'Gone Hollywood' Movie Scenes Shot in McAllen

Venezuelan international telenovela star Fernando Carrillo was in downtown McAllen Friday filming a scene from his upcoming movie 'Gone Hollywood'.

Appearing in first American film, described as light hearted family movie, Carrillo plays a broke actor named Alberto Vasquez. Vasquez returns to the Valley after inheriting a house and a bar. After spending time with friends and family he'd been away from, Vasquez realizes there's more to life than the glitz and glamour in Hollywood.

Valley native and 'George Lopez Show' star Valente Rodriguez played a big role in convincing the movie's director to shoot the film here.

A casting call drew more than 700 aspiring thespians. Several Valleyites, including two local drama teachers, will be featured in several scenes.

'Gone Hollywood' is expected to be released by the end of the year or early 2011.

Hidalgo County Opens Disaster Recovery Hotline

From Hidalgo County Public Information Office:

While a presidential declaration will help the Rio Grande Valley get on track to recover after the floods brought on by Hurricane Alex, Hidalgo County Judge Rene A. Ramirez says the county must work with local non-profits and faith-based organizations to fill remaining gaps in service in the community.

“We are grateful for the assistance our federal partners are providing and appreciate the invaluable service our local non-profits provide,” Judge Ramirez said. “The county has chosen to be proactive by working hand-in-hand with these allies to help facilitate the smooth distribution of their goods and services to the residents in the most need.

Hidalgo County’s local Disaster Recovery Hotline goes live Friday to help residents affected by the flood access a wide variety of recovery resources. The bilingual recovery hotline will be open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for at least 30 days. The number is 1-866-613-5277. (Please note: This is NOT the FEMA registration number. This is general disaster recovery helpline. Residents are highly encouraged to register with FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA as soon as possible.)

The hotline’s main purposes will be to refer flood-affected residents to charitable organizations that can assist with whatever needs they may have and field any questions about the FEMA individual assistance application process.

“Our goal is to be a resource for residents who don’t feel comfortable turning anywhere else or they want to talk to people familiar with recovery resources. This is a complimentary service to those already out there—a one-stop shop for all types of disaster recovery questions,” he said.

Because of the heavy load placed on local non-profits and faith-based, Judge Ramirez is also asking individuals who have the means to please donate.

McAllen Ranks Among Top Inexpensive Places to Live

Yahoo Real Estate ranks the City of McAllen among the top inexpensive places to live. The rankings were compiled based on the ACCRA Cost of Living Index produced by the Council for Community and Economic Research.

Find out who rounds out the top of the list by clicking on the provided link.

http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/least-and-most-expensive-cities-for-living-in-the-usa

Matching Grant Programs Offered to Business Owners

The City of McAllen has two matching grant programs for commercial properties in McAllen: The Decorative Lighting of Commercial Buildings and the Landscaping of Commercial Properties.

The Commercial Matching Grant Program helps business owners fund lighting and landscaping projects by providing a 50% match on a reimbursement basis, from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $5,000.

The program gives business owners an incentive to complete a lighting or landscaping project that makes McAllen a more attractive city. Some restrictions apply.

Links to program information are as follows: Lighting ishttp://www.mcallen.net/devservices/planning/lightinggrant.aspx; Landscaping ishttp://www.mcallen.net/devservices/planning/commercialgrant.aspx

For more information, contact the McAllen Planning Department at 956-681-1250.

Kids Village Montessori Learning Center Event

Graduation Party on FRIDAY AUGUST 20,2010! 

Wear your Princess or Prince costume!

$5.00 (KV families) $3.00 (per person for non-KV Families)

 

KIDS VILLAGE MONTESSORI LEARNING CENTER
5501 N. "G" ST.
MCALLEN, TX 78504
Located on Dove-between McColl and Jackson- across from the Woman's Hospital at Renaissance