On February 24, Harlingen High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) received a $2,500 donation from America’s Farmers Grow Communities, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund and directed by local farmer Frontis Newell of Cameron County. The donation will help the organization purchase necessary materials and encourage student participation.

“The idea behind the Monsanto Fund’s American Farmers Grow Communities Program is to direct money to rural non-profit organizations across the country,” says Frontis Newell. “The local FFA chapters help to introduce high school kids to all aspects of farming and ranching and teach them to be good stewards of our natural resources. Investing in these kids and programs seems like a logical place to direct an ag-related donation for our community. Besides, both my children are involved in the Harlingen High School FFA.”

For six years, America’s Farmers Grow Communities has collaborated with farmers to donate over $22 million to more than 8,000 community organizations across rural America. Winning farmers will direct donations to nonprofits to fight rural hunger, purchase life-saving fire and EMS equipment, support ag-youth leadership programs, buy much-needed classroom resources, and so much more.

“As an FFA chapter, we are extremely thankful for this generous grant,” says Kennedy Boykin Harlingen FFA President. “In the past years, our organization hasn’t been as large as we had hoped. With the opportunity of this wonderful grant, not only can we improve our resources and necessary materials, but also we get the chance to expand our membership numbers. The more involved our club gets, the more we can advocate for this wonderful organization.”

America’s Farmers Grow Communities partners with farmers to support local nonprofit causes that positively impact farming communities across rural America. Grow Communities is one program in the America’s Farmers community outreach effort, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund. Other programs include America’s Farmers Grow Ag Leaders, which encourages rural youth to remain in agriculture by providing $1,500 college scholarships to high school and college students pursuing ag-related degrees and America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education, which works with farmers to nominate rural school districts to compete for $10,000 and $25,000 math and science grants. Visit AmericasFarmers.com to learn more.

The Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the communities where farmers and Monsanto Company employees live and work. Visit the Monsanto Fund at monsantofund.org.

The Harlingen Elks Lodge 1889 recently awarded Felix Rodriguez, a teacher at Lee Means Elementary, $500 to benefit his math tutoring program.

Last fall Rodriguez volunteered his personal time to tutor one of his students, and after a couple of study sessions, he decided that most of his students could use a jump-start in division. Consequently, he invited the rest of the class to a Saturday of Math Learning Camp.

Rodriguez and several volunteers requested to use the Elks Lodge building for four hours to host a tutoring session for the students. On the day of the camp, Rodriguez engaged students with educational technology.

“The kids had a wonderful time using his personal smart board and response clickers,” said parent and Elks Lodge member Tammy Schmidt-Swope. “His hands-on approach to math was fantastic. Mr. Rodriguez exemplifies the kind of teacher we want in our school district.”

Students celebrated a job well done at the end of the session by enjoying lunch and throwing water balloons.

In December, the class met again, but this time, they invited students from Austin Elementary, Bonham Elementary, and Stuart Place Elementary to join them and work on fractions.

After witnessing the success of the workshops and Rodriguez’s enthusiasm to dedicating time and money to the success of his students, Esteemed Leading Knight Lee Wallace offered to help.

“Little did I know that the Lee was going to present me a $500 check to continue helping these kids with math,” said Rodriguez. “Needless to say, I was overjoyed and shocked because no has ever really done that for me. The donation allowed me to buy some great materials, prizes, snacks, food, and drinks for the kids. It will also allow me to hold more workshops for the kids in the near future. Thank you, Lee Wallace and the Elks Lodge for your help.”

Progress was evident as parents and Elk Lodge members saw an increase in the 4th-grade students’ math vocabulary and learning during the second sessions.

More math tutoring sessions are in the works for this year.

Kudos to N. Rodriguez for the comments, “Bias is obvious in media,” March 6, 2016, in the Valley Morning Star.

Rodriguez is right on point when it comes to social engineering or public opinion by the local or national media.

I guess it’s fair to say that TV, radio and the local print have become part of the Robber Barons of the 1930s.

I know Wall Street is.

Frank Garcia, Harlingen

BY BONNIE GARCIA

This unusual plant, the Duranta, is a Texas Superstar with beautiful blue-and-white orchid-like flowers. The shrub can reach 15 feet or more and be 2-4 feet wide. The species most cultivated is Duranta erecta, commonly called golden dewdrop. Variety ALBA produces white flowers but is not as well adapted as variety PLUMERI which produces lilac colored flowers.

The genus, Duranta, honors an Italian botanist and papal physician named Castore Durantes. Durantas are subtropical plants and are grown as perennial shrubs in the southern-most parts of America. They produce graceful, drooping branches, a few thorns, bright green leaves and numerous small blue, violet, or white flowers which bloom best in full sun throughout the year followed by golden fruits.

The variegated ones such as ’Gold Edge’ however, actually look best in partial shade.

Duranta does well in either acidic or alkaline soils and is somewhat resistant to disease and insect attack. It has medium salt tolerance and drought tolerance and low nutritional needs.

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Here in the Valley, you may need to lower the pH by adding some peat moss. The shrub’s actual preference is for heavy soils.

Plant in the spring in rich, well-drained soil after all danger of frost has passed. When planting, choose a spot that gets between six to eight hours of sunlight per day and amend the soil with compost so that it is rich in nutrients and drains water well. Plant multiple Duranta at least 3 feet apart. When filling in the hole, water slightly and compress to remove the air pockets. Keep moist but do not over water. In addition, make sure the soil is in an area that drains well as Duranta do not like standing water.

A couple of inches of mulch, such as wood chips or bark will help retain water and help keep soil temperatures from fluctuating too much.

Keep the mulch at least an inch from the Duranta’s main stem because moisture can build up there and cause damage. Duranta attracts birds which feed on the fruits and has one of the few flowers that attract both hummingbirds and butterflies. It can be propagated by sowing the seed in the spring or from greenwood cuttings.

Warning: the berry is said to be toxic so keep away from pets and children.

Many Duranta attract bees, so plant them away from areas where people will be gathering.

plantanswers.com/duranta.htm

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duranta

bhg.com/gardening/plant-dictionary/annual/duranta

ehow.com/how_5132327_plant-duranta.html

floridata.com/ref/d/dura_ere.cfm

aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/cemap/duranta/durantastory.html

BY NORMAN ROZEFF

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the next installment in an ongoing series on San Benito’s Sam Robertson. Find other articles in the series at www.valleystar.com

J. Scott Brown (a former San Benito mayor) reminisced in a Corpus Christi Caller article, 7/24/71:

“Mr. Sam noted that the land adjoining the resacas sloped away from the Rio Grande River, especially the Los Fresnos Resaca. He found that the land, as a rule, sloped from the river about one foot to the mile, an ideal setup for gravity irrigation distribution. He optioned Landrum land, the Hicks land and the Combes tract. He secured the Austin law firm of Gregory, Batts, Brooks, and Sam Spears.

“Later Judge Spears came to make his home in San Benito, on one of the beautiful resacas. They organized the San Benito Land and Water Company, the Heywood Conner Bank and, shortly thereafter, the drainage district. They acquired options on adjacent tracts and organized the San Benito Rio Grande Valley Railroad Company, originally running from Sugarland [Author’s Note: an area several miles north of Rio Hondo] to Santa Maria, this covering their holdings.

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“One undertaking called for another. Next in line they built the sugar mill which is now the C. P. & L. plant. After repeated tries, it was found that the cane was too low in sugar content to make it profitable in this part of the county. These undertakings are cited just to name a few around the San Benito area developed under the leadership of Mr. Sam.”

By early November 1910 the Interurban railroad was already three miles north of San Benito as it progressed toward Rio Hondo [Note: The current spelling of this town, Rio Hondo, did go into effect until 8/15/25 when First Assistant Postmaster General John H. Bartlett in Washington requested the change].

A 12-mile spur of the Interurban from San Benito to south of Mercedes was about to begin its construction. The railroad was to reach Rio Hondo on 6/7/11. Growers were told of potential savings. Whereas cane growers had paid an average $1.15/ton to haul seed by wagon four miles and $1.50 for five, the railroad was projected to haul cane for 30 cents/ton or less.

This same month Sam Robertson had contracted with W. H. Morrison and Company to erect an ice plant of 40 ton/day capacity.

It was needed to ice the 4,200 acres of cabbage being grown in the area and the 1000 acres of tomatoes.

It opened the second week of April 1911, and its production would allow vegetable growers a greater shipping range.

Field labor was in short supply in the late spring of 1911. The San Benito Sugar Manufacturing Company actively sought workers. T. E. Satterfield was able to secure 150 men to work the company’s 800 acres of cane and 1,200 of cotton. A feather in San Benito’s cap and a generator of favorable news was its production of the first bale of cotton in the U.S. on June 11, 1911.

Producer Ernest Matz broke the Texas record by 10 days. The bale was rushed to the Houston Cotton Exchange and sold to New York buyer Jesse Jones for $1,015 — an unheard of price, breaking all world records. Matz also received an additional $125 bonus from Gohlman, Lester and Co. Matz was reported to have produced 60 bales on 40 acres in 1910.

At this point it is noted that newspaper articles now set the mill’s worth at $250,000. This and other mills were often mentioned with ever-changing dollar values and cost figures. Part of this was due to hype and part to changing financial contingencies. Also to be recognized is the great fanfare accompanying the announcements of future mill establishments and conversely the absence of mention when such plans failed to come to fruition. In any event with construction having begun in April 1911, the sugar company, capitalized at only $150,000 with the first payment for stock due 2/11, held an election of officers. S. C. Cowgill was elected president, Robertson, 1st vice-president and general manager, Charles E. Barber, 2nd vice-president and secretary, and W. B. Hinkley, treasurer.

With portions of the mill machinery on site, a 35 man force began pouring concrete by the first week in May. A month later David M. Duller of Engineering and Specialty Co., Houston was in town for the erection of the large concrete smoke stack, which already had a seven foot above-ground foundation laid. The stack was scheduled to rise five and a half feet per day. A second carload of machinery arrived July 8 as the giant chimney stood at 110 feet with only 30 feet more to go.

Shortly thereafter Col. Heywood sold 15,000 acres of his Espiritu Santo Irrigated Land Company, Los Indios land, and some Landrum acreage to A.C. Swanson and Company and its partner Allison Richey Land Company for $125/ acre. On his farm 4 ½ miles south of San Benito, Heywood would plant 1000 acres of sugarcane. Unbeknown to him the Harlingen clay soil series in this location was underlain by very poorly drained subsoil. As a result the subsurface salts began to rise over time, and his cane yields plummeted to the point of abandonment.

By 8/16 the smokestack was completed. Day and night work began on the main building — a handsome structure still standing and in use at the CPL Las Palmas plant in the center of San Benito. Two hundred lights were strung to facilitate the night work. Three more railroad cars with mill components were due to arrive shortly at Galveston on the Mallory Shipping Line.

Charles L. Wagner arrived on scene from Puerto Rico in September. He was hired by the company to grow cane. He planned to establish an experiment farm and issue regular bulletins giving cane farmers advice. His wife, who was in Massachusetts, was scheduled to join him in December.

The anticipated start date for the mill was 12/1/11, but by 12/16/11 it was still not ready. Its first run at 1,200 ton/day was pushed back to January though designer Delbert was given praise for his 25 years of experience. When additional installation problems ensued, the decision was made not to try to operate the mill in the 1911-12 season.

In May 1912 a short newspaper article stated that W(alter).C. Shaw had purchased the San Benito mill which had not been completed in time for the 1911-12 crop. [Shaw’s name during this period frequently crops up in newspaper accounts. He is not a capitalist himself but simply the Valley front man for outside syndicates.] No details were to follow. However it was noted that the machinery in the mill mirrored that of the Ohio and Texas factory except the San Benito one had curtain walls on steel framing and had belt-driven centrifuges rather than electric ones. This sale was never consummated because the buyer defaulted on later notes.

Shaw’s syndicate had paid $350,000 for the mill and 158.81 acres, but it soon learned that there were equipment suppliers wanting their money.

The mill began operating November 18,1912. It was still going nearly two months later as extrapolated from a 1/13/13 account headlined “Quarrel Over Sugar Cane, One Negro Seriously Stabbed, and One in Jail.” It went on to recount that Will Harris, a negro (sic) brakeman of the San Benito Railway was receiving medical attention in Brownsville after suffering two stab wounds, one in the back in the right lung and one in the left lung. He had been engaged in an argument with Paul Canton, another negro brakeman who was arrested by the city marshal of San Benito. They were contending over a piece of cane. C. L. Wagner was the mill’s manager at the time.

In April 1913 the Texas Department of State issued a permit to the Southern Irrigation and Sugar Company of Portland, Maine to do business in Texas. It would be capitalized with $2 million stock. W. C. Shaw was listed as its Texas agent. Several weeks later the San Benito Sugar Manufacturing Company filed suit in the 53rd District court against W. C. Shaw of Cameron County, F. Augustus Heinz of New York, the Southern Sugar and Irrigation Company, and others for notes aggregating $175,000. These notes were executed in payment of land sold to the defendants by the plaintiff.

The petition also asked for the appointment of a receiver to take charge of the mill and property of the irrigation and sugar companies.

In June a judge found no case for appointing a receiver or granting an injunction. An original case for $300,000 was still pending adjudication. In July 1913 additional indications that the company was in trouble came when a court order was issued to auction 64.81 acres in order to repay August Ehrhardt a $5,000 promissory note carrying 8% interest.

The SBL&W Co. itself went into receivership the following month. The receivers of this “entirely friendly action” were Fred Emmert of St. Louis and Sam Robertson, president of the company. Assets many times higher than the liabilities were claimed. “A series of unfortunate circumstances over which no one connected with the company had any control, which plan was decided upon after due consideration by all interested parties” described the receivership.

The crux of the problem was attributed to a crippling accident to the large pump at the river plant. A 36 inch pump was on hand and about to be installed, but completion would take 15 days.

Always expect the unexpected. The teacher in Room 623 had learned that was pretty much a reality in her classroom. With a class full of children with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) the unexpected was typically the norm. Then again, sometimes, the unexpected went way beyond anything anyone could even imagine. That was the case one week in January with Edgar.

Edgar was a character. He had been in the classroom for three years. Before that, he had been in the Preschool Program with Children with Disabilities (PPCD) across the hall with the younger students.

Edgar was quite intelligent but chose to speak in broken phrases to get what he wanted. Why say more when a simple word or two would do. Yet at other times, he would quietly say long phrases at unexpected times.

His voice would alter with different pitches almost with a cartoon quality when he spoke some of his sentences.

The staff loved all the children in Room 623 but Edgar held a special spot with everyone.

Edgar would drive the staff a little crazy with his repetitions. When he wanted something like popcorn and a movie, he would start to repeat it. “Popcorn, movie. Popcorn, movie,” might be stated over and over one week.

The fact that movies and popcorn only came at 1:30 on Fridays didn’t seem to matter.

Another week, it might be “Three quarters and red slime.” He liked to win the slime cans during his physical education class. That occurred on Mondays and Fridays but he would say it all week. The staff could stop his repetitions with lots of visual and verbal reminders. The problem was when one phrase stopped, a new one would begin.

Then, one week, the weather changed. It became cold and dry down in Deep South Texas, not too typical for the area. Edgar typically shuffled his feet across the few rugs in the classroom. That didn’t matter usually matter and the teacher and staff didn’t think much about it. You choose your battles and that wasn’t one of them.

One Monday morning, during that winter, Edgar got up to answer a question on the SMART board. The children had been learning about the upcoming election. Elephants and donkeys were up on the board. Which one was Republican and which one was Democrat?

As the teacher handed the boy the computer pen, a shock was exchanged between them. It caught everyone off guard. None of the other students had experienced that. Then when Edgar was handed his favorite cheese gold fish for a reward, another shock passed between the teacher and child.

As the other children came up, no shocks seemed to pass except for one other child. That was a small one. As soon as Edgar came up, another big shock happened. This time the boy was terrified of getting a reward. He wanted the teacher to throw him the reward. Edgar shouted, “Toss it. Toss it.” That brought out a huge laugh with the other children and staff.

No one had yet thought about the way Edgar was coming up to the board.

A few days later while at the SMART board, Edgar came up. Once again, a shock passed this time between a paraprofessional who was at the board and the boy. Edgar, understandably, became afraid of going up to the board. This was even after working with him on not to shuffle his feet.

The teacher resigned herself to allowing the boy pick up his own rewards and pen. He still was afraid and wanted it tossed to him. In a way he was right. Tossing the object helped but the real answer was his walking style. Fortunately, the weather began to shift and the typical warm humid weather returned. That helped eliminate the static electricity.

Edgar’s experience ended up a teaching lesson. They learned firsthand about a strange phenomenon that isn’t all that frequent down in South Texas.

Pamela Gross Downing, a special education teacher can be reached at [email protected]

In 2006 Texas built what was then the largest highway in the world (the I-10 West). It is 26 lanes across and cost almost 2 billion dollars to build. Less than a decade later it is the 8th most congested freeway in the country. So we are left in a quandary — do we keep adding more and more lanes, and build more highways with our tax dollars?

Studies suggest this is not the solution to traffic congestion, on suburban highways or in urban areas. We continue with the mythical illusion that building more roads for cars and trucks will ease car and truck congestion, but this is simply not true.

Traffic studies actually show the opposite — building roads causes traffic. It pulls development further and further out from where we work, shop, worship and play. It causes us to be in our cars more often and longer.

In a study published in the American Economic Review, travel data was analyzed from hundreds of metro areas in the U.S., resulting in what is called the most comprehensive dataset ever assembled on the traffic impacts of road construction.

The studies confirm earlier data on what is called the “fundamental law of highway congestion.” According to authors Duranton and Turner, “This law may extend beyond interstate highways to a broad class of major urban roads, a ‘fundamental law of road congestion’. The results suggest that increased provision of interstate highways and urban roads is unlikely to relieve congestion of these roads,” (American Economic Review 2011).

The irony is that those regions with the largest highway capacity, have the worst traffic congestion. For example, Houston and LA are more congested than the larger, more densely populated New York City and people spend more time sitting in traffic.

So what is the solution? As our communities in the Rio Grande Valley grow at a fast pace, how can we address potential traffic issues? While road building for cars and trucks is big business for a few large companies, we need to ask ourselves if this is how we want to spend our limited resources.

Our leaders, local and beyond, must take note of models of economically vibrant communities around the country, and world, and acknowledge the growing trend of developing alternative forms of transportation.

In fact many cities are tearing down overbuilt highway infrastructure and reclaiming lanes on large roads to create human-serving, not car-serving, space, like hike and bike trails, pedestrian infrastructure, park and market space, and public transportation solutions like light rail that move folks in a way that eases, not increases congestion. And then there are the aesthetic, economic, quality of life, health, social cohesion and environmental arguments for increasing non-car, non-road infrastructure.

Cities like Chicago, Indianapolis, Oklahoma City, and even smaller communities are recognizing that in order to attract and keep educated millennials (or in the case of the Valley, prevent them from leaving and not coming back), we must create shorter commutes, hike and bike infrastructure, more downtown amenities, green space and public transport. The transportation paradigm is rapidly changing and there is no reason the Valley should be left behind.

Our leaders are often lured by large state and federal funding contracts to build unnecessary highways and toll roads, in effect selling out our citizens and their quality of life. There are hundreds of reasons to plan and develop our growing communities more thoughtfully, and not do “what we have always done.” It is possible if we work together and look to proven models and strategies.

There is, after all, a huge cost to building and maintaining roads, parking and car infrastructure. This is primarily a land use and economic issue. We have simply lost our space and real estate to our obsession with accommodating cars and trucks. It’s not about taking away vehicles, rather it is about giving viable transportation options and choices to our citizens — a compelling reason to reclaim some of our current road and street space for pedestrian and human, not car use.

An average of 33 percent of space in most towns and cities in the Western United States is devoted to accommodating car traffic. That’s a lot of real estate wasted on vehicular right of ways, and we have overbuilt to create a massive capacity for cars on streets and highways. But the way to address traffic congestion is to reduce it through smart planning and re-designing communities to increase housing options close to existing amenities like stores, schools, churches, etc., and provide alternative forms of transportation to move people to and fro, like light rail, buses, safe routes for electric bikes, bicycles and walkers.

All of the greatest cities of the world have these options and give their people choices. We do not have these choices in most of Texas, especially not in the Rio Grande Valley.

Continuing to do more of the same, build our lives around cars and use much of our space, time and money accommodating them, doesn’t make economic sense and it undervalues the human beings who drive them.

Imagine if we could reclaim even just a small portion of the excess right of way real estate (ie: streets) in our towns and cities presently devoted to cars, and use it to create spaces and destinations that could boost our economy.

For instance, reclaiming just one lane of a four lane road can provide space for a parklike green median, sidewalks, a protected bike lane and a place for shops and restaurants to pull merchandise, tables and shade out onto the street for an experience many of us go on vacation to spend our money and enjoy.

After all, this is good business since we know that cyclists and pedestrians spend more money than do people whizzing by in cars, barely noticing there is a business or town at all.

So when leaders and politicians boast about building more roads, highways and bridges, remember, we all pay for these giant slabs of concrete.

We pay with our taxes, our health, our quality of life, our time in the car, our lost economic potential, our safety and our impact on the environment and future generations.

Tu Salud ¡Si Cuenta! (Your Health Matters!).

“Never give up on someone with mental illness.

When ‘I’ is replaced by ‘We,’ illness becomes wellness.”

Shannon L. Alder

American author, and person with ADD and OCD

According to statistics released by The National Institute on Mental Health 43.8 million adults in our nation, 1 in 5 adults, experience mental illness in a given year. There are 10 million adults live with a serious mental illness…that’s 1 in 25 adults in our nation.

Clearly one-half of all chronic mental illness begins by the age of 14; three-quarters by age 24. Additionally, it is estimated that 20 percent of teenagers aged 13-18 are living with a mental health condition. Mental illness continues to affect a large part of our society, and the numbers continue to increase with our growing population.

Also, of major importance, is that clearly 50 percent of persons with a chronic mental illness also have a diagnosable substance use disorder.

What has always remained most appalling to me is the provision of services to persons with mental illness, particularly in the State of Texas, which still ranks number 49 of the 50 states in per-capita spending on individuals with mental illness. It is true that the state and local communities have developed innovative in-patient and out-patient programs of treatment due to the lack of funding and funding shifts, yet more than 60 percent of adults with mental illness and 50 percent of youth with mental illness do not receive any treatment for their illness.

This continues to be a Ca Plus Change situation…the more things change the more they remain the same.

Most of you are aware of the added consequences of this lack of treatment services in our nation: 26 percent of homeless individuals without treatment, 24 percent of state prisoners having a recent history of mental illness, the $193 billion in lost earnings every year of persons with mental illness, the 90 percent of those committing suicide with an underlying mental illness, the unimaginable cost to families with a member with mental illness, etc. But above all else, shouldn’t we first consider the individual with the mental illness themselves? What about them?

Now, do not get me wrong. I have worked in the field of mental health for well over 40 years, and been a constant advocate for persons with mental illness…I know that our community for the most part is doing the best job they can do with the tools they are given. The treatment facilities have mostly grown over the years; we now have outstanding inpatient and out-patient programs for the mentally ill and their families, and new facilities being built.

The folks at Rio Grande State Center, Tropical Texas Behavioral Health, the Valley Baptist Health System, and other facilities in our Valley communities are doing a “bang-up” job with their therapeutic and social programs. They have learned, and continue to learn, about just how to provide innovative programs within the budget restraints imposed on them to our urban and rural communities.

We would be most remiss, however, if we think what they are doing is “just good enough” without room for improvement, and I am sure that they also think the same way I do…we won’t be satisfied until 100 percent of individuals with mental illness receive treatment.

I know that some of you out there are saying, “But Dr. Jones, I am not in a position to make changes.” “It is up to the state and our communities to take care of those people, not I.” The “State” and “Community” are but ambiguous terms …we, the people, are the state and the community, and many lose sight of that at times. For most, just the concept of awareness is doing something: helping to stem the tide of discrimination and prejudice toward individuals with mental illness; by educating ourselves and our families about mental illness, by being empathetic towards those with a mental illness, by becoming an advocate (at whatever level you can) for persons with mental illness, by being in support of those who work in the mental health fields…all of us have something to contribute.

All of us should become “Stigma Free” when it comes to persons with mental illness. The National Alliance on Mental Illness recommends three issues that we should all be involved in. First: Learn about mental health issues. We should all educate ourselves and others. Everyone knows a little about mental health issues but knowing the facts about mental illness can help one educate others and reject stigmatizing stereotypes.

Second: See the person and not the illness. One in five Americans live with a mental health condition and each of them has their own story, path and journey that says more about them than their diagnoses.

Third: Take action on mental health issues. Our mental health care systems have been in crisis for far too long and often keep treatment and recovery out of the hands of many who need it. We can take action now as we push for better legislation and policies to improve lives for everyone. By lending your support you can show that this cause is important to you and desperately need for millions of Americans.

Yes my friends, there is something that each of us can do. Let us all work together to concentrate on the “Wellness” and not the “Illness…” to exact positive change, not just verbiage. Until next time, Stay Healthy my Friends.

HARLINGEN — Frank Macias’ signature dish is called El Jefe “Cubano.”

In English, it means “the chief” and it’s one of his most popular dishes he serves out of his food truck Frankie Flav’z.

This is not an ordinary sandwich. It consists of mojo braised pulled pork with added South Texas flavors.

In one bite you can taste the cumin, garlic, citrus, herbs and spices that give it just the right Rio Grande Valley/Cuban flavor.

The pork is put on a buttery bun and then topped with Swiss cheese and pickles, served with a side of fries sprinkled with cilantro.

Macias, operator and chef of Frankie Flav’z, hopes his El Jefe will win him the title of Texas Food Truck Showdown champion when he competes in Waco next month.

For the past six months, Macias and his truck have traveled around town serving hundreds.

When they opened the business it was El Jefe that turned out to be the boss sandwich. “When we opened, that is the sandwich that took off,” Macias said.

It was the sandwich most likely to be ordered five times in a row.

On April 2, Macias is set to compete against 39 food trucks from around the state all differing in offerings.

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MERCEDES — Mercedes native and Texas A&M University Kingsville sophomore Tessi Ledesma has aspirations to become an on-air sports personality and has made the most of her time in college.

After graduating from Mercedes High School in 2014, Ledesma, a double major in communications — TV/radio and sports business — has juggled classes, internships and her duties as a university sports reporter with Javelina athletics in her pursuit of accomplishing her goal.

Get to know her.

Q – What drew you to Texas A&M Kingsville?

A – Texas A&M Kingsville is a home away from home. I loved how they were so welcoming and kind hearted. My first choice college had been A&M College Station but after touring TAMUK, I instantly fell in love. I wanted a college that acted more like a family than anything. I found TAMUK to be just the right size. I was not only looking for a campus with good courses for my major but I was also looking for a great community. I found Kingsville to be not only be known for a campus but also for a community that makes you feel like home.

Q – Did you always want to be a news reporter?

A – No, actually entering my senior year of high school, I wanted to pursue a career in physical therapy. With this, I wanted to have my own equine therapy business for autistic kids. I wanted this so I could incorporate my love for horses and my want to always lend a helping hand to others. However, when my senior year of high school hit, I was selected as the student body president and that year they wanted student body officers and I to film clips promoting school events and school spirit. Since I was president, I had to do most of the talking on camera and I fell in love. My instructor, Mr. Cruz, was amazing! He saw talent in me when it came to public speaking and on-air speaking that I did not know I had, so he encouraged me to pursue a career in television broadcast.

Favorite Hobby – My favorite hobby (or should I say hobbies) includes white tail deer hunting, white wing dove hunting, skeet shooting, and horseback riding. I grew up on a ranch so I was always doing these things. As I grew up, I saw that it’s not often where you’ll see a female who can do these things or has access to them. It’s something that has always made me unique and I find joy in taking part in these hobbies.

Favorite food – My favorite food is stuffed salmon with a side of steamed broccoli or asparagus. This is very specific, I know, but this is my idea of a perfect meal. I love eating healthy and fit and I found this to be an easy to make dish as well as it being very satisfying. I encourage anyone to try it out.

Favorite music – I don’t really have a favorite type of music. I literally listen to everything! I do have a favorite artist though and that would be Ed Sheeran. His music is always calming and soothing. Perfect to listen to when getting ready in the morning or when I’m doing homework or working on/editing my sports packages.