McAllen, TX –– The McAllen Chamber of Commerce recently unveiled Livability: McAllen, TX 2014, a print and digital program that promotes the area to newcomers, visitors and relocating businesses. Content highlights McAllen’s quality of life, business climate, attractions, restaurants and must-do activities. Articles focus on how the McAllen Creative Incubator's inspiring new space contributes to the area’s growing arts community; the diverse local cuisine scene; as well as the global education students are gaining through McAllen Independent School District’s expanding International Baccalaureate programs. Other articles highlight the quality of place amenities that attract people to the McAllen area, including top-quality medical centers, cutting-edge schools and healthy business economy. The area's business climate is strengthened by small businesses such as The Man Shop and Edible Arrangements as well as larger employers in manufacturing and wholesale. Find more great content about McAllen on Livability.com, a national website with information about more than…

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In an effort to promote entrepreneurship among today’s youth, the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and the McAllen Independent School District (MISD) are offering students enrolled in a MISD school the opportunity to participate in “The McAllen Youth Entrepreneur Factory” program.  The program will nurture entrepreneurship and an experience that will inspire future businesses. The process will help students gain a better understanding of how to develop a business idea and find its path to market. The program and competition is intended to simulate the real-world process of entrepreneurs soliciting start-up funds from early-stage investors and venture capital firms. This program is divided into the following phases: First, interested participants should attend an orientation to learn about the process and activities required to complete the program. The second phase is the Idea Lab. The Idea Lab program is an eight session program that proposes several tools to help participants define their…

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Dan Santella | The Monitor McALLEN — Former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Tony Garza will take part in the The Monitor’s Newsmaker Breakfast Series as its third guest at the end of the month. Garza, who served as U.S. ambassador to Mexico between 2002 and 2009, currently works as Counsel for law firm White & Case LLP in Mexico City, according to this website. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of Southern Methodist University, the Dean’s Council at the Harvard School of Public Health, and the Development Board of the University of Texas at Austin. Before serving as U.S. Ambassador, the Brownsville native held a variety of positions with in Texas, including secretary of state, Cameron County judge, senior policy advisor to the governor, and chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission. Sponsored by IBC Bank and held jointly by The Monitorand the McAllen Chamber of Commerce, the Newsmaker Breakfast…

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Journalist and author Jonathan V. Last, senior writer at conservative commentator William Kristol’s The Weekly Standard, will visit the Rio Grande Valley next month for the Newsmakers Breakfast Series organized by the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and The Monitor. Last's recent book – What to Expect When No One's Expecting: America's Coming Demographic Disaster – tackles falling birthrates, which he likened to shifting “tectonic plates” during a January discussion with C-SPAN's Book TV.   The Newsmaker Breakfast Series, sponsored by IBC Bank, centers on a question-and-answer format, with Monitor Editor Carlos Sanchez serving as conversation partner for the visiting newsmaker. The series’ first installment, which featured syndicated columnist Ruben Navarrette Jr., was Oct. 17.   Last, the second guest in the series, will join Sanchez on Nov. 13 at the McAllen Chamber. “For anyone interested in business implications or in the issue of immigration reform, this is a must-see event,”…

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This year marks the 31st anniversary of McAllen’s Candlelight Posada.  The McAllen Chamber of Commerce and the McAllen Parks & Recreation Department are looking for organizations who are interested in participating as food vendors or in the lighted parade.  Applications can be picked up at the McAllen Chamber of Commerce.  Be a part of the tradition, December 7th at Archer Park.  “The Candlelight Posada committee is very excited for this year’s event.  We hope to make this year as festive and memorable as the last,” said Maritza Munoz, Candlelight Posada Coordinator.  “We want to invite the community to participate as food vendors and/or in the lighted parade.  This is a great opportunity to raise funds and awareness for businesses and organizations.”  Candlelight Posada has been very successful in previous years because of the financial support of the local businesses.  “Sponsorship opportunities are also available for both individuals and businesses who…

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Award-winning journalist Ruben Navarrette Jr. will visit McAllen next month as part of the inaugural Newsmaker Breakfast Series, hosted by the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and The Monitor. Described as “a fresh and increasingly important voice in the national political debate,” the syndicated columnist’s twice-weekly column “offers new thinking on many of the major issues of the day, especially on thorny questions involving ethnicity and national origin,” his website says. First entering into syndication in 2001, Navarrette’s column has appeared in hundreds of newspapers worldwide, includingThe Washington PostandUSA Today. Navarrette first garnered national attention in 1993 with his book,A Darker Shade of Crimson: Odyssey of a Harvard Chicano. In the memoir, he reflected back on the difficulties he faced as a Hispanic student attending the traditionally white university. “[Navarrette] darts his barbs at two chief targets: the old Wasp elite that stifles the university with exclusive rules and expectations, and…

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The McAllen Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for McAllen’s Man & Woman of the Year 2011.  The recipients of this community service award will be recognized at the Chamber’s 59th Annual Banquet scheduled for Tuesday, November 1 at the McAllen Convention Center.  Since 1955, the McAllen Chamber of Commerce has been honoring outstanding citizens who have had a positive impact on the city of McAllen.  These men and women have volunteered countless hours serving on committees, boards and other organizations in an effort to make a difference for the community in which they live. These individuals have shown acts of exceptional kindness and tireless energy in organizing programs or events for the benefit of our community, giving time and talent to teach, lending a helping hand to those in need, or just making the special effort to ensure that “good things happen” for others and their community.  All clubs and…

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By Jacob Fischler | The Monitor | Posted: Sunday, September 1, 2013 8:50 pm McALLEN – What do a delivery drone, a skincare cream and a networking smartphone app have in common? They’re all ideas the McAllen Chamber of Commerce deemed worthy of $5,000 to $10,000 in grant money. The Chamber awarded $45,000 Aug. 22 to five teams for its annual program that disburses innovation grants to local inventors and entrepreneurs. The goal of the competition — which has a budget of $50,000 — is to promote a culture of innovation in the Rio Grande Valley as a way to “create wealth in the community,” Chamber President Steve Ahlenius said. “Inventors and entrepreneurs are going to be some of the major drivers in the 21st century,” he said. Nine teams submitted written proposals to the Chamber in the hopes of earning a $10,000 grant. A panel of five judges plus…

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Projected annual job growth: 3.7% Median household income: $34,591 Unemployment rate: 11.1%  Click here to read more…  http://www.forbes.com/pictures/mli45eehde/2-mcallen-texas/

Out of more than 1,000 school districts in Texas, McAllen ISD’s Superintendent, Dr. James Ponce, is now among a select group of five in the running for the state Superintendent of the Year award.  The Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) made it official on Monday. Dr. Ponce will be interviewed by a selection committee at the TASA (Texas Association of School Administrators)/TASB Convention next month in Dallas. The state winner will be announced Sept. 28.  Dr. Ponce became the Regional Superintendent of the Year in early June. The state’s 20 regional winners have now been trimmed to five finalists. The state selection committee, which interviewed regional winners August 23-24 in Austin, focused on such issues as academic excellence, community engagement, career and workforce readiness, student/staff communication, advocacy, and district and community partnerships, according to a TASB news release.  The selection committee cited his success with parental engagement and district…

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ATTENTION BIDDERS McAllen Independent School District is accepting submittals from Marketing Firms on the following bid: Request For Proposal No. 2013-039 – Public Relations Consulting Services Due Date/Time: 8/28/2013 3:00 PM, Central Time RFP package is only available for download by registering “FREE” at Public Purchase.  To begin, go to: http://mws.mcallenisd.net/purchasing/BidNotices.htm If you encounter registration difficulties, please use the “CHAT” option or email customer service.  McAllen ISD does not own the website; therefore, we are not able to assist in the registration process.   Bidders are responsible for viewing the webpage regularly, or prior to submitting a bid/proposal response, to ensure that no addenda or additional information have been issued for the solicitation. Properly sealed and marked submittals shall be received NO LATER THAN the date and time stated above at McAllen ISD Purchasing Services, 4309 Warrior Drive, Bldg. C, McAllen, Texas, 78501-7734.

Kiplinger compiled the list based on the Council for Community and Economic Research's calculations of living expenses in 307 urban areas. Its Cost of Living Index measures prices for housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, health care, and miscellaneous goods and services. They screened out cities with population below 50,000. All ten finalists, while different in many ways, shared one overarching similarity: super-affordable housing options for renters and homeowners alike. McAllen is ranked number 2! Take a look at the list of the ten cheapest places to live by following the link below. http://finance.yahoo.com/news/10-cheapest-u-cities-live-040001247.html  

The McAllen Fire Department is hosting several free community events, in celebration of the department’s 100th anniversary, Friday June 7, and Saturday June 8, 2013.    On Friday June 7, McAllen families can visit their neighborhood fire house, between 4 and 8 pm, and learn about fire safety.  The following stations will be open for tours on that day:  –Central Fire Station, 201 N 21st –Station 2, 2811 N. Main (Harvey and Main) –Station 3,  213 E. Dallas (Cynthia and Dallas) –Station 5,  5521 N 23rd (Dove and 23rd) –Station 6,  5500 S. 23rd (Sara and 23rd) Saturday, June 8, beginning at 10 am, the McAllen Fire Department will host a parade of fire trucks, with participation from neighboring cities, at Westside Park (1000 S. Ware Road).  Following the parade and continuing through 7 pm, residents can enjoy several free activities at Westside Park, including a firefighter challenge (open to…

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On Thursday, May 16, Dr. Belinda Jordan will make a presentation to the attendees of the Chamber’s All About Women “Image of Success” seminar at the McAllen Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Jordan will discuss the importance of incorporating healthy living into a working woman’s busy schedule and developing a diet and exercise plan for long-term success. Dr. Jordan is a graduate of the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio TX and completed her graduate training at the UT Health Science Center San Antonio/McAllen Residency Program. She was the owner and CEO of Family Medicine Physicians from 2003 – 2012 and the owner and president of BodyScripts Medical Weight Loss Center in McAllen from 2001-2012. She is presently a bariatrician with the Renaissance Bariatric and Metabolic Institute and is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. The seminar will also discuss how employees can project…

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The McAllen Chamber of Commerce will hold the first-ever McAllen Mini Maker Faire on Saturday, June 22 at the McAllen Creative Incubator, 601 N. Main St. from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Mini Maker Faire brings together families and individuals to celebrate the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) mindset and showcase all kinds of incredible projects. At Maker Faire, you'll find arts and crafts, science and engineering, food and music, fire and water but what makes this event special is that all these interesting projects and smart, creative people belong together. They are actively and openly creating a maker culture. In its simplest form, Maker Faire creates conversations with Makers. It is a show-and-tell format for people of all ages that brings out the “kid” in all of us. Maker Faire is a community-based learning event that inspires everyone to become a maker and connect to people and projects in their local…

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