At my Rotary club meeting today, we had a presentation by the owner of the "Town Crier" newspaper. This is a weekly free publication that is delivered each Wednesday. He gave a great overview of the state of the industry and made the point that a large part of the financial "strain" in the industry is caused by a larger than normal level of debt by many papers. Debt service is the biggest financial issue facting newspapers today, which, if they can get past it, will mean that newspapers can be quite profitable even with the challenges posted by the internet and other competition. For us locally, his paper is growing as are many free weeklies across the country. They have incredible penetration and feature local positive news welcomed by their readers. This exempliefies again an advantage of living in the Valley. Our population is growing, our economy is growing, and even our newspaper readership is growing because we are such a desirable retirement community and retirees are among the most prolific newspaper readers in the country.

Se incrementa la franquicia durante el operativo de invierno

Durante el periodo invernal, del 1 de noviembre de 2009 al 10 de enero de 2010, se incrementa la franquicia de 75 a 300 dólares de los Estados Unidos de América, para pasajeros de nacionalidad mexicana que ingresen al país por vía terrestre. Asi que hay que aprovechar las super ofertas de este viernes y hacer las compras de temporada "Navidad".......

Que tengan un excelente y muy productivo martes y un maravilloso Thanksgiving este jueves!!!

Group from Mexico "Greetings from McAllen CVB..."

Last weekend, the McAllen Convention & Visitors Bureau along with La Plaza Mall, greeted a group of enginneers that contract with the Mexican oil company PEMEX, The Ductos de Mexico. The group of over 50 enginneers along with their wifes and husbands came to La Plaza Mall shopping center where they were greeted with complimentary breakfast and souvenior bags. The group was delighted to come to McAllen and to be greeted in such fashion.

Elda Laura Cerda, Directora Consultoría en Gestión de Destinos, provided transportation and arranged the group visit from Monterrey to McAllen along with McAllen CVB. La Plaza Mall staff member Carolina provided on-sight support to the group along with CVB personnel.

Candle Light Posada 2009 Around the Corner...Get Ready!

December 4th-5th, is "Candle-Light Posada 2009" with a parade happening on Dec. 4th (Friday), at 7 p.m. in downtown McAllen going towards Archer Park. The event will be happening on Dec. 4th (Friday) from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and on Dec. 5th (Saturday) from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Archer Park. Come join the festivities, it's a family event. Food, christmas entertainment, games, and much more.

Archer Park is located: 100 North Main Street, McAllen, Texas between Broadway and Main Streets, north of Business Hwy 83, and south of Beech Street.

Children Thanksgiving Event!

The McAllen Library is hosting the "Thanksgiving Pick-A-Craft" on Tuesday November 24th! Calling all kids! Join us on November 24 at 6:00PM for a great time making Indian headbands and dream catchers. Come prepared to use your creative skills. All children are welcome. Hosted by Alma Lovelace, Children's Dept.

Tuesday November 24, 2009
6:00 PM to 7:00 PM

It is at 601 N. Main St, McAllen

Shopping in McAllen

On Wednesday and Thursday this week I was in McAllen, where I had several meetings with all departments of the Chamber, of course I also had the opportunity to do shopping and I saw that in the Plaza Mall there are lots of deals.

Moreover, last Wednesday 4 buses with urologists doctors visited McAllen to do shopping, whom contacted through Casa McAllen and Teo Rojas.

Heart of the Valley Health and Wellness Fair

The McAllen Chamber of Commerce Health Fair Committee invites everyone in the Rio Grande Valley to participate in the 26th annual “Heart of the Valley” Health Fair, Sunday, November 22, 2009 from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the New McAllen Convention Center.


The Chamber sponsors this event to promote health awareness and education to the community. Through the fair we are able to inform the community about the latest treatments, procedures, services and technology available in the Rio Grande Valley.


Exhibitors at the health fair will offer free health screenings in cholesterol, diabetes, blood pressure, vision/glaucoma, dental, chiropractic and bone density as well as educational information. Over 6,000 Rio Grande Valley residents and Winter Texans take advantage of all the services offered at the health fair every year. The health fair also features a children’s section promoting health and wellness in children. Contests are held with door prizes being awarded to the best coloring contest participant in three different age categories and to the child that makes a Hole-In-One at the Miniature Golf contest. Entertainment is provided for children as well as health and safety education.


The McAllen Chamber of Commerce “Heart of the Valley” health fair is the largest health fair in the Rio Grande Valley and is an excellent opportunity for health care businesses to promote their business. For complete details about the health fair or for booth reservation information, contact Laura Robles at the McAllen Chamber of Commerce at (956) 682-2871.

So much to buy, so little time...

I love this time of year for many reasons- the coolish weather, the fact that people just seem to be generally happier the closer it gets to the holidays... and of course that I have a legitimate excuse to go shopping!

Usually by now I have most of the Christmas shopping done, but I guess I've been lazy this year. Actually, it may pay off for me in the long run to have procrastinated- so many of the McAllen stores are having sales now. And of course this mandatory shopping and hitting sales is the best!

We have lots of shopping choices in McAllen, from the big well-known stores to the unique one of a kind types where you can find the offbeat- or at least unusual- gifts. That's handy for me because offbeat and unusual gifts will really match many of my family and friends.

Anyway, I'm thinking maybe some arts and crafts types of gifts this year. We have lots of very talented artists here. But then again, clothing is always a hit too. And electronics of course for several will be a must.

Yep, it's going to be a great Christmas shopping seasonin McAllen!

Last week my wife Joyce and I put up our Christmas decorations. This is a week long task because of the amount of decorations we put up. We think of ourselves as the "Griswalds." it all started about 20 years ago when Joyce's father cleaned up his garage and sent us four strings of outside lights. Now it takes us three or four days to assemble everything in our front yard.

There is something about the Rio Grande Valley that makes us do stuff like this. Christmas is full of lights around here. Last week we talked about the Christmas Posada in McAllen with a lighted parade. That same week end-and for four weeks before Christmas-Hidalgo, our sister city just south of us-celebrates its "festival of lights." The whole city hall complex, including the library and other buildings are lit. The grounds surrounding the buildings are lit. The Pump House, just a few blocks from city hall is lit. And I mean LIT! Every year they tell a story, they have childrens' choirs singing carols, they serve meals, they REALLY celebrate Christmas. This is also the week-end for Dias Festivos, which is a "market" at our Convention Center presented by the local Junior League. Truly unique items are for sale by hundreds of vendors. If you are looking for gifts for people hard to buy for, this is the place.

All of this makes the first week-end in December a truly great time to come to McAllen. For more information about these events or any others, give me a call at 956-682-2871 or email me at jdeuser@mcallencvb.com. Come join us!

Artist Studio Available at McAllen Creative Incubator

We are currently taking application for an available art studio at the McAllen Creative Incubator. The Incubator houses artists and art organizations of different art disciplines. Our goal is to provide low cost studio space for start-up and emerging artists. Tenats are required to sign a contract and submit a business plan. For more information regarding this available studio, please contact Greg Schuller at 956-687-2787.

MUSIC AFTER HOURS

Music After Hours is tonight from 7 to 10 pm at Archer Park in McALLEN! It is FREE to the public. So bring chairs, a blanket, or picnic and enjoy some great music in this great weather!


Thanks!
-Pam

CHRISTMAS DOOR HANGER PROMOTION

The McAllen Chamber of Commerce is getting ready to do one more Door Hanger Christmas promotion in the Monterrey metropolitan area. The promotion consists of a bag full of shopping information such as special discounts, hotel rates and restaurant information for Mexican shopper. This is one way McAllen Chamber welcomes our south of the border friends.

Thank you,

Annual Banquet

Last Friday we were at the Annual Banquet of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and had an opportunity to work with our dear partners and chat with some of the members. The music and atmosphere were very nice and the food exquisite.
In our visit to McAllen we were shopping on Saturday and saw the Mall and all the business area were full, many of the cars were people of Monterrey and I`m sure this weekend will be full too, because is a long weekend for Mexicans.

Walking with Dinosaurs at the Dodge Arena in Hidalgo (5 minutes from McAllen, Texas)

After 65 Million Years, the Dinosaurs are BACK!

Come see these amazing creatures at the Dodge Arena from November 13-15, 2009.

Get your tickets via Ticketmaster or by calling 956-668-7740


I look forward to seeing you there!
Ernie Arredondo
Director of Convention Sales and Servicing
McAllen Convention & Visitors Bureau
McAllen Chamber of Commerce
Cell 956-240-8033

Fin de semana largo para Mexico......

Este 16 de Noviembre sera de asueto para Mexico,, asi que muchos de nosotro aprovecharemos el "puente" (fin de semana largo) para hacer las primersa compras de navidad,, recordando que tenemos que hacer la reservacion de nuestro hotel primero que nada para asegurar nuestra estadia.
En McAlen tendran muchisimas ofertas y cosas divinas de esta temporada de otoño-invierno y por supuesto la tan esperada Navidad!!! espero cincidir con muchos de usedes y si desean ya saben,, informacion de hoteles,, restaurantes,, que ver y que hacer en McAllen,, no olviden visitar Casa McAllen,, estamos para ayudarlos y orientarlos con los mejores lugares de McAllen, para hacer shopping,, visitar,, y pasar una hermosa estadia en nuestra bella ciudad..

Les dejo nuestra direccion para mas informacion:

Casa McAllen
Ave. Fundidora No. 501
Edif. Cintermex loc 104 PN
Col. Obrera
Monterrey, N.L.
casamcallen@prodigy.net.mx
Tel: (81) 8369-6450
Fax:(81) 8369-6434

Que tengan un maravilloso martes!!!

Walking With Dinosaurs

Walking with Dinosaurs starts this Friday night at the Dodge Arena. It's a real blast from the past! Good for kids and adults- don't miss it! Tickets at the box office and at www.ticketmaster.com.

Thursday Lunch

Last Thursday, Nancy Millar and I decided to "do" lunch. We have a few favorite places, but are always up to trying someplace new. This time, we headed up 10th street and found ourselves at the Korea Garden restaurant (3424 N. 10th). I think we were the only customers there for lunch. The menu is definitely not your typical Valley fare. I don't know that I could pronounce any of the names of any of the dishes, but the descriptions are in English and are numbered. Nancy chose a vegetarian variety of one of the dishes and I chose N1, a dish composed of noodles, vegetables and shrimp. When our order came out, it was accompanied by three small side dishes: green beans in a spicy sauce, bean sprouts, and Kim-chi ( a Korean cabbage dish). All were good and not too hot for my taste buds. Nancy said she had had the dish she ordered at another restaurant and this was definitely better.

When we left there, we still had room for dessert, so we headed further up 10th street and stopped at Euro Gelato ( corner of 10th & Violet). For those of you unfamiliar with gelato, it is the Italian version of ice cream. It contains most of the same ingredients of regular ice cream, except there are no eggs, and it is processed with less air, so it is denser and to my palate, smoother. They have quite a variety of flavors and you can get different size dishes ( based on the number of scoops) We decided not to be too decadent and went for the 3-dipper. You can either do all one flavor or mix and match, which is what I did. I choose a pumpkin pie flavor, then topped it with a bourbon vanilla and finally, a cappuccino flavor. It ended up tasting like a piece of pie with whipped cream and a coffee all in one dish.

I had not been to either of these restaurants before, but they have both been added to my "Do-over" list. If anybody is looking for a good Korean food, or a tasty dessert, check out either place.

The McAllen Chamber is getting ready to welcome a group of engineers from Ductos de Mexico a company that supplies Pemex. The group will be in McAllen for a workshop and after the workshop is over they are planning to go shopping in La Plaza Mall and other shopping areas of McAllen. We a having more groups coming to McAllen from different parts of Mexico. We welcome these groups and wish them good luck.

Thank you,

McAllen Weather

The weather this time of year is perfect! I love the coolness of the evenings, just right for a walk or even just sitting outside on the patio and enjoying a good conversation with a glass of wine. I think it must be getting down into the 60's in the evenings, which, for those of us who live in this climate, means it's sweater weather. We can break out those warm clothes we hardly ever get to use!
The days are sunny and bright, with clear skies and temperatures in the low 80's. The palm trees still wave, the Mexican Poincianas, Esperanzas and other colorful trees are blooming- still or again- it's all a daily reminder of how lucky we are to be surrounded by all this natural beauty!

Be A Part of The Rio Grande Valley’s Only Marathon! - December 12, 2009

The Rio Grande Valley’s Only Marathon!

McAllen, Texas

Health & Fitness Expo: Saturday

•Saturday, December 12, 2009

Race Day:
•Sunday, December 13, 2009
2006 Race Demographics: 500
2007 Race Demographics: 1,051
2008 Race Demographics: 1,250

Fiesta Marathon History

In December 2006 at the first annual Fiesta Marathon & Relay Marathon, held at the Dodge Arena in Hidalgo, Texas featured a health and fitness expo, 5K run/walk, 1-mile kids’ race and a Winter Texan Marathon. The event was an overwhelming success, with 500 runners crossing the finish line. All proceeds totaling $5,000 benefited McAllen charities.

In December 2007, the Fiesta Marathon & Relay Marathon continued it’s success and reached it’s record goal with 1,051 participants crossing the finish line. The events were held at the McAllen Convention Center in McAllen, Texas raising more than 9,000 to benefit local charities

In December 2008, the 3rd Annual Event success out did last year by bringing 1,250 participants on race day. A total of $12,000 were rasied to benefit Palmer Drug Abuse Program.


Running For A Mission!
The Fiesta Marathon & Relay Marathon strives to promote and produce health and fitness activities
for people of all ages and to make a difference by supporting local charities in our community. All proceeds in the past three years have benefited Mcallen Track and Field Association, The RGV Junior Volleyball Olympic Team, School Based physical education programs, The International Interact Rotary Organization, The Vannie Cook Foundation, Upward Basketball Program, Palmer Drug Abuse Program, The Comfort House Services and The Junior league of McAllen.

The 2008 Races!
26.2 Mile Marathon – Start Time 6:30 A.M.- Sunday, December 13, 2009
5-Man Team Relay Marathon - Start Time 6:30 A.M. – Sunday, December 13, 2009
Half Marathon – Start Time 6:30 A.M. – Sunday, December 13, 2009
5K Fiesta Run and Walk – Start Time 7:30 A.M.- Sunday, December 13, 2009
1Mile Kids’ Race – Start Time 9:00 A.M.- Saturday, December 13, 2009

Major Race Sponsors!
TXU Energy, South Texas Vo-Tech, Little Caesars

Be a part of OUR team!
Race Incentives:
o The Fiesta Marathon is a Boston Marathon Qualifier!
o Race Results posted immediately!
o Online registration available.
o Finisher photos available to all participants.
o Schools can compete for 1st., 2nd, and 3rd place trophies.
o Items will be raffled off to race participants

Holidays are Here

What an interesting time it is to live in McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley. Along with the cooler weather comes the Holidays, Artwalk and Music After Hours. All of these lead up to Candlelight Posada, our own unique celebration of Christmas. In it's 27th year, this year's Candlelight Posada is shaping up to be another huge family oriented event with parades, entertainment, fun, games and food. This years event will take place on Friday, December 4th and Saturday, December 5th. We hope to see all of you there with your family and friends

Heart of the Valley Health & Wellness Fair 2009

On November 22, 2009 (Sunday) at the McAllen Convention Center from 8 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. the McAllen Chamber of Commerce will be having it's Annual Heart of the Valley Health & Wellness Fair. For more information: http://www.mcallen.org/Chamber-News/1005678
There will be various booths providing useful health information and screenings such as: Choloesterol, Diabetes, Blood Pressure, etc.

If you are a health care business and may be interested in taking part of these event contact the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and ask fordetails on how to purchase a booth space. Spaces are limited so call now at: 956-682-2871. It will be a good way to promote your health business and give a little bit to the McAllen community.