tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-139720812024-03-06T23:27:59.364-06:00RGV LifeLife in the Rio Grande Valley.Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18197370675477100853noreply@blogger.comBlogger1353125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13972081.post-83566426947363367712018-04-30T18:00:00.000-05:002018-04-30T18:00:08.845-05:00Moving RGV Life to Travel.Write.Money<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95bnnZsWKo5cObLm7ZANHCaQzbxaO3k9m-lWJcwK8LB_hAZ2iEcxAT90zihMoLrTT-2E9xxNhpxQ2Q9uLXnDL7wG45OJanb9GyzbJyRSUox2C33z0kTFFTPpC6BpJ1x8s1os9/s1600/2018-04-30+-+rgv+life+moving.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95bnnZsWKo5cObLm7ZANHCaQzbxaO3k9m-lWJcwK8LB_hAZ2iEcxAT90zihMoLrTT-2E9xxNhpxQ2Q9uLXnDL7wG45OJanb9GyzbJyRSUox2C33z0kTFFTPpC6BpJ1x8s1os9/s400/2018-04-30+-+rgv+life+moving.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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When I first started RGV Life, it was tilted towards a little bit of tourism, a little bit of local news, some politics, and a lot of online exploration. It was hard work. But, it was also fun. It allowed for the exploration of new media, which included online video, podcasts, and even live streaming. Being naturally shy, RGV-Life.com opened up a lot of doors for me. It gave me a topic of conversation with others. When I would visit people, they already knew about RGV Life and welcomed me as if I were an old friend.<br />
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Unfortunately, when I started the blog, I did not expect that it would become what it did. I would have put more thought into the name. It turned out that there was already an RGVLife.com without the hyphen. While our paths did not cross where people would confuse the two websites, we have different circles, it makes it difficult to say that I have things locked down in terms of name recognition. They were first.<br />
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Recently, I saw that there is an RGV Life printed publication, which further muddies the waters. I can't complain because I should have been more mindful when choosing the name of the blog. This would have also prevented me from doing the Twitter account, Facebook page, and other online accounts using RGV Life.<br />
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More than anything, my interests have shifted towards personal finance, travel, and writing. Thus, <a href="http://travel.write.money/">Travel.Write.Money</a> was born. Because the new blog does cover travel, I will begin writing about local tourism and the occasional travel outside the region. The geographic focus on RGV Life has always been a constraint on expanding my sights outside of the Rio Grande Valley.<br />
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I am not sure what to do with this blog. If I let go of the domain name, then this will revert back to a Blogspot address (<a href="http://rgvlife.blogspot.com/">http://rgvlife.blogspot.com</a>). Or, I could forward the domain over to the new site. I might even consider selling off access to @rgvlife on Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube if the right offer came around. For now, I would like to direct your attention to the new blog.<br />
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Please visit: <a href="http://travel.write.money/">http://travel.write.money</a><br />
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<br />Keralumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16044339914971514689noreply@blogger.com0Mission, TX 78572, USA26.1988865 -98.3745716999999925.7431865 -99.0200187 26.6545865 -97.729124699999986tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13972081.post-7383490179307172302016-09-28T23:38:00.001-05:002016-09-28T23:38:09.573-05:00You Have to Check Out CEED in Mission<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRUMapES2gUws5zH9JugI880l4Da2WVeibAWfJ6kuLmvD0aZo_NC-ZxhbUJr3ACLNY6LdUrejjWH8rEW8gpS3xQZdXk1T3QcQJJ3OZ8AD0tkr2A92yiAmMoeDX0d7Fm0ftvDHSA/s1600/CEEDcafe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRUMapES2gUws5zH9JugI880l4Da2WVeibAWfJ6kuLmvD0aZo_NC-ZxhbUJr3ACLNY6LdUrejjWH8rEW8gpS3xQZdXk1T3QcQJJ3OZ8AD0tkr2A92yiAmMoeDX0d7Fm0ftvDHSA/s200/CEEDcafe.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
I was just writing a post over at the MissionTexas.net blog regarding the new <a href="http://blog.missiontexas.net/2016/09/my-summer-at-ceed-groundwork-for.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CEED building in Mission</a>. They have still not completely opened up for business; but, already great things are happening there.<br />
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Give the blog post a read and visit the links to the items referenced. I hope to be able to share more as their activities start to pick up speed.<br />
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The gist of it is that Mission is preparing to make some great things happen for the Rio Grande Valley. The CEED building has garnered much attention from other cities in the region and throughout the state. The RGV is on the cusp of something big.Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18197370675477100853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13972081.post-33312154429063783862015-10-11T19:37:00.002-05:002015-10-11T19:37:59.574-05:00RGV Profile: J. D. DavidsmeyerA few weeks ago, I wrote about Smokin' Aces North Barbecue adding Pitmaster J.D. Davidsmeyer to their team in order to offer some of the best barbecue in the Rio Grande Valley. Yes, you can go have some drinks at the bar; but, you absolutely must have a steak while you're there. Today, we are going to focus a little bit on the Pitmaster himself, J.D. Davidsmeyer.<br />
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The question is, how does one become a Pitmaster? We all fancy ourselves great barbecue makers. We all have some technique to give us fairly edible barbecue, whether it be a barbecue sauce, a marinade, a rub, smoke, or some other trick to try to make the meat taste good. Does that make us Pitmasters? No. You don't just declare yourself a Pitmaster. To be a Pitmaster, you have to win competitions, consistently.<br />
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What we are talking about is the difference between puttering around the driveway with your skateboard and winning skateboarding competitions with cash prizes. It's the difference between playing 18 holes with your friends over some beers and winning the PGA circuit. It is the difference between grilling for your family on the weekend and winning on the competitive barbecue circuit. Yes, it's a thing.<br />
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It's not enough to simply compete on the competitive barbecue circuit. You have to win, and then win some more.<br />
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This is why J.D. Davidsmeyer is a barbecue Pitmaster. The man has competed and won repeatedly. He has paid his dues by competing and going home empty-handed on more than one occasion. He worked his way up and finally is able to compete to win or place in one of the top levels.<br />
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Humble Origins<br />
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J.D. Davidsmeyer's first introduction to barbecuing was. like most of us, the family barbecue. He would help his father around age 14 and eventually took over the grill for family events. It was his family who first suggested that he enter into barbecue competitions. J.D. first teamed up with a neighbor to compete. He admits that for the first six years, he had team members come and go. For the most part, they would drink and goof off, yielding them exactly zero wins.<br />
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After six years, something changed. J.D. decided that he needed to start winning competitions. His game plan got serious. He started learning all he could about methods, meats, and the competitive circuit. He also found a mentor who helped J.D. learn how to be a Pitmaster. Specifically, his mentor taught Davidsmeyer how to run a team, how to be humble, how to be a family-oriented cooker, and more importantly, how to be a competitive cooker. Their relationship lasted 8 years until cancer took his friend.<br />
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All the work paid off. After six years of losing, Davidsmeyer's first win was at The Battle of Medina in San Antonio, where he took first place. After that first win, it was easier to win ensuing competitions, or to at least place in the Top 5. His experience has also taught him a variety of foods to make on the grill, such as pizza, vegetarian, cake, and other things you would not normally associate with barbecue.<br />
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After reaching success in the competitive barbecue circuit, J. D. Davidsmeyer's family encouraged him to try getting on TV shows. He eventually landed on the BBQ Pitmasters TV show, from which he gained much notoriety.<br />
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The Present Day<br />
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These days, J. D. Davidsmeyer is working the kitchen at Smokin' Aces North and doing other things that revolve around barbecue. For example, he likes to volunteer to cook for veterans organizations and even teaches barbecue classes over the weekend. The only non-barbecue activity he enjoys is riding his Victory motorcycle on his own or with his motorcycle club.<br />
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Given his work obligations, J. D. does not compete as much as in the past. However, that doesn't mean he's not working his craft. He puts his best into every plate he serves up in the Team Xtreme kitchen inside Smokin' Aces North. You don't have to follow the barbecue circuit to find some of the best grilled meats. All you have to do is stop by Smokin' Aces North to have a taste of real Pitmaster fare.Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18197370675477100853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13972081.post-53848843003898192092015-08-19T14:00:00.000-05:002015-08-19T15:41:15.154-05:00Come Get You Some BBQ at Smokin' Aces NorthA couple of weeks ago, I visited Smokin' Aces North at the invitation of a friend. I did not realize what a great opportunity that was. Readers of this blog know that I Forrest Gump my way around greatness. But, before we go into my latest Gump move, know that Smokin' Aces North is currently in a transition. Aces North already had the bar part of "Bar & Grill" figured out. Now, they are working on the grill part of the Bar & Grill in a big way.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIcE65Sh0F09zMqIKD1shAD4ERUcAcmC4TQgaxo5Ce4waDvF6Sdo6-9Kq13eeptr23JF1ugZkJzfFlY57fD-MZE8_2nju29AV8V7VXx538GIchyLltL8Jd7ss7eST-pkY1h1Bxw/s1600/IMG_0035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIcE65Sh0F09zMqIKD1shAD4ERUcAcmC4TQgaxo5Ce4waDvF6Sdo6-9Kq13eeptr23JF1ugZkJzfFlY57fD-MZE8_2nju29AV8V7VXx538GIchyLltL8Jd7ss7eST-pkY1h1Bxw/s200/IMG_0035.JPG" width="200" /></a>Smokin' Aces North wants to bring in lunch and family dining during the daylight hours. They will then transition to the bar focus after 9 pm. The menu is expanding to include many barbecue items such as the Brisket Sundae, Xtreme 1/2 pound burger, stuffed Poblano peppers, steaks, some of those really good chicken wings I tried last time, and also meals for kids.<br />
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Local diners are discovering that they can stop by Aces North during their lunch break for some delicious barbecue. Some folks are also taking the family in for dinner. There are plans on developing a food challenge for adventurous hungry types who want to eat a big meal and provide entertainment for other guests. <br />
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So here is why I am so excited. Aces North has brought JD Davidsmeyer of JD's Team Xtreme BBQ to operate the Team Xtreme kitchen. You may have seen JD Davidsmeyer on TV episodes of BBQ Pitmasters. <br />
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Here is a video of JD working on some Las Vegas Strip Steak for the show.<br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/aggaGx_9lik/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aggaGx_9lik?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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JD's kitchen is a joint venture between him and the ownership. That means that the other night when I visited Smokin' Aces, the wings were his work. In my own spaced-out mind, I though maybe it was the beer talking, or the cook just got lucky. I didn't realize there was real talent at work. <br />
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JD Davidsmeyer has tons of experience with competitive cooking and brings that skill set to Smokin' Aces North. His specialties are chicken and ribs; but, he knows his way around other meats too. In my last blog post about Aces, I wrote that I might have to go back and try the steak. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgecfyZUGSjixBxrOcMVp-jjmg8MZTkLYI9RM4FNt7XUn0tu78C05Nmw5HcsoENK9eHQfywo62yIFveomGY6QQ1zN7aNQVUx4q3dYQcx1YymPUr6PKAwcqO-Zc0yCBE_3rz_2uMQg/s1600/IMG_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgecfyZUGSjixBxrOcMVp-jjmg8MZTkLYI9RM4FNt7XUn0tu78C05Nmw5HcsoENK9eHQfywo62yIFveomGY6QQ1zN7aNQVUx4q3dYQcx1YymPUr6PKAwcqO-Zc0yCBE_3rz_2uMQg/s200/IMG_0032.JPG" width="200" /></a>Well, JD read the post and invited me to try out the steak as his treat. I took the offer, of course. You don't turn down a pit master offering you a steak. At least not in Texas. We spent a good chunk of time interviewing. I'm going to write more about JD Davidsmeyer on another post. The guy has an interesting story about how he wound up making barbecue his passion in life. I don't say that barbecue is his passion lightly. There is a dead seriousness about JD when he talks about barbecue. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQkxQMvYQh-QDCWfwCr6GpMJAt2n6UHk_K3nFGDPTJrtyDqL_mMuEJ48zBUthH57bLsVnKf-9u8vaz7-I0K4dNNnf8IijrTEmXgqc9ZGe-8XaOPO02tcyDbNNxf3im2LFiESzYw/s1600/IMG_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQkxQMvYQh-QDCWfwCr6GpMJAt2n6UHk_K3nFGDPTJrtyDqL_mMuEJ48zBUthH57bLsVnKf-9u8vaz7-I0K4dNNnf8IijrTEmXgqc9ZGe-8XaOPO02tcyDbNNxf3im2LFiESzYw/s200/IMG_0031.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyEb24KBbShH-X4uoT4R8KmR16k1vlQPcZ16AK6k1pfs6QNtWUwFwVSPEjq9DOEY8qMRfJJ8YRNRP3zg2kFjU-GgY6VckdyBDBX97gc8PwH1L_kQZZ06KFeGFl6AyxT8HcjqxBw/s1600/IMG_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyEb24KBbShH-X4uoT4R8KmR16k1vlQPcZ16AK6k1pfs6QNtWUwFwVSPEjq9DOEY8qMRfJJ8YRNRP3zg2kFjU-GgY6VckdyBDBX97gc8PwH1L_kQZZ06KFeGFl6AyxT8HcjqxBw/s200/IMG_0033.JPG" width="200" /></a>It's all about the process, according to JD. You have to really know your meats. At this point, I was really wanting to know my steak, so I asked him to show me how to cook a steak. We went back into the kitchen where he turned on the cast iron skillet and then shuffled through some steaks in the cooler to find one he liked. The steaks are marinaded for 15 hours before they are brought to the restaurant. <br />
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That is another thing that I want to point out. JD isn't just some cook frying steaks in a pan. When JD Davidsmeyer cooks, it's a commitment. After shutting down the kitchen at night, JD gets to work on the next day's meats at home. He mans the fire all night, taking power naps and checking on the meat periodically. He is done by 6 am when he finally gets some sleep. When it's time to go to work, he brings the meats with him to the restaurant. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlobm3ugv2d2VUwosrLr51i0Z8TtP0TXlCBoFTu-iyduWtxcty6LoNLi1dWOad7nItIrSez77JUPI3CGj_P45SdkdhEi4xhsbxqbbVSOXqRhwgx8F3Xr8XRmQUOHiu2J6E0CQCg/s1600/IMG_0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlobm3ugv2d2VUwosrLr51i0Z8TtP0TXlCBoFTu-iyduWtxcty6LoNLi1dWOad7nItIrSez77JUPI3CGj_P45SdkdhEi4xhsbxqbbVSOXqRhwgx8F3Xr8XRmQUOHiu2J6E0CQCg/s200/IMG_0034.JPG" width="200" /></a>All of JD's dedication pays off. That steak went from the refrigerator, to the grill, to my plate. Not once was it touched by salt, pepper, or a sauce. He did lightly baste the steak with butter to flame sear the steak. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIcE65Sh0F09zMqIKD1shAD4ERUcAcmC4TQgaxo5Ce4waDvF6Sdo6-9Kq13eeptr23JF1ugZkJzfFlY57fD-MZE8_2nju29AV8V7VXx538GIchyLltL8Jd7ss7eST-pkY1h1Bxw/s1600/IMG_0035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a>When I started eating the steak, it was amazing. It was as juicy on the outside as it was on the inside. It was tender and a delicious pink. Normally for me, steaks taste good, but they are missing something, which is a steak sauce or a squeeze of lemon. Once cooked, JD takes it personally if you put steak sauce on your meat before you even taste it. I would too, if I could cook a steak like he does. "Sauces are to cover up the f$%k-up", he says. Well prepared meat does not require the aid of any sauce. It is delicious on its own. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGE4bxb3eTip_h2gX3kUl9H8a3IegrBpvBgZltk5ykrZPpptr4afPiNanGqJ7lre10ncsETzlPNrG-3Vh736bF6n8uss8B3s5Yk_Y-VySjVcMBQTCXfsR35Z7DwUamnePIUTtbvg/s1600/20688035806_48fce17cb7_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGE4bxb3eTip_h2gX3kUl9H8a3IegrBpvBgZltk5ykrZPpptr4afPiNanGqJ7lre10ncsETzlPNrG-3Vh736bF6n8uss8B3s5Yk_Y-VySjVcMBQTCXfsR35Z7DwUamnePIUTtbvg/s200/20688035806_48fce17cb7_o.jpg" width="200" /></a>I cut off a chunk of the steak and went to town on it. As the steak got smaller, I started cutting smaller pieces to make it last longer. Things got so that started using mental tricks to make the experience better. I chewed slowly. I closed my eyes. And I tasted everything that steak had to offer. Oooh, yeah. <br />
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When you do stop by Aces North to have a JD's Team Xtreme BBQ steak, brisket, or chicken, consider yourself on the ground floor of something great. This is the start of a whole new experience at Smokin' Aces North with the addition of JD's Team Xtreme BBQ kitchen. It is going to be a much better experience than you could get at some fancy pants barbecue restaurant. You want to try it out before the crowds show up. <br />
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Up next, I'm going to write about JD Davidsmeyer's journey in competitive barbecue. Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18197370675477100853noreply@blogger.com0McAllen, TX, USA26.260956625576618 -98.21938276290893626.259176625576618 -98.221904262908936 26.262736625576618 -98.216861262908935tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13972081.post-86870684580133723712015-08-14T16:55:00.001-05:002015-08-14T16:55:55.811-05:00McAllen’s Own: Remarkable Firefighter<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FyddUhoqSxQ" width="480"></iframe><br /><br />
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I requested suggestions for interesting people in the Rio Grande Valley. Thanks to David Cruz for sharing this post on Juan Angel Gloria, Deputy Chief at McAllen Fire Department.Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18197370675477100853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13972081.post-52163911950011563752015-08-08T21:16:00.002-05:002015-08-08T21:22:08.089-05:00An Evening at Smokin Aces North<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday after work, a friend invited me to Smokin Aces North, a bar in McAllen near 10th Street and Martin. If you're into live music by local bands, you're probably familiar with Aces. Once upon a time, there was an Aces in Mission; but, people started complaining and things got political, so the place shut down. Still, even back then, they were big into the music scene. I think that's what's important here, that there are places for local talent to perform.<br />
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My buddy, <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/108098223191717705168" target="_blank">+Richie Trevino</a>, used have a rock band a few years back. He still writes songs here and there. It's cool to see that even though he isn't performing anymore, he supports other bands when he can. It was interesting to see that some of the other people at the bar were also performers. I didn't know that there was a community of artists in the RGV until last night.<br />
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Last night, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/radioonrepeatrocks" target="_blank">Radio on Repeat</a> was playing some cover songs. These are some young guys with good sound. The band consists of guitar player Joshua Lopez, vocalist Ray Hinojosa, bassist Joe Anzaldua, and drummer Caesar Elias. They had a good mix of cover songs that even an old guy like myself can enjoy.<br />
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If you get a chance to check out live performances here in the Rio Grande Valley, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.<br />
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One thing I wasn't expecting to find at Smokin Aces was that they have a kitchen. We ordered some of the fattest chicken wings I've ever had. They were delicious. One of these days, I'm going to have to give their steak a try.Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18197370675477100853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13972081.post-14520740389882994942015-07-26T17:57:00.004-05:002015-07-26T17:57:52.846-05:00A Saturday at South Padre Island<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCA-ng6Un2r2ndfnssXRt-llyoBXMU2LEqXa7GCHkN7jNcvglZCzB48mKtZbTtLwKE5ffQ_TEki1ozmaBTZAcncZ_yWsOucAxqabvbHQXcH25Po89dDzFVfa0yqQRsQ5IzYSrHBQ/s1600/2688027904_a835dde52d_q.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCA-ng6Un2r2ndfnssXRt-llyoBXMU2LEqXa7GCHkN7jNcvglZCzB48mKtZbTtLwKE5ffQ_TEki1ozmaBTZAcncZ_yWsOucAxqabvbHQXcH25Po89dDzFVfa0yqQRsQ5IzYSrHBQ/s200/2688027904_a835dde52d_q.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Yesterday, my family and I went out to South Padre Island to cool off. The Rio Grande Valley has had weather in the 90s until these past couple weeks, which are the dog days of summer, or as you will hear called around here, "la canicula". If there ever was a time to go spend some time at the beach, it is now.<br />
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You have probably heard of people in New York City who have lived there all their lives and never visited the Statue of Liberty, or any of the famous attractions. Living there, they can go any time they choose, so they don't go. I think it's the same here in South Texas with South Padre Island. Our family does not go and take advantage of this great attraction very often. It's there. We could go any time.<br />
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In fact, we have typically gone to the beach at South Padre Island during the off season, closer to November. The weather is still warm and the water is still warm. More importantly, we do not have to deal with the traffic.<br />
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On the way to the beach during the summer, traffic slows down in Laguna Vista. Then, you are creeping along through Port Isabel, the Queen Isabela causeway, and then the City of South Padre Island to find your favorite beach access. The excitement of getting on the beach makes the trip out less daunting.<br />
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After sunset, however, the reverse trip gets as congested as the trip onto the island as vacationers begin their exodus.<br />
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But, if you don't mind spending a little more time on the island, you can avoid a good chunk of the return traffic by waiting it out at the bay side.<br />
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The cool thing about South Padre Island is that there are two beaches. One beach faces the Gulf of Mexico. The other beach faces the Laguna Madre. So, before sunset, you can drive from the beach access to the bay access and watch the sun go down over the water. The bay side of South Padre Island is much calmer than the Gulf side. You can hang out and picnic as the sun sets and the other vacationers sit in traffic.<br />
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Of course, even if you're not that into going to the beach, South Padre Island has much to offer in terms of outdoor activities. What makes the outdoors attractive at the Island is that the outdoor temperature is typically much cooler there than it is inland. So, even without splashing around in the water, you would suffer the summer less.<br />
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Rob Nixon of Waiting for the Next Swell, recently wrote a <a href="http://robnixon.blogspot.com/2015/07/sharks-in-water-of-course-know-signs.html" target="_blank">post about sharks</a>. I didn't mention sharks to my family lest they freak out. But, I figured that a little vigilance on my part would suffice. I did see the occasional bird diving into the water after fish; but not many. We weren't exactly getting slapped in the face by fish that would attract sharks. We did see minnows darting around in the water, which was surprisingly less murky than I remember. In the end, we survived a fun day at the beach.<br />
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I did spend a couple hours today cleaning the sand out of the car. One thing about going to the beach is that sand gets EVERYWHERE. Despite the extra work, I figure the fun we had was worth the cleanup.<br />
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Except for a film camera, I left all my electronics in the car. Sand, humidity, and salt are not kind to electronics. Furthermore, nothing posted online could be as interesting as our little escape. I'll take the film in for developing some time this week. I am not anxious to plaster the interwebs with photos of our weekend getaway, like I would have done a few years back. The only reason I'm writing about this today is to suggest that you take your family to the beach.<br />
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It is only a short while longer before school starts up again. It is going to be really hot between now and then, and probably after. But, once school starts, things get complicated. You are less likely to go. Now is a good time to hit up South Padre Island for all the good times it has to offer. They have shopping, restaurants, bungee rides, the beach, a movie theater, boat rides, rental bikes and carts, and, most importantly, stories your family can tell about the good times they had.Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18197370675477100853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13972081.post-33862901732154477452015-07-13T07:10:00.002-05:002015-07-13T07:10:11.795-05:00The End of Our Good Weather RunI was shocked to see the temperature reach 100 degrees the other day. Shocked I say!<br />
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The run of 90 degree weather we have enjoyed up to now has run out. Back are the days of 100 degrees.<br />
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I had hoped we would make it through the full summer in the 90s. That would be so nice.<br />
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So, what now?<br />
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Well, there are some things you can do:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Visit your local municipal pool for some swimming</li>
<li>Visit your library during the hot hours. Have some quiet "me time". </li>
<li>Go shopping</li>
<li>The movies have always been a good way to escape the heat. Hit the matinees.</li>
<li>Go outdoors. Since you're going to be hot and sweaty anyway, go do some outdoor stuff. At least you'll have something to show for your perspiration.</li>
<li>Go to South Padre Island. Sharks be damned. They can't bite everybody. You have good odds of keeping even numbers of limbs.</li>
</ul>
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That's all I can think of off the top of my head. Do you have any ideas?</div>
Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18197370675477100853noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13972081.post-14184678822278293622015-05-14T19:02:00.000-05:002015-05-14T19:02:08.631-05:00Save Camp Lula SamsI realize that this is a bit last-minute; but, it is important. A few days ago, I was contacted by <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/111792623615551510115" target="_blank">+Karine Aigner</a> regarding a campaign to save <a href="http://www.camplulasams.com/" target="_blank">Camp Lula Sams</a>, which is 85.7 acres of land formerly used by the Girl Scouts. The property is now up for sale, which prompted a campaign to raise money to save it. <div>
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The important thing to know about Camp Lula Sams is that it is one of those properties that is home to all manner of wildlife and flora that appeals to nature lovers, photographers, and the occasional biology nerd. </div>
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You can keep up with the campaign by liking their Facebook Page at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/savecamplulasams">https://www.facebook.com/savecamplulasams</a> .</div>
<h3>
Important Date:</h3>
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There is a fundraiser dinner on May 16. Yes, that is in 2 days. Tickets are $40 each. Obviously, the more tickets are sold, the more money there is to save Camp Lula Sams. Below are the details of the event.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhez0FJ2p-sou6EaBdbFlsg0-FfSYHWulU-H2ROHrDKFUdZOY0XibgFt91osy3PKMfQ-3aAM2e95bmTxtjtO5mUW4_nKaUlCkHxjY0j6vIkkbdTBzlPr-njHe-7TDOc-q0cGeYnyw/s1600/11194441_1621629631415361_7085746387682628488_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhez0FJ2p-sou6EaBdbFlsg0-FfSYHWulU-H2ROHrDKFUdZOY0XibgFt91osy3PKMfQ-3aAM2e95bmTxtjtO5mUW4_nKaUlCkHxjY0j6vIkkbdTBzlPr-njHe-7TDOc-q0cGeYnyw/s400/11194441_1621629631415361_7085746387682628488_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<h3>
Another Important Date</h3>
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Being chock-full of helpfulness, I should also inform you that from now until June 15th, there is a Photography Tournament being sponsored by the Images for Conservation Fund and the Valley Land Fund. </div>
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Entrance fees and photos will be used to help raise money to (drumroll, please) . . . save Camp Lula Sams. A portion of the fees will be used for prizes for the top photographers. You can find out more details at: </div>
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<a href="http://imagesforconservation.org/product/save-camp-lula-sams-photography-tournament/">http://imagesforconservation.org/product/save-camp-lula-sams-photography-tournament/</a></div>
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<h3>
Why This Is Important To RGV Life</h3>
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One of the reasons I started RGV Life was because I would often hear negative things about living in the Rio Grande Valley. Often it would be about what we do not have or about what we do wrong. Well, Camp Lula Sams is one of those things that our community in South Texas has done right. We should protect it. We should celebrate it. More importantly, we should save it. </div>
Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18197370675477100853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13972081.post-5517784564563144282015-04-17T19:12:00.001-05:002015-04-17T19:12:20.286-05:00Waze App Is Helpful in the Rio Grande ValleyLately, I have been using the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/112705110135772710409" target="_blank">+Waze</a> app more and more to get around here in the Rio Grande Valley. Granted, the RGV is not quite San Antonio or Houston in terms of traffic. Still, there are areas that get congested during different times of day, which makes it frustrating at times.<br />
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In case you are not familiar with Waze, it is a mobile app that calculates the fastest route between your current location and your destination. Waze does this by tracking data sent by users like myself. Their servers recognize patterns and figure out the best route to take based on data sent from others users. If traffic slows down on your route, Waze will even reroute you to a better path.<br />
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Normally, you would use GPS to find places you have never visited. Waze can help you find locations like any old GPS; however, Waze is useful even when you know exactly where you are going because it is watching traffic ahead of you.<br />
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For example, in the mornings and afternoons, streets near schools get congested because parents are dropping off and picking up their m'hijos at school. Going around those areas can save you a couple of minutes. Waze manages to route around these busy areas so that you aren't stuck waiting behind a line of cars taking turns at the school drop off zone.<br />
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Personally, I pick up and drop off my oldest from <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/101855111361490225287" target="_blank">+The University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA)</a> regularly. Going from Mission to Edinburg will take different amounts of time depending on the time of day. Waze surprises me by picking different paths between home and UTPA. Even driving home from McAllen to Mission takes different paths. Sometimes Waze takes Bicentennial to the Expressway, sometimes it chooses 3 Mile Line.<br />
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Every once in a while, Waze will pick what seems like a strange path to get on a highway or to cut through town. It chooses streets that are almost completely empty and get me to my destination faster than I thought possible.<br />
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The RGV has sufficient traffic and enough users to make Waze a useful tool for getting around. Of course, the more people who use Waze for even routine drives, the better it gets. Waze definitely has a place in the daily drive. I recommend it.Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18197370675477100853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13972081.post-26890379403257419242015-03-29T09:18:00.001-05:002015-03-29T09:18:14.430-05:00The Best Time of Year in the Rio Grande ValleyWe are in the best time of year for the Rio Grande Valley in terms of temperature. Mornings are cool, days are warm and evenings are pleasant. This is the sort of weather that inspires one to go out for a walk to enjoy the glory of the outdoors, whether it is rural or in town.<br />
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Obviously, not all is perfect with this time of year. Allergies run rampant for those who suffer them. On my part, I get leaky eyes; whereas, others in my family get the whole stuffy face and headache with their allergies.<br />
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We have discovered that air purifiers are a tremendous help. Not only do the allergy sufferers in my home sleep better, they wake up in a better mood.<br />
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Coming back to the weather this time of year, I love it because the heat is not oppressive during the day like it is in summer. Summer days start off sweaty. I would say humid and hot; but, that's not how it feels. As soon as you step outside into the day, you start to sweat like a cheese with your patina of moisture, even in the morning. As the day heats up to triple digits, it can feel slightly suffocating.<br />
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In that kind of weather, going out for a walk, even in the mornings, is unpleasant. Forget walking in broad daylight.<br />
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Winter is no better. No. Winter is not too bad when the air is simply cold without wind or rain. I think what makes winter in the RGV unpleasant is the rain and wind. This is probably the same the world over, mind you. The best winter days are those in which the air is still. There is a crispness to the the outdoors on still winter days where everything seems more real. Perhaps it is the overcast soft lighting in which you don't have to squint.<br />
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Our version of spring time and after the summer heats are the best times because we have the crisp mornings and evenings, with the comfort of warm days.<br />
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This time of year in the Rio Grande Valley is the best for barbecues and spending time outside with friends and family. Entertaining guests, even in modest homes, is possible, because the outdoors is your entertaining room.<br />
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I'm going to miss this weather when the summer arrives. For now, I'll just pop some allergy pills and go to to enjoy our little corner of creation.Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18197370675477100853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13972081.post-51977787766120429502015-03-15T10:02:00.001-05:002015-03-15T10:02:40.477-05:00Orange Blossoms<p dir="ltr">Spring is almost in the air. We are seeing blooms around the RGV.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTt5QJFVff8iiInqw4ukC1Om5vXM414XqNLvBqvBc-xV61Ep7Pg_lwKWQ_V-xxu_Xs27tWl-Yw1g-ebwuNAHSxuvY-EQIzGoTuItnbtK11H0Zyf60J4xe3Z9F0_CSU3xUuyhIKgQ/s1600/1426431673544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTt5QJFVff8iiInqw4ukC1Om5vXM414XqNLvBqvBc-xV61Ep7Pg_lwKWQ_V-xxu_Xs27tWl-Yw1g-ebwuNAHSxuvY-EQIzGoTuItnbtK11H0Zyf60J4xe3Z9F0_CSU3xUuyhIKgQ/s640/1426431673544.jpg"> </a> </div>Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18197370675477100853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13972081.post-56359417087717345152015-03-07T21:43:00.000-06:002015-03-07T21:43:10.222-06:00RGV Commute Is Great For LearningYou could learn a great deal if you have to travel between South Padre Island and Roma. I don't imagine many of us make the full drive; but many of us drive somewhere in between. Recently my work requires driving from McAllen to Rio Grande City or McAllen to Raymondville. These aren't the longest drives in the world. However, if you fire up audio books or podcasts, you can learn some things.<br />
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There have been plenty of people to recommend Automobile University over the years. The idea started back in the day when you could buy a book on cassette. That later evolved to books on CD. Today's technology allows you to purchase and download an audio book in seconds. Thus, you can learn all manner of things if you put the effort into it.<br />
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Personally, I use Audible for my audio books because of its tie-in with Amazon. But, there are plenty of other places where you can download some books, such as Audiobooks.com, Google Play, iTunes, and Librivox among others.<br />
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If you are not into books, preferring radio show-like productions, then you can download podcasts and play them on the go.<br />
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There are plenty of places in the RGV where there is slow traffic that give you 10 to 20 minutes of listening time. A little here and a little there adds up.<br />
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Some of my favorite drives are the open areas between La Joya and Rio Grande City, or between Harlingen and Brownsville. Of course, there is the open country on the way to South Padre Island. But, even a boring commute to the office is 20 minutes of listening you can put in.<br />
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Some time ago, I did the opposite, calling in a Blog Talk Radio show for 30 minutes during my commute to work. We have the time to do things, is my point, if we use some of that wasted time in our lives.<br />
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Fortunately, the RGV being the land of tomorrow can result in tons of wasted time, which you can use for self-improvement.<br />
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If everybody in the Valley takes heed of my words, we could become some of the best educated people in the state.Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18197370675477100853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13972081.post-21697909046200939382015-02-16T10:16:00.000-06:002015-02-16T10:24:15.554-06:00Signs of Spring 2015 in the RGV<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bSROqQQpImY/VOH8RU-0IeI/AAAAAAABO1w/uZMuMKwutLQ/s1600/15%2B-%2B1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bSROqQQpImY/VOH8RU-0IeI/AAAAAAABO1w/uZMuMKwutLQ/s1600/15%2B-%2B1" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Signs of Spring in the RGV</td></tr>
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We have had some warm days in the 2014-2015 winter. Here we are mid-February. It is likely Spring will roll in, except for Spring Break. For some reason the weather likes to hit us with a cold front for Spring Break.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JaYS3gCRLZrKwUIAp-F25yj_jSEoYl44tC-2f_Mo66K4BIMNhYTQaAMaZSjrevpV4DgYfcELhXbVo4dMKMVKB86yCH3a4MIwvyv0nIoDO0Bq_FQBJBRZMJArpLjh-sGaEp44OQ/s1600/16356456409_1a4f8cd05f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JaYS3gCRLZrKwUIAp-F25yj_jSEoYl44tC-2f_Mo66K4BIMNhYTQaAMaZSjrevpV4DgYfcELhXbVo4dMKMVKB86yCH3a4MIwvyv0nIoDO0Bq_FQBJBRZMJArpLjh-sGaEp44OQ/s1600/16356456409_1a4f8cd05f_b.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peach blossoms</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKj8ClIf_hzqckL_pvwhhpiq35GnDiZoCmRER2AQATLhyfW-GXbDfxTWbxPfHymCf96mHxE0Ol3GCRvcpktwKLSQN0GfcMBaLPxh67cZaSBLjr7HswNVfNZzI6Pnoetoe4SXyjQ/s1600/16355052278_890cb7bfe0_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKj8ClIf_hzqckL_pvwhhpiq35GnDiZoCmRER2AQATLhyfW-GXbDfxTWbxPfHymCf96mHxE0Ol3GCRvcpktwKLSQN0GfcMBaLPxh67cZaSBLjr7HswNVfNZzI6Pnoetoe4SXyjQ/s1600/16355052278_890cb7bfe0_b.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blooming Aloe</td></tr>
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<br />Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18197370675477100853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13972081.post-81243294057098300722014-10-14T18:30:00.000-05:002014-10-14T18:30:01.223-05:00It Feels Like Fall 2014 Is Finally HereI woke up this morning and felt the morning air much cooler than during our summers. It seems that Fall has finally come around to the Rio Grande Valley.<br />
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I remember days when we still had 100 degree weather in October. I'm not longing for those days to come back, mind you. I am perfectly happy having Fall weather in the Fall than later in December.<br />
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Of course, this makes me wonder, with Fall coming so early to the Rio Grande Valley this year, if Winter will be colder than usual. Hopefully the weather remains temperate in its chill as it was in its heat this year.<br />
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I think that cooler weather gives us opportunity to wear more interesting clothes that we do not have opportunity to use the rest of the year, such as jackets, sweaters, scarves, and hats. I do see people walking around with beanies in the summer heat. Fools.<br />
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Cooler weather also makes it pleasant to be outdoors during the daytime rather than having to wait until the evening. I think I will enjoy the Winter of 2014.Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18197370675477100853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13972081.post-47334461507099193392014-09-26T09:03:00.000-05:002014-09-26T09:03:14.511-05:00The Rain Backlog of 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcbPOQ3tICkSx51UxyIbrgBXdmhQqE4K7QhTwq_SOy3sFSNrEqHhk-fGd_03cDGZ2TwGpFn15511vvE2FIe9J3sZw8LRsi5rXytgj39soUjO18Tad15RsttrxCDG6h9tQhOibxw/s1600/IMG_2487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcbPOQ3tICkSx51UxyIbrgBXdmhQqE4K7QhTwq_SOy3sFSNrEqHhk-fGd_03cDGZ2TwGpFn15511vvE2FIe9J3sZw8LRsi5rXytgj39soUjO18Tad15RsttrxCDG6h9tQhOibxw/s1600/IMG_2487.JPG" height="230" width="320" /></a></div>
It seems like it has been raining for weeks in the Rio Grande Valley. The weather forecasts have almost exclusively hovered around something like: Chance of Showers. High 90. Low 75. There have been a few days here and there where temperatures have climbed up to 100 degrees, but they have been very few compared to other years when it has been 100 F through October.<br />
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It's as if all the rain that we have not had these many years has suddenly decided to pay back its debt.<br />
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Out of curiosity, I looked up the Falcon Reservoir level, which is often used as an indicator of drought conditions. Despite all the rain we have been receiving, the Falcon Lake level is still about 30 ft below capacity. In fact, we are below 2010 and 2011 levels at the same time of year. But, we are above 2012 and 2013 levels by a few feet. We seem to be somewhat following seasonal variability, in terms of lake level. In short, not quite drought, but not quite in breathe easy territory.<br />
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So, what has been the result of so much rain in the Rio Grande Valley?<br />
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Certainly, everything has greened up rather nicely with so much rain. We have grown accustomed to yellow landscapes after so many years of little precipitation. It is a nice change to see the local flora thriving and flourishing.<br />
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Of course, the rains are also responsible for bringing something that we certainly have not missed, mosquitoes and flies. Certainly, we had flies during the dry times; but, not to the same extent. The same goes for mosquitoes, there may have been the occasional mosquito; but not the roving squadrons we see today.<br />
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To be sure, local health officials have been dispatching trucks to spray for mosquitoes once it became evident that it would rain for more than two days in a row. Municipalities like McAllen have also been enforcing weedy lot ordinances to ensure that citizens mow down their jungles to help control mosquitoes.<br />
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Speaking of growing populations, have you seen all the potholes that have proliferated around town? It seems as though there were benefits to the drought.<br />
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My only other pondering on the rains is what effect this will all have on the cracked foundations that have proliferated from our shifting clay soil? It has been sad to drive around town and see huge cracks making their ways up the walls of people's homes. Even the place I'm renting has had some issues with the shifting soil. The house is wood frame, which surprisingly doesn't help. Some of the doors get stuck, sheet rock has cracked here and there, and joints between the concrete and house have separated.<br />
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It looks like we will have more rain in the foreseeable future. With any luck, we'll skip the 100 degree weather for the rest of the year, which is my real interest.Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18197370675477100853noreply@blogger.com0Mission, TX, USA26.2159066 -98.32529319999997626.1019271 -98.486654699999974 26.3298861 -98.163931699999978tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13972081.post-27380089555334115772014-09-18T23:27:00.000-05:002014-09-18T23:27:41.344-05:00Riding the Bus to McAllenThis morning, my oldest and I took the Valley Metro bus from Mission to McAllen. I was headed to 10th and Trenton; she was headed to <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/101855111361490225287" target="_blank">+The University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA)</a>. I thought I had blogged about riding the bus before; but, I don't see any evidence. It must have been put on <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/101560853443212199687" target="_blank">+Google+</a> or on Facebook somewhere. This must have been about 2 or 3 years back when I worked in Edinburg.<br />
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The result of the previous bus riding was that I couldn't do it long-term. I was spending way too much time doing nothing during the ride, and it takes 2 hours to get from Mission to Edinburg without changing buses. The Valley Metro bus meanders through Mission, goes to the McAllen bus depot, then meanders through Pharr before ending up in Edinburg. The return trip involves equal meandering.<br />
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I tried using that time to do work, read, or whatever; but, batteries only get you so far. My batteries would be drained by the time I got to work. In addition, it was eating up my data plan.<br />
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This time around, I found that my experience getting to work in north McAllen still took me about 2 hours; but, it wasn't spent on one bus. There is a bus transfer involved, getting off the Valley Metro #20 and hopping on the McAllen Metro #2 or #3. They both take roughly the same route, but will deposit you on opposite sides of the street.<br />
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The advantage this time around is that there is Wi-Fi at the McAllen bus terminal and some spots along the route. Also, while waiting for my bus transfer, I could eat breakfast at the <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/110784537862941971412" target="_blank">+SUBWAY Restaurants</a> franchise at the depot.<br />
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My daughter was fortunate that there is now a bus, the Metro Connect Green Line, that eliminates the Pharr meandering. It takes her straight to the University, or straight-ish rather. There is an unpredictable stop at the McAllen Library. She was supposed to take the bus to the library after school, where her mother could pick her up after work; but, the bus didn't stop there as it did on the way to school. So, we had to pick her up at the bus depot in the afternoon.<br />
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The bus ride itself is not unpleasant. Most of the passengers aren't a gloomy lot. They will spark up a conversation to make the time pass on their journey. I think the biggest problem is that a 15 minute drive takes 2 hours.<br />
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McAllen does a great job of running buses every hour on the hour. The predictability makes it so that you can work something out. The only time it becomes an all-or-nothing event is if your stop is at the far end of the loop where the bus turns around. If you miss the bus, you can't cross the street and grab the next one. But, you can avoid that by being on time.<br />
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I don't want to be harsh on Valley Metro because they are doing rather well considering that they are serving most of the communities in the RGV. In addition, they are rather predictable even though they offer the additional service of detouring from their main routes for certain situations. However, the problem today is the same problem I had a couple years ago when I tried taking the bus to work in Edinburg. That problem is that it's asking too much from one route.<br />
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I get on the bus at 6:30. If I were to miss it, I could walk a couple blocks and catch it, the same bus, at around 6:45. Or, my wife could drop me off a little before 7 as she drops off my daughter at school at another stop to catch the same bus less than a mile away. Valley Metro is making one bus do the job of several. That bus has to meander through town to provide service to the entire community before moving on to the next.<br />
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Again, one can't be harsh on Valley Metro because the bus does get full and there is indeed a need they meet. But, if you miss the bus at any of its meanderings, you're going to wait 2 hours for the next one.<br />
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While we're on the subject of two hours, referring to the 2 hour commute, it doesn't matter how I jigger the schedule, somehow it always ends up taking me 2 hours to get from Mission to my ultimate destination in McAllen, or the reverse. If you add it up, that's four hours of commute per day. That's half a work day every day. That's twenty hours per week, a part-time job.<br />
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So, why bother riding the bus?<br />
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I think this is a personal question in some regards. It will vary from person to person. For some people, the bus is their only reliable option in which they aren't imposing on the kindness of others. For some people, . . ., well, they're damned hipsters. They want to save the planet and live simply. In short, your mileage may vary from mine.<br />
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In my case, my family is a one-vehicle family. There are certain challenges that result from two people juggling the need for one vehicle. Having two vehicles creates a cash outflow we would rather avoid, that is to say fuel, insurance, taxes, maintenance, and other expenses.<br />
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A bus option facilitates the morning commute and custody of the vehicle. In addition, I am almost too happy to give up having to drive. I now have a Kindle that affords me plenty of reading and battery life so that I can spend time reading improving books and other materials when I would have otherwise been driving.<br />
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In the afternoon, it is easier for Mrs. Mata to pick me up at work and then go pick up our children. But, even if she or I had some other after work commitment, having a bus option to go home would be helpful for the rare occasion.<br />
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And, I think that is what describes our situation. Riding the bus is an option that helps us out of scheduling dilemmas. I'll write about personal multimodal transport later, as I'm considering other options that do not involve buying another car; but, let's stick to bus riding today.<br />
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I have lived in Austin, Texas a few times in my life. I had a vehicle most of those times, which I hardly used because their bus system is well developed. I really enjoyed the freedom of hopping on and off a transport without regard to parking, gas, traffic, or other matters that a driver endures.<br />
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I find myself wanting the bus system in the Rio Grande Valley to resemble that <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/108833358158931100498" target="_blank">+Capital Metro</a> experience. We aren't there yet. Our bus systems need more riders to grow to that level. Yet, the time commitment is a detractor from the casual rider like myself who enjoys the practice of good public transport.<br />
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Ideally, I would like buses every half hour. But, I realize that it means a big capital investment and tons of politics given that our communities are a collection of fragmented fiefdoms. I think McAllen will most likely grow their public transport on their own. I think Valley Metro needs the most help through increased ridership. Valley Metro is in that chicken and egg situation where they need more riders to justify greater investment; but, they need more investment to attract more riders. The two hour thing is just murder when it comes to using their buses. That really is the biggest detractor. I think, at the very least, they could have hourly buses for communities surrounding McAllen, specifically Mission, Edinburg, and Pharr, so that the schedules mesh better.<br />
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I will continue to ride the bus in the mornings despite the two hour commitment, thanks to McAllen's Public WiFi service.Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18197370675477100853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13972081.post-27239481338343037202014-08-25T21:38:00.002-05:002014-08-25T21:38:58.797-05:00Was Today a Crazy Day in the RGV, or What?Today seemed a particularly crazy day in the news here in the Rio Grande Valley.<br />
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Let's start off with the first day of school. Today, parents, children, and the community at large scrambled around like ants after their hill is kicked over. Police everywhere watching trouble spots where people get gnarled up dropping off their kids, and watching for dummies talking on their phone (or texting) through school zones. So, the craziness started with people trying to readjust to the school routine.<br />
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Then, apparently, Weslaco's water was contaminated overnight because of too much demand. Their water processing could not keep up. I don't know exactly what that means, perhaps something with backflows where water is sucked back into the water lines, thus making the quality questionable. Who knows? In any case, the whole city had to lay off tap water. The schools had to order bottled water. Restaurants shut down. Dogs and cats...never mind. The City of Weslaco issued a notice overnight, as if anybody listens to or reads the news while screaming at the kids to put on their damned shoes and get in the car.<br />
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The Hidalgo school district found mold in some classrooms and had to cancel classes for those schools (school?). That's a good thing, right? Well not for parents who have been dreaming about getting rid of their kids since May. That's the sort of thing that trifles with their emotions. I'm surprise there were no assaults.<br />
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Speaking of assaults, apparently there was a kidnapping and assault in Donna. There were ambulances, police, and helicopters involved. Even <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/101511083157561102913" target="_blank">+KGBTexas .communications</a> and other media went out to cover the event. Last I heard, there was a standoff and some woman escaped. I don't know the details because I have a job and only have time to see headlines stream by.<br />
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Speaking of streams, I saw a photo of a rolled over vehicle on the expressway. There was another vehicle that caught fire. And, to top it off, Eastbound lanes were shut down on the Expressway in Mission.<br />
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All of this is what I could gather just from headlines zipping by. I'm sure there was much more craziness; but, I'm afraid to look.<br />
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What is wrong with you people?Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18197370675477100853noreply@blogger.com0Mission, TX, USA26.2159066 -98.32529319999997626.1019271 -98.486654699999974 26.3298861 -98.163931699999978tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13972081.post-52800108491272903842014-06-21T05:11:00.001-05:002014-06-21T05:11:36.628-05:002014 A Slow Hurricane SeasonJust yesterday, while thinking about the heat and the possibility of rain, it occurred to me that there have been no tropical storms nor hurricanes this year. 2013 was a very slow year with only two hurricanes and fourteen tropical storms. Nothing major. So, how is this year looking?<br />
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First, I discovered that Hurricane Season officially starts on June 1 and ends September 30. This means that it has been only about three weeks since the season started. Thus, not enough time for these random events to cook something up.<br />
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However, given that we had an unusually long winter, and that such storms love heat energy, it may be possible that we will have another slow year.<br />
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The predictions by people who keep stats say that we should have 5 hurricanes this year, with 2 major ones hitting land. And we should have about 10 tropical storms. If you do the numbers, that gets us up to the letter J in storm names.<br />
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Given the history of storms, we can likely expect both the Yucatan and Caribbean islands to get run over. As for landfall on the rest of North America, it's anybody's guess.<br />
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We should prepare for a storm, regardless. It doesn't hurt to be stocked up on what you might need.Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18197370675477100853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13972081.post-22614011953976011532014-06-14T20:50:00.001-05:002014-06-14T20:50:25.850-05:00Cleaning Mold and Mildew From Your Window Air ConditionerI don't think cleaning mold and mildew from your window air conditioner is a problem specific to the Rio Grande Valley. After all, there are plenty of other places with high temperatures and high humidity. However, given that there are so many of us who rely on window units to cool our homes, allow me to share some experience in cleaning these things out.<br />
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<h4>
Why I'm Cleaning My Own A/C</h4>
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Obviously, our window units grew some black stuff on the blower and its enclosure. This generated allergies in my little one, who is sensitive to such things. Not having my own laboratory, I couldn't tell you if it is mold or mildew. It matters not.<br />
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<h4>
What I've Tried</h4>
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Other than replacing the window unit every couple months, I've tried washing the unit with Clorox products. I figure bleach kills everything; but, I guess it doesn't. We still had to use cotton swabs to wipe and scrub surfaces on the blower and enclosure, which is almost impossible on some models. You can't disassemble them enough without separating welded parts.<br />
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We have also tried professional AC cleaner sprays, which foam up and you wash off. The black stuff remains.<br />
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If I couldn't remove the black stuff, then perhaps I could filter the allergens. At first, I tried putting a HEPA filter on the air intake and exhaust. This works for maybe a day until the intake gets clogged. After that the unit struggles to blow out cold air. It freezes up and stops blowing air altogether.<br />
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I tried being less aggressive on the intake, using a foam, washable filter and a HEPA on the exhaust. This works better; but, you still have to change the HEPA filter every 10 days. You'd be amazed at the crud that it catches.<br />
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<h4>
What Finally Worked</h4>
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After much research, I found people recommending something so obvious, I didn't think of it. They recommended Lysol Mold & Mildew Remover.<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=ss_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=shamat-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00B9H56IE&asins=B00B9H56IE&linkId=&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
</iframe>
<br />
<br />
We tried it tonight to see if it works. Unlike the other bleach products, this one starts working within minutes. You do not have to sit around scrubbing all the surfaces to remove the mold or mildew. The black stuff either falls off or washes off with a water hose.<br />
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<h4>
Additional Note</h4>
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If you or a child of yours suffers from bad allergies and must use window air conditioning units, I would recommend using the Lysol spray to clean out the growing mold or mildew. This stuff is almost inevitable given the high humidity in the RGV. The combination of condensation and dust in the air create the perfect conditions, substrate for you geeks, for mold and mildew to build up and release allergens.<br />
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But, don't stop there. I also recommend you stop at the local Home Depot or Lowe's to buy a really good air filter. By some magic of marketing, a small filter costs as much as a large one. I buy the large ones and cut them up. For the same $20, I can change the filter pieces several times.<br />
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A cheap foam filter will have to do for the air intake. Unfortunately, the high quality filter that catches allergens coming out of the AC also slows down the air flow drastically. Stopping up both ends severely reduces the efficiency of the unit, making it run continuously without cooling off your home. The best balance is to clean the unit and change filters frequently.<br />
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I recommend spraying down the fan and fan enclosure once per month when you are using the air conditioner. I recommend changing the filters every 10 to 15 days. I tried changing the filters once per month; but, they start to grow their own mold and mildew, adding to your allergy problem. When it comes to health, the minor inconvenience of changing filters and washing out your AC is well worth it compared to buying allergy medicine, decongestant, cough medicine, tissues, and albuterol.<br />
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Been there. Done that. I hope this helps you make things better in your home.Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18197370675477100853noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13972081.post-46774703448222193932014-06-10T00:10:00.000-05:002014-06-10T00:10:08.178-05:00Changes to RGV-Life Twitter FeedThe RGV Life Twitter feed was previously fed news updates through Topix. Unfortunately, it required clicking on the link, landing on a summary page, and then having to click on another link for the full story.<br />
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The feed has been updated to use Google News as the source in the hopes that only a single click will be needed to reach the news source rather than require a second click to reach the original post.<br />
<br />Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18197370675477100853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13972081.post-76768822634207260082014-04-13T14:00:00.000-05:002014-04-13T14:00:04.237-05:00Hidalgo County MPO Bike/Ped Taskforce MeetingThe Hidalgo County Metropolitan Planning Organization will meet Monday, April 14, at 6 pm in the UTPA Community Engagement (ITTB 1.210) building. The MPO relies on public involvement to advise local governments and leaders on what they can do to make our communities better and safer for pedestrians and bike riders.<br />
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Facebook Event: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/225577074290877/">https://www.facebook.com/events/225577074290877/</a><br />
<br />Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18197370675477100853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13972081.post-82091270947860505562014-04-12T20:28:00.002-05:002014-04-12T20:28:32.087-05:00South Texas Wedding and Quinceanera Showcase<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Jy7H2-O5qzNuSyzaSFlhWReJ64nSm-LsQMEZTkUO2xA4lenv88GHrvZ9S6chCOTLbUo7Spmsw9EmdGcdrDB78dZCfykJkKFLurcZNcubfUoN8hqWt_R1wpmeKtW4rlhGijEvUA/s1600/weddingquinceanera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Jy7H2-O5qzNuSyzaSFlhWReJ64nSm-LsQMEZTkUO2xA4lenv88GHrvZ9S6chCOTLbUo7Spmsw9EmdGcdrDB78dZCfykJkKFLurcZNcubfUoN8hqWt_R1wpmeKtW4rlhGijEvUA/s1600/weddingquinceanera.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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South Texas Wedding & Quinceanera Showcase starts tomorrow from noon to 6 pm at the McAllen Convention Center.<br />
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The event features more than 70 exhibitors. Tickets to the event are only $8 per person.<br />
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Attendees can expect to see fashion shows to highlight products. In addition, there will be live entertainment, special offers, food, and prizes.<br />
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An event like this is a great preparation for summer brides who are looking for that something special for their upcoming wedding. Be sure not to miss it.Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18197370675477100853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13972081.post-91573127455220087322014-03-31T23:05:00.001-05:002014-03-31T23:05:31.118-05:00RGV Life Event Announcements on Twitter<p dir="ltr">If you follow <a href="http://twitter.com/rgvlife">RGV Life on Twitter</a>, you will see an increase in posts with Rio Grande Valley headlines, weather, and event announcments. This is a recent effort to make the RGV Life online presence more useful to the community. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Unfortunately, it requires a greater time commitment to write blog posts, otherwise that would be the preferred method of announcing things. Still, keep checking back as more updates and modifications are made. </p>
Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18197370675477100853noreply@blogger.com0Mission, Mission26.215906 -98.325294tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13972081.post-37430308945883540882014-03-22T12:05:00.001-05:002014-03-22T12:05:41.635-05:00Weslaco Hosts the 2014 Texas Onion Festival<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Weslaco puts on their annual Texas Onion Festival for 2014.<br/><br /><br/><br />via Storify http://sfy.co/sRo2 -- March 22, 2014 at 11:51AM</div>RGV Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680080352743851835noreply@blogger.com0