Subscribe | Get featured

It’s Friday, McAllen! Let’s finish this week strong.

In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: Restaurant shutdown after 28 violations, Bridgerton tea party market, and guac-themed 5K + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around McAllen protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Faculty and ambassadors welcome families: At Texas A&M’s McAllen campus in the Valley, the twice-yearly Aggieland Saturday open house highlights ten degree programs, more potential female students, and 500 students as leaders expect record growth — get all the event details.

Health inspections reveal stark contrast: McAllen’s Love Letter Coffee was named the Food Patrol’s Que Rico! Top Performer after a perfect Dec. 3, 2025 inspection, while Mission’s Gorditas La Original was closed for 28 violations — see what inspectors found.

Community unites for organ donation: The Valley hosted the Transplant Games of America flag for the first time, gathering donors, recipients, and DHR Health. The flag will be displayed at the 2026 Games in Denver — read the full story.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week:

• Race the galaxy at guac-themed 5K
• Fly colorful kites at Town Lake
• Enjoy PSJA egg hunt and cook-off
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home

💎 Local business spotlight

Frame those memories right: Affordable Art & Frame turns posters, jerseys, and heirlooms into display-worthy pieces with custom matting, moulding, and museum-quality framing. Backed by 30+ years of know-how, they make each item feel intentional and lasting, far beyond a big-box frame.

Upgrade your hangout: Thinking about new decking or a pergola before summer hits? In McAllen, Classic Design builds custom decks, covered patios, and outdoor kitchens with clean design, sturdy craftsmanship, and a team that actually calls you back.

Fresh, zesty, and fun: When the ‘I need seafood now’ mood hits, La Costa Grill comes through with bright aguachiles, citrusy ceviches, and plenty of grilled goodness. The cocktails keep the weekend energy, and it’s an easy weeknight upgrade or low-key meet-up you’ll want in regular rotation.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.

🫶 We got your back

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Thinning hair? Don’t treat the wrong thing: When my ponytail started thinning, I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, sprays, etc.) and not one of them lasted. Turns out, most products target the strand, not the follicle… and that’s the whole problem. Once follicles go dormant, they need targeted help to come back. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn about my favorites here →

Six figures you can’t spend: Most homeowners over 50 have spent years dutifully paying their mortgage, assuming the only time it’ll pay off is when they sell. I thought the same thing until I discovered you can tap into the equity you’ve earned whenever you want (without leaving your home). Overdue for a new roof? Want to build your dream bathroom? There are two ways to turn equity into usable cash →

📆 Around town this weekend

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🏃 80s Rock Run 5K @ Edinburg Municipal Park | Friday (3/13) at 6:30 PM – Lace up, tease the hair, and channel your inner power ballad for the 80s Rock Run 5K, hosted by the Vanguard Beethoven Orchestra. Score a custom finisher medal, event shirt, and bib, then brag to the kids that you outran a synthesizer. Register at https://endurancesplits.redpodium.com/80s-rock-run-5k-.

🐕 Walk with Your Pet: Pet Fair @ Allen & William Arnold City/School Park (Pharr) | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – Think your dog walks you? Prove it at this pet walk and fair, a low-key lap with plenty of sniff stops, treats, and tail wags for pets and their humans. Stretch your legs, swap tips, let the pups make friends, and call it quality time.

🍓 Strawberry Fest @ Bert Ogden Arena (Edinburg) | Saturday (3/14) at 1:00 PM – Out front at Bert Ogden Arena, it’s strawberries everywhere, from local vendors to sugar-laced goodies, plus food, drinks, and shameless photo ops. Free, outdoors, and family friendly, which means you can pretend the kids made you go. Wear red, avoid stains.

🎨 Gel Plate Monoprints Workshop @ International Museum of Art & Science | Saturday (3/14) at 2:00 PM – Treat yourself to adult playtime at IMAS, making gel plate monoprints with leaves, found objects, and magazine transfers. It’s low pressure, high satisfaction, museum admission included, and blissfully glitter free, so snag a spot early and call it quality time well spent.

🍵 Bridgerton Tea Party Market @ The Mix Open Air Market (Mission) | Saturday (3/14) at 4:00 PM – Whether you binge Bridgerton or just appreciate a proper cuppa, this tea party market delivers florals, pastels, Regency garden vibes, and local makers worth gossiping about. Dress to impress, sip something sweet, then shop, schmooze, and collect pearls of both kinds.

🦞 5th Annual Crawfish Boil @ Ignite Lounge (Edinburg) | Saturday (3/14) at 4:00 PM – All-you-can-eat crawfish for thirty bucks at Ignite in Edinburg, with Jimmy Jack Lawrence on stage and the beer ice-cold. Bring the family, browse local vendors, and call it dinner because there’s corn. Fifth year running, so the spice and the vibes are dialed.

🧶 Women’s 35+ Craft Night @ S 1st St, McAllen, TX 78501, United States | Sunday (3/15) at 4:00 PM – Nothing beats low-stress crafting with grown women who get it, and this free McAllen-area diamond painting meetup with Maricela is exactly that. Women 35+ only, all supplies provided, no experience required, just calm music, good conversation, and sparkly satisfaction. Space is tight, RSVP here: https://luma.com/ys3q4jqb.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/13 La Lexxion @ Mission Event Center – 8:00 PM
• 3/14 5th Annual Crawfish Boil @ Ignite Lounge (Edinburg) – 4:00 PM
• 3/14 1st Car Show of 2026 @ Texas Tops Truck Accessories – 6:00 PM
• 3/14 Mario Salazar Sweats Comedy Show @ The Lone Star Theater (Pharr) – 8:00 PM
• 3/14 Los Profugos de Nuevo Leon @ McAllen Performing Arts Center – 8:30 PM
• 3/14 Thank God Live Single Release @ Hillbilly’s – 9:00 PM
• 3/15 Los Arcos Hermanos Peña @ La Lomita Park – 6:00 PM

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 McAllen report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 85°F – Low: 62°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 85. South southeast wind 1 to 6 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 62. Southeast wind 6 to 9 mph.

—

Tomorrow – High: 92°F – Low: 68°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 92. Southeast wind 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 68. South southeast wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

This house is wild

This 6-bed, 5-bath spread claims a prime Heart of McAllen address on nearly a half acre, moments from DHR and Driscoll Children’s hospitals. Generous square footage sets the stage for multigenerational layouts, studio space, or epic entertaining. Vintage bones, big rooms, and a yard with elbow room invite a smart refresh with serious upside.

Take a peek inside →

Thanks for reading! If you know someone who’d love BaseLocal, send ’em here so they can sign up too 🙂

P.S. Did someone forward this to you? Click here to subscribe (it’s free)!