by Legislative Media | Oct 29, 2010 | Politics
The American Legion Alfredo "Freddy" González Post #408 will host the annual “Veterans Day Parade, Medal of Honor Recipients” on Saturday, November 6. The parade will begin at 10:00am at Cats Stadium then exit on Cano. Set-up time for entries is from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. and is free to those who wish to participate (rules and regulations apply). All area residents are encouraged to support U.S. veterans by either attending or participating in this wonderful memorial parade honoring those who have served, and in many cases, made the highest sacrifice. More information on the event, including registering, is available by contacting Commander Gus García at 956/457-9681, 1st Vice Commander Manuel Cantú, Jr. at 956/867-5367, or by contacting the American Legion Post 408 between 4 p.m and 10 p.m. at 956/383-1182. Featured, from left: Manuel Cantú, Jr.; Gus García; and American Legion Post 408 Finance Officer Arnoldo Morin.
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The Hidalgo County Commissioners’ Court on Tuesday, October 19, passed a resolution in conjunction with the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance and the Cancer Center at Renaissance to raise awareness about breast cancer risks and preventative screening tests. Wearing pink ribbons, the court members said they support programs and activities, scientific research and education, and healthy living habits that promote all aspects of public health, including the reduction of breast cancer among women. “We are hopeful that our action today will remind mothers, sisters and daughters to periodically get screened,” said Hidalgo County Judge René A. Ramírez, seen here with his staff members and representatives from Doctors Hospital at Renaissance. Featured, first row, from left: Richard Sánchez, Chief Administrator, County Judge’s Office; Gloria Rodríguez, Administrative Assistant, County Judge’s Office; Sandra De León, Administrative Aide, County Judge’s Office (holding proclamation); Erika Reyna, Economic Development Planner, County Judge’s Office; and Terri García, Administrative Aide, County Judge’s Office. Back row, from left: Hidalgo County Judge René A. Ramírez; Elisa Perez, Community Events Coordinator, Doctors Hospital at Renaissance; Anabel Arellano, Cancer Center Director, Doctors Hospital at Renaissance; Chris Treviño, Assistant Chief Administrator, County Judge’s Office; and Michael Leo, Executive Assistant, County Judge’s Office. See story later in this posting.
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The Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Positive Only Women (P.O.W.) on Wednesday, October 20, held a successful fundraiser and mixer to help raise awareness of the risks, prevention, and health care related to breast cancer. The event, dubbed Hats Off to Breast Cancer Awareness, was hosted by The Patio, located at 116 South 17th Street in McAllen. Participants donated $10 each, with those proceeds donated to a local organization which helps patients with breast cancer. Those participants who wore a hat also were given the chance to win a door prize during the social mixer, which featured fun, food and refreshments for a good cause. Featured, seated, from left: Rep. Verónica Gonzáles, D-McAllen; Cynthia M. Sakulenzki, RGVHCC president and CEO; Melisa Tejada and Illiana Cabrera with the RGVHCC; Barbara Guerra with The Patio; Giselle Dominique Mascarenhas with P.O.W.; and Becky Guerra with The Patio. Standing, from left: Pedro Ayala, Celina González, Aaron Cabrera, Pepe Cabeza de Vaca, and Stephanie Ramírez with the RGVHCC; and Mariana Aguayo with P.O.W.
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Attorney General Greg Abbott, featured in his wheelchair, front row, left, joined the Hidalgo County Republican Party at their first annual Skeet Shoot on Saturday, October 23, in Donna. Twenty teams of five shooters, sponsored by various local businesses, battled the high South Texas winds to vie for first place, said Hidalgo County Republican Party Chairman Javier Villalobos, featured standing, right. Abbott joined the shooters and their guests for a lunch break. The winning team was Wild Mesquite, while placing second was the Newkirk & Newkirk team. Abbott is being challenged in the November 2 statewide election by Barbara Ann Radnofski, the Democratic Party nominee for Texas Attorney General.
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As part of their public service, members of the Leadership Edinburg Class XX recently made a donation to the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce Depot Restoration project. The Depot Restoration Committee, headed by Elva Jackson Garza, creates fundraising efforts to assist in restoring damage while maintaining the historic integrity of the Depot, which houses the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce and the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation.
Featured, from left: Roy Peña; Lisa Rosales; Angie Luna; Flo Prater; Abraham Pompa; Imelda Rodríguez; Mark Aguirre; Marty Martin; and Elva Jackson Garza. "We are so grateful to everyone who has believed in the historic integrity of our building. We appreciate all of the volunteers who serve on the Depot Restoration Committee and of course everyone who has donated money to keep our building sustainable and looking beautiful throughout the years," said Garza. "We are thankful to Leadership Edinburg Class XX for their amazing fundraising efforts and outstanding leadership. "Their generosity has certainly come full circle in helping restore one of Edinburg’s treasures." More information on the Depot or to make a financial contribution to its restoration is available by calling 956/383-4974. See story later in this posting.
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Coordinators from the 22 high schools participating in the University of Texas-Pan American’s GEAR UP project heard local leaders on Monday, October 18, about their efforts in helping Hispanic students achieve. Representatives from those 22 campuses participated in the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics’ National Education Summit and Call to Action meeting that morning as it was being streamed live from Washington, D.C. on campus monitors. UTPA hosted the viewing party and a lunch where they heard from Congressman Rubén Hinojosa, D-Mercedes, talk about the efforts he and other lawmakers made to pass Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 along with other laws that benefit students. Featured, from left: Dr. Martha Cantú, director of UTPA’s GEAR UP project; Congressman Hinojosa; Dr. Magdalena Hinojosa, the university’s associate vice president and dean of admissions and enrollment services; and Dr. John Edwards, UTPA vice president for the Division of Enrollment and Student Services. Eddie Zamora is the Republican Party nominee who is challenging Hinojosa in the November 2 general election. See story on Hinojosa’s congressional update later in this posting.
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Dr. Cynthia Orozco, author of the 2009 book titled, No Mexicans, Women or Dogs Allowed: The Rise of the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement, is acknowledged and thanked by Víctor Gómez, Mexican American Studies Program Instructor at South Texas College, for her presentation on Thursday, October 14 at the Pecan campus in McAllen, based on her landmark book, which focuses on the history and impact of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). Orozco, a professor at Eastern New Mexico University at Ruidoso, spoke on issues such as racial segregation against people of Mexican descent, exclusion of Mexican citizens and women from LULAC, and the recasting of that organization – which has been perceived as anti-Mexican and anti-working class – to one that was at the forefront of the civil rights movement in the U.S. after World War I. “The typical American doesn’t know about this particular era of discrimination and segregation,” Orozco said. “We need to not just think black and white; we have to add brown to that color scheme. There are various civil rights movements that took place and one of those is ours. There’s a long history of struggle for people of Mexican descent.” See story later in this posting.
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Doug Martin, a community and business leader who is owner and president of Martin Farm and Ranch Supply, on Saturday, October 16, was honored as Man of the Year 2010 by the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce during the local group’s Annual Installation Banquet held at the Monte Cristo Golf Club. Martin has been married for 31 years to Mary Alice Sánchez, and they have three children: Alyssa, Gregory and Charisse. Also during the ceremony, Maggie Kent received the Outstanding Leadership Award from the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce, while Edward Kuprel, Edinburg’s City Forester, was recognized as the City of Edinburg Employee of the Year. Fire Marshal Richard Drewry was selected as Edinburg Firefighter of the Year. See story later in this posting.
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María Noemí "Mimi" Cárdenas, featured third from left, on Saturday, October 16, was honored as Woman of the Year 2010 by Edinburg Chamber of Commerce at the local group’s Annual Installation Banquet held at the Monte Cristo Golf Club. Among her many professional and community achievements was her work with the Texas Employment Commission, where she helped hundreds find jobs and hundreds more with unemployment claims during the hard economic times of the 1980s. Joining her for her big night, from left: Cynthia Bocanegra, who was honored as outgoing chairwoman of the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce; Mrs. Cárdenas’ son, Don; María Noemí "Mimi" Cárdenas; her daughter, Margaret Lucille "Myssie" Cárdenas-Barajas; and Johnny Rodríguez, incoming chairman of the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce. See story later in this posting.
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by Legislative Media | Dec 9, 2009 | Politics
Much like a gifted athlete who dominates in three key aspects of his sport, Antonio Reyna, III – an Austin resident with deep roots in South Texas – is a rare triple threat in the fiercely competitive world of art: he excels with oil paints, sculpture, and photography. On Friday, December 11, through Sunday, December 20, Reyna will be the featured artist for a major exhibition being hosted by the Produce Gallery, located at 415 Peoples Street, in Corpus Christi – including a special reception in his honor on Saturday, December 12, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. In a fitting tribute to his talent, Reyna’s exhibition also marks the grand opening of the Produce Gallery, a trailblazing effort of its own which promises to showcase the best talent and artwork in the Shining City by the Sea. Reyna’s mastery of his chosen profession is such that his accomplishments have attracted the attention and praise of Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, who views the Mission, Texas hometown product as representative of the scores of American success stories who hail from deep South Texas. “Antonio not only demonstrates tremendous talent and skills, but this outstanding man symbolizes a great new generation of Texans who will help lead our state now and in the future through their ingenuity, entrepreneurship, hard work, and determination,” said Hinojosa, whose constituents include all residents of Mission and Corpus Christi. “I am very proud of Antonio, who brings great credit to my senatorial district and even greater honor to his family.” Reyna encourages persons interested in his work or who wish to communicate with him to contact him online through his website, http://www.AGrainofUniverse.com, or at MySpace/AGrainofUniverse, via e-mail at [email protected], or at Twitter/ReynaIII. See lead story later in this posting.
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Sergio Muñoz, Jr. – a successful attorney, area municipal court judge, and South Texas native son – on Thursday, December 3, filed for state representative, House District 36, vowing to think big, fight hard, and help people from all walks of life. “I am running because I believe that my years in professional and community services, and my experience as a defender of the people, combined with my vision and commitment for all of us to have a better life, are positive qualifications to serve the good people of District 36,” said Muñoz. Dolly Elizondo, chair of the Hidalgo County Democratic Party, congratulates Muñoz after he finalized the campaign filing paperwork.
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Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg, featured center, on Friday, December 4, signed up for his party’s nomination for a fifth two-year term for the House District 40 legislative district, which includes most of Edinburg. “It’s official. I filed. My hat’s in the ring,” said Peña. The Edinburg attorney said he decided to highlight an area business – The Boxing Gym, located in the downtown square – while promoting his own candidacy as well. Dolly Elizonda, chair of the Hidalgo County Democratic Party, accepted Peña’s legal papers for his reelection bid at the local business. Featured with Peña are two of his staff members – Maricela De León and Orlando Salinas.
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Diana Delgado graduated from South Texas College with an Associates of Science in Paralegal in May 2008. But it wasn’t her intended career path. “I attended another college and started out in criminal justice, but I made the switch to STC and decided to try something else,” she explained. “I took some classes in office management and got interested in paralegal studies because I really wanted to work in the legal field.” Now she is putting her degree to use as a paralegal assistant for Pharr family law lawyer Damian Orozco. Delgado isn’t finished with higher education. “My dream is to go on and earn my bachelors and then attend law school,” she concluded. “I am looking into the requirements now and look forward to opening up that next chapter in my life.” See story later in this posting.
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Leadership Edinburg Class XXI, along with the City of Edinburg and the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce, will host the Reflections of Edinburg photography contest for non-professional photographers. Top pictures will be published in Edinburg’s Annual Reflections of Edinburg magazine. Deadline to register is December 15 by 5 p.m. Fees are $50 for adults and $25 for youths. Awards and prizes will be given to the top five entries in each category and division: People, Places, Culture and Nature. Photographers must reside in the Rio Grande Valley, and photos must be taken within the Edinburg city limits. For a complete list of rules/regulations and to register please visit http://www.edinburg.com or call 956/383-4974. Promoting Reflections of Edinburg photo contest are some of the current participants of Leadership Edinburg Class XXI. Seated, from left: Maris Aguirre; Lisa Chávez; Emilio Santos; and Myra L. Ayala Garza. Standing, from left: Rita Flores; Juan Aguirre; Abel Vaquera; María Medina; and Sal Martínez.
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Members of the National Honor Society at South Junior High in Edinburg, featured here, secured the first place award in the school division during the 2009 Night of Light Parades held on Saturday, December 5. Kenya Rose Clothing Store secured the top spot in the business category, followed by the City of McAllen and Vicky Roy Home Health Care. More than 50 entries were featured in the light parade, coordinated by the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce.
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by Legislative Media | Mar 21, 2008 | Politics
Work continued on Thursday, March 20 on the southern face of Edinburg City Hall, which is expected to be open by May, although it may not be until mid-summer before an old city hall annex, located north of the new facility, is demolished, and Kuhn Street is extended to serve the new complex. The groundbreaking for the 42,000-square-foot facility, located at 412 West McIntyre, took place in May 2006. It is designed to triple the amount of space utilized by city employees at the current City Hall. The project is expected to cost $6.65 million and will be funded through Certificate of Obligation Bonds. Due to construction, the section of McIntyre Street between 7th Avenue and 8th Avenue will be permanently closed. The existing city hall will be converted into a larger headquarters for the Edinburg Volunteer Fire Department.
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An aerial photograph taken on Wednesday, March 19, showed smoke from one of the wildfires that eventually consumed more than 26,000 acres in the ranch country north of Edinburg. Sparks from a utility line are being blamed for starting the initial fire, which was fueled by dry pastures, then spread by sustain winds approaching 50 miles per hour throughout that day and evening. Unofficial estimates predict the cost of the fires will approach $1 million. Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, on Thursday, March 21, criticized the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) for not doing enough to financially help victims of the wildfires. See lead story later in this posting.
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Rep. Armando “Mando” Martínez, D-Weslaco, recently presented a $1,800 check to the Raindrop Room, which is sponsored and maintained by the Upper Valley Community Partners Board, Inc. The Raindrop Room in Weslaco was established as part of the Rainbow Room in McAllen, a local charity organization whose mission is to provide Child Protective Services (CPS) caseworkers the additional resources, products, tools, training and support services necessary to accomplish this goal. The vision of this organization is: “Community partners will initiate, develop, and support projects that enable CPS caseworkers to make the most positive impact possible on the victims of child abuse and neglect in Texas Counties and on those who are at risk”. Martínez organized a charity event in November 2007 to benefit various charity organizations in the Rio Grande Valley. Among those charities that benefited from the event was the Raindrop Room. The donation received will be used to restock the room with all new items for CPS clients such as diapers, baby formula, personal hygiene items, clothing and shoes. Featured, front row from left are: caseworkers Jovita Shives and Angie Romo; Martínez; Alicia de León, Rainbow Room coordinator; and Cynthia Bocanegra of Edinburg, the board president. From left, back row, are: Norma Reyes, caseworker; Rosie López, administrative assistant II; Johnny Rodríguez of Edinburg, a board member; Betsy Sinnett, program director; Junior Cordero and Ene Prado, board members; Georgina Morales, CPS director Region 11; and Marina Yzaguirre, program administrator.
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