Much like the powerful words sung in the hit video Lose my Soul by Grammy Award winning performer TobyMac, the Valley’s own José R. “Pepe” Cabeza de Vaca knows full-well that the most valuable treasures in life are not measured by material wealth. Cabeza de Vaca, one of South Texas’ emerging community leaders, is also publisher of the popular SOCIALIFE News Magazine, a monthly journal – now also available on the Internet – which shows the world that South Texans place the highest value on helping others overcome obstacles to succeed and prosper. While the printed and spoken word are the primary tools used by titans of industry, political pundits, and heads of state to serve their self-interests, Cabeza de Vaca and his talented team are believers in a powerful, time-proven proverb: “One picture is worth a thousand words.” His professional and community contributions earned him praise from the Texas Legislature, including this portrait taken at the Capitol in May with the top leadership of the Texas Senate. Featured, from left: Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr., D-Brownsville; Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen; Ma. Silvia Castillo, Vice President, SOCIALIFE News Magazine; José R. “Pepe” Cabeza de Vaca, President, SOCIALIFE News Magazine; and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst. See lead story later in this posting.

••••••

The Texas Association of Community Health Centers (TACHC) recently presented one of its coveted Legislative Champion Award to Rep. Armando “Mando” Martínez, D-Weslaco, for his successful efforts to provide needed funding for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) across Texas, including in the Valley. Federally Qualified Health Centers are designed to provide crucial medical care for thousands of working families in Texas. Equally important, FQHCs allow patients to be diagnosed and treated before their illnesses or injuries become worse, which often result in trips to local hospital emergency rooms, he noted. “The high number of uninsured threatens the financial viability of local health-care systems,” Martínez explained. “These clinics treat people who do not have insurance and help relieve the burden on emergency rooms in terms of both service levels and uncompensated care costs.” Martínez is featured here on Wednesday, August 12, providing a legislative update on health care and other issues during an event at the McAllen Country Club sponsored by the McAllen Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. See story later in this posting.

••••••

June Brann, a renowned South Texas journalist featured here in a file photo provided by the Progress Times in Mission, passed away on Friday, August 18. Through her columns in the Progress Times to her regular meetings with city or hospital officials, she was – as the city attorney named her – “the conscience of Mission. She always did what was right,” said friend and Mission Attorney Darrell Davis. Brann, a distinguished journalist with a career spanning over 50 years, is remembered in a story by Edwina Garza, assistant editor at the Progress Times in Mission, along with her obituary, both featured later in this posting,

••••••

It may not be pouring down rain but it’s definitely going to be Raining Men on Saturday, August 29 at the McAllen Hispanic Chamber of Commerce “It’s Raining Men” Style Show scholarship fundraiser at The Embassy Suites in McAllen. Professional business men will be modeling the most up-to-date men’s clothing to raise funds for scholarships for the MHCC’s Education Committee.  Local and national chain stores are participating in the fun event, which will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Embassy Ballroom. Sponsorship opportunities are as follows:  Monsoon – $1,500 with 2 tables of 10 in prime location; Podium time, company banner set up at event and a full page color ad in the program book; Hurricane $750 – one table of 8, company banner and a half-page color ad; and Thunderstorm – $500 with 4 tickets in prime location, company banner and a ¼ page color ad in the program book. Reserved tables of 10 are $500, Stage Side Priority Seating tickets are $50 and General admission $35.  Food and refreshments will be included in the ticket. The male models will be showcasing fashions in the following categories: western, casual, athletic, business and formal wear. A father and son division will also be presented. The grand finale will be a live auction for a dinner date with the single men in the fashion show. For sponsorship and ticket information call the McAllen Hispanic Chamber office at 928-0060.  Limited seating is available. Featured, from left, are a few of the models: Hari Namboodiri; Alberto Herrera; Amir Elsayed; John Kittleman; and Víctor de León.

••••••

For the rest of these, and other stories featured above, click here… »

Romeo M. Villareal, featured far left, and his wife, Mary, featured far right, beam with pride during a public ceremony in early August that dedicated a state-of-the-art academic facility in Edinburg, part of the South Texas Independent School District, in honor of him. Andi Atkinson (center), the public information director for STISD, shown here explaining some of the historical artifacts that will grace the inside of the new educational center as further recognition of Villarreal’s many contributions to the school district. Villarreal, owner of Edinburg Child Care, Inc., has served on the STISD Board of Directors for 37 years, including 10 as president. He became a board member in 1972, but his ties to STISD go back to the 1960s, before the school district was born. The Romeo M. Villarreal Academic Building is located at 724 S. Sugar Road, at the corner of Sugar Road and Sprague Street, in Edinburg. See story later in this posting.

••••••

Dr. Charles A. Sorber, interim president of the University of Texas-Pan American (featured second from right), on Monday, August 17, announced that the university’s graduate school campus in McAllen will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, August 26, at 10 a.m. The facility, located at 800 South Main Street along Eastbound Frontage Expressway 83 in the Main Place Shopping Center adjacent to La Plaza Mall, will provide Rio Grande Valley residents more convenience and greater access to higher education. Sorber is seen here on July 19 during an unrelated, but still historic, event, welcoming Dr. Bernard A. Harris, former astronaut and the first African American to walk in space. From left: Rosendo Cruz, program officer for Education and Diversity at ExxonMobil; U.S. Congressman Rubén Hinojosa, D-Mercedes; Dr. Harris; President Sorber; and John Edwards, vice president for UTPA’s Division of Enrollment and Student Services. See story on McAllen graduate school later in this posting.

••••••

Area legislators on Wednesday, August 12, posed with key leaders of the McAllen Hispanic Chamber of Commerce following that organization’s successful Legislative Report Card dinner held at the McAllen Country Club. The session allowed the majority of the Valley’s state lawmakers to provide highlights of major legislative accomplishments, and allowed the public opportunities to ask them questions. Featured, from left: Hari K. Namboodiri, founder and chief executive officer of Health Options International; Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr., D-Brownsville; Rep. Verónica Gonzáles, D-McAllen; Rep. Armando "Mando" Martínez, D-Weslaco; Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg; and Cynthia M. Sakulenzki, president and chief executive officer of the McAllen Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

••••••

The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, August 27, will host a Leadership Edinburg Alumni mixer at Los Lagos Golf Course, located at 1720 South Raul Longoria, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Food, drinks and door prizes will be part of the festivities. All Leadership Edinburg graduates from Class I-XX – who number about 450 – are encouraged to attend the mixer. Leadership Edinburg is governed by a steering committee, whose members are featured in this photograph, made up mostly of alumni of the organization. Leadership Edinburg is intended to better the future leaders of Edinburg through motivation and exposure to the realities and the challenges affecting the community, including seminars in government, history, media, criminal justice, education, quality of life, health care and economic development. In addition, Leadership Edinburg Class XXI is currently accepting applicants, with the deadline set for August 27 as well. Individuals must file an application at www.edinburg.com or call the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce at 956/383-4974. Standing, from left: Cynthia Bocanegra; Abel Leal; Pamela Doughtery; Fernando Quintanilla; Imelda Rodríguez; Marty Martin; Destiny Campos; Roy Peña; Dina Araguz; and Jay Flores. Seated, from left: Flo Prader; Letty González ; and Edna Peña.

••••••

A survey of 135 regional employers is over and the results are in – area employers are very satisfied with the hiring of South Texas College graduates, according to a recent survey by the two-county community college system. “It is so pleasing to us that when asked if they would hire STC graduates again, all of the employers responded ‘yes’,” said Dr. Brenda Cole, director of STC’s Research and Analytical Services Department. “We also uncovered that most employers find our graduates to be well prepared for their jobs, work well in team situations, are energetic, responsible and possess good math and computer skills.” STC Bachelors Program Graduate Michael Parker, standing, works confidently alongside Keith Patridge, the president and chief executive officer of the McAllen Economic Development Corporation. See story later in this posting.

••••••

For the rest of these, and other stories featured above, click here… »

Thousands of U.S. military families who come the Lone Star State will no longer have to pay the more expensive out-of-state tuition and fees to attend any of Texas’ public colleges and universities, and any student whose parent is deployed into a combat zone will pay no tuition and fees while the parent serves in harm’s way, according to Rep. Ismael "Kino" Flores, D-Palmview, who served as a sponsor of the law. In this portrait, taken in Houston with Flores featured second from left, Perry signs into law a related measure that contains language drafted by Flores which will give up to a 100 percent exemption from all home property taxes for Texas veterans who are disabled as a result of physical and mental wounds suffered as a direct result of their U.S. military service.  On November 3, Texans will participate in a statewide election regarding Proposition 8 – another measure passed last spring by Flores – which is designed to speed up the state’s involvement in bringing a Veterans Administration Hospital to South Texas. Senate Bill 297, sponsored by Flores, which lowers tuition and fees for many veterans and their families, is the latest round in a series of major laws authored or sponsored by Flores last spring that will help many of Texas’ estimated 1.7 million veterans. See story later in this posting. 

•••••• 

Lions Club leaders and members recently finalized an agreement with South Texas College administrators to set up new student chapters at three campus locations in McAllen, Weslaco and Rio Grande City.  Featured, seated from left: Lions Club member Salvador Claflin, who is a STC assistant professor of government; Joe Treviño, Lions Club District 2-A3 Governor; STC President Shirley A. Reed; and Lions Club P.D.G. Ernesto De Léon. Featured standing, middle row, from left: William Serrata, STC Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management; Joe Guerra, Lions Club member; Mark Alvarado, Second Vice District Governor; Raúl Leal, Lions Club member; and Jesús Rodriguez, McAllen Palm City Lions Club President. Featured standing, back row, from left: Juan Mejia, STC Vice President for Academic Affairs; Jerry Inmon, Lions Club Member; Mike Shannon, STC Dean of Student Life; and Armando Ponce, STC Coordinator of Student Activities. See story later in this posting. 

•••••• 

The McAllen Hispanic Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, August 12, will host its Legislative “Report Card” Dinner beginning at enter time at the McAllen Country Club. State legislators, including (from left) Rep. Ryan Guillen, D-Rio Grandey City, Rep. Verónica Gonzáles, D-McAllen, and Rep. Armando "Mando" Martínez, D-Weslaco, will have the opportunity to mingle and talk with members of the community and give a report on the recently concluded legislative session and plans for the legislative interim and next session. There is a fee to attend, however: sponsorships for the event include the following rates: Presidential $3,000; Governor $2,000; Statesman $1,000; and Civic Leader, $500. All sponsors will get to sit with an elected official. Individual tickets are $35. For more information on the Legislative Dinner and/or to buy tickets, call the McAllen Hispanic Chamber at 928/0060. Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr., D-Brownsville, Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg, and Rep. Ismael "Kino" Flores, D-Palmview, are also scheduled to participate.  

•••••• 

McAllen construction magnate Alonzo Cantú, featured right with Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen, was successful in helping convince the Edinburg City Council to invest more than $2 million towards the construction of a planned $14 million Edinburg Medical Conference Center, which will be owned by Doctors Hospital at Renaissance. Cantú, who is a leader of the DHR Board of Directors, says the state-of-the-art medical facility will have many benefits for the region and the city, including creating almost 300 new jobs, and could help bring to Hidalgo County a planned University of Texas medical school authorized by legislation co-authored last spring by Hinojosa.  The site for the medical school, which is scheduled to begin construction in 2015, will be determined by the UT System Board of Regents.  See the lead story on the Edinburg Medical Conference Center later in this posting. 

•••••• 

For the rest of these, and other stories featured above, click here… »

Romeo M. Villarreal of Edinburg will be honored in the three-time All-America City on Saturday, August 8, during a public dedication ceremony hosted by the South Texas Independent School District. The event, to begin at 10 a.m. at the South Texas Preparatory Academy, will highlight the naming of the Romeo M. Villarreal Academic Building. Area resident wishing to attend may RSVP at 956/514-4216. Refreshments and a building tour will follow the facility’s dedication. STPA is a tuition-free magnet junior high school for students who live in Hidalgo, Willacy and Cameron counties. Its innovative and challenging curriculum offers students the preparation they need for career fields at one STISD’s four high schools: BETA (South Texas Business, Education & Technology Academy); Med High (South Texas High School for Health Professions); Med Tech (South Texas Academy of Medical Technology); and Sci Tech (The Science Academy of South Texas).  

•••••• 

Secretary of State Hope Andrade last week drew the ballot order for the Tuesday, November 3 constitutional amendment election, which will include Proposition 8 by Rep. Ismael "Kino" Flores, D-Palmview, which is designed to speed up the construction of a Valley VA Hospital. "Now we have it within our reach – by the democratic power of the ballot box – to triumph over every obstacle that has been used to block deep South Texas from having a long-overdue VA Hospital," said Flores. "We must get our message out: vote yes for Proposition 8."  The last day to register to vote in November’s election is October 5. See lead story in this posting. 

•••••• 

The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce, created in 1934, recently hosted a special gathering of former presidents and board chairs. Letty González, board chairman, noted that the local chamber was the organization that led the push in 1989 to approve the 1/2 cent sales tax for economic development programs, which now provides million of dollars annually for projects of the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation. The EEDC is a governmental entity which is the jobs-creation arm of the Edinburg City Council. In exchange for that political support, the chamber is now guaranteed one seat on the five-member EEDC governing board. These former leaders gathered to discuss current community business affairs and to elect a new committee chairman. Mitch Roberts (President 1997-1998), outgoing chair, expressed appreciation for the group’s support during his tenure. Elva Jackson Garza, with Edwards Abstract and Title Co. (Chairman of the Board, 1999-2000), was  elected to lead the committee, effective immediately. They will meet on a quarterly basis. Any former president and chairman of the board is welcome and invited to attend. Featured, seated from left: Mike Govind, Best Western Inn & Suites (2003-2004); Bob Almendarez ((Chairman 2001-2002)); Elva Jackson Garza; Arturo Flores, Retired, Flores & González, CPA (1985-1986); Joe Ramón, Ramón Properties (1992-1993). Standing, from left: Mark Magee, First National Bank (2006-2007); Mitch Roberts (1997-1998); Byron Jay Lewis, Edwards Abstract and Title Co. (1993-1994); Ted Miller, Jr., Miller & Associates (1991-1992) and Alton Cook, CPA (1988-1989).  

•••••• 

South Texas College recently hosted colleagues from Ashland Community and Technical College of Kentucky and El Paso Community College for a three-day seminar to discuss ways to closely align all partners in a region’s education pipeline. Some of the delegates who participated in the meeting were, front row, from left: Luzelma Canales of STC; Charles Fields of EPCC; William Serrata of STC; and Rosemarie Gómez of Valley View ISD. Middle row, from left: Dennis Brown of EPCC; Janie Kitchen of ACTC; Louise Shytle of ACTC; Dina Chaffiu of ACTC; Olivia Hernández of Hidalgo ISD; and Sara Diamond Burroway of ACTC. Third row, from left:  Keith Brammel of ACTC; Bill Munn of JBL; Jim Schmidt of ACTC; Joe Aldrich of ACTC; and Kathleen Devaney of EPCC. See story later in this posting. 

•••••• 

The newly formed National Hispanic Entrepreneurs for Leadership in Politics (HELP) hosted its first event on Thursday, July 23 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Osuka, located at 7100 N. 10th Street in McAllen. National HELP understands that Hispanic votes count, which is why this non-profit, not-partisan organization seeks to promote political awareness and voter participation among Hispanics. HELP board members featured here, seated, from left: JC Cervantes, president; and Mike Martínez, vice president. Standing, from left: Adan  García; Lynda García; Ricardo Portillo; Jesús Garza; Elizabeth C. Martínez; and Pedro Ayala. See story later in this posting. 

•••••• 

For the rest of these, and other stories featured above, click here… »