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

WEEKEND

PAW PATROL LIVE: RACE TO THE RESCUE

It’s the day of the Great Adventure Bay Race between Adventure Bay’s Mayor Goodway and Foggy Bottom’s Mayor Humdinger, but Mayor Goodway is nowhere to be found. PAW Patrol Race to the Rescue! Ryder summons Marshall, Chase, Skye, Rubble, Rocky, Zuma and Everest to rescue Mayor Goodway and to run the race in her place.

WHEN 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday

WHERE McAllen Performing Arts Center, 801 Convention Center Blvd.

COST Tickets start at $15 at ticketmaster.com

SAXET GUN SHOW

The show offers a variety of firearms, accessories, ammunition, knives, tactical gear, hunting and target sports products and more.

WHEN 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday

WHERE McAllen Convention Center, 700 Convention Center Blvd.

COST $5

FRIDAY

MAGIK DANCE

The Abraham Lezama Dance Show Company presents Magik Dance, featuring flamenco, jazz luigi, and modern jazz. The company is located in Reynosa, but their worldwide tours reflect their ability to identify with different audiences.

WHEN 7 p.m. Friday

WHERE The Edinburg Auditorium, 415 W. McIntyre St.

COST Tickets are available at $8 on eventbrite.com

THE TWO OF US

The duo from South Padre Island will perform live.

WHEN 10:30 p.m. Friday

WHERE Stokelys Cigar Bar, 2260 S. Highway Business 281, Edinburg

COST No cover

MOVIE DAY

The film for the day is Kid’s Choice.

WHEN 5 p.m. Friday

WHERE Donna Public Library, 301 S. Main St.

MOVIE WITH A COP

Watch “Coco” on the giant inflatable movie screen. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and a picnic.

WHEN 8 p.m. Friday

WHERE Edinburg Municipal Park, 714 S. Raul Longoria Road

COST Free

McALLEN FOOD PARK UNPLUGGED

Arzalez will perform live.

WHEN 8 p.m. Friday

WHERE McAllen Food Park, 10 N. Broadway St.

COST Free

MUSIC IN THE PARK

Javier Hinojosa and Texas Legend will perform live country and conjunto music.

WHEN 7 p.m. Friday

WHERE Alamo Plaza, East Business Highway 83, Alamo

TEJANO NIGHT

Live music.

WHEN 9 p.m. Friday

WHERE Pecker’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill, 1600 S. Westgate Drive

THE EIGHTY EIGHTS SHOW

The Eighty Eights Show is an interactive musical sing along, dance along experience. The hallmark of The Eighty Eights Show is audience participation. The group will perform Friday and Saturday.

WHEN 8 p.m. Friday

WHERE Bourbon St Grill, 4800 N. 10th St., McAllen

COST $5 cover

SUNSET YOGA IN THE PARK

The yoga program aims to provide every person with the tools to become healthier physically, mentally, and emotionally. Yoga has immense benefits that can be utilized beyond the mat. Intentional breathing relieves stress within the body and mind while the physical movement increases circulation and range of motion in a gentle and gradual way.

WHEN 7 p.m. Friday

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

COST $1 suggested donation

OLDIES SHOWS

Al and Brenda Ragunsin host performances featuring the music of 1950s, ’60s, ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. The club will also hold shows Wednesday (Tejano night) through Saturday.

WHEN 7 p.m. Friday

WHERE Rag A Zeen & Company, 5524 N. 10th St., McAllen

COST No cover

LIVE MUSIC

Lance Wolf performs.

WHEN 8:30 p.m. Friday

WHERE D’s Paradise, 107 E. Park Ave., Pharr

TEJANO BOYS

The tejano band will perform live.

WHEN 9 p.m. Friday

WHERE Rinky Dinkys, 18608 N. FM 493, Edinburg

ROCKSTAR DENIED

The band will perform live.

WHEN 8 p.m. Friday

WHERE LongBoard Bar and Grill, 205 W. Palm St., South Padre Island

DOWN SOUTH

The country band will perform live.

WHEN 9:30 p.m. Friday

WHERE Buck’n Crazy Saloon, 2005 W. Nolana Ave., McAllen

OI NOMAS

The band will perform live.

WHEN 8 p.m. Friday

WHERE The Broken Sprocket, 6305 Paredes Line Road, Brownsville

A TRIBUTE TO JIMMY GONZALEZ

The Voice of San Antonio Jay Perez and the Band will perform a tribute to the late Gonzalez.

WHEN 10 p.m. Friday

WHERE Ice House Sports Bar and Grill, 4311 FM 511, Brownsville

SATURDAY

SATURDAY STORYTIME

All ages are welcome.

WHEN 2 p.m. Saturday

WHERE McAllen Public Library, 4001 N. 23rd St.

THE WOMEN OF ROCK TRIBUTE

Four hours of live music will honor 32 of the greatest female artists in history.

WHEN 10 p.m. Saturday

WHERE Simon Sez, 2007 Orchid Ave., McAllen

COST $3

NATURE TOTS

Tots will be able to play freely, as they explore the sounds and textures around them. Each week of the month will have a nature play activity stations with a new theme. The third Saturday of the month is Nature Machines.

WHEN 9:30 a.m. Saturday

WHERE Quinta Mazatlán World Birding Center, 300 Sunset Drive, McAllen

TAI CHI IN THE PARK

Tai Chi has positive effects on balance control, fitness and flexibility. Elderly and people with disabilities can also work within their limits. Wear comfortable clothing and flexible shoes, and bring water.

WHEN 8 a.m. Saturday

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

COST $1 suggested donation

MOVIES AT THE PARK

The Pharr Parks and Recreation Movies at the Park will feature the film “Coco.” No alcohol or tobacco is allowed.

WHEN 8:30 p.m. Saturday

WHERE Dr. William Long City/School Park, 1000 E. Eldora Road, Pharr

COST Free

KIKKER DADDY LEGACY

The band will perform live.

WHEN 6 p.m. Saturday

WHERE Ranch House Burgers II, 409 N. Bryan Road, Mission

COST No cover

SOLIDO

The Latin Grammy Award-winning band will perform live.

WHEN 9:05 p.m. Saturday

WHERE Ice House Sports Bar & Grill, 4311 FM 511, Brownsville

COST Tickets start at $10

RIVER ROCK 7

The southern rock and country cover band will perform live.

WHEN 10 p.m. Saturday

WHERE Stokelys Cigar Bar, 2260 S. Highway Business 281, Edinburg

COST No cover charge

BEGINNERS BUTTERFLY WALK

The stroll around the center looking for butterflies may result in the spotting of more than 80 species. Borrow binoculars and bring a camera.

WHEN 9 a.m. Saturday

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

COST $1 suggested donation

LIVE MUSIC

A night of industrial, post-punk and darkwave will feature Annex, Twin Tribes and Vivent Les Morts as well as DJ Vicious Circle.

WHEN 9 p.m. Saturday

WHERE Hop Shop, 923 S. 7th St., Harlingen

COST $5 cover

SOUTHERN ASHES

The country band will perform live.

WHEN 9 p.m. Saturday

WHERE Rinky Dinkys, 18608 N. FM 493, Edinburg

THE ROVERS

The band will perform live.

WHEN 7 p.m. Saturday

WHERE American Legion Loyal Service Post 37, 1305 E. Jasmine Ave., McAllen

STARLIGHT QUARTET

The band will perform live.

WHEN 8 p.m. Saturday

WHERE LongBoard Bar and Grill, 205 W. Palm St., South Padre Island

SUNDAY

SUNDAY SPEAKER SERIES IN ESPAÑOL

Returning is Jesus Correa, a local historian from Starr County.

WHEN 2 p.m. Sunday

WHERE Museum of South Texas History, 200 N. Closner Blvd., Edinburg

BILINGUAL STORYTIME

All ages are welcome for bilingual stories and activities.

WHEN 5 p.m. Sunday

WHERE McAllen Public Library, 4001 N. 23rd St.

BO GARZA

The McAllen native and country artist, left, known for “I’m Home” will perform live.

WHEN 8 p.m. Sunday

WHERE Laguna BOB, 2401 Laguna Blvd., South Padre Island

EDINBURG — For former football standout Steve Alaniz, the pace is much slower these days than in the 1980s. But that’s exactly how the 1985 Edinburg High and 1989 Notre Dame graduate prefers it.

He’ll be recognized one more time for his career this evening when he is inducted along with the rest of the 2018 class into the RGV Sports Hall of Fame.

His values remain the same as always. He is still humble and wants to stay away from the limelight. He’s proud of his time on the field but even more so of his life, family and the doors opened by his athletic ability and education.

“That was on my parents,” Alaniz said. “My mom (Lani) and dad (Rene) were really big on making sure you did everything the right way. Making sure you earned everything, that you did your work, that there were no shortcuts. Big on making sure that you were friendly to everybody and you tried to help anybody anytime you could.”

He has photos and memorabilia from his time on the 1988 Notre Dame team that earned a national title.

The Edinburg High and Notre Dame grad said he was lucky to play under two coaching legends.

“Edinburg High had a great tradition, and coach Richard Flores put together a great system,” Alaniz said. “From junior high on, you’re a part of that Bobcat family, so it was special going through there. Flores had a way of showing he believed in us. Therefore, we did everything we could to play for each other.”

His connection with Bobcats quarterback John Paul Cantu put the team among the state’s best during the 1984 season. Cantu was the Class 5A passing leader with 2,075 yards, while Alaniz had 68 catches to rank second in Texas.

His next coach was Gerry Faust, the coach who recruited Alaniz, but Faust’s replacement Lou Holtz would be the man who led Notre Dame to the program’s 11th title.

“To be able to go to the next level and get on a national team was… a lot of luck involved,” Alaniz said. “When Notre Dame did recruit me, we were a 5-6 team. Coach Holtz came my sophomore year and turned it around in three years.”

“You know you’re lucky to be on the team because you’re on the team and you are winning, but you don’t realize how lucky you are until you’re away from the game,” Alaniz said. “I was just very fortunate to be connected to teams where the coaches were just very good at what they were doing. “

Recruiting was different in his era.

Being a standout athlete helped, but that still didn’t guarantee his talent would get noticed. The days of self-promotion, recruiting portals and even showcase camps had not yet dawned.

“Summer camps were against UIL rules back when I played,” Alaniz said. “The only time that someone could see you play was in a game. They’d get film from you. A Notre Dame coach actually went to go see a basketball game in Brownsville. A lot of it is also dependent on people they know that can give them an evaluation that they trust.”

At EHS, Alaniz also lettered in basketball, golf and track and field. He feels today’s athletes should try to diversify and play different sports.

His 6-foot-2-inch, 185-pound frame, in addition to his father’s connection with then-University of Texas coach Fred Akers, made Alaniz a target for educational and athletic powerhouses like Stanford, Texas and, of course, Notre Dame.

After 30 years and one championship ring earned in his final collegiate game, it’s safe to say he made the right choice.

The wide receiver was a cog in a powerful Notre Dame machine that ran the ball more than it passed. Alaniz said the values learned in his household, his high school and his community helped him fit into a special group.

“That (my values) was just a part of me,” Alaniz said. “And that helps to be a part of a team. If all your teammates are thinking that way… Character is a big part of chemistry and being successful in sports.”

[email protected]

A migrant father was separated from his toddler earlier this week at Border Patrol’s central processing center in McAllen, according to attorneys with the Texas Civil Rights Project.

The 24-year-old father was taken to a local detention center while his 2-year-old daughter was transferred to an Office of Refugee Resettlement shelter after they were apprehended on or around July 5 while crossing the border, said Efrén Olivares, racial and economic justice director of the Alamo-based nonprofit.

“We were very surprised, very shocked because this should not be happening,” Olivares said upon learning of the separation during an immigration hearing at the McAllen federal courthouse Monday, where TCRP attorneys had not observed separations since President Donald Trump’s June 20 executive order putting an immediate end to his administration’s “zero tolerance” policy of separating migrant families who illegally crossed the border.

A San Diego judge subsequently issued a national injunction June 26 ordering the administration to reunite migrant children with their parents within 30 days.

The father, who Olivares identified as Mario Perez-Domingo, told TCRP staff that despite showing CBP agents his daughter’s birth certificate, she was removed from his custody.

TCRP staff had McAllen’s Guatemalan consulate confirm the authenticity of the birth certificate, and staff were able to get in contact with his family in Guatemala, who provided photos and documentation confirming the relationship.

“As far as we know, the government did not take any of these steps to verify whether or not Mr. Perez-Domingo was telling the truth and this was his daughter,” Olivares said. “But instead, on we don’t know what basis, they made the determination that she was not his daughter and separated her from him in violation of the injunction.”

Federal prosecutors dropped the criminal illegal re-entry case Friday against Perez-Domingo, who remains in the custody of U.S. Marshals as of Friday afternoon, according to Olivares. TCRP is working to reunite him with his daughter.

CBP did not respond to a request for comment on TCRP’s allegations against the McAllen processing center.

The agency confirmed it separates under three circumstances, which include when the Department of Homeland Security is unable to determine the familial relationship; if the child may be at risk with the parent or legal guardian; or when the parent or legal guardian is referred for criminal prosecution.

“We cannot sit back and expect the government to do the right thing,” Olivares said of why TCRP staff has continually monitored immigration hearings at McAllen’s federal courthouse since the executive order and the national injunction.

Olivares expressed concern that Perez-Domingo may not be the only parent separated from a child since the injunction, especially because many indigenous migrants like him — whose first language is Mam — have limited Spanish language proficiency.

“As long as the zero tolerance policy is in place, the separations could happen any day,” Olivares said.

Country and tejano music will be on tap as the city of Pharr pays tribute to its unique cross-cultural heritage during the annual HubPhest in early April.

Pharr — long known as the Hub City — has put on the celebration for over a decade. During a press conference Wednesday, Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez said the tradition of “celebrating our Tejano Country roots,” will carry into this year.

Since assuming office in May 2015, Hernandez has overseen the work behind bringing the event to the city and has encouraged a focus be placed not only on activities and performers, but safety as well.

Entertainment as well as attendance, he said, gets better every year.

An afternoon of nonstop musical performances and carnival rides is just a sliver of what’s promised this time around. Exploring the petting zoo and tasting plates from various food booths, according to Pharr officials, make the “phestival” well worth a trip.

No stranger to the Rio Grande Valley, country musician Easton Corbin returns as headliner. His first visit took place in 2010, which radio personality Jojo from KTEX-FM attributed to having played a part in the creation and mass success of the station’s 10 Man Jam. Later this year, the “jam” celebrates its 8th year.

Texas Dezire, Arroyo Band, Drew & the Dancehall Dreamers, Little Joe y La Familia and Phar native Bo Garza are a few other artists set to perform. The lineup reflects a “diverse showcase … from country to latin,” said Hernandez, reflecting the community’s main interests.

Big-time grillers can look forward to a Cookoff sanctioned by the International Barbeque Cookers Association.

The event kicks off at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 7, in downtown Pharr. Admission is free before 5 p.m. and $5 thereafter.

Visit hubphest.com for more information.

Mexicans paying the price for tariff dispute

The Mexican government’s lack of concern for its own people never ceases to amaze me. They recently retaliated by imposing many new tariffs on U.S. goods, including a 25 percent tax on imported U.S. pork. As we all know, pork is a Mexican food staple used in many Mexican dishes, such as “carnitas.” So now, Mexicans wishing to eat pork will have to pay a higher price for their main source of protein.

The two countries are in a tariff dispute, but the ones that pay the price are the poor Mexican people who barely make ends meet. And with Lopez-Obrador coming on board as president of Mexico in December, I don’t see things getting any better.

Why? Our two presidents’ political views are extremely opposite. One is to the extreme right and the other is to the extreme left.

Guadalupe E. Aguirre, Edinburg

 

Fed up with ‘lawless’ southern border

Is 15 million undocumented, Spanish speaking, illegal immigrants finally enough rushing our borders? The United States is a dumping ground for the world’s poor, orphans and criminals. We have 13 million adults and 2 million DACA and minor children who think just by crossing the border, by any means necessary, that they can get on the gravy train and meld into American society.

They come unprepared not knocking English, penniless, poor, uneducated, with large families to feed, clothe and house. Then we have undue pressure on services in society with the schools, hospitals, jobs and lowering wages for the entire country, stealing American citizens’ jobs.

Many adults commit misdemeanor and felony crimes on law-abiding Americans. Many are ruthless MS-13 gang members.

We have argued about this over and over before, but legal entry just feels better.

The United States is fed up with our lawless southern border, and everyone in South Texas has earned and deserved the impending wall, because the people here have made a fortune smuggling drugs and undocumented illegal immigrants for centuries. Not to mention gun running and money-laundering for themselves and the cartels. Enough is enough, and you get what you deserve for continual lawlessness.

Your children and families receive less because of the drain on society’s limited resources — less quality of living to accommodate the needs of poor, desperate, undocumented, criminal illegal immigrants. So enjoy your new money-saving, secure wall.

Ronald Weaver, Pharr

 

‘To Honor’ our servicemen and servicewomen

I commend this area for honoring our servicemen and servicewomen and veterans on our national celebration days during the year. These are people who have served our country, giving their time and loyalty, and too many have given their lives throughout the years.

Our children should know why we celebrate these special days and give thanks to those who have contributed to the freedoms we all enjoy.

I grew up in a small town that always celebrated our nation’s heritage, so it’s something for which I have respect and great appreciation.

Services honoring our heroes seem to be celebrated in all of our communities. We express our admiration and gratitude. Thanks to all of them from all of us.

Below is my poem, “To Honor.”

Honor those who fought and died,

Think of them with love and pride;

Fighting wars so far and wide,

While their families mourned and cried.

How many borders have we crossed,

Trudging through the mud and frost?

We’ll never know what war has cost,

Or what our USA has lost.

To your flag be ever true,

As it waves red, white, and blue.

Remember those who fought for your,

Give them the respect they’re due.

Soldiers have suffered, they’ve had their fill,

Many of them suffer still,

Remembering those they had to kill;

Being in war is a bitter pill.

So kneel by a grave where poppies grow

As they’re swaying to and fro.

Pray for him who lies below,

Give thanks to one you’ll never know.

Thomas Shaper, Pharr

Editor’s Note: Join Monitor staff writer Daniel A. Flores for candid thoughts and no-bull access on the path to a healthier lifestyle.

Making lifestyle changes is hard (even when I know I’ll be held accountable for being public with my weight-loss journey).

Progress report: I’m still losing weight, but not at the same pace as when I first started. This is attributed to a few things: not sticking to my strict plan of a 30-minute run five days a week, drinking more than once weekly and allowing myself to indulge on cheat days with less-than-optimal foods.

When I began, the pace was unsustainable. I cut more calories than was healthy. Sustainable, long-term changes are more likely to hold if they’re incremental, as I’ve been advised.

Some days during June, the amount of calories I consumed was closer to the “medically-supervised zone” than what was recommended by H-E-B registered dietician nutritionist, JoAnn Martinez. These diets are usually temporary and often used before surgeries — and as its name suggests, done under the observation of a doctor, which I’m not.

That’s been corrected.

“Yeah, you’re losing weight. But are you giving your body what it needs,” Martinez warned me months ago about undereating. “At this point, your body isn’t getting the nutrients that it needs to function.”

As we’ve spoken about in previous installments, allowing yourself to fail (without it being the catalyst for spiralling into the abyss of diet death) is key. Often times, people just give up or continue with bad habits.

I hope you didn’t expect I was going to be a model citizen.

Besides, I have six months of content to produce and it would be a shame if we didn’t have a little bit of conflict.

“There are definitely going to be times when you take two steps backwards, but the key is what to do in the setting of that deviation,” said Dr. Michelle Cordoba Kissee with Doctors Hospital at Renaissance’s Diabetes and Endocrinology Institute.

Cordoba-Kissee’s advice last month helped me prepare for my (almost) inevitable veering from the plan, as she says it’s part of progress. And understanding why this is will help.

“Unlike other challenges,” she said of dietary adjustments versus other learned habits, “we’re really going against biology, because everything in your brain right now is telling you that high-calorie food is what you should be eating.

“You’re wired. You get that dopamine response … We really need to reteach our brains how to learn to get pleasure from less caloric foods.”

From before we’re even born, our job is to ingest calories, she said.

“Unless you’re actively telling your brain, ‘no, I’m not going to do that,’ then you’re programmed to gain weight,” she said. “And, complemented with a society where it’s easier and easier to be sedentary.”

Reminding ourselves why we’re motivated to make changes can be helpful, she said. Somethings as simple as writing down goals and motivations can be helpful, so here it goes: I want to be able to play soccer again without injuring myself or getting embarrassed by other players.

Changing habits isn’t easy. If it was, the Rio Grande Valley wouldn’t consistently be known for its high rates of diabetes. But this column is about working through obstacles that arise to find long-term solutions for myself.

And other helpful tip from Cordoba-Kissee is to try and integrate healthy actions into our daily routines. Could we park further away? Can we take the stairs? Or, in my case, if your job requires long stretches of sitting at a keyboard, could I be standing?

Adjustments: Both Cordoba-Kissee and Martinez advised on how tracking only weight can be a skewed metric.

If you’re particularly active, you might not see a change in weight as you gain muscle. Cordoba-Kissee suggests being vigilant of how clothes fit. Also, waist size is a good indication, she said.

Martinez suggested that while not perfect, Body Mass Index — weight to height — is a better indicator.

I’ll begin to track those measurements so we have more data to gauge my process.

Cordoba-Kissee also said that if individuals have known conditions, blood pressure and blood sugar could be charted. People should also see changes in their activity tolerance. Progress can be simply getting less winded during exercise or noticing you’re able to do more.

For the last change, I’ll keep you posted about my solution to sitting at work. Hopefully the next time I’m writing this, it’s from a standing position.

Email me, or share your questions via #healthyrgv. Posts could end up in publication, or as the basis of future installments. I encourage you to start your own personal health journey, and tell me about it using #healthyrgv.