MCN 12, MITV 17 Reach Agreement With Time Warner Cable

McAllen-- Following a months-long dispute with Time Warner Cable, The City of McAllen and the McAllen Independent School District have reached an agreement with the cable provider.

The dispute arose when Time Warner announced it would digitize analog channels MCN 12 and MITV 17, to provide more high definition channels and faster internet to the public. The City of McAllen and several other Texas cities opposed the move fearing cable viewers would lose access to the Public, Education, and Government (PEG) channels, since some customers would need to purchase additional equipment to continue viewing the PEG channels.

An agreement was ultimately reached in federal court, in which Time Warner would proceed with digitizing the channels on or after January 8, 2011 but would provide free digital converter boxes for customers who need them.

Summary of the Agreement:

• Time Warner Cable agrees to provide one free converter box to subscribers to basic service for five years
• Time Warner Cable agrees to provide one free converter box to subscribers to standard service for one year
• The free digital converter box offer is available for at least 60 days after channels are digitized (earliest the free offers to end is March 8, 2011)
• The free digital converter box offer is available to existing and to new Time Warner customers
• Time Warner Cable agrees to provide free installation to the elderly, the disabled and to low income customers
• City of McAllen and McAllen ISD can collect names of people who want boxes and Time Warner Cable will contact those customers and provide them with free boxes if the customer is eligible for free boxes

To request a digital converter box, McAllen residents can call (956) 681-1217 from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday or they can submit their information online using this form.

Have questions about the digital conversion or about whether you need a converter box?

Click on Frequently Asked Questions

Laser Light Show to Highlight 2011 New Year's Eve Bash

Confetti and a laser light show will light up the night sky over downtown McAllen at the 2011 New Year's Eve Bash and Ball Drop.

The laser light show, produced by Laser Spectacles, Inc., is similar to a fireworks display. The 30 minute show, synced to recorded music, will kick off with the Red Hot Chili Peppers' version of Auld Lang Syne.

Live Entertainment (15th and Beaumont)

Several live bands will perform on stage, from 7 pm to 12 am, at 15th and Beaumont, next to the downtown parking garage.

• Highway 7 (Country)
• Chris Rivera (Rock)
• Marshall Law (Country)
• In N Out (Rock)
• Los Frijoles Romanticos (Latin Rock)

Children's Corner at 12th & Broadway

Food and novelty booths at 16th & Beaumont

Beer garden on 16th near Chicago

Valet parking at 12th & Beaumont

Children’s Corner at 12th & Broadway

Free Shuttle Service

McAllen Express Transit (MET) will provide free shuttle service to and from the 2011 New Year's Eve Bash and Ball Drop, beginning at 6 pm Friday, December 31 through 4 am Saturday, Jan 1.

To board a Park N Ride Shuttle, park at the McAllen Civic Center, on 10th and Expressway or at the new McAllen Convention Center, off of Ware Road and Expressway 83. Buses will depart from each location every 5 minutes.

Passengers who board the Park N Ride Shuttle at the Civic Center will be dropped off at Broadway and Business 83.

Passengers who board the Park N Ride Shuttle at the McAllen Convention Center will be dropped off on Bicentennial and Beaumont.

Passengers wanting to return to their vehicles will need to board the Park N Ride Shuttle in the SAME place they were dropped off.

Cab Service

Cabs will be on the northwest end of 16th St. at Business 83 and wrap around the parking garage at 16th & Austin.

For more information about the 2011 New Year's Eve Bash and Ball Drop and the downtown Entertainment District, visitwww.ExploreMcAllen.com

Groundbreaking for New Environmental Education Center

More than 100 people gathered at Quinta Mazatlan in McAllen on December 1st for the official kick-off on the construction of the Environmental Education Center. The project is scheduled to begin in January 2011 with a projected Ribbon-cutting Ceremony in March of 2012.

A wide range of civic, government and youth leaders were on hand for the groundbreaking. Mayor Cortez introduced Dr. Ponce, MISD Superintendent, who is playing a key role in offering McAllen students enrichment programs at Quinta Mazatlan. Dr. Ponce had the pleasure of introducing the star of the show, Dagoberto Zyas, 4th grader from Wilson Elementary School, who read the poem “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein under a 75 year young Anacua Tree.

Commissioner Jim Darling recognized the volunteer leadership by the Quinta Mazatlan Advisory Board chaired by Rick Guerra. Vice Chair, Raymond Jenkins recognized the center sponsors featuring IBC Bank, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, Junior League of McAllen, Shell Exploration & Production, and the Meadows Foundation.

Mr. David Guerra, President & CEO of IBC Bank made the lead gift to initiate this million dollar plus project. Mr. Guerra states, “Since the beginning, International Bank of Commerce has been involved in making the Environmental Education Center a reality. As the initial $150,000 corporate sponsor we are pleased others followed in funding a most worthy addition to our beautiful Quinta Mazatlan. The IBC family has supported numerous wildlife and nature initiatives throughout our corporate history. However the Environmental Education Center is the centerpiece of our efforts”. Guerra continues, “It will bring joy and knowledge to the youngest members of our community and will serve as a reminder to adults the value one must place on the natural world that surrounds us always”.

Texas Parks & Wildlife has been an important City of McAllen supporter. Executive Director Carter Smith states”Quinta Mazatlan is one of South Texas’ great natural treasures. Texas Parks and Wildlife could not be more pleased to be a partner and supporter of this project and all of the important education and outreach that will transpire at the site.”

Buildings in the United States consume 36% of our nation’s total energy. Builders continue to look for new strategies to lower energy costs for owners. This new facility is seeking LEED Certification, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. This is a rating system by the U.S. Green Building Council to help keep design teams focused on the most important aspects of high performance design. Firms involved in the “green project” include MESA Landscaping-Dallas, Larson Pedigo Architects-Dallas, Halff & Associates-McAllen and All Pro Contractors-Edinburg.

Manager of Quinta Mazatlan, Colleen Hook concludes, “The project will help to foster more positive perceptions about the value of the natural world and engage students in eco-friendly habits. The more we know, the more we can make a difference”. Friends and corporate sponsors are invited to help Quinta Mazatlan meet the remaining exhibit and program funding goals to assist in completing the Environmental Education Center. For more information call 956-681-3370 or visit www.quintamazatlan.com.

Free Shuttle Service Offered for 2011 New Year's Eve Bash

The City of McAllen will provide free shuttle service to and from the 2011 New Year's Eve Bash and Ball Drop, beginning at 6 pm Friday, December 31 through 4 am Saturday, Jan 1.

To board a Park N Ride Shuttle, park at the McAllen Civic Center, on 10th and Expressway or at the new McAllen Convention Center, off of Ware Road and Expressway 83. Buses will depart from each location every 5 minutes.

Passengers who board the Park N Ride Shuttle at the Civic Center will be dropped off at 16th and Business 83.

Passengers who board the Park N Ride Shuttle at the McAllen Convention Center will be dropped off on Bicentennial and Beaumont.

Passengers wanting to return to their vehicles will need to board the Park N Ride Shuttle in the SAME place they were dropped off.

For more information about the City of McAllen's New Year's Eve Bash and Ball Drop, visit ExploreMcAllen.com

Texas A&M Singing Cadets To Perform At Civic Center Jan 10

The Hidalgo/Starr County A&M Club and Senior Ambassadors present The Texas A&M Singing Cadets, Monday, Jan. 10th, 2011, at 7PM at the McAllen Civic Center. Doors open at 5:30 PM and tickets can be purchased at McAllen Convention Center for $10 each and are all general admission.

Those interested can contact Omar De Leon '03 at 956-844-4174 and Zinnia Garcia Elizondo '96 at 956-227-8825 with the Hidalgo/Starr County A&M Club for questions, comments, and/or tickets.

Proceeds will benefit scholarships given to local high school seniors who will attend TX A&M University in College Station, TX.