Columnists

ANDY COMER: My trip to the carnival

Andy Comer

Call me simple-minded, but nothing gets my attention like bright, shiny objects. With that said, it should be no surprise that the carnivals sprouting up around the Valley, with their arrays of flashing lights mounted upon stomach-churning rides,... Full story

Good parenting common sense

DrG                                About 526 words     On November 8, The Monitor... Full story

Organic farmers market opens season

Rod Santa Ana III

SAN JUAN — They won’t have as many vegetables as they usually do, but the area’s only organic farmers market is scheduled to start its new season at 9 a.m. Saturday at North San Juan Park in San Juan. Blame the lack of cold... Full story

ANDY COMER: I have a ‘beef’ with missing foods

Andy Comer

It all started with roast beef. The juicy, hearty meat made by Minnesota-based Hormel Foods was something I had come to enjoy. The company’s Beef Roast au Jus, which I am assuming is French for “really tasty roast beef,” weighed... Full story

Handle turkey with care

Nora N. Garza

As we grab the last miniature Hershey bar from the plastic jack-o-lantern, it’s time to think about Thanksgiving. turkey and poultry usually top the grocery list this time of year. Besides the menu, we should also be thinking about how to keep... Full story

Work builds character

Maria Luisa Salcines

My father’s first job was in 1945 just after War War II ended. He was 8 years old and he worked at his father’s bodega in Güines, Cuba. Abuelo Chito would put crates on the floor so that my father could reach the counter. In Latin... Full story

Conference focuses on peppers’ power

Rod Santa Ana III

WESLACO — The nutritional value of peppers and their growing consumption will be the focus of the 12th Texas Pepper Conference, according to organizers. The conference, organized by the Texas Pepper Foundation, will be Nov. 12 to 13 at the... Full story

Adriana Cantu a favorite at Holiday Crafts Expo

Nora N. Garza

As long as we have had the Holiday Crafts and Small Business Expo, Adriana Cantu has been at the heart of it. As a district parent educator for PSJA school district, Adriana uses her flair for decorating and art on the job. She has an amazing talent... Full story

Messy room can be scary

Maria Luisa Salcines

Years ago while visiting the home of a salesman my husband worked with, we were warned by his oldest son that his pet boa constrictor had gotten out of its cage. He insisted we didn’t have to worry that the snake was probably under his bed... Full story

Entomologist treks from Andes to Valley

Rod Santa Ana

Growing up in the Andes of Peru, Raul Villanueva was fascinated with the insects that crawled among the huge mountainside boulders. He especially liked those that looked like twigs and had what appeared to be letters of the alphabet on their... Full story

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