Chamber Plans 10th Annual International Food Festival Feb 3

From McAllen Chamber of Commerce:

The McAllen Chamber of Commerce and area chefs are currently planning the 10th Annual International Food Festival, an "Old West Fest". The event is scheduled for Thursday, February 3rd , 2011 at the NEW McAllen Convention Center, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. It's an opportunity for the visitor to taste the fine cuisine from several McAllen and Rio Grande Valley restaurants.

With parties, weddings and graduations coming early in the year, this will be a great opportunity to sample food from several restaurants and bakeries that may provide catering services.

The Festival will offer an exciting opportunity for restaurants and caterers to showcase the many delicacies from their menus and promote their businesses. Last year’s event featured over thirty five restaurants serving sample portions of main course items such as Prime Rib, shrimp, sushi, Mexican food, Italian pasta, coffee, desserts and much more.

A panel of judges will once again select the recipients of Best of the Show awards in different participating categories. The public attending the event will also have the opportunity to participate in selecting their favorite restaurant for the coveted “People’s Choice Award”.

Every year a new theme is chosen for the event and this year will be the Old West.

“Adding a theme to the food festival makes it very different from others in the Rio Grande Valley”, said Luis Cantu, Vice President for Community Development at the Chamber. “It adds a touch of fun to the Festival and it not only covers the decoration of the booths , but also the entertainment side.”

Cantu continued, “This time for example, we may have some country band or some Cantina piano playing in the background.."

"My idea is to make of this an opportunity for visitors to enjoy of delicious International cuisine from the best restaurants, eat as much as I they want and have a great time in a relax environment”, Cantu concluded.

Visitors can purchase tickets at the McAllen Chamber of Commerce located at 1200 Ash Ave in McAllen, TX.

To reserve a booth, for sponsorship information or general questions about how to participate on this event, contact Luis Cantu at the McAllen Chamber of Commerce at (956) 682-2871.

McAllen To Host Nature Photography Summit March 9-12

Why is the North American Nature Photography Association taking the Nature Photography Summit to McAllen, Texas? Because it is a birding and wildlife hot spot that every nature photographer should visit.

Nicknamed the City of Palms, McAllen enjoys a subtropical climate and is in the heart of the valley. Four distinct climate zones (temperate, desert, coastal and subtropical) come together here. The result is unusually high biological diversity. As those photographers who have entered the Valley Land Fund competition can attest, this area is filled with wildlife. It’s known as a world-class birding and butterfly destination, but it’s also home to nearly 140 species of reptiles, the most in the United States in a single area, and nearly 160 species of mammals. The diverse habitat also offers unusual landscapes and plants.

South Texas is the home of the Private Lands Nature Photo Tourism Industry. Several private ranches are set up especially for photography - offering privacy, security and professionally designed settings for those perfect opportunities. Texas is the second most biodiverse state and yet is 95% privately owned. The shots you want are often behind the ranch gate. Visit these ranches and experience first hand what private lands photography has to offer.

For more information, visit the North American Nature Photgraphy Association Website.

Commissioner Darling Honored In DC By Housing Council

McAllen City Commissioner James "Jim" was honored recently by the Housing Assistance Council, in Washington, D.C.

Commissioner Darling was the recipient of the Henry B. Gonzalez Award for his leadership in creating and implementing housing policy that has made decent and affordable housing a reality for low-income families throughout South Texas. He is known for his pro bono legal services to affordable housing organizations, thus helping more than 2,000 families become homeowners. As a city commissioner, he has advocated for affordable housing in several instances including working with residents concerned about construction of a 120-unit subdivision.

"I'm proud, proud to represent the city and this is really an honor," Commissioner Darling said, right after receiving the award at the 2010 National Rural Housing Awards, held at the Washington Marriott, on December 2. "It's an honor for the city, the city commission, the Affordable Homes of South Texas Board, the McAllen Housing Authority Board and all the volunteers that work together in providing low income homes for people in our community."

The Henry B. Gonzales award was given by the Housing Assistance Council (HAC) in honor of the former Congressional leader who sponsored legislation for affordable housing. HAC supports local and non-profit organizations who develop affordable housing with support, loans and research.

Darling was nominated for the award by Affordable Homes of South Texas Executive Director Bobby Calvillo.

"He really is the unsung hero of this program," Calvillo said. "Without him we wouldn't be nearly as successful as we are."

Calvillo said Darling has volunteered his time to Affordable Homes of South Texas as a citizen, while serving as city attorney and presently now in his capacity as city commissioner.

Darling said seeing the look in someone's eyes as they get handed the keys to their new home is something that is near and dear to him.

"I remember the first house we owned," he said. "I was 12 years old. We had lived in nine different rent houses and I was so happy to live in a home that my family owned. I guess deep inside I always remember that and so I get rewarded everytime we have a closing and I get that type of expression on people's faces."

City Initiates Same Day Service For Black/Blue Bins Jan. 3

The City of McAllen's Public Works department will initiate same day collection service for residential black garbage bins and blue recycle bins, beginning January 3, 2011.

To help residents remember their collection day, Public Works has divided the city into 4 quadrants or teams and have assigned each quadrant a team color.

• Residents who live northeast of the intersection of La Vista Avenue and 23rd Street are on Team Green and their assigned collection day is on Monday. The black garbage bin and the blue recycle bin should BOTH be placed by the curb or in the alley for pick up on that day.
• Residents who live northwest of the intersection of Daffodil Avenue and 23rd Street are on Team Yellow and their collection day is on Tuesday. The black garbage bin and the blue recycle bin should BOTH be placed by the curb or or in the alley for pick up on that day.
• Residents who live southwest of the intersection of Daffodil Avenue and 23rd Street are on Team Orange and their collection day is on Wednesday. The black garbage bin and the blue recycle bin should BOTH be placed by the curb or in the alley for pick up on that day.
• Residents who live on the southeast corner of La Vista Avenue and 23rd Street are on Team Red and their collection day is onThursday. The black garbage bin and the blue recycle bin should BOTH be placed by the curb or in the alley for pick up on that day.

For more information, call McAllen Public Works at (956) 681-4000 or the McAllen Recycling Center at (956) 681-4050.

Holiday Travelers Encouraged To Apply Now For Passports

Holiday travelers, heading out of the country, are encouraged to apply now for a U.S. Passport.

In McAllen, apply at the City of McAllen Passport Acceptance Facility located on the first floor of the downtown parking garage, at 221 S. 15th Street. The facility is open Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 4.

More information is attainable by calling (956) 681-1450 or by visiting www.mcallen.net and/or www.travel.state.gov.