Slice Of Life

Teaching the public

Driver promotes benefits of public transportation

By FERNANDO DEL VALLE/Valley Morning Star

For years, Aurelio Medrano dreamed of teaching children in a classroom.For now, he’s teaching passengers from the steering wheel of his bus.“If I can’t teach children, I want to teach the public about public transportation and why... Full story

Puppy spotlight: Amadeo Flores

Flores throws birthday parties for his two Pomeranians

By FERNANDO DEL VALLE/Valley Morning Star

For Amadeo and Remy Flores, it’s a majestic dog’s life.Poolside parties, fine dining and birthday cakes aren’t too good for their beloved Pomeranians.The couple’s love affair with the dogs began about 13 years ago, when they... Full story

Goal getter: Francisco Lozano

Lozano has been appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy

By MICHAEL BARAJAS/Valley Morning Star

Francisco Lozano has known for years that he wants to be an engineer. “I really enjoy the problem solving and the math and science involved in the engineering discipline,” he said.Lozano, 18, will now continue his studies in science and... Full story

Piece of cake: Jody Runyan

Runyan founded Sugar Belles, a group that connects cake decorators

By TRAVIS M. WHITEHEAD/Valley Freedom Newspapers

Jody Runyan’s cakes take the shapes of race cars and horses, toilets and bowling shoes, alligators and basketballs and sailfish, a carnival of playful figures that many would find difficult to eat.“It’s a creative outlet,”... Full story

Helping Hands: Lupita Garza

By FERNANDO DEL VALLE/Valley Morning Star

When help came in the wake of Hurricane Dolly, students here learned a lesson about giving.Now it’s their turn to help survivors of the earthquake that ravaged Haiti.“It’s time for us to give something back,” said Lupita... Full story

Quality care: Irene Yeung

Nurse Yeung keeps track of the Medical Intensive Care Unit

By ALLEN ESSEX/Valley Morning Star

She’s a familiar face in the halls of Valley Baptist Medical Center-Harlingen.Irene Yeung is a registered nurse, but she has a very specialized job.“I audit charts for the intensivist program,” she said. “I try to create high... Full story

Taking A Stand: Marge Jacobs

Ohio native believes in fighting for what you believe in

By CARL PHILLIPS/Special to the STAR

Marge Jacobs grew up in a big city, but her heart has always been in the country.She runs the Public Library Reading Room next door to Club Padre on South Padre Island. The reading room is an extension of the Port Isabel Public Library.She said she... Full story

Course in government: Michael Perez

Perez learns about our nation’s capitol

By FERNANDO DEL VALLE/Valley Morning Star

This year, Michael Perez is getting a hands-on course in government.Out of about 80 applicants at Texas A&M University, he’s one of a few to be working in the halls of Congress, said Perez, 20, a 2007 graduate of Harlingen High School... Full story

Pizza Delivery: Alejandro Formacio

Formacio moved from New Jersey to open a pizzeria here

By GABRIEL SALDAÑA/Valley Morning Star

Alejandro Formacio was born in Mexico, came to Harlingen, later moved to New Jersey and has returned to settle with his family in the Capital City of the Rio Grande Valley.Formacio, 29, has now lived in Harlingen for two months and has no plans to... Full story

At the car show: Jerry Lopez

Lopez now enters his spring yellow Mustang in contests

By MICHAEL BARAJAS/Valley Morning Star

Jerry Lopez initially bought his 1967 Ford Mustang as a gift for his teenage sons, hoping they’d take advantage of the opportunity to refurbish an old gem.“I had it for about 11 years … I thought they’d try to fix it. But... Full story

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