Magdalena Díaz Tellez, deputy consul at the Mexican Consulate in McAllen, and Hidalgo County Judge  René A. Ramírez on Wednesday, September 15, presided over the unveiling of a plaque in the downtown square in Edinburg that helped mark Mexico’s 200th anniversary of its declaration of independence from Spain. On September 16, 1810, Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla declared Mexican independence, which helped ignite what would become a war that did not end until 1821. Hidalgo County bears the namesake of the Catholic priest, who was captured and executed by Spanish forces. A bust of the hero priest is located in the downtown square, which is owned by the county to help handle parking demands for visitors doing business at the nearby county courthouse.

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Congressman Ruben Hinojosa, D-Mercedes (featured first on right), on Wednesday, September 15,  presented Arturo Sarukhan, the Mexican Ambassador to the United States, with a congressional resolution commemorating the important dates in Mexican history in honor of Mexico’s Bicentennial. “As a Mexican-American, I am very proud of my heritage and culture” said Hinojosa. “My parents never forgot where they came from and taught all 11 of their children to cherish our history and our ties to Mexico." Hinojosa made the presentation on behalf of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. He joined Congresswoman Lucile Roybal-Allard, D-California, in making the formal introduction of the resolution to Congress. “We have and always will be associated with our neighbor to the south and although we are facing new challenges along our border, we must never forget how much our two countries need each other to flourish,” said Hinojosa.

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Namaste Valley Magazine will be hosting a seminar on domestic violence and self-defense for women on Tuesday, September 28, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the RGV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce offices, located at 3313 N. McColl Road in McAllen. Tony Torres of Torres Martial Arts will also demonstrate two self-defense techniques that all women should know. "’The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and the cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people,’" said Martin Luther King, Jr. Domestic violence robs you of your hopes and your identity," noted Lana de Leon of Namaste Valley Magazine. “We encourage ladies to attend and take a step at being safer.” An Avon Reese Witherspoon bracelet will be given away as a door prize. The bracelet helped raise $4 million nationally in 2009 to  help  reducing domestic violence. Additional door prizes will be given away from Avon in honor of Avon’s Speak Out Against Domestic Violence campaign. Call to register at the RGV Hispanic Chamber at 928-0060 because seating is limited. Featured, from left:  Lana De León, Tony Torres and Stephanie Ramírez, who is an intern with the Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

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The Texas Secretary of State on Wednesday, September 8, approved a request by the McAllen Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors to change its name to the Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. "We intend to offer our services in all four counties and represent the area as a region in Washington, DC and Austin” said Cynthia M. Sakulenzki, RGV Hispanic Chamber Pres/CEO. "We want to be able to state that we represent the largest group of Hispanic and small business owners in the country." The business organization was initially chartered in 1997 as the RGV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, but in February 2001, its leaders changed the group’s name to the McAllen Hispanic Chamber.  With the growth of the business community in deep South Texas, the Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Chamber will continue focusing on key constituencies and issues, including small business, economic development, women, cultural events, health, and international and local governmental affairs. Officials with the RGV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce featured here are, seated, from left: Roxanna Godínez, Vice Chair of Membership and Adelita Muñoz, Vice Chair of Education. Standing, from left, are:  Ronnie Bernal, Vice Chair of Small Business and Economic Development; Celina González, Events Committee; Cynthia M. Sakulenzki, president and CEO; Hari Namboodiri, Advisory Board; and Brent Smith, treasurer.

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The University of Texas-Pan American at Starr County has a permanent building to call its own. On Wednesday, September 8, UTPA officials were joined by local and state dignitaries, as well as representatives from its new neighbor, South Texas College (STC), in dedicating the 17,391-square-foot facility located on Farm-to-Market Road 3167 in Rio Grande City. "Having a local university is sometimes taken for granted in communities because they’ve been there for generations, but they bring opportunities, they bring growth and they bring prosperity to the local communities," said Rep. Ryan Guillen, D-Rio Grande City. "This facility, working closely with STC, will do the same for our area. This facility will enhance the ability of UTPA to touch the lives for more students right here in the Valley." Featured, during the ribbon cutting, from left: Dr. Ana María Rodríguez, UTPA Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs; Rose Benavidez, South Texas College Board of Trustees member; Eloy Vera, Starr County Judge; Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo; Dr. Robert S. Nelsen, UTPA President; Rep. Ryan Guillen, D-Rio Grande City; Rubén Sáenz, administrator of the South Texas College Starr County campus; and Dr. Alma Pérez, director of The University of Texas-Pan American at Starr County. See story later in this posting.

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A $1 million gift from VAMOS (Valley Alliance of Mentors for Opportunities & Scholarships) that will be matched dollar-for-dollar by The University of Texas -Pan American Foundation is a boon to the university in its efforts to help more and more students succeed, said UTPA President Robert S. Nelsen. Sonia Falcón, VAMOS president, and several members of the board convened on the UTPA campus on Monday, August 30 to present a $1 million check to Nelsen, who accepted on behalf of the UTPA Foundation Board of Trustees.The $2 million from VAMOS and the UTPA Foundation will fund the VAMOS/UTPA Endowed Scholarship program exclusively for Hidalgo, Cameron and Starr county students who enter the university as freshmen. The scholarships are then renewable for up to four years as long as the VAMOS/UTPA Scholars meet the eligibility criteria. Featured, seated, from left: Alonzo Cantú, chairman emeritus of VAMOS and vice chair of the UTPA Foundation board, Sonia Falcón, VAMOS president, and Dr. Robert S. Nelsen, UTPA president. Standing, from left: Johnny Oliva, VAMOS vice president; Rodrigo Reyna, VAMOS treasurer; Maritza Rodríguez, executive director of VAMOS; Olga López, VAMOS board member; and Paul R. Rodríguez, VAMOS board member.

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Alonzo and Yoli Cantú, with Alonzo’s mother Elida Cantú  and sister Elvia Sáenz, established two family endowments at the University of Texas-Pan American in memory of Hilda Cantú Garza and Guadalupe Cantú. Funds from The Hilda Cantú Garza Endowed Scholarship at the College of Education go to assist education majors, while The Guadalupe Cantú Endowed Scholarship at the College of Business Administration goes to help business majors. Featured at a recent luncheon joining scholarship recipients with the donors are, from left: Saúl Tamez of Edinburg, Guadalupe Cantú Endowed Scholar; Zachary Manuel of Edinburg, Hilda Cantú Garza Endowed Scholar; Cantú family members Elvia Sáenz, Yoli Cantú, Alonzo Cantú, and Elida Cantú; and Guadalupe Cantú Endowed Scholars Alheli González of Edinburg, Rebecca Velasquez of Pharr and Alejandra Borrego of Alamo. See story later in this posting.

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Mike Allen, 72, whose extensive credentials and achievements included serving as the District 3 representative on South Texas College’s Board of Trustees, passed away in McAllen on Wednesday, August 25. Allen, featured here during a recent graduation ceremony at STC, lived a remarkable life of service, according to area leaders. Hidalgo County Judge René A. Ramírez credited Allen for doing "so many positive things for the residents of Hidalgo County, the Rio Grande Valley and the entire border region. He spent his entire life advocating for the education, transportation and economic development needs of our region." Congressman Rubén Hinojosa, D-Mercedes, who was a founding member of STC’s Board of Directors in the early 1990s, also publicly shared his sentiments regarding Allen. “I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my friend, Mike Allen," said Hinojosa. "I have known Mike for many years. I knew him when he was a priest who was always looking for ways to help people in the community. He was a tireless advocate for economic development and higher education." See story later in this posting.  

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"You guys need a hospital, you really do" Mrs. Dolia González of Edinburg, the mother of Medal of Honor Recipient Sgt. Alfredo "Freddy" González, recently rallied members of the Veterans Alliance of the Rio Grande Valley during that group’s meeting on Sunday, August 22, at the ECHO in Edinburg. Mrs. González, featured seated, second from left, is a longtime champion for veterans issues in deep South Texas, and she promised to continue supporting the effort to bring a Veterans Administration Hospital to the Rio Grande Valley "as long as my health allows it." Posing with Mrs. González are some of the members of the Veterans Alliance. Seated, from left: Arturo Treto Garza, co-chair of the Veterans Alliance; Mrs. González; Irene T. Garza, historian for the Veterans Alliance; and Udelia Cortéz. Standing, from left: Mike Escobedo; Adelaido Cantú; Homer Gallegos, chair of the Veterans Alliance; Joe Ibarra; and Rey Molano. More information on the Veterans Alliance is available online at ValleyVets.ning.com. See story later in this posting.  

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Armed with a $50 gift card, a volunteer chaperone, and two hours to make selections; 100 club members from the Boys & Girls Club stormed JC Penney Edinburg on Monday morning, August 30, shopping for clothes for the new school year. Thanks to volunteer shopping buddies from Edinburg Rotary Club, First National Bank, and Azteca Millings, it was easy for club members to pair the right shoes, shirts and pants for the right price. “The kids learn from shopping buddies what things are acceptable for school and what’s not, and they learn to budget,” according to Sabrina Walker-Hernández, Chief Professional Officer. “Also it’s a great way for the kids to spend time with a caring adult.” In this photograph, Edinburg Rotarian Elias Longoria helps club members select the right shoes as a part of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Edinburg RGV Shopping Spree and Back to School Education Rally. See story later in this posting.

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The 2010 Edinburg Home Buyers and Business Expo, set for Saturday, October 2 at the ECHO, will have a new twist as the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce has partnered with the Expo Committee. All Edinburg chamber members are invited to join the revamped event, which will include services and education for home buyers as well as the perfect opportunity for local businesses to capture a large group of shoppers at one location. The Edinburg Home Buyers & Business Expo committee met recently to begin strategizing and planning details for upcoming event. Featured in this photograph are several Expo Committee members. Seated, from left: Letty González, the president of the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce; Elva Jackson Garza, Vice President/Marketing Officer with Edwards Abstract and Title Co. who is serving as chairwoman of the Expo Committee; and Flo Prater, Rio Valley Realty. Standing, from left: Imelda Rodríguez with the Edinburg Convention & Visitors Bureau; Verónica Guerrero with the City of Edinburg; Marty Martin with Rio Valley Realty; and Edna Peña with Horizon Properties. See story later in this posting.  

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Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 through October 15 in the United States. The McAllen Hispanic Chamber of Commerce traditionally celebrates this occasion with a Student Art Contest for middle school and high school students enrolled in 37 school districts and 24 charter school campuses in Hidalgo, Cameron, Starr, Web, Willacy, Zapata, and Jim Hogg counties. Students must draw a rendition of how they interpret Mi Cultura or “My Culture” on any medium of their choice. A panel of professional art judges will review the art work and judge in both categories of Beginning and Advanced art students. Prizes will awarded in the Best in Show, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place at a reception on October 14. Entries are judged on creativity and talent. The winning art work is displayed in Washington, D.C. in the Capitol offices of Congressman Rubén Hinojosa, D-Mercedes, and Congressman Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo/McAllen. The deadline to submit entries is Thursday, October 7. Details on the competition are available by contacting the McAllen Hispanic Chamber of Commerce at 956/ 928-0060. Featured, from left, displaying some of the previously submitted art work, are: MHCC board member Yoli González; Cynthia M. Sakulenzki, MHCC president and CEO; and MHCC board members Armando Garza; Roxanna Godínez; and Ronnie Bernal. 

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When Valente Rodríguez (featured third from right) graduated from high school, one of his teachers encouraged him to start college right away. But Rodríguez gave his teacher many excuses, including that he did not have the money to enroll in classes. That’s when his teacher helped find him a $100 scholarship from a community organization from Rodríguez’ hometown of Edcouch. "That $100 scholarship introduced me to this whole other world and was the opening of the door that led me to where I am now," said Rodríguez, an alumnus of The University of Texas-Pan American and a Hollywood actor best known for his role as Ernie in the George López Show. He also has appeared in many films including Erin Brokovich and It’s Complicated. He credits UTPA and its faculty with his success and several years ago decided to pay it forward to help university students just like him. Rodríguez, who was back in the Rio Grande Valley this summer working on his master’s degree in theatre and film at UTPA as well as some film projects, recently contributed $10,000 to the university’s Theatre Special Account to help its theatre/TV/film program. Featured, from left: Tom Grabowski, associate professor of communication; Janice Odom, vice president for University Advancement; Dr. Dahlia Guerra, dean of the College of Arts and Humanities; Dr. Marian Monta, professor emeritus of theatre; and Dr. Timothy Mottet, professor of communication and chair of the Department of Communication. See story later in this posting.

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