Post-Dolly Update on Valley State Parks
We just received a post-Hurricane Dolly update from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department about parks in the Rio Grande Valley. The parks are looking good with most storm debris rather than damage. According to TPWD State Parks Division Director Walt Dabney. “Hurricane Rita caused severe damage to some of our upper coast parks in 2005. This week we only have to tidy-up a bit.”
On Friday, three state parks – Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley, Estero Llano Grande and Resaca de la Palma State Parks (all part of the World Birding Center) - remain closed. The beach at Mustang Island State Park in Corpus Christi also remains closed today due to high water.
Today game wardens deployed to help during the storm also headed home. Some 72 game wardens and supervisors, along with seven boat mechanics and two communications specialists, were deployed to South Texas in preparation for Hurricane Dolly, bringing with them 70 boats. By Thursday, game wardens in Cameron County had performed four separate high-water rescues and answered several calls to check on the welfare of stranded residents.
As deployed officers return home today, South Texas game wardens will continue to assist local first responders as needed.
This week, unaffected state parks hosted about 30 evacuees at no cost in campsites and screen shelters.
To find out the status of Rio Grande Valley state parks affected by the storm, call 512-389-8900, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mon.-Fri. or visit the World Birding Center Web site,
http://www.worldbirdingcenter.org/ .
Labels: Gulf Coast, Hurricane Dolly, South Texas Plains
posted by Paris & John @ 4:55 PM
Travel Alert Updated for Mexico
The US Department of State has updated its
travel alert for Mexico. (Remember: a travel alert is less, well, alarming than a travel advisory but nonetheless covers short-term dangers that "pose imminent risks to the security of U.S. citizens.")
The updated travel alert specifically mentions several Mexican cities near the Texas border: Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, and Matamoros.
According to the alert:
Recent Mexican army and police force conflicts with heavily-armed narcotics cartels have escalated to levels equivalent to military small-unit combat and have included use of machine guns and fragmentation grenades. Confrontations have taken place in numerous towns and cities in northern Mexico, including Tijuana in the Mexican state of Baja California, and Chihuahua City and Ciudad Juarez in the state of Chihuahua. The situation in northern Mexico remains very fluid; the location and timing of future armed engagements there cannot be predicted.
The alert goes on to warn:
Criminals have followed and harassed U.S. citizens traveling in their vehicles, particularly in border areas including Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros, and Tijuana. There is no evidence, however, that U.S. citizens are targeted because of their nationality.
Labels: Big Bend Country, South Texas Plains
posted by Paris & John @ 3:20 PM
Texas Bed and Breakfasts Offering Free Gas Promotions
With today's rising gas rates it can get harder to get away...but some creative B&Bs in Texas are offering unique promotions to help with those gas prices. We received word from Austin-based BedandBreakfast.com that some of their TX members are offering some good promotions:
- Biscuit Hill Bed & Breakfast, Canyon Lake. From May through September, this B&B will offer a discount of $25 per night (up to $50) to help with gas costs.
- Inn on the Riverwalk, San Antonio. Through December 25, spend two nights or more (Sunday through Thursday only) and get $25 off your room rate.
- Utopia on the River, Utopia. Through the end of June, take $30 off your bill with a two-night minimum.
Check the
BedandBreakfast.com gas specials page for all the details on these and other promotions.
Labels: Hill Country, South Texas Plains
posted by Paris & John @ 2:02 PM
32308: Weslaco's Onion Fest is Nothing to Cry About
Everything's sweet about Weslaco's Onion Fest, the April 5 celebration of the sweet 1015 Onion. If you don't know, the 1015 Onion is one developed by Texas A&M University in the 1980s as a sweet onion that wouldn't cause tears. And why the name 1015? Because October 15 is the suggested planting date.
The annual onion fest puts this fragrant plant on center stage with a full day of mariachi music, horsemanship demonstrations, children's activities and more. For all the details on this year's event, check out our
Onion Fest article.
Photo courtesy Weslaco Chamber of CommerceLabels: Festivals, South Texas Plains
posted by Paris & John @ 8:06 PM
362008: Mission, Texas Now Home to Motel 6
We've received word that the newest Motel 6 in the country is now open in Mission, Texas. The Hidalgo County motel, like the other nearly 900 Motel 6 locations, offers free local phone calls, no long distance access charges, free morning coffee, data ports, and cable TV. All Motel 6 properties welcome pets.
The new Motel 6 is located at 1813 E. Expressway 83, Mission, Texas 78572.
Labels: South Texas Plains
posted by Paris & John @ 3:08 PM
US Passport Card Applications Accepted
If you live near the Texas-Mexico border and head back and forth frequently, you know that as of the end of last month you could no longer return to the US just on your word that you're a US citizen, you now need proof of identity and proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate or, even better, a passport. As of this month, the US State Department is accepting applications for a new alternative to the passport: a US Passport Card.
The card is just good for land and sea crossing so you won't be able to fly home from Mexico or any other country using it but it is cheaper than a passport. The cards are $45 for adults and are good for 10 years. The first cards should be issued this spring.
If you already have a passport and just don't want to carry your passport back and forth (and fill up all your pages), you can get a passport card as well; the cost for passport holders is just $20.
For More Information:• visit the
US State Department websiteLabels: Big Bend Country, South Texas Plains
posted by Paris & John @ 12:08 PM
POTD: Laredo Border Crossing
This crossing from the US into Mexico wasn't too crowded the day we visited but returning from Mexico to the US can be a lengthier process. Remember, you can no longer just say that you are a US citizen upon your return; as of the end of January 2008, US citizens have to present documentation when walking or driving back into the US. Check the
US State Department website for a list of acceptable documentation such as a driver's license accompanied by a birth certificate. (Later you'll need a passport or passport card to be able to return to the US, something you already need if you're returning by air.)
Labels: Photo of the Day, POTD, South Texas Plains
posted by Paris & John @ 11:35 AM
San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Finalizes Show Lineup
The
San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo is just around the corner, starting up in less than a week in the Alamo City. This year we are determined to make it to at least one day of the event...although it's tough to decide which day looks best. Along with all the rodeo events (and carnival, and stock show, and special events), the rodeo always has a full lineup of country stars each night. The final lineup of performers has been released:
January 31, 2008 Randy Rogers Band with Xtreme Bulls 7:00pm show.
February 1, 2008 Miranda Lambert 7:30pm show.
February 2, 2008 Alan Jackson at the 1pm matinee.
February 2, 2008 Alan Jackson 7:30pm show.
February 3, 2008 - Football Sunday and Ronnie Milsap 1:00pm show.
February 4, 2008 Gretchen Wilson 7:00pm show.
February 5, 2008 Brooks & Dunn 7:00pm show.
February 6, 2008 Christian Youth Night with TobyMac and Jeremy Camp 7:00pm show
February 7, 2008 - Stars of Texas featuring Cody Canada of Cross Canadian Ragweed, Jack Ingram, Kevin Fowler, Stoney Larue and Mike Eli of the Eli Young Band at the 7:00pm show
February 8, 2008 Big & Rich 7:30pm show.
February 9, 2008 - Craig Morgan 1:00pm show.
February 9, 2008 Lynyrd Skynyrd 7:30pm show.
February 10, 2008 Josh Turner at the 1pm matinee.
February 10, 2008 Los Tigres Del Norte 7:30pm show.
February 11, 2008 - Sara Evans 7:00pm show.
February 12, 2008 – The Jonas Brothers 7:00pm show
February 13, 2008 – Staind 7:00pm show
February 14, 2008 - Valentine’s Day and Clay Walker 7:00pm show.
February 15, 2008 – Joe Nichols 7:00pm show
February 16, 2008 Jason Aldean and Xtreme Bulls 1pm show.
February 16, 2008 Rodeo Finals Gary Allan 7:30pm show.
Tickets: You'll need to get tickets to most shows in advance; call 1-877-63-RODEO, visit ticketmaster.com, stop by the AT&T Center SW ticket office or visit any ticketmaster location.
For more information:• visit
www.sarodeo.comLabels: Festivals, San Antonio, South Texas Plains
posted by Paris & John @ 4:02 PM
POTD: Harlingen's Iwo Jima Statue
Recognize this statue? The famous Iwo Jima statue, best known for its home at Arlington National Cemetery, can also be seen in Harlingen, Texas. This statue was used to cast the statue in DC; it was in storage for many years but can now be seen outside Valley International Airport Harlingen at the Marine Military Academy.
Labels: Photo of the Day, South Texas Plains
posted by Paris & John @ 9:21 AM
Opening Weekend Planned for San Antonio's Museo Alameda Smithsonian
Nearly ten years after both the Smithsonian Institution and the Kennedy Center announced their affiliation with the Alameda National Center for Latino Arts and Culture in San Antonio, opening weekend for the Museo Alameda Smithsonian has been set. The Center’s mission is to tell the story of the Latino experience in America through art, history and culture.
Location: San Antonio’s historic Market Square
Exhibits: The 39,000-square foot structure will feature a Smithsonian Gallery, additional galleries, and a sculpture garden featuring pieces from the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.
The Museo Alameda Smithsonian is projected to host more than 300,000 visitors annually, including 30,000 students, making it the most visited Latino museum in the U.S. San Antonio, with a Hispanic population exceeding 55%, is known as one of our nation’s most Latino cities.
Opening Weekend Activities: April 12-15, 2007
A “people’s walk,” complete with luminarias, from the Alamo to the Alameda will kick off the weekend. Arrival at the Alameda will signal the lighting of the bright-pink museum. Concerts, tours, fiestas and activities are planned all weekend.
For more information: visit
www.thealameda.orgLabels: San Antonio, South Texas Plains
posted by Paris & John @ 1:37 PM
Fredericksburg
