recognize McAllen, which was among 23 cities that earned certification or recertification for the 2015-2020 period. The Scenic City Certification Program is a project of Scenic Texas and its program partners and is the first in the U.S. to incorporate a comprehensive set of model standards for design and development of public roadways and public spaces into one program. The program draws a direct correlation between the success of a city’s economic development efforts and the visual appearance of its public spaces and recognizes municipalities that implement highquality scenic standards. McAllen, which earned a Recognized rating in 2011, has received the Silver designation for 2016 for several progressive initiatives. These include a citywide graffiti removal program to remove graffiti free of charge - even on private property - a thoughtful

historic preservation program, and the development of stormwater detention facilities to mitigate flooding. “Those of us who live in McAllen know that we live in a beautiful city,” said Roel “Roy” Rodriguez, P.E., McAllen city manager. “This certification only confirms that people outside of McAllen recognize this, too. This also reiterates that the programs in place that help to beautify our community are what keep McAllen as the jewel of the Rio Grande Valley.” Earning certification is straightforward: a city must initially meet three criteria before applying to the program, including having a strictly regulated and enforced sign code, a ban on new billboards, and a landscaping and tree-planting program. Then, a city’s existing standards are assessed and scored based on a model of 70+ possible criteria, ranging from percentage of park and open space, strong litter enforcement laws, and street lighting standards, to parking lot landscaping, utility line management, and more. Under the scoring system, an applicant earns Recognized, Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum certification. “Scenic City Certification signifies McAllen’s strong commitment to highquality standards for public roadways and public spaces,” said Anne Culver, executive director of The Scenic City Certification Program. “This recognition goes a long way in boosting McAllen’s image, which in turn spurs economic development.” Cities apply to the Scenic City Certification Program for an objective review of existing scenic infrastructure ordinances, evaluated

((l to r) Lisa Mueller, attorney at Bojorquez Law Firm, sponsor of the Scenic City, USA reception at the Texas Municipal League conference and Juli Rankin, planning director for the City of McAllen.

against the Scenic City model. Assessment is pointbased, with every applicant receiving a detailed, scored evaluation. Cities earning the highest points are certified. Scenic City Certification program partners include the American Planning Association Texas Chapter, American Council of Engineering Companies of Houston, HoustonGalveston Area Council, Keep Texas Beautiful, North Central Texas Council of Governments, Scenic America, Scenic Houston, Texas Downtown Association, Texas Economic Development Council, Texas Historical Commission, Texas Municipal League, Urban Land Institute – Austin, Urban Land Institute – Houston, and Urban Land Institute – San Antonio. Learn more at www. sceniccitycertification.org. •

October 26, 2016 • • • Welcome

Home WINTER TEXAN • • • your official connection to the rio grande valley

D From the Inside, Out D Welcome Back, Winter Texans!

by Marge Flados

’m b a-a-a-ckm and so are you! I will be sharing my thoughts and commentary for another year in Welcome Home Winter Texan. I hope you will have a great season here with us in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. It happens to be my favorite place on the planet, and I hope you find it a satisfying place to spend the next few months. For those of you who may wish to read the columns printed in WHWT during your absence, there is a very easy way to access them. The issues are named and numbered, so if you wish to “catch up,” they are there for you. Here is how you do it: Go to: welcomehomergv.com Click on Newspaper. Volumes will be listed. Once you open a volume, click outside the page on the arrow to turn the pages. Voila! So easy. It was pretty quiet around here in your absence, and the whole Valley is looking forward to the pace stepping

Gladys Porter Zoo Announces

Boo at the Zoo Special to Welcome Home RGV

Marge Flados

up a bit. We who live year-around are fully aware of all that you contribute, everything from helping in our schools to volunteering in our hospitals, our local civic projects and committees. While you are here, we claim you as our own. That is why, in all sincerity, we call you Winter Texans. Have a great season in the Valley. Settle in and enjoy! • M. Flados is a resident of Harlingen and can be reached at nflados@rgv.rr.com

What: Boo at the Zoo When: October 30 and 31 – 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Where: Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville Boo at the Zoo, a Halloween tradition at the Gladys Porter Zoo, is an alternative to trick or treating on the streets. Guests will be able to enjoy over 50 carnival-style games and treat stations along with a spooktacular Haunted House. Zoo members get in early at 5:00 p.m. Pre-sale tickets will be on sale in the zoo office for $2.50 per person (for both adults and children) until 5:00 p.m. October 29. On October 30 and 31, tickets will be $3.50 per person. Zoo members receive free tickets. For more information please call 956-546-7187 or visit www.gpz.org. •

www.welcomehomergv.com • • • October 26, 2016

• • • RECIPECONNECTION

with

Executive Chef Bettina Tolin

• • • • • • • •

Mini Scalloped Potato Gratin Unsalted butter, softened, for the ramekins 1 1/4 cups grated sharp white cheddar cheese 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh chives 1/4 teaspoon all-purpose flour Large pinch of cayenne pepper 1 1/2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes (1 1/2 to 2 inches in diameter), unpeeled Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 ¼ cup heavy cream Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Generously rub six ramekins (6 to 8 ounce size) with softened butter. Combine the cheddar cheese, parmesan, chives, flour and cayenne in a large bowl. Slice the potatoes thinly, a little less than 1/8 inch thick (a mandoline works well for this but take care as it is very sharp) and add to the cheese mixture. Add 1 teaspoon salt and a pinch of black pepper and combine. Bettina Tolin is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Austin, Texas. She has cooked in the kitchens of the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island, Florida. She is currently the Executive Chef and General Manager at Marcello’s Italian Restaurant & Bar on the Piazza in Port Isabel, Texas.

This is one of my most favorite Fall seasonal side dishes.

So creamy, rich and satisfying. You can make this in one large casserole dish but giving each of your guests their own ramekin or individual serving is fun and thoughtful and looks beautiful on the plate. •

Divide half of the potato-cheese mixture among the prepared ramekins, filling them about halfway (arrange the potato slices so that some touch the edge of the ramekins). Top with half of the cream. Repeat with the remaining potato-cheese mixture and cream. Transfer the ramekins to a baking sheet, cover each with foil and bake until the liquid is bubbly and the potatoes begin to soften but are not completely cooked through,

about 40 minutes. Increase the oven temperature to 425 degrees F, uncover the ramekins and bake until the potatoes are tender and golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. (Note: you can serve it in the ramekin or if you prefer, run a knife around the edges and remove the gratin from the dish and serve on the plate).

Bon Appetit!

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• This Week’s Recipe is Brought to You By:

October 26, 2016 • • • Welcome

Home WINTER TEXAN • • • your official connection to the rio grande valley

DANCE ENTERTAINMENT & SHOWS

CALENDAR OF EVENTS WEEK OF

October 26 - November 1, 2016 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016

Volunteer Programs, 08:30 AM, Quinta Mazatlan, 600 Sunset Dr, McAllen. FREE admission, Volunteer programs are a perfect opportunity to give back to nature, and a fun way to get involved with your community. Enjoy a morning of hands-on gardening, learn about Valley nature, and earn volunteer service hours! We are also a certified site for Texas Master Naturalist Hours. AGES: All ages welcome (14 and under with the supervision of a parent or guardian only). Note: Large groups, please call in advance so staff can prepare. For information call 956-6813370. X-treme BUGS Invades IMAS!, 09:00 AM, International Museum of Art & Science, 1900 W Nolana Ave, McAllen. $13.00 pp, It features over 100 giant bugs, including 22 massive animatronic bugs naturalistic habitats.

JAM SESSIONS

MEALS

SALES

Looking for something to do here in the Rio Grande Valley? Our calendar of events has been the

go-to 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. The deadline for submission is Mondays at 5:00pm. •

For information call 956-682-0123. Exhibit Display: Julie Speed - Undertoad, 09:00 AM, International Museum of Art & Science, 1900 W Nolana Ave, McAllen. $7.00 pp. For information call 956-682-0123. Garden Walk & Talk, 10:00 AM, Quinta Mazatlan, 600 Sunset Dr, McAllen. $3.00 pp, As every house has a story, so too does every garden. Join a native garden expert for a tour of a different themed garden each month. With each change of the month and season, the topic will change. For information call 956-681-3370. 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 956-969-3558 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. Karaoke w/Harry & Judy, 05:00 PM, Llano Grande Lake Park Resort, Hynes Event Center, 2215 E West Blvd, Mercedes BYOB, bar & concession available, for information call 956565-1506. 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. Brooks Ausborn playing at The Patio on Guerra, 07:00 PM, The Patio on Guerra, 116 S 17th St, McAllen. Brooks Ausborn is an instrumental guitarist playing all your favorites. Multi genres! For information call 956-661-9100.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016

X-treme BUGS invades IMAS!, 09:00

AM, International Museum of Art & Science, 1900 W Nolana Ave, McAllen. $13.00 pp, It features over 100 giant bugs, including 22 massive animatronic bugs naturalistic habitats. For information call 956-682-0123. Exhibit Display: Julie Speed - Undertoad, 09:00 AM, International Museum of Art & Science, 1900 W Nolana Ave, McAllen. $7.00 pp. For information call 956-682-0123. Forest Sculpture Trail, 10:00 AM, Quinta Mazatlan, 600 Sunset Dr, McAllen. $3.00 pp. Visit our one-of-a-kind outdoor sculpture trail, and develop an appreciation for the vast variety of creatures that call our region home. Each sculpture provides insight into the natural history of the Rio Grande Valley. See the majestic, endangered ocelot, a dragonfly perched above the water’s surface, or a screech owl that might just be real. At each turn of a

www.welcomehomergv.com • • • October 26, 2016

DANCE ENTERTAINMENT & SHOWS trail, there’s a new creature to discover. For information call 956-681-3370. Buckets of Fun: Can You See Me Now? Camouflage, 10:00 AM, Quinta Mazatlan, 600 Sunset Dr, McAllen. Preschool children & their parents will have BUCKETS OF FUN with hands-on, nature-inspired lessons. For information call 956-681-3370. Music by Jim Staton, 12:00 PM, DonWes Flea Market, 3120 N Victoria Road, Donna. Restaurant lounge open at 7:00 am. For information call 620-229-4197. Nature Speaker Series: Snow Owls, 06:00 PM, Quinta Mazatlan, 600 Sunset Dr, McAllen. $3.00 pp, Spectacular Nomads of the Far North, Denver Holt, Victor Emanuel Nature Tours, join our weekly nature speaker series, and explore nature through the insight of expert speakers. For information call 956-681-3370. 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. Juarez-Lincoln High School Fall Choir Concert, 06:30 PM, Alejandro “Alex” H. Saenz Performing Arts Center, 604 Coyote Drive, La Joya. For information call 956-323-2897. Brooks Ausborn playing at The Patio on Guerra, 07:00 PM, The Patio on Guerra, 116 S 17th St, McAllen. Brooks Ausborn is an instrumental guitarist playing all your favorites. Multi genres! For information call 956-661-9100. Student Chamber Ensembles, 07:30 PM, TSC Arts Center, 80 Fort Brown St, Brownsville. This event is free and open to the public, for information call 956-882-7025. 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, OCTOBER 28, 2016

Exhibit Display: Julie Speed - Undertoad, 09:00 AM, International Museum of Art & Science, 1900 W Nolana Ave, McAllen. $7.00 pp. For information call 956-682-0123. X-treme BUGS Invade IMAS!, 09:00 AM, International Museum of Art & Science, 1900 W Nolana Ave, McAllen. $13.00 pp, It features over 100 giant bugs,

including 22 massive animatronic bugs naturalistic habitats. For information call 956-682-0123. History Tour, 10:00 AM, Quinta Mazatlan, 600 Sunset Dr, McAllen. $3.00 pp.As one of the largest adobe homes in Texas, Quinta Mazatlan is truly a sight to be seen. Join a history expert on a tour of the house, and learn the stories behind its intricate designs, and the families who lived in it before the City of McAllen opened Quinta Mazatlan 2006 as a “mansion with a mission.” 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 Jackson Street, 3rd Street to Commerce VanBuren, Commerce to ‘D Street. Map available call 956-367-1973. Karaoke, 06:30 PM, Tip O’Texas RV Resort, 101 E Sioux Rd, Pharr.For more information call 920-740-1307. Santa Fe Wine Classic, 06:30 PM, Quinta Mazatlan, 300 Sunset Drive, McAllen $125.00 pp, live music & silent auction, champagne & dessert Lounge, 1920’s New York Part Attire (optional). For information call 956682-2871. Dance w/Diego, 07:00 PM, Texas Trails RV Resort, 501 W Owassa Rd, Pharr. $5.00 pp. For information call 956787-6538. Live Entertainment w/Trio Tres en Punto, 08:00 PM, Las Margaritas, 3505 TX107, Edinburg. Free admission. For information call 956-862-6763.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2016

Acres Big Breakfast, 07:00 AM, Eldorado Acres RV Park, 610 N FM 492, Mission. Pancakes, eggs to order, homemade sausage gravy w/biscuits, fresh hash browns, bacon, sausage or ham. (Meals starting @$2.50) Free coffee w/meal. For information call 804-720-2845. 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

JAM SESSIONS

MEALS

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 St & 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. Growing Growers Farmers Market, 09:00 AM, Firemen’s Park, 1st St & Business 83,McAllen. Open year round. Wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs, along with 100% Certified Grass fed Beef, Gulf caught shrimp, lamb, raw honey, jellies, baked goods, eggs, and natural skin care products. Credit cards and SNAP. Contact Barbara Storz, 956-330-6410. Exhibit Display: Julie Speed - Undertoad, 09:00 AM, International Museum of Art & Science, 1900 W Nolana Ave, McAllen. $7.00 pp. For information call 956-682-0123. Halloween Bash/Dia de los Muertos (Day

SALES

of the Dead), 10:00 AM, International Museum of Art & Science, 1900 W Nolana Ave, McAllen. $8.00 pp, join us as two cultures collide this special weekend centered around Halloween/ Day of the Dead. For information call 956-682-0123. 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. Butterflies and Caterpillars, 10:00 AM, Quinta Mazatlan, 600 Sunset Dr, McAllen. $3.00 pp, The Monarchs are moving through South Texas- come to Quinta Mazatlan during a Saturday in October to learn about the magnificent monarch and other butterfly species. Learn about butterfly gardens and how to attract your favorite butterfly to your home. See different live butterflies and make a butterfly craft. For information call 956-681-3370. X-treme BUGS Invades IMAS!, 10:00 AM, International Museum of Art & Science, 1900 W Nolana Ave,

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 >>

ter

Visit our spacious Hynes Event Cen

- the place to rock out in the RGV!

DANCE

Hynes Event Center BYOB

(Bar and Concession Available)

Halloween Dance with The Cruisers

Monday, October 31 7:00 PM- 10:00 PM $10.00 pp • Free Ice & Snacks (Costumes Optional) TICKETS ON SALE STARTING OCTOBER 24TH

HAPPY HOUR

Hynes Event Center BYOB • Pass the Hat

(Bar and Concession Available)

Happy Hour w/Ruthi

Thursday, November 3 3:00 PM- 5:00 PM

KARAOKE

Hynes Event Center Every Wednesday • BYOB

Saturday Night Dance

(Bar and Concession Available)

Saturday, November 5 7:00 PM- 10:00 PM $6.00 pp • Free Ice & Popcorn

October 26 • 5:00 PM November 2 • 5:00 PM

with Route 66 RGV

Karaoke w/Harry & Judy

October 26, 2016 • • • Welcome

Home WINTER TEXAN • • • your official connection to the rio grande valley

DANCE ENTERTAINMENT & SHOWS

JAM SESSIONS

MEALS

SALES

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 McAllen. $13.00 pp, It features over 100 giant bugs, including 22 massive animatronic bugs naturalistic habitats. For information call 956-682-0123. 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. Butterflies and Caterpillars, 02:00 PM, Quinta Mazatlan, 600 Sunset Dr, McAllen. $3.00 pp. The Monarchs are moving through South Texas-come to Quinta Mazatlan during a Saturday in October to learn about the magnificent monarch and other butterfly species. Learn about butterfly gardens and how to attract your favorite butterfly to your home. See different live butterflies and make a butterfly craft. For information call 956-681-3370. 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/Texas Wheels, 07:00 PM, Casa del Valle, 1048 N Alamo Rd, Alamo. $5.00 pp. For information call 956-783-5008. Dance w/SweetWater, 07:00 PM, Trophy Gardens RV Resort, 800 State Highway 495, Alamo. $5.00 pp, concessions and set ups available, BYOB. For information call 956-685-5300.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016

Exhibit Display: Julie Speed - Undertoad, 09:00 AM, International Museum of Art & Science, 1900 W Nolana Ave, McAllen. $7.00 pp. For information call 956-682-0123. Church Service, 10:00 AM, Paradise Resort Estates, 301 E Hall Acres Rd, Pharr. For information call 956-7871521. 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. X-treme BUGS Invade IMAS!, 01:00 PM, International Museum of Art & Science, 1900 W Nolana Ave, McAllen. $13.00 pp, It features over 100 giant bugs, including 22 massive animatronic bugs naturalistic habitats. For information call 956-682-0123. RC Racing, 02:00 PM, Fun-N-Sun RV Resort, Zillock Rd, San Benito. Bill Haugeberg, Trombone & Adam Decker, Trumpet, 03:00 PM, TSC Arts Center, 80 Fort Brown St, Brownsville. $15.00 General Admission, $10.00 Seniors, $5.00 Students (with ID) and Children, for information call 956-882-7025.

VICTORIA PALMS RV RESORT

UPCOMING EVENTS Monday, October 31, 2016

Halloween Costume & Dance Party 7:00 pm • $6.00 Dance with “Music Town” Contest for Top 3 Costumes and Dance! Tickets Available! Call Today!

Tuesday, November 8, 2016 Dance with Serjio Sanchez 7:00 pm • $5.00 Margarita and soda set-ups. Free popcorn and ice. Come party with us!

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Fred Goldsberry 7:00 pm • $5.00 Tickets available now! Call or stop by! All singles are welcome!

Friday, November 11, 2016

Veterans Day Program 9:00 am Gather in Ballroom to honor all Veterans!

Tuesday, November 15, 2016 Carlos Canas 7:00 pm • $5.00 Margarita and soda set-ups. Free popcorn and ice. Come party with us! All singles are welcome!

956-782-3263

602 N. Victoria Rd. • Donna, TX Visit us at

RVontheGo.com RVSouthTexas.com

2016-2017

Nov 15, 2016 Dec 2-5, 2016 Dec 8-9, 2016 Dec 17, 2016 Dec 20-21, 2016 Jan 10-11, 2017 Jan 17, 2017

Mystery Luncheon A Texas Christmas in Seguin & Houston “A Christmas Carol & It’s a Wonderful Life” San Antonio Holiday Time Jersey Boys + San Antonio Christmas Lights Christmas Mystery Luncheon Extravaganza Christmas Mystery Tour The Illusionists - Live from Broadway in San Antonio Mystery Luncheon

All trips are fully hosted. We provide 1st class motor coach transportation and hotel accommodations. Please call us to book your upcoming trip or for more information.

Spacing limited.

CHUCK OLSON TOURS & CRUISES

3827 N. 10th St, Suite 203 McAllen, Texas 78501

956-664-2916 • 800-568-9890 Find us on Facebook

Just search for Chuck Olson Tours and Cruises

MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2016

Exhibit Display: Julie Speed - Undertoad, 09:00 AM, International Museum of Art & Science, 1900 W Nolana Ave, McAllen. $7.00 pp. For information call 956-682-0123. Halloween Dance w/Ralph & The Cruisers, 07:00 PM, Llano Grande Lake Park Resort, Hynes Event Center, 2215 E West Blvd, Mercedes. $10.00 pp, BYOB, bar & concessions available, free ice and snacks, costumes optional, tickets on sale starting October 24th. For information call 956-565-1506. Magic Valley Chorus Of Sweet Adelines International, 07:00 PM, St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, McAllen. For information call Shirley 956-661-9926 or Janet 956-682-8245. Halloween Dance w/Music Town, 07:00 PM, Victoria Palms Resort, 602 N Victoria Rd, Donna. $6.00 pp, Costume Contest, margarita set-ups and soda set-ups, free popcorn and ice, BYOB. For information call 956-782-3263.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016

Exhibit Display: Julie Speed - Undertoad, 09:00 AM, International Museum of Art & Science, 1900 W Nolana Ave, McAllen. $7.00 pp, for information call 956-682-0123. Radical Elements, 09:00 AM, International Museum of Art & Science, 1900 W Nolana Ave, McAllen. $7.00 pp, Soft materials meet hard science in this exhibition in Clark Gallery. For information call 956-682-0123. X-treme BUGS Invades IMAS!, 09:00 AM, International Museum of Art & Science, 1900 W Nolana Ave, McAllen. $13.00 pp, It features over 100 giant bugs, including 22 massive animatronic bugs naturalistic habitats. For information call 956-682-0123. 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. Brooks Ausborn playing at The Patio on Guerra, 07:00 PM, The Patio on Guerra, 116 S 17th St, McAllen. Brooks Ausborn is an instrumental guitarist playing all your favorites. Multi genres! For information call 956-661-9100. •

www.welcomehomergv.com • • • October 26, 2016

Happy Hour at Victoria Palms with Leslie Blasing Special to Welcome Home RGV

ver 150 people had more than one hour of “Happy” at Victoria Palms Monday, October 17. Entertainment was provided by popular singer Leslie Blasing. If you missed it, you can find Leslie at these venues this week: October 26 - Sunset Party Time at Palm Street Pier. This is the perfect location for watching the sunsets over the Laguna Madre. Palm Street Pier is located on the Bay at 204 W. Palm Street and Laguna Blvd. This is the place to be for dancing, dining, drinks and lots of FUN from 6 – 9 p.m. October 28- Louie, Louie!! Leslie will be singing at Louie’s Backyard from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. Join her for dinner, drinks, dancing, and the wonderful sunset over the Laguna Madre. Louie’s Backyard is located at

2305 Laguna Blvd. on South Padre Island. October 29 Doubleheader Day!! Leslie will be at the fun and sunny place called Boomerang Billy’s from 1ish - 4ish (weather permitting). Boomerang Billy’s is in The Surf Motel at 2612 Gulf Blvd (at the corner of Amberjack Street and Gulf Blvd.). The party will then move over to the bayside of South Padre Island for the second part of Leslie’s Saturday doubleheader. The “second game” will be at Palm Street Pier, located at 201 W. Palm Street and Laguna Blvd., from 7 – 10 p.m. Be ready for food, fun, dancing, drinks, and a beautiful view. •

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 Cat FP : Promenade Stateroom Cat F : Oceanview Stateroom Cat E1 : Balcony Stateroom

$1165/pp $979/pp $1475/pp $1760/pp

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

October 26, 2016 • • • Welcome

Home WINTER TEXAN • • • 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. •

SPECTACULAR SAVINGS

A/C FILTER PROMOTION A $100 VALUE FOR ONLY

1224 E. Jasmine Ave. | McAllen, Texas 78501

956.803.0066

.95

CUSTOM ALUMINUM FRAME & 12 FREE FILTERS CODE: 2142

3457 Old Hwy 77 #180 Brownsville, TX 78520

956-621-3457

4107 N. 10th St. McAllen, TX 78504

956-627-0571