Fiesta de Palmas, beach nights on SPI, and a border-born music star lighting up the Valley
Quick Poll
What’s your favorite fall guilty pleasure?
🥤 Agua fresca pumpkin edition
🔥 Tamales before Halloween
🎃 Decorating when it’s still 90°
Vote Over Here
Fiesta de Palmas 2025 (McAllen) — Oct 17–19
Music, food, parades, fireworks @ McAllen Convention Center.
The Mousetrap at Camille Lightner Playhouse — Oct 17–19
A classic mystery thriller on stage for a limited run.
Craft and Chat: Pumpkin Party at McAllen Public Library — Oct 18 | 2 PM
Spooky crafts, costumes, and Halloween movie screening.
RGV Padel & Pickleball Club (Mission) — Oct 18-19 | 6 PM–12 AM
Swing by to see South Texas’ first padel & pickleball complex.
SPI Fireworks & Live Music on the Beach — Oct 17-18 | Clayton’s Beach Bar | Free
Live bands + breezy evening vibes on the sand.
Upper Valley (Mission • McAllen • Edinburg)
Oct 17–19 | McAllen Convention Center | 🎟️ Free
Farmers Market @ Firemen’s Park
Oct 18 | 9 AM–12 PM
Oct 18 | 2 PM | McAllen Public Library Meeting Center | Register Here
RGV Padel & Pickleball Club (Mission)
Oct 18-19 | 6 PM–12 AM | Reserve Now
Mid Valley (Weslaco • Donna • Mercedes • Harlingen)
Oct 18 | 8 AM–2 PM | Jackson Street @ Downtown Harlingen | Free
Oct 18 | 8 AM–9:30 AM | Weslaco City Hall | Free
Lower Valley (Harlingen • San Benito • Brownsville • SPI)
Oct 17–19 | Camille Lightner Playhouse | Buy Tickets
SPI Fireworks & Live Music on the Beach
Oct 17–18 | Clayton’s Beach Bar | Free
Oct 17 | 6 PM–9 PM | Linear Park, Washington Park, and Market Square | Free | View Route Map
💧Rio Grande litter-capture initiative launched
A binational effort with Coca-Cola support aims to reduce trash entering the Rio Grande River.
Read the full KGNS News article→
📈 Tourists Boost McAllen Economy: "They Came. They Shopped. They Spent."
Bridging Borders Through Sound & Soul
Meet Maria D’Luz, a force in the Valley arts community. Born in Matamoros and raised on both sides of the border, she launched her music and dance path as a child. Today, her work traverses jazz, cumbia, pop, and more — always with a foot in two worlds.
In McAllen, Maria founded Maple Music, LLC, offering studio access, mentorship, and collaboration for local artists. She’s not just performing — she’s building infrastructure so others can shine. The synergy between identity, geography, and creative expression is central to her art.
She told Texas Border Business her goal: to not just make music, but to nurture a Valley label that amplifies its own voices. (Read more: “Maria D’Luz: From Childhood Stardom to Championing the Arts Across Borders”)
🌞 Brownsville’s B.R.I.G.H.T. — Citizens + City Cleaning Up Together
This fall, Brownsville residents rolled up their sleeves for Phase One of B.R.I.G.H.T., combining city staff, local schools, and volunteers for neighborhood cleanups in District 1. The effort addresses graffiti, illegal dumping, and public space revitalization. It’s not just cleaning — it’s reclaiming pride in local streets and making shared spaces safer and more vibrant. Read more→
🌆 Edinburg’s East Side Glow-Up
Something big is rising near UTRGV — Plaza Guerlain, a new walkable district backed by the Edinburg EDC. Think shops, cafés, and apartment living all in one colorful pocket of town.
It’s part of a $20-plus-million investment to bring jobs, nightlife, and neighborhood energy east of the stadium — so students, families, and locals have one more reason to stay and play in Edinburg. See what's coming→
Edinburg officials broke ground Friday, October 10, 2025, on Plaza Guerlain, a new mixed-use commercial and residential development. (Photo: Edinburg Economic Development Corporation via MySA)
🏘️ Brownsville’s Samano Building — Heritage, Housing & Hub
The nearly 100-year-old Samano Building at 1158 E. Elizabeth St. is getting a full reboot. After a $12 million renovation, it will house 39 studio apartments for low-income families, plus a community grocery (Armand’s), rooftop garden, vintage café features, and wraparound support services.
What makes it special: this is more than a building — it's a place where history meets necessity. And local youths in the nonprofit’s YouthBuild program are part of the reopening, auctioning their own handcrafted works to support the cause. Read More→
🌊 McAllen’s Boeye Project — Where Water Meets What’s Next
Big things are bubbling up in McAllen — literally. The city’s turning the old Boeye Reservoir into a $230 million mixed-use oasis, complete with shimmering water features, walkable trails, new dining, shops, and homes.
This isn’t just about buildings — it’s about giving locals new places to breathe, meet, and make memories. Picture sunset concerts by the lake, family picnics, weekend strolls — a destination that feels ours.
“We’re creating the next chapter of McAllen’s story,” city leaders said at the launch. And honestly? It’s starting to sound like a beautiful one. Read More→
Meet Ximena Villarreal (Mission)
Ximena beams with pride on stage at the 2025 National Youth of the Year ceremony in Los Angeles (Photo: IDEA Public Schools)
Recently named Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Youth of the Year, Ximena embodies service and leadership. Only two Valley students have earned this honor in three years. Read More→
🐾 Meet Willa! 🐾
Brought to you by Hexapaws
Black Mouth Cur / Shepherd, German • Female • 3 yrs • 52 lbs
Tall, gentle, and full of heart — Willa’s a stunning 3-year-old pup who’s spent 701 days waiting for her forever home. After a long shelter stay, she’s finally in foster care and thriving.
She’s playful yet calm, walks beautifully on a leash, and loves belly rubs as much as park adventures. Willa gets along well with other dogs and takes city life in stride — even traffic doesn’t faze her.
What she needs now is simple: a home that matches her big, joyful spirit. If you’re looking for loyalty, laughter, and love, Willa’s your girl. 🐶
📍 Palm Valley Animal Society | Adopt or Share
💚 Sponsor: Hexapaws— ramps & gear that keep tails wagging!
Street-style tacos, bold spices —Taqueria Tepeque in Edinburg keeps it real and irresistible. 🌮
🎥 See the Edinburg taco scene in action: Fork It – Taqueria Tepeque Review (Video)
Visit Taqueria Tepeque now!
📍 1805 W Trenton Rd
👉@taqueriatepeque
Straight from y’all — the best eats, beats, and good deeds across the 956.
Rolling into Weslaco: Panzone’s food truck brings fresh, mouthwatering sandwiches and bold flavors.
Stop by and taste the local favorite!
📍 409 S Missouri Ave
👉@panzonesofficial
Thanks to our reader Nanette L. for this week’s sandwich tip!
💬 Got a local spot, event, or story we should shout out next week?
Hit reply to this email — we’ll feature a few every issue!
🧠Local Laugh
Only in the Valley do we sip pumpkin spice with the A/C blasting and say, “Finally feels like fall!” 🎃
🌱 Quote
“Community is the art of being together and still being yourself.”
—Unknown
✅ Life Hack
Put a dryer sheet under your car seat — smells fresh, survives the heat.