Cumbia Dance Workshop

Friday marks the beginning of 2010, a new year and the opportunity to make resolutions for the new year. What better resolution than to learn new dances. This year the McAllen Creative Incubator is offering FREE introduction to Cumbia, Waltz, Salsa & Merengue, Line Dancing and Belly Dancing Workshops. All of these are 1 hours classes and are offered throughout the year. To see when these dance classes are being offered or to sign up for them, please contact Greg Schuller at 956-687-2787.

McAllen Convention & Visitors Bureau Celebrates Record Number of Conventions in 2009!!!

Well, today is December 29, 2009 and 2010 is right around the corner.

2009 has been an amazing year!!!!

Here is the list of some wonderful city-wide conventions that were held at the

New McAllen Convention Center in 2009:



1) Texas Health Occupation Students of America

2) Catholic Daughters of the Americas

3) American Legion of Texas

4) State Fireman & Fire Marshals of Texas

5) Texas State Chess Scholastic Championships

6) Texas Association of Sports Officials

7) Texas Association of Mexican-American Chambers of Commerce

8) Episcopal Diocese of West Texas

9) American Association of Airport Executives

10) National Association of Hispanic Publications

11) Southwestern Texas Synod



I would like to thank everyone that made these conventions possible in the Great City of McAllen!!!

Happy New Year!

Ernie Arredondo
Director of Sales
McAllen Convention & Visitors Bureau

McAllen named one of US's safest cities

According to Farmer's Indurance- and they should know- McAllen is one of the country's safest cities. See www.bestplaces.net for details.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

This is the best time to live in McAllen- the weather is gorgeous, the shopping's fantastic, and the people are even more warm and friendly than usual, which is really saying something since warm and friendly is what we're known for. I hope everyone has the happiest holiday season ever!

Seasons Greeting from the Incubator

It has been an incredible year here at the McAllen Creative Incubator. The number of activities has increased, the number of people attending them has increases and this has led to an increase in the quality of events. We held our first Graffit Art Show in February. The McAllen Arts Council's Board of Directors have had a strong first year. Our CAES workshop continue to draw big crowds. McAllen was designated a Cultural District by the the Texas Commission on the Arts. The ArtE Magazine is back and stronger than ever. All in all I have to say that it has been a stellar year and I am looking forward to next year to continue to grow and further all types of Art in McAllen.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Greg Schuller
Director of Cultural Arts

FELIZ NAVIDAD,,,

En esta ocasión les comentare lo que vi este pasado
fin de semana en mi visita a McAllen, Claro!!! nuestras tiendas
preferidas llenísimas de Regios comprando y eligiendo delicadamente lo mejor
para regalar o para ellos mismos, esta vez no veía tiendas solamente,
admiraba la unión de las familias Regias hasta para hacer shopping…

Veía las caritas de asombro al ver a los niños diciendo este mamy, este es papy
este es el que le encargue a Santa!!!!!!!

Al marido en un tanto de complicidad con los hijos comprando el regalo
a escondidas de su esposa,, regalo que “subliminalmente” ya les hemos
mencionado en el transcurso del mes, verdad amigas??? , así como los abuelitos adorados
que aparte de regalarles tanto amor a los nietos durante todo el año, esta época
es especial para ellos,, ya que con nada se compara el ver la cara de felicidad de los nietos al
recibir el presente de los amados abuelitos!!!!.
No se sientan mal amigos, ya que también nosotras nos damos nuestras habilidades para comprarles su regalo especial,,, Claro!! cargándolo a sus tarjetas de crédito jajajjajja, no se crean, saben que también para nosotras es todo un ritual el saber que quieren de regalo.
Pero no solamente son los regalos de la familia, sino el de los abuelitos, el del novio, la novia, los amigos, los compadres, el ahijado (s) el intercambio etc... realmente las listas son cada vez mas largas…

Saben, estando en McAllen y enfocándome en nuestros sentimientos, me di cuenta
de que McAllen es mágico!!!! Para cualquier lado que volteara a ver, solo veía rostros de ilusión
de alegría, vi a personas realmente felices, con sus bolsas llenas, mas que de presentes, llenas de de hermosos sentimientos de amor para todos sus seres queridos.

Es por eso que McAllen es mágico!!!!

En esta época de Navidad en la que nuestros sentimientos
Afloran, expresando los mejores deseos para
todos nuestros seres queridos, me gustaría que cada uno de sus
hogares estén llenos de Armonía, Dicha y Paz

Feliz Navidad, Prospero Año Nuevo y Nos vemos en Mcallen……

Que tengan un lindo martes!!!

Happy Holidays

Just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I was with a friend friday afternoon doing some shopping and we ended up at Sam's. For anyone who hasn't finished ( or begun) their Christmas shopping, they have some pretty good deals. I saw a bunch of books that I wouldn't mind getting. - Might go back and buy MY present. I noticed they had a variety of ready made snack trays. There were some that just had cheeses and others that had veggies and dips. Add a bottle of wine - and you have a ready made party. Finally, Candy - OMG - One could OD on all of the chocolate gift boxes they had. I hope everybody enjoys their holiday and Ho, Ho, Ho

McAllen-Edinburg-Mission Region Ranked 12 Safest in U.S.

Austin Business Journal - December 18, 2009 /austin/stories/2009/12/14/daily55.html

Friday, December 18, 2009, 11:42am CST

Austin-Round Rock safest in U.S.
Austin Business Journal

The Austin-Round Rock region is the most “secure” large metropolitan in the U.S., according to a ranking by Farmers Insurance Group of Companies released Thursday.

The report compares crime, extreme weather, risk of natural disasters, housing depreciation, foreclosures, air quality, terrorist threats, environmental hazards, life expectancy and job loss data for 379 U.S. municipalities with populations of more than 500,000.

Officials said high job growth and minimal housing depreciation contributed to Austin’s top rating. The area ranked 15th among large metropolitan areas in the 2008

El Paso and the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission region on Texas also made the list, coming in 8th and 12th respectively. Killeen-Temple ranked 12th safest of mid-sized cities with 150,000 to 500,000 and Midland is the 11th most secure of small towns of less than 150,000.

All contents of this site © American City Business Journals Inc. All rights reserved.

Christmas Party

This Friday we will be in the McAllen Chamber Christmas Party and have the opportunity to share with our colleagues our best wishes for 2010. By the way, we will cross through the Anzalduas Bridge in order to explain more clearly to people from Monterrey who has been calling to our office asking where Anzalduas Bridge is located.


See you later

Last night my wife Joyce and I took our fourth dance lesson from Dewayne and Nancy Baldwin. So far we have learned about six or seven steps in waltz, foxtrot, cha cha cha and rumba. We have taken quite a few lessons over the years, but never have we had such good teachers and Dewayne and Nancy. They make it seem so easy! We are meeting with up to ten other couples once a week at the McAllen Creative Incubator. We meet on Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 and the cost is $10 per couple per lesson. We "pay as we go" so if we miss a class, we don't pay. After last night there's a two week hiatus for the Holidays with classes resuming on January 7th. There is room for more couples, so if anybody is interested, they can call the Incubator at 956-687-2787 to sign up. Even if you missed some of the first classes, it's ok because we start a new dance almost every week. Dewayne and Nancy are terrific at giving individual attention while the rest are practicing, so they can help you no matter what level you are. For more information you can also call Jim Deuser at the Chamber at 956-682-2871

International Travel Show Jan. 8 & 9, 2010 See You There...

We are getting closer to 2010 and much closer to our Annual International Travel Show hosted by the McAllen Chamber of Commerce at the new McAllen Convention Center located on Ware Rd & Exp. 83. The event is a two day event staring on January 8, 2010 (Friday) and January 9, 2010 (Saturday). It's free admissions and a good way to gather information on travel/tours from a variety of travel agencies from the U.S. and Mexico.

McAllen International Travel Show Over 100 Exhibitors & Travel Agents! Showcase Destinations and Attractions from around the World! Free and Open to the Public! For more information on this event please contact Jim Deuser at 956-682-2871.

Shopping days running out- yikes!

I'm running out of shopping days, and still have some work to do. Fortunately, there are so many wonderful choices of places to go for great deals in McAllen. I'm not kidding- it seems like everyone has specials right now. I guess sometimes it pays to procrastinate! Plus, every restaurant I pass seems to be calling my name. What's up with that? Too many choices!!

NEW US/MEXICO BRIDGE CROSSING

The new Anzalduas International Bridge open Tuesday December 15. With this new addition in crossing, our friends from Mexico will have a faster way to get to McAllen. In a region that depends heavily on cross-border trade, comes the Anzaludas International Bridge, America's newest border crossing into Mexico.

The Anzalduas International Bridge crossing will directly connect McAllen Texas to industrial hub of Reynosa, Tamaulipas. It will offer a quicker and safer route for shoppers and visitors crossing the border. Anzaludas will become the most efficient way for traffic from northern Mexico to reach.S. highways from the McAllen MSA-the 9th best city for recession recovery (Forbes 2009)

See you in McAllen.

Teo Rojas

Get Busy, Get to the Incubator

Winter in the Rio Grande Valley, cold and wet. The kind of weather that makes people think that there is nothing to do. But you are so wrong. Get up, get in your car and come to the McAllen Creative Incubator where you can enjoy any number of things like Ballroom Dance Classes, Yoga, Zumba high imact workouts, pottery and sculpting, oil painting or even catch a local band or a play. We always have something to do here whether it is hot, cold, dry or wet, we will never let you down. For information on what is happening at the Incubator, contact Greg Schuller at 956-687-2787 or visit us online at www.mcallenart.com.

Get Ready for the 2010 New Year’s Eve Bash

City of McAllen


Heart of the City Director Alida Hernandez and McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez unveiled preliminary plans for the 2010 New Year’s Eve Bash and Ball Drop, Tuesday.

The event, coordinated by Heart of the City and hundreds of McAllen City employees, is expected to top the 2009 bash. Party goers from all over South Texas and northern Mexico have been invited to the grand celebration.

"This particular event is unequaled in McAllen. There is no event like it, in terms of size,” Rodriguez said in his opening comments, at a morning press conference.

McAllen’s 2010 New Year’s Eve Bash and Ball Drop, likened to the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop in New York, will be held on Thursday, December 31st, from 7 pm to 1 am.

Pertinent Facts
· New Year’s ball is 2 ½ times bigger; 15 feet in diameter

· In addition to 21 clubs and restaurants on 17th Street, event features 40 food booths & live bands

· Tickets available for VIP dinner atop city parking garage, through Heart of the City at 686-4357.

· Ball drop on Main & Beaumont, Bash Along 17th Street

· Carnival attraction for children on 15th Street, near Sacred Heart Church

· Event site between Bicentennial and 12th and between Erie and Business 83

· Parking inside event site to close beginning at 7 PM

· 2 free Park-N-Ride sites available (old Civic Center, 10th & Exp 83 and old Walmart, 23rd & Nolana)

· 20 city buses will shuttle attendees to and from event

· Alcoholic beverages sold and consumed inside 17th Street venues and 2 beer gardens, only. Beer gardens at 17th and Chicago and at 16th and Beaumont. Only plastic containers allowed.


CITY OF MCALLEN

Puente Anzalduas

El puente internacional Anzalduas hoy inicia operaciones y está abierto al tránsito vehicular desde las 6:00 de hoy.
Se menciona que este cruce fronterizo, el tercero que unirá al valle de Texas con Reynosa, cuenta con tecnología de punta, además de instalaciones administrativas y módulos de migración construidos en unas 70 hectáreas.
La apertura de este nuevo cruce, cuyo horario será de 6:00 a 22:00 los siete días de la semana, permitirá agilizar la internación y salida tanto a territorio mexicano como estadunidense y facilitará el acceso del tránsito vehicular a la autopista Reynosa-Monterrey sin incursionar en el are a urbana de Reynosa...Ahora nos ahorraremos dinero y tiempo al hacer nuestro shopping en McAllen!!!

Que tengan un excelente martes..............

Christmas Shopping in McAllen

I went to La Plaza Mall yesterday during my lunch hour to finalize my Christmas list. I was surprise at how many people had the same idea as me!! As I walked down the aisles of the mall, I couldn't help but notice all the sales the different stores had going on. I am officially done with my Christmas shopping and still have a little pocket money leftover. The beautiful Christmas decorations all over the mall really get you in the Christmas spirit....there is nothing like shopping in McAllen during the Christmas holidays!

Wow! we had a "cold snap" last week-end with temperatures in the 30's. The good news is that it lasted only one day and we were back in the 50's, 60's, and 70's within a day. I have a sweater with me, but haven't put it on yet today. I was talking to some friends in Oklahoma this morning. It's below zero there today. Brrrrr.

I've got a golf game planned for 10:30 tomorrow-just another day in paradise.

For more information about our weather and things to do, call me at 956-682-2871 or email me at jdeuser@mcallencvb.com.

Incubator Helps Give To The Needy

We are always ready to help at the Incubator and this week we are happy to be part of a very unique, fun and worthy event. Friday, December 11th, Hannah Flicker, a local high school student, in association with Tom's Shoes will be having a Style Your Sole event. Everybody who purchases a ticket will recieve a pair of white canvas shoes that they will have the opportunity to paint and decorate anyway that they see fit. The event will feature local artists, musicians and food. Renee's of Sharyland will be here as well selling Tom's shoes to anyone who did not get their tickets purchased in advance. And the best part is that for every pair of shoes sold at this event, a pair of shoes will be given to a child in need by Tom's Shoes. Please take a minute to check out this link and see what a wonderful thing these events are. Thank you Hannah Flicker and Tom's Shoes. Go to http://www.sc2000.net/~schelllaw/toms.shoes/

McAlleando

Hola a todos,, los invito a que se unan a McAlleando en facebook y asi podamos compartir comentarios o simplemente te enteres de lo que acontece dia a dia en esta hermosa Ciudad!!!!
correo: mcalleando@hotmail.com

Muy pronto viene Navidad y si aun no tienes los regalos,, apurate!!! tenemos muchisimas ofertas, asi como todo lo que necesitas para esta temporada....

Nos vemos en McAllen!!!!

Que tengan un lindo martes.............

McAlleando

Hola a todos,, me da gusto saludarlos e invitarles a que se unan a "McALLEANDO" en facebook ya que podras hacer comentarios y ver novedades de esta hermosisima ciudad,,, vamos a McALLEAR y enterate de lo mas actual mediante este link.....

No Excuses for Bah Humbug

Season's Greetings.
Hopefully this past weekend's foul weather didn't turn you into Scrooge. Never fear if it did. There are a number of events around McAllen between now and Dec 24th that should help get you back in the mood and keep you there.

Tues. Dec. 8 - McAllen Symphonic Band "Christmas Around the World" concert @ 7:30 pm @ the McAllen Civic Center Auditorium ( 1300 S. 10th). Tickets: $5.00 available @ tickets@mcallentownband.com or call 956-783-6687.
Also on the 8th - Free Cookie Decorating Class at the McAllen Creative Incubator. (1001 S. 16th) 7:00 pm. All materials provided. And the best part, you can eat your mistakes!

Dec. 10 - 13 - First Baptist Church of McAllen's Christmas Pageant. Held in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church of McAllen @ 1200 Beech. Over 50 densely lit Christmas trees computer choreographed and synchronized, create a light show like no other. Performances: Dec 10 @ 7:00pm, Dec. 11 @ 7:00 pm, Dec. 12 @ 2:30pm and 7:00pm, Dec. 13 2 2:30pm and 7:00pm. Tickets: $5-8-10 available at the pageant ticket office.

Dec. 12-13 - RVG Ballet's 3th Annual Presentation of The Nutcracker. Performances at the McAllen Civic Center Auditorium. Dec. 12 - 7:00pm, Dec. 13 - 2:00pm. Tickets available at www.eztixx.com

Dec. 19-20 - Dance Conservatory of McAllen presents The Nutcracker. At the McAllen Civic Center Auditorium. Performances: Dec. 19 - 2:00pm & 7:00pm, Dec. 20 - 2:00pm. Tickets on salae at the door 1-hr before performance or in advance at the conservatory (956-682-7417) or thru PayPal.

Dec. 11, 14-18 - IBC school choirs. Performances @ IBC main branch lobby at One South Broadway. Dec. 11 10:15 am Sam Houston Elem., Dec. 14 - Travis Middle school, 11:00am, Wilson Elem, 1:00pm, Gonzalez Elem, 4:30pm. Dec. 15 - Castaneda Elem, 10:00am. Dec. 16 - Travis Middle School, 10:00am. Dec. 17 - Cathy Middle School, 10:00am. Dec. 18, DeLeon Middle School, 10:00am. Phone 956-686-0263 for more info.

McAllen Heritage Center(301 S. Main)(956-687-1904): Christmas Stocking Decorating contest: Every Saturday before Christmas with judging and prizes awarded on Dec. 23rd. Story sessions beginning @ 2:00pm on Dec. 19th, Christmas classic movies shown throughout the month. Gonzalez Elem choir 4pm, Dec. 17th, Local musician Cesar Peralez - 2-4pm Dec 23 & 1:30-3:30pm Dec.24.

McAllen Libraries: Activities at all three branches of the McAllen Library throughout the month of December. Calendar of Events available at www.mcallenlibrary.net.

Thru Dec. 31 - IMAS Christmas tree forest "The Music of Christmas" 28 trees decorated according to a popular Christmas song fill the Welcome Pavilion. Museum Hrs: Closed Mon., T, W, F, Sat. - 9am-5pm, Thur. - 9am-8pm, Sun. 1-5pm. Admission: $4.00 Children, $5 students and senior, and $7.00 adults. Additional info 956-682-1564.

I hope you have a chance between shopping, wrapping presents and chug-a-lugging eggnog to go check out some of these events. 'Tis the Season.

Candlelight Posada Cancelled for Friday Night

Due to bad weather the event for tonight has been cancelled. The festivities for Saturday will continue. Please join us on Saturday for the procession, great food and entertainment!

27th Annual Candlelight Posada

The McAllen Chamber of Commerce and the City of McAllen Parks & Recreation Department invite you to the 27th Annual Candlelight Posada on December 4th & 5th at Archer Park.The fun starts with a lighted Christmas parade and the lighting of the Christmas tree on Friday evening and continues throughout the evening with plenty of entertainment for the entire family. Join in singing along with the nativity procession of the re-enactment of Mary & Joseph seeking shelter on Saturday evening. There is plenty in store for the entire family, including over 30 taste-tempting food booths. Join us December 4th & 5th.

Candlelight Posada

Tomorrow and Saturday McAllen will celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season with the 26th annual Candlelight Posada, a family event that meshes holiday traditions of both the U.S. and Mexico. Thousands of McAllen area residents and visitors join together in Archer Park to enjoy food, music, and the holiday spirit.
Friday is the annual lighted parade down Main Street, culminating with the lighting of the City Christmas Tree. And Saturday is the actual "posada," an event that welcomes participants and spectators. It's a stylized reinactment of Mary and Joseph's search for an inn. People are invited to walk along with the couple (Mary rides a burro) and sing Christmas songs in both English and Spanish. Finally, when they arrive at the Main Stage, there is a reading, also in both languages, of the scripture. It's a beautiful event.
Both evenings also feature live entertainment, Santa available for photos, and special activity areas for children and for teens. And the food is fantastic! Local non-profit organizations sell everything from turkey legs and tacos to funnel cakes and pizza.
The event is free, and guaranteed to get you in the Christmas spirit. I hope you'll join us!

Cooler Weather = Activities at the Incubator

As you all know, the weather has changed considerably from the 100 degree days that we had just a few months ago. And with the cooler weather we have added activities at the Incubator to give people things to do. We are presently offering Acting and Drama classes, Yoga, Reiki and Creative Journaling, Zumba classes, Oil Painting classes, Photography classes, Pottery classes and Ballroom Dancing classes. And do not forget our Cultural Arts & Entertainment Series workshops every other Tuesday. So for those of you who say that it is too cold to do anything, keep us in mind. We offer all of these classes in an Air Conditioned comfort of the McAllen Creative Incubator. Call Greg Schuller at (956) 687-2787.

The Best Little Office Party in Texas

The Best Little Office Party in Texas

This year say “Bah Humbug” to the traditional office party and make plans for your group to attend the McAllen Convention Center’s “Best Little Office Party in Texas!” A holiday celebration where small offices from all over the valley come together for one big party! Holiday parties are great motivators for employees and an excellent way to show how much you appreciate their dedication to the job. “The Best Little Office Party in Texas” offers employers a lavish event without the additional stress of the party planning. You and other small offices will enjoy an elegant setting complete with glittering holiday decorations, a spectacular spread of world-class food, and fantastic, show-stopping entertainment! Tickets are just $60.00 a person. Join us December 11, 2009 for what we hope will be your best office party ever! For more information: (956) 681-3800.

Christmas shopping

As usual, last weekend was a lot of people from Monterrey to make their shopping the day after Thanksgiving and as of this date, all weekend there will be many Regiomontanos in all the malls doing their Christmas shopping.

Last week end I took my son and his family (which includes two of the greatest grandchildren in the world) to Rancho El Charco which is located in La Joya just a few miles west of McAllen. Rancho El Charco is a "magical place" located on 180 acres next to Walker lake. There is a great restaurant right over the water, an adjacent outdoor stage area featuring frequent live entertainment, and for the kids a wagon ride through the property where they can see deer, exotic animals from Africa, a long horn steer, and other wildlife. The property also features its own naturalist who conducts walking and "golf cart" nature tours. We saw a really cool desert tortoise that we get to pick up and pet, a bunch of javelinas, bunnies, and peacocks and other wild life as well. We would love to tell you more about this great place that I have visited several times and I'm already looking forward to my next adventure there. For more information about Rancho El Charco, call me at the Chamber at 956-682-2871.

Diciembre.....

Y en muchas casas ya se deja ver el espiritu Navideño con la presencia del tradicional pinito,,, y en McAllen se hara presente esta hermosa tradicion, con el encendido del Pino de Navidad este viernes 4 de diciembre, asi como tambien habra desfile y platillos de comidas mexicanas....
Se trata de la tradicional "Candlelight Posada" que inicia este viernes y sabado en el Archer Park,, es un evento totalmente familiar al cual estan todos cordialmente invitados!!!!

Que tengan un excelente martes....