Going out to eat? Need something to do tonight? A place to stay? Publish or learn of a Public Service? or simply just want to take advantage of the giveaways? You're on the right website!! McAllen is growing, becoming more metropolitan and we want you to keep up. We want tourists to visit McAllen for vacation and for McAllen citizens to enjoy their staycation as much as possible.
We are Lizbeth and Carlos Muriel.
"McAllen, a small town with a big city feel"
Let us know if you have any questions or suggestions.
Monday, March 8, 2010 at 10:24PM
Monday, March 8, 2010 at 5:11PM 
10 BIGGEST PRE-WEDDING MISTAKES
1) Blowing off ur budget.
2) Messing up the marriage license.
3) Ordering ur wedding gown 2 late.
4) Booking hotel rooms 2 late.
5) Inviting 2 many guests.
6) Partaking last-minute beauty treatments & crash diets.
7) Underpaying invitation postage.
8) Ignoring religious restrictions.
9) Trying 2 go it alone.
10) Forgetting 2 focus on what's important.
and for an EXPERTS assistance
please contact Sandra Avila-Tutka
1804 North 23rd Street
Mcallen, Texas 78501
Phone : 956-451-2996 / 956-212-2811
email : firstclassengagements@yahoo.com
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 9:37AM As County Commissioner, Oscar Garza has helped steer Hidalgo County to its strongest fiscal position ever. Taxpayers are saving thousands in interests thanks to the County achieving its highest bond rating in history. By self-funding workers' compensation and health insurance there is an additional $18 million in savings. And with $15 million in cash reserves in the general fund, we’re keeping up with growth without raising taxes.
Oscar Garza follows the same tried-and-true principles as our county commissioner as he does in his own business — putting in a hard day’s work, hands-on management and conservative fiscal policies that keep an eye toward the future. These values have been handed down through the Garza family from generation to generation. Oscar’s grandfather, L.S. Garza, founded Edinburg’s first pharmacy in 1933, and Oscar’s uncles were among the first Hispanic doctors in the county, and served on local school boards as well. Recently the Garza legacy of family, community, and hard work were remembered fondly at the services for Oscar’s father’s funeral.
Oscar and his wife Imelda have worked hard to pass on these lessons to their children, Brenda and Oscar III. Both worked their way through college taking jobs that made sure they understood the value of hard work and what it means to serve others.
Hidalgo County is growing fast. And Oscar is working hard to make sure that we keep up with growth, expand services and economic opportunities, and lend a helping hand to the less fortunate. Under Oscar’s leadership, new roads have been paved for colonias, a new juvenile justice center has been built to provide counseling, education, and job training for at risk kids, and an innovative pharmacy discount program is now available to all Hidalgo County families to help them with the rising cost of prescription drugs.
And after Hurricane Dolly, Oscar led the way with the most aggressive flood protection plan in South Texas, taking a $44 million drainage project in house for nearly half the cost.
In the toughest of economic times, Oscar Garza is making Hidalgo County even stronger.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at 11:47AM 
Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at 12:42PM
Ginna(left) Giselle(right)
This group of lovely ladies are the brain behind the amazing restaurant, Pepper's. The second that you walk in you are guaranteed to see these two ladies on your right hand side sitting in a booth with customers or walking (more like running) around Pepper's making sure that their customers are 100% happy. Their motto is "YES WE CAN" and because of them Pepper's has had an amazing outcome in the past couple of months. They have the creativity and imagination of a 4 year old. These inspirational women have been one of the most positive people I have ever encountered in my life and the biggest go-getters. I would like for everyone to get to know them.. here are a few random questions that they have each answered. - Lizbeth Muriel
if you are nor friends with Pepper's on facebook.. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR:
http://www.facebook.com/peppers.uptown
Giselle
NAME: Giselle Dominique Mascarenhas-Gonzalez because I wanted to try and use every letter in the alphabet LOL!
BIRTHDAY: I am a VERY proud almost 37... December 09, 1972
FAVORITE COLOR: Hard one. Summer- White, Winter- Chocolate Brown, Evening- Black, Saturdays-COLOR... LOL! but seriously. OH and don't get me started on MOOD. Then it changes.
DREAM CAR: I am leaning towards a FORD TRUCK, seriously... I love my sweet Cowboy's truck!
WHERE DO I WORK, AND WHAT DO I DO: I call myself a Consulting General Manager @ Pepper's Uptown, why? because I RUN the SHOW but my General Manager deserves that title and I don't know what to call myself then. So, I came up with "Consulting" GM... good one, huh? I also "wear" a lot of hats. I am a business marketing consultant. @ Pepper's I set the boundaries and INCREASE the bottom line. I have a FABULOUS general manager-Fernando and a rock'n Kitchen Manager- Tom- together we make a great TEAM!!
RANDOMNESS JOB I'VE DONE WHILE WORKING AT PEPPER'S: ... I want to be creative on this one but EVERYTHING I do is RANDOMNESS LOL!!!!
FAVORITE DISH: When I am watching what I eat- grilled chicken and veggies. When I am like "I am starving and I want..." ohhhhh the Chicken Parmesan with linguini hmmmmmm so good!!!
FAVORITE PEPPER'S DESSERT: @ Pepper's the Coconut Cream Pie, or GIDDY Cupcakes
FAVORITE DRINK: I am IN LOVE with Water... yup water!
WHERE DO I WISH TO TRAVEL: GREECE!!!!!!!!!! then PARIS!!!!!!!!!!! Greece within the NEXT year FOR SURE!!!
WORST PICK UP LINE, EVER: I don't know, but the BEST one was- "You know YOU WILL date me" ... that was HOT!
WHAT ARE THE "PEPPER'S GO TO GIRLS?": At Pepper's Ginna and I have a philosophy that we LIVE by, "YES". We like to make your perfect EVENT perfect! If you need something a little random and different, WE LOVE to make that happen. The great thing about life in general is that "happiness" revolves around food- a birthday, anniversary, X-Mas party, engagement, celebrating straight "a's", a promotion, YOU NAME it ... it revolves around FOOD!! At Pepper's we have culinary CHEFS (plural) that can make anything you wish a REALITY! The "Go 2 Girls" create and EXECUTE YOUR wishes!!
FAVORITE PART OF MCALLEN: Recently I drove downtown to see one of my best friends bar- Brewskies- and I was AMAZED at the beauty of 17th street. During the day it is under used... Pepper's will be SOUTH at Brewskies and it WILL be my FAVORITE part of McAllen. Parking on 17th on a Saturday early afternoon, walking down the beautiful street, enjoying the quaint patio at Brewskies while Pepper's is making a FRESH Philly Cheese STEAK... oh and a BREWSKIE of course... that will be AWESOME!! (Coming in December!!!)
BEST ADVICE EVER BEEN GIVEN: BE PATIENT: simple advice but it is the VERY best advice! Don't pull the trigger... live true to yourself and BE PATIENT...
QUOTE TO LIVE BY: "When people show you who they are, believe them"
I'VE BEEN MISTAKEN FOR: hmmmmmm I don't think I have been mistaken for anyone...
BEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: cliche... but my beautiful children! My son is 16 and is an incredible artist with a heart of Gold, and my daughter is 6 and a GENIUS... seriously scary smart! I am so proud of that accomplishment!
WORST HABIT: Delayed reaction... I "process"...
I WISH I COULD STOP eating sweets BUT I CANT HELP IT.
MOST EMBARRASSING MUSIC ON YOUR IPOD: Jonas Brothers... I really like them.
I AM DYING FOR President Obama TO VISIT PEPPERS.
THE ONE TREND YOU'LL NEVER CATCH ME IN IS: Punk
I ALWAYS WEAR: wife beaters (tank tops)
COUNT ON ME FOR: SOLID ADVICE... if asked I answer with a truthful heart and sometimes it happens to be the exact opposite of what you want to hear... but I promise it is done with the BEST intentions. Sometimes, I wish people would just NOT ask.
I WANT TO SEE MORE OF: a LUNCH crowd AT PEPPERS because we have great and affordable options. We have a solid crowd but my wish is to have people waiting at the bar to be seated... JUST CRAZY BUSY!!!!
FAVORITE OUTFIT: A little black dress with 6 inch black pumps!
MY FAVORITE ANIMAL IS: a puppy that is potty trained and does not lick.... hmmmmm non-existent.
YOU ARE AT PEACE AT: THE BEACH!
AT HOME YOU WILL FIND ME: in pj's!!
DO YOU COOK? (CEREAL DOESN'T COUNT)... LOL!!!!!!! still laughing!!!!! I have many qualities that I am proud of but "cooking" is not one of them... Let see, my kids think I make a great french toast.
YOU'D BE SHOCKED TO FIND OUT I'VE NEVER.. seen a professional football game!
IF I COULD TRADE LIFES WITH A PERSON I WOULD BE OMG Oprah for ONE day!!!! She is brilliant, giving, funny, creative, innovative, and can overcome all OBSTACLES!!!!
FAVORITE PART ABOUT BEING A Go To Girl is I LOVE what I do and it translates to whoever is needing one of the many "services" I provide!!!
Ginna
NAME: Let’s see well my birth certificate says Ginna, but everyone just calls me “G”, buncha lazies! Lol or Baby *G*
BIRTHDAY: Oct. 16th
AGE: you tell me what year I was born, ‘cause I tend to forget how old I am, when I feel like being an adult I was born :cough: early 80’s, when I feel like being a kid (most of the time) I’m 20’ something ;)
FAVORITE COLOR: hot pink & black!
DREAM CAR: Bentley Continental, now picture me rollin’ ...Ooooh yaaa
WHERE DO I WORK, AND WHAT DO I DO: I work for Pepper’s at Uptown and I am the Public Relations Executive, but I get to tap into a lot of different things...i’m kinda’ like Visa..everywhere!!!
RANDOMNESS JOB I'VE DONE WHILE WORKING AT PEPPER'S: At the Bill Clinton event besides mingling with people and making sure everyone was taken care of, I had to watch the chocolate fountain and it totally broke down & dried up on me (oopsy). Well, President Clinton was having a meeting inside and I couldn’t get passed to the kitchen so Secret Service (oh so handsome) asks, “would you like for me to heat up your chocolate”? LOL..that was a very random & awkward situation. So I said “yes, can you please heat up my chocolate”, as I giggled and shook my head.
FAVORITE DISH: I love what we named “The Mayor” after Mayor Ruben Villarreal. It’s a 10 oz. chopped sirloin cooked to my perfection with melted jack cheese, a big ‘ol tomato and asparagus on the side. It’s healthy but so dang good!
FAVORITE PEPPER'S DESSERT: Ohhhh man, the ice-cream brownie goes so hard!!! As my mouth is watering :siiiiigh:
FAVORITE DRINK: Are we talking alcohol here? Ok, well if we’re not I love Arnold Palmer but with Raspberry Tea & of course ½ lemonade.
WHERE DO I WISH TO TRAVEL: I would love to go on a cruise with my girlfriends!!! No boys allowed!!!
WORST PICK UP LINE, EVER: Well, someone asked me “if it hurt when I fell” and I was like OMG you saw me fall, how embarrassing! He was like “you just fell”? I said, “YES DUDE, I tripped outside, how embarrassing!” He said “I was gonna ask if it hurt when you fell from heaven” LMAO..what? I can’t help that I totally messed that up, plus I had heard it before :X Tell me something new, buddy!
WHAT ARE THE "PEPPER'S GO TO GIRLS?" Well it’s not really “Pepper’s Go 2 Girls” we’re just “Go 2 Girls” in GENERAL! I am always being asked for advice on anything ranging from makeup, fashion advice, what’s going on this weekend, relationship advice, etc, and people go to Giselle for the EXACT same things, so it just made sense! We both love to inspire, encourage and motivate people. We like to help others reach their potential at the same time learn from each other. I came up with the G2G, it was just perfect. We’re both G’s and it’s two of us, that’s my marketing skills kickin’ in! lol. I’ve always wanted to start my own business and I’ve been fortunate to have people who believe in me. I’m a firm believer in God putting the right people in my path and I’m thankful that I came across Giselle, she’s someone who has the same energy, vision and sees the big picture like I do.
FAVORITE PART OF MCALLEN: It’s growing like crazy and I don’t think many people my age grasp that! For years, we have been one of the fastest growing areas in the Nation. I always thought as soon as I graduated I would take off to New York, Los Angeles or back to Austin, but honestly, there is so much opportunity down here. I’m on a mission to make the Valley a cool place to stay! hahaha
BEST ADVICE EVER BEEN GIVEN: I have received so much advice and I am constantly being mentored so I can’t think of just one so these are a couple: Remember where you came from, stay grounded, stay humble, treat people with respect, never let fear stand in the way of your dreams, God doesn’t put something in your heart if it was not suppose to be yours. God will bless you beyond your wildest dreams if you stay faithful to him and of course, stay true to yourself.
QUOTE TO LIVE BY: "My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive & to do so with some passion, compassion, some humor, and some style" - Maya Angelou
I'VE BEEN MISTAKEN FOR: Well not mistaken but that I look like the chic from Pussy Cat Dolls, I’ll take that! She’s hot!
BEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: I’d like to think I’m barely scratching the surface on things I would like to accomplish, but as of now, it would definitely be graduating from college. It was a very long journey, it took me longer than 4 years, but my mother always said, “make sure you get your degree, no one can ever take that away from you”.
WORST HABIT: I tend to self-diagnose myself. I claim to have “ADHD, early signs of arthritis, back problems, migraines” the list goes on..Mom says I’m just’a nut J
I WISH I COULD STOP my mind from going a hundred mph all the time BUT I CANT HELP IT.
MY FRIENDS ALWAYS MAKE FUN OF ME FOR: my RANDOM words I make up or my “lingo”
MOST EMBARRASSING MUSIC ON YOUR IPOD: These songs are a buck each, I don’t waste money on non-sense! LoL
I AM DYING FOR Jay-Z TO VISIT PEPPERS, imagine?
THE ONE TREND YOU'LL NEVER CATCH ME IN IS: Never say never..cause I’m always up for a good “I dare you”.
I ALWAYS WEAR: my heart on my sleeve.
COUNT ON ME FOR: Advice, if I know a friend is having issues of some sort or needs advice on anything, I pray for the wisdom to say the right things.
I WANT TO SEE MORE OF my friends AT PEPPERS.
FAVORITE OUTFIT: Torn jeans and a white tank or t-shirt, baseball cap or pony tail. That’s what I feel the sexiest in.
MY FAVORITE ANIMAL IS Bentley, my little Yorkie. He’s evil, but he means well J
YOU ARE AT PEACE AT church, home or my best friend David’s place.
AT HOME YOU WILL FIND ME on the recliner with the plasma facing my direction tuned into Sports Center.
DO YOU COOK? I’m no Betty Crocker or Rachel Ray, but I can definitely get by.
YOU'D BE SHOCKED TO FIND OUT I'VE NEVER.. slapped someone. C’mon we all know we wish we could, my mama taught me better though.
IF I COULD TRADE LIFES WITH A PERSON I WOULD BE Mother Theresa.
FAVORITE PART ABOUT BEING A Go To Girl: It would have to be knowing that people trust me with their heart for advice and my opinion on everything else. On the business side, Giselle and I, are surrounded by business moguls and very savvy business people, that it’s sort of like attending college all over again, just learning and taking everything in from these amazing people. We have been blessed to work great events and it’s a great feeling knowing that people invest in us. Can’t wait to see what the future has in store for G2G!!!
