Early voting for the Nov. 3 general election runs through Friday, Oct. 30, in Hidalgo and Cameron counties. After Friday, your next chance to vote is Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Each county lists its voting locations on its elections page. Cameron County notes that locations and times can change, so check before you go.

Hidalgo County elections, (956) 318-2570 · Cameron County polling places, (956) 544-0809

🦅 Hawk Watch in Mission, Every Morning Through Saturday

Park volunteers and naturalists count migrating hawks from the Hawk Tower at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, 2800 S. Bentsen Palm Drive in Mission, every morning from 9 to 11 a.m. through Saturday, Oct. 31, weather permitting. A shuttle to the tower on the Rio Grande Trail starts at 9 a.m. No reservation is needed, though the park says shuttle space may be limited.

Bring binoculars, a hat and water. Park entry is $5 for adults and free for kids 12 and under.

See the park's Hawk Watch page

🐦 Three Guided Tours at Estero Llano Grande in Weslaco

Estero Llano Grande State Park, 3301 S. International Blvd. in Weslaco, leads a guided tour three mornings this week. Each one is included with park entry, $5 for adults and free for kids 12 and under, and the park lends binoculars for free.

Wed., Oct. 28: A birding tour from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., for all ages and skill levels.

Thu., Oct. 29: A ranger-driven electric tram tour from 9 to 11 a.m. Reservations are required at (956) 565-3919.

Fri., Oct. 30: Butterfly and dragonfly tours from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

See the park's events

🎡 Also This Week

Through Nov. 8, McAllen: The McAllen Fall Festival's carnival at Expressway 83 and Ware Road opens at 5:30 p.m. every day except Tuesdays, so it's closed today. Gate entry and parking are free, and unlimited-ride wristbands are $35 per person. See the listing

🌮 Eat Local: Delia's Tamales in McAllen

Delia's makes 15 kinds of tamales and sells them at six locations across the Valley. The shop at 3400 N. 10th St. in McAllen opens at 7 a.m. every day, closing at 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 6 p.m. on Sunday.

"This has been my go to since they opened... I like getting tamales year round & not just during Christmas"
Jorge, on Google

See Delia's in our directory

😄 Smile for the Road

Somewhere in the Valley this week, a man with borrowed binoculars is about to spend ten quiet minutes admiring a hawk that turns out to be a plastic bag.

📅 Plan Ahead

Sat., Nov. 7, Mission: The Texas Butterfly Festival holds its free Community Day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the National Butterfly Center, 3333 Butterfly Park Drive. The full festival runs Nov. 7-10. See the festival's page

Sat., Nov. 7, Harlingen: Downtown Market Days runs the first Saturday of every month from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Jackson Avenue and at Centennial Park. The city hasn't posted a November listing yet, so check before you go. See the city's page

💬 Quote of the Week

"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way."

1 Timothy 2:1-2, ESV

🏪 From The 956 Rundown, for Valley Business Owners

We asked Google's AI 12 times where to get a haircut in Harlingen. It never named one local barbershop we were checking. Every answer sent people to other shops.

If you own a business, The 956 Rundown can put your name in front of Valley families every Tuesday. Banner Partner founding rates start at $65 a week and stay yours as long as you renew. Full Founding Partners ($450 a month, three spots) also get a feature story and a quarterly email to our list carrying their own coupon code, so they can count who comes in. Banner and Full Founding Partners get an AI Visibility Snapshot (valued at $500).

See the three founding spots

📖 Sunday Word

Pastor Reyes on the hawks passing over Mission this week, and Job 39:26. Read the Sunday Word

📨 Pass It On

Forward this to one person in the Valley who's always looking for something to do. It's free for them too, and they can sign up here.

See you Thursday with the weekend picks.

Reyes

P.S. Early voting ends Friday, Oct. 30. Find a voting location in Hidalgo County or Cameron County.

📲 Share This Issue

If you know someone who'd use this, share it in one tap.

Share on Facebook · Text it to a friend · Email it to a friend