NOVEMBER 8, 2023 www.wintertexantimes.com 12 WINTER TEXAN TIMES “Lets Build a Deck”....with Outdoor Flooring & Vinyl Deck Railing Valleywide Delivery Free Estimates THE SIDING SOURCE 705 BUS. 83 • ALAMO, TX • (800)-567-3311 Planing a Project? We Give Expert Advice on all Products and Projects Check us out at www.KautschTV.com Kautsch true value DUTCH LAP VINYL SIDING (12 COLORS IN STOCK) MOBILE HOME SKIRTING (6 COLORS IN STOCK) REPLACEMENT WINDOWS Bring in your measurements for a Free Quote OVER 90 YEARS OF TRUSTED SERVICE • 12 Siding and Soffit Colors (IN STOCK) • Complete Building Supplies • Patio Covers & Carports • Window Awnings • Exterior Vinyl Shutters • Phifer Solar Sun Screens • Custom Aluminum Fabrication • MH & RV Accessories CLASSIC RIB METAL ROOFING ATRIUM VINYL Thanks to the Winter Texans, I now understand more about the game of Cricket … at least on paper. Now all I need to do is make time to go to one of their games. In fact, one way to keep up with all the happening in the Rio Grande Valley is to read the Winter Texan Times. And there is a lot going on. Just take your pick – there is something for everyone – music, art, dances, garages sales, cruises on the Rio Grande River or on the Laguna Madre for fishing. The Rio Grande Valley has just about all you could ever want. Sure, we are not really a Valley, and we don’t have any mountains. In fact, we are virtually at sea level. I live in Harlingen, where just a few miles up the road is a small town named Combes. Now old timers would call that town Combes Mountain. But why? When I look up the elevation of Harlingen, my computer tells me that the average elevation of Harlingen is 46 feet. The elevation of Combes is just 39 feet. Could it be because Combes is somewhat north of Harlingen, people identified north with going up? Now I am really beginning to wonder why or how we look at things. Residents of Harlingen have always said that downtown Harlingen is 33 feet. Since the Rio Grande River is actually higher than downtown Harlingen, it stands to reason that when the river floods, Harlingen, The water and rich soil of the Valley as well as most Rio Grande Valley cities, are going to be flooded. The natural flow of the flood waters will be from the river toward the Gulf of Mexico. Anyone living in the Rio Grande Valley in 1967 when we experienced Hurricane Beulah will remember how most of our Valley towns experienced major flooding. With excessive rain and slow drainage how can we not flood? But let’s look at the positive of flooding. The rich alluvial soil that we have in the Rio Grande Valley exists only because of the millions of years that the Rio Grande River has dumped the excess water on the land. Consequently, we have some of the richest soil in the United States. Right now, we could use a little excess water. Many of our farmers have already used their annual allotted water allowance – and it is time for fall and early winter planting. Over the last few years, our supply of water has dwindled so much that farmers are advised to try crops that use less water. Agriculture advisers are suggesting new crops for the Valley – crops that are more adapted to a dryer climate. One of those new crops is canola. A crop that I had never seen. Why not take a ride down Highway 281 just to see how many new crops you can identify? Or better yet join a Farm Tour and hear all about the evolution of farming in the Rio Grande Valley from the clearing of the land, to the irrigation system developed in 1905, and finally the necessity for crop dusting. It has been too cold the last week to even think about planting. But it won’t be long until we will have sunshine again. Thank goodness, our cold snaps are generally short lived. Hope you stayed warm. lingen, 901 N. Loop 499. For ticket information, visit the association’s website at www.HarlingenConcert. com or call (956) 392-9757. November 14 – The McAllen Wind Ensemble will present their Red, White and Blues combining Veterans Day patriotic music with some jazzy, toe-tapping tunes. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $10, including fees, and can be purchased in-person at the McAllen Performing Arts Center Box Office or by calling 1-800-745-3000, or at www.ticketmaster.com. Reserved seating is available. For more information visit mcallenwindensemble. org. November 17, 18, 19 – The Harlingen Community Theatre will present Neil Simon’s Plaza Suite, A Comedy Classic. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Be advised, this show contains mild language and is intended for a mature audience. The theatre is located at 1209 Fair Park Blvd. Visit hctvalleystars.org for more information and tickets. November 18 – McAllen Public Library will host “Holiday Meal Made Healthy” at 11 a.m. Tips and tricks for trimming down meals and making them healthy will be discussed. Call ahead to register at (956) 681-3000. The McAllen Public Library is located at 4001 N. 23rd St. EVENTS From pg. 6 The Rio Grande River as seen from Riverside Cruises in 2018. Photo by Jim Brunson
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