Thursday, February 26, 2009

Rose Garden Opens Sunday

Parks and Recreation Facility open through October 30 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.


WHO: El Paso Parks and Recreation announces opening of Rose Garden

WHAT: Rose Garden Opens

WHEN: March 1-October 30, 2009

WHERE: Rose Garden (1702 N. Copia)


The El Paso Rose Garden, 1702 N. Copia will be opening on Sunday, March 1 after having been closed for the winter months since October 30, 2008.

The popular tourist attraction last year also hosted 30 weddings at the central El Paso location. The Garden, which opened in 1958, has many types of roses at the sprawling park area with a water fall, shade canopy and many other amenities.

The Rose Garden is a partnership as well between Texas AgriLife Extension Service Master Gardeners, El Paso Rose Society and the City of El Paso Parks and Recreation Department.

The park hours are 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day. For rental rates and availability for weddings, call (915) 541-4331.


For more information, please call Sam Calhoun at (915) 541-4331.

Spring Break Sports Camp

El Paso Parks and Recreation
Spring Break Sports Camp
At Galatzan Recreation Center (650 Wallenberg St.)


WHO: El Paso Parks and Recreation Spring Break Sports Camp

WHAT: Sports Camp dealing with Bowling, Basketball, Volleyball & Soccer

WHEN: 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., March 16-20

WHERE: Galatzan Recreation Center, 650 Wallenberg St.

The City of El Paso Parks and Recreation Department will host a Spring Break Sports Camp open to ages 8-13 from March 16-20 at the Galatzan Recreation Center, 650 Wallenberg St.

The camp hours will be from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and the fee per child is $40. There will be break out sessions on specific sports for the participants. The camp sports will be Basketball, Volleyball, Bowling and Soccer.

Basketball will be Monday, Soccer on Tuesday and Volleyball on Wednesday. Thursday will feature Bowling (which will be $6.50 extra) and on Friday will be tournament games and scrimmages.

The children will be separated into age groups and will also learn sports rules, skills, specific sports drills and many other aspects of sports.


For more information, please call (915) 581-5182.

Docent Training Course Begins Monday at the Archaeology Museum

Meets on Mondays, March 2 through 30, 1:30 to 3:00 pm


The El Paso Museum of Archaeology is holding a training course for new volunteer tour guides, also known as docents, on March 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, Mondays from 1:30 to 3:00 pm.


Free training course begin Monday, March 2, 1:30 pm at the El Paso Museum of Archaeology, 4301 Transmountain Road, El Paso TX 79924.

For further information contact Marilyn Guida at 915-755-4332 or guidamr@elpasotexas.gov.

Visit our web site www.elpasotexas.gov/arch_museum/

Shuttle Camp 2009 Launches March 2!

Some cadets want to be astronauts when they grow up. Some want to be scientists. Some just want to enjoy the fun of “Shuttle Camp”, where there’s always a model rocket to launch! This year, two additional weeks have been added to the program giving families a total of ten weeks to choose from. Weeklong summer sessions begin June 1, 2009, and continue through August 3. Registration begins March 2 and parents are encouraged to register early to make sure they get the week they want. There is a ten dollar discount for registering prior to May 1st. Active military receive a 15% discount.
For twenty-three years, children from across the country and from as far away as New Zealand and Europe have blasted off at “Shuttle Camp”, the New Mexico Museum of Space History’s premier education program. “Shuttle Camp” began in 1986 as a summer program for local Alamogordo kids and has grown into an exciting adventure for kids from all over the world. In 2008, 640 cadets attended “Shuttle Camp”, making it the highest attended program in the past ten years.
“The youngest cadets, entering kindergarten or first grade, often have seen little beyond the backyard that is their community,” said Museum Education Specialist Michael Shinabery. As Pioneers, youth are encouraged to “look up” to understand how their world interacts with the world past the horizon, and the universe beyond.
Whether it’s exploring the forces of gravity, learning how to overcome the challenges of eating, sleeping and working in space (where everything floats), designing a rocket or astronaut training deep underground in Fort Stanton Caves, “Shuttle Camp” cadets are in for an adventure they’ll never forget!
World famous astronomer Dr. Alan Hale joins the visiting staff this year. Co-discoverer of Come Hale-Bopp and founder of the Earthrise Institute, Hale brings his expertise to this year’s astronomy programs. Telescope construction, night sky viewing and computer assisted directional mapping will open a new universe for cadets.
Staff and consultants from Spaceport America, the nation’s first purpose built spaceport being constructed north of Las Cruces, will also join visiting staff. Special programs studying the future of space exploration will inspire young minds to aspire for a career that’s literally “out of this world”.
The “Shuttle Camp” learning experience features New Mexico’s first STEMs (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) based program, with embedded state standards and benchmarks. The program curriculum meets or exceeds current legislative educational requirements while the hands on experiences truly make learning fun.
Sessions are offered as both day camp programs and overnight (residential) programs, which include housing, 24-hour supervision, special evening activities and meals. Tuition ranges from $95 for half-day programs to $495 for overnight sessions. Tuition includes a T-shirt, field trips, class supplies, rocket building supplies, and other fees associated with the NM Museum of Space History.
“Shuttle Camp” fills up quickly each summer and early registration is encouraged as classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, contact the New Mexico Museum of Space History Education Department at 1-575-437-2840, 1-877-333-6589 (toll free), or visit their website at http://www.nmspacemuseum.org. The NM Museum of Space History is a Division of the Department of Cultural Affairs.

Emmy Award winner arrives in El Paso

El Paso, TX (February 25, 2009) – Stage Director and Emmy Award winner David Grabarkewitz arrived in El Paso Monday to direct El Paso Opera’s upcoming production of The Magic Flute on March 12 and 14. Mr. Grabarkewitz is the Director-in-residence at the New York City Opera and his staging of “Madama Butterfly” (Live from Lincoln Center) for PBS won the 2008 Emmy for the Special Class Category: Best Classical or Dance Television.

For El Paso Opera’s production of The Magic Flute, Mr. Grabarkewitz will be working closely with Production and Lighting Designer Barry Steele and Costume Designer Robin McGee to produce a truly magical experience. “The great thing about Flute is its need for fantastic “Magic”, said Mr. Grabarkewitz, “with Robin’s amazing costumes, and Barry’s unbelievable digital screen projections, we will create a fantasy world so vivid, it will be like watching a movie where the characters come to three dimensional life right before your eyes.”

Mr. Steele will create the world of fantasy with his innovative new light projection concept in which digital imagery will be projected onto transparent screens on stage. “Mr. Steele’s projections allow for a scene to change in an instant, which is vitally important in keeping the action on stage moving, especially in Act Two of Flute.”

This will be the second time that Grabarkewitz, Steele and McGee work together to produce this version of The Magic Flute. They premiered this particular production with the Cedar Rapids Opera and received rave reviews. “Truly, this is a production that deserves its title -‘Magic’.”

Tickets are on sale now and prices range from $15-$90, with discounts available to Students, Military, and Senior Citizens. To purchase tickets, call 915-581-5534 or go to www.epopera.org for more information. Tickets are also available online at www.ticketmaster.com.

The Magic Flute

The El Paso Museum of Art (EPMA) and the El Paso Opera
announces a performance of various arias from the opera
The Magic Flute
March 5, 2009 – Noon
FREE

Please join us at the El Paso Museum of Art on March 5, 2009 at 12:00 PM in the Tom Lea Gallery for a performance of various arias from the opera The Magic Flute. Scheduled to perform are Soprano Audrey Elizabeth Luna (The Queen of the Night) and Bass Leon Williams (Papageno) who will be accompanied by El Paso Artistic Director Maestro Raymond Harvey. The performance will be set to the backdrop of two works of art by Jean Michel Moreau (1741-1814) entitled L’Entre a L’Opera and Presentation D’une Danseuse a L’Opera from the permanent collection at the EPMA, both contemporary to the time of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. This sample event is a partnership program between the EPMA and the El Paso Opera and is free to the public. Seating is limited and is on a first come, first served basis. No food or beverages are allowed inside the Tom Lea Gallery.

The Magic Flute
The Magic Flute was written in 1791 and was the last opera Mozart composed. He composed it as a Singspiel- a “singing play” (to include spoken words) in an effort to create a theatrical and musical spectacular that would bring in larger audiences (more commoners and not just the “elite”) It is intended to be fairy-tale in concept full of sorcery, deception, and the never-ending pursuit of love. It has also been said that Mozart, at the time was member of the Freemasons, filled The Magic Flute with bizarre characters and symbolism reflective of Freemasonry rituals and secrets. El Paso Opera Stage Director David Grabarkewitz has taken the original spoken sections of the opera and has rewritten them in verse so as to be made easily understandable. Lighting Designer Barry Steele has created a new and innovative production that creates all the scenery with digital light projections on scrims.

RAYMOND HARVEY (Conductor) has been with El Paso Opera since its premier performance of Tosca in 1994. Known for his ability to combine the musical with the dramatic, Raymond Harvey is delighted to serve as Artistic Director of El Paso Opera. To date, the Maestro has conducted 22 of El Paso Opera’s 26 productions, ranging from Verdi’s Aida to Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro.

He has also led opera performances for Houston Grand Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, Fresno Grand Opera, and Indianapolis Opera.

Now in his tenth season as Music Director of the Kalamazoo Symphony in Michigan, Maestro Harvey previously held positions with the Fresno Philharmonic and the Springfield (Massachusetts) Symphony. He has appeared as a guest conductor with many of America’s leading orchestras, including Philadelphia, Detroit, Atlanta, and Utah; and has conducted the New York Philharmonic’s Young People’s Concerts, and the Boston Pops. Mr. Harvey recently conducted the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional in Costa Rica.

An excellent pianist and choral conductor, Raymond Harvey holds Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees from Oberlin Conservatory of Music, and a Master’s and Doctorate from the Yale School of Music. A native New Yorker, he now makes his home in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

For more information on this free sample event please call (915) 532-1707. For information on the El Paso Opera, including how to purchase tickets to The Magic Flute please call (915) 581-5534.

Mayor Cook Opens His Door to the Public

WHO: Mayor John Cook


WHAT: will hold his monthly “Open Door” meeting


WHEN: Wednesday, March 4, 2009
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

WHERE: City Hall, 10th Floor
2 Civic Center Plaza


WHY: As part of the Mayor’s community outreach, he is making himself available to the public with a monthly “Open Door” meeting day.

The public is welcome to visit with the Mayor and discuss concerns, ideas or just give input on how to improve our community.

SUN CITY COMEDY BRINGS AIR GUITAR TOURNAMENT FOR THE FIRST TIME TO EL PASO

El Paso, TX, February 2009 — Sun City Comedy, a comedy business venture based out of El Paso, Texas is bringing to El Paso the first ever Air Guitar Tournament on Monday March 16th, at Cincinnati Bar, located in the Westside of El Paso, TX at 207 Cincinnati Street. The show starts at 9:30pm with registration beginning at 9:00pm. The show will be hosted by George. There will be a cash prize awarded to the winner of the competition in additional to a spot in the Finals in which a large cash prize will be awarded.

“These sort of competitions are being done in places like California and New York, El Paso is a big city and it just keeps growing, we are getting people from all over the U.S. due to Forth Bliss and it’s we start seeing diverse forms of comedy entertainment, not just standup.” Jose Saad, marketing director for Sun City Comedy, commented. “The Air Guitar Tournament is something that we can add a southwest flavor to, I am pretty sure that some air mariachi will pop up.” He added. Sun City Comedy, established in 2008, is based out of El Paso, Texas. The company has a website, www.suncitycomedy.com, which features original comedy content; including news blogs, original videos, as well as an event calendar and information on their charity program Comedy for a Cause!

Sun City Comedy Presents: Air Guitar Tournament is open to everyone 21 years or older, the winner will be chosen by combination judge and audience vote. For more information, including rules and requirements for participation please visit www.suncitycomedy.com

For more information on the competition or Sun City Comedy visit www.suncitycomedy.com. You can direct any questions or request for information to Brianne Saad, Client & Media Relations Director, at admin@suncitycomedy.com or by calling 915.408.2511.

City Declares Amnesty Week

The City of El Paso has declared an amnesty week effective February 23, 2009, through March 7, 2009, ending at 12:00 midnight on March 7, 2009. All fines can be paid at the Municipal Court locations (see attachment for locations and hours) and on-line at www.elpasotexas.gov.

The amnesty period will include the following:

Parking Citations
All violators who pay outstanding parking citations will have the total delinquency fines
and collection fees reduced to zero, leaving only the fine amount to be paid for each delinquent citation which is paid voluntarily.

Traffic tickets and City ordinance tickets that have gone to arrest warrant status
The $50 warrant fee will be waived by the El Paso Municipal Court Presiding Judge on each outstanding warrant.


As of today, a listing of active arrest warrants can be found at http://www.elpasotexas.gov

Monday, February 23, 2009

City Manager Announces Fire Chief and Aviation

February 20, 2009-After an extensive process, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Otto Drozd as the next Fire Chief for the City of El Paso. Chief Drozd has over twenty years of fire and emergency service experience, including eight years as the Fire Chief of Hialeah, Florida, a diverse urban city of 250,000 (with a daytime population of 400,000) in South Florida. Chief Drozd competed among five finalists in a two-day panel interview process, and then was interviewed extensively by representatives of the Fire Department, including the Fire Association Board of Directors. He received broad support from the two interview panels, Fire Association board and other staff, as the candidate who best met the present needs of the department in terms of innovation, change and development of the staff of the agency. Chief Drozd graduated from the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy in 2006. He has a Master of Science in Management from St. Thomas University; a Bachelor of Public Management from Florida Atlantic University, and an Associate of Arts in Business and Associate of Fire Science from Miami Dade Community College. He will take office officially on April 20, but will transition during the upcoming weeks so that he will be prepared to immediately address the challenges awaiting the organization when he officially assumes office.

I am also pleased to announce the appointment of Monica Lombrana as the next Director of Aviation effective March 1, 2009. Monica Lombrana has been employed with the City of El Paso since 1994 and has served at the Aviation Department since 2002 when she was appointed the Airport Operations Manager. Monica has been the Assistant Director since 2005, and the Interim Director since Pat Abeln stepped down in December. Monica competed in a national recruitment process and was one of six finalists - the only internal and local candidate. After an analysis of the applications and telephone interviews with the external candidates by Deputy City Manager Jane Shang, we both concluded that Monica has the most extensive overall experience in all airport management operations and capital programs and deserved the promotion and permanent appointment. We met with the Airport Advisory Board and Airport Department staff on Thursday to discuss our process and selection and received strong support from both groups. Monica was broadly support by retired director, Pat Abeln, as his possible successor. Monica Lombrana has a graduate degree in Business Administration from Webster University and a Bachelor of Science in Management from Park University.

With these appointments, all department head positions are filled so we will enter this budget season and FY 2010 with a strong team to help lead us through the current economic challenges and position us for a stronger organization for the long term.

Since I took office in 2004, I have made 17 executive leadership appointments, all through a national recruitment process. Monica is one of eight City employees promoted to lead city departments since I took office. Of the remaining 9 appointments, three have been local hires
from the El Paso community.

Spay Day USA 2009

Animal Services, Humane Society Offering 50 Free Pet Sterilization Surgeries

The City of El Paso Animal Services Division and the Humane Society of El Paso are commemorating the 15th Annual Spay Day USA on Feb. 24, 2009 by offering free pet spay/neuter surgeries.

Spay Day USA marks the only national day of action of action to promote the spaying or neutering of pets. Spay Day is traditionally celebrated on the last Tuesday of February, and is nationally sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States.

On Feb. 24, Animal Services and the Humane Society will provide 50 free pet sterilization surgeries. This joined effort aims to promote responsible pet ownership and to raise public awareness about El Paso’s serious pet overpopulation.

Pets will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Veterinarians from both, El Paso Animal Services and the Humane Society, will be performing the surgeries at the Animal Services shelter and the Pet Care-A-Van.

Registration will begin at 7 a.m. and will be held at the front of the shelter, at 5001 Fred Wilson. Pet owners will be asked to complete paperwork and leave their pets for surgery. They will also be provided with post-operative guidelines.

Pet owners may have up to two pets sterilized. Proof of pet vaccination/registration and microchip will be required. Those unable to provide proper documentation will be charged a $32 fee, which covers the costs for the vaccine, microchip and registration. We ask the public to please bring cash to pay the fee.

Pets may drink water up until the time of surgery, but adult animals should not have solid food after 9 p.m. the night before their sterilization surgery.

The veterinarian reserves the right to deny the sterilization surgery, if upon examining the animal he/she finds that the overall well-being of the animal would be jeopardized by the surgery. Pets younger than 4 months or older than 6 years, and females in heat or males whose testicles have not descended, will not be spayed or neutered.

For more information, call Animal Services at 842-1000 or the Humane Society at 532-6971.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Americas High Baseball game benefits breast cancer research

What: Breast Cancer Awareness Game
Who: Americas Trailblazer Baseball
Where: Americas High Baseball Field-12101 Pellicano Dr.
When: Tuesday, February 24- 6 pm

When the Americas High School baseball team takes the field on February 24, they will be debuting a new look for a good cause. The team will use their season opening game as “Breast Cancer Awareness Game.” Americas players and coaches with the help of sponsors will be using pink jerseys. The team will also sell pink t-shirts at the game. A portion of the proceeds will go to breast cancer research.

“We felt it was a good idea to go pink since the game coincides with the Race for the Cure on Feb. 22. This is a worthy cause and most of the team has been affected, in some form, by breast cancer,” said Jesse Munoz, Americas Head Baseball Coach.

Area High School students work on San Eli Church

What: Weatherization project
Who: District 9 High School Student Council Members
Where: Apostolic Assemble Church-1313 Las Pampas
When: Saturday, February 21, 2009 9 am – 1 pm

Area high school students will spend Saturday morning helping the Apostolic Assembly Church. The students who are members of area high school student councils are working on a weatherization project for the facility. They will be adding weather stripping to improve energy efficiency as well as painting and cleaning up the area.

This is the 10th year Montwood High School has coordinated the weatherization project and has worked with area shelters and community centers to become energy efficient. Montwood students as a member of the Texas Energy Education Development board have learned how to insulate water heaters, caulk windows and doors and protect gaskets on electrical sockets to help reduce costs and decrease energy use.

El Paso Zoo March Calendar

MARCH
El Paso Zoo Volunteer Training Class
March 7, 2009 (Saturday) 9am to 11:00am.
Topic: Animal Handling, with Valerie Hearn, for new volunteers only.
Anyone interested in volunteering for the Zoo – must be over 18 years old. (No Charge for Class)
Meet at Front gate ticket office by 8:45am. Training ends at 11:00am.
All participants must register in advance by contacting the Volunteer Office.
Contacts: Anne Langenfeld/Marlene Levine at 915-351-5340
Complete and bring with you the volunteer application found on this website - http://www.elpasozoo.org/volunteerAPPL.htm.


Spring Forward with Frogs Amphibian Conservation Day (AKA Frogfest Day)
11am to 4pm
March 8, 2009 (Sunday)
Our El Paso Zoo is jumping in to make a leap in conservation efforts for our froggy friends. Come hop on down to the zoo to celebrate frogs and bring awareness of man-made problems for all amphibians. (Call 521-1880 for event & booth sponsor info).


Zoo Adventure Program
Toddler Treks: Big and Small
March 14, 21, 28, 2009
10-11am. Ages 2-3.
Touch and playtime experiences while learning how animals of extreme sizes live at the Zoo.
$20 Child & Parent, $10 additional person.
Reservations Required at least 1 week before – www.elpasozoo.org/adventure



Zoo Adventure Program
Spring Break Camps
One-Day Camp: March 16, 17, 18, 2009 $60
Two-Day Camp: March 19-20, 23-24, 2009 $90
Three-Day Camp: March 26-28, 2009 $120
All Camps run 9am-4pm. Ages 8-12.
Tweens enjoy conservation projects, hands-on activities and animal encounters.
Reservations Required at least 1 week before – www.elpasozoo.org/adventure



El Paso Zoo "Best Place to Go For Cheap" Finalist, What's Up Magazine 2008
El Paso Zoo "Best Field Trip" El Paso Magazine 2008


El Paso Zoo Adventure Programs

Did you know that your kids can expand their zoo experience by participating in Zoo “On-Demand” programs or sign up for a scheduled Zoo Adventure?

ZOO ADVENTURE PROGRAMS: The El Paso Zoo offers “On Demand” Programs that you can schedule at your convenience including Night Prowls, Sleepovers, Zoo Toddler Treks, Saturday camps, Elephant Tours, Morning with Grandma, and Mommy and Me programs, photo safaris and more ! You can also sign up for our scheduled adventures through the El Paso Zoo’s online catalog.

2009 International Joaquín Rodrigo Festival

The University of Texas at El Paso, with the Spanish Ministry of Culture and the UTEP Department of Music, will host the 2009 International Joaquín Rodrigo Festival Monday, Feb. 23, through Wednesday, Feb. 25.

The event will devote three days and nights to the life and music of highly acclaimed pianist and composer Joaquín Rodrigo.

Despite losing his sight from diphtheria at the age of 3, Rodrigo achieved great success and is renowned for having elevated the Spanish guitar as a powerful concert instrument. Rodrigo died in 1999 at the age of 97.

The festival’s opening ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 23, at the Fox Fine Arts Center, Recital Hall, and will feature Rodrigo’s daughter Cecilia Rodrigo and internationally celebrated Chilean guitarist Carlos Pérez.

Pérez has earned top prizes in major international competitions in Europe and America, including the Joaquín Rodrigo Competition in Madrid in 2006.

He also has participated in prestigious guitar festivals around the world, including the Guitar Foundation of America festival. Pérez has conducted master classes and lectures in many universities in North, Central and South America.

The public is invited to attend two evening concerts. The first is the Faculty and Guest Artists Performance at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23. The second is the UTEP Students Large Ensemble Concert with Carlos Pérez at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24. Both concerts will take place at the Fox Fine Arts Center, Recital Hall.

Tickets prices are $12, $10 and $5, and are available in advance at the UTEP Ticket Center or at the door on the evening of the performance.

The public is also invited to the following festival events:

Monday, Feb. 23

Lecture by Cecilia Rodrigo and Pérez titled “Guitar Music in the Correspondence of Joaquín Rodrigo and His Contemporaries”

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Location: Fox Fine Arts Center, Recital Hall

Lecture by Cecilia Rodrigo titled “Joaquín Rodrigo and Fifty Years of Historical Links across the U.S. from 1958 to the Present”

Time: 4 p.m.

Location: Undergraduate Learning Center

Faculty and Guest Artists Performance

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Location: Fox Fine Arts Center, Recital Hall

Tuesday, Feb. 24

Student Fringe Recital dedicated to Cecilia Rodrigo and Katherine Zegarra

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Location: Fox Fine Arts Center, Room 340

Film presentation of “Interview with Joaquín Rodrigo”

Time: 1:30 p.m.

Location: Fox Fine Arts Center, Room 402

Panel discussion, “Spanish Nationalism in 20th Century Spain”

Time: 4 p.m.

Location: Fox Fine Arts Center, Recital Hall

UTEP Large Ensemble Concert with Carlos Pérez

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Location: Fox Fine Arts Center, Recital Hall

Wednesday, Feb. 25

Discussion on various recordings of the “Concierto de Arajuez” featuring Keith Pannell, Ph.D., Dena Kay Jones, D.M.A., and John Siqueiros

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Location: Fox Fine Arts Center, Room 101

Lecture and recital on “Cuatro Madrigales Amatorios” featuring pianist Justin Badgerow, D.M.A., and mezzo-soprano Erin Lippard, D.M., Sul Ross State University

Time: 11:30 a.m.

Location: Fox Fine Arts Center, Room 340

Film presentation of “El Siglo de Joaquín Rodrigo: A Documentary Movie”

Time: 4 p.m.

Location: Union Building East, Union Cinema

Gandhi, King, Mandela, and Me: Together for Peace

The Sam Donaldson Center for Communication Studies at The University of Texas El Paso will host “Gandhi, King, Mandela, and Me: Together for Peace” at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, at the Undergraduate Learning Center, Room 106.

“Recent events around the world have prompted numerous individuals and groups in the area to take a stance of non-violence,” said Dr. Arvind Singhal, Director of Research and Outreach of the Sam Donaldson Center. “The Together for Peace event will reach out to the people of El Paso, Juárez, Las Cruces, and the UTEP community, inviting them to gather together in a demonstration of their desire for peaceful resolution of violence around globe.”

Participants are encouraged to bring along canned goods to form a living sculpture that will progress during the event. The canned goods will be donated the West Texas Food Bank and Rotaract Juárez Campestre Club.

Together for Peace is sponsored by the Sam Donaldson Center for Communication Studies in partnership with the Indian Student Association, the National Society of Black Engineers, Frontera Retorica, African American Studies Program, Lambda Pi Eta Communication Honor Society.

Rebirth of a Nation Film Screenings

(El Paso, TX)- In honor of Black History Month, a screening of the
film "Rebirth of a Nation" by Paul Miller (aka DJ Spooky That Subliminal
Kid), will be held downtown at The Percolator, 217 N Stanton on
Thursday, Feb 26th. Three screenings will be presented throughout the day.
Show times are 4:30PM, 7:20PM and 10:00PM. Local artists will display
their work throughout
the day and DJs will perform between screenings. Roster of artists and DJs
include Abstractamnesiac, Zeque Pena, Jacqueline Y, DJ Jascz, POE,
Mr. Lindsey, Shedrick and
live drumming by Grim Repercussion. This is a free event.

The film is a 'remix' of D.W. Griffith's 1915 "Birth of a Nation" that
was highly controversial due to its graphic portrayal of racism in the
post-Civil War south. Miller's remix deconstructs one of the most
influential and inflammatory movies ever made, while drawing striking
parallels to present socio-political conflicts in America. The film
includes Paul's original score, performed by Kronos Quartet.


More information
www.djspooky.com
www.rebirthofanation.com

Official Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ljIq0lz0qY

Contact
John Padilla
915-542-1854
www.myspace.com/jascz

Auditions at El Paso Playhouse



Auditions will be held March 8th and 9th, Sunday and Monday, at 7pm here at the El Paso Playhouse. Please have a one to two minute dramatic monologue prepared and be prepared to do cold readings from the script. Needed are 4 men and 4 women ages 16 -20 and 4 children.
For more information call (915) 532-1317.
El Paso Playhouse is located at 2501 Montana Avenue.

CHAMIZAL NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION HOUSING PROGRAMS AVAILABLE

The Neighborhood Services Division in its mission to revitalize El Paso neighborhoods, have focused on the needs of the Chamizal area. If Chamizal Neighborhood residents are interested in purchasing their first home or they are in need of essential repairs in their home, now is the opportunity.

The City of El Paso will be taking applications for the First Time Homebuyer Program and the Housing Rehabilitation Program assistance on:


Saturday, February 28th
9am – 1pm
Project Vida – Community Room
3612 Pera (Entrance and Parking in the Alley)



For more information contact
Soraya Ayub, Neighborhood Relations Coordinator at 541-4019 or
the Neighborhood Services Division at: 541-4377

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Fire Press Release: Wind Safety Tips

FIRE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE
February 10, 2009


El Paso Fire Department Officials are asking the public to take extra precautions during the windy conditions being forecast for the El Paso area today and offer these safety tips:

• Conduct a home hazard hunt and perimeter search, in which you inspect your home for items
that can move, fall, break or cause a fire 
• Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs 
• Move or secure lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants
and anything else that can be picked up by wind and become a projectile
• Slow down when driving and have enough distance with the car in front of you due to blowing
dust lowering visibility
• Do not attempt to remove any electrical wires that fall on your homes and vehicles; call 911
immediately

City Council Meeting to be held on Different Day

Please note City Council will hold their regular Council meeting on Monday, February 16, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. in lieu of February 17, 2009. Council is participating in El Paso Days in Austin and many will be leaving on Tuesday.

The City Council meeting will return to its regular day the following week, Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at 9:00 am.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Bipartisan Majority Urges Legislature To Properly Fund Public Schools

Even in Hard Economic Times, Texas Voters Value Investment in Public Education

What? Republican pollster Ed Goeas of The Tarrance Group and Democratic
pollster Paul Harstad of Harstad Strategic Research conducted an
extensive poll of Texas citizens on education priorities during the
week of January 26-29. Several of the poll’s key findings deal directly
with the central issues of how Texas funds its public schools.

Who? Noel Candelaria, President Glenda Hawthorne, President
Ysleta Teachers Association Socorro Educators Association

Where? Ysleta Teachers Association Headquarters
10935 Ben Crenshaw, Ste 210
El Paso, Texas 79935

When? 4:30 p.m., February 11, 2009

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Animal Services, Sheriff Office Teaming Up to Reduce Pet Overpopulation

Animal Services, Sheriff Office Teaming Up to Reduce
Pet Overpopulation Outside City Limits

The City of E Paso Animal Services Division is joining forces with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office to curtail the pet overpopulation in communities within El Paso County but outside the city limits.

As part of this new partnership Animal Services officers and sheriff deputies are conducting periodic neighborhood sweeps for stray and loose dogs. The neighborhoods targeted have a high concentration of stray dogs.

The next sweep is scheduled for this weekend.

The first sweep took place on Jan. 28, in Montana Vista, Fabens, San Elizario and Tornillo. It yielded six citations – two for no vaccinations, two for no registration, and two for animal not confined to the pet owner’s property.

Increasing community awareness about responsible pet ownership is another critical component of this joint operation.

“As Animal Services officers patrol neighborhoods with sheriff’s deputies they will be providing our citizens with information on pet vaccination, registration and spay and neuter services,” said Pat Fowler, interim Animal Services Division director.

Under Texas law, all pets must be vaccinated against rabies. Fines for pets found unvaccinated or not confined to a property can be as high as to $2,000.

Pets in El Paso County must be registered. However, only pets within the city limits are required to have a microchip.

The neighborhood sweeps for stray or loose animals in the communities outside the city limits is a response to two separate and violent dog attacks that occurred in Fabens in January.

Anyone who encounters stray dogs should call Animal Services at 842-1000. If the incident is a life-threatening emergency the public should call 911.

Citizens may also call 842-1000 for more information on pet vaccinations, registration, and Pet Care-A-Van spay/neuter services. The Pet Care-A-Van program offers free pet spay/neuter surgeries. The program targets pets of low-income families but is available to all El Paso residents.


Quick Facts

Animal Services Inspectors patrol El Paso neighborhoods, including outlying county communities, 7 days a week
On a monthly basis, Animal Services receives more than 1,000 reports about stray animals
Violations for no registration, no vaccination and animal not confined to a property are punishable by Class C misdemeanors
More than 18,000 animals are euthanized in El Paso’s shelter each year due to irresponsible pet ownership and consequent pet overpopulation
By having your dog or cat sterilized, you can help reduce the number of animals euthanized each year in our community
Texas law requires that dogs and cats be vaccinated against rabies by 4 months of age and on a 1-year or 3-year basis thereafter
El Paso County reported zero canine rabies cases in 2008 - the community has not had a canine rabies case in more than a decade

Taste of Frontera!


The Frontera Land Alliance, non-profit land trust for El Paso, far West Texas and Southern New Mexico, presents Taste of Frontera!

What: An annual gala celebration to raise awareness of the need to conserve exceptional natural lands in the El Paso region, and to raise funds for the Frontera Land Alliance’s land conservation work.

When: Thursday, February 26, 2009, beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Where: Ardovino's Desert Crossing, 1 Ardovino Drive, Sunland Park, NM

Cost: $40 per person, which includes New Mexico wine sampling and hors d’oeuvres inspired by native foods.

Music: By multi-talented acoustic guitarist Ricardo Valencia and the popular Radio La Chusma Band.

Keynote address About urgent conservation issues in the Paso Del Norte region.

Silent auction, including:
Art by Hal Marcus, Carmen Navar, Aleksander Titovets, Candy Mayer, and others

Jewelry by D'Franco Designs

Golf at beautiful Painted Dunes Golf Course

Salon services

Vacation packages
And Much, Much More!

For Taste of Frontera! Tickets and information: Please contact Scott Cutler at 747-6668 or 581-6071, scutler@utep.edu. Or call Mike Gaglio at 915-490-8601, or Ursula Sherrill at 915-526-7725, or visit www.FronteraLandAlliance.org. 

Ardovino's Desert Crossing is located at 1 Ardovino Drive, Sunland Park, NM 88063, (575)589-0653. For directions see Ardovino's website at http://www.ardovinos.com/map.html

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Desert View Homes – Food Drive

“Extremely Empty Hands”

Continuing to Support the Extreme Makeover Ruiz Family
&
West Texas Food Bank

America’s Famine is a famine of plenty – silent famine of children that is growing more urgent each day. Where is the line to be drawn between a child in a third world country who has chronic hunger and a child in “America who doesn’t get enough to eat? Both kids have their health compromised, their potential unrealized and altered senses about what love and care mean.

The working poor of El Paso, those who have jobs but do not make enough to feed their families have Extremely Empty Hands.

The chronic, elderly, and medically poor that live with their food needs unmet have Extremely Empty Hands.

Newly poor families, who were once middle class that still have assets that make them ineligible for help. They don’t have enough cash to buy food, but because they still own a house or a fairly new car they are turned away from food stamp offices with Extremely Empty Hands.

There is no guarantee that losing a job, a spouse, a health insurance plan or simply having a poorly placed investment in the stock market might not set us and our children on the same downward spiral with Extremely Empty Hands.

There are hundreds of hungry children in an orphanage nearby, with innocent eyes still sparkling with hope, yet still Extremely Empty Hands.


Who: Desert View Homes

What: Food Drive for Ruiz Family and West Texas Food Bank

When: February 4th – March 15th

Where: Canned Food Donations accepted at these locations

Cielo Vista Church
3585 N. Lee Trevino
El Paso, Texas 79936

Harvest Christian Church
1345 New Harvest Place
El Paso, Texas 79912

Scotsdale Baptist Church
10015 Lockerbie
El Paso, Texas 79925

Cross Point Church
11995 Montwood
El Paso, Texas 79936

St. Mark’s Methodist Church
5005 Love Rd.
El Paso, Texas 79932

Life Church
1580 Joe Battle Blvd.
El Paso, Texas 79938

Word of Life Church
11675 Pratt Ave.
El Paso, Texas 79936

Exciting Immanuel Church & Immanuel Christian School
1201 Hawkins Blvd.
El Paso, Texas 79925



Why: Ending Hunger in our community


EXTREME MAKEOVER HOME EDITION FEATUREING – EL PASO
SUNDAY MARCH 15, 2009 @ 7:00 PM ABC

Anyone who would like to be added to the list for drop off location, please contact
Linda Anthes @ Desert View Homes, (915) 591-6319 ext. 56

El Paso Parks and Recreation Pool Hours

El Paso Parks and Recreation Pool Hours

Hours of Operation for seven of nine re-opened indoor pools

The City of El Paso Parks and Recreation Department has seven of the nine indoor aquatic centers now open to the public.

The hours of operation for the pools open are attached. The two remaining pools to be re-opened should be completed by February 6, 2009.

PET CARE-A-VAN

The Pet Care-A-Van, a mobile surgical van providing free spay/neuter surgeries for pets, will continue to make its rounds in the community in February.

The service is provided by the City of El Paso Department of Public Health’s Animal Services Division, which is committed to promoting and protecting the health, safety and welfare of pets in El Paso. By having your dog or cat sterilized, you can help reduce the number of animals euthanized each year in our community.

More than 18,000 dogs and cats are euthanized in El Paso’s shelter each year due to irresponsible pet ownership and consequent pet overpopulation.

Citizens interested in having their pets sterilized through the Pet Care-A-Van program must arrive at the Pet Care-A-Van location by 6:30 a.m.

We ask that those with proof of low income eligibility (Medicare, WIC cards, Texas Lone Star cards, proof of residence at HUD residential complexes, etc) bring such verification to the Pet Care-A-Van as we are funded through a grant intended to target low income Texas residents.

The number of surgeries that can be performed on the Pet Care-A-Van is limited and only the first 20-25 animals will be considered for surgery. The order of the surgeries will be determined on a “first come-first served” basis.

Sterilization surgery is major surgery. The owner (s) of the pet should expect to leave the animal at the Pet Care-A-Van for a few hours. If you plan to spay or neuter your pet through this program, please follow these pre-surgery guidelines:

Pets may drink water up until the time of surgery.
Adult animals should not have solid food after 6 p.m. of the night before their sterilization surgery.
Puppies and kittens (4 months - 1 year) should not have solid food after 11 p.m. of the night before the surgery.

Pets that younger than 4 months or older than 6 years, and females in heat or males whose testicles have not descended, will not be spayed or neutered due to health risks.

For more information about the Pet Care-A-Van program, call 842-1000.
---------------------------

Pets that younger than 4 months or older than 6 years, and females in heat or males whose testicles have not descended, will not be spayed or neutered due to health risks.

For more information about the Pet Care-A-Van program, call 842-1000.

Pet Care-A-Van Dates and Locations February 2009

Pet Care A Van Schedule


Month: February 2009


Monday, February 02, 2009
Marty Robbins Park
11600 Vista Del Sol. Dr
Parking lot between Swimming pool and Restrooms

Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Marty Robbins Park
11600 Vista Del Sol. Dr
Parking lot between Swimming pool and Restrooms

Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Westway
Corner of Zinn and De Alba
Catholic Church parking lot

Thursday, February 05, 2009
Socorro
901 Rio Vista
Community Center parking lot

Friday, February 06, 2009
White Spur Park
4800 Love
Next to the Fire Station

Monday, February 09, 2009
Grandview Park
3200 Jefferson Ave.
Round parking lot next to office

Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Nations Tobin Park
8831 Railroad
Parking lot by the swimming pool

Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Sue Young Park
9730 Diana
Parking Lot

Thursday, February 12, 2009
Shawver Park
8100 Independence Dr.
Beside the swimming pool

Friday, February 13, 2009
211 Shelter
211 Shelter
Parking lot at gate

Tuesday, February 17, 2009
211 Shelter
211 Shelter
Parking lot at gate

Wednesday, February 18, 2009
El Paso Saddle Blanket Co.
6926 Gateway East
Back parking lot

Thursday, February 19, 2009
Clint
200 N. San Elizario Rd
Town Hall parking lot

Friday, February 20, 2009
Valley Pines
615 Lomaland
In front of the main office

Tuesday, February 24, 2009
El Paso Animal Services
5001 Fred Wilson Ave
Front of building

Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Montana Vista
14618 Greg Rd.
Community Center parking lot