Brownsville News and Announcements

EarthTalk: Stimulus package rewards for businesses greening up

Dear EarthTalk: I’ve been following reports about President Obama’s stimulus package and what it may mean for creating green jobs. Beyond that, are there programs in place to...

New Animal Arrivals At The Gladys Porter Zoo

Brownsville, TX – On December 21, The Gladys Porter Zoo announced the public appearance of several new animals. Many of these new additions are newborn animals, which can now be...

Update on Propane Tank Incident

Brownsville, TX -- Around 8:30 a.m. December 17, 2009 morning, a 60 pound propane tank burst at the maintenance area of the Gladys Porter Zoo. One Zoo employee was in the area...

Gladys Porter Zoo In Search Of New Docents For 2010

Brownsville, TX – On December 10, The Gladys Porter Zoo announced its 2010 docent volunteer training schedule. The six-week course begins with the first session on the history...

Cut your own Christmas Tree from tree farms in Texas

Celebrate the Holiday Season at Zoo Nights and Lights

Brownsville, TX – The Gladys Porter Zoo invites all Rio Grande Valley residents and visitors to come out and celebrate the holiday season at Zoo Nights & Lights.Enjoy live...

Brownsville Holiday Shopping Guide - Black Friday deals and Brownsville Malls and Outlets

Nocturnal: A Different View Of Traditional Photography - Exhibition

Nocturnal explores our world after dark, using traditional darkroom photography and the challenges of chemicals, enlargers, and wrinkled fingers. Ten local artists explore the...

BMFA Distinguished Artist Series: Benjamin Dominguez - Exhibition

In October, the BMFA will exhibit the work of Mexican artist Benjamín Domínguez. Domínguez is famous for his use of original Renaissance painting technique, which he combines...

Swine flu information, symptoms and resources for Cameron County

An Invitation to our Brownsville Community: BLOG ON!

Latin Jazz Festival Relocates Due to Bad Weather

Find Texas Corn Mazes - Get lost in a Texas haunted Halloween corn maze this season!

BSPA Announces Its 13th Annual Brownsville Latin Jazz Festival

Valley Appreciation Days

Discount Days at the Zoo for LowerValley Residents September 18th- 20th, 2009Brownsville, TX – Once a year, during Lower Valley Appreciation Days, the Gladys Porter Zoo offers...

Gladys Porter Zoo To Host A Weekend Of Discounts During Brownsville Appreciation Days

Brownsville, TX - The Gladys Porter Zoo will offer an entire weekend of admission discounts and events in appreciation for all residents living inside the Brownsville city limits....

What’s Happening At The Zoo - September 2009

Zoofari '09 Committee Accepting Donations for AuctionCommittee members need your support to make the Zoo’s annual Zoofari fundraiser a success. Donations are being accepted for...

Mitte Cultural District Entrance Monument Dedication Ceremony

‘A Salute to our Troops’ Appreciation Day

Please join us at the Gladys Porter Zoo for a special flag raising ceremony honoring active and retired members of the military. The local VFW post 2035 will be present to raise...

Party Plan Press Release

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE     Contact: Lynsey Jones   (850) 516-9895   ...

The Gladys Porter Zoo Extends Butterflies, Bugs and Blooms Exhibit

Brownsville, TX – On July 31, The Gladys Porter Zoo announced the extension of their latest special exhibit, Butterflies, Bugs & Blooms. The exhibit showcases some of the...

AmericanTowns PR Tool: Getting publicity for your Brownsville organization has never been easier

Weekend Activities in and around Brownsville

Eat Local! Great Resources in the Brownsville area

Sea Lions Return to Gladys Porter Zoo

Brownsville, TX - On May 15, 2009, The Gladys Porter Zoo announced the arrival of two new sea lions into the Zoo’s general collection. Available on public display starting...

Refinance Your Mortgage Locally, as Mortgage Rates Drop to 5% Level

Gladys Porter Zoo Announces Baby Hippo’s Name

Brownsville, TX – On March 24, The Gladys Porter Zoo announced the results of their name search for the newest baby hippo. After a two-week voting period and almost 2400 votes...

Advisory: Help the Zoo Name the New Baby Hippo

Digging into 'shovel-ready projects' in the Brownsville area

Giving To Brownsville Non-Profits: It Does Good…And It Feels Good

Make a difference in Brownsville! Find the perfect local volunteer opportunity

Charro Days

Charro Days is now on Facebook.  Check out the link below and become a fan. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brownsville-TX/Charro-Days-Fiesta/48239987355

The (Even Greater) Outdoors: Get Out There!

Browse This Week's Classified Ads For Brownsville

Don’t let dining out in the Brownsville area do you in!

EarthTalk: Harvesting rainwater for household use

Dear EarthTalk How can I make good use of the rainwater that runs down my roof and into my gutters? -- B.S.For most of us, the rain that falls on our roof runs off into the...

EarthTalk: Simple improvements for greening the home

Dear EarthTalk: What are some simple low cost improvements I can do to my home to make it greener? -- S.L.According to consumer advocate Remar Sutton, there are many ways to save...

EarthTalk: Bike riding and traffic pollution

Dear EarthTalk: I ride my bike to work along busy urban streets. Should I be worried about inhaling pollutants from vehicle emissions and other sources?  -- J.K.The short...

EarthTalk: Vertical Farming

Dear EarthTalk: What is “vertical farming” and how is it better for the environment? – J.S. “Vertical farming” is a term coined by Columbia University professor of...

EarthTalk: Fashion's footprint

Dear EarthTalk: Can you enlighten on the environmental impact of the fashion industry? As I understand it, the industry overall is no friend to the environment.  --...

EarthTalk: more affordable energy-efficient cars

Dear EarthTalk: Celebrities and billionaires are shelling out big bucks for cutting edge green-friendly cars like the Tesla Roadster. But what are the rest of us—who live in the...

EarthTalk: High molybdenum levels from cookware

Dear EarthTalk: I recently had a tissue mineral analysis indicating that my levels of the nutritional element, molybdenum, were off the chart.  I believe this may be leaching...

Share the season in pictures with the Fairfield Community

EarthTalk: Toxic hair salons

Dear EarthTalk: As I understand it, hair salons are pretty toxic enterprises on many counts. Are there any efforts underway to green up that industry? -- P.H.Hair salons have...

EarthTalk: Recession hurts green group efforts

Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that environmental non-profits have been hit hard by the economic downturn, and has this had an impact on their effectiveness? -- B.W.Non-profits of...

EarthTalk: Disposable paper products decimate forests

Dear EarthTalk: Are any major brands of disposable tissues, paper towels, napkins and toilet paper yet using recycled content and chlorine-free bleaching? -- S.C.Not many. In...

EarthTalk: Pesticides, fertilizers and water pollution

Dear EarthTalk: What effects do fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides used on residential lawns or on farms have on nearby water bodies like rivers, streams—or even the ocean...

EarthTalk: Green Power for Homes

Dear EarthTalk: I’d like to know the relative electricity cost of utility scale solar and wind plants versus rooftop residential solar. In other words, how can I know whether to...

EarthTalk: How "green" is Borax for housecleaning?

Dear EarthTalk: I’ve heard so much about using Borax for green housecleaning.  But if this mineral has to be mined, doesn't that negate some of its...

EarthTalk: Green life lessons for youngsters

Dear EarthTalk: What are some things that children and families can do to be greener (and to provide life lessons for the kids in the process)? -- C.M.There are many ways to...

Winning the Real Estate Game in Fairfield in a Tough Market

EarthTalk: Cigarette litter

Dear EarthTalk: Has anyone ever studied the environmental impact of discarded cigarettes? I’m constantly appalled at the number of drivers I see pitching their butts out their...

EarthTalk: Green ways to keep groundhogs and others away

Dear EarthTalk: What would you recommend as a non-toxic/non-lethal way to keep squirrels, gophers and groundhogs away?   -- F.G.Keeping unwanted critters away can...

EarthTalk: Upgrading older appliances

Dear EarthTalk: I am considering upgrading some older appliances in my home. Where can I find information on which models are the most energy efficient?  -- J.D.There has...

EarthTalk: Tax incentives for energy-efficiency

Dear EarthTalk: Since Obama took office, have any new incentives been put in place for homeowners looking to increase energy efficiency and reduce the overall environmental...

EarthTalk: Can cars run on water?

Dear EarthTalk: I’ve heard that cars can be modified to run on water. How is this possible? -- D.M.There are a number of online marketing offers of kits that will convert...

EarthTalk: Can we bring back train travel?

Dear EarthTalk: If train travel is so much less polluting than driving or flying, why are passenger rail options in the U.S. so limited compared to Europe? And is anything being...

EarthTalk: The stimulus package and green jobs

Dear EarthTalk: What kind of job opportunities might be opened up by the new federal emphasis on green projects? -- D.W.If it’s a U.S. industry that has the potential to be...

EarthTalk: Insulating paints

Dear EarthTalk: Do insulating paints actually insulate and save energy? If they do, are they environmentally friendly to use? -- B.D.Paint additives that claim insulating...

EarthTalk: Do sunspots and solar wind contribute to global warming?

Dear EarthTalk: Don’t some scientists point to sunspots and solar wind as having more impact on climate change than human industrial activity?   -- D.N. ...

EarthTalk: Neighborhood Solar Power

Dear EarthTalk: I know of solar power systems that people can put on their roofs to generate electricity or heat water. Are there systems that serve whole neighborhoods? -- L.H. ...

EarthTalk: Recycling mattresses

Dear EarthTalk: How can I recycle my old mattress if the place I buy a new one from doesn’t take it? What do mattress companies do with old mattresses when they do take them? Do...

EarthTalk: Where will we re-charge our plug-in cars?

Dear EarthTalk: With plug-in hybrid and electric cars due to hit the roads sometime soon, will there be places to plug them in besides at home? And if so, how much will it cost to...

EarthTalk: Microwaves vs. gas and electric ovens

Dear EarthTalk: How does the microwave compare in energy use, say, to using a gas or electric stove burner to heat water for a cup of tea? -- T.D. The...

EarthTalk: Nanotechnology forges ahead

Dear EarthTalk: What is "nanotechnology?" I’ve heard that nanoparticles are already in consumer products, yet we haven't really studied their potential health...

EarthTalk: Global warming, human illness and loss of life

Dear EarthTalk: Has anyone been tracking whether climate change is causing more loss of human life as it gets more pronounced? -- G.G. Researchers...

EarthTalk: Nontoxic flea and tick products and remedies

Dear EarthTalk: Are there any flea and tick products out there that don’t contain toxic chemicals? --E.L. Harmful pesticides in mainstream flea and tick products are...

EarthTalk: More fuel-efficient diesel cars coming to the U.S.

Dear EarthTalk: I don’t understand why there are many European diesel cars with very high mileage ratings that are not available in the U.S. Can you enlighten? -- J.H. ...

EarthTalk: What does Carbon Neutral really mean?

Dear EarthTalk: What does "carbon neutral" really mean? And is it really possible to live in such a manner without just resorting to buying carbon credits? --V.H. ...

EarthTalk: Sun-protective clothing

Dear EarthTalk: Is there really such a thing as “sun-protective clothing?” If so, does it mean I can dispense with oily sunscreens once and for all? -- J.S. ...

EarthTalk: Global warming skeptics

Dear EarthTalk: I keep meeting people who say that human-induced global warming is only theory, that just as many scientists doubt it as believe it. Can you settle the score? --...

EarthTalk: Living near a gas station

Dear EarthTalk: I am looking at possibly buying a house that is very close to a gasoline station. Is it safe to live so close to a gas station? What concerns should I have? I have...

EarthTalk: Backyard (organic) vegetable gardening in small spaces

Dear EarthTalk: I want to start an organic vegetable garden in my yard and I would like to know how to combine crops to make better use of time and space. -- Val Thomason,...

EarthTalk: What role might biomass play in our energy future?

Dear EarthTalk: There’s a lot of talk today about solar and wind power, but what about biomass? How big a role might this renewable energy source play in our future? Couldn’t...

EarthTalk: Does a cold and snowy winter mean that global warming is bunk?

Dear EarthTalk: Don’t all these huge snow and ice storms across the country mean that the globe isn’t really warming? I've never seen such a winter! -- M.F. ...

EarthTalk: Smart grid technology for conserving energy

Dear EarthTalk: What is the so-called “smart grid” I've been hearing about, and how can it save energy and money? -- L.B. America’s...

EarthTalk: Is #5 plastic, used for some food containers, safe?

Dear EarthTalk: It seems like more products are being packaged in #5 rather than #2 plastic today, and my local recycling agency won’t take #5. I’ve also heard that #5...

Winter Texans Recognized At Gladys Porter Zoo During Discount Day

Brownsville, TX - The Gladys Porter Zoo invites all Rio Grande Valley Winter Texans to “Winter Texan Discount Day”. Gates open at 9:00 a.m. while activities and tours starting...

EarthTalk: Technological climate change fixes

Dear EarthTalk: What are some of the leading proposed technological fixes for staving off global warming, and how feasible are they? -- J.H. While most...

EarthTalk: Comparing battery to gasoline power, electricity wins hands down

Dear EarthTalk: If you have an electric or plug-in hybrid car, you’re paying for electricity rather than gasoline all or most of the time. How does that cost compare to a...

EarthTalk: Toilet paper and other disposable paper products decimate forests

Dear EarthTalk: Are any major brands of disposable tissues, paper towels, napkins and toilet paper yet using recycled content and chlorine-free bleaching? -- S.C. ...

EarthTalk: Which parts of the U.S. will be hardest hit by global warming?

Dear EarthTalk: Which parts of the United States are or will be hardest hit by global warming? -- A.P. It’s difficult to predict which areas of the U.S. will suffer...

KAPLAN CAREER INSTITUTE OPENS IN DEARBORN

Career Centers of Texas’ Brownsville Campus appoints Robert Montz as New Executive Director

EarthTalk: The "green cities" movement

Dear EarthTalk: What is the “green cities” movement?  -- J.M. Best described as a loose association of cities focused on sustainability,...

EarthTalk: Synthetic chemicals in baby bottles

Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that some baby bottles contain chemicals that can cause health problems for babies? If so, how can I find alternatives that are safer? -- A.G. ...

Santa Visits the Zoo

Special Merry Delivery Arrives at Zoo . Brownsville,TX – A special delivery, arrived to our camel parents, Bonnie and Clyde, just in time for the holiday, a baby...

EarthTalk: Desalinization of ocean water for drinking

Dear EarthTalk: With all the talk of desalinization of ocean water for drinking, what do we know about the impacts this might have on climate, ocean salinity and other natural...

EarthTalk: Fireplace Dangers

Dear EarthTalk: It is starting to get colder and I’m eager to try out the fireplace in our new home, but we don't want to create health or environmental problems. Are there...

EarthTalk: Which is greener: dryer sheets or liquid fabric softener?

Dear EarthTalk: Which is better for our environment: to use dryer sheets in the dryer or liquid fabric softener in the wash? It seems they both have properties that are not very...

EarthTalk: Rooftop solar panels for home energy and hot water

Dear EarthTalk: I am considering solar panels for my roof to provide heat for my hot water and possibly to do more than that. Are there some kinds of solar panels that are better...

Blades of glory! Find ice skating rinks in and around Brownsville, Texas

EarthTalk: Starting a School Environmental Club

Dear EarthTalk: I’m thinking about starting an environmental club in my middle school.  Can you give me some ideas about how to start?  Can you connect me with other...

EarthTalk: What's more green-friendly: flying or driving?

Dear EarthTalk: How can I determine if it is more eco-friendly to fly or drive somewhere? -- C.M. The simple answer is that driving in a relatively fuel efficient...

EarthTalk: Green-friendly holiday gift ideas and sources

10 ways to combat the red, white and post-election blues

EarthTalk: Eco-Psychology

Dear EarthTalk: I caught the tail end of a discussion about “ecopsychology” recently on the radio, something about the negative impacts of people not communing with nature...

New Friends of South Texas Refuge's Website

The Friends of the Wildlife Corridor (aka Friends of Santa Ana NWR) and the Friends of Laguna Atascosa NWR have launched their new website. www.friendsofsouthtexasrefuges.org It...

EarthTalk: Where do lead-tainted toys that have been recalled end up?

Dear EarthTalk: There has been a lot of news about lead-tainted children’s toys being recalled. Where are these toys ending up and are they creating pollution problems there? --...

The Power of a Single Vote - Brownsville Election Information and Polling Places