May 17 – Dr. Fred Zaidan presents “Scorpions” at the Edinburg World Birding Center at 6 p.m. Zaidan is an associate professor with The University of Texas-Pan American with degrees in ecology and evolutionary biology. The event is free, and doors open at 5:30 p.m. EWBC is located at 714 Raul Longoria Rd. For more information, call 381-9922.

May 17 – Artist Delvis Cortez will give a talk on his exhibit, “El Cielo,” currently on display at the Weslaco Museum. The presentation takes place at 6 p.m. and is free and open to the public. The museum is located at 500 S. Texas. For more information, call 968-9142 or email the programs coordinator at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

May 19 – The Museum of South Texas History will host Master Naturalist™ John Thaxter as he presents “Medicinal Plants of the Rio Grande Valley,” at 2 p.m. at the museum located on the courthouse square in Edinburg. His presentation will focus on the healing and health-giving benefits of plants native to this area and includes a multimedia presentation along with a display of plants and medicinal samples made from local plants. Prior to becoming a Texas Master Naturalist, Thaxter, along with his wife, Sue, owned an herb nursery and bed and breakfast in the Missouri Ozarks where they were both Missouri Master Gardeners. Thaxter’s career experience also includes working for the Missouri Conservation Department on a 1,500 acre preserve near Branson and participating in the Amazon Rainforest Workshop in the Peruvian Amazon. The program is included in the fee for regular museum admission.

May 19 – The Gladys Porter Zoo will host an “Animal Play Day” to allow visitors to watch zookeepers give animals enrichment items in celebration of Mother’s Day. The activity is included in the regular zoo admission. Enrichment items are themed and used to stimulate and entertain the zoo inhabitants. Zookeepers will begin the process at the gorilla exhibit at 11:30 a.m. For more information, call 546-7187 or visit www.gpz.org.

May 21 – The Edinburg World Birding Center will host “An Evening at the Wetlands” from 6 to 8 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with staff naturalists teaching visitors about wetland wildlife. EWBC is located at 714 Raul Longoria Rd. For more information, call 381-9922.

May 24-26 – The Mission High School Class of 1968 is holding their 45th class reunion with a variety of activities over the weekend. For more information, class members can contact Linda Castaneda at 580-8646 or via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

May 25 – The Edinburg World Birding Center will host Kathy Pechacek, owner of River’s End Nursery, in a program, “Prickly Pear Harvesting and Jelly Making,” at 2 p.m. Cost is $3 for EWBC members and $5 for non-members. Space is limited; reservations are required. EWBC is located at 714 Raul Longoria Rd. For more information, call 381-9922.

Weekly

Monday

• TOPS #415 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), 3 p.m. weigh-in, Mission Historical Museum, 900 Doherty. For information, call Shirley Earp at 254-258-2380.
• AARP Driver Safety Classes, 12:30 p.m., Salvation Army, 1600 N. 23rd, McAllen. AARP members, $12; non-members, $14. Checks or money orders only. Class size limited to 15. For info, call 682-1468.

Wednesday

• Mission Lions Club meets at 12 p.m., Danny’s Mexican Restaurant, 122 W. Tom Landry. Meals are $8. Fellow Lions welcomed.
• Upper Valley Art League open painting for members, any medium, 9:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m., 921 E. 12th St., Mission. Annual dues/$30. Call 583-2787 for info or to join.
• Bird Walk, 8:30-10:30 a.m. and Nature tour, 2-4 p.m., Bentsen-RGV State Park, 2800 S. Bentsen Palm Drive, Mission. Included in park admission. Call 584-9156 for info or to register.

Thursday

• Mission Rotary Club, 12 p.m., Club at Cimarron, 1200 S. Shary Rd. Salad bar buffet, $10; Mexican food buffet, $15. All Rotarians welcomed.
• Dragonfly Walk, 1 p.m., and Butterfly Walk, 3 p.m.; Bentsen-RGV State Park, 2800 S. Bentsen Palm Drive, Mission. Included in park admission. Call 584-9156 for info or to register.

Friday

• Open clay/pottery group (coil method) meets 9 a.m. to noon, Upper Valley Art League, 921 E. 12th Street, Mission. Participants furnish their own clay or contribute toward purchasing. No instructor, no fee. UVAL membership required/$30 annually. Call 583-2787 for info.

Saturday

• “Creatures of the Night,” 7 p.m., Bentsen-RGV State Park, 2800 S. Bentsen Palm Drive, Mission. Included in park admission. Pre-registration required; excursions limited to 20 persons. Call 584-9156 for info or to register.

Sunday

• Bird Walk, 8:30-10:30 a.m. Bentsen-RGV State Park, 2800 S. Bentsen Palm Drive, Mission. Included in park admission. Call 584-9156 for info or to register.