Main Library To Close To Launch New Catalog System

The McAllen Public Library will be closing its doors to launch a new catalog system at the Main Library at 601 N. Main St., on Tuesday September 28 and Wednesday, September 29. Meanwhile, services will remain open at the two library branches but will have reduced services on those days.

Recognizing the need for a more modern online catalog to complement its ultramodern new library, McAllen Public Library has initiated plans to acquire the LS2 Public Access Catalog by The Library Corporation. It will be available to the public online from any location and in person at all library locations beginning Thursday, September 30, 2010.

“Construction of the new Main Library is proceeding at a pace that may allow the new McAllen Public Library to open in less than one year from now,” said Jose Gamez, Library Director. He added, “The implementation of a new cutting edge catalog system is one of the most important things we will do for the future of our library system.”

To read the entire news release, click here: News Release--Library Closing

Art Statue, 'Three Graces', Unveiled In Arts District

McAllen’s latest art work has been unveiled. It happened Thursday morning at the corner of Hackberry and N. Main St. It is a metal sculpture representing the three graces of Faith, Hope & charity. The sculpture is the artwork of Mick Reber, an internationally known Valley artist.

The 12 foot tall steel work sits on top of a 40 inch concrete base. It interprets the three graces of Faith, Hope & Charity as three dancing women holding a sphere over their heads. Reber says the sphere represents unity, good people and good things.

The sculpture weighs close to three thousand pounds and is constructed of the highest quality steel available. The same steel that is used for bridges and other structures designed to last for hundreds of years. Reber says that this type of steel does not rust. What currently appears to be rust on the sculpture was added with chemicals in order to supply color and texture.

The work was commissioned by the City of McAllen, the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and the McAllen Public Art Committee. This combined group is in the middle of a project to place five art works throughout the city.

Earlier in September the statue of an irrigation worker was unveiled at a city landscaped park area at Nolana Ave. and 25th street. That statue was created by McAllen based sculptor, Douglas Clark. Clark has several works at the Veteran’s War Memorial of Texas, Quinta Mazatlan and in several other states. Three more art works will be unveiled in public places in the coming months.

"The theme of the Three Graces is based on the traditional concept; faith, hope and charity.While these values speak for themselves, my contemporary interpretation allows for a more creative and aesthetic interaction with the viewer and will hopefully allow it to remain vital and timeless.

Public art engages people in a variety of positive ways. As we drive by or walk by a public work of art, it invites us to think and reflect. It helps us nurture an aesthetic awareness in ways that we might otherwise miss.

Jo Bowton, a Valley resident, game me perhaps the most satisfying observation yet, when she said, “I love it, it seems like it’s always been there, it seems right at home.”

I would like to thank the City of McAllen, the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and the McAllen Public Art Committee for selecting the Three Graces and I am pleased to be included in your public art experience."

--Mick Reber, Sculptor

To view a photo gallery of the art unveiling, click here:

Photo Gallery of 'Three Graces' on City of McAllen's Facebook Page

Residents Reminded To Register Alarm Systems With McAllen PD

The McAllen Police Department advises home and business owners that they could be fined if their alarm system is not registered, as required by a city ordinance.

The annual fee to register an alarm system is $25.00.

Beginning October 15, 2010 officers will cite home and business owners who are not in compliance. The first violation with court fees is $109.00 dollars.

To obtain an alarm permit and register the alarm system, residents can call the McAllen Police Department's Alarm Division at (956) 681-2093, during normal business hour

Amnesty Offered By Court, Failure To Appear Fines Waived

The City of McAllen’s Municipal Court is offering an amnesty period for violators who have a failure to appear fine on their tickets. The court will offer the amnesty period from September 15, 2010 to November 15, 2010. During this time, the failure to appear charge may be waived for persons who come in voluntarily (i.e. officer is not actively looking for you) to make arrangements to pay their tickets.

The fine is $105. However, if violators do not make arrangements with the court they could be arrested.

McAllen Tops List of Best Housing Markets for Investors

Home buyers and sellers can take heart: Companies of all stripes are investing in real estate again. While the actions of big Wall Street funds and global corporations might seem to matter little to families choosing cities and towns in which to live, consumers can learn a lot by following which investing markets heavy hitters are focusing on--and which ones they're avoiding.

The housing health of a city is affected by a lot of factors including the jobs picture and the rate of vacancies and foreclosures. But some cities where home prices have been battered look like great buys for investors, a good sign that in spite of deep declines, they might turn around dramatically.

Two years ago the idea of putting money behind real estate ventures seemed too risky for even the most reckless of capitalists. But investor skittishness about the real estate market is slipping away, and speculators are seeing value in distressed markets.

But in a housing market this volatile, it can be hard to tell when low sales prices on property indicate a market that has bottomed or one with little hope of a turnaround any time soon. We asked Cary, N.C.-based Local Market Monitor (LMM), a real estate research firm, to identify the markets that were the best bet for residential real estate investing.

Raleigh, N.C.; McAllen, Texas; and Austin led the list.

To read the entire story, click here: Forbes: Best Housing Markets for Investors