Download - Livability McAllen, TX 2013
2013 | sponsored by the mcallen chamber of commerce
livabilitycommcallen
MCALLENTexas
McAllen in a Daythis happening Valley city has plenty to do and see
outside the boxResidents get creative with business ventures
For business or leisure make your travel easier hellip
Fly McAllen First
wwwmcallenairportcom (956) 681-1500
2500 S Bicentennial Blvd Ste 100 bull McAllen TX 78503
wwwaacomwwwallegiantaircom wwwunitedcom
l iVabil it ycommc allen 3
CONTENTS
Things to Do10 Must Try McAlleninaDay ThishappeningValleycity
hasplentytodoandsee
14 Parks AhhHowRefreshing Cityaddsfour-acrelake
toFiremanrsquosPark
19 Local Flavor PalatePleasers
20 Arts amp Culture RaveReviews
22 Sports amp Recreation SoakUpSomeSun
24SeetheCity
Living28 High Tech Schools Paddingthe
Curriculum Techtoolsfoster studentsuccess
30 Education SetforSuccess
33 Health TakeaDeepBreath
andRelax
35 CommunityProfile
36 LivingSeetheCity
Business42 Entrepreneurship OutsidetheBox Residentsgetcreative
withbusinessventures
47 Chamber Letter WhatrsquostheBigIdea48 EconomicProfile
OnTheCoverThe McAllen Public Library Photo by Michael Conti
all or part of this magazine is printed with soy ink on recycled paper containing 10 post-consumer waste
PlEaSE rECyClE ThiS magaziNE
7 Welcome to McAllen an introduction to the community
MCALLEN2013EDITION vOLUME11
Texas
19
30
42
l iVabil it ycommc allen 3
l iVabil it ycommc allen 5
MCALLEN2013EDITION vOLUME11
Texascontent director|LisaBattles
contributing Writers|BarbaraBiehlerLauraHillCarsonOrsquoShoneyKathrynRoysterBraxtonShoop
content coordinator|JessicaWalkerstaff Writer|KevinLitwin
proofreading manager|RavenPetty
lead designer|StaceyAllissenior Graphic designers|LauraGallagher
KrisSextonJakeShoresVikkiWilliamsGraphic designers|EricaLampleyKaraLeiby
KaceyPassmorecreative technology analyst|BeccaAry
lead photographer|MichaelContisenior photographers|JeffAdkinsBrianMcCord
staff photographers|ToddBennettMartinBCherry
color imaging technician | AlisonHunter
integrated media manager|ToddPottersales support project manager|SaraQuint
ad production manager|KatieMiddendorfad traffic assistants|KrystinLemmonPatriciaMoisan
Web project manager|DavidDayWeb development lead|YamelHallWeb developeri|NelsNoseworthy
Web designer ii|RichardStevensWeb product manager|JohnHood
digital project manager|JillRidenour
chairman|GregThurmanpresidentpublisher|BobSchwartzman
executive Vice president|RayLangensenior Vpsales|ToddPotter
senior Vpclient development|JeffHeefnersenior Vpoperations|CaseyHester
Vpsales|JarekSwekoskyVpcontent operations|NatashaLorens
audience development director|DeannaNelsoncreative services director|ChristinaCarden
distribution director|GarySmithphotography director|JeffreySOtto
Web services director|AllisonDavis
controller|ChrisDudleysenior accountant| LisaOwens
accounts payable coordinator|MariaMcFarlandaccounts receivable coordinator|DianaGuzman
system administrator|DanielCantrell
executive secretary|KristyDuncanhuman resources manager|PeggyBlake
receptionist|LindaBishop
Livability McAllen TXispublishedannuallybyJournalCommunicationsIncandisdistributed
throughtheMcAllen Chamber of Commerce anditsmemberbusinesses
Foradvertisinginformationortodirectquestionsorcommentsaboutthemagazinecontact
JournalCommunicationsIncat(615)771-0080orbyemailatinfojnlcomcom
Formoreinformationcontactmcallen chamber of commerce1200 ash avenue bull po box 790
mcallen tx 78505-0790phone (956) 682-2871 bull fax (956) 687-2917
wwwmcallenchambercom
visitLivability McAllen TXonlineatlivabilitycommcallen
copyCopyright2012JournalCommunicationsInc725CoolSpringsBlvdSuite400FranklinTN37067(615)771-0080AllrightsreservedNoportionofthis
magazinemaybereproducedinwholeorinpartwithoutwrittenconsent
Member TheAssociationofMagazineMedia
Member CustomContentCouncil
MemberMcAllenChamberofCommerce
GETTHEDIGITALMAGAZINE
livabilitycommcallen
Itrsquos loaded with links to more great info about McAllen Telling your communityrsquos unique story has never been so easy
TakE iT wiTh yOu
Easily share an interesting article stunning photo or advertisement of your business on Facebook Twitter or via email
CliCk arOuNd
Click on the web addresses in the copy to enjoy immediate access to each website
SPrEad ThE NEwS
Broadcast your communityrsquos positive image by placing the magazine on your website blog or newsletter
2013 | SPONSORED BY THE MCALLEN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
livabilitycommcallen
MCALLENTEXAS
McAllen in a DayThis happening Valley city has plenty to do and see
OUTSIDE THE BOXResidents get creative with business ventures
l iVabil it ycommc allen 5
CONTENTSlivabilitycommcallen
Visit the website for more great photos and stories about McAllen Texas
Livabilitycom Follow us livability Like us at facebookcomlivability Follow us at pinterestcomlivability
Things To Do Find the must-do attractions activities and dining in McAllen
LivingLearn about McAllenrsquos schools health care education and neighborhoods
BusinessGet info on top employers jobs and success stories in McAllen
digital magazine
Read it online or on your tablet and quickly share articles with friends
FaCtSGet data fast on population climate workforce cost of living and more
PhoTos amp viDeo
2013 | SPONSORED BY THE MCALLEN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
livabilitycommcallen
MCALLENTEXAS
McAllen in a DayThis happening Valley city has plenty to do and see
OUTSIDE THE BOXResidents get creative with business ventures
aT a glaNCE
Cultural diversity progressive business practices and a booming economy best characterize McAllen ndash one of the fastest growing metros in Texas and part of one of the fastest growing MSAs in the nation Its location near the US-Mexico border has made it a magnet for retail international trade tourism and manufacturing
aBuNdaNT liviNgMcAllenrsquos economic mix means
tangible benefits for residents beyond a strong job market They take their picks among diverse shopping and dining options that include national brands and unique independent retailers
The resulting tax base means the city can offer amenities such as a massive state-of-the-art library in-town bus service awesome parks and popular hiking and biking trails that are enjoyed year round thanks to a warm climate
With all this and affordable homes McAllen also consistently ranks among cities with the lowest cost of living in the United States
grEaT FOr BuSiNESSMcAllen is good for business
big and small More than 100 Fortune 500 companies have a presence within the McAllen MSA and the city has also been recently recognized by CNNMoney on its list of Best Places to Launch a Small Business
Key factors bringing expansions and entrepreneurs are an excellent quality of life numerous advanced medical facilities a comprehensive financial services community demonstrated logistics advantages to reach existing and new markets and a mostly young bicultural and bilingual population
Read on to discover why McAllen is one of Americarsquos best places to live
McAllen Texasa quick comprehensiVe oVerVieW of Whatrsquos Great about the community
Rio Granded
Rio Grande
83
281
281
83
777777
28181288281777777
ReynosaosR sas
Matamoros
Rio BravoBrownsvilleBrowrow sss
WeslacoHarlingenrlinng
Edinburg
Mission
Pharr
McAllen
HIDALGO
MEXICO
UNITEDSTATESS
FOr mOrE iNFOrmaTiON
McAllenChamberofCommerce1200 Ash Avenue McAllen TX 78501 Phone (956) 682-2871Fax (956) 687-2917
wwwmcallenchambercom
lOCaTiONMcAllen is in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas situated just 70 miles west of the Gulf of Mexico McAllen is the largest city in Hidalgo County
POPulaTiON
133821 (McAllen)
774769 (MSA)
aNNual raiNFall
23rdquo
diSTaNCES TO ThrEE majOr CiTiES NEarBy San Antonio 224 miles Austin 311 miles Fort WorthDallas 502 miles
TimE zONECentral
National Average 30rdquo
No3Mid-Size
US City for Jobs
- Forbes
ACCOLADE
McAllen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 7
Shopping
BrOwSE Or Buy
mcallenrsquos la Plaza mall draws more than 18 million visitors each year as the main shopping spot for residents in the Rio Grande Valley The 1200000-square-foot mall has more than 140 retailers such as Macyrsquos and Dillardrsquos as well as a variety of restaurants
Art Events
miNglE wiTh arTiSTS
The music after hours Outdoor Concert Series is held monthly to showcase bands from the Rio Grande Valley Meanwhile mcallenrsquos artwalk is a monthly self-guided tour that features art galleries vendors and museums
Sports
Play Ball
The mcallen Thunder and Edinburg roadrunners are baseball teams that play at Edinburg Baseball Stadium Both teams are members of the North American League an independent professional league not affiliated with Major League Baseball
Locally Grown
STOCk uP
You can find more than 20 varieties of citrus and other fresh fruits vegetables nuts and locally made products at klementrsquos grove Bellrsquos Farm to market Farmers market at Town lake and Farmers market at mcallenrsquos new library
THINGSTODOMcAllenrsquos must-do attractions activities and dining
Grab Your Binocularsmcallenrsquos many wildlife havens include QuintaMazatlan above an urban sanctuary for birds plants and other wildlife valleyNatureCenter which is the oldest nature center in the rio Grande Valley and the 2000-acre SantaAnaNationalWildlifeRefuge which has recorded 400 bird species and hundreds of butterfly species
8 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 9
Eatery
PiCk ThE PlaTTEr
The popular restaurant Costa messa has a new location on North 10th Street and its menu includes favorite items such as huge botana platters to share and choriqueso The eatery is open seven days a week from 11 am until 10 pm
Outdoors
gET iN ShaPE
Hiking and biking trail systems are located at various parks throughout McAllen Some of the arearsquos most popular trails can be found at las Palmas Park la vista Park los Encinos Park retama village Park Bill Schupp Park and westside Park
Pro Sports
FlaSh aNd viPErS
Cheer on the rio grande valley Flash a Professional Arena Soccer League team and catch the basketball action of the rio grande valley vipers 2010 NBA Development League Champions Both teams play at State Farm Arena in Hidalgo
ThiNgS TO dO
Happy Hour
PrOPOSE a TOaST
Enjoy dinner drinks and fun at the many businesses located within the 17th Street Entertainment district of downtown McAllen a revitalized area now bustling with interesting restaurants pubs clubs and lounges
Climb Aboardthe federal transit administration awarded mcallen $19 million to create an electric bus pilot program OLEvTechnologiesoversees the program which is retrofitting three diesel buses with electric motors passenger transport begins in 2013
8 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 9
THIS HAPPEnInG vALLEY CITY OFFERS PLEnTY TO DO SEE amp EAT
ThiNgS TO dO
mcallenin a Day
l iVabil it ycommc allen 11 10 mc allen
midNighT TO NOON iN mCallENWhere to stay McAllen has nearly 3600 hotel rooms
from luxurious traditional hotels to new motels with all the contemporary bells and whistles The Renaissance Casa de Palmas a four-star hotel on Main Street was built in 1918 and lavishly restored into a luxury property featuring Mission architecture that recalls McAllenrsquos past Or try the Spring Hill Suites just off the expressway for a more modern take
After a comfortable night start the morning off with breakfast at Jimmyrsquos Egg a new outpost of a longtime Oklahoma favorite Here enjoy nearly any kind of egg you can imagine for breakfast ndash or atop a burger at lunch Go further south of the cuisine border at Las Cazuelas Grill another popular new eatery for menu items such as Chilaquiles con Huevo or Molletes
Got 24 hours to spare We recommend a busy day well spent in McAllen where you can fill every available hour
with interesting sights delicious cuisine and a variety of fun activities
a birdrsquos-eye view of the cityrsquos revitalized 17the street entertainment district
l iVabil it ycommc allen 11
NB
icen
tenn
ialB
lvd
WHackberryAve
S23
rdS
tree
t
83
international museum of arts and sciences
mcallen public library
McAllen Public Librarym-th 9am - 9pmf-sat 9am - 6pmsun 1pm - 9pm
phone (956) 688-3300uhV students (with id) free
wwwmcallenlibrarynet
12 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 13
The hike and bike trail on Second Street and another on Bicentennial offer the chance for a leisurely 23-mile stroll around town ndash yoursquove got to work off that breakfast after all And then head over to the International Museum of Arts and Science a Smithsonian affiliated museum where a wide variety of changing art and science exhibits always offer something interesting
Another must-see is McAllenrsquos new public library which at a whopping 123000 square feet is the largest single-floor library in the US This former Walmart building underwent a total transformation into an aesthetically pleasing community resource thatrsquos steadily gaining attention worldwide for its colorful open and functional design Opened in December 2011 the facility has already won first place in the International Interior Design Associationrsquos 2012 Library Interior Design Competition
luNCh aNd laTErldquoWersquove got over 600 restaurants
hererdquo says Chamber President and CEO Steve Ahlenius So since itrsquos noon by now try the flatbread or a
salad at house wine amp bistro or go for a panini at Corner Bakery Cafe Or for Latin flavor head to KoKorsquos for delicious Mexican fare
In McAllen a day without shopping would be sad indeed La Plaza Mall is the most visited mall in the country and Palms Crossings at the McAllen Convention Center is home to several shops and restaurants such as Mimirsquos Cafe and Romanorsquos Macaroni Grill
ldquoAfter I finished shopping Irsquod spend the rest of the afternoon at Quinta Mazatlan (a historic home that also offers nature trails and legendary bird watching)rdquo Ahlenius says Another option is to test the waters by kayaking or catch-and-release fishing on Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park
mCallEN aFTEr hOurSYoursquore not tired are you
Good because after freshening up back at your hotel itrsquos off to a night on the town Cajun cuisine at The Bayou Grill on North 10th St is a great option as are the authentic Mexican menus at Cabritos Nuevo Leon or La Jaiba Mexican Seafood Grill both on West Nolana
After dinner stroll the 17th Street Entertainment District to catch the flavor of McAllen after hours or catch a show at the historic Cine El Rey theater where comedy acts concerts film festivals and other events take the stage Finally La Recova Contemporary Argentinean Grill beckons for a nightcap in its quiet upscale bar ldquowhere you can actually carry on a conversationrdquo Ahlenius says
Then to bed Where after a good nightrsquos rest you will surely want to get up and spend yet another great day in McAllen
by Laura Hill by staff photographer
Michael Conti
ldquoMcAllen is a beautiful multicultural city with plenty to do and see From shopping in the most popular stores in the nation or unique one-of-a-kind shops to fine dining and plenty of family outdoor activities ndash you can do it year round hererdquo
gErry garCia VPOFSPECIALPROJECTS
FORTHEMCALLENCHAMBER
SNAPSHOT
for music dinner and dancing head to downtown mcallenrsquos 17th street entertainment district
The Patio on Guerradiners enjoy the food and atmosphere at the patio on Guerra on 17th street in downtown mcallen
12 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 13
ThiNgS TO dO
Town Lakea boy takes his dog for a walk as he skateboards the trail along the new 4-acre town lake at firemanrsquos park a popular spot for canoeing kayaking fishing and more
ThiNgS TO dO
14 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 15 14 mc allen
nEW LAkE OPEnS AT FIREMAnrsquoS PARk
Ahh howrefreshing
ldquoWe did all the required dredging to transform the little pond into a recreational lake that is 15 feet at its deepest pointrdquo says Sally Gavlik director of the McAllen Parks amp Recreation Department ldquoIn these days of more and more people opting to remain close to home for staycations Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park gives them a valid option for a different kind of local vacationrdquo
lET ThE FuN BEgiNTown Lake is situated right in the
middle of McAllen off Business Highway 83 between First and Second streets Swimming is prohibited due to park
irrigation regulations but a beach has been constructed to launch canoes kayaks and paddle boats A fishing pier is also in place
ldquoWe transferred fish to the lake from nearby Boeye Reservoir which has provided us with good stocks of bass perch and catfishrdquo Gavlik says ldquoTown Lake currently only has a catch-and-release program meaning you can catch fish but must release them back into the water At some point in the future when the fish population increases we plan to schedule times when people can take the fish homerdquo
The City of McAllen made a big splash in May 2012 when it officially opened Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park What was once a small tract of land with a few basic
recreational amenities is now a 15-acre redevelopment that includes the four-acre Town Lake Crews used a water holding pond at the cityrsquos former water treatment facility to construct the new lake
14 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 15
TakE a hikEWalking and jogging are also good recreational
options around the waterrsquos perimeterldquoTown Lake actually ties into the well used Second
Street Trail People can come off the trail walk or jog along the lake and then get back onto the trailrdquo Gavlik says ldquoThe scenery includes wildflowers in a freshly seeded meadow while other park amenities are horseshoe pits two playgrounds and free picnic sites at the north end of Firemanrsquos Park at First Streetrdquo
There is also a covered pavilion area with sand volleyball courts a small concession building and three camping sites The campsites can be used during the day by anyone but only overnight by organized groups such as the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts Group reservations must be made through the McAllen Parks amp Recreation Department
ldquoAnother park attraction is the former water treatment building which has been transformed into a rental facilityrdquo Gavlik says ldquoIt is now called The Old Pump House complete with new windows air conditioning uplighting tiling and carpeted floors Groups of 75 to 100 people can rent the facility for meetings small receptions or small social events The Old Pump House adds to the overall amenities of todayrsquos Firemenrsquos Parkrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer Michael Conti
Fishinga group casts lines into town lake which enforces a catch-and-release program
WHackberryAve
TownLake
83
firemanrsquos park
N2
nd
Str
eet
16 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 17
children enjoy the playground at firemanrsquos park
16 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 17
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO LoCAL FLAVoR
Palate Pleasersmcallen restaurants serVe up flaVorful foods
McAllen diners rejoice The city has a broad selection of distinctive restaurants and eateries appealing to just about every taste By Barbara Biehler
Asian
SENSaTiONal SuShi amp SPiCE
McAllen has several great spots for Japanese food such as sushi tempura and teppanyaki including kohnami kumori and yokorsquos Sushi Bar
Fans of Thai food should check out Thai red Chilirsquos for dishes like pad thai red curry chicken and sweet rice with mango
Indian
TaNdOOri aNyONETaste of india hits the spot
for diners looking for high quality authentic Indian food made from old family recipes and paired with excellent service
Tex-Mex and Mexican
SOmE likE iT SPiCy
Step into las Cazuelas grill for classic Mexican cuisine or visit Palenque Chicken for expertly prepared Mexican and Tex Mex dishes
Renowned regionally for homemade tamales deliarsquos uses fresh ingredients including pork chicken and beef
The republic of rio grande serves Mexican cuisine in an intimate setting order a traditional dish like the chicken fajitas or enchiladas suizas or enjoy a distinctive entree such as shrimp chipotle pesto pasta or a brick-oven pizza
check out more restaurants in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
ldquoDeliarsquos has the best tamales in town Probably even in the RGV The only place you can get the good old homemade flavor of real tamalesrdquo
Evila l YELPCOM
Argentine
SOuTh amEriCaN CuiSiNE
Relax in the elegant yet casual atmosphere of la Pampa argentinean Steak housewhile you dine on classic Argentine- cut steaks grilled chicken breasts marinated in Chimichurri or traditional de carne empanadas
Meanwhile la recova also offers a wide selection of Argentine-style favorites on its menu Favorite dishes at La Recova includes chorizo tuna carnitas duck confit and churrasco a classic top sirloin steak
Outdoor Dining
TrENdy amp TaSTy
If yoursquore in the mood for a USDA prime steak or succulent seafood drop by The Patio on guerra Dine on the outdoor patio and have a bottle of one of the restaurantrsquos award-winning wines
FridarsquosGrillandCantina located on 17th street offers traditional mexican favorites with modern flavors Go to fridarsquos to enjoy unique culinary dishes signature drinks and live music on the weekends
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO ARTS amp CULTURE
Rave Reviewsmcallenrsquos arts scene remains robust With museums music and eVents
Arts patrons music lovers and history buffs enjoy many cultural attractions throughout McAllen The latest buzz McAllen Performing Arts Center will spring up near the McAllen Convention Center giving fans of live music theater and dance a fine new facility to anticipate
Live Entertainment
PErFOrmErS TakE ThE STagE
The 17th Street Entertainment district in downtown McAllen overflows with lounges restaurants and clubs For live music visit The old Ice House or Cine El Rey
The cityrsquos diverse culture is what influences much of the music performed by the valley Symphony Orchestra amp Chorale The Symphony was established in 1952 with the Chorale joining later in 1984 Similarly the South Texas lyric Opera brings the fine art of opera to the Rio Grande Valley with a yearly slate of productions and an annual opera gala and rio grande valley Broadway brings popular stage shows to town such as Disneyrsquos Beauty and the Beast and Monty Pythonrsquos Spamalot
Historic Sites
TakE a STEP BaCk iN TimE
The museum of South Texas history and the mcallen heritage Center are just two locations to learn about the rich history of this bicultural area
Quinta mazatlan a 1930s hacienda that embodies the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture of arches adobe and beams and provides an intimate look into South Texas history The 10000-square- foot mansion sits on a 15-acre plot hosting a mix of native and exotic plants and wildlife making up McAllenrsquos wing of the popular world Birding Center
Cine El Reyopened in 1947 the historic cine el rey theater now functions as
a music and performance venue showcasing a variety of live events and also shows spanish and english independent films the theater is located in downtown mcallenrsquos 17th street entertainment district
20 mc allen
ldquoCine El Rey hosts events as diverse as wrestling live bands films and comedy shows A huge stage is complimented by killer production value and a staff that really cares about all aspects of the experience Irsquom looking forward to a return triprdquo
Bill dykES YELP
visual Arts and Festivals
aCCESSiBlE arT FuN EvENTS
The international museum of art amp Science founded in 1969 promotes an appreciation for the arts and sciences through its exhibitions cultural events and many educational programs imaS is located at 1900 Nolana Ave
The mcallen art walk is a self-guided tour that gives art lovers the opportunity to explore the many art offerings in the city Itrsquos held every first Friday from September through May and is free and open to the public
on the first Saturday night of December folks enjoy the Candlelight Posada which includes food booths luminaries a parade live entertainment caroling and a live nativity scene
Chamber of Commerce Support
ChamBEr BaCkS ThE arTS
The mcallen Chamber of Commerce shows its love for the arts by managing the mcallen arts Council which publishes a quarterly magazine produces an annual fine arts exhibition and offers grants to local artists The Chamber also offers an outdoor concert series and coordinates the Public art Committeersquos acquisition program
20 mc allen
ThiNgS TO dO SPoRTS amp RECREATIoN
Soak Up Some Sunmcallen residents haVe plenty of Good reasons to Get outdoors
Great golf courses hiking and biking trails and a large well-maintained park system make McAllen the perfect place to enjoy outdoor fun By Carson OrsquoShoney
Golf
TEE iT uPWith nearly 20 courses in the
McAllen area golf is a popular attraction in the Rio Grande Valley
one of the most notable courses is the Palm view golf Course an 18-hole public course with a private feel With rolling fairways and Bermuda rough mounds the course is an often-used location for tournaments having hosted LPGA tournaments and Palm viewrsquos amateur golf Championship
mcallen Country Club provides a challenge with tree-lined fairways and small greens and also offers a swimming pool tennis courts a fitness center and other amenities
Every golf course in the area is bustling especially in the winter when ldquoWinter Texansrdquo come to the Rio Grande Valley The weather generally stays in the 70s in the coldest months making it a perfect place for winter golfing
Hiking Biking and Racing
ON ThE mOvE iN mCallEN
There are plenty of hiking and biking trails on the east and west sides of town such as the retama village Park Trail westside Park Trail and las Palmas Park Trail Visiting cyclists are welcome to meet up with Team mcallen Cycling a bike club thatrsquos been in the city for more than 25 years
Racing fans can enjoy the mcallen international motorplex and Event Center which hosts stock car races car shows and more The racetrack is a family-friendly place offering activities for children such as games face painting and crafts
Palm view Golf Courseirish cochran plays a round of golf at palm View Golf course an 18-hole public course often used for high profile tournaments
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
City Parks
OuTdOOr Family FuN
The mcallen Parks and recreation department currently oversees 25 city parks Ranging from historic parks established in the early 1900s to more modern facilities there are several options suitable for the whole family
archer Park McAllenrsquos oldest park opened in 1912 Serving as a historic landmark in the city it also plays host to many of the cityrsquos annual special events including the Candlelight Posada and movies in the Park
Spanning 38 acres Springfest Park is the largest park in McAllen Springfest hosts a variety of special events and is home to mcallenrsquos winter Polo league from January through March
check out more fun things to do in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
Spray and Ground Parkbesides its popular water feature mcallenrsquos new SprayandGroundParkhas a sand volleyball court skateboard area a half basketball court and just over half a mile of walking trails in addition there are athletic practice fields shaded areas picnic shelters and restroom facilities
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
ThiNgS TO dO SEE THE CITY
24 mc allen
The Irrigation Workerthe sun sets behind a sculpture ldquothe irrigation Workerrdquo which was created by artist douglas clark and is located on nolana and 25th
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
l iVabil it ycommc allen 25
LIvINGHERESchools health care education and neighborhoods in McAllen
26 mc allen 26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 26 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 27
see more beautiful photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
Luxury Livingnewcomers have many beautiful home options in mcallen such as those offered in eight different communities by cantu construction a locally based award-winning builder
26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 liVabil it ycommc allen 27
liviNg
TECH TOOLS FOSTER STUDEnT SUCCESS
Padding theCurriculum
McAllen Independent School District (ISD) is feeling the benefits of an ambitious technology plan that places an iPod or iPad in the hands of every teacher and student
mcallen independent school district students use system-issued ipads in class
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
EduCaTiNg FOr ThE 21ST CENTury
The initiative began with a meeting between Dr James Ponce McAllenrsquos superintendent of schools and a ldquocadrerdquo of about 35 teachers administrators and parents
The grouprsquos primary goal was to build a 21st-century classroom environment one that fosters creativity collaboration and entrepreneurship The group also wanted to find a way to harness the 247 educational potential of the Internet ndash and teach students the critical-thinking skills needed to process online content
ldquoItrsquos an environment where the teachers become the primary learners and the students are driven by their examplerdquo Ponce says ldquoSo we asked what tools we would need for this transformation of the way we teach and the way the kids learnrdquo
After much research the group chose iPods (for grades K-2) and iPads (for teachers and grades 3-12) because of their portability
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo
CarOl aNN allEN LANGuAGEARTSTEACHER
ATMICHAELEFOSSuMMIDDLESCHOOL
relatively low cost and ease of use To implement the planrsquos first stage McAllen ISD issued 5800 of these devices to teachers and students when the rollout is complete it will cover more than 25000 students
Big BENEFiTS FOr TEaChErS aNd STudENTS
Both teachers and students are seeing benefits from the program
ldquoThe iPods help the kids be creative My students are organizing information in new waysrdquo says Ruth Whiddon who teaches first grade at Andrew Jackson Elementary School
For Carol Ann Allen International Baccalaureate coordinator and eighth-grade language arts teacher at Michael E Fossum Middle School the initiative is all about collaboration
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo she says
Sandra Guerra who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade math
at Fossum says the iPads have changed both her teaching style and the way her students learn
Instead of mapping out the learning process step-by-step she now gives students their goal and lets them choose how to get there
ldquoWith this approach they own their learning and theyrsquove been more willing to learnrdquo Guerra says
The iPads have also been a game-changer for Guerrarsquos family
Her seventh-grade daughter is learning advanced science concepts because of independent iPad projects And because most of her childrenrsquos school materials are on their iPads itrsquos easier than ever for Guerra to check on their progress from home
That kind of scenario says Superintendent Ponce is at the heart of the initiative
ldquoThe entire school system and our community want to lead in this effort to build a 21st-century learning environmentrdquo he says ldquoThis is a direct investment in our children and their familiesrdquo
by Kathryn Royster
High-Tech Learningseventh-grade students use ipads to follow class lectures and take quizzes during a language arts class at michael e fossum middle school
PH
oT
o C
oU
RT
EST
Y o
F M
CA
LLE
N IN
DE
PE
ND
EN
T S
CH
oo
L D
IST
RIC
T
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
Higher Education
SOuTh TExaS COllEgE
McAllenrsquos South Texas College has more than 30000 students and offers numerous associate and bachelorrsquos degree programs as well as professional certifications in more than 40 areas The college also has online degree courses for students who work full time
liviNg EDUCATIoN
Set for SuccesscolleGe prep is a top priority in mcallen
Education in McAllen is defined by excellent options From elementary school through college McAllen includes numerous institutions designed to prepare students for success By Braxton Shoop
school yourself on more educational offerings at livabilitycommcallen
Public Schools
mCallEN iNdEPENdENT SChOOl diSTriCT
Established in 1915 the mcallen independent School district comprises three high schools seven middle schools and 20 elementary schools Among these schools the district offers an advanced placement college-level curriculum and a dual-enrollment program for students who would like to obtain high school and college credit simultaneously
In addition the district features an International Baccalaureate program that provides students with an advanced curriculum geared toward global standards
Local Inspiration
FOrmEr STudENT FliES high
one of McAllenrsquos successful students is astronaut michael Fossum a graduate of McAllen High School After receiving his commission from the US Air Force by Texas AampM University Fossum graduated Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base and in 1993 he started at NASA Throughout his NASA career Fossum was on crew for three spaceflights He commanded the space station during one of his flights helping him rank seventh on the all-time list for cumulative Extravehicular Activity time
Top-notch Learning Environmentuniversity of texas-pan american offers many undergraduate degrees more than 50 masterrsquos degrees and three doctoral degrees utpa has accreditations from organizations like the commission for collegiate nursing the examining board of nurse examiners for the state of texas and the engineering accreditation commission of the accreditation board for engineering and technology
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Charter School
idEa aCadEmy
idEa academy is an innovative institution that offers a fully scaled curriculum for students in kindergarten and in the first second and sixth grades The school which opened in McAllen in 2012 will eventually add more grades each one including approximately 110 students While the school is public students must apply to fill the 460 available spots
To prepare its students to be collegiate scholars IDEA provides International Baccalaureate curriculum as well as the Road to College curriculum which begins in the sixth grade
ldquoWersquore very proud of the connection to our distinguished alumni like NASA astronaut Michael Fossum and we want our students to recognize the kind of education we provide here What he learned here helped catapult him into space and wersquore very proud of thatrdquo
NOrma zamOra-guErra MCALLENINDEPENDENTSCHOOL
DISTRICTCOMMuNITYINFORMATIONDIRECTOR
Michael E Fossum Middle Schoolnamed for astronaut michael e fossum the school is part of the mcallen independent school district
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Please call 9566316109 for a representative today
2501 Buddy Owens Blvd McAllen TX 78504
9656316125 Fax
wwwrio-healthcom
RioHealth MedicalWe are here to meet all your
occupational medicine needs
bull Workplace injuries and workersrsquo compensation
bull On site and off site drug screening
bull Physicals
bull Orthopedics
bull Early return to work
bull 247 coverage
bull We accept all types of insurance
WorkplaceInjury
DANIEL J GUERRA MD Diplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
LEONEL G MORENO MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
HOMERO RIVAS MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
606 S Broadway bull McAllen TX bull (956) 682-4515 bull wwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
FAMILY PHYSICIANS
CLINICSince 1967
Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm Sat 8 am-Noon
VALLEY NIGHT CLINIC
Since 1981
Open Every Night of the Year 6 pm-Midnight
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valley supports children of all abilities through child care
services early intervention and parenting support programs
Early Childhood intErvEntion ChildCarE sErviCEs ParEnts as tEaChErs
Easter seals rio Grande valley Programs for Children Birth to Five years
bullChild-Care servicesndashHigh-qualitychildcare sixweekstofiveyears
bullParents as teachers (Pat)ndashDevelopmental parentingsupportforchildrenbirthtofiveyears
bullEarly Childhood intervention (ECi) ndashConcerns indevelopmentforchildrenbirthtothreeyears
For more information about Easter seals
programs and services call (956) 631-9171 or visit wwweasterseals-rgvorg
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
liviNg HEALTH
Take a Deep Breath and Relaxresidents haVe access to top hospitals
McAllen residents receive quality care from the South Texas Health System Rio Grande Regional Hospital and the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance By Kevin Litwin
Health System
SOuTh TExaS hEalTh SySTEm
South Texas health System is the umbrella organization for a number of fine medical facilities including mcallen medical Center MMC has 441 beds and a staff of more than 400 physicians that represent 50 medical specialties
Also part of South Texas Health System is mcallen heart hospital which opened in 1996 as the first freestanding cardiology and cardiovascular hospital built in the United States It includes 60 beds and a 24-hour emergency center
Healthgrades has awarded McAllen Medical Center and McAllen Heart Hospital with a variety of honors in recent years and both earned a Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence in 2011
Hospital
riO graNdE rEgiONal hOSPiTal
rio grande regional hospital is an acute care medical facility with 320 beds and more than 500 physicians The hospital is the only area Diabetes Management Center accredited by the American Diabetes Association and is the arearsquos first facility to have a Pediatric Heart Program
RGRH also includes a 24-hour emergency room Womenrsquos Services department Level III trauma center and cardiovascular care The hospital is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists and every year since 2007 has been named a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
Hospital
dOCTOrS hOSPiTal aT rENaiSSaNCE
The 506-bed doctors hospital at renaissance is an acute care facility It provides cardiology neurosurgery and endocrinology as well as a Pediatric Medical Tower that offers pediatric oncology and pediatric ICU services
Doctors Hospital has been ranked among the nationrsquos 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters and recently invested $32 million to establish an Electronic Medical Record System
DHR was the first in South Texas to acquire a PETCT scanner for diagnosing cancer and the first in the region to introduce da Vinci robotic surgical technology The hospital also oversees Renaissance Behavioral Center which provides treatment for people with mental health problems substance abuse or eating disorders
34 mc allen
COMMUNITyPROFILE COST OF liviNg
$44074Median Household Income
$129554Median Home Price
$689Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
TraNSPOrTaTiON
Median Travel Time to Work
agE
TEmPEraTurE
January Average
July Average
EThNiCiTy
19 and Under
20-54
55 and over
White
Black
Hispanic
other
1645minutes
Closest Airport McAllen International Airport
955deg
482deg
South Texasrsquo Finest Gift Store Offers Gifts From Around the World
4300 N 10th St bull Ste C bull McAllen TX 78504 (956) 686-1264 bull ohkaysaolcom
Look for us on Facebook
gOlF COurSES
gOlF TEC
2901 N 10TH ST956-994-9631
mCallEN COuNTry CluB615 WICHITA AVE956-686-0923
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
The national Butterfly Center the national butterfly center dedicates 100 acres to the conservation and scientific study of wild butterflies in their natural habitats the wildlife center is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm september through march and from 9 am until 4 pm april through august
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
liviNg SEE THE CITY
36 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
For business or leisure make your travel easier hellip
Fly McAllen First
wwwmcallenairportcom (956) 681-1500
2500 S Bicentennial Blvd Ste 100 bull McAllen TX 78503
wwwaacomwwwallegiantaircom wwwunitedcom
l iVabil it ycommc allen 3
CONTENTS
Things to Do10 Must Try McAlleninaDay ThishappeningValleycity
hasplentytodoandsee
14 Parks AhhHowRefreshing Cityaddsfour-acrelake
toFiremanrsquosPark
19 Local Flavor PalatePleasers
20 Arts amp Culture RaveReviews
22 Sports amp Recreation SoakUpSomeSun
24SeetheCity
Living28 High Tech Schools Paddingthe
Curriculum Techtoolsfoster studentsuccess
30 Education SetforSuccess
33 Health TakeaDeepBreath
andRelax
35 CommunityProfile
36 LivingSeetheCity
Business42 Entrepreneurship OutsidetheBox Residentsgetcreative
withbusinessventures
47 Chamber Letter WhatrsquostheBigIdea48 EconomicProfile
OnTheCoverThe McAllen Public Library Photo by Michael Conti
all or part of this magazine is printed with soy ink on recycled paper containing 10 post-consumer waste
PlEaSE rECyClE ThiS magaziNE
7 Welcome to McAllen an introduction to the community
MCALLEN2013EDITION vOLUME11
Texas
19
30
42
l iVabil it ycommc allen 3
l iVabil it ycommc allen 5
MCALLEN2013EDITION vOLUME11
Texascontent director|LisaBattles
contributing Writers|BarbaraBiehlerLauraHillCarsonOrsquoShoneyKathrynRoysterBraxtonShoop
content coordinator|JessicaWalkerstaff Writer|KevinLitwin
proofreading manager|RavenPetty
lead designer|StaceyAllissenior Graphic designers|LauraGallagher
KrisSextonJakeShoresVikkiWilliamsGraphic designers|EricaLampleyKaraLeiby
KaceyPassmorecreative technology analyst|BeccaAry
lead photographer|MichaelContisenior photographers|JeffAdkinsBrianMcCord
staff photographers|ToddBennettMartinBCherry
color imaging technician | AlisonHunter
integrated media manager|ToddPottersales support project manager|SaraQuint
ad production manager|KatieMiddendorfad traffic assistants|KrystinLemmonPatriciaMoisan
Web project manager|DavidDayWeb development lead|YamelHallWeb developeri|NelsNoseworthy
Web designer ii|RichardStevensWeb product manager|JohnHood
digital project manager|JillRidenour
chairman|GregThurmanpresidentpublisher|BobSchwartzman
executive Vice president|RayLangensenior Vpsales|ToddPotter
senior Vpclient development|JeffHeefnersenior Vpoperations|CaseyHester
Vpsales|JarekSwekoskyVpcontent operations|NatashaLorens
audience development director|DeannaNelsoncreative services director|ChristinaCarden
distribution director|GarySmithphotography director|JeffreySOtto
Web services director|AllisonDavis
controller|ChrisDudleysenior accountant| LisaOwens
accounts payable coordinator|MariaMcFarlandaccounts receivable coordinator|DianaGuzman
system administrator|DanielCantrell
executive secretary|KristyDuncanhuman resources manager|PeggyBlake
receptionist|LindaBishop
Livability McAllen TXispublishedannuallybyJournalCommunicationsIncandisdistributed
throughtheMcAllen Chamber of Commerce anditsmemberbusinesses
Foradvertisinginformationortodirectquestionsorcommentsaboutthemagazinecontact
JournalCommunicationsIncat(615)771-0080orbyemailatinfojnlcomcom
Formoreinformationcontactmcallen chamber of commerce1200 ash avenue bull po box 790
mcallen tx 78505-0790phone (956) 682-2871 bull fax (956) 687-2917
wwwmcallenchambercom
visitLivability McAllen TXonlineatlivabilitycommcallen
copyCopyright2012JournalCommunicationsInc725CoolSpringsBlvdSuite400FranklinTN37067(615)771-0080AllrightsreservedNoportionofthis
magazinemaybereproducedinwholeorinpartwithoutwrittenconsent
Member TheAssociationofMagazineMedia
Member CustomContentCouncil
MemberMcAllenChamberofCommerce
GETTHEDIGITALMAGAZINE
livabilitycommcallen
Itrsquos loaded with links to more great info about McAllen Telling your communityrsquos unique story has never been so easy
TakE iT wiTh yOu
Easily share an interesting article stunning photo or advertisement of your business on Facebook Twitter or via email
CliCk arOuNd
Click on the web addresses in the copy to enjoy immediate access to each website
SPrEad ThE NEwS
Broadcast your communityrsquos positive image by placing the magazine on your website blog or newsletter
2013 | SPONSORED BY THE MCALLEN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
livabilitycommcallen
MCALLENTEXAS
McAllen in a DayThis happening Valley city has plenty to do and see
OUTSIDE THE BOXResidents get creative with business ventures
l iVabil it ycommc allen 5
CONTENTSlivabilitycommcallen
Visit the website for more great photos and stories about McAllen Texas
Livabilitycom Follow us livability Like us at facebookcomlivability Follow us at pinterestcomlivability
Things To Do Find the must-do attractions activities and dining in McAllen
LivingLearn about McAllenrsquos schools health care education and neighborhoods
BusinessGet info on top employers jobs and success stories in McAllen
digital magazine
Read it online or on your tablet and quickly share articles with friends
FaCtSGet data fast on population climate workforce cost of living and more
PhoTos amp viDeo
2013 | SPONSORED BY THE MCALLEN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
livabilitycommcallen
MCALLENTEXAS
McAllen in a DayThis happening Valley city has plenty to do and see
OUTSIDE THE BOXResidents get creative with business ventures
aT a glaNCE
Cultural diversity progressive business practices and a booming economy best characterize McAllen ndash one of the fastest growing metros in Texas and part of one of the fastest growing MSAs in the nation Its location near the US-Mexico border has made it a magnet for retail international trade tourism and manufacturing
aBuNdaNT liviNgMcAllenrsquos economic mix means
tangible benefits for residents beyond a strong job market They take their picks among diverse shopping and dining options that include national brands and unique independent retailers
The resulting tax base means the city can offer amenities such as a massive state-of-the-art library in-town bus service awesome parks and popular hiking and biking trails that are enjoyed year round thanks to a warm climate
With all this and affordable homes McAllen also consistently ranks among cities with the lowest cost of living in the United States
grEaT FOr BuSiNESSMcAllen is good for business
big and small More than 100 Fortune 500 companies have a presence within the McAllen MSA and the city has also been recently recognized by CNNMoney on its list of Best Places to Launch a Small Business
Key factors bringing expansions and entrepreneurs are an excellent quality of life numerous advanced medical facilities a comprehensive financial services community demonstrated logistics advantages to reach existing and new markets and a mostly young bicultural and bilingual population
Read on to discover why McAllen is one of Americarsquos best places to live
McAllen Texasa quick comprehensiVe oVerVieW of Whatrsquos Great about the community
Rio Granded
Rio Grande
83
281
281
83
777777
28181288281777777
ReynosaosR sas
Matamoros
Rio BravoBrownsvilleBrowrow sss
WeslacoHarlingenrlinng
Edinburg
Mission
Pharr
McAllen
HIDALGO
MEXICO
UNITEDSTATESS
FOr mOrE iNFOrmaTiON
McAllenChamberofCommerce1200 Ash Avenue McAllen TX 78501 Phone (956) 682-2871Fax (956) 687-2917
wwwmcallenchambercom
lOCaTiONMcAllen is in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas situated just 70 miles west of the Gulf of Mexico McAllen is the largest city in Hidalgo County
POPulaTiON
133821 (McAllen)
774769 (MSA)
aNNual raiNFall
23rdquo
diSTaNCES TO ThrEE majOr CiTiES NEarBy San Antonio 224 miles Austin 311 miles Fort WorthDallas 502 miles
TimE zONECentral
National Average 30rdquo
No3Mid-Size
US City for Jobs
- Forbes
ACCOLADE
McAllen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 7
Shopping
BrOwSE Or Buy
mcallenrsquos la Plaza mall draws more than 18 million visitors each year as the main shopping spot for residents in the Rio Grande Valley The 1200000-square-foot mall has more than 140 retailers such as Macyrsquos and Dillardrsquos as well as a variety of restaurants
Art Events
miNglE wiTh arTiSTS
The music after hours Outdoor Concert Series is held monthly to showcase bands from the Rio Grande Valley Meanwhile mcallenrsquos artwalk is a monthly self-guided tour that features art galleries vendors and museums
Sports
Play Ball
The mcallen Thunder and Edinburg roadrunners are baseball teams that play at Edinburg Baseball Stadium Both teams are members of the North American League an independent professional league not affiliated with Major League Baseball
Locally Grown
STOCk uP
You can find more than 20 varieties of citrus and other fresh fruits vegetables nuts and locally made products at klementrsquos grove Bellrsquos Farm to market Farmers market at Town lake and Farmers market at mcallenrsquos new library
THINGSTODOMcAllenrsquos must-do attractions activities and dining
Grab Your Binocularsmcallenrsquos many wildlife havens include QuintaMazatlan above an urban sanctuary for birds plants and other wildlife valleyNatureCenter which is the oldest nature center in the rio Grande Valley and the 2000-acre SantaAnaNationalWildlifeRefuge which has recorded 400 bird species and hundreds of butterfly species
8 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 9
Eatery
PiCk ThE PlaTTEr
The popular restaurant Costa messa has a new location on North 10th Street and its menu includes favorite items such as huge botana platters to share and choriqueso The eatery is open seven days a week from 11 am until 10 pm
Outdoors
gET iN ShaPE
Hiking and biking trail systems are located at various parks throughout McAllen Some of the arearsquos most popular trails can be found at las Palmas Park la vista Park los Encinos Park retama village Park Bill Schupp Park and westside Park
Pro Sports
FlaSh aNd viPErS
Cheer on the rio grande valley Flash a Professional Arena Soccer League team and catch the basketball action of the rio grande valley vipers 2010 NBA Development League Champions Both teams play at State Farm Arena in Hidalgo
ThiNgS TO dO
Happy Hour
PrOPOSE a TOaST
Enjoy dinner drinks and fun at the many businesses located within the 17th Street Entertainment district of downtown McAllen a revitalized area now bustling with interesting restaurants pubs clubs and lounges
Climb Aboardthe federal transit administration awarded mcallen $19 million to create an electric bus pilot program OLEvTechnologiesoversees the program which is retrofitting three diesel buses with electric motors passenger transport begins in 2013
8 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 9
THIS HAPPEnInG vALLEY CITY OFFERS PLEnTY TO DO SEE amp EAT
ThiNgS TO dO
mcallenin a Day
l iVabil it ycommc allen 11 10 mc allen
midNighT TO NOON iN mCallENWhere to stay McAllen has nearly 3600 hotel rooms
from luxurious traditional hotels to new motels with all the contemporary bells and whistles The Renaissance Casa de Palmas a four-star hotel on Main Street was built in 1918 and lavishly restored into a luxury property featuring Mission architecture that recalls McAllenrsquos past Or try the Spring Hill Suites just off the expressway for a more modern take
After a comfortable night start the morning off with breakfast at Jimmyrsquos Egg a new outpost of a longtime Oklahoma favorite Here enjoy nearly any kind of egg you can imagine for breakfast ndash or atop a burger at lunch Go further south of the cuisine border at Las Cazuelas Grill another popular new eatery for menu items such as Chilaquiles con Huevo or Molletes
Got 24 hours to spare We recommend a busy day well spent in McAllen where you can fill every available hour
with interesting sights delicious cuisine and a variety of fun activities
a birdrsquos-eye view of the cityrsquos revitalized 17the street entertainment district
l iVabil it ycommc allen 11
NB
icen
tenn
ialB
lvd
WHackberryAve
S23
rdS
tree
t
83
international museum of arts and sciences
mcallen public library
McAllen Public Librarym-th 9am - 9pmf-sat 9am - 6pmsun 1pm - 9pm
phone (956) 688-3300uhV students (with id) free
wwwmcallenlibrarynet
12 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 13
The hike and bike trail on Second Street and another on Bicentennial offer the chance for a leisurely 23-mile stroll around town ndash yoursquove got to work off that breakfast after all And then head over to the International Museum of Arts and Science a Smithsonian affiliated museum where a wide variety of changing art and science exhibits always offer something interesting
Another must-see is McAllenrsquos new public library which at a whopping 123000 square feet is the largest single-floor library in the US This former Walmart building underwent a total transformation into an aesthetically pleasing community resource thatrsquos steadily gaining attention worldwide for its colorful open and functional design Opened in December 2011 the facility has already won first place in the International Interior Design Associationrsquos 2012 Library Interior Design Competition
luNCh aNd laTErldquoWersquove got over 600 restaurants
hererdquo says Chamber President and CEO Steve Ahlenius So since itrsquos noon by now try the flatbread or a
salad at house wine amp bistro or go for a panini at Corner Bakery Cafe Or for Latin flavor head to KoKorsquos for delicious Mexican fare
In McAllen a day without shopping would be sad indeed La Plaza Mall is the most visited mall in the country and Palms Crossings at the McAllen Convention Center is home to several shops and restaurants such as Mimirsquos Cafe and Romanorsquos Macaroni Grill
ldquoAfter I finished shopping Irsquod spend the rest of the afternoon at Quinta Mazatlan (a historic home that also offers nature trails and legendary bird watching)rdquo Ahlenius says Another option is to test the waters by kayaking or catch-and-release fishing on Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park
mCallEN aFTEr hOurSYoursquore not tired are you
Good because after freshening up back at your hotel itrsquos off to a night on the town Cajun cuisine at The Bayou Grill on North 10th St is a great option as are the authentic Mexican menus at Cabritos Nuevo Leon or La Jaiba Mexican Seafood Grill both on West Nolana
After dinner stroll the 17th Street Entertainment District to catch the flavor of McAllen after hours or catch a show at the historic Cine El Rey theater where comedy acts concerts film festivals and other events take the stage Finally La Recova Contemporary Argentinean Grill beckons for a nightcap in its quiet upscale bar ldquowhere you can actually carry on a conversationrdquo Ahlenius says
Then to bed Where after a good nightrsquos rest you will surely want to get up and spend yet another great day in McAllen
by Laura Hill by staff photographer
Michael Conti
ldquoMcAllen is a beautiful multicultural city with plenty to do and see From shopping in the most popular stores in the nation or unique one-of-a-kind shops to fine dining and plenty of family outdoor activities ndash you can do it year round hererdquo
gErry garCia VPOFSPECIALPROJECTS
FORTHEMCALLENCHAMBER
SNAPSHOT
for music dinner and dancing head to downtown mcallenrsquos 17th street entertainment district
The Patio on Guerradiners enjoy the food and atmosphere at the patio on Guerra on 17th street in downtown mcallen
12 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 13
ThiNgS TO dO
Town Lakea boy takes his dog for a walk as he skateboards the trail along the new 4-acre town lake at firemanrsquos park a popular spot for canoeing kayaking fishing and more
ThiNgS TO dO
14 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 15 14 mc allen
nEW LAkE OPEnS AT FIREMAnrsquoS PARk
Ahh howrefreshing
ldquoWe did all the required dredging to transform the little pond into a recreational lake that is 15 feet at its deepest pointrdquo says Sally Gavlik director of the McAllen Parks amp Recreation Department ldquoIn these days of more and more people opting to remain close to home for staycations Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park gives them a valid option for a different kind of local vacationrdquo
lET ThE FuN BEgiNTown Lake is situated right in the
middle of McAllen off Business Highway 83 between First and Second streets Swimming is prohibited due to park
irrigation regulations but a beach has been constructed to launch canoes kayaks and paddle boats A fishing pier is also in place
ldquoWe transferred fish to the lake from nearby Boeye Reservoir which has provided us with good stocks of bass perch and catfishrdquo Gavlik says ldquoTown Lake currently only has a catch-and-release program meaning you can catch fish but must release them back into the water At some point in the future when the fish population increases we plan to schedule times when people can take the fish homerdquo
The City of McAllen made a big splash in May 2012 when it officially opened Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park What was once a small tract of land with a few basic
recreational amenities is now a 15-acre redevelopment that includes the four-acre Town Lake Crews used a water holding pond at the cityrsquos former water treatment facility to construct the new lake
14 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 15
TakE a hikEWalking and jogging are also good recreational
options around the waterrsquos perimeterldquoTown Lake actually ties into the well used Second
Street Trail People can come off the trail walk or jog along the lake and then get back onto the trailrdquo Gavlik says ldquoThe scenery includes wildflowers in a freshly seeded meadow while other park amenities are horseshoe pits two playgrounds and free picnic sites at the north end of Firemanrsquos Park at First Streetrdquo
There is also a covered pavilion area with sand volleyball courts a small concession building and three camping sites The campsites can be used during the day by anyone but only overnight by organized groups such as the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts Group reservations must be made through the McAllen Parks amp Recreation Department
ldquoAnother park attraction is the former water treatment building which has been transformed into a rental facilityrdquo Gavlik says ldquoIt is now called The Old Pump House complete with new windows air conditioning uplighting tiling and carpeted floors Groups of 75 to 100 people can rent the facility for meetings small receptions or small social events The Old Pump House adds to the overall amenities of todayrsquos Firemenrsquos Parkrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer Michael Conti
Fishinga group casts lines into town lake which enforces a catch-and-release program
WHackberryAve
TownLake
83
firemanrsquos park
N2
nd
Str
eet
16 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 17
children enjoy the playground at firemanrsquos park
16 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 17
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO LoCAL FLAVoR
Palate Pleasersmcallen restaurants serVe up flaVorful foods
McAllen diners rejoice The city has a broad selection of distinctive restaurants and eateries appealing to just about every taste By Barbara Biehler
Asian
SENSaTiONal SuShi amp SPiCE
McAllen has several great spots for Japanese food such as sushi tempura and teppanyaki including kohnami kumori and yokorsquos Sushi Bar
Fans of Thai food should check out Thai red Chilirsquos for dishes like pad thai red curry chicken and sweet rice with mango
Indian
TaNdOOri aNyONETaste of india hits the spot
for diners looking for high quality authentic Indian food made from old family recipes and paired with excellent service
Tex-Mex and Mexican
SOmE likE iT SPiCy
Step into las Cazuelas grill for classic Mexican cuisine or visit Palenque Chicken for expertly prepared Mexican and Tex Mex dishes
Renowned regionally for homemade tamales deliarsquos uses fresh ingredients including pork chicken and beef
The republic of rio grande serves Mexican cuisine in an intimate setting order a traditional dish like the chicken fajitas or enchiladas suizas or enjoy a distinctive entree such as shrimp chipotle pesto pasta or a brick-oven pizza
check out more restaurants in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
ldquoDeliarsquos has the best tamales in town Probably even in the RGV The only place you can get the good old homemade flavor of real tamalesrdquo
Evila l YELPCOM
Argentine
SOuTh amEriCaN CuiSiNE
Relax in the elegant yet casual atmosphere of la Pampa argentinean Steak housewhile you dine on classic Argentine- cut steaks grilled chicken breasts marinated in Chimichurri or traditional de carne empanadas
Meanwhile la recova also offers a wide selection of Argentine-style favorites on its menu Favorite dishes at La Recova includes chorizo tuna carnitas duck confit and churrasco a classic top sirloin steak
Outdoor Dining
TrENdy amp TaSTy
If yoursquore in the mood for a USDA prime steak or succulent seafood drop by The Patio on guerra Dine on the outdoor patio and have a bottle of one of the restaurantrsquos award-winning wines
FridarsquosGrillandCantina located on 17th street offers traditional mexican favorites with modern flavors Go to fridarsquos to enjoy unique culinary dishes signature drinks and live music on the weekends
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO ARTS amp CULTURE
Rave Reviewsmcallenrsquos arts scene remains robust With museums music and eVents
Arts patrons music lovers and history buffs enjoy many cultural attractions throughout McAllen The latest buzz McAllen Performing Arts Center will spring up near the McAllen Convention Center giving fans of live music theater and dance a fine new facility to anticipate
Live Entertainment
PErFOrmErS TakE ThE STagE
The 17th Street Entertainment district in downtown McAllen overflows with lounges restaurants and clubs For live music visit The old Ice House or Cine El Rey
The cityrsquos diverse culture is what influences much of the music performed by the valley Symphony Orchestra amp Chorale The Symphony was established in 1952 with the Chorale joining later in 1984 Similarly the South Texas lyric Opera brings the fine art of opera to the Rio Grande Valley with a yearly slate of productions and an annual opera gala and rio grande valley Broadway brings popular stage shows to town such as Disneyrsquos Beauty and the Beast and Monty Pythonrsquos Spamalot
Historic Sites
TakE a STEP BaCk iN TimE
The museum of South Texas history and the mcallen heritage Center are just two locations to learn about the rich history of this bicultural area
Quinta mazatlan a 1930s hacienda that embodies the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture of arches adobe and beams and provides an intimate look into South Texas history The 10000-square- foot mansion sits on a 15-acre plot hosting a mix of native and exotic plants and wildlife making up McAllenrsquos wing of the popular world Birding Center
Cine El Reyopened in 1947 the historic cine el rey theater now functions as
a music and performance venue showcasing a variety of live events and also shows spanish and english independent films the theater is located in downtown mcallenrsquos 17th street entertainment district
20 mc allen
ldquoCine El Rey hosts events as diverse as wrestling live bands films and comedy shows A huge stage is complimented by killer production value and a staff that really cares about all aspects of the experience Irsquom looking forward to a return triprdquo
Bill dykES YELP
visual Arts and Festivals
aCCESSiBlE arT FuN EvENTS
The international museum of art amp Science founded in 1969 promotes an appreciation for the arts and sciences through its exhibitions cultural events and many educational programs imaS is located at 1900 Nolana Ave
The mcallen art walk is a self-guided tour that gives art lovers the opportunity to explore the many art offerings in the city Itrsquos held every first Friday from September through May and is free and open to the public
on the first Saturday night of December folks enjoy the Candlelight Posada which includes food booths luminaries a parade live entertainment caroling and a live nativity scene
Chamber of Commerce Support
ChamBEr BaCkS ThE arTS
The mcallen Chamber of Commerce shows its love for the arts by managing the mcallen arts Council which publishes a quarterly magazine produces an annual fine arts exhibition and offers grants to local artists The Chamber also offers an outdoor concert series and coordinates the Public art Committeersquos acquisition program
20 mc allen
ThiNgS TO dO SPoRTS amp RECREATIoN
Soak Up Some Sunmcallen residents haVe plenty of Good reasons to Get outdoors
Great golf courses hiking and biking trails and a large well-maintained park system make McAllen the perfect place to enjoy outdoor fun By Carson OrsquoShoney
Golf
TEE iT uPWith nearly 20 courses in the
McAllen area golf is a popular attraction in the Rio Grande Valley
one of the most notable courses is the Palm view golf Course an 18-hole public course with a private feel With rolling fairways and Bermuda rough mounds the course is an often-used location for tournaments having hosted LPGA tournaments and Palm viewrsquos amateur golf Championship
mcallen Country Club provides a challenge with tree-lined fairways and small greens and also offers a swimming pool tennis courts a fitness center and other amenities
Every golf course in the area is bustling especially in the winter when ldquoWinter Texansrdquo come to the Rio Grande Valley The weather generally stays in the 70s in the coldest months making it a perfect place for winter golfing
Hiking Biking and Racing
ON ThE mOvE iN mCallEN
There are plenty of hiking and biking trails on the east and west sides of town such as the retama village Park Trail westside Park Trail and las Palmas Park Trail Visiting cyclists are welcome to meet up with Team mcallen Cycling a bike club thatrsquos been in the city for more than 25 years
Racing fans can enjoy the mcallen international motorplex and Event Center which hosts stock car races car shows and more The racetrack is a family-friendly place offering activities for children such as games face painting and crafts
Palm view Golf Courseirish cochran plays a round of golf at palm View Golf course an 18-hole public course often used for high profile tournaments
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
City Parks
OuTdOOr Family FuN
The mcallen Parks and recreation department currently oversees 25 city parks Ranging from historic parks established in the early 1900s to more modern facilities there are several options suitable for the whole family
archer Park McAllenrsquos oldest park opened in 1912 Serving as a historic landmark in the city it also plays host to many of the cityrsquos annual special events including the Candlelight Posada and movies in the Park
Spanning 38 acres Springfest Park is the largest park in McAllen Springfest hosts a variety of special events and is home to mcallenrsquos winter Polo league from January through March
check out more fun things to do in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
Spray and Ground Parkbesides its popular water feature mcallenrsquos new SprayandGroundParkhas a sand volleyball court skateboard area a half basketball court and just over half a mile of walking trails in addition there are athletic practice fields shaded areas picnic shelters and restroom facilities
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
ThiNgS TO dO SEE THE CITY
24 mc allen
The Irrigation Workerthe sun sets behind a sculpture ldquothe irrigation Workerrdquo which was created by artist douglas clark and is located on nolana and 25th
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
l iVabil it ycommc allen 25
LIvINGHERESchools health care education and neighborhoods in McAllen
26 mc allen 26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 26 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 27
see more beautiful photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
Luxury Livingnewcomers have many beautiful home options in mcallen such as those offered in eight different communities by cantu construction a locally based award-winning builder
26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 liVabil it ycommc allen 27
liviNg
TECH TOOLS FOSTER STUDEnT SUCCESS
Padding theCurriculum
McAllen Independent School District (ISD) is feeling the benefits of an ambitious technology plan that places an iPod or iPad in the hands of every teacher and student
mcallen independent school district students use system-issued ipads in class
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
EduCaTiNg FOr ThE 21ST CENTury
The initiative began with a meeting between Dr James Ponce McAllenrsquos superintendent of schools and a ldquocadrerdquo of about 35 teachers administrators and parents
The grouprsquos primary goal was to build a 21st-century classroom environment one that fosters creativity collaboration and entrepreneurship The group also wanted to find a way to harness the 247 educational potential of the Internet ndash and teach students the critical-thinking skills needed to process online content
ldquoItrsquos an environment where the teachers become the primary learners and the students are driven by their examplerdquo Ponce says ldquoSo we asked what tools we would need for this transformation of the way we teach and the way the kids learnrdquo
After much research the group chose iPods (for grades K-2) and iPads (for teachers and grades 3-12) because of their portability
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo
CarOl aNN allEN LANGuAGEARTSTEACHER
ATMICHAELEFOSSuMMIDDLESCHOOL
relatively low cost and ease of use To implement the planrsquos first stage McAllen ISD issued 5800 of these devices to teachers and students when the rollout is complete it will cover more than 25000 students
Big BENEFiTS FOr TEaChErS aNd STudENTS
Both teachers and students are seeing benefits from the program
ldquoThe iPods help the kids be creative My students are organizing information in new waysrdquo says Ruth Whiddon who teaches first grade at Andrew Jackson Elementary School
For Carol Ann Allen International Baccalaureate coordinator and eighth-grade language arts teacher at Michael E Fossum Middle School the initiative is all about collaboration
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo she says
Sandra Guerra who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade math
at Fossum says the iPads have changed both her teaching style and the way her students learn
Instead of mapping out the learning process step-by-step she now gives students their goal and lets them choose how to get there
ldquoWith this approach they own their learning and theyrsquove been more willing to learnrdquo Guerra says
The iPads have also been a game-changer for Guerrarsquos family
Her seventh-grade daughter is learning advanced science concepts because of independent iPad projects And because most of her childrenrsquos school materials are on their iPads itrsquos easier than ever for Guerra to check on their progress from home
That kind of scenario says Superintendent Ponce is at the heart of the initiative
ldquoThe entire school system and our community want to lead in this effort to build a 21st-century learning environmentrdquo he says ldquoThis is a direct investment in our children and their familiesrdquo
by Kathryn Royster
High-Tech Learningseventh-grade students use ipads to follow class lectures and take quizzes during a language arts class at michael e fossum middle school
PH
oT
o C
oU
RT
EST
Y o
F M
CA
LLE
N IN
DE
PE
ND
EN
T S
CH
oo
L D
IST
RIC
T
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
Higher Education
SOuTh TExaS COllEgE
McAllenrsquos South Texas College has more than 30000 students and offers numerous associate and bachelorrsquos degree programs as well as professional certifications in more than 40 areas The college also has online degree courses for students who work full time
liviNg EDUCATIoN
Set for SuccesscolleGe prep is a top priority in mcallen
Education in McAllen is defined by excellent options From elementary school through college McAllen includes numerous institutions designed to prepare students for success By Braxton Shoop
school yourself on more educational offerings at livabilitycommcallen
Public Schools
mCallEN iNdEPENdENT SChOOl diSTriCT
Established in 1915 the mcallen independent School district comprises three high schools seven middle schools and 20 elementary schools Among these schools the district offers an advanced placement college-level curriculum and a dual-enrollment program for students who would like to obtain high school and college credit simultaneously
In addition the district features an International Baccalaureate program that provides students with an advanced curriculum geared toward global standards
Local Inspiration
FOrmEr STudENT FliES high
one of McAllenrsquos successful students is astronaut michael Fossum a graduate of McAllen High School After receiving his commission from the US Air Force by Texas AampM University Fossum graduated Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base and in 1993 he started at NASA Throughout his NASA career Fossum was on crew for three spaceflights He commanded the space station during one of his flights helping him rank seventh on the all-time list for cumulative Extravehicular Activity time
Top-notch Learning Environmentuniversity of texas-pan american offers many undergraduate degrees more than 50 masterrsquos degrees and three doctoral degrees utpa has accreditations from organizations like the commission for collegiate nursing the examining board of nurse examiners for the state of texas and the engineering accreditation commission of the accreditation board for engineering and technology
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Charter School
idEa aCadEmy
idEa academy is an innovative institution that offers a fully scaled curriculum for students in kindergarten and in the first second and sixth grades The school which opened in McAllen in 2012 will eventually add more grades each one including approximately 110 students While the school is public students must apply to fill the 460 available spots
To prepare its students to be collegiate scholars IDEA provides International Baccalaureate curriculum as well as the Road to College curriculum which begins in the sixth grade
ldquoWersquore very proud of the connection to our distinguished alumni like NASA astronaut Michael Fossum and we want our students to recognize the kind of education we provide here What he learned here helped catapult him into space and wersquore very proud of thatrdquo
NOrma zamOra-guErra MCALLENINDEPENDENTSCHOOL
DISTRICTCOMMuNITYINFORMATIONDIRECTOR
Michael E Fossum Middle Schoolnamed for astronaut michael e fossum the school is part of the mcallen independent school district
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Please call 9566316109 for a representative today
2501 Buddy Owens Blvd McAllen TX 78504
9656316125 Fax
wwwrio-healthcom
RioHealth MedicalWe are here to meet all your
occupational medicine needs
bull Workplace injuries and workersrsquo compensation
bull On site and off site drug screening
bull Physicals
bull Orthopedics
bull Early return to work
bull 247 coverage
bull We accept all types of insurance
WorkplaceInjury
DANIEL J GUERRA MD Diplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
LEONEL G MORENO MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
HOMERO RIVAS MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
606 S Broadway bull McAllen TX bull (956) 682-4515 bull wwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
FAMILY PHYSICIANS
CLINICSince 1967
Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm Sat 8 am-Noon
VALLEY NIGHT CLINIC
Since 1981
Open Every Night of the Year 6 pm-Midnight
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valley supports children of all abilities through child care
services early intervention and parenting support programs
Early Childhood intErvEntion ChildCarE sErviCEs ParEnts as tEaChErs
Easter seals rio Grande valley Programs for Children Birth to Five years
bullChild-Care servicesndashHigh-qualitychildcare sixweekstofiveyears
bullParents as teachers (Pat)ndashDevelopmental parentingsupportforchildrenbirthtofiveyears
bullEarly Childhood intervention (ECi) ndashConcerns indevelopmentforchildrenbirthtothreeyears
For more information about Easter seals
programs and services call (956) 631-9171 or visit wwweasterseals-rgvorg
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
liviNg HEALTH
Take a Deep Breath and Relaxresidents haVe access to top hospitals
McAllen residents receive quality care from the South Texas Health System Rio Grande Regional Hospital and the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance By Kevin Litwin
Health System
SOuTh TExaS hEalTh SySTEm
South Texas health System is the umbrella organization for a number of fine medical facilities including mcallen medical Center MMC has 441 beds and a staff of more than 400 physicians that represent 50 medical specialties
Also part of South Texas Health System is mcallen heart hospital which opened in 1996 as the first freestanding cardiology and cardiovascular hospital built in the United States It includes 60 beds and a 24-hour emergency center
Healthgrades has awarded McAllen Medical Center and McAllen Heart Hospital with a variety of honors in recent years and both earned a Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence in 2011
Hospital
riO graNdE rEgiONal hOSPiTal
rio grande regional hospital is an acute care medical facility with 320 beds and more than 500 physicians The hospital is the only area Diabetes Management Center accredited by the American Diabetes Association and is the arearsquos first facility to have a Pediatric Heart Program
RGRH also includes a 24-hour emergency room Womenrsquos Services department Level III trauma center and cardiovascular care The hospital is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists and every year since 2007 has been named a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
Hospital
dOCTOrS hOSPiTal aT rENaiSSaNCE
The 506-bed doctors hospital at renaissance is an acute care facility It provides cardiology neurosurgery and endocrinology as well as a Pediatric Medical Tower that offers pediatric oncology and pediatric ICU services
Doctors Hospital has been ranked among the nationrsquos 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters and recently invested $32 million to establish an Electronic Medical Record System
DHR was the first in South Texas to acquire a PETCT scanner for diagnosing cancer and the first in the region to introduce da Vinci robotic surgical technology The hospital also oversees Renaissance Behavioral Center which provides treatment for people with mental health problems substance abuse or eating disorders
34 mc allen
COMMUNITyPROFILE COST OF liviNg
$44074Median Household Income
$129554Median Home Price
$689Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
TraNSPOrTaTiON
Median Travel Time to Work
agE
TEmPEraTurE
January Average
July Average
EThNiCiTy
19 and Under
20-54
55 and over
White
Black
Hispanic
other
1645minutes
Closest Airport McAllen International Airport
955deg
482deg
South Texasrsquo Finest Gift Store Offers Gifts From Around the World
4300 N 10th St bull Ste C bull McAllen TX 78504 (956) 686-1264 bull ohkaysaolcom
Look for us on Facebook
gOlF COurSES
gOlF TEC
2901 N 10TH ST956-994-9631
mCallEN COuNTry CluB615 WICHITA AVE956-686-0923
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
The national Butterfly Center the national butterfly center dedicates 100 acres to the conservation and scientific study of wild butterflies in their natural habitats the wildlife center is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm september through march and from 9 am until 4 pm april through august
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
liviNg SEE THE CITY
36 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
l iVabil it ycommc allen 3
CONTENTS
Things to Do10 Must Try McAlleninaDay ThishappeningValleycity
hasplentytodoandsee
14 Parks AhhHowRefreshing Cityaddsfour-acrelake
toFiremanrsquosPark
19 Local Flavor PalatePleasers
20 Arts amp Culture RaveReviews
22 Sports amp Recreation SoakUpSomeSun
24SeetheCity
Living28 High Tech Schools Paddingthe
Curriculum Techtoolsfoster studentsuccess
30 Education SetforSuccess
33 Health TakeaDeepBreath
andRelax
35 CommunityProfile
36 LivingSeetheCity
Business42 Entrepreneurship OutsidetheBox Residentsgetcreative
withbusinessventures
47 Chamber Letter WhatrsquostheBigIdea48 EconomicProfile
OnTheCoverThe McAllen Public Library Photo by Michael Conti
all or part of this magazine is printed with soy ink on recycled paper containing 10 post-consumer waste
PlEaSE rECyClE ThiS magaziNE
7 Welcome to McAllen an introduction to the community
MCALLEN2013EDITION vOLUME11
Texas
19
30
42
l iVabil it ycommc allen 3
l iVabil it ycommc allen 5
MCALLEN2013EDITION vOLUME11
Texascontent director|LisaBattles
contributing Writers|BarbaraBiehlerLauraHillCarsonOrsquoShoneyKathrynRoysterBraxtonShoop
content coordinator|JessicaWalkerstaff Writer|KevinLitwin
proofreading manager|RavenPetty
lead designer|StaceyAllissenior Graphic designers|LauraGallagher
KrisSextonJakeShoresVikkiWilliamsGraphic designers|EricaLampleyKaraLeiby
KaceyPassmorecreative technology analyst|BeccaAry
lead photographer|MichaelContisenior photographers|JeffAdkinsBrianMcCord
staff photographers|ToddBennettMartinBCherry
color imaging technician | AlisonHunter
integrated media manager|ToddPottersales support project manager|SaraQuint
ad production manager|KatieMiddendorfad traffic assistants|KrystinLemmonPatriciaMoisan
Web project manager|DavidDayWeb development lead|YamelHallWeb developeri|NelsNoseworthy
Web designer ii|RichardStevensWeb product manager|JohnHood
digital project manager|JillRidenour
chairman|GregThurmanpresidentpublisher|BobSchwartzman
executive Vice president|RayLangensenior Vpsales|ToddPotter
senior Vpclient development|JeffHeefnersenior Vpoperations|CaseyHester
Vpsales|JarekSwekoskyVpcontent operations|NatashaLorens
audience development director|DeannaNelsoncreative services director|ChristinaCarden
distribution director|GarySmithphotography director|JeffreySOtto
Web services director|AllisonDavis
controller|ChrisDudleysenior accountant| LisaOwens
accounts payable coordinator|MariaMcFarlandaccounts receivable coordinator|DianaGuzman
system administrator|DanielCantrell
executive secretary|KristyDuncanhuman resources manager|PeggyBlake
receptionist|LindaBishop
Livability McAllen TXispublishedannuallybyJournalCommunicationsIncandisdistributed
throughtheMcAllen Chamber of Commerce anditsmemberbusinesses
Foradvertisinginformationortodirectquestionsorcommentsaboutthemagazinecontact
JournalCommunicationsIncat(615)771-0080orbyemailatinfojnlcomcom
Formoreinformationcontactmcallen chamber of commerce1200 ash avenue bull po box 790
mcallen tx 78505-0790phone (956) 682-2871 bull fax (956) 687-2917
wwwmcallenchambercom
visitLivability McAllen TXonlineatlivabilitycommcallen
copyCopyright2012JournalCommunicationsInc725CoolSpringsBlvdSuite400FranklinTN37067(615)771-0080AllrightsreservedNoportionofthis
magazinemaybereproducedinwholeorinpartwithoutwrittenconsent
Member TheAssociationofMagazineMedia
Member CustomContentCouncil
MemberMcAllenChamberofCommerce
GETTHEDIGITALMAGAZINE
livabilitycommcallen
Itrsquos loaded with links to more great info about McAllen Telling your communityrsquos unique story has never been so easy
TakE iT wiTh yOu
Easily share an interesting article stunning photo or advertisement of your business on Facebook Twitter or via email
CliCk arOuNd
Click on the web addresses in the copy to enjoy immediate access to each website
SPrEad ThE NEwS
Broadcast your communityrsquos positive image by placing the magazine on your website blog or newsletter
2013 | SPONSORED BY THE MCALLEN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
livabilitycommcallen
MCALLENTEXAS
McAllen in a DayThis happening Valley city has plenty to do and see
OUTSIDE THE BOXResidents get creative with business ventures
l iVabil it ycommc allen 5
CONTENTSlivabilitycommcallen
Visit the website for more great photos and stories about McAllen Texas
Livabilitycom Follow us livability Like us at facebookcomlivability Follow us at pinterestcomlivability
Things To Do Find the must-do attractions activities and dining in McAllen
LivingLearn about McAllenrsquos schools health care education and neighborhoods
BusinessGet info on top employers jobs and success stories in McAllen
digital magazine
Read it online or on your tablet and quickly share articles with friends
FaCtSGet data fast on population climate workforce cost of living and more
PhoTos amp viDeo
2013 | SPONSORED BY THE MCALLEN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
livabilitycommcallen
MCALLENTEXAS
McAllen in a DayThis happening Valley city has plenty to do and see
OUTSIDE THE BOXResidents get creative with business ventures
aT a glaNCE
Cultural diversity progressive business practices and a booming economy best characterize McAllen ndash one of the fastest growing metros in Texas and part of one of the fastest growing MSAs in the nation Its location near the US-Mexico border has made it a magnet for retail international trade tourism and manufacturing
aBuNdaNT liviNgMcAllenrsquos economic mix means
tangible benefits for residents beyond a strong job market They take their picks among diverse shopping and dining options that include national brands and unique independent retailers
The resulting tax base means the city can offer amenities such as a massive state-of-the-art library in-town bus service awesome parks and popular hiking and biking trails that are enjoyed year round thanks to a warm climate
With all this and affordable homes McAllen also consistently ranks among cities with the lowest cost of living in the United States
grEaT FOr BuSiNESSMcAllen is good for business
big and small More than 100 Fortune 500 companies have a presence within the McAllen MSA and the city has also been recently recognized by CNNMoney on its list of Best Places to Launch a Small Business
Key factors bringing expansions and entrepreneurs are an excellent quality of life numerous advanced medical facilities a comprehensive financial services community demonstrated logistics advantages to reach existing and new markets and a mostly young bicultural and bilingual population
Read on to discover why McAllen is one of Americarsquos best places to live
McAllen Texasa quick comprehensiVe oVerVieW of Whatrsquos Great about the community
Rio Granded
Rio Grande
83
281
281
83
777777
28181288281777777
ReynosaosR sas
Matamoros
Rio BravoBrownsvilleBrowrow sss
WeslacoHarlingenrlinng
Edinburg
Mission
Pharr
McAllen
HIDALGO
MEXICO
UNITEDSTATESS
FOr mOrE iNFOrmaTiON
McAllenChamberofCommerce1200 Ash Avenue McAllen TX 78501 Phone (956) 682-2871Fax (956) 687-2917
wwwmcallenchambercom
lOCaTiONMcAllen is in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas situated just 70 miles west of the Gulf of Mexico McAllen is the largest city in Hidalgo County
POPulaTiON
133821 (McAllen)
774769 (MSA)
aNNual raiNFall
23rdquo
diSTaNCES TO ThrEE majOr CiTiES NEarBy San Antonio 224 miles Austin 311 miles Fort WorthDallas 502 miles
TimE zONECentral
National Average 30rdquo
No3Mid-Size
US City for Jobs
- Forbes
ACCOLADE
McAllen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 7
Shopping
BrOwSE Or Buy
mcallenrsquos la Plaza mall draws more than 18 million visitors each year as the main shopping spot for residents in the Rio Grande Valley The 1200000-square-foot mall has more than 140 retailers such as Macyrsquos and Dillardrsquos as well as a variety of restaurants
Art Events
miNglE wiTh arTiSTS
The music after hours Outdoor Concert Series is held monthly to showcase bands from the Rio Grande Valley Meanwhile mcallenrsquos artwalk is a monthly self-guided tour that features art galleries vendors and museums
Sports
Play Ball
The mcallen Thunder and Edinburg roadrunners are baseball teams that play at Edinburg Baseball Stadium Both teams are members of the North American League an independent professional league not affiliated with Major League Baseball
Locally Grown
STOCk uP
You can find more than 20 varieties of citrus and other fresh fruits vegetables nuts and locally made products at klementrsquos grove Bellrsquos Farm to market Farmers market at Town lake and Farmers market at mcallenrsquos new library
THINGSTODOMcAllenrsquos must-do attractions activities and dining
Grab Your Binocularsmcallenrsquos many wildlife havens include QuintaMazatlan above an urban sanctuary for birds plants and other wildlife valleyNatureCenter which is the oldest nature center in the rio Grande Valley and the 2000-acre SantaAnaNationalWildlifeRefuge which has recorded 400 bird species and hundreds of butterfly species
8 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 9
Eatery
PiCk ThE PlaTTEr
The popular restaurant Costa messa has a new location on North 10th Street and its menu includes favorite items such as huge botana platters to share and choriqueso The eatery is open seven days a week from 11 am until 10 pm
Outdoors
gET iN ShaPE
Hiking and biking trail systems are located at various parks throughout McAllen Some of the arearsquos most popular trails can be found at las Palmas Park la vista Park los Encinos Park retama village Park Bill Schupp Park and westside Park
Pro Sports
FlaSh aNd viPErS
Cheer on the rio grande valley Flash a Professional Arena Soccer League team and catch the basketball action of the rio grande valley vipers 2010 NBA Development League Champions Both teams play at State Farm Arena in Hidalgo
ThiNgS TO dO
Happy Hour
PrOPOSE a TOaST
Enjoy dinner drinks and fun at the many businesses located within the 17th Street Entertainment district of downtown McAllen a revitalized area now bustling with interesting restaurants pubs clubs and lounges
Climb Aboardthe federal transit administration awarded mcallen $19 million to create an electric bus pilot program OLEvTechnologiesoversees the program which is retrofitting three diesel buses with electric motors passenger transport begins in 2013
8 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 9
THIS HAPPEnInG vALLEY CITY OFFERS PLEnTY TO DO SEE amp EAT
ThiNgS TO dO
mcallenin a Day
l iVabil it ycommc allen 11 10 mc allen
midNighT TO NOON iN mCallENWhere to stay McAllen has nearly 3600 hotel rooms
from luxurious traditional hotels to new motels with all the contemporary bells and whistles The Renaissance Casa de Palmas a four-star hotel on Main Street was built in 1918 and lavishly restored into a luxury property featuring Mission architecture that recalls McAllenrsquos past Or try the Spring Hill Suites just off the expressway for a more modern take
After a comfortable night start the morning off with breakfast at Jimmyrsquos Egg a new outpost of a longtime Oklahoma favorite Here enjoy nearly any kind of egg you can imagine for breakfast ndash or atop a burger at lunch Go further south of the cuisine border at Las Cazuelas Grill another popular new eatery for menu items such as Chilaquiles con Huevo or Molletes
Got 24 hours to spare We recommend a busy day well spent in McAllen where you can fill every available hour
with interesting sights delicious cuisine and a variety of fun activities
a birdrsquos-eye view of the cityrsquos revitalized 17the street entertainment district
l iVabil it ycommc allen 11
NB
icen
tenn
ialB
lvd
WHackberryAve
S23
rdS
tree
t
83
international museum of arts and sciences
mcallen public library
McAllen Public Librarym-th 9am - 9pmf-sat 9am - 6pmsun 1pm - 9pm
phone (956) 688-3300uhV students (with id) free
wwwmcallenlibrarynet
12 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 13
The hike and bike trail on Second Street and another on Bicentennial offer the chance for a leisurely 23-mile stroll around town ndash yoursquove got to work off that breakfast after all And then head over to the International Museum of Arts and Science a Smithsonian affiliated museum where a wide variety of changing art and science exhibits always offer something interesting
Another must-see is McAllenrsquos new public library which at a whopping 123000 square feet is the largest single-floor library in the US This former Walmart building underwent a total transformation into an aesthetically pleasing community resource thatrsquos steadily gaining attention worldwide for its colorful open and functional design Opened in December 2011 the facility has already won first place in the International Interior Design Associationrsquos 2012 Library Interior Design Competition
luNCh aNd laTErldquoWersquove got over 600 restaurants
hererdquo says Chamber President and CEO Steve Ahlenius So since itrsquos noon by now try the flatbread or a
salad at house wine amp bistro or go for a panini at Corner Bakery Cafe Or for Latin flavor head to KoKorsquos for delicious Mexican fare
In McAllen a day without shopping would be sad indeed La Plaza Mall is the most visited mall in the country and Palms Crossings at the McAllen Convention Center is home to several shops and restaurants such as Mimirsquos Cafe and Romanorsquos Macaroni Grill
ldquoAfter I finished shopping Irsquod spend the rest of the afternoon at Quinta Mazatlan (a historic home that also offers nature trails and legendary bird watching)rdquo Ahlenius says Another option is to test the waters by kayaking or catch-and-release fishing on Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park
mCallEN aFTEr hOurSYoursquore not tired are you
Good because after freshening up back at your hotel itrsquos off to a night on the town Cajun cuisine at The Bayou Grill on North 10th St is a great option as are the authentic Mexican menus at Cabritos Nuevo Leon or La Jaiba Mexican Seafood Grill both on West Nolana
After dinner stroll the 17th Street Entertainment District to catch the flavor of McAllen after hours or catch a show at the historic Cine El Rey theater where comedy acts concerts film festivals and other events take the stage Finally La Recova Contemporary Argentinean Grill beckons for a nightcap in its quiet upscale bar ldquowhere you can actually carry on a conversationrdquo Ahlenius says
Then to bed Where after a good nightrsquos rest you will surely want to get up and spend yet another great day in McAllen
by Laura Hill by staff photographer
Michael Conti
ldquoMcAllen is a beautiful multicultural city with plenty to do and see From shopping in the most popular stores in the nation or unique one-of-a-kind shops to fine dining and plenty of family outdoor activities ndash you can do it year round hererdquo
gErry garCia VPOFSPECIALPROJECTS
FORTHEMCALLENCHAMBER
SNAPSHOT
for music dinner and dancing head to downtown mcallenrsquos 17th street entertainment district
The Patio on Guerradiners enjoy the food and atmosphere at the patio on Guerra on 17th street in downtown mcallen
12 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 13
ThiNgS TO dO
Town Lakea boy takes his dog for a walk as he skateboards the trail along the new 4-acre town lake at firemanrsquos park a popular spot for canoeing kayaking fishing and more
ThiNgS TO dO
14 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 15 14 mc allen
nEW LAkE OPEnS AT FIREMAnrsquoS PARk
Ahh howrefreshing
ldquoWe did all the required dredging to transform the little pond into a recreational lake that is 15 feet at its deepest pointrdquo says Sally Gavlik director of the McAllen Parks amp Recreation Department ldquoIn these days of more and more people opting to remain close to home for staycations Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park gives them a valid option for a different kind of local vacationrdquo
lET ThE FuN BEgiNTown Lake is situated right in the
middle of McAllen off Business Highway 83 between First and Second streets Swimming is prohibited due to park
irrigation regulations but a beach has been constructed to launch canoes kayaks and paddle boats A fishing pier is also in place
ldquoWe transferred fish to the lake from nearby Boeye Reservoir which has provided us with good stocks of bass perch and catfishrdquo Gavlik says ldquoTown Lake currently only has a catch-and-release program meaning you can catch fish but must release them back into the water At some point in the future when the fish population increases we plan to schedule times when people can take the fish homerdquo
The City of McAllen made a big splash in May 2012 when it officially opened Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park What was once a small tract of land with a few basic
recreational amenities is now a 15-acre redevelopment that includes the four-acre Town Lake Crews used a water holding pond at the cityrsquos former water treatment facility to construct the new lake
14 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 15
TakE a hikEWalking and jogging are also good recreational
options around the waterrsquos perimeterldquoTown Lake actually ties into the well used Second
Street Trail People can come off the trail walk or jog along the lake and then get back onto the trailrdquo Gavlik says ldquoThe scenery includes wildflowers in a freshly seeded meadow while other park amenities are horseshoe pits two playgrounds and free picnic sites at the north end of Firemanrsquos Park at First Streetrdquo
There is also a covered pavilion area with sand volleyball courts a small concession building and three camping sites The campsites can be used during the day by anyone but only overnight by organized groups such as the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts Group reservations must be made through the McAllen Parks amp Recreation Department
ldquoAnother park attraction is the former water treatment building which has been transformed into a rental facilityrdquo Gavlik says ldquoIt is now called The Old Pump House complete with new windows air conditioning uplighting tiling and carpeted floors Groups of 75 to 100 people can rent the facility for meetings small receptions or small social events The Old Pump House adds to the overall amenities of todayrsquos Firemenrsquos Parkrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer Michael Conti
Fishinga group casts lines into town lake which enforces a catch-and-release program
WHackberryAve
TownLake
83
firemanrsquos park
N2
nd
Str
eet
16 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 17
children enjoy the playground at firemanrsquos park
16 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 17
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO LoCAL FLAVoR
Palate Pleasersmcallen restaurants serVe up flaVorful foods
McAllen diners rejoice The city has a broad selection of distinctive restaurants and eateries appealing to just about every taste By Barbara Biehler
Asian
SENSaTiONal SuShi amp SPiCE
McAllen has several great spots for Japanese food such as sushi tempura and teppanyaki including kohnami kumori and yokorsquos Sushi Bar
Fans of Thai food should check out Thai red Chilirsquos for dishes like pad thai red curry chicken and sweet rice with mango
Indian
TaNdOOri aNyONETaste of india hits the spot
for diners looking for high quality authentic Indian food made from old family recipes and paired with excellent service
Tex-Mex and Mexican
SOmE likE iT SPiCy
Step into las Cazuelas grill for classic Mexican cuisine or visit Palenque Chicken for expertly prepared Mexican and Tex Mex dishes
Renowned regionally for homemade tamales deliarsquos uses fresh ingredients including pork chicken and beef
The republic of rio grande serves Mexican cuisine in an intimate setting order a traditional dish like the chicken fajitas or enchiladas suizas or enjoy a distinctive entree such as shrimp chipotle pesto pasta or a brick-oven pizza
check out more restaurants in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
ldquoDeliarsquos has the best tamales in town Probably even in the RGV The only place you can get the good old homemade flavor of real tamalesrdquo
Evila l YELPCOM
Argentine
SOuTh amEriCaN CuiSiNE
Relax in the elegant yet casual atmosphere of la Pampa argentinean Steak housewhile you dine on classic Argentine- cut steaks grilled chicken breasts marinated in Chimichurri or traditional de carne empanadas
Meanwhile la recova also offers a wide selection of Argentine-style favorites on its menu Favorite dishes at La Recova includes chorizo tuna carnitas duck confit and churrasco a classic top sirloin steak
Outdoor Dining
TrENdy amp TaSTy
If yoursquore in the mood for a USDA prime steak or succulent seafood drop by The Patio on guerra Dine on the outdoor patio and have a bottle of one of the restaurantrsquos award-winning wines
FridarsquosGrillandCantina located on 17th street offers traditional mexican favorites with modern flavors Go to fridarsquos to enjoy unique culinary dishes signature drinks and live music on the weekends
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO ARTS amp CULTURE
Rave Reviewsmcallenrsquos arts scene remains robust With museums music and eVents
Arts patrons music lovers and history buffs enjoy many cultural attractions throughout McAllen The latest buzz McAllen Performing Arts Center will spring up near the McAllen Convention Center giving fans of live music theater and dance a fine new facility to anticipate
Live Entertainment
PErFOrmErS TakE ThE STagE
The 17th Street Entertainment district in downtown McAllen overflows with lounges restaurants and clubs For live music visit The old Ice House or Cine El Rey
The cityrsquos diverse culture is what influences much of the music performed by the valley Symphony Orchestra amp Chorale The Symphony was established in 1952 with the Chorale joining later in 1984 Similarly the South Texas lyric Opera brings the fine art of opera to the Rio Grande Valley with a yearly slate of productions and an annual opera gala and rio grande valley Broadway brings popular stage shows to town such as Disneyrsquos Beauty and the Beast and Monty Pythonrsquos Spamalot
Historic Sites
TakE a STEP BaCk iN TimE
The museum of South Texas history and the mcallen heritage Center are just two locations to learn about the rich history of this bicultural area
Quinta mazatlan a 1930s hacienda that embodies the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture of arches adobe and beams and provides an intimate look into South Texas history The 10000-square- foot mansion sits on a 15-acre plot hosting a mix of native and exotic plants and wildlife making up McAllenrsquos wing of the popular world Birding Center
Cine El Reyopened in 1947 the historic cine el rey theater now functions as
a music and performance venue showcasing a variety of live events and also shows spanish and english independent films the theater is located in downtown mcallenrsquos 17th street entertainment district
20 mc allen
ldquoCine El Rey hosts events as diverse as wrestling live bands films and comedy shows A huge stage is complimented by killer production value and a staff that really cares about all aspects of the experience Irsquom looking forward to a return triprdquo
Bill dykES YELP
visual Arts and Festivals
aCCESSiBlE arT FuN EvENTS
The international museum of art amp Science founded in 1969 promotes an appreciation for the arts and sciences through its exhibitions cultural events and many educational programs imaS is located at 1900 Nolana Ave
The mcallen art walk is a self-guided tour that gives art lovers the opportunity to explore the many art offerings in the city Itrsquos held every first Friday from September through May and is free and open to the public
on the first Saturday night of December folks enjoy the Candlelight Posada which includes food booths luminaries a parade live entertainment caroling and a live nativity scene
Chamber of Commerce Support
ChamBEr BaCkS ThE arTS
The mcallen Chamber of Commerce shows its love for the arts by managing the mcallen arts Council which publishes a quarterly magazine produces an annual fine arts exhibition and offers grants to local artists The Chamber also offers an outdoor concert series and coordinates the Public art Committeersquos acquisition program
20 mc allen
ThiNgS TO dO SPoRTS amp RECREATIoN
Soak Up Some Sunmcallen residents haVe plenty of Good reasons to Get outdoors
Great golf courses hiking and biking trails and a large well-maintained park system make McAllen the perfect place to enjoy outdoor fun By Carson OrsquoShoney
Golf
TEE iT uPWith nearly 20 courses in the
McAllen area golf is a popular attraction in the Rio Grande Valley
one of the most notable courses is the Palm view golf Course an 18-hole public course with a private feel With rolling fairways and Bermuda rough mounds the course is an often-used location for tournaments having hosted LPGA tournaments and Palm viewrsquos amateur golf Championship
mcallen Country Club provides a challenge with tree-lined fairways and small greens and also offers a swimming pool tennis courts a fitness center and other amenities
Every golf course in the area is bustling especially in the winter when ldquoWinter Texansrdquo come to the Rio Grande Valley The weather generally stays in the 70s in the coldest months making it a perfect place for winter golfing
Hiking Biking and Racing
ON ThE mOvE iN mCallEN
There are plenty of hiking and biking trails on the east and west sides of town such as the retama village Park Trail westside Park Trail and las Palmas Park Trail Visiting cyclists are welcome to meet up with Team mcallen Cycling a bike club thatrsquos been in the city for more than 25 years
Racing fans can enjoy the mcallen international motorplex and Event Center which hosts stock car races car shows and more The racetrack is a family-friendly place offering activities for children such as games face painting and crafts
Palm view Golf Courseirish cochran plays a round of golf at palm View Golf course an 18-hole public course often used for high profile tournaments
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
City Parks
OuTdOOr Family FuN
The mcallen Parks and recreation department currently oversees 25 city parks Ranging from historic parks established in the early 1900s to more modern facilities there are several options suitable for the whole family
archer Park McAllenrsquos oldest park opened in 1912 Serving as a historic landmark in the city it also plays host to many of the cityrsquos annual special events including the Candlelight Posada and movies in the Park
Spanning 38 acres Springfest Park is the largest park in McAllen Springfest hosts a variety of special events and is home to mcallenrsquos winter Polo league from January through March
check out more fun things to do in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
Spray and Ground Parkbesides its popular water feature mcallenrsquos new SprayandGroundParkhas a sand volleyball court skateboard area a half basketball court and just over half a mile of walking trails in addition there are athletic practice fields shaded areas picnic shelters and restroom facilities
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
ThiNgS TO dO SEE THE CITY
24 mc allen
The Irrigation Workerthe sun sets behind a sculpture ldquothe irrigation Workerrdquo which was created by artist douglas clark and is located on nolana and 25th
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
l iVabil it ycommc allen 25
LIvINGHERESchools health care education and neighborhoods in McAllen
26 mc allen 26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 26 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 27
see more beautiful photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
Luxury Livingnewcomers have many beautiful home options in mcallen such as those offered in eight different communities by cantu construction a locally based award-winning builder
26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 liVabil it ycommc allen 27
liviNg
TECH TOOLS FOSTER STUDEnT SUCCESS
Padding theCurriculum
McAllen Independent School District (ISD) is feeling the benefits of an ambitious technology plan that places an iPod or iPad in the hands of every teacher and student
mcallen independent school district students use system-issued ipads in class
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
EduCaTiNg FOr ThE 21ST CENTury
The initiative began with a meeting between Dr James Ponce McAllenrsquos superintendent of schools and a ldquocadrerdquo of about 35 teachers administrators and parents
The grouprsquos primary goal was to build a 21st-century classroom environment one that fosters creativity collaboration and entrepreneurship The group also wanted to find a way to harness the 247 educational potential of the Internet ndash and teach students the critical-thinking skills needed to process online content
ldquoItrsquos an environment where the teachers become the primary learners and the students are driven by their examplerdquo Ponce says ldquoSo we asked what tools we would need for this transformation of the way we teach and the way the kids learnrdquo
After much research the group chose iPods (for grades K-2) and iPads (for teachers and grades 3-12) because of their portability
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo
CarOl aNN allEN LANGuAGEARTSTEACHER
ATMICHAELEFOSSuMMIDDLESCHOOL
relatively low cost and ease of use To implement the planrsquos first stage McAllen ISD issued 5800 of these devices to teachers and students when the rollout is complete it will cover more than 25000 students
Big BENEFiTS FOr TEaChErS aNd STudENTS
Both teachers and students are seeing benefits from the program
ldquoThe iPods help the kids be creative My students are organizing information in new waysrdquo says Ruth Whiddon who teaches first grade at Andrew Jackson Elementary School
For Carol Ann Allen International Baccalaureate coordinator and eighth-grade language arts teacher at Michael E Fossum Middle School the initiative is all about collaboration
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo she says
Sandra Guerra who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade math
at Fossum says the iPads have changed both her teaching style and the way her students learn
Instead of mapping out the learning process step-by-step she now gives students their goal and lets them choose how to get there
ldquoWith this approach they own their learning and theyrsquove been more willing to learnrdquo Guerra says
The iPads have also been a game-changer for Guerrarsquos family
Her seventh-grade daughter is learning advanced science concepts because of independent iPad projects And because most of her childrenrsquos school materials are on their iPads itrsquos easier than ever for Guerra to check on their progress from home
That kind of scenario says Superintendent Ponce is at the heart of the initiative
ldquoThe entire school system and our community want to lead in this effort to build a 21st-century learning environmentrdquo he says ldquoThis is a direct investment in our children and their familiesrdquo
by Kathryn Royster
High-Tech Learningseventh-grade students use ipads to follow class lectures and take quizzes during a language arts class at michael e fossum middle school
PH
oT
o C
oU
RT
EST
Y o
F M
CA
LLE
N IN
DE
PE
ND
EN
T S
CH
oo
L D
IST
RIC
T
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
Higher Education
SOuTh TExaS COllEgE
McAllenrsquos South Texas College has more than 30000 students and offers numerous associate and bachelorrsquos degree programs as well as professional certifications in more than 40 areas The college also has online degree courses for students who work full time
liviNg EDUCATIoN
Set for SuccesscolleGe prep is a top priority in mcallen
Education in McAllen is defined by excellent options From elementary school through college McAllen includes numerous institutions designed to prepare students for success By Braxton Shoop
school yourself on more educational offerings at livabilitycommcallen
Public Schools
mCallEN iNdEPENdENT SChOOl diSTriCT
Established in 1915 the mcallen independent School district comprises three high schools seven middle schools and 20 elementary schools Among these schools the district offers an advanced placement college-level curriculum and a dual-enrollment program for students who would like to obtain high school and college credit simultaneously
In addition the district features an International Baccalaureate program that provides students with an advanced curriculum geared toward global standards
Local Inspiration
FOrmEr STudENT FliES high
one of McAllenrsquos successful students is astronaut michael Fossum a graduate of McAllen High School After receiving his commission from the US Air Force by Texas AampM University Fossum graduated Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base and in 1993 he started at NASA Throughout his NASA career Fossum was on crew for three spaceflights He commanded the space station during one of his flights helping him rank seventh on the all-time list for cumulative Extravehicular Activity time
Top-notch Learning Environmentuniversity of texas-pan american offers many undergraduate degrees more than 50 masterrsquos degrees and three doctoral degrees utpa has accreditations from organizations like the commission for collegiate nursing the examining board of nurse examiners for the state of texas and the engineering accreditation commission of the accreditation board for engineering and technology
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Charter School
idEa aCadEmy
idEa academy is an innovative institution that offers a fully scaled curriculum for students in kindergarten and in the first second and sixth grades The school which opened in McAllen in 2012 will eventually add more grades each one including approximately 110 students While the school is public students must apply to fill the 460 available spots
To prepare its students to be collegiate scholars IDEA provides International Baccalaureate curriculum as well as the Road to College curriculum which begins in the sixth grade
ldquoWersquore very proud of the connection to our distinguished alumni like NASA astronaut Michael Fossum and we want our students to recognize the kind of education we provide here What he learned here helped catapult him into space and wersquore very proud of thatrdquo
NOrma zamOra-guErra MCALLENINDEPENDENTSCHOOL
DISTRICTCOMMuNITYINFORMATIONDIRECTOR
Michael E Fossum Middle Schoolnamed for astronaut michael e fossum the school is part of the mcallen independent school district
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Please call 9566316109 for a representative today
2501 Buddy Owens Blvd McAllen TX 78504
9656316125 Fax
wwwrio-healthcom
RioHealth MedicalWe are here to meet all your
occupational medicine needs
bull Workplace injuries and workersrsquo compensation
bull On site and off site drug screening
bull Physicals
bull Orthopedics
bull Early return to work
bull 247 coverage
bull We accept all types of insurance
WorkplaceInjury
DANIEL J GUERRA MD Diplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
LEONEL G MORENO MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
HOMERO RIVAS MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
606 S Broadway bull McAllen TX bull (956) 682-4515 bull wwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
FAMILY PHYSICIANS
CLINICSince 1967
Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm Sat 8 am-Noon
VALLEY NIGHT CLINIC
Since 1981
Open Every Night of the Year 6 pm-Midnight
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valley supports children of all abilities through child care
services early intervention and parenting support programs
Early Childhood intErvEntion ChildCarE sErviCEs ParEnts as tEaChErs
Easter seals rio Grande valley Programs for Children Birth to Five years
bullChild-Care servicesndashHigh-qualitychildcare sixweekstofiveyears
bullParents as teachers (Pat)ndashDevelopmental parentingsupportforchildrenbirthtofiveyears
bullEarly Childhood intervention (ECi) ndashConcerns indevelopmentforchildrenbirthtothreeyears
For more information about Easter seals
programs and services call (956) 631-9171 or visit wwweasterseals-rgvorg
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
liviNg HEALTH
Take a Deep Breath and Relaxresidents haVe access to top hospitals
McAllen residents receive quality care from the South Texas Health System Rio Grande Regional Hospital and the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance By Kevin Litwin
Health System
SOuTh TExaS hEalTh SySTEm
South Texas health System is the umbrella organization for a number of fine medical facilities including mcallen medical Center MMC has 441 beds and a staff of more than 400 physicians that represent 50 medical specialties
Also part of South Texas Health System is mcallen heart hospital which opened in 1996 as the first freestanding cardiology and cardiovascular hospital built in the United States It includes 60 beds and a 24-hour emergency center
Healthgrades has awarded McAllen Medical Center and McAllen Heart Hospital with a variety of honors in recent years and both earned a Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence in 2011
Hospital
riO graNdE rEgiONal hOSPiTal
rio grande regional hospital is an acute care medical facility with 320 beds and more than 500 physicians The hospital is the only area Diabetes Management Center accredited by the American Diabetes Association and is the arearsquos first facility to have a Pediatric Heart Program
RGRH also includes a 24-hour emergency room Womenrsquos Services department Level III trauma center and cardiovascular care The hospital is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists and every year since 2007 has been named a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
Hospital
dOCTOrS hOSPiTal aT rENaiSSaNCE
The 506-bed doctors hospital at renaissance is an acute care facility It provides cardiology neurosurgery and endocrinology as well as a Pediatric Medical Tower that offers pediatric oncology and pediatric ICU services
Doctors Hospital has been ranked among the nationrsquos 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters and recently invested $32 million to establish an Electronic Medical Record System
DHR was the first in South Texas to acquire a PETCT scanner for diagnosing cancer and the first in the region to introduce da Vinci robotic surgical technology The hospital also oversees Renaissance Behavioral Center which provides treatment for people with mental health problems substance abuse or eating disorders
34 mc allen
COMMUNITyPROFILE COST OF liviNg
$44074Median Household Income
$129554Median Home Price
$689Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
TraNSPOrTaTiON
Median Travel Time to Work
agE
TEmPEraTurE
January Average
July Average
EThNiCiTy
19 and Under
20-54
55 and over
White
Black
Hispanic
other
1645minutes
Closest Airport McAllen International Airport
955deg
482deg
South Texasrsquo Finest Gift Store Offers Gifts From Around the World
4300 N 10th St bull Ste C bull McAllen TX 78504 (956) 686-1264 bull ohkaysaolcom
Look for us on Facebook
gOlF COurSES
gOlF TEC
2901 N 10TH ST956-994-9631
mCallEN COuNTry CluB615 WICHITA AVE956-686-0923
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
The national Butterfly Center the national butterfly center dedicates 100 acres to the conservation and scientific study of wild butterflies in their natural habitats the wildlife center is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm september through march and from 9 am until 4 pm april through august
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
liviNg SEE THE CITY
36 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
CONTENTS
Things to Do10 Must Try McAlleninaDay ThishappeningValleycity
hasplentytodoandsee
14 Parks AhhHowRefreshing Cityaddsfour-acrelake
toFiremanrsquosPark
19 Local Flavor PalatePleasers
20 Arts amp Culture RaveReviews
22 Sports amp Recreation SoakUpSomeSun
24SeetheCity
Living28 High Tech Schools Paddingthe
Curriculum Techtoolsfoster studentsuccess
30 Education SetforSuccess
33 Health TakeaDeepBreath
andRelax
35 CommunityProfile
36 LivingSeetheCity
Business42 Entrepreneurship OutsidetheBox Residentsgetcreative
withbusinessventures
47 Chamber Letter WhatrsquostheBigIdea48 EconomicProfile
OnTheCoverThe McAllen Public Library Photo by Michael Conti
all or part of this magazine is printed with soy ink on recycled paper containing 10 post-consumer waste
PlEaSE rECyClE ThiS magaziNE
7 Welcome to McAllen an introduction to the community
MCALLEN2013EDITION vOLUME11
Texas
19
30
42
l iVabil it ycommc allen 3
l iVabil it ycommc allen 5
MCALLEN2013EDITION vOLUME11
Texascontent director|LisaBattles
contributing Writers|BarbaraBiehlerLauraHillCarsonOrsquoShoneyKathrynRoysterBraxtonShoop
content coordinator|JessicaWalkerstaff Writer|KevinLitwin
proofreading manager|RavenPetty
lead designer|StaceyAllissenior Graphic designers|LauraGallagher
KrisSextonJakeShoresVikkiWilliamsGraphic designers|EricaLampleyKaraLeiby
KaceyPassmorecreative technology analyst|BeccaAry
lead photographer|MichaelContisenior photographers|JeffAdkinsBrianMcCord
staff photographers|ToddBennettMartinBCherry
color imaging technician | AlisonHunter
integrated media manager|ToddPottersales support project manager|SaraQuint
ad production manager|KatieMiddendorfad traffic assistants|KrystinLemmonPatriciaMoisan
Web project manager|DavidDayWeb development lead|YamelHallWeb developeri|NelsNoseworthy
Web designer ii|RichardStevensWeb product manager|JohnHood
digital project manager|JillRidenour
chairman|GregThurmanpresidentpublisher|BobSchwartzman
executive Vice president|RayLangensenior Vpsales|ToddPotter
senior Vpclient development|JeffHeefnersenior Vpoperations|CaseyHester
Vpsales|JarekSwekoskyVpcontent operations|NatashaLorens
audience development director|DeannaNelsoncreative services director|ChristinaCarden
distribution director|GarySmithphotography director|JeffreySOtto
Web services director|AllisonDavis
controller|ChrisDudleysenior accountant| LisaOwens
accounts payable coordinator|MariaMcFarlandaccounts receivable coordinator|DianaGuzman
system administrator|DanielCantrell
executive secretary|KristyDuncanhuman resources manager|PeggyBlake
receptionist|LindaBishop
Livability McAllen TXispublishedannuallybyJournalCommunicationsIncandisdistributed
throughtheMcAllen Chamber of Commerce anditsmemberbusinesses
Foradvertisinginformationortodirectquestionsorcommentsaboutthemagazinecontact
JournalCommunicationsIncat(615)771-0080orbyemailatinfojnlcomcom
Formoreinformationcontactmcallen chamber of commerce1200 ash avenue bull po box 790
mcallen tx 78505-0790phone (956) 682-2871 bull fax (956) 687-2917
wwwmcallenchambercom
visitLivability McAllen TXonlineatlivabilitycommcallen
copyCopyright2012JournalCommunicationsInc725CoolSpringsBlvdSuite400FranklinTN37067(615)771-0080AllrightsreservedNoportionofthis
magazinemaybereproducedinwholeorinpartwithoutwrittenconsent
Member TheAssociationofMagazineMedia
Member CustomContentCouncil
MemberMcAllenChamberofCommerce
GETTHEDIGITALMAGAZINE
livabilitycommcallen
Itrsquos loaded with links to more great info about McAllen Telling your communityrsquos unique story has never been so easy
TakE iT wiTh yOu
Easily share an interesting article stunning photo or advertisement of your business on Facebook Twitter or via email
CliCk arOuNd
Click on the web addresses in the copy to enjoy immediate access to each website
SPrEad ThE NEwS
Broadcast your communityrsquos positive image by placing the magazine on your website blog or newsletter
2013 | SPONSORED BY THE MCALLEN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
livabilitycommcallen
MCALLENTEXAS
McAllen in a DayThis happening Valley city has plenty to do and see
OUTSIDE THE BOXResidents get creative with business ventures
l iVabil it ycommc allen 5
CONTENTSlivabilitycommcallen
Visit the website for more great photos and stories about McAllen Texas
Livabilitycom Follow us livability Like us at facebookcomlivability Follow us at pinterestcomlivability
Things To Do Find the must-do attractions activities and dining in McAllen
LivingLearn about McAllenrsquos schools health care education and neighborhoods
BusinessGet info on top employers jobs and success stories in McAllen
digital magazine
Read it online or on your tablet and quickly share articles with friends
FaCtSGet data fast on population climate workforce cost of living and more
PhoTos amp viDeo
2013 | SPONSORED BY THE MCALLEN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
livabilitycommcallen
MCALLENTEXAS
McAllen in a DayThis happening Valley city has plenty to do and see
OUTSIDE THE BOXResidents get creative with business ventures
aT a glaNCE
Cultural diversity progressive business practices and a booming economy best characterize McAllen ndash one of the fastest growing metros in Texas and part of one of the fastest growing MSAs in the nation Its location near the US-Mexico border has made it a magnet for retail international trade tourism and manufacturing
aBuNdaNT liviNgMcAllenrsquos economic mix means
tangible benefits for residents beyond a strong job market They take their picks among diverse shopping and dining options that include national brands and unique independent retailers
The resulting tax base means the city can offer amenities such as a massive state-of-the-art library in-town bus service awesome parks and popular hiking and biking trails that are enjoyed year round thanks to a warm climate
With all this and affordable homes McAllen also consistently ranks among cities with the lowest cost of living in the United States
grEaT FOr BuSiNESSMcAllen is good for business
big and small More than 100 Fortune 500 companies have a presence within the McAllen MSA and the city has also been recently recognized by CNNMoney on its list of Best Places to Launch a Small Business
Key factors bringing expansions and entrepreneurs are an excellent quality of life numerous advanced medical facilities a comprehensive financial services community demonstrated logistics advantages to reach existing and new markets and a mostly young bicultural and bilingual population
Read on to discover why McAllen is one of Americarsquos best places to live
McAllen Texasa quick comprehensiVe oVerVieW of Whatrsquos Great about the community
Rio Granded
Rio Grande
83
281
281
83
777777
28181288281777777
ReynosaosR sas
Matamoros
Rio BravoBrownsvilleBrowrow sss
WeslacoHarlingenrlinng
Edinburg
Mission
Pharr
McAllen
HIDALGO
MEXICO
UNITEDSTATESS
FOr mOrE iNFOrmaTiON
McAllenChamberofCommerce1200 Ash Avenue McAllen TX 78501 Phone (956) 682-2871Fax (956) 687-2917
wwwmcallenchambercom
lOCaTiONMcAllen is in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas situated just 70 miles west of the Gulf of Mexico McAllen is the largest city in Hidalgo County
POPulaTiON
133821 (McAllen)
774769 (MSA)
aNNual raiNFall
23rdquo
diSTaNCES TO ThrEE majOr CiTiES NEarBy San Antonio 224 miles Austin 311 miles Fort WorthDallas 502 miles
TimE zONECentral
National Average 30rdquo
No3Mid-Size
US City for Jobs
- Forbes
ACCOLADE
McAllen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 7
Shopping
BrOwSE Or Buy
mcallenrsquos la Plaza mall draws more than 18 million visitors each year as the main shopping spot for residents in the Rio Grande Valley The 1200000-square-foot mall has more than 140 retailers such as Macyrsquos and Dillardrsquos as well as a variety of restaurants
Art Events
miNglE wiTh arTiSTS
The music after hours Outdoor Concert Series is held monthly to showcase bands from the Rio Grande Valley Meanwhile mcallenrsquos artwalk is a monthly self-guided tour that features art galleries vendors and museums
Sports
Play Ball
The mcallen Thunder and Edinburg roadrunners are baseball teams that play at Edinburg Baseball Stadium Both teams are members of the North American League an independent professional league not affiliated with Major League Baseball
Locally Grown
STOCk uP
You can find more than 20 varieties of citrus and other fresh fruits vegetables nuts and locally made products at klementrsquos grove Bellrsquos Farm to market Farmers market at Town lake and Farmers market at mcallenrsquos new library
THINGSTODOMcAllenrsquos must-do attractions activities and dining
Grab Your Binocularsmcallenrsquos many wildlife havens include QuintaMazatlan above an urban sanctuary for birds plants and other wildlife valleyNatureCenter which is the oldest nature center in the rio Grande Valley and the 2000-acre SantaAnaNationalWildlifeRefuge which has recorded 400 bird species and hundreds of butterfly species
8 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 9
Eatery
PiCk ThE PlaTTEr
The popular restaurant Costa messa has a new location on North 10th Street and its menu includes favorite items such as huge botana platters to share and choriqueso The eatery is open seven days a week from 11 am until 10 pm
Outdoors
gET iN ShaPE
Hiking and biking trail systems are located at various parks throughout McAllen Some of the arearsquos most popular trails can be found at las Palmas Park la vista Park los Encinos Park retama village Park Bill Schupp Park and westside Park
Pro Sports
FlaSh aNd viPErS
Cheer on the rio grande valley Flash a Professional Arena Soccer League team and catch the basketball action of the rio grande valley vipers 2010 NBA Development League Champions Both teams play at State Farm Arena in Hidalgo
ThiNgS TO dO
Happy Hour
PrOPOSE a TOaST
Enjoy dinner drinks and fun at the many businesses located within the 17th Street Entertainment district of downtown McAllen a revitalized area now bustling with interesting restaurants pubs clubs and lounges
Climb Aboardthe federal transit administration awarded mcallen $19 million to create an electric bus pilot program OLEvTechnologiesoversees the program which is retrofitting three diesel buses with electric motors passenger transport begins in 2013
8 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 9
THIS HAPPEnInG vALLEY CITY OFFERS PLEnTY TO DO SEE amp EAT
ThiNgS TO dO
mcallenin a Day
l iVabil it ycommc allen 11 10 mc allen
midNighT TO NOON iN mCallENWhere to stay McAllen has nearly 3600 hotel rooms
from luxurious traditional hotels to new motels with all the contemporary bells and whistles The Renaissance Casa de Palmas a four-star hotel on Main Street was built in 1918 and lavishly restored into a luxury property featuring Mission architecture that recalls McAllenrsquos past Or try the Spring Hill Suites just off the expressway for a more modern take
After a comfortable night start the morning off with breakfast at Jimmyrsquos Egg a new outpost of a longtime Oklahoma favorite Here enjoy nearly any kind of egg you can imagine for breakfast ndash or atop a burger at lunch Go further south of the cuisine border at Las Cazuelas Grill another popular new eatery for menu items such as Chilaquiles con Huevo or Molletes
Got 24 hours to spare We recommend a busy day well spent in McAllen where you can fill every available hour
with interesting sights delicious cuisine and a variety of fun activities
a birdrsquos-eye view of the cityrsquos revitalized 17the street entertainment district
l iVabil it ycommc allen 11
NB
icen
tenn
ialB
lvd
WHackberryAve
S23
rdS
tree
t
83
international museum of arts and sciences
mcallen public library
McAllen Public Librarym-th 9am - 9pmf-sat 9am - 6pmsun 1pm - 9pm
phone (956) 688-3300uhV students (with id) free
wwwmcallenlibrarynet
12 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 13
The hike and bike trail on Second Street and another on Bicentennial offer the chance for a leisurely 23-mile stroll around town ndash yoursquove got to work off that breakfast after all And then head over to the International Museum of Arts and Science a Smithsonian affiliated museum where a wide variety of changing art and science exhibits always offer something interesting
Another must-see is McAllenrsquos new public library which at a whopping 123000 square feet is the largest single-floor library in the US This former Walmart building underwent a total transformation into an aesthetically pleasing community resource thatrsquos steadily gaining attention worldwide for its colorful open and functional design Opened in December 2011 the facility has already won first place in the International Interior Design Associationrsquos 2012 Library Interior Design Competition
luNCh aNd laTErldquoWersquove got over 600 restaurants
hererdquo says Chamber President and CEO Steve Ahlenius So since itrsquos noon by now try the flatbread or a
salad at house wine amp bistro or go for a panini at Corner Bakery Cafe Or for Latin flavor head to KoKorsquos for delicious Mexican fare
In McAllen a day without shopping would be sad indeed La Plaza Mall is the most visited mall in the country and Palms Crossings at the McAllen Convention Center is home to several shops and restaurants such as Mimirsquos Cafe and Romanorsquos Macaroni Grill
ldquoAfter I finished shopping Irsquod spend the rest of the afternoon at Quinta Mazatlan (a historic home that also offers nature trails and legendary bird watching)rdquo Ahlenius says Another option is to test the waters by kayaking or catch-and-release fishing on Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park
mCallEN aFTEr hOurSYoursquore not tired are you
Good because after freshening up back at your hotel itrsquos off to a night on the town Cajun cuisine at The Bayou Grill on North 10th St is a great option as are the authentic Mexican menus at Cabritos Nuevo Leon or La Jaiba Mexican Seafood Grill both on West Nolana
After dinner stroll the 17th Street Entertainment District to catch the flavor of McAllen after hours or catch a show at the historic Cine El Rey theater where comedy acts concerts film festivals and other events take the stage Finally La Recova Contemporary Argentinean Grill beckons for a nightcap in its quiet upscale bar ldquowhere you can actually carry on a conversationrdquo Ahlenius says
Then to bed Where after a good nightrsquos rest you will surely want to get up and spend yet another great day in McAllen
by Laura Hill by staff photographer
Michael Conti
ldquoMcAllen is a beautiful multicultural city with plenty to do and see From shopping in the most popular stores in the nation or unique one-of-a-kind shops to fine dining and plenty of family outdoor activities ndash you can do it year round hererdquo
gErry garCia VPOFSPECIALPROJECTS
FORTHEMCALLENCHAMBER
SNAPSHOT
for music dinner and dancing head to downtown mcallenrsquos 17th street entertainment district
The Patio on Guerradiners enjoy the food and atmosphere at the patio on Guerra on 17th street in downtown mcallen
12 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 13
ThiNgS TO dO
Town Lakea boy takes his dog for a walk as he skateboards the trail along the new 4-acre town lake at firemanrsquos park a popular spot for canoeing kayaking fishing and more
ThiNgS TO dO
14 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 15 14 mc allen
nEW LAkE OPEnS AT FIREMAnrsquoS PARk
Ahh howrefreshing
ldquoWe did all the required dredging to transform the little pond into a recreational lake that is 15 feet at its deepest pointrdquo says Sally Gavlik director of the McAllen Parks amp Recreation Department ldquoIn these days of more and more people opting to remain close to home for staycations Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park gives them a valid option for a different kind of local vacationrdquo
lET ThE FuN BEgiNTown Lake is situated right in the
middle of McAllen off Business Highway 83 between First and Second streets Swimming is prohibited due to park
irrigation regulations but a beach has been constructed to launch canoes kayaks and paddle boats A fishing pier is also in place
ldquoWe transferred fish to the lake from nearby Boeye Reservoir which has provided us with good stocks of bass perch and catfishrdquo Gavlik says ldquoTown Lake currently only has a catch-and-release program meaning you can catch fish but must release them back into the water At some point in the future when the fish population increases we plan to schedule times when people can take the fish homerdquo
The City of McAllen made a big splash in May 2012 when it officially opened Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park What was once a small tract of land with a few basic
recreational amenities is now a 15-acre redevelopment that includes the four-acre Town Lake Crews used a water holding pond at the cityrsquos former water treatment facility to construct the new lake
14 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 15
TakE a hikEWalking and jogging are also good recreational
options around the waterrsquos perimeterldquoTown Lake actually ties into the well used Second
Street Trail People can come off the trail walk or jog along the lake and then get back onto the trailrdquo Gavlik says ldquoThe scenery includes wildflowers in a freshly seeded meadow while other park amenities are horseshoe pits two playgrounds and free picnic sites at the north end of Firemanrsquos Park at First Streetrdquo
There is also a covered pavilion area with sand volleyball courts a small concession building and three camping sites The campsites can be used during the day by anyone but only overnight by organized groups such as the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts Group reservations must be made through the McAllen Parks amp Recreation Department
ldquoAnother park attraction is the former water treatment building which has been transformed into a rental facilityrdquo Gavlik says ldquoIt is now called The Old Pump House complete with new windows air conditioning uplighting tiling and carpeted floors Groups of 75 to 100 people can rent the facility for meetings small receptions or small social events The Old Pump House adds to the overall amenities of todayrsquos Firemenrsquos Parkrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer Michael Conti
Fishinga group casts lines into town lake which enforces a catch-and-release program
WHackberryAve
TownLake
83
firemanrsquos park
N2
nd
Str
eet
16 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 17
children enjoy the playground at firemanrsquos park
16 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 17
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO LoCAL FLAVoR
Palate Pleasersmcallen restaurants serVe up flaVorful foods
McAllen diners rejoice The city has a broad selection of distinctive restaurants and eateries appealing to just about every taste By Barbara Biehler
Asian
SENSaTiONal SuShi amp SPiCE
McAllen has several great spots for Japanese food such as sushi tempura and teppanyaki including kohnami kumori and yokorsquos Sushi Bar
Fans of Thai food should check out Thai red Chilirsquos for dishes like pad thai red curry chicken and sweet rice with mango
Indian
TaNdOOri aNyONETaste of india hits the spot
for diners looking for high quality authentic Indian food made from old family recipes and paired with excellent service
Tex-Mex and Mexican
SOmE likE iT SPiCy
Step into las Cazuelas grill for classic Mexican cuisine or visit Palenque Chicken for expertly prepared Mexican and Tex Mex dishes
Renowned regionally for homemade tamales deliarsquos uses fresh ingredients including pork chicken and beef
The republic of rio grande serves Mexican cuisine in an intimate setting order a traditional dish like the chicken fajitas or enchiladas suizas or enjoy a distinctive entree such as shrimp chipotle pesto pasta or a brick-oven pizza
check out more restaurants in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
ldquoDeliarsquos has the best tamales in town Probably even in the RGV The only place you can get the good old homemade flavor of real tamalesrdquo
Evila l YELPCOM
Argentine
SOuTh amEriCaN CuiSiNE
Relax in the elegant yet casual atmosphere of la Pampa argentinean Steak housewhile you dine on classic Argentine- cut steaks grilled chicken breasts marinated in Chimichurri or traditional de carne empanadas
Meanwhile la recova also offers a wide selection of Argentine-style favorites on its menu Favorite dishes at La Recova includes chorizo tuna carnitas duck confit and churrasco a classic top sirloin steak
Outdoor Dining
TrENdy amp TaSTy
If yoursquore in the mood for a USDA prime steak or succulent seafood drop by The Patio on guerra Dine on the outdoor patio and have a bottle of one of the restaurantrsquos award-winning wines
FridarsquosGrillandCantina located on 17th street offers traditional mexican favorites with modern flavors Go to fridarsquos to enjoy unique culinary dishes signature drinks and live music on the weekends
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO ARTS amp CULTURE
Rave Reviewsmcallenrsquos arts scene remains robust With museums music and eVents
Arts patrons music lovers and history buffs enjoy many cultural attractions throughout McAllen The latest buzz McAllen Performing Arts Center will spring up near the McAllen Convention Center giving fans of live music theater and dance a fine new facility to anticipate
Live Entertainment
PErFOrmErS TakE ThE STagE
The 17th Street Entertainment district in downtown McAllen overflows with lounges restaurants and clubs For live music visit The old Ice House or Cine El Rey
The cityrsquos diverse culture is what influences much of the music performed by the valley Symphony Orchestra amp Chorale The Symphony was established in 1952 with the Chorale joining later in 1984 Similarly the South Texas lyric Opera brings the fine art of opera to the Rio Grande Valley with a yearly slate of productions and an annual opera gala and rio grande valley Broadway brings popular stage shows to town such as Disneyrsquos Beauty and the Beast and Monty Pythonrsquos Spamalot
Historic Sites
TakE a STEP BaCk iN TimE
The museum of South Texas history and the mcallen heritage Center are just two locations to learn about the rich history of this bicultural area
Quinta mazatlan a 1930s hacienda that embodies the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture of arches adobe and beams and provides an intimate look into South Texas history The 10000-square- foot mansion sits on a 15-acre plot hosting a mix of native and exotic plants and wildlife making up McAllenrsquos wing of the popular world Birding Center
Cine El Reyopened in 1947 the historic cine el rey theater now functions as
a music and performance venue showcasing a variety of live events and also shows spanish and english independent films the theater is located in downtown mcallenrsquos 17th street entertainment district
20 mc allen
ldquoCine El Rey hosts events as diverse as wrestling live bands films and comedy shows A huge stage is complimented by killer production value and a staff that really cares about all aspects of the experience Irsquom looking forward to a return triprdquo
Bill dykES YELP
visual Arts and Festivals
aCCESSiBlE arT FuN EvENTS
The international museum of art amp Science founded in 1969 promotes an appreciation for the arts and sciences through its exhibitions cultural events and many educational programs imaS is located at 1900 Nolana Ave
The mcallen art walk is a self-guided tour that gives art lovers the opportunity to explore the many art offerings in the city Itrsquos held every first Friday from September through May and is free and open to the public
on the first Saturday night of December folks enjoy the Candlelight Posada which includes food booths luminaries a parade live entertainment caroling and a live nativity scene
Chamber of Commerce Support
ChamBEr BaCkS ThE arTS
The mcallen Chamber of Commerce shows its love for the arts by managing the mcallen arts Council which publishes a quarterly magazine produces an annual fine arts exhibition and offers grants to local artists The Chamber also offers an outdoor concert series and coordinates the Public art Committeersquos acquisition program
20 mc allen
ThiNgS TO dO SPoRTS amp RECREATIoN
Soak Up Some Sunmcallen residents haVe plenty of Good reasons to Get outdoors
Great golf courses hiking and biking trails and a large well-maintained park system make McAllen the perfect place to enjoy outdoor fun By Carson OrsquoShoney
Golf
TEE iT uPWith nearly 20 courses in the
McAllen area golf is a popular attraction in the Rio Grande Valley
one of the most notable courses is the Palm view golf Course an 18-hole public course with a private feel With rolling fairways and Bermuda rough mounds the course is an often-used location for tournaments having hosted LPGA tournaments and Palm viewrsquos amateur golf Championship
mcallen Country Club provides a challenge with tree-lined fairways and small greens and also offers a swimming pool tennis courts a fitness center and other amenities
Every golf course in the area is bustling especially in the winter when ldquoWinter Texansrdquo come to the Rio Grande Valley The weather generally stays in the 70s in the coldest months making it a perfect place for winter golfing
Hiking Biking and Racing
ON ThE mOvE iN mCallEN
There are plenty of hiking and biking trails on the east and west sides of town such as the retama village Park Trail westside Park Trail and las Palmas Park Trail Visiting cyclists are welcome to meet up with Team mcallen Cycling a bike club thatrsquos been in the city for more than 25 years
Racing fans can enjoy the mcallen international motorplex and Event Center which hosts stock car races car shows and more The racetrack is a family-friendly place offering activities for children such as games face painting and crafts
Palm view Golf Courseirish cochran plays a round of golf at palm View Golf course an 18-hole public course often used for high profile tournaments
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
City Parks
OuTdOOr Family FuN
The mcallen Parks and recreation department currently oversees 25 city parks Ranging from historic parks established in the early 1900s to more modern facilities there are several options suitable for the whole family
archer Park McAllenrsquos oldest park opened in 1912 Serving as a historic landmark in the city it also plays host to many of the cityrsquos annual special events including the Candlelight Posada and movies in the Park
Spanning 38 acres Springfest Park is the largest park in McAllen Springfest hosts a variety of special events and is home to mcallenrsquos winter Polo league from January through March
check out more fun things to do in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
Spray and Ground Parkbesides its popular water feature mcallenrsquos new SprayandGroundParkhas a sand volleyball court skateboard area a half basketball court and just over half a mile of walking trails in addition there are athletic practice fields shaded areas picnic shelters and restroom facilities
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
ThiNgS TO dO SEE THE CITY
24 mc allen
The Irrigation Workerthe sun sets behind a sculpture ldquothe irrigation Workerrdquo which was created by artist douglas clark and is located on nolana and 25th
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
l iVabil it ycommc allen 25
LIvINGHERESchools health care education and neighborhoods in McAllen
26 mc allen 26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 26 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 27
see more beautiful photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
Luxury Livingnewcomers have many beautiful home options in mcallen such as those offered in eight different communities by cantu construction a locally based award-winning builder
26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 liVabil it ycommc allen 27
liviNg
TECH TOOLS FOSTER STUDEnT SUCCESS
Padding theCurriculum
McAllen Independent School District (ISD) is feeling the benefits of an ambitious technology plan that places an iPod or iPad in the hands of every teacher and student
mcallen independent school district students use system-issued ipads in class
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
EduCaTiNg FOr ThE 21ST CENTury
The initiative began with a meeting between Dr James Ponce McAllenrsquos superintendent of schools and a ldquocadrerdquo of about 35 teachers administrators and parents
The grouprsquos primary goal was to build a 21st-century classroom environment one that fosters creativity collaboration and entrepreneurship The group also wanted to find a way to harness the 247 educational potential of the Internet ndash and teach students the critical-thinking skills needed to process online content
ldquoItrsquos an environment where the teachers become the primary learners and the students are driven by their examplerdquo Ponce says ldquoSo we asked what tools we would need for this transformation of the way we teach and the way the kids learnrdquo
After much research the group chose iPods (for grades K-2) and iPads (for teachers and grades 3-12) because of their portability
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo
CarOl aNN allEN LANGuAGEARTSTEACHER
ATMICHAELEFOSSuMMIDDLESCHOOL
relatively low cost and ease of use To implement the planrsquos first stage McAllen ISD issued 5800 of these devices to teachers and students when the rollout is complete it will cover more than 25000 students
Big BENEFiTS FOr TEaChErS aNd STudENTS
Both teachers and students are seeing benefits from the program
ldquoThe iPods help the kids be creative My students are organizing information in new waysrdquo says Ruth Whiddon who teaches first grade at Andrew Jackson Elementary School
For Carol Ann Allen International Baccalaureate coordinator and eighth-grade language arts teacher at Michael E Fossum Middle School the initiative is all about collaboration
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo she says
Sandra Guerra who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade math
at Fossum says the iPads have changed both her teaching style and the way her students learn
Instead of mapping out the learning process step-by-step she now gives students their goal and lets them choose how to get there
ldquoWith this approach they own their learning and theyrsquove been more willing to learnrdquo Guerra says
The iPads have also been a game-changer for Guerrarsquos family
Her seventh-grade daughter is learning advanced science concepts because of independent iPad projects And because most of her childrenrsquos school materials are on their iPads itrsquos easier than ever for Guerra to check on their progress from home
That kind of scenario says Superintendent Ponce is at the heart of the initiative
ldquoThe entire school system and our community want to lead in this effort to build a 21st-century learning environmentrdquo he says ldquoThis is a direct investment in our children and their familiesrdquo
by Kathryn Royster
High-Tech Learningseventh-grade students use ipads to follow class lectures and take quizzes during a language arts class at michael e fossum middle school
PH
oT
o C
oU
RT
EST
Y o
F M
CA
LLE
N IN
DE
PE
ND
EN
T S
CH
oo
L D
IST
RIC
T
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
Higher Education
SOuTh TExaS COllEgE
McAllenrsquos South Texas College has more than 30000 students and offers numerous associate and bachelorrsquos degree programs as well as professional certifications in more than 40 areas The college also has online degree courses for students who work full time
liviNg EDUCATIoN
Set for SuccesscolleGe prep is a top priority in mcallen
Education in McAllen is defined by excellent options From elementary school through college McAllen includes numerous institutions designed to prepare students for success By Braxton Shoop
school yourself on more educational offerings at livabilitycommcallen
Public Schools
mCallEN iNdEPENdENT SChOOl diSTriCT
Established in 1915 the mcallen independent School district comprises three high schools seven middle schools and 20 elementary schools Among these schools the district offers an advanced placement college-level curriculum and a dual-enrollment program for students who would like to obtain high school and college credit simultaneously
In addition the district features an International Baccalaureate program that provides students with an advanced curriculum geared toward global standards
Local Inspiration
FOrmEr STudENT FliES high
one of McAllenrsquos successful students is astronaut michael Fossum a graduate of McAllen High School After receiving his commission from the US Air Force by Texas AampM University Fossum graduated Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base and in 1993 he started at NASA Throughout his NASA career Fossum was on crew for three spaceflights He commanded the space station during one of his flights helping him rank seventh on the all-time list for cumulative Extravehicular Activity time
Top-notch Learning Environmentuniversity of texas-pan american offers many undergraduate degrees more than 50 masterrsquos degrees and three doctoral degrees utpa has accreditations from organizations like the commission for collegiate nursing the examining board of nurse examiners for the state of texas and the engineering accreditation commission of the accreditation board for engineering and technology
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Charter School
idEa aCadEmy
idEa academy is an innovative institution that offers a fully scaled curriculum for students in kindergarten and in the first second and sixth grades The school which opened in McAllen in 2012 will eventually add more grades each one including approximately 110 students While the school is public students must apply to fill the 460 available spots
To prepare its students to be collegiate scholars IDEA provides International Baccalaureate curriculum as well as the Road to College curriculum which begins in the sixth grade
ldquoWersquore very proud of the connection to our distinguished alumni like NASA astronaut Michael Fossum and we want our students to recognize the kind of education we provide here What he learned here helped catapult him into space and wersquore very proud of thatrdquo
NOrma zamOra-guErra MCALLENINDEPENDENTSCHOOL
DISTRICTCOMMuNITYINFORMATIONDIRECTOR
Michael E Fossum Middle Schoolnamed for astronaut michael e fossum the school is part of the mcallen independent school district
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Please call 9566316109 for a representative today
2501 Buddy Owens Blvd McAllen TX 78504
9656316125 Fax
wwwrio-healthcom
RioHealth MedicalWe are here to meet all your
occupational medicine needs
bull Workplace injuries and workersrsquo compensation
bull On site and off site drug screening
bull Physicals
bull Orthopedics
bull Early return to work
bull 247 coverage
bull We accept all types of insurance
WorkplaceInjury
DANIEL J GUERRA MD Diplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
LEONEL G MORENO MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
HOMERO RIVAS MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
606 S Broadway bull McAllen TX bull (956) 682-4515 bull wwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
FAMILY PHYSICIANS
CLINICSince 1967
Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm Sat 8 am-Noon
VALLEY NIGHT CLINIC
Since 1981
Open Every Night of the Year 6 pm-Midnight
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valley supports children of all abilities through child care
services early intervention and parenting support programs
Early Childhood intErvEntion ChildCarE sErviCEs ParEnts as tEaChErs
Easter seals rio Grande valley Programs for Children Birth to Five years
bullChild-Care servicesndashHigh-qualitychildcare sixweekstofiveyears
bullParents as teachers (Pat)ndashDevelopmental parentingsupportforchildrenbirthtofiveyears
bullEarly Childhood intervention (ECi) ndashConcerns indevelopmentforchildrenbirthtothreeyears
For more information about Easter seals
programs and services call (956) 631-9171 or visit wwweasterseals-rgvorg
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
liviNg HEALTH
Take a Deep Breath and Relaxresidents haVe access to top hospitals
McAllen residents receive quality care from the South Texas Health System Rio Grande Regional Hospital and the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance By Kevin Litwin
Health System
SOuTh TExaS hEalTh SySTEm
South Texas health System is the umbrella organization for a number of fine medical facilities including mcallen medical Center MMC has 441 beds and a staff of more than 400 physicians that represent 50 medical specialties
Also part of South Texas Health System is mcallen heart hospital which opened in 1996 as the first freestanding cardiology and cardiovascular hospital built in the United States It includes 60 beds and a 24-hour emergency center
Healthgrades has awarded McAllen Medical Center and McAllen Heart Hospital with a variety of honors in recent years and both earned a Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence in 2011
Hospital
riO graNdE rEgiONal hOSPiTal
rio grande regional hospital is an acute care medical facility with 320 beds and more than 500 physicians The hospital is the only area Diabetes Management Center accredited by the American Diabetes Association and is the arearsquos first facility to have a Pediatric Heart Program
RGRH also includes a 24-hour emergency room Womenrsquos Services department Level III trauma center and cardiovascular care The hospital is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists and every year since 2007 has been named a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
Hospital
dOCTOrS hOSPiTal aT rENaiSSaNCE
The 506-bed doctors hospital at renaissance is an acute care facility It provides cardiology neurosurgery and endocrinology as well as a Pediatric Medical Tower that offers pediatric oncology and pediatric ICU services
Doctors Hospital has been ranked among the nationrsquos 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters and recently invested $32 million to establish an Electronic Medical Record System
DHR was the first in South Texas to acquire a PETCT scanner for diagnosing cancer and the first in the region to introduce da Vinci robotic surgical technology The hospital also oversees Renaissance Behavioral Center which provides treatment for people with mental health problems substance abuse or eating disorders
34 mc allen
COMMUNITyPROFILE COST OF liviNg
$44074Median Household Income
$129554Median Home Price
$689Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
TraNSPOrTaTiON
Median Travel Time to Work
agE
TEmPEraTurE
January Average
July Average
EThNiCiTy
19 and Under
20-54
55 and over
White
Black
Hispanic
other
1645minutes
Closest Airport McAllen International Airport
955deg
482deg
South Texasrsquo Finest Gift Store Offers Gifts From Around the World
4300 N 10th St bull Ste C bull McAllen TX 78504 (956) 686-1264 bull ohkaysaolcom
Look for us on Facebook
gOlF COurSES
gOlF TEC
2901 N 10TH ST956-994-9631
mCallEN COuNTry CluB615 WICHITA AVE956-686-0923
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
The national Butterfly Center the national butterfly center dedicates 100 acres to the conservation and scientific study of wild butterflies in their natural habitats the wildlife center is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm september through march and from 9 am until 4 pm april through august
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
liviNg SEE THE CITY
36 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
l iVabil it ycommc allen 5
MCALLEN2013EDITION vOLUME11
Texascontent director|LisaBattles
contributing Writers|BarbaraBiehlerLauraHillCarsonOrsquoShoneyKathrynRoysterBraxtonShoop
content coordinator|JessicaWalkerstaff Writer|KevinLitwin
proofreading manager|RavenPetty
lead designer|StaceyAllissenior Graphic designers|LauraGallagher
KrisSextonJakeShoresVikkiWilliamsGraphic designers|EricaLampleyKaraLeiby
KaceyPassmorecreative technology analyst|BeccaAry
lead photographer|MichaelContisenior photographers|JeffAdkinsBrianMcCord
staff photographers|ToddBennettMartinBCherry
color imaging technician | AlisonHunter
integrated media manager|ToddPottersales support project manager|SaraQuint
ad production manager|KatieMiddendorfad traffic assistants|KrystinLemmonPatriciaMoisan
Web project manager|DavidDayWeb development lead|YamelHallWeb developeri|NelsNoseworthy
Web designer ii|RichardStevensWeb product manager|JohnHood
digital project manager|JillRidenour
chairman|GregThurmanpresidentpublisher|BobSchwartzman
executive Vice president|RayLangensenior Vpsales|ToddPotter
senior Vpclient development|JeffHeefnersenior Vpoperations|CaseyHester
Vpsales|JarekSwekoskyVpcontent operations|NatashaLorens
audience development director|DeannaNelsoncreative services director|ChristinaCarden
distribution director|GarySmithphotography director|JeffreySOtto
Web services director|AllisonDavis
controller|ChrisDudleysenior accountant| LisaOwens
accounts payable coordinator|MariaMcFarlandaccounts receivable coordinator|DianaGuzman
system administrator|DanielCantrell
executive secretary|KristyDuncanhuman resources manager|PeggyBlake
receptionist|LindaBishop
Livability McAllen TXispublishedannuallybyJournalCommunicationsIncandisdistributed
throughtheMcAllen Chamber of Commerce anditsmemberbusinesses
Foradvertisinginformationortodirectquestionsorcommentsaboutthemagazinecontact
JournalCommunicationsIncat(615)771-0080orbyemailatinfojnlcomcom
Formoreinformationcontactmcallen chamber of commerce1200 ash avenue bull po box 790
mcallen tx 78505-0790phone (956) 682-2871 bull fax (956) 687-2917
wwwmcallenchambercom
visitLivability McAllen TXonlineatlivabilitycommcallen
copyCopyright2012JournalCommunicationsInc725CoolSpringsBlvdSuite400FranklinTN37067(615)771-0080AllrightsreservedNoportionofthis
magazinemaybereproducedinwholeorinpartwithoutwrittenconsent
Member TheAssociationofMagazineMedia
Member CustomContentCouncil
MemberMcAllenChamberofCommerce
GETTHEDIGITALMAGAZINE
livabilitycommcallen
Itrsquos loaded with links to more great info about McAllen Telling your communityrsquos unique story has never been so easy
TakE iT wiTh yOu
Easily share an interesting article stunning photo or advertisement of your business on Facebook Twitter or via email
CliCk arOuNd
Click on the web addresses in the copy to enjoy immediate access to each website
SPrEad ThE NEwS
Broadcast your communityrsquos positive image by placing the magazine on your website blog or newsletter
2013 | SPONSORED BY THE MCALLEN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
livabilitycommcallen
MCALLENTEXAS
McAllen in a DayThis happening Valley city has plenty to do and see
OUTSIDE THE BOXResidents get creative with business ventures
l iVabil it ycommc allen 5
CONTENTSlivabilitycommcallen
Visit the website for more great photos and stories about McAllen Texas
Livabilitycom Follow us livability Like us at facebookcomlivability Follow us at pinterestcomlivability
Things To Do Find the must-do attractions activities and dining in McAllen
LivingLearn about McAllenrsquos schools health care education and neighborhoods
BusinessGet info on top employers jobs and success stories in McAllen
digital magazine
Read it online or on your tablet and quickly share articles with friends
FaCtSGet data fast on population climate workforce cost of living and more
PhoTos amp viDeo
2013 | SPONSORED BY THE MCALLEN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
livabilitycommcallen
MCALLENTEXAS
McAllen in a DayThis happening Valley city has plenty to do and see
OUTSIDE THE BOXResidents get creative with business ventures
aT a glaNCE
Cultural diversity progressive business practices and a booming economy best characterize McAllen ndash one of the fastest growing metros in Texas and part of one of the fastest growing MSAs in the nation Its location near the US-Mexico border has made it a magnet for retail international trade tourism and manufacturing
aBuNdaNT liviNgMcAllenrsquos economic mix means
tangible benefits for residents beyond a strong job market They take their picks among diverse shopping and dining options that include national brands and unique independent retailers
The resulting tax base means the city can offer amenities such as a massive state-of-the-art library in-town bus service awesome parks and popular hiking and biking trails that are enjoyed year round thanks to a warm climate
With all this and affordable homes McAllen also consistently ranks among cities with the lowest cost of living in the United States
grEaT FOr BuSiNESSMcAllen is good for business
big and small More than 100 Fortune 500 companies have a presence within the McAllen MSA and the city has also been recently recognized by CNNMoney on its list of Best Places to Launch a Small Business
Key factors bringing expansions and entrepreneurs are an excellent quality of life numerous advanced medical facilities a comprehensive financial services community demonstrated logistics advantages to reach existing and new markets and a mostly young bicultural and bilingual population
Read on to discover why McAllen is one of Americarsquos best places to live
McAllen Texasa quick comprehensiVe oVerVieW of Whatrsquos Great about the community
Rio Granded
Rio Grande
83
281
281
83
777777
28181288281777777
ReynosaosR sas
Matamoros
Rio BravoBrownsvilleBrowrow sss
WeslacoHarlingenrlinng
Edinburg
Mission
Pharr
McAllen
HIDALGO
MEXICO
UNITEDSTATESS
FOr mOrE iNFOrmaTiON
McAllenChamberofCommerce1200 Ash Avenue McAllen TX 78501 Phone (956) 682-2871Fax (956) 687-2917
wwwmcallenchambercom
lOCaTiONMcAllen is in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas situated just 70 miles west of the Gulf of Mexico McAllen is the largest city in Hidalgo County
POPulaTiON
133821 (McAllen)
774769 (MSA)
aNNual raiNFall
23rdquo
diSTaNCES TO ThrEE majOr CiTiES NEarBy San Antonio 224 miles Austin 311 miles Fort WorthDallas 502 miles
TimE zONECentral
National Average 30rdquo
No3Mid-Size
US City for Jobs
- Forbes
ACCOLADE
McAllen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 7
Shopping
BrOwSE Or Buy
mcallenrsquos la Plaza mall draws more than 18 million visitors each year as the main shopping spot for residents in the Rio Grande Valley The 1200000-square-foot mall has more than 140 retailers such as Macyrsquos and Dillardrsquos as well as a variety of restaurants
Art Events
miNglE wiTh arTiSTS
The music after hours Outdoor Concert Series is held monthly to showcase bands from the Rio Grande Valley Meanwhile mcallenrsquos artwalk is a monthly self-guided tour that features art galleries vendors and museums
Sports
Play Ball
The mcallen Thunder and Edinburg roadrunners are baseball teams that play at Edinburg Baseball Stadium Both teams are members of the North American League an independent professional league not affiliated with Major League Baseball
Locally Grown
STOCk uP
You can find more than 20 varieties of citrus and other fresh fruits vegetables nuts and locally made products at klementrsquos grove Bellrsquos Farm to market Farmers market at Town lake and Farmers market at mcallenrsquos new library
THINGSTODOMcAllenrsquos must-do attractions activities and dining
Grab Your Binocularsmcallenrsquos many wildlife havens include QuintaMazatlan above an urban sanctuary for birds plants and other wildlife valleyNatureCenter which is the oldest nature center in the rio Grande Valley and the 2000-acre SantaAnaNationalWildlifeRefuge which has recorded 400 bird species and hundreds of butterfly species
8 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 9
Eatery
PiCk ThE PlaTTEr
The popular restaurant Costa messa has a new location on North 10th Street and its menu includes favorite items such as huge botana platters to share and choriqueso The eatery is open seven days a week from 11 am until 10 pm
Outdoors
gET iN ShaPE
Hiking and biking trail systems are located at various parks throughout McAllen Some of the arearsquos most popular trails can be found at las Palmas Park la vista Park los Encinos Park retama village Park Bill Schupp Park and westside Park
Pro Sports
FlaSh aNd viPErS
Cheer on the rio grande valley Flash a Professional Arena Soccer League team and catch the basketball action of the rio grande valley vipers 2010 NBA Development League Champions Both teams play at State Farm Arena in Hidalgo
ThiNgS TO dO
Happy Hour
PrOPOSE a TOaST
Enjoy dinner drinks and fun at the many businesses located within the 17th Street Entertainment district of downtown McAllen a revitalized area now bustling with interesting restaurants pubs clubs and lounges
Climb Aboardthe federal transit administration awarded mcallen $19 million to create an electric bus pilot program OLEvTechnologiesoversees the program which is retrofitting three diesel buses with electric motors passenger transport begins in 2013
8 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 9
THIS HAPPEnInG vALLEY CITY OFFERS PLEnTY TO DO SEE amp EAT
ThiNgS TO dO
mcallenin a Day
l iVabil it ycommc allen 11 10 mc allen
midNighT TO NOON iN mCallENWhere to stay McAllen has nearly 3600 hotel rooms
from luxurious traditional hotels to new motels with all the contemporary bells and whistles The Renaissance Casa de Palmas a four-star hotel on Main Street was built in 1918 and lavishly restored into a luxury property featuring Mission architecture that recalls McAllenrsquos past Or try the Spring Hill Suites just off the expressway for a more modern take
After a comfortable night start the morning off with breakfast at Jimmyrsquos Egg a new outpost of a longtime Oklahoma favorite Here enjoy nearly any kind of egg you can imagine for breakfast ndash or atop a burger at lunch Go further south of the cuisine border at Las Cazuelas Grill another popular new eatery for menu items such as Chilaquiles con Huevo or Molletes
Got 24 hours to spare We recommend a busy day well spent in McAllen where you can fill every available hour
with interesting sights delicious cuisine and a variety of fun activities
a birdrsquos-eye view of the cityrsquos revitalized 17the street entertainment district
l iVabil it ycommc allen 11
NB
icen
tenn
ialB
lvd
WHackberryAve
S23
rdS
tree
t
83
international museum of arts and sciences
mcallen public library
McAllen Public Librarym-th 9am - 9pmf-sat 9am - 6pmsun 1pm - 9pm
phone (956) 688-3300uhV students (with id) free
wwwmcallenlibrarynet
12 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 13
The hike and bike trail on Second Street and another on Bicentennial offer the chance for a leisurely 23-mile stroll around town ndash yoursquove got to work off that breakfast after all And then head over to the International Museum of Arts and Science a Smithsonian affiliated museum where a wide variety of changing art and science exhibits always offer something interesting
Another must-see is McAllenrsquos new public library which at a whopping 123000 square feet is the largest single-floor library in the US This former Walmart building underwent a total transformation into an aesthetically pleasing community resource thatrsquos steadily gaining attention worldwide for its colorful open and functional design Opened in December 2011 the facility has already won first place in the International Interior Design Associationrsquos 2012 Library Interior Design Competition
luNCh aNd laTErldquoWersquove got over 600 restaurants
hererdquo says Chamber President and CEO Steve Ahlenius So since itrsquos noon by now try the flatbread or a
salad at house wine amp bistro or go for a panini at Corner Bakery Cafe Or for Latin flavor head to KoKorsquos for delicious Mexican fare
In McAllen a day without shopping would be sad indeed La Plaza Mall is the most visited mall in the country and Palms Crossings at the McAllen Convention Center is home to several shops and restaurants such as Mimirsquos Cafe and Romanorsquos Macaroni Grill
ldquoAfter I finished shopping Irsquod spend the rest of the afternoon at Quinta Mazatlan (a historic home that also offers nature trails and legendary bird watching)rdquo Ahlenius says Another option is to test the waters by kayaking or catch-and-release fishing on Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park
mCallEN aFTEr hOurSYoursquore not tired are you
Good because after freshening up back at your hotel itrsquos off to a night on the town Cajun cuisine at The Bayou Grill on North 10th St is a great option as are the authentic Mexican menus at Cabritos Nuevo Leon or La Jaiba Mexican Seafood Grill both on West Nolana
After dinner stroll the 17th Street Entertainment District to catch the flavor of McAllen after hours or catch a show at the historic Cine El Rey theater where comedy acts concerts film festivals and other events take the stage Finally La Recova Contemporary Argentinean Grill beckons for a nightcap in its quiet upscale bar ldquowhere you can actually carry on a conversationrdquo Ahlenius says
Then to bed Where after a good nightrsquos rest you will surely want to get up and spend yet another great day in McAllen
by Laura Hill by staff photographer
Michael Conti
ldquoMcAllen is a beautiful multicultural city with plenty to do and see From shopping in the most popular stores in the nation or unique one-of-a-kind shops to fine dining and plenty of family outdoor activities ndash you can do it year round hererdquo
gErry garCia VPOFSPECIALPROJECTS
FORTHEMCALLENCHAMBER
SNAPSHOT
for music dinner and dancing head to downtown mcallenrsquos 17th street entertainment district
The Patio on Guerradiners enjoy the food and atmosphere at the patio on Guerra on 17th street in downtown mcallen
12 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 13
ThiNgS TO dO
Town Lakea boy takes his dog for a walk as he skateboards the trail along the new 4-acre town lake at firemanrsquos park a popular spot for canoeing kayaking fishing and more
ThiNgS TO dO
14 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 15 14 mc allen
nEW LAkE OPEnS AT FIREMAnrsquoS PARk
Ahh howrefreshing
ldquoWe did all the required dredging to transform the little pond into a recreational lake that is 15 feet at its deepest pointrdquo says Sally Gavlik director of the McAllen Parks amp Recreation Department ldquoIn these days of more and more people opting to remain close to home for staycations Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park gives them a valid option for a different kind of local vacationrdquo
lET ThE FuN BEgiNTown Lake is situated right in the
middle of McAllen off Business Highway 83 between First and Second streets Swimming is prohibited due to park
irrigation regulations but a beach has been constructed to launch canoes kayaks and paddle boats A fishing pier is also in place
ldquoWe transferred fish to the lake from nearby Boeye Reservoir which has provided us with good stocks of bass perch and catfishrdquo Gavlik says ldquoTown Lake currently only has a catch-and-release program meaning you can catch fish but must release them back into the water At some point in the future when the fish population increases we plan to schedule times when people can take the fish homerdquo
The City of McAllen made a big splash in May 2012 when it officially opened Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park What was once a small tract of land with a few basic
recreational amenities is now a 15-acre redevelopment that includes the four-acre Town Lake Crews used a water holding pond at the cityrsquos former water treatment facility to construct the new lake
14 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 15
TakE a hikEWalking and jogging are also good recreational
options around the waterrsquos perimeterldquoTown Lake actually ties into the well used Second
Street Trail People can come off the trail walk or jog along the lake and then get back onto the trailrdquo Gavlik says ldquoThe scenery includes wildflowers in a freshly seeded meadow while other park amenities are horseshoe pits two playgrounds and free picnic sites at the north end of Firemanrsquos Park at First Streetrdquo
There is also a covered pavilion area with sand volleyball courts a small concession building and three camping sites The campsites can be used during the day by anyone but only overnight by organized groups such as the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts Group reservations must be made through the McAllen Parks amp Recreation Department
ldquoAnother park attraction is the former water treatment building which has been transformed into a rental facilityrdquo Gavlik says ldquoIt is now called The Old Pump House complete with new windows air conditioning uplighting tiling and carpeted floors Groups of 75 to 100 people can rent the facility for meetings small receptions or small social events The Old Pump House adds to the overall amenities of todayrsquos Firemenrsquos Parkrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer Michael Conti
Fishinga group casts lines into town lake which enforces a catch-and-release program
WHackberryAve
TownLake
83
firemanrsquos park
N2
nd
Str
eet
16 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 17
children enjoy the playground at firemanrsquos park
16 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 17
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO LoCAL FLAVoR
Palate Pleasersmcallen restaurants serVe up flaVorful foods
McAllen diners rejoice The city has a broad selection of distinctive restaurants and eateries appealing to just about every taste By Barbara Biehler
Asian
SENSaTiONal SuShi amp SPiCE
McAllen has several great spots for Japanese food such as sushi tempura and teppanyaki including kohnami kumori and yokorsquos Sushi Bar
Fans of Thai food should check out Thai red Chilirsquos for dishes like pad thai red curry chicken and sweet rice with mango
Indian
TaNdOOri aNyONETaste of india hits the spot
for diners looking for high quality authentic Indian food made from old family recipes and paired with excellent service
Tex-Mex and Mexican
SOmE likE iT SPiCy
Step into las Cazuelas grill for classic Mexican cuisine or visit Palenque Chicken for expertly prepared Mexican and Tex Mex dishes
Renowned regionally for homemade tamales deliarsquos uses fresh ingredients including pork chicken and beef
The republic of rio grande serves Mexican cuisine in an intimate setting order a traditional dish like the chicken fajitas or enchiladas suizas or enjoy a distinctive entree such as shrimp chipotle pesto pasta or a brick-oven pizza
check out more restaurants in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
ldquoDeliarsquos has the best tamales in town Probably even in the RGV The only place you can get the good old homemade flavor of real tamalesrdquo
Evila l YELPCOM
Argentine
SOuTh amEriCaN CuiSiNE
Relax in the elegant yet casual atmosphere of la Pampa argentinean Steak housewhile you dine on classic Argentine- cut steaks grilled chicken breasts marinated in Chimichurri or traditional de carne empanadas
Meanwhile la recova also offers a wide selection of Argentine-style favorites on its menu Favorite dishes at La Recova includes chorizo tuna carnitas duck confit and churrasco a classic top sirloin steak
Outdoor Dining
TrENdy amp TaSTy
If yoursquore in the mood for a USDA prime steak or succulent seafood drop by The Patio on guerra Dine on the outdoor patio and have a bottle of one of the restaurantrsquos award-winning wines
FridarsquosGrillandCantina located on 17th street offers traditional mexican favorites with modern flavors Go to fridarsquos to enjoy unique culinary dishes signature drinks and live music on the weekends
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO ARTS amp CULTURE
Rave Reviewsmcallenrsquos arts scene remains robust With museums music and eVents
Arts patrons music lovers and history buffs enjoy many cultural attractions throughout McAllen The latest buzz McAllen Performing Arts Center will spring up near the McAllen Convention Center giving fans of live music theater and dance a fine new facility to anticipate
Live Entertainment
PErFOrmErS TakE ThE STagE
The 17th Street Entertainment district in downtown McAllen overflows with lounges restaurants and clubs For live music visit The old Ice House or Cine El Rey
The cityrsquos diverse culture is what influences much of the music performed by the valley Symphony Orchestra amp Chorale The Symphony was established in 1952 with the Chorale joining later in 1984 Similarly the South Texas lyric Opera brings the fine art of opera to the Rio Grande Valley with a yearly slate of productions and an annual opera gala and rio grande valley Broadway brings popular stage shows to town such as Disneyrsquos Beauty and the Beast and Monty Pythonrsquos Spamalot
Historic Sites
TakE a STEP BaCk iN TimE
The museum of South Texas history and the mcallen heritage Center are just two locations to learn about the rich history of this bicultural area
Quinta mazatlan a 1930s hacienda that embodies the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture of arches adobe and beams and provides an intimate look into South Texas history The 10000-square- foot mansion sits on a 15-acre plot hosting a mix of native and exotic plants and wildlife making up McAllenrsquos wing of the popular world Birding Center
Cine El Reyopened in 1947 the historic cine el rey theater now functions as
a music and performance venue showcasing a variety of live events and also shows spanish and english independent films the theater is located in downtown mcallenrsquos 17th street entertainment district
20 mc allen
ldquoCine El Rey hosts events as diverse as wrestling live bands films and comedy shows A huge stage is complimented by killer production value and a staff that really cares about all aspects of the experience Irsquom looking forward to a return triprdquo
Bill dykES YELP
visual Arts and Festivals
aCCESSiBlE arT FuN EvENTS
The international museum of art amp Science founded in 1969 promotes an appreciation for the arts and sciences through its exhibitions cultural events and many educational programs imaS is located at 1900 Nolana Ave
The mcallen art walk is a self-guided tour that gives art lovers the opportunity to explore the many art offerings in the city Itrsquos held every first Friday from September through May and is free and open to the public
on the first Saturday night of December folks enjoy the Candlelight Posada which includes food booths luminaries a parade live entertainment caroling and a live nativity scene
Chamber of Commerce Support
ChamBEr BaCkS ThE arTS
The mcallen Chamber of Commerce shows its love for the arts by managing the mcallen arts Council which publishes a quarterly magazine produces an annual fine arts exhibition and offers grants to local artists The Chamber also offers an outdoor concert series and coordinates the Public art Committeersquos acquisition program
20 mc allen
ThiNgS TO dO SPoRTS amp RECREATIoN
Soak Up Some Sunmcallen residents haVe plenty of Good reasons to Get outdoors
Great golf courses hiking and biking trails and a large well-maintained park system make McAllen the perfect place to enjoy outdoor fun By Carson OrsquoShoney
Golf
TEE iT uPWith nearly 20 courses in the
McAllen area golf is a popular attraction in the Rio Grande Valley
one of the most notable courses is the Palm view golf Course an 18-hole public course with a private feel With rolling fairways and Bermuda rough mounds the course is an often-used location for tournaments having hosted LPGA tournaments and Palm viewrsquos amateur golf Championship
mcallen Country Club provides a challenge with tree-lined fairways and small greens and also offers a swimming pool tennis courts a fitness center and other amenities
Every golf course in the area is bustling especially in the winter when ldquoWinter Texansrdquo come to the Rio Grande Valley The weather generally stays in the 70s in the coldest months making it a perfect place for winter golfing
Hiking Biking and Racing
ON ThE mOvE iN mCallEN
There are plenty of hiking and biking trails on the east and west sides of town such as the retama village Park Trail westside Park Trail and las Palmas Park Trail Visiting cyclists are welcome to meet up with Team mcallen Cycling a bike club thatrsquos been in the city for more than 25 years
Racing fans can enjoy the mcallen international motorplex and Event Center which hosts stock car races car shows and more The racetrack is a family-friendly place offering activities for children such as games face painting and crafts
Palm view Golf Courseirish cochran plays a round of golf at palm View Golf course an 18-hole public course often used for high profile tournaments
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
City Parks
OuTdOOr Family FuN
The mcallen Parks and recreation department currently oversees 25 city parks Ranging from historic parks established in the early 1900s to more modern facilities there are several options suitable for the whole family
archer Park McAllenrsquos oldest park opened in 1912 Serving as a historic landmark in the city it also plays host to many of the cityrsquos annual special events including the Candlelight Posada and movies in the Park
Spanning 38 acres Springfest Park is the largest park in McAllen Springfest hosts a variety of special events and is home to mcallenrsquos winter Polo league from January through March
check out more fun things to do in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
Spray and Ground Parkbesides its popular water feature mcallenrsquos new SprayandGroundParkhas a sand volleyball court skateboard area a half basketball court and just over half a mile of walking trails in addition there are athletic practice fields shaded areas picnic shelters and restroom facilities
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
ThiNgS TO dO SEE THE CITY
24 mc allen
The Irrigation Workerthe sun sets behind a sculpture ldquothe irrigation Workerrdquo which was created by artist douglas clark and is located on nolana and 25th
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
l iVabil it ycommc allen 25
LIvINGHERESchools health care education and neighborhoods in McAllen
26 mc allen 26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 26 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 27
see more beautiful photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
Luxury Livingnewcomers have many beautiful home options in mcallen such as those offered in eight different communities by cantu construction a locally based award-winning builder
26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 liVabil it ycommc allen 27
liviNg
TECH TOOLS FOSTER STUDEnT SUCCESS
Padding theCurriculum
McAllen Independent School District (ISD) is feeling the benefits of an ambitious technology plan that places an iPod or iPad in the hands of every teacher and student
mcallen independent school district students use system-issued ipads in class
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
EduCaTiNg FOr ThE 21ST CENTury
The initiative began with a meeting between Dr James Ponce McAllenrsquos superintendent of schools and a ldquocadrerdquo of about 35 teachers administrators and parents
The grouprsquos primary goal was to build a 21st-century classroom environment one that fosters creativity collaboration and entrepreneurship The group also wanted to find a way to harness the 247 educational potential of the Internet ndash and teach students the critical-thinking skills needed to process online content
ldquoItrsquos an environment where the teachers become the primary learners and the students are driven by their examplerdquo Ponce says ldquoSo we asked what tools we would need for this transformation of the way we teach and the way the kids learnrdquo
After much research the group chose iPods (for grades K-2) and iPads (for teachers and grades 3-12) because of their portability
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo
CarOl aNN allEN LANGuAGEARTSTEACHER
ATMICHAELEFOSSuMMIDDLESCHOOL
relatively low cost and ease of use To implement the planrsquos first stage McAllen ISD issued 5800 of these devices to teachers and students when the rollout is complete it will cover more than 25000 students
Big BENEFiTS FOr TEaChErS aNd STudENTS
Both teachers and students are seeing benefits from the program
ldquoThe iPods help the kids be creative My students are organizing information in new waysrdquo says Ruth Whiddon who teaches first grade at Andrew Jackson Elementary School
For Carol Ann Allen International Baccalaureate coordinator and eighth-grade language arts teacher at Michael E Fossum Middle School the initiative is all about collaboration
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo she says
Sandra Guerra who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade math
at Fossum says the iPads have changed both her teaching style and the way her students learn
Instead of mapping out the learning process step-by-step she now gives students their goal and lets them choose how to get there
ldquoWith this approach they own their learning and theyrsquove been more willing to learnrdquo Guerra says
The iPads have also been a game-changer for Guerrarsquos family
Her seventh-grade daughter is learning advanced science concepts because of independent iPad projects And because most of her childrenrsquos school materials are on their iPads itrsquos easier than ever for Guerra to check on their progress from home
That kind of scenario says Superintendent Ponce is at the heart of the initiative
ldquoThe entire school system and our community want to lead in this effort to build a 21st-century learning environmentrdquo he says ldquoThis is a direct investment in our children and their familiesrdquo
by Kathryn Royster
High-Tech Learningseventh-grade students use ipads to follow class lectures and take quizzes during a language arts class at michael e fossum middle school
PH
oT
o C
oU
RT
EST
Y o
F M
CA
LLE
N IN
DE
PE
ND
EN
T S
CH
oo
L D
IST
RIC
T
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
Higher Education
SOuTh TExaS COllEgE
McAllenrsquos South Texas College has more than 30000 students and offers numerous associate and bachelorrsquos degree programs as well as professional certifications in more than 40 areas The college also has online degree courses for students who work full time
liviNg EDUCATIoN
Set for SuccesscolleGe prep is a top priority in mcallen
Education in McAllen is defined by excellent options From elementary school through college McAllen includes numerous institutions designed to prepare students for success By Braxton Shoop
school yourself on more educational offerings at livabilitycommcallen
Public Schools
mCallEN iNdEPENdENT SChOOl diSTriCT
Established in 1915 the mcallen independent School district comprises three high schools seven middle schools and 20 elementary schools Among these schools the district offers an advanced placement college-level curriculum and a dual-enrollment program for students who would like to obtain high school and college credit simultaneously
In addition the district features an International Baccalaureate program that provides students with an advanced curriculum geared toward global standards
Local Inspiration
FOrmEr STudENT FliES high
one of McAllenrsquos successful students is astronaut michael Fossum a graduate of McAllen High School After receiving his commission from the US Air Force by Texas AampM University Fossum graduated Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base and in 1993 he started at NASA Throughout his NASA career Fossum was on crew for three spaceflights He commanded the space station during one of his flights helping him rank seventh on the all-time list for cumulative Extravehicular Activity time
Top-notch Learning Environmentuniversity of texas-pan american offers many undergraduate degrees more than 50 masterrsquos degrees and three doctoral degrees utpa has accreditations from organizations like the commission for collegiate nursing the examining board of nurse examiners for the state of texas and the engineering accreditation commission of the accreditation board for engineering and technology
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Charter School
idEa aCadEmy
idEa academy is an innovative institution that offers a fully scaled curriculum for students in kindergarten and in the first second and sixth grades The school which opened in McAllen in 2012 will eventually add more grades each one including approximately 110 students While the school is public students must apply to fill the 460 available spots
To prepare its students to be collegiate scholars IDEA provides International Baccalaureate curriculum as well as the Road to College curriculum which begins in the sixth grade
ldquoWersquore very proud of the connection to our distinguished alumni like NASA astronaut Michael Fossum and we want our students to recognize the kind of education we provide here What he learned here helped catapult him into space and wersquore very proud of thatrdquo
NOrma zamOra-guErra MCALLENINDEPENDENTSCHOOL
DISTRICTCOMMuNITYINFORMATIONDIRECTOR
Michael E Fossum Middle Schoolnamed for astronaut michael e fossum the school is part of the mcallen independent school district
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Please call 9566316109 for a representative today
2501 Buddy Owens Blvd McAllen TX 78504
9656316125 Fax
wwwrio-healthcom
RioHealth MedicalWe are here to meet all your
occupational medicine needs
bull Workplace injuries and workersrsquo compensation
bull On site and off site drug screening
bull Physicals
bull Orthopedics
bull Early return to work
bull 247 coverage
bull We accept all types of insurance
WorkplaceInjury
DANIEL J GUERRA MD Diplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
LEONEL G MORENO MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
HOMERO RIVAS MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
606 S Broadway bull McAllen TX bull (956) 682-4515 bull wwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
FAMILY PHYSICIANS
CLINICSince 1967
Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm Sat 8 am-Noon
VALLEY NIGHT CLINIC
Since 1981
Open Every Night of the Year 6 pm-Midnight
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valley supports children of all abilities through child care
services early intervention and parenting support programs
Early Childhood intErvEntion ChildCarE sErviCEs ParEnts as tEaChErs
Easter seals rio Grande valley Programs for Children Birth to Five years
bullChild-Care servicesndashHigh-qualitychildcare sixweekstofiveyears
bullParents as teachers (Pat)ndashDevelopmental parentingsupportforchildrenbirthtofiveyears
bullEarly Childhood intervention (ECi) ndashConcerns indevelopmentforchildrenbirthtothreeyears
For more information about Easter seals
programs and services call (956) 631-9171 or visit wwweasterseals-rgvorg
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
liviNg HEALTH
Take a Deep Breath and Relaxresidents haVe access to top hospitals
McAllen residents receive quality care from the South Texas Health System Rio Grande Regional Hospital and the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance By Kevin Litwin
Health System
SOuTh TExaS hEalTh SySTEm
South Texas health System is the umbrella organization for a number of fine medical facilities including mcallen medical Center MMC has 441 beds and a staff of more than 400 physicians that represent 50 medical specialties
Also part of South Texas Health System is mcallen heart hospital which opened in 1996 as the first freestanding cardiology and cardiovascular hospital built in the United States It includes 60 beds and a 24-hour emergency center
Healthgrades has awarded McAllen Medical Center and McAllen Heart Hospital with a variety of honors in recent years and both earned a Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence in 2011
Hospital
riO graNdE rEgiONal hOSPiTal
rio grande regional hospital is an acute care medical facility with 320 beds and more than 500 physicians The hospital is the only area Diabetes Management Center accredited by the American Diabetes Association and is the arearsquos first facility to have a Pediatric Heart Program
RGRH also includes a 24-hour emergency room Womenrsquos Services department Level III trauma center and cardiovascular care The hospital is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists and every year since 2007 has been named a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
Hospital
dOCTOrS hOSPiTal aT rENaiSSaNCE
The 506-bed doctors hospital at renaissance is an acute care facility It provides cardiology neurosurgery and endocrinology as well as a Pediatric Medical Tower that offers pediatric oncology and pediatric ICU services
Doctors Hospital has been ranked among the nationrsquos 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters and recently invested $32 million to establish an Electronic Medical Record System
DHR was the first in South Texas to acquire a PETCT scanner for diagnosing cancer and the first in the region to introduce da Vinci robotic surgical technology The hospital also oversees Renaissance Behavioral Center which provides treatment for people with mental health problems substance abuse or eating disorders
34 mc allen
COMMUNITyPROFILE COST OF liviNg
$44074Median Household Income
$129554Median Home Price
$689Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
TraNSPOrTaTiON
Median Travel Time to Work
agE
TEmPEraTurE
January Average
July Average
EThNiCiTy
19 and Under
20-54
55 and over
White
Black
Hispanic
other
1645minutes
Closest Airport McAllen International Airport
955deg
482deg
South Texasrsquo Finest Gift Store Offers Gifts From Around the World
4300 N 10th St bull Ste C bull McAllen TX 78504 (956) 686-1264 bull ohkaysaolcom
Look for us on Facebook
gOlF COurSES
gOlF TEC
2901 N 10TH ST956-994-9631
mCallEN COuNTry CluB615 WICHITA AVE956-686-0923
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
The national Butterfly Center the national butterfly center dedicates 100 acres to the conservation and scientific study of wild butterflies in their natural habitats the wildlife center is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm september through march and from 9 am until 4 pm april through august
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
liviNg SEE THE CITY
36 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
MCALLEN2013EDITION vOLUME11
Texascontent director|LisaBattles
contributing Writers|BarbaraBiehlerLauraHillCarsonOrsquoShoneyKathrynRoysterBraxtonShoop
content coordinator|JessicaWalkerstaff Writer|KevinLitwin
proofreading manager|RavenPetty
lead designer|StaceyAllissenior Graphic designers|LauraGallagher
KrisSextonJakeShoresVikkiWilliamsGraphic designers|EricaLampleyKaraLeiby
KaceyPassmorecreative technology analyst|BeccaAry
lead photographer|MichaelContisenior photographers|JeffAdkinsBrianMcCord
staff photographers|ToddBennettMartinBCherry
color imaging technician | AlisonHunter
integrated media manager|ToddPottersales support project manager|SaraQuint
ad production manager|KatieMiddendorfad traffic assistants|KrystinLemmonPatriciaMoisan
Web project manager|DavidDayWeb development lead|YamelHallWeb developeri|NelsNoseworthy
Web designer ii|RichardStevensWeb product manager|JohnHood
digital project manager|JillRidenour
chairman|GregThurmanpresidentpublisher|BobSchwartzman
executive Vice president|RayLangensenior Vpsales|ToddPotter
senior Vpclient development|JeffHeefnersenior Vpoperations|CaseyHester
Vpsales|JarekSwekoskyVpcontent operations|NatashaLorens
audience development director|DeannaNelsoncreative services director|ChristinaCarden
distribution director|GarySmithphotography director|JeffreySOtto
Web services director|AllisonDavis
controller|ChrisDudleysenior accountant| LisaOwens
accounts payable coordinator|MariaMcFarlandaccounts receivable coordinator|DianaGuzman
system administrator|DanielCantrell
executive secretary|KristyDuncanhuman resources manager|PeggyBlake
receptionist|LindaBishop
Livability McAllen TXispublishedannuallybyJournalCommunicationsIncandisdistributed
throughtheMcAllen Chamber of Commerce anditsmemberbusinesses
Foradvertisinginformationortodirectquestionsorcommentsaboutthemagazinecontact
JournalCommunicationsIncat(615)771-0080orbyemailatinfojnlcomcom
Formoreinformationcontactmcallen chamber of commerce1200 ash avenue bull po box 790
mcallen tx 78505-0790phone (956) 682-2871 bull fax (956) 687-2917
wwwmcallenchambercom
visitLivability McAllen TXonlineatlivabilitycommcallen
copyCopyright2012JournalCommunicationsInc725CoolSpringsBlvdSuite400FranklinTN37067(615)771-0080AllrightsreservedNoportionofthis
magazinemaybereproducedinwholeorinpartwithoutwrittenconsent
Member TheAssociationofMagazineMedia
Member CustomContentCouncil
MemberMcAllenChamberofCommerce
GETTHEDIGITALMAGAZINE
livabilitycommcallen
Itrsquos loaded with links to more great info about McAllen Telling your communityrsquos unique story has never been so easy
TakE iT wiTh yOu
Easily share an interesting article stunning photo or advertisement of your business on Facebook Twitter or via email
CliCk arOuNd
Click on the web addresses in the copy to enjoy immediate access to each website
SPrEad ThE NEwS
Broadcast your communityrsquos positive image by placing the magazine on your website blog or newsletter
2013 | SPONSORED BY THE MCALLEN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
livabilitycommcallen
MCALLENTEXAS
McAllen in a DayThis happening Valley city has plenty to do and see
OUTSIDE THE BOXResidents get creative with business ventures
l iVabil it ycommc allen 5
CONTENTSlivabilitycommcallen
Visit the website for more great photos and stories about McAllen Texas
Livabilitycom Follow us livability Like us at facebookcomlivability Follow us at pinterestcomlivability
Things To Do Find the must-do attractions activities and dining in McAllen
LivingLearn about McAllenrsquos schools health care education and neighborhoods
BusinessGet info on top employers jobs and success stories in McAllen
digital magazine
Read it online or on your tablet and quickly share articles with friends
FaCtSGet data fast on population climate workforce cost of living and more
PhoTos amp viDeo
2013 | SPONSORED BY THE MCALLEN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
livabilitycommcallen
MCALLENTEXAS
McAllen in a DayThis happening Valley city has plenty to do and see
OUTSIDE THE BOXResidents get creative with business ventures
aT a glaNCE
Cultural diversity progressive business practices and a booming economy best characterize McAllen ndash one of the fastest growing metros in Texas and part of one of the fastest growing MSAs in the nation Its location near the US-Mexico border has made it a magnet for retail international trade tourism and manufacturing
aBuNdaNT liviNgMcAllenrsquos economic mix means
tangible benefits for residents beyond a strong job market They take their picks among diverse shopping and dining options that include national brands and unique independent retailers
The resulting tax base means the city can offer amenities such as a massive state-of-the-art library in-town bus service awesome parks and popular hiking and biking trails that are enjoyed year round thanks to a warm climate
With all this and affordable homes McAllen also consistently ranks among cities with the lowest cost of living in the United States
grEaT FOr BuSiNESSMcAllen is good for business
big and small More than 100 Fortune 500 companies have a presence within the McAllen MSA and the city has also been recently recognized by CNNMoney on its list of Best Places to Launch a Small Business
Key factors bringing expansions and entrepreneurs are an excellent quality of life numerous advanced medical facilities a comprehensive financial services community demonstrated logistics advantages to reach existing and new markets and a mostly young bicultural and bilingual population
Read on to discover why McAllen is one of Americarsquos best places to live
McAllen Texasa quick comprehensiVe oVerVieW of Whatrsquos Great about the community
Rio Granded
Rio Grande
83
281
281
83
777777
28181288281777777
ReynosaosR sas
Matamoros
Rio BravoBrownsvilleBrowrow sss
WeslacoHarlingenrlinng
Edinburg
Mission
Pharr
McAllen
HIDALGO
MEXICO
UNITEDSTATESS
FOr mOrE iNFOrmaTiON
McAllenChamberofCommerce1200 Ash Avenue McAllen TX 78501 Phone (956) 682-2871Fax (956) 687-2917
wwwmcallenchambercom
lOCaTiONMcAllen is in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas situated just 70 miles west of the Gulf of Mexico McAllen is the largest city in Hidalgo County
POPulaTiON
133821 (McAllen)
774769 (MSA)
aNNual raiNFall
23rdquo
diSTaNCES TO ThrEE majOr CiTiES NEarBy San Antonio 224 miles Austin 311 miles Fort WorthDallas 502 miles
TimE zONECentral
National Average 30rdquo
No3Mid-Size
US City for Jobs
- Forbes
ACCOLADE
McAllen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 7
Shopping
BrOwSE Or Buy
mcallenrsquos la Plaza mall draws more than 18 million visitors each year as the main shopping spot for residents in the Rio Grande Valley The 1200000-square-foot mall has more than 140 retailers such as Macyrsquos and Dillardrsquos as well as a variety of restaurants
Art Events
miNglE wiTh arTiSTS
The music after hours Outdoor Concert Series is held monthly to showcase bands from the Rio Grande Valley Meanwhile mcallenrsquos artwalk is a monthly self-guided tour that features art galleries vendors and museums
Sports
Play Ball
The mcallen Thunder and Edinburg roadrunners are baseball teams that play at Edinburg Baseball Stadium Both teams are members of the North American League an independent professional league not affiliated with Major League Baseball
Locally Grown
STOCk uP
You can find more than 20 varieties of citrus and other fresh fruits vegetables nuts and locally made products at klementrsquos grove Bellrsquos Farm to market Farmers market at Town lake and Farmers market at mcallenrsquos new library
THINGSTODOMcAllenrsquos must-do attractions activities and dining
Grab Your Binocularsmcallenrsquos many wildlife havens include QuintaMazatlan above an urban sanctuary for birds plants and other wildlife valleyNatureCenter which is the oldest nature center in the rio Grande Valley and the 2000-acre SantaAnaNationalWildlifeRefuge which has recorded 400 bird species and hundreds of butterfly species
8 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 9
Eatery
PiCk ThE PlaTTEr
The popular restaurant Costa messa has a new location on North 10th Street and its menu includes favorite items such as huge botana platters to share and choriqueso The eatery is open seven days a week from 11 am until 10 pm
Outdoors
gET iN ShaPE
Hiking and biking trail systems are located at various parks throughout McAllen Some of the arearsquos most popular trails can be found at las Palmas Park la vista Park los Encinos Park retama village Park Bill Schupp Park and westside Park
Pro Sports
FlaSh aNd viPErS
Cheer on the rio grande valley Flash a Professional Arena Soccer League team and catch the basketball action of the rio grande valley vipers 2010 NBA Development League Champions Both teams play at State Farm Arena in Hidalgo
ThiNgS TO dO
Happy Hour
PrOPOSE a TOaST
Enjoy dinner drinks and fun at the many businesses located within the 17th Street Entertainment district of downtown McAllen a revitalized area now bustling with interesting restaurants pubs clubs and lounges
Climb Aboardthe federal transit administration awarded mcallen $19 million to create an electric bus pilot program OLEvTechnologiesoversees the program which is retrofitting three diesel buses with electric motors passenger transport begins in 2013
8 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 9
THIS HAPPEnInG vALLEY CITY OFFERS PLEnTY TO DO SEE amp EAT
ThiNgS TO dO
mcallenin a Day
l iVabil it ycommc allen 11 10 mc allen
midNighT TO NOON iN mCallENWhere to stay McAllen has nearly 3600 hotel rooms
from luxurious traditional hotels to new motels with all the contemporary bells and whistles The Renaissance Casa de Palmas a four-star hotel on Main Street was built in 1918 and lavishly restored into a luxury property featuring Mission architecture that recalls McAllenrsquos past Or try the Spring Hill Suites just off the expressway for a more modern take
After a comfortable night start the morning off with breakfast at Jimmyrsquos Egg a new outpost of a longtime Oklahoma favorite Here enjoy nearly any kind of egg you can imagine for breakfast ndash or atop a burger at lunch Go further south of the cuisine border at Las Cazuelas Grill another popular new eatery for menu items such as Chilaquiles con Huevo or Molletes
Got 24 hours to spare We recommend a busy day well spent in McAllen where you can fill every available hour
with interesting sights delicious cuisine and a variety of fun activities
a birdrsquos-eye view of the cityrsquos revitalized 17the street entertainment district
l iVabil it ycommc allen 11
NB
icen
tenn
ialB
lvd
WHackberryAve
S23
rdS
tree
t
83
international museum of arts and sciences
mcallen public library
McAllen Public Librarym-th 9am - 9pmf-sat 9am - 6pmsun 1pm - 9pm
phone (956) 688-3300uhV students (with id) free
wwwmcallenlibrarynet
12 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 13
The hike and bike trail on Second Street and another on Bicentennial offer the chance for a leisurely 23-mile stroll around town ndash yoursquove got to work off that breakfast after all And then head over to the International Museum of Arts and Science a Smithsonian affiliated museum where a wide variety of changing art and science exhibits always offer something interesting
Another must-see is McAllenrsquos new public library which at a whopping 123000 square feet is the largest single-floor library in the US This former Walmart building underwent a total transformation into an aesthetically pleasing community resource thatrsquos steadily gaining attention worldwide for its colorful open and functional design Opened in December 2011 the facility has already won first place in the International Interior Design Associationrsquos 2012 Library Interior Design Competition
luNCh aNd laTErldquoWersquove got over 600 restaurants
hererdquo says Chamber President and CEO Steve Ahlenius So since itrsquos noon by now try the flatbread or a
salad at house wine amp bistro or go for a panini at Corner Bakery Cafe Or for Latin flavor head to KoKorsquos for delicious Mexican fare
In McAllen a day without shopping would be sad indeed La Plaza Mall is the most visited mall in the country and Palms Crossings at the McAllen Convention Center is home to several shops and restaurants such as Mimirsquos Cafe and Romanorsquos Macaroni Grill
ldquoAfter I finished shopping Irsquod spend the rest of the afternoon at Quinta Mazatlan (a historic home that also offers nature trails and legendary bird watching)rdquo Ahlenius says Another option is to test the waters by kayaking or catch-and-release fishing on Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park
mCallEN aFTEr hOurSYoursquore not tired are you
Good because after freshening up back at your hotel itrsquos off to a night on the town Cajun cuisine at The Bayou Grill on North 10th St is a great option as are the authentic Mexican menus at Cabritos Nuevo Leon or La Jaiba Mexican Seafood Grill both on West Nolana
After dinner stroll the 17th Street Entertainment District to catch the flavor of McAllen after hours or catch a show at the historic Cine El Rey theater where comedy acts concerts film festivals and other events take the stage Finally La Recova Contemporary Argentinean Grill beckons for a nightcap in its quiet upscale bar ldquowhere you can actually carry on a conversationrdquo Ahlenius says
Then to bed Where after a good nightrsquos rest you will surely want to get up and spend yet another great day in McAllen
by Laura Hill by staff photographer
Michael Conti
ldquoMcAllen is a beautiful multicultural city with plenty to do and see From shopping in the most popular stores in the nation or unique one-of-a-kind shops to fine dining and plenty of family outdoor activities ndash you can do it year round hererdquo
gErry garCia VPOFSPECIALPROJECTS
FORTHEMCALLENCHAMBER
SNAPSHOT
for music dinner and dancing head to downtown mcallenrsquos 17th street entertainment district
The Patio on Guerradiners enjoy the food and atmosphere at the patio on Guerra on 17th street in downtown mcallen
12 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 13
ThiNgS TO dO
Town Lakea boy takes his dog for a walk as he skateboards the trail along the new 4-acre town lake at firemanrsquos park a popular spot for canoeing kayaking fishing and more
ThiNgS TO dO
14 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 15 14 mc allen
nEW LAkE OPEnS AT FIREMAnrsquoS PARk
Ahh howrefreshing
ldquoWe did all the required dredging to transform the little pond into a recreational lake that is 15 feet at its deepest pointrdquo says Sally Gavlik director of the McAllen Parks amp Recreation Department ldquoIn these days of more and more people opting to remain close to home for staycations Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park gives them a valid option for a different kind of local vacationrdquo
lET ThE FuN BEgiNTown Lake is situated right in the
middle of McAllen off Business Highway 83 between First and Second streets Swimming is prohibited due to park
irrigation regulations but a beach has been constructed to launch canoes kayaks and paddle boats A fishing pier is also in place
ldquoWe transferred fish to the lake from nearby Boeye Reservoir which has provided us with good stocks of bass perch and catfishrdquo Gavlik says ldquoTown Lake currently only has a catch-and-release program meaning you can catch fish but must release them back into the water At some point in the future when the fish population increases we plan to schedule times when people can take the fish homerdquo
The City of McAllen made a big splash in May 2012 when it officially opened Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park What was once a small tract of land with a few basic
recreational amenities is now a 15-acre redevelopment that includes the four-acre Town Lake Crews used a water holding pond at the cityrsquos former water treatment facility to construct the new lake
14 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 15
TakE a hikEWalking and jogging are also good recreational
options around the waterrsquos perimeterldquoTown Lake actually ties into the well used Second
Street Trail People can come off the trail walk or jog along the lake and then get back onto the trailrdquo Gavlik says ldquoThe scenery includes wildflowers in a freshly seeded meadow while other park amenities are horseshoe pits two playgrounds and free picnic sites at the north end of Firemanrsquos Park at First Streetrdquo
There is also a covered pavilion area with sand volleyball courts a small concession building and three camping sites The campsites can be used during the day by anyone but only overnight by organized groups such as the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts Group reservations must be made through the McAllen Parks amp Recreation Department
ldquoAnother park attraction is the former water treatment building which has been transformed into a rental facilityrdquo Gavlik says ldquoIt is now called The Old Pump House complete with new windows air conditioning uplighting tiling and carpeted floors Groups of 75 to 100 people can rent the facility for meetings small receptions or small social events The Old Pump House adds to the overall amenities of todayrsquos Firemenrsquos Parkrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer Michael Conti
Fishinga group casts lines into town lake which enforces a catch-and-release program
WHackberryAve
TownLake
83
firemanrsquos park
N2
nd
Str
eet
16 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 17
children enjoy the playground at firemanrsquos park
16 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 17
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO LoCAL FLAVoR
Palate Pleasersmcallen restaurants serVe up flaVorful foods
McAllen diners rejoice The city has a broad selection of distinctive restaurants and eateries appealing to just about every taste By Barbara Biehler
Asian
SENSaTiONal SuShi amp SPiCE
McAllen has several great spots for Japanese food such as sushi tempura and teppanyaki including kohnami kumori and yokorsquos Sushi Bar
Fans of Thai food should check out Thai red Chilirsquos for dishes like pad thai red curry chicken and sweet rice with mango
Indian
TaNdOOri aNyONETaste of india hits the spot
for diners looking for high quality authentic Indian food made from old family recipes and paired with excellent service
Tex-Mex and Mexican
SOmE likE iT SPiCy
Step into las Cazuelas grill for classic Mexican cuisine or visit Palenque Chicken for expertly prepared Mexican and Tex Mex dishes
Renowned regionally for homemade tamales deliarsquos uses fresh ingredients including pork chicken and beef
The republic of rio grande serves Mexican cuisine in an intimate setting order a traditional dish like the chicken fajitas or enchiladas suizas or enjoy a distinctive entree such as shrimp chipotle pesto pasta or a brick-oven pizza
check out more restaurants in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
ldquoDeliarsquos has the best tamales in town Probably even in the RGV The only place you can get the good old homemade flavor of real tamalesrdquo
Evila l YELPCOM
Argentine
SOuTh amEriCaN CuiSiNE
Relax in the elegant yet casual atmosphere of la Pampa argentinean Steak housewhile you dine on classic Argentine- cut steaks grilled chicken breasts marinated in Chimichurri or traditional de carne empanadas
Meanwhile la recova also offers a wide selection of Argentine-style favorites on its menu Favorite dishes at La Recova includes chorizo tuna carnitas duck confit and churrasco a classic top sirloin steak
Outdoor Dining
TrENdy amp TaSTy
If yoursquore in the mood for a USDA prime steak or succulent seafood drop by The Patio on guerra Dine on the outdoor patio and have a bottle of one of the restaurantrsquos award-winning wines
FridarsquosGrillandCantina located on 17th street offers traditional mexican favorites with modern flavors Go to fridarsquos to enjoy unique culinary dishes signature drinks and live music on the weekends
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO ARTS amp CULTURE
Rave Reviewsmcallenrsquos arts scene remains robust With museums music and eVents
Arts patrons music lovers and history buffs enjoy many cultural attractions throughout McAllen The latest buzz McAllen Performing Arts Center will spring up near the McAllen Convention Center giving fans of live music theater and dance a fine new facility to anticipate
Live Entertainment
PErFOrmErS TakE ThE STagE
The 17th Street Entertainment district in downtown McAllen overflows with lounges restaurants and clubs For live music visit The old Ice House or Cine El Rey
The cityrsquos diverse culture is what influences much of the music performed by the valley Symphony Orchestra amp Chorale The Symphony was established in 1952 with the Chorale joining later in 1984 Similarly the South Texas lyric Opera brings the fine art of opera to the Rio Grande Valley with a yearly slate of productions and an annual opera gala and rio grande valley Broadway brings popular stage shows to town such as Disneyrsquos Beauty and the Beast and Monty Pythonrsquos Spamalot
Historic Sites
TakE a STEP BaCk iN TimE
The museum of South Texas history and the mcallen heritage Center are just two locations to learn about the rich history of this bicultural area
Quinta mazatlan a 1930s hacienda that embodies the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture of arches adobe and beams and provides an intimate look into South Texas history The 10000-square- foot mansion sits on a 15-acre plot hosting a mix of native and exotic plants and wildlife making up McAllenrsquos wing of the popular world Birding Center
Cine El Reyopened in 1947 the historic cine el rey theater now functions as
a music and performance venue showcasing a variety of live events and also shows spanish and english independent films the theater is located in downtown mcallenrsquos 17th street entertainment district
20 mc allen
ldquoCine El Rey hosts events as diverse as wrestling live bands films and comedy shows A huge stage is complimented by killer production value and a staff that really cares about all aspects of the experience Irsquom looking forward to a return triprdquo
Bill dykES YELP
visual Arts and Festivals
aCCESSiBlE arT FuN EvENTS
The international museum of art amp Science founded in 1969 promotes an appreciation for the arts and sciences through its exhibitions cultural events and many educational programs imaS is located at 1900 Nolana Ave
The mcallen art walk is a self-guided tour that gives art lovers the opportunity to explore the many art offerings in the city Itrsquos held every first Friday from September through May and is free and open to the public
on the first Saturday night of December folks enjoy the Candlelight Posada which includes food booths luminaries a parade live entertainment caroling and a live nativity scene
Chamber of Commerce Support
ChamBEr BaCkS ThE arTS
The mcallen Chamber of Commerce shows its love for the arts by managing the mcallen arts Council which publishes a quarterly magazine produces an annual fine arts exhibition and offers grants to local artists The Chamber also offers an outdoor concert series and coordinates the Public art Committeersquos acquisition program
20 mc allen
ThiNgS TO dO SPoRTS amp RECREATIoN
Soak Up Some Sunmcallen residents haVe plenty of Good reasons to Get outdoors
Great golf courses hiking and biking trails and a large well-maintained park system make McAllen the perfect place to enjoy outdoor fun By Carson OrsquoShoney
Golf
TEE iT uPWith nearly 20 courses in the
McAllen area golf is a popular attraction in the Rio Grande Valley
one of the most notable courses is the Palm view golf Course an 18-hole public course with a private feel With rolling fairways and Bermuda rough mounds the course is an often-used location for tournaments having hosted LPGA tournaments and Palm viewrsquos amateur golf Championship
mcallen Country Club provides a challenge with tree-lined fairways and small greens and also offers a swimming pool tennis courts a fitness center and other amenities
Every golf course in the area is bustling especially in the winter when ldquoWinter Texansrdquo come to the Rio Grande Valley The weather generally stays in the 70s in the coldest months making it a perfect place for winter golfing
Hiking Biking and Racing
ON ThE mOvE iN mCallEN
There are plenty of hiking and biking trails on the east and west sides of town such as the retama village Park Trail westside Park Trail and las Palmas Park Trail Visiting cyclists are welcome to meet up with Team mcallen Cycling a bike club thatrsquos been in the city for more than 25 years
Racing fans can enjoy the mcallen international motorplex and Event Center which hosts stock car races car shows and more The racetrack is a family-friendly place offering activities for children such as games face painting and crafts
Palm view Golf Courseirish cochran plays a round of golf at palm View Golf course an 18-hole public course often used for high profile tournaments
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
City Parks
OuTdOOr Family FuN
The mcallen Parks and recreation department currently oversees 25 city parks Ranging from historic parks established in the early 1900s to more modern facilities there are several options suitable for the whole family
archer Park McAllenrsquos oldest park opened in 1912 Serving as a historic landmark in the city it also plays host to many of the cityrsquos annual special events including the Candlelight Posada and movies in the Park
Spanning 38 acres Springfest Park is the largest park in McAllen Springfest hosts a variety of special events and is home to mcallenrsquos winter Polo league from January through March
check out more fun things to do in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
Spray and Ground Parkbesides its popular water feature mcallenrsquos new SprayandGroundParkhas a sand volleyball court skateboard area a half basketball court and just over half a mile of walking trails in addition there are athletic practice fields shaded areas picnic shelters and restroom facilities
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
ThiNgS TO dO SEE THE CITY
24 mc allen
The Irrigation Workerthe sun sets behind a sculpture ldquothe irrigation Workerrdquo which was created by artist douglas clark and is located on nolana and 25th
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
l iVabil it ycommc allen 25
LIvINGHERESchools health care education and neighborhoods in McAllen
26 mc allen 26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 26 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 27
see more beautiful photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
Luxury Livingnewcomers have many beautiful home options in mcallen such as those offered in eight different communities by cantu construction a locally based award-winning builder
26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 liVabil it ycommc allen 27
liviNg
TECH TOOLS FOSTER STUDEnT SUCCESS
Padding theCurriculum
McAllen Independent School District (ISD) is feeling the benefits of an ambitious technology plan that places an iPod or iPad in the hands of every teacher and student
mcallen independent school district students use system-issued ipads in class
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
EduCaTiNg FOr ThE 21ST CENTury
The initiative began with a meeting between Dr James Ponce McAllenrsquos superintendent of schools and a ldquocadrerdquo of about 35 teachers administrators and parents
The grouprsquos primary goal was to build a 21st-century classroom environment one that fosters creativity collaboration and entrepreneurship The group also wanted to find a way to harness the 247 educational potential of the Internet ndash and teach students the critical-thinking skills needed to process online content
ldquoItrsquos an environment where the teachers become the primary learners and the students are driven by their examplerdquo Ponce says ldquoSo we asked what tools we would need for this transformation of the way we teach and the way the kids learnrdquo
After much research the group chose iPods (for grades K-2) and iPads (for teachers and grades 3-12) because of their portability
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo
CarOl aNN allEN LANGuAGEARTSTEACHER
ATMICHAELEFOSSuMMIDDLESCHOOL
relatively low cost and ease of use To implement the planrsquos first stage McAllen ISD issued 5800 of these devices to teachers and students when the rollout is complete it will cover more than 25000 students
Big BENEFiTS FOr TEaChErS aNd STudENTS
Both teachers and students are seeing benefits from the program
ldquoThe iPods help the kids be creative My students are organizing information in new waysrdquo says Ruth Whiddon who teaches first grade at Andrew Jackson Elementary School
For Carol Ann Allen International Baccalaureate coordinator and eighth-grade language arts teacher at Michael E Fossum Middle School the initiative is all about collaboration
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo she says
Sandra Guerra who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade math
at Fossum says the iPads have changed both her teaching style and the way her students learn
Instead of mapping out the learning process step-by-step she now gives students their goal and lets them choose how to get there
ldquoWith this approach they own their learning and theyrsquove been more willing to learnrdquo Guerra says
The iPads have also been a game-changer for Guerrarsquos family
Her seventh-grade daughter is learning advanced science concepts because of independent iPad projects And because most of her childrenrsquos school materials are on their iPads itrsquos easier than ever for Guerra to check on their progress from home
That kind of scenario says Superintendent Ponce is at the heart of the initiative
ldquoThe entire school system and our community want to lead in this effort to build a 21st-century learning environmentrdquo he says ldquoThis is a direct investment in our children and their familiesrdquo
by Kathryn Royster
High-Tech Learningseventh-grade students use ipads to follow class lectures and take quizzes during a language arts class at michael e fossum middle school
PH
oT
o C
oU
RT
EST
Y o
F M
CA
LLE
N IN
DE
PE
ND
EN
T S
CH
oo
L D
IST
RIC
T
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
Higher Education
SOuTh TExaS COllEgE
McAllenrsquos South Texas College has more than 30000 students and offers numerous associate and bachelorrsquos degree programs as well as professional certifications in more than 40 areas The college also has online degree courses for students who work full time
liviNg EDUCATIoN
Set for SuccesscolleGe prep is a top priority in mcallen
Education in McAllen is defined by excellent options From elementary school through college McAllen includes numerous institutions designed to prepare students for success By Braxton Shoop
school yourself on more educational offerings at livabilitycommcallen
Public Schools
mCallEN iNdEPENdENT SChOOl diSTriCT
Established in 1915 the mcallen independent School district comprises three high schools seven middle schools and 20 elementary schools Among these schools the district offers an advanced placement college-level curriculum and a dual-enrollment program for students who would like to obtain high school and college credit simultaneously
In addition the district features an International Baccalaureate program that provides students with an advanced curriculum geared toward global standards
Local Inspiration
FOrmEr STudENT FliES high
one of McAllenrsquos successful students is astronaut michael Fossum a graduate of McAllen High School After receiving his commission from the US Air Force by Texas AampM University Fossum graduated Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base and in 1993 he started at NASA Throughout his NASA career Fossum was on crew for three spaceflights He commanded the space station during one of his flights helping him rank seventh on the all-time list for cumulative Extravehicular Activity time
Top-notch Learning Environmentuniversity of texas-pan american offers many undergraduate degrees more than 50 masterrsquos degrees and three doctoral degrees utpa has accreditations from organizations like the commission for collegiate nursing the examining board of nurse examiners for the state of texas and the engineering accreditation commission of the accreditation board for engineering and technology
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Charter School
idEa aCadEmy
idEa academy is an innovative institution that offers a fully scaled curriculum for students in kindergarten and in the first second and sixth grades The school which opened in McAllen in 2012 will eventually add more grades each one including approximately 110 students While the school is public students must apply to fill the 460 available spots
To prepare its students to be collegiate scholars IDEA provides International Baccalaureate curriculum as well as the Road to College curriculum which begins in the sixth grade
ldquoWersquore very proud of the connection to our distinguished alumni like NASA astronaut Michael Fossum and we want our students to recognize the kind of education we provide here What he learned here helped catapult him into space and wersquore very proud of thatrdquo
NOrma zamOra-guErra MCALLENINDEPENDENTSCHOOL
DISTRICTCOMMuNITYINFORMATIONDIRECTOR
Michael E Fossum Middle Schoolnamed for astronaut michael e fossum the school is part of the mcallen independent school district
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Please call 9566316109 for a representative today
2501 Buddy Owens Blvd McAllen TX 78504
9656316125 Fax
wwwrio-healthcom
RioHealth MedicalWe are here to meet all your
occupational medicine needs
bull Workplace injuries and workersrsquo compensation
bull On site and off site drug screening
bull Physicals
bull Orthopedics
bull Early return to work
bull 247 coverage
bull We accept all types of insurance
WorkplaceInjury
DANIEL J GUERRA MD Diplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
LEONEL G MORENO MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
HOMERO RIVAS MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
606 S Broadway bull McAllen TX bull (956) 682-4515 bull wwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
FAMILY PHYSICIANS
CLINICSince 1967
Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm Sat 8 am-Noon
VALLEY NIGHT CLINIC
Since 1981
Open Every Night of the Year 6 pm-Midnight
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valley supports children of all abilities through child care
services early intervention and parenting support programs
Early Childhood intErvEntion ChildCarE sErviCEs ParEnts as tEaChErs
Easter seals rio Grande valley Programs for Children Birth to Five years
bullChild-Care servicesndashHigh-qualitychildcare sixweekstofiveyears
bullParents as teachers (Pat)ndashDevelopmental parentingsupportforchildrenbirthtofiveyears
bullEarly Childhood intervention (ECi) ndashConcerns indevelopmentforchildrenbirthtothreeyears
For more information about Easter seals
programs and services call (956) 631-9171 or visit wwweasterseals-rgvorg
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
liviNg HEALTH
Take a Deep Breath and Relaxresidents haVe access to top hospitals
McAllen residents receive quality care from the South Texas Health System Rio Grande Regional Hospital and the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance By Kevin Litwin
Health System
SOuTh TExaS hEalTh SySTEm
South Texas health System is the umbrella organization for a number of fine medical facilities including mcallen medical Center MMC has 441 beds and a staff of more than 400 physicians that represent 50 medical specialties
Also part of South Texas Health System is mcallen heart hospital which opened in 1996 as the first freestanding cardiology and cardiovascular hospital built in the United States It includes 60 beds and a 24-hour emergency center
Healthgrades has awarded McAllen Medical Center and McAllen Heart Hospital with a variety of honors in recent years and both earned a Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence in 2011
Hospital
riO graNdE rEgiONal hOSPiTal
rio grande regional hospital is an acute care medical facility with 320 beds and more than 500 physicians The hospital is the only area Diabetes Management Center accredited by the American Diabetes Association and is the arearsquos first facility to have a Pediatric Heart Program
RGRH also includes a 24-hour emergency room Womenrsquos Services department Level III trauma center and cardiovascular care The hospital is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists and every year since 2007 has been named a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
Hospital
dOCTOrS hOSPiTal aT rENaiSSaNCE
The 506-bed doctors hospital at renaissance is an acute care facility It provides cardiology neurosurgery and endocrinology as well as a Pediatric Medical Tower that offers pediatric oncology and pediatric ICU services
Doctors Hospital has been ranked among the nationrsquos 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters and recently invested $32 million to establish an Electronic Medical Record System
DHR was the first in South Texas to acquire a PETCT scanner for diagnosing cancer and the first in the region to introduce da Vinci robotic surgical technology The hospital also oversees Renaissance Behavioral Center which provides treatment for people with mental health problems substance abuse or eating disorders
34 mc allen
COMMUNITyPROFILE COST OF liviNg
$44074Median Household Income
$129554Median Home Price
$689Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
TraNSPOrTaTiON
Median Travel Time to Work
agE
TEmPEraTurE
January Average
July Average
EThNiCiTy
19 and Under
20-54
55 and over
White
Black
Hispanic
other
1645minutes
Closest Airport McAllen International Airport
955deg
482deg
South Texasrsquo Finest Gift Store Offers Gifts From Around the World
4300 N 10th St bull Ste C bull McAllen TX 78504 (956) 686-1264 bull ohkaysaolcom
Look for us on Facebook
gOlF COurSES
gOlF TEC
2901 N 10TH ST956-994-9631
mCallEN COuNTry CluB615 WICHITA AVE956-686-0923
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
The national Butterfly Center the national butterfly center dedicates 100 acres to the conservation and scientific study of wild butterflies in their natural habitats the wildlife center is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm september through march and from 9 am until 4 pm april through august
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
liviNg SEE THE CITY
36 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
CONTENTSlivabilitycommcallen
Visit the website for more great photos and stories about McAllen Texas
Livabilitycom Follow us livability Like us at facebookcomlivability Follow us at pinterestcomlivability
Things To Do Find the must-do attractions activities and dining in McAllen
LivingLearn about McAllenrsquos schools health care education and neighborhoods
BusinessGet info on top employers jobs and success stories in McAllen
digital magazine
Read it online or on your tablet and quickly share articles with friends
FaCtSGet data fast on population climate workforce cost of living and more
PhoTos amp viDeo
2013 | SPONSORED BY THE MCALLEN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
livabilitycommcallen
MCALLENTEXAS
McAllen in a DayThis happening Valley city has plenty to do and see
OUTSIDE THE BOXResidents get creative with business ventures
aT a glaNCE
Cultural diversity progressive business practices and a booming economy best characterize McAllen ndash one of the fastest growing metros in Texas and part of one of the fastest growing MSAs in the nation Its location near the US-Mexico border has made it a magnet for retail international trade tourism and manufacturing
aBuNdaNT liviNgMcAllenrsquos economic mix means
tangible benefits for residents beyond a strong job market They take their picks among diverse shopping and dining options that include national brands and unique independent retailers
The resulting tax base means the city can offer amenities such as a massive state-of-the-art library in-town bus service awesome parks and popular hiking and biking trails that are enjoyed year round thanks to a warm climate
With all this and affordable homes McAllen also consistently ranks among cities with the lowest cost of living in the United States
grEaT FOr BuSiNESSMcAllen is good for business
big and small More than 100 Fortune 500 companies have a presence within the McAllen MSA and the city has also been recently recognized by CNNMoney on its list of Best Places to Launch a Small Business
Key factors bringing expansions and entrepreneurs are an excellent quality of life numerous advanced medical facilities a comprehensive financial services community demonstrated logistics advantages to reach existing and new markets and a mostly young bicultural and bilingual population
Read on to discover why McAllen is one of Americarsquos best places to live
McAllen Texasa quick comprehensiVe oVerVieW of Whatrsquos Great about the community
Rio Granded
Rio Grande
83
281
281
83
777777
28181288281777777
ReynosaosR sas
Matamoros
Rio BravoBrownsvilleBrowrow sss
WeslacoHarlingenrlinng
Edinburg
Mission
Pharr
McAllen
HIDALGO
MEXICO
UNITEDSTATESS
FOr mOrE iNFOrmaTiON
McAllenChamberofCommerce1200 Ash Avenue McAllen TX 78501 Phone (956) 682-2871Fax (956) 687-2917
wwwmcallenchambercom
lOCaTiONMcAllen is in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas situated just 70 miles west of the Gulf of Mexico McAllen is the largest city in Hidalgo County
POPulaTiON
133821 (McAllen)
774769 (MSA)
aNNual raiNFall
23rdquo
diSTaNCES TO ThrEE majOr CiTiES NEarBy San Antonio 224 miles Austin 311 miles Fort WorthDallas 502 miles
TimE zONECentral
National Average 30rdquo
No3Mid-Size
US City for Jobs
- Forbes
ACCOLADE
McAllen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 7
Shopping
BrOwSE Or Buy
mcallenrsquos la Plaza mall draws more than 18 million visitors each year as the main shopping spot for residents in the Rio Grande Valley The 1200000-square-foot mall has more than 140 retailers such as Macyrsquos and Dillardrsquos as well as a variety of restaurants
Art Events
miNglE wiTh arTiSTS
The music after hours Outdoor Concert Series is held monthly to showcase bands from the Rio Grande Valley Meanwhile mcallenrsquos artwalk is a monthly self-guided tour that features art galleries vendors and museums
Sports
Play Ball
The mcallen Thunder and Edinburg roadrunners are baseball teams that play at Edinburg Baseball Stadium Both teams are members of the North American League an independent professional league not affiliated with Major League Baseball
Locally Grown
STOCk uP
You can find more than 20 varieties of citrus and other fresh fruits vegetables nuts and locally made products at klementrsquos grove Bellrsquos Farm to market Farmers market at Town lake and Farmers market at mcallenrsquos new library
THINGSTODOMcAllenrsquos must-do attractions activities and dining
Grab Your Binocularsmcallenrsquos many wildlife havens include QuintaMazatlan above an urban sanctuary for birds plants and other wildlife valleyNatureCenter which is the oldest nature center in the rio Grande Valley and the 2000-acre SantaAnaNationalWildlifeRefuge which has recorded 400 bird species and hundreds of butterfly species
8 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 9
Eatery
PiCk ThE PlaTTEr
The popular restaurant Costa messa has a new location on North 10th Street and its menu includes favorite items such as huge botana platters to share and choriqueso The eatery is open seven days a week from 11 am until 10 pm
Outdoors
gET iN ShaPE
Hiking and biking trail systems are located at various parks throughout McAllen Some of the arearsquos most popular trails can be found at las Palmas Park la vista Park los Encinos Park retama village Park Bill Schupp Park and westside Park
Pro Sports
FlaSh aNd viPErS
Cheer on the rio grande valley Flash a Professional Arena Soccer League team and catch the basketball action of the rio grande valley vipers 2010 NBA Development League Champions Both teams play at State Farm Arena in Hidalgo
ThiNgS TO dO
Happy Hour
PrOPOSE a TOaST
Enjoy dinner drinks and fun at the many businesses located within the 17th Street Entertainment district of downtown McAllen a revitalized area now bustling with interesting restaurants pubs clubs and lounges
Climb Aboardthe federal transit administration awarded mcallen $19 million to create an electric bus pilot program OLEvTechnologiesoversees the program which is retrofitting three diesel buses with electric motors passenger transport begins in 2013
8 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 9
THIS HAPPEnInG vALLEY CITY OFFERS PLEnTY TO DO SEE amp EAT
ThiNgS TO dO
mcallenin a Day
l iVabil it ycommc allen 11 10 mc allen
midNighT TO NOON iN mCallENWhere to stay McAllen has nearly 3600 hotel rooms
from luxurious traditional hotels to new motels with all the contemporary bells and whistles The Renaissance Casa de Palmas a four-star hotel on Main Street was built in 1918 and lavishly restored into a luxury property featuring Mission architecture that recalls McAllenrsquos past Or try the Spring Hill Suites just off the expressway for a more modern take
After a comfortable night start the morning off with breakfast at Jimmyrsquos Egg a new outpost of a longtime Oklahoma favorite Here enjoy nearly any kind of egg you can imagine for breakfast ndash or atop a burger at lunch Go further south of the cuisine border at Las Cazuelas Grill another popular new eatery for menu items such as Chilaquiles con Huevo or Molletes
Got 24 hours to spare We recommend a busy day well spent in McAllen where you can fill every available hour
with interesting sights delicious cuisine and a variety of fun activities
a birdrsquos-eye view of the cityrsquos revitalized 17the street entertainment district
l iVabil it ycommc allen 11
NB
icen
tenn
ialB
lvd
WHackberryAve
S23
rdS
tree
t
83
international museum of arts and sciences
mcallen public library
McAllen Public Librarym-th 9am - 9pmf-sat 9am - 6pmsun 1pm - 9pm
phone (956) 688-3300uhV students (with id) free
wwwmcallenlibrarynet
12 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 13
The hike and bike trail on Second Street and another on Bicentennial offer the chance for a leisurely 23-mile stroll around town ndash yoursquove got to work off that breakfast after all And then head over to the International Museum of Arts and Science a Smithsonian affiliated museum where a wide variety of changing art and science exhibits always offer something interesting
Another must-see is McAllenrsquos new public library which at a whopping 123000 square feet is the largest single-floor library in the US This former Walmart building underwent a total transformation into an aesthetically pleasing community resource thatrsquos steadily gaining attention worldwide for its colorful open and functional design Opened in December 2011 the facility has already won first place in the International Interior Design Associationrsquos 2012 Library Interior Design Competition
luNCh aNd laTErldquoWersquove got over 600 restaurants
hererdquo says Chamber President and CEO Steve Ahlenius So since itrsquos noon by now try the flatbread or a
salad at house wine amp bistro or go for a panini at Corner Bakery Cafe Or for Latin flavor head to KoKorsquos for delicious Mexican fare
In McAllen a day without shopping would be sad indeed La Plaza Mall is the most visited mall in the country and Palms Crossings at the McAllen Convention Center is home to several shops and restaurants such as Mimirsquos Cafe and Romanorsquos Macaroni Grill
ldquoAfter I finished shopping Irsquod spend the rest of the afternoon at Quinta Mazatlan (a historic home that also offers nature trails and legendary bird watching)rdquo Ahlenius says Another option is to test the waters by kayaking or catch-and-release fishing on Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park
mCallEN aFTEr hOurSYoursquore not tired are you
Good because after freshening up back at your hotel itrsquos off to a night on the town Cajun cuisine at The Bayou Grill on North 10th St is a great option as are the authentic Mexican menus at Cabritos Nuevo Leon or La Jaiba Mexican Seafood Grill both on West Nolana
After dinner stroll the 17th Street Entertainment District to catch the flavor of McAllen after hours or catch a show at the historic Cine El Rey theater where comedy acts concerts film festivals and other events take the stage Finally La Recova Contemporary Argentinean Grill beckons for a nightcap in its quiet upscale bar ldquowhere you can actually carry on a conversationrdquo Ahlenius says
Then to bed Where after a good nightrsquos rest you will surely want to get up and spend yet another great day in McAllen
by Laura Hill by staff photographer
Michael Conti
ldquoMcAllen is a beautiful multicultural city with plenty to do and see From shopping in the most popular stores in the nation or unique one-of-a-kind shops to fine dining and plenty of family outdoor activities ndash you can do it year round hererdquo
gErry garCia VPOFSPECIALPROJECTS
FORTHEMCALLENCHAMBER
SNAPSHOT
for music dinner and dancing head to downtown mcallenrsquos 17th street entertainment district
The Patio on Guerradiners enjoy the food and atmosphere at the patio on Guerra on 17th street in downtown mcallen
12 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 13
ThiNgS TO dO
Town Lakea boy takes his dog for a walk as he skateboards the trail along the new 4-acre town lake at firemanrsquos park a popular spot for canoeing kayaking fishing and more
ThiNgS TO dO
14 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 15 14 mc allen
nEW LAkE OPEnS AT FIREMAnrsquoS PARk
Ahh howrefreshing
ldquoWe did all the required dredging to transform the little pond into a recreational lake that is 15 feet at its deepest pointrdquo says Sally Gavlik director of the McAllen Parks amp Recreation Department ldquoIn these days of more and more people opting to remain close to home for staycations Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park gives them a valid option for a different kind of local vacationrdquo
lET ThE FuN BEgiNTown Lake is situated right in the
middle of McAllen off Business Highway 83 between First and Second streets Swimming is prohibited due to park
irrigation regulations but a beach has been constructed to launch canoes kayaks and paddle boats A fishing pier is also in place
ldquoWe transferred fish to the lake from nearby Boeye Reservoir which has provided us with good stocks of bass perch and catfishrdquo Gavlik says ldquoTown Lake currently only has a catch-and-release program meaning you can catch fish but must release them back into the water At some point in the future when the fish population increases we plan to schedule times when people can take the fish homerdquo
The City of McAllen made a big splash in May 2012 when it officially opened Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park What was once a small tract of land with a few basic
recreational amenities is now a 15-acre redevelopment that includes the four-acre Town Lake Crews used a water holding pond at the cityrsquos former water treatment facility to construct the new lake
14 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 15
TakE a hikEWalking and jogging are also good recreational
options around the waterrsquos perimeterldquoTown Lake actually ties into the well used Second
Street Trail People can come off the trail walk or jog along the lake and then get back onto the trailrdquo Gavlik says ldquoThe scenery includes wildflowers in a freshly seeded meadow while other park amenities are horseshoe pits two playgrounds and free picnic sites at the north end of Firemanrsquos Park at First Streetrdquo
There is also a covered pavilion area with sand volleyball courts a small concession building and three camping sites The campsites can be used during the day by anyone but only overnight by organized groups such as the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts Group reservations must be made through the McAllen Parks amp Recreation Department
ldquoAnother park attraction is the former water treatment building which has been transformed into a rental facilityrdquo Gavlik says ldquoIt is now called The Old Pump House complete with new windows air conditioning uplighting tiling and carpeted floors Groups of 75 to 100 people can rent the facility for meetings small receptions or small social events The Old Pump House adds to the overall amenities of todayrsquos Firemenrsquos Parkrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer Michael Conti
Fishinga group casts lines into town lake which enforces a catch-and-release program
WHackberryAve
TownLake
83
firemanrsquos park
N2
nd
Str
eet
16 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 17
children enjoy the playground at firemanrsquos park
16 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 17
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO LoCAL FLAVoR
Palate Pleasersmcallen restaurants serVe up flaVorful foods
McAllen diners rejoice The city has a broad selection of distinctive restaurants and eateries appealing to just about every taste By Barbara Biehler
Asian
SENSaTiONal SuShi amp SPiCE
McAllen has several great spots for Japanese food such as sushi tempura and teppanyaki including kohnami kumori and yokorsquos Sushi Bar
Fans of Thai food should check out Thai red Chilirsquos for dishes like pad thai red curry chicken and sweet rice with mango
Indian
TaNdOOri aNyONETaste of india hits the spot
for diners looking for high quality authentic Indian food made from old family recipes and paired with excellent service
Tex-Mex and Mexican
SOmE likE iT SPiCy
Step into las Cazuelas grill for classic Mexican cuisine or visit Palenque Chicken for expertly prepared Mexican and Tex Mex dishes
Renowned regionally for homemade tamales deliarsquos uses fresh ingredients including pork chicken and beef
The republic of rio grande serves Mexican cuisine in an intimate setting order a traditional dish like the chicken fajitas or enchiladas suizas or enjoy a distinctive entree such as shrimp chipotle pesto pasta or a brick-oven pizza
check out more restaurants in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
ldquoDeliarsquos has the best tamales in town Probably even in the RGV The only place you can get the good old homemade flavor of real tamalesrdquo
Evila l YELPCOM
Argentine
SOuTh amEriCaN CuiSiNE
Relax in the elegant yet casual atmosphere of la Pampa argentinean Steak housewhile you dine on classic Argentine- cut steaks grilled chicken breasts marinated in Chimichurri or traditional de carne empanadas
Meanwhile la recova also offers a wide selection of Argentine-style favorites on its menu Favorite dishes at La Recova includes chorizo tuna carnitas duck confit and churrasco a classic top sirloin steak
Outdoor Dining
TrENdy amp TaSTy
If yoursquore in the mood for a USDA prime steak or succulent seafood drop by The Patio on guerra Dine on the outdoor patio and have a bottle of one of the restaurantrsquos award-winning wines
FridarsquosGrillandCantina located on 17th street offers traditional mexican favorites with modern flavors Go to fridarsquos to enjoy unique culinary dishes signature drinks and live music on the weekends
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO ARTS amp CULTURE
Rave Reviewsmcallenrsquos arts scene remains robust With museums music and eVents
Arts patrons music lovers and history buffs enjoy many cultural attractions throughout McAllen The latest buzz McAllen Performing Arts Center will spring up near the McAllen Convention Center giving fans of live music theater and dance a fine new facility to anticipate
Live Entertainment
PErFOrmErS TakE ThE STagE
The 17th Street Entertainment district in downtown McAllen overflows with lounges restaurants and clubs For live music visit The old Ice House or Cine El Rey
The cityrsquos diverse culture is what influences much of the music performed by the valley Symphony Orchestra amp Chorale The Symphony was established in 1952 with the Chorale joining later in 1984 Similarly the South Texas lyric Opera brings the fine art of opera to the Rio Grande Valley with a yearly slate of productions and an annual opera gala and rio grande valley Broadway brings popular stage shows to town such as Disneyrsquos Beauty and the Beast and Monty Pythonrsquos Spamalot
Historic Sites
TakE a STEP BaCk iN TimE
The museum of South Texas history and the mcallen heritage Center are just two locations to learn about the rich history of this bicultural area
Quinta mazatlan a 1930s hacienda that embodies the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture of arches adobe and beams and provides an intimate look into South Texas history The 10000-square- foot mansion sits on a 15-acre plot hosting a mix of native and exotic plants and wildlife making up McAllenrsquos wing of the popular world Birding Center
Cine El Reyopened in 1947 the historic cine el rey theater now functions as
a music and performance venue showcasing a variety of live events and also shows spanish and english independent films the theater is located in downtown mcallenrsquos 17th street entertainment district
20 mc allen
ldquoCine El Rey hosts events as diverse as wrestling live bands films and comedy shows A huge stage is complimented by killer production value and a staff that really cares about all aspects of the experience Irsquom looking forward to a return triprdquo
Bill dykES YELP
visual Arts and Festivals
aCCESSiBlE arT FuN EvENTS
The international museum of art amp Science founded in 1969 promotes an appreciation for the arts and sciences through its exhibitions cultural events and many educational programs imaS is located at 1900 Nolana Ave
The mcallen art walk is a self-guided tour that gives art lovers the opportunity to explore the many art offerings in the city Itrsquos held every first Friday from September through May and is free and open to the public
on the first Saturday night of December folks enjoy the Candlelight Posada which includes food booths luminaries a parade live entertainment caroling and a live nativity scene
Chamber of Commerce Support
ChamBEr BaCkS ThE arTS
The mcallen Chamber of Commerce shows its love for the arts by managing the mcallen arts Council which publishes a quarterly magazine produces an annual fine arts exhibition and offers grants to local artists The Chamber also offers an outdoor concert series and coordinates the Public art Committeersquos acquisition program
20 mc allen
ThiNgS TO dO SPoRTS amp RECREATIoN
Soak Up Some Sunmcallen residents haVe plenty of Good reasons to Get outdoors
Great golf courses hiking and biking trails and a large well-maintained park system make McAllen the perfect place to enjoy outdoor fun By Carson OrsquoShoney
Golf
TEE iT uPWith nearly 20 courses in the
McAllen area golf is a popular attraction in the Rio Grande Valley
one of the most notable courses is the Palm view golf Course an 18-hole public course with a private feel With rolling fairways and Bermuda rough mounds the course is an often-used location for tournaments having hosted LPGA tournaments and Palm viewrsquos amateur golf Championship
mcallen Country Club provides a challenge with tree-lined fairways and small greens and also offers a swimming pool tennis courts a fitness center and other amenities
Every golf course in the area is bustling especially in the winter when ldquoWinter Texansrdquo come to the Rio Grande Valley The weather generally stays in the 70s in the coldest months making it a perfect place for winter golfing
Hiking Biking and Racing
ON ThE mOvE iN mCallEN
There are plenty of hiking and biking trails on the east and west sides of town such as the retama village Park Trail westside Park Trail and las Palmas Park Trail Visiting cyclists are welcome to meet up with Team mcallen Cycling a bike club thatrsquos been in the city for more than 25 years
Racing fans can enjoy the mcallen international motorplex and Event Center which hosts stock car races car shows and more The racetrack is a family-friendly place offering activities for children such as games face painting and crafts
Palm view Golf Courseirish cochran plays a round of golf at palm View Golf course an 18-hole public course often used for high profile tournaments
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
City Parks
OuTdOOr Family FuN
The mcallen Parks and recreation department currently oversees 25 city parks Ranging from historic parks established in the early 1900s to more modern facilities there are several options suitable for the whole family
archer Park McAllenrsquos oldest park opened in 1912 Serving as a historic landmark in the city it also plays host to many of the cityrsquos annual special events including the Candlelight Posada and movies in the Park
Spanning 38 acres Springfest Park is the largest park in McAllen Springfest hosts a variety of special events and is home to mcallenrsquos winter Polo league from January through March
check out more fun things to do in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
Spray and Ground Parkbesides its popular water feature mcallenrsquos new SprayandGroundParkhas a sand volleyball court skateboard area a half basketball court and just over half a mile of walking trails in addition there are athletic practice fields shaded areas picnic shelters and restroom facilities
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
ThiNgS TO dO SEE THE CITY
24 mc allen
The Irrigation Workerthe sun sets behind a sculpture ldquothe irrigation Workerrdquo which was created by artist douglas clark and is located on nolana and 25th
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
l iVabil it ycommc allen 25
LIvINGHERESchools health care education and neighborhoods in McAllen
26 mc allen 26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 26 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 27
see more beautiful photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
Luxury Livingnewcomers have many beautiful home options in mcallen such as those offered in eight different communities by cantu construction a locally based award-winning builder
26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 liVabil it ycommc allen 27
liviNg
TECH TOOLS FOSTER STUDEnT SUCCESS
Padding theCurriculum
McAllen Independent School District (ISD) is feeling the benefits of an ambitious technology plan that places an iPod or iPad in the hands of every teacher and student
mcallen independent school district students use system-issued ipads in class
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
EduCaTiNg FOr ThE 21ST CENTury
The initiative began with a meeting between Dr James Ponce McAllenrsquos superintendent of schools and a ldquocadrerdquo of about 35 teachers administrators and parents
The grouprsquos primary goal was to build a 21st-century classroom environment one that fosters creativity collaboration and entrepreneurship The group also wanted to find a way to harness the 247 educational potential of the Internet ndash and teach students the critical-thinking skills needed to process online content
ldquoItrsquos an environment where the teachers become the primary learners and the students are driven by their examplerdquo Ponce says ldquoSo we asked what tools we would need for this transformation of the way we teach and the way the kids learnrdquo
After much research the group chose iPods (for grades K-2) and iPads (for teachers and grades 3-12) because of their portability
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo
CarOl aNN allEN LANGuAGEARTSTEACHER
ATMICHAELEFOSSuMMIDDLESCHOOL
relatively low cost and ease of use To implement the planrsquos first stage McAllen ISD issued 5800 of these devices to teachers and students when the rollout is complete it will cover more than 25000 students
Big BENEFiTS FOr TEaChErS aNd STudENTS
Both teachers and students are seeing benefits from the program
ldquoThe iPods help the kids be creative My students are organizing information in new waysrdquo says Ruth Whiddon who teaches first grade at Andrew Jackson Elementary School
For Carol Ann Allen International Baccalaureate coordinator and eighth-grade language arts teacher at Michael E Fossum Middle School the initiative is all about collaboration
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo she says
Sandra Guerra who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade math
at Fossum says the iPads have changed both her teaching style and the way her students learn
Instead of mapping out the learning process step-by-step she now gives students their goal and lets them choose how to get there
ldquoWith this approach they own their learning and theyrsquove been more willing to learnrdquo Guerra says
The iPads have also been a game-changer for Guerrarsquos family
Her seventh-grade daughter is learning advanced science concepts because of independent iPad projects And because most of her childrenrsquos school materials are on their iPads itrsquos easier than ever for Guerra to check on their progress from home
That kind of scenario says Superintendent Ponce is at the heart of the initiative
ldquoThe entire school system and our community want to lead in this effort to build a 21st-century learning environmentrdquo he says ldquoThis is a direct investment in our children and their familiesrdquo
by Kathryn Royster
High-Tech Learningseventh-grade students use ipads to follow class lectures and take quizzes during a language arts class at michael e fossum middle school
PH
oT
o C
oU
RT
EST
Y o
F M
CA
LLE
N IN
DE
PE
ND
EN
T S
CH
oo
L D
IST
RIC
T
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
Higher Education
SOuTh TExaS COllEgE
McAllenrsquos South Texas College has more than 30000 students and offers numerous associate and bachelorrsquos degree programs as well as professional certifications in more than 40 areas The college also has online degree courses for students who work full time
liviNg EDUCATIoN
Set for SuccesscolleGe prep is a top priority in mcallen
Education in McAllen is defined by excellent options From elementary school through college McAllen includes numerous institutions designed to prepare students for success By Braxton Shoop
school yourself on more educational offerings at livabilitycommcallen
Public Schools
mCallEN iNdEPENdENT SChOOl diSTriCT
Established in 1915 the mcallen independent School district comprises three high schools seven middle schools and 20 elementary schools Among these schools the district offers an advanced placement college-level curriculum and a dual-enrollment program for students who would like to obtain high school and college credit simultaneously
In addition the district features an International Baccalaureate program that provides students with an advanced curriculum geared toward global standards
Local Inspiration
FOrmEr STudENT FliES high
one of McAllenrsquos successful students is astronaut michael Fossum a graduate of McAllen High School After receiving his commission from the US Air Force by Texas AampM University Fossum graduated Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base and in 1993 he started at NASA Throughout his NASA career Fossum was on crew for three spaceflights He commanded the space station during one of his flights helping him rank seventh on the all-time list for cumulative Extravehicular Activity time
Top-notch Learning Environmentuniversity of texas-pan american offers many undergraduate degrees more than 50 masterrsquos degrees and three doctoral degrees utpa has accreditations from organizations like the commission for collegiate nursing the examining board of nurse examiners for the state of texas and the engineering accreditation commission of the accreditation board for engineering and technology
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Charter School
idEa aCadEmy
idEa academy is an innovative institution that offers a fully scaled curriculum for students in kindergarten and in the first second and sixth grades The school which opened in McAllen in 2012 will eventually add more grades each one including approximately 110 students While the school is public students must apply to fill the 460 available spots
To prepare its students to be collegiate scholars IDEA provides International Baccalaureate curriculum as well as the Road to College curriculum which begins in the sixth grade
ldquoWersquore very proud of the connection to our distinguished alumni like NASA astronaut Michael Fossum and we want our students to recognize the kind of education we provide here What he learned here helped catapult him into space and wersquore very proud of thatrdquo
NOrma zamOra-guErra MCALLENINDEPENDENTSCHOOL
DISTRICTCOMMuNITYINFORMATIONDIRECTOR
Michael E Fossum Middle Schoolnamed for astronaut michael e fossum the school is part of the mcallen independent school district
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Please call 9566316109 for a representative today
2501 Buddy Owens Blvd McAllen TX 78504
9656316125 Fax
wwwrio-healthcom
RioHealth MedicalWe are here to meet all your
occupational medicine needs
bull Workplace injuries and workersrsquo compensation
bull On site and off site drug screening
bull Physicals
bull Orthopedics
bull Early return to work
bull 247 coverage
bull We accept all types of insurance
WorkplaceInjury
DANIEL J GUERRA MD Diplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
LEONEL G MORENO MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
HOMERO RIVAS MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
606 S Broadway bull McAllen TX bull (956) 682-4515 bull wwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
FAMILY PHYSICIANS
CLINICSince 1967
Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm Sat 8 am-Noon
VALLEY NIGHT CLINIC
Since 1981
Open Every Night of the Year 6 pm-Midnight
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valley supports children of all abilities through child care
services early intervention and parenting support programs
Early Childhood intErvEntion ChildCarE sErviCEs ParEnts as tEaChErs
Easter seals rio Grande valley Programs for Children Birth to Five years
bullChild-Care servicesndashHigh-qualitychildcare sixweekstofiveyears
bullParents as teachers (Pat)ndashDevelopmental parentingsupportforchildrenbirthtofiveyears
bullEarly Childhood intervention (ECi) ndashConcerns indevelopmentforchildrenbirthtothreeyears
For more information about Easter seals
programs and services call (956) 631-9171 or visit wwweasterseals-rgvorg
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
liviNg HEALTH
Take a Deep Breath and Relaxresidents haVe access to top hospitals
McAllen residents receive quality care from the South Texas Health System Rio Grande Regional Hospital and the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance By Kevin Litwin
Health System
SOuTh TExaS hEalTh SySTEm
South Texas health System is the umbrella organization for a number of fine medical facilities including mcallen medical Center MMC has 441 beds and a staff of more than 400 physicians that represent 50 medical specialties
Also part of South Texas Health System is mcallen heart hospital which opened in 1996 as the first freestanding cardiology and cardiovascular hospital built in the United States It includes 60 beds and a 24-hour emergency center
Healthgrades has awarded McAllen Medical Center and McAllen Heart Hospital with a variety of honors in recent years and both earned a Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence in 2011
Hospital
riO graNdE rEgiONal hOSPiTal
rio grande regional hospital is an acute care medical facility with 320 beds and more than 500 physicians The hospital is the only area Diabetes Management Center accredited by the American Diabetes Association and is the arearsquos first facility to have a Pediatric Heart Program
RGRH also includes a 24-hour emergency room Womenrsquos Services department Level III trauma center and cardiovascular care The hospital is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists and every year since 2007 has been named a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
Hospital
dOCTOrS hOSPiTal aT rENaiSSaNCE
The 506-bed doctors hospital at renaissance is an acute care facility It provides cardiology neurosurgery and endocrinology as well as a Pediatric Medical Tower that offers pediatric oncology and pediatric ICU services
Doctors Hospital has been ranked among the nationrsquos 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters and recently invested $32 million to establish an Electronic Medical Record System
DHR was the first in South Texas to acquire a PETCT scanner for diagnosing cancer and the first in the region to introduce da Vinci robotic surgical technology The hospital also oversees Renaissance Behavioral Center which provides treatment for people with mental health problems substance abuse or eating disorders
34 mc allen
COMMUNITyPROFILE COST OF liviNg
$44074Median Household Income
$129554Median Home Price
$689Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
TraNSPOrTaTiON
Median Travel Time to Work
agE
TEmPEraTurE
January Average
July Average
EThNiCiTy
19 and Under
20-54
55 and over
White
Black
Hispanic
other
1645minutes
Closest Airport McAllen International Airport
955deg
482deg
South Texasrsquo Finest Gift Store Offers Gifts From Around the World
4300 N 10th St bull Ste C bull McAllen TX 78504 (956) 686-1264 bull ohkaysaolcom
Look for us on Facebook
gOlF COurSES
gOlF TEC
2901 N 10TH ST956-994-9631
mCallEN COuNTry CluB615 WICHITA AVE956-686-0923
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
The national Butterfly Center the national butterfly center dedicates 100 acres to the conservation and scientific study of wild butterflies in their natural habitats the wildlife center is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm september through march and from 9 am until 4 pm april through august
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
liviNg SEE THE CITY
36 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
aT a glaNCE
Cultural diversity progressive business practices and a booming economy best characterize McAllen ndash one of the fastest growing metros in Texas and part of one of the fastest growing MSAs in the nation Its location near the US-Mexico border has made it a magnet for retail international trade tourism and manufacturing
aBuNdaNT liviNgMcAllenrsquos economic mix means
tangible benefits for residents beyond a strong job market They take their picks among diverse shopping and dining options that include national brands and unique independent retailers
The resulting tax base means the city can offer amenities such as a massive state-of-the-art library in-town bus service awesome parks and popular hiking and biking trails that are enjoyed year round thanks to a warm climate
With all this and affordable homes McAllen also consistently ranks among cities with the lowest cost of living in the United States
grEaT FOr BuSiNESSMcAllen is good for business
big and small More than 100 Fortune 500 companies have a presence within the McAllen MSA and the city has also been recently recognized by CNNMoney on its list of Best Places to Launch a Small Business
Key factors bringing expansions and entrepreneurs are an excellent quality of life numerous advanced medical facilities a comprehensive financial services community demonstrated logistics advantages to reach existing and new markets and a mostly young bicultural and bilingual population
Read on to discover why McAllen is one of Americarsquos best places to live
McAllen Texasa quick comprehensiVe oVerVieW of Whatrsquos Great about the community
Rio Granded
Rio Grande
83
281
281
83
777777
28181288281777777
ReynosaosR sas
Matamoros
Rio BravoBrownsvilleBrowrow sss
WeslacoHarlingenrlinng
Edinburg
Mission
Pharr
McAllen
HIDALGO
MEXICO
UNITEDSTATESS
FOr mOrE iNFOrmaTiON
McAllenChamberofCommerce1200 Ash Avenue McAllen TX 78501 Phone (956) 682-2871Fax (956) 687-2917
wwwmcallenchambercom
lOCaTiONMcAllen is in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas situated just 70 miles west of the Gulf of Mexico McAllen is the largest city in Hidalgo County
POPulaTiON
133821 (McAllen)
774769 (MSA)
aNNual raiNFall
23rdquo
diSTaNCES TO ThrEE majOr CiTiES NEarBy San Antonio 224 miles Austin 311 miles Fort WorthDallas 502 miles
TimE zONECentral
National Average 30rdquo
No3Mid-Size
US City for Jobs
- Forbes
ACCOLADE
McAllen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 7
Shopping
BrOwSE Or Buy
mcallenrsquos la Plaza mall draws more than 18 million visitors each year as the main shopping spot for residents in the Rio Grande Valley The 1200000-square-foot mall has more than 140 retailers such as Macyrsquos and Dillardrsquos as well as a variety of restaurants
Art Events
miNglE wiTh arTiSTS
The music after hours Outdoor Concert Series is held monthly to showcase bands from the Rio Grande Valley Meanwhile mcallenrsquos artwalk is a monthly self-guided tour that features art galleries vendors and museums
Sports
Play Ball
The mcallen Thunder and Edinburg roadrunners are baseball teams that play at Edinburg Baseball Stadium Both teams are members of the North American League an independent professional league not affiliated with Major League Baseball
Locally Grown
STOCk uP
You can find more than 20 varieties of citrus and other fresh fruits vegetables nuts and locally made products at klementrsquos grove Bellrsquos Farm to market Farmers market at Town lake and Farmers market at mcallenrsquos new library
THINGSTODOMcAllenrsquos must-do attractions activities and dining
Grab Your Binocularsmcallenrsquos many wildlife havens include QuintaMazatlan above an urban sanctuary for birds plants and other wildlife valleyNatureCenter which is the oldest nature center in the rio Grande Valley and the 2000-acre SantaAnaNationalWildlifeRefuge which has recorded 400 bird species and hundreds of butterfly species
8 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 9
Eatery
PiCk ThE PlaTTEr
The popular restaurant Costa messa has a new location on North 10th Street and its menu includes favorite items such as huge botana platters to share and choriqueso The eatery is open seven days a week from 11 am until 10 pm
Outdoors
gET iN ShaPE
Hiking and biking trail systems are located at various parks throughout McAllen Some of the arearsquos most popular trails can be found at las Palmas Park la vista Park los Encinos Park retama village Park Bill Schupp Park and westside Park
Pro Sports
FlaSh aNd viPErS
Cheer on the rio grande valley Flash a Professional Arena Soccer League team and catch the basketball action of the rio grande valley vipers 2010 NBA Development League Champions Both teams play at State Farm Arena in Hidalgo
ThiNgS TO dO
Happy Hour
PrOPOSE a TOaST
Enjoy dinner drinks and fun at the many businesses located within the 17th Street Entertainment district of downtown McAllen a revitalized area now bustling with interesting restaurants pubs clubs and lounges
Climb Aboardthe federal transit administration awarded mcallen $19 million to create an electric bus pilot program OLEvTechnologiesoversees the program which is retrofitting three diesel buses with electric motors passenger transport begins in 2013
8 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 9
THIS HAPPEnInG vALLEY CITY OFFERS PLEnTY TO DO SEE amp EAT
ThiNgS TO dO
mcallenin a Day
l iVabil it ycommc allen 11 10 mc allen
midNighT TO NOON iN mCallENWhere to stay McAllen has nearly 3600 hotel rooms
from luxurious traditional hotels to new motels with all the contemporary bells and whistles The Renaissance Casa de Palmas a four-star hotel on Main Street was built in 1918 and lavishly restored into a luxury property featuring Mission architecture that recalls McAllenrsquos past Or try the Spring Hill Suites just off the expressway for a more modern take
After a comfortable night start the morning off with breakfast at Jimmyrsquos Egg a new outpost of a longtime Oklahoma favorite Here enjoy nearly any kind of egg you can imagine for breakfast ndash or atop a burger at lunch Go further south of the cuisine border at Las Cazuelas Grill another popular new eatery for menu items such as Chilaquiles con Huevo or Molletes
Got 24 hours to spare We recommend a busy day well spent in McAllen where you can fill every available hour
with interesting sights delicious cuisine and a variety of fun activities
a birdrsquos-eye view of the cityrsquos revitalized 17the street entertainment district
l iVabil it ycommc allen 11
NB
icen
tenn
ialB
lvd
WHackberryAve
S23
rdS
tree
t
83
international museum of arts and sciences
mcallen public library
McAllen Public Librarym-th 9am - 9pmf-sat 9am - 6pmsun 1pm - 9pm
phone (956) 688-3300uhV students (with id) free
wwwmcallenlibrarynet
12 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 13
The hike and bike trail on Second Street and another on Bicentennial offer the chance for a leisurely 23-mile stroll around town ndash yoursquove got to work off that breakfast after all And then head over to the International Museum of Arts and Science a Smithsonian affiliated museum where a wide variety of changing art and science exhibits always offer something interesting
Another must-see is McAllenrsquos new public library which at a whopping 123000 square feet is the largest single-floor library in the US This former Walmart building underwent a total transformation into an aesthetically pleasing community resource thatrsquos steadily gaining attention worldwide for its colorful open and functional design Opened in December 2011 the facility has already won first place in the International Interior Design Associationrsquos 2012 Library Interior Design Competition
luNCh aNd laTErldquoWersquove got over 600 restaurants
hererdquo says Chamber President and CEO Steve Ahlenius So since itrsquos noon by now try the flatbread or a
salad at house wine amp bistro or go for a panini at Corner Bakery Cafe Or for Latin flavor head to KoKorsquos for delicious Mexican fare
In McAllen a day without shopping would be sad indeed La Plaza Mall is the most visited mall in the country and Palms Crossings at the McAllen Convention Center is home to several shops and restaurants such as Mimirsquos Cafe and Romanorsquos Macaroni Grill
ldquoAfter I finished shopping Irsquod spend the rest of the afternoon at Quinta Mazatlan (a historic home that also offers nature trails and legendary bird watching)rdquo Ahlenius says Another option is to test the waters by kayaking or catch-and-release fishing on Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park
mCallEN aFTEr hOurSYoursquore not tired are you
Good because after freshening up back at your hotel itrsquos off to a night on the town Cajun cuisine at The Bayou Grill on North 10th St is a great option as are the authentic Mexican menus at Cabritos Nuevo Leon or La Jaiba Mexican Seafood Grill both on West Nolana
After dinner stroll the 17th Street Entertainment District to catch the flavor of McAllen after hours or catch a show at the historic Cine El Rey theater where comedy acts concerts film festivals and other events take the stage Finally La Recova Contemporary Argentinean Grill beckons for a nightcap in its quiet upscale bar ldquowhere you can actually carry on a conversationrdquo Ahlenius says
Then to bed Where after a good nightrsquos rest you will surely want to get up and spend yet another great day in McAllen
by Laura Hill by staff photographer
Michael Conti
ldquoMcAllen is a beautiful multicultural city with plenty to do and see From shopping in the most popular stores in the nation or unique one-of-a-kind shops to fine dining and plenty of family outdoor activities ndash you can do it year round hererdquo
gErry garCia VPOFSPECIALPROJECTS
FORTHEMCALLENCHAMBER
SNAPSHOT
for music dinner and dancing head to downtown mcallenrsquos 17th street entertainment district
The Patio on Guerradiners enjoy the food and atmosphere at the patio on Guerra on 17th street in downtown mcallen
12 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 13
ThiNgS TO dO
Town Lakea boy takes his dog for a walk as he skateboards the trail along the new 4-acre town lake at firemanrsquos park a popular spot for canoeing kayaking fishing and more
ThiNgS TO dO
14 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 15 14 mc allen
nEW LAkE OPEnS AT FIREMAnrsquoS PARk
Ahh howrefreshing
ldquoWe did all the required dredging to transform the little pond into a recreational lake that is 15 feet at its deepest pointrdquo says Sally Gavlik director of the McAllen Parks amp Recreation Department ldquoIn these days of more and more people opting to remain close to home for staycations Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park gives them a valid option for a different kind of local vacationrdquo
lET ThE FuN BEgiNTown Lake is situated right in the
middle of McAllen off Business Highway 83 between First and Second streets Swimming is prohibited due to park
irrigation regulations but a beach has been constructed to launch canoes kayaks and paddle boats A fishing pier is also in place
ldquoWe transferred fish to the lake from nearby Boeye Reservoir which has provided us with good stocks of bass perch and catfishrdquo Gavlik says ldquoTown Lake currently only has a catch-and-release program meaning you can catch fish but must release them back into the water At some point in the future when the fish population increases we plan to schedule times when people can take the fish homerdquo
The City of McAllen made a big splash in May 2012 when it officially opened Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park What was once a small tract of land with a few basic
recreational amenities is now a 15-acre redevelopment that includes the four-acre Town Lake Crews used a water holding pond at the cityrsquos former water treatment facility to construct the new lake
14 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 15
TakE a hikEWalking and jogging are also good recreational
options around the waterrsquos perimeterldquoTown Lake actually ties into the well used Second
Street Trail People can come off the trail walk or jog along the lake and then get back onto the trailrdquo Gavlik says ldquoThe scenery includes wildflowers in a freshly seeded meadow while other park amenities are horseshoe pits two playgrounds and free picnic sites at the north end of Firemanrsquos Park at First Streetrdquo
There is also a covered pavilion area with sand volleyball courts a small concession building and three camping sites The campsites can be used during the day by anyone but only overnight by organized groups such as the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts Group reservations must be made through the McAllen Parks amp Recreation Department
ldquoAnother park attraction is the former water treatment building which has been transformed into a rental facilityrdquo Gavlik says ldquoIt is now called The Old Pump House complete with new windows air conditioning uplighting tiling and carpeted floors Groups of 75 to 100 people can rent the facility for meetings small receptions or small social events The Old Pump House adds to the overall amenities of todayrsquos Firemenrsquos Parkrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer Michael Conti
Fishinga group casts lines into town lake which enforces a catch-and-release program
WHackberryAve
TownLake
83
firemanrsquos park
N2
nd
Str
eet
16 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 17
children enjoy the playground at firemanrsquos park
16 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 17
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO LoCAL FLAVoR
Palate Pleasersmcallen restaurants serVe up flaVorful foods
McAllen diners rejoice The city has a broad selection of distinctive restaurants and eateries appealing to just about every taste By Barbara Biehler
Asian
SENSaTiONal SuShi amp SPiCE
McAllen has several great spots for Japanese food such as sushi tempura and teppanyaki including kohnami kumori and yokorsquos Sushi Bar
Fans of Thai food should check out Thai red Chilirsquos for dishes like pad thai red curry chicken and sweet rice with mango
Indian
TaNdOOri aNyONETaste of india hits the spot
for diners looking for high quality authentic Indian food made from old family recipes and paired with excellent service
Tex-Mex and Mexican
SOmE likE iT SPiCy
Step into las Cazuelas grill for classic Mexican cuisine or visit Palenque Chicken for expertly prepared Mexican and Tex Mex dishes
Renowned regionally for homemade tamales deliarsquos uses fresh ingredients including pork chicken and beef
The republic of rio grande serves Mexican cuisine in an intimate setting order a traditional dish like the chicken fajitas or enchiladas suizas or enjoy a distinctive entree such as shrimp chipotle pesto pasta or a brick-oven pizza
check out more restaurants in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
ldquoDeliarsquos has the best tamales in town Probably even in the RGV The only place you can get the good old homemade flavor of real tamalesrdquo
Evila l YELPCOM
Argentine
SOuTh amEriCaN CuiSiNE
Relax in the elegant yet casual atmosphere of la Pampa argentinean Steak housewhile you dine on classic Argentine- cut steaks grilled chicken breasts marinated in Chimichurri or traditional de carne empanadas
Meanwhile la recova also offers a wide selection of Argentine-style favorites on its menu Favorite dishes at La Recova includes chorizo tuna carnitas duck confit and churrasco a classic top sirloin steak
Outdoor Dining
TrENdy amp TaSTy
If yoursquore in the mood for a USDA prime steak or succulent seafood drop by The Patio on guerra Dine on the outdoor patio and have a bottle of one of the restaurantrsquos award-winning wines
FridarsquosGrillandCantina located on 17th street offers traditional mexican favorites with modern flavors Go to fridarsquos to enjoy unique culinary dishes signature drinks and live music on the weekends
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO ARTS amp CULTURE
Rave Reviewsmcallenrsquos arts scene remains robust With museums music and eVents
Arts patrons music lovers and history buffs enjoy many cultural attractions throughout McAllen The latest buzz McAllen Performing Arts Center will spring up near the McAllen Convention Center giving fans of live music theater and dance a fine new facility to anticipate
Live Entertainment
PErFOrmErS TakE ThE STagE
The 17th Street Entertainment district in downtown McAllen overflows with lounges restaurants and clubs For live music visit The old Ice House or Cine El Rey
The cityrsquos diverse culture is what influences much of the music performed by the valley Symphony Orchestra amp Chorale The Symphony was established in 1952 with the Chorale joining later in 1984 Similarly the South Texas lyric Opera brings the fine art of opera to the Rio Grande Valley with a yearly slate of productions and an annual opera gala and rio grande valley Broadway brings popular stage shows to town such as Disneyrsquos Beauty and the Beast and Monty Pythonrsquos Spamalot
Historic Sites
TakE a STEP BaCk iN TimE
The museum of South Texas history and the mcallen heritage Center are just two locations to learn about the rich history of this bicultural area
Quinta mazatlan a 1930s hacienda that embodies the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture of arches adobe and beams and provides an intimate look into South Texas history The 10000-square- foot mansion sits on a 15-acre plot hosting a mix of native and exotic plants and wildlife making up McAllenrsquos wing of the popular world Birding Center
Cine El Reyopened in 1947 the historic cine el rey theater now functions as
a music and performance venue showcasing a variety of live events and also shows spanish and english independent films the theater is located in downtown mcallenrsquos 17th street entertainment district
20 mc allen
ldquoCine El Rey hosts events as diverse as wrestling live bands films and comedy shows A huge stage is complimented by killer production value and a staff that really cares about all aspects of the experience Irsquom looking forward to a return triprdquo
Bill dykES YELP
visual Arts and Festivals
aCCESSiBlE arT FuN EvENTS
The international museum of art amp Science founded in 1969 promotes an appreciation for the arts and sciences through its exhibitions cultural events and many educational programs imaS is located at 1900 Nolana Ave
The mcallen art walk is a self-guided tour that gives art lovers the opportunity to explore the many art offerings in the city Itrsquos held every first Friday from September through May and is free and open to the public
on the first Saturday night of December folks enjoy the Candlelight Posada which includes food booths luminaries a parade live entertainment caroling and a live nativity scene
Chamber of Commerce Support
ChamBEr BaCkS ThE arTS
The mcallen Chamber of Commerce shows its love for the arts by managing the mcallen arts Council which publishes a quarterly magazine produces an annual fine arts exhibition and offers grants to local artists The Chamber also offers an outdoor concert series and coordinates the Public art Committeersquos acquisition program
20 mc allen
ThiNgS TO dO SPoRTS amp RECREATIoN
Soak Up Some Sunmcallen residents haVe plenty of Good reasons to Get outdoors
Great golf courses hiking and biking trails and a large well-maintained park system make McAllen the perfect place to enjoy outdoor fun By Carson OrsquoShoney
Golf
TEE iT uPWith nearly 20 courses in the
McAllen area golf is a popular attraction in the Rio Grande Valley
one of the most notable courses is the Palm view golf Course an 18-hole public course with a private feel With rolling fairways and Bermuda rough mounds the course is an often-used location for tournaments having hosted LPGA tournaments and Palm viewrsquos amateur golf Championship
mcallen Country Club provides a challenge with tree-lined fairways and small greens and also offers a swimming pool tennis courts a fitness center and other amenities
Every golf course in the area is bustling especially in the winter when ldquoWinter Texansrdquo come to the Rio Grande Valley The weather generally stays in the 70s in the coldest months making it a perfect place for winter golfing
Hiking Biking and Racing
ON ThE mOvE iN mCallEN
There are plenty of hiking and biking trails on the east and west sides of town such as the retama village Park Trail westside Park Trail and las Palmas Park Trail Visiting cyclists are welcome to meet up with Team mcallen Cycling a bike club thatrsquos been in the city for more than 25 years
Racing fans can enjoy the mcallen international motorplex and Event Center which hosts stock car races car shows and more The racetrack is a family-friendly place offering activities for children such as games face painting and crafts
Palm view Golf Courseirish cochran plays a round of golf at palm View Golf course an 18-hole public course often used for high profile tournaments
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
City Parks
OuTdOOr Family FuN
The mcallen Parks and recreation department currently oversees 25 city parks Ranging from historic parks established in the early 1900s to more modern facilities there are several options suitable for the whole family
archer Park McAllenrsquos oldest park opened in 1912 Serving as a historic landmark in the city it also plays host to many of the cityrsquos annual special events including the Candlelight Posada and movies in the Park
Spanning 38 acres Springfest Park is the largest park in McAllen Springfest hosts a variety of special events and is home to mcallenrsquos winter Polo league from January through March
check out more fun things to do in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
Spray and Ground Parkbesides its popular water feature mcallenrsquos new SprayandGroundParkhas a sand volleyball court skateboard area a half basketball court and just over half a mile of walking trails in addition there are athletic practice fields shaded areas picnic shelters and restroom facilities
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
ThiNgS TO dO SEE THE CITY
24 mc allen
The Irrigation Workerthe sun sets behind a sculpture ldquothe irrigation Workerrdquo which was created by artist douglas clark and is located on nolana and 25th
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
l iVabil it ycommc allen 25
LIvINGHERESchools health care education and neighborhoods in McAllen
26 mc allen 26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 26 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 27
see more beautiful photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
Luxury Livingnewcomers have many beautiful home options in mcallen such as those offered in eight different communities by cantu construction a locally based award-winning builder
26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 liVabil it ycommc allen 27
liviNg
TECH TOOLS FOSTER STUDEnT SUCCESS
Padding theCurriculum
McAllen Independent School District (ISD) is feeling the benefits of an ambitious technology plan that places an iPod or iPad in the hands of every teacher and student
mcallen independent school district students use system-issued ipads in class
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
EduCaTiNg FOr ThE 21ST CENTury
The initiative began with a meeting between Dr James Ponce McAllenrsquos superintendent of schools and a ldquocadrerdquo of about 35 teachers administrators and parents
The grouprsquos primary goal was to build a 21st-century classroom environment one that fosters creativity collaboration and entrepreneurship The group also wanted to find a way to harness the 247 educational potential of the Internet ndash and teach students the critical-thinking skills needed to process online content
ldquoItrsquos an environment where the teachers become the primary learners and the students are driven by their examplerdquo Ponce says ldquoSo we asked what tools we would need for this transformation of the way we teach and the way the kids learnrdquo
After much research the group chose iPods (for grades K-2) and iPads (for teachers and grades 3-12) because of their portability
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo
CarOl aNN allEN LANGuAGEARTSTEACHER
ATMICHAELEFOSSuMMIDDLESCHOOL
relatively low cost and ease of use To implement the planrsquos first stage McAllen ISD issued 5800 of these devices to teachers and students when the rollout is complete it will cover more than 25000 students
Big BENEFiTS FOr TEaChErS aNd STudENTS
Both teachers and students are seeing benefits from the program
ldquoThe iPods help the kids be creative My students are organizing information in new waysrdquo says Ruth Whiddon who teaches first grade at Andrew Jackson Elementary School
For Carol Ann Allen International Baccalaureate coordinator and eighth-grade language arts teacher at Michael E Fossum Middle School the initiative is all about collaboration
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo she says
Sandra Guerra who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade math
at Fossum says the iPads have changed both her teaching style and the way her students learn
Instead of mapping out the learning process step-by-step she now gives students their goal and lets them choose how to get there
ldquoWith this approach they own their learning and theyrsquove been more willing to learnrdquo Guerra says
The iPads have also been a game-changer for Guerrarsquos family
Her seventh-grade daughter is learning advanced science concepts because of independent iPad projects And because most of her childrenrsquos school materials are on their iPads itrsquos easier than ever for Guerra to check on their progress from home
That kind of scenario says Superintendent Ponce is at the heart of the initiative
ldquoThe entire school system and our community want to lead in this effort to build a 21st-century learning environmentrdquo he says ldquoThis is a direct investment in our children and their familiesrdquo
by Kathryn Royster
High-Tech Learningseventh-grade students use ipads to follow class lectures and take quizzes during a language arts class at michael e fossum middle school
PH
oT
o C
oU
RT
EST
Y o
F M
CA
LLE
N IN
DE
PE
ND
EN
T S
CH
oo
L D
IST
RIC
T
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
Higher Education
SOuTh TExaS COllEgE
McAllenrsquos South Texas College has more than 30000 students and offers numerous associate and bachelorrsquos degree programs as well as professional certifications in more than 40 areas The college also has online degree courses for students who work full time
liviNg EDUCATIoN
Set for SuccesscolleGe prep is a top priority in mcallen
Education in McAllen is defined by excellent options From elementary school through college McAllen includes numerous institutions designed to prepare students for success By Braxton Shoop
school yourself on more educational offerings at livabilitycommcallen
Public Schools
mCallEN iNdEPENdENT SChOOl diSTriCT
Established in 1915 the mcallen independent School district comprises three high schools seven middle schools and 20 elementary schools Among these schools the district offers an advanced placement college-level curriculum and a dual-enrollment program for students who would like to obtain high school and college credit simultaneously
In addition the district features an International Baccalaureate program that provides students with an advanced curriculum geared toward global standards
Local Inspiration
FOrmEr STudENT FliES high
one of McAllenrsquos successful students is astronaut michael Fossum a graduate of McAllen High School After receiving his commission from the US Air Force by Texas AampM University Fossum graduated Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base and in 1993 he started at NASA Throughout his NASA career Fossum was on crew for three spaceflights He commanded the space station during one of his flights helping him rank seventh on the all-time list for cumulative Extravehicular Activity time
Top-notch Learning Environmentuniversity of texas-pan american offers many undergraduate degrees more than 50 masterrsquos degrees and three doctoral degrees utpa has accreditations from organizations like the commission for collegiate nursing the examining board of nurse examiners for the state of texas and the engineering accreditation commission of the accreditation board for engineering and technology
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Charter School
idEa aCadEmy
idEa academy is an innovative institution that offers a fully scaled curriculum for students in kindergarten and in the first second and sixth grades The school which opened in McAllen in 2012 will eventually add more grades each one including approximately 110 students While the school is public students must apply to fill the 460 available spots
To prepare its students to be collegiate scholars IDEA provides International Baccalaureate curriculum as well as the Road to College curriculum which begins in the sixth grade
ldquoWersquore very proud of the connection to our distinguished alumni like NASA astronaut Michael Fossum and we want our students to recognize the kind of education we provide here What he learned here helped catapult him into space and wersquore very proud of thatrdquo
NOrma zamOra-guErra MCALLENINDEPENDENTSCHOOL
DISTRICTCOMMuNITYINFORMATIONDIRECTOR
Michael E Fossum Middle Schoolnamed for astronaut michael e fossum the school is part of the mcallen independent school district
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Please call 9566316109 for a representative today
2501 Buddy Owens Blvd McAllen TX 78504
9656316125 Fax
wwwrio-healthcom
RioHealth MedicalWe are here to meet all your
occupational medicine needs
bull Workplace injuries and workersrsquo compensation
bull On site and off site drug screening
bull Physicals
bull Orthopedics
bull Early return to work
bull 247 coverage
bull We accept all types of insurance
WorkplaceInjury
DANIEL J GUERRA MD Diplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
LEONEL G MORENO MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
HOMERO RIVAS MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
606 S Broadway bull McAllen TX bull (956) 682-4515 bull wwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
FAMILY PHYSICIANS
CLINICSince 1967
Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm Sat 8 am-Noon
VALLEY NIGHT CLINIC
Since 1981
Open Every Night of the Year 6 pm-Midnight
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valley supports children of all abilities through child care
services early intervention and parenting support programs
Early Childhood intErvEntion ChildCarE sErviCEs ParEnts as tEaChErs
Easter seals rio Grande valley Programs for Children Birth to Five years
bullChild-Care servicesndashHigh-qualitychildcare sixweekstofiveyears
bullParents as teachers (Pat)ndashDevelopmental parentingsupportforchildrenbirthtofiveyears
bullEarly Childhood intervention (ECi) ndashConcerns indevelopmentforchildrenbirthtothreeyears
For more information about Easter seals
programs and services call (956) 631-9171 or visit wwweasterseals-rgvorg
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
liviNg HEALTH
Take a Deep Breath and Relaxresidents haVe access to top hospitals
McAllen residents receive quality care from the South Texas Health System Rio Grande Regional Hospital and the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance By Kevin Litwin
Health System
SOuTh TExaS hEalTh SySTEm
South Texas health System is the umbrella organization for a number of fine medical facilities including mcallen medical Center MMC has 441 beds and a staff of more than 400 physicians that represent 50 medical specialties
Also part of South Texas Health System is mcallen heart hospital which opened in 1996 as the first freestanding cardiology and cardiovascular hospital built in the United States It includes 60 beds and a 24-hour emergency center
Healthgrades has awarded McAllen Medical Center and McAllen Heart Hospital with a variety of honors in recent years and both earned a Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence in 2011
Hospital
riO graNdE rEgiONal hOSPiTal
rio grande regional hospital is an acute care medical facility with 320 beds and more than 500 physicians The hospital is the only area Diabetes Management Center accredited by the American Diabetes Association and is the arearsquos first facility to have a Pediatric Heart Program
RGRH also includes a 24-hour emergency room Womenrsquos Services department Level III trauma center and cardiovascular care The hospital is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists and every year since 2007 has been named a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
Hospital
dOCTOrS hOSPiTal aT rENaiSSaNCE
The 506-bed doctors hospital at renaissance is an acute care facility It provides cardiology neurosurgery and endocrinology as well as a Pediatric Medical Tower that offers pediatric oncology and pediatric ICU services
Doctors Hospital has been ranked among the nationrsquos 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters and recently invested $32 million to establish an Electronic Medical Record System
DHR was the first in South Texas to acquire a PETCT scanner for diagnosing cancer and the first in the region to introduce da Vinci robotic surgical technology The hospital also oversees Renaissance Behavioral Center which provides treatment for people with mental health problems substance abuse or eating disorders
34 mc allen
COMMUNITyPROFILE COST OF liviNg
$44074Median Household Income
$129554Median Home Price
$689Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
TraNSPOrTaTiON
Median Travel Time to Work
agE
TEmPEraTurE
January Average
July Average
EThNiCiTy
19 and Under
20-54
55 and over
White
Black
Hispanic
other
1645minutes
Closest Airport McAllen International Airport
955deg
482deg
South Texasrsquo Finest Gift Store Offers Gifts From Around the World
4300 N 10th St bull Ste C bull McAllen TX 78504 (956) 686-1264 bull ohkaysaolcom
Look for us on Facebook
gOlF COurSES
gOlF TEC
2901 N 10TH ST956-994-9631
mCallEN COuNTry CluB615 WICHITA AVE956-686-0923
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
The national Butterfly Center the national butterfly center dedicates 100 acres to the conservation and scientific study of wild butterflies in their natural habitats the wildlife center is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm september through march and from 9 am until 4 pm april through august
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
liviNg SEE THE CITY
36 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
Shopping
BrOwSE Or Buy
mcallenrsquos la Plaza mall draws more than 18 million visitors each year as the main shopping spot for residents in the Rio Grande Valley The 1200000-square-foot mall has more than 140 retailers such as Macyrsquos and Dillardrsquos as well as a variety of restaurants
Art Events
miNglE wiTh arTiSTS
The music after hours Outdoor Concert Series is held monthly to showcase bands from the Rio Grande Valley Meanwhile mcallenrsquos artwalk is a monthly self-guided tour that features art galleries vendors and museums
Sports
Play Ball
The mcallen Thunder and Edinburg roadrunners are baseball teams that play at Edinburg Baseball Stadium Both teams are members of the North American League an independent professional league not affiliated with Major League Baseball
Locally Grown
STOCk uP
You can find more than 20 varieties of citrus and other fresh fruits vegetables nuts and locally made products at klementrsquos grove Bellrsquos Farm to market Farmers market at Town lake and Farmers market at mcallenrsquos new library
THINGSTODOMcAllenrsquos must-do attractions activities and dining
Grab Your Binocularsmcallenrsquos many wildlife havens include QuintaMazatlan above an urban sanctuary for birds plants and other wildlife valleyNatureCenter which is the oldest nature center in the rio Grande Valley and the 2000-acre SantaAnaNationalWildlifeRefuge which has recorded 400 bird species and hundreds of butterfly species
8 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 9
Eatery
PiCk ThE PlaTTEr
The popular restaurant Costa messa has a new location on North 10th Street and its menu includes favorite items such as huge botana platters to share and choriqueso The eatery is open seven days a week from 11 am until 10 pm
Outdoors
gET iN ShaPE
Hiking and biking trail systems are located at various parks throughout McAllen Some of the arearsquos most popular trails can be found at las Palmas Park la vista Park los Encinos Park retama village Park Bill Schupp Park and westside Park
Pro Sports
FlaSh aNd viPErS
Cheer on the rio grande valley Flash a Professional Arena Soccer League team and catch the basketball action of the rio grande valley vipers 2010 NBA Development League Champions Both teams play at State Farm Arena in Hidalgo
ThiNgS TO dO
Happy Hour
PrOPOSE a TOaST
Enjoy dinner drinks and fun at the many businesses located within the 17th Street Entertainment district of downtown McAllen a revitalized area now bustling with interesting restaurants pubs clubs and lounges
Climb Aboardthe federal transit administration awarded mcallen $19 million to create an electric bus pilot program OLEvTechnologiesoversees the program which is retrofitting three diesel buses with electric motors passenger transport begins in 2013
8 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 9
THIS HAPPEnInG vALLEY CITY OFFERS PLEnTY TO DO SEE amp EAT
ThiNgS TO dO
mcallenin a Day
l iVabil it ycommc allen 11 10 mc allen
midNighT TO NOON iN mCallENWhere to stay McAllen has nearly 3600 hotel rooms
from luxurious traditional hotels to new motels with all the contemporary bells and whistles The Renaissance Casa de Palmas a four-star hotel on Main Street was built in 1918 and lavishly restored into a luxury property featuring Mission architecture that recalls McAllenrsquos past Or try the Spring Hill Suites just off the expressway for a more modern take
After a comfortable night start the morning off with breakfast at Jimmyrsquos Egg a new outpost of a longtime Oklahoma favorite Here enjoy nearly any kind of egg you can imagine for breakfast ndash or atop a burger at lunch Go further south of the cuisine border at Las Cazuelas Grill another popular new eatery for menu items such as Chilaquiles con Huevo or Molletes
Got 24 hours to spare We recommend a busy day well spent in McAllen where you can fill every available hour
with interesting sights delicious cuisine and a variety of fun activities
a birdrsquos-eye view of the cityrsquos revitalized 17the street entertainment district
l iVabil it ycommc allen 11
NB
icen
tenn
ialB
lvd
WHackberryAve
S23
rdS
tree
t
83
international museum of arts and sciences
mcallen public library
McAllen Public Librarym-th 9am - 9pmf-sat 9am - 6pmsun 1pm - 9pm
phone (956) 688-3300uhV students (with id) free
wwwmcallenlibrarynet
12 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 13
The hike and bike trail on Second Street and another on Bicentennial offer the chance for a leisurely 23-mile stroll around town ndash yoursquove got to work off that breakfast after all And then head over to the International Museum of Arts and Science a Smithsonian affiliated museum where a wide variety of changing art and science exhibits always offer something interesting
Another must-see is McAllenrsquos new public library which at a whopping 123000 square feet is the largest single-floor library in the US This former Walmart building underwent a total transformation into an aesthetically pleasing community resource thatrsquos steadily gaining attention worldwide for its colorful open and functional design Opened in December 2011 the facility has already won first place in the International Interior Design Associationrsquos 2012 Library Interior Design Competition
luNCh aNd laTErldquoWersquove got over 600 restaurants
hererdquo says Chamber President and CEO Steve Ahlenius So since itrsquos noon by now try the flatbread or a
salad at house wine amp bistro or go for a panini at Corner Bakery Cafe Or for Latin flavor head to KoKorsquos for delicious Mexican fare
In McAllen a day without shopping would be sad indeed La Plaza Mall is the most visited mall in the country and Palms Crossings at the McAllen Convention Center is home to several shops and restaurants such as Mimirsquos Cafe and Romanorsquos Macaroni Grill
ldquoAfter I finished shopping Irsquod spend the rest of the afternoon at Quinta Mazatlan (a historic home that also offers nature trails and legendary bird watching)rdquo Ahlenius says Another option is to test the waters by kayaking or catch-and-release fishing on Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park
mCallEN aFTEr hOurSYoursquore not tired are you
Good because after freshening up back at your hotel itrsquos off to a night on the town Cajun cuisine at The Bayou Grill on North 10th St is a great option as are the authentic Mexican menus at Cabritos Nuevo Leon or La Jaiba Mexican Seafood Grill both on West Nolana
After dinner stroll the 17th Street Entertainment District to catch the flavor of McAllen after hours or catch a show at the historic Cine El Rey theater where comedy acts concerts film festivals and other events take the stage Finally La Recova Contemporary Argentinean Grill beckons for a nightcap in its quiet upscale bar ldquowhere you can actually carry on a conversationrdquo Ahlenius says
Then to bed Where after a good nightrsquos rest you will surely want to get up and spend yet another great day in McAllen
by Laura Hill by staff photographer
Michael Conti
ldquoMcAllen is a beautiful multicultural city with plenty to do and see From shopping in the most popular stores in the nation or unique one-of-a-kind shops to fine dining and plenty of family outdoor activities ndash you can do it year round hererdquo
gErry garCia VPOFSPECIALPROJECTS
FORTHEMCALLENCHAMBER
SNAPSHOT
for music dinner and dancing head to downtown mcallenrsquos 17th street entertainment district
The Patio on Guerradiners enjoy the food and atmosphere at the patio on Guerra on 17th street in downtown mcallen
12 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 13
ThiNgS TO dO
Town Lakea boy takes his dog for a walk as he skateboards the trail along the new 4-acre town lake at firemanrsquos park a popular spot for canoeing kayaking fishing and more
ThiNgS TO dO
14 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 15 14 mc allen
nEW LAkE OPEnS AT FIREMAnrsquoS PARk
Ahh howrefreshing
ldquoWe did all the required dredging to transform the little pond into a recreational lake that is 15 feet at its deepest pointrdquo says Sally Gavlik director of the McAllen Parks amp Recreation Department ldquoIn these days of more and more people opting to remain close to home for staycations Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park gives them a valid option for a different kind of local vacationrdquo
lET ThE FuN BEgiNTown Lake is situated right in the
middle of McAllen off Business Highway 83 between First and Second streets Swimming is prohibited due to park
irrigation regulations but a beach has been constructed to launch canoes kayaks and paddle boats A fishing pier is also in place
ldquoWe transferred fish to the lake from nearby Boeye Reservoir which has provided us with good stocks of bass perch and catfishrdquo Gavlik says ldquoTown Lake currently only has a catch-and-release program meaning you can catch fish but must release them back into the water At some point in the future when the fish population increases we plan to schedule times when people can take the fish homerdquo
The City of McAllen made a big splash in May 2012 when it officially opened Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park What was once a small tract of land with a few basic
recreational amenities is now a 15-acre redevelopment that includes the four-acre Town Lake Crews used a water holding pond at the cityrsquos former water treatment facility to construct the new lake
14 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 15
TakE a hikEWalking and jogging are also good recreational
options around the waterrsquos perimeterldquoTown Lake actually ties into the well used Second
Street Trail People can come off the trail walk or jog along the lake and then get back onto the trailrdquo Gavlik says ldquoThe scenery includes wildflowers in a freshly seeded meadow while other park amenities are horseshoe pits two playgrounds and free picnic sites at the north end of Firemanrsquos Park at First Streetrdquo
There is also a covered pavilion area with sand volleyball courts a small concession building and three camping sites The campsites can be used during the day by anyone but only overnight by organized groups such as the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts Group reservations must be made through the McAllen Parks amp Recreation Department
ldquoAnother park attraction is the former water treatment building which has been transformed into a rental facilityrdquo Gavlik says ldquoIt is now called The Old Pump House complete with new windows air conditioning uplighting tiling and carpeted floors Groups of 75 to 100 people can rent the facility for meetings small receptions or small social events The Old Pump House adds to the overall amenities of todayrsquos Firemenrsquos Parkrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer Michael Conti
Fishinga group casts lines into town lake which enforces a catch-and-release program
WHackberryAve
TownLake
83
firemanrsquos park
N2
nd
Str
eet
16 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 17
children enjoy the playground at firemanrsquos park
16 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 17
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO LoCAL FLAVoR
Palate Pleasersmcallen restaurants serVe up flaVorful foods
McAllen diners rejoice The city has a broad selection of distinctive restaurants and eateries appealing to just about every taste By Barbara Biehler
Asian
SENSaTiONal SuShi amp SPiCE
McAllen has several great spots for Japanese food such as sushi tempura and teppanyaki including kohnami kumori and yokorsquos Sushi Bar
Fans of Thai food should check out Thai red Chilirsquos for dishes like pad thai red curry chicken and sweet rice with mango
Indian
TaNdOOri aNyONETaste of india hits the spot
for diners looking for high quality authentic Indian food made from old family recipes and paired with excellent service
Tex-Mex and Mexican
SOmE likE iT SPiCy
Step into las Cazuelas grill for classic Mexican cuisine or visit Palenque Chicken for expertly prepared Mexican and Tex Mex dishes
Renowned regionally for homemade tamales deliarsquos uses fresh ingredients including pork chicken and beef
The republic of rio grande serves Mexican cuisine in an intimate setting order a traditional dish like the chicken fajitas or enchiladas suizas or enjoy a distinctive entree such as shrimp chipotle pesto pasta or a brick-oven pizza
check out more restaurants in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
ldquoDeliarsquos has the best tamales in town Probably even in the RGV The only place you can get the good old homemade flavor of real tamalesrdquo
Evila l YELPCOM
Argentine
SOuTh amEriCaN CuiSiNE
Relax in the elegant yet casual atmosphere of la Pampa argentinean Steak housewhile you dine on classic Argentine- cut steaks grilled chicken breasts marinated in Chimichurri or traditional de carne empanadas
Meanwhile la recova also offers a wide selection of Argentine-style favorites on its menu Favorite dishes at La Recova includes chorizo tuna carnitas duck confit and churrasco a classic top sirloin steak
Outdoor Dining
TrENdy amp TaSTy
If yoursquore in the mood for a USDA prime steak or succulent seafood drop by The Patio on guerra Dine on the outdoor patio and have a bottle of one of the restaurantrsquos award-winning wines
FridarsquosGrillandCantina located on 17th street offers traditional mexican favorites with modern flavors Go to fridarsquos to enjoy unique culinary dishes signature drinks and live music on the weekends
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO ARTS amp CULTURE
Rave Reviewsmcallenrsquos arts scene remains robust With museums music and eVents
Arts patrons music lovers and history buffs enjoy many cultural attractions throughout McAllen The latest buzz McAllen Performing Arts Center will spring up near the McAllen Convention Center giving fans of live music theater and dance a fine new facility to anticipate
Live Entertainment
PErFOrmErS TakE ThE STagE
The 17th Street Entertainment district in downtown McAllen overflows with lounges restaurants and clubs For live music visit The old Ice House or Cine El Rey
The cityrsquos diverse culture is what influences much of the music performed by the valley Symphony Orchestra amp Chorale The Symphony was established in 1952 with the Chorale joining later in 1984 Similarly the South Texas lyric Opera brings the fine art of opera to the Rio Grande Valley with a yearly slate of productions and an annual opera gala and rio grande valley Broadway brings popular stage shows to town such as Disneyrsquos Beauty and the Beast and Monty Pythonrsquos Spamalot
Historic Sites
TakE a STEP BaCk iN TimE
The museum of South Texas history and the mcallen heritage Center are just two locations to learn about the rich history of this bicultural area
Quinta mazatlan a 1930s hacienda that embodies the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture of arches adobe and beams and provides an intimate look into South Texas history The 10000-square- foot mansion sits on a 15-acre plot hosting a mix of native and exotic plants and wildlife making up McAllenrsquos wing of the popular world Birding Center
Cine El Reyopened in 1947 the historic cine el rey theater now functions as
a music and performance venue showcasing a variety of live events and also shows spanish and english independent films the theater is located in downtown mcallenrsquos 17th street entertainment district
20 mc allen
ldquoCine El Rey hosts events as diverse as wrestling live bands films and comedy shows A huge stage is complimented by killer production value and a staff that really cares about all aspects of the experience Irsquom looking forward to a return triprdquo
Bill dykES YELP
visual Arts and Festivals
aCCESSiBlE arT FuN EvENTS
The international museum of art amp Science founded in 1969 promotes an appreciation for the arts and sciences through its exhibitions cultural events and many educational programs imaS is located at 1900 Nolana Ave
The mcallen art walk is a self-guided tour that gives art lovers the opportunity to explore the many art offerings in the city Itrsquos held every first Friday from September through May and is free and open to the public
on the first Saturday night of December folks enjoy the Candlelight Posada which includes food booths luminaries a parade live entertainment caroling and a live nativity scene
Chamber of Commerce Support
ChamBEr BaCkS ThE arTS
The mcallen Chamber of Commerce shows its love for the arts by managing the mcallen arts Council which publishes a quarterly magazine produces an annual fine arts exhibition and offers grants to local artists The Chamber also offers an outdoor concert series and coordinates the Public art Committeersquos acquisition program
20 mc allen
ThiNgS TO dO SPoRTS amp RECREATIoN
Soak Up Some Sunmcallen residents haVe plenty of Good reasons to Get outdoors
Great golf courses hiking and biking trails and a large well-maintained park system make McAllen the perfect place to enjoy outdoor fun By Carson OrsquoShoney
Golf
TEE iT uPWith nearly 20 courses in the
McAllen area golf is a popular attraction in the Rio Grande Valley
one of the most notable courses is the Palm view golf Course an 18-hole public course with a private feel With rolling fairways and Bermuda rough mounds the course is an often-used location for tournaments having hosted LPGA tournaments and Palm viewrsquos amateur golf Championship
mcallen Country Club provides a challenge with tree-lined fairways and small greens and also offers a swimming pool tennis courts a fitness center and other amenities
Every golf course in the area is bustling especially in the winter when ldquoWinter Texansrdquo come to the Rio Grande Valley The weather generally stays in the 70s in the coldest months making it a perfect place for winter golfing
Hiking Biking and Racing
ON ThE mOvE iN mCallEN
There are plenty of hiking and biking trails on the east and west sides of town such as the retama village Park Trail westside Park Trail and las Palmas Park Trail Visiting cyclists are welcome to meet up with Team mcallen Cycling a bike club thatrsquos been in the city for more than 25 years
Racing fans can enjoy the mcallen international motorplex and Event Center which hosts stock car races car shows and more The racetrack is a family-friendly place offering activities for children such as games face painting and crafts
Palm view Golf Courseirish cochran plays a round of golf at palm View Golf course an 18-hole public course often used for high profile tournaments
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
City Parks
OuTdOOr Family FuN
The mcallen Parks and recreation department currently oversees 25 city parks Ranging from historic parks established in the early 1900s to more modern facilities there are several options suitable for the whole family
archer Park McAllenrsquos oldest park opened in 1912 Serving as a historic landmark in the city it also plays host to many of the cityrsquos annual special events including the Candlelight Posada and movies in the Park
Spanning 38 acres Springfest Park is the largest park in McAllen Springfest hosts a variety of special events and is home to mcallenrsquos winter Polo league from January through March
check out more fun things to do in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
Spray and Ground Parkbesides its popular water feature mcallenrsquos new SprayandGroundParkhas a sand volleyball court skateboard area a half basketball court and just over half a mile of walking trails in addition there are athletic practice fields shaded areas picnic shelters and restroom facilities
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
ThiNgS TO dO SEE THE CITY
24 mc allen
The Irrigation Workerthe sun sets behind a sculpture ldquothe irrigation Workerrdquo which was created by artist douglas clark and is located on nolana and 25th
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
l iVabil it ycommc allen 25
LIvINGHERESchools health care education and neighborhoods in McAllen
26 mc allen 26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 26 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 27
see more beautiful photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
Luxury Livingnewcomers have many beautiful home options in mcallen such as those offered in eight different communities by cantu construction a locally based award-winning builder
26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 liVabil it ycommc allen 27
liviNg
TECH TOOLS FOSTER STUDEnT SUCCESS
Padding theCurriculum
McAllen Independent School District (ISD) is feeling the benefits of an ambitious technology plan that places an iPod or iPad in the hands of every teacher and student
mcallen independent school district students use system-issued ipads in class
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
EduCaTiNg FOr ThE 21ST CENTury
The initiative began with a meeting between Dr James Ponce McAllenrsquos superintendent of schools and a ldquocadrerdquo of about 35 teachers administrators and parents
The grouprsquos primary goal was to build a 21st-century classroom environment one that fosters creativity collaboration and entrepreneurship The group also wanted to find a way to harness the 247 educational potential of the Internet ndash and teach students the critical-thinking skills needed to process online content
ldquoItrsquos an environment where the teachers become the primary learners and the students are driven by their examplerdquo Ponce says ldquoSo we asked what tools we would need for this transformation of the way we teach and the way the kids learnrdquo
After much research the group chose iPods (for grades K-2) and iPads (for teachers and grades 3-12) because of their portability
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo
CarOl aNN allEN LANGuAGEARTSTEACHER
ATMICHAELEFOSSuMMIDDLESCHOOL
relatively low cost and ease of use To implement the planrsquos first stage McAllen ISD issued 5800 of these devices to teachers and students when the rollout is complete it will cover more than 25000 students
Big BENEFiTS FOr TEaChErS aNd STudENTS
Both teachers and students are seeing benefits from the program
ldquoThe iPods help the kids be creative My students are organizing information in new waysrdquo says Ruth Whiddon who teaches first grade at Andrew Jackson Elementary School
For Carol Ann Allen International Baccalaureate coordinator and eighth-grade language arts teacher at Michael E Fossum Middle School the initiative is all about collaboration
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo she says
Sandra Guerra who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade math
at Fossum says the iPads have changed both her teaching style and the way her students learn
Instead of mapping out the learning process step-by-step she now gives students their goal and lets them choose how to get there
ldquoWith this approach they own their learning and theyrsquove been more willing to learnrdquo Guerra says
The iPads have also been a game-changer for Guerrarsquos family
Her seventh-grade daughter is learning advanced science concepts because of independent iPad projects And because most of her childrenrsquos school materials are on their iPads itrsquos easier than ever for Guerra to check on their progress from home
That kind of scenario says Superintendent Ponce is at the heart of the initiative
ldquoThe entire school system and our community want to lead in this effort to build a 21st-century learning environmentrdquo he says ldquoThis is a direct investment in our children and their familiesrdquo
by Kathryn Royster
High-Tech Learningseventh-grade students use ipads to follow class lectures and take quizzes during a language arts class at michael e fossum middle school
PH
oT
o C
oU
RT
EST
Y o
F M
CA
LLE
N IN
DE
PE
ND
EN
T S
CH
oo
L D
IST
RIC
T
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
Higher Education
SOuTh TExaS COllEgE
McAllenrsquos South Texas College has more than 30000 students and offers numerous associate and bachelorrsquos degree programs as well as professional certifications in more than 40 areas The college also has online degree courses for students who work full time
liviNg EDUCATIoN
Set for SuccesscolleGe prep is a top priority in mcallen
Education in McAllen is defined by excellent options From elementary school through college McAllen includes numerous institutions designed to prepare students for success By Braxton Shoop
school yourself on more educational offerings at livabilitycommcallen
Public Schools
mCallEN iNdEPENdENT SChOOl diSTriCT
Established in 1915 the mcallen independent School district comprises three high schools seven middle schools and 20 elementary schools Among these schools the district offers an advanced placement college-level curriculum and a dual-enrollment program for students who would like to obtain high school and college credit simultaneously
In addition the district features an International Baccalaureate program that provides students with an advanced curriculum geared toward global standards
Local Inspiration
FOrmEr STudENT FliES high
one of McAllenrsquos successful students is astronaut michael Fossum a graduate of McAllen High School After receiving his commission from the US Air Force by Texas AampM University Fossum graduated Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base and in 1993 he started at NASA Throughout his NASA career Fossum was on crew for three spaceflights He commanded the space station during one of his flights helping him rank seventh on the all-time list for cumulative Extravehicular Activity time
Top-notch Learning Environmentuniversity of texas-pan american offers many undergraduate degrees more than 50 masterrsquos degrees and three doctoral degrees utpa has accreditations from organizations like the commission for collegiate nursing the examining board of nurse examiners for the state of texas and the engineering accreditation commission of the accreditation board for engineering and technology
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Charter School
idEa aCadEmy
idEa academy is an innovative institution that offers a fully scaled curriculum for students in kindergarten and in the first second and sixth grades The school which opened in McAllen in 2012 will eventually add more grades each one including approximately 110 students While the school is public students must apply to fill the 460 available spots
To prepare its students to be collegiate scholars IDEA provides International Baccalaureate curriculum as well as the Road to College curriculum which begins in the sixth grade
ldquoWersquore very proud of the connection to our distinguished alumni like NASA astronaut Michael Fossum and we want our students to recognize the kind of education we provide here What he learned here helped catapult him into space and wersquore very proud of thatrdquo
NOrma zamOra-guErra MCALLENINDEPENDENTSCHOOL
DISTRICTCOMMuNITYINFORMATIONDIRECTOR
Michael E Fossum Middle Schoolnamed for astronaut michael e fossum the school is part of the mcallen independent school district
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Please call 9566316109 for a representative today
2501 Buddy Owens Blvd McAllen TX 78504
9656316125 Fax
wwwrio-healthcom
RioHealth MedicalWe are here to meet all your
occupational medicine needs
bull Workplace injuries and workersrsquo compensation
bull On site and off site drug screening
bull Physicals
bull Orthopedics
bull Early return to work
bull 247 coverage
bull We accept all types of insurance
WorkplaceInjury
DANIEL J GUERRA MD Diplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
LEONEL G MORENO MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
HOMERO RIVAS MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
606 S Broadway bull McAllen TX bull (956) 682-4515 bull wwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
FAMILY PHYSICIANS
CLINICSince 1967
Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm Sat 8 am-Noon
VALLEY NIGHT CLINIC
Since 1981
Open Every Night of the Year 6 pm-Midnight
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valley supports children of all abilities through child care
services early intervention and parenting support programs
Early Childhood intErvEntion ChildCarE sErviCEs ParEnts as tEaChErs
Easter seals rio Grande valley Programs for Children Birth to Five years
bullChild-Care servicesndashHigh-qualitychildcare sixweekstofiveyears
bullParents as teachers (Pat)ndashDevelopmental parentingsupportforchildrenbirthtofiveyears
bullEarly Childhood intervention (ECi) ndashConcerns indevelopmentforchildrenbirthtothreeyears
For more information about Easter seals
programs and services call (956) 631-9171 or visit wwweasterseals-rgvorg
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
liviNg HEALTH
Take a Deep Breath and Relaxresidents haVe access to top hospitals
McAllen residents receive quality care from the South Texas Health System Rio Grande Regional Hospital and the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance By Kevin Litwin
Health System
SOuTh TExaS hEalTh SySTEm
South Texas health System is the umbrella organization for a number of fine medical facilities including mcallen medical Center MMC has 441 beds and a staff of more than 400 physicians that represent 50 medical specialties
Also part of South Texas Health System is mcallen heart hospital which opened in 1996 as the first freestanding cardiology and cardiovascular hospital built in the United States It includes 60 beds and a 24-hour emergency center
Healthgrades has awarded McAllen Medical Center and McAllen Heart Hospital with a variety of honors in recent years and both earned a Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence in 2011
Hospital
riO graNdE rEgiONal hOSPiTal
rio grande regional hospital is an acute care medical facility with 320 beds and more than 500 physicians The hospital is the only area Diabetes Management Center accredited by the American Diabetes Association and is the arearsquos first facility to have a Pediatric Heart Program
RGRH also includes a 24-hour emergency room Womenrsquos Services department Level III trauma center and cardiovascular care The hospital is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists and every year since 2007 has been named a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
Hospital
dOCTOrS hOSPiTal aT rENaiSSaNCE
The 506-bed doctors hospital at renaissance is an acute care facility It provides cardiology neurosurgery and endocrinology as well as a Pediatric Medical Tower that offers pediatric oncology and pediatric ICU services
Doctors Hospital has been ranked among the nationrsquos 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters and recently invested $32 million to establish an Electronic Medical Record System
DHR was the first in South Texas to acquire a PETCT scanner for diagnosing cancer and the first in the region to introduce da Vinci robotic surgical technology The hospital also oversees Renaissance Behavioral Center which provides treatment for people with mental health problems substance abuse or eating disorders
34 mc allen
COMMUNITyPROFILE COST OF liviNg
$44074Median Household Income
$129554Median Home Price
$689Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
TraNSPOrTaTiON
Median Travel Time to Work
agE
TEmPEraTurE
January Average
July Average
EThNiCiTy
19 and Under
20-54
55 and over
White
Black
Hispanic
other
1645minutes
Closest Airport McAllen International Airport
955deg
482deg
South Texasrsquo Finest Gift Store Offers Gifts From Around the World
4300 N 10th St bull Ste C bull McAllen TX 78504 (956) 686-1264 bull ohkaysaolcom
Look for us on Facebook
gOlF COurSES
gOlF TEC
2901 N 10TH ST956-994-9631
mCallEN COuNTry CluB615 WICHITA AVE956-686-0923
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
The national Butterfly Center the national butterfly center dedicates 100 acres to the conservation and scientific study of wild butterflies in their natural habitats the wildlife center is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm september through march and from 9 am until 4 pm april through august
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
liviNg SEE THE CITY
36 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
Eatery
PiCk ThE PlaTTEr
The popular restaurant Costa messa has a new location on North 10th Street and its menu includes favorite items such as huge botana platters to share and choriqueso The eatery is open seven days a week from 11 am until 10 pm
Outdoors
gET iN ShaPE
Hiking and biking trail systems are located at various parks throughout McAllen Some of the arearsquos most popular trails can be found at las Palmas Park la vista Park los Encinos Park retama village Park Bill Schupp Park and westside Park
Pro Sports
FlaSh aNd viPErS
Cheer on the rio grande valley Flash a Professional Arena Soccer League team and catch the basketball action of the rio grande valley vipers 2010 NBA Development League Champions Both teams play at State Farm Arena in Hidalgo
ThiNgS TO dO
Happy Hour
PrOPOSE a TOaST
Enjoy dinner drinks and fun at the many businesses located within the 17th Street Entertainment district of downtown McAllen a revitalized area now bustling with interesting restaurants pubs clubs and lounges
Climb Aboardthe federal transit administration awarded mcallen $19 million to create an electric bus pilot program OLEvTechnologiesoversees the program which is retrofitting three diesel buses with electric motors passenger transport begins in 2013
8 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 9
THIS HAPPEnInG vALLEY CITY OFFERS PLEnTY TO DO SEE amp EAT
ThiNgS TO dO
mcallenin a Day
l iVabil it ycommc allen 11 10 mc allen
midNighT TO NOON iN mCallENWhere to stay McAllen has nearly 3600 hotel rooms
from luxurious traditional hotels to new motels with all the contemporary bells and whistles The Renaissance Casa de Palmas a four-star hotel on Main Street was built in 1918 and lavishly restored into a luxury property featuring Mission architecture that recalls McAllenrsquos past Or try the Spring Hill Suites just off the expressway for a more modern take
After a comfortable night start the morning off with breakfast at Jimmyrsquos Egg a new outpost of a longtime Oklahoma favorite Here enjoy nearly any kind of egg you can imagine for breakfast ndash or atop a burger at lunch Go further south of the cuisine border at Las Cazuelas Grill another popular new eatery for menu items such as Chilaquiles con Huevo or Molletes
Got 24 hours to spare We recommend a busy day well spent in McAllen where you can fill every available hour
with interesting sights delicious cuisine and a variety of fun activities
a birdrsquos-eye view of the cityrsquos revitalized 17the street entertainment district
l iVabil it ycommc allen 11
NB
icen
tenn
ialB
lvd
WHackberryAve
S23
rdS
tree
t
83
international museum of arts and sciences
mcallen public library
McAllen Public Librarym-th 9am - 9pmf-sat 9am - 6pmsun 1pm - 9pm
phone (956) 688-3300uhV students (with id) free
wwwmcallenlibrarynet
12 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 13
The hike and bike trail on Second Street and another on Bicentennial offer the chance for a leisurely 23-mile stroll around town ndash yoursquove got to work off that breakfast after all And then head over to the International Museum of Arts and Science a Smithsonian affiliated museum where a wide variety of changing art and science exhibits always offer something interesting
Another must-see is McAllenrsquos new public library which at a whopping 123000 square feet is the largest single-floor library in the US This former Walmart building underwent a total transformation into an aesthetically pleasing community resource thatrsquos steadily gaining attention worldwide for its colorful open and functional design Opened in December 2011 the facility has already won first place in the International Interior Design Associationrsquos 2012 Library Interior Design Competition
luNCh aNd laTErldquoWersquove got over 600 restaurants
hererdquo says Chamber President and CEO Steve Ahlenius So since itrsquos noon by now try the flatbread or a
salad at house wine amp bistro or go for a panini at Corner Bakery Cafe Or for Latin flavor head to KoKorsquos for delicious Mexican fare
In McAllen a day without shopping would be sad indeed La Plaza Mall is the most visited mall in the country and Palms Crossings at the McAllen Convention Center is home to several shops and restaurants such as Mimirsquos Cafe and Romanorsquos Macaroni Grill
ldquoAfter I finished shopping Irsquod spend the rest of the afternoon at Quinta Mazatlan (a historic home that also offers nature trails and legendary bird watching)rdquo Ahlenius says Another option is to test the waters by kayaking or catch-and-release fishing on Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park
mCallEN aFTEr hOurSYoursquore not tired are you
Good because after freshening up back at your hotel itrsquos off to a night on the town Cajun cuisine at The Bayou Grill on North 10th St is a great option as are the authentic Mexican menus at Cabritos Nuevo Leon or La Jaiba Mexican Seafood Grill both on West Nolana
After dinner stroll the 17th Street Entertainment District to catch the flavor of McAllen after hours or catch a show at the historic Cine El Rey theater where comedy acts concerts film festivals and other events take the stage Finally La Recova Contemporary Argentinean Grill beckons for a nightcap in its quiet upscale bar ldquowhere you can actually carry on a conversationrdquo Ahlenius says
Then to bed Where after a good nightrsquos rest you will surely want to get up and spend yet another great day in McAllen
by Laura Hill by staff photographer
Michael Conti
ldquoMcAllen is a beautiful multicultural city with plenty to do and see From shopping in the most popular stores in the nation or unique one-of-a-kind shops to fine dining and plenty of family outdoor activities ndash you can do it year round hererdquo
gErry garCia VPOFSPECIALPROJECTS
FORTHEMCALLENCHAMBER
SNAPSHOT
for music dinner and dancing head to downtown mcallenrsquos 17th street entertainment district
The Patio on Guerradiners enjoy the food and atmosphere at the patio on Guerra on 17th street in downtown mcallen
12 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 13
ThiNgS TO dO
Town Lakea boy takes his dog for a walk as he skateboards the trail along the new 4-acre town lake at firemanrsquos park a popular spot for canoeing kayaking fishing and more
ThiNgS TO dO
14 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 15 14 mc allen
nEW LAkE OPEnS AT FIREMAnrsquoS PARk
Ahh howrefreshing
ldquoWe did all the required dredging to transform the little pond into a recreational lake that is 15 feet at its deepest pointrdquo says Sally Gavlik director of the McAllen Parks amp Recreation Department ldquoIn these days of more and more people opting to remain close to home for staycations Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park gives them a valid option for a different kind of local vacationrdquo
lET ThE FuN BEgiNTown Lake is situated right in the
middle of McAllen off Business Highway 83 between First and Second streets Swimming is prohibited due to park
irrigation regulations but a beach has been constructed to launch canoes kayaks and paddle boats A fishing pier is also in place
ldquoWe transferred fish to the lake from nearby Boeye Reservoir which has provided us with good stocks of bass perch and catfishrdquo Gavlik says ldquoTown Lake currently only has a catch-and-release program meaning you can catch fish but must release them back into the water At some point in the future when the fish population increases we plan to schedule times when people can take the fish homerdquo
The City of McAllen made a big splash in May 2012 when it officially opened Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park What was once a small tract of land with a few basic
recreational amenities is now a 15-acre redevelopment that includes the four-acre Town Lake Crews used a water holding pond at the cityrsquos former water treatment facility to construct the new lake
14 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 15
TakE a hikEWalking and jogging are also good recreational
options around the waterrsquos perimeterldquoTown Lake actually ties into the well used Second
Street Trail People can come off the trail walk or jog along the lake and then get back onto the trailrdquo Gavlik says ldquoThe scenery includes wildflowers in a freshly seeded meadow while other park amenities are horseshoe pits two playgrounds and free picnic sites at the north end of Firemanrsquos Park at First Streetrdquo
There is also a covered pavilion area with sand volleyball courts a small concession building and three camping sites The campsites can be used during the day by anyone but only overnight by organized groups such as the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts Group reservations must be made through the McAllen Parks amp Recreation Department
ldquoAnother park attraction is the former water treatment building which has been transformed into a rental facilityrdquo Gavlik says ldquoIt is now called The Old Pump House complete with new windows air conditioning uplighting tiling and carpeted floors Groups of 75 to 100 people can rent the facility for meetings small receptions or small social events The Old Pump House adds to the overall amenities of todayrsquos Firemenrsquos Parkrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer Michael Conti
Fishinga group casts lines into town lake which enforces a catch-and-release program
WHackberryAve
TownLake
83
firemanrsquos park
N2
nd
Str
eet
16 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 17
children enjoy the playground at firemanrsquos park
16 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 17
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO LoCAL FLAVoR
Palate Pleasersmcallen restaurants serVe up flaVorful foods
McAllen diners rejoice The city has a broad selection of distinctive restaurants and eateries appealing to just about every taste By Barbara Biehler
Asian
SENSaTiONal SuShi amp SPiCE
McAllen has several great spots for Japanese food such as sushi tempura and teppanyaki including kohnami kumori and yokorsquos Sushi Bar
Fans of Thai food should check out Thai red Chilirsquos for dishes like pad thai red curry chicken and sweet rice with mango
Indian
TaNdOOri aNyONETaste of india hits the spot
for diners looking for high quality authentic Indian food made from old family recipes and paired with excellent service
Tex-Mex and Mexican
SOmE likE iT SPiCy
Step into las Cazuelas grill for classic Mexican cuisine or visit Palenque Chicken for expertly prepared Mexican and Tex Mex dishes
Renowned regionally for homemade tamales deliarsquos uses fresh ingredients including pork chicken and beef
The republic of rio grande serves Mexican cuisine in an intimate setting order a traditional dish like the chicken fajitas or enchiladas suizas or enjoy a distinctive entree such as shrimp chipotle pesto pasta or a brick-oven pizza
check out more restaurants in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
ldquoDeliarsquos has the best tamales in town Probably even in the RGV The only place you can get the good old homemade flavor of real tamalesrdquo
Evila l YELPCOM
Argentine
SOuTh amEriCaN CuiSiNE
Relax in the elegant yet casual atmosphere of la Pampa argentinean Steak housewhile you dine on classic Argentine- cut steaks grilled chicken breasts marinated in Chimichurri or traditional de carne empanadas
Meanwhile la recova also offers a wide selection of Argentine-style favorites on its menu Favorite dishes at La Recova includes chorizo tuna carnitas duck confit and churrasco a classic top sirloin steak
Outdoor Dining
TrENdy amp TaSTy
If yoursquore in the mood for a USDA prime steak or succulent seafood drop by The Patio on guerra Dine on the outdoor patio and have a bottle of one of the restaurantrsquos award-winning wines
FridarsquosGrillandCantina located on 17th street offers traditional mexican favorites with modern flavors Go to fridarsquos to enjoy unique culinary dishes signature drinks and live music on the weekends
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO ARTS amp CULTURE
Rave Reviewsmcallenrsquos arts scene remains robust With museums music and eVents
Arts patrons music lovers and history buffs enjoy many cultural attractions throughout McAllen The latest buzz McAllen Performing Arts Center will spring up near the McAllen Convention Center giving fans of live music theater and dance a fine new facility to anticipate
Live Entertainment
PErFOrmErS TakE ThE STagE
The 17th Street Entertainment district in downtown McAllen overflows with lounges restaurants and clubs For live music visit The old Ice House or Cine El Rey
The cityrsquos diverse culture is what influences much of the music performed by the valley Symphony Orchestra amp Chorale The Symphony was established in 1952 with the Chorale joining later in 1984 Similarly the South Texas lyric Opera brings the fine art of opera to the Rio Grande Valley with a yearly slate of productions and an annual opera gala and rio grande valley Broadway brings popular stage shows to town such as Disneyrsquos Beauty and the Beast and Monty Pythonrsquos Spamalot
Historic Sites
TakE a STEP BaCk iN TimE
The museum of South Texas history and the mcallen heritage Center are just two locations to learn about the rich history of this bicultural area
Quinta mazatlan a 1930s hacienda that embodies the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture of arches adobe and beams and provides an intimate look into South Texas history The 10000-square- foot mansion sits on a 15-acre plot hosting a mix of native and exotic plants and wildlife making up McAllenrsquos wing of the popular world Birding Center
Cine El Reyopened in 1947 the historic cine el rey theater now functions as
a music and performance venue showcasing a variety of live events and also shows spanish and english independent films the theater is located in downtown mcallenrsquos 17th street entertainment district
20 mc allen
ldquoCine El Rey hosts events as diverse as wrestling live bands films and comedy shows A huge stage is complimented by killer production value and a staff that really cares about all aspects of the experience Irsquom looking forward to a return triprdquo
Bill dykES YELP
visual Arts and Festivals
aCCESSiBlE arT FuN EvENTS
The international museum of art amp Science founded in 1969 promotes an appreciation for the arts and sciences through its exhibitions cultural events and many educational programs imaS is located at 1900 Nolana Ave
The mcallen art walk is a self-guided tour that gives art lovers the opportunity to explore the many art offerings in the city Itrsquos held every first Friday from September through May and is free and open to the public
on the first Saturday night of December folks enjoy the Candlelight Posada which includes food booths luminaries a parade live entertainment caroling and a live nativity scene
Chamber of Commerce Support
ChamBEr BaCkS ThE arTS
The mcallen Chamber of Commerce shows its love for the arts by managing the mcallen arts Council which publishes a quarterly magazine produces an annual fine arts exhibition and offers grants to local artists The Chamber also offers an outdoor concert series and coordinates the Public art Committeersquos acquisition program
20 mc allen
ThiNgS TO dO SPoRTS amp RECREATIoN
Soak Up Some Sunmcallen residents haVe plenty of Good reasons to Get outdoors
Great golf courses hiking and biking trails and a large well-maintained park system make McAllen the perfect place to enjoy outdoor fun By Carson OrsquoShoney
Golf
TEE iT uPWith nearly 20 courses in the
McAllen area golf is a popular attraction in the Rio Grande Valley
one of the most notable courses is the Palm view golf Course an 18-hole public course with a private feel With rolling fairways and Bermuda rough mounds the course is an often-used location for tournaments having hosted LPGA tournaments and Palm viewrsquos amateur golf Championship
mcallen Country Club provides a challenge with tree-lined fairways and small greens and also offers a swimming pool tennis courts a fitness center and other amenities
Every golf course in the area is bustling especially in the winter when ldquoWinter Texansrdquo come to the Rio Grande Valley The weather generally stays in the 70s in the coldest months making it a perfect place for winter golfing
Hiking Biking and Racing
ON ThE mOvE iN mCallEN
There are plenty of hiking and biking trails on the east and west sides of town such as the retama village Park Trail westside Park Trail and las Palmas Park Trail Visiting cyclists are welcome to meet up with Team mcallen Cycling a bike club thatrsquos been in the city for more than 25 years
Racing fans can enjoy the mcallen international motorplex and Event Center which hosts stock car races car shows and more The racetrack is a family-friendly place offering activities for children such as games face painting and crafts
Palm view Golf Courseirish cochran plays a round of golf at palm View Golf course an 18-hole public course often used for high profile tournaments
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
City Parks
OuTdOOr Family FuN
The mcallen Parks and recreation department currently oversees 25 city parks Ranging from historic parks established in the early 1900s to more modern facilities there are several options suitable for the whole family
archer Park McAllenrsquos oldest park opened in 1912 Serving as a historic landmark in the city it also plays host to many of the cityrsquos annual special events including the Candlelight Posada and movies in the Park
Spanning 38 acres Springfest Park is the largest park in McAllen Springfest hosts a variety of special events and is home to mcallenrsquos winter Polo league from January through March
check out more fun things to do in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
Spray and Ground Parkbesides its popular water feature mcallenrsquos new SprayandGroundParkhas a sand volleyball court skateboard area a half basketball court and just over half a mile of walking trails in addition there are athletic practice fields shaded areas picnic shelters and restroom facilities
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
ThiNgS TO dO SEE THE CITY
24 mc allen
The Irrigation Workerthe sun sets behind a sculpture ldquothe irrigation Workerrdquo which was created by artist douglas clark and is located on nolana and 25th
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
l iVabil it ycommc allen 25
LIvINGHERESchools health care education and neighborhoods in McAllen
26 mc allen 26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 26 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 27
see more beautiful photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
Luxury Livingnewcomers have many beautiful home options in mcallen such as those offered in eight different communities by cantu construction a locally based award-winning builder
26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 liVabil it ycommc allen 27
liviNg
TECH TOOLS FOSTER STUDEnT SUCCESS
Padding theCurriculum
McAllen Independent School District (ISD) is feeling the benefits of an ambitious technology plan that places an iPod or iPad in the hands of every teacher and student
mcallen independent school district students use system-issued ipads in class
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
EduCaTiNg FOr ThE 21ST CENTury
The initiative began with a meeting between Dr James Ponce McAllenrsquos superintendent of schools and a ldquocadrerdquo of about 35 teachers administrators and parents
The grouprsquos primary goal was to build a 21st-century classroom environment one that fosters creativity collaboration and entrepreneurship The group also wanted to find a way to harness the 247 educational potential of the Internet ndash and teach students the critical-thinking skills needed to process online content
ldquoItrsquos an environment where the teachers become the primary learners and the students are driven by their examplerdquo Ponce says ldquoSo we asked what tools we would need for this transformation of the way we teach and the way the kids learnrdquo
After much research the group chose iPods (for grades K-2) and iPads (for teachers and grades 3-12) because of their portability
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo
CarOl aNN allEN LANGuAGEARTSTEACHER
ATMICHAELEFOSSuMMIDDLESCHOOL
relatively low cost and ease of use To implement the planrsquos first stage McAllen ISD issued 5800 of these devices to teachers and students when the rollout is complete it will cover more than 25000 students
Big BENEFiTS FOr TEaChErS aNd STudENTS
Both teachers and students are seeing benefits from the program
ldquoThe iPods help the kids be creative My students are organizing information in new waysrdquo says Ruth Whiddon who teaches first grade at Andrew Jackson Elementary School
For Carol Ann Allen International Baccalaureate coordinator and eighth-grade language arts teacher at Michael E Fossum Middle School the initiative is all about collaboration
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo she says
Sandra Guerra who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade math
at Fossum says the iPads have changed both her teaching style and the way her students learn
Instead of mapping out the learning process step-by-step she now gives students their goal and lets them choose how to get there
ldquoWith this approach they own their learning and theyrsquove been more willing to learnrdquo Guerra says
The iPads have also been a game-changer for Guerrarsquos family
Her seventh-grade daughter is learning advanced science concepts because of independent iPad projects And because most of her childrenrsquos school materials are on their iPads itrsquos easier than ever for Guerra to check on their progress from home
That kind of scenario says Superintendent Ponce is at the heart of the initiative
ldquoThe entire school system and our community want to lead in this effort to build a 21st-century learning environmentrdquo he says ldquoThis is a direct investment in our children and their familiesrdquo
by Kathryn Royster
High-Tech Learningseventh-grade students use ipads to follow class lectures and take quizzes during a language arts class at michael e fossum middle school
PH
oT
o C
oU
RT
EST
Y o
F M
CA
LLE
N IN
DE
PE
ND
EN
T S
CH
oo
L D
IST
RIC
T
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
Higher Education
SOuTh TExaS COllEgE
McAllenrsquos South Texas College has more than 30000 students and offers numerous associate and bachelorrsquos degree programs as well as professional certifications in more than 40 areas The college also has online degree courses for students who work full time
liviNg EDUCATIoN
Set for SuccesscolleGe prep is a top priority in mcallen
Education in McAllen is defined by excellent options From elementary school through college McAllen includes numerous institutions designed to prepare students for success By Braxton Shoop
school yourself on more educational offerings at livabilitycommcallen
Public Schools
mCallEN iNdEPENdENT SChOOl diSTriCT
Established in 1915 the mcallen independent School district comprises three high schools seven middle schools and 20 elementary schools Among these schools the district offers an advanced placement college-level curriculum and a dual-enrollment program for students who would like to obtain high school and college credit simultaneously
In addition the district features an International Baccalaureate program that provides students with an advanced curriculum geared toward global standards
Local Inspiration
FOrmEr STudENT FliES high
one of McAllenrsquos successful students is astronaut michael Fossum a graduate of McAllen High School After receiving his commission from the US Air Force by Texas AampM University Fossum graduated Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base and in 1993 he started at NASA Throughout his NASA career Fossum was on crew for three spaceflights He commanded the space station during one of his flights helping him rank seventh on the all-time list for cumulative Extravehicular Activity time
Top-notch Learning Environmentuniversity of texas-pan american offers many undergraduate degrees more than 50 masterrsquos degrees and three doctoral degrees utpa has accreditations from organizations like the commission for collegiate nursing the examining board of nurse examiners for the state of texas and the engineering accreditation commission of the accreditation board for engineering and technology
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Charter School
idEa aCadEmy
idEa academy is an innovative institution that offers a fully scaled curriculum for students in kindergarten and in the first second and sixth grades The school which opened in McAllen in 2012 will eventually add more grades each one including approximately 110 students While the school is public students must apply to fill the 460 available spots
To prepare its students to be collegiate scholars IDEA provides International Baccalaureate curriculum as well as the Road to College curriculum which begins in the sixth grade
ldquoWersquore very proud of the connection to our distinguished alumni like NASA astronaut Michael Fossum and we want our students to recognize the kind of education we provide here What he learned here helped catapult him into space and wersquore very proud of thatrdquo
NOrma zamOra-guErra MCALLENINDEPENDENTSCHOOL
DISTRICTCOMMuNITYINFORMATIONDIRECTOR
Michael E Fossum Middle Schoolnamed for astronaut michael e fossum the school is part of the mcallen independent school district
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Please call 9566316109 for a representative today
2501 Buddy Owens Blvd McAllen TX 78504
9656316125 Fax
wwwrio-healthcom
RioHealth MedicalWe are here to meet all your
occupational medicine needs
bull Workplace injuries and workersrsquo compensation
bull On site and off site drug screening
bull Physicals
bull Orthopedics
bull Early return to work
bull 247 coverage
bull We accept all types of insurance
WorkplaceInjury
DANIEL J GUERRA MD Diplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
LEONEL G MORENO MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
HOMERO RIVAS MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
606 S Broadway bull McAllen TX bull (956) 682-4515 bull wwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
FAMILY PHYSICIANS
CLINICSince 1967
Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm Sat 8 am-Noon
VALLEY NIGHT CLINIC
Since 1981
Open Every Night of the Year 6 pm-Midnight
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valley supports children of all abilities through child care
services early intervention and parenting support programs
Early Childhood intErvEntion ChildCarE sErviCEs ParEnts as tEaChErs
Easter seals rio Grande valley Programs for Children Birth to Five years
bullChild-Care servicesndashHigh-qualitychildcare sixweekstofiveyears
bullParents as teachers (Pat)ndashDevelopmental parentingsupportforchildrenbirthtofiveyears
bullEarly Childhood intervention (ECi) ndashConcerns indevelopmentforchildrenbirthtothreeyears
For more information about Easter seals
programs and services call (956) 631-9171 or visit wwweasterseals-rgvorg
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
liviNg HEALTH
Take a Deep Breath and Relaxresidents haVe access to top hospitals
McAllen residents receive quality care from the South Texas Health System Rio Grande Regional Hospital and the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance By Kevin Litwin
Health System
SOuTh TExaS hEalTh SySTEm
South Texas health System is the umbrella organization for a number of fine medical facilities including mcallen medical Center MMC has 441 beds and a staff of more than 400 physicians that represent 50 medical specialties
Also part of South Texas Health System is mcallen heart hospital which opened in 1996 as the first freestanding cardiology and cardiovascular hospital built in the United States It includes 60 beds and a 24-hour emergency center
Healthgrades has awarded McAllen Medical Center and McAllen Heart Hospital with a variety of honors in recent years and both earned a Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence in 2011
Hospital
riO graNdE rEgiONal hOSPiTal
rio grande regional hospital is an acute care medical facility with 320 beds and more than 500 physicians The hospital is the only area Diabetes Management Center accredited by the American Diabetes Association and is the arearsquos first facility to have a Pediatric Heart Program
RGRH also includes a 24-hour emergency room Womenrsquos Services department Level III trauma center and cardiovascular care The hospital is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists and every year since 2007 has been named a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
Hospital
dOCTOrS hOSPiTal aT rENaiSSaNCE
The 506-bed doctors hospital at renaissance is an acute care facility It provides cardiology neurosurgery and endocrinology as well as a Pediatric Medical Tower that offers pediatric oncology and pediatric ICU services
Doctors Hospital has been ranked among the nationrsquos 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters and recently invested $32 million to establish an Electronic Medical Record System
DHR was the first in South Texas to acquire a PETCT scanner for diagnosing cancer and the first in the region to introduce da Vinci robotic surgical technology The hospital also oversees Renaissance Behavioral Center which provides treatment for people with mental health problems substance abuse or eating disorders
34 mc allen
COMMUNITyPROFILE COST OF liviNg
$44074Median Household Income
$129554Median Home Price
$689Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
TraNSPOrTaTiON
Median Travel Time to Work
agE
TEmPEraTurE
January Average
July Average
EThNiCiTy
19 and Under
20-54
55 and over
White
Black
Hispanic
other
1645minutes
Closest Airport McAllen International Airport
955deg
482deg
South Texasrsquo Finest Gift Store Offers Gifts From Around the World
4300 N 10th St bull Ste C bull McAllen TX 78504 (956) 686-1264 bull ohkaysaolcom
Look for us on Facebook
gOlF COurSES
gOlF TEC
2901 N 10TH ST956-994-9631
mCallEN COuNTry CluB615 WICHITA AVE956-686-0923
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
The national Butterfly Center the national butterfly center dedicates 100 acres to the conservation and scientific study of wild butterflies in their natural habitats the wildlife center is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm september through march and from 9 am until 4 pm april through august
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
liviNg SEE THE CITY
36 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
THIS HAPPEnInG vALLEY CITY OFFERS PLEnTY TO DO SEE amp EAT
ThiNgS TO dO
mcallenin a Day
l iVabil it ycommc allen 11 10 mc allen
midNighT TO NOON iN mCallENWhere to stay McAllen has nearly 3600 hotel rooms
from luxurious traditional hotels to new motels with all the contemporary bells and whistles The Renaissance Casa de Palmas a four-star hotel on Main Street was built in 1918 and lavishly restored into a luxury property featuring Mission architecture that recalls McAllenrsquos past Or try the Spring Hill Suites just off the expressway for a more modern take
After a comfortable night start the morning off with breakfast at Jimmyrsquos Egg a new outpost of a longtime Oklahoma favorite Here enjoy nearly any kind of egg you can imagine for breakfast ndash or atop a burger at lunch Go further south of the cuisine border at Las Cazuelas Grill another popular new eatery for menu items such as Chilaquiles con Huevo or Molletes
Got 24 hours to spare We recommend a busy day well spent in McAllen where you can fill every available hour
with interesting sights delicious cuisine and a variety of fun activities
a birdrsquos-eye view of the cityrsquos revitalized 17the street entertainment district
l iVabil it ycommc allen 11
NB
icen
tenn
ialB
lvd
WHackberryAve
S23
rdS
tree
t
83
international museum of arts and sciences
mcallen public library
McAllen Public Librarym-th 9am - 9pmf-sat 9am - 6pmsun 1pm - 9pm
phone (956) 688-3300uhV students (with id) free
wwwmcallenlibrarynet
12 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 13
The hike and bike trail on Second Street and another on Bicentennial offer the chance for a leisurely 23-mile stroll around town ndash yoursquove got to work off that breakfast after all And then head over to the International Museum of Arts and Science a Smithsonian affiliated museum where a wide variety of changing art and science exhibits always offer something interesting
Another must-see is McAllenrsquos new public library which at a whopping 123000 square feet is the largest single-floor library in the US This former Walmart building underwent a total transformation into an aesthetically pleasing community resource thatrsquos steadily gaining attention worldwide for its colorful open and functional design Opened in December 2011 the facility has already won first place in the International Interior Design Associationrsquos 2012 Library Interior Design Competition
luNCh aNd laTErldquoWersquove got over 600 restaurants
hererdquo says Chamber President and CEO Steve Ahlenius So since itrsquos noon by now try the flatbread or a
salad at house wine amp bistro or go for a panini at Corner Bakery Cafe Or for Latin flavor head to KoKorsquos for delicious Mexican fare
In McAllen a day without shopping would be sad indeed La Plaza Mall is the most visited mall in the country and Palms Crossings at the McAllen Convention Center is home to several shops and restaurants such as Mimirsquos Cafe and Romanorsquos Macaroni Grill
ldquoAfter I finished shopping Irsquod spend the rest of the afternoon at Quinta Mazatlan (a historic home that also offers nature trails and legendary bird watching)rdquo Ahlenius says Another option is to test the waters by kayaking or catch-and-release fishing on Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park
mCallEN aFTEr hOurSYoursquore not tired are you
Good because after freshening up back at your hotel itrsquos off to a night on the town Cajun cuisine at The Bayou Grill on North 10th St is a great option as are the authentic Mexican menus at Cabritos Nuevo Leon or La Jaiba Mexican Seafood Grill both on West Nolana
After dinner stroll the 17th Street Entertainment District to catch the flavor of McAllen after hours or catch a show at the historic Cine El Rey theater where comedy acts concerts film festivals and other events take the stage Finally La Recova Contemporary Argentinean Grill beckons for a nightcap in its quiet upscale bar ldquowhere you can actually carry on a conversationrdquo Ahlenius says
Then to bed Where after a good nightrsquos rest you will surely want to get up and spend yet another great day in McAllen
by Laura Hill by staff photographer
Michael Conti
ldquoMcAllen is a beautiful multicultural city with plenty to do and see From shopping in the most popular stores in the nation or unique one-of-a-kind shops to fine dining and plenty of family outdoor activities ndash you can do it year round hererdquo
gErry garCia VPOFSPECIALPROJECTS
FORTHEMCALLENCHAMBER
SNAPSHOT
for music dinner and dancing head to downtown mcallenrsquos 17th street entertainment district
The Patio on Guerradiners enjoy the food and atmosphere at the patio on Guerra on 17th street in downtown mcallen
12 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 13
ThiNgS TO dO
Town Lakea boy takes his dog for a walk as he skateboards the trail along the new 4-acre town lake at firemanrsquos park a popular spot for canoeing kayaking fishing and more
ThiNgS TO dO
14 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 15 14 mc allen
nEW LAkE OPEnS AT FIREMAnrsquoS PARk
Ahh howrefreshing
ldquoWe did all the required dredging to transform the little pond into a recreational lake that is 15 feet at its deepest pointrdquo says Sally Gavlik director of the McAllen Parks amp Recreation Department ldquoIn these days of more and more people opting to remain close to home for staycations Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park gives them a valid option for a different kind of local vacationrdquo
lET ThE FuN BEgiNTown Lake is situated right in the
middle of McAllen off Business Highway 83 between First and Second streets Swimming is prohibited due to park
irrigation regulations but a beach has been constructed to launch canoes kayaks and paddle boats A fishing pier is also in place
ldquoWe transferred fish to the lake from nearby Boeye Reservoir which has provided us with good stocks of bass perch and catfishrdquo Gavlik says ldquoTown Lake currently only has a catch-and-release program meaning you can catch fish but must release them back into the water At some point in the future when the fish population increases we plan to schedule times when people can take the fish homerdquo
The City of McAllen made a big splash in May 2012 when it officially opened Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park What was once a small tract of land with a few basic
recreational amenities is now a 15-acre redevelopment that includes the four-acre Town Lake Crews used a water holding pond at the cityrsquos former water treatment facility to construct the new lake
14 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 15
TakE a hikEWalking and jogging are also good recreational
options around the waterrsquos perimeterldquoTown Lake actually ties into the well used Second
Street Trail People can come off the trail walk or jog along the lake and then get back onto the trailrdquo Gavlik says ldquoThe scenery includes wildflowers in a freshly seeded meadow while other park amenities are horseshoe pits two playgrounds and free picnic sites at the north end of Firemanrsquos Park at First Streetrdquo
There is also a covered pavilion area with sand volleyball courts a small concession building and three camping sites The campsites can be used during the day by anyone but only overnight by organized groups such as the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts Group reservations must be made through the McAllen Parks amp Recreation Department
ldquoAnother park attraction is the former water treatment building which has been transformed into a rental facilityrdquo Gavlik says ldquoIt is now called The Old Pump House complete with new windows air conditioning uplighting tiling and carpeted floors Groups of 75 to 100 people can rent the facility for meetings small receptions or small social events The Old Pump House adds to the overall amenities of todayrsquos Firemenrsquos Parkrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer Michael Conti
Fishinga group casts lines into town lake which enforces a catch-and-release program
WHackberryAve
TownLake
83
firemanrsquos park
N2
nd
Str
eet
16 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 17
children enjoy the playground at firemanrsquos park
16 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 17
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO LoCAL FLAVoR
Palate Pleasersmcallen restaurants serVe up flaVorful foods
McAllen diners rejoice The city has a broad selection of distinctive restaurants and eateries appealing to just about every taste By Barbara Biehler
Asian
SENSaTiONal SuShi amp SPiCE
McAllen has several great spots for Japanese food such as sushi tempura and teppanyaki including kohnami kumori and yokorsquos Sushi Bar
Fans of Thai food should check out Thai red Chilirsquos for dishes like pad thai red curry chicken and sweet rice with mango
Indian
TaNdOOri aNyONETaste of india hits the spot
for diners looking for high quality authentic Indian food made from old family recipes and paired with excellent service
Tex-Mex and Mexican
SOmE likE iT SPiCy
Step into las Cazuelas grill for classic Mexican cuisine or visit Palenque Chicken for expertly prepared Mexican and Tex Mex dishes
Renowned regionally for homemade tamales deliarsquos uses fresh ingredients including pork chicken and beef
The republic of rio grande serves Mexican cuisine in an intimate setting order a traditional dish like the chicken fajitas or enchiladas suizas or enjoy a distinctive entree such as shrimp chipotle pesto pasta or a brick-oven pizza
check out more restaurants in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
ldquoDeliarsquos has the best tamales in town Probably even in the RGV The only place you can get the good old homemade flavor of real tamalesrdquo
Evila l YELPCOM
Argentine
SOuTh amEriCaN CuiSiNE
Relax in the elegant yet casual atmosphere of la Pampa argentinean Steak housewhile you dine on classic Argentine- cut steaks grilled chicken breasts marinated in Chimichurri or traditional de carne empanadas
Meanwhile la recova also offers a wide selection of Argentine-style favorites on its menu Favorite dishes at La Recova includes chorizo tuna carnitas duck confit and churrasco a classic top sirloin steak
Outdoor Dining
TrENdy amp TaSTy
If yoursquore in the mood for a USDA prime steak or succulent seafood drop by The Patio on guerra Dine on the outdoor patio and have a bottle of one of the restaurantrsquos award-winning wines
FridarsquosGrillandCantina located on 17th street offers traditional mexican favorites with modern flavors Go to fridarsquos to enjoy unique culinary dishes signature drinks and live music on the weekends
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO ARTS amp CULTURE
Rave Reviewsmcallenrsquos arts scene remains robust With museums music and eVents
Arts patrons music lovers and history buffs enjoy many cultural attractions throughout McAllen The latest buzz McAllen Performing Arts Center will spring up near the McAllen Convention Center giving fans of live music theater and dance a fine new facility to anticipate
Live Entertainment
PErFOrmErS TakE ThE STagE
The 17th Street Entertainment district in downtown McAllen overflows with lounges restaurants and clubs For live music visit The old Ice House or Cine El Rey
The cityrsquos diverse culture is what influences much of the music performed by the valley Symphony Orchestra amp Chorale The Symphony was established in 1952 with the Chorale joining later in 1984 Similarly the South Texas lyric Opera brings the fine art of opera to the Rio Grande Valley with a yearly slate of productions and an annual opera gala and rio grande valley Broadway brings popular stage shows to town such as Disneyrsquos Beauty and the Beast and Monty Pythonrsquos Spamalot
Historic Sites
TakE a STEP BaCk iN TimE
The museum of South Texas history and the mcallen heritage Center are just two locations to learn about the rich history of this bicultural area
Quinta mazatlan a 1930s hacienda that embodies the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture of arches adobe and beams and provides an intimate look into South Texas history The 10000-square- foot mansion sits on a 15-acre plot hosting a mix of native and exotic plants and wildlife making up McAllenrsquos wing of the popular world Birding Center
Cine El Reyopened in 1947 the historic cine el rey theater now functions as
a music and performance venue showcasing a variety of live events and also shows spanish and english independent films the theater is located in downtown mcallenrsquos 17th street entertainment district
20 mc allen
ldquoCine El Rey hosts events as diverse as wrestling live bands films and comedy shows A huge stage is complimented by killer production value and a staff that really cares about all aspects of the experience Irsquom looking forward to a return triprdquo
Bill dykES YELP
visual Arts and Festivals
aCCESSiBlE arT FuN EvENTS
The international museum of art amp Science founded in 1969 promotes an appreciation for the arts and sciences through its exhibitions cultural events and many educational programs imaS is located at 1900 Nolana Ave
The mcallen art walk is a self-guided tour that gives art lovers the opportunity to explore the many art offerings in the city Itrsquos held every first Friday from September through May and is free and open to the public
on the first Saturday night of December folks enjoy the Candlelight Posada which includes food booths luminaries a parade live entertainment caroling and a live nativity scene
Chamber of Commerce Support
ChamBEr BaCkS ThE arTS
The mcallen Chamber of Commerce shows its love for the arts by managing the mcallen arts Council which publishes a quarterly magazine produces an annual fine arts exhibition and offers grants to local artists The Chamber also offers an outdoor concert series and coordinates the Public art Committeersquos acquisition program
20 mc allen
ThiNgS TO dO SPoRTS amp RECREATIoN
Soak Up Some Sunmcallen residents haVe plenty of Good reasons to Get outdoors
Great golf courses hiking and biking trails and a large well-maintained park system make McAllen the perfect place to enjoy outdoor fun By Carson OrsquoShoney
Golf
TEE iT uPWith nearly 20 courses in the
McAllen area golf is a popular attraction in the Rio Grande Valley
one of the most notable courses is the Palm view golf Course an 18-hole public course with a private feel With rolling fairways and Bermuda rough mounds the course is an often-used location for tournaments having hosted LPGA tournaments and Palm viewrsquos amateur golf Championship
mcallen Country Club provides a challenge with tree-lined fairways and small greens and also offers a swimming pool tennis courts a fitness center and other amenities
Every golf course in the area is bustling especially in the winter when ldquoWinter Texansrdquo come to the Rio Grande Valley The weather generally stays in the 70s in the coldest months making it a perfect place for winter golfing
Hiking Biking and Racing
ON ThE mOvE iN mCallEN
There are plenty of hiking and biking trails on the east and west sides of town such as the retama village Park Trail westside Park Trail and las Palmas Park Trail Visiting cyclists are welcome to meet up with Team mcallen Cycling a bike club thatrsquos been in the city for more than 25 years
Racing fans can enjoy the mcallen international motorplex and Event Center which hosts stock car races car shows and more The racetrack is a family-friendly place offering activities for children such as games face painting and crafts
Palm view Golf Courseirish cochran plays a round of golf at palm View Golf course an 18-hole public course often used for high profile tournaments
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
City Parks
OuTdOOr Family FuN
The mcallen Parks and recreation department currently oversees 25 city parks Ranging from historic parks established in the early 1900s to more modern facilities there are several options suitable for the whole family
archer Park McAllenrsquos oldest park opened in 1912 Serving as a historic landmark in the city it also plays host to many of the cityrsquos annual special events including the Candlelight Posada and movies in the Park
Spanning 38 acres Springfest Park is the largest park in McAllen Springfest hosts a variety of special events and is home to mcallenrsquos winter Polo league from January through March
check out more fun things to do in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
Spray and Ground Parkbesides its popular water feature mcallenrsquos new SprayandGroundParkhas a sand volleyball court skateboard area a half basketball court and just over half a mile of walking trails in addition there are athletic practice fields shaded areas picnic shelters and restroom facilities
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
ThiNgS TO dO SEE THE CITY
24 mc allen
The Irrigation Workerthe sun sets behind a sculpture ldquothe irrigation Workerrdquo which was created by artist douglas clark and is located on nolana and 25th
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
l iVabil it ycommc allen 25
LIvINGHERESchools health care education and neighborhoods in McAllen
26 mc allen 26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 26 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 27
see more beautiful photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
Luxury Livingnewcomers have many beautiful home options in mcallen such as those offered in eight different communities by cantu construction a locally based award-winning builder
26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 liVabil it ycommc allen 27
liviNg
TECH TOOLS FOSTER STUDEnT SUCCESS
Padding theCurriculum
McAllen Independent School District (ISD) is feeling the benefits of an ambitious technology plan that places an iPod or iPad in the hands of every teacher and student
mcallen independent school district students use system-issued ipads in class
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
EduCaTiNg FOr ThE 21ST CENTury
The initiative began with a meeting between Dr James Ponce McAllenrsquos superintendent of schools and a ldquocadrerdquo of about 35 teachers administrators and parents
The grouprsquos primary goal was to build a 21st-century classroom environment one that fosters creativity collaboration and entrepreneurship The group also wanted to find a way to harness the 247 educational potential of the Internet ndash and teach students the critical-thinking skills needed to process online content
ldquoItrsquos an environment where the teachers become the primary learners and the students are driven by their examplerdquo Ponce says ldquoSo we asked what tools we would need for this transformation of the way we teach and the way the kids learnrdquo
After much research the group chose iPods (for grades K-2) and iPads (for teachers and grades 3-12) because of their portability
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo
CarOl aNN allEN LANGuAGEARTSTEACHER
ATMICHAELEFOSSuMMIDDLESCHOOL
relatively low cost and ease of use To implement the planrsquos first stage McAllen ISD issued 5800 of these devices to teachers and students when the rollout is complete it will cover more than 25000 students
Big BENEFiTS FOr TEaChErS aNd STudENTS
Both teachers and students are seeing benefits from the program
ldquoThe iPods help the kids be creative My students are organizing information in new waysrdquo says Ruth Whiddon who teaches first grade at Andrew Jackson Elementary School
For Carol Ann Allen International Baccalaureate coordinator and eighth-grade language arts teacher at Michael E Fossum Middle School the initiative is all about collaboration
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo she says
Sandra Guerra who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade math
at Fossum says the iPads have changed both her teaching style and the way her students learn
Instead of mapping out the learning process step-by-step she now gives students their goal and lets them choose how to get there
ldquoWith this approach they own their learning and theyrsquove been more willing to learnrdquo Guerra says
The iPads have also been a game-changer for Guerrarsquos family
Her seventh-grade daughter is learning advanced science concepts because of independent iPad projects And because most of her childrenrsquos school materials are on their iPads itrsquos easier than ever for Guerra to check on their progress from home
That kind of scenario says Superintendent Ponce is at the heart of the initiative
ldquoThe entire school system and our community want to lead in this effort to build a 21st-century learning environmentrdquo he says ldquoThis is a direct investment in our children and their familiesrdquo
by Kathryn Royster
High-Tech Learningseventh-grade students use ipads to follow class lectures and take quizzes during a language arts class at michael e fossum middle school
PH
oT
o C
oU
RT
EST
Y o
F M
CA
LLE
N IN
DE
PE
ND
EN
T S
CH
oo
L D
IST
RIC
T
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
Higher Education
SOuTh TExaS COllEgE
McAllenrsquos South Texas College has more than 30000 students and offers numerous associate and bachelorrsquos degree programs as well as professional certifications in more than 40 areas The college also has online degree courses for students who work full time
liviNg EDUCATIoN
Set for SuccesscolleGe prep is a top priority in mcallen
Education in McAllen is defined by excellent options From elementary school through college McAllen includes numerous institutions designed to prepare students for success By Braxton Shoop
school yourself on more educational offerings at livabilitycommcallen
Public Schools
mCallEN iNdEPENdENT SChOOl diSTriCT
Established in 1915 the mcallen independent School district comprises three high schools seven middle schools and 20 elementary schools Among these schools the district offers an advanced placement college-level curriculum and a dual-enrollment program for students who would like to obtain high school and college credit simultaneously
In addition the district features an International Baccalaureate program that provides students with an advanced curriculum geared toward global standards
Local Inspiration
FOrmEr STudENT FliES high
one of McAllenrsquos successful students is astronaut michael Fossum a graduate of McAllen High School After receiving his commission from the US Air Force by Texas AampM University Fossum graduated Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base and in 1993 he started at NASA Throughout his NASA career Fossum was on crew for three spaceflights He commanded the space station during one of his flights helping him rank seventh on the all-time list for cumulative Extravehicular Activity time
Top-notch Learning Environmentuniversity of texas-pan american offers many undergraduate degrees more than 50 masterrsquos degrees and three doctoral degrees utpa has accreditations from organizations like the commission for collegiate nursing the examining board of nurse examiners for the state of texas and the engineering accreditation commission of the accreditation board for engineering and technology
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Charter School
idEa aCadEmy
idEa academy is an innovative institution that offers a fully scaled curriculum for students in kindergarten and in the first second and sixth grades The school which opened in McAllen in 2012 will eventually add more grades each one including approximately 110 students While the school is public students must apply to fill the 460 available spots
To prepare its students to be collegiate scholars IDEA provides International Baccalaureate curriculum as well as the Road to College curriculum which begins in the sixth grade
ldquoWersquore very proud of the connection to our distinguished alumni like NASA astronaut Michael Fossum and we want our students to recognize the kind of education we provide here What he learned here helped catapult him into space and wersquore very proud of thatrdquo
NOrma zamOra-guErra MCALLENINDEPENDENTSCHOOL
DISTRICTCOMMuNITYINFORMATIONDIRECTOR
Michael E Fossum Middle Schoolnamed for astronaut michael e fossum the school is part of the mcallen independent school district
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Please call 9566316109 for a representative today
2501 Buddy Owens Blvd McAllen TX 78504
9656316125 Fax
wwwrio-healthcom
RioHealth MedicalWe are here to meet all your
occupational medicine needs
bull Workplace injuries and workersrsquo compensation
bull On site and off site drug screening
bull Physicals
bull Orthopedics
bull Early return to work
bull 247 coverage
bull We accept all types of insurance
WorkplaceInjury
DANIEL J GUERRA MD Diplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
LEONEL G MORENO MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
HOMERO RIVAS MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
606 S Broadway bull McAllen TX bull (956) 682-4515 bull wwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
FAMILY PHYSICIANS
CLINICSince 1967
Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm Sat 8 am-Noon
VALLEY NIGHT CLINIC
Since 1981
Open Every Night of the Year 6 pm-Midnight
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valley supports children of all abilities through child care
services early intervention and parenting support programs
Early Childhood intErvEntion ChildCarE sErviCEs ParEnts as tEaChErs
Easter seals rio Grande valley Programs for Children Birth to Five years
bullChild-Care servicesndashHigh-qualitychildcare sixweekstofiveyears
bullParents as teachers (Pat)ndashDevelopmental parentingsupportforchildrenbirthtofiveyears
bullEarly Childhood intervention (ECi) ndashConcerns indevelopmentforchildrenbirthtothreeyears
For more information about Easter seals
programs and services call (956) 631-9171 or visit wwweasterseals-rgvorg
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
liviNg HEALTH
Take a Deep Breath and Relaxresidents haVe access to top hospitals
McAllen residents receive quality care from the South Texas Health System Rio Grande Regional Hospital and the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance By Kevin Litwin
Health System
SOuTh TExaS hEalTh SySTEm
South Texas health System is the umbrella organization for a number of fine medical facilities including mcallen medical Center MMC has 441 beds and a staff of more than 400 physicians that represent 50 medical specialties
Also part of South Texas Health System is mcallen heart hospital which opened in 1996 as the first freestanding cardiology and cardiovascular hospital built in the United States It includes 60 beds and a 24-hour emergency center
Healthgrades has awarded McAllen Medical Center and McAllen Heart Hospital with a variety of honors in recent years and both earned a Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence in 2011
Hospital
riO graNdE rEgiONal hOSPiTal
rio grande regional hospital is an acute care medical facility with 320 beds and more than 500 physicians The hospital is the only area Diabetes Management Center accredited by the American Diabetes Association and is the arearsquos first facility to have a Pediatric Heart Program
RGRH also includes a 24-hour emergency room Womenrsquos Services department Level III trauma center and cardiovascular care The hospital is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists and every year since 2007 has been named a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
Hospital
dOCTOrS hOSPiTal aT rENaiSSaNCE
The 506-bed doctors hospital at renaissance is an acute care facility It provides cardiology neurosurgery and endocrinology as well as a Pediatric Medical Tower that offers pediatric oncology and pediatric ICU services
Doctors Hospital has been ranked among the nationrsquos 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters and recently invested $32 million to establish an Electronic Medical Record System
DHR was the first in South Texas to acquire a PETCT scanner for diagnosing cancer and the first in the region to introduce da Vinci robotic surgical technology The hospital also oversees Renaissance Behavioral Center which provides treatment for people with mental health problems substance abuse or eating disorders
34 mc allen
COMMUNITyPROFILE COST OF liviNg
$44074Median Household Income
$129554Median Home Price
$689Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
TraNSPOrTaTiON
Median Travel Time to Work
agE
TEmPEraTurE
January Average
July Average
EThNiCiTy
19 and Under
20-54
55 and over
White
Black
Hispanic
other
1645minutes
Closest Airport McAllen International Airport
955deg
482deg
South Texasrsquo Finest Gift Store Offers Gifts From Around the World
4300 N 10th St bull Ste C bull McAllen TX 78504 (956) 686-1264 bull ohkaysaolcom
Look for us on Facebook
gOlF COurSES
gOlF TEC
2901 N 10TH ST956-994-9631
mCallEN COuNTry CluB615 WICHITA AVE956-686-0923
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
The national Butterfly Center the national butterfly center dedicates 100 acres to the conservation and scientific study of wild butterflies in their natural habitats the wildlife center is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm september through march and from 9 am until 4 pm april through august
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
liviNg SEE THE CITY
36 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
midNighT TO NOON iN mCallENWhere to stay McAllen has nearly 3600 hotel rooms
from luxurious traditional hotels to new motels with all the contemporary bells and whistles The Renaissance Casa de Palmas a four-star hotel on Main Street was built in 1918 and lavishly restored into a luxury property featuring Mission architecture that recalls McAllenrsquos past Or try the Spring Hill Suites just off the expressway for a more modern take
After a comfortable night start the morning off with breakfast at Jimmyrsquos Egg a new outpost of a longtime Oklahoma favorite Here enjoy nearly any kind of egg you can imagine for breakfast ndash or atop a burger at lunch Go further south of the cuisine border at Las Cazuelas Grill another popular new eatery for menu items such as Chilaquiles con Huevo or Molletes
Got 24 hours to spare We recommend a busy day well spent in McAllen where you can fill every available hour
with interesting sights delicious cuisine and a variety of fun activities
a birdrsquos-eye view of the cityrsquos revitalized 17the street entertainment district
l iVabil it ycommc allen 11
NB
icen
tenn
ialB
lvd
WHackberryAve
S23
rdS
tree
t
83
international museum of arts and sciences
mcallen public library
McAllen Public Librarym-th 9am - 9pmf-sat 9am - 6pmsun 1pm - 9pm
phone (956) 688-3300uhV students (with id) free
wwwmcallenlibrarynet
12 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 13
The hike and bike trail on Second Street and another on Bicentennial offer the chance for a leisurely 23-mile stroll around town ndash yoursquove got to work off that breakfast after all And then head over to the International Museum of Arts and Science a Smithsonian affiliated museum where a wide variety of changing art and science exhibits always offer something interesting
Another must-see is McAllenrsquos new public library which at a whopping 123000 square feet is the largest single-floor library in the US This former Walmart building underwent a total transformation into an aesthetically pleasing community resource thatrsquos steadily gaining attention worldwide for its colorful open and functional design Opened in December 2011 the facility has already won first place in the International Interior Design Associationrsquos 2012 Library Interior Design Competition
luNCh aNd laTErldquoWersquove got over 600 restaurants
hererdquo says Chamber President and CEO Steve Ahlenius So since itrsquos noon by now try the flatbread or a
salad at house wine amp bistro or go for a panini at Corner Bakery Cafe Or for Latin flavor head to KoKorsquos for delicious Mexican fare
In McAllen a day without shopping would be sad indeed La Plaza Mall is the most visited mall in the country and Palms Crossings at the McAllen Convention Center is home to several shops and restaurants such as Mimirsquos Cafe and Romanorsquos Macaroni Grill
ldquoAfter I finished shopping Irsquod spend the rest of the afternoon at Quinta Mazatlan (a historic home that also offers nature trails and legendary bird watching)rdquo Ahlenius says Another option is to test the waters by kayaking or catch-and-release fishing on Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park
mCallEN aFTEr hOurSYoursquore not tired are you
Good because after freshening up back at your hotel itrsquos off to a night on the town Cajun cuisine at The Bayou Grill on North 10th St is a great option as are the authentic Mexican menus at Cabritos Nuevo Leon or La Jaiba Mexican Seafood Grill both on West Nolana
After dinner stroll the 17th Street Entertainment District to catch the flavor of McAllen after hours or catch a show at the historic Cine El Rey theater where comedy acts concerts film festivals and other events take the stage Finally La Recova Contemporary Argentinean Grill beckons for a nightcap in its quiet upscale bar ldquowhere you can actually carry on a conversationrdquo Ahlenius says
Then to bed Where after a good nightrsquos rest you will surely want to get up and spend yet another great day in McAllen
by Laura Hill by staff photographer
Michael Conti
ldquoMcAllen is a beautiful multicultural city with plenty to do and see From shopping in the most popular stores in the nation or unique one-of-a-kind shops to fine dining and plenty of family outdoor activities ndash you can do it year round hererdquo
gErry garCia VPOFSPECIALPROJECTS
FORTHEMCALLENCHAMBER
SNAPSHOT
for music dinner and dancing head to downtown mcallenrsquos 17th street entertainment district
The Patio on Guerradiners enjoy the food and atmosphere at the patio on Guerra on 17th street in downtown mcallen
12 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 13
ThiNgS TO dO
Town Lakea boy takes his dog for a walk as he skateboards the trail along the new 4-acre town lake at firemanrsquos park a popular spot for canoeing kayaking fishing and more
ThiNgS TO dO
14 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 15 14 mc allen
nEW LAkE OPEnS AT FIREMAnrsquoS PARk
Ahh howrefreshing
ldquoWe did all the required dredging to transform the little pond into a recreational lake that is 15 feet at its deepest pointrdquo says Sally Gavlik director of the McAllen Parks amp Recreation Department ldquoIn these days of more and more people opting to remain close to home for staycations Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park gives them a valid option for a different kind of local vacationrdquo
lET ThE FuN BEgiNTown Lake is situated right in the
middle of McAllen off Business Highway 83 between First and Second streets Swimming is prohibited due to park
irrigation regulations but a beach has been constructed to launch canoes kayaks and paddle boats A fishing pier is also in place
ldquoWe transferred fish to the lake from nearby Boeye Reservoir which has provided us with good stocks of bass perch and catfishrdquo Gavlik says ldquoTown Lake currently only has a catch-and-release program meaning you can catch fish but must release them back into the water At some point in the future when the fish population increases we plan to schedule times when people can take the fish homerdquo
The City of McAllen made a big splash in May 2012 when it officially opened Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park What was once a small tract of land with a few basic
recreational amenities is now a 15-acre redevelopment that includes the four-acre Town Lake Crews used a water holding pond at the cityrsquos former water treatment facility to construct the new lake
14 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 15
TakE a hikEWalking and jogging are also good recreational
options around the waterrsquos perimeterldquoTown Lake actually ties into the well used Second
Street Trail People can come off the trail walk or jog along the lake and then get back onto the trailrdquo Gavlik says ldquoThe scenery includes wildflowers in a freshly seeded meadow while other park amenities are horseshoe pits two playgrounds and free picnic sites at the north end of Firemanrsquos Park at First Streetrdquo
There is also a covered pavilion area with sand volleyball courts a small concession building and three camping sites The campsites can be used during the day by anyone but only overnight by organized groups such as the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts Group reservations must be made through the McAllen Parks amp Recreation Department
ldquoAnother park attraction is the former water treatment building which has been transformed into a rental facilityrdquo Gavlik says ldquoIt is now called The Old Pump House complete with new windows air conditioning uplighting tiling and carpeted floors Groups of 75 to 100 people can rent the facility for meetings small receptions or small social events The Old Pump House adds to the overall amenities of todayrsquos Firemenrsquos Parkrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer Michael Conti
Fishinga group casts lines into town lake which enforces a catch-and-release program
WHackberryAve
TownLake
83
firemanrsquos park
N2
nd
Str
eet
16 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 17
children enjoy the playground at firemanrsquos park
16 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 17
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO LoCAL FLAVoR
Palate Pleasersmcallen restaurants serVe up flaVorful foods
McAllen diners rejoice The city has a broad selection of distinctive restaurants and eateries appealing to just about every taste By Barbara Biehler
Asian
SENSaTiONal SuShi amp SPiCE
McAllen has several great spots for Japanese food such as sushi tempura and teppanyaki including kohnami kumori and yokorsquos Sushi Bar
Fans of Thai food should check out Thai red Chilirsquos for dishes like pad thai red curry chicken and sweet rice with mango
Indian
TaNdOOri aNyONETaste of india hits the spot
for diners looking for high quality authentic Indian food made from old family recipes and paired with excellent service
Tex-Mex and Mexican
SOmE likE iT SPiCy
Step into las Cazuelas grill for classic Mexican cuisine or visit Palenque Chicken for expertly prepared Mexican and Tex Mex dishes
Renowned regionally for homemade tamales deliarsquos uses fresh ingredients including pork chicken and beef
The republic of rio grande serves Mexican cuisine in an intimate setting order a traditional dish like the chicken fajitas or enchiladas suizas or enjoy a distinctive entree such as shrimp chipotle pesto pasta or a brick-oven pizza
check out more restaurants in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
ldquoDeliarsquos has the best tamales in town Probably even in the RGV The only place you can get the good old homemade flavor of real tamalesrdquo
Evila l YELPCOM
Argentine
SOuTh amEriCaN CuiSiNE
Relax in the elegant yet casual atmosphere of la Pampa argentinean Steak housewhile you dine on classic Argentine- cut steaks grilled chicken breasts marinated in Chimichurri or traditional de carne empanadas
Meanwhile la recova also offers a wide selection of Argentine-style favorites on its menu Favorite dishes at La Recova includes chorizo tuna carnitas duck confit and churrasco a classic top sirloin steak
Outdoor Dining
TrENdy amp TaSTy
If yoursquore in the mood for a USDA prime steak or succulent seafood drop by The Patio on guerra Dine on the outdoor patio and have a bottle of one of the restaurantrsquos award-winning wines
FridarsquosGrillandCantina located on 17th street offers traditional mexican favorites with modern flavors Go to fridarsquos to enjoy unique culinary dishes signature drinks and live music on the weekends
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO ARTS amp CULTURE
Rave Reviewsmcallenrsquos arts scene remains robust With museums music and eVents
Arts patrons music lovers and history buffs enjoy many cultural attractions throughout McAllen The latest buzz McAllen Performing Arts Center will spring up near the McAllen Convention Center giving fans of live music theater and dance a fine new facility to anticipate
Live Entertainment
PErFOrmErS TakE ThE STagE
The 17th Street Entertainment district in downtown McAllen overflows with lounges restaurants and clubs For live music visit The old Ice House or Cine El Rey
The cityrsquos diverse culture is what influences much of the music performed by the valley Symphony Orchestra amp Chorale The Symphony was established in 1952 with the Chorale joining later in 1984 Similarly the South Texas lyric Opera brings the fine art of opera to the Rio Grande Valley with a yearly slate of productions and an annual opera gala and rio grande valley Broadway brings popular stage shows to town such as Disneyrsquos Beauty and the Beast and Monty Pythonrsquos Spamalot
Historic Sites
TakE a STEP BaCk iN TimE
The museum of South Texas history and the mcallen heritage Center are just two locations to learn about the rich history of this bicultural area
Quinta mazatlan a 1930s hacienda that embodies the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture of arches adobe and beams and provides an intimate look into South Texas history The 10000-square- foot mansion sits on a 15-acre plot hosting a mix of native and exotic plants and wildlife making up McAllenrsquos wing of the popular world Birding Center
Cine El Reyopened in 1947 the historic cine el rey theater now functions as
a music and performance venue showcasing a variety of live events and also shows spanish and english independent films the theater is located in downtown mcallenrsquos 17th street entertainment district
20 mc allen
ldquoCine El Rey hosts events as diverse as wrestling live bands films and comedy shows A huge stage is complimented by killer production value and a staff that really cares about all aspects of the experience Irsquom looking forward to a return triprdquo
Bill dykES YELP
visual Arts and Festivals
aCCESSiBlE arT FuN EvENTS
The international museum of art amp Science founded in 1969 promotes an appreciation for the arts and sciences through its exhibitions cultural events and many educational programs imaS is located at 1900 Nolana Ave
The mcallen art walk is a self-guided tour that gives art lovers the opportunity to explore the many art offerings in the city Itrsquos held every first Friday from September through May and is free and open to the public
on the first Saturday night of December folks enjoy the Candlelight Posada which includes food booths luminaries a parade live entertainment caroling and a live nativity scene
Chamber of Commerce Support
ChamBEr BaCkS ThE arTS
The mcallen Chamber of Commerce shows its love for the arts by managing the mcallen arts Council which publishes a quarterly magazine produces an annual fine arts exhibition and offers grants to local artists The Chamber also offers an outdoor concert series and coordinates the Public art Committeersquos acquisition program
20 mc allen
ThiNgS TO dO SPoRTS amp RECREATIoN
Soak Up Some Sunmcallen residents haVe plenty of Good reasons to Get outdoors
Great golf courses hiking and biking trails and a large well-maintained park system make McAllen the perfect place to enjoy outdoor fun By Carson OrsquoShoney
Golf
TEE iT uPWith nearly 20 courses in the
McAllen area golf is a popular attraction in the Rio Grande Valley
one of the most notable courses is the Palm view golf Course an 18-hole public course with a private feel With rolling fairways and Bermuda rough mounds the course is an often-used location for tournaments having hosted LPGA tournaments and Palm viewrsquos amateur golf Championship
mcallen Country Club provides a challenge with tree-lined fairways and small greens and also offers a swimming pool tennis courts a fitness center and other amenities
Every golf course in the area is bustling especially in the winter when ldquoWinter Texansrdquo come to the Rio Grande Valley The weather generally stays in the 70s in the coldest months making it a perfect place for winter golfing
Hiking Biking and Racing
ON ThE mOvE iN mCallEN
There are plenty of hiking and biking trails on the east and west sides of town such as the retama village Park Trail westside Park Trail and las Palmas Park Trail Visiting cyclists are welcome to meet up with Team mcallen Cycling a bike club thatrsquos been in the city for more than 25 years
Racing fans can enjoy the mcallen international motorplex and Event Center which hosts stock car races car shows and more The racetrack is a family-friendly place offering activities for children such as games face painting and crafts
Palm view Golf Courseirish cochran plays a round of golf at palm View Golf course an 18-hole public course often used for high profile tournaments
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
City Parks
OuTdOOr Family FuN
The mcallen Parks and recreation department currently oversees 25 city parks Ranging from historic parks established in the early 1900s to more modern facilities there are several options suitable for the whole family
archer Park McAllenrsquos oldest park opened in 1912 Serving as a historic landmark in the city it also plays host to many of the cityrsquos annual special events including the Candlelight Posada and movies in the Park
Spanning 38 acres Springfest Park is the largest park in McAllen Springfest hosts a variety of special events and is home to mcallenrsquos winter Polo league from January through March
check out more fun things to do in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
Spray and Ground Parkbesides its popular water feature mcallenrsquos new SprayandGroundParkhas a sand volleyball court skateboard area a half basketball court and just over half a mile of walking trails in addition there are athletic practice fields shaded areas picnic shelters and restroom facilities
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
ThiNgS TO dO SEE THE CITY
24 mc allen
The Irrigation Workerthe sun sets behind a sculpture ldquothe irrigation Workerrdquo which was created by artist douglas clark and is located on nolana and 25th
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
l iVabil it ycommc allen 25
LIvINGHERESchools health care education and neighborhoods in McAllen
26 mc allen 26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 26 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 27
see more beautiful photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
Luxury Livingnewcomers have many beautiful home options in mcallen such as those offered in eight different communities by cantu construction a locally based award-winning builder
26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 liVabil it ycommc allen 27
liviNg
TECH TOOLS FOSTER STUDEnT SUCCESS
Padding theCurriculum
McAllen Independent School District (ISD) is feeling the benefits of an ambitious technology plan that places an iPod or iPad in the hands of every teacher and student
mcallen independent school district students use system-issued ipads in class
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
EduCaTiNg FOr ThE 21ST CENTury
The initiative began with a meeting between Dr James Ponce McAllenrsquos superintendent of schools and a ldquocadrerdquo of about 35 teachers administrators and parents
The grouprsquos primary goal was to build a 21st-century classroom environment one that fosters creativity collaboration and entrepreneurship The group also wanted to find a way to harness the 247 educational potential of the Internet ndash and teach students the critical-thinking skills needed to process online content
ldquoItrsquos an environment where the teachers become the primary learners and the students are driven by their examplerdquo Ponce says ldquoSo we asked what tools we would need for this transformation of the way we teach and the way the kids learnrdquo
After much research the group chose iPods (for grades K-2) and iPads (for teachers and grades 3-12) because of their portability
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo
CarOl aNN allEN LANGuAGEARTSTEACHER
ATMICHAELEFOSSuMMIDDLESCHOOL
relatively low cost and ease of use To implement the planrsquos first stage McAllen ISD issued 5800 of these devices to teachers and students when the rollout is complete it will cover more than 25000 students
Big BENEFiTS FOr TEaChErS aNd STudENTS
Both teachers and students are seeing benefits from the program
ldquoThe iPods help the kids be creative My students are organizing information in new waysrdquo says Ruth Whiddon who teaches first grade at Andrew Jackson Elementary School
For Carol Ann Allen International Baccalaureate coordinator and eighth-grade language arts teacher at Michael E Fossum Middle School the initiative is all about collaboration
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo she says
Sandra Guerra who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade math
at Fossum says the iPads have changed both her teaching style and the way her students learn
Instead of mapping out the learning process step-by-step she now gives students their goal and lets them choose how to get there
ldquoWith this approach they own their learning and theyrsquove been more willing to learnrdquo Guerra says
The iPads have also been a game-changer for Guerrarsquos family
Her seventh-grade daughter is learning advanced science concepts because of independent iPad projects And because most of her childrenrsquos school materials are on their iPads itrsquos easier than ever for Guerra to check on their progress from home
That kind of scenario says Superintendent Ponce is at the heart of the initiative
ldquoThe entire school system and our community want to lead in this effort to build a 21st-century learning environmentrdquo he says ldquoThis is a direct investment in our children and their familiesrdquo
by Kathryn Royster
High-Tech Learningseventh-grade students use ipads to follow class lectures and take quizzes during a language arts class at michael e fossum middle school
PH
oT
o C
oU
RT
EST
Y o
F M
CA
LLE
N IN
DE
PE
ND
EN
T S
CH
oo
L D
IST
RIC
T
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
Higher Education
SOuTh TExaS COllEgE
McAllenrsquos South Texas College has more than 30000 students and offers numerous associate and bachelorrsquos degree programs as well as professional certifications in more than 40 areas The college also has online degree courses for students who work full time
liviNg EDUCATIoN
Set for SuccesscolleGe prep is a top priority in mcallen
Education in McAllen is defined by excellent options From elementary school through college McAllen includes numerous institutions designed to prepare students for success By Braxton Shoop
school yourself on more educational offerings at livabilitycommcallen
Public Schools
mCallEN iNdEPENdENT SChOOl diSTriCT
Established in 1915 the mcallen independent School district comprises three high schools seven middle schools and 20 elementary schools Among these schools the district offers an advanced placement college-level curriculum and a dual-enrollment program for students who would like to obtain high school and college credit simultaneously
In addition the district features an International Baccalaureate program that provides students with an advanced curriculum geared toward global standards
Local Inspiration
FOrmEr STudENT FliES high
one of McAllenrsquos successful students is astronaut michael Fossum a graduate of McAllen High School After receiving his commission from the US Air Force by Texas AampM University Fossum graduated Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base and in 1993 he started at NASA Throughout his NASA career Fossum was on crew for three spaceflights He commanded the space station during one of his flights helping him rank seventh on the all-time list for cumulative Extravehicular Activity time
Top-notch Learning Environmentuniversity of texas-pan american offers many undergraduate degrees more than 50 masterrsquos degrees and three doctoral degrees utpa has accreditations from organizations like the commission for collegiate nursing the examining board of nurse examiners for the state of texas and the engineering accreditation commission of the accreditation board for engineering and technology
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Charter School
idEa aCadEmy
idEa academy is an innovative institution that offers a fully scaled curriculum for students in kindergarten and in the first second and sixth grades The school which opened in McAllen in 2012 will eventually add more grades each one including approximately 110 students While the school is public students must apply to fill the 460 available spots
To prepare its students to be collegiate scholars IDEA provides International Baccalaureate curriculum as well as the Road to College curriculum which begins in the sixth grade
ldquoWersquore very proud of the connection to our distinguished alumni like NASA astronaut Michael Fossum and we want our students to recognize the kind of education we provide here What he learned here helped catapult him into space and wersquore very proud of thatrdquo
NOrma zamOra-guErra MCALLENINDEPENDENTSCHOOL
DISTRICTCOMMuNITYINFORMATIONDIRECTOR
Michael E Fossum Middle Schoolnamed for astronaut michael e fossum the school is part of the mcallen independent school district
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Please call 9566316109 for a representative today
2501 Buddy Owens Blvd McAllen TX 78504
9656316125 Fax
wwwrio-healthcom
RioHealth MedicalWe are here to meet all your
occupational medicine needs
bull Workplace injuries and workersrsquo compensation
bull On site and off site drug screening
bull Physicals
bull Orthopedics
bull Early return to work
bull 247 coverage
bull We accept all types of insurance
WorkplaceInjury
DANIEL J GUERRA MD Diplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
LEONEL G MORENO MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
HOMERO RIVAS MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
606 S Broadway bull McAllen TX bull (956) 682-4515 bull wwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
FAMILY PHYSICIANS
CLINICSince 1967
Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm Sat 8 am-Noon
VALLEY NIGHT CLINIC
Since 1981
Open Every Night of the Year 6 pm-Midnight
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valley supports children of all abilities through child care
services early intervention and parenting support programs
Early Childhood intErvEntion ChildCarE sErviCEs ParEnts as tEaChErs
Easter seals rio Grande valley Programs for Children Birth to Five years
bullChild-Care servicesndashHigh-qualitychildcare sixweekstofiveyears
bullParents as teachers (Pat)ndashDevelopmental parentingsupportforchildrenbirthtofiveyears
bullEarly Childhood intervention (ECi) ndashConcerns indevelopmentforchildrenbirthtothreeyears
For more information about Easter seals
programs and services call (956) 631-9171 or visit wwweasterseals-rgvorg
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
liviNg HEALTH
Take a Deep Breath and Relaxresidents haVe access to top hospitals
McAllen residents receive quality care from the South Texas Health System Rio Grande Regional Hospital and the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance By Kevin Litwin
Health System
SOuTh TExaS hEalTh SySTEm
South Texas health System is the umbrella organization for a number of fine medical facilities including mcallen medical Center MMC has 441 beds and a staff of more than 400 physicians that represent 50 medical specialties
Also part of South Texas Health System is mcallen heart hospital which opened in 1996 as the first freestanding cardiology and cardiovascular hospital built in the United States It includes 60 beds and a 24-hour emergency center
Healthgrades has awarded McAllen Medical Center and McAllen Heart Hospital with a variety of honors in recent years and both earned a Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence in 2011
Hospital
riO graNdE rEgiONal hOSPiTal
rio grande regional hospital is an acute care medical facility with 320 beds and more than 500 physicians The hospital is the only area Diabetes Management Center accredited by the American Diabetes Association and is the arearsquos first facility to have a Pediatric Heart Program
RGRH also includes a 24-hour emergency room Womenrsquos Services department Level III trauma center and cardiovascular care The hospital is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists and every year since 2007 has been named a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
Hospital
dOCTOrS hOSPiTal aT rENaiSSaNCE
The 506-bed doctors hospital at renaissance is an acute care facility It provides cardiology neurosurgery and endocrinology as well as a Pediatric Medical Tower that offers pediatric oncology and pediatric ICU services
Doctors Hospital has been ranked among the nationrsquos 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters and recently invested $32 million to establish an Electronic Medical Record System
DHR was the first in South Texas to acquire a PETCT scanner for diagnosing cancer and the first in the region to introduce da Vinci robotic surgical technology The hospital also oversees Renaissance Behavioral Center which provides treatment for people with mental health problems substance abuse or eating disorders
34 mc allen
COMMUNITyPROFILE COST OF liviNg
$44074Median Household Income
$129554Median Home Price
$689Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
TraNSPOrTaTiON
Median Travel Time to Work
agE
TEmPEraTurE
January Average
July Average
EThNiCiTy
19 and Under
20-54
55 and over
White
Black
Hispanic
other
1645minutes
Closest Airport McAllen International Airport
955deg
482deg
South Texasrsquo Finest Gift Store Offers Gifts From Around the World
4300 N 10th St bull Ste C bull McAllen TX 78504 (956) 686-1264 bull ohkaysaolcom
Look for us on Facebook
gOlF COurSES
gOlF TEC
2901 N 10TH ST956-994-9631
mCallEN COuNTry CluB615 WICHITA AVE956-686-0923
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
The national Butterfly Center the national butterfly center dedicates 100 acres to the conservation and scientific study of wild butterflies in their natural habitats the wildlife center is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm september through march and from 9 am until 4 pm april through august
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
liviNg SEE THE CITY
36 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
NB
icen
tenn
ialB
lvd
WHackberryAve
S23
rdS
tree
t
83
international museum of arts and sciences
mcallen public library
McAllen Public Librarym-th 9am - 9pmf-sat 9am - 6pmsun 1pm - 9pm
phone (956) 688-3300uhV students (with id) free
wwwmcallenlibrarynet
12 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 13
The hike and bike trail on Second Street and another on Bicentennial offer the chance for a leisurely 23-mile stroll around town ndash yoursquove got to work off that breakfast after all And then head over to the International Museum of Arts and Science a Smithsonian affiliated museum where a wide variety of changing art and science exhibits always offer something interesting
Another must-see is McAllenrsquos new public library which at a whopping 123000 square feet is the largest single-floor library in the US This former Walmart building underwent a total transformation into an aesthetically pleasing community resource thatrsquos steadily gaining attention worldwide for its colorful open and functional design Opened in December 2011 the facility has already won first place in the International Interior Design Associationrsquos 2012 Library Interior Design Competition
luNCh aNd laTErldquoWersquove got over 600 restaurants
hererdquo says Chamber President and CEO Steve Ahlenius So since itrsquos noon by now try the flatbread or a
salad at house wine amp bistro or go for a panini at Corner Bakery Cafe Or for Latin flavor head to KoKorsquos for delicious Mexican fare
In McAllen a day without shopping would be sad indeed La Plaza Mall is the most visited mall in the country and Palms Crossings at the McAllen Convention Center is home to several shops and restaurants such as Mimirsquos Cafe and Romanorsquos Macaroni Grill
ldquoAfter I finished shopping Irsquod spend the rest of the afternoon at Quinta Mazatlan (a historic home that also offers nature trails and legendary bird watching)rdquo Ahlenius says Another option is to test the waters by kayaking or catch-and-release fishing on Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park
mCallEN aFTEr hOurSYoursquore not tired are you
Good because after freshening up back at your hotel itrsquos off to a night on the town Cajun cuisine at The Bayou Grill on North 10th St is a great option as are the authentic Mexican menus at Cabritos Nuevo Leon or La Jaiba Mexican Seafood Grill both on West Nolana
After dinner stroll the 17th Street Entertainment District to catch the flavor of McAllen after hours or catch a show at the historic Cine El Rey theater where comedy acts concerts film festivals and other events take the stage Finally La Recova Contemporary Argentinean Grill beckons for a nightcap in its quiet upscale bar ldquowhere you can actually carry on a conversationrdquo Ahlenius says
Then to bed Where after a good nightrsquos rest you will surely want to get up and spend yet another great day in McAllen
by Laura Hill by staff photographer
Michael Conti
ldquoMcAllen is a beautiful multicultural city with plenty to do and see From shopping in the most popular stores in the nation or unique one-of-a-kind shops to fine dining and plenty of family outdoor activities ndash you can do it year round hererdquo
gErry garCia VPOFSPECIALPROJECTS
FORTHEMCALLENCHAMBER
SNAPSHOT
for music dinner and dancing head to downtown mcallenrsquos 17th street entertainment district
The Patio on Guerradiners enjoy the food and atmosphere at the patio on Guerra on 17th street in downtown mcallen
12 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 13
ThiNgS TO dO
Town Lakea boy takes his dog for a walk as he skateboards the trail along the new 4-acre town lake at firemanrsquos park a popular spot for canoeing kayaking fishing and more
ThiNgS TO dO
14 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 15 14 mc allen
nEW LAkE OPEnS AT FIREMAnrsquoS PARk
Ahh howrefreshing
ldquoWe did all the required dredging to transform the little pond into a recreational lake that is 15 feet at its deepest pointrdquo says Sally Gavlik director of the McAllen Parks amp Recreation Department ldquoIn these days of more and more people opting to remain close to home for staycations Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park gives them a valid option for a different kind of local vacationrdquo
lET ThE FuN BEgiNTown Lake is situated right in the
middle of McAllen off Business Highway 83 between First and Second streets Swimming is prohibited due to park
irrigation regulations but a beach has been constructed to launch canoes kayaks and paddle boats A fishing pier is also in place
ldquoWe transferred fish to the lake from nearby Boeye Reservoir which has provided us with good stocks of bass perch and catfishrdquo Gavlik says ldquoTown Lake currently only has a catch-and-release program meaning you can catch fish but must release them back into the water At some point in the future when the fish population increases we plan to schedule times when people can take the fish homerdquo
The City of McAllen made a big splash in May 2012 when it officially opened Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park What was once a small tract of land with a few basic
recreational amenities is now a 15-acre redevelopment that includes the four-acre Town Lake Crews used a water holding pond at the cityrsquos former water treatment facility to construct the new lake
14 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 15
TakE a hikEWalking and jogging are also good recreational
options around the waterrsquos perimeterldquoTown Lake actually ties into the well used Second
Street Trail People can come off the trail walk or jog along the lake and then get back onto the trailrdquo Gavlik says ldquoThe scenery includes wildflowers in a freshly seeded meadow while other park amenities are horseshoe pits two playgrounds and free picnic sites at the north end of Firemanrsquos Park at First Streetrdquo
There is also a covered pavilion area with sand volleyball courts a small concession building and three camping sites The campsites can be used during the day by anyone but only overnight by organized groups such as the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts Group reservations must be made through the McAllen Parks amp Recreation Department
ldquoAnother park attraction is the former water treatment building which has been transformed into a rental facilityrdquo Gavlik says ldquoIt is now called The Old Pump House complete with new windows air conditioning uplighting tiling and carpeted floors Groups of 75 to 100 people can rent the facility for meetings small receptions or small social events The Old Pump House adds to the overall amenities of todayrsquos Firemenrsquos Parkrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer Michael Conti
Fishinga group casts lines into town lake which enforces a catch-and-release program
WHackberryAve
TownLake
83
firemanrsquos park
N2
nd
Str
eet
16 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 17
children enjoy the playground at firemanrsquos park
16 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 17
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO LoCAL FLAVoR
Palate Pleasersmcallen restaurants serVe up flaVorful foods
McAllen diners rejoice The city has a broad selection of distinctive restaurants and eateries appealing to just about every taste By Barbara Biehler
Asian
SENSaTiONal SuShi amp SPiCE
McAllen has several great spots for Japanese food such as sushi tempura and teppanyaki including kohnami kumori and yokorsquos Sushi Bar
Fans of Thai food should check out Thai red Chilirsquos for dishes like pad thai red curry chicken and sweet rice with mango
Indian
TaNdOOri aNyONETaste of india hits the spot
for diners looking for high quality authentic Indian food made from old family recipes and paired with excellent service
Tex-Mex and Mexican
SOmE likE iT SPiCy
Step into las Cazuelas grill for classic Mexican cuisine or visit Palenque Chicken for expertly prepared Mexican and Tex Mex dishes
Renowned regionally for homemade tamales deliarsquos uses fresh ingredients including pork chicken and beef
The republic of rio grande serves Mexican cuisine in an intimate setting order a traditional dish like the chicken fajitas or enchiladas suizas or enjoy a distinctive entree such as shrimp chipotle pesto pasta or a brick-oven pizza
check out more restaurants in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
ldquoDeliarsquos has the best tamales in town Probably even in the RGV The only place you can get the good old homemade flavor of real tamalesrdquo
Evila l YELPCOM
Argentine
SOuTh amEriCaN CuiSiNE
Relax in the elegant yet casual atmosphere of la Pampa argentinean Steak housewhile you dine on classic Argentine- cut steaks grilled chicken breasts marinated in Chimichurri or traditional de carne empanadas
Meanwhile la recova also offers a wide selection of Argentine-style favorites on its menu Favorite dishes at La Recova includes chorizo tuna carnitas duck confit and churrasco a classic top sirloin steak
Outdoor Dining
TrENdy amp TaSTy
If yoursquore in the mood for a USDA prime steak or succulent seafood drop by The Patio on guerra Dine on the outdoor patio and have a bottle of one of the restaurantrsquos award-winning wines
FridarsquosGrillandCantina located on 17th street offers traditional mexican favorites with modern flavors Go to fridarsquos to enjoy unique culinary dishes signature drinks and live music on the weekends
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO ARTS amp CULTURE
Rave Reviewsmcallenrsquos arts scene remains robust With museums music and eVents
Arts patrons music lovers and history buffs enjoy many cultural attractions throughout McAllen The latest buzz McAllen Performing Arts Center will spring up near the McAllen Convention Center giving fans of live music theater and dance a fine new facility to anticipate
Live Entertainment
PErFOrmErS TakE ThE STagE
The 17th Street Entertainment district in downtown McAllen overflows with lounges restaurants and clubs For live music visit The old Ice House or Cine El Rey
The cityrsquos diverse culture is what influences much of the music performed by the valley Symphony Orchestra amp Chorale The Symphony was established in 1952 with the Chorale joining later in 1984 Similarly the South Texas lyric Opera brings the fine art of opera to the Rio Grande Valley with a yearly slate of productions and an annual opera gala and rio grande valley Broadway brings popular stage shows to town such as Disneyrsquos Beauty and the Beast and Monty Pythonrsquos Spamalot
Historic Sites
TakE a STEP BaCk iN TimE
The museum of South Texas history and the mcallen heritage Center are just two locations to learn about the rich history of this bicultural area
Quinta mazatlan a 1930s hacienda that embodies the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture of arches adobe and beams and provides an intimate look into South Texas history The 10000-square- foot mansion sits on a 15-acre plot hosting a mix of native and exotic plants and wildlife making up McAllenrsquos wing of the popular world Birding Center
Cine El Reyopened in 1947 the historic cine el rey theater now functions as
a music and performance venue showcasing a variety of live events and also shows spanish and english independent films the theater is located in downtown mcallenrsquos 17th street entertainment district
20 mc allen
ldquoCine El Rey hosts events as diverse as wrestling live bands films and comedy shows A huge stage is complimented by killer production value and a staff that really cares about all aspects of the experience Irsquom looking forward to a return triprdquo
Bill dykES YELP
visual Arts and Festivals
aCCESSiBlE arT FuN EvENTS
The international museum of art amp Science founded in 1969 promotes an appreciation for the arts and sciences through its exhibitions cultural events and many educational programs imaS is located at 1900 Nolana Ave
The mcallen art walk is a self-guided tour that gives art lovers the opportunity to explore the many art offerings in the city Itrsquos held every first Friday from September through May and is free and open to the public
on the first Saturday night of December folks enjoy the Candlelight Posada which includes food booths luminaries a parade live entertainment caroling and a live nativity scene
Chamber of Commerce Support
ChamBEr BaCkS ThE arTS
The mcallen Chamber of Commerce shows its love for the arts by managing the mcallen arts Council which publishes a quarterly magazine produces an annual fine arts exhibition and offers grants to local artists The Chamber also offers an outdoor concert series and coordinates the Public art Committeersquos acquisition program
20 mc allen
ThiNgS TO dO SPoRTS amp RECREATIoN
Soak Up Some Sunmcallen residents haVe plenty of Good reasons to Get outdoors
Great golf courses hiking and biking trails and a large well-maintained park system make McAllen the perfect place to enjoy outdoor fun By Carson OrsquoShoney
Golf
TEE iT uPWith nearly 20 courses in the
McAllen area golf is a popular attraction in the Rio Grande Valley
one of the most notable courses is the Palm view golf Course an 18-hole public course with a private feel With rolling fairways and Bermuda rough mounds the course is an often-used location for tournaments having hosted LPGA tournaments and Palm viewrsquos amateur golf Championship
mcallen Country Club provides a challenge with tree-lined fairways and small greens and also offers a swimming pool tennis courts a fitness center and other amenities
Every golf course in the area is bustling especially in the winter when ldquoWinter Texansrdquo come to the Rio Grande Valley The weather generally stays in the 70s in the coldest months making it a perfect place for winter golfing
Hiking Biking and Racing
ON ThE mOvE iN mCallEN
There are plenty of hiking and biking trails on the east and west sides of town such as the retama village Park Trail westside Park Trail and las Palmas Park Trail Visiting cyclists are welcome to meet up with Team mcallen Cycling a bike club thatrsquos been in the city for more than 25 years
Racing fans can enjoy the mcallen international motorplex and Event Center which hosts stock car races car shows and more The racetrack is a family-friendly place offering activities for children such as games face painting and crafts
Palm view Golf Courseirish cochran plays a round of golf at palm View Golf course an 18-hole public course often used for high profile tournaments
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
City Parks
OuTdOOr Family FuN
The mcallen Parks and recreation department currently oversees 25 city parks Ranging from historic parks established in the early 1900s to more modern facilities there are several options suitable for the whole family
archer Park McAllenrsquos oldest park opened in 1912 Serving as a historic landmark in the city it also plays host to many of the cityrsquos annual special events including the Candlelight Posada and movies in the Park
Spanning 38 acres Springfest Park is the largest park in McAllen Springfest hosts a variety of special events and is home to mcallenrsquos winter Polo league from January through March
check out more fun things to do in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
Spray and Ground Parkbesides its popular water feature mcallenrsquos new SprayandGroundParkhas a sand volleyball court skateboard area a half basketball court and just over half a mile of walking trails in addition there are athletic practice fields shaded areas picnic shelters and restroom facilities
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
ThiNgS TO dO SEE THE CITY
24 mc allen
The Irrigation Workerthe sun sets behind a sculpture ldquothe irrigation Workerrdquo which was created by artist douglas clark and is located on nolana and 25th
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
l iVabil it ycommc allen 25
LIvINGHERESchools health care education and neighborhoods in McAllen
26 mc allen 26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 26 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 27
see more beautiful photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
Luxury Livingnewcomers have many beautiful home options in mcallen such as those offered in eight different communities by cantu construction a locally based award-winning builder
26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 liVabil it ycommc allen 27
liviNg
TECH TOOLS FOSTER STUDEnT SUCCESS
Padding theCurriculum
McAllen Independent School District (ISD) is feeling the benefits of an ambitious technology plan that places an iPod or iPad in the hands of every teacher and student
mcallen independent school district students use system-issued ipads in class
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
EduCaTiNg FOr ThE 21ST CENTury
The initiative began with a meeting between Dr James Ponce McAllenrsquos superintendent of schools and a ldquocadrerdquo of about 35 teachers administrators and parents
The grouprsquos primary goal was to build a 21st-century classroom environment one that fosters creativity collaboration and entrepreneurship The group also wanted to find a way to harness the 247 educational potential of the Internet ndash and teach students the critical-thinking skills needed to process online content
ldquoItrsquos an environment where the teachers become the primary learners and the students are driven by their examplerdquo Ponce says ldquoSo we asked what tools we would need for this transformation of the way we teach and the way the kids learnrdquo
After much research the group chose iPods (for grades K-2) and iPads (for teachers and grades 3-12) because of their portability
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo
CarOl aNN allEN LANGuAGEARTSTEACHER
ATMICHAELEFOSSuMMIDDLESCHOOL
relatively low cost and ease of use To implement the planrsquos first stage McAllen ISD issued 5800 of these devices to teachers and students when the rollout is complete it will cover more than 25000 students
Big BENEFiTS FOr TEaChErS aNd STudENTS
Both teachers and students are seeing benefits from the program
ldquoThe iPods help the kids be creative My students are organizing information in new waysrdquo says Ruth Whiddon who teaches first grade at Andrew Jackson Elementary School
For Carol Ann Allen International Baccalaureate coordinator and eighth-grade language arts teacher at Michael E Fossum Middle School the initiative is all about collaboration
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo she says
Sandra Guerra who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade math
at Fossum says the iPads have changed both her teaching style and the way her students learn
Instead of mapping out the learning process step-by-step she now gives students their goal and lets them choose how to get there
ldquoWith this approach they own their learning and theyrsquove been more willing to learnrdquo Guerra says
The iPads have also been a game-changer for Guerrarsquos family
Her seventh-grade daughter is learning advanced science concepts because of independent iPad projects And because most of her childrenrsquos school materials are on their iPads itrsquos easier than ever for Guerra to check on their progress from home
That kind of scenario says Superintendent Ponce is at the heart of the initiative
ldquoThe entire school system and our community want to lead in this effort to build a 21st-century learning environmentrdquo he says ldquoThis is a direct investment in our children and their familiesrdquo
by Kathryn Royster
High-Tech Learningseventh-grade students use ipads to follow class lectures and take quizzes during a language arts class at michael e fossum middle school
PH
oT
o C
oU
RT
EST
Y o
F M
CA
LLE
N IN
DE
PE
ND
EN
T S
CH
oo
L D
IST
RIC
T
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
Higher Education
SOuTh TExaS COllEgE
McAllenrsquos South Texas College has more than 30000 students and offers numerous associate and bachelorrsquos degree programs as well as professional certifications in more than 40 areas The college also has online degree courses for students who work full time
liviNg EDUCATIoN
Set for SuccesscolleGe prep is a top priority in mcallen
Education in McAllen is defined by excellent options From elementary school through college McAllen includes numerous institutions designed to prepare students for success By Braxton Shoop
school yourself on more educational offerings at livabilitycommcallen
Public Schools
mCallEN iNdEPENdENT SChOOl diSTriCT
Established in 1915 the mcallen independent School district comprises three high schools seven middle schools and 20 elementary schools Among these schools the district offers an advanced placement college-level curriculum and a dual-enrollment program for students who would like to obtain high school and college credit simultaneously
In addition the district features an International Baccalaureate program that provides students with an advanced curriculum geared toward global standards
Local Inspiration
FOrmEr STudENT FliES high
one of McAllenrsquos successful students is astronaut michael Fossum a graduate of McAllen High School After receiving his commission from the US Air Force by Texas AampM University Fossum graduated Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base and in 1993 he started at NASA Throughout his NASA career Fossum was on crew for three spaceflights He commanded the space station during one of his flights helping him rank seventh on the all-time list for cumulative Extravehicular Activity time
Top-notch Learning Environmentuniversity of texas-pan american offers many undergraduate degrees more than 50 masterrsquos degrees and three doctoral degrees utpa has accreditations from organizations like the commission for collegiate nursing the examining board of nurse examiners for the state of texas and the engineering accreditation commission of the accreditation board for engineering and technology
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Charter School
idEa aCadEmy
idEa academy is an innovative institution that offers a fully scaled curriculum for students in kindergarten and in the first second and sixth grades The school which opened in McAllen in 2012 will eventually add more grades each one including approximately 110 students While the school is public students must apply to fill the 460 available spots
To prepare its students to be collegiate scholars IDEA provides International Baccalaureate curriculum as well as the Road to College curriculum which begins in the sixth grade
ldquoWersquore very proud of the connection to our distinguished alumni like NASA astronaut Michael Fossum and we want our students to recognize the kind of education we provide here What he learned here helped catapult him into space and wersquore very proud of thatrdquo
NOrma zamOra-guErra MCALLENINDEPENDENTSCHOOL
DISTRICTCOMMuNITYINFORMATIONDIRECTOR
Michael E Fossum Middle Schoolnamed for astronaut michael e fossum the school is part of the mcallen independent school district
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Please call 9566316109 for a representative today
2501 Buddy Owens Blvd McAllen TX 78504
9656316125 Fax
wwwrio-healthcom
RioHealth MedicalWe are here to meet all your
occupational medicine needs
bull Workplace injuries and workersrsquo compensation
bull On site and off site drug screening
bull Physicals
bull Orthopedics
bull Early return to work
bull 247 coverage
bull We accept all types of insurance
WorkplaceInjury
DANIEL J GUERRA MD Diplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
LEONEL G MORENO MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
HOMERO RIVAS MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
606 S Broadway bull McAllen TX bull (956) 682-4515 bull wwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
FAMILY PHYSICIANS
CLINICSince 1967
Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm Sat 8 am-Noon
VALLEY NIGHT CLINIC
Since 1981
Open Every Night of the Year 6 pm-Midnight
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valley supports children of all abilities through child care
services early intervention and parenting support programs
Early Childhood intErvEntion ChildCarE sErviCEs ParEnts as tEaChErs
Easter seals rio Grande valley Programs for Children Birth to Five years
bullChild-Care servicesndashHigh-qualitychildcare sixweekstofiveyears
bullParents as teachers (Pat)ndashDevelopmental parentingsupportforchildrenbirthtofiveyears
bullEarly Childhood intervention (ECi) ndashConcerns indevelopmentforchildrenbirthtothreeyears
For more information about Easter seals
programs and services call (956) 631-9171 or visit wwweasterseals-rgvorg
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
liviNg HEALTH
Take a Deep Breath and Relaxresidents haVe access to top hospitals
McAllen residents receive quality care from the South Texas Health System Rio Grande Regional Hospital and the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance By Kevin Litwin
Health System
SOuTh TExaS hEalTh SySTEm
South Texas health System is the umbrella organization for a number of fine medical facilities including mcallen medical Center MMC has 441 beds and a staff of more than 400 physicians that represent 50 medical specialties
Also part of South Texas Health System is mcallen heart hospital which opened in 1996 as the first freestanding cardiology and cardiovascular hospital built in the United States It includes 60 beds and a 24-hour emergency center
Healthgrades has awarded McAllen Medical Center and McAllen Heart Hospital with a variety of honors in recent years and both earned a Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence in 2011
Hospital
riO graNdE rEgiONal hOSPiTal
rio grande regional hospital is an acute care medical facility with 320 beds and more than 500 physicians The hospital is the only area Diabetes Management Center accredited by the American Diabetes Association and is the arearsquos first facility to have a Pediatric Heart Program
RGRH also includes a 24-hour emergency room Womenrsquos Services department Level III trauma center and cardiovascular care The hospital is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists and every year since 2007 has been named a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
Hospital
dOCTOrS hOSPiTal aT rENaiSSaNCE
The 506-bed doctors hospital at renaissance is an acute care facility It provides cardiology neurosurgery and endocrinology as well as a Pediatric Medical Tower that offers pediatric oncology and pediatric ICU services
Doctors Hospital has been ranked among the nationrsquos 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters and recently invested $32 million to establish an Electronic Medical Record System
DHR was the first in South Texas to acquire a PETCT scanner for diagnosing cancer and the first in the region to introduce da Vinci robotic surgical technology The hospital also oversees Renaissance Behavioral Center which provides treatment for people with mental health problems substance abuse or eating disorders
34 mc allen
COMMUNITyPROFILE COST OF liviNg
$44074Median Household Income
$129554Median Home Price
$689Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
TraNSPOrTaTiON
Median Travel Time to Work
agE
TEmPEraTurE
January Average
July Average
EThNiCiTy
19 and Under
20-54
55 and over
White
Black
Hispanic
other
1645minutes
Closest Airport McAllen International Airport
955deg
482deg
South Texasrsquo Finest Gift Store Offers Gifts From Around the World
4300 N 10th St bull Ste C bull McAllen TX 78504 (956) 686-1264 bull ohkaysaolcom
Look for us on Facebook
gOlF COurSES
gOlF TEC
2901 N 10TH ST956-994-9631
mCallEN COuNTry CluB615 WICHITA AVE956-686-0923
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
The national Butterfly Center the national butterfly center dedicates 100 acres to the conservation and scientific study of wild butterflies in their natural habitats the wildlife center is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm september through march and from 9 am until 4 pm april through august
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
liviNg SEE THE CITY
36 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
The hike and bike trail on Second Street and another on Bicentennial offer the chance for a leisurely 23-mile stroll around town ndash yoursquove got to work off that breakfast after all And then head over to the International Museum of Arts and Science a Smithsonian affiliated museum where a wide variety of changing art and science exhibits always offer something interesting
Another must-see is McAllenrsquos new public library which at a whopping 123000 square feet is the largest single-floor library in the US This former Walmart building underwent a total transformation into an aesthetically pleasing community resource thatrsquos steadily gaining attention worldwide for its colorful open and functional design Opened in December 2011 the facility has already won first place in the International Interior Design Associationrsquos 2012 Library Interior Design Competition
luNCh aNd laTErldquoWersquove got over 600 restaurants
hererdquo says Chamber President and CEO Steve Ahlenius So since itrsquos noon by now try the flatbread or a
salad at house wine amp bistro or go for a panini at Corner Bakery Cafe Or for Latin flavor head to KoKorsquos for delicious Mexican fare
In McAllen a day without shopping would be sad indeed La Plaza Mall is the most visited mall in the country and Palms Crossings at the McAllen Convention Center is home to several shops and restaurants such as Mimirsquos Cafe and Romanorsquos Macaroni Grill
ldquoAfter I finished shopping Irsquod spend the rest of the afternoon at Quinta Mazatlan (a historic home that also offers nature trails and legendary bird watching)rdquo Ahlenius says Another option is to test the waters by kayaking or catch-and-release fishing on Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park
mCallEN aFTEr hOurSYoursquore not tired are you
Good because after freshening up back at your hotel itrsquos off to a night on the town Cajun cuisine at The Bayou Grill on North 10th St is a great option as are the authentic Mexican menus at Cabritos Nuevo Leon or La Jaiba Mexican Seafood Grill both on West Nolana
After dinner stroll the 17th Street Entertainment District to catch the flavor of McAllen after hours or catch a show at the historic Cine El Rey theater where comedy acts concerts film festivals and other events take the stage Finally La Recova Contemporary Argentinean Grill beckons for a nightcap in its quiet upscale bar ldquowhere you can actually carry on a conversationrdquo Ahlenius says
Then to bed Where after a good nightrsquos rest you will surely want to get up and spend yet another great day in McAllen
by Laura Hill by staff photographer
Michael Conti
ldquoMcAllen is a beautiful multicultural city with plenty to do and see From shopping in the most popular stores in the nation or unique one-of-a-kind shops to fine dining and plenty of family outdoor activities ndash you can do it year round hererdquo
gErry garCia VPOFSPECIALPROJECTS
FORTHEMCALLENCHAMBER
SNAPSHOT
for music dinner and dancing head to downtown mcallenrsquos 17th street entertainment district
The Patio on Guerradiners enjoy the food and atmosphere at the patio on Guerra on 17th street in downtown mcallen
12 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 13
ThiNgS TO dO
Town Lakea boy takes his dog for a walk as he skateboards the trail along the new 4-acre town lake at firemanrsquos park a popular spot for canoeing kayaking fishing and more
ThiNgS TO dO
14 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 15 14 mc allen
nEW LAkE OPEnS AT FIREMAnrsquoS PARk
Ahh howrefreshing
ldquoWe did all the required dredging to transform the little pond into a recreational lake that is 15 feet at its deepest pointrdquo says Sally Gavlik director of the McAllen Parks amp Recreation Department ldquoIn these days of more and more people opting to remain close to home for staycations Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park gives them a valid option for a different kind of local vacationrdquo
lET ThE FuN BEgiNTown Lake is situated right in the
middle of McAllen off Business Highway 83 between First and Second streets Swimming is prohibited due to park
irrigation regulations but a beach has been constructed to launch canoes kayaks and paddle boats A fishing pier is also in place
ldquoWe transferred fish to the lake from nearby Boeye Reservoir which has provided us with good stocks of bass perch and catfishrdquo Gavlik says ldquoTown Lake currently only has a catch-and-release program meaning you can catch fish but must release them back into the water At some point in the future when the fish population increases we plan to schedule times when people can take the fish homerdquo
The City of McAllen made a big splash in May 2012 when it officially opened Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park What was once a small tract of land with a few basic
recreational amenities is now a 15-acre redevelopment that includes the four-acre Town Lake Crews used a water holding pond at the cityrsquos former water treatment facility to construct the new lake
14 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 15
TakE a hikEWalking and jogging are also good recreational
options around the waterrsquos perimeterldquoTown Lake actually ties into the well used Second
Street Trail People can come off the trail walk or jog along the lake and then get back onto the trailrdquo Gavlik says ldquoThe scenery includes wildflowers in a freshly seeded meadow while other park amenities are horseshoe pits two playgrounds and free picnic sites at the north end of Firemanrsquos Park at First Streetrdquo
There is also a covered pavilion area with sand volleyball courts a small concession building and three camping sites The campsites can be used during the day by anyone but only overnight by organized groups such as the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts Group reservations must be made through the McAllen Parks amp Recreation Department
ldquoAnother park attraction is the former water treatment building which has been transformed into a rental facilityrdquo Gavlik says ldquoIt is now called The Old Pump House complete with new windows air conditioning uplighting tiling and carpeted floors Groups of 75 to 100 people can rent the facility for meetings small receptions or small social events The Old Pump House adds to the overall amenities of todayrsquos Firemenrsquos Parkrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer Michael Conti
Fishinga group casts lines into town lake which enforces a catch-and-release program
WHackberryAve
TownLake
83
firemanrsquos park
N2
nd
Str
eet
16 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 17
children enjoy the playground at firemanrsquos park
16 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 17
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO LoCAL FLAVoR
Palate Pleasersmcallen restaurants serVe up flaVorful foods
McAllen diners rejoice The city has a broad selection of distinctive restaurants and eateries appealing to just about every taste By Barbara Biehler
Asian
SENSaTiONal SuShi amp SPiCE
McAllen has several great spots for Japanese food such as sushi tempura and teppanyaki including kohnami kumori and yokorsquos Sushi Bar
Fans of Thai food should check out Thai red Chilirsquos for dishes like pad thai red curry chicken and sweet rice with mango
Indian
TaNdOOri aNyONETaste of india hits the spot
for diners looking for high quality authentic Indian food made from old family recipes and paired with excellent service
Tex-Mex and Mexican
SOmE likE iT SPiCy
Step into las Cazuelas grill for classic Mexican cuisine or visit Palenque Chicken for expertly prepared Mexican and Tex Mex dishes
Renowned regionally for homemade tamales deliarsquos uses fresh ingredients including pork chicken and beef
The republic of rio grande serves Mexican cuisine in an intimate setting order a traditional dish like the chicken fajitas or enchiladas suizas or enjoy a distinctive entree such as shrimp chipotle pesto pasta or a brick-oven pizza
check out more restaurants in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
ldquoDeliarsquos has the best tamales in town Probably even in the RGV The only place you can get the good old homemade flavor of real tamalesrdquo
Evila l YELPCOM
Argentine
SOuTh amEriCaN CuiSiNE
Relax in the elegant yet casual atmosphere of la Pampa argentinean Steak housewhile you dine on classic Argentine- cut steaks grilled chicken breasts marinated in Chimichurri or traditional de carne empanadas
Meanwhile la recova also offers a wide selection of Argentine-style favorites on its menu Favorite dishes at La Recova includes chorizo tuna carnitas duck confit and churrasco a classic top sirloin steak
Outdoor Dining
TrENdy amp TaSTy
If yoursquore in the mood for a USDA prime steak or succulent seafood drop by The Patio on guerra Dine on the outdoor patio and have a bottle of one of the restaurantrsquos award-winning wines
FridarsquosGrillandCantina located on 17th street offers traditional mexican favorites with modern flavors Go to fridarsquos to enjoy unique culinary dishes signature drinks and live music on the weekends
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO ARTS amp CULTURE
Rave Reviewsmcallenrsquos arts scene remains robust With museums music and eVents
Arts patrons music lovers and history buffs enjoy many cultural attractions throughout McAllen The latest buzz McAllen Performing Arts Center will spring up near the McAllen Convention Center giving fans of live music theater and dance a fine new facility to anticipate
Live Entertainment
PErFOrmErS TakE ThE STagE
The 17th Street Entertainment district in downtown McAllen overflows with lounges restaurants and clubs For live music visit The old Ice House or Cine El Rey
The cityrsquos diverse culture is what influences much of the music performed by the valley Symphony Orchestra amp Chorale The Symphony was established in 1952 with the Chorale joining later in 1984 Similarly the South Texas lyric Opera brings the fine art of opera to the Rio Grande Valley with a yearly slate of productions and an annual opera gala and rio grande valley Broadway brings popular stage shows to town such as Disneyrsquos Beauty and the Beast and Monty Pythonrsquos Spamalot
Historic Sites
TakE a STEP BaCk iN TimE
The museum of South Texas history and the mcallen heritage Center are just two locations to learn about the rich history of this bicultural area
Quinta mazatlan a 1930s hacienda that embodies the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture of arches adobe and beams and provides an intimate look into South Texas history The 10000-square- foot mansion sits on a 15-acre plot hosting a mix of native and exotic plants and wildlife making up McAllenrsquos wing of the popular world Birding Center
Cine El Reyopened in 1947 the historic cine el rey theater now functions as
a music and performance venue showcasing a variety of live events and also shows spanish and english independent films the theater is located in downtown mcallenrsquos 17th street entertainment district
20 mc allen
ldquoCine El Rey hosts events as diverse as wrestling live bands films and comedy shows A huge stage is complimented by killer production value and a staff that really cares about all aspects of the experience Irsquom looking forward to a return triprdquo
Bill dykES YELP
visual Arts and Festivals
aCCESSiBlE arT FuN EvENTS
The international museum of art amp Science founded in 1969 promotes an appreciation for the arts and sciences through its exhibitions cultural events and many educational programs imaS is located at 1900 Nolana Ave
The mcallen art walk is a self-guided tour that gives art lovers the opportunity to explore the many art offerings in the city Itrsquos held every first Friday from September through May and is free and open to the public
on the first Saturday night of December folks enjoy the Candlelight Posada which includes food booths luminaries a parade live entertainment caroling and a live nativity scene
Chamber of Commerce Support
ChamBEr BaCkS ThE arTS
The mcallen Chamber of Commerce shows its love for the arts by managing the mcallen arts Council which publishes a quarterly magazine produces an annual fine arts exhibition and offers grants to local artists The Chamber also offers an outdoor concert series and coordinates the Public art Committeersquos acquisition program
20 mc allen
ThiNgS TO dO SPoRTS amp RECREATIoN
Soak Up Some Sunmcallen residents haVe plenty of Good reasons to Get outdoors
Great golf courses hiking and biking trails and a large well-maintained park system make McAllen the perfect place to enjoy outdoor fun By Carson OrsquoShoney
Golf
TEE iT uPWith nearly 20 courses in the
McAllen area golf is a popular attraction in the Rio Grande Valley
one of the most notable courses is the Palm view golf Course an 18-hole public course with a private feel With rolling fairways and Bermuda rough mounds the course is an often-used location for tournaments having hosted LPGA tournaments and Palm viewrsquos amateur golf Championship
mcallen Country Club provides a challenge with tree-lined fairways and small greens and also offers a swimming pool tennis courts a fitness center and other amenities
Every golf course in the area is bustling especially in the winter when ldquoWinter Texansrdquo come to the Rio Grande Valley The weather generally stays in the 70s in the coldest months making it a perfect place for winter golfing
Hiking Biking and Racing
ON ThE mOvE iN mCallEN
There are plenty of hiking and biking trails on the east and west sides of town such as the retama village Park Trail westside Park Trail and las Palmas Park Trail Visiting cyclists are welcome to meet up with Team mcallen Cycling a bike club thatrsquos been in the city for more than 25 years
Racing fans can enjoy the mcallen international motorplex and Event Center which hosts stock car races car shows and more The racetrack is a family-friendly place offering activities for children such as games face painting and crafts
Palm view Golf Courseirish cochran plays a round of golf at palm View Golf course an 18-hole public course often used for high profile tournaments
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
City Parks
OuTdOOr Family FuN
The mcallen Parks and recreation department currently oversees 25 city parks Ranging from historic parks established in the early 1900s to more modern facilities there are several options suitable for the whole family
archer Park McAllenrsquos oldest park opened in 1912 Serving as a historic landmark in the city it also plays host to many of the cityrsquos annual special events including the Candlelight Posada and movies in the Park
Spanning 38 acres Springfest Park is the largest park in McAllen Springfest hosts a variety of special events and is home to mcallenrsquos winter Polo league from January through March
check out more fun things to do in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
Spray and Ground Parkbesides its popular water feature mcallenrsquos new SprayandGroundParkhas a sand volleyball court skateboard area a half basketball court and just over half a mile of walking trails in addition there are athletic practice fields shaded areas picnic shelters and restroom facilities
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
ThiNgS TO dO SEE THE CITY
24 mc allen
The Irrigation Workerthe sun sets behind a sculpture ldquothe irrigation Workerrdquo which was created by artist douglas clark and is located on nolana and 25th
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
l iVabil it ycommc allen 25
LIvINGHERESchools health care education and neighborhoods in McAllen
26 mc allen 26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 26 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 27
see more beautiful photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
Luxury Livingnewcomers have many beautiful home options in mcallen such as those offered in eight different communities by cantu construction a locally based award-winning builder
26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 liVabil it ycommc allen 27
liviNg
TECH TOOLS FOSTER STUDEnT SUCCESS
Padding theCurriculum
McAllen Independent School District (ISD) is feeling the benefits of an ambitious technology plan that places an iPod or iPad in the hands of every teacher and student
mcallen independent school district students use system-issued ipads in class
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
EduCaTiNg FOr ThE 21ST CENTury
The initiative began with a meeting between Dr James Ponce McAllenrsquos superintendent of schools and a ldquocadrerdquo of about 35 teachers administrators and parents
The grouprsquos primary goal was to build a 21st-century classroom environment one that fosters creativity collaboration and entrepreneurship The group also wanted to find a way to harness the 247 educational potential of the Internet ndash and teach students the critical-thinking skills needed to process online content
ldquoItrsquos an environment where the teachers become the primary learners and the students are driven by their examplerdquo Ponce says ldquoSo we asked what tools we would need for this transformation of the way we teach and the way the kids learnrdquo
After much research the group chose iPods (for grades K-2) and iPads (for teachers and grades 3-12) because of their portability
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo
CarOl aNN allEN LANGuAGEARTSTEACHER
ATMICHAELEFOSSuMMIDDLESCHOOL
relatively low cost and ease of use To implement the planrsquos first stage McAllen ISD issued 5800 of these devices to teachers and students when the rollout is complete it will cover more than 25000 students
Big BENEFiTS FOr TEaChErS aNd STudENTS
Both teachers and students are seeing benefits from the program
ldquoThe iPods help the kids be creative My students are organizing information in new waysrdquo says Ruth Whiddon who teaches first grade at Andrew Jackson Elementary School
For Carol Ann Allen International Baccalaureate coordinator and eighth-grade language arts teacher at Michael E Fossum Middle School the initiative is all about collaboration
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo she says
Sandra Guerra who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade math
at Fossum says the iPads have changed both her teaching style and the way her students learn
Instead of mapping out the learning process step-by-step she now gives students their goal and lets them choose how to get there
ldquoWith this approach they own their learning and theyrsquove been more willing to learnrdquo Guerra says
The iPads have also been a game-changer for Guerrarsquos family
Her seventh-grade daughter is learning advanced science concepts because of independent iPad projects And because most of her childrenrsquos school materials are on their iPads itrsquos easier than ever for Guerra to check on their progress from home
That kind of scenario says Superintendent Ponce is at the heart of the initiative
ldquoThe entire school system and our community want to lead in this effort to build a 21st-century learning environmentrdquo he says ldquoThis is a direct investment in our children and their familiesrdquo
by Kathryn Royster
High-Tech Learningseventh-grade students use ipads to follow class lectures and take quizzes during a language arts class at michael e fossum middle school
PH
oT
o C
oU
RT
EST
Y o
F M
CA
LLE
N IN
DE
PE
ND
EN
T S
CH
oo
L D
IST
RIC
T
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
Higher Education
SOuTh TExaS COllEgE
McAllenrsquos South Texas College has more than 30000 students and offers numerous associate and bachelorrsquos degree programs as well as professional certifications in more than 40 areas The college also has online degree courses for students who work full time
liviNg EDUCATIoN
Set for SuccesscolleGe prep is a top priority in mcallen
Education in McAllen is defined by excellent options From elementary school through college McAllen includes numerous institutions designed to prepare students for success By Braxton Shoop
school yourself on more educational offerings at livabilitycommcallen
Public Schools
mCallEN iNdEPENdENT SChOOl diSTriCT
Established in 1915 the mcallen independent School district comprises three high schools seven middle schools and 20 elementary schools Among these schools the district offers an advanced placement college-level curriculum and a dual-enrollment program for students who would like to obtain high school and college credit simultaneously
In addition the district features an International Baccalaureate program that provides students with an advanced curriculum geared toward global standards
Local Inspiration
FOrmEr STudENT FliES high
one of McAllenrsquos successful students is astronaut michael Fossum a graduate of McAllen High School After receiving his commission from the US Air Force by Texas AampM University Fossum graduated Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base and in 1993 he started at NASA Throughout his NASA career Fossum was on crew for three spaceflights He commanded the space station during one of his flights helping him rank seventh on the all-time list for cumulative Extravehicular Activity time
Top-notch Learning Environmentuniversity of texas-pan american offers many undergraduate degrees more than 50 masterrsquos degrees and three doctoral degrees utpa has accreditations from organizations like the commission for collegiate nursing the examining board of nurse examiners for the state of texas and the engineering accreditation commission of the accreditation board for engineering and technology
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Charter School
idEa aCadEmy
idEa academy is an innovative institution that offers a fully scaled curriculum for students in kindergarten and in the first second and sixth grades The school which opened in McAllen in 2012 will eventually add more grades each one including approximately 110 students While the school is public students must apply to fill the 460 available spots
To prepare its students to be collegiate scholars IDEA provides International Baccalaureate curriculum as well as the Road to College curriculum which begins in the sixth grade
ldquoWersquore very proud of the connection to our distinguished alumni like NASA astronaut Michael Fossum and we want our students to recognize the kind of education we provide here What he learned here helped catapult him into space and wersquore very proud of thatrdquo
NOrma zamOra-guErra MCALLENINDEPENDENTSCHOOL
DISTRICTCOMMuNITYINFORMATIONDIRECTOR
Michael E Fossum Middle Schoolnamed for astronaut michael e fossum the school is part of the mcallen independent school district
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Please call 9566316109 for a representative today
2501 Buddy Owens Blvd McAllen TX 78504
9656316125 Fax
wwwrio-healthcom
RioHealth MedicalWe are here to meet all your
occupational medicine needs
bull Workplace injuries and workersrsquo compensation
bull On site and off site drug screening
bull Physicals
bull Orthopedics
bull Early return to work
bull 247 coverage
bull We accept all types of insurance
WorkplaceInjury
DANIEL J GUERRA MD Diplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
LEONEL G MORENO MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
HOMERO RIVAS MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
606 S Broadway bull McAllen TX bull (956) 682-4515 bull wwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
FAMILY PHYSICIANS
CLINICSince 1967
Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm Sat 8 am-Noon
VALLEY NIGHT CLINIC
Since 1981
Open Every Night of the Year 6 pm-Midnight
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valley supports children of all abilities through child care
services early intervention and parenting support programs
Early Childhood intErvEntion ChildCarE sErviCEs ParEnts as tEaChErs
Easter seals rio Grande valley Programs for Children Birth to Five years
bullChild-Care servicesndashHigh-qualitychildcare sixweekstofiveyears
bullParents as teachers (Pat)ndashDevelopmental parentingsupportforchildrenbirthtofiveyears
bullEarly Childhood intervention (ECi) ndashConcerns indevelopmentforchildrenbirthtothreeyears
For more information about Easter seals
programs and services call (956) 631-9171 or visit wwweasterseals-rgvorg
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
liviNg HEALTH
Take a Deep Breath and Relaxresidents haVe access to top hospitals
McAllen residents receive quality care from the South Texas Health System Rio Grande Regional Hospital and the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance By Kevin Litwin
Health System
SOuTh TExaS hEalTh SySTEm
South Texas health System is the umbrella organization for a number of fine medical facilities including mcallen medical Center MMC has 441 beds and a staff of more than 400 physicians that represent 50 medical specialties
Also part of South Texas Health System is mcallen heart hospital which opened in 1996 as the first freestanding cardiology and cardiovascular hospital built in the United States It includes 60 beds and a 24-hour emergency center
Healthgrades has awarded McAllen Medical Center and McAllen Heart Hospital with a variety of honors in recent years and both earned a Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence in 2011
Hospital
riO graNdE rEgiONal hOSPiTal
rio grande regional hospital is an acute care medical facility with 320 beds and more than 500 physicians The hospital is the only area Diabetes Management Center accredited by the American Diabetes Association and is the arearsquos first facility to have a Pediatric Heart Program
RGRH also includes a 24-hour emergency room Womenrsquos Services department Level III trauma center and cardiovascular care The hospital is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists and every year since 2007 has been named a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
Hospital
dOCTOrS hOSPiTal aT rENaiSSaNCE
The 506-bed doctors hospital at renaissance is an acute care facility It provides cardiology neurosurgery and endocrinology as well as a Pediatric Medical Tower that offers pediatric oncology and pediatric ICU services
Doctors Hospital has been ranked among the nationrsquos 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters and recently invested $32 million to establish an Electronic Medical Record System
DHR was the first in South Texas to acquire a PETCT scanner for diagnosing cancer and the first in the region to introduce da Vinci robotic surgical technology The hospital also oversees Renaissance Behavioral Center which provides treatment for people with mental health problems substance abuse or eating disorders
34 mc allen
COMMUNITyPROFILE COST OF liviNg
$44074Median Household Income
$129554Median Home Price
$689Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
TraNSPOrTaTiON
Median Travel Time to Work
agE
TEmPEraTurE
January Average
July Average
EThNiCiTy
19 and Under
20-54
55 and over
White
Black
Hispanic
other
1645minutes
Closest Airport McAllen International Airport
955deg
482deg
South Texasrsquo Finest Gift Store Offers Gifts From Around the World
4300 N 10th St bull Ste C bull McAllen TX 78504 (956) 686-1264 bull ohkaysaolcom
Look for us on Facebook
gOlF COurSES
gOlF TEC
2901 N 10TH ST956-994-9631
mCallEN COuNTry CluB615 WICHITA AVE956-686-0923
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
The national Butterfly Center the national butterfly center dedicates 100 acres to the conservation and scientific study of wild butterflies in their natural habitats the wildlife center is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm september through march and from 9 am until 4 pm april through august
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
liviNg SEE THE CITY
36 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
ThiNgS TO dO
Town Lakea boy takes his dog for a walk as he skateboards the trail along the new 4-acre town lake at firemanrsquos park a popular spot for canoeing kayaking fishing and more
ThiNgS TO dO
14 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 15 14 mc allen
nEW LAkE OPEnS AT FIREMAnrsquoS PARk
Ahh howrefreshing
ldquoWe did all the required dredging to transform the little pond into a recreational lake that is 15 feet at its deepest pointrdquo says Sally Gavlik director of the McAllen Parks amp Recreation Department ldquoIn these days of more and more people opting to remain close to home for staycations Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park gives them a valid option for a different kind of local vacationrdquo
lET ThE FuN BEgiNTown Lake is situated right in the
middle of McAllen off Business Highway 83 between First and Second streets Swimming is prohibited due to park
irrigation regulations but a beach has been constructed to launch canoes kayaks and paddle boats A fishing pier is also in place
ldquoWe transferred fish to the lake from nearby Boeye Reservoir which has provided us with good stocks of bass perch and catfishrdquo Gavlik says ldquoTown Lake currently only has a catch-and-release program meaning you can catch fish but must release them back into the water At some point in the future when the fish population increases we plan to schedule times when people can take the fish homerdquo
The City of McAllen made a big splash in May 2012 when it officially opened Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park What was once a small tract of land with a few basic
recreational amenities is now a 15-acre redevelopment that includes the four-acre Town Lake Crews used a water holding pond at the cityrsquos former water treatment facility to construct the new lake
14 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 15
TakE a hikEWalking and jogging are also good recreational
options around the waterrsquos perimeterldquoTown Lake actually ties into the well used Second
Street Trail People can come off the trail walk or jog along the lake and then get back onto the trailrdquo Gavlik says ldquoThe scenery includes wildflowers in a freshly seeded meadow while other park amenities are horseshoe pits two playgrounds and free picnic sites at the north end of Firemanrsquos Park at First Streetrdquo
There is also a covered pavilion area with sand volleyball courts a small concession building and three camping sites The campsites can be used during the day by anyone but only overnight by organized groups such as the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts Group reservations must be made through the McAllen Parks amp Recreation Department
ldquoAnother park attraction is the former water treatment building which has been transformed into a rental facilityrdquo Gavlik says ldquoIt is now called The Old Pump House complete with new windows air conditioning uplighting tiling and carpeted floors Groups of 75 to 100 people can rent the facility for meetings small receptions or small social events The Old Pump House adds to the overall amenities of todayrsquos Firemenrsquos Parkrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer Michael Conti
Fishinga group casts lines into town lake which enforces a catch-and-release program
WHackberryAve
TownLake
83
firemanrsquos park
N2
nd
Str
eet
16 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 17
children enjoy the playground at firemanrsquos park
16 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 17
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO LoCAL FLAVoR
Palate Pleasersmcallen restaurants serVe up flaVorful foods
McAllen diners rejoice The city has a broad selection of distinctive restaurants and eateries appealing to just about every taste By Barbara Biehler
Asian
SENSaTiONal SuShi amp SPiCE
McAllen has several great spots for Japanese food such as sushi tempura and teppanyaki including kohnami kumori and yokorsquos Sushi Bar
Fans of Thai food should check out Thai red Chilirsquos for dishes like pad thai red curry chicken and sweet rice with mango
Indian
TaNdOOri aNyONETaste of india hits the spot
for diners looking for high quality authentic Indian food made from old family recipes and paired with excellent service
Tex-Mex and Mexican
SOmE likE iT SPiCy
Step into las Cazuelas grill for classic Mexican cuisine or visit Palenque Chicken for expertly prepared Mexican and Tex Mex dishes
Renowned regionally for homemade tamales deliarsquos uses fresh ingredients including pork chicken and beef
The republic of rio grande serves Mexican cuisine in an intimate setting order a traditional dish like the chicken fajitas or enchiladas suizas or enjoy a distinctive entree such as shrimp chipotle pesto pasta or a brick-oven pizza
check out more restaurants in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
ldquoDeliarsquos has the best tamales in town Probably even in the RGV The only place you can get the good old homemade flavor of real tamalesrdquo
Evila l YELPCOM
Argentine
SOuTh amEriCaN CuiSiNE
Relax in the elegant yet casual atmosphere of la Pampa argentinean Steak housewhile you dine on classic Argentine- cut steaks grilled chicken breasts marinated in Chimichurri or traditional de carne empanadas
Meanwhile la recova also offers a wide selection of Argentine-style favorites on its menu Favorite dishes at La Recova includes chorizo tuna carnitas duck confit and churrasco a classic top sirloin steak
Outdoor Dining
TrENdy amp TaSTy
If yoursquore in the mood for a USDA prime steak or succulent seafood drop by The Patio on guerra Dine on the outdoor patio and have a bottle of one of the restaurantrsquos award-winning wines
FridarsquosGrillandCantina located on 17th street offers traditional mexican favorites with modern flavors Go to fridarsquos to enjoy unique culinary dishes signature drinks and live music on the weekends
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO ARTS amp CULTURE
Rave Reviewsmcallenrsquos arts scene remains robust With museums music and eVents
Arts patrons music lovers and history buffs enjoy many cultural attractions throughout McAllen The latest buzz McAllen Performing Arts Center will spring up near the McAllen Convention Center giving fans of live music theater and dance a fine new facility to anticipate
Live Entertainment
PErFOrmErS TakE ThE STagE
The 17th Street Entertainment district in downtown McAllen overflows with lounges restaurants and clubs For live music visit The old Ice House or Cine El Rey
The cityrsquos diverse culture is what influences much of the music performed by the valley Symphony Orchestra amp Chorale The Symphony was established in 1952 with the Chorale joining later in 1984 Similarly the South Texas lyric Opera brings the fine art of opera to the Rio Grande Valley with a yearly slate of productions and an annual opera gala and rio grande valley Broadway brings popular stage shows to town such as Disneyrsquos Beauty and the Beast and Monty Pythonrsquos Spamalot
Historic Sites
TakE a STEP BaCk iN TimE
The museum of South Texas history and the mcallen heritage Center are just two locations to learn about the rich history of this bicultural area
Quinta mazatlan a 1930s hacienda that embodies the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture of arches adobe and beams and provides an intimate look into South Texas history The 10000-square- foot mansion sits on a 15-acre plot hosting a mix of native and exotic plants and wildlife making up McAllenrsquos wing of the popular world Birding Center
Cine El Reyopened in 1947 the historic cine el rey theater now functions as
a music and performance venue showcasing a variety of live events and also shows spanish and english independent films the theater is located in downtown mcallenrsquos 17th street entertainment district
20 mc allen
ldquoCine El Rey hosts events as diverse as wrestling live bands films and comedy shows A huge stage is complimented by killer production value and a staff that really cares about all aspects of the experience Irsquom looking forward to a return triprdquo
Bill dykES YELP
visual Arts and Festivals
aCCESSiBlE arT FuN EvENTS
The international museum of art amp Science founded in 1969 promotes an appreciation for the arts and sciences through its exhibitions cultural events and many educational programs imaS is located at 1900 Nolana Ave
The mcallen art walk is a self-guided tour that gives art lovers the opportunity to explore the many art offerings in the city Itrsquos held every first Friday from September through May and is free and open to the public
on the first Saturday night of December folks enjoy the Candlelight Posada which includes food booths luminaries a parade live entertainment caroling and a live nativity scene
Chamber of Commerce Support
ChamBEr BaCkS ThE arTS
The mcallen Chamber of Commerce shows its love for the arts by managing the mcallen arts Council which publishes a quarterly magazine produces an annual fine arts exhibition and offers grants to local artists The Chamber also offers an outdoor concert series and coordinates the Public art Committeersquos acquisition program
20 mc allen
ThiNgS TO dO SPoRTS amp RECREATIoN
Soak Up Some Sunmcallen residents haVe plenty of Good reasons to Get outdoors
Great golf courses hiking and biking trails and a large well-maintained park system make McAllen the perfect place to enjoy outdoor fun By Carson OrsquoShoney
Golf
TEE iT uPWith nearly 20 courses in the
McAllen area golf is a popular attraction in the Rio Grande Valley
one of the most notable courses is the Palm view golf Course an 18-hole public course with a private feel With rolling fairways and Bermuda rough mounds the course is an often-used location for tournaments having hosted LPGA tournaments and Palm viewrsquos amateur golf Championship
mcallen Country Club provides a challenge with tree-lined fairways and small greens and also offers a swimming pool tennis courts a fitness center and other amenities
Every golf course in the area is bustling especially in the winter when ldquoWinter Texansrdquo come to the Rio Grande Valley The weather generally stays in the 70s in the coldest months making it a perfect place for winter golfing
Hiking Biking and Racing
ON ThE mOvE iN mCallEN
There are plenty of hiking and biking trails on the east and west sides of town such as the retama village Park Trail westside Park Trail and las Palmas Park Trail Visiting cyclists are welcome to meet up with Team mcallen Cycling a bike club thatrsquos been in the city for more than 25 years
Racing fans can enjoy the mcallen international motorplex and Event Center which hosts stock car races car shows and more The racetrack is a family-friendly place offering activities for children such as games face painting and crafts
Palm view Golf Courseirish cochran plays a round of golf at palm View Golf course an 18-hole public course often used for high profile tournaments
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
City Parks
OuTdOOr Family FuN
The mcallen Parks and recreation department currently oversees 25 city parks Ranging from historic parks established in the early 1900s to more modern facilities there are several options suitable for the whole family
archer Park McAllenrsquos oldest park opened in 1912 Serving as a historic landmark in the city it also plays host to many of the cityrsquos annual special events including the Candlelight Posada and movies in the Park
Spanning 38 acres Springfest Park is the largest park in McAllen Springfest hosts a variety of special events and is home to mcallenrsquos winter Polo league from January through March
check out more fun things to do in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
Spray and Ground Parkbesides its popular water feature mcallenrsquos new SprayandGroundParkhas a sand volleyball court skateboard area a half basketball court and just over half a mile of walking trails in addition there are athletic practice fields shaded areas picnic shelters and restroom facilities
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
ThiNgS TO dO SEE THE CITY
24 mc allen
The Irrigation Workerthe sun sets behind a sculpture ldquothe irrigation Workerrdquo which was created by artist douglas clark and is located on nolana and 25th
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
l iVabil it ycommc allen 25
LIvINGHERESchools health care education and neighborhoods in McAllen
26 mc allen 26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 26 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 27
see more beautiful photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
Luxury Livingnewcomers have many beautiful home options in mcallen such as those offered in eight different communities by cantu construction a locally based award-winning builder
26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 liVabil it ycommc allen 27
liviNg
TECH TOOLS FOSTER STUDEnT SUCCESS
Padding theCurriculum
McAllen Independent School District (ISD) is feeling the benefits of an ambitious technology plan that places an iPod or iPad in the hands of every teacher and student
mcallen independent school district students use system-issued ipads in class
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
EduCaTiNg FOr ThE 21ST CENTury
The initiative began with a meeting between Dr James Ponce McAllenrsquos superintendent of schools and a ldquocadrerdquo of about 35 teachers administrators and parents
The grouprsquos primary goal was to build a 21st-century classroom environment one that fosters creativity collaboration and entrepreneurship The group also wanted to find a way to harness the 247 educational potential of the Internet ndash and teach students the critical-thinking skills needed to process online content
ldquoItrsquos an environment where the teachers become the primary learners and the students are driven by their examplerdquo Ponce says ldquoSo we asked what tools we would need for this transformation of the way we teach and the way the kids learnrdquo
After much research the group chose iPods (for grades K-2) and iPads (for teachers and grades 3-12) because of their portability
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo
CarOl aNN allEN LANGuAGEARTSTEACHER
ATMICHAELEFOSSuMMIDDLESCHOOL
relatively low cost and ease of use To implement the planrsquos first stage McAllen ISD issued 5800 of these devices to teachers and students when the rollout is complete it will cover more than 25000 students
Big BENEFiTS FOr TEaChErS aNd STudENTS
Both teachers and students are seeing benefits from the program
ldquoThe iPods help the kids be creative My students are organizing information in new waysrdquo says Ruth Whiddon who teaches first grade at Andrew Jackson Elementary School
For Carol Ann Allen International Baccalaureate coordinator and eighth-grade language arts teacher at Michael E Fossum Middle School the initiative is all about collaboration
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo she says
Sandra Guerra who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade math
at Fossum says the iPads have changed both her teaching style and the way her students learn
Instead of mapping out the learning process step-by-step she now gives students their goal and lets them choose how to get there
ldquoWith this approach they own their learning and theyrsquove been more willing to learnrdquo Guerra says
The iPads have also been a game-changer for Guerrarsquos family
Her seventh-grade daughter is learning advanced science concepts because of independent iPad projects And because most of her childrenrsquos school materials are on their iPads itrsquos easier than ever for Guerra to check on their progress from home
That kind of scenario says Superintendent Ponce is at the heart of the initiative
ldquoThe entire school system and our community want to lead in this effort to build a 21st-century learning environmentrdquo he says ldquoThis is a direct investment in our children and their familiesrdquo
by Kathryn Royster
High-Tech Learningseventh-grade students use ipads to follow class lectures and take quizzes during a language arts class at michael e fossum middle school
PH
oT
o C
oU
RT
EST
Y o
F M
CA
LLE
N IN
DE
PE
ND
EN
T S
CH
oo
L D
IST
RIC
T
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
Higher Education
SOuTh TExaS COllEgE
McAllenrsquos South Texas College has more than 30000 students and offers numerous associate and bachelorrsquos degree programs as well as professional certifications in more than 40 areas The college also has online degree courses for students who work full time
liviNg EDUCATIoN
Set for SuccesscolleGe prep is a top priority in mcallen
Education in McAllen is defined by excellent options From elementary school through college McAllen includes numerous institutions designed to prepare students for success By Braxton Shoop
school yourself on more educational offerings at livabilitycommcallen
Public Schools
mCallEN iNdEPENdENT SChOOl diSTriCT
Established in 1915 the mcallen independent School district comprises three high schools seven middle schools and 20 elementary schools Among these schools the district offers an advanced placement college-level curriculum and a dual-enrollment program for students who would like to obtain high school and college credit simultaneously
In addition the district features an International Baccalaureate program that provides students with an advanced curriculum geared toward global standards
Local Inspiration
FOrmEr STudENT FliES high
one of McAllenrsquos successful students is astronaut michael Fossum a graduate of McAllen High School After receiving his commission from the US Air Force by Texas AampM University Fossum graduated Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base and in 1993 he started at NASA Throughout his NASA career Fossum was on crew for three spaceflights He commanded the space station during one of his flights helping him rank seventh on the all-time list for cumulative Extravehicular Activity time
Top-notch Learning Environmentuniversity of texas-pan american offers many undergraduate degrees more than 50 masterrsquos degrees and three doctoral degrees utpa has accreditations from organizations like the commission for collegiate nursing the examining board of nurse examiners for the state of texas and the engineering accreditation commission of the accreditation board for engineering and technology
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Charter School
idEa aCadEmy
idEa academy is an innovative institution that offers a fully scaled curriculum for students in kindergarten and in the first second and sixth grades The school which opened in McAllen in 2012 will eventually add more grades each one including approximately 110 students While the school is public students must apply to fill the 460 available spots
To prepare its students to be collegiate scholars IDEA provides International Baccalaureate curriculum as well as the Road to College curriculum which begins in the sixth grade
ldquoWersquore very proud of the connection to our distinguished alumni like NASA astronaut Michael Fossum and we want our students to recognize the kind of education we provide here What he learned here helped catapult him into space and wersquore very proud of thatrdquo
NOrma zamOra-guErra MCALLENINDEPENDENTSCHOOL
DISTRICTCOMMuNITYINFORMATIONDIRECTOR
Michael E Fossum Middle Schoolnamed for astronaut michael e fossum the school is part of the mcallen independent school district
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Please call 9566316109 for a representative today
2501 Buddy Owens Blvd McAllen TX 78504
9656316125 Fax
wwwrio-healthcom
RioHealth MedicalWe are here to meet all your
occupational medicine needs
bull Workplace injuries and workersrsquo compensation
bull On site and off site drug screening
bull Physicals
bull Orthopedics
bull Early return to work
bull 247 coverage
bull We accept all types of insurance
WorkplaceInjury
DANIEL J GUERRA MD Diplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
LEONEL G MORENO MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
HOMERO RIVAS MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
606 S Broadway bull McAllen TX bull (956) 682-4515 bull wwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
FAMILY PHYSICIANS
CLINICSince 1967
Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm Sat 8 am-Noon
VALLEY NIGHT CLINIC
Since 1981
Open Every Night of the Year 6 pm-Midnight
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valley supports children of all abilities through child care
services early intervention and parenting support programs
Early Childhood intErvEntion ChildCarE sErviCEs ParEnts as tEaChErs
Easter seals rio Grande valley Programs for Children Birth to Five years
bullChild-Care servicesndashHigh-qualitychildcare sixweekstofiveyears
bullParents as teachers (Pat)ndashDevelopmental parentingsupportforchildrenbirthtofiveyears
bullEarly Childhood intervention (ECi) ndashConcerns indevelopmentforchildrenbirthtothreeyears
For more information about Easter seals
programs and services call (956) 631-9171 or visit wwweasterseals-rgvorg
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
liviNg HEALTH
Take a Deep Breath and Relaxresidents haVe access to top hospitals
McAllen residents receive quality care from the South Texas Health System Rio Grande Regional Hospital and the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance By Kevin Litwin
Health System
SOuTh TExaS hEalTh SySTEm
South Texas health System is the umbrella organization for a number of fine medical facilities including mcallen medical Center MMC has 441 beds and a staff of more than 400 physicians that represent 50 medical specialties
Also part of South Texas Health System is mcallen heart hospital which opened in 1996 as the first freestanding cardiology and cardiovascular hospital built in the United States It includes 60 beds and a 24-hour emergency center
Healthgrades has awarded McAllen Medical Center and McAllen Heart Hospital with a variety of honors in recent years and both earned a Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence in 2011
Hospital
riO graNdE rEgiONal hOSPiTal
rio grande regional hospital is an acute care medical facility with 320 beds and more than 500 physicians The hospital is the only area Diabetes Management Center accredited by the American Diabetes Association and is the arearsquos first facility to have a Pediatric Heart Program
RGRH also includes a 24-hour emergency room Womenrsquos Services department Level III trauma center and cardiovascular care The hospital is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists and every year since 2007 has been named a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
Hospital
dOCTOrS hOSPiTal aT rENaiSSaNCE
The 506-bed doctors hospital at renaissance is an acute care facility It provides cardiology neurosurgery and endocrinology as well as a Pediatric Medical Tower that offers pediatric oncology and pediatric ICU services
Doctors Hospital has been ranked among the nationrsquos 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters and recently invested $32 million to establish an Electronic Medical Record System
DHR was the first in South Texas to acquire a PETCT scanner for diagnosing cancer and the first in the region to introduce da Vinci robotic surgical technology The hospital also oversees Renaissance Behavioral Center which provides treatment for people with mental health problems substance abuse or eating disorders
34 mc allen
COMMUNITyPROFILE COST OF liviNg
$44074Median Household Income
$129554Median Home Price
$689Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
TraNSPOrTaTiON
Median Travel Time to Work
agE
TEmPEraTurE
January Average
July Average
EThNiCiTy
19 and Under
20-54
55 and over
White
Black
Hispanic
other
1645minutes
Closest Airport McAllen International Airport
955deg
482deg
South Texasrsquo Finest Gift Store Offers Gifts From Around the World
4300 N 10th St bull Ste C bull McAllen TX 78504 (956) 686-1264 bull ohkaysaolcom
Look for us on Facebook
gOlF COurSES
gOlF TEC
2901 N 10TH ST956-994-9631
mCallEN COuNTry CluB615 WICHITA AVE956-686-0923
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
The national Butterfly Center the national butterfly center dedicates 100 acres to the conservation and scientific study of wild butterflies in their natural habitats the wildlife center is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm september through march and from 9 am until 4 pm april through august
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
liviNg SEE THE CITY
36 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
nEW LAkE OPEnS AT FIREMAnrsquoS PARk
Ahh howrefreshing
ldquoWe did all the required dredging to transform the little pond into a recreational lake that is 15 feet at its deepest pointrdquo says Sally Gavlik director of the McAllen Parks amp Recreation Department ldquoIn these days of more and more people opting to remain close to home for staycations Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park gives them a valid option for a different kind of local vacationrdquo
lET ThE FuN BEgiNTown Lake is situated right in the
middle of McAllen off Business Highway 83 between First and Second streets Swimming is prohibited due to park
irrigation regulations but a beach has been constructed to launch canoes kayaks and paddle boats A fishing pier is also in place
ldquoWe transferred fish to the lake from nearby Boeye Reservoir which has provided us with good stocks of bass perch and catfishrdquo Gavlik says ldquoTown Lake currently only has a catch-and-release program meaning you can catch fish but must release them back into the water At some point in the future when the fish population increases we plan to schedule times when people can take the fish homerdquo
The City of McAllen made a big splash in May 2012 when it officially opened Town Lake at Firemanrsquos Park What was once a small tract of land with a few basic
recreational amenities is now a 15-acre redevelopment that includes the four-acre Town Lake Crews used a water holding pond at the cityrsquos former water treatment facility to construct the new lake
14 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 15
TakE a hikEWalking and jogging are also good recreational
options around the waterrsquos perimeterldquoTown Lake actually ties into the well used Second
Street Trail People can come off the trail walk or jog along the lake and then get back onto the trailrdquo Gavlik says ldquoThe scenery includes wildflowers in a freshly seeded meadow while other park amenities are horseshoe pits two playgrounds and free picnic sites at the north end of Firemanrsquos Park at First Streetrdquo
There is also a covered pavilion area with sand volleyball courts a small concession building and three camping sites The campsites can be used during the day by anyone but only overnight by organized groups such as the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts Group reservations must be made through the McAllen Parks amp Recreation Department
ldquoAnother park attraction is the former water treatment building which has been transformed into a rental facilityrdquo Gavlik says ldquoIt is now called The Old Pump House complete with new windows air conditioning uplighting tiling and carpeted floors Groups of 75 to 100 people can rent the facility for meetings small receptions or small social events The Old Pump House adds to the overall amenities of todayrsquos Firemenrsquos Parkrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer Michael Conti
Fishinga group casts lines into town lake which enforces a catch-and-release program
WHackberryAve
TownLake
83
firemanrsquos park
N2
nd
Str
eet
16 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 17
children enjoy the playground at firemanrsquos park
16 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 17
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO LoCAL FLAVoR
Palate Pleasersmcallen restaurants serVe up flaVorful foods
McAllen diners rejoice The city has a broad selection of distinctive restaurants and eateries appealing to just about every taste By Barbara Biehler
Asian
SENSaTiONal SuShi amp SPiCE
McAllen has several great spots for Japanese food such as sushi tempura and teppanyaki including kohnami kumori and yokorsquos Sushi Bar
Fans of Thai food should check out Thai red Chilirsquos for dishes like pad thai red curry chicken and sweet rice with mango
Indian
TaNdOOri aNyONETaste of india hits the spot
for diners looking for high quality authentic Indian food made from old family recipes and paired with excellent service
Tex-Mex and Mexican
SOmE likE iT SPiCy
Step into las Cazuelas grill for classic Mexican cuisine or visit Palenque Chicken for expertly prepared Mexican and Tex Mex dishes
Renowned regionally for homemade tamales deliarsquos uses fresh ingredients including pork chicken and beef
The republic of rio grande serves Mexican cuisine in an intimate setting order a traditional dish like the chicken fajitas or enchiladas suizas or enjoy a distinctive entree such as shrimp chipotle pesto pasta or a brick-oven pizza
check out more restaurants in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
ldquoDeliarsquos has the best tamales in town Probably even in the RGV The only place you can get the good old homemade flavor of real tamalesrdquo
Evila l YELPCOM
Argentine
SOuTh amEriCaN CuiSiNE
Relax in the elegant yet casual atmosphere of la Pampa argentinean Steak housewhile you dine on classic Argentine- cut steaks grilled chicken breasts marinated in Chimichurri or traditional de carne empanadas
Meanwhile la recova also offers a wide selection of Argentine-style favorites on its menu Favorite dishes at La Recova includes chorizo tuna carnitas duck confit and churrasco a classic top sirloin steak
Outdoor Dining
TrENdy amp TaSTy
If yoursquore in the mood for a USDA prime steak or succulent seafood drop by The Patio on guerra Dine on the outdoor patio and have a bottle of one of the restaurantrsquos award-winning wines
FridarsquosGrillandCantina located on 17th street offers traditional mexican favorites with modern flavors Go to fridarsquos to enjoy unique culinary dishes signature drinks and live music on the weekends
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO ARTS amp CULTURE
Rave Reviewsmcallenrsquos arts scene remains robust With museums music and eVents
Arts patrons music lovers and history buffs enjoy many cultural attractions throughout McAllen The latest buzz McAllen Performing Arts Center will spring up near the McAllen Convention Center giving fans of live music theater and dance a fine new facility to anticipate
Live Entertainment
PErFOrmErS TakE ThE STagE
The 17th Street Entertainment district in downtown McAllen overflows with lounges restaurants and clubs For live music visit The old Ice House or Cine El Rey
The cityrsquos diverse culture is what influences much of the music performed by the valley Symphony Orchestra amp Chorale The Symphony was established in 1952 with the Chorale joining later in 1984 Similarly the South Texas lyric Opera brings the fine art of opera to the Rio Grande Valley with a yearly slate of productions and an annual opera gala and rio grande valley Broadway brings popular stage shows to town such as Disneyrsquos Beauty and the Beast and Monty Pythonrsquos Spamalot
Historic Sites
TakE a STEP BaCk iN TimE
The museum of South Texas history and the mcallen heritage Center are just two locations to learn about the rich history of this bicultural area
Quinta mazatlan a 1930s hacienda that embodies the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture of arches adobe and beams and provides an intimate look into South Texas history The 10000-square- foot mansion sits on a 15-acre plot hosting a mix of native and exotic plants and wildlife making up McAllenrsquos wing of the popular world Birding Center
Cine El Reyopened in 1947 the historic cine el rey theater now functions as
a music and performance venue showcasing a variety of live events and also shows spanish and english independent films the theater is located in downtown mcallenrsquos 17th street entertainment district
20 mc allen
ldquoCine El Rey hosts events as diverse as wrestling live bands films and comedy shows A huge stage is complimented by killer production value and a staff that really cares about all aspects of the experience Irsquom looking forward to a return triprdquo
Bill dykES YELP
visual Arts and Festivals
aCCESSiBlE arT FuN EvENTS
The international museum of art amp Science founded in 1969 promotes an appreciation for the arts and sciences through its exhibitions cultural events and many educational programs imaS is located at 1900 Nolana Ave
The mcallen art walk is a self-guided tour that gives art lovers the opportunity to explore the many art offerings in the city Itrsquos held every first Friday from September through May and is free and open to the public
on the first Saturday night of December folks enjoy the Candlelight Posada which includes food booths luminaries a parade live entertainment caroling and a live nativity scene
Chamber of Commerce Support
ChamBEr BaCkS ThE arTS
The mcallen Chamber of Commerce shows its love for the arts by managing the mcallen arts Council which publishes a quarterly magazine produces an annual fine arts exhibition and offers grants to local artists The Chamber also offers an outdoor concert series and coordinates the Public art Committeersquos acquisition program
20 mc allen
ThiNgS TO dO SPoRTS amp RECREATIoN
Soak Up Some Sunmcallen residents haVe plenty of Good reasons to Get outdoors
Great golf courses hiking and biking trails and a large well-maintained park system make McAllen the perfect place to enjoy outdoor fun By Carson OrsquoShoney
Golf
TEE iT uPWith nearly 20 courses in the
McAllen area golf is a popular attraction in the Rio Grande Valley
one of the most notable courses is the Palm view golf Course an 18-hole public course with a private feel With rolling fairways and Bermuda rough mounds the course is an often-used location for tournaments having hosted LPGA tournaments and Palm viewrsquos amateur golf Championship
mcallen Country Club provides a challenge with tree-lined fairways and small greens and also offers a swimming pool tennis courts a fitness center and other amenities
Every golf course in the area is bustling especially in the winter when ldquoWinter Texansrdquo come to the Rio Grande Valley The weather generally stays in the 70s in the coldest months making it a perfect place for winter golfing
Hiking Biking and Racing
ON ThE mOvE iN mCallEN
There are plenty of hiking and biking trails on the east and west sides of town such as the retama village Park Trail westside Park Trail and las Palmas Park Trail Visiting cyclists are welcome to meet up with Team mcallen Cycling a bike club thatrsquos been in the city for more than 25 years
Racing fans can enjoy the mcallen international motorplex and Event Center which hosts stock car races car shows and more The racetrack is a family-friendly place offering activities for children such as games face painting and crafts
Palm view Golf Courseirish cochran plays a round of golf at palm View Golf course an 18-hole public course often used for high profile tournaments
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
City Parks
OuTdOOr Family FuN
The mcallen Parks and recreation department currently oversees 25 city parks Ranging from historic parks established in the early 1900s to more modern facilities there are several options suitable for the whole family
archer Park McAllenrsquos oldest park opened in 1912 Serving as a historic landmark in the city it also plays host to many of the cityrsquos annual special events including the Candlelight Posada and movies in the Park
Spanning 38 acres Springfest Park is the largest park in McAllen Springfest hosts a variety of special events and is home to mcallenrsquos winter Polo league from January through March
check out more fun things to do in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
Spray and Ground Parkbesides its popular water feature mcallenrsquos new SprayandGroundParkhas a sand volleyball court skateboard area a half basketball court and just over half a mile of walking trails in addition there are athletic practice fields shaded areas picnic shelters and restroom facilities
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
ThiNgS TO dO SEE THE CITY
24 mc allen
The Irrigation Workerthe sun sets behind a sculpture ldquothe irrigation Workerrdquo which was created by artist douglas clark and is located on nolana and 25th
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
l iVabil it ycommc allen 25
LIvINGHERESchools health care education and neighborhoods in McAllen
26 mc allen 26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 26 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 27
see more beautiful photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
Luxury Livingnewcomers have many beautiful home options in mcallen such as those offered in eight different communities by cantu construction a locally based award-winning builder
26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 liVabil it ycommc allen 27
liviNg
TECH TOOLS FOSTER STUDEnT SUCCESS
Padding theCurriculum
McAllen Independent School District (ISD) is feeling the benefits of an ambitious technology plan that places an iPod or iPad in the hands of every teacher and student
mcallen independent school district students use system-issued ipads in class
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
EduCaTiNg FOr ThE 21ST CENTury
The initiative began with a meeting between Dr James Ponce McAllenrsquos superintendent of schools and a ldquocadrerdquo of about 35 teachers administrators and parents
The grouprsquos primary goal was to build a 21st-century classroom environment one that fosters creativity collaboration and entrepreneurship The group also wanted to find a way to harness the 247 educational potential of the Internet ndash and teach students the critical-thinking skills needed to process online content
ldquoItrsquos an environment where the teachers become the primary learners and the students are driven by their examplerdquo Ponce says ldquoSo we asked what tools we would need for this transformation of the way we teach and the way the kids learnrdquo
After much research the group chose iPods (for grades K-2) and iPads (for teachers and grades 3-12) because of their portability
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo
CarOl aNN allEN LANGuAGEARTSTEACHER
ATMICHAELEFOSSuMMIDDLESCHOOL
relatively low cost and ease of use To implement the planrsquos first stage McAllen ISD issued 5800 of these devices to teachers and students when the rollout is complete it will cover more than 25000 students
Big BENEFiTS FOr TEaChErS aNd STudENTS
Both teachers and students are seeing benefits from the program
ldquoThe iPods help the kids be creative My students are organizing information in new waysrdquo says Ruth Whiddon who teaches first grade at Andrew Jackson Elementary School
For Carol Ann Allen International Baccalaureate coordinator and eighth-grade language arts teacher at Michael E Fossum Middle School the initiative is all about collaboration
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo she says
Sandra Guerra who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade math
at Fossum says the iPads have changed both her teaching style and the way her students learn
Instead of mapping out the learning process step-by-step she now gives students their goal and lets them choose how to get there
ldquoWith this approach they own their learning and theyrsquove been more willing to learnrdquo Guerra says
The iPads have also been a game-changer for Guerrarsquos family
Her seventh-grade daughter is learning advanced science concepts because of independent iPad projects And because most of her childrenrsquos school materials are on their iPads itrsquos easier than ever for Guerra to check on their progress from home
That kind of scenario says Superintendent Ponce is at the heart of the initiative
ldquoThe entire school system and our community want to lead in this effort to build a 21st-century learning environmentrdquo he says ldquoThis is a direct investment in our children and their familiesrdquo
by Kathryn Royster
High-Tech Learningseventh-grade students use ipads to follow class lectures and take quizzes during a language arts class at michael e fossum middle school
PH
oT
o C
oU
RT
EST
Y o
F M
CA
LLE
N IN
DE
PE
ND
EN
T S
CH
oo
L D
IST
RIC
T
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
Higher Education
SOuTh TExaS COllEgE
McAllenrsquos South Texas College has more than 30000 students and offers numerous associate and bachelorrsquos degree programs as well as professional certifications in more than 40 areas The college also has online degree courses for students who work full time
liviNg EDUCATIoN
Set for SuccesscolleGe prep is a top priority in mcallen
Education in McAllen is defined by excellent options From elementary school through college McAllen includes numerous institutions designed to prepare students for success By Braxton Shoop
school yourself on more educational offerings at livabilitycommcallen
Public Schools
mCallEN iNdEPENdENT SChOOl diSTriCT
Established in 1915 the mcallen independent School district comprises three high schools seven middle schools and 20 elementary schools Among these schools the district offers an advanced placement college-level curriculum and a dual-enrollment program for students who would like to obtain high school and college credit simultaneously
In addition the district features an International Baccalaureate program that provides students with an advanced curriculum geared toward global standards
Local Inspiration
FOrmEr STudENT FliES high
one of McAllenrsquos successful students is astronaut michael Fossum a graduate of McAllen High School After receiving his commission from the US Air Force by Texas AampM University Fossum graduated Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base and in 1993 he started at NASA Throughout his NASA career Fossum was on crew for three spaceflights He commanded the space station during one of his flights helping him rank seventh on the all-time list for cumulative Extravehicular Activity time
Top-notch Learning Environmentuniversity of texas-pan american offers many undergraduate degrees more than 50 masterrsquos degrees and three doctoral degrees utpa has accreditations from organizations like the commission for collegiate nursing the examining board of nurse examiners for the state of texas and the engineering accreditation commission of the accreditation board for engineering and technology
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Charter School
idEa aCadEmy
idEa academy is an innovative institution that offers a fully scaled curriculum for students in kindergarten and in the first second and sixth grades The school which opened in McAllen in 2012 will eventually add more grades each one including approximately 110 students While the school is public students must apply to fill the 460 available spots
To prepare its students to be collegiate scholars IDEA provides International Baccalaureate curriculum as well as the Road to College curriculum which begins in the sixth grade
ldquoWersquore very proud of the connection to our distinguished alumni like NASA astronaut Michael Fossum and we want our students to recognize the kind of education we provide here What he learned here helped catapult him into space and wersquore very proud of thatrdquo
NOrma zamOra-guErra MCALLENINDEPENDENTSCHOOL
DISTRICTCOMMuNITYINFORMATIONDIRECTOR
Michael E Fossum Middle Schoolnamed for astronaut michael e fossum the school is part of the mcallen independent school district
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Please call 9566316109 for a representative today
2501 Buddy Owens Blvd McAllen TX 78504
9656316125 Fax
wwwrio-healthcom
RioHealth MedicalWe are here to meet all your
occupational medicine needs
bull Workplace injuries and workersrsquo compensation
bull On site and off site drug screening
bull Physicals
bull Orthopedics
bull Early return to work
bull 247 coverage
bull We accept all types of insurance
WorkplaceInjury
DANIEL J GUERRA MD Diplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
LEONEL G MORENO MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
HOMERO RIVAS MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
606 S Broadway bull McAllen TX bull (956) 682-4515 bull wwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
FAMILY PHYSICIANS
CLINICSince 1967
Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm Sat 8 am-Noon
VALLEY NIGHT CLINIC
Since 1981
Open Every Night of the Year 6 pm-Midnight
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valley supports children of all abilities through child care
services early intervention and parenting support programs
Early Childhood intErvEntion ChildCarE sErviCEs ParEnts as tEaChErs
Easter seals rio Grande valley Programs for Children Birth to Five years
bullChild-Care servicesndashHigh-qualitychildcare sixweekstofiveyears
bullParents as teachers (Pat)ndashDevelopmental parentingsupportforchildrenbirthtofiveyears
bullEarly Childhood intervention (ECi) ndashConcerns indevelopmentforchildrenbirthtothreeyears
For more information about Easter seals
programs and services call (956) 631-9171 or visit wwweasterseals-rgvorg
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
liviNg HEALTH
Take a Deep Breath and Relaxresidents haVe access to top hospitals
McAllen residents receive quality care from the South Texas Health System Rio Grande Regional Hospital and the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance By Kevin Litwin
Health System
SOuTh TExaS hEalTh SySTEm
South Texas health System is the umbrella organization for a number of fine medical facilities including mcallen medical Center MMC has 441 beds and a staff of more than 400 physicians that represent 50 medical specialties
Also part of South Texas Health System is mcallen heart hospital which opened in 1996 as the first freestanding cardiology and cardiovascular hospital built in the United States It includes 60 beds and a 24-hour emergency center
Healthgrades has awarded McAllen Medical Center and McAllen Heart Hospital with a variety of honors in recent years and both earned a Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence in 2011
Hospital
riO graNdE rEgiONal hOSPiTal
rio grande regional hospital is an acute care medical facility with 320 beds and more than 500 physicians The hospital is the only area Diabetes Management Center accredited by the American Diabetes Association and is the arearsquos first facility to have a Pediatric Heart Program
RGRH also includes a 24-hour emergency room Womenrsquos Services department Level III trauma center and cardiovascular care The hospital is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists and every year since 2007 has been named a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
Hospital
dOCTOrS hOSPiTal aT rENaiSSaNCE
The 506-bed doctors hospital at renaissance is an acute care facility It provides cardiology neurosurgery and endocrinology as well as a Pediatric Medical Tower that offers pediatric oncology and pediatric ICU services
Doctors Hospital has been ranked among the nationrsquos 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters and recently invested $32 million to establish an Electronic Medical Record System
DHR was the first in South Texas to acquire a PETCT scanner for diagnosing cancer and the first in the region to introduce da Vinci robotic surgical technology The hospital also oversees Renaissance Behavioral Center which provides treatment for people with mental health problems substance abuse or eating disorders
34 mc allen
COMMUNITyPROFILE COST OF liviNg
$44074Median Household Income
$129554Median Home Price
$689Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
TraNSPOrTaTiON
Median Travel Time to Work
agE
TEmPEraTurE
January Average
July Average
EThNiCiTy
19 and Under
20-54
55 and over
White
Black
Hispanic
other
1645minutes
Closest Airport McAllen International Airport
955deg
482deg
South Texasrsquo Finest Gift Store Offers Gifts From Around the World
4300 N 10th St bull Ste C bull McAllen TX 78504 (956) 686-1264 bull ohkaysaolcom
Look for us on Facebook
gOlF COurSES
gOlF TEC
2901 N 10TH ST956-994-9631
mCallEN COuNTry CluB615 WICHITA AVE956-686-0923
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
The national Butterfly Center the national butterfly center dedicates 100 acres to the conservation and scientific study of wild butterflies in their natural habitats the wildlife center is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm september through march and from 9 am until 4 pm april through august
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
liviNg SEE THE CITY
36 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
TakE a hikEWalking and jogging are also good recreational
options around the waterrsquos perimeterldquoTown Lake actually ties into the well used Second
Street Trail People can come off the trail walk or jog along the lake and then get back onto the trailrdquo Gavlik says ldquoThe scenery includes wildflowers in a freshly seeded meadow while other park amenities are horseshoe pits two playgrounds and free picnic sites at the north end of Firemanrsquos Park at First Streetrdquo
There is also a covered pavilion area with sand volleyball courts a small concession building and three camping sites The campsites can be used during the day by anyone but only overnight by organized groups such as the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts Group reservations must be made through the McAllen Parks amp Recreation Department
ldquoAnother park attraction is the former water treatment building which has been transformed into a rental facilityrdquo Gavlik says ldquoIt is now called The Old Pump House complete with new windows air conditioning uplighting tiling and carpeted floors Groups of 75 to 100 people can rent the facility for meetings small receptions or small social events The Old Pump House adds to the overall amenities of todayrsquos Firemenrsquos Parkrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer Michael Conti
Fishinga group casts lines into town lake which enforces a catch-and-release program
WHackberryAve
TownLake
83
firemanrsquos park
N2
nd
Str
eet
16 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 17
children enjoy the playground at firemanrsquos park
16 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 17
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO LoCAL FLAVoR
Palate Pleasersmcallen restaurants serVe up flaVorful foods
McAllen diners rejoice The city has a broad selection of distinctive restaurants and eateries appealing to just about every taste By Barbara Biehler
Asian
SENSaTiONal SuShi amp SPiCE
McAllen has several great spots for Japanese food such as sushi tempura and teppanyaki including kohnami kumori and yokorsquos Sushi Bar
Fans of Thai food should check out Thai red Chilirsquos for dishes like pad thai red curry chicken and sweet rice with mango
Indian
TaNdOOri aNyONETaste of india hits the spot
for diners looking for high quality authentic Indian food made from old family recipes and paired with excellent service
Tex-Mex and Mexican
SOmE likE iT SPiCy
Step into las Cazuelas grill for classic Mexican cuisine or visit Palenque Chicken for expertly prepared Mexican and Tex Mex dishes
Renowned regionally for homemade tamales deliarsquos uses fresh ingredients including pork chicken and beef
The republic of rio grande serves Mexican cuisine in an intimate setting order a traditional dish like the chicken fajitas or enchiladas suizas or enjoy a distinctive entree such as shrimp chipotle pesto pasta or a brick-oven pizza
check out more restaurants in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
ldquoDeliarsquos has the best tamales in town Probably even in the RGV The only place you can get the good old homemade flavor of real tamalesrdquo
Evila l YELPCOM
Argentine
SOuTh amEriCaN CuiSiNE
Relax in the elegant yet casual atmosphere of la Pampa argentinean Steak housewhile you dine on classic Argentine- cut steaks grilled chicken breasts marinated in Chimichurri or traditional de carne empanadas
Meanwhile la recova also offers a wide selection of Argentine-style favorites on its menu Favorite dishes at La Recova includes chorizo tuna carnitas duck confit and churrasco a classic top sirloin steak
Outdoor Dining
TrENdy amp TaSTy
If yoursquore in the mood for a USDA prime steak or succulent seafood drop by The Patio on guerra Dine on the outdoor patio and have a bottle of one of the restaurantrsquos award-winning wines
FridarsquosGrillandCantina located on 17th street offers traditional mexican favorites with modern flavors Go to fridarsquos to enjoy unique culinary dishes signature drinks and live music on the weekends
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO ARTS amp CULTURE
Rave Reviewsmcallenrsquos arts scene remains robust With museums music and eVents
Arts patrons music lovers and history buffs enjoy many cultural attractions throughout McAllen The latest buzz McAllen Performing Arts Center will spring up near the McAllen Convention Center giving fans of live music theater and dance a fine new facility to anticipate
Live Entertainment
PErFOrmErS TakE ThE STagE
The 17th Street Entertainment district in downtown McAllen overflows with lounges restaurants and clubs For live music visit The old Ice House or Cine El Rey
The cityrsquos diverse culture is what influences much of the music performed by the valley Symphony Orchestra amp Chorale The Symphony was established in 1952 with the Chorale joining later in 1984 Similarly the South Texas lyric Opera brings the fine art of opera to the Rio Grande Valley with a yearly slate of productions and an annual opera gala and rio grande valley Broadway brings popular stage shows to town such as Disneyrsquos Beauty and the Beast and Monty Pythonrsquos Spamalot
Historic Sites
TakE a STEP BaCk iN TimE
The museum of South Texas history and the mcallen heritage Center are just two locations to learn about the rich history of this bicultural area
Quinta mazatlan a 1930s hacienda that embodies the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture of arches adobe and beams and provides an intimate look into South Texas history The 10000-square- foot mansion sits on a 15-acre plot hosting a mix of native and exotic plants and wildlife making up McAllenrsquos wing of the popular world Birding Center
Cine El Reyopened in 1947 the historic cine el rey theater now functions as
a music and performance venue showcasing a variety of live events and also shows spanish and english independent films the theater is located in downtown mcallenrsquos 17th street entertainment district
20 mc allen
ldquoCine El Rey hosts events as diverse as wrestling live bands films and comedy shows A huge stage is complimented by killer production value and a staff that really cares about all aspects of the experience Irsquom looking forward to a return triprdquo
Bill dykES YELP
visual Arts and Festivals
aCCESSiBlE arT FuN EvENTS
The international museum of art amp Science founded in 1969 promotes an appreciation for the arts and sciences through its exhibitions cultural events and many educational programs imaS is located at 1900 Nolana Ave
The mcallen art walk is a self-guided tour that gives art lovers the opportunity to explore the many art offerings in the city Itrsquos held every first Friday from September through May and is free and open to the public
on the first Saturday night of December folks enjoy the Candlelight Posada which includes food booths luminaries a parade live entertainment caroling and a live nativity scene
Chamber of Commerce Support
ChamBEr BaCkS ThE arTS
The mcallen Chamber of Commerce shows its love for the arts by managing the mcallen arts Council which publishes a quarterly magazine produces an annual fine arts exhibition and offers grants to local artists The Chamber also offers an outdoor concert series and coordinates the Public art Committeersquos acquisition program
20 mc allen
ThiNgS TO dO SPoRTS amp RECREATIoN
Soak Up Some Sunmcallen residents haVe plenty of Good reasons to Get outdoors
Great golf courses hiking and biking trails and a large well-maintained park system make McAllen the perfect place to enjoy outdoor fun By Carson OrsquoShoney
Golf
TEE iT uPWith nearly 20 courses in the
McAllen area golf is a popular attraction in the Rio Grande Valley
one of the most notable courses is the Palm view golf Course an 18-hole public course with a private feel With rolling fairways and Bermuda rough mounds the course is an often-used location for tournaments having hosted LPGA tournaments and Palm viewrsquos amateur golf Championship
mcallen Country Club provides a challenge with tree-lined fairways and small greens and also offers a swimming pool tennis courts a fitness center and other amenities
Every golf course in the area is bustling especially in the winter when ldquoWinter Texansrdquo come to the Rio Grande Valley The weather generally stays in the 70s in the coldest months making it a perfect place for winter golfing
Hiking Biking and Racing
ON ThE mOvE iN mCallEN
There are plenty of hiking and biking trails on the east and west sides of town such as the retama village Park Trail westside Park Trail and las Palmas Park Trail Visiting cyclists are welcome to meet up with Team mcallen Cycling a bike club thatrsquos been in the city for more than 25 years
Racing fans can enjoy the mcallen international motorplex and Event Center which hosts stock car races car shows and more The racetrack is a family-friendly place offering activities for children such as games face painting and crafts
Palm view Golf Courseirish cochran plays a round of golf at palm View Golf course an 18-hole public course often used for high profile tournaments
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
City Parks
OuTdOOr Family FuN
The mcallen Parks and recreation department currently oversees 25 city parks Ranging from historic parks established in the early 1900s to more modern facilities there are several options suitable for the whole family
archer Park McAllenrsquos oldest park opened in 1912 Serving as a historic landmark in the city it also plays host to many of the cityrsquos annual special events including the Candlelight Posada and movies in the Park
Spanning 38 acres Springfest Park is the largest park in McAllen Springfest hosts a variety of special events and is home to mcallenrsquos winter Polo league from January through March
check out more fun things to do in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
Spray and Ground Parkbesides its popular water feature mcallenrsquos new SprayandGroundParkhas a sand volleyball court skateboard area a half basketball court and just over half a mile of walking trails in addition there are athletic practice fields shaded areas picnic shelters and restroom facilities
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
ThiNgS TO dO SEE THE CITY
24 mc allen
The Irrigation Workerthe sun sets behind a sculpture ldquothe irrigation Workerrdquo which was created by artist douglas clark and is located on nolana and 25th
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
l iVabil it ycommc allen 25
LIvINGHERESchools health care education and neighborhoods in McAllen
26 mc allen 26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 26 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 27
see more beautiful photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
Luxury Livingnewcomers have many beautiful home options in mcallen such as those offered in eight different communities by cantu construction a locally based award-winning builder
26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 liVabil it ycommc allen 27
liviNg
TECH TOOLS FOSTER STUDEnT SUCCESS
Padding theCurriculum
McAllen Independent School District (ISD) is feeling the benefits of an ambitious technology plan that places an iPod or iPad in the hands of every teacher and student
mcallen independent school district students use system-issued ipads in class
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
EduCaTiNg FOr ThE 21ST CENTury
The initiative began with a meeting between Dr James Ponce McAllenrsquos superintendent of schools and a ldquocadrerdquo of about 35 teachers administrators and parents
The grouprsquos primary goal was to build a 21st-century classroom environment one that fosters creativity collaboration and entrepreneurship The group also wanted to find a way to harness the 247 educational potential of the Internet ndash and teach students the critical-thinking skills needed to process online content
ldquoItrsquos an environment where the teachers become the primary learners and the students are driven by their examplerdquo Ponce says ldquoSo we asked what tools we would need for this transformation of the way we teach and the way the kids learnrdquo
After much research the group chose iPods (for grades K-2) and iPads (for teachers and grades 3-12) because of their portability
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo
CarOl aNN allEN LANGuAGEARTSTEACHER
ATMICHAELEFOSSuMMIDDLESCHOOL
relatively low cost and ease of use To implement the planrsquos first stage McAllen ISD issued 5800 of these devices to teachers and students when the rollout is complete it will cover more than 25000 students
Big BENEFiTS FOr TEaChErS aNd STudENTS
Both teachers and students are seeing benefits from the program
ldquoThe iPods help the kids be creative My students are organizing information in new waysrdquo says Ruth Whiddon who teaches first grade at Andrew Jackson Elementary School
For Carol Ann Allen International Baccalaureate coordinator and eighth-grade language arts teacher at Michael E Fossum Middle School the initiative is all about collaboration
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo she says
Sandra Guerra who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade math
at Fossum says the iPads have changed both her teaching style and the way her students learn
Instead of mapping out the learning process step-by-step she now gives students their goal and lets them choose how to get there
ldquoWith this approach they own their learning and theyrsquove been more willing to learnrdquo Guerra says
The iPads have also been a game-changer for Guerrarsquos family
Her seventh-grade daughter is learning advanced science concepts because of independent iPad projects And because most of her childrenrsquos school materials are on their iPads itrsquos easier than ever for Guerra to check on their progress from home
That kind of scenario says Superintendent Ponce is at the heart of the initiative
ldquoThe entire school system and our community want to lead in this effort to build a 21st-century learning environmentrdquo he says ldquoThis is a direct investment in our children and their familiesrdquo
by Kathryn Royster
High-Tech Learningseventh-grade students use ipads to follow class lectures and take quizzes during a language arts class at michael e fossum middle school
PH
oT
o C
oU
RT
EST
Y o
F M
CA
LLE
N IN
DE
PE
ND
EN
T S
CH
oo
L D
IST
RIC
T
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
Higher Education
SOuTh TExaS COllEgE
McAllenrsquos South Texas College has more than 30000 students and offers numerous associate and bachelorrsquos degree programs as well as professional certifications in more than 40 areas The college also has online degree courses for students who work full time
liviNg EDUCATIoN
Set for SuccesscolleGe prep is a top priority in mcallen
Education in McAllen is defined by excellent options From elementary school through college McAllen includes numerous institutions designed to prepare students for success By Braxton Shoop
school yourself on more educational offerings at livabilitycommcallen
Public Schools
mCallEN iNdEPENdENT SChOOl diSTriCT
Established in 1915 the mcallen independent School district comprises three high schools seven middle schools and 20 elementary schools Among these schools the district offers an advanced placement college-level curriculum and a dual-enrollment program for students who would like to obtain high school and college credit simultaneously
In addition the district features an International Baccalaureate program that provides students with an advanced curriculum geared toward global standards
Local Inspiration
FOrmEr STudENT FliES high
one of McAllenrsquos successful students is astronaut michael Fossum a graduate of McAllen High School After receiving his commission from the US Air Force by Texas AampM University Fossum graduated Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base and in 1993 he started at NASA Throughout his NASA career Fossum was on crew for three spaceflights He commanded the space station during one of his flights helping him rank seventh on the all-time list for cumulative Extravehicular Activity time
Top-notch Learning Environmentuniversity of texas-pan american offers many undergraduate degrees more than 50 masterrsquos degrees and three doctoral degrees utpa has accreditations from organizations like the commission for collegiate nursing the examining board of nurse examiners for the state of texas and the engineering accreditation commission of the accreditation board for engineering and technology
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Charter School
idEa aCadEmy
idEa academy is an innovative institution that offers a fully scaled curriculum for students in kindergarten and in the first second and sixth grades The school which opened in McAllen in 2012 will eventually add more grades each one including approximately 110 students While the school is public students must apply to fill the 460 available spots
To prepare its students to be collegiate scholars IDEA provides International Baccalaureate curriculum as well as the Road to College curriculum which begins in the sixth grade
ldquoWersquore very proud of the connection to our distinguished alumni like NASA astronaut Michael Fossum and we want our students to recognize the kind of education we provide here What he learned here helped catapult him into space and wersquore very proud of thatrdquo
NOrma zamOra-guErra MCALLENINDEPENDENTSCHOOL
DISTRICTCOMMuNITYINFORMATIONDIRECTOR
Michael E Fossum Middle Schoolnamed for astronaut michael e fossum the school is part of the mcallen independent school district
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Please call 9566316109 for a representative today
2501 Buddy Owens Blvd McAllen TX 78504
9656316125 Fax
wwwrio-healthcom
RioHealth MedicalWe are here to meet all your
occupational medicine needs
bull Workplace injuries and workersrsquo compensation
bull On site and off site drug screening
bull Physicals
bull Orthopedics
bull Early return to work
bull 247 coverage
bull We accept all types of insurance
WorkplaceInjury
DANIEL J GUERRA MD Diplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
LEONEL G MORENO MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
HOMERO RIVAS MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
606 S Broadway bull McAllen TX bull (956) 682-4515 bull wwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
FAMILY PHYSICIANS
CLINICSince 1967
Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm Sat 8 am-Noon
VALLEY NIGHT CLINIC
Since 1981
Open Every Night of the Year 6 pm-Midnight
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valley supports children of all abilities through child care
services early intervention and parenting support programs
Early Childhood intErvEntion ChildCarE sErviCEs ParEnts as tEaChErs
Easter seals rio Grande valley Programs for Children Birth to Five years
bullChild-Care servicesndashHigh-qualitychildcare sixweekstofiveyears
bullParents as teachers (Pat)ndashDevelopmental parentingsupportforchildrenbirthtofiveyears
bullEarly Childhood intervention (ECi) ndashConcerns indevelopmentforchildrenbirthtothreeyears
For more information about Easter seals
programs and services call (956) 631-9171 or visit wwweasterseals-rgvorg
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
liviNg HEALTH
Take a Deep Breath and Relaxresidents haVe access to top hospitals
McAllen residents receive quality care from the South Texas Health System Rio Grande Regional Hospital and the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance By Kevin Litwin
Health System
SOuTh TExaS hEalTh SySTEm
South Texas health System is the umbrella organization for a number of fine medical facilities including mcallen medical Center MMC has 441 beds and a staff of more than 400 physicians that represent 50 medical specialties
Also part of South Texas Health System is mcallen heart hospital which opened in 1996 as the first freestanding cardiology and cardiovascular hospital built in the United States It includes 60 beds and a 24-hour emergency center
Healthgrades has awarded McAllen Medical Center and McAllen Heart Hospital with a variety of honors in recent years and both earned a Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence in 2011
Hospital
riO graNdE rEgiONal hOSPiTal
rio grande regional hospital is an acute care medical facility with 320 beds and more than 500 physicians The hospital is the only area Diabetes Management Center accredited by the American Diabetes Association and is the arearsquos first facility to have a Pediatric Heart Program
RGRH also includes a 24-hour emergency room Womenrsquos Services department Level III trauma center and cardiovascular care The hospital is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists and every year since 2007 has been named a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
Hospital
dOCTOrS hOSPiTal aT rENaiSSaNCE
The 506-bed doctors hospital at renaissance is an acute care facility It provides cardiology neurosurgery and endocrinology as well as a Pediatric Medical Tower that offers pediatric oncology and pediatric ICU services
Doctors Hospital has been ranked among the nationrsquos 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters and recently invested $32 million to establish an Electronic Medical Record System
DHR was the first in South Texas to acquire a PETCT scanner for diagnosing cancer and the first in the region to introduce da Vinci robotic surgical technology The hospital also oversees Renaissance Behavioral Center which provides treatment for people with mental health problems substance abuse or eating disorders
34 mc allen
COMMUNITyPROFILE COST OF liviNg
$44074Median Household Income
$129554Median Home Price
$689Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
TraNSPOrTaTiON
Median Travel Time to Work
agE
TEmPEraTurE
January Average
July Average
EThNiCiTy
19 and Under
20-54
55 and over
White
Black
Hispanic
other
1645minutes
Closest Airport McAllen International Airport
955deg
482deg
South Texasrsquo Finest Gift Store Offers Gifts From Around the World
4300 N 10th St bull Ste C bull McAllen TX 78504 (956) 686-1264 bull ohkaysaolcom
Look for us on Facebook
gOlF COurSES
gOlF TEC
2901 N 10TH ST956-994-9631
mCallEN COuNTry CluB615 WICHITA AVE956-686-0923
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
The national Butterfly Center the national butterfly center dedicates 100 acres to the conservation and scientific study of wild butterflies in their natural habitats the wildlife center is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm september through march and from 9 am until 4 pm april through august
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
liviNg SEE THE CITY
36 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
children enjoy the playground at firemanrsquos park
16 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 17
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO LoCAL FLAVoR
Palate Pleasersmcallen restaurants serVe up flaVorful foods
McAllen diners rejoice The city has a broad selection of distinctive restaurants and eateries appealing to just about every taste By Barbara Biehler
Asian
SENSaTiONal SuShi amp SPiCE
McAllen has several great spots for Japanese food such as sushi tempura and teppanyaki including kohnami kumori and yokorsquos Sushi Bar
Fans of Thai food should check out Thai red Chilirsquos for dishes like pad thai red curry chicken and sweet rice with mango
Indian
TaNdOOri aNyONETaste of india hits the spot
for diners looking for high quality authentic Indian food made from old family recipes and paired with excellent service
Tex-Mex and Mexican
SOmE likE iT SPiCy
Step into las Cazuelas grill for classic Mexican cuisine or visit Palenque Chicken for expertly prepared Mexican and Tex Mex dishes
Renowned regionally for homemade tamales deliarsquos uses fresh ingredients including pork chicken and beef
The republic of rio grande serves Mexican cuisine in an intimate setting order a traditional dish like the chicken fajitas or enchiladas suizas or enjoy a distinctive entree such as shrimp chipotle pesto pasta or a brick-oven pizza
check out more restaurants in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
ldquoDeliarsquos has the best tamales in town Probably even in the RGV The only place you can get the good old homemade flavor of real tamalesrdquo
Evila l YELPCOM
Argentine
SOuTh amEriCaN CuiSiNE
Relax in the elegant yet casual atmosphere of la Pampa argentinean Steak housewhile you dine on classic Argentine- cut steaks grilled chicken breasts marinated in Chimichurri or traditional de carne empanadas
Meanwhile la recova also offers a wide selection of Argentine-style favorites on its menu Favorite dishes at La Recova includes chorizo tuna carnitas duck confit and churrasco a classic top sirloin steak
Outdoor Dining
TrENdy amp TaSTy
If yoursquore in the mood for a USDA prime steak or succulent seafood drop by The Patio on guerra Dine on the outdoor patio and have a bottle of one of the restaurantrsquos award-winning wines
FridarsquosGrillandCantina located on 17th street offers traditional mexican favorites with modern flavors Go to fridarsquos to enjoy unique culinary dishes signature drinks and live music on the weekends
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO ARTS amp CULTURE
Rave Reviewsmcallenrsquos arts scene remains robust With museums music and eVents
Arts patrons music lovers and history buffs enjoy many cultural attractions throughout McAllen The latest buzz McAllen Performing Arts Center will spring up near the McAllen Convention Center giving fans of live music theater and dance a fine new facility to anticipate
Live Entertainment
PErFOrmErS TakE ThE STagE
The 17th Street Entertainment district in downtown McAllen overflows with lounges restaurants and clubs For live music visit The old Ice House or Cine El Rey
The cityrsquos diverse culture is what influences much of the music performed by the valley Symphony Orchestra amp Chorale The Symphony was established in 1952 with the Chorale joining later in 1984 Similarly the South Texas lyric Opera brings the fine art of opera to the Rio Grande Valley with a yearly slate of productions and an annual opera gala and rio grande valley Broadway brings popular stage shows to town such as Disneyrsquos Beauty and the Beast and Monty Pythonrsquos Spamalot
Historic Sites
TakE a STEP BaCk iN TimE
The museum of South Texas history and the mcallen heritage Center are just two locations to learn about the rich history of this bicultural area
Quinta mazatlan a 1930s hacienda that embodies the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture of arches adobe and beams and provides an intimate look into South Texas history The 10000-square- foot mansion sits on a 15-acre plot hosting a mix of native and exotic plants and wildlife making up McAllenrsquos wing of the popular world Birding Center
Cine El Reyopened in 1947 the historic cine el rey theater now functions as
a music and performance venue showcasing a variety of live events and also shows spanish and english independent films the theater is located in downtown mcallenrsquos 17th street entertainment district
20 mc allen
ldquoCine El Rey hosts events as diverse as wrestling live bands films and comedy shows A huge stage is complimented by killer production value and a staff that really cares about all aspects of the experience Irsquom looking forward to a return triprdquo
Bill dykES YELP
visual Arts and Festivals
aCCESSiBlE arT FuN EvENTS
The international museum of art amp Science founded in 1969 promotes an appreciation for the arts and sciences through its exhibitions cultural events and many educational programs imaS is located at 1900 Nolana Ave
The mcallen art walk is a self-guided tour that gives art lovers the opportunity to explore the many art offerings in the city Itrsquos held every first Friday from September through May and is free and open to the public
on the first Saturday night of December folks enjoy the Candlelight Posada which includes food booths luminaries a parade live entertainment caroling and a live nativity scene
Chamber of Commerce Support
ChamBEr BaCkS ThE arTS
The mcallen Chamber of Commerce shows its love for the arts by managing the mcallen arts Council which publishes a quarterly magazine produces an annual fine arts exhibition and offers grants to local artists The Chamber also offers an outdoor concert series and coordinates the Public art Committeersquos acquisition program
20 mc allen
ThiNgS TO dO SPoRTS amp RECREATIoN
Soak Up Some Sunmcallen residents haVe plenty of Good reasons to Get outdoors
Great golf courses hiking and biking trails and a large well-maintained park system make McAllen the perfect place to enjoy outdoor fun By Carson OrsquoShoney
Golf
TEE iT uPWith nearly 20 courses in the
McAllen area golf is a popular attraction in the Rio Grande Valley
one of the most notable courses is the Palm view golf Course an 18-hole public course with a private feel With rolling fairways and Bermuda rough mounds the course is an often-used location for tournaments having hosted LPGA tournaments and Palm viewrsquos amateur golf Championship
mcallen Country Club provides a challenge with tree-lined fairways and small greens and also offers a swimming pool tennis courts a fitness center and other amenities
Every golf course in the area is bustling especially in the winter when ldquoWinter Texansrdquo come to the Rio Grande Valley The weather generally stays in the 70s in the coldest months making it a perfect place for winter golfing
Hiking Biking and Racing
ON ThE mOvE iN mCallEN
There are plenty of hiking and biking trails on the east and west sides of town such as the retama village Park Trail westside Park Trail and las Palmas Park Trail Visiting cyclists are welcome to meet up with Team mcallen Cycling a bike club thatrsquos been in the city for more than 25 years
Racing fans can enjoy the mcallen international motorplex and Event Center which hosts stock car races car shows and more The racetrack is a family-friendly place offering activities for children such as games face painting and crafts
Palm view Golf Courseirish cochran plays a round of golf at palm View Golf course an 18-hole public course often used for high profile tournaments
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
City Parks
OuTdOOr Family FuN
The mcallen Parks and recreation department currently oversees 25 city parks Ranging from historic parks established in the early 1900s to more modern facilities there are several options suitable for the whole family
archer Park McAllenrsquos oldest park opened in 1912 Serving as a historic landmark in the city it also plays host to many of the cityrsquos annual special events including the Candlelight Posada and movies in the Park
Spanning 38 acres Springfest Park is the largest park in McAllen Springfest hosts a variety of special events and is home to mcallenrsquos winter Polo league from January through March
check out more fun things to do in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
Spray and Ground Parkbesides its popular water feature mcallenrsquos new SprayandGroundParkhas a sand volleyball court skateboard area a half basketball court and just over half a mile of walking trails in addition there are athletic practice fields shaded areas picnic shelters and restroom facilities
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
ThiNgS TO dO SEE THE CITY
24 mc allen
The Irrigation Workerthe sun sets behind a sculpture ldquothe irrigation Workerrdquo which was created by artist douglas clark and is located on nolana and 25th
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
l iVabil it ycommc allen 25
LIvINGHERESchools health care education and neighborhoods in McAllen
26 mc allen 26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 26 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 27
see more beautiful photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
Luxury Livingnewcomers have many beautiful home options in mcallen such as those offered in eight different communities by cantu construction a locally based award-winning builder
26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 liVabil it ycommc allen 27
liviNg
TECH TOOLS FOSTER STUDEnT SUCCESS
Padding theCurriculum
McAllen Independent School District (ISD) is feeling the benefits of an ambitious technology plan that places an iPod or iPad in the hands of every teacher and student
mcallen independent school district students use system-issued ipads in class
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
EduCaTiNg FOr ThE 21ST CENTury
The initiative began with a meeting between Dr James Ponce McAllenrsquos superintendent of schools and a ldquocadrerdquo of about 35 teachers administrators and parents
The grouprsquos primary goal was to build a 21st-century classroom environment one that fosters creativity collaboration and entrepreneurship The group also wanted to find a way to harness the 247 educational potential of the Internet ndash and teach students the critical-thinking skills needed to process online content
ldquoItrsquos an environment where the teachers become the primary learners and the students are driven by their examplerdquo Ponce says ldquoSo we asked what tools we would need for this transformation of the way we teach and the way the kids learnrdquo
After much research the group chose iPods (for grades K-2) and iPads (for teachers and grades 3-12) because of their portability
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo
CarOl aNN allEN LANGuAGEARTSTEACHER
ATMICHAELEFOSSuMMIDDLESCHOOL
relatively low cost and ease of use To implement the planrsquos first stage McAllen ISD issued 5800 of these devices to teachers and students when the rollout is complete it will cover more than 25000 students
Big BENEFiTS FOr TEaChErS aNd STudENTS
Both teachers and students are seeing benefits from the program
ldquoThe iPods help the kids be creative My students are organizing information in new waysrdquo says Ruth Whiddon who teaches first grade at Andrew Jackson Elementary School
For Carol Ann Allen International Baccalaureate coordinator and eighth-grade language arts teacher at Michael E Fossum Middle School the initiative is all about collaboration
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo she says
Sandra Guerra who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade math
at Fossum says the iPads have changed both her teaching style and the way her students learn
Instead of mapping out the learning process step-by-step she now gives students their goal and lets them choose how to get there
ldquoWith this approach they own their learning and theyrsquove been more willing to learnrdquo Guerra says
The iPads have also been a game-changer for Guerrarsquos family
Her seventh-grade daughter is learning advanced science concepts because of independent iPad projects And because most of her childrenrsquos school materials are on their iPads itrsquos easier than ever for Guerra to check on their progress from home
That kind of scenario says Superintendent Ponce is at the heart of the initiative
ldquoThe entire school system and our community want to lead in this effort to build a 21st-century learning environmentrdquo he says ldquoThis is a direct investment in our children and their familiesrdquo
by Kathryn Royster
High-Tech Learningseventh-grade students use ipads to follow class lectures and take quizzes during a language arts class at michael e fossum middle school
PH
oT
o C
oU
RT
EST
Y o
F M
CA
LLE
N IN
DE
PE
ND
EN
T S
CH
oo
L D
IST
RIC
T
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
Higher Education
SOuTh TExaS COllEgE
McAllenrsquos South Texas College has more than 30000 students and offers numerous associate and bachelorrsquos degree programs as well as professional certifications in more than 40 areas The college also has online degree courses for students who work full time
liviNg EDUCATIoN
Set for SuccesscolleGe prep is a top priority in mcallen
Education in McAllen is defined by excellent options From elementary school through college McAllen includes numerous institutions designed to prepare students for success By Braxton Shoop
school yourself on more educational offerings at livabilitycommcallen
Public Schools
mCallEN iNdEPENdENT SChOOl diSTriCT
Established in 1915 the mcallen independent School district comprises three high schools seven middle schools and 20 elementary schools Among these schools the district offers an advanced placement college-level curriculum and a dual-enrollment program for students who would like to obtain high school and college credit simultaneously
In addition the district features an International Baccalaureate program that provides students with an advanced curriculum geared toward global standards
Local Inspiration
FOrmEr STudENT FliES high
one of McAllenrsquos successful students is astronaut michael Fossum a graduate of McAllen High School After receiving his commission from the US Air Force by Texas AampM University Fossum graduated Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base and in 1993 he started at NASA Throughout his NASA career Fossum was on crew for three spaceflights He commanded the space station during one of his flights helping him rank seventh on the all-time list for cumulative Extravehicular Activity time
Top-notch Learning Environmentuniversity of texas-pan american offers many undergraduate degrees more than 50 masterrsquos degrees and three doctoral degrees utpa has accreditations from organizations like the commission for collegiate nursing the examining board of nurse examiners for the state of texas and the engineering accreditation commission of the accreditation board for engineering and technology
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Charter School
idEa aCadEmy
idEa academy is an innovative institution that offers a fully scaled curriculum for students in kindergarten and in the first second and sixth grades The school which opened in McAllen in 2012 will eventually add more grades each one including approximately 110 students While the school is public students must apply to fill the 460 available spots
To prepare its students to be collegiate scholars IDEA provides International Baccalaureate curriculum as well as the Road to College curriculum which begins in the sixth grade
ldquoWersquore very proud of the connection to our distinguished alumni like NASA astronaut Michael Fossum and we want our students to recognize the kind of education we provide here What he learned here helped catapult him into space and wersquore very proud of thatrdquo
NOrma zamOra-guErra MCALLENINDEPENDENTSCHOOL
DISTRICTCOMMuNITYINFORMATIONDIRECTOR
Michael E Fossum Middle Schoolnamed for astronaut michael e fossum the school is part of the mcallen independent school district
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Please call 9566316109 for a representative today
2501 Buddy Owens Blvd McAllen TX 78504
9656316125 Fax
wwwrio-healthcom
RioHealth MedicalWe are here to meet all your
occupational medicine needs
bull Workplace injuries and workersrsquo compensation
bull On site and off site drug screening
bull Physicals
bull Orthopedics
bull Early return to work
bull 247 coverage
bull We accept all types of insurance
WorkplaceInjury
DANIEL J GUERRA MD Diplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
LEONEL G MORENO MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
HOMERO RIVAS MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
606 S Broadway bull McAllen TX bull (956) 682-4515 bull wwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
FAMILY PHYSICIANS
CLINICSince 1967
Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm Sat 8 am-Noon
VALLEY NIGHT CLINIC
Since 1981
Open Every Night of the Year 6 pm-Midnight
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valley supports children of all abilities through child care
services early intervention and parenting support programs
Early Childhood intErvEntion ChildCarE sErviCEs ParEnts as tEaChErs
Easter seals rio Grande valley Programs for Children Birth to Five years
bullChild-Care servicesndashHigh-qualitychildcare sixweekstofiveyears
bullParents as teachers (Pat)ndashDevelopmental parentingsupportforchildrenbirthtofiveyears
bullEarly Childhood intervention (ECi) ndashConcerns indevelopmentforchildrenbirthtothreeyears
For more information about Easter seals
programs and services call (956) 631-9171 or visit wwweasterseals-rgvorg
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
liviNg HEALTH
Take a Deep Breath and Relaxresidents haVe access to top hospitals
McAllen residents receive quality care from the South Texas Health System Rio Grande Regional Hospital and the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance By Kevin Litwin
Health System
SOuTh TExaS hEalTh SySTEm
South Texas health System is the umbrella organization for a number of fine medical facilities including mcallen medical Center MMC has 441 beds and a staff of more than 400 physicians that represent 50 medical specialties
Also part of South Texas Health System is mcallen heart hospital which opened in 1996 as the first freestanding cardiology and cardiovascular hospital built in the United States It includes 60 beds and a 24-hour emergency center
Healthgrades has awarded McAllen Medical Center and McAllen Heart Hospital with a variety of honors in recent years and both earned a Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence in 2011
Hospital
riO graNdE rEgiONal hOSPiTal
rio grande regional hospital is an acute care medical facility with 320 beds and more than 500 physicians The hospital is the only area Diabetes Management Center accredited by the American Diabetes Association and is the arearsquos first facility to have a Pediatric Heart Program
RGRH also includes a 24-hour emergency room Womenrsquos Services department Level III trauma center and cardiovascular care The hospital is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists and every year since 2007 has been named a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
Hospital
dOCTOrS hOSPiTal aT rENaiSSaNCE
The 506-bed doctors hospital at renaissance is an acute care facility It provides cardiology neurosurgery and endocrinology as well as a Pediatric Medical Tower that offers pediatric oncology and pediatric ICU services
Doctors Hospital has been ranked among the nationrsquos 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters and recently invested $32 million to establish an Electronic Medical Record System
DHR was the first in South Texas to acquire a PETCT scanner for diagnosing cancer and the first in the region to introduce da Vinci robotic surgical technology The hospital also oversees Renaissance Behavioral Center which provides treatment for people with mental health problems substance abuse or eating disorders
34 mc allen
COMMUNITyPROFILE COST OF liviNg
$44074Median Household Income
$129554Median Home Price
$689Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
TraNSPOrTaTiON
Median Travel Time to Work
agE
TEmPEraTurE
January Average
July Average
EThNiCiTy
19 and Under
20-54
55 and over
White
Black
Hispanic
other
1645minutes
Closest Airport McAllen International Airport
955deg
482deg
South Texasrsquo Finest Gift Store Offers Gifts From Around the World
4300 N 10th St bull Ste C bull McAllen TX 78504 (956) 686-1264 bull ohkaysaolcom
Look for us on Facebook
gOlF COurSES
gOlF TEC
2901 N 10TH ST956-994-9631
mCallEN COuNTry CluB615 WICHITA AVE956-686-0923
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
The national Butterfly Center the national butterfly center dedicates 100 acres to the conservation and scientific study of wild butterflies in their natural habitats the wildlife center is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm september through march and from 9 am until 4 pm april through august
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
liviNg SEE THE CITY
36 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO LoCAL FLAVoR
Palate Pleasersmcallen restaurants serVe up flaVorful foods
McAllen diners rejoice The city has a broad selection of distinctive restaurants and eateries appealing to just about every taste By Barbara Biehler
Asian
SENSaTiONal SuShi amp SPiCE
McAllen has several great spots for Japanese food such as sushi tempura and teppanyaki including kohnami kumori and yokorsquos Sushi Bar
Fans of Thai food should check out Thai red Chilirsquos for dishes like pad thai red curry chicken and sweet rice with mango
Indian
TaNdOOri aNyONETaste of india hits the spot
for diners looking for high quality authentic Indian food made from old family recipes and paired with excellent service
Tex-Mex and Mexican
SOmE likE iT SPiCy
Step into las Cazuelas grill for classic Mexican cuisine or visit Palenque Chicken for expertly prepared Mexican and Tex Mex dishes
Renowned regionally for homemade tamales deliarsquos uses fresh ingredients including pork chicken and beef
The republic of rio grande serves Mexican cuisine in an intimate setting order a traditional dish like the chicken fajitas or enchiladas suizas or enjoy a distinctive entree such as shrimp chipotle pesto pasta or a brick-oven pizza
check out more restaurants in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
ldquoDeliarsquos has the best tamales in town Probably even in the RGV The only place you can get the good old homemade flavor of real tamalesrdquo
Evila l YELPCOM
Argentine
SOuTh amEriCaN CuiSiNE
Relax in the elegant yet casual atmosphere of la Pampa argentinean Steak housewhile you dine on classic Argentine- cut steaks grilled chicken breasts marinated in Chimichurri or traditional de carne empanadas
Meanwhile la recova also offers a wide selection of Argentine-style favorites on its menu Favorite dishes at La Recova includes chorizo tuna carnitas duck confit and churrasco a classic top sirloin steak
Outdoor Dining
TrENdy amp TaSTy
If yoursquore in the mood for a USDA prime steak or succulent seafood drop by The Patio on guerra Dine on the outdoor patio and have a bottle of one of the restaurantrsquos award-winning wines
FridarsquosGrillandCantina located on 17th street offers traditional mexican favorites with modern flavors Go to fridarsquos to enjoy unique culinary dishes signature drinks and live music on the weekends
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO ARTS amp CULTURE
Rave Reviewsmcallenrsquos arts scene remains robust With museums music and eVents
Arts patrons music lovers and history buffs enjoy many cultural attractions throughout McAllen The latest buzz McAllen Performing Arts Center will spring up near the McAllen Convention Center giving fans of live music theater and dance a fine new facility to anticipate
Live Entertainment
PErFOrmErS TakE ThE STagE
The 17th Street Entertainment district in downtown McAllen overflows with lounges restaurants and clubs For live music visit The old Ice House or Cine El Rey
The cityrsquos diverse culture is what influences much of the music performed by the valley Symphony Orchestra amp Chorale The Symphony was established in 1952 with the Chorale joining later in 1984 Similarly the South Texas lyric Opera brings the fine art of opera to the Rio Grande Valley with a yearly slate of productions and an annual opera gala and rio grande valley Broadway brings popular stage shows to town such as Disneyrsquos Beauty and the Beast and Monty Pythonrsquos Spamalot
Historic Sites
TakE a STEP BaCk iN TimE
The museum of South Texas history and the mcallen heritage Center are just two locations to learn about the rich history of this bicultural area
Quinta mazatlan a 1930s hacienda that embodies the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture of arches adobe and beams and provides an intimate look into South Texas history The 10000-square- foot mansion sits on a 15-acre plot hosting a mix of native and exotic plants and wildlife making up McAllenrsquos wing of the popular world Birding Center
Cine El Reyopened in 1947 the historic cine el rey theater now functions as
a music and performance venue showcasing a variety of live events and also shows spanish and english independent films the theater is located in downtown mcallenrsquos 17th street entertainment district
20 mc allen
ldquoCine El Rey hosts events as diverse as wrestling live bands films and comedy shows A huge stage is complimented by killer production value and a staff that really cares about all aspects of the experience Irsquom looking forward to a return triprdquo
Bill dykES YELP
visual Arts and Festivals
aCCESSiBlE arT FuN EvENTS
The international museum of art amp Science founded in 1969 promotes an appreciation for the arts and sciences through its exhibitions cultural events and many educational programs imaS is located at 1900 Nolana Ave
The mcallen art walk is a self-guided tour that gives art lovers the opportunity to explore the many art offerings in the city Itrsquos held every first Friday from September through May and is free and open to the public
on the first Saturday night of December folks enjoy the Candlelight Posada which includes food booths luminaries a parade live entertainment caroling and a live nativity scene
Chamber of Commerce Support
ChamBEr BaCkS ThE arTS
The mcallen Chamber of Commerce shows its love for the arts by managing the mcallen arts Council which publishes a quarterly magazine produces an annual fine arts exhibition and offers grants to local artists The Chamber also offers an outdoor concert series and coordinates the Public art Committeersquos acquisition program
20 mc allen
ThiNgS TO dO SPoRTS amp RECREATIoN
Soak Up Some Sunmcallen residents haVe plenty of Good reasons to Get outdoors
Great golf courses hiking and biking trails and a large well-maintained park system make McAllen the perfect place to enjoy outdoor fun By Carson OrsquoShoney
Golf
TEE iT uPWith nearly 20 courses in the
McAllen area golf is a popular attraction in the Rio Grande Valley
one of the most notable courses is the Palm view golf Course an 18-hole public course with a private feel With rolling fairways and Bermuda rough mounds the course is an often-used location for tournaments having hosted LPGA tournaments and Palm viewrsquos amateur golf Championship
mcallen Country Club provides a challenge with tree-lined fairways and small greens and also offers a swimming pool tennis courts a fitness center and other amenities
Every golf course in the area is bustling especially in the winter when ldquoWinter Texansrdquo come to the Rio Grande Valley The weather generally stays in the 70s in the coldest months making it a perfect place for winter golfing
Hiking Biking and Racing
ON ThE mOvE iN mCallEN
There are plenty of hiking and biking trails on the east and west sides of town such as the retama village Park Trail westside Park Trail and las Palmas Park Trail Visiting cyclists are welcome to meet up with Team mcallen Cycling a bike club thatrsquos been in the city for more than 25 years
Racing fans can enjoy the mcallen international motorplex and Event Center which hosts stock car races car shows and more The racetrack is a family-friendly place offering activities for children such as games face painting and crafts
Palm view Golf Courseirish cochran plays a round of golf at palm View Golf course an 18-hole public course often used for high profile tournaments
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
City Parks
OuTdOOr Family FuN
The mcallen Parks and recreation department currently oversees 25 city parks Ranging from historic parks established in the early 1900s to more modern facilities there are several options suitable for the whole family
archer Park McAllenrsquos oldest park opened in 1912 Serving as a historic landmark in the city it also plays host to many of the cityrsquos annual special events including the Candlelight Posada and movies in the Park
Spanning 38 acres Springfest Park is the largest park in McAllen Springfest hosts a variety of special events and is home to mcallenrsquos winter Polo league from January through March
check out more fun things to do in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
Spray and Ground Parkbesides its popular water feature mcallenrsquos new SprayandGroundParkhas a sand volleyball court skateboard area a half basketball court and just over half a mile of walking trails in addition there are athletic practice fields shaded areas picnic shelters and restroom facilities
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
ThiNgS TO dO SEE THE CITY
24 mc allen
The Irrigation Workerthe sun sets behind a sculpture ldquothe irrigation Workerrdquo which was created by artist douglas clark and is located on nolana and 25th
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
l iVabil it ycommc allen 25
LIvINGHERESchools health care education and neighborhoods in McAllen
26 mc allen 26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 26 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 27
see more beautiful photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
Luxury Livingnewcomers have many beautiful home options in mcallen such as those offered in eight different communities by cantu construction a locally based award-winning builder
26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 liVabil it ycommc allen 27
liviNg
TECH TOOLS FOSTER STUDEnT SUCCESS
Padding theCurriculum
McAllen Independent School District (ISD) is feeling the benefits of an ambitious technology plan that places an iPod or iPad in the hands of every teacher and student
mcallen independent school district students use system-issued ipads in class
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
EduCaTiNg FOr ThE 21ST CENTury
The initiative began with a meeting between Dr James Ponce McAllenrsquos superintendent of schools and a ldquocadrerdquo of about 35 teachers administrators and parents
The grouprsquos primary goal was to build a 21st-century classroom environment one that fosters creativity collaboration and entrepreneurship The group also wanted to find a way to harness the 247 educational potential of the Internet ndash and teach students the critical-thinking skills needed to process online content
ldquoItrsquos an environment where the teachers become the primary learners and the students are driven by their examplerdquo Ponce says ldquoSo we asked what tools we would need for this transformation of the way we teach and the way the kids learnrdquo
After much research the group chose iPods (for grades K-2) and iPads (for teachers and grades 3-12) because of their portability
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo
CarOl aNN allEN LANGuAGEARTSTEACHER
ATMICHAELEFOSSuMMIDDLESCHOOL
relatively low cost and ease of use To implement the planrsquos first stage McAllen ISD issued 5800 of these devices to teachers and students when the rollout is complete it will cover more than 25000 students
Big BENEFiTS FOr TEaChErS aNd STudENTS
Both teachers and students are seeing benefits from the program
ldquoThe iPods help the kids be creative My students are organizing information in new waysrdquo says Ruth Whiddon who teaches first grade at Andrew Jackson Elementary School
For Carol Ann Allen International Baccalaureate coordinator and eighth-grade language arts teacher at Michael E Fossum Middle School the initiative is all about collaboration
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo she says
Sandra Guerra who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade math
at Fossum says the iPads have changed both her teaching style and the way her students learn
Instead of mapping out the learning process step-by-step she now gives students their goal and lets them choose how to get there
ldquoWith this approach they own their learning and theyrsquove been more willing to learnrdquo Guerra says
The iPads have also been a game-changer for Guerrarsquos family
Her seventh-grade daughter is learning advanced science concepts because of independent iPad projects And because most of her childrenrsquos school materials are on their iPads itrsquos easier than ever for Guerra to check on their progress from home
That kind of scenario says Superintendent Ponce is at the heart of the initiative
ldquoThe entire school system and our community want to lead in this effort to build a 21st-century learning environmentrdquo he says ldquoThis is a direct investment in our children and their familiesrdquo
by Kathryn Royster
High-Tech Learningseventh-grade students use ipads to follow class lectures and take quizzes during a language arts class at michael e fossum middle school
PH
oT
o C
oU
RT
EST
Y o
F M
CA
LLE
N IN
DE
PE
ND
EN
T S
CH
oo
L D
IST
RIC
T
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
Higher Education
SOuTh TExaS COllEgE
McAllenrsquos South Texas College has more than 30000 students and offers numerous associate and bachelorrsquos degree programs as well as professional certifications in more than 40 areas The college also has online degree courses for students who work full time
liviNg EDUCATIoN
Set for SuccesscolleGe prep is a top priority in mcallen
Education in McAllen is defined by excellent options From elementary school through college McAllen includes numerous institutions designed to prepare students for success By Braxton Shoop
school yourself on more educational offerings at livabilitycommcallen
Public Schools
mCallEN iNdEPENdENT SChOOl diSTriCT
Established in 1915 the mcallen independent School district comprises three high schools seven middle schools and 20 elementary schools Among these schools the district offers an advanced placement college-level curriculum and a dual-enrollment program for students who would like to obtain high school and college credit simultaneously
In addition the district features an International Baccalaureate program that provides students with an advanced curriculum geared toward global standards
Local Inspiration
FOrmEr STudENT FliES high
one of McAllenrsquos successful students is astronaut michael Fossum a graduate of McAllen High School After receiving his commission from the US Air Force by Texas AampM University Fossum graduated Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base and in 1993 he started at NASA Throughout his NASA career Fossum was on crew for three spaceflights He commanded the space station during one of his flights helping him rank seventh on the all-time list for cumulative Extravehicular Activity time
Top-notch Learning Environmentuniversity of texas-pan american offers many undergraduate degrees more than 50 masterrsquos degrees and three doctoral degrees utpa has accreditations from organizations like the commission for collegiate nursing the examining board of nurse examiners for the state of texas and the engineering accreditation commission of the accreditation board for engineering and technology
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Charter School
idEa aCadEmy
idEa academy is an innovative institution that offers a fully scaled curriculum for students in kindergarten and in the first second and sixth grades The school which opened in McAllen in 2012 will eventually add more grades each one including approximately 110 students While the school is public students must apply to fill the 460 available spots
To prepare its students to be collegiate scholars IDEA provides International Baccalaureate curriculum as well as the Road to College curriculum which begins in the sixth grade
ldquoWersquore very proud of the connection to our distinguished alumni like NASA astronaut Michael Fossum and we want our students to recognize the kind of education we provide here What he learned here helped catapult him into space and wersquore very proud of thatrdquo
NOrma zamOra-guErra MCALLENINDEPENDENTSCHOOL
DISTRICTCOMMuNITYINFORMATIONDIRECTOR
Michael E Fossum Middle Schoolnamed for astronaut michael e fossum the school is part of the mcallen independent school district
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Please call 9566316109 for a representative today
2501 Buddy Owens Blvd McAllen TX 78504
9656316125 Fax
wwwrio-healthcom
RioHealth MedicalWe are here to meet all your
occupational medicine needs
bull Workplace injuries and workersrsquo compensation
bull On site and off site drug screening
bull Physicals
bull Orthopedics
bull Early return to work
bull 247 coverage
bull We accept all types of insurance
WorkplaceInjury
DANIEL J GUERRA MD Diplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
LEONEL G MORENO MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
HOMERO RIVAS MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
606 S Broadway bull McAllen TX bull (956) 682-4515 bull wwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
FAMILY PHYSICIANS
CLINICSince 1967
Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm Sat 8 am-Noon
VALLEY NIGHT CLINIC
Since 1981
Open Every Night of the Year 6 pm-Midnight
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valley supports children of all abilities through child care
services early intervention and parenting support programs
Early Childhood intErvEntion ChildCarE sErviCEs ParEnts as tEaChErs
Easter seals rio Grande valley Programs for Children Birth to Five years
bullChild-Care servicesndashHigh-qualitychildcare sixweekstofiveyears
bullParents as teachers (Pat)ndashDevelopmental parentingsupportforchildrenbirthtofiveyears
bullEarly Childhood intervention (ECi) ndashConcerns indevelopmentforchildrenbirthtothreeyears
For more information about Easter seals
programs and services call (956) 631-9171 or visit wwweasterseals-rgvorg
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
liviNg HEALTH
Take a Deep Breath and Relaxresidents haVe access to top hospitals
McAllen residents receive quality care from the South Texas Health System Rio Grande Regional Hospital and the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance By Kevin Litwin
Health System
SOuTh TExaS hEalTh SySTEm
South Texas health System is the umbrella organization for a number of fine medical facilities including mcallen medical Center MMC has 441 beds and a staff of more than 400 physicians that represent 50 medical specialties
Also part of South Texas Health System is mcallen heart hospital which opened in 1996 as the first freestanding cardiology and cardiovascular hospital built in the United States It includes 60 beds and a 24-hour emergency center
Healthgrades has awarded McAllen Medical Center and McAllen Heart Hospital with a variety of honors in recent years and both earned a Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence in 2011
Hospital
riO graNdE rEgiONal hOSPiTal
rio grande regional hospital is an acute care medical facility with 320 beds and more than 500 physicians The hospital is the only area Diabetes Management Center accredited by the American Diabetes Association and is the arearsquos first facility to have a Pediatric Heart Program
RGRH also includes a 24-hour emergency room Womenrsquos Services department Level III trauma center and cardiovascular care The hospital is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists and every year since 2007 has been named a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
Hospital
dOCTOrS hOSPiTal aT rENaiSSaNCE
The 506-bed doctors hospital at renaissance is an acute care facility It provides cardiology neurosurgery and endocrinology as well as a Pediatric Medical Tower that offers pediatric oncology and pediatric ICU services
Doctors Hospital has been ranked among the nationrsquos 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters and recently invested $32 million to establish an Electronic Medical Record System
DHR was the first in South Texas to acquire a PETCT scanner for diagnosing cancer and the first in the region to introduce da Vinci robotic surgical technology The hospital also oversees Renaissance Behavioral Center which provides treatment for people with mental health problems substance abuse or eating disorders
34 mc allen
COMMUNITyPROFILE COST OF liviNg
$44074Median Household Income
$129554Median Home Price
$689Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
TraNSPOrTaTiON
Median Travel Time to Work
agE
TEmPEraTurE
January Average
July Average
EThNiCiTy
19 and Under
20-54
55 and over
White
Black
Hispanic
other
1645minutes
Closest Airport McAllen International Airport
955deg
482deg
South Texasrsquo Finest Gift Store Offers Gifts From Around the World
4300 N 10th St bull Ste C bull McAllen TX 78504 (956) 686-1264 bull ohkaysaolcom
Look for us on Facebook
gOlF COurSES
gOlF TEC
2901 N 10TH ST956-994-9631
mCallEN COuNTry CluB615 WICHITA AVE956-686-0923
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
The national Butterfly Center the national butterfly center dedicates 100 acres to the conservation and scientific study of wild butterflies in their natural habitats the wildlife center is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm september through march and from 9 am until 4 pm april through august
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
liviNg SEE THE CITY
36 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
ThiNgS TO dO LoCAL FLAVoR
Palate Pleasersmcallen restaurants serVe up flaVorful foods
McAllen diners rejoice The city has a broad selection of distinctive restaurants and eateries appealing to just about every taste By Barbara Biehler
Asian
SENSaTiONal SuShi amp SPiCE
McAllen has several great spots for Japanese food such as sushi tempura and teppanyaki including kohnami kumori and yokorsquos Sushi Bar
Fans of Thai food should check out Thai red Chilirsquos for dishes like pad thai red curry chicken and sweet rice with mango
Indian
TaNdOOri aNyONETaste of india hits the spot
for diners looking for high quality authentic Indian food made from old family recipes and paired with excellent service
Tex-Mex and Mexican
SOmE likE iT SPiCy
Step into las Cazuelas grill for classic Mexican cuisine or visit Palenque Chicken for expertly prepared Mexican and Tex Mex dishes
Renowned regionally for homemade tamales deliarsquos uses fresh ingredients including pork chicken and beef
The republic of rio grande serves Mexican cuisine in an intimate setting order a traditional dish like the chicken fajitas or enchiladas suizas or enjoy a distinctive entree such as shrimp chipotle pesto pasta or a brick-oven pizza
check out more restaurants in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
ldquoDeliarsquos has the best tamales in town Probably even in the RGV The only place you can get the good old homemade flavor of real tamalesrdquo
Evila l YELPCOM
Argentine
SOuTh amEriCaN CuiSiNE
Relax in the elegant yet casual atmosphere of la Pampa argentinean Steak housewhile you dine on classic Argentine- cut steaks grilled chicken breasts marinated in Chimichurri or traditional de carne empanadas
Meanwhile la recova also offers a wide selection of Argentine-style favorites on its menu Favorite dishes at La Recova includes chorizo tuna carnitas duck confit and churrasco a classic top sirloin steak
Outdoor Dining
TrENdy amp TaSTy
If yoursquore in the mood for a USDA prime steak or succulent seafood drop by The Patio on guerra Dine on the outdoor patio and have a bottle of one of the restaurantrsquos award-winning wines
FridarsquosGrillandCantina located on 17th street offers traditional mexican favorites with modern flavors Go to fridarsquos to enjoy unique culinary dishes signature drinks and live music on the weekends
l iVabil it ycommc allen 19
ThiNgS TO dO ARTS amp CULTURE
Rave Reviewsmcallenrsquos arts scene remains robust With museums music and eVents
Arts patrons music lovers and history buffs enjoy many cultural attractions throughout McAllen The latest buzz McAllen Performing Arts Center will spring up near the McAllen Convention Center giving fans of live music theater and dance a fine new facility to anticipate
Live Entertainment
PErFOrmErS TakE ThE STagE
The 17th Street Entertainment district in downtown McAllen overflows with lounges restaurants and clubs For live music visit The old Ice House or Cine El Rey
The cityrsquos diverse culture is what influences much of the music performed by the valley Symphony Orchestra amp Chorale The Symphony was established in 1952 with the Chorale joining later in 1984 Similarly the South Texas lyric Opera brings the fine art of opera to the Rio Grande Valley with a yearly slate of productions and an annual opera gala and rio grande valley Broadway brings popular stage shows to town such as Disneyrsquos Beauty and the Beast and Monty Pythonrsquos Spamalot
Historic Sites
TakE a STEP BaCk iN TimE
The museum of South Texas history and the mcallen heritage Center are just two locations to learn about the rich history of this bicultural area
Quinta mazatlan a 1930s hacienda that embodies the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture of arches adobe and beams and provides an intimate look into South Texas history The 10000-square- foot mansion sits on a 15-acre plot hosting a mix of native and exotic plants and wildlife making up McAllenrsquos wing of the popular world Birding Center
Cine El Reyopened in 1947 the historic cine el rey theater now functions as
a music and performance venue showcasing a variety of live events and also shows spanish and english independent films the theater is located in downtown mcallenrsquos 17th street entertainment district
20 mc allen
ldquoCine El Rey hosts events as diverse as wrestling live bands films and comedy shows A huge stage is complimented by killer production value and a staff that really cares about all aspects of the experience Irsquom looking forward to a return triprdquo
Bill dykES YELP
visual Arts and Festivals
aCCESSiBlE arT FuN EvENTS
The international museum of art amp Science founded in 1969 promotes an appreciation for the arts and sciences through its exhibitions cultural events and many educational programs imaS is located at 1900 Nolana Ave
The mcallen art walk is a self-guided tour that gives art lovers the opportunity to explore the many art offerings in the city Itrsquos held every first Friday from September through May and is free and open to the public
on the first Saturday night of December folks enjoy the Candlelight Posada which includes food booths luminaries a parade live entertainment caroling and a live nativity scene
Chamber of Commerce Support
ChamBEr BaCkS ThE arTS
The mcallen Chamber of Commerce shows its love for the arts by managing the mcallen arts Council which publishes a quarterly magazine produces an annual fine arts exhibition and offers grants to local artists The Chamber also offers an outdoor concert series and coordinates the Public art Committeersquos acquisition program
20 mc allen
ThiNgS TO dO SPoRTS amp RECREATIoN
Soak Up Some Sunmcallen residents haVe plenty of Good reasons to Get outdoors
Great golf courses hiking and biking trails and a large well-maintained park system make McAllen the perfect place to enjoy outdoor fun By Carson OrsquoShoney
Golf
TEE iT uPWith nearly 20 courses in the
McAllen area golf is a popular attraction in the Rio Grande Valley
one of the most notable courses is the Palm view golf Course an 18-hole public course with a private feel With rolling fairways and Bermuda rough mounds the course is an often-used location for tournaments having hosted LPGA tournaments and Palm viewrsquos amateur golf Championship
mcallen Country Club provides a challenge with tree-lined fairways and small greens and also offers a swimming pool tennis courts a fitness center and other amenities
Every golf course in the area is bustling especially in the winter when ldquoWinter Texansrdquo come to the Rio Grande Valley The weather generally stays in the 70s in the coldest months making it a perfect place for winter golfing
Hiking Biking and Racing
ON ThE mOvE iN mCallEN
There are plenty of hiking and biking trails on the east and west sides of town such as the retama village Park Trail westside Park Trail and las Palmas Park Trail Visiting cyclists are welcome to meet up with Team mcallen Cycling a bike club thatrsquos been in the city for more than 25 years
Racing fans can enjoy the mcallen international motorplex and Event Center which hosts stock car races car shows and more The racetrack is a family-friendly place offering activities for children such as games face painting and crafts
Palm view Golf Courseirish cochran plays a round of golf at palm View Golf course an 18-hole public course often used for high profile tournaments
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
City Parks
OuTdOOr Family FuN
The mcallen Parks and recreation department currently oversees 25 city parks Ranging from historic parks established in the early 1900s to more modern facilities there are several options suitable for the whole family
archer Park McAllenrsquos oldest park opened in 1912 Serving as a historic landmark in the city it also plays host to many of the cityrsquos annual special events including the Candlelight Posada and movies in the Park
Spanning 38 acres Springfest Park is the largest park in McAllen Springfest hosts a variety of special events and is home to mcallenrsquos winter Polo league from January through March
check out more fun things to do in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
Spray and Ground Parkbesides its popular water feature mcallenrsquos new SprayandGroundParkhas a sand volleyball court skateboard area a half basketball court and just over half a mile of walking trails in addition there are athletic practice fields shaded areas picnic shelters and restroom facilities
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
ThiNgS TO dO SEE THE CITY
24 mc allen
The Irrigation Workerthe sun sets behind a sculpture ldquothe irrigation Workerrdquo which was created by artist douglas clark and is located on nolana and 25th
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
l iVabil it ycommc allen 25
LIvINGHERESchools health care education and neighborhoods in McAllen
26 mc allen 26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 26 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 27
see more beautiful photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
Luxury Livingnewcomers have many beautiful home options in mcallen such as those offered in eight different communities by cantu construction a locally based award-winning builder
26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 liVabil it ycommc allen 27
liviNg
TECH TOOLS FOSTER STUDEnT SUCCESS
Padding theCurriculum
McAllen Independent School District (ISD) is feeling the benefits of an ambitious technology plan that places an iPod or iPad in the hands of every teacher and student
mcallen independent school district students use system-issued ipads in class
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
EduCaTiNg FOr ThE 21ST CENTury
The initiative began with a meeting between Dr James Ponce McAllenrsquos superintendent of schools and a ldquocadrerdquo of about 35 teachers administrators and parents
The grouprsquos primary goal was to build a 21st-century classroom environment one that fosters creativity collaboration and entrepreneurship The group also wanted to find a way to harness the 247 educational potential of the Internet ndash and teach students the critical-thinking skills needed to process online content
ldquoItrsquos an environment where the teachers become the primary learners and the students are driven by their examplerdquo Ponce says ldquoSo we asked what tools we would need for this transformation of the way we teach and the way the kids learnrdquo
After much research the group chose iPods (for grades K-2) and iPads (for teachers and grades 3-12) because of their portability
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo
CarOl aNN allEN LANGuAGEARTSTEACHER
ATMICHAELEFOSSuMMIDDLESCHOOL
relatively low cost and ease of use To implement the planrsquos first stage McAllen ISD issued 5800 of these devices to teachers and students when the rollout is complete it will cover more than 25000 students
Big BENEFiTS FOr TEaChErS aNd STudENTS
Both teachers and students are seeing benefits from the program
ldquoThe iPods help the kids be creative My students are organizing information in new waysrdquo says Ruth Whiddon who teaches first grade at Andrew Jackson Elementary School
For Carol Ann Allen International Baccalaureate coordinator and eighth-grade language arts teacher at Michael E Fossum Middle School the initiative is all about collaboration
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo she says
Sandra Guerra who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade math
at Fossum says the iPads have changed both her teaching style and the way her students learn
Instead of mapping out the learning process step-by-step she now gives students their goal and lets them choose how to get there
ldquoWith this approach they own their learning and theyrsquove been more willing to learnrdquo Guerra says
The iPads have also been a game-changer for Guerrarsquos family
Her seventh-grade daughter is learning advanced science concepts because of independent iPad projects And because most of her childrenrsquos school materials are on their iPads itrsquos easier than ever for Guerra to check on their progress from home
That kind of scenario says Superintendent Ponce is at the heart of the initiative
ldquoThe entire school system and our community want to lead in this effort to build a 21st-century learning environmentrdquo he says ldquoThis is a direct investment in our children and their familiesrdquo
by Kathryn Royster
High-Tech Learningseventh-grade students use ipads to follow class lectures and take quizzes during a language arts class at michael e fossum middle school
PH
oT
o C
oU
RT
EST
Y o
F M
CA
LLE
N IN
DE
PE
ND
EN
T S
CH
oo
L D
IST
RIC
T
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
Higher Education
SOuTh TExaS COllEgE
McAllenrsquos South Texas College has more than 30000 students and offers numerous associate and bachelorrsquos degree programs as well as professional certifications in more than 40 areas The college also has online degree courses for students who work full time
liviNg EDUCATIoN
Set for SuccesscolleGe prep is a top priority in mcallen
Education in McAllen is defined by excellent options From elementary school through college McAllen includes numerous institutions designed to prepare students for success By Braxton Shoop
school yourself on more educational offerings at livabilitycommcallen
Public Schools
mCallEN iNdEPENdENT SChOOl diSTriCT
Established in 1915 the mcallen independent School district comprises three high schools seven middle schools and 20 elementary schools Among these schools the district offers an advanced placement college-level curriculum and a dual-enrollment program for students who would like to obtain high school and college credit simultaneously
In addition the district features an International Baccalaureate program that provides students with an advanced curriculum geared toward global standards
Local Inspiration
FOrmEr STudENT FliES high
one of McAllenrsquos successful students is astronaut michael Fossum a graduate of McAllen High School After receiving his commission from the US Air Force by Texas AampM University Fossum graduated Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base and in 1993 he started at NASA Throughout his NASA career Fossum was on crew for three spaceflights He commanded the space station during one of his flights helping him rank seventh on the all-time list for cumulative Extravehicular Activity time
Top-notch Learning Environmentuniversity of texas-pan american offers many undergraduate degrees more than 50 masterrsquos degrees and three doctoral degrees utpa has accreditations from organizations like the commission for collegiate nursing the examining board of nurse examiners for the state of texas and the engineering accreditation commission of the accreditation board for engineering and technology
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Charter School
idEa aCadEmy
idEa academy is an innovative institution that offers a fully scaled curriculum for students in kindergarten and in the first second and sixth grades The school which opened in McAllen in 2012 will eventually add more grades each one including approximately 110 students While the school is public students must apply to fill the 460 available spots
To prepare its students to be collegiate scholars IDEA provides International Baccalaureate curriculum as well as the Road to College curriculum which begins in the sixth grade
ldquoWersquore very proud of the connection to our distinguished alumni like NASA astronaut Michael Fossum and we want our students to recognize the kind of education we provide here What he learned here helped catapult him into space and wersquore very proud of thatrdquo
NOrma zamOra-guErra MCALLENINDEPENDENTSCHOOL
DISTRICTCOMMuNITYINFORMATIONDIRECTOR
Michael E Fossum Middle Schoolnamed for astronaut michael e fossum the school is part of the mcallen independent school district
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Please call 9566316109 for a representative today
2501 Buddy Owens Blvd McAllen TX 78504
9656316125 Fax
wwwrio-healthcom
RioHealth MedicalWe are here to meet all your
occupational medicine needs
bull Workplace injuries and workersrsquo compensation
bull On site and off site drug screening
bull Physicals
bull Orthopedics
bull Early return to work
bull 247 coverage
bull We accept all types of insurance
WorkplaceInjury
DANIEL J GUERRA MD Diplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
LEONEL G MORENO MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
HOMERO RIVAS MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
606 S Broadway bull McAllen TX bull (956) 682-4515 bull wwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
FAMILY PHYSICIANS
CLINICSince 1967
Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm Sat 8 am-Noon
VALLEY NIGHT CLINIC
Since 1981
Open Every Night of the Year 6 pm-Midnight
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valley supports children of all abilities through child care
services early intervention and parenting support programs
Early Childhood intErvEntion ChildCarE sErviCEs ParEnts as tEaChErs
Easter seals rio Grande valley Programs for Children Birth to Five years
bullChild-Care servicesndashHigh-qualitychildcare sixweekstofiveyears
bullParents as teachers (Pat)ndashDevelopmental parentingsupportforchildrenbirthtofiveyears
bullEarly Childhood intervention (ECi) ndashConcerns indevelopmentforchildrenbirthtothreeyears
For more information about Easter seals
programs and services call (956) 631-9171 or visit wwweasterseals-rgvorg
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
liviNg HEALTH
Take a Deep Breath and Relaxresidents haVe access to top hospitals
McAllen residents receive quality care from the South Texas Health System Rio Grande Regional Hospital and the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance By Kevin Litwin
Health System
SOuTh TExaS hEalTh SySTEm
South Texas health System is the umbrella organization for a number of fine medical facilities including mcallen medical Center MMC has 441 beds and a staff of more than 400 physicians that represent 50 medical specialties
Also part of South Texas Health System is mcallen heart hospital which opened in 1996 as the first freestanding cardiology and cardiovascular hospital built in the United States It includes 60 beds and a 24-hour emergency center
Healthgrades has awarded McAllen Medical Center and McAllen Heart Hospital with a variety of honors in recent years and both earned a Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence in 2011
Hospital
riO graNdE rEgiONal hOSPiTal
rio grande regional hospital is an acute care medical facility with 320 beds and more than 500 physicians The hospital is the only area Diabetes Management Center accredited by the American Diabetes Association and is the arearsquos first facility to have a Pediatric Heart Program
RGRH also includes a 24-hour emergency room Womenrsquos Services department Level III trauma center and cardiovascular care The hospital is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists and every year since 2007 has been named a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
Hospital
dOCTOrS hOSPiTal aT rENaiSSaNCE
The 506-bed doctors hospital at renaissance is an acute care facility It provides cardiology neurosurgery and endocrinology as well as a Pediatric Medical Tower that offers pediatric oncology and pediatric ICU services
Doctors Hospital has been ranked among the nationrsquos 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters and recently invested $32 million to establish an Electronic Medical Record System
DHR was the first in South Texas to acquire a PETCT scanner for diagnosing cancer and the first in the region to introduce da Vinci robotic surgical technology The hospital also oversees Renaissance Behavioral Center which provides treatment for people with mental health problems substance abuse or eating disorders
34 mc allen
COMMUNITyPROFILE COST OF liviNg
$44074Median Household Income
$129554Median Home Price
$689Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
TraNSPOrTaTiON
Median Travel Time to Work
agE
TEmPEraTurE
January Average
July Average
EThNiCiTy
19 and Under
20-54
55 and over
White
Black
Hispanic
other
1645minutes
Closest Airport McAllen International Airport
955deg
482deg
South Texasrsquo Finest Gift Store Offers Gifts From Around the World
4300 N 10th St bull Ste C bull McAllen TX 78504 (956) 686-1264 bull ohkaysaolcom
Look for us on Facebook
gOlF COurSES
gOlF TEC
2901 N 10TH ST956-994-9631
mCallEN COuNTry CluB615 WICHITA AVE956-686-0923
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
The national Butterfly Center the national butterfly center dedicates 100 acres to the conservation and scientific study of wild butterflies in their natural habitats the wildlife center is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm september through march and from 9 am until 4 pm april through august
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
liviNg SEE THE CITY
36 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
ThiNgS TO dO ARTS amp CULTURE
Rave Reviewsmcallenrsquos arts scene remains robust With museums music and eVents
Arts patrons music lovers and history buffs enjoy many cultural attractions throughout McAllen The latest buzz McAllen Performing Arts Center will spring up near the McAllen Convention Center giving fans of live music theater and dance a fine new facility to anticipate
Live Entertainment
PErFOrmErS TakE ThE STagE
The 17th Street Entertainment district in downtown McAllen overflows with lounges restaurants and clubs For live music visit The old Ice House or Cine El Rey
The cityrsquos diverse culture is what influences much of the music performed by the valley Symphony Orchestra amp Chorale The Symphony was established in 1952 with the Chorale joining later in 1984 Similarly the South Texas lyric Opera brings the fine art of opera to the Rio Grande Valley with a yearly slate of productions and an annual opera gala and rio grande valley Broadway brings popular stage shows to town such as Disneyrsquos Beauty and the Beast and Monty Pythonrsquos Spamalot
Historic Sites
TakE a STEP BaCk iN TimE
The museum of South Texas history and the mcallen heritage Center are just two locations to learn about the rich history of this bicultural area
Quinta mazatlan a 1930s hacienda that embodies the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture of arches adobe and beams and provides an intimate look into South Texas history The 10000-square- foot mansion sits on a 15-acre plot hosting a mix of native and exotic plants and wildlife making up McAllenrsquos wing of the popular world Birding Center
Cine El Reyopened in 1947 the historic cine el rey theater now functions as
a music and performance venue showcasing a variety of live events and also shows spanish and english independent films the theater is located in downtown mcallenrsquos 17th street entertainment district
20 mc allen
ldquoCine El Rey hosts events as diverse as wrestling live bands films and comedy shows A huge stage is complimented by killer production value and a staff that really cares about all aspects of the experience Irsquom looking forward to a return triprdquo
Bill dykES YELP
visual Arts and Festivals
aCCESSiBlE arT FuN EvENTS
The international museum of art amp Science founded in 1969 promotes an appreciation for the arts and sciences through its exhibitions cultural events and many educational programs imaS is located at 1900 Nolana Ave
The mcallen art walk is a self-guided tour that gives art lovers the opportunity to explore the many art offerings in the city Itrsquos held every first Friday from September through May and is free and open to the public
on the first Saturday night of December folks enjoy the Candlelight Posada which includes food booths luminaries a parade live entertainment caroling and a live nativity scene
Chamber of Commerce Support
ChamBEr BaCkS ThE arTS
The mcallen Chamber of Commerce shows its love for the arts by managing the mcallen arts Council which publishes a quarterly magazine produces an annual fine arts exhibition and offers grants to local artists The Chamber also offers an outdoor concert series and coordinates the Public art Committeersquos acquisition program
20 mc allen
ThiNgS TO dO SPoRTS amp RECREATIoN
Soak Up Some Sunmcallen residents haVe plenty of Good reasons to Get outdoors
Great golf courses hiking and biking trails and a large well-maintained park system make McAllen the perfect place to enjoy outdoor fun By Carson OrsquoShoney
Golf
TEE iT uPWith nearly 20 courses in the
McAllen area golf is a popular attraction in the Rio Grande Valley
one of the most notable courses is the Palm view golf Course an 18-hole public course with a private feel With rolling fairways and Bermuda rough mounds the course is an often-used location for tournaments having hosted LPGA tournaments and Palm viewrsquos amateur golf Championship
mcallen Country Club provides a challenge with tree-lined fairways and small greens and also offers a swimming pool tennis courts a fitness center and other amenities
Every golf course in the area is bustling especially in the winter when ldquoWinter Texansrdquo come to the Rio Grande Valley The weather generally stays in the 70s in the coldest months making it a perfect place for winter golfing
Hiking Biking and Racing
ON ThE mOvE iN mCallEN
There are plenty of hiking and biking trails on the east and west sides of town such as the retama village Park Trail westside Park Trail and las Palmas Park Trail Visiting cyclists are welcome to meet up with Team mcallen Cycling a bike club thatrsquos been in the city for more than 25 years
Racing fans can enjoy the mcallen international motorplex and Event Center which hosts stock car races car shows and more The racetrack is a family-friendly place offering activities for children such as games face painting and crafts
Palm view Golf Courseirish cochran plays a round of golf at palm View Golf course an 18-hole public course often used for high profile tournaments
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
City Parks
OuTdOOr Family FuN
The mcallen Parks and recreation department currently oversees 25 city parks Ranging from historic parks established in the early 1900s to more modern facilities there are several options suitable for the whole family
archer Park McAllenrsquos oldest park opened in 1912 Serving as a historic landmark in the city it also plays host to many of the cityrsquos annual special events including the Candlelight Posada and movies in the Park
Spanning 38 acres Springfest Park is the largest park in McAllen Springfest hosts a variety of special events and is home to mcallenrsquos winter Polo league from January through March
check out more fun things to do in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
Spray and Ground Parkbesides its popular water feature mcallenrsquos new SprayandGroundParkhas a sand volleyball court skateboard area a half basketball court and just over half a mile of walking trails in addition there are athletic practice fields shaded areas picnic shelters and restroom facilities
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
ThiNgS TO dO SEE THE CITY
24 mc allen
The Irrigation Workerthe sun sets behind a sculpture ldquothe irrigation Workerrdquo which was created by artist douglas clark and is located on nolana and 25th
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
l iVabil it ycommc allen 25
LIvINGHERESchools health care education and neighborhoods in McAllen
26 mc allen 26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 26 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 27
see more beautiful photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
Luxury Livingnewcomers have many beautiful home options in mcallen such as those offered in eight different communities by cantu construction a locally based award-winning builder
26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 liVabil it ycommc allen 27
liviNg
TECH TOOLS FOSTER STUDEnT SUCCESS
Padding theCurriculum
McAllen Independent School District (ISD) is feeling the benefits of an ambitious technology plan that places an iPod or iPad in the hands of every teacher and student
mcallen independent school district students use system-issued ipads in class
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
EduCaTiNg FOr ThE 21ST CENTury
The initiative began with a meeting between Dr James Ponce McAllenrsquos superintendent of schools and a ldquocadrerdquo of about 35 teachers administrators and parents
The grouprsquos primary goal was to build a 21st-century classroom environment one that fosters creativity collaboration and entrepreneurship The group also wanted to find a way to harness the 247 educational potential of the Internet ndash and teach students the critical-thinking skills needed to process online content
ldquoItrsquos an environment where the teachers become the primary learners and the students are driven by their examplerdquo Ponce says ldquoSo we asked what tools we would need for this transformation of the way we teach and the way the kids learnrdquo
After much research the group chose iPods (for grades K-2) and iPads (for teachers and grades 3-12) because of their portability
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo
CarOl aNN allEN LANGuAGEARTSTEACHER
ATMICHAELEFOSSuMMIDDLESCHOOL
relatively low cost and ease of use To implement the planrsquos first stage McAllen ISD issued 5800 of these devices to teachers and students when the rollout is complete it will cover more than 25000 students
Big BENEFiTS FOr TEaChErS aNd STudENTS
Both teachers and students are seeing benefits from the program
ldquoThe iPods help the kids be creative My students are organizing information in new waysrdquo says Ruth Whiddon who teaches first grade at Andrew Jackson Elementary School
For Carol Ann Allen International Baccalaureate coordinator and eighth-grade language arts teacher at Michael E Fossum Middle School the initiative is all about collaboration
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo she says
Sandra Guerra who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade math
at Fossum says the iPads have changed both her teaching style and the way her students learn
Instead of mapping out the learning process step-by-step she now gives students their goal and lets them choose how to get there
ldquoWith this approach they own their learning and theyrsquove been more willing to learnrdquo Guerra says
The iPads have also been a game-changer for Guerrarsquos family
Her seventh-grade daughter is learning advanced science concepts because of independent iPad projects And because most of her childrenrsquos school materials are on their iPads itrsquos easier than ever for Guerra to check on their progress from home
That kind of scenario says Superintendent Ponce is at the heart of the initiative
ldquoThe entire school system and our community want to lead in this effort to build a 21st-century learning environmentrdquo he says ldquoThis is a direct investment in our children and their familiesrdquo
by Kathryn Royster
High-Tech Learningseventh-grade students use ipads to follow class lectures and take quizzes during a language arts class at michael e fossum middle school
PH
oT
o C
oU
RT
EST
Y o
F M
CA
LLE
N IN
DE
PE
ND
EN
T S
CH
oo
L D
IST
RIC
T
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
Higher Education
SOuTh TExaS COllEgE
McAllenrsquos South Texas College has more than 30000 students and offers numerous associate and bachelorrsquos degree programs as well as professional certifications in more than 40 areas The college also has online degree courses for students who work full time
liviNg EDUCATIoN
Set for SuccesscolleGe prep is a top priority in mcallen
Education in McAllen is defined by excellent options From elementary school through college McAllen includes numerous institutions designed to prepare students for success By Braxton Shoop
school yourself on more educational offerings at livabilitycommcallen
Public Schools
mCallEN iNdEPENdENT SChOOl diSTriCT
Established in 1915 the mcallen independent School district comprises three high schools seven middle schools and 20 elementary schools Among these schools the district offers an advanced placement college-level curriculum and a dual-enrollment program for students who would like to obtain high school and college credit simultaneously
In addition the district features an International Baccalaureate program that provides students with an advanced curriculum geared toward global standards
Local Inspiration
FOrmEr STudENT FliES high
one of McAllenrsquos successful students is astronaut michael Fossum a graduate of McAllen High School After receiving his commission from the US Air Force by Texas AampM University Fossum graduated Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base and in 1993 he started at NASA Throughout his NASA career Fossum was on crew for three spaceflights He commanded the space station during one of his flights helping him rank seventh on the all-time list for cumulative Extravehicular Activity time
Top-notch Learning Environmentuniversity of texas-pan american offers many undergraduate degrees more than 50 masterrsquos degrees and three doctoral degrees utpa has accreditations from organizations like the commission for collegiate nursing the examining board of nurse examiners for the state of texas and the engineering accreditation commission of the accreditation board for engineering and technology
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Charter School
idEa aCadEmy
idEa academy is an innovative institution that offers a fully scaled curriculum for students in kindergarten and in the first second and sixth grades The school which opened in McAllen in 2012 will eventually add more grades each one including approximately 110 students While the school is public students must apply to fill the 460 available spots
To prepare its students to be collegiate scholars IDEA provides International Baccalaureate curriculum as well as the Road to College curriculum which begins in the sixth grade
ldquoWersquore very proud of the connection to our distinguished alumni like NASA astronaut Michael Fossum and we want our students to recognize the kind of education we provide here What he learned here helped catapult him into space and wersquore very proud of thatrdquo
NOrma zamOra-guErra MCALLENINDEPENDENTSCHOOL
DISTRICTCOMMuNITYINFORMATIONDIRECTOR
Michael E Fossum Middle Schoolnamed for astronaut michael e fossum the school is part of the mcallen independent school district
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Please call 9566316109 for a representative today
2501 Buddy Owens Blvd McAllen TX 78504
9656316125 Fax
wwwrio-healthcom
RioHealth MedicalWe are here to meet all your
occupational medicine needs
bull Workplace injuries and workersrsquo compensation
bull On site and off site drug screening
bull Physicals
bull Orthopedics
bull Early return to work
bull 247 coverage
bull We accept all types of insurance
WorkplaceInjury
DANIEL J GUERRA MD Diplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
LEONEL G MORENO MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
HOMERO RIVAS MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
606 S Broadway bull McAllen TX bull (956) 682-4515 bull wwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
FAMILY PHYSICIANS
CLINICSince 1967
Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm Sat 8 am-Noon
VALLEY NIGHT CLINIC
Since 1981
Open Every Night of the Year 6 pm-Midnight
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valley supports children of all abilities through child care
services early intervention and parenting support programs
Early Childhood intErvEntion ChildCarE sErviCEs ParEnts as tEaChErs
Easter seals rio Grande valley Programs for Children Birth to Five years
bullChild-Care servicesndashHigh-qualitychildcare sixweekstofiveyears
bullParents as teachers (Pat)ndashDevelopmental parentingsupportforchildrenbirthtofiveyears
bullEarly Childhood intervention (ECi) ndashConcerns indevelopmentforchildrenbirthtothreeyears
For more information about Easter seals
programs and services call (956) 631-9171 or visit wwweasterseals-rgvorg
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
liviNg HEALTH
Take a Deep Breath and Relaxresidents haVe access to top hospitals
McAllen residents receive quality care from the South Texas Health System Rio Grande Regional Hospital and the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance By Kevin Litwin
Health System
SOuTh TExaS hEalTh SySTEm
South Texas health System is the umbrella organization for a number of fine medical facilities including mcallen medical Center MMC has 441 beds and a staff of more than 400 physicians that represent 50 medical specialties
Also part of South Texas Health System is mcallen heart hospital which opened in 1996 as the first freestanding cardiology and cardiovascular hospital built in the United States It includes 60 beds and a 24-hour emergency center
Healthgrades has awarded McAllen Medical Center and McAllen Heart Hospital with a variety of honors in recent years and both earned a Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence in 2011
Hospital
riO graNdE rEgiONal hOSPiTal
rio grande regional hospital is an acute care medical facility with 320 beds and more than 500 physicians The hospital is the only area Diabetes Management Center accredited by the American Diabetes Association and is the arearsquos first facility to have a Pediatric Heart Program
RGRH also includes a 24-hour emergency room Womenrsquos Services department Level III trauma center and cardiovascular care The hospital is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists and every year since 2007 has been named a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
Hospital
dOCTOrS hOSPiTal aT rENaiSSaNCE
The 506-bed doctors hospital at renaissance is an acute care facility It provides cardiology neurosurgery and endocrinology as well as a Pediatric Medical Tower that offers pediatric oncology and pediatric ICU services
Doctors Hospital has been ranked among the nationrsquos 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters and recently invested $32 million to establish an Electronic Medical Record System
DHR was the first in South Texas to acquire a PETCT scanner for diagnosing cancer and the first in the region to introduce da Vinci robotic surgical technology The hospital also oversees Renaissance Behavioral Center which provides treatment for people with mental health problems substance abuse or eating disorders
34 mc allen
COMMUNITyPROFILE COST OF liviNg
$44074Median Household Income
$129554Median Home Price
$689Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
TraNSPOrTaTiON
Median Travel Time to Work
agE
TEmPEraTurE
January Average
July Average
EThNiCiTy
19 and Under
20-54
55 and over
White
Black
Hispanic
other
1645minutes
Closest Airport McAllen International Airport
955deg
482deg
South Texasrsquo Finest Gift Store Offers Gifts From Around the World
4300 N 10th St bull Ste C bull McAllen TX 78504 (956) 686-1264 bull ohkaysaolcom
Look for us on Facebook
gOlF COurSES
gOlF TEC
2901 N 10TH ST956-994-9631
mCallEN COuNTry CluB615 WICHITA AVE956-686-0923
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
The national Butterfly Center the national butterfly center dedicates 100 acres to the conservation and scientific study of wild butterflies in their natural habitats the wildlife center is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm september through march and from 9 am until 4 pm april through august
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
liviNg SEE THE CITY
36 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
ldquoCine El Rey hosts events as diverse as wrestling live bands films and comedy shows A huge stage is complimented by killer production value and a staff that really cares about all aspects of the experience Irsquom looking forward to a return triprdquo
Bill dykES YELP
visual Arts and Festivals
aCCESSiBlE arT FuN EvENTS
The international museum of art amp Science founded in 1969 promotes an appreciation for the arts and sciences through its exhibitions cultural events and many educational programs imaS is located at 1900 Nolana Ave
The mcallen art walk is a self-guided tour that gives art lovers the opportunity to explore the many art offerings in the city Itrsquos held every first Friday from September through May and is free and open to the public
on the first Saturday night of December folks enjoy the Candlelight Posada which includes food booths luminaries a parade live entertainment caroling and a live nativity scene
Chamber of Commerce Support
ChamBEr BaCkS ThE arTS
The mcallen Chamber of Commerce shows its love for the arts by managing the mcallen arts Council which publishes a quarterly magazine produces an annual fine arts exhibition and offers grants to local artists The Chamber also offers an outdoor concert series and coordinates the Public art Committeersquos acquisition program
20 mc allen
ThiNgS TO dO SPoRTS amp RECREATIoN
Soak Up Some Sunmcallen residents haVe plenty of Good reasons to Get outdoors
Great golf courses hiking and biking trails and a large well-maintained park system make McAllen the perfect place to enjoy outdoor fun By Carson OrsquoShoney
Golf
TEE iT uPWith nearly 20 courses in the
McAllen area golf is a popular attraction in the Rio Grande Valley
one of the most notable courses is the Palm view golf Course an 18-hole public course with a private feel With rolling fairways and Bermuda rough mounds the course is an often-used location for tournaments having hosted LPGA tournaments and Palm viewrsquos amateur golf Championship
mcallen Country Club provides a challenge with tree-lined fairways and small greens and also offers a swimming pool tennis courts a fitness center and other amenities
Every golf course in the area is bustling especially in the winter when ldquoWinter Texansrdquo come to the Rio Grande Valley The weather generally stays in the 70s in the coldest months making it a perfect place for winter golfing
Hiking Biking and Racing
ON ThE mOvE iN mCallEN
There are plenty of hiking and biking trails on the east and west sides of town such as the retama village Park Trail westside Park Trail and las Palmas Park Trail Visiting cyclists are welcome to meet up with Team mcallen Cycling a bike club thatrsquos been in the city for more than 25 years
Racing fans can enjoy the mcallen international motorplex and Event Center which hosts stock car races car shows and more The racetrack is a family-friendly place offering activities for children such as games face painting and crafts
Palm view Golf Courseirish cochran plays a round of golf at palm View Golf course an 18-hole public course often used for high profile tournaments
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
City Parks
OuTdOOr Family FuN
The mcallen Parks and recreation department currently oversees 25 city parks Ranging from historic parks established in the early 1900s to more modern facilities there are several options suitable for the whole family
archer Park McAllenrsquos oldest park opened in 1912 Serving as a historic landmark in the city it also plays host to many of the cityrsquos annual special events including the Candlelight Posada and movies in the Park
Spanning 38 acres Springfest Park is the largest park in McAllen Springfest hosts a variety of special events and is home to mcallenrsquos winter Polo league from January through March
check out more fun things to do in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
Spray and Ground Parkbesides its popular water feature mcallenrsquos new SprayandGroundParkhas a sand volleyball court skateboard area a half basketball court and just over half a mile of walking trails in addition there are athletic practice fields shaded areas picnic shelters and restroom facilities
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
ThiNgS TO dO SEE THE CITY
24 mc allen
The Irrigation Workerthe sun sets behind a sculpture ldquothe irrigation Workerrdquo which was created by artist douglas clark and is located on nolana and 25th
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
l iVabil it ycommc allen 25
LIvINGHERESchools health care education and neighborhoods in McAllen
26 mc allen 26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 26 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 27
see more beautiful photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
Luxury Livingnewcomers have many beautiful home options in mcallen such as those offered in eight different communities by cantu construction a locally based award-winning builder
26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 liVabil it ycommc allen 27
liviNg
TECH TOOLS FOSTER STUDEnT SUCCESS
Padding theCurriculum
McAllen Independent School District (ISD) is feeling the benefits of an ambitious technology plan that places an iPod or iPad in the hands of every teacher and student
mcallen independent school district students use system-issued ipads in class
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
EduCaTiNg FOr ThE 21ST CENTury
The initiative began with a meeting between Dr James Ponce McAllenrsquos superintendent of schools and a ldquocadrerdquo of about 35 teachers administrators and parents
The grouprsquos primary goal was to build a 21st-century classroom environment one that fosters creativity collaboration and entrepreneurship The group also wanted to find a way to harness the 247 educational potential of the Internet ndash and teach students the critical-thinking skills needed to process online content
ldquoItrsquos an environment where the teachers become the primary learners and the students are driven by their examplerdquo Ponce says ldquoSo we asked what tools we would need for this transformation of the way we teach and the way the kids learnrdquo
After much research the group chose iPods (for grades K-2) and iPads (for teachers and grades 3-12) because of their portability
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo
CarOl aNN allEN LANGuAGEARTSTEACHER
ATMICHAELEFOSSuMMIDDLESCHOOL
relatively low cost and ease of use To implement the planrsquos first stage McAllen ISD issued 5800 of these devices to teachers and students when the rollout is complete it will cover more than 25000 students
Big BENEFiTS FOr TEaChErS aNd STudENTS
Both teachers and students are seeing benefits from the program
ldquoThe iPods help the kids be creative My students are organizing information in new waysrdquo says Ruth Whiddon who teaches first grade at Andrew Jackson Elementary School
For Carol Ann Allen International Baccalaureate coordinator and eighth-grade language arts teacher at Michael E Fossum Middle School the initiative is all about collaboration
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo she says
Sandra Guerra who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade math
at Fossum says the iPads have changed both her teaching style and the way her students learn
Instead of mapping out the learning process step-by-step she now gives students their goal and lets them choose how to get there
ldquoWith this approach they own their learning and theyrsquove been more willing to learnrdquo Guerra says
The iPads have also been a game-changer for Guerrarsquos family
Her seventh-grade daughter is learning advanced science concepts because of independent iPad projects And because most of her childrenrsquos school materials are on their iPads itrsquos easier than ever for Guerra to check on their progress from home
That kind of scenario says Superintendent Ponce is at the heart of the initiative
ldquoThe entire school system and our community want to lead in this effort to build a 21st-century learning environmentrdquo he says ldquoThis is a direct investment in our children and their familiesrdquo
by Kathryn Royster
High-Tech Learningseventh-grade students use ipads to follow class lectures and take quizzes during a language arts class at michael e fossum middle school
PH
oT
o C
oU
RT
EST
Y o
F M
CA
LLE
N IN
DE
PE
ND
EN
T S
CH
oo
L D
IST
RIC
T
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
Higher Education
SOuTh TExaS COllEgE
McAllenrsquos South Texas College has more than 30000 students and offers numerous associate and bachelorrsquos degree programs as well as professional certifications in more than 40 areas The college also has online degree courses for students who work full time
liviNg EDUCATIoN
Set for SuccesscolleGe prep is a top priority in mcallen
Education in McAllen is defined by excellent options From elementary school through college McAllen includes numerous institutions designed to prepare students for success By Braxton Shoop
school yourself on more educational offerings at livabilitycommcallen
Public Schools
mCallEN iNdEPENdENT SChOOl diSTriCT
Established in 1915 the mcallen independent School district comprises three high schools seven middle schools and 20 elementary schools Among these schools the district offers an advanced placement college-level curriculum and a dual-enrollment program for students who would like to obtain high school and college credit simultaneously
In addition the district features an International Baccalaureate program that provides students with an advanced curriculum geared toward global standards
Local Inspiration
FOrmEr STudENT FliES high
one of McAllenrsquos successful students is astronaut michael Fossum a graduate of McAllen High School After receiving his commission from the US Air Force by Texas AampM University Fossum graduated Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base and in 1993 he started at NASA Throughout his NASA career Fossum was on crew for three spaceflights He commanded the space station during one of his flights helping him rank seventh on the all-time list for cumulative Extravehicular Activity time
Top-notch Learning Environmentuniversity of texas-pan american offers many undergraduate degrees more than 50 masterrsquos degrees and three doctoral degrees utpa has accreditations from organizations like the commission for collegiate nursing the examining board of nurse examiners for the state of texas and the engineering accreditation commission of the accreditation board for engineering and technology
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Charter School
idEa aCadEmy
idEa academy is an innovative institution that offers a fully scaled curriculum for students in kindergarten and in the first second and sixth grades The school which opened in McAllen in 2012 will eventually add more grades each one including approximately 110 students While the school is public students must apply to fill the 460 available spots
To prepare its students to be collegiate scholars IDEA provides International Baccalaureate curriculum as well as the Road to College curriculum which begins in the sixth grade
ldquoWersquore very proud of the connection to our distinguished alumni like NASA astronaut Michael Fossum and we want our students to recognize the kind of education we provide here What he learned here helped catapult him into space and wersquore very proud of thatrdquo
NOrma zamOra-guErra MCALLENINDEPENDENTSCHOOL
DISTRICTCOMMuNITYINFORMATIONDIRECTOR
Michael E Fossum Middle Schoolnamed for astronaut michael e fossum the school is part of the mcallen independent school district
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Please call 9566316109 for a representative today
2501 Buddy Owens Blvd McAllen TX 78504
9656316125 Fax
wwwrio-healthcom
RioHealth MedicalWe are here to meet all your
occupational medicine needs
bull Workplace injuries and workersrsquo compensation
bull On site and off site drug screening
bull Physicals
bull Orthopedics
bull Early return to work
bull 247 coverage
bull We accept all types of insurance
WorkplaceInjury
DANIEL J GUERRA MD Diplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
LEONEL G MORENO MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
HOMERO RIVAS MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
606 S Broadway bull McAllen TX bull (956) 682-4515 bull wwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
FAMILY PHYSICIANS
CLINICSince 1967
Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm Sat 8 am-Noon
VALLEY NIGHT CLINIC
Since 1981
Open Every Night of the Year 6 pm-Midnight
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valley supports children of all abilities through child care
services early intervention and parenting support programs
Early Childhood intErvEntion ChildCarE sErviCEs ParEnts as tEaChErs
Easter seals rio Grande valley Programs for Children Birth to Five years
bullChild-Care servicesndashHigh-qualitychildcare sixweekstofiveyears
bullParents as teachers (Pat)ndashDevelopmental parentingsupportforchildrenbirthtofiveyears
bullEarly Childhood intervention (ECi) ndashConcerns indevelopmentforchildrenbirthtothreeyears
For more information about Easter seals
programs and services call (956) 631-9171 or visit wwweasterseals-rgvorg
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
liviNg HEALTH
Take a Deep Breath and Relaxresidents haVe access to top hospitals
McAllen residents receive quality care from the South Texas Health System Rio Grande Regional Hospital and the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance By Kevin Litwin
Health System
SOuTh TExaS hEalTh SySTEm
South Texas health System is the umbrella organization for a number of fine medical facilities including mcallen medical Center MMC has 441 beds and a staff of more than 400 physicians that represent 50 medical specialties
Also part of South Texas Health System is mcallen heart hospital which opened in 1996 as the first freestanding cardiology and cardiovascular hospital built in the United States It includes 60 beds and a 24-hour emergency center
Healthgrades has awarded McAllen Medical Center and McAllen Heart Hospital with a variety of honors in recent years and both earned a Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence in 2011
Hospital
riO graNdE rEgiONal hOSPiTal
rio grande regional hospital is an acute care medical facility with 320 beds and more than 500 physicians The hospital is the only area Diabetes Management Center accredited by the American Diabetes Association and is the arearsquos first facility to have a Pediatric Heart Program
RGRH also includes a 24-hour emergency room Womenrsquos Services department Level III trauma center and cardiovascular care The hospital is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists and every year since 2007 has been named a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
Hospital
dOCTOrS hOSPiTal aT rENaiSSaNCE
The 506-bed doctors hospital at renaissance is an acute care facility It provides cardiology neurosurgery and endocrinology as well as a Pediatric Medical Tower that offers pediatric oncology and pediatric ICU services
Doctors Hospital has been ranked among the nationrsquos 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters and recently invested $32 million to establish an Electronic Medical Record System
DHR was the first in South Texas to acquire a PETCT scanner for diagnosing cancer and the first in the region to introduce da Vinci robotic surgical technology The hospital also oversees Renaissance Behavioral Center which provides treatment for people with mental health problems substance abuse or eating disorders
34 mc allen
COMMUNITyPROFILE COST OF liviNg
$44074Median Household Income
$129554Median Home Price
$689Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
TraNSPOrTaTiON
Median Travel Time to Work
agE
TEmPEraTurE
January Average
July Average
EThNiCiTy
19 and Under
20-54
55 and over
White
Black
Hispanic
other
1645minutes
Closest Airport McAllen International Airport
955deg
482deg
South Texasrsquo Finest Gift Store Offers Gifts From Around the World
4300 N 10th St bull Ste C bull McAllen TX 78504 (956) 686-1264 bull ohkaysaolcom
Look for us on Facebook
gOlF COurSES
gOlF TEC
2901 N 10TH ST956-994-9631
mCallEN COuNTry CluB615 WICHITA AVE956-686-0923
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
The national Butterfly Center the national butterfly center dedicates 100 acres to the conservation and scientific study of wild butterflies in their natural habitats the wildlife center is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm september through march and from 9 am until 4 pm april through august
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
liviNg SEE THE CITY
36 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
ThiNgS TO dO SPoRTS amp RECREATIoN
Soak Up Some Sunmcallen residents haVe plenty of Good reasons to Get outdoors
Great golf courses hiking and biking trails and a large well-maintained park system make McAllen the perfect place to enjoy outdoor fun By Carson OrsquoShoney
Golf
TEE iT uPWith nearly 20 courses in the
McAllen area golf is a popular attraction in the Rio Grande Valley
one of the most notable courses is the Palm view golf Course an 18-hole public course with a private feel With rolling fairways and Bermuda rough mounds the course is an often-used location for tournaments having hosted LPGA tournaments and Palm viewrsquos amateur golf Championship
mcallen Country Club provides a challenge with tree-lined fairways and small greens and also offers a swimming pool tennis courts a fitness center and other amenities
Every golf course in the area is bustling especially in the winter when ldquoWinter Texansrdquo come to the Rio Grande Valley The weather generally stays in the 70s in the coldest months making it a perfect place for winter golfing
Hiking Biking and Racing
ON ThE mOvE iN mCallEN
There are plenty of hiking and biking trails on the east and west sides of town such as the retama village Park Trail westside Park Trail and las Palmas Park Trail Visiting cyclists are welcome to meet up with Team mcallen Cycling a bike club thatrsquos been in the city for more than 25 years
Racing fans can enjoy the mcallen international motorplex and Event Center which hosts stock car races car shows and more The racetrack is a family-friendly place offering activities for children such as games face painting and crafts
Palm view Golf Courseirish cochran plays a round of golf at palm View Golf course an 18-hole public course often used for high profile tournaments
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
City Parks
OuTdOOr Family FuN
The mcallen Parks and recreation department currently oversees 25 city parks Ranging from historic parks established in the early 1900s to more modern facilities there are several options suitable for the whole family
archer Park McAllenrsquos oldest park opened in 1912 Serving as a historic landmark in the city it also plays host to many of the cityrsquos annual special events including the Candlelight Posada and movies in the Park
Spanning 38 acres Springfest Park is the largest park in McAllen Springfest hosts a variety of special events and is home to mcallenrsquos winter Polo league from January through March
check out more fun things to do in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
Spray and Ground Parkbesides its popular water feature mcallenrsquos new SprayandGroundParkhas a sand volleyball court skateboard area a half basketball court and just over half a mile of walking trails in addition there are athletic practice fields shaded areas picnic shelters and restroom facilities
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
ThiNgS TO dO SEE THE CITY
24 mc allen
The Irrigation Workerthe sun sets behind a sculpture ldquothe irrigation Workerrdquo which was created by artist douglas clark and is located on nolana and 25th
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
l iVabil it ycommc allen 25
LIvINGHERESchools health care education and neighborhoods in McAllen
26 mc allen 26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 26 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 27
see more beautiful photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
Luxury Livingnewcomers have many beautiful home options in mcallen such as those offered in eight different communities by cantu construction a locally based award-winning builder
26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 liVabil it ycommc allen 27
liviNg
TECH TOOLS FOSTER STUDEnT SUCCESS
Padding theCurriculum
McAllen Independent School District (ISD) is feeling the benefits of an ambitious technology plan that places an iPod or iPad in the hands of every teacher and student
mcallen independent school district students use system-issued ipads in class
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
EduCaTiNg FOr ThE 21ST CENTury
The initiative began with a meeting between Dr James Ponce McAllenrsquos superintendent of schools and a ldquocadrerdquo of about 35 teachers administrators and parents
The grouprsquos primary goal was to build a 21st-century classroom environment one that fosters creativity collaboration and entrepreneurship The group also wanted to find a way to harness the 247 educational potential of the Internet ndash and teach students the critical-thinking skills needed to process online content
ldquoItrsquos an environment where the teachers become the primary learners and the students are driven by their examplerdquo Ponce says ldquoSo we asked what tools we would need for this transformation of the way we teach and the way the kids learnrdquo
After much research the group chose iPods (for grades K-2) and iPads (for teachers and grades 3-12) because of their portability
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo
CarOl aNN allEN LANGuAGEARTSTEACHER
ATMICHAELEFOSSuMMIDDLESCHOOL
relatively low cost and ease of use To implement the planrsquos first stage McAllen ISD issued 5800 of these devices to teachers and students when the rollout is complete it will cover more than 25000 students
Big BENEFiTS FOr TEaChErS aNd STudENTS
Both teachers and students are seeing benefits from the program
ldquoThe iPods help the kids be creative My students are organizing information in new waysrdquo says Ruth Whiddon who teaches first grade at Andrew Jackson Elementary School
For Carol Ann Allen International Baccalaureate coordinator and eighth-grade language arts teacher at Michael E Fossum Middle School the initiative is all about collaboration
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo she says
Sandra Guerra who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade math
at Fossum says the iPads have changed both her teaching style and the way her students learn
Instead of mapping out the learning process step-by-step she now gives students their goal and lets them choose how to get there
ldquoWith this approach they own their learning and theyrsquove been more willing to learnrdquo Guerra says
The iPads have also been a game-changer for Guerrarsquos family
Her seventh-grade daughter is learning advanced science concepts because of independent iPad projects And because most of her childrenrsquos school materials are on their iPads itrsquos easier than ever for Guerra to check on their progress from home
That kind of scenario says Superintendent Ponce is at the heart of the initiative
ldquoThe entire school system and our community want to lead in this effort to build a 21st-century learning environmentrdquo he says ldquoThis is a direct investment in our children and their familiesrdquo
by Kathryn Royster
High-Tech Learningseventh-grade students use ipads to follow class lectures and take quizzes during a language arts class at michael e fossum middle school
PH
oT
o C
oU
RT
EST
Y o
F M
CA
LLE
N IN
DE
PE
ND
EN
T S
CH
oo
L D
IST
RIC
T
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
Higher Education
SOuTh TExaS COllEgE
McAllenrsquos South Texas College has more than 30000 students and offers numerous associate and bachelorrsquos degree programs as well as professional certifications in more than 40 areas The college also has online degree courses for students who work full time
liviNg EDUCATIoN
Set for SuccesscolleGe prep is a top priority in mcallen
Education in McAllen is defined by excellent options From elementary school through college McAllen includes numerous institutions designed to prepare students for success By Braxton Shoop
school yourself on more educational offerings at livabilitycommcallen
Public Schools
mCallEN iNdEPENdENT SChOOl diSTriCT
Established in 1915 the mcallen independent School district comprises three high schools seven middle schools and 20 elementary schools Among these schools the district offers an advanced placement college-level curriculum and a dual-enrollment program for students who would like to obtain high school and college credit simultaneously
In addition the district features an International Baccalaureate program that provides students with an advanced curriculum geared toward global standards
Local Inspiration
FOrmEr STudENT FliES high
one of McAllenrsquos successful students is astronaut michael Fossum a graduate of McAllen High School After receiving his commission from the US Air Force by Texas AampM University Fossum graduated Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base and in 1993 he started at NASA Throughout his NASA career Fossum was on crew for three spaceflights He commanded the space station during one of his flights helping him rank seventh on the all-time list for cumulative Extravehicular Activity time
Top-notch Learning Environmentuniversity of texas-pan american offers many undergraduate degrees more than 50 masterrsquos degrees and three doctoral degrees utpa has accreditations from organizations like the commission for collegiate nursing the examining board of nurse examiners for the state of texas and the engineering accreditation commission of the accreditation board for engineering and technology
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Charter School
idEa aCadEmy
idEa academy is an innovative institution that offers a fully scaled curriculum for students in kindergarten and in the first second and sixth grades The school which opened in McAllen in 2012 will eventually add more grades each one including approximately 110 students While the school is public students must apply to fill the 460 available spots
To prepare its students to be collegiate scholars IDEA provides International Baccalaureate curriculum as well as the Road to College curriculum which begins in the sixth grade
ldquoWersquore very proud of the connection to our distinguished alumni like NASA astronaut Michael Fossum and we want our students to recognize the kind of education we provide here What he learned here helped catapult him into space and wersquore very proud of thatrdquo
NOrma zamOra-guErra MCALLENINDEPENDENTSCHOOL
DISTRICTCOMMuNITYINFORMATIONDIRECTOR
Michael E Fossum Middle Schoolnamed for astronaut michael e fossum the school is part of the mcallen independent school district
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Please call 9566316109 for a representative today
2501 Buddy Owens Blvd McAllen TX 78504
9656316125 Fax
wwwrio-healthcom
RioHealth MedicalWe are here to meet all your
occupational medicine needs
bull Workplace injuries and workersrsquo compensation
bull On site and off site drug screening
bull Physicals
bull Orthopedics
bull Early return to work
bull 247 coverage
bull We accept all types of insurance
WorkplaceInjury
DANIEL J GUERRA MD Diplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
LEONEL G MORENO MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
HOMERO RIVAS MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
606 S Broadway bull McAllen TX bull (956) 682-4515 bull wwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
FAMILY PHYSICIANS
CLINICSince 1967
Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm Sat 8 am-Noon
VALLEY NIGHT CLINIC
Since 1981
Open Every Night of the Year 6 pm-Midnight
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valley supports children of all abilities through child care
services early intervention and parenting support programs
Early Childhood intErvEntion ChildCarE sErviCEs ParEnts as tEaChErs
Easter seals rio Grande valley Programs for Children Birth to Five years
bullChild-Care servicesndashHigh-qualitychildcare sixweekstofiveyears
bullParents as teachers (Pat)ndashDevelopmental parentingsupportforchildrenbirthtofiveyears
bullEarly Childhood intervention (ECi) ndashConcerns indevelopmentforchildrenbirthtothreeyears
For more information about Easter seals
programs and services call (956) 631-9171 or visit wwweasterseals-rgvorg
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
liviNg HEALTH
Take a Deep Breath and Relaxresidents haVe access to top hospitals
McAllen residents receive quality care from the South Texas Health System Rio Grande Regional Hospital and the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance By Kevin Litwin
Health System
SOuTh TExaS hEalTh SySTEm
South Texas health System is the umbrella organization for a number of fine medical facilities including mcallen medical Center MMC has 441 beds and a staff of more than 400 physicians that represent 50 medical specialties
Also part of South Texas Health System is mcallen heart hospital which opened in 1996 as the first freestanding cardiology and cardiovascular hospital built in the United States It includes 60 beds and a 24-hour emergency center
Healthgrades has awarded McAllen Medical Center and McAllen Heart Hospital with a variety of honors in recent years and both earned a Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence in 2011
Hospital
riO graNdE rEgiONal hOSPiTal
rio grande regional hospital is an acute care medical facility with 320 beds and more than 500 physicians The hospital is the only area Diabetes Management Center accredited by the American Diabetes Association and is the arearsquos first facility to have a Pediatric Heart Program
RGRH also includes a 24-hour emergency room Womenrsquos Services department Level III trauma center and cardiovascular care The hospital is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists and every year since 2007 has been named a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
Hospital
dOCTOrS hOSPiTal aT rENaiSSaNCE
The 506-bed doctors hospital at renaissance is an acute care facility It provides cardiology neurosurgery and endocrinology as well as a Pediatric Medical Tower that offers pediatric oncology and pediatric ICU services
Doctors Hospital has been ranked among the nationrsquos 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters and recently invested $32 million to establish an Electronic Medical Record System
DHR was the first in South Texas to acquire a PETCT scanner for diagnosing cancer and the first in the region to introduce da Vinci robotic surgical technology The hospital also oversees Renaissance Behavioral Center which provides treatment for people with mental health problems substance abuse or eating disorders
34 mc allen
COMMUNITyPROFILE COST OF liviNg
$44074Median Household Income
$129554Median Home Price
$689Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
TraNSPOrTaTiON
Median Travel Time to Work
agE
TEmPEraTurE
January Average
July Average
EThNiCiTy
19 and Under
20-54
55 and over
White
Black
Hispanic
other
1645minutes
Closest Airport McAllen International Airport
955deg
482deg
South Texasrsquo Finest Gift Store Offers Gifts From Around the World
4300 N 10th St bull Ste C bull McAllen TX 78504 (956) 686-1264 bull ohkaysaolcom
Look for us on Facebook
gOlF COurSES
gOlF TEC
2901 N 10TH ST956-994-9631
mCallEN COuNTry CluB615 WICHITA AVE956-686-0923
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
The national Butterfly Center the national butterfly center dedicates 100 acres to the conservation and scientific study of wild butterflies in their natural habitats the wildlife center is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm september through march and from 9 am until 4 pm april through august
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
liviNg SEE THE CITY
36 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
City Parks
OuTdOOr Family FuN
The mcallen Parks and recreation department currently oversees 25 city parks Ranging from historic parks established in the early 1900s to more modern facilities there are several options suitable for the whole family
archer Park McAllenrsquos oldest park opened in 1912 Serving as a historic landmark in the city it also plays host to many of the cityrsquos annual special events including the Candlelight Posada and movies in the Park
Spanning 38 acres Springfest Park is the largest park in McAllen Springfest hosts a variety of special events and is home to mcallenrsquos winter Polo league from January through March
check out more fun things to do in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
Spray and Ground Parkbesides its popular water feature mcallenrsquos new SprayandGroundParkhas a sand volleyball court skateboard area a half basketball court and just over half a mile of walking trails in addition there are athletic practice fields shaded areas picnic shelters and restroom facilities
22 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 23
ThiNgS TO dO SEE THE CITY
24 mc allen
The Irrigation Workerthe sun sets behind a sculpture ldquothe irrigation Workerrdquo which was created by artist douglas clark and is located on nolana and 25th
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
l iVabil it ycommc allen 25
LIvINGHERESchools health care education and neighborhoods in McAllen
26 mc allen 26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 26 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 27
see more beautiful photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
Luxury Livingnewcomers have many beautiful home options in mcallen such as those offered in eight different communities by cantu construction a locally based award-winning builder
26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 liVabil it ycommc allen 27
liviNg
TECH TOOLS FOSTER STUDEnT SUCCESS
Padding theCurriculum
McAllen Independent School District (ISD) is feeling the benefits of an ambitious technology plan that places an iPod or iPad in the hands of every teacher and student
mcallen independent school district students use system-issued ipads in class
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
EduCaTiNg FOr ThE 21ST CENTury
The initiative began with a meeting between Dr James Ponce McAllenrsquos superintendent of schools and a ldquocadrerdquo of about 35 teachers administrators and parents
The grouprsquos primary goal was to build a 21st-century classroom environment one that fosters creativity collaboration and entrepreneurship The group also wanted to find a way to harness the 247 educational potential of the Internet ndash and teach students the critical-thinking skills needed to process online content
ldquoItrsquos an environment where the teachers become the primary learners and the students are driven by their examplerdquo Ponce says ldquoSo we asked what tools we would need for this transformation of the way we teach and the way the kids learnrdquo
After much research the group chose iPods (for grades K-2) and iPads (for teachers and grades 3-12) because of their portability
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo
CarOl aNN allEN LANGuAGEARTSTEACHER
ATMICHAELEFOSSuMMIDDLESCHOOL
relatively low cost and ease of use To implement the planrsquos first stage McAllen ISD issued 5800 of these devices to teachers and students when the rollout is complete it will cover more than 25000 students
Big BENEFiTS FOr TEaChErS aNd STudENTS
Both teachers and students are seeing benefits from the program
ldquoThe iPods help the kids be creative My students are organizing information in new waysrdquo says Ruth Whiddon who teaches first grade at Andrew Jackson Elementary School
For Carol Ann Allen International Baccalaureate coordinator and eighth-grade language arts teacher at Michael E Fossum Middle School the initiative is all about collaboration
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo she says
Sandra Guerra who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade math
at Fossum says the iPads have changed both her teaching style and the way her students learn
Instead of mapping out the learning process step-by-step she now gives students their goal and lets them choose how to get there
ldquoWith this approach they own their learning and theyrsquove been more willing to learnrdquo Guerra says
The iPads have also been a game-changer for Guerrarsquos family
Her seventh-grade daughter is learning advanced science concepts because of independent iPad projects And because most of her childrenrsquos school materials are on their iPads itrsquos easier than ever for Guerra to check on their progress from home
That kind of scenario says Superintendent Ponce is at the heart of the initiative
ldquoThe entire school system and our community want to lead in this effort to build a 21st-century learning environmentrdquo he says ldquoThis is a direct investment in our children and their familiesrdquo
by Kathryn Royster
High-Tech Learningseventh-grade students use ipads to follow class lectures and take quizzes during a language arts class at michael e fossum middle school
PH
oT
o C
oU
RT
EST
Y o
F M
CA
LLE
N IN
DE
PE
ND
EN
T S
CH
oo
L D
IST
RIC
T
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
Higher Education
SOuTh TExaS COllEgE
McAllenrsquos South Texas College has more than 30000 students and offers numerous associate and bachelorrsquos degree programs as well as professional certifications in more than 40 areas The college also has online degree courses for students who work full time
liviNg EDUCATIoN
Set for SuccesscolleGe prep is a top priority in mcallen
Education in McAllen is defined by excellent options From elementary school through college McAllen includes numerous institutions designed to prepare students for success By Braxton Shoop
school yourself on more educational offerings at livabilitycommcallen
Public Schools
mCallEN iNdEPENdENT SChOOl diSTriCT
Established in 1915 the mcallen independent School district comprises three high schools seven middle schools and 20 elementary schools Among these schools the district offers an advanced placement college-level curriculum and a dual-enrollment program for students who would like to obtain high school and college credit simultaneously
In addition the district features an International Baccalaureate program that provides students with an advanced curriculum geared toward global standards
Local Inspiration
FOrmEr STudENT FliES high
one of McAllenrsquos successful students is astronaut michael Fossum a graduate of McAllen High School After receiving his commission from the US Air Force by Texas AampM University Fossum graduated Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base and in 1993 he started at NASA Throughout his NASA career Fossum was on crew for three spaceflights He commanded the space station during one of his flights helping him rank seventh on the all-time list for cumulative Extravehicular Activity time
Top-notch Learning Environmentuniversity of texas-pan american offers many undergraduate degrees more than 50 masterrsquos degrees and three doctoral degrees utpa has accreditations from organizations like the commission for collegiate nursing the examining board of nurse examiners for the state of texas and the engineering accreditation commission of the accreditation board for engineering and technology
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Charter School
idEa aCadEmy
idEa academy is an innovative institution that offers a fully scaled curriculum for students in kindergarten and in the first second and sixth grades The school which opened in McAllen in 2012 will eventually add more grades each one including approximately 110 students While the school is public students must apply to fill the 460 available spots
To prepare its students to be collegiate scholars IDEA provides International Baccalaureate curriculum as well as the Road to College curriculum which begins in the sixth grade
ldquoWersquore very proud of the connection to our distinguished alumni like NASA astronaut Michael Fossum and we want our students to recognize the kind of education we provide here What he learned here helped catapult him into space and wersquore very proud of thatrdquo
NOrma zamOra-guErra MCALLENINDEPENDENTSCHOOL
DISTRICTCOMMuNITYINFORMATIONDIRECTOR
Michael E Fossum Middle Schoolnamed for astronaut michael e fossum the school is part of the mcallen independent school district
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Please call 9566316109 for a representative today
2501 Buddy Owens Blvd McAllen TX 78504
9656316125 Fax
wwwrio-healthcom
RioHealth MedicalWe are here to meet all your
occupational medicine needs
bull Workplace injuries and workersrsquo compensation
bull On site and off site drug screening
bull Physicals
bull Orthopedics
bull Early return to work
bull 247 coverage
bull We accept all types of insurance
WorkplaceInjury
DANIEL J GUERRA MD Diplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
LEONEL G MORENO MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
HOMERO RIVAS MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
606 S Broadway bull McAllen TX bull (956) 682-4515 bull wwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
FAMILY PHYSICIANS
CLINICSince 1967
Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm Sat 8 am-Noon
VALLEY NIGHT CLINIC
Since 1981
Open Every Night of the Year 6 pm-Midnight
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valley supports children of all abilities through child care
services early intervention and parenting support programs
Early Childhood intErvEntion ChildCarE sErviCEs ParEnts as tEaChErs
Easter seals rio Grande valley Programs for Children Birth to Five years
bullChild-Care servicesndashHigh-qualitychildcare sixweekstofiveyears
bullParents as teachers (Pat)ndashDevelopmental parentingsupportforchildrenbirthtofiveyears
bullEarly Childhood intervention (ECi) ndashConcerns indevelopmentforchildrenbirthtothreeyears
For more information about Easter seals
programs and services call (956) 631-9171 or visit wwweasterseals-rgvorg
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
liviNg HEALTH
Take a Deep Breath and Relaxresidents haVe access to top hospitals
McAllen residents receive quality care from the South Texas Health System Rio Grande Regional Hospital and the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance By Kevin Litwin
Health System
SOuTh TExaS hEalTh SySTEm
South Texas health System is the umbrella organization for a number of fine medical facilities including mcallen medical Center MMC has 441 beds and a staff of more than 400 physicians that represent 50 medical specialties
Also part of South Texas Health System is mcallen heart hospital which opened in 1996 as the first freestanding cardiology and cardiovascular hospital built in the United States It includes 60 beds and a 24-hour emergency center
Healthgrades has awarded McAllen Medical Center and McAllen Heart Hospital with a variety of honors in recent years and both earned a Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence in 2011
Hospital
riO graNdE rEgiONal hOSPiTal
rio grande regional hospital is an acute care medical facility with 320 beds and more than 500 physicians The hospital is the only area Diabetes Management Center accredited by the American Diabetes Association and is the arearsquos first facility to have a Pediatric Heart Program
RGRH also includes a 24-hour emergency room Womenrsquos Services department Level III trauma center and cardiovascular care The hospital is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists and every year since 2007 has been named a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
Hospital
dOCTOrS hOSPiTal aT rENaiSSaNCE
The 506-bed doctors hospital at renaissance is an acute care facility It provides cardiology neurosurgery and endocrinology as well as a Pediatric Medical Tower that offers pediatric oncology and pediatric ICU services
Doctors Hospital has been ranked among the nationrsquos 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters and recently invested $32 million to establish an Electronic Medical Record System
DHR was the first in South Texas to acquire a PETCT scanner for diagnosing cancer and the first in the region to introduce da Vinci robotic surgical technology The hospital also oversees Renaissance Behavioral Center which provides treatment for people with mental health problems substance abuse or eating disorders
34 mc allen
COMMUNITyPROFILE COST OF liviNg
$44074Median Household Income
$129554Median Home Price
$689Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
TraNSPOrTaTiON
Median Travel Time to Work
agE
TEmPEraTurE
January Average
July Average
EThNiCiTy
19 and Under
20-54
55 and over
White
Black
Hispanic
other
1645minutes
Closest Airport McAllen International Airport
955deg
482deg
South Texasrsquo Finest Gift Store Offers Gifts From Around the World
4300 N 10th St bull Ste C bull McAllen TX 78504 (956) 686-1264 bull ohkaysaolcom
Look for us on Facebook
gOlF COurSES
gOlF TEC
2901 N 10TH ST956-994-9631
mCallEN COuNTry CluB615 WICHITA AVE956-686-0923
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
The national Butterfly Center the national butterfly center dedicates 100 acres to the conservation and scientific study of wild butterflies in their natural habitats the wildlife center is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm september through march and from 9 am until 4 pm april through august
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
liviNg SEE THE CITY
36 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
ThiNgS TO dO SEE THE CITY
24 mc allen
The Irrigation Workerthe sun sets behind a sculpture ldquothe irrigation Workerrdquo which was created by artist douglas clark and is located on nolana and 25th
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
l iVabil it ycommc allen 25
LIvINGHERESchools health care education and neighborhoods in McAllen
26 mc allen 26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 26 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 27
see more beautiful photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
Luxury Livingnewcomers have many beautiful home options in mcallen such as those offered in eight different communities by cantu construction a locally based award-winning builder
26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 liVabil it ycommc allen 27
liviNg
TECH TOOLS FOSTER STUDEnT SUCCESS
Padding theCurriculum
McAllen Independent School District (ISD) is feeling the benefits of an ambitious technology plan that places an iPod or iPad in the hands of every teacher and student
mcallen independent school district students use system-issued ipads in class
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
EduCaTiNg FOr ThE 21ST CENTury
The initiative began with a meeting between Dr James Ponce McAllenrsquos superintendent of schools and a ldquocadrerdquo of about 35 teachers administrators and parents
The grouprsquos primary goal was to build a 21st-century classroom environment one that fosters creativity collaboration and entrepreneurship The group also wanted to find a way to harness the 247 educational potential of the Internet ndash and teach students the critical-thinking skills needed to process online content
ldquoItrsquos an environment where the teachers become the primary learners and the students are driven by their examplerdquo Ponce says ldquoSo we asked what tools we would need for this transformation of the way we teach and the way the kids learnrdquo
After much research the group chose iPods (for grades K-2) and iPads (for teachers and grades 3-12) because of their portability
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo
CarOl aNN allEN LANGuAGEARTSTEACHER
ATMICHAELEFOSSuMMIDDLESCHOOL
relatively low cost and ease of use To implement the planrsquos first stage McAllen ISD issued 5800 of these devices to teachers and students when the rollout is complete it will cover more than 25000 students
Big BENEFiTS FOr TEaChErS aNd STudENTS
Both teachers and students are seeing benefits from the program
ldquoThe iPods help the kids be creative My students are organizing information in new waysrdquo says Ruth Whiddon who teaches first grade at Andrew Jackson Elementary School
For Carol Ann Allen International Baccalaureate coordinator and eighth-grade language arts teacher at Michael E Fossum Middle School the initiative is all about collaboration
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo she says
Sandra Guerra who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade math
at Fossum says the iPads have changed both her teaching style and the way her students learn
Instead of mapping out the learning process step-by-step she now gives students their goal and lets them choose how to get there
ldquoWith this approach they own their learning and theyrsquove been more willing to learnrdquo Guerra says
The iPads have also been a game-changer for Guerrarsquos family
Her seventh-grade daughter is learning advanced science concepts because of independent iPad projects And because most of her childrenrsquos school materials are on their iPads itrsquos easier than ever for Guerra to check on their progress from home
That kind of scenario says Superintendent Ponce is at the heart of the initiative
ldquoThe entire school system and our community want to lead in this effort to build a 21st-century learning environmentrdquo he says ldquoThis is a direct investment in our children and their familiesrdquo
by Kathryn Royster
High-Tech Learningseventh-grade students use ipads to follow class lectures and take quizzes during a language arts class at michael e fossum middle school
PH
oT
o C
oU
RT
EST
Y o
F M
CA
LLE
N IN
DE
PE
ND
EN
T S
CH
oo
L D
IST
RIC
T
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
Higher Education
SOuTh TExaS COllEgE
McAllenrsquos South Texas College has more than 30000 students and offers numerous associate and bachelorrsquos degree programs as well as professional certifications in more than 40 areas The college also has online degree courses for students who work full time
liviNg EDUCATIoN
Set for SuccesscolleGe prep is a top priority in mcallen
Education in McAllen is defined by excellent options From elementary school through college McAllen includes numerous institutions designed to prepare students for success By Braxton Shoop
school yourself on more educational offerings at livabilitycommcallen
Public Schools
mCallEN iNdEPENdENT SChOOl diSTriCT
Established in 1915 the mcallen independent School district comprises three high schools seven middle schools and 20 elementary schools Among these schools the district offers an advanced placement college-level curriculum and a dual-enrollment program for students who would like to obtain high school and college credit simultaneously
In addition the district features an International Baccalaureate program that provides students with an advanced curriculum geared toward global standards
Local Inspiration
FOrmEr STudENT FliES high
one of McAllenrsquos successful students is astronaut michael Fossum a graduate of McAllen High School After receiving his commission from the US Air Force by Texas AampM University Fossum graduated Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base and in 1993 he started at NASA Throughout his NASA career Fossum was on crew for three spaceflights He commanded the space station during one of his flights helping him rank seventh on the all-time list for cumulative Extravehicular Activity time
Top-notch Learning Environmentuniversity of texas-pan american offers many undergraduate degrees more than 50 masterrsquos degrees and three doctoral degrees utpa has accreditations from organizations like the commission for collegiate nursing the examining board of nurse examiners for the state of texas and the engineering accreditation commission of the accreditation board for engineering and technology
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Charter School
idEa aCadEmy
idEa academy is an innovative institution that offers a fully scaled curriculum for students in kindergarten and in the first second and sixth grades The school which opened in McAllen in 2012 will eventually add more grades each one including approximately 110 students While the school is public students must apply to fill the 460 available spots
To prepare its students to be collegiate scholars IDEA provides International Baccalaureate curriculum as well as the Road to College curriculum which begins in the sixth grade
ldquoWersquore very proud of the connection to our distinguished alumni like NASA astronaut Michael Fossum and we want our students to recognize the kind of education we provide here What he learned here helped catapult him into space and wersquore very proud of thatrdquo
NOrma zamOra-guErra MCALLENINDEPENDENTSCHOOL
DISTRICTCOMMuNITYINFORMATIONDIRECTOR
Michael E Fossum Middle Schoolnamed for astronaut michael e fossum the school is part of the mcallen independent school district
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Please call 9566316109 for a representative today
2501 Buddy Owens Blvd McAllen TX 78504
9656316125 Fax
wwwrio-healthcom
RioHealth MedicalWe are here to meet all your
occupational medicine needs
bull Workplace injuries and workersrsquo compensation
bull On site and off site drug screening
bull Physicals
bull Orthopedics
bull Early return to work
bull 247 coverage
bull We accept all types of insurance
WorkplaceInjury
DANIEL J GUERRA MD Diplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
LEONEL G MORENO MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
HOMERO RIVAS MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
606 S Broadway bull McAllen TX bull (956) 682-4515 bull wwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
FAMILY PHYSICIANS
CLINICSince 1967
Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm Sat 8 am-Noon
VALLEY NIGHT CLINIC
Since 1981
Open Every Night of the Year 6 pm-Midnight
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valley supports children of all abilities through child care
services early intervention and parenting support programs
Early Childhood intErvEntion ChildCarE sErviCEs ParEnts as tEaChErs
Easter seals rio Grande valley Programs for Children Birth to Five years
bullChild-Care servicesndashHigh-qualitychildcare sixweekstofiveyears
bullParents as teachers (Pat)ndashDevelopmental parentingsupportforchildrenbirthtofiveyears
bullEarly Childhood intervention (ECi) ndashConcerns indevelopmentforchildrenbirthtothreeyears
For more information about Easter seals
programs and services call (956) 631-9171 or visit wwweasterseals-rgvorg
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
liviNg HEALTH
Take a Deep Breath and Relaxresidents haVe access to top hospitals
McAllen residents receive quality care from the South Texas Health System Rio Grande Regional Hospital and the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance By Kevin Litwin
Health System
SOuTh TExaS hEalTh SySTEm
South Texas health System is the umbrella organization for a number of fine medical facilities including mcallen medical Center MMC has 441 beds and a staff of more than 400 physicians that represent 50 medical specialties
Also part of South Texas Health System is mcallen heart hospital which opened in 1996 as the first freestanding cardiology and cardiovascular hospital built in the United States It includes 60 beds and a 24-hour emergency center
Healthgrades has awarded McAllen Medical Center and McAllen Heart Hospital with a variety of honors in recent years and both earned a Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence in 2011
Hospital
riO graNdE rEgiONal hOSPiTal
rio grande regional hospital is an acute care medical facility with 320 beds and more than 500 physicians The hospital is the only area Diabetes Management Center accredited by the American Diabetes Association and is the arearsquos first facility to have a Pediatric Heart Program
RGRH also includes a 24-hour emergency room Womenrsquos Services department Level III trauma center and cardiovascular care The hospital is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists and every year since 2007 has been named a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
Hospital
dOCTOrS hOSPiTal aT rENaiSSaNCE
The 506-bed doctors hospital at renaissance is an acute care facility It provides cardiology neurosurgery and endocrinology as well as a Pediatric Medical Tower that offers pediatric oncology and pediatric ICU services
Doctors Hospital has been ranked among the nationrsquos 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters and recently invested $32 million to establish an Electronic Medical Record System
DHR was the first in South Texas to acquire a PETCT scanner for diagnosing cancer and the first in the region to introduce da Vinci robotic surgical technology The hospital also oversees Renaissance Behavioral Center which provides treatment for people with mental health problems substance abuse or eating disorders
34 mc allen
COMMUNITyPROFILE COST OF liviNg
$44074Median Household Income
$129554Median Home Price
$689Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
TraNSPOrTaTiON
Median Travel Time to Work
agE
TEmPEraTurE
January Average
July Average
EThNiCiTy
19 and Under
20-54
55 and over
White
Black
Hispanic
other
1645minutes
Closest Airport McAllen International Airport
955deg
482deg
South Texasrsquo Finest Gift Store Offers Gifts From Around the World
4300 N 10th St bull Ste C bull McAllen TX 78504 (956) 686-1264 bull ohkaysaolcom
Look for us on Facebook
gOlF COurSES
gOlF TEC
2901 N 10TH ST956-994-9631
mCallEN COuNTry CluB615 WICHITA AVE956-686-0923
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
The national Butterfly Center the national butterfly center dedicates 100 acres to the conservation and scientific study of wild butterflies in their natural habitats the wildlife center is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm september through march and from 9 am until 4 pm april through august
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
liviNg SEE THE CITY
36 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
The Irrigation Workerthe sun sets behind a sculpture ldquothe irrigation Workerrdquo which was created by artist douglas clark and is located on nolana and 25th
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
l iVabil it ycommc allen 25
LIvINGHERESchools health care education and neighborhoods in McAllen
26 mc allen 26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 26 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 27
see more beautiful photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
Luxury Livingnewcomers have many beautiful home options in mcallen such as those offered in eight different communities by cantu construction a locally based award-winning builder
26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 liVabil it ycommc allen 27
liviNg
TECH TOOLS FOSTER STUDEnT SUCCESS
Padding theCurriculum
McAllen Independent School District (ISD) is feeling the benefits of an ambitious technology plan that places an iPod or iPad in the hands of every teacher and student
mcallen independent school district students use system-issued ipads in class
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
EduCaTiNg FOr ThE 21ST CENTury
The initiative began with a meeting between Dr James Ponce McAllenrsquos superintendent of schools and a ldquocadrerdquo of about 35 teachers administrators and parents
The grouprsquos primary goal was to build a 21st-century classroom environment one that fosters creativity collaboration and entrepreneurship The group also wanted to find a way to harness the 247 educational potential of the Internet ndash and teach students the critical-thinking skills needed to process online content
ldquoItrsquos an environment where the teachers become the primary learners and the students are driven by their examplerdquo Ponce says ldquoSo we asked what tools we would need for this transformation of the way we teach and the way the kids learnrdquo
After much research the group chose iPods (for grades K-2) and iPads (for teachers and grades 3-12) because of their portability
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo
CarOl aNN allEN LANGuAGEARTSTEACHER
ATMICHAELEFOSSuMMIDDLESCHOOL
relatively low cost and ease of use To implement the planrsquos first stage McAllen ISD issued 5800 of these devices to teachers and students when the rollout is complete it will cover more than 25000 students
Big BENEFiTS FOr TEaChErS aNd STudENTS
Both teachers and students are seeing benefits from the program
ldquoThe iPods help the kids be creative My students are organizing information in new waysrdquo says Ruth Whiddon who teaches first grade at Andrew Jackson Elementary School
For Carol Ann Allen International Baccalaureate coordinator and eighth-grade language arts teacher at Michael E Fossum Middle School the initiative is all about collaboration
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo she says
Sandra Guerra who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade math
at Fossum says the iPads have changed both her teaching style and the way her students learn
Instead of mapping out the learning process step-by-step she now gives students their goal and lets them choose how to get there
ldquoWith this approach they own their learning and theyrsquove been more willing to learnrdquo Guerra says
The iPads have also been a game-changer for Guerrarsquos family
Her seventh-grade daughter is learning advanced science concepts because of independent iPad projects And because most of her childrenrsquos school materials are on their iPads itrsquos easier than ever for Guerra to check on their progress from home
That kind of scenario says Superintendent Ponce is at the heart of the initiative
ldquoThe entire school system and our community want to lead in this effort to build a 21st-century learning environmentrdquo he says ldquoThis is a direct investment in our children and their familiesrdquo
by Kathryn Royster
High-Tech Learningseventh-grade students use ipads to follow class lectures and take quizzes during a language arts class at michael e fossum middle school
PH
oT
o C
oU
RT
EST
Y o
F M
CA
LLE
N IN
DE
PE
ND
EN
T S
CH
oo
L D
IST
RIC
T
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
Higher Education
SOuTh TExaS COllEgE
McAllenrsquos South Texas College has more than 30000 students and offers numerous associate and bachelorrsquos degree programs as well as professional certifications in more than 40 areas The college also has online degree courses for students who work full time
liviNg EDUCATIoN
Set for SuccesscolleGe prep is a top priority in mcallen
Education in McAllen is defined by excellent options From elementary school through college McAllen includes numerous institutions designed to prepare students for success By Braxton Shoop
school yourself on more educational offerings at livabilitycommcallen
Public Schools
mCallEN iNdEPENdENT SChOOl diSTriCT
Established in 1915 the mcallen independent School district comprises three high schools seven middle schools and 20 elementary schools Among these schools the district offers an advanced placement college-level curriculum and a dual-enrollment program for students who would like to obtain high school and college credit simultaneously
In addition the district features an International Baccalaureate program that provides students with an advanced curriculum geared toward global standards
Local Inspiration
FOrmEr STudENT FliES high
one of McAllenrsquos successful students is astronaut michael Fossum a graduate of McAllen High School After receiving his commission from the US Air Force by Texas AampM University Fossum graduated Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base and in 1993 he started at NASA Throughout his NASA career Fossum was on crew for three spaceflights He commanded the space station during one of his flights helping him rank seventh on the all-time list for cumulative Extravehicular Activity time
Top-notch Learning Environmentuniversity of texas-pan american offers many undergraduate degrees more than 50 masterrsquos degrees and three doctoral degrees utpa has accreditations from organizations like the commission for collegiate nursing the examining board of nurse examiners for the state of texas and the engineering accreditation commission of the accreditation board for engineering and technology
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Charter School
idEa aCadEmy
idEa academy is an innovative institution that offers a fully scaled curriculum for students in kindergarten and in the first second and sixth grades The school which opened in McAllen in 2012 will eventually add more grades each one including approximately 110 students While the school is public students must apply to fill the 460 available spots
To prepare its students to be collegiate scholars IDEA provides International Baccalaureate curriculum as well as the Road to College curriculum which begins in the sixth grade
ldquoWersquore very proud of the connection to our distinguished alumni like NASA astronaut Michael Fossum and we want our students to recognize the kind of education we provide here What he learned here helped catapult him into space and wersquore very proud of thatrdquo
NOrma zamOra-guErra MCALLENINDEPENDENTSCHOOL
DISTRICTCOMMuNITYINFORMATIONDIRECTOR
Michael E Fossum Middle Schoolnamed for astronaut michael e fossum the school is part of the mcallen independent school district
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Please call 9566316109 for a representative today
2501 Buddy Owens Blvd McAllen TX 78504
9656316125 Fax
wwwrio-healthcom
RioHealth MedicalWe are here to meet all your
occupational medicine needs
bull Workplace injuries and workersrsquo compensation
bull On site and off site drug screening
bull Physicals
bull Orthopedics
bull Early return to work
bull 247 coverage
bull We accept all types of insurance
WorkplaceInjury
DANIEL J GUERRA MD Diplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
LEONEL G MORENO MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
HOMERO RIVAS MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
606 S Broadway bull McAllen TX bull (956) 682-4515 bull wwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
FAMILY PHYSICIANS
CLINICSince 1967
Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm Sat 8 am-Noon
VALLEY NIGHT CLINIC
Since 1981
Open Every Night of the Year 6 pm-Midnight
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valley supports children of all abilities through child care
services early intervention and parenting support programs
Early Childhood intErvEntion ChildCarE sErviCEs ParEnts as tEaChErs
Easter seals rio Grande valley Programs for Children Birth to Five years
bullChild-Care servicesndashHigh-qualitychildcare sixweekstofiveyears
bullParents as teachers (Pat)ndashDevelopmental parentingsupportforchildrenbirthtofiveyears
bullEarly Childhood intervention (ECi) ndashConcerns indevelopmentforchildrenbirthtothreeyears
For more information about Easter seals
programs and services call (956) 631-9171 or visit wwweasterseals-rgvorg
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
liviNg HEALTH
Take a Deep Breath and Relaxresidents haVe access to top hospitals
McAllen residents receive quality care from the South Texas Health System Rio Grande Regional Hospital and the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance By Kevin Litwin
Health System
SOuTh TExaS hEalTh SySTEm
South Texas health System is the umbrella organization for a number of fine medical facilities including mcallen medical Center MMC has 441 beds and a staff of more than 400 physicians that represent 50 medical specialties
Also part of South Texas Health System is mcallen heart hospital which opened in 1996 as the first freestanding cardiology and cardiovascular hospital built in the United States It includes 60 beds and a 24-hour emergency center
Healthgrades has awarded McAllen Medical Center and McAllen Heart Hospital with a variety of honors in recent years and both earned a Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence in 2011
Hospital
riO graNdE rEgiONal hOSPiTal
rio grande regional hospital is an acute care medical facility with 320 beds and more than 500 physicians The hospital is the only area Diabetes Management Center accredited by the American Diabetes Association and is the arearsquos first facility to have a Pediatric Heart Program
RGRH also includes a 24-hour emergency room Womenrsquos Services department Level III trauma center and cardiovascular care The hospital is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists and every year since 2007 has been named a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
Hospital
dOCTOrS hOSPiTal aT rENaiSSaNCE
The 506-bed doctors hospital at renaissance is an acute care facility It provides cardiology neurosurgery and endocrinology as well as a Pediatric Medical Tower that offers pediatric oncology and pediatric ICU services
Doctors Hospital has been ranked among the nationrsquos 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters and recently invested $32 million to establish an Electronic Medical Record System
DHR was the first in South Texas to acquire a PETCT scanner for diagnosing cancer and the first in the region to introduce da Vinci robotic surgical technology The hospital also oversees Renaissance Behavioral Center which provides treatment for people with mental health problems substance abuse or eating disorders
34 mc allen
COMMUNITyPROFILE COST OF liviNg
$44074Median Household Income
$129554Median Home Price
$689Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
TraNSPOrTaTiON
Median Travel Time to Work
agE
TEmPEraTurE
January Average
July Average
EThNiCiTy
19 and Under
20-54
55 and over
White
Black
Hispanic
other
1645minutes
Closest Airport McAllen International Airport
955deg
482deg
South Texasrsquo Finest Gift Store Offers Gifts From Around the World
4300 N 10th St bull Ste C bull McAllen TX 78504 (956) 686-1264 bull ohkaysaolcom
Look for us on Facebook
gOlF COurSES
gOlF TEC
2901 N 10TH ST956-994-9631
mCallEN COuNTry CluB615 WICHITA AVE956-686-0923
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
The national Butterfly Center the national butterfly center dedicates 100 acres to the conservation and scientific study of wild butterflies in their natural habitats the wildlife center is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm september through march and from 9 am until 4 pm april through august
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
liviNg SEE THE CITY
36 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
LIvINGHERESchools health care education and neighborhoods in McAllen
26 mc allen 26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 26 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 27
see more beautiful photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
Luxury Livingnewcomers have many beautiful home options in mcallen such as those offered in eight different communities by cantu construction a locally based award-winning builder
26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 liVabil it ycommc allen 27
liviNg
TECH TOOLS FOSTER STUDEnT SUCCESS
Padding theCurriculum
McAllen Independent School District (ISD) is feeling the benefits of an ambitious technology plan that places an iPod or iPad in the hands of every teacher and student
mcallen independent school district students use system-issued ipads in class
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
EduCaTiNg FOr ThE 21ST CENTury
The initiative began with a meeting between Dr James Ponce McAllenrsquos superintendent of schools and a ldquocadrerdquo of about 35 teachers administrators and parents
The grouprsquos primary goal was to build a 21st-century classroom environment one that fosters creativity collaboration and entrepreneurship The group also wanted to find a way to harness the 247 educational potential of the Internet ndash and teach students the critical-thinking skills needed to process online content
ldquoItrsquos an environment where the teachers become the primary learners and the students are driven by their examplerdquo Ponce says ldquoSo we asked what tools we would need for this transformation of the way we teach and the way the kids learnrdquo
After much research the group chose iPods (for grades K-2) and iPads (for teachers and grades 3-12) because of their portability
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo
CarOl aNN allEN LANGuAGEARTSTEACHER
ATMICHAELEFOSSuMMIDDLESCHOOL
relatively low cost and ease of use To implement the planrsquos first stage McAllen ISD issued 5800 of these devices to teachers and students when the rollout is complete it will cover more than 25000 students
Big BENEFiTS FOr TEaChErS aNd STudENTS
Both teachers and students are seeing benefits from the program
ldquoThe iPods help the kids be creative My students are organizing information in new waysrdquo says Ruth Whiddon who teaches first grade at Andrew Jackson Elementary School
For Carol Ann Allen International Baccalaureate coordinator and eighth-grade language arts teacher at Michael E Fossum Middle School the initiative is all about collaboration
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo she says
Sandra Guerra who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade math
at Fossum says the iPads have changed both her teaching style and the way her students learn
Instead of mapping out the learning process step-by-step she now gives students their goal and lets them choose how to get there
ldquoWith this approach they own their learning and theyrsquove been more willing to learnrdquo Guerra says
The iPads have also been a game-changer for Guerrarsquos family
Her seventh-grade daughter is learning advanced science concepts because of independent iPad projects And because most of her childrenrsquos school materials are on their iPads itrsquos easier than ever for Guerra to check on their progress from home
That kind of scenario says Superintendent Ponce is at the heart of the initiative
ldquoThe entire school system and our community want to lead in this effort to build a 21st-century learning environmentrdquo he says ldquoThis is a direct investment in our children and their familiesrdquo
by Kathryn Royster
High-Tech Learningseventh-grade students use ipads to follow class lectures and take quizzes during a language arts class at michael e fossum middle school
PH
oT
o C
oU
RT
EST
Y o
F M
CA
LLE
N IN
DE
PE
ND
EN
T S
CH
oo
L D
IST
RIC
T
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
Higher Education
SOuTh TExaS COllEgE
McAllenrsquos South Texas College has more than 30000 students and offers numerous associate and bachelorrsquos degree programs as well as professional certifications in more than 40 areas The college also has online degree courses for students who work full time
liviNg EDUCATIoN
Set for SuccesscolleGe prep is a top priority in mcallen
Education in McAllen is defined by excellent options From elementary school through college McAllen includes numerous institutions designed to prepare students for success By Braxton Shoop
school yourself on more educational offerings at livabilitycommcallen
Public Schools
mCallEN iNdEPENdENT SChOOl diSTriCT
Established in 1915 the mcallen independent School district comprises three high schools seven middle schools and 20 elementary schools Among these schools the district offers an advanced placement college-level curriculum and a dual-enrollment program for students who would like to obtain high school and college credit simultaneously
In addition the district features an International Baccalaureate program that provides students with an advanced curriculum geared toward global standards
Local Inspiration
FOrmEr STudENT FliES high
one of McAllenrsquos successful students is astronaut michael Fossum a graduate of McAllen High School After receiving his commission from the US Air Force by Texas AampM University Fossum graduated Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base and in 1993 he started at NASA Throughout his NASA career Fossum was on crew for three spaceflights He commanded the space station during one of his flights helping him rank seventh on the all-time list for cumulative Extravehicular Activity time
Top-notch Learning Environmentuniversity of texas-pan american offers many undergraduate degrees more than 50 masterrsquos degrees and three doctoral degrees utpa has accreditations from organizations like the commission for collegiate nursing the examining board of nurse examiners for the state of texas and the engineering accreditation commission of the accreditation board for engineering and technology
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Charter School
idEa aCadEmy
idEa academy is an innovative institution that offers a fully scaled curriculum for students in kindergarten and in the first second and sixth grades The school which opened in McAllen in 2012 will eventually add more grades each one including approximately 110 students While the school is public students must apply to fill the 460 available spots
To prepare its students to be collegiate scholars IDEA provides International Baccalaureate curriculum as well as the Road to College curriculum which begins in the sixth grade
ldquoWersquore very proud of the connection to our distinguished alumni like NASA astronaut Michael Fossum and we want our students to recognize the kind of education we provide here What he learned here helped catapult him into space and wersquore very proud of thatrdquo
NOrma zamOra-guErra MCALLENINDEPENDENTSCHOOL
DISTRICTCOMMuNITYINFORMATIONDIRECTOR
Michael E Fossum Middle Schoolnamed for astronaut michael e fossum the school is part of the mcallen independent school district
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Please call 9566316109 for a representative today
2501 Buddy Owens Blvd McAllen TX 78504
9656316125 Fax
wwwrio-healthcom
RioHealth MedicalWe are here to meet all your
occupational medicine needs
bull Workplace injuries and workersrsquo compensation
bull On site and off site drug screening
bull Physicals
bull Orthopedics
bull Early return to work
bull 247 coverage
bull We accept all types of insurance
WorkplaceInjury
DANIEL J GUERRA MD Diplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
LEONEL G MORENO MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
HOMERO RIVAS MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
606 S Broadway bull McAllen TX bull (956) 682-4515 bull wwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
FAMILY PHYSICIANS
CLINICSince 1967
Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm Sat 8 am-Noon
VALLEY NIGHT CLINIC
Since 1981
Open Every Night of the Year 6 pm-Midnight
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valley supports children of all abilities through child care
services early intervention and parenting support programs
Early Childhood intErvEntion ChildCarE sErviCEs ParEnts as tEaChErs
Easter seals rio Grande valley Programs for Children Birth to Five years
bullChild-Care servicesndashHigh-qualitychildcare sixweekstofiveyears
bullParents as teachers (Pat)ndashDevelopmental parentingsupportforchildrenbirthtofiveyears
bullEarly Childhood intervention (ECi) ndashConcerns indevelopmentforchildrenbirthtothreeyears
For more information about Easter seals
programs and services call (956) 631-9171 or visit wwweasterseals-rgvorg
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
liviNg HEALTH
Take a Deep Breath and Relaxresidents haVe access to top hospitals
McAllen residents receive quality care from the South Texas Health System Rio Grande Regional Hospital and the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance By Kevin Litwin
Health System
SOuTh TExaS hEalTh SySTEm
South Texas health System is the umbrella organization for a number of fine medical facilities including mcallen medical Center MMC has 441 beds and a staff of more than 400 physicians that represent 50 medical specialties
Also part of South Texas Health System is mcallen heart hospital which opened in 1996 as the first freestanding cardiology and cardiovascular hospital built in the United States It includes 60 beds and a 24-hour emergency center
Healthgrades has awarded McAllen Medical Center and McAllen Heart Hospital with a variety of honors in recent years and both earned a Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence in 2011
Hospital
riO graNdE rEgiONal hOSPiTal
rio grande regional hospital is an acute care medical facility with 320 beds and more than 500 physicians The hospital is the only area Diabetes Management Center accredited by the American Diabetes Association and is the arearsquos first facility to have a Pediatric Heart Program
RGRH also includes a 24-hour emergency room Womenrsquos Services department Level III trauma center and cardiovascular care The hospital is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists and every year since 2007 has been named a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
Hospital
dOCTOrS hOSPiTal aT rENaiSSaNCE
The 506-bed doctors hospital at renaissance is an acute care facility It provides cardiology neurosurgery and endocrinology as well as a Pediatric Medical Tower that offers pediatric oncology and pediatric ICU services
Doctors Hospital has been ranked among the nationrsquos 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters and recently invested $32 million to establish an Electronic Medical Record System
DHR was the first in South Texas to acquire a PETCT scanner for diagnosing cancer and the first in the region to introduce da Vinci robotic surgical technology The hospital also oversees Renaissance Behavioral Center which provides treatment for people with mental health problems substance abuse or eating disorders
34 mc allen
COMMUNITyPROFILE COST OF liviNg
$44074Median Household Income
$129554Median Home Price
$689Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
TraNSPOrTaTiON
Median Travel Time to Work
agE
TEmPEraTurE
January Average
July Average
EThNiCiTy
19 and Under
20-54
55 and over
White
Black
Hispanic
other
1645minutes
Closest Airport McAllen International Airport
955deg
482deg
South Texasrsquo Finest Gift Store Offers Gifts From Around the World
4300 N 10th St bull Ste C bull McAllen TX 78504 (956) 686-1264 bull ohkaysaolcom
Look for us on Facebook
gOlF COurSES
gOlF TEC
2901 N 10TH ST956-994-9631
mCallEN COuNTry CluB615 WICHITA AVE956-686-0923
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
The national Butterfly Center the national butterfly center dedicates 100 acres to the conservation and scientific study of wild butterflies in their natural habitats the wildlife center is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm september through march and from 9 am until 4 pm april through august
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
liviNg SEE THE CITY
36 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
l iVabil it ycommc allen 27
see more beautiful photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
Luxury Livingnewcomers have many beautiful home options in mcallen such as those offered in eight different communities by cantu construction a locally based award-winning builder
26 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 27 liVabil it ycommc allen 27
liviNg
TECH TOOLS FOSTER STUDEnT SUCCESS
Padding theCurriculum
McAllen Independent School District (ISD) is feeling the benefits of an ambitious technology plan that places an iPod or iPad in the hands of every teacher and student
mcallen independent school district students use system-issued ipads in class
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
EduCaTiNg FOr ThE 21ST CENTury
The initiative began with a meeting between Dr James Ponce McAllenrsquos superintendent of schools and a ldquocadrerdquo of about 35 teachers administrators and parents
The grouprsquos primary goal was to build a 21st-century classroom environment one that fosters creativity collaboration and entrepreneurship The group also wanted to find a way to harness the 247 educational potential of the Internet ndash and teach students the critical-thinking skills needed to process online content
ldquoItrsquos an environment where the teachers become the primary learners and the students are driven by their examplerdquo Ponce says ldquoSo we asked what tools we would need for this transformation of the way we teach and the way the kids learnrdquo
After much research the group chose iPods (for grades K-2) and iPads (for teachers and grades 3-12) because of their portability
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo
CarOl aNN allEN LANGuAGEARTSTEACHER
ATMICHAELEFOSSuMMIDDLESCHOOL
relatively low cost and ease of use To implement the planrsquos first stage McAllen ISD issued 5800 of these devices to teachers and students when the rollout is complete it will cover more than 25000 students
Big BENEFiTS FOr TEaChErS aNd STudENTS
Both teachers and students are seeing benefits from the program
ldquoThe iPods help the kids be creative My students are organizing information in new waysrdquo says Ruth Whiddon who teaches first grade at Andrew Jackson Elementary School
For Carol Ann Allen International Baccalaureate coordinator and eighth-grade language arts teacher at Michael E Fossum Middle School the initiative is all about collaboration
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo she says
Sandra Guerra who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade math
at Fossum says the iPads have changed both her teaching style and the way her students learn
Instead of mapping out the learning process step-by-step she now gives students their goal and lets them choose how to get there
ldquoWith this approach they own their learning and theyrsquove been more willing to learnrdquo Guerra says
The iPads have also been a game-changer for Guerrarsquos family
Her seventh-grade daughter is learning advanced science concepts because of independent iPad projects And because most of her childrenrsquos school materials are on their iPads itrsquos easier than ever for Guerra to check on their progress from home
That kind of scenario says Superintendent Ponce is at the heart of the initiative
ldquoThe entire school system and our community want to lead in this effort to build a 21st-century learning environmentrdquo he says ldquoThis is a direct investment in our children and their familiesrdquo
by Kathryn Royster
High-Tech Learningseventh-grade students use ipads to follow class lectures and take quizzes during a language arts class at michael e fossum middle school
PH
oT
o C
oU
RT
EST
Y o
F M
CA
LLE
N IN
DE
PE
ND
EN
T S
CH
oo
L D
IST
RIC
T
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
Higher Education
SOuTh TExaS COllEgE
McAllenrsquos South Texas College has more than 30000 students and offers numerous associate and bachelorrsquos degree programs as well as professional certifications in more than 40 areas The college also has online degree courses for students who work full time
liviNg EDUCATIoN
Set for SuccesscolleGe prep is a top priority in mcallen
Education in McAllen is defined by excellent options From elementary school through college McAllen includes numerous institutions designed to prepare students for success By Braxton Shoop
school yourself on more educational offerings at livabilitycommcallen
Public Schools
mCallEN iNdEPENdENT SChOOl diSTriCT
Established in 1915 the mcallen independent School district comprises three high schools seven middle schools and 20 elementary schools Among these schools the district offers an advanced placement college-level curriculum and a dual-enrollment program for students who would like to obtain high school and college credit simultaneously
In addition the district features an International Baccalaureate program that provides students with an advanced curriculum geared toward global standards
Local Inspiration
FOrmEr STudENT FliES high
one of McAllenrsquos successful students is astronaut michael Fossum a graduate of McAllen High School After receiving his commission from the US Air Force by Texas AampM University Fossum graduated Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base and in 1993 he started at NASA Throughout his NASA career Fossum was on crew for three spaceflights He commanded the space station during one of his flights helping him rank seventh on the all-time list for cumulative Extravehicular Activity time
Top-notch Learning Environmentuniversity of texas-pan american offers many undergraduate degrees more than 50 masterrsquos degrees and three doctoral degrees utpa has accreditations from organizations like the commission for collegiate nursing the examining board of nurse examiners for the state of texas and the engineering accreditation commission of the accreditation board for engineering and technology
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Charter School
idEa aCadEmy
idEa academy is an innovative institution that offers a fully scaled curriculum for students in kindergarten and in the first second and sixth grades The school which opened in McAllen in 2012 will eventually add more grades each one including approximately 110 students While the school is public students must apply to fill the 460 available spots
To prepare its students to be collegiate scholars IDEA provides International Baccalaureate curriculum as well as the Road to College curriculum which begins in the sixth grade
ldquoWersquore very proud of the connection to our distinguished alumni like NASA astronaut Michael Fossum and we want our students to recognize the kind of education we provide here What he learned here helped catapult him into space and wersquore very proud of thatrdquo
NOrma zamOra-guErra MCALLENINDEPENDENTSCHOOL
DISTRICTCOMMuNITYINFORMATIONDIRECTOR
Michael E Fossum Middle Schoolnamed for astronaut michael e fossum the school is part of the mcallen independent school district
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Please call 9566316109 for a representative today
2501 Buddy Owens Blvd McAllen TX 78504
9656316125 Fax
wwwrio-healthcom
RioHealth MedicalWe are here to meet all your
occupational medicine needs
bull Workplace injuries and workersrsquo compensation
bull On site and off site drug screening
bull Physicals
bull Orthopedics
bull Early return to work
bull 247 coverage
bull We accept all types of insurance
WorkplaceInjury
DANIEL J GUERRA MD Diplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
LEONEL G MORENO MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
HOMERO RIVAS MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
606 S Broadway bull McAllen TX bull (956) 682-4515 bull wwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
FAMILY PHYSICIANS
CLINICSince 1967
Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm Sat 8 am-Noon
VALLEY NIGHT CLINIC
Since 1981
Open Every Night of the Year 6 pm-Midnight
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valley supports children of all abilities through child care
services early intervention and parenting support programs
Early Childhood intErvEntion ChildCarE sErviCEs ParEnts as tEaChErs
Easter seals rio Grande valley Programs for Children Birth to Five years
bullChild-Care servicesndashHigh-qualitychildcare sixweekstofiveyears
bullParents as teachers (Pat)ndashDevelopmental parentingsupportforchildrenbirthtofiveyears
bullEarly Childhood intervention (ECi) ndashConcerns indevelopmentforchildrenbirthtothreeyears
For more information about Easter seals
programs and services call (956) 631-9171 or visit wwweasterseals-rgvorg
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
liviNg HEALTH
Take a Deep Breath and Relaxresidents haVe access to top hospitals
McAllen residents receive quality care from the South Texas Health System Rio Grande Regional Hospital and the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance By Kevin Litwin
Health System
SOuTh TExaS hEalTh SySTEm
South Texas health System is the umbrella organization for a number of fine medical facilities including mcallen medical Center MMC has 441 beds and a staff of more than 400 physicians that represent 50 medical specialties
Also part of South Texas Health System is mcallen heart hospital which opened in 1996 as the first freestanding cardiology and cardiovascular hospital built in the United States It includes 60 beds and a 24-hour emergency center
Healthgrades has awarded McAllen Medical Center and McAllen Heart Hospital with a variety of honors in recent years and both earned a Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence in 2011
Hospital
riO graNdE rEgiONal hOSPiTal
rio grande regional hospital is an acute care medical facility with 320 beds and more than 500 physicians The hospital is the only area Diabetes Management Center accredited by the American Diabetes Association and is the arearsquos first facility to have a Pediatric Heart Program
RGRH also includes a 24-hour emergency room Womenrsquos Services department Level III trauma center and cardiovascular care The hospital is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists and every year since 2007 has been named a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
Hospital
dOCTOrS hOSPiTal aT rENaiSSaNCE
The 506-bed doctors hospital at renaissance is an acute care facility It provides cardiology neurosurgery and endocrinology as well as a Pediatric Medical Tower that offers pediatric oncology and pediatric ICU services
Doctors Hospital has been ranked among the nationrsquos 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters and recently invested $32 million to establish an Electronic Medical Record System
DHR was the first in South Texas to acquire a PETCT scanner for diagnosing cancer and the first in the region to introduce da Vinci robotic surgical technology The hospital also oversees Renaissance Behavioral Center which provides treatment for people with mental health problems substance abuse or eating disorders
34 mc allen
COMMUNITyPROFILE COST OF liviNg
$44074Median Household Income
$129554Median Home Price
$689Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
TraNSPOrTaTiON
Median Travel Time to Work
agE
TEmPEraTurE
January Average
July Average
EThNiCiTy
19 and Under
20-54
55 and over
White
Black
Hispanic
other
1645minutes
Closest Airport McAllen International Airport
955deg
482deg
South Texasrsquo Finest Gift Store Offers Gifts From Around the World
4300 N 10th St bull Ste C bull McAllen TX 78504 (956) 686-1264 bull ohkaysaolcom
Look for us on Facebook
gOlF COurSES
gOlF TEC
2901 N 10TH ST956-994-9631
mCallEN COuNTry CluB615 WICHITA AVE956-686-0923
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
The national Butterfly Center the national butterfly center dedicates 100 acres to the conservation and scientific study of wild butterflies in their natural habitats the wildlife center is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm september through march and from 9 am until 4 pm april through august
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
liviNg SEE THE CITY
36 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
liviNg
TECH TOOLS FOSTER STUDEnT SUCCESS
Padding theCurriculum
McAllen Independent School District (ISD) is feeling the benefits of an ambitious technology plan that places an iPod or iPad in the hands of every teacher and student
mcallen independent school district students use system-issued ipads in class
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
EduCaTiNg FOr ThE 21ST CENTury
The initiative began with a meeting between Dr James Ponce McAllenrsquos superintendent of schools and a ldquocadrerdquo of about 35 teachers administrators and parents
The grouprsquos primary goal was to build a 21st-century classroom environment one that fosters creativity collaboration and entrepreneurship The group also wanted to find a way to harness the 247 educational potential of the Internet ndash and teach students the critical-thinking skills needed to process online content
ldquoItrsquos an environment where the teachers become the primary learners and the students are driven by their examplerdquo Ponce says ldquoSo we asked what tools we would need for this transformation of the way we teach and the way the kids learnrdquo
After much research the group chose iPods (for grades K-2) and iPads (for teachers and grades 3-12) because of their portability
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo
CarOl aNN allEN LANGuAGEARTSTEACHER
ATMICHAELEFOSSuMMIDDLESCHOOL
relatively low cost and ease of use To implement the planrsquos first stage McAllen ISD issued 5800 of these devices to teachers and students when the rollout is complete it will cover more than 25000 students
Big BENEFiTS FOr TEaChErS aNd STudENTS
Both teachers and students are seeing benefits from the program
ldquoThe iPods help the kids be creative My students are organizing information in new waysrdquo says Ruth Whiddon who teaches first grade at Andrew Jackson Elementary School
For Carol Ann Allen International Baccalaureate coordinator and eighth-grade language arts teacher at Michael E Fossum Middle School the initiative is all about collaboration
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo she says
Sandra Guerra who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade math
at Fossum says the iPads have changed both her teaching style and the way her students learn
Instead of mapping out the learning process step-by-step she now gives students their goal and lets them choose how to get there
ldquoWith this approach they own their learning and theyrsquove been more willing to learnrdquo Guerra says
The iPads have also been a game-changer for Guerrarsquos family
Her seventh-grade daughter is learning advanced science concepts because of independent iPad projects And because most of her childrenrsquos school materials are on their iPads itrsquos easier than ever for Guerra to check on their progress from home
That kind of scenario says Superintendent Ponce is at the heart of the initiative
ldquoThe entire school system and our community want to lead in this effort to build a 21st-century learning environmentrdquo he says ldquoThis is a direct investment in our children and their familiesrdquo
by Kathryn Royster
High-Tech Learningseventh-grade students use ipads to follow class lectures and take quizzes during a language arts class at michael e fossum middle school
PH
oT
o C
oU
RT
EST
Y o
F M
CA
LLE
N IN
DE
PE
ND
EN
T S
CH
oo
L D
IST
RIC
T
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
Higher Education
SOuTh TExaS COllEgE
McAllenrsquos South Texas College has more than 30000 students and offers numerous associate and bachelorrsquos degree programs as well as professional certifications in more than 40 areas The college also has online degree courses for students who work full time
liviNg EDUCATIoN
Set for SuccesscolleGe prep is a top priority in mcallen
Education in McAllen is defined by excellent options From elementary school through college McAllen includes numerous institutions designed to prepare students for success By Braxton Shoop
school yourself on more educational offerings at livabilitycommcallen
Public Schools
mCallEN iNdEPENdENT SChOOl diSTriCT
Established in 1915 the mcallen independent School district comprises three high schools seven middle schools and 20 elementary schools Among these schools the district offers an advanced placement college-level curriculum and a dual-enrollment program for students who would like to obtain high school and college credit simultaneously
In addition the district features an International Baccalaureate program that provides students with an advanced curriculum geared toward global standards
Local Inspiration
FOrmEr STudENT FliES high
one of McAllenrsquos successful students is astronaut michael Fossum a graduate of McAllen High School After receiving his commission from the US Air Force by Texas AampM University Fossum graduated Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base and in 1993 he started at NASA Throughout his NASA career Fossum was on crew for three spaceflights He commanded the space station during one of his flights helping him rank seventh on the all-time list for cumulative Extravehicular Activity time
Top-notch Learning Environmentuniversity of texas-pan american offers many undergraduate degrees more than 50 masterrsquos degrees and three doctoral degrees utpa has accreditations from organizations like the commission for collegiate nursing the examining board of nurse examiners for the state of texas and the engineering accreditation commission of the accreditation board for engineering and technology
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Charter School
idEa aCadEmy
idEa academy is an innovative institution that offers a fully scaled curriculum for students in kindergarten and in the first second and sixth grades The school which opened in McAllen in 2012 will eventually add more grades each one including approximately 110 students While the school is public students must apply to fill the 460 available spots
To prepare its students to be collegiate scholars IDEA provides International Baccalaureate curriculum as well as the Road to College curriculum which begins in the sixth grade
ldquoWersquore very proud of the connection to our distinguished alumni like NASA astronaut Michael Fossum and we want our students to recognize the kind of education we provide here What he learned here helped catapult him into space and wersquore very proud of thatrdquo
NOrma zamOra-guErra MCALLENINDEPENDENTSCHOOL
DISTRICTCOMMuNITYINFORMATIONDIRECTOR
Michael E Fossum Middle Schoolnamed for astronaut michael e fossum the school is part of the mcallen independent school district
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Please call 9566316109 for a representative today
2501 Buddy Owens Blvd McAllen TX 78504
9656316125 Fax
wwwrio-healthcom
RioHealth MedicalWe are here to meet all your
occupational medicine needs
bull Workplace injuries and workersrsquo compensation
bull On site and off site drug screening
bull Physicals
bull Orthopedics
bull Early return to work
bull 247 coverage
bull We accept all types of insurance
WorkplaceInjury
DANIEL J GUERRA MD Diplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
LEONEL G MORENO MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
HOMERO RIVAS MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
606 S Broadway bull McAllen TX bull (956) 682-4515 bull wwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
FAMILY PHYSICIANS
CLINICSince 1967
Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm Sat 8 am-Noon
VALLEY NIGHT CLINIC
Since 1981
Open Every Night of the Year 6 pm-Midnight
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valley supports children of all abilities through child care
services early intervention and parenting support programs
Early Childhood intErvEntion ChildCarE sErviCEs ParEnts as tEaChErs
Easter seals rio Grande valley Programs for Children Birth to Five years
bullChild-Care servicesndashHigh-qualitychildcare sixweekstofiveyears
bullParents as teachers (Pat)ndashDevelopmental parentingsupportforchildrenbirthtofiveyears
bullEarly Childhood intervention (ECi) ndashConcerns indevelopmentforchildrenbirthtothreeyears
For more information about Easter seals
programs and services call (956) 631-9171 or visit wwweasterseals-rgvorg
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
liviNg HEALTH
Take a Deep Breath and Relaxresidents haVe access to top hospitals
McAllen residents receive quality care from the South Texas Health System Rio Grande Regional Hospital and the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance By Kevin Litwin
Health System
SOuTh TExaS hEalTh SySTEm
South Texas health System is the umbrella organization for a number of fine medical facilities including mcallen medical Center MMC has 441 beds and a staff of more than 400 physicians that represent 50 medical specialties
Also part of South Texas Health System is mcallen heart hospital which opened in 1996 as the first freestanding cardiology and cardiovascular hospital built in the United States It includes 60 beds and a 24-hour emergency center
Healthgrades has awarded McAllen Medical Center and McAllen Heart Hospital with a variety of honors in recent years and both earned a Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence in 2011
Hospital
riO graNdE rEgiONal hOSPiTal
rio grande regional hospital is an acute care medical facility with 320 beds and more than 500 physicians The hospital is the only area Diabetes Management Center accredited by the American Diabetes Association and is the arearsquos first facility to have a Pediatric Heart Program
RGRH also includes a 24-hour emergency room Womenrsquos Services department Level III trauma center and cardiovascular care The hospital is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists and every year since 2007 has been named a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
Hospital
dOCTOrS hOSPiTal aT rENaiSSaNCE
The 506-bed doctors hospital at renaissance is an acute care facility It provides cardiology neurosurgery and endocrinology as well as a Pediatric Medical Tower that offers pediatric oncology and pediatric ICU services
Doctors Hospital has been ranked among the nationrsquos 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters and recently invested $32 million to establish an Electronic Medical Record System
DHR was the first in South Texas to acquire a PETCT scanner for diagnosing cancer and the first in the region to introduce da Vinci robotic surgical technology The hospital also oversees Renaissance Behavioral Center which provides treatment for people with mental health problems substance abuse or eating disorders
34 mc allen
COMMUNITyPROFILE COST OF liviNg
$44074Median Household Income
$129554Median Home Price
$689Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
TraNSPOrTaTiON
Median Travel Time to Work
agE
TEmPEraTurE
January Average
July Average
EThNiCiTy
19 and Under
20-54
55 and over
White
Black
Hispanic
other
1645minutes
Closest Airport McAllen International Airport
955deg
482deg
South Texasrsquo Finest Gift Store Offers Gifts From Around the World
4300 N 10th St bull Ste C bull McAllen TX 78504 (956) 686-1264 bull ohkaysaolcom
Look for us on Facebook
gOlF COurSES
gOlF TEC
2901 N 10TH ST956-994-9631
mCallEN COuNTry CluB615 WICHITA AVE956-686-0923
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
The national Butterfly Center the national butterfly center dedicates 100 acres to the conservation and scientific study of wild butterflies in their natural habitats the wildlife center is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm september through march and from 9 am until 4 pm april through august
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
liviNg SEE THE CITY
36 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
EduCaTiNg FOr ThE 21ST CENTury
The initiative began with a meeting between Dr James Ponce McAllenrsquos superintendent of schools and a ldquocadrerdquo of about 35 teachers administrators and parents
The grouprsquos primary goal was to build a 21st-century classroom environment one that fosters creativity collaboration and entrepreneurship The group also wanted to find a way to harness the 247 educational potential of the Internet ndash and teach students the critical-thinking skills needed to process online content
ldquoItrsquos an environment where the teachers become the primary learners and the students are driven by their examplerdquo Ponce says ldquoSo we asked what tools we would need for this transformation of the way we teach and the way the kids learnrdquo
After much research the group chose iPods (for grades K-2) and iPads (for teachers and grades 3-12) because of their portability
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo
CarOl aNN allEN LANGuAGEARTSTEACHER
ATMICHAELEFOSSuMMIDDLESCHOOL
relatively low cost and ease of use To implement the planrsquos first stage McAllen ISD issued 5800 of these devices to teachers and students when the rollout is complete it will cover more than 25000 students
Big BENEFiTS FOr TEaChErS aNd STudENTS
Both teachers and students are seeing benefits from the program
ldquoThe iPods help the kids be creative My students are organizing information in new waysrdquo says Ruth Whiddon who teaches first grade at Andrew Jackson Elementary School
For Carol Ann Allen International Baccalaureate coordinator and eighth-grade language arts teacher at Michael E Fossum Middle School the initiative is all about collaboration
ldquoIrsquove learned more from my fellow teachers than I have in many years just from sharing ideas for how to use the iPads in the classroomrdquo she says
Sandra Guerra who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade math
at Fossum says the iPads have changed both her teaching style and the way her students learn
Instead of mapping out the learning process step-by-step she now gives students their goal and lets them choose how to get there
ldquoWith this approach they own their learning and theyrsquove been more willing to learnrdquo Guerra says
The iPads have also been a game-changer for Guerrarsquos family
Her seventh-grade daughter is learning advanced science concepts because of independent iPad projects And because most of her childrenrsquos school materials are on their iPads itrsquos easier than ever for Guerra to check on their progress from home
That kind of scenario says Superintendent Ponce is at the heart of the initiative
ldquoThe entire school system and our community want to lead in this effort to build a 21st-century learning environmentrdquo he says ldquoThis is a direct investment in our children and their familiesrdquo
by Kathryn Royster
High-Tech Learningseventh-grade students use ipads to follow class lectures and take quizzes during a language arts class at michael e fossum middle school
PH
oT
o C
oU
RT
EST
Y o
F M
CA
LLE
N IN
DE
PE
ND
EN
T S
CH
oo
L D
IST
RIC
T
28 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 29
Higher Education
SOuTh TExaS COllEgE
McAllenrsquos South Texas College has more than 30000 students and offers numerous associate and bachelorrsquos degree programs as well as professional certifications in more than 40 areas The college also has online degree courses for students who work full time
liviNg EDUCATIoN
Set for SuccesscolleGe prep is a top priority in mcallen
Education in McAllen is defined by excellent options From elementary school through college McAllen includes numerous institutions designed to prepare students for success By Braxton Shoop
school yourself on more educational offerings at livabilitycommcallen
Public Schools
mCallEN iNdEPENdENT SChOOl diSTriCT
Established in 1915 the mcallen independent School district comprises three high schools seven middle schools and 20 elementary schools Among these schools the district offers an advanced placement college-level curriculum and a dual-enrollment program for students who would like to obtain high school and college credit simultaneously
In addition the district features an International Baccalaureate program that provides students with an advanced curriculum geared toward global standards
Local Inspiration
FOrmEr STudENT FliES high
one of McAllenrsquos successful students is astronaut michael Fossum a graduate of McAllen High School After receiving his commission from the US Air Force by Texas AampM University Fossum graduated Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base and in 1993 he started at NASA Throughout his NASA career Fossum was on crew for three spaceflights He commanded the space station during one of his flights helping him rank seventh on the all-time list for cumulative Extravehicular Activity time
Top-notch Learning Environmentuniversity of texas-pan american offers many undergraduate degrees more than 50 masterrsquos degrees and three doctoral degrees utpa has accreditations from organizations like the commission for collegiate nursing the examining board of nurse examiners for the state of texas and the engineering accreditation commission of the accreditation board for engineering and technology
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Charter School
idEa aCadEmy
idEa academy is an innovative institution that offers a fully scaled curriculum for students in kindergarten and in the first second and sixth grades The school which opened in McAllen in 2012 will eventually add more grades each one including approximately 110 students While the school is public students must apply to fill the 460 available spots
To prepare its students to be collegiate scholars IDEA provides International Baccalaureate curriculum as well as the Road to College curriculum which begins in the sixth grade
ldquoWersquore very proud of the connection to our distinguished alumni like NASA astronaut Michael Fossum and we want our students to recognize the kind of education we provide here What he learned here helped catapult him into space and wersquore very proud of thatrdquo
NOrma zamOra-guErra MCALLENINDEPENDENTSCHOOL
DISTRICTCOMMuNITYINFORMATIONDIRECTOR
Michael E Fossum Middle Schoolnamed for astronaut michael e fossum the school is part of the mcallen independent school district
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Please call 9566316109 for a representative today
2501 Buddy Owens Blvd McAllen TX 78504
9656316125 Fax
wwwrio-healthcom
RioHealth MedicalWe are here to meet all your
occupational medicine needs
bull Workplace injuries and workersrsquo compensation
bull On site and off site drug screening
bull Physicals
bull Orthopedics
bull Early return to work
bull 247 coverage
bull We accept all types of insurance
WorkplaceInjury
DANIEL J GUERRA MD Diplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
LEONEL G MORENO MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
HOMERO RIVAS MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
606 S Broadway bull McAllen TX bull (956) 682-4515 bull wwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
FAMILY PHYSICIANS
CLINICSince 1967
Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm Sat 8 am-Noon
VALLEY NIGHT CLINIC
Since 1981
Open Every Night of the Year 6 pm-Midnight
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valley supports children of all abilities through child care
services early intervention and parenting support programs
Early Childhood intErvEntion ChildCarE sErviCEs ParEnts as tEaChErs
Easter seals rio Grande valley Programs for Children Birth to Five years
bullChild-Care servicesndashHigh-qualitychildcare sixweekstofiveyears
bullParents as teachers (Pat)ndashDevelopmental parentingsupportforchildrenbirthtofiveyears
bullEarly Childhood intervention (ECi) ndashConcerns indevelopmentforchildrenbirthtothreeyears
For more information about Easter seals
programs and services call (956) 631-9171 or visit wwweasterseals-rgvorg
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
liviNg HEALTH
Take a Deep Breath and Relaxresidents haVe access to top hospitals
McAllen residents receive quality care from the South Texas Health System Rio Grande Regional Hospital and the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance By Kevin Litwin
Health System
SOuTh TExaS hEalTh SySTEm
South Texas health System is the umbrella organization for a number of fine medical facilities including mcallen medical Center MMC has 441 beds and a staff of more than 400 physicians that represent 50 medical specialties
Also part of South Texas Health System is mcallen heart hospital which opened in 1996 as the first freestanding cardiology and cardiovascular hospital built in the United States It includes 60 beds and a 24-hour emergency center
Healthgrades has awarded McAllen Medical Center and McAllen Heart Hospital with a variety of honors in recent years and both earned a Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence in 2011
Hospital
riO graNdE rEgiONal hOSPiTal
rio grande regional hospital is an acute care medical facility with 320 beds and more than 500 physicians The hospital is the only area Diabetes Management Center accredited by the American Diabetes Association and is the arearsquos first facility to have a Pediatric Heart Program
RGRH also includes a 24-hour emergency room Womenrsquos Services department Level III trauma center and cardiovascular care The hospital is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists and every year since 2007 has been named a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
Hospital
dOCTOrS hOSPiTal aT rENaiSSaNCE
The 506-bed doctors hospital at renaissance is an acute care facility It provides cardiology neurosurgery and endocrinology as well as a Pediatric Medical Tower that offers pediatric oncology and pediatric ICU services
Doctors Hospital has been ranked among the nationrsquos 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters and recently invested $32 million to establish an Electronic Medical Record System
DHR was the first in South Texas to acquire a PETCT scanner for diagnosing cancer and the first in the region to introduce da Vinci robotic surgical technology The hospital also oversees Renaissance Behavioral Center which provides treatment for people with mental health problems substance abuse or eating disorders
34 mc allen
COMMUNITyPROFILE COST OF liviNg
$44074Median Household Income
$129554Median Home Price
$689Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
TraNSPOrTaTiON
Median Travel Time to Work
agE
TEmPEraTurE
January Average
July Average
EThNiCiTy
19 and Under
20-54
55 and over
White
Black
Hispanic
other
1645minutes
Closest Airport McAllen International Airport
955deg
482deg
South Texasrsquo Finest Gift Store Offers Gifts From Around the World
4300 N 10th St bull Ste C bull McAllen TX 78504 (956) 686-1264 bull ohkaysaolcom
Look for us on Facebook
gOlF COurSES
gOlF TEC
2901 N 10TH ST956-994-9631
mCallEN COuNTry CluB615 WICHITA AVE956-686-0923
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
The national Butterfly Center the national butterfly center dedicates 100 acres to the conservation and scientific study of wild butterflies in their natural habitats the wildlife center is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm september through march and from 9 am until 4 pm april through august
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
liviNg SEE THE CITY
36 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
Higher Education
SOuTh TExaS COllEgE
McAllenrsquos South Texas College has more than 30000 students and offers numerous associate and bachelorrsquos degree programs as well as professional certifications in more than 40 areas The college also has online degree courses for students who work full time
liviNg EDUCATIoN
Set for SuccesscolleGe prep is a top priority in mcallen
Education in McAllen is defined by excellent options From elementary school through college McAllen includes numerous institutions designed to prepare students for success By Braxton Shoop
school yourself on more educational offerings at livabilitycommcallen
Public Schools
mCallEN iNdEPENdENT SChOOl diSTriCT
Established in 1915 the mcallen independent School district comprises three high schools seven middle schools and 20 elementary schools Among these schools the district offers an advanced placement college-level curriculum and a dual-enrollment program for students who would like to obtain high school and college credit simultaneously
In addition the district features an International Baccalaureate program that provides students with an advanced curriculum geared toward global standards
Local Inspiration
FOrmEr STudENT FliES high
one of McAllenrsquos successful students is astronaut michael Fossum a graduate of McAllen High School After receiving his commission from the US Air Force by Texas AampM University Fossum graduated Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base and in 1993 he started at NASA Throughout his NASA career Fossum was on crew for three spaceflights He commanded the space station during one of his flights helping him rank seventh on the all-time list for cumulative Extravehicular Activity time
Top-notch Learning Environmentuniversity of texas-pan american offers many undergraduate degrees more than 50 masterrsquos degrees and three doctoral degrees utpa has accreditations from organizations like the commission for collegiate nursing the examining board of nurse examiners for the state of texas and the engineering accreditation commission of the accreditation board for engineering and technology
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Charter School
idEa aCadEmy
idEa academy is an innovative institution that offers a fully scaled curriculum for students in kindergarten and in the first second and sixth grades The school which opened in McAllen in 2012 will eventually add more grades each one including approximately 110 students While the school is public students must apply to fill the 460 available spots
To prepare its students to be collegiate scholars IDEA provides International Baccalaureate curriculum as well as the Road to College curriculum which begins in the sixth grade
ldquoWersquore very proud of the connection to our distinguished alumni like NASA astronaut Michael Fossum and we want our students to recognize the kind of education we provide here What he learned here helped catapult him into space and wersquore very proud of thatrdquo
NOrma zamOra-guErra MCALLENINDEPENDENTSCHOOL
DISTRICTCOMMuNITYINFORMATIONDIRECTOR
Michael E Fossum Middle Schoolnamed for astronaut michael e fossum the school is part of the mcallen independent school district
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Please call 9566316109 for a representative today
2501 Buddy Owens Blvd McAllen TX 78504
9656316125 Fax
wwwrio-healthcom
RioHealth MedicalWe are here to meet all your
occupational medicine needs
bull Workplace injuries and workersrsquo compensation
bull On site and off site drug screening
bull Physicals
bull Orthopedics
bull Early return to work
bull 247 coverage
bull We accept all types of insurance
WorkplaceInjury
DANIEL J GUERRA MD Diplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
LEONEL G MORENO MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
HOMERO RIVAS MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
606 S Broadway bull McAllen TX bull (956) 682-4515 bull wwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
FAMILY PHYSICIANS
CLINICSince 1967
Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm Sat 8 am-Noon
VALLEY NIGHT CLINIC
Since 1981
Open Every Night of the Year 6 pm-Midnight
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valley supports children of all abilities through child care
services early intervention and parenting support programs
Early Childhood intErvEntion ChildCarE sErviCEs ParEnts as tEaChErs
Easter seals rio Grande valley Programs for Children Birth to Five years
bullChild-Care servicesndashHigh-qualitychildcare sixweekstofiveyears
bullParents as teachers (Pat)ndashDevelopmental parentingsupportforchildrenbirthtofiveyears
bullEarly Childhood intervention (ECi) ndashConcerns indevelopmentforchildrenbirthtothreeyears
For more information about Easter seals
programs and services call (956) 631-9171 or visit wwweasterseals-rgvorg
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
liviNg HEALTH
Take a Deep Breath and Relaxresidents haVe access to top hospitals
McAllen residents receive quality care from the South Texas Health System Rio Grande Regional Hospital and the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance By Kevin Litwin
Health System
SOuTh TExaS hEalTh SySTEm
South Texas health System is the umbrella organization for a number of fine medical facilities including mcallen medical Center MMC has 441 beds and a staff of more than 400 physicians that represent 50 medical specialties
Also part of South Texas Health System is mcallen heart hospital which opened in 1996 as the first freestanding cardiology and cardiovascular hospital built in the United States It includes 60 beds and a 24-hour emergency center
Healthgrades has awarded McAllen Medical Center and McAllen Heart Hospital with a variety of honors in recent years and both earned a Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence in 2011
Hospital
riO graNdE rEgiONal hOSPiTal
rio grande regional hospital is an acute care medical facility with 320 beds and more than 500 physicians The hospital is the only area Diabetes Management Center accredited by the American Diabetes Association and is the arearsquos first facility to have a Pediatric Heart Program
RGRH also includes a 24-hour emergency room Womenrsquos Services department Level III trauma center and cardiovascular care The hospital is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists and every year since 2007 has been named a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
Hospital
dOCTOrS hOSPiTal aT rENaiSSaNCE
The 506-bed doctors hospital at renaissance is an acute care facility It provides cardiology neurosurgery and endocrinology as well as a Pediatric Medical Tower that offers pediatric oncology and pediatric ICU services
Doctors Hospital has been ranked among the nationrsquos 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters and recently invested $32 million to establish an Electronic Medical Record System
DHR was the first in South Texas to acquire a PETCT scanner for diagnosing cancer and the first in the region to introduce da Vinci robotic surgical technology The hospital also oversees Renaissance Behavioral Center which provides treatment for people with mental health problems substance abuse or eating disorders
34 mc allen
COMMUNITyPROFILE COST OF liviNg
$44074Median Household Income
$129554Median Home Price
$689Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
TraNSPOrTaTiON
Median Travel Time to Work
agE
TEmPEraTurE
January Average
July Average
EThNiCiTy
19 and Under
20-54
55 and over
White
Black
Hispanic
other
1645minutes
Closest Airport McAllen International Airport
955deg
482deg
South Texasrsquo Finest Gift Store Offers Gifts From Around the World
4300 N 10th St bull Ste C bull McAllen TX 78504 (956) 686-1264 bull ohkaysaolcom
Look for us on Facebook
gOlF COurSES
gOlF TEC
2901 N 10TH ST956-994-9631
mCallEN COuNTry CluB615 WICHITA AVE956-686-0923
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
The national Butterfly Center the national butterfly center dedicates 100 acres to the conservation and scientific study of wild butterflies in their natural habitats the wildlife center is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm september through march and from 9 am until 4 pm april through august
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
liviNg SEE THE CITY
36 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
Charter School
idEa aCadEmy
idEa academy is an innovative institution that offers a fully scaled curriculum for students in kindergarten and in the first second and sixth grades The school which opened in McAllen in 2012 will eventually add more grades each one including approximately 110 students While the school is public students must apply to fill the 460 available spots
To prepare its students to be collegiate scholars IDEA provides International Baccalaureate curriculum as well as the Road to College curriculum which begins in the sixth grade
ldquoWersquore very proud of the connection to our distinguished alumni like NASA astronaut Michael Fossum and we want our students to recognize the kind of education we provide here What he learned here helped catapult him into space and wersquore very proud of thatrdquo
NOrma zamOra-guErra MCALLENINDEPENDENTSCHOOL
DISTRICTCOMMuNITYINFORMATIONDIRECTOR
Michael E Fossum Middle Schoolnamed for astronaut michael e fossum the school is part of the mcallen independent school district
30 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 31
Please call 9566316109 for a representative today
2501 Buddy Owens Blvd McAllen TX 78504
9656316125 Fax
wwwrio-healthcom
RioHealth MedicalWe are here to meet all your
occupational medicine needs
bull Workplace injuries and workersrsquo compensation
bull On site and off site drug screening
bull Physicals
bull Orthopedics
bull Early return to work
bull 247 coverage
bull We accept all types of insurance
WorkplaceInjury
DANIEL J GUERRA MD Diplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
LEONEL G MORENO MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
HOMERO RIVAS MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
606 S Broadway bull McAllen TX bull (956) 682-4515 bull wwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
FAMILY PHYSICIANS
CLINICSince 1967
Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm Sat 8 am-Noon
VALLEY NIGHT CLINIC
Since 1981
Open Every Night of the Year 6 pm-Midnight
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valley supports children of all abilities through child care
services early intervention and parenting support programs
Early Childhood intErvEntion ChildCarE sErviCEs ParEnts as tEaChErs
Easter seals rio Grande valley Programs for Children Birth to Five years
bullChild-Care servicesndashHigh-qualitychildcare sixweekstofiveyears
bullParents as teachers (Pat)ndashDevelopmental parentingsupportforchildrenbirthtofiveyears
bullEarly Childhood intervention (ECi) ndashConcerns indevelopmentforchildrenbirthtothreeyears
For more information about Easter seals
programs and services call (956) 631-9171 or visit wwweasterseals-rgvorg
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
liviNg HEALTH
Take a Deep Breath and Relaxresidents haVe access to top hospitals
McAllen residents receive quality care from the South Texas Health System Rio Grande Regional Hospital and the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance By Kevin Litwin
Health System
SOuTh TExaS hEalTh SySTEm
South Texas health System is the umbrella organization for a number of fine medical facilities including mcallen medical Center MMC has 441 beds and a staff of more than 400 physicians that represent 50 medical specialties
Also part of South Texas Health System is mcallen heart hospital which opened in 1996 as the first freestanding cardiology and cardiovascular hospital built in the United States It includes 60 beds and a 24-hour emergency center
Healthgrades has awarded McAllen Medical Center and McAllen Heart Hospital with a variety of honors in recent years and both earned a Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence in 2011
Hospital
riO graNdE rEgiONal hOSPiTal
rio grande regional hospital is an acute care medical facility with 320 beds and more than 500 physicians The hospital is the only area Diabetes Management Center accredited by the American Diabetes Association and is the arearsquos first facility to have a Pediatric Heart Program
RGRH also includes a 24-hour emergency room Womenrsquos Services department Level III trauma center and cardiovascular care The hospital is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists and every year since 2007 has been named a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
Hospital
dOCTOrS hOSPiTal aT rENaiSSaNCE
The 506-bed doctors hospital at renaissance is an acute care facility It provides cardiology neurosurgery and endocrinology as well as a Pediatric Medical Tower that offers pediatric oncology and pediatric ICU services
Doctors Hospital has been ranked among the nationrsquos 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters and recently invested $32 million to establish an Electronic Medical Record System
DHR was the first in South Texas to acquire a PETCT scanner for diagnosing cancer and the first in the region to introduce da Vinci robotic surgical technology The hospital also oversees Renaissance Behavioral Center which provides treatment for people with mental health problems substance abuse or eating disorders
34 mc allen
COMMUNITyPROFILE COST OF liviNg
$44074Median Household Income
$129554Median Home Price
$689Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
TraNSPOrTaTiON
Median Travel Time to Work
agE
TEmPEraTurE
January Average
July Average
EThNiCiTy
19 and Under
20-54
55 and over
White
Black
Hispanic
other
1645minutes
Closest Airport McAllen International Airport
955deg
482deg
South Texasrsquo Finest Gift Store Offers Gifts From Around the World
4300 N 10th St bull Ste C bull McAllen TX 78504 (956) 686-1264 bull ohkaysaolcom
Look for us on Facebook
gOlF COurSES
gOlF TEC
2901 N 10TH ST956-994-9631
mCallEN COuNTry CluB615 WICHITA AVE956-686-0923
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
The national Butterfly Center the national butterfly center dedicates 100 acres to the conservation and scientific study of wild butterflies in their natural habitats the wildlife center is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm september through march and from 9 am until 4 pm april through august
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
liviNg SEE THE CITY
36 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
Please call 9566316109 for a representative today
2501 Buddy Owens Blvd McAllen TX 78504
9656316125 Fax
wwwrio-healthcom
RioHealth MedicalWe are here to meet all your
occupational medicine needs
bull Workplace injuries and workersrsquo compensation
bull On site and off site drug screening
bull Physicals
bull Orthopedics
bull Early return to work
bull 247 coverage
bull We accept all types of insurance
WorkplaceInjury
DANIEL J GUERRA MD Diplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
LEONEL G MORENO MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
HOMERO RIVAS MDDiplomate AAFP
Fellow AAFP
606 S Broadway bull McAllen TX bull (956) 682-4515 bull wwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
FAMILY PHYSICIANS
CLINICSince 1967
Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm Sat 8 am-Noon
VALLEY NIGHT CLINIC
Since 1981
Open Every Night of the Year 6 pm-Midnight
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valley supports children of all abilities through child care
services early intervention and parenting support programs
Early Childhood intErvEntion ChildCarE sErviCEs ParEnts as tEaChErs
Easter seals rio Grande valley Programs for Children Birth to Five years
bullChild-Care servicesndashHigh-qualitychildcare sixweekstofiveyears
bullParents as teachers (Pat)ndashDevelopmental parentingsupportforchildrenbirthtofiveyears
bullEarly Childhood intervention (ECi) ndashConcerns indevelopmentforchildrenbirthtothreeyears
For more information about Easter seals
programs and services call (956) 631-9171 or visit wwweasterseals-rgvorg
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
liviNg HEALTH
Take a Deep Breath and Relaxresidents haVe access to top hospitals
McAllen residents receive quality care from the South Texas Health System Rio Grande Regional Hospital and the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance By Kevin Litwin
Health System
SOuTh TExaS hEalTh SySTEm
South Texas health System is the umbrella organization for a number of fine medical facilities including mcallen medical Center MMC has 441 beds and a staff of more than 400 physicians that represent 50 medical specialties
Also part of South Texas Health System is mcallen heart hospital which opened in 1996 as the first freestanding cardiology and cardiovascular hospital built in the United States It includes 60 beds and a 24-hour emergency center
Healthgrades has awarded McAllen Medical Center and McAllen Heart Hospital with a variety of honors in recent years and both earned a Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence in 2011
Hospital
riO graNdE rEgiONal hOSPiTal
rio grande regional hospital is an acute care medical facility with 320 beds and more than 500 physicians The hospital is the only area Diabetes Management Center accredited by the American Diabetes Association and is the arearsquos first facility to have a Pediatric Heart Program
RGRH also includes a 24-hour emergency room Womenrsquos Services department Level III trauma center and cardiovascular care The hospital is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists and every year since 2007 has been named a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
Hospital
dOCTOrS hOSPiTal aT rENaiSSaNCE
The 506-bed doctors hospital at renaissance is an acute care facility It provides cardiology neurosurgery and endocrinology as well as a Pediatric Medical Tower that offers pediatric oncology and pediatric ICU services
Doctors Hospital has been ranked among the nationrsquos 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters and recently invested $32 million to establish an Electronic Medical Record System
DHR was the first in South Texas to acquire a PETCT scanner for diagnosing cancer and the first in the region to introduce da Vinci robotic surgical technology The hospital also oversees Renaissance Behavioral Center which provides treatment for people with mental health problems substance abuse or eating disorders
34 mc allen
COMMUNITyPROFILE COST OF liviNg
$44074Median Household Income
$129554Median Home Price
$689Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
TraNSPOrTaTiON
Median Travel Time to Work
agE
TEmPEraTurE
January Average
July Average
EThNiCiTy
19 and Under
20-54
55 and over
White
Black
Hispanic
other
1645minutes
Closest Airport McAllen International Airport
955deg
482deg
South Texasrsquo Finest Gift Store Offers Gifts From Around the World
4300 N 10th St bull Ste C bull McAllen TX 78504 (956) 686-1264 bull ohkaysaolcom
Look for us on Facebook
gOlF COurSES
gOlF TEC
2901 N 10TH ST956-994-9631
mCallEN COuNTry CluB615 WICHITA AVE956-686-0923
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
The national Butterfly Center the national butterfly center dedicates 100 acres to the conservation and scientific study of wild butterflies in their natural habitats the wildlife center is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm september through march and from 9 am until 4 pm april through august
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
liviNg SEE THE CITY
36 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
liviNg HEALTH
Take a Deep Breath and Relaxresidents haVe access to top hospitals
McAllen residents receive quality care from the South Texas Health System Rio Grande Regional Hospital and the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance By Kevin Litwin
Health System
SOuTh TExaS hEalTh SySTEm
South Texas health System is the umbrella organization for a number of fine medical facilities including mcallen medical Center MMC has 441 beds and a staff of more than 400 physicians that represent 50 medical specialties
Also part of South Texas Health System is mcallen heart hospital which opened in 1996 as the first freestanding cardiology and cardiovascular hospital built in the United States It includes 60 beds and a 24-hour emergency center
Healthgrades has awarded McAllen Medical Center and McAllen Heart Hospital with a variety of honors in recent years and both earned a Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence in 2011
Hospital
riO graNdE rEgiONal hOSPiTal
rio grande regional hospital is an acute care medical facility with 320 beds and more than 500 physicians The hospital is the only area Diabetes Management Center accredited by the American Diabetes Association and is the arearsquos first facility to have a Pediatric Heart Program
RGRH also includes a 24-hour emergency room Womenrsquos Services department Level III trauma center and cardiovascular care The hospital is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists and every year since 2007 has been named a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
32 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 33
Hospital
dOCTOrS hOSPiTal aT rENaiSSaNCE
The 506-bed doctors hospital at renaissance is an acute care facility It provides cardiology neurosurgery and endocrinology as well as a Pediatric Medical Tower that offers pediatric oncology and pediatric ICU services
Doctors Hospital has been ranked among the nationrsquos 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters and recently invested $32 million to establish an Electronic Medical Record System
DHR was the first in South Texas to acquire a PETCT scanner for diagnosing cancer and the first in the region to introduce da Vinci robotic surgical technology The hospital also oversees Renaissance Behavioral Center which provides treatment for people with mental health problems substance abuse or eating disorders
34 mc allen
COMMUNITyPROFILE COST OF liviNg
$44074Median Household Income
$129554Median Home Price
$689Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
TraNSPOrTaTiON
Median Travel Time to Work
agE
TEmPEraTurE
January Average
July Average
EThNiCiTy
19 and Under
20-54
55 and over
White
Black
Hispanic
other
1645minutes
Closest Airport McAllen International Airport
955deg
482deg
South Texasrsquo Finest Gift Store Offers Gifts From Around the World
4300 N 10th St bull Ste C bull McAllen TX 78504 (956) 686-1264 bull ohkaysaolcom
Look for us on Facebook
gOlF COurSES
gOlF TEC
2901 N 10TH ST956-994-9631
mCallEN COuNTry CluB615 WICHITA AVE956-686-0923
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
The national Butterfly Center the national butterfly center dedicates 100 acres to the conservation and scientific study of wild butterflies in their natural habitats the wildlife center is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm september through march and from 9 am until 4 pm april through august
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
liviNg SEE THE CITY
36 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
Hospital
dOCTOrS hOSPiTal aT rENaiSSaNCE
The 506-bed doctors hospital at renaissance is an acute care facility It provides cardiology neurosurgery and endocrinology as well as a Pediatric Medical Tower that offers pediatric oncology and pediatric ICU services
Doctors Hospital has been ranked among the nationrsquos 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters and recently invested $32 million to establish an Electronic Medical Record System
DHR was the first in South Texas to acquire a PETCT scanner for diagnosing cancer and the first in the region to introduce da Vinci robotic surgical technology The hospital also oversees Renaissance Behavioral Center which provides treatment for people with mental health problems substance abuse or eating disorders
34 mc allen
COMMUNITyPROFILE COST OF liviNg
$44074Median Household Income
$129554Median Home Price
$689Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
TraNSPOrTaTiON
Median Travel Time to Work
agE
TEmPEraTurE
January Average
July Average
EThNiCiTy
19 and Under
20-54
55 and over
White
Black
Hispanic
other
1645minutes
Closest Airport McAllen International Airport
955deg
482deg
South Texasrsquo Finest Gift Store Offers Gifts From Around the World
4300 N 10th St bull Ste C bull McAllen TX 78504 (956) 686-1264 bull ohkaysaolcom
Look for us on Facebook
gOlF COurSES
gOlF TEC
2901 N 10TH ST956-994-9631
mCallEN COuNTry CluB615 WICHITA AVE956-686-0923
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
The national Butterfly Center the national butterfly center dedicates 100 acres to the conservation and scientific study of wild butterflies in their natural habitats the wildlife center is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm september through march and from 9 am until 4 pm april through august
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
liviNg SEE THE CITY
36 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
COMMUNITyPROFILE COST OF liviNg
$44074Median Household Income
$129554Median Home Price
$689Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
TraNSPOrTaTiON
Median Travel Time to Work
agE
TEmPEraTurE
January Average
July Average
EThNiCiTy
19 and Under
20-54
55 and over
White
Black
Hispanic
other
1645minutes
Closest Airport McAllen International Airport
955deg
482deg
South Texasrsquo Finest Gift Store Offers Gifts From Around the World
4300 N 10th St bull Ste C bull McAllen TX 78504 (956) 686-1264 bull ohkaysaolcom
Look for us on Facebook
gOlF COurSES
gOlF TEC
2901 N 10TH ST956-994-9631
mCallEN COuNTry CluB615 WICHITA AVE956-686-0923
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
The national Butterfly Center the national butterfly center dedicates 100 acres to the conservation and scientific study of wild butterflies in their natural habitats the wildlife center is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm september through march and from 9 am until 4 pm april through august
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
liviNg SEE THE CITY
36 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
The national Butterfly Center the national butterfly center dedicates 100 acres to the conservation and scientific study of wild butterflies in their natural habitats the wildlife center is open daily from 8 am until 5 pm september through march and from 9 am until 4 pm april through august
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
liviNg SEE THE CITY
36 mc allen
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
l iVabil it ycommc allen 37
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
BUSINESSInfo on McAllenrsquos top employers jobs and success stories
McAllen Convention Centerthe McAllenConventionCenter is located on 185 acres and includes a 60000-square-foot exhibit hall as well as more than 25000 square feet of meeting space in 16 breakout rooms
View a collection of photos from mcallen at livabilitycommcallentxphotos-video
38 mc allen 38 mc allen
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
38 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 39
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
BuSiNESS oVERVIEW
McAllenrsquos in the MoneyCultural diversity location and innovation drive cityrsquos top business sectors
As the retail hub of South Texas McAllen is thriving The city draws a customer base of more than 10 million within a 200-mile radius and is represented by 40 of Americarsquos top 100 retailers
By Tiffany Williams
La Plaza MallPumping much of the life into this retail hub is la Plaza mall which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors its anchoring stores such as dillardrsquos and macyrsquos and sought-after retailers including BCBg-max azria and Coach average sales of more than $650 per square foot and are among the most profitable stores in their chains
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
Meetings amp Events
CONvENTiON CENTEr lurES viSiTOrS
The mcallen Convention Center also helps draw businesses to the area The 185-acre complex featuring a 60000-square-foot column-free exhibit hall more than 25000 square feet of meeting space and up to 16 breakout rooms offers bicultural themes and tropical accents that represent the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen
Retail
ShOPPiNg hOT SPOTS
This bicultural city which is located just five miles from the US-Mexico border also has access to three international bridges that flood with visitors and eager shoppers daily many of whom are spending at a rate twice the national average
In addition to La Plaza Mall shopping centers in the McAllen area include Trenton Crossing las Tiendas Plaza and La Plaza Mallrsquos 600sbquo000-square-foot sister shopping center Palms Crossing which hosts such big-name retailers as Barnes amp Noble and Babies rsquoRrsquo Us as well as specialty shops and restaurants Its appeal stems from its open-air design with lots of palm trees water fountains and seating areas
Major Manufacturers
madE FOr maNuFaCTuriNg
Ranked third in Texas in per-capita sales the McAllen area has some of the largest manufacturing and wholesale companies in the nation
valley Coca Cola Bottling Co Value Frozen Foods and Emerson Network Power are just a few who have put down roots here Tri-City Steel which provides a full scope of steel construction by fabricating and erecting structural steel buildings pre-engineered metal buildings stairs handrails and more Texas Citrus Exchange in Mission makes Texas rio red grapefruit juice
learn more about businesses in mcallen at livabilitycommcallen
40 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 41
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
BuSiNESS
RESIDEnTS GET CREATIvE WITH BUSInESS vEnTURES
the BoxOutside
One of McAllenrsquos most innovative startups sprang from the mind of someone who wasnrsquot even interested in business Today Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar is one
of the arearsquos top entrepreneurs and is finding serious success
mcallen entrepreneur dalinda Gonzalez-alcantar founded eJucomm llc
liVabil it ycommc allen 43 42 mc allen
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the worldrdquo
EllEry BuChaNaN FIBERIOPRESIDENTCEO
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar the founder of eJucomm LLC simply wanted to make information in her school district more accessible to families The company was a way she could make it happen
She got the idea while working as a teacher at DeLeon Middle School in McAllen and was frustrated that families without computers andor Internet access had difficulty communicating with teachers and administrators So she decided to develop a smartphone application that would solve the problem
With no previous technical experience she researched code online at night and a year later was selling the app to various school districts
ldquoThe app enables Android and iPhone users to access information for things like grades and attendancerdquo Gonzalez-Alcantar says
The entrepreneur also faced unexpected challenges ndash for instance how to tailor individual apps to the roughly seven school districts and 40 campuses that now use them No longer teaching she has partnered with a chief technology officer so she can focus on sales and marketing
One of her biggest hurdles was finding legal fees to fund the startup and a $10000 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant in 2011 helped pay for a licensing agreement and intellectual property protection for eJucomm to move forward
BaNaNa E-z SPliTAnother McAllen resident
Gerald Guerra faced a similar obstacle when developing a product called Banana E-Z Split A health insurance broker Guerra was inspired at his own kitchen table to create single serving packets with all three syrups
Banana E-Z SplitGerald Guerra inventor of the banana e-Z split single serving syrup packets poses with his daughters Victoria and kaitlyn enthusiastic taste testers for his product
liVabil it ycommc allen 43
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
To order please call or visit 956-668-0555 or wwwediblearrangementscom 5113-A N 10th St bull McAllen TX 78504
Offer valid at participating locations Offer expires 12312013 Cannot be combined with another offers Offer code must be used when placing order
Containers may vary EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS and the Fruit Basket Logo Design are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements LLC
copy2012 Edible Arrangements LLC All rights reserved Frachises available call (888) 727-4258 or visit wwweafranchisescom
DELICIOUSLYd e s i r a b l e
FREE PIECE OF DIPPED FRUIT
Code mctx1213
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant
Its easy Thats living healthy and green
Just call 866-730-green or visit wwwepagovradon
Living greenstarts from the ground up
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
(pineapple chocolate strawberry) needed for a banana split
The concept led to a 2011 McAllen Business Plan Competition grant to fund the necessary patents
ldquoI envisioned a product that could hang easily in refrigerated sections at big box storesrdquo Guerra says ldquoI have lined up a distributor and a broker with my ultimate goal being to have Banana E-Z Split available to customers in large grocery chains It is close to happeningrdquo
FiBEriO TEChNOlOgyAnother startup in McAllen
is already making waves globally FibeRio Technology Corporation another McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant recipient is thriving thanks to ground-breaking nanofiber-producing machinery The nanofibers can be used to make products ranging from diapers to
ballistics using a new way to spin microscopic nanofibers
The technology serves an array of industries that feature filtration textiles or biomedical applications
ldquoDr Karen Lozano at UT-Pan American discovered the process and I was contacted because I am an entrepreneur familiar with launching technology- based companies including nanotechnologyrdquo says FibeRio Technology presidentCEO Ellery Buchanan ldquoI assisted in making the process more cost effective and now we are producing laboratory-related and industrial products that will be sold around the world Plus we use local McAllen suppliers whenever possible including machine shops parts suppliers IT contractors and other business servicesrdquo
by Kevin Litwin by staff photographer
Michael Conti
FibeRio Technology Corporationnanomaterials processing research equipment is used at FibeRioTechnologyCorporation
FEldmaNrsquoS markET CENTErFeldmanrsquos Market Center features a broad selection of beer as well as wines liquors cigars and a gourmet deli In addition weekly beer and wine tastings are offered(956) 687-9463
PErFECT PawS rESOrTPerfect Paws Resort offers grooming services daycare and boarding to vaccinated dogs and cats that are at least 12 weeks old Boarding suites are climate controlled and under constant supervisionperfectpawsresortcom
mCCrEEry aviaTiON CO iNCMcCreery Aviation Co Inc is a place for pilots and their aircraft to receive top-notch treatment A fuel center flight planning room and hangar storage are availablemccreeryaviationcom
kiTikakE llCKitikake LLC offers gently- used vintage clothing for women from an array of top designers such as Lilly Pulitzer and Catherine Malandrino Vintage home deacutecor and dishes are also availablekitikakecom
krEidlEr FuNEral hOmEFounded owned and operated by the Kreidler family Kreidler Funeral Home has served McAllen for 100 years They offer traditional burial and graveside funeral services direct burials cremations memorial services and morekreidlerfuneralhomecom
Business Spotlight
44 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 45
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
visit ouradvertisersBorder Capital Bankwwwbordercapitalbankcom
City of McAllen Public Info Officewwwexploremcallennet
Courtyard by Marriottwwwmarriottcommtema
Easter Seals Rio Grande Valleywwweasterseals-rgvorg
Edible Arrangementswwwediblearrangementscom
Family Physicians Clinicwwwfamilyphysicianscliniccom
Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewwwmagicvalleycoop
McAllen Economic Development Corporationwwwmcallenedcorg
McAllen Independent School Districtwwwmcallenisdorg
McAllen International Airportwwwmcallenairportcom
McAllen Realty
Mr Electricwwwmrelectriccom
Nuevo Santander Gallerywwwnuevosantandercom
OH KAYrsquoS
Preventative Care Institutewwwrgvpcicom
Quinta Mazatlanwwwquintamazatlancom
Rio Health Medicalwwwrio-healthcom
South Texas College wwwsouthtexascollegeedu
South Texas Health Systemwwwsouthtexashealthsystemcom
The Patio on Guerra wwwpatioonguerracom
Valley International Airportwwwflythevalleycom
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
BuSiNESS CHAMBER REPoRT
Whatrsquos the Big Ideachamberrsquos readiness tool kit assists entrepreneurs
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has helped prepare 25 McAllen entrepreneurs in the continuing quest to launch their ideas ndash all since July 2011
The Chamber has a software package called VentureBusiness Readiness Assessment which is used by states such as oklahoma and Kentucky to assist startup companies The software helps an entrepreneur through the entire process of seeing whether they are truly ready to launch their startup
ldquoVentureBusiness Readiness Assessment is a way that the Chamber assists entrepreneurs who are trying to get funding for their products or projectsrdquo says Steve Ahlenius who serves as President and CEo of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce ldquoThe Chamber awards $50000 a year in innovation grants in $10000 increments and entrepreneurs are always looking for funding But they must earn that money by passing the various stages of the software tool kitrdquo
TEN hOurS TO COmPlETEAhlenius says the assessment
has several specific steps to make sure that a startup company has everything in place to ensure that it is successful
ldquoThe entrepreneurs contact us and set up an appointment to see me then they come to the Chamber office we sign them up and give them passwords to access the software at their conveniencerdquo he says ldquo[The program] takes about 10 hours to complete but doesnrsquot have to be finished in one sitting However the program must be eventually completed in order to qualify for our innovation grantrdquo
CaN iT BE madE QuiCklyThe software asks questions
such as Have you protected your intellectual property Is your product something that can be
made quickly Have you set a value on your idea and do you know how to do that If itrsquos a product that involves high-tech engineering do you have an engineer on your companyrsquos team
ldquoThe entrepreneur needs to know if his venture is worth 20 shares of stock or 200 shares ndash things like thatrdquo Ahlenius says ldquoMany factors go into launching a product or business and Venture Readiness points out a personrsquos strengths and weaknessesrdquo
a grEaT OvErviEwVicente Valle Martinez of
McAllen is an entrepreneur who contacted the Chamber in 2012 about his idea for connecting
people on the Internet who have similar educational experiences and higher learning interests
ldquoI have no background in business but heard one day about an innovation grant competition that the Chamber was sponsoringrdquo Martinez says ldquoSteve told me about the software package and it gave me a great overview of what I need to know before launching my ideardquo
Ahlenius says the various concepts the software package covers include credentials character capabilities commitment and circumstance
ldquoIt is an excellent self-awareness testrdquo he says ldquoItrsquos ideal for entrepreneursrdquo
by Kevin Litwin
the mcallen chamber of commerce on ash avenue
46 mc allen liVabil it ycommc allen 47
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
Ad Index 41 BorderCapitalBank
21 CityofMCallen puBliCinfooffiCe
4 CourtyardByMarriott
32 easterseals rioGrandeValley
44 ediBlearranGeMents
32 faMilyphysiCiansCliniC
2 MaGiCValley eleCtriCCooperatiVe
C3 MCalleneConoMiC deVelopMentCorporation
46 MCallenindependent sChooldistriCt
1 MCallen internationalairport
C4 MCallenrealty
48 MreleCtriC
46 nueVosantanderGallery
35 ohkayrsquos
34 preVentatiVe
Careinstitute
23 QuintaMazatlan
32 riohealthMediCal
31 southtexasColleGe
C2 southtexas
healthsysteM
18 thepatioonGuerra
44 Valley
internationalairport
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
ECONOMICPROFILE
3000+
2000- 2999
1999- 500
hOuSEhOld iNCOmE
TOP EmPlOyErS
$200000+
$150000-199999
$100000 and under
McAllen Independent School District
McAllen Medical Center South Texas College City of McAllen
Rio Grande Regional Hospital International Bank of Commerce
EduCaTiON lEvEl
High School Graduate
Associate Degree
Bachelorrsquos Degree
Masterrsquos Degree
TaxES
2City Sales and Use Tax
625State Sales Tax
825Total Sales Tax
SCOrECard
$36BAnnual Retail Sales
$28682Retail sales per capita
$3575MAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
15161Total Number of Firms
TraNSPOrTaTiON
mcallen-miller international airportwwwmcallenairportcom
metro mcallenwwwmcallennetmetro
amtrakwwwamtrakcom
ThiS SECTiON iS SPONSOrEd By
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax
everything you need every step of the way
Serving the rio grande valley Since 1989
Rachel Hardison-Oliva Broker
3321 N McColl Rd
McAllen TX 78501
(956) 687-7172 bull (956) 687-7178 Fax