Airport Opens Gift Shop; Construction To Begin On CNBC Store

Click to view galleryMcAllen News and Gift, operated by The Paradies Shops, opened inside the terminal lobby on July 1st, 2010 and in August Paradies Shops will begin construction of a new CNBC News Store.

McAllen News & Gift offers a wide variety of merchandise, including books and magazines, snacks, bottled water and soft drinks, electronics accessories, travel pillows and blankets, and other souvenir merchandise reflective of South Texas. For passenger convenience, McAllen News & Gift has two locations within the terminal—one in the main lobby and the other beyond the TSA security checkpoint at the end of the concourse.

As part of The Paradies Shops family, McAllen News & Gift offer a unique program called Read & Return. First introduced in 2003, the Read & Return Program has become a hallmark of the Paradies brand. Offered at all Paradies Shops that sell books, the program allows travelers to:

•Buy a book in McAllen 
•Read it 
•Return it (with a receipt) within six months of purchase at any 
Paradies Shops store in the United States 
•Receive 50% of your purchase price back!

The program is good on all books, hardcover or paperback. Books that are returned in good condition are then resold at half price. If the returned book is not in good condition, the book is donated to a local charity as part of the company's commitment to encourage reading.

In late August, The Paradies Shops will commence with construction of a new 1,000 square foot CNBC News Store in the lobby area. In addition to the exciting merchandise the store will offer, it will provide electronic device charging stations with public seating on the outside of the location.

The Paradies Shops, based in Atlanta, Ga., operates more than 500 stores in over 70 airports and hotels across the United States and Canada, serving more than a half-billion customers each year. These stores include original, one-of-a-kind brands unique to individual airports, as well as national brands. The Paradies Shops has been named “Best Airport Retailer” for 15 consecutive years.

Pharr Community Outreach Project / Justice for Our Neighbors

PCOP is  a non-profit organization that focuses on adult literacy and job readiness. We are currently selling $50 tickets for a fund-raiser which includes a 4-course meal and a silent auction at Carino's Italian Grill in Pharr (601 S. Jackson). The event, Dine Out to Help Out, will take place on August 6, 2010 from 6:30- 9:30 pm. For ticket information please contact Ernest at 9564575780. Seating is limited to 35 people.

Justice for Our Neighbors is a ministry under Pharr United Methodist Church where free high quality immigration services are offered. These clinics are every second Saturday of the month (next one being August 14th).

Clinics are run out of the Pharr United Methodist Church (119 E. Kelly Ave.)from 8 am- 2 pm. Consultations are done by our full-time immigration lawyer, Jack Grayer.

We are always looking for volunteers to help with translation, hospitality and filling out intake forms. For any appointments please call 9567871080 or just e-mail PCOP@pharrumc.com

Heavy Rain Forecast Wednesday, Thursday

The National Weather Service in Brownsville is forecasting up to 6 inches of rain over the next 2 days as an upper level low and a tropical wave approach the Texas and northeast Mexican coast.

The probability of heavy rainfall has emergency management coordinators across the Valley and McAllen watching the weather closely and taking necessary precautions.

At 2 p.m. Wednesday, City of McAllen Emergency Management Coordinator Kevin Pagan told the McAllen Cable Network that heavy rainfall amounts could cause potential flooding in some areas of McAllen, even in areas where flooding normally doesn't occur.

Crews are prepared to pump water from the City of McAllen's drainage system into the Rio Grande Valley Floodway due to the fact that drainage structures leading into the floodway are currently closed.

Residents are advised to monitor TV and radio weather reports closely. If conditions warrant, the City of McAllen will issue Code Red Alerts (automated phone messages) and advisories through MCN and McAllen.net.

HELP RGV DIABETES ASSOCIATION FIGHT EPIDEMIC

July 20, 2010

 

HELP RGV DIABETES ASSOCIATION FIGHT EPIDEMIC

 

Dear Friends:

 

The Rio Grande Valley has a growing population, a vibrant economy and a unique culture. But our community suffers from one of the highest rates of diabetes in Texas, as nearly one in four residents has the disease. The Rio Grande Valley Diabetes Association (RGVDA) is committed to fighting the disease through education and awareness. You can help the RGVDA combat diabetes by donating to their "Volleyball for Health" fund. The association aims to build a volleyball court at their new office at 2007 W. Owassa Road in Edinburg. The court will be used by diabetes support groups, as physical activity and nutrition are important tools in managing the disease.

 

If you or someone you know has been affected by diabetes, the RGVDA can help. The association offers diabetes management, meal planning, preventative programs for children, support groups and physical activities.  Consider this: diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in Texas and cost our state $12.5 billion in 2006. Supporting groups like the RGVDA will mean more people will have the tools they need to prevent or control diabetes.

 

For more information or to make a donation, call the association at (956) 782-1900 or visit http://www.rgvdiabetesassociation.com.  All donations are tax deductible. Thank you for your support of this worthy organization that is working to prevent this devastating disease.

 

Sincerely,

 

Veronica Gonzales

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Capitol Office: (512) 463-0578

District Office: (956) 686-5501

Meet Your Neighbors On National Night Out

Police departments and communities across the country are encouraging citizens to come out and meet their neighbors at the 2010 National Night Out, set for Tuesday, August, 3.

In McAllen, the police department is hosting community events at Los Encinos Police Network Center (2901 W. Olga) and at Las Palmas Community Center (1821 north 25th), from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Both events will feature folkloric dancers, dancing horses, live music, food and fun.

By meeting their neighbors, police believe residents can come together and help take a bite out of crime.

For more information about the 2010 National Night Out in McAllen, call the McAllen Police Department's Office of Community Affairs at (956) 681-2120.

To view a video promoting the event, click on the provided link:

http://bit.ly/cQdHuW