Last Day

Sadly, today is my last day as intern here at the McAllen Chamber. I feel so privileged to have had this opportunity this summer- I have learned so much from a great group of people. There were challenges (learning how to run a website), accomplishments (updating the organization guide), and great memories (kayaking the Rio Grande). One of the biggest impressions that the staff here at the Chamber has made on me this summer is how passionate they are about what they do. They are all very hard workers and love their job. McAllen has so many great things happening, and the city is so blessed to have amazing people that help in bringing it all together. It has been a wonderful summer, and I cannot say thank you enough. I will now go back to school for my senior year at Texas A&M (WHOOP!), but you can bet your bottom dollar that I will not miss out on the staff Christmas party where Wally will make his famous fajitas! Take care and God Bless! I will miss you all!

Jeramie

Summer Interns 2009: Jenny and Jeramie

Arts in McAllen

Yesterday and today we had a visit from Jim Bob McMillan, Deputy Director of Texas Commission on the Arts. Greg and I showed off our entertainment district and Quinta Mazatlan- he'd seen neither. We had dinner at El Patio on Guerra, a wonderful new restaurant on 17th Street, and drove him all around the City. He saw our newly unveiled mosaic- or the beginnning of it, at least- on 2nd Street, our historic homes, the new Arts Village in the arts district, and the McAllen Chamber's Creative Incubator, which he hadn't seen since it opened a few years ago. He saw parks and met a few people in our arts community. It was fun showing off McAllen!

KAYAK IN McALLEN

Outside of McAllen on south Ware road Los Caminos del Rio, a none profit organization dedicated to preserve our area 's natuarl resources is 0ffering kayaking on a resaca close to the Rio Grande River. The trip starts at 10:00 a.m. and it takes about 4 hours. The cost is $ 20.00 per person. The trip is ideal to spend time with your family. For more information please




























































































































call (956) 227 2373.

Chamber staffers went kayaking on the Rio Grande River on Tuesday. What a blast! These kayaking trips are offered by Los Caminos Del Rio, a non-profit dedicated to heritage, culture, and preservation in the Rio Grande Valley on both sides of the River. We learned how to paddle, how to get back up after tipping over and how to steer. Most of us did all three. The Rio Grande, just below the Anzalduas dam actually has level two rapids with lots of white water. The fishing is great there too. Just another reason to come to McAllen and have fun while you are here. Give us a call and I'll be happy to set this up for you.

"Kayaking the Rio Grande"

Our day began at 7:30 a.m. as everyone gathered at the Chamber to embark on our journey to the river. As soon as we got to our destination, I noticed the water looked rougher than I had ever seen. I started to have second thoughts about participating in this outdoor adventure but quickly pushed those thoughts out of my mind. The guides gave us a quick lesson on paddling and the meaning of the different signals to give them while out on the water. Part of the experience of kayaking is that you get to carry your own kayak down to the water...not very happy with this part of it!

After about five minutes in the water we had our first victim. In the water she went jeans and all!! Luckily for her, she was teamed up with the Chamber President....he helped her get back into the kayak in no time. Several other staff members experienced taking a dip in the river as well. The only thoughts running through my head were ...you gotta stay dry....and you gotta stay in the kayak. I think we did pretty good! We had a wonderful time as a team and I can't wait for the next outdoor adventure!

Kayaking in McAllen is awesome!

You have to try it!!

Texas Association for Mexican American Chambers of Commerce Convention Starts Today in McAllen!

TAMACC 2009 Annual Convention arrives in McAllen, "The City of Palms".

Around 400 delegates, exhibitors, and sponsors are in McAllen to witness a magical thing; a brand new state of the art convention center and wonderful shops and restaurants surrounding it.

The convention begins Thursday, July 30 and ends August 2.

McAllen hosted this convention nine years ago and it was a complete success!

The McAllen Area Chamber of Commerce is very glad to be hosting this historic convention.

"I believe all the attendeess that either flew in or drove in will be pleasantly surprised at McAllen's New Convention Center, the variety of restaurants, and the nightlife of "17th Street", states Ernesto Arredondo, Director of Sales for the McAllen Convention & Visitors Bureau (a division of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce)

"McAllen is truly blessed to have this wonderful convention in McAllen!"

Take the bus to McAllen from the Monterrey airport

Last Sunday I went to the airport to pick up my son and I saw the booth to sale tickets for taxi and for Senda bus to travel to McAllen, you can deal at the airport, arriving at Monterrey and the buses depart every hour. This is a good opportunity for travelers arriving from all Mexico whom wish to travel to McAllen to do shopping.