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Healthgrades has announced their 2019 award recipients for outstanding quality outcomes, and South Texas Health System Edinburg and South Texas Health System McAllen achieved the 2019 Gynecologic Surgery Excellence Award, placing the hospitals among the top five percent of all hospitals evaluated. The highly qualified team of physicians and nurses at South Texas Health System Edinburg and South Texas Health System McAllen have proven to provide exceptional care to female patients of the Rio Grande Valley as evident in the results shared by Healthgrades which evaluates hospital quality based solely on clinical outcomes for the most common in-hospital procedures and conditions. Patients that are treated in hospitals that receive one or more of these awards have a significantly lower risk of suffering from in-hospital complications than if they were treated in a hospital that did not. Healthgrades also named South Texas Health System Edinburg and South Texas Health System McAllen…

Weddings and Funerals

June 17, 2019

Weddings and funerals are signature bookend events. One demonstrates a commitment that goes beyond one’s self, and the other tells the tale of a life and how it was lived. Last week, as I sat in Ruben Cardenas’s funeral, I was reminded about one of Ruben’s life focuses on making an investment and impact in our community. He instilled the same message in his children, Dr. Carlos Cardenas, Oscar Cardenas, and Diana Albrecht. Each echoes that same DNA that was so important to their father and his life. Ruben Cardenas was the McAllen Chamber’s longest-serving volunteer – 59 years (a record that will never be broken). Ruben could be direct, blunt, and forceful, but he was committed to making McAllen world class. As I sat there, I began to reflect on how a person can genuinely measure their effort and impact. Moreover, my thoughts turn to the two most…

Why “RANTS” Don’t Work

June 3, 2019

Chamber News Member Briefs No Comments

Going on a “rant” never works. It seems like every day someone on Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook or some other social media platform vents and calls out a person or group. This almost always backfires and usually does more damage to the person doing the “rant” than to the person being “attacked.” The person doing the “ranting” may feel good after the post for a short period but, long-term, people begin to question the “ranter’s” mental state and stability. La Croix’s CEO, Nick Caporella, has a history of lashing out at a wide range of people and groups. Two years ago, he went after short-sellers of his company’s stock prices. Everybody who was questioning the stock value was a “perpetrator and self-serving manipulator.” The “rant” was done in all caps, with vast claims of the “best year ever.” Many financial observers labeled the outbursts bizarre and even bordering on deranged.…

Why Capitalism Matters

May 13, 2019

Last week I wrote about the voting trends for the 2020 Presidential elections and how each party is going to need to appeal to people outside of its base. The fact that 44.6% of the people in the United States identify as being Liberal/Progressive was a surprise to me. There is a growing movement to support the “Green New Deal,” which propels key socialist ideas to the forefront of the political discussion. However, why does this failed economic system keep coming back to life when there are so many examples of the system failing – think Cuba and Venezuela? Socialism does not work because it fundamentally ignores human nature and behavior. Collectivism may appear to work at the beginning, but human nature and behavior begin to take over and all people are left within this socialist system is a “shell government” of tyranny and misery. There are three critical drivers…

Upcoming Fusing Workshop at McAllen Stained Glass

March 13, 2019

Make a beautiful and functional work of art in just one session! We will guide you through the process and provide all the materials and tools needed for your special work of art. These pieces will be fired and picked up later. 16+ yrs. old. Prior glass cutting experience is not necessary. Advance registration required. Space is limited. For your safety, closed-toe shoes are required in the classroom. HANDKERCHIEF VOTIVE WORKSHOP Tuesday, March 19, 2019 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Class Fee: $25 REGISTER FOR HANDKERCHIEF VOTIVE HERE WILDFLOWER WORKSHOP Monday, March 25, 2019 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Class Fee: $75 and $125 REGISTER FOR WILDFLOWER HERE SERVING TRAY WORKSHOP Tuesday, March 26, 2019 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Class Fee: $70 REGISTER FOR SERVING TRAY WORKSHOP HERE MCALLEN STAINED GLASS 800 N. MAIN ST. STE. 400, MCALLEN, TX 78501 956.687.8682

McAllen Public Library and Workforce Solutions Invite the Public to Job Fair

January 22, 2019

Chamber News Member Briefs No Comments

McAllen Public Library, in partnership with Workforce Solutions, invites the public to Job Fair 2019 on Saturday, February 2, 2019, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the McAllen Public Library, located at 4301 N. 23rd Street. Attendees will get to connect with employers from several different companies, fill out printed and online applications, and have onsite interviews. Attendees should bring updated resumes and dress interview ready. “The City of McAllen prospers when we all prosper and having a good job is key to making that happen,” said McAllen Mayor Jim Darling. “Partnering with Workforce Solutions to host this job fair helps our community and residents to become a part of our area’s workforce, contribute to our local economy and just as importantly, provide individuals with a job to provide for themselves and their family a bright future.” McAllen Public Library hopes the job fair will act as a “one-stop…

South Texas Health System through McAllen Center Foundation donates grant to STC for Nursing Scholarship

January 16, 2019

South Texas College students in the Nursing and Allied Health Division can now apply for scholarships courtesy of the South Texas Health System. On Thursday, Jan. 10, South Texas Health System and South Texas College came together for a check presentation benefiting Nursing and Allied Health Division. The $49,000 scholarship will provide opportunities for students to help reduce their financial burden and provide assistance upon continuing their education. “South Texas Health System is always here to support us. They’re providing scholarships to help our students graduate and become registered nurses. They’re hiring our nurses, so it’s a win-win for everybody,” said STC President Dr. Shirley A. Reed. “The quality of healthcare is increasing each and every day in our region, and the expectations for the best quality healthcare are really very high. We have to work together to meet that public expectation.” Speakers at the check presentation along with Dr.…

Sister Pimentel Awarded Hispanic Heritage Community Service Award

September 11, 2018

On Wednesday, Sept. 12, Sister Norma Pimentel will be presented with the Hispanic Heritage Community Service Award in Washington DC. The Hispanic Heritage Awards were established by the White House under the Regan administration in 1987, with the purpose of commemorating the Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States. The Hispanic Heritage Awards are known to be the highest honors by Latinos for Latinos and are supported by 40 national Hispanic- serving institutions. Sister Pimentel, a religious sister for the Missionaries of Jesus community and Executive Director of Catholic Charites of the Rio Grande Valley, led the humanitarian response to the 2014 surge of Central Americans seeking asylum in the United States entering through the south Texas border. The Humanitarian Respite Center was created as a safe respite for families where they could be welcomed and offered a place to rest, enjoy a warm meal, shower, change clothes, and receive…

An Experience, Not an Appointment de Sanchez Day Spa and Salon

August 31, 2018

In need of rest and relaxation? Perhaps it’s time for some “Me-time!” In this unique, stand-alone day spa and salon just south of Pecan on 15th Street in McAllen, one has the choice to use all the facilities before a hair, skin care or body treatment appointment. Come early and luxuriate in separate male or female areas with a jacuzzi, steam room or dry sauna using the spa’s handy lockers, deluxe robes and relaxing ambiance to put you in a state of calm before your appointment. Experience the moment and give in to the opulence. Not only can you get hair treatments, there’s also a master color lab, and a variety of massages available: hot stone, four-handed massage, as well as cupping. Have a Salt Scrub, or Parafango, a detox treatment. A separate men’s salon with hair and nail treatments was added a few years ago to the delight of…

SpyTek #1 Top Source of Surveillance in South Texas

July 13, 2018

By Roda Grubb Who better to guide you in your security needs than James Bond himself? Well, not quite, but Ric Tamez spent 18 years as a police officer with the McAllen PD before choosing to become a private eye. All those years in law enforcement taught him one thing – people need someone else to teach them about the variety of protection gizmos available on the market – be it cameras, alert and security products, or alarms, to name a few. “I came up with the idea of a spy shop because I found I was so interested in spy equipment when I went to private investigators’ conferences and shows,” Tamez said. “I decided it would be a good idea to have a spy shop in South Texas.” One out of only approximately 40 similarly styled shops in the country, Tamez feels privileged to offer the opportunity to people…

Grainger Industrial Supply recently donated $6,000 worth of tools to assist students in their career choices

June 14, 2018

In an effort to assist deserving students preparing to enter the workforce, Grainger Industrial Supply has supplemented its annual scholarship to students by donating tools to South Texas College. Grainger, a leading broad line supplier of maintenance, repair, and operating products, has donated $6,000 worth of tools that will then be distributed to students through the college. Grainger has been a constant supporter of South Texas College’s students for several years. “Grainger provides new tools for students in several fields including auto, diesel, heating/ventilation/air conditioning/refrigeration, electrician, construction and law enforcement to name a few,” said Mario Reyna, Dean of Business, Technology and Public Safety at STC. “Over the years, Grainger has provided scholarships and now they decided to donate the tools to our program,” Reyna said. “They had three pallets, almost $6,000 worth of tools, and they opted to bring them here and left it up to us to decide…

FUSED GLASS JEWELRY WORKSHOP

May 16, 2018

Design 6 unique pendants in just 2 hours! We will guide you through the design process and provide all the materials and tools needed for your exquisite jewelry pieces. These pieces will be fired and picked up later. CLASS FEE: $35, 16+ yrs. Prior glass cutting experience is not required. Register here with or without PayPal. For your safety, open toe shoes are not allowed in the classroom. THURSDAY, MAY 24, 2018 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. SPACE IS LIMITED.

McAllen High’s Kamryn Ramirez earns Grand Championship

May 2, 2018

Congratulations to Kamryn Ramirez, a member of the McAllen High Mariachi Oro, for placing first in the vocal competition and was also named Overall Vocal Grand Champion at the 2018 FESTIBA (Festival of International Books and Arts) Conference and Competition March 2-3 at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Performing Arts Center. She earned a $1,000 scholarship on behalf of MPR out of San Antonio and The Mariachi Connection.

Breadsmith God Filled Her Heart with Bread Dough

April 25, 2018