Last Saturday my family set out for "the Great Hunt." This is an annual tradition involving a dear friend, his wife and inlaws, who have hosted us for the last 40 years for a day of dove hunting at their farm here in the Valley. Dove hunting used to be one of the main economic issues in the Rio Grande Valley back in the days when agriculture was the main enterprise here. Up until just a few years ago, the Texas Department of Fish and Wildlife used to come to my Rotary club every August to let us know what the anticipated numbers would be of mourning and white wing doves. Now, dove hunting is just one of the many "engines" that push our economy. But the doves are still here in abundance and we get lots of hunters every September from all over including my son from San Antonio who is now showing his son "the ropes" just like I showed him. I'm embarassed to say that everybody got more game than I did. I need to practice before next year.

So, if you like hunting, fishing, or birdwatching, give us a call and we can make it happen for you.

Fashion Night

The All About Women Fashion Night last Thursday was so much fun. The show was hosted by the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and the Rio Grande Valley Premium Outlets. It was held at the new Art Village on Main. There were cocktails & hors d'oeuvres which were sponsored by LoMejordelValle.com from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. There was also chocolate covered fruit sponsored by Ceda Chocolate available for all the guests in attendance to enjoy. There were door prizes throughout the night. The fashion show started at 6:15 p.m., and the MC was Will Ripley from Channel 5 News. Fashions from Banana Republic, The Gap, Nike, and Betsey Johnson among others were modeled on the runway. After the outlet stores had there turn on the runway, 3 local designers showed off their fashions. The night was filled with excitement, fashion, food and fun.

Green Living Festival

Este 8 de Octubre se llevara a cabo en Casa McAllen,, la conferencia de prensa para promover este evento en donde se invitaran a participar asi como tambien a que asistan a este evento en donde encontrara,, seminarios que incluyen temas sobre la conservación del agua y la energía, la construcción de viviendas, áreas verdes, fuentes alternativas de energía, muebles para el hogar verde, la calidad del aire, y cómo hacer para reducir, reutilizar y reciclar,, asi como tambien,, habrá actividades para proporcionar diversión y la información educativa para toda la familia.

Este es el segundo Festival de Vida Verde,, el cual tendrá lugar el Sábado, 17 de octubre 9:30-6:00 en el Centro de Convenciones de McAllen. The Green Living Festival enseñará a los participantes por qué y cómo vivir más verde...

Un lindo martes para todos ustedes!!!!

McALLEN MORTGAGE SUMMIT - Tuesday, October 6, 2009 - McAllen Chamber of Commerce

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Scott Norman
(512) 423-4545
www.texasmba.org




McALLEN MORTGAGE SUMMIT


What does the future of the mortgage industry look like?


AUSTIN, TX – On Tuesday, October 6th, mortgage lenders, key regulators, and business executives from all over the state will gather at the McAllen Chamber of Commerce at 1:00 pm to discuss the policies that will affect the future of mortgage lending.

Please join the Texas Mortgage Bankers Association (TMBA) for a 90 minute discussion featuring our special guest - Texas Department of Savings & Mortgage Lending Commissioner Doug Foster.

Commissioner Doug Foster and TMBA Vice President Scott Norman will discuss the new S.A.F.E. Mortgage Licensing Act. This federal mandate is designed to enhance consumer protections and reduce fraud by encouraging states to establish standards for the licensing and registration of every loan originator in the United States.

“Protecting home ownership opportunities for Texas families is our number one priority.” said Scott Norman, Vice President of the Texas Mortgage Bankers Association. We believe the new regulatory landscape is an important and positive step for the mortgage industry in our state.” added Norman.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009
1:00 pm until 2:30 pm
McAllen Chamber of Commerce – 1200 Ash Avenue


For more information about the TMBA, visit http://www.texasmba.org


# # #

About the Texas Mortgage Bankers Association: Founded in 1917, mortgage lenders and settlement service providers have turned to the TMBA for our leadership in legislative and industry education. We promote fair and ethical lending practices and foster professional excellence among real estate finance employees through a wide range of programs. Today, as the largest state mortgage lenders association in the country, our members fund over $35 billion annually and our purpose is still to serve the mutual interests of our members and advance mortgage banking in the state.

Scott Norman can be reached at 512-423-4545.











Ernie



Ernesto D. Arredondo

Director of Sales

McAllen Convention & Visitors Bureau

McAllen Chamber of Commerce

1200 Ash Ave

McAllen, Texas 78505

Office - (956) 682-2871

Fax - (956) 631-8571

Mobile - (956) 240-8033

e-mail: ernie@mcallencvb.com

website: www.mcallencvb.com

McAllen Palmfest 2009 at the New Convention Center

Palmfest 2009 will have two days of almost nonstop music and entertaining shows, presented on our three stages. Palmfest is FREE to enter, so bring the entire family for a fun filled afternoon, and party into the evening.
Gates open at NOON on Sat Oct 3rd, 09 and on Sun Oct 4th, 09.

For more details log into the website:
http://www.mcallenpalmfest.com/

Back in McAllen

I was up in Port Clinton near Cleveland, Ohio this week. It's a beautiful area, with trees just starting to turn colors- something we don't see much of down here. I came home to a temperature of 70 degrees, and rain! When I left here a few days ago it was 30 degrees warmer.
Anyway, as beautiful as Ohio was, I found myself talking about McAllen a lot- about the arts, the birding (of course, since I was with a group of birders), the friendliness of the people (actually, others were talking to ME about that!), the low cost of living, and how wonderful the winters are.
There really is no place like McAllen.

Green Living Festival

To support the second Green Living Festival which will take place at the McAllen Convention Center on October 17, have been sending information to some government offices of the State of Nuevo Leon involved in the environmental area, as well as certain companies.