Armed with two guitars and an old suitcase drum, to say this Americana duo is greater than the sum of their parts would be a vast understatement. Winnie Brave has been hailed as one of Alberta’s best kept secrets. Known for their dynamic and energetic shows, Winnie Brave is a sonic force to be reckoned with.
Regan James has been in the Rio Grande Valley for about 11 years and is attracting attention at different venues with his high energy, great entertainment and music. Regan James (Swedeen) lives in Minnesota with his wife Char in the summer months and has made his home in the Valley since 2013 in the wintertime.
The 12th Annual Valley Star Awards is just around the corner. The event will be held at Mission Bell Resort on Wednesday, February 15th. The show will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. with an intermission. Mission Bell will have lunch available for attendees for a small price before the show at 12 p.m., or just get there early to save a seat up front.
This year’s lineup, as always, includes some Winter Texan favorites, including some of those that have been nominated. They are Nu-Blu, The Piano Man Jason Whorlow, Ron Moshier, Winnie Brave, Regan James, and Redneck Revival.
Nothing like Grandma’s cooking
Biscuits & Gravy Neighborhood Kitchen celebrated their first anniversary and would like to thank their customers, especially our Winter Texans, for helping them make it a successful year. If you haven’t been there yet, you will want to try to hurry over early and often this season.
After talking with the owners and hearing feedback from our readers, my husband and I were more than ready to visit Biscuits & Gravy Neighborhood Kitchen. After all the built-up anticipation, we were more than pleased with our visit and meals as they exceeded all expectations.
While waiting for our meals to arrive, we were each given a sample of their signature dish – biscuits and gravy. It was exactly like grandmother used to make – or dare I say, even better.
Something we both noticed was the toasted biscuit. Not overdone or too crisp, but as we talked to each other about it, and to Manager Ryan Martinez, it made complete sense. They toast the biscuits for just a minute which helps it hold up without soaking up too much gravy, keeping its structure from first bite to the last, allowing you to enjoy the flavors of the gravy and the biscuit. This little touch really enhanced this classic dish.
The gravy has a nice consistency, peppered just right, and just the right amount of sausage. Nothing was starchy and everything was seasoned perfectly. All in all, it left me wanting more, but I was also eager to try something different on the menu.
This year they have added a few items that will certainly entice your palate. The breakfast biscuit is served with a scrambled egg, choice of bacon, ham, or sausage, topped with cheese served with a side of hash browns. The chicken tender basket will satisfy your lunch cravings. This has four hand breaded chicken tenders served with fries, Texas toast and a side of gravy. And there is new merchandise such as shirts, mugs, and baby onesies that would make great Christmas gifts.
You could tell they have a good grill in their kitchen – and a great cook. Everything tastes like good southern home cooking. To me, it was reminiscent of being back on my grandparents’ farm eating a good, hearty country breakfast after tending to some outside chores.
It’s a place I will be going back to again – even if it’s just for biscuits and gravy.
Biscuits & Gravy Neighborhood Kitchen is a family owned and operated local restaurant located at the Val Verde Flea Market at 935 W. Hwy Bus. 83, Suite 9 in Donna on the corner of Bus. 83 and Val Verde Rd and is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The day started out overcast and threatening rain, but a cloudy day on the Laguna Madre is better than a sunny day in the office. By the time I pulled up for lunch at Pirate’s Landing at the foot of the causeway, the sun had just burst free of the gray and dreary morning. A good omen of what was ahead?
While it is still early in the season, I could pick out several tables with Winter Texans sitting down to their lunches in a very busy dining room – and it wasn’t quite noon yet. Even with the amount of traffic the staff was very attentive, and dishes were steadily streaming from the kitchen.
Genres: Classic Country, Rock n' Roll, Gospel
Playing a variety of Classic Country and Rock n’ Roll, as well as Gospel music for your listening or dancing enjoyment.
This group features Mary Chamberlin on lead vocals, Dan Steele on lead, Jim Hanson on Bass/Keyboard, and Mike Peterson on drums. And with each also lending their vocal talents you have a group that can’t be beat.
First impressions can mean a lot, set within the right context. J.K Rowling said, “A good first impression can work wonders,” while Daniel Handler has a completely different take and said, “I don’t know if you’ve ever noticed this, but first impressions are often entirely wrong.”
However you view first or early impressions and whether they make a difference on you, they remain something that, as Charles Swindoll said, “never have a second chance.”
Read more: Views top first impressions at lower Valley golf courses
First impressions can mean a lot, set within the right context. J.K Rowling said, “A good first impression can work wonders,” while Daniel Handler has a completely different take and said, “I don’t know if you’ve ever noticed this, but first impressions are often entirely wrong.”
However you view first or early impressions and whether they make a difference on you, they remain something that, as Charles Swindoll said, “never have a second chance.”
On my most recent visit to Lobo Del Mar I was seated on the expansive patio at the counter facing the bay, just in time to enjoy a beautiful sunset as the varied tour and dinner boats sailed past on their way home.
On this Wednesday night the house band played to a packed house, inside and out, while servers kept the kitchen busy as drinks and plates flowed continuously to tables throughout. The only thing more impressive than the quality of service was the meal.
I started with their Ceviche which was chilled perfectly and full of fresh large pieces of fish absolutely overflowing its bowl. Served with a plate of tortilla chips, this appetizer topped with fresh avocado certainly set the tone.
I followed that with an order of Seafood Linguine. Most places I have had any type of seafood pasta, just trying to get to the protein has always been its own fishing expedition, but not at Lobo Del Mar. A bed of perfect al-dente linguini pasta topped with creamy alfredo sauce with diced tomato, onion, and sauteed mushrooms is not only topped, but absolutely covered, with two generous portions of grilled cod and so much shrimp I had to move some aside to try the pasta.
The linguine was served with garlic bread, steamed broccoli and carrots, and a choice of soup or salad, of which I chose the latter. The buttery garlic bread was the perfect complement to the dish, and the steamed veggies were crisp and fresh, as was the salad which all worked together to create a wonderful meal befitting the beautiful setting on the bay.
First impressions can mean a lot, set within the right context. J.K Rowling said, “A good first impression can work wonders,” while Daniel Handler has a completely different take and said, “I don’t know if you’ve ever noticed this, but first impressions are often entirely wrong.”
However you view first or early impressions and whether they make a difference on you, they remain something that, as Charles Swindoll said, “never have a second chance.”
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