Valley Life

Life's a highway for young Valley globe-trotter

Nadia Tamez-Robledo

While backpacking Fernando Martinez-Pechs had already faced his fair share of bumps in the road when he found himself strapped for cash in Uyuni, Bolivia, last summer. He and three friends, fellow travelers he had met a few days earlier, set out to... Full story

CHRIS ARDIS: Give me your feedback on school standards

Chris Ardis

I wanted to shout “Hallelujah” when I recently received a copy of the Texas College and Career Readiness Standards from my department head. I admit I laughed when I turned to page two and read, “Recognizing the importance of a... Full story

THE BOOK REPORT: Four timeless literary charactesr

Dan Vaughn

In my last column I discussed how people choose favorite books based off the aspects of the books: the characters, the plots, or the effects upon the reader. Often, it is the characters that attract us to a story, due to similarities or differences.... Full story

Danish dancer's lust for life reaches from Moulin Rouge to McAllen

Zack Quaintance

Gretha Sullivan knows how to make an entrance. Her platinum blond hair hangs close to her waist. She steps through doorways one bare shoulder first, slow and calculated. Each move is glamorous, like a star in a black and white film. She carries a... Full story

There's no trick to making yummy pumpkin treats

Amy Nichol Smith

The purpose of a pumpkin in October usually only includes the traditional carving of the fruit for display on porches for the Halloween holiday. Beyond that though, pumpkin pies and other baked goods are reserved for Thanksgiving. Pumpkin can be... Full story

ANDY COMER: You could be wearing my socks — lucky you!

Andy Comer

In a fit of boredom, I cleaned out some of my apartment the other night. Yes, I lead a wild life. What started as mere exercise in dusting turned into a full-blown inventory check of all of the possessions crammed into the tiny living space I call... Full story

CHRIS ARDIS: The top 7 things high school students should never say

Chris Ardis

There’s a show on TLC called What Not to Wear. People across the country nominate people who they feel need a visit from Stacy and Clinton, the show’s fashion police. Stacy and Clinton surprise the unsuspecting woman and whisk her off to... Full story

The scary and the merry

Get creative this Halloween and use television to inspire your costume

COUPLE COSTUMES Tarzan and Jane – Classics never become irrelevant. Just make sure you’re in good shape. It’s pretty simple. The guy is Tarzan and the girl is Jane (duh). Dress skimpy and jungle appropriate. And then spend all... Full story

THE BOOK REPORT: The timelessness of Walt Whitman

Dan Vaughn

If someone asked you what your favorite book was, what would you respond? It’s a difficult question to answer and always leads to second guessing. Some books are favorites because the characters are so lifelike. Others because the plot was... Full story

Back to the books

STC Instructor goes back to school to better teach her students

Jennifer L. Berghom

Luci Nell Simpson is going back to school to be a better teacher to her students. Simpson, who teaches microbiology and anatomy and physiology courses at South Texas College’s Starr County campus, is enrolled in the college’s nursing... Full story

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