Posted by Nancy Millar on Mon, May 20, 2013 @ 04:27 PM
COURTESY OF MCALLEN PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE:
The McAllen Fire Department is turning 100, this year! To mark the occasion, McAllen FD plans to host several community events for the public to attend, from June 7 to June 10, 2013.
Here's a rundown of some of the scheduled events:
Open House
Friday June 7th, 2013
Open house at Fire Stations 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6.
McAllen residents can drop by and visit their neighborhood fire station, between 4 and 8 pm.
Parade/Community Day at West Side Park
Saturday June 8th, 2013
Families are invited to a parade of fire trucks and to community day, beginning at 10 am.
-Auto Extrication demonstrations-Safety trailer-Games for Kids-Cook off featuring foods prepared by other RGV Fire Departments-Air Evac landing, and demonstration-Apparatus display
-Repelling Demo
...and more!
Posted by Blake Hall on Mon, May 13, 2013 @ 06:50 PM
ConventionSouth magazine is featuring "Hot Cities for Winter Events" in their July issue, and McAllen is one of the 50 cities selected!
Starting today, people can vote for their favorite city on ConventionSouth's Facebook page. The 10 cities with the most votes at the end of the contest will be announced in a press release and featured in the July issue!
Can you lend us a hand, McAllen? Just click the link below, visit ConventionSouth's page and vote for McAllen. We have until May 30th to get as many votes as we can, so please vote and encourage your friends and family to do the same! Thanks!
http://bit.ly//100v8AA
Posted by Nancy Millar on Mon, May 06, 2013 @ 09:49 AM
courtesty of McAllen Public Information Office
Ready for a 13.1-mile half marathon, 26.2-mile full marathon or 4-person relay marathon adventure through the streets of tropical McAllen, Texas? Then Save the Date for the inaugural McAllen Marathon set for December 15, 2013!
McAllen’s mild climate, with temperatures ranging from 50 to 71 degrees in December, makes the race all the more appealing. Runners will also be excited to be part of the very first McAllen Marathon, which replaces the longtime International Friendship Run.
“The McAllen Marathon fills the void left when we had to suspend the International Friendship Run due to border issues,” said Wendy L. Smith, Assistant McAllen City Manager. “The Friendship Run was highly successful for 26 years, and local and visiting athletes asked us to keep that racing tradition alive. The McAllen Marathon promises to be a fun, safe event with many opportunities for community involvement.”
Runners are encouraged to show their lighter side by wearing a costume throughout the race. Awards will be given to the runners in the most spirited and creative costumes. Neighborhood organizations, spirit organizations, boy scouts, etc. are encouraged to come out and have fun by hosting a water station, neighborhood cheer station or start/finish line support group. Awards will also be offered to the most spirited and creative support groups. For more volunteer information, click here: volunteer@mcallenmarathon.com
Start time will be 7:00 AM for all races, which will start and finish at the De Leon Soccer Fields at Buddy Owens and 34th Street. The race courses are flat and fast, with a South Texas breeze on asphalt routes that will cruise through shady McAllen neighborhoods with all the support needed to get runners across the finish line for their first or fastest time!
Look for more updates soon on the upcoming McAllen Marathon or visitwww.mcallenmarathon.com.
Posted by Blake Hall on Sun, Apr 28, 2013 @ 12:43 PM
It doesn't rain often in McAllen. In fact, in any given month (or two), you could count the days on one hand. When it does, our first instinct might be to get cozy inside with blankets and a good movie. But our homes aren't the only place we can enjoy listening to the sound of rain and feeling safe from the storm. Here are a few of our favorite things to do around McAllen to take advantage of the wet weather.
Watch The Latest Movies At The Theater
Nothing beats watching movies with loved ones or friends during a rainstorm. While the rain is falling outside, you'll be inside enjoying a great new film at one of McAllen's movie theaters. A hot batch of popcorn, some nachos and some cold drinks are all you need to make the experience authentic. Rather than sit on the couch at home and surf channels looking for months-old movies on cable or Netflix, you'll be watching the hottest new movies in town!
Relax At Your Local Coffee Shop
Want to feel "at home" without being stuck at home? McAllen has many coffee shops with a warm, comfortable atmosphere. When boredom strikes during a thunderstorm, a cup of hot coffee or tea is the perfect remedy. While everyone else is sitting at home thinking of things to do, you'll be relaxing in a chair at your favorite coffee shop, reading books or surfing the web on your laptop. Perhaps the best thing about coffee shops is their atmosphere - not only will you feel safe and sound, you also won't be bothered by large crowds. When you want a cozy atmosphere, remember: a warm cup of coffee or tea is right around the corner.
Visit A Bookstore Or Library
There's something about reading a good book that feels "right" for rainstorms (and bad weather in general). Reading a good story takes us away from our own problems and transports us into another world entirely. Bookstores, with their laid-back atmosphere, are the perfect place to curl up in a chair and read. In fact, some bookstores - like Barnes & Noble - also have coffee shops, so you can snack while you read. And don't forget: your local library is chock full of good books (and other media) to enjoy. The best part: it's free! So don't get stuck at home the next time a storm hits; instead, explore history, the arts or a good work of fiction at your local bookstore or library!
What do you think? Is there a fun rainy-day activity to do in McAllen that we missed? Let us know in the comments!
Posted by Nancy Millar on Mon, Apr 15, 2013 @ 02:26 PM
You might have heard of 17th street - the busy area on the south side of McAllen that offers all the pleasures of the city's nightlife. Whether you're a current resident or just visiting the city, here are some things you don't want to miss in this popular entertainment district.
Amazing Restaurants
Want some of the most delicious tacos in south Texas? How about Chicago-style deep-dish pizza? Or steak and salad in a classy, upscale atmosphere? You can find it all on 17th street. When you've satisfied your taste budes, it's only a short walk to drinks and dancing. Speaking of which...
Endless Clubs & Bars
No matter what type of club or bar atmosphere you prefer, there's a place that's just right for you on 17th street. You'll find plenty of variety in drinks, too - including handcrafted beers, fine wines and cocktails. Put the two together, and you have a recipe for a relaxed and enjoyable evening with friends.
Cine El Rey
This historical building serves as an entertainment venue (and bar). Cine El Rey hosts outstanding entertainers, performers and special events. Their programming is always changing, so it helps to follow their Facebook page for event info.
You can find out more about the nightlife on 17th street here.
Any place we missed? What are the main draws of 17th Street for you? Tell us in the comments!
Posted by Nancy Millar on Mon, Apr 08, 2013 @ 01:40 PM
Rio Grande Valley Home & Garden Show
McAllen Convention Center
Friday, April 12, 2013 - Sunday, April 14, 2013
Friday: 3 PM - 8 PM
Saturday: 10 AM - 6 PM
Sunday: 11 AM - 6 PM
Posted by Nancy Millar on Wed, Apr 03, 2013 @ 10:27 AM
McAllen: On Thursday, March 28th, 2013, Fantich Media’s “House of China Style” :90 second TV commercial for the House of China restaurant went viral on the social news website,www.reddit.com.
The YouTube video hit Reddit around 2PM on Thursday, and quickly climbed the charts getting up-voted with over 2,000 votes!
The video reached #1 on the SubReddit category of “VIDEOS” and #10 on the the overall “HOT” category!
The YouTube video now has 324,787 views, the most any video from the Rio Grande Valley has received.
SEE THE VIDEO HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dr7DKXXfCWI
Posted by Nancy Millar on Mon, Apr 01, 2013 @ 08:56 AM
Join H-E-B and the Chamber on Saturday, April 13 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for the 2nd Annual Sizzling in the Tropics BBQ Cook-off. Over fifteen of the best cooking teams will be vying for the coveted Grand Champion award for the best overall team. Teams will compete in the following categories: Beef Brisket, St. Louis Style Ribs, Chicken, Sirloin Fajita, Jackpot Beans and Pan de Campo, Showmanship and People's Choice Award.
The event will also include perfomances by Joe Vega & Midnight Run, Eskala, Three Man Republic among others!
Tickets now on sale at the McAllen Chamber, 1200 Ash Ave. for $15.00, which will allow attendees to sample "all you can eat" BBQ from all teams and drinks. Children under 10 eat free! Please contact Gerry for more information at 956-682-2871.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=ul5QTHg9Nnc
Posted by Nancy Millar on Fri, Mar 22, 2013 @ 08:54 AM
The Valley Polo Club cordially invites the community to the First Annual Polo Extravaganza at Spring Fest Park on Sunday, April 14th. Gates open at 1:00pm with the main polo match beginning at 3:00pm. Spring Fest Park is located at 3199 S. 23rd Street in McAllen.
This event is free to the public and is to promote the game of polo in the Rio Grande Valley. There will be food and drinks available. Dress code is casual.
FOR MORE INFO VISIT: WWW.VALLEYPOLOCLUB.COM
Posted by Nancy Millar on Wed, Mar 06, 2013 @ 10:40 AM
McAllen: Let me tell you a story about the time I saw an ocelot....almost.
I probably wouldn't believe it if i wouldn't have seen it with my own eyes. I have been running the trails at the Mission Hike and Bike Park for two years and i've seen all types of critters. I've seen rattlesnakes, black snakes, rabbits, roadrunners, deer, lizards and countless bird species, but never have i seen anything like i saw today. I saw an ocelot!.....well, almost. After giving my full explanation to the experts what I actually saw was a bobcat. Still pretty cool if you ask me!
I work with the McAllen Convention and Visitors Bureau and i know about the diverse nature we have in the area. I didn't realize to what extent until i started working with the CVB though.
My typical Saturday morning trail run was a little different today. The night before i checked when sunrise was because i wanted to make sure to run in the daylight since i knew it was going to be in the upper 40s. I decided i'd make it out to the trails by 8am. When i walked out the door it was pretty chilly outside…it was 7:37 AM. I remember the time exactly because i remembered thinking to myself "what time does the gym open? Maybe i'll put in my miles on the treadmill today"….so I called the gym and there was no answer. I figured they opened at 8 or 9 so i decided to suck it up and run in the cool weather "it'll only be cold for the first mile, tough it out, i said". That turned out to be one of my best decisions ever.
I got to the trails on South Conway at about 8am and headed out for my run. There's two paths you can take…the asphalt path or the rugged trail run. I always do the trail run. Well about 2 miles and 20 minutes into my run i'm coming up to a clearing that opens up to the asphalt and as i'm looking up i see something running perpendicular to me from left to right approximately 15 yards away. My immediate reaction was it was a dog because of its size, but the fraction of a second it took my brain to realize it wasn't a dog i realized it was a large cat….an OCELOT(BOBCAT)! The large feline took three full strides in front of me. it was about the size of labrador retriever…slightly smaller probably…i was close enough to get a good perception of its size. I would say 36 inches from it's stubby tail to it's aerodynamic feline head, and about 18 inches from the top of it's back to the ground. It had a color pattern like a leopard.
I didn't stop running towards it and when i got to the clearing i looked to my right and it was gone. It went back into the brush. The unique thing about it was that the clearing i was coming up to was the pavement. You exit out onto the pavement and then about 10 yards down there's another entrance to go back into the rugged trails. The cat was running on the pavement in the open for anyone to see. It ran to the right, and i was headed to the left. At first i thought "should i be scared?" then i realized it was probably more scared of me that i was of it. This was at approximately 8:20am.
I can pinpoint exactly where i saw it if i was there at the trails, but explaining it is a little tougher. The paved trail is the shape of a "7"…it is about 3 miles long. If you start at the bottom of the "7" and make your way up it is at the 1 1/2 mile mark more or less.
The only other time i have experienced something unexplainable at the trails was when i was running in an area close by where i spotted the ocelot today. It was very early in the morning..with very little light so i took off my headphones because there are signs that illegal aliens have been there. I wanted to be able to hear someone if they were near me. While i was jogging i hear a grunt and a loud rustling in the bushes. I thought i was maybe some kind of javelina….maybe it was. Maybe it was this same ocelot i saw today. I will never know, but now every time i'm out there i'm going to keep my eyes open to hopefully spot it again.
That's when I ALMOST spotted an ocelot!
