State health officials, lawmakers and county leaders gathered in Edinburg on Friday, March 26, to break ground on the region’s first outpatient substance abuse and primary care treatment facility for juveniles. The Hidalgo County Substance Abuse and Primary Care Facility will provide substance abuse treatment services such as counseling and life skills training in addition to primary care to treat corresponding health conditions that may make recovery difficult for the youth of communities in Hidalgo County.  This facility, which is slated to open during spring 2011, will improve the quality of life for residents by promoting a proactive approach to keeping young people off of illegal drugs and out of the legal system. Featured, from left: Mónica Peña; Hidalgo County Health Director Eddie Olivarez; Hidalgo County Precinct 2 Commissioner Héctor “Tito” Palacios; Hidalgo County Commissioner Precinct 4 Commissioner Óscar Garza; Dee Porter, chief operating officer, Texas Department of State Health Services; Rep. Verónica Gonzáles, D-McAllen; Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen; Chelsea Peña; Rep. Aaron Peña; and Hidalgo County Judge-elect Ramón García. See story later in this posting.

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South Texas College in McAllen took the opportunity in mid-March to celebrate the  contributions of women to U.S. history. Part of national Women’s History Month, the  college  hosted  a  series  of  speakers  and  events  that  spotlighted  the  struggles  and  triumphs of women both locally and nationally. On Thursday, March 11, 2010, Cassandra Rincones, featured left, a history instructor at STC, delivered a major presentation entitled A History of Women in Politics in Hidalgo County, which  was based on her dissertation at Texas A&M-Kingsville. Also that evening, Rep. Verónica Gonzáles, D-McAllen, featured center, and Hidalgo County Treasurer Norma G. García, featured right, shared their experiences and expertise developed in successfully building their public service careers in deep South Texas. The three political leaders are shown, following their presentations, in STC’s Pecan Campus Library Rainbow Room holding certificates of appreciation from the college for their accomplishments.

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Gov. Rick Perry on Wednesday, March 24, reappointed Dennis Burleson of Mission, featured third from right, as chair to the Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority for a term to expire February 1, 2012. Regional mobility authorities allow local communities to develop regional transportation priorities and accelerate development and financing for critical transportation projects. Burleson is first vice president of investments for Wells Fargo Advisors in McAllen. He is a board member and past president of the Valley Land Fund and past chairman of the Mission Economic Development Authority. He is also a member and past president of the Mission Chamber of Commerce and past president of the Rio Grande Valley Estate Council. Burleson served in the U.S. Army Reserves. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas-Pan American. During this group portrait taken in Pharr in late 2009, Burleson was joined by his fellow RMA board members, from left: Michael G. Cano; Rick Pérez of McAllen; Juan J. Maldonado of Pharr; Joe Olivarez of Weslaco; Burleson; Ramiro Salazar of McAllen; and Ricardo Pérez of La Joya.

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The McAllen Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has announced that its annual membership drive is set for April 27 and 28. The recruiting effort is part of the MHCC’s efforts to bring a positive change for its membership and the community.  With 20 percent of the organization comprised on non-Hispanic members, the group is open to all business owners in the McAllen area. Helping prepare for the drive are, from left, seated: Connie Hernández, vice chair of women’s issues; Chris Avants, committee member; Cynthia M. Sakulenzki, MHCC president and chief executive officer; Adelita Muñoz, vice chair of education; and Brenda Lee Huerta, interim chair. Standing, from left: Joe Smith, committee member; Dr. John Thomas, advisory board member; Rubén Garza, board secretary; John Rodríguez, vice chair of health; and Beto Manrique, Vice Chair of International Affairs. The MHCC is looking for individuals who would like to help other business people by participating in the membership drive. More information on the membership drive and related prizes is available by contacting the MCHH office at 928-0060. See story later in this posting.

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In October 2009, South Texas College President Shirley A. Reed traveled to San Antonio to receive the honor of District 4 Regional Pacesetter of the Year from the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations. Little did she know then that in March 2010, she would be chosen as the National Pacesetter of the Year for the entire NCMPR organization. The Pacesetter of the Year award recognizes a community college president who has demonstrated special leadership and support in marketing and public relations.“It was such an honor and a surprise to be selected for the national award, considering the high caliber of community college presidents that were nominated,” Reed said. “We are all doing our part to spread the important message that college is for everyone, not just a select few. Whether I am at the grocery store, speaking at a community event, testifying at the state capitol or speaking at a national educator’s conference, the message is the same – we must all do our part to create a college-going culture, not just in our communities, but in America as a whole.”  In this portrait, Judi Sciple, featured left, the former president of the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations, congratulates Reed on earning the prestigious accolade. See story later in this posting.

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The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce recently held a ground breaking ceremony to welcome a new addition to the historic Depot, which houses that organization along with the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation. The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce is in the process of building a back patio that will be utilized for chamber events and fundraisers. The patio’s completion will take about two months to complete. Current fundraising efforts are being led by Maggie Kent, featured fourth from the left, who has received support contributions from multiple individuals and businesses to complete the Depot’s outdoor patio beautification project. Supporters will be recognized with a plaque at the patio’s completion. See story later in this posting.

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Jesús G. Montoya, an honor student at Edinburg High School, has received this year’s Texas Armed Services Scholarship. Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen, made the announcement on Thursday, March 18, honoring Montoya during a presentation at the senator’s office. Montoya’s academic résumé shows an exceptional record of performance in the classroom. Top ten percent in his graduating class at Edinburg High School, Jesus earned 27 hours of credit while concurrently enrolled at the University of Texas-Pan American and South Texas College. Montoya earned a flawless 4.0 grade point average while enrolled at the two schools. Featured, from left: Sen. Hinojosa, Jesús G. Montoya, and R. Rick Margo, a recruiter for Texas A&M. See story later in this posting.   

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A “Reading Revolution” awaits the Rio Grande Valley community March 22-27 when they attend this year’s FESTIBA (Festival of International Books and Arts) now in it fifth year at The University of Texas-Pan American. A celebration of the arts, humanities and the culture of the Valley, the festival has also become a showcase for activities to promote literacy and a love of reading, particularly by children. A festival highlight will be a special appearance by actress Eva Longoria Parker, who plays the role of Gabrielle Solis on ABC’s popular series, Desperate Housewives. Longoria Parker grew up in Corpus Christi and graduated from Texas A&M- Kingsville with a bachelor of science degree in kinesiology. She will address spectators at 7 p.m. on the main stage in the UTPA Fieldhouse Parking Lot F. “She (Longoria Parker) is going to bring an element to FEBTIBA that we’ve never had. She is an amazing role model for our students, so they can see the sky is the limit,” said Dr. Dahlia Guerra, dean of the College of Arts and Humanities. Featured participating in March 11 press conference to announce the 2010 FESTIBA schedule of events are, from left: Hidalgo County District Clerk Laura Hinojosa, who also serves as president of the South Texas Literacy Coalition; Letty Leija, director, Dustin Michael Sekula Memorial Library in Edinburg; Dr. Steven Schneider, director of New Programs and Special Projects, UTPA College of Arts and Humanities; Carol Rasco, president and CEO, Reading is Fundamental; Dr. Dahlia Guerra and her brother, Edinburg Mayor Richard García; and Dr. Robert S. Nelsen, UTPA president. See story later in this posting.   

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Congressman Rubén Hinojosa, D-Mercedes, on Thursday, March 11, introduced Raúl Yzaguirre, featured left, a native of San Juan, to the members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for the position of U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic. Yzaguirre, a well respected and influential activist for Hispanic causes, was nominated by President Barack Obama for the ambassadorship. Yzaguirre chose Hinojosa to speak on his behalf before the committee. “I am very proud to call Raúl my friend and mentor. Whenever I have turned to him for advice, he has always given me wise counsel," said Hinojosa. "I know he will take his experience, his wisdom, his love for people and his passion for education and opportunity to the people of the Dominican Republic." See story later in this posting.   

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For the first time, the Museum of South Texas History’s Heritage Ranch Gala will be held in Cameron County, courtesy of Virgil and Carolyn Swanberg, who will be opening their Pair-O-Dice Ranch for the major event. The Heritage Ranch Gala will take place on Saturday, March 27, at the ranch, which lies south of the Arroyo Colorado, which is an ancient distributary channel of the Rio Grande River. The Pair-O-Dice Ranch teems with native and exotic wildlife, surrounded by 65,000 acres of federal wildlife refuge land, making it a paradise for nature enthusiasts, especially bird watchers. Featured preparing for the major event are, from left: Committee member Melissa Lackey; Gala Co-Chairman Josie Cappadona; Carola Chapa; Carmen Yzaguirre; Gala Chairman Patsy De los Santos; and Alice Keller. See story later in this posting.  

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The McAllen Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Women’s Issues Committee is busy organizing the 1st Annual “Women’s Empowerment Conference” scheduled for Thursday, June 24 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The conference will empower women in various ways. Workshops will focus on such things as: The Essence of a True Leader; Career Success; Entrepreneurship; Health; Personal Image; etc. Keynote speakers from throughout the country will sit on the panels.  An international Style Show will also entertain the ladies during their Luncheon. For sponsorship and ticket information on the conference call the MHCC office at 928-0060. Organizers of the conference are featured, seated, from left: Diana González; Connie Hernández, Vice Chair of Women’s Issues; and Edna Posada, Vice Chair of Public Relations. Standing, from left: Illiana Hinojosa; Debbie Coronado; Adelita Muñoz; Vice Chair of Education; Betty Garza; Irene Smith; and Jeanette Noone. 

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The Most Reverend Daniel E.Flores, Bishop of the Diocese of Brownsville, on Monday, March 15, met with leaders of the Veterans Alliance of the Rio Grande Valley on the need for a full-fledged Veterans Affairs Hospital for the Valley. Emilio de los Santos, director of the Hidalgo County Veterans Services, explained the need to the bishop and gave reasons why thousands of South Texas veterans desperately need a VA hospital. De los Santos mentioned that the expansion presently being planned at the Harlingen and McAllen VA clinics were a step in the right direction but that it stopped short of providing full hospital services. Even though many veterans are not going to San Antonio, there are still many who must still make the burdensome trip. De los Santos estimated that that the VA was spending from between $1 million and $1.5 million per month on contracted care. The veterans told the Bishop that it would be more cost effective to just open a VA hospital instead. See story later in this posting.   

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The Women’s Bar Section of the Hidalgo County Bar Association in cooperation with the Hidalgo County Bar Association, South Texas College, The University of Texas at Brownsville, and Texas law schools hosted the first ever Rio Grande Valley Legal Job Fair in Edinburg. The Rio Grande Valley Legal Job Fair was held at Edwards Abstract and Title Co. On Friday, March 5, candidates from the nine Texas law schools in Texas were represented during the job fair as Valley law firms interviewed potential attorney and paralegal candidates for their firms. See story later in this posting. Representatives of the University of Houston Law Center teamed up with the Women’s Bar Section of the Hidalgo County Bar Association to sponsor the Rio Grande Valley Legal Job Fair in Edinburg. Featured, from left: Rhonda V. Beassie, University of Houston Law Center; Elva Jackson Garza, Vice President/Marketing Manager for Edwards Abstract and Title Co.; Allison H. Regan, The University of Houston Law Center, and Marissa Sandoval with Cacheaux, Cavazos & Newton, L.L.P. See story later in this posting.   

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Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, featured right, has announced dates for the 2010 Texas Hurricane Conference, sponsored by the Texas Division of Emergency Management and the Texas Department of Public Safety. The conference, scheduled for May 17-20 in McAllen, will offer attendees a variety of resources to prepare and coordinate responses to catastrophic storms. Conference invitees will include representatives from the emergency management community, first responders, and law enforcement agencies from coastal communities and inland sheltering communities. Featured with the South Texas senator in this photograph during a separate event is Raúl Óscar Gómez, one of the principal news correspondents for Noticias 40, the Telemundo affiliate in the Rio Grande Valley. See story later in this posting

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Farouk Shami, a classic symbol of the American Success Story, on Tuesday, March 2, praised the people of Texas for making and keeping the Lone Star State “the standard of excellence, the hope for the future for America, and the envy of the world.” Shami, who came to the United States 44 years ago with $71 in his pocket and became a successful Houston businessman and philanthropist, exploded onto the political scene late last year with his vision for Texas and as a major candidate for governor. His pledge to create 100,000 new jobs in Texas or resign as governor, his plans to make Texas a world-class leader in solar power and wind power, his promise to not take campaign contributions from wealthy special interest groups, and his vow to “declare war on poverty” in the state have established great expectations from millions of Texans. He said he fully expects his ideas to become reality because they are based on solid economic strategies, 21st century technology and science, high ethical standards, and compassionate democratic ideals.  Above all, Shami said it is the people of Texas who are going to help see those plans come to fruition. ”I knew Texas is great, but after campaigning throughout the state and meeting thousands of people from all walks of life, I am humbled by the ideas and achievements of countless fellow Texans,” said Shami. “That’s why, although I wasn’t born in Texas, I got here at fast as I could. The people of Texas are amazing.”  Shami is featured here in El Paso during the 2010 National Latino Congreso Convention held in January in El Paso with Hidalgo County and Texas Democratic leaders. From left: Nelva Sosa-Slagle; Juan Maldonado; Farouk Shami; Alan Fizman; Giovanna De León; and Lydia Camarillo, vice president for the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project. See story later in this posting.

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Texas Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill White, the former mayor of Houston – who took 60 percent of the vote in Hidalgo County on Tuesday, March 2 on his way to a statewide nomination victory – is calling on all Democrats to rally around him and the rest of the party ticket in its November election battles against Gov. Rick Perry and Perry’s fellow Republican nominees for other statewide offices. “Today Texans sent a message to the entrenched interests in Austin: Texans are ready for a new governor,” White said at his victory celebration that evening in Houston. “We invite those who supported other candidates to join our team, which consists of citizens from all backgrounds and both parties. We are committed to honest, competent, decentralized and accountable government. We believe that more unites than divides Texans,” White said. The former Houston mayor is featured here, on Tuesday, January 5, campaigning before staff members of the Hidalgo County District Clerk’s Office in the Hidalgo County Courthouse. See story on White’s victory remarks later in this posting.

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Gov. Rick Perry, featured here on Tuesday, January 5 at the University of Texas-Pan American, is reportedly ventured out from the traditional outlets used to appeal to voters in his successful re-election bid, according to WiredPRNews.com. As reported by the Dallas Morning News, Perry  utilized social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter to garner campaign support and reach voters. Perry was quoted by the Dallas Morning News as stating of his technological based campaign efforts, “It’s one of the most diverse, one of the most focused, and one of the most effective in Texas history.” Perry’s rivals in the recently-concluded Republican Party primary race – Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, and Debra Medina – also noticeably utilized social media in their campaigns. Mari Woodlief, president of Dallas-based Allyn Media is further quoted in the report as stating of the trends in modern political campaigns: “Campaigns are evolving just like people and technology… you have to go where the people are, and more and more that’s become the Internet.” Featured with Perry during the Republican governor’s visit to the local university, where he announced several million dollar grants, were, from left, Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, and UTPA President Robert Nelsen.

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Nearly 200 family members, friends, faculty, staff and students came together Friday, February 19, at the University of Texas-Pan American to celebrate the opening of the “Pillars of Success” exhibition, which features the photos and the success stories of five distinguished alumni that will be on display in the university’s Visitors Center for the next two years. Dr. John Edwards, vice president for Enrollment and Student Services, said the Visitors Center has housed 11 exhibits since it opened in 2002 and has had more than 200,000 visitors, including thousands of Rio Grande Valley students. “We keep this display up for a period of two years because we want our visitors and students to know what this university is producing – outstanding graduates,” he said. “These Pillars of Success stand as role models for paths we want our students to follow.” See story later in this posting.

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In just its third year of operation, South Texas College’s Mid-Valley Campus Child Development Center in Weslaco has earned accreditation from the National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs (NAC). STC’s center is the only child care facility in the Rio Grande Valley to have earned this prestigious accreditation. The center works to expand its college-going culture to include even its littlest graduates, featured in this photograph. See story later in this posting.

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Bless Me Ultima is the newest play being presented by the Pharr Literacy Project and Cultural Arts Center at the Historic Texas Theatre in Pharr, premiering March 26 at 7:30 pm. The play is based on Rudolfo Anaya’s best selling novel of the same title. With 22 local actors rehearsing the play since February, it promises to be a spectacular show. Bless Me Ultima is a coming of age story about a young boy’s loss of innocence and approach to maturity. But it also deals with tradition, and education, faith and doubt, and good and evil. The play with adult and children actors is set in post world war 2 in the mountains of beautiful New Mexico. Pedro García is the director and Elva Michal is the producer. Among some of the actors are Armandina Sesin as Ultima/La Grande, Alex Gelman as the author, and young Alejandro Arango as Antonio. Performances will be held at the Historic Texas Theatre, 115 E. Park Street in Pharr, on: March 26 at 7:30 p.m.; March 28 at 2:30 p.m.; April 9 & 10 at 7:30 p.m.; and April 11 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are only $6 and are currently on sale by calling The Pharr Literacy Project & Cultural Arts Center at 956/783-7746. Featured, from left, during a recent rehearsal in the Pharr Literacy Project Building, are: Víctor Alanis, Allyson Champion, Lizzie Cuellar and Alejandro Arango .

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Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr., D-Brownsville, and Rep. Eddie Lucio III, D-San Benito, attended a hard hat tour of the Representative Jim Solis and Colonel H William “Bill” Card Jr. Outpatient Clinic on Wednesday, February 24.  That newly-named outpatient clinic, which is operated by the South Texas Health Care System in Harlingen, was named in the two men’s honor in recognition of their many contributions to Harlingen. The name change was authorized by legislation by the Lucios which was approved by the Texas Legislature last spring. Featured, from left: Rep. Lucio, III; Bill Card; Sonia Hernández-Keeble, the director of the Rio Grande State Center, which operates the Harlingen clinic; and Sen. Lucio.

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