Annual Family Fest will help benefit the South Texas Food Bank

 (Laredo, TX )  The City of Laredo is once again hosting this year’s annual 4^th of July Family Fest celebration and thanks to their partners, including: V Parade Company; R Communications; Budweiser; AB Cattle co, by Ana & John Galo; Dannenbaum Engineering; Casa Raul, Cricket; Lone Star Autoplex; and UETA, this event promises to be a sizzling celebration. 

 For only a $1.00 suggested donation entrance fee, which will benefit the South Texas Food Bank, attendees will be able to enjoy: music; food; vendors, entertainment; kiddy activities; Loteria; a bike display; watermelon and Jell-O eating contest and even, help judge the rib and brisket cook-off; dance groups; an Elvis impersonator; a moonwalk; rides; and fireworks, to close out the evening. 

 A separate concert area, hosted by R Communications and sponsored by Budweiser/ Bud Light will require a $10 entrance fee.  This event, the 5^th Annual Batalla de Talento “La Voz de Laredo” which benefits STARS and the UISD/LISD school uniform fund will be held during the festival. 

 For a limited time, the concert tickets are on sale now at the Civic Center Box Office.  Get your tickets now and avoid the rush.  For $10, you get to enjoy the following line-up:

 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.  Budweiser/Bud Light La Ley/Digital Batalla del Talento “La Voz de Laredo”

7:00 p.m.        Paty y Sonora

8:00 p.m.        Grupo Mazz

9:00 p.m.        Salomon Robles

10:00 p.m.      Presentation of Colors and National Anthem by U.S. Border Patrol

Fireworks Display

10:30 p.m.      Grupo Duelo

 “The City of Laredo’s 4^th of July celebration has become a Laredo tradition and gives our community an opportunity for area families to enjoy food, music and activities all the while supporting the South Texas Food Bank,” said Ana Rivera Soto, general sales manager for R Communications.  “Additionally, it is a great way for R Communications to kick-off our two week radio drive for the food bank.”

Courtesy Xochitl Mora,

Laredo, TX—The City of Laredo Health Department (CLHD) is inviting the public to join an innovative and exciting Diabetes Education Prevention initiative “Healthy Living/Viviendo Mejor”.  This is the third cycle to help increase prevention, awareness, reduce risks of diabetes and its complications and improve diabetes self management to prevent this illness, which affects many in our community.  

 HLVM just graduated its second class and is currently seeking fifty (50) people to enroll in the third cycle. What is unique about these sessions is that it focuses on the family and community at large who are at risk of diabetes.  HLVM helps persons take control of their chronic disease with self management and risk reduction classes, cooking lessons, fitness activities and peer support activities. Participants of the first session commented that what they learned during this program was life changing!

 These free interactive classes are being offered to persons with diabetes but as important, to their family members and/or persons at risk of developing diabetes. We want to intervene before someone develops diabetes and/or its complications.  All persons enrolled in the group will also get free diabetes screening.

 Got a bike that’s not trail ready?  Got a whole garage full of them?  Can’t afford the parts?  Been wondering where to ride in Laredo?

 Have we got a deal for you!

 The Big River Foundation teams up with Ciclo Mania, and all local riders to offer another free mountain bicycle repair clinic and ride.  Bring an old bike in need of tire, chain, spoke or other repair to the Rio Grande Plaza Hotel at 1 South Main Ave, this Cinco de Mayo between 3 and 6 p.m.  We’ll pay for any parts you may need, & show you how to install them FREE. 

 Afterwards you’re invited to join us for an escorted ride along the Rio Grande, to the “Lost Lakes” and Las Palmas Park.  Rides start as soon as you fix your bike and continue until 8 p.m. 

 Poolside party and barbeque for all who volunteer their help.

 Laredo’s free bike repair clinics are paid for by a grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Community Outdoor Outreach Program.

(Laredo, Tx)-Cigarroa High School, the Pride of South Laredo, will induct 14 members today into their Toro Legends during their inaugural ceremony.   This year’s inductees include; Rafael Garcia, Patricia Albidrez, Raul Nuno, Albert Perez Hernandez, Omar Gonzalez, Jose Cerda, Irma De La Cruz, Osvaldo Villarreal, Victor Alvarado, Angeles Borrego, Rebecca Albidrez-Gamez, Ana Benavides, Jessica Pena Alvarado, and Adalberto Soliz.   The event will take place at the Cigarroa High School Gym.

(Laredo, Tx)-More than 25 beautiful purses will be auctioned during an event to benefit the Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas on Thursday, April 19. at La Posada Hotel’s San Agustin Ballroom.  “The Power of the Purse” event is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m.
 
Corporate sponsor for the event is International Bank of Commerce.  Among the local businesses donating purses and gifts for the event are La Posada, Joe Brand, Moore’s Jewelry, Dillard’s, Studio 55, Crisda Collections, Stein Mart, Executive Office Supply, Carmin’s Flower Shop, D’Mademoiselle, La Mode, Sara Simms Beauticontrol, Annie Landin, Sanchez Financial, Big Buck Country, and many others.
 
Miss Texas USA 2011 Ana Rodriguez donated an autographed photo and purse for the auction. Webb County Commissioner Wawi Tijerina and County Clerk Margie Ibarra also donated purses. Floral arrangements have been donated by Narvaez Flower and Gift Shop. Local jazz musician Joe Guerra will provide musical entertainment.
 
Girl Scouts is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.  In Laredo, we have more more than 4,000 Girl Scouts. Through Girl Scouts they discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together. Through a myriad of enriching experiences, such as extraordinary field trips, sports skill-building clinics, community service projects, cultural exchanges, and environmental stewardships, girls grow courageous and strong. Girl Scouting helps girls develop their full individual potential; relate to others with increasing understanding, skill, and respect; develop values to guide their actions and provide the foundation for sound decision-making; and contribute to the improvement of society through their abilities, leadership skills, and cooperation with others.
 
 KGNS personality Mindy Casso will serve as auctioneer. Members of the committee include Veronica Castillon, Perla Sanchez, Yolanda Salinas, Martha Palacios, Bonnie Mata, and Norma Saldana-Lopez.
 
Tickets to the event are $75 and include a cocktail reception. For additional information, please contact the local Girl Scout Council at 723-7251.

For more information call Roland De La Cruz at 956-236-6052.

 LAREDO, TX – The Laredo Lemurs professional baseball team will be hosting a Job Fair to staff the new Uni-Trade Stadium when it opens on May 17^th for their first professional baseball team.

 The Lemurs are looking for friendly, professional, and highly dedicated staff to help ensure every event at Uni-Trade Stadium is an exciting and memorable one. 

 Job Fair:

When: TUESDAY, APRIL 17^TH

Where: Workforce Solutions of South Texas @ 2389 E. Saunders

Time: 5:30pm – 8:00pm

 APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT www.laredolemurs.com

 Requirements:

Must be 16 years or older

Resume and/or Bio Required

Valid Identification

Each position has specific requirements

 Positions Hiring:

Concessions, Inventory Manager, Cash Manager, Bartenders, Hawkers, Warehouse Staff,

Suite Servers, Club Seat Servers, Buffet Servers, Kitchen Staff, and Hawker Manage

Courtesy Xochitl Mora,

In Particular, Ice Cream

Laredo, TX—As warm weather approaches we tend to see illegal food vendors and want to caution the public to only purchase food from authorized and permitted vendors.

 The City of Laredo Health Department (CLHD) wants the public to know currently there are illegal ice cream vendors that we are monitoring as they are using illegal lead based containers which can be harmful to one’s health especially to children (from gastrointestinal problems, irritability, learning disorders to muscle and nervous system complications). Recently we have confiscated six (6) containers made of steel (see pictures) and want the public to know that it is dangerous to buy and eat the ice cream from these vendors who do not have any permit from the health department to sell food and they are using illegal lead based containers to store the ice cream.

 Finally we want to remind the public that the CLHD has a strong food safety, surveillance and enforcement program to assure that the public is safe when they purchase any food item from food establishments and mobile food vendors. All food vendors must apply for a permit which means they have been inspected by a CLHD Sanitarian. All food handlers of that establishment and mobile vendors must also have food handlers training and a permit as well a food manager has to have been trained on food handling, food management, cooking temperatures, food safety, food storage and food preparation. This is all part of our food safety and foodborne disease prevention services.

 Each year we prevent foodborne illness (diarrhea, vomiting, food poisoning and other infections) through inspections and training of food vendors. So we caution the public not to buy from unauthorized illegal food vendors. They must a permit in full view issued during the current year. 

 For more information please contact the City of Laredo Health Department at (956) 795-4904, 795-4935 or 795-4938.

 Every year, students at United Day School do their very best to help raise awareness and funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; this year will be no exception as they get ready for this year’s 2012 Walk to Cure Diabetes fundraiser event.

 On Tuesday, April 10, 2012, at 9:00 a.m., the school, located at San Isidro Parkway at McPherson will welcome The Great American Cookie Man, as they host a school walk to help raise funds to help JDRF.  Earlier this month, the students had a JDRF T-Shirt Contest to see who could design the best t-shirt design promoting this year’s Walk theme:  Rock the Cure.  UDS students’ fellow classmate, Stacy Garza, has lived with Type 1 Diabetes for some time and this event is especially important to the kids, to not only help raise money for a cure, but to show support for their friend Stacy.

 This year’s walk promises to be one of the best ever, as it is the easiest way for anyone in the community to help raise funds for this worthy cause.  This 5K Walk (three miles) is two complete loops around the beautiful grounds of TAMIU.  People can register on their own or as a team at www.walk.jdrf.org (Register for Laredo Walk) or inside the TAMIU Student Activity Center starting at 8:00 a.m.  The Walk begins at 9:00 a.m. on the east side of the Student Activity Center and participants simply walk to collect pledges for the cause.  There will be entertainment, a children’s corner, team T-shirt contest and other festivities during the event. 

 Douglas Gonzalez, H-E-B Director of Retail Operation for the Southwest region is the 2012 Corporate Walk Chair.  This year’s Walk is dedicated in memory of Curtis Grace, a Type I Diabetic and retired H-E-B Unit Director. 

 Laredoans never fail to show their desire to help worthy causes in their community. JDRF extends a special “Thank you!” to this year’s Walk sponsors: Title Sponsor: H-E-B; Event Sponsor: Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust; Host Sponsor: Texas A&M International University; Gold Sponsors: IBC and Wal-Mart (Loop 20 Store); Silver Sponsors: Laredo Medical Center and Sam’s Wholsale; Bronze Sponsors: Great American Cookie; Texas Community Bank; PLACAS Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club from Eagle Pass and SAMSONS.

 Diabetes afflicts 1.7 million children and adults in Texas alone, many who live in Laredo. Funds raised from sponsorships and attendees of the annual Walk to Cure Diabetes will go towards research to find a CURE for this debilitating disease.  Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation portfolio of diabetes research is among the largest in the world focused on cures and better treatments for type 1diabetes and its complications. Driven by passionate, grassroots volunteers connected to children adolescents, adults with this disease, JDRF is the largest charitable supporter of T1D research. The goal is to improve the lives of every person affected by T1D by accelerating progress on the most promising opportunities for curing, better treating, and preventing T1D.

 T1D is an autoimmune disease that strikes children and adults suddenly, and lasts a lifetime. At the present, there is no way to prevent it, and, until a cure is found, people with T1D need to test their blood sugar and give themselves inuslin multiple times per day – everyday for the rest of their lives.. Although T1D is a serious and difficult disease, treatment options are improving all the time, and people with T1D can lead full active lives.

 Since its founding in 1970, JDRF has awarded more than $1.5 billion to T1D research. More than 80 percent of JDRF’s expenditures directly support research and research related education. Past JDRF research efforts have helped to significantly improve the care of people with this disease, and have expanded the critical scientific understanding of T1D. JDRF will not rest until T1D is fully conquered.

 For more information, visit the JDRF web site at:  http://sctx-jdrf.org/laredo/