Valley Life

THE BOOK REPORT: The greatest fishing story ever told

Dan Vaughn

This column's goal is to revaluate the "must-read books." Do the classics stand up to the modern reader? "Call me Ishmael." So begins the most epic story involving the sea since the Biblical story of Jonah and the Whale, Moby-Dick. Originally published... Full story

CHRIS ARDIS: One parent answers my burning questions

Chris Ardis

On May 19, I posed several "Why?" questions to readers about such things as discipline, curriculum and truancy. I feel certain these issues cannot be addressed until parents and other community members get involved to make change happen. Several readers... Full story

The most refreshing way to get in shape

Zack Quaintance

The fitness class meets four times a week, but the members rarely see each other with clothes on. In fact, two of the students once met randomly outside class and barely recognized each other. That's because this class is water aerobics, and the members... Full story

Wife, son salute soldier in Iraq on Father's Day

Sandra Gonzalez

When it's time to put his son Cheston to bed, U.S. Army Spc. Caleb White never takes "restless" for an answer. He lays Cheston on his baby blanket, folding in each corner until it's wrapped up tightly, and then carefully rocks the fussy newborn to sleep. The... Full story

New boutique has some haute finds

Alexandria Gonzalez

It is only fitting that Alejandra Alvarez, 24, and Alicia Cortez, 23, believe in the saying "reduce, reuse, recycle." Their vintage store, Haute Trash, is the epitome of the mantra. Filled with traded-in and recycled pieces of jewelry and clothing, Haute... Full story

CHRIS ARDIS: Busting myths that haunt our schools

Chris Ardis

At least once a month, I receive the oft-circulated story describing a speech Bill Gates gave to high school students, identifying 11 things they did not and will not learn in high school. Excellent points, but Bill Gates didn't deliver them. According... Full story

Meet The Monitor's new book critic

Brandon Garcia

The Monitor is proud to introduce Dan Vaughn, our new book critic. Vaughn's weekly column, printed every Tuesday in Valley Life, will focus on reassessing classic literature for modern readers. Who choses the "must-read" books? What makes a book classic... Full story

Globetrotting lands couple into exclusive club

Amy Nichol Smith

Imagine clinging to the hump of a camel as you travel among the pyramids in the hot, sandy desert of Egypt. Picture yourself on a safari, sleeping in the jungles of Africa, with nothing but a tent separating you from the wild. These aren't scenes from... Full story

Teachers revive Rio Grande City kindergarten

Sandra Gonzalez

Tears stream down the little girl‘s face as she cries for Ms. Ronnie. The child is led by the hand to a short table on the far side of the darkened room, away from where her classmates are well into nap time. On the table is a setup of beans and... Full story

CHRIS ARDIS: Why we must stop lowering school standards

Chris Ardis

Consequences. Growing up, those of us who were lucky learned that choices resulted in consequences. Consequences may be positive or negative, depending on our choices. The Rio Grande Valley, Texas and our nation are at a crossroads. Do we go back to teaching... Full story

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