Valley Events ~ 02/03/12

ALAMO
Through April 30: The Nature Tram at Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge, 7 days a week, 9:30am, noon, 2pm. $4 adults, $3.50 seniors, $2 children. 956-784-7500 for reservations.
Ongoing: Guided walks at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, 956-784-7500. Tues – wildlife photography walk, 9am, Wed – butterfly walk, 10am, Thur, Fri & Sat – bird walk, 9am
1st Sun: FEE FREE SUNDAYS at Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge, 956-784-7500, come enjoy the refuge for free!

BROWNSVILLE
Feb 4-17: 41st Student International Art Show at the Museum of Fine Art, opening exhibit Feb 4, 1pm, free admission, 956-542-0941, 660 E. Ringgold St
Feb 10: Alex Campos live in concert at the Jacob Brown Auditorium, 7pm,
Fri: “Celebrate Recovery” is a 12 step Christ center Recovery program, 6-9 p.m. at the Brownsville Community Fellowship, 2414 Central Blvd. 956-544-4248, michaeldean@bcflife.org or bcflife.org.
Every Sat: Brownsville Farmers Market – at 6th  St. and Harrison adjacent to the Brownsville Art Museum and across the street from the Gladys Porter Zoo, 9 am to noon.
Ongoing: Sabal Palm Sanctuary: Birding 101 every Wednesday at 9am, Guided Bird Walks every Saturday at 8am, and Historical Tours of the 1892 Rabb Plantation Home every Saturday at 10:30am. Reservations required, for more information call 956-541-8034. 8400 Southmost Rd.

DONNA
Feb 11: Annual Valentine Tea by the Donna Hooks Fletcher Historical Museum, light lunch and unique history of Donna with guest speaker Dr. David Bowles, 11:30-1pm, at the First United Methodist Churhc’s Fellowship Hall, 228 South Main, music, door prizes. $10 donation, 956-464-9989
Feb 27: Annual Yooper Roundup at Harold’s Country Kitchen on Business 83, registration begins at 11am. $1 per person. Anyone who has ever lived in Michigan’s upper peninsula is invited. 906-221-0605

EDINBURG
Feb 3, 10, 17: Ballet Folklorico presents Alegria 2012 concert series at the UTPA Fine Arts Auditorium, 7:30pm, $12 at the door adults, $7 students, 956-665-2230
Feb 4: Author Danny J. Johnson Sr. book signing event, 1-3pm, Coffee Zone, 1108 South McColl Rd, copies of his fiction novel The Great White Throne Judgment will be available for purchse. 888-361-9473
Feb 5: South Texas Youth Symphony and Philharmonic Pre-Super Bowl Concert, 3pm, Edinburg City Auditorium. Enjoy themes from the American West. $5 & $10, tickets at 956-661-1615. www.VSOMusic.org.
Feb 11: 12th Annual RGV Mennonite Relief Sale, an auction, garage sale and festival free to the public that raises funds for local and international relief efforts, 9am-2pm, Rio Grande Bible Institute, 4300 S Business Hwy 281 (S Closner Blvd) 956-664-0112
Feb 11: 10th Annual Cajun Fest, 6pm, Echo Hotel and Conference Center, Cajun cooking, live music, silent, live and blackboard auctions, poker tournament, tickets $100 per person call 956-383-3823
Feb 17: Italian Pianist Francesco Attesti presents a benefit recital called “Artiste Changes Lives” at the city of Edinburg Auditorium, 415 W. University, wine reception 6:15, benefit recital 7pm, tickets $35, $50 and $75, senior discount $5 off, all proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Club, 956-383-2582
Feb 18: Pioneer & Ranching Crafts Day at Museum of S. Texas History, 10am to 4pm, original cowboy music, outdoor cooking, authentic handmade crafts, childrens activities, and more! 200 N Closner, 956-383-6911. Free with regular paid admission
Second Sat: Market Day, 8-4pm, Town Square across from Court House, 956-383-4974

HARLINGEN
Feb 3-5: Harlingen Performing Arts Theatre presents:  Once on this Island Caribbean -style enchanting musical fable. Fri. & Sat.7:30 p.m. Sun.2:30 p.m. Adults $10 Students $5 ( under 18 ).  Tickets available for purchase at the door one hour before curtain. 956-412-7529 1209 Fair Park Blvd.
Feb 11: Writers Workshop: “Get That Book Published". $40 The workshop will be held at Harlingen Public Library, 410 ’76 Drive, 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m. Registration information at rgvbyliners.org or call 956-399-8505. Brown bag lunch available for $5
First Sat: Jackson Street Market Days 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Jackson St. between 4th & Commerce. Shop for treasures at an old fashioned, open air, street market with live music & more.  956-423-4041
Every Fri: Free Salsa & Bachata lessons at Prada, 610 Lewis Lane. 8-9pm. Enjoy dancing after the class.  956-200-0427. FREE, open to public.
Ongoing: Classes at the Harlingen Parks & Recreation: Tai Chi, belly dance, ballet, tejano dance, Cumbia, two step country, salsa, meringue, bachata, accordion, cake décor, spring softball league and Arroyo Colorado Audubon Society birding trips. Preregistration required at 502 E. Tyler. Classes are at the community center at 201 E. Madison. Classes for all ages.  956-216-5951

LA FERIA
2nd Sat: Market Days, corner of Business 83 & Canal Street, 9am-3pm. Plants, food, home décor and more! Vendors can register by calling 956-797-2261

LAGUNA VISTA
Every Thur: Farmer’s Market at the SPI Golf Club, 4-5:30pm, contact Susan Brown at Remax/1st Choice for more info, 956-592-5464

LOS FRESNOS
Feb. 3-5: Los Fresnos PRCA Rodeo, Cameron County Fair and Livestock Show, Highway 100. Music by Little Joe y La Familia, Saturday at 8pm and Tracy Lawrence at 10pm. Complete details at www.lfrodeo.com.
3rd Sun: Los Fresnos Market Day at Los Fresnos Rodeo Grounds, 8am-4pm, vendors call 956-640-3433.

MCALLEN
Feb 2: Survival in the Brushlands with Arturo Longoria, author, woodsman and naturalist, at Quinta Mazatlan 6-7pm during the Nature Speaker Series, $2, 600 Sunset, 956-681-3370
Feb 3: Arbor Day 40 or 20 Mile Bike Challenge, 7:30am, Lark Community Center, 2601 Lark Ave, registration Fri Feb 2 at Wally’s Bicycle Shop or on site day of event 6:15-7am. Packet pick up Fri Feb 2, 5-7pm at Wally Bike Shop, $20, t-shirts to first 100, seedings to first 150.
Feb 4: Backyard Habitat Steward Program starts at Quinta Mazatlan, 15 hours of classroom and hands on training to create a space in your own yard, business or school which is wildlife friendly, Saturdays 9-11:30am, registration is $60 first come first serve basis, 956-681-3370
Feb 4: Guided 10 mile city and bike tour exploring McAllen’s history, present and future, learn about bicycling safety, enjoy a ¾ mile kiddy ride, obstacle course and games, safety presentation 10am, tour 11am, begins at Lark Community Center at 29th & Lark ends at Water Splash Park 29th & Zinnia. 956-971-9253
Feb 5: Los Fantasmas Del Valle live at La Lomita Park, West Hwy 107 and south on La Lomita Road between 23rd street and Ware Road, $10 per person, BYOB, 6-10pm, 956-867-8783
Feb 9: 27th Annual Mercer County Illinois Luncheon Meeting, Golden Corral, 1301 E Jackson, friends invited
Feb 12: Boni Mauricio live at La Lomita Park, West Hwy 107 and south on La Lomita Road between 23rd street and Ware Road, $10 per person, BYOB, 6-10pm, 956-867-8783
Feb 15: Caterpillar’s Retiree’s Reunion, 11am, Mr. Gatti’s, 4100 N. 2nd Street, door prizes, no reservations required.
Mar 4: RGV Quinceanera & Wedding Fair, noon-5pm, McAllen Convention Center, $11, 1-888-828-1314 www.weddingfairevents.com
Sat: Yoga On The Roof, 8:30am, at Alhambra, 17th & Fresno with yoga master Erika Contreras, 956-203-4152
Wed: Garden of Eatin’ every Wednesday, 10-11am, Quinta Mazatlan, enjoy hour long guided tour focused on edible/medicinal plant varieties. $2 adults, $1 seniors. Reservations suggested, 956-681-3370.
Sat: Woodland Walkabout Tour with guide, 9-10am, Quinta Mazatlan, $2 adults, $1 seniors, reservations at 956-681-3370
Through March: Nature & History Tours departing from Quinta Mazatlan, 8:30-11am, $5 per person. Nature Tours Dec 3, Feb 4, Jan 7 and March 3. History tours Dec 17, Jan 21, Feb 18 and March 17. Reservations required, space limited, call 956-681-3333

PHARR
Feb 17: Cedar County Iowa Breakfast Reunion, 9am, Taco Fiesta #3, 1325 S Cage, 563-940-7389

PORT ISABEL
Feb 4-5: Annual Book Fair at Community Center behind PI Library, 9am-3pm on Sat, noon-3pm on Sun. 213 N Yturria, 956-943-0777
Feb 10: Museums of Port Isabel’s ‘A Night to Treasure’ 15th Annual Fundraiser, live entertainment, great food, drinks, silent auction and more! $50 per person on sale now contact 956-943-7602
Feb 13: BE A HERO! Long Island Village Blood Drive, 8am-noon, 33840 S Garcia Street, 956-943-4568
Feb 13: PI Driftwood Garden Club will take a field trip to Heep’s Nursery in Harlingen, join us for a quick, fun day. 956-433-5275 for info.
Feb 13: Kelly Miller Circus at Laguna Madre Park, Starts at 7:30am with the transformation of the park into a circus wonderland, everyone welcome to watch the elephants put up the big top, free guided tours. $10 in advance from Museums of PI, City Hall, PI Chamber of Commerce, Library and SPI Chamber of commerce, show times 6 and 8:30pm.
Feb 20: Driftwood Garden Club meets, 956-433-5275 for more info.
Wednesdays: Farmer’s Market in The Garden at Lighthouse Square on Maxan Street, 4pm, extra parking at Pirate’s Landing. 956-433-9675

SAN BENITO
Third Sat: Market Day & Farmer’s Market 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Plaza de San Benito, 210 E. Heywood. 956-399-5321 or sanbenitochamber.com
Wed through March 28: Library chess club meets, 5-6:30pm, open to all regardless of experience, chess instructor at all meetings. Meet at San Benito Public Library

SAN JUAN
Feb 15: 3rd Annual Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament, mixer and sign in 5:30pm, cards 6:30pm, at Mercedenz Benz of San Juan, 400 E. Expwy 83, $125 per player early registration before Feb 1, after Feb 1 $150  per player, limited to first 100 entries, register online www.valleychamber.com or 956-968-3141. Benefits RGV Partnership Foundation.

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND
Feb 3: Indoor kite exhibition at Convention Center as part of SPI Kite Fest, 6:30-8:30pm, $5, come see kites so advanced they fly indoors!
Feb. 4: Winter Outdoor Wildlife Expo at the Hilton Garden Inn. Doors open at 8am with programs featuring fishing, birding, shelling, local animals, plants and more. Admission $3. Sponsored by St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.
Feb 4: 3rd Annual Surfrider Shindig: Music and Art For Our Ocean Waves and Beaches at Louie’s Backyard, silent and live auctions, shrimp boil, live entertainment  
Feb 4: Chili Festival hosted by Walk for Women, doors open 10:30, chili tasting at noon, Louie’s Backyard, $2 per person, live music, giveaways, raffles, door prizes, great chili and lots of fun, free to enter your chili call 956-491-8277 to enter. Proceeds benefit Walk for Women.    
Feb 4: Turkey: Land of Mystery! at the SPI Birding and Nature Center, 6801 Padre Blvd, 10am, 956-243-8179
Feb 4-5: SPI Kite Fest 10am to 4pm on the flats just north of the Convention Center, free admission, everyone welcome to this spectacular kiting event with kites from all over the world, extreme sport kites, choreographed routines and performances that will astound you. Banquet and live auction on Saturday Feb 4, 6:30-9pm, Isla Grand Resort, $15, advanced registration required 956-761-1248
Feb 6: Book discussion, signing and reception with David Cromwell author of “Allison: The mostly true story of a one-flippered sea turtle” 1-3pm, Paragraphs Book Store, 5505 Padre Blvd, free, open to public, refreshments provided, 956-433-5057
Feb 8: Book discussion, signing and reception with Ross Tarry and Judy Granahan authors of “Last Cry of the Whippoorwill” and “Dancer of the Third Age” 1-3pm, Paragraphs Book Store, 5505 Padre Blvd, free, open to public, refreshments provided, 956-433-5057
Feb 9: “Legends” performed by Leslie Blasing at Convention Center, 2-4pm, $12 at door, $8 in advance, cash bar available 956-761-4347
Feb 10: Adopt A Beach at Edwin Atwood Park at Access 5, Hwy 100, Winter Texan Assisted Cleanup. Registration starts at 8:30am, beach cleanup 9am-11:30am, day ends with a “what did you find” session and refreshments. 1-877-TXCOAST
Feb 10: El Paseo presents “The Good Doctor – A Comedy with Music” SPI Convention Center, 2pm matinee, and 7:30, complimentary hors d’oevres, cash bar open one hour before show, $20 per person, advance tickets at Visitors Center, Paragraphs Book Store, Designer Consigner, online at www.elpaseoarts.org
Feb 11: Book discussion, signing and reception with Karen Gilroy author of “Discovering the Healer Within” 1-3pm, Paragraphs Book Store, 5505 Padre Blvd, free, open to public, refreshments provided, 956-433-5057
Feb 11: Masters of Disguise: The Intriguing World of Parasites at the SPI Birding and Nature Center, 6801 Padre Blvd, 11am, 956-243-8179
Feb 17: Senior Prom for ages 40 and up hosted by the SPI Parks & Recreations Committee at the La Quinta Inn, 7-10pm, $6 per person tickets at SPI Chamber, Windchasers Kites, Paragraphs Book Store and Ramada Inn, complimentary hors doeuvres, cash bar, complimentary prom picture, advance ticket sales only, none at door, limited seating.
Feb 18: Marine Science Discovery Cruise for ages 13-18 with the Coastal Studies Lab aboard the “Karma” 57 foot teaching vessel, 9-11am on the bay, $15 per person, advanced registration required, space limited call 956-761-2644
Feb 26: Brett Marshall in concert at the Hilton Garden Inn, 7pm, $15 available at Visitors Center, 612-309-2651 or 956-266-2205
Through March 15: Tickets on sale now for the 2nd Annual Ultimate Music Experience at Schlitterbahn March 15-17, a 3 day music festival featuring the world’s best electronic artists, will sell out, tickets at all Guitar Center locations or groovetickets.com
Thurs: Arts & Crafts classes, 9am-noon, Palmetto Mercado, 1817 Padre Blvd, 956-772-1166.                                             First Sat: South Padre Island Kite Enthusiasts Kite Club meeting on the flats north of the Convention Center, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.  No fees & no dues. Just hang out & fly with others who have the same interest.                                                     

WESLACO
Feb 3 & Mar 2: Guided bird walk with Dave Pollack at Frontera Audubon, 10am, free with regular price of admission, many rare birds spotted lately 956-968-3275, 1101 S Texas Blvd.
Feb 11: Patio Sale & Flea Market, Pine to Palm Resort Park, 802 S International Blvd, 8am to 10am
March 24-25: Texas Onion Festival at Weslaco City Park, live entertainment, cooking demos, recipe contests, dancing horse show, blooming onions. Sponsorships and vendor applications available. 956-968-2102
Thurs: Farmer’s Market adjacent to the Al Fresco Street Fair, one block south of the intersection of Old Highway 83 and Texas Ave. The market is led by the Texas Food Revolution and will be held every Thursday from 5:30pm-7:30pm.

VALLEY WIDE
Though March 15: Donate items and funds to American Military Support, a nonprofit that sends quality of life packages to our troops serving overseas. For a list of items needed, to donate funds, or to enroll your RGV family or friend service member in the program so they can receive a quality of life package call 956-425-1549.
April 26-29: 2012 RGV International Poetry Festival at various locations. Now accepting submissions for the anthology “Boundless” through March 10, registration is also open for the festival. For more details, locations and how to submit your poem for publication in “Boundless” go to www.vipf.org. This year will feature Texas Poet Laureate Jan Seale and Lady Mariposa.
Ongoing: Need donated boats, RVs, fishing equipment and funds to support disabled government trained veteran volunteer peer mentors. No alcohol or illicit drug use, instead emotional healing with recreational opportunities for our veterans. This is a veteran’s service partnership of the VA, Tx Dept of Health, military and local veterans service organizations. 956-241-0159