RGV Life

December 16, 2010   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Ricardo Lopez-Guerra                          (512) 463-0578   REP. GONZALES ANNOUNCES ENERGY EFFICIENT MAIL-IN REBATE PROGRAM BEGINNING DECEMBER 20   McALLEN- Beginning December 20, Texas shoppers purchasing eligible ENERGY STAR appliances may receive a rebate between $40 and $1,000 through a mail-in program administered by the Texas Comptroller's office, Rep. Gonzales announced.   "I encourage my constituents to take advantage of the rebate program and update their old appliances with energy-efficient models, which save money by using less energy and are better for our environment," Gonzales said. "Hopefully, shoppers will be able to find good deals during this holiday shopping season that will make these purchases even more cost effective."     To receive a rebate, customers must purchases appliances such as heat pumps, air conditioners, washers, dishwashers and more on or after December 20. O...

Yesterday was the big day that Texas State Representative Aaron Peña announced that he would switch to the Republican Party . There have been many questions with respect to why he would do it. There many many vicious accusations of betrayal, or doing it for opportunism. Overall, the Democratic Party, which is bleeding power in the current political climate is behaving like a wounded animal, lashing out at anything that causes further injury. In that sense, I can understand some of the reaction. However, since we're talking about people, I had hoped that reason would play a larger role in peoples' reactions. Let's Get it Out of the Way Many of you know, or are about to find out, that I work part-time for Peña. He and I haven't talked about his decision to switch parties. I found out on Twitter just like many of you that he would be switching. And, we have not had time to sit down and talk about his motivations. But, I can guess based on my own experience. First, let...

Don't expect this anytime soon.

Fiesta Marathon is set for December 12, 2010.

Explanation by Rabbi Steven Rosenburg.

Pharr Chamber of Commerce Tamale Luncheon Thursday, December 16th -   Attention Chamber Members and Community Associates.... You are cordially invited to our Annual Chamber Member and Community Associate Appreciation Tamale Luncheon on Thursday, December 18th from 11:00a.m. to 2:00p.m.here at the Pharr Chamber of Commerce located at 308 W. Park in Pharr, Texas. It is our pleasure for us to provide not only networking and marketing leads to our Chamber Members and Community Associates, but also free educational and informative seminars that has lead to many new business relationships amongst new and old members during this 2010 year and we want you to know that we truly value your business and appreciate your continued support and loyalty during these dif...

Info On The Web Chamber Page Download | Community News | Chamber News  Follow Us on Twitter | Watch Us on Youtube | Follow Us on Facebook   Weslaco Area Chamber Of Commerce 301 W. Railroad St., Weslaco, TX  78596 (956) 968-2102 office  (956) 968-6451 fax www.weslaco.com Weslaco Area Chamber Of Commerce | 301 W. Railroad St. | Weslaco | TX | 78596

Info On The Web Chamber Page Download | Community News | Chamber News  Follow Us on Twitter | Watch Us on Youtube | Follow Us on Facebook   Weslaco Area Chamber Of Commerce 301 W. Railroad St., Weslaco, TX  78596 (956) 968-2102 office  (956) 968-6451 fax www.weslaco.com Weslaco Area Chamber Of Commerce | 301 W. Railroad St. | Weslaco | TX | 78596

For more information, visit IslaTours.com .

The Brownsville Border Film Commission is pleased to announce a Mexica Films Casting Call: Final auditions for specific roles in a feature film. The film, EL DIABLO, is an action film that also features a love story. It is a homage to the Mexican Luchador films from the 60's & 70's. This is a bilingual film, however not all persons auditioning need to be bilingual. Auditions will be held at the Brownsville Southmost Public Library - 4320 Southmost Boulevard, Brownsville Saturday December 4th from 2:00pm-6:00pm Sunday December 5th from 2:00-pm-6:00pm We are holding auditions for the following specific roles: Lead Male (age 23-35), Lead Female (age 24-35), Lead Female MUST be Blond (age 20-30) Supporting Male Roles (ages 55-70), Supporting Male Roles (age 35-50), Supporting Female Roles (ages 30-45) All persons interested must schedule an appointment by contacting: Dulce Navar Email: dulce.navar@gmail.com Phone: 956.537.7692

See http://www.fiestamarathon.com

The Brownsville Border Film Commisssion is pleased to announce a Mexica Films Casting Call: Auditions for a feature film: The film, EL DIABLO, is an action film that also features a love story. It is a homage to the Mexican Luchador films from the 60's & 70's. This is a bilingual film, however not all persons auditioning need to be bilingual. Auditions will be held at the Brownsville Southmost Public Library - 4320 Southmost Boulevard, Brownsville Saturday Nov. 6th from 2:00pm-6:00pm Sunday Nov. 7th from 2:00-pm-6:00pm Saturday Nov. 13th from 2:00pm-6:00pm Sunday Nov. 14th from 2:00pm-6:00pm All ages (children, teens, 20's - 80's needed), backgrounds, and ethnicities are needed!! Anyone under the age of 18 MUST have a parent/guardian present at the audition. Auditions will be held on a first come-first serve basis. Preference will be given to anyone with a head shot and resume. For more information please visit www.mexenter.com or call 956.537.7692

Sofia tells us about I Vote Do You?, a non-partisan effort by Hidalgo Vote 2010, to mobilize Hidalgo County's 30,000 registered voters to turn out for early vote and on election day. We meet up outside a polling location at the University of Texas Pan American. You can find out more about the effort by visiting facebook.com/IVoteDoYou .

GOpedicabs, a business from McAllen, Texas that offers rides in the historic 17th Street district is helping bring in the vote at the University of Texas Pan American by giving rides to students to the voting booths.

There are tacos, hot dogs, drinks, and other items available at the UTPA polling locations. There are also pedicabs on the way to offer rides. This is the last day to vote for early vote. Come on out and be counted.

Scruffy2Fluffy  to host Howl-O-Ween contest on Sunday, Oct 31st   Attention Chamber Members and Community Associates Scruffy2Fluffy is one of our October's new Chamber Members and they are inviting everyone to their 1st Annual Howl-O-Ween Pet Costume Contest on Sunday, October 31st, from 1:00p.m. to 3:00p.m. at 600 E. Ferguson St., Suite E in Pharr, Texas. All leashed pets in costumes welcomed. Prizes awarded to several categories. Activities to include pet photos and more!           S cruffy2Fluffy Eddie Rodriguez, Owner 600 E. Ferguson Street, Suite E (495 Plaza) Pharr, Texas 78577 (956)223-4987 email: scruffy2fluffypharr@gmail.com About Us... Pharr Chamber of Commerce 308 W. Park Pharr, TX 78577 www.pharrchamber.com facebook.com/pharrchamber ...

NOVEMBER 7, 2010 EARLY REGISTRATION CLOSING TONIGHT... SAVE TIME, REGISTER ONLINE! www.UnlimitedSportsAdventures.com Join us for a ride as we "Salute to Women's Health". Open to all levels of riders and types of bikes. We encourage you to bring a friend, family member, or co-worker! T-shirts to the first 100, Goody Bags, Water Stops, yummy food from the newly remodeled Umix Frozen Yogurt, Self-Service Bike Station, Nutritional info, Raffles, and MINI-EXPO FOR WOMEN! START & FINISH: UMIX FROZEN YOGURT Brownsville, TX Quick Links Register Now More About Us Download Registration Flyer (Note: prints on legal size) Save $5.00 per person! GROUP DISCOUNT: Register 5 or more, and get $5 off each... that equals one FREE entry! Must register at the same time! THANK YOU SPONSORS!                        ...

Although sugar isn't necessary in one's diet, it makes things more edible.

Tonight, I went shopping for groceries in anticipation of the Texas Food Stamp Challenge . The budget for the week is $20. Tonight's shopping came in at under $10. I held back so I could have extra money to adjust my meals. I bought the following: Nescafe Clasico (instant coffee, gotta have coffee) Moms Oats (cholesterol thing) Parade Hot Sauce (anything that tastes bad can be improved with hot sauce) Carrots (for snacking between meals) Whitehall Specialties Jalapeno Cheese slices (cholesterol free) Chicken bologna Riceland Rice Bimbo soft wheat bread 2 lb bulk pinto beans 2 garlic bulbs 1 yellow onion 1 bunch of cilantro The plan is: Breakfast: Oatmeal and coffee Lunch: Sandwich with rice or beans (alternating) Dinner: Rice and beans, beans and rice (Dave Ramsey Diet) Snacks: Carrot sticks Tonight, I cooked some rice with cilantro for flavor. This gives me three bowls. It's a bit late for cooking beans, so I'll leave that for tomorrow evening.  I consider...

The Texas Food Bank Network is organizing the Texas Food Stamps Challenge, an event geared to raising awareness of potential cut in funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program . The event challenges participants to restrict their diet to an average "food stamps diet" for five days. The Challenge's limitation is that participants only spend $4.50 on meals each day, which is the current average benefit. Then, on the final two days of the challenge, the budget is decreased to $3.70 to reflect the impact of budget cuts. You can read the full details here . My dear friend Ruby Martinez of the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley naturally thought of me and some other friends as the perfect victims to volunteer for the challenge. Of course, misery loves company, so I invite you to take the challenge with us by signing up for the Texas Food Stamp Challenge. I'll be writing some follow-up posts on the challenge to explore some of the major hurdles that this ch...

Listen to internet radio with RGV Life on Blog Talk Radio Quick introduction and hashing out of some ideas of what is to come at RGV Life.

Do you like getting good deals? What if there were a way to get alerts for deals every day? Well, there is some good news, Groupon is moving into the McAllen, Texas market to offer locals great bargains at our favorite shopping locations. Watch this video to learn more about Groupon. Learn How Groupon Works! from The Point on Vimeo . Of course, the success of Groupon in McAllen all depends on getting local businesses to participate. So, let your favorite shops, restaurants, and service providers know that they have a way to generate a guaranteed amount of sales if they provide a discount. If you have any suggestions or own a business and are interested, send a tweet to @GrouponMCAshley .

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By this time, most of us have heard about the Mexican bandits shooting David Hartley on his jet ski as he and his wife Tiffany tried to get away. She returned for him amidst the gunfire; but was unable to pull his body up on her jet ski. She further related that as the bandits grew nearer, she feared for her own life, left her husband behind, and went to seek help from the U.S. side. According to the press, the story would read something like: The American couple, knowing full well that it is dangerous to visit Mexico, disregarded all warnings for a sight-seeing tour. Tiffany Hartley returned by herself because she and her husband were allegedly ambushed and fired upon by Mexican "pirates". All the facts point to her coming back without her husband with no witnesses to confirm her alleged story. It is well known that criminal enterprises operate in the area, so it would be very easy to commit a crime and blame the poor, innocent pirates. I embellished a bit to make a poin...

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Visit ValleySqueeze.com for more entries.

Alton Fire Fighters have organized a bash for Oct. 2, 2010 from Noon to midnight. There will be entertainment for the entire family, including Tejano group La Mafia. The event is set up behind city hall.