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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

Next time you’re looking for something to do, look no further than Weslaco, strategically located in the center of the Rio Grande Valley. There’s always something going on! Stop by the Weslaco Visitors Center for all the latest information on events in and around the Mid Valley. Enjoy fresh hot coffee and pastries Monday – Friday as you get your latest information at the Winter Texan Coffee Bar, which runs until the end of March.

Nature Attractions– Estero Llano Grande Whether you are a nature expert or just enjoy the out-doors, Weslaco boasts a variety of nature parks any-one can enjoy. At the geographic center of the World Birding Center network, Estero Llano Grande State Park attracts a spectacular array of South Texas wildlife with its varied landscape of shallow lake, woodlands and thorn forest. Even beginning birders and nature lovers will enjoy exploring this 230 plus-acre refuge. Take advantage of all they have to offer, including full moon hikes, bird, butterfly, and dragonfly walks and more! From January to March, Estero Llano Grande is offering photography classes to help you become better acquainted with camera use and wildlife photography. Held every other Monday, these classes are free with park entry fee. You can also now camp at Estero Llano Grande! Tent-only campsites for up to six people will be available once a month beginning the weekend of January 26-27. Call 565-3919 for more informa-tion. For a complete schedule of events at Estero Llano Grande, visit www.theworldbirdingcenter.com/estero.html. The park is located at 3301 S. International Blvd. – Valley Nature Center Loop through six acres of pure nature and feed the birds at Valley Nature Center, a secret garden in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley. The Valley Nature Center is the oldest nature center in the RGV, and the only non-profit center fully dedicated to environmen-tal education south of San Antonio and east of Eagle Pass. Includes Cactus Gardens, Butterfly Gardens, Bird Feeding Stations, 1/4 Acre Wetland, Board Walk, Small Ponds, Walking Trails, and more! Valley Nature Center, along with Estero Llano Grande, is now hosting all day birding field trips designed for birders of all levels. Natural History Tours are also available, as well as monthly birding excursions across the RGV. Call

969-2475 for tour information and to pre-register/pay for your spot. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.valleynaturecenter.org. – Frontera Audubon Society Frontera Audubon Society is a natural urban jewel located in the South Texas town of Weslaco. The 15 acre site attracts bird and butterfly enthusiasts from across the United States and world, thanks to its natural biodiversity. Be sure to tour the Skaggs House, which sits at the front of the property. Built in 1927, the Skaggs House was one of Weslaco’s earliest residences and is a designated Texas Historic Landmark. On Saturday, February 23, Frontera Audubon will be hold-ing a Bird-a-thon. Spend the day outdoors with fellow birders, scanning skies, trees, shrubs, fields and water - even your backyard feeder - for birds. Collect pledges per bird species spotted, and all funds raised will go to Frontera Audubon Society’s birds and other wildlife. Call 956-968-3275 to find out how you can participate! The park is located at 1101 S. Texas. Visit www.fronter-aaudubon.org for more information.

Arts and Culture– Alfresco Weslaco Every month, Texas Boulevard gets jazzed up at Alfresco Weslaco, a jazz and art street festival held in Weslaco’s historic downtown district. Enjoy live jazz music, art displays, sidewalk sales and all kinds of delicious food and beverages. Come rediscover what Downtown Weslaco has to offer! Upcoming dates are February 28 and March 21 at 6 pm. For more dates and information, visit www.weslaconow.com. – Weslaco Museum Learn about Mid Valley history at the Weslaco Mu-seum, located at 500 S. Texas in historic Downtown Weslaco. The museum features historical exhibits on the area as well as cultural exhibits that feature various art-ists. The museum has a small theater that seats up to 25 people and visitors may watch a movie that tells about the city’s founding in December 1919. Visit www.weslacomuseum.org for information on their upcoming exhibits and entry fees. Operating hours are Tuesday – Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.

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Weslaco Attractions

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Pecker’s Bar & Grill was originally established in 1986 by then owners, Mark and Delma Solether alongside with Mark’s father, Bill Solether. A lot of thought was put into naming the once popular local hot spot. “Pecker”—An English noun to describe a person who has great perseverance, stamina, determination…one who doesn’t give up easily. What originally started out as a small restaurant to have breakfast slowly evolved into a full blown bar & grill. Pecker’s Bar & Grill was well received by local patrons and continued to thrive for over 15 years until they shut their doors. The local hang-out was greatly missed by many, and remained out the picture for years until just recently when current owners, Albert and Marissa Hanks de-cided to bring back a piece of Weslaco’s history. What many don’t know is that back in 2006, Albert (AJ) and Marissa Hanks took steps to acquire the business, but it didn’t work out for them at the time, and maybe for good reason. Much thought and planning went into the re-opening of Pecker’s and in April of 2012 it be-came a reality. “Pecker’s left behind a great legacy of good times and great food, our biggest challenge was going to be living up to its

name”, said AJ Hanks. “This is some-thing we’ve wanted for years, even when we tried ignoring the thought it just kept re-appearing”, Marissa added. Once word got out on the re-opening of Pecker’s, there was a definite buzz around town. On opening day, cars were parked along the main road as well as the parking lot of Home Depot. “It was downright crazy!” recalls the Hanks’. What was meant to be a soft opening was completely the opposite. At one point they recall it being standing room only. “We were amazed at the turnout and felt truly blessed to be so abundantly welcomed into the community.” Since opening day, Pecker’s Bar & Grill has hosted many reunions, school functions and Birthday celebrations for people from all over the Valley! With over 15 viewing screens, and one of them being the largest hi-definition screen in the Mid-Valley, Pecker’s has had a great response from their customers. They like the casual environment, good food and smoke-free environment that Pecker’s has to offer.

– You can now find Pecker’s Bar & Grill at 1600 N. Westgate Drive (right behind The Home Depot). Call them for your next event at (956) 447-3848, or find them on FACEBOOK for more information. Closed Circuit PPV events and live entertainment on the weekends. Good times since 1986!

Bringing Back a Local Hot Spot

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Continued from cover, page 1Weslaco Attractions –

– International Theatre of Texas Catch a performance of the International Theatre of Texas at Braught Memorial Theater, right next door to Mayor Joe V. Sanchez Library. The 2013 season begins at the end of January. For tickets and show times, visit www.itheatreoftexas.com or call 956-825-1228.– Texas Onion Fest Join us at Texas Onion Fest, a fun-filled two-day event celebrating the develop-ment of the sweet Texas Onion, which took place at the Texas A&M University Extension Service in Weslaco. There’s so much to see and do at Texas Onion Fest, held every year at Weslaco City Park. Enjoy live entertainment on two stages, featuring the sounds of mariachis, teja-no, country, rock and more. Learn new cooking tips at the Culinary Center, and come see what kind of delicious onion dishes are created for the annual Onion and Salsa Recipe Contest. The Culinary Center features a state-of-the-art kitchen

built onsite for the festival. Children can enjoy kiddie rides and games at the Kids Zone, and guests of all ages can be put to test at the annual Onion Eating Contest. One main attraction that Texas Onion Fest is known for is the perform-ing Andalusian and Azteca Dancing Horses, which feature choreographed riders and horses dancing to traditional Mexican music. The Arts & Crafts tent showcases local vendors and artisans. Enjoy all kinds of delicious concession food. Bring the entire family! For more information, visit www.weslaco.com/on-ionfest or call 956-968-2102.– The Market at Weslaco Buy fresh picked fruits and veggies straight from the grower’s hands at The Market at Weslaco, the community’s farmers market featuring local farmers and vendors selling all natural products. Farm fresh eggs, cheeses and meats are also available as well as salsas, nuts, honey, fresh chocolate, olive oil tamales and more. Held every Thursday inside the Business-Visitor Event Center at 275 S. Kansas.

League bowling is one of the most popular recreational sports in the United States. If you’re not a league bowler, chances are you know one, even if you don’t think you do. League bowling has given many hours of joy (and frustration) to people since the inception of the sport, and continues to do so. There are leagues available for all types of bowlers. If you’re one of the best bowlers in the area, there’s a league for you. If you don’t care about winning at all, there’s a league for you. If you and your significant other want an activity you can do together, there are couples leagues for you. On top of all the leagues bowling alleys administer, you can usually set up your own league at your own center. Bowl the way you want with the people you want. Still not convinced? Here are the top 7 reasons to join a bowling league:– 1. The CharactersYou won’t believe it until you see it. Even then, you might not believe it. League bowling brings out some of the most colorful, interesting, personalities in the world. You have no idea these people are in your community until you join a bowling league. From unbelievably talented bowlers to inexplicably strange humans, you get a cross-section of society you didn’t realize existed.– 2. CamaraderieTypically, you’ll find the word “camaraderie” thrown around in team sports, particularly hockey. People past their primes play the games so they can relive the locker-room banter and hilarity. Bowling is no different (except it all happens in the stinky bowling alley rather than the stinky locker room). Bowling leagues, especially with your

friends (or strangers who will become your friends), are great ways to spend a few hours a week.– 3. FunBowling is fun. Whether league bowling or not, it’s fun to bowl. Joining a league keeps you accountable to yourself - you’re going to bowl at least once a week.– 4. FitnessYou can get fit by bowling? Common perception and stereotypes would suggest you can’t. And if bowling once a week is the only bit of exercise get, then don’t expect a sculpted physique by the end of the season. Still, repeatedly hurling a heavy sphere requires strength and endurance, and you can burn a significant number of calories bowling.– 5. TelevisionIf bowling isn’t enough for you, many bowling alleys have TVs playing whatever most of you want to watch (typically sports). Depending on the time of your league, you can watch entire football, basketball and baseball games while bowling.– 6. RelaxationExcept on the nights during which you’re bowling so poorly you find yourself doing anything but relaxing, the sport can give you a nice respite from the work day or work week. Show up, relax, throw a few frames, and have fun.– 7. Status“Yeah. I bowl.” You’ll be amazed by how many people are impressed when they find out you bowl in a league.

FYI – Weslaco has a bowling alley!Pins & Ques: 514 Plaza Los Encinos 565-1300 – Behind Best Western

League Bowling for Fun

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