McAllen's Vida Verde Earth Day Festival this Saturday at Quinta Mazatlan

For all nature enthusiasts, here is one festival you don't want to miss. Live shows, crafts, etc. Check out the website for more information about the event schedule. It's a "green" thing. McAllen, Texas's Vida Verde Earth Day Festival! Celebrate the wonders of Planet Earth during the third annual VIDA VERDE Earth Day Festival at Quinta Mazatlan! People of all ages will enjoy FREE festival activities all day long. Date: Saturday, April 17, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. FREE! http://www.quintamazatlan.com/events/special/vidaverde.aspx

Broadway in McAllen & Other Area Shows...

Mcallen has a little bit of everthing it's convention centers cater to conventions, concerts, and braodway "type" shows. I went to an ANNIE show last year and there have been numerous shows like that, such as CATS and today & tommorrow STOMP will be there. for more information: http://www.mcallenconventioncenter.net/events/featured/civic_auditorium/stomp.aspx

If we take a 5 minute drive south of 10th St. from McAllen airport/mall area, you will run into another entertinment venue, the State Farm Arena, formally known as Dodge Arena. This week, Disney on Ice will be there on April 7-11, 2010. For more information: http://statefarmarena.com/

International Food Festival & Music After Hours on March 26 & 27, 2010

The McAllen Chamber of Commerce, 2010 International Food Festival is almost here. If you need tickets, you can get them at the McAllen Chamber of Commerce or buy them at the entrance on the day of the event, March 25, 2010 (Thursday) 6 P.M. to 9 P.M. Tickets are $15 per person and children under 10 years of age get in for free.

This (Friday), March 26, 2010, live entertainment "Music After Hours" outside the McAllen Convention Center, from 6 P.M.-10 P.M. Located on Ware Rd & Expressway 83 in McAllen. I attended one of this events a few weeks back and I'm pretty sure you will enjoy the sounds of the local artists, they are quite good. Escape your routine and have a relaxing day outside the Convention Center complex and enjoy some free music.

Vida Verde Earth Day Festival

Celebrate the wonders of Planet Earth during the third annual VIDA VERDE Earth Day Festival at Quinta Mazatlan!
People of all ages will enjoy FREE festival activities all day long!
Date: Saturday, April 17, 2010Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.Fee: FREE!


Attractions:
Live Birds of Prey Show
Experience a close encounter with live eagles, hawks, falcons and owls with Jonathan Wood & The Raptor Project
Live Reptile Show
Take a look into the wild world of giant snakes, alligators, and huge turtles with Danny Conner and his amazing Reptile Adventures.
Rock’n roll with Eco-Elvis
The king of green is in the building! Enjoy your favorite Elvis hits with a twist like Compost Hotel, Viva las Vegans & Earth Day Rock
Plus a Marketplace of Activities
Eco-Arts & Craft
Discovery Green Expo
Earth Art Show & Sale
Music & Entertainment
Food Court
AND MUCH MORE!


Bring the entire family for some good “green” fun living la vida verde! Sponsorship, Partnership and Volunteer Opportunities Available!
Contact Leslie Howland for more information at (956) 681-3370 or lahowland@mcallen.net

The Perfect Weekend in McAllen

It looks like it's going to be a perfect McAllen weekend. With a free outdoor concert early Friday night at Archer Park, and with all the activity in the Entertainment District- great dining and loads more live entertainment later in the evening, it's the perfect opportunity to try out a new place. It seems that every time I turn around there's a new lounge or restaurant opening downtown.

Artwalk tonight!

Don't miss it! Of you've always wondered what it's all about but have never made it out, tonight's the night. The weather is going to be prfect, and the art, music and friends will be at their peaks. See you there!

Valley Symphony Orchestra & Chorale presents

VSO & Winter Concert

Tickets starting @ $15.00

Friday, February 19, 2010

Doors open at 7:30 pm

Concert starts at: 8:00 pm

Not recommended for children under age eight

McAllen Civic Center

1300 S. 10th St, McAllen, TX 78501

Gershwin -- Cuban Overture

Bizet/Shchedrin -- Carmen Suite

Stravinsky -- Symphony of Psalms

Valley Symphony Chorale

Borodin -- Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor

Valley Symphony Chorale

Peter Dabrowski, Music Director & Conductor

Dr. Christopher Munn, Chorale Conductor

Sponsored by: City of McAllen, Texas Commission on the Arts & Valley Keyboards

For more information contact: Valley Symphony Orchestra & Chorale - www.valleyorchestra.org

956-661-1615

Ice skating seminar in McAllen

The Olympics have everyone talking about winter sports. We don't have those sports in McAllen, of course, since we're a semi-tropical area. Here people start pulling out sweaters when it gets down to 70 degrees!
But if you're interested in learning how to ice skate, there's a seminar at Valley Ice Center February 21. Coach Sheila Thelan, who holds a Professional Skaters Association Master Rating, will be teaching on-ice classes and off-ice classes for all levels of figure skaters. Also, she'll offer Powerskating class for adult hockey players.

McAllen in Spring...Field Study of Birds

Spring .....one of the most delightful seasons in the Valley. The weather is mild and the landscape responds with colors & wildlife. Enjoy lectures & day trips, but no tests! We have brought together the best talent creating four outstanding workshops at Quinta Mazatlan.
Join us for the first workshop coming in March!

Raptor Behavior
March 21-27, 2010
$799.00 p/p
Instructor: William S. Clark
Join raptor expert and field guide author Bill Clark for an adventure in search of amazing birds of prey during peak hawk migration through the Rio Grande Valley.

Sunday, March 21
Program: Raptors of the Rio Grande Valley

Monday, March 22
Program: Raptor ID I
Field trip: Bentsen State Park

Tuesday, March 23
Program: Raptor ID II
Program: What is Harlan's Hawk?
Field trip: Anzalduas Park and boat trip on the Rio Grande

Wednesday, March 24
Program: Raptor ID III
Field trip: Santa Ana NWR and Valley
Agriculture Fields

Thursday, March 25
Program: Raptor ID IV & V
Field Trip: Laguna Atascosa NWR, Boca Chica and the Laguna Madre

Friday, March 26
Program: Eagles Quest
Field trip: Valley Agriculture Fields

Locations and site visits may vary depending on weather and rarities. Transportation to and from Quinta Mazatlan, hotel accomodations and evening meals are the responsibility of each participant. For lodging and restaurant information, visit www.mcallencvb.com

Register online at www.mcallenchamber.com
Phone: 956-682-2871 Fax: (956) 631-8571
Email: mmunoz@mcallencvb.com

Mexican Artisan Expo

On February 5 & 6 the McAllen Chamber of Commerce will host a new event for the Rio Grande Valley Community. "A Vibrant Heritage" Mexican Artisan Expo will bring together a group of artisans and artists from different Mexican regions who will sell their paintings and other works of art to the public. The expo will also include the Music After Hours concert series featuring the music of Karen Eubanks, Happy Hour, Square Roots and Highway 7. There will also be food booths which will provide food and fun for the entire family.
The Mexican Artisan Expo will be held at the McAllen Chamber of Commerce parking lot and its conference room areas from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Friday, February 5 and 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturday, February 6. For more information, please contact Luis Cantu at 682-2871.

FREE-peat

FREE, FREE,and FREE. those are the prices for three events taking place in McAllen this Friday, Feb. 5th.

The first event is the 1st Friday Artwalk. Artwalk is a self-guided tour of art galleries and local art hosts and is held in one of the oldest areas of McAllen. Guests can start their tour at any location and proceed at their own pace. Artwalk begins at 6:00 pm and lasts until around 10:00pm. For a list of venues and a map,go to http://www.mcallenartwalk.com.

In conjunction with the Artwalk, will be a Mexican Artisan Expo entitled, "A Vibrant Heritage" which will run from 5:00pm to 10:00pm on Friday, as well as Saturday from 11:00am to 6:00pm. The expo will be located tin the parking lot across teh street from the Chamber(1200 Ash). Visitors will be able to appreciate and purchase arts & crafts from Chiapas, Jalisco, Guanajuato, Taxco as well as other Mexican states.

Finally, Music After Hours, the free concert series, has been moved up one week to coincide with these events. Music After Hours will begin at 7:00pm and will be located in the Chamber parking lot. Featured performers are: Karen Eubanks( Acoustic/Indie), Happy Hour(Acoustic/Powerpop), Square Roots(Indie/Rock) and closing out the evening will be Highway 7(Country/Rock).

I understand the weather is supposed to be wonderful and it sounds like any or all of these events would be a wonderful way to spend an evening in McAllen. Come out enjoy.

We just completed the McAllen International Travel Show which happens during the first week of January every year. We are proud that this was the 22nd consecutive year for this show which features exhibitors from literally around the world. We had over 120 booths featuring about 112 exhibitors from Mexico, the Rio Grand Valley, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Nebraska, Kansas, Canada, Europe and Asia. We had eight cruise lines who also conduced special presentations featuring Alaska and other favorite cruise destinations. Over 12,000 people attended the free show and the exhibitors noted that this may have been the most productive show ever. Next year's dates are Wednesday and Thursday, January 5 and 6.
Tell your friends to come and "let's meet in McAllen.

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

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.

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