In And Around Weslaco

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Shopping local creates jobs. Shops in your town create local employment and self-employment. These people in turn spend in the local economy. Local independent shops invest more in your communities. Local businesses are proportionally more generous in their support of local charities, schools, and community events. So supporting local shops means a financial contribution to your community. Local shops sell great products at affordable prices. Some people get out of the habit of shopping locally and are then surprised by the range of products available. Shopping locally saves you time and money. You travel less, saving on time and fuel. Shopping locally retains your communities. People don’t like losing shops and services in small towns but don’t equate this with how they spend their own money. Shopping locally retains your distinctiveness. Independent shops carry distinctive shopping experiences and stock different products. Local businesses respond more quickly to the needs of local customers, stocking products to meet changing population needs. Shopping locally saves the environment. Local shops often stock a high percentage of locally sources goods

Why Shop Independent Local Shops?that do not require long-distance transportation, helping to reduce our global footprint. Local shops are for everyone. Most people can get to their local shops easily. This is especially important for the elderly, young people and others who rely on public transportation. Local shops value you more. Evidence from numerous surveys show people receive better customer care and service locally. These businesses survive by their reputation and repeat business, which means you get a higher standard of service. Shopping local saves services. Private and public sector services cluster around shops. As shops disappear so do hairdressers, banks, restaurants and other businesses. Consumers can pledge to Think, Shop, Buy, Local and commit to patronizing businesses near where you live and work. Local stores employ your neighbors, pay taxes that support your schools and improve roads, and contribute to local non-profit groups.

Together we can strengthen relationships that improve our quality of life. So next time before you make a purchase, Think, Shop, Buy, Local.

The Valley Nature Center’s park is home to a wide variety of the LRGV’s native plants and animals. Many plants were transplanted during the past fifteen years to this protected area from sites which were slated for development. There is an on-going effort to enhance the plant diversity of the park. This aim is for protection of local plant species diversity as well as to make diverse food and habitat available for resident and migratory wildlife. By strolling the ¾ miles of trails of the Nature

Park, one may examine plant species native to such diverse areas as the Sabal Palm Grove, Arroyo Colorado Brush, the Barretal, Coastal Lomas, and the Chihuahuan Thorn Forest. The Lower Rio Grande Valley is one of the top birding and butterfly destinations in the United States. Wander around our trails and you’ll know why Malachite and Pixie Butterflies, Plain Chachalacas, Great Kiskadees, Buff-bellied Hummingbirds, Texas Tortoises, Cottontail Rabbits, and several lizard and amphibian species can all be seen here. Our park is a wonderful natural oasis in the middle of the city and includes: 3 cactus gardens, large butterfly gardens, several small ponds, walking trails, wide diversity of native plants, native plant nursery open to the public and a native plant rescue.

One of Weslaco’sHidden Treasures

301 South Border Ave.

www.valleynaturecenter.org

Helpful Sources for Points of Interest Valley-Wide:

Alamo Chamber of Commerce www.alamochamber.com

Donna Chamber of Commerce www.ci.donna.lib.tx.us

Edinburg Chamber of Commerce www.edinburg.com

Harlingen Chamber of Commerce www.harlingen.com

Los Fresnos Chamber of Commerce www.losfresnoschamber.com

McAllen Chamber of Commerce www.mcallen.org

McAllen Convention Center www.mcallenconventioncenter.net

Mercedes Chamber of Commerce www.mercedeschamber.com

RGV Live Stock Show www.rgvlivestockshow.com

Rio Grande Valley Premium Outlets www.premiumoutlets.com/riograndevalley/

Pharr Chamber of Commerce www.pharrchamber.com

State Farm Arena www.statefarmarena.com

Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce www.portisabel.org

San Benito Chamber of Commerce www.cityofsanbenito.com

San Juan Chamber of Commerce www.sanjuanedc.com/chamber.cfm

South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce www.spichamber.com

South Padre Island Convention Center www.sopadre.com

South Texas Refuges www.friendsofsouthtexasrefuges.org

Weslaco Chamber of Commerce www.weslaco.com

Weslaco Museum www.weslacomuseum.org

In & Around Weslaco2

Guests most often comment on the transition experienced upon entering the “Thicket.” The city landscape is left behind and quickly forgotten as they become enveloped by a place set at the very edge of the tropics, a place of tranquility set in another era. That place is Frontera Audubon Society (FAS), a small, independent, thirty-four year old non-profit located at 1101 S. Texas Blvd in Weslaco, Texas. This portion of the county is located in the delta region of the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo River and lays approximately midway between Monterrey, Mexico and Houston, Texas. Frontera’s 15-acre urban preserve consists of a Texas Historic Landmark (1927 Skaggs Home), visitor’s center, 1930’s era organic citrus orchard, butterfly gardens, and a complex of constructed and natural wetlands. The “Thicket” consists of a wide

variety of native trees, shrubs and other plants, which have grown back within what was historically pasture and orchard land. Eventually it will culminate in a thorn forest ecosystem. The dense thicket and wetlands are home to numerous resident birds, migrating waterfowl, colorful warblers, wild parrots and butterflies galore. Rare birds including the Blue mockingbird, Elegant Trogon, Crimson-collared Grosbeak, White-throated Robin, Dusky-capped Flycatcher and Rose-throated Becard have all sought shelter here. Naturalists have documented over 200 species of birds and 300 species of butterflies on the property. Wildlife viewing enhancements include stabilized earthen trails and benches scattered along shaded trails, an open bird feeding station, bird blind, and boardwalk. Backing by the City of

Weslaco, the Economic Development Corporation, the Chamber of Commerce, the Texas Historical Commission, and a cadre of very dedicated and knowledgeable members, volunteers, and staff has made all of this possible. Although Frontera’s preserve is a postage stamp sized urban refuge when compared to many of the Valley’s federal and state owned tracts of land, it is a model of how a native forest and urban environment can co-exist. Furthermore, the “Thicket”, complimented by other nearby Weslaco preserves including the Valley Nature Center and Estero Llano Grande State Park, come together to make this area an attractive magnet for many migratory and resident species. In fact, the properties proximity to one another (all located within a 2.5 mile radius of one another and within minutes of downtown eateries and retail outlets), and complimentary habitats increases the attractiveness of the area to wildlife and accounts for the rich assortment of animals found within their boundaries. The intervening residential properties, consisting in part of a maturing mix of native and non-native trees, reinforce this synergistic affect. The ‘intact’ elements of the Valley’s former ecosystems represented by this coalition of properties are arguably a

small but significant contribution to the overall efforts to preserve the Valley’s native habitats. Frontera also has a long history of environmental advocacy. Frontera has actively supported U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) efforts to acquire and preserve habitat to re-establish and preserve the Lower Rio Grande Valley wildlife corridor and continues to critically review federal and state undertakings, which threaten to adversely affect the corridor and surrounding properties. In other areas, FAS has served as an incubator for a number of local non-profits and is an active partner with other local, regional, and state based organizations including the Arroyo Colorado Watershed Partnership, Weslaco, Texas; the Wildlife Corridor Task Force, Alamo, Texas; the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, Lake Jackson, Texas; the Coastal Habitat Alliance, Houston, Texas and most recently the Texas Conservation Alliance, Tyler, Texas. Each of these groups is dedicated to preserving the state’s enormously diverse ecosystems.Frontera’s grounds are open seven days a week, for more information call: (956) 968-3275.

Frontera Audubon Society

“Preserving the environments of the Rio Grande/Bravo Valley”

1101 S. Texas Blvd. – Weslaco

Do you collect sports cards, or Coca Cola items, or maybe LP vinyl records? Have you wondered where you can find such items in the Valley? Just step inside an antique store or consignment shop and you will take a trip down memory lane. The stores have showcases of antique jewelry to linger over while you try to find that perfect piece to accessorize a special outfit. Then stroll through the home fur-nishings and antique lamps. How about antique quilts, which were handmade with love in every stitch? Even if you do not have a taste for the

old days, why not look for toys or tools to give as gifts to family members who love to remember the good old days. Would grandpa love a toy truck like he used to play with? How about an antique tool for an uncle who loves woodworking? Or a beautiful vase just like the one your grandmother kept on her dining room table? How about a special copy of a chil-dren’s classic for a favorite teacher? Shopping at an antique store or consignment shop isn’t a chore, it is an adventure! Check our website for a list of a few shops.

Home Furnishings And FashionOn A Budget Text by Sheila Eyster


1101 S. Texas Blvd. – Weslaco

Text by Sheila Eyster


Have you been look-ing for the easiest way to get to Mexico from the Valley? Maybe you have been to Reynosa or Mat-amoros. After you get across the bridge, it is a long walk to the mar-kets. If you haven’t tried Nuevo Progreso, you are in for a treat. It is the easiest, most con-venient and most enjoyable way to spend an afternoon or a day in Mexico. It is less than 10 miles south of Weslaco on FM 1015. (For those of you unfamiliar with Texas road names, FM stands for Farm to Market. Up north those would be county roads. When I first moved to Texas from Iowa, I thought they were posting the local FM radio station numbers.) After you go through the small town of Progeso,Texas you will be coming to the bridge. Near the bridge are staffed parking lots. For a small fee, you can leave your car in a safe place and walk across the bridge. It is fun to stop at the marker in the middle of the bridge that designates the international boundary. Have a friend take a picture of you with one foot in the United States

and one foot in Mexico. If you don’t know Span-ish, the word Bienveni-dos means welcome. You will see signs with this word. Be sure and take some coins because pedestrians have to put money in a turnstile in order to enter.

At the end of the bridge, you will find all of the shops, pharmacies and dental offices. Everything is conveniently locat-ed and the people are very friendly and eager to assist you. They take American money and credit cards so you don’t have to worry about changing your dollars for pesos. On any given day you will find scores of American and Canadian tour-ists. You can have a prescription filled in the pharmacies. The prices are much more reasonable than in the US. Many people from the valley also have all of their dental work done in Mexico. Whether you have medical needs or just want to shop, Nuevo Progreso is the saf-est, most convenient and friendliest town in Northern Mexico.

Discover Mexico The Easy WayText by Sheila Eyster


Weslaco Borderland HardwareThird Generation – Ace Hardware

While most of the Mom & Pop shops long since have boarded up their doors, some local hardware stores have found ways to compete—and on occasion beat—the big-box giants by utilizing buying co-op power and putting a new thrust on an old business axiom: customer service. Ever hear of Ace Hardware? (Here in Weslaco known as Weslaco Borderland Hardware.) The chain consists of nearly 4,800 retail stores throughout the United States and around the world. Each store is owned and operated locally by an independent agent. David Whitley and Ted Ellis are the store owners at Weslaco Borderland Hardware, Ace Hardware. Whitley is 3rd Genteration owner…the business was started by his grandfather. Ellis joined up in June of 2011. They stock about 35,000 items on their shelves and cater the merchandise to a client base that largely lives within a 2-5 mile radius of their front door at 300 S. Missouri Ave here in Weslaco. David and Ted recognize nearly everyone who shops in their store by face and can call many of his customers by their first and last name. They are in their 72nd year selling hardware in Weslaco. And they survive—if not thrive—because of Ace Hardware’s unique business model. They do it even though their 15,000-square foot store is lucky to measure in at less than half the size of their Big Boy counterparts. We’re a little bit different than what a lot of people think of as retail hardware store or community-based store,” Ellis said. “Ace Hardware Corporation is a buying co-op. “It was started about 85 years ago by a group of independent store owners who decided to combine all of their buying power together and, with that combined buying power, go out and get the best deals they can, hopefully better deals than what they could get buying individually store-to-store.”

Whitley said Ace makes use of a centralized transportation system that allows for cost-efficient delivery of goods to store docks. The company’s buyers negotiate with venders to purchase goods at competitive prices and the goods are shipped to Ace warehouses. “The warehouse we’re serviced out of here in this portion of the United States—in the Rio Grande Valley area—is in Arlington, Texas. It stocks about 60,000 different items in that warehouse. If you think about it in that way, you realize how big … if you’ve ever been in Arlington, it’s a huge facility.” Ted, David and others like them place orders on a regular basis. Most often, their orders are filled within 36 hours. Technology has changed the way “little guys” do business and helped level the playing field, too. “With the computer technology that is out there right now, every item ordered electronically that we stock on our shelves is based on forecasts of what we’ve sold in the past, based on a seasonality factor,” Ellis said. “We order everything on a week-to-week basis and the computer generates probably 95 percent of the order for us. “It tracks it coming in the door. It tracks it once it leaves the store and creates a re-order based on a point of where the adequate amount of items are in stock. Everything has a tag—a part number—in the system. That’s how we order. “Many years ago when this business first started, it was basically Grand Dad ordering on his pad, writing everything down and sending it off. He then mailed the lists off. Those days are long-gone and forgotten and, in many cases, for the better.” At Ace, one business principle has endured the test of time. The company

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has won the J.D. Powers award for highest customer satisfaction in the home improvement retail sector for six consecutive years. Juan Martinez, a Weslaco resident for the last 12 years and a regular customer at Weslaco Borderland Hardware, said he shops in Whitley & Ellis’ store because of the service and the knowledge of their staff. “They have everything,” Martinez said. “The prices are as good as the big-box stores. But it’s mostly the service and the knowledge of the personnel. You can’t get that with the kids at the Home Depots or the Lowe’s. They just shrug their

shoulders. “Here, from plumbing to electrical to paint, they know where it is and they’ll help you find it. And they know the right product for the right situation. That’s why I come here. Now, I’m buying weed and feed for the lawn. I saw a great price on sunglasses so I’m buying sunglasses, too.” Martinez said he learned something new on his most recent visit to Weslaco Borderland Hardware, Ace Hardware. “Just now, I asked the guy how I should apply (the weed and feed),” Martinez said. “He told me something I didn’t know—put it on in the morning because the morning dew on the grass has starch in it. The product sticks to the weeds and kills the weeds better.”

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Would you like to discover a valley treasure in Weslaco? Then plan to make a trip to the Golden Raintree Gardens Citrus Grove and packing shed at 1303 S. Texas Boulevard. It is a family owned business that has operated since 1961. Owners are Joe and Maryellen Harren. You can choose from their freshly picked citrus or other goodies. In citrus, they have, Rio Red or Ruby Red grapefruit as well as Mars,Valencia, and navel oranges, lemons and tangerines. All of the fruit is grown on their 12 acres of groves. None is purchased from other growers or import-ed. Other goodies sold include pecans, honey and homemade pralines. Their small operation guarantees that you will get their undivided attention with every purchase. If you haven’t tried citrus ripened on the tree here in the Rio Grande Valley, it is a totally different experience from buy-ing citrus in a grocery store. Rich fertile soil, a long warm growing season and an abundant supply of water make the Rio Grande Valley the perfect place to grow the finest citrus in the world. You can ac-tually watch your citrus being polished with an 80 year old machine that is still in use. Then watch them pack your fruit. In these days of tainted imports, many peo-

ple want to know more about the origin of the food that they purchase. Nothing can beat watching the entire process from the tree to your car. But what makes this grove well worth the trip is that you can not only buy your tasty fruit but also enjoy the magnificence of Valley nature by strolling through their 12 acres of beautifully landscaped gar-dens. The gardens also include a large pond. It is a wonderful place to bird watch as well as discover the many beau-tiful tropical flowers that are native to the Valley. Right near the gardens is the Frontera Audubon Bird Watching Center at 1101 S. Texas Boulevard. This area at-tracts many species of birds unique to the valley. You are invited to visit anytime. Maybe you can find a group of friends to start a walking club to walk through the gardens. What a beautiful way to get your exercise. Then top off your walk with some delicious, healthy fruit! Fruit is na-ture’s candy and citrus is full of vitamin C, potassium, fiber and folic acid which are all vital to a healthy lifestyle.

You can call the Harrens at 956-968-6161 or visit their website at:www.goldenraintreegardens.com.

1303 S. Texas Blvd.

golden raintreegardens citrusgrove One of Weslaco’s Hidden Treasures


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In And Around Weslaco

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