The City of McAllen, in partnership with Hidalgo County Health & Human Services will be hosting a free COVID-19 vaccine clinic on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the McAllen Convention Center, located at 700 Convention Center Blvd. in McAllen. Image for illustration purposes
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The City of McAllen, in partnership with Hidalgo County Health & Human Services will be hosting a free COVID-19 vaccine clinic on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the McAllen Convention Center, located at 700 Convention Center Blvd. in McAllen.
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Pfizer and Moderna vaccine doses for various age groups, including children and adolescents, will be available on a first come, first served basis to anyone eligible to receive the vaccine.
There is no pre-registration, identification or appointments required. Registration is on-site and parents must be present with their minor child to fill out registration forms.
Vaccines will be administered by Hidalgo County Health and Human Services Department nurses.
Communist China, America’s greatest foe, is on a bender. They are buying up farmland across the United States and Texas. Miller Image Source: Image Source: www.texasagriculture.gov; Bgd images for illustration purposes
Special to Texas Border Business
By Sid Miller
Communist China, America’s greatest foe, is on a bender. They are buying up farmland across the United States and Texas.
I sounded the alarm last year when a former Chinese General bought 120,000 acres near Laughlin Air Force Base.
We stopped a proposed wind farm, but the land is still in Chinese hands.
Six states outright ban the foreign ownership of farmland – from Hawaii to Mississippi. Texas has every right to regulate the conditions under which we permit foreign ownership, as well.
It is unconscionable to me that some of our own Texas Republican officials are saying that the free market requires that we let the Chinese Communists buy whatever they want.
As Americans, we support property rights, but we must put patriotism above profits when national security is at stake. In China, there are no meaningful property rights, or any other rights.
The free market is essential for a free people. But it has to have rules and principles, or it isn’t a free market, it’s anarchy.
In an anarchy, of course China can buy Texas land, even sensitive land near our military bases…because there is no one to stop them.
My question is, where are the state leaders who actually could?
We can pass legislation to prevent China from buying the land that feeds our cities, houses our national defenses, and is our American birthright.
Why haven’t we?This issue has taken on a new urgency as it’s been revealed that the US government is investigating cell towers with Huawei equipment that could be used to capture and send US military communications to Beijing.
The Chinese Communists are our enemy. They want to be the world’s only superpower.
If the Biden administration doesn’t stand up to them, then it’s up to us to protect Texas sovereignty in order to ensure our critical food and energy supplies.
EL PASO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Ysleta border crossing in El Paso, Texas intercepted 16 pounds of fentanyl in a failed smuggling attempt. The driver of the vehicle transporting the drugs was a 16-year-old.
“History has shown that almost every element of society can be lured into the drug smuggling trade,” said CBP Ysleta Port Director Arnoldo Gomez. “Over the years CBP officers have encountered teens, senior citizens, families and single travelers smuggling drugs.”
On August 6, CBP officers assigned to the Ysleta border crossing encountered two individuals arriving from Mexico via the vehicle lanes. A CBP officer referred the individuals for a secondary inspection of the vehicle which included screening by a CBP canine and non-intrusive inspection (x-ray). The secondary search led CBP officers to locate multiple bundles throughout the vehicle containing a total of 16.44 pounds of fentanyl.
The driver, a 16-year-old U.S. citizen, was turned over to state and local authorities for prosecution and the passenger, an 18-year-old citizen of Mexico, was processed for an expedited removal and returned to Mexico.
Annie Leal, Founder of I Love Chamoy and The Sweet Blvd’s Nadia Escalante and Manual Alvarez will go head-to-head against the other finalists moving one step closer to claiming a combined $70,000 in cash prizes and sought-after space on H-E-B shelves companywide. Courtesy Images
Texas Border Business
H-E-B Quest for Texas Best is back for the ninth year in search of the most creative, mouthwatering Texas-made food and beverages as well as home goods, beauty products, and more. This year’s search generated a delicious mix from coffee, cleaners, and confections, to salsas, salamis, and seasonings from across the Lone Star State. After reviewing more than 564 products, 10 finalists were selected out of more than 500 entrepreneurs from Texas.
TWO Rio Grande Valley-area finalists will showcase their product on August 23rd-24th before a panel of judges to stake a winning claim in the ninth annual competition.
Annie Leal, Founder of I Love Chamoy and The Sweet Blvd’s Nadia Escalante and Manual Alvarez will go head-to-head against the other finalists moving one step closer to claiming a combined $70,000 in cash prizes and sought-after space on H-E-B shelves companywide.
I Love Chamoy – Sugar Free Chamoy
by Annie Leal | McAllen, TX
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Chamoy was a staple of Annie Leal’s childhood growing up in Mexico. It made everything sweet and spicy and gave things like fruits and veggies the flavor of Mexican candy. When her dad was diagnosed with diabetes and could no longer enjoy this delicious Mexican sauce, she made it her mission to make this traditional staple of Mexican candy more accessible to people with different dietary needs. After spending months testing recipes and ingredients, she created the perfect sweet, tangy, and spicy chamoy – with no added sugar (since it’s sweetened with monk fruit) or artificial dyes and with 40-80% lesssodium than most chamoys on the market. I Love Chamoy is delicious with fruits, vegetables, aguas frescas, seltzers, and more.
The Sweet Blvd – Japanese Cotton Cheesecake
by Nadia Escalante & Manual Alvarez | Brownsville, TX
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Husband and wife, Nadia Escalante and Manuel Alvarez, were searching for the famous Japanese Cotton Cheesecake but when they could not find it in Brownsville, they decided to create their own. In September of 2019 they started The Sweet Blvd creating Japanese Cotton Cheesecake with a Texas twist. The Sweet Blvd’s cheesecake is a combination of a French soufflé and an American Cheesecake with an airy texture, delicate, slightly moist taste, and soft as if you were eating cotton – a heavenly taste in your mouth. Since bringing the dessert to light, the company has created a loyal customer base.
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced on Wednesday a six-figure gift by former Hall of Fame men’s basketball head coach Lon Kruger and his wife, Barbara, both of whom are inductees into the Athletics Hall of Honor, to dedicate the Lew Hill Memorial Plaza as part of the upcoming renovations to the UTRGV Fieldhouse. Image courtesy of UTRGV
Texas Border Business
RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced on Wednesday a six-figure gift by former Hall of Fame men’s basketball head coach Lon Kruger and his wife, Barbara, both of whom are inductees into the Athletics Hall of Honor, to dedicate the Lew Hill Memorial Plaza as part of the upcoming renovations to the UTRGV Fieldhouse.
Construction on the outside of the fieldhouse, including the plaza, is expected to start in the spring of 2023 with completion in early 2025. This plaza is part of $30 million in facilities enhancements that were announced on April 6.
Image courtesy of UTRGV
The announcement of the Lew Hill Memorial Plaza was made on August 10 to coincide with what would have been the 16thwedding anniversary for Lew and Renee Hill.
“I am super excited for this announcement,” said Renee Hill, the widow of Lew Hill. “I am both thankful and grateful to the amazing people who made this a reality for Lewis and our family along with all those who will have the pleasure to pass through UTRGV. This university and community have been family since we arrived. The Lew Hill Memorial Plaza is a testament to prayer and the sayings that ‘kindness wins,’ ‘a full heart feeds multitudes,’ and ‘basketball can take you many places.’ I know Lewis would be appreciative of all the efforts put into making this thought a reality. My continued prayer is that people passing through feel his presence, love, hard work, and dedication to people, basketball, and the endless opportunities after the ball stops dribbling. This piece of history, on this day, fills me with heavier emotions, tears, and smiles as I think about his smile and love for UTRGV and how it’s still felt here. He will forever be missed, never forgotten, always loved, and appreciated deeply.”
Lon Kruger was the coach at legacy institution Pan American University from 1982-86. Hill worked as an assistant coach with Kruger at UNLV from 2004-11 and Oklahoma from 2011-16. Kruger was instrumental in helping to connect Hill with UTRGV, as Hill took over as head coach shortly after Oklahoma’s 2016 Final Four run. Hill coached UTRGV from 2016 until his tragic passing on Feb. 7, 2021 at the age of 55.
“I’m so happy and pleased for Renee and the family that Lew’s being recognized for the terrific person and coach that he was,” Kruger said. “I certainly appreciate UTRGV taking the steps to make this happen in memory of Lew.”
Image courtesy of UTRGV
Hill was the head coach at UTRGV for five seasons, making five-win improvements in each of his first three years, culminating with a 20-win 2018-19 season that saw the Vaqueros win an NCAA Division I postseason game for the first time while hosting two rounds of the CIT. For his efforts, Hill was a finalist for the 2019 Ben Jobe Award, presented annually to the top minority coach in Division I men’s basketball. In total, the Vaqueros made two postseason appearances under Hill, including an appearance in the 2018 CBI.
Hill’s teams never quit, rallying back from seven double-digit deficits in 2018-19 and then, after starting the 2019-20 season 6-14, winning eight of their final 10 to earn the No. 2 seed in the Western Athletic Conference Tournament, the highest seed in program history.
The Vaqueros picked up right where they left off in 2020-21, going 8-4 under Hill. In total, the Vaqueros won 16 of Hill’s final 22 games. Hill was posthumously awarded as the 2021 Western Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, National Association of Basketball Coaches District 6 Co-Coach of the Year, and the CollegeInsider.com Skip Prosser Man of the Year.
For his head coaching career, Hill won 67 games, the fifth-best total in program history.
Beyond basketball, Hill was passionate about bringing awareness to diabetes, personally leading the charge to host diabetes awareness nights at home basketball games.
He also believed greatly in giving back to the campus and the community. Hill was known for buying large amounts of breakfast tacos and walking to faculty staff offices around campus to deliver breakfast and thank his fellow UTRGV employees for their hard work and dedication. When UTRGV Athletics started a weekly story time series this past spring, Hill was the first employee to sign up, reading The Dinosaur Who Lived in My Back Yard with his daughter, Elle.
“We are so pleased to see Coach Hill and his legacy honored in such a meaningful way,” UTRGV Vice President and Director of Athletics Chasse Conque said. “Coach Hill was an incredible human being. He was a close friend, a tremendous colleague, and a leader of men. His passion for people is something that set Coach Hill apart. This plaza, when complete, will serve as focal point for our department and university community.
“We are most grateful to Barbara and Coach Kruger for their impactful support. Their commitment to UTRGV and their love for Lew, Renee, and their family culminates with today’s significant announcement. This is a fitting tribute for a man who meant so much to so many.”
Originally from Mount Vernon, N.Y., Hill was an All-State performer at Mount Vernon High School. He then went on to be an All-American point guard for San Jacinto Junior College, helping to lead the team to the 1984 NJCAA National Championship. He played his final two seasons at Wichita State, earning All-Missouri Valley Conference honors as a senior for helping to lead the Shockers to 20 wins and a berth in the 1988 NCAA Tournament.
Hill graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and played one season professionally in Germany before starting his coaching career at Wichita East High School in 1989-90. He moved up to the collegiate ranks as an assistant coach at South Alabama from 1990-92.
From there, Hill worked as an assistant coach at Southeast Missouri State (1992-94), East Carolina (1994-98) and Texas A&M (1998-03) before getting promoted to associate head coach at Texas A&M for the 2003-04 season.
Alice Rodriguez Keynote Speaker of Latina Leadership Conference USHCC Chairwoman. Courtesy Image
Texas Border Business
The women’s committee of the RGV Hispanic Chamber are proud to announce that one of our Valley own, who has made a name for herself in the corporate world and has received many awards and recognitions from all over the United States, will be the Keynote speaker at the RGV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Latina Leadership Conference on Friday, September 16th. Ms. Alice Rodriguez, originally from Brownsville is currently the Chairwoman of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the JPMorgan Chase Bank Senior Advisor and Managing Director in the U.S. Walmart will again be the Presenting Sponsor of the conference and is looking forward to welcoming Ms. Rodriguez.
All attendees will receive a full day of discussion and important information on 6 topics that will empower women. In addition, they will receive a Walmart Goody Bag filled with marketing items from Walmart and different business owners, breakfast, lunch and entertainment.
Ms. Alice Rodriguez has over 35 years of extensive banking experience with JPMorgan Chase and its predecessors. She has held executive positions in Business Banking, Consumer Banking and Wealth Management. Her most recent role was Head of JPMC Community Impact Organization. In this capacity, she provided strategic counsel and an integral leadership role in community engagement initiatives and localization strategy. Alice collaborated with Corporate Responsibility to bring together the best of business, philanthropy and policy efforts to drive inclusive economic growth and lead the $30B commitment to advancing racial equity. In her current role, Alice acts as a Senior Advisor to the Community Impact Team.
A trailblazer in her field, Alice has a natural tenacity, tempered with a steadied approach in both life and business. In a career spanning three decades, she has put people and purpose first, supporting community efforts beyond her corporate responsibilities. A lifelong commitment to minority-driven causes has earned her numerous board appointments and accolades.
Some of her Boards and memberships have been: Board Member, ONCOR Electric Delivery Company LL, Board Member/Treasurer, Avance North TexasMomentous Institute, Former Board Member, Hispanic 100, Former President, New America Alliance, Former Board Member, Center for Nonprofit Management, Former Board Member, Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Former Board Member and Member of Texas Lyceum, Dallas Summit.
She has received a number of honors and awards. Some o these have been: Girl Scouts of North Texas Women of Distinction Award (2020), Latino Leaders Maestro Award (2019), Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) “Top 50 Most Powerful Latina Women in Corporate America” (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020. Distinguished Alumni Recipient, University of Texas-RGV (2017), Southwest Jewish Congress “Inspiring Women of the Southwest” Award (2010, Distinguished Women’s Series Award from Northwood University (2010), Minority Business Leader Award from the Dallas Business Journal (2009), YWCA of New York, “Academy of Women Leaders” Award (2008), Hispanic Business magazine, “Corporate Elite” (2007) and many more.
For more information on the Latina Leadership conference sponsorship and ticket information call the RGV Hispanic Chamber at 928.0060 or visit the website at www.rgvhcc.org.
Shown promoting the conference are Edinburg city officials. Left to right: Commissioner David, White; Commissioner David Dan Diaz; Mayor Ramiro Garza, Jr.; Cynthia M. Sakulenzki, Pres/CEO of the RGVHCC; Commissioner Johnny Garcia; City Manager Myra Ayala; and Commissioner Jason de Leon. Courtesy Image
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The City of Edinburg will be co-sponsoring the RGV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce annual Latina Leadership Conference on Friday, Sept. 16th at the DHR Conference Center in Edinburg. “We are thrilled to have the City of Edinburg join us again after 2 years of Covid where we were only able to host the Conference virtually” stated Cynthia M. Sakulenzki, Pres/CEO of the RGV Hispanic Chamber. “We are especially proud to have their new City Manager, Myra Ayala, participating in one of the panels along with the newly elected Mayor of Harlingen, Norma Sepulveda and newly elected Mayor of Mission, Norie Gonzalez Garza. The panel will be addressing a very common situation as more women are working their way into positions that, as a norm, have been held by men….”I’M NOT BOSSY…..I’M JUST THE BOSS”.
The full day conference will cover 6 major topics such as: Passion & Purpose in Building a Career; Mental Wellness, Protecting Your Legacy, Being a Smart Entrepreneur, Adapting to Technology and of course, “I’m not Bossy….I’m just the Boss!”. Keynote Speaker is Alice Rodriguez, of JPMorgan Chase and currently the Chairwoman of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
The Conference includes breakfast, photo booths, a lot of networking, lunch, raffle prizes and a trip for 2 to Mexico in Aeromar. Walmart is the Presenting Sponsor but there are several sponsorship levels which allow sponsors to have a Vendor table and be mentioned in the TV commercial spots as well as Social Media.
For sponsorship or ticket information call the RGV Hispanic chamber at 928-0060 or visit their website at www.rgvhcc.org to purchase your tickets.
Joaquin Spamer, President and founder of Commodities Integrated Logistics (CiL) led the Queenstown Park groundbreaking ceremony on July 18, 2022. Mayor of Pharr, Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez, and members of his city commission, Dr. Ramiro Caballero, Eleazar Guajardo, and City Manager Harvey Andy participated in this important event. The facility is welcomed by the City of Pharr and the Pharr Economic Development Corp., headed by Victor Perez. President & CEO. Photo by Roberto Hugo Gonzalez
Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo Gonzalez
PHARR, Texas – Not even three years have passed since this project was the subject of only conversation by Joaquin Spamer, President, and founder of Commodities Integrated Logistics (CIL), and Victor Perez, President/CEO of the Pharr Economic Development Corp.
Joaquin Spamer, President and founder of Commodities Integrated Logistics (CiL).
The tract of land is strategic; it is close to the Pharr International Bridge and large enough to accommodate this facility. On July 18, 2022, Spamer celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony at Queenstown Park. He was joined by distinguished friends and guests. Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez, and commissioners: Dr. Ramiro Caballero and Eleazar Guajardo, and City Manager Harvey Andy were also present.
“This is a great project,” said Spamer. “I got together with a couple of friends, Gabriel Villaseñor, the former APEAM President, and Jorge De Coss, and bought these thirty acres. We divided the land, they have the south side, and we have the corner.” He continued. “I got together with Jimmy Santos, who is known in the industry,”
Queenstown Park’s cold storage facility comes at a strategic time. The international crossing of perishables has dramatically increased. Courtesy – Rendering of how the facility will look once built.
Spamer said that they are building a facility of approximately 150,600 sq. ft. “It will be a refrigerated Cross Dock and a state-of-the-art building. Mexican trucks will unload on one side of the facility with U.S. trucks loading on the other side.” Spamer guaranteed that there would be no lines of trucks blocking the road waiting to enter the facility. “We have 120 positions to keep the entire team on the property. This will not happen,” he said.
Mayor Hernandez said, “We back our investors substantially because we believe in them. One of the reasons we do that is because we look for partnerships. We look for people like Joaquin. We look for people who believe in people and their employees, that empower them and make sure that they know what they need to do for your clients, that they get served well, that they come across as being with integrity.”
Pictured above is an aerial rendering of the Queenstown Park building featuring cross dock for the convenience of both of the border clients. Courtesy- image.
CIL currently has over 1,150,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space and will be expanding its cold storage facility capacity by 10% via the construction of this new 150,600 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility.
The facility will include 124,200 sq. ft. of cold space and 24,000 sq. ft. of office space. Queenstown Park will provide processing, storage, and distribution services, and fits into several tenets of the prospective Pharr community plan, including creating jobs and advancing local economic goals. The construction of this new facility will result in the employment of approximately 100 full-time employees.
Joaquin Spamer, President and founder of Commodities Integrated Logistics (CiL).
Queenstown Park’s cold storage facility comes at a strategic time. The international crossing of perishables has dramatically increased. Courtesy – Rendering of how the facility will look once built.
Pictured above is an aerial rendering of the Queenstown Park building featuring cross dock for the convenience of both of the border clients. Courtesy- image.
The candidates for Governor of Texas will meet for an hour long debate at University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg on the evening of September 30. Beto O’Rourke Image Source: Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons. Gov. Abbott Source: Texas.gov
Texas Border Business
AUSTIN, Texas – Today, Governor Greg Abbott is honored to accept an invitation from Nexstar Media Group for the Texas Gubernatorial Debate to take place in the Rio Grande Valley. Nexstar was the first debate invitation that Texans for Greg Abbott received.
The candidates for Governor of Texas will meet for an hour long debate at University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg on the evening of September 30. This will be the one and only gubernatorial debate of the 2022 election. The debate will be moderated by Britt Moreno of KXAN Austin, and will feature a panel of journalists including Sally Hernandez of KXAN Austin, Gromer Jeffers of the Dallas Morning News, and Steve Spriester of KSAT San Antonio.
Texans for Greg Abbott Campaign Chairman Gardner Pate said, “Governor Abbott is looking forward to debating Beto O’Rourke and explaining to all Texans about the Governor’s efforts to secure the future of Texas by securing the border, defunding cities that defund the police, lowering property taxes, and protecting our oil & gas industry. Unlike Beto O’Rourke, who supports open borders, defunding the police, increasing property taxes, and supports radical energy policies that would hurt our oil & gas workers.”
The debate will be available in every media market, and on Spanish language stations throughout Texas.
Delivers thousands of cases of bottled water to Monterrey Mexico
McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos and many others worked receiving cases of bottled water, more businesses in the area were in a line of cars donating some 20 cases, others donating 50 cases, and some up to 100 cases of water that were transported to Monterrey and delivered to Governor Samuel Garcia.
Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo Gonzalez
McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos gathered thousands of cases of bottled water with the generosity of McAllen’s residents last week. Villalobos showed up to receive water from residents who responded to the city’s call to aid the state of Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
The northern states of Mexico are going through the most brutal drought that has left them without water, and they are taking drastic water conservation measures in hopes of surviving until the rain comes.
Increased water demand for human consumption and agricultural production has resulted in a rapid depletion of water reserves in Mexico, particularly in Northern Mexico. The forecast of high temperatures in the summer has triggered warnings of possible water shortages might be severely affecting urban and rural communities.
Mayor Villalobos told Texas Border Business that they invited the community and surrounding cities, especially the businesses, to assist in donating water that they transported to Monterrey and delivered to Governor Samuel Garcia.
Mayor Villalobos said, “The extreme temperatures coupled with a very severe drought is affecting, especially Monterey.” He continued, “They have no water. For some time now, the state officials have rationed water services for homes and businesses to preserve water. They need our help, and so we sprinted into action.”
He added that they would take as many semi-trailers as possible filled with bottled water, but it all depends on how much is donated. “Fortunately, local companies like CiL Commodities Integrated Logistics and Trancasa facilitated trailers, drivers, and diesel to deliver aid to Monterrey.
As the mayor worked receiving cases of bottled water, more businesses in the area were in a line of cars donating some 20 cases, others donating 50 cases, and some up to 100 cases of water. “We’re hoping everybody comes together in this effort to help our friends in the south,” he said.
The water collection started on July 1 at the McAllen Performing Arts Center. Villalobos said, “This is a humongous task and cannot be accomplished without the community’s participation. We plan to work receiving cases of bottled water through the 4th of July festivity and beyond,” he said.
Juan Olaguibel, Director of Operations for the McAllen-Hidalgo & Anzalduas International Bridges, said, “No one has to get out of their car. And it would be very much appreciated for any water, whether it be one case, five cases, or 10 cases. It doesn’t matter, the amount, whatever’s available and whatever can be spared.”
The drought has devastated the residents of Nuevo Leon. This is such a severe problem that only rain can solve. But as McAllen sends bottled water, Nuevo Leon Gov. Samuel Garcia has ordered the purchase of a cloud-seeding plane that stimulates clouds with water to release a type of precipitation where it’s needed, at dams.
Mayor Villalobos admits that the state of Nuevo Leon has been a vital partner for McAllen and the region, but as he says, this goes beyond. “I think this is something that surpasses what they mean to us. The state of Nuevo Leon is in crisis, and when friends are in crisis as citizens, this is what we do, we help.”
