Valley Life

Annual benefit honors PSJA North student who passed away

Zack Quaintance

Michael M. Rutledge passed away several years ago. At the time he was a sophomore at PSJA North High School, and the institution continues to honor his memory. His teachers founded a scholarship fund in his name, and each year volunteers decorate... Full story

Melba dancers set to take the stage

Crystal Olvera

Spend Valentine’s Day at the theatre with The Melba Dance Academy. As many as 80 students will boogie their hearts out on Feb. 14 for the academy’s first show of the year at the McAllen Civic Center. The event, simply titled... Full story

Former Winter Texas use knitting to make friends, give back

Nadia Tamez-Robledo

As customers hurried to escape the chill of the breeze outside of Hastings Entertainment on McAllen’s 10th Street, the Chachalaca Knitters were already busy turning colorful balls of yarn into snuggly winter garments at the café inside.... Full story

Uptown boutique introduces concept of ‘recycled’ styles to Valley

Amy Nichol Smith

So it’s Friday and you want to hit up Downtown McAllen for drinks with the girls, but you have nothing to wear and you’re on a budget. You wore the old standby (little black dress) last week, and you can’t afford to drop $100 or... Full story

TV journalist Lisa Ling to speak at UTPA tonight

Jennifer L. Berghom

As a child, Lisa Ling thought that if she could get on television, she would have a better life. Instead, she said she became a better person. “I felt I became much more well-versed,” said Ling, who has reported on social injustices,... Full story

Palmhurst woman's home is her castle

MI CASA: The home of Patty Nielsen

Amy Nichol Smith

A home so rich in old-world charm, elegance and refinement seems better suited to a small, European town – not Palmview. But Patty Nielsen managed to design her home from the ground up to create a cozy yet opulent space for her and her family... Full story

Bed and breakfast honors memory of the brave spirit who inspired it

Amy Nichol Smith

Beyond tall fields of wheat and orange groves in North Donna stands a small bed and breakfast called La Sirena Hacienda. Situated on a corner of a farm, the Mexico-themed inn offers vacationers a comfortable bed, quiet charm and a cozy home away... Full story

Winter Texan crooners find harmony in fraternity

Zack Quaintance

Don Lewis meets brothers in every major American city. Lewis, a 76-year-old retired General Motors superintendent, has lived in Chicago, St. Petersburg, Fla., and now the Rio Grande Valley. He moves to these places and a week later he finds his... Full story

Mercedes man's home is a mansion of memories

MI CASA: The home of Joe Garza

Travis Whitehead

MERCEDES — Building memories. That’s what Joe Garza has been doing since he purchased the family home in the fall of 1965, beginning with the planting of avocado trees and continuing this year with the construction of a sewing room for... Full story

DEBORAH MARTINEZ: Tensions rise as TAKS nears

Deborah Martinez

The pressure is on. Just ask about any student, parent or educator you know. In less than two months, the first round of numerous state exams begins – deciding in many cases whether students advance to the next grade level and, in all cases,... Full story

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