Animal Services Prepares for Changes to City Ordinance

El Paso, Texas – The City of El Paso Department of Public Health’s Animal Services Program is reminding the public that several revisions to the Title 7 Ordinance regarding animals in the city will go into effect on January 1, 2011.  Earlier this year, City Council approved a budget increase of $250,000 in order to hire more staff and make changes necessary to educate the public as well as to enforce the ordinance.  A campaign is already underway where educators will give outreach presentations to local groups and agencies to help residents understand the existing laws and the revisions.

“I am confident these changes, including an increase in staff, will be a turning point in developing a more solid partnership with the community. It will take a united effort between pet owners and our Department to successfully reduce the number of unwanted animals in our community” said Michael Hill, Health Department Director.

Among the changes are the following regulations that deal with the sale or transfer of animals:

• You cannot sell or offer to sell or transfer puppies or kittens that are under eight weeks old.

• If you are selling or transferring a pet that is less than a year old and it has not been spayed or neutered, you cannot charge more than $50.00 unless you have proof that you spent more than that amount to take care of it (less the cost of food.)

• If you are selling or transferring a pet that is less than a year old and it has been spayed or neutered, you cannot charge more than $150.00 unless you have proof that you spent more than that amount to take care of it.

Residents are also reminded that a litter permit is required and the permit number must appear on any and all advertising.

A complete list of changes to the ordinance as well as an easy to understand brochure can be found on the Department’s website located at: www.elpasotexas.gov/health

Sun Metro - New Fares Become Effective January 1, 2011

El Paso, Texas—Sun Metro fares for standard, military and student passengers will see an increase beginning Saturday, Jan. 1.

Sun Metro hosted several public hearings throughout the city, as well as an informational booth throughout the month of June. The City Council, in its capacity as the Mass Transit Department Board, approved the new fare structure on Aug. 24, 2010.

The new structure is:

type of fare	current fare	new fare
regular fare	$1.25	$1.50
student fare	$0.75	$1.00
military fare	$0.75	$1.50
senior/disabled fare	$0.30	$0.30
transfers	$0.25	FREE
day pass	$3	$3.50
regular weekly pass	$10	$12
student weekly pass	$6	$7
senior/disabled weekly pass	$2.50	$2.50
regular monthly pass	$40	$48
student monthly pass	$25	$30
senior/disabled monthly pass	$10	$10
LIFT (paratransit)	$2.50	$2.50
Full-Fare Tokens (10/pkg)	$12.50	$15
Full-Fare Tokens (100/pkg)	$125	$150
Student-Fare Tokens (10/pkg)	$7.50	$10
Student-Fare Tokens (100/pkg)	$75	$100

Under the new fare system, passengers no longer have to pay 25 cents for a transfer. Senior, disabled and LIFT (paratransit) fares will remain unchanged.

Sun Metro’s funding is based in part on sales tax revenues, which has declined significantly while the cost to provide service continues to grow, as well as the demand for modern amenities.

“We recognize the financial burden this places on our passengers and we’d prefer that the fares weren’t going up,” said Sun Metro Director Jay Banasiak. “The city is growing and to meet the existing and future needs of our community we must grow, too, and not allow ourselves to travel backward.”

Over the last two years Sun Metro has seen drastic improvements. In 2010, the city experienced a variety of enhancements to include, the completion of three state-of-the-art transfer centers, the significant completion of one new transfer centers, and the placement of more than 160 new shelters. Sun Metro also completed an alternatives analysis to develop a Bus Rapid Transit System along Alameda Avenue, Mesa Street, Dyer Street and Montana Avenue. Alameda Avenue will be the first corridor to come online in 2013.

4,000 Lights of Peace, Hope, & Social Justice

Join Centro de Salud Familiar La Fe this Saturday evening (Dec. 18^th) from 6 to 10 p.m. for the 19^thAnnual Navidad de La Fe Luminarias. Enter Scenic Drive at Richmond Avenue. Admission is free. Bring a bag of canned goods to donate and help our community’s families in need.

A beautiful, live nativity scene awaits you at the top of the mountain. Santa Claus will also be there to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and to welcome your canned goods donations.

On behalf of our family at Centro de Salud Familiar La Fe, we wish you and your loved ones “¡Feliz Navidad y Prospero Año Nuevo!”

Sun Metro Partners with Salvation Army to Collect Toys

Jolly Trolley will pick up toys at designated locations

El Paso, Texas—Sun Metro is once again teaming up with the Salvation Army to share the holiday spirit.

The Salvation Army of El Paso County has distributed over a thousand Angel Tree tags across the community in an effort to provide toys for the less fortunate.

Sun Metro will once again be collecting toys using the Jolly Trolley at various selected locations on December 15, 16 and 17.

Last year more than 800 families—1,100 children—were able celebrate the season of giving thanks to the community’s generosity.

El Pasoans interested in supporting the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree project can go online to www.salvationarmyusa.org or call544-9811 to learn more.

For more information about Sun Metro, visitwww.elpasotexas.gov/sunmetro or call (915) 533-3333.

Holiday Souvenir Ornaments

The El Paso Employees Federal Credit Union is selling a specially designed Holiday 

Souvenir Ornaments commemorating the recent Celebration of Lights Program in downtown El Paso at San Jacinto Plaza.

The ornaments are $10 and are available at any of their eight (8) branches in the city or at the Candlelighters Administrative Office at 1400 Hardaway St. (Suite 206).

All of the proceeds raised will be donated to Candlelighters of El Paso that was started in 1978 by a group of parents whose children had all been diagnosed with cancer.

Today the organization is dedicated to enriching the lives of children who have cancer by providing hpe, support, encouragement, advocacy and education to those children, their families, and the community at large.

For more information call (915) 593-5866.

DIABLOS MAKE MANAGERIAL CHANGE

EL PASO-The El Paso Diablos have announced today that they are not renewing Butch Henry’s contract, and are naming Jorge Alvarez as the new Diablos field manager for the 2011 season.

“The Diablos organization is excited to have Jorge as our next field manager. His experience as a result of a long and successful playing career, as well as the passion that he brings to the ballpark every day, will make him a success here in El Paso,” said Diablos General Manager Matt LaBranche.

Alvarez comes back to El Paso fresh off his success as a player-Hitting Coach for the Shreveport-Bossier Captains, the 2010 American Association League Champions. Alvarez’ experience in professional baseball is extensive with a total of 23 seasons and about 2,000 games played as a designated hitter, infielder, and outfielder. The native Dominican started his professional baseball career in 1987 when he signed as a non-drafted free agent for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Alvarez was later signed by the Marlins in 1994, making it as high as the Triple A level in his career. 

Alvarez then began his career in independent baseball, spanning 16 seasons. He joined the Diablos in 2006 where he stayed until halfway through the 2009 season. In 2007, Alvarez led the Diablos into the playoffs and was named the league’s Player of the Year.

“I’m excited about this great opportunity and will work hard each and every day to make the Diablos a winner again. I enjoyed my time in El Paso as a player, and can’t wait to come back as the leader of the Diablos,” said Jorge Alvarez. 

The Diablos will begin the 2011 season in mid-May. The 2011 Official American Association Schedule will be released next week.

Paydirt Pete a Step Away from Mascot Championship Match

Paydirt Pete, the athletic representative of The University of Texas at El Paso, has made it to the Final Four in the 2010 Capital One All-America Mascot Challenge.

Pete is in a semi-final contest against last year’s mascot winner, the University of Cincinnati Bearcat. This is a double-or-nothing match for Pete, who defeated the Bearcat in the first week of the 12-match season. Winners are based on fan votes.

The winner of the Pete-Bearcat challenge will face either Big Blue lion from Old Dominion University or Puddles the Duck from the University of Oregon. The top mascot will be named during the Capital One Bowl on Jan. 1. The winning representative will earn a $15,000 scholarship to support its university’s mascot program.
 

“The support I’ve received throughout this competition has amazed me. I never knew that my antics on the Sun Bowl turf and Don Haskins Center floor and my efforts as UTEP’s goodwill ambassador throughout the community would put me in the Final Four,” Pete said. “It’s an honor to be in the company of these many fine mascots, but it would be a pleasure to win.I appreciate that so many have voted on my behalf and ask them to continue to generate support for my candidacy. Go Miners and go me! Let’s beat that Bearcat!”

Aaron Villalobos, a UTEP Athletics marketing assistant, said Pete’s success can be attributed to the support of El Pasoans and the UTEP fan base who believe that Pete is a good representative.

The mascot, who turned 30 this year, earned 760,694 votes during an undefeated 12-0 run to the playoffs. His numbers earned him a No. 2 seed in the single-elimination quarterfinal match against Joe Vandal from the University of Idaho.

According to a Captial One mascot challenge website, Pete and the other finalists were selected in part because of their originality, interaction with fans, creativity of their signature moves, ability to stir up a crowd and the originality, creativity and professionalism of their costume.

“At this point a national championship is within our grasp and Pete’s relying on our fans,” Villalobos said. “We urge them to stay active and to get their family and friends involved.”

The 16 mascot finalists earned $5,000 for their participation in the 9-year-old contest, sponsored by Capital One, a financial services institution.

Fans can vote through Dec. 13 at www.capitalonebowl.com. Text voting, which was encouraged during the regular season, is no longer accepted.

62nd Army Band Concert

Join the 62nd Army Band for their annual Holiday Concert scheduled for 7
p.m. Dec. 14 at the University of Texas at El Paso Magoffin Auditorium.

Don't miss Santa's special appearance. The concert will feature a mix of
traditional holiday music, a couple of Hanukah pieces, original versions of
holiday tunes in different ensemble settings such as the Jazz Combo and
newer vocal tunes featuring the 62nd Army Band's vocalists.
The concert is free and open to the public.Doors open at 6 p.m. for ticket holders and 6:40 p.m. for non-ticket patrons.
Tickets will be available Dec. 8 at the Fort Bliss Public Affairs Office, Bldg. 15, Slater Road.
For more information call 568-4623.

‘Tis the Season for Flu and other Vaccines

El Paso, Texas – With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season upon us, the City of El Paso Department of Public Health continues help make sure that all El Pasoans have the opportunity to get up-to-date on their vaccines, and that children are protected from the flu this season.  Together with Sun Metro, the Department is providing vaccines to local commuters as they brave the crowds and the cold weather.

“For many, this season brings with it plenty of stress which can put a strain on our immune system.  That sensitivity, coupled with the fact that the cold often forces us to be in confined spaces with more people who may have the flu, makes a vaccine all the more important,” said Goya Garcia, Immunization Program Outreach Coordinator.

At this time, clinic staff is providing the flu vaccine free of charge for children between zero and 18 years of age.  The Department encourages adults to get a flu vaccine from their primary health care provider or from one of various retail outlets. In addition, staff will be providing: DTAP, HEP A, Polio, MMR, Varicella, MCV,  and HPV.  The public is invited on:

Friday, December 3, 2010

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Bert Williams Downtown Santa Fe Transfer Center

601 Santa Fe Street

The fee for Vaccines (other than the child flu vaccine) is $10.00 for one, $20.00 for two or more.  No one will be denied service due to inability to pay.

Clients must bring their immunization record, and for minors, the parent/guardian must have a picture ID to include documentation of guardianship.  Cash, local checks, Medicaid, and CHIP will be accepted.

For more information on the vaccines provided by the Department of Public Health and clinic locations, visit www.elpasotexas.gov/health/immunization.asp or call (915)771-5822.

For more information about Sun Metro routes and schedules to the Downtown Transfer Center, visit www.elpasotexas.gov/sunmetro or call (915)533-3333.