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Submit your information to [email protected] 5 p.m.  Monday to be considered for the following Friday.

FRIDAY

ARTWALK AT THE INCUBATOR

Visit the facility, its tenants and enjoy the exhibitions.

WHEN 7 p.m. Friday

WHERE McAllen Creative Incubator, 601 N. Main St.

COST Free

VSO: FORBIDDEN PLEASURES OF CARMINA BURANA

The Valley Symphony Orchestra performance features the Valley Symphony Chorale and guest vocalists Heather Yeakley, soprano; Brian Yeakley, tenor; and Lee Poulis, bass; led by Chorale director David Means.

WHEN 8 p.m. Friday

WHERE McAllen Performing Arts Center, 801 Convention Center Blvd.

COST Tickets start at $45 at ticketmaster.com

STAND UP PADDLEBOARD WORKOUT

Join a Town Lake staff member for a 30-minute workout on a paddleboard. Ages 14 and up.

WHEN 7 p.m. Friday

WHERE Town Lake at Fireman’s Park, 201 N. 1st St., McAllen

COST $10 per person, which includes board rental, paddle and lifejacket

LIVE PRO WRESTLING

South Texas Champion Kon Hawk will be live and in action. The Ammo Box Qualifying Match Ups will kick off, featuring Jim Justice taking on Joey Romero and Danny Ramona vs (current GM) Vermin.

WHEN 8 p.m. Friday

WHERE 311 S. 17th St., McAllen

ZANE WILLIAMS IN CONCERT

The Texas country singer, pictured at right, will perform with special guest Wreckless Texas. Ages 18 and older.

WHEN 8 p.m. Friday

WHERE Hillbilly’s, 6000 N. 10th St., McAllen

COST Tickets are $15 at eventbrite.com

FINE ARTS FIESTA ’18

Celebrate the arts with the fine arts students of Weslaco Independent School District.

WHEN 5:30 p.m. Friday

WHERE Weslaco ISD Performing Arts Center, 506 E. Sixth St., Weslaco

BIRD AND NATURE WALK

Join a staff naturalist for a 1/2 mile walk to explore birds, butterflies, plants, and whatever else happens to cross our path! Loaner binoculars are available free of charge.

WHEN 8:30 a.m. Friday

WHERE McAllen Nature Center, 4101 U.S. Business 83, McAllen

UTRGV SPRING TEACHERS JOB EXPO

The UTRGV Teachers Job Expo brings more than 60 school districts from across the state to recruit for the Fall 2018 school year.

WHEN 9 a.m. Friday

WHERE UTRGV CESS Building Room 1.300, 1407 E. Freddy Gonzalez Drive, Edinburg

HISTORY OF QUINTA

Hear the colorful tales of the families that lived at the Quinta Mazatlán home, before the city of McAllen opened it in 2006 as a mansion with a mission.

WHEN 10 a.m. Friday

WHERE Quinta Mazatlán, 600 Sunset Drive, McAllen

HAWK WATCH

Using keen eyesight, binoculars, and spotting scopes; volunteer birders will keep track of the number of raptors migrating north such as: hawks, falcons, kites, vultures, and more

WHEN 8:30 a.m. Friday

WHERE Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge, 3325 Green Jay Ave., Alamo

HISTORY OF QUINTA

Hear the colorful tales of the families that lived at the home before the city of McAllen opened it in 2006 as a mansion with a mission.

WHEN 10 a.m. Friday

WHERE Quinta Mazatlán World Birding Center, 600 Sunset Drive, McAllen

STAND UP PADDLEBOARD wORKOUT

Join a 30-minute workout.

WHEN 7 p.m. Friday

WHERE Town Lake at Firemen’s Park, 201 N. First St., McAllen

COST $10 and up

BARBARA RENAUD GONZÁLEZ

González is an important and dynamic Chicana/Latina voice tackling such hot-button subjects as racism, sexism, homophobia, immigration and more. Her powerful and authentic writing style, humor, and biting political satire and sarcasm comment on the cultural and social justice issues of our times.

WHEN 1:30 p.m. Friday

WHERE UTRGV Library, 1201 W. University Drive, Edinburg

SATURDAY

ANYTHING FOR SELENAS BRUNCH AND TRIVIA

The fifth annual event includes specialized decor and jams.

WHEN Noon Saturday

WHERE Suerte Bar & Grill, 301 S. 17th St., McAllen

SELENA NIGHT AT UTRGV BASEBALL

Fans can look forward to a night filled with Selena music, videos, look alike contests, trivia, and more.

WHEN 6 p.m. Saturday

WHERE UTRGV Baseball Stadium

PAINTING DAY

Bring miniatures, figures, terrain, or whatever you would like to paint among fellow hobbyists. Share your techniques and ideas with friends and family.

WHEN 2 p.m. Saturday

WHERE Myth Adventures, 5208 N. 10th St., McAllen

CHAMPIONSHIP MUD DRAGS

The championship races will reveal the fastest truck on mud in the Rio Grande Valley.

WHEN 2 p.m. Saturday

WHERE Edinburg Motorsports Park, 15920 U.S. 281, Edinburg

BOOK FESTIVAL

The second annual event will include authors signing copies of their books, art and books for sale as well as a children’s book reading hour, a poetry reading and open mic, and a book publishing seminar.

WHEN 10 a.m. Saturday

WHERE Speer Memorial Library, 801 E. 12th St., Mission

PINTS FOR PAWS BEER AND MUSIC FEST

The event will have live music, beer, vendors, food trucks, auction items, raffle items, and don’t forget all the family including the four-legged family members.

WHEN 5 p.m. Saturday

WHERE RGV Low Cost Spay Neuter Clinic, 500 E. Hackberry Ave., McAllen

YOGA UNDER THE OAKS

The personalized instruction class is customized for any body type and skill level.

WHEN 10 a.m. Saturday

WHERE McAllen Nature Center, 4101 U.S. Business 83, McAllen

COST $1 per person suggested donation

SATURDAY OPEN MIC NIGHT

Show your talent, collaborate with others and enjoy live performances.

WHEN 9 p.m. Saturday

WHERE Luna Coffee House, 113 W. Nolana Ave., McAllen

TAI CHI IN THE PARK

Wear comfortable clothing and flexible shoes, and bring water.

WHEN 8 a.m. Saturday

WHERE McAllen Nature Center, 4101 U.S. Business 83, McAllen

COST $1 per person suggested donation

LEARN TO GEOCACHE

Geocaches are small, enclose capsules hidden in strange places, that are located with a smartphone or handheld GPS. All you need is a smartphone (and to download the app) in order to find geocaches around the RGV, around the country, and around the world!

WHEN 10 a.m. Saturday

WHERE McAllen Nature Center, 4101 U.S. Business 83, McAllen

COST $1 per person suggested donation

DISCOVER DAY — EARTH ROCKS

Learn the difference between rocks and minerals, minerals and metals, and then enjoy “busting” a rock and painting a rock. Or go on a “treasure hunt” to find the hidden gemstones.

WHEN 2 p.m. Saturday

WHERE Quinta Mazatlán World Birding Center, 600 Sunset Drive, McAllen

COST $3 plus park admission

FATHER AND SON CAMPOUT

A special of ‘nature play’ designed for the tots! Children will explore the various interactive stations and associate with other tots their age! Boys ages 6 to 17.

WHEN 5 p.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Sunday

WHERE Town Lake at Firemen’s Park, 201 N. 1st St., McAllen

COST $15 per participant

DADDY DAUGHTER DANCE

Follow the yellow-brick road to the wonderful land of Lark. Fathers can enjoy a whimsical night of activities, food, and dancing with their daughter.

WHEN 6:30 p.m. Saturday

WHERE Lark Community Center, 2601 Lark Ave., McAllen

SONGBIRD STROLL

Join an expert birder on a one hour bird walk for all skill levels.

WHEN 8:30 a.m. Saturday

WHERE Quinta Mazatlán World Birding Center, 600 Sunset Drive, McAllen

COST $3

SUNDAY

SUNSET MEDITATION

Explore simple techniques to reduce stress and increase well-being. Bring a yoga mat if desired.

WHEN 6:30 p.m. Sunday

WHERE McAllen Nature Center, 4101 U.S. Business 83, McAllen

COST $1 suggested donation

STAND UP PADDLEBOARD WORKOUT

Join a Town Lake staff member for a 30 minute workout on a paddleboard. Ages 14 and up.

WHEN 7 p.m. Sunday

WHERE Town Lake at Firemen’s Park, 201 N. First St., McAllen

COST $10, includes use of board, paddle and lifejacket

RGV WEDDING & QUINCE EXPO

The RGV Wedding & Quinceanera Expo is the Largest Showcase of special event vendors of South Texas. Find everything you might need for your upcoming special event all under one roof.

WHEN Noon Sunday

WHERE McAllen Convention Center, 700 Convention Center Blvd., McAllen

SPRING CHALUPA BINGO

All proceeds go back into the community.

WHEN 3 p.m. Sunday

WHERE Balli’s Social Event Center, 1620 E. Griffin Parkway Ave., Mission

Be there for veterans

Year-round, and particularly during Suicide Prevention Month in September, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs empowers communities to take action and support our nation’s veterans. Each community across the country plays a role in supporting veterans, but as an individual you may not know what to do or where to start.

You don’t need to have special training to support the veterans in your life, and we can all do something to help a veteran who is going through a challenging time. Even seemingly small actions can have a significant impact: Preventing suicide begins with just the willingness to be there.

When you sense that a veteran is not doing well, your words can help. You can make a difference by just starting a conversation. Although it can seem challenging, it is important to talk about difficult feelings and experiences. Keep in mind: Asking questions about thoughts of suicide does not increase a person’s suicide risk. Instead, an open conversation can help someone feel less alone and let others into the veteran’s experience — and feeling connected is shown to reduce suicide risk.

Simply reaching out to a veteran in need and opening the door for a discussion could make all the difference. Learn more ways to show your support and be there by visiting VeteransCrisisLine.net/BeThere to find more resources and information.

If you believe a veteran in your life may be contemplating suicide, call the Veterans Crisis Line at (800) 273-8255 and dial 1, send a text message to 838255, or chat online. Qualified and compassionate VA responders are always on call to provide guidance on how to connect veterans with support and help keep them from harm.

Jina Jensen, Harlingen

Impressed with congressional kudos

On Aug. 10, The Monitor reported a great success story about our daughter, Lisa “Lika” Torline, who is a business owner. This article was about her journey through struggles and successes in the last five years with her skin care products.

On another good note, our congressman, Vicente Gonzalez, read this article and called Lika to obtain her address. He wrote a letter of congratulations to her for her successful endeavors. He said that Lika was a great example to all women.

This thoughtful gesture from Mr. Gonzalez was a touching sign of a caring public servant that we are fortunate to have as our representative. Kudos to him. I had never heard of any official sending a congratulatory letter to a particular business woman, our daughter.

We, as parents, were very impressed.

Rosalinda Torline, McAllen

HIDALGO — The Salt Lake City Stars had already knocked down a season-best 22 3-pointers entering Monday’s final possession, and RGV Vipers guard R.J. Hunter thought they connected on No. 23.

The Stars were inbounding the ball trailing the Vipers by three points with 2 seconds to play. Akeem Springs ran nearly the length of the 3-point arc, catching the inbounds pass on a sprint to the corner. As he turned and leapt to attempt the typing 3-pointer, Vipers defender Kevin Hardy was fully extended, blocking his angle at a shot. So Springs double-clutched, waiting for Hardy to fly past, before releasing his shot just prior his feet hitting the floor. The ball sank through the net as the buzzer sounded, and while Springs and his team began to celebrate, the Vipers bench implored the referees to check whether Springs’ foot was on the 3-point line. As the referees gathered around a video reply, RGV coach Matt Brase was already well on his way to the locker room.

“I saw he was clearly on the line,” Brase said. “They went to the review, and I took off.”

After taking about 90 seconds to review, the officials confirmed what Brase already knew: Springs’ foot was on the line, and the Vipers had won 132-131 at State Farm Arena.

“The stuff we go through is hilarious,” Hunter said. “A triple-clutch 3 to tie the game? It was great D by Hardy, and glad he stepped on the line.”

Hunter was again the star for the Vipers on Monday, as RGV’s leading scorer for the season netted 36 points.

He knocked down 3s on back-to-back possessions at 3:20 and 2:32 of the final period to help RGV build a seven-point lead that Salt Lake City never fully erased.

Hunter has scored at least 29 points in three straight games, shooting 55.9 percent from beyond the arc during that stretch after connecting on 7 of 11 from outside and 13 of 19 overall on Monday.

He shot 32.8 percent from 3-point range in February — a mark he called “terrible” — but said he has rediscovered his form by keeping his feet more square to the basket on his release.

“I’ve been shooting since I was like 4, so I know what’s off and what’s wrong,” Hunter said. “It’s just taking the time in the gym by yourself and figuring it out.”

“He’s feeling it, and he’s catching a groove right now,” Brase said. “Whatever he’s doing with his footwork, he needs to be doing.”

Hunter also played a central role in the team’s defense down the stretch. With 17 seconds remaining and the Vipers up by three, Hunter was called for a foul trying to contest Naz Mitrou-Long on a potentially game-tying corner 3. Long hit 2 of 3 free throws, and a few seconds later he again had the ball in the same corner with a chance to tie. Hunter again went for a hard contest, this time blocking the shot with 3.9 seconds remaining.

“The second time, my confidence and not knowing I didn’t foul him the first time, I jumped the same way again,” Hunter said. “I just didn’t want to give him a clean look, because Naz is a good shooter.”

Mitrou-Long scored a game-high 37 points on Monday, connecting on 9 of 15 3-point attempts, including 8 of 9 through the first three quarters.

The Stars as a team hit 22 of 42 (52.4 percent) from outside but made just 5 of 15 in the fourth quarter, including two of their final eight.

The Vipers countered by shooting 58.1 percent from the field and 43.3 percent beyond the arc. Chris Walker, Chinanu Onuaku and Julien Lewis each scored 15 points, with Tony Wroten adding 13 along with 11 assists and six turnovers. Kyle Davis had nine points, 10 assists and two turnovers off the bench.

Cleanthony Early played for the first time since Feb. 6 and scored 11 points in nearly 16 minutes. Brase said Early was on a minutes restriction as he recovers from a knee injury, while Isaiah Hartenstein (ankle) and Zhou Qi (illness) were also on a minutes cap. Hartenstein and Zhou both scored seven points in 14 minutes.

Early said he was a little winded after the opening quarter but found his legs as the game went on.

“It doesn’t feel completely 100 percent, but at the same time, I know it doesn’t feel like a week or two weeks ago,” Early said. “I’m just giving it a go. I’m out here just trying to help us finish this last stretch and potentially get a championship.”

The win moves the Vipers to 27-20 — comfortably in position to claim a wild-card playoff berth.

RGV can only miss the playoffs by finishing behind all of the Texas Legends (27-20), Reno Bighorns (26-21), Oklahoma City Blue (26-21) and Sioux Falls Skyforce (25-22). With only three games remaining in the regular season, RGV can lock up a postseason spot with either a win or a Sioux Falls loss.

The Vipers won their season series against the Bighorns and Skyforce, lead the Legends 2-1 with a game to play and are even at one game apiece with the Blue with a matchup remaining.

RGV hosts Salt Lake City on Wednesday, travels to face Texas on Friday and then closes out the slate at home against OKC on Saturday.

BY ALEXANDRA PETRI

“Now, it is well-known,” Sir Walter Scott observed, “that a man may with more impunity be guilty of an actual breach either of real good breeding or of good morals, than appear ignorant of the most minute point of fashionable etiquette.”

Below, with apologies to Emily Post, are a few rules of civility to help carry us through these difficult and often awkward moments in this brave new era. Restaurant etiquette, I believe, has been thoroughly covered in recent days, but there are so many other areas we have yet to explore.

When marching with a torch in support of white supremacy, be certain not to take up too much of the sidewalk, and give the space on the side nearest the wall to him who you wish to honor.

Children should be removed from their parents going from the left to the right, or smallest to largest. If you are unsure of which way to proceed, glance over to see what the person seated next to you is doing.

Children whose peers have recently been murdered due to gun violence ought always to show deference to conservative media personalities, who are, after all, their elders.

It is polite to give up your seat to a judge selected by Donald Trump, especially if you are Merrick Garland.

Always offer a spot in your immigration detention center to a pregnant woman before taking it yourself.

It is gauche to tell a woman at your California crisis pregnancy center that yours is not a licensed medical facility that provides a full range of services. Instead, say nothing.

Asparagus may be eaten with the fingers, unless you are in Puerto Rico and no longer receiving food assistance.

Women ought to be addressed with respect. “Crooked Hillary” is rude. It is “Madam Crooked Hillary,” or “Miss Mika Brzezinski, Bleeding Badly From A Facelift.”

One must always salute the North Korean military.

“You are not welcome in this country because of your faith” is a terrible thing to say. Instead, say, “You are not welcome in this country because your country of origin is on a list, sir.”

It is rude to address people as “animals,” unless you are the president.

It is rude to say “infest” when speaking of people, unless you are the president.

When visiting Flint, Michigan, be especially careful not to not drink water out of your finger bowls. That water is not potable.

Your hat should be removed when escorting someone from the country.

Never kneel in the presence of the flag when black.

When refusing to bake a wedding cake for a gay couple, be certain to address them as “sir” and “sir.”

“This Is Not Who We Are” is incorrect. More proper is “This Is Not Who One Is.”

The correct chant is not “Lock her up!” It is “Lock her up, please!”

The correct chant is not “Build the wall!” It is “Build the wall, if you would be so kind!”

T-shirts that read “TRUMP 2020: F— Your Feelings” are wildly inappropriate. Instead, embroider this sentiment on a sensible button-down or, better yet, print it on a tie.

Children should not disrupt social gatherings. No matter what is happening to those children or who is responsible. Crying children should be seen and not heard. Or better yet, neither seen nor heard.

Alexandra Petri is a columnist for the Washington Post Writers Group. Follow her @petridishes.

Texas has public information and public meeting laws to promote open and transparent government. A Rio Grande Valley city skirting these laws, however, is the City of Mercedes.

Public transparency in Mercedes

Texas has public information and public meeting laws to promote open and transparent government. A Rio Grande Valley city skirting these laws, however, is the City of Mercedes.

Recently the Mercedes City Commission removed its open forum portion of its public meetings without informing citizens who were at that meeting. In commenting to a reporter about this issue, an arrogant and showboating-city commissioner accused these citizens of being chest-pounding and indirectly smearing the city by constantly complaining that the world around them is crumpling.

These citizens just want an open and transparent city government, as required by state laws. They believe that there is no accountability with many of the city’s spending transactions that might be excessive, illegal or unnecessary.

For the last several months, a citizen requested public information dealing with a city commissioner who before being elected to this office in 2017 was sued as a private individual. Requested is information on whether the city commission paid this commissioner’s legal expenses associated with the lawsuit.

According to the city’s financial policy, a payment for materials or services requires the commission’s vote and approval during an open meeting. There is reason to believe that during a Dec. 5, 2017 meeting such a vote took place during executive session. If so, would it not be illegal?

Silvestre Moreno Jr., Mercedes

Respect our dead

What if trees were permitted to grow through your grandfather’s headstone and through his coffin? What if his cemetery encouraged visitors to play Pokemon Go over his grave? What if his headstone needed to be replaced and the cemetery refused to inscribe it with his identification? What if the cemetery outright lost his burial site?

There are the actions alleged to happen at the National Park Service in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

At Gettysburg, over 7,100 were killed and 10,800 missing. On Cemetery Hill, about 3,500 soldiers are buried from the Civil War with over 1,500 unknowns. Originally thought to be only Union soldiers, over time analysis has proven at least eight Confederates are buried there.

Several FOIA requests have been made over the years. But the National Park Service, which is entrusted with the care of these American dead, does not apparently know how many remains exist. Over 100 soldiers have been “lost!” Furthermore, they refuse to correct their desecrations, as noted above.

This treatment is uncaring and disrespectful. Only the Department of the Interior can be relied upon to fix this. The National Park Service seems not interested.

What if these remains were your great-grandfather’s?

Raffi E. Andonian, Santa Fe, New Mexico

‘Build the wall’

This is in response to Dr. Phillip Zwerling’s recent letter. The Rio Grande Valley has many conservative citizens who take offense to liberal ideology and so does my whole family. I truly don’t believe any of these liberals want to be great again. I would drop my subscription, but for the little news I do read. Build the wall soon, President Trump.

Louise Minton, Mission

Property tax solution

In regard to Dale Craymer’s Feb. 11 column concerning replacing property taxes with increased sales taxes, while I agree with him on disliking the property taxes in Hidalgo County and that our state has one of the highest property taxes in the nation, I have reservations with his implied conclusion that raising property taxes is the best way to fund established and new taxing districts. For quite some time, I have opposed creating a new taxing district for the proposed hospital district. I have opposed it not because I am against better health care for our citizens or the new UTRGV medical school, but simply because property owners cannot afford more taxes. I have offered the proposal of minimally raising the sales tax to pay for this. I have suggested this on several occasions, but have never heard a why-not. I am concerned that this article is the first salvo in an attempt to gain support for property taxpayers to pay for a new hospital (healthcare district). I would like nothing more than for our community to find a way to fund indigent healthcare and the new medical school, but it must not be totally on the backs of property owners as has been proposed and defeated twice already. Our elected representatives need to be more creative and start thinking outside the property tax “box” to get this done.

Hank Boardman, Mission