Chamber Kitten

It's a beautiful morning in McAllen, Texas!!!

Just a quick update on C.C. She has a new home in McAllen. I have taken her home with me due to some employees that found out they are allergic to cats. I have had her at home for 4 days now and she is starting to feel comfortable enough to explore her new surroundings. I also have a 2 year old Siamese cat (Fergie) so I am trying to get them to become friends. I hope it all works out and we can be one big happy family. I will write more later and maybe post some photos of the two hugging!

2 Big Events for Filmmakers

Texas Filmmakers' Production Fund Workshop

When: Saturday, May 16th at 3:00 - 4:30pm

Where: McAllen Chamber of Commerce
1200 Ash Ave
McAllen, TX 78541

Cost: Free

Since 1996, the Austin Film Society's Texas Filmmakers' Production Fund has supported Texas filmmakers by giving out $930,000 in cash, goods and services to 265 film and video projects. The deadline for the 2009 cycle is June 1st and if you are a filmmaker who has resided in Texas for at least one year, you are eligible to apply for up to $15,000 in funding for your project.

At this workshop, the Austin Film Society's Director of Artist Services, Bryan Poyser, will take you through the application process step-by-step.

www.austinfilm.org

Texas Film Round-Up offers Free Digitalization Program for RGV residents

The Texas Archive of the Moving Image (TAMI) brings its new statewide traveling educational program, the Texas Film Round-Up, to the Cine El Rey in McAllen on Friday, May 15th from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m Working to preserve Texas-related film and video, TAMI will be on-site at all locations to offer free film and video digitization, to screen unique footage of the Rio Grande Valley, and to display their traveling exhibit, Preserving Memories: Texas’ Moving Image Legacy.

The cornerstone of the Texas Film Round-Up is TAMI’s free digitization program, which is available to anyone with Texas-related film or video who is willing to contribute an electronic copy of their materials to TAMI’s online library: www.texasarchive.org/library. Donors can drop off their film and video at each Round-Up location. After digitization is complete, TAMI will return the originals to contributors, along with two DVD copies of their materials and information on how to keep those materials safe. TAMI will bring their digitization equipment to all locations to demonstrate the process.

The Texas Film Round-Up kicks off on Friday night in McAllen with a screening at the Cine El Rey Theater. The evening will feature a series of border-themed films including shorts from the archive of the CineSol Film Festival, and highlights from TAMI’s archival collection. Screening starts at 8 p.m.

The Texas Archive of the Moving Image is an independent non-profit organization founded in 2002 to discover, preserve and make accessible Texas film heritage. The Texas Film Round-up is offered in partnership with the Office of the Governor’s Texas Film Commission.

More information on the Texas Film Round-Up can be found at www.texasfilmroundup.org or by contacting TAMI at (512) 485-3073 or round-up@texasarchive.org.

May 15, 2009
Cine El Rey
311 South 17th St., McAllen, TX 78501
6 p.m to 11 p.m.
8 p.m. – Featured Screening

For more information, contact:
Annabell Cortina
956-682-2871
acortina@mcallencvb.com

Sports @ a Wine Lounge?

RUSH (Wine Tasting Lounge)

I'm so pleased to see another reference about RUSH! It's nice to know this local business is getting some good feedback, I certainly have had a really positive experience with them in my first couple of visits. A couple of nights ago, my significant other and I took advantage of his night off and combined a romantic dinner with (what else) the Houston - Portland basketball game.
Finishing our dinner, we headed over to a popular McAllen sports bar, but after waiting at our table for 15 minutes with no hope of service or acknowledgement, we'd given up on our "big date," and watching our favorite basketball team. Calling it a night, we started to drive home with me pouting in the passenger seat. (Don't judge me too harshly….that was our first date in months, and I was a wee bit disappointed! ;)
As we drove past RUSH, we decided to drop in so I could show my date McAllen's newest venue. A wine connoisseur, he rationalized that while we might not have the basketball game, we could console ourselves with good wine and use my newly acquired RUSH card. (The wine "fountains" in this venue pour out an ounce of wine by scanning your RUSH card and detracting the $ amt.- Very smooth! and it lets you spend the balance over multiple visits.)
A quiet Tuesday night, our recent experience at RUSH was phenomenal. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted and treated like guests in a posh, private home, not diners at a crowded restaurant. The best part was: there were even flat-screen TVs, and the owner happily put the Houston game on for us. Cute date, wine, basketball game, and 1 classy atmosphere coming right up! Our night had instantly corrected itself.
The service was amazing, and the final bill was surprisingly low. (the card helps!) As I sat on the leather couch watching our own screen and sipping on a beer (ironically I wasn't in the mood for wine, but the venue has lots of beer and sangria options, too), I felt like we had just discovered a new secret. I had never felt so comfortably elegant while watching a sports game or had my own personal pair of cocktail waitresses. There was complimentary wi-fi, making it the perfect spot for business professionals looking to wrap up their day or host a client. The venue has just the right balance of sophistication and comfort. Wanting to be intimate or conversational? …socializing or working? ….RUSH offers a great blended atmosphere.
So Thank you RUSH, for saving my semi-annual date night. The Rockets may not have won that night, but we sure did!

*FYI: learned the hard way- RUSH is closed Mondays. :(
**Typically a great, quiet niche during the week, starting Thursday RUSH becomes a popular social outlet for young and established business professionals and wine "buffs".

Sending Your Child or Student to McAllen? Read This!

...Think about it and you might be inviting yourself along!

Over a couple thousand students attended the Texas Health Occupation Students of America 2009 Annual Conference in early April in the New McAllen Convention Center!

The overall event was a wonderful success with some amazing feedback. There was no doubt the students were enjoying themselves immensely! Having spent time in San Antonio at an annual TASBO conference a few months ago, I got the opportunity to talk to several parents from all over Texas who were sending or have sent their children on an overnight trip to McAllen for conferences/events like HOSA conference. The success and feedback of McAllen's 2009 HOSA conference has helped me appreciate and validate the great conversations I had while at TASBO. In their responses it was clear that both group's parents felt good and excited about sending their children or students to McAllen for an overnight event.
It was nice to be able to tell them (and hear them say) that their child's experience(s) in McAllen is not only SAFE (amongst a "familia," secure community), but while in McAllen, their youth is able to interact with a rich, fun, and unique culture! And you should feel good about that fact that McAllen is young families and adults growing and building amongst its intercultural blend.
It's exciting to think that those TASBO attendees (who – I'm sure - I overwhelmed with my passionate talk of McAllen's new changes and highlights), walked away with our McAllen brochures, pictures, information, and mementos. And the more I work with visitors and conferences, the more confident I am that their new materials will no doubt result in the same, fun, enriching experience our HOSA students had!
After-all, The City of McAllen is known for its hard-working people...now come find out how we reward hard-workers like you...come get spoiled! ;)

INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT MORE ABOUT MCALLEN?

Post a comment, shoot me an email at jsimpson@mcallencvb.com, or pick up the phone and dial 956.682.2871. I'd love to send you- your own, complimentary McAllen packet - tailored to what you're interested in!

But I should warn you! After learning about McAllen...you might just be turning your child's school trip into a family vacation or weekend get-away!

End of April at Incubator

Music After Hours at the Archer Park on Friday, May 1st will feature Adam Wratten, Heavy Heavy and Highway 7. An excellent show that you do not want to miss. KVEO TV Channel 23 will be having auditions for the Valley's Got Talent on Saturday afternoon from 1 to 5 at the Incubator. Don't forget to visit www.mcallenart.com for a listing of upcoming events, local artist and venues. And remember that all MAC Grant Applications are due in by Friday, May 1st, so make sure you visit www.mcallenartscouncil.com and download a copy. For more information on this or anything else, contact Greg at 687-2787.

Texas Association of Staffing in town

Today, McAllen Welcomes Katie Hill, Executive Director of the Texas Association of Staffing. Katie lives in Galveston and is a "surviver" of last year's devastating hurricane. We stayed in touch with her throughout the aftermath and are grateful that she didn't sustain more damage. What a trouper! Today, the Valley members of TAS will meet for lunch in the Chamber board room and profit from a presentation by W.T. "Tommy Simmons Legal Counsel to the Texas Workforce Commission. Attendees will learn what staffing firms and their clients need to know in 2009 and the impact of the stimulus package for Texas. Just prior to the meeting, we are attending the ribbon cutting for Star Staffing owned by Cindy Arredondo. Star Staffing serves the Rio Grande Valley's staffing needs.

2009 Southwestern Texas Synod Assembly at McAllen Convention Center

The 2009 Southwestern Texas Synod Assembly will be held May 15-17, 2009, at the beautiful new McAllen Convention Center in McAllen, Texas. On behalf of the Rio Grande Valley Conference of the Southwestern Texas Synod of the ELCA and the 2009 Assembly Planning Team, we wish to extend you a warm greeting from the Rio Grande Valley.

Many of you have been to assembly meetings before, and for others, this may be your first time as a delegate. Regardless, we hope to make this a different and exciting experience. Along with the usual business meetings of the Synod, there will be inspirational bible studies, multicultural worship services, as well as a chance to experience the diverse cultures that thrive in this part of South Texas. This “Assembly Without Walls” is sure to be an exciting opportunity for all who attend, as there will be events scheduled on Saturday afternoon to visit sites in the area. We hope to illuminate our theme, “United in Ministry - God’s Work, Our Hands,” as together we share the sights, enjoy the sounds, and taste the flavor of the Rio Grande Valley.

We look forward to seeing all of you in McAllen.

Come and enjoy!

Jan Demro
Patricia Larson
2009 Planning Team Co-Chairs

Catholic Daughters of the Americas Day After...

This past weekend I had the chance to attend and service the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Convention at the new McAllen Convention Center. Overall, from my perspectivethe Convention was a success. A large group of over 1000 consisting mainly of women, had a great time down here. They expressed their facination towards the city's things to do, restaurants, shopping center, and the McAllen Convention Center facility itself. Most of these ladies that attended the Convention were excited of coming down here to McAllen, they even had an event called Fiesta Mexicana, in which they dressed up in traditional Mexican dresses, which went well with the area's surrounding culture.

Working on a new magazine

Today the CVB and Chamber staffs began work on our annual McAllen Magazine, coming up with editorial ideas. It was amazing how much content we had to choose from! One of the ideas was to do a story on wine- we have several really great lounges, a place called Rush where you buy "shots" of various wines, and a place where you can create your own wine and label called Water 2 Wine. Hmmm... I'm getting thirsty! Oh- and then, we also have local artists who are just waiting for people to finish their wine bottles so they can use the colorful glass to make great visual pieces. So, in the name of art, I think I'll have a glass after work today.

AMF re-cap

If you did not get a chance to attend Another Music Festival (AMF), you really missed out!

There were some incredible bands performing on 8 different stages! Some of my favorites included: They Mean Us, BoomBox, Sunglasses & Mushrooms, Ali Wanger, Jeder, Aly Tadros, Dignan, and DJ Z-Trip. If you get a chance to see any of these bands, you won't be disappointed.

Thanks to everyone for making AMF such a great event! We can't wait to see what next year brings!

Until then, don't forget to catch the last couple of Music After Hours:

May 1 @ Archer Park featuring--Adam Wratten, Heavy Heavy, and Highway 7.
May 15 @ Convention Center Reflection Pool featuring--Melissa Carver, Raleigh St. Clair, Ray Perez, and Dignan

Remember, the Music After Hours concerts are free!

Check out www.mcallenmusic.com for the latest music events.

Dinner and Parakeets.......

I went to dinner with my husband and son to the Applebee's on North 10th Street . As we parked the car facing 10th street we immediately could hear chattering coming from the electric lines above us. As we got off the car we saw hundreds of Green Parakeets sitting on the electric lines. My son was amazed at how beautiful and how many birds were up there. Several people walking in the restaurant were commenting at how you can see the parakeets at the same time (6:30 p.m.) at around the same area every day. It was such a beautiful sight!! Dinner and Parakeets anyone????

McAllen News Media Visits McAllen

The McAllen Chamber of Commerce Convention and Visitors Bureau hosted a small group of travel writers from Monterrey to visit McAllen to show them some of the new restaurants in town, existing and new shopping opportunities our city has to offer.

The visti was enjoyed by all the group.

Earth Day Week at the Incubator

We are having another excellent week at the Incubator. After this past weekends success at Another Music Festival, we are getting back to normal. Of course, normal is a rapid pace around here. America's Got Talent will be holding their local auditions here on May 2nd. This event will be filmed and hosted by KVEO TV23. They will be holding preliminaries this Sunday, so if you are interested or just want to watch it live, feel free to call or come by.
Irma Burr and Colibri Discoveries held a very nice Earth Day Yoga Celebration yesterday. All who attended have a fabulous time. For information on Yoga, Reiki and Creative Journaling, please contact Irma Burr at 956-454-5240.
Pedro Garcia and Teatro Nuestra are holding acting and drama classes today, April 23rd at 6pm and Saturday, April 25th at 11am. For more information, please contact Pedro at 655-9308. Goodbar Productions will be having one of their exceptional concerts featuring local bands on Saturday night. These events are always a big hit. Contact Patrick Garcia at 605-3344 for more information, cost and start time.
Remember to visit www.mcallenart.com to see what is coming up at the Incubator.

INFLUENZA IN MONTERREY

Through the media is reporting on swine influenza in Mexico, here in Monterrey on Sunday April 26, the governor of Nuevo Leon, established a Committee on Emergency the reports was 19 patients and in 24 hours has increased the number to 53 people infected.

As a preventive measure to avoid generating a larger problem, the classes were canceled at all levels from pre-school to universities across the country starting this Monday April 27 until May 6, all public events was canceled, the public parks were closed, the court closed, the malls are empty, some cinemas were closed and if the problem still, the restaurants only can sell food to go. The parade of the 1st of May (Labor Day) also was canceled.

It is recommended that people wear face mask, and germicides when you can not wash your hands with soap, however, mask and gemicidas depleted at pharmacies.

Although the border is still open, we believe that the people of Monterrey traveled to McAllen very little during this period

La Frontera sigue abierta...

Esta es una de las preguntas que nos han hecho a Casa McAllen ultimamente por el problema de influenza que se vive en Mexico actualmente. Y si, efectivamente, a sugerencia de la Organizacion Mundial de la Salud, las fronteras siguen abiertas, así como los viajes internacionales, Claro! siempre tomando en cuenta las precauciones que se nos indiquen.

Another Music Festival

Last weekend, Claudia and I traveled to our beloved city of McAllen to support the Another Music Festival. This is the first year that takes place this event and we enjoyed the teamwork with our Chamber colleagues.

Our Chamber is always organizing events that bring excitement to the McAllen community and are very attractive for tourism.

I attended the Texas Hurricane Convention in March

I had a McAllen Booth set up at the Texas Hurricane Convention. The next McAllen Hospitality Forum will be focused on the upcoming 2009 Hurricane Season.

Another Music Festival

Fue un placer el estar con mis compañeros en McAllen y poder dar apoyo en este evento, en el cual la diversidad de música se hizo presente, durante estos dos días 18 y 19 de abril, la ciudad y sus visitantes tuvieron la oportunidad de disfrutar de bandas y clubs de diferentes géneros hasta altas horas de la noche, esto comprueba que en McAllen siempre hay mucho que ver y hacer!!!

Migas- the best!

I have a breakfast meeting this morning at the Casa de Palmas Renaissance Hotel's restaurant. I love breakfast meetings, especially there, because they have the most delicious migas! They also have terrific service- so it's a win all around. (Migas, for the uninitiated, are scrambled aggs with bits of tortilla chips mixed in. Often there are also onions, tomatoes, peppers, and it's served with salsa.) It's a great McAllen breakfast!

Catholic Daughters of America Convention This Week...

We will be having a large convention group, "Catholic Daughters of the America," on April 24-26, consisting of over 1200 participants at our new McAllen Convention Center, check it out at this site: http://www.mcallenconventioncenter.net/
It's a state of the art facility and caters to small, medium, or large conventions and events. Take a look for yourself, no wonder more and more regional and state orgnizations are electing to come to McAllen to hold their conventions or conferences.

I survived Another Music Festival !!!!

It's Monday and we are just getting over our Another Music Festival event that was held on Saturday and Sunday. I think it was a success! If you have not been over to the downtown 17th area lately I suggest you make a trip out there over the weekend. I was amazed at all the new bars and restaurants. I was also suprised to see how many people head out over the weekend for dinner and drinks. Perfect location for a girls night out!!!

RIO GRANDE FILM COMMISSION

Film McAllen allows native film lovers from around the nation a chance to showcase the work through a variety of festivals and activities- most prominently the McAllen Art and Film Festival. Casting calls and other film related events can be found on the Website: www.FilmMcAllen.com

Music After Hours and Another Music Festival

What a week to be a Music lover in McAllen.
Friday is the monthly Music After Hours at the McAllen Convention Center. This free concert starts at 7pm with Stereo Kitsch, with Frontera Jazz Quartet and Oriin to follow.
Saturday the 18th starts Another Music Festival in the Entertainment District of McAllen (S 17th St) from 7pm until 1am. With 6 indoor stages and one outdoor stage on Saturday, this will be one that you will not want to miss. The event grows on Sunday to 8 indoor stages and 1 outdoor stage. Tickets are onsale for AMF at EZ-TIXX.com or you can call the McAllen Chamber at 682-2871.
Check out all the events happening at the McAllen Creative Incubator at www.mcallenart.com or call Greg at 687-2787.

We've been working on "Team McAllen" the past couple of months. This is a program in which we find local friends and acquaintances who belong to state and national associations. We are particularly drawn to members who serve on boards and committees within these associations. Our experience has shown that these people can have great influence on where associations conduct their annual meetings and conferences. With these "team members" pulling along with the staff of the CVB, we increase the odds that we'll attract more conventions. When association meeting planners experience our Convention Center, our climate, our people and our "fun filled" area, we usually get a commitment. If you belong to a state or national association and want to be a part of this effort, give me a call at 956-682-2871 or email me at jdeuser@mcallencvb.com. It could be worth a free lunch if you call!

Nature Festival in Monterrey

This weekend we get some people from McAllen who come to see birds in and around Monterrey. As every year the tour will be in the Park Estanzuela, where you can see the Blue Throated, Azure Crowned and Broad Bille Hummingbirds, the blue corwned Motmot, Western Bluebird, Northern Mockingbird, etc..
Cola de Caballo: Vermilion Flycatcher, Great Kiskadee, Mexican Jay, Ruby Crowed Kinglet, Blue Gray Gnatcatcher, Western Bluebird, Northern Pygmy-Owl, Trogon Elegans, etc and above on the wall called the Condominium which is located in the Sierra Madre where it ends Nuevo Leon and begins Coahuila can view a bird endemic the Maroon Fronted Parrot.
In the natural reserve of Pronatura located in San Rafel, we can see the Greater Roadrunner, Burrowing Owl, Scaled Quail, Cooper `s and White and Red Tailed Hawk, Golden Eagle, Golden Fronted Woodpecker, Eastern and Say` s Phoebe, Horned Lark, Cactus Wren, Worthern`s Sparrows,Western Meadowlark etc.
In Chipinque, Audubon`s Oriole, Elegans Trogon, Acorn Woodpecker, White Eyed Vireo, Green-Brown and Mexican Jays, Carolina Wren, Clay Colored Robin. etc.

McAllen Spring Fashion

On April 11th the newspaper El Norte of Monterrey, gave a report of this fashion show at La Plaza Mall, showing that it was a success, mentioning the most fashionable designs of this spring-summer 2009.

We hope to continue having this kind of events in our beautiful McAllen!!!

McAllen's Walking Infomercial Needed Less and Less...

Like many people, it's not always easy for me to shutoff work mode when I'm trying to take advantage of my precious, few social moments. As a returning resident of McAllen, and employed to promote McAllen's new growth and highlights, I find myself armed with statistics, anecdotal examples, and "proof" of McAllen's fabulous-ness. At any moment, I am ready to overwhelm my next unsuspecting victim….be warned approaching admirer, I may look like a fun, casual conversation waiting to happen, but flirtations are for amateurs with time on their hands- I'm a walking infomercial looking for my next recruit!

Point-in-case
A visiting childhood friend "twisted my arm" to join her for a drink last night and obligingly I used the invite to showoff McAllen's newest venues. As the night winded down I sat on the patio at Roosevelt's (a trendy beer-garden type venue that recently opened on main street) enjoying the breeze and sundress weather (yes, it's that nice outside!). My girlfriend's humor and energy quickly attracted a group of friendly strangers; gathering at our picnic table to swap stories and backgrounds. From an executive chef and bio-chemist to a tattoo artist and vacationers, the group of twenty-something year olds was certainly eclectic and from all over the place, but as I sat talking to the plumber/bar-tender, it dawned on me that we all shared one thing in common. We all genuinely love living and being in McAllen. No need for my conviction and passionate speeches tonight… the plumber/bartender sitting beside me, might have been born and raised in California, but when I asked him where home was, his response captured it all: "weeelll,I moved to McAllen 7 years ago and I LOVE McAllen…It's my home."
And I finally got it…I didn't need to create proof or prove anything about McAllen's diverse appeal…all I had to do was ask the hundreds of visitors and temporary-residents who came into McAllen months and years ago and haven't left yet. What can we say? Somewhere during all the music, art, shopping, bird-watching, beach trips, dining and more, it's become our home too.

(Afterthought: Uh oh! If McAllen keeps this up, I'm going to have to learn how to flirt again! Eek!)

Would you like to bring your convention to McAllen?

Dear Rio Grande Valley,

If you are part of an organization that would like to utilize the New McAllen Convention Center and bring hotel room nights to McAllen Hotels, then I am your guy!!

Please call my cell at 956-240-8033

We can discuss ways to bring your state, regional, or national event to the "City of Palms".

Have a wonderful day!

Ernesto Arredondo
Director of Sales
McAllen Convention & Visitor's Bureau

The Divine Mercy Sunday 2009 - April 17, 18 & 19

Easter Weekend Was Really Nice & AMF...

It was a nice weekend to celebrate Easter. The weather was perfect, 87 to 90 degrees and continues to do so through-out this week. Many RGV residents, visitors, and Mexican nationals are taking advantage of great sales at La Plaza Mall, and department stores around the McAllen area. You should consider McAllen, for a get-away and enjoy peace and tranquility, nice weather, and really good traditional food and amenities. Not to mention you are so close to the beach from here in case you feel like getting a tan or cathing a wave.

Don't forget this weekend, Another Music Festal on Downtown McAllen, starting, Saturday, April 18 • 7pm to 1am to Sunday, April 19 • 1pm to 7pm. Check out the website to get updated/detailed information. http://www.mcallenmusic.com/Another-Music-Festival

See you there...

Another Music Festival

Do you have your wristband yet for Another Music Festival this weekend? It's going to be Awesome! With over 80 bands participating from the valley and beyond, and 17th Street closed off because of all the "extras" outside, it'll be one to remember. Times are 7 to 1 on Saturday night, and 1 to 7 on Sunday.

Chamber Kitten's Name

It's official....votes were cast this morning for the Chamber Kitten's name and the winning name was.....
(drum roll)........ CC. Just FYI so everyone can start calling her by her official name.

GOLF OPPORTUNITES IN McALLEN

The Rio Grande Valley in deep South Texas is renowned for good weather and plenty of recreational activites. Golf is among one of the most popular pastimes for outdoor enthusiasts in the Valley. As a result, the region boasts over 30 top notch golf courses. Contact the McAllen Chamber of Commerce for more information-(956) 682 2871

I took some meeting planners for Awesome Cabrito!

WOW!

The meeting planners from San Antonio and I had some of the best Cabrito at:

Los Cazadores De Vo
5612 N 10th St
McAllen, TX 78504
(956) 661-1717‎


We all loved the food, the service, and the atmosphere!!!!!!!

You have to see the 4E Ranch!!!

<The 4E Private Hotel & Ranch pleasantly shapes the spirit of southern hospitality of South Texas. This is a totally new concept to the Rio Grande Valley. The 4E Hotel combines the luxury and space of a magnificent private residence with the service and style of a five star hotel. The 4E Ranch captures natures beauty of south texas on its 1500 acres of land. The 4E Private Hotel & Ranch is conviently located in Edinburg, Texas. Excellent for your next event whether it be a wedding, business entertaining, corporate, non profit, political, private parties or a romantic weekend with your special someone. The 4E is a truly a unique experience. www.4eranch.com

AMF Line-up Announced!

Only a few days left before Another Music Festival.
Here's are the details:

Saturday, April 18 ● 7pm to 1am
Sunday, April 19 ● 1pm to 7pm
Location: 17th Street McAllen Entertainment District
Tickets on sale now: www.ez-tixx.com or go to www.mcallenmusic.com for more info.

2009 Artists Scheduled to Appear
DJ Z-Trip*
BoomBox*
Girl in a Coma*
Vallejo*
Los Bad Apples*
Zeale*
DJ Rapid Ric*
Stereo Kitsch
Dignan
Black Tora
The Jericho Machine
White Zebra
Sunglasses and Mushrooms
The Requested
Sarah & Octopus
The Apple in the Tree
Mike Maven
Personal Use
Lay in Ruins
Methmare Motorcade
Buxton
Madore
Bionicore
Brandon Garcia
Last Page
Deer Vibes
Kingpin
Tato Henriquez
Jeder
Ram Danesse & the Trio
Highway 7
Kim Snyder Trio
Driver 23
Jake Cortez
Dulce Maria Gonzalez
Ali Wagner Band
Ideophonic
Arrgh!drey
C-Styles
Nu Ique
Hollywood Black
Black the Sun
Seven Perfect
GoLightly
The Trendees
Frontera Jazz Quartet
They Mean Us
Stillborne
Set Aflame
The Broken Poetz
Banda Real del Valle
Pygmaeus
BC & Soul Express
Decadent Suites
Espina
The Goods
Incohero
Oriin
Abyss
Bree Stevens
We the Granada
Mario Aleman
Andy Pena
Imprfkt_nation
My Empty Phantom
Gretchen Schmaltz
Shawn Elliot
Evolve
Golden Lights
Mercury Descends
Rene Sandoval
Budian
Raleigh St. Clair
Framework
Driving the Nails
Lamar Jones

*headliner
**line-up subject to change without notice

Yesterday we conducted our monthly "Hospitality Forum" meeting at the McAllen Convention and Visitors Bureau. Brent Brenham, our deputy City manager, talked about the four hotels, all within walking distance of the Convention Center, coming on line. Two are breaking ground this summer.

Centerplate, the Convention Center caterer, fed us. THEY ARE SOOO GOOD!. I will do almost anything to get another of their cheese blintzes!

Saludos desde Puerto Vallarta

Estoy disfrutando de unas cortas vacaciones con mi familia en el hermoso Puerto Vallarta, el clima esta agradable en las mañana y en las noches y al mediodía hace mucho calor, hay muchísimo turismo mexicano y extranjero, los restaurantes están llenos y muy bien atendidos y con mariscos frescos.
Nuestro hotel esta ubicado en Nuevo Vallarta que es el área nueva y la playa esta preciosa, los dejo porque voy saliendo a un tour.

Saludos a todos........

Easter

Music After Hours this past Friday was incredible. The show has become a must see in conjunction with Artwalk. With upwards of 400 people there and musicans like Jake Cortez and Kim Snyder, we showed everyone there that we are ready for Another Music Festival which is going to be next weekend, April 18th and 19th. With over 80 bands booked, you do not want to miss out on what is going to be the biggest musical event in the Valley. For more information on this show, please contact Annabell Cortina at the McAllen Chamber of Commerce at 956-682-2871.
The first annual McAllen Arts Council Fine Art Show closed on Friday, April 3rd. The show was a hugh success with over 60 items on display.
2009 MAC Grant applications are available at www.mcallenartscouncil.com or by contacting me at 956-687-2787 or emailing me at gschuller@mcallencvb.com. Grants are for up to $1,000 and all applications must be recieved by May 1st. No exceptions.
Continue to check www.mcallenart.com for a complete listing all all events at the Incubator as well as all Music After Hours shows.
Have a great Easter and go easy on the easter eggs!

GOLF OPPORTUNITES IN McALLEN

Hello from McAllen with great weather, The Rio Grande Valley in deep South Texas is renowned for plenty of great recreational activities. Golf is among one of the most popular pastimes for outdoor enthusiasts in the Valley. As a result, the region boasts over 30 top notch golf courses. Contact the McAllen Chamber of Commerce for more information. (956) 682-2871.

Catholic Daughters of America Convention

Catholic Daughters of the Americas brings Texas Annual Convention to New McAllen Convention Center from April 23-26, 2009.

Easter

This weekend will be long Thursday and Friday- most companies will be closed in Monterrey, since the holiday and is used by many people to leave the city for Easter vacations.

Since last Friday, people have called asking about the “value card”, since it was announced in the newspaper column El Norte on Friday. Yesterday people visited Casa McAllen in Monterrey to collect coupons discounts for shopping in McAllen.

Have a nice long weekend!!!

PD. Greetings Sylvia,, she is on vacation in Puerto Vallarta, hopefully it brings me a sea shell....

Bienvenidos ...

HOSA Convention was here in McAllen... Plus More...

Last week we had a large group of High School Students come to McAllen, TX as part of the Health Occupational Students of America (HOSA)Convention. There were approximately, 2800 High School students from various High Schools, with a staff of an estimated 500. The students seem to really like the the facilty and surroundings around the McAllen Convention Center. Not to mention the trips to South Texas Community College and La Plaza Mall, which are located here in the McAllen area.
Big group, "no problems," the McAllen Convention & Vistors Bureau was able to provide bus trasportation to facilitate travel between hotels, La Plaza Mall, and South Texas College
As, I recall, there was no concern or disatisfaction among these students and educators for being in McAllen, TX. On the contrary, they were relax, focused on their competitions, and they were having fun with their peers. For such a large group, accomodation was not a problem, now with this spacious, state of the art Convention Center located conveniatly to hotels, restaurants, and s short driving distance to our downtown district.
This is not the first time we had a large group of this magniture in the McAllen area. That's no mystery, it's affordablity, mid-size city, with a metropolitan feeling to it and mentropolitan amenities. Not to mention, the hospitality and safe ambience if offers to its visitors and residents. Have a great Easter Weekend to all local and out of state viewers. P.S. Annabell, don't forget to feed and groom the cat. Make sure you prepare her for Another Music Festival (Check out the site) http://www.mcallenmusic.com/ April 18-19 is almost around the corner, I heard a lot of cool bands will be there. And you know how much she likes to rock and roll on the carpet. She's somewhere around here...

Chamber Kitten

Hello folks!

In case you have not heard the news.... the Chamber has a new addition. Her name is CC and she is color grey with adorable green eyes. She loves to nap on our desks and chairs while we work and she also likes to go into Nancy's office to sneak some treats!! If you ever stop by our Chamber don't be alarmed if you see a fluffy grey fur ball running around...it's not a RAT...it's just our Chamber Cat! Have a great weekend!

Our Chamber Kitty

We're having a "name the Kitty" contest- if you'd like to submit a suggestion, email me at nmillar@mcallencvb.com. We'll decide in about a week.
Ok- she's solid gray with green eyes, frisky, curious, and absolutely adorable!

Incubator

We had one of the best workshop ever this past Tuesday. Isela Garza held a Scrapbooking workshop that set the bar higher than expected. Make sure and sign up for the Calligraphy workshop on April 14th.
The McAllen Arts Council has an incredible Fine Art Show in the Conference Room of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce. It is free and it is spectactular. You owe it to yourself to come and see this art. There is only one more day left to view and purchase this art, so you have to make it by tomorrow, Friday, April 3rd from 8am to 10pm. It is open in conjunction with Artwalk.
And do not forget Music After Hours Friday night at Archer Park The show starts at 7pm with 3 local bands performing some of McAllens best music.
Another Music Festival is just 2 weeks away, so make sure and catch the 80 bands that will be performing on several stages on south 17th st in the Entertainment District.
Always make sure and check out www.mcallenart.com, www.mcallenchamber.com and www.todaymcallen.com to stay up with all the latest news and entertainment.

Another Music Festival

Another Music Festival--- April 18-19, 2009: annual event
McAllen Music Festival debuts April of 2009. Downtown venues will open their doors to host a variety of live bands from around the country. For two days, attendees will witness the sights and sounds of over 60 bands on 9 stages in Downtown McAllen's Entertainment District on 17th Street. AMF is a music lover's festival.
www.mcallenmusic.com

The Newest Addition to our Family

Hey, everyone! We have a new friendly face at the Chamber: She is a 3-month old tabby cat that we rescued from the Palm Valley Animal Shelter, and she is still nameless. At the moment, she is in her "exploratory" state; jumping around from office to office, leaping on chairs & desks, and finding new places to hide. Usually a rescued animal is timid, but not this one. She is the funniest and fastest cat I've ever seen! As soon as she entered the Chamber she was all over the place! She runs around peeking her head into the various offices to make her presence known.

She is definitely the talk of the office. If you get a chance, stopy by our office and meet our new kitten. We promise we'll give her a name soon.

Calender of Events for McAllen

For some time now, the McAllen Chamber has been posting a "calender of events" on our web page. Now we have created a series of twelve pages, one for each month, and Maritza Munoz, computer superwoman, will post events for each month on these pages and send them to every member hotel. These pages are colorful and appropriate for posting at the front desk. This way, hotel guests can easily see "what's going on" in McAllen and have fun while they are here. Way to go Maritza!

Easter

This weekend, Mexico begins the holiday period of Easter (Semana Santa) and Easter Week (Semana de Pascua), where the majority of the 'Regiomontanos "usually travel to McAllen and South Padre Island.

One way to promote McAllen during this season, is the door hanger promotion that is being delivered in the most exclusive areas of Monterrey, where people have the highest incomes.

This door hanger promotion is also delivered during the Christmas season, so most of the people of Monterrey, visit our office in Casa McAllen, to pick up the Value Card,

We expect good sales in the city of McAllen.