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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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 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.

In Colombia, South America, the mother country of Martha Garza, McAllen’s Breadsmith franchise owner, it’s customary to sit daily with friends or family and partake of a cup of tea and some form of bread. She followed her country’s custom by being a long time client of Breadsmith’s delectable goodies. When the opportunity to acquire the business became available, she jumped at the chance. “Though I was already retired, I got the feeling I had to go for it,” Garza said. “I went through two weeks of intensive training at the corporate headquarters, learning to bake every single item we make just in case the baker misses a shift,” Garza said. It’s a good thing she was prepared, because she was baking her heart out one night at 11:00 p.m. when the baker didn’t appear as scheduled. Perhaps her willingness to jump into the process was simply because she had…

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The Valley, like an island of innovation deep down in the tip of Texas, keeps adding to its list of unique services available for events in the area. The latest is Kairos Coffee Catering, named after the Greek word meaning “an opportune time”. Gabriel and Jessica Sanchez, owners, are longtime coffee aficionados who dreamt of one day owning a coffee business. The two first met as teens on a mission trip, then again after five years when Jessica was attending Christian Bible college in Chicago, where she was studying linguistics and working in a coffee shop. “I learned the ins and outs of the business and how to make all the drinks,” Jessica revealed. “Gabriel learned also.” Dating led to the next step, marriage. A few years later, and after adding a little one to the family, they decided to move to the Valley to be closer to family. “Literally,…

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