El Paso Museum of History
June 13, 2009, 2:00 PM and 3:30 PM
The El Paso Museum of History and the El Paso del Norte Region YWCA present Pat Mora for two separate programs beginning at 2:00 p.m. in the museum’s Seminar Room. The title of the program is “Remembering our Own True Name.” Mora will be reaching out to teens and young adults by reading from her collection entitled, My Own True Name: New and Selected Poems for Young Adults, and selections from her yet to be published collection, Dizzy in Your Eyes: Poems about Love. Using her work as examples, Pat will discuss ways teens can develop their own creative potential.
Pat Mora is a native of El Paso and an author of many award-winning children’s books. She is the founder of El dia de los niños/El dia de los libros, Children’s Day/Book Day, which is celebrated across the country in April. The New York Times has written that, “Ms. Mora’s poems are proudly bilingual, an eloquent answer to purists who refuse to see language as something that lives and changes.”
Pat has also been an active participant with the El Paso YWCA’s Mother/Daughter program. Because of her commitment to the YWCA, her program is coinciding with the museum’s exhibit, “El Paso del Norte Region YWCA at 100.”
Pat received Honorary Doctorates in Letters from North Carolina State University and SUNY Buffalo and is an Honorary Member of the American Library Association.
A book signing will be available before each presentation. Pat Mora is underwritten by the El Paso Museum of History, Museums & Cultural Affairs Department (MCAD), and an anonymous contribution. This event is free. For more information, call Sue Taylor at 351-3588.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Code Compliance Targets Weeds, Trash and Debris
New Monthly Program Aims to Increase Community Awareness of
Laws Addressing Bligh and Nuisances
June 10, 2009 – The Code Compliance Division of the City of El Paso Environmental Services Department announced today that beginning this month it will highlight a violation to increase community awareness of code enforcement issues.
The division works to protect the environment, as well as the safety, health and welfare of our citizens by enforcing laws addressing blight and nuisances. The violation showcased this month is Weeds, Trash and Debris, as defined in 9.04.340 of the El Paso Municipal Code.
Under the code, the property owner or occupant must keep and maintain their properties and abutting sidewalks, parkways and alleys free of accumulations of waste. In addition all grass, weeds or uncultivated plants should not be allowed to grow taller than 12 inches. Maintenance of vegetation in parkways and alleys is also the property owner’s or occupant’s responsibility. Violations are punishable by a $270 fine.
Anyone put on notice for a code violation should correct the violation by the compliance date on the notice. If the property is not in compliance at the time of re-inspection, the property owner or occupant will be issued a Class C citation for non compliance. In addition, the City may request a court order seeking permission to access the property to correct the violation.
If the City cleans up the property, the cleanup costs will be passed on to the property’s owner or occupant. A lien will be placed on a property if the clean up costs are not paid.
Citizens my report code violations by visiting www.elpasotexas.gov/environmental_services or by calling (915) 774-4500.
Laws Addressing Bligh and Nuisances
June 10, 2009 – The Code Compliance Division of the City of El Paso Environmental Services Department announced today that beginning this month it will highlight a violation to increase community awareness of code enforcement issues.
The division works to protect the environment, as well as the safety, health and welfare of our citizens by enforcing laws addressing blight and nuisances. The violation showcased this month is Weeds, Trash and Debris, as defined in 9.04.340 of the El Paso Municipal Code.
Under the code, the property owner or occupant must keep and maintain their properties and abutting sidewalks, parkways and alleys free of accumulations of waste. In addition all grass, weeds or uncultivated plants should not be allowed to grow taller than 12 inches. Maintenance of vegetation in parkways and alleys is also the property owner’s or occupant’s responsibility. Violations are punishable by a $270 fine.
Anyone put on notice for a code violation should correct the violation by the compliance date on the notice. If the property is not in compliance at the time of re-inspection, the property owner or occupant will be issued a Class C citation for non compliance. In addition, the City may request a court order seeking permission to access the property to correct the violation.
If the City cleans up the property, the cleanup costs will be passed on to the property’s owner or occupant. A lien will be placed on a property if the clean up costs are not paid.
Citizens my report code violations by visiting www.elpasotexas.gov/environmental_services or by calling (915) 774-4500.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Quintanilla Updates Select Committee on Property Tax Relief and Appraisal Reform
Austin, TX--During the period between the 80th legislative session and the 81st legislative session, State Representative Chente Quintanilla was a member of the House Select Committee on Property Tax Relief and Appraisal Reform. He was appointed to that committee by former speaker Tom Craddick.
The committee was charged with taking testimony on property tax and property appraisal issues. The committee findings would the be the basis for bills to be filed in the session which started in January of 2009.
Based on the committee recommendations, Chairman Otto filed several bills including House Bill 8 joint authored by Representative Quintanilla.
HB8 changes the comptroller's appraisal review cycle from every year to every two years for each appraisal district unless the comptroller finds serious deficiencies in the published appraisals. In such cases, a study would be done annually. This would increase accuracy and improve the practices and standards of appraisals done in Texas. Because fewer school districts are studied annually, the comptroller's office would produce a more focused study thereby eliminating some of the problems that have arisen in the past. Some of the problems with appraisal district findings were related to the failure to concur with the comptroller's numbers. With more focused studies, the process will be more uniform. This should reduce the tendency of the comptroller's findings constantly pushing property values higher than the local appraisals.
The other significant bill to be passed on to Governor Perry was Senate Bill 771. The bill was filed by Senator Williams and sponsored in the house by Chairman Otto. This bill has important provisions that directly affect each homeowner in Texas.
Basically the bill requires that the chief appraiser of a district base appraisals on all available evidence before an increase may be assessed. In other words, an appraisal may not be simply based on a property sale close by. The specifics of each home must be taken into consideration. Also, the burden of proof is on the chief appraiser to substantiate the increase; no longer the responsibility of the homeowner. If a property receives a reduced appraisal, then that lower appraisal shall be the appraised value for taxation purposes. And, the property value may not be automatically increased the following year unless the chief appraiser has shown substantial evidence that the reason for the previously lowered appraisal has been corrected or changed.
In accordance with the committee findings, Chairman Otto also filed a bill that created a pilot program in El Paso county (and five other counties) that would amend the means by which appeals on property appraisals over $1 million could proceed. A property owner could opt to take his protest to a State Office of Administrative Hearings venue as opposed to the more costly district court. The district court may also be more time consuming as it hears a much wider variety of cases (criminal, civil, probate).
Quintanilla also joint sponsored with Representative Joe Moody SB 2317 by Shapleigh setting forth new guidelines for eligibility for appraisal review board members along with continuing education requirements.
"The legislation that was filed, one of which I joint authored, has taken big steps in making the appraisal process more property owner friendly. This will be an ongoing and continuous process. For the first time, the chief appraiser of the district will have to provide evidence to the property owner as to why a property value was raised. Hopefully, this will reduce the number of unfair appraisals based on the sale of a single property in the same area," said State Representative Chente Quintanilla.
Chairmen John Otto had this to say: "We listened to the taxpayers who came to those hearings and told us they are fighting the same battles year after year with their appraisal districts. I believe this appraisal reform package addresses some of the problems that have continually plagued both the taxpayer and the appraisal district."
The committee was charged with taking testimony on property tax and property appraisal issues. The committee findings would the be the basis for bills to be filed in the session which started in January of 2009.
Based on the committee recommendations, Chairman Otto filed several bills including House Bill 8 joint authored by Representative Quintanilla.
HB8 changes the comptroller's appraisal review cycle from every year to every two years for each appraisal district unless the comptroller finds serious deficiencies in the published appraisals. In such cases, a study would be done annually. This would increase accuracy and improve the practices and standards of appraisals done in Texas. Because fewer school districts are studied annually, the comptroller's office would produce a more focused study thereby eliminating some of the problems that have arisen in the past. Some of the problems with appraisal district findings were related to the failure to concur with the comptroller's numbers. With more focused studies, the process will be more uniform. This should reduce the tendency of the comptroller's findings constantly pushing property values higher than the local appraisals.
The other significant bill to be passed on to Governor Perry was Senate Bill 771. The bill was filed by Senator Williams and sponsored in the house by Chairman Otto. This bill has important provisions that directly affect each homeowner in Texas.
Basically the bill requires that the chief appraiser of a district base appraisals on all available evidence before an increase may be assessed. In other words, an appraisal may not be simply based on a property sale close by. The specifics of each home must be taken into consideration. Also, the burden of proof is on the chief appraiser to substantiate the increase; no longer the responsibility of the homeowner. If a property receives a reduced appraisal, then that lower appraisal shall be the appraised value for taxation purposes. And, the property value may not be automatically increased the following year unless the chief appraiser has shown substantial evidence that the reason for the previously lowered appraisal has been corrected or changed.
In accordance with the committee findings, Chairman Otto also filed a bill that created a pilot program in El Paso county (and five other counties) that would amend the means by which appeals on property appraisals over $1 million could proceed. A property owner could opt to take his protest to a State Office of Administrative Hearings venue as opposed to the more costly district court. The district court may also be more time consuming as it hears a much wider variety of cases (criminal, civil, probate).
Quintanilla also joint sponsored with Representative Joe Moody SB 2317 by Shapleigh setting forth new guidelines for eligibility for appraisal review board members along with continuing education requirements.
"The legislation that was filed, one of which I joint authored, has taken big steps in making the appraisal process more property owner friendly. This will be an ongoing and continuous process. For the first time, the chief appraiser of the district will have to provide evidence to the property owner as to why a property value was raised. Hopefully, this will reduce the number of unfair appraisals based on the sale of a single property in the same area," said State Representative Chente Quintanilla.
Chairmen John Otto had this to say: "We listened to the taxpayers who came to those hearings and told us they are fighting the same battles year after year with their appraisal districts. I believe this appraisal reform package addresses some of the problems that have continually plagued both the taxpayer and the appraisal district."
TWC Offers Tips to Teens, Employers for Summer Hiring
AUSTIN – During the summer months, thousands of youth gain valuable work
experience. Among employment opportunities for youth in Texas are
traditional summer jobs in parks and recreation, leisure and hospitality,
libraries, and other community organizations.
“Seasonal summer jobs offer young Texans an opportunity to earn income,
while gaining valuable work experience.” said Texas Workforce Commission
(TWC) Chairman Tom Pauken. “Texas workforce centers provide valuable
information and can serve as a core resource as teens start their job
searches.”
TWC offers the following important tips to teens as they seek summer
employment:
• Register for job alerts on www.WorkInTexas.com, TWC’s online
job-matching Web site.
• Look for work in a field that you find interesting. Volunteer work
is excellent way to broaden your résumé and can open doors to landing a job
in that field.
• Visit with a parent, teacher or other mentor about typical interview
questions that you will have to answer and do a mock interview.
• Smile and be friendly to each person you encounter at that business,
even as you are filling out the application and turning it in.
• Once you are scheduled for an interview, learn as much as you can
about the business and even consider visiting that place of business at
least a day ahead of time.
• After the interview, thank your interviewer and follow up with a
thank you note.
TWC reminds employers, workers and parents to familiarize themselves with
state and federal laws, as well as safety regulations that address child
labor issues.
Any person under the age of 18 is considered a child when employed. Federal
and state child labor laws protect youth against potentially detrimental
occupational settings or working conditions that could interfere with their
safety, health or well-being.
experience. Among employment opportunities for youth in Texas are
traditional summer jobs in parks and recreation, leisure and hospitality,
libraries, and other community organizations.
“Seasonal summer jobs offer young Texans an opportunity to earn income,
while gaining valuable work experience.” said Texas Workforce Commission
(TWC) Chairman Tom Pauken. “Texas workforce centers provide valuable
information and can serve as a core resource as teens start their job
searches.”
TWC offers the following important tips to teens as they seek summer
employment:
• Register for job alerts on www.WorkInTexas.com, TWC’s online
job-matching Web site.
• Look for work in a field that you find interesting. Volunteer work
is excellent way to broaden your résumé and can open doors to landing a job
in that field.
• Visit with a parent, teacher or other mentor about typical interview
questions that you will have to answer and do a mock interview.
• Smile and be friendly to each person you encounter at that business,
even as you are filling out the application and turning it in.
• Once you are scheduled for an interview, learn as much as you can
about the business and even consider visiting that place of business at
least a day ahead of time.
• After the interview, thank your interviewer and follow up with a
thank you note.
TWC reminds employers, workers and parents to familiarize themselves with
state and federal laws, as well as safety regulations that address child
labor issues.
Any person under the age of 18 is considered a child when employed. Federal
and state child labor laws protect youth against potentially detrimental
occupational settings or working conditions that could interfere with their
safety, health or well-being.
Sobredosis Del Sabor to Open 26th Season of Music Under the Stars!
Sobredosis Del Sabor to Open 26th Season of
Music Under the Stars!
Chamizal National Memorial
Sunday June 14, 2009
7:30- 9:30
The City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department (MCAD) is pleased to present the Sobredosis Del Sabor as the season opening act for Music Under the Stars Festival.
The concert will be held June 14, 2009 from 7:30 pm to 9:30 at the Chamizal National Memorial located at 800 South San Marcial Street. Grills are allowed at the park except at the inner part of the park known as the bowl. Please note that glass containers or pets are NOT allowed at the park!
Park and Ride!
Concert goers may park at the El Paso Zoo and take a shuttle to the park for free! Shuttle hours are from 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm.
About Music Under the Stars
Music Under the Stars Festival began in 1983 as a program of the City of El Paso Arts and Culture Department. The summer music festival has had twenty-five successful seasons and attracts more than 100,000 people annually. This makes Music Under the Stars Festival the largest free outdoor concert in the Southwest!
About Sobredosis del Sabor
Sobredosis del Sabor came to life when a group of Cuban Teenagers got together after finalizing their studies in one of the top musical schools in Cuba. Coming from different regions of the country and with different backgrounds, they created a unique sound that conquered the hearts of Cuban Salsa dancers!
Some of their original songs rose up to the top of the Hit Parade in Cuban radio and television! Soon after that, the band was performing in the best plazas in Havana and all over Cuba. Sobredosis del Sabor has performed all over the globe including Spain, Italy, France, Angola, Ecuador and Mexico. Band members are diverse with the capacity to interpret different styles such as Salsa Band, Latin Jazz, Cabaret and traditional Cuban Septet.
The band’s popularity is quickly growing throughout the United States. In April of 2009 the band performed in on Univision’s Don Francisco Presenta and Despierta America. Both performances were televised nationally.
This presentation is supported by Mid-America Arts Alliance with generous underwriting by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Texas Commission on the Arts, and local companies and individuals throughout Texas.
MCAD would like to thank the Chamizal National Memorial, What’s Up Weekly, the El Paso Electric Company, the El Paso Zoo, the El Paso Fire Department, the El Paso Police Department, Juvenile Probation Department and Sunwest Charters for their support!
For additional information call or visit the City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department at (915) 541-4481, www.elpasoartsandculture.org or call Chamizal National Memorial at (915) 532-7273.
Music Under the Stars!
Chamizal National Memorial
Sunday June 14, 2009
7:30- 9:30
The City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department (MCAD) is pleased to present the Sobredosis Del Sabor as the season opening act for Music Under the Stars Festival.
The concert will be held June 14, 2009 from 7:30 pm to 9:30 at the Chamizal National Memorial located at 800 South San Marcial Street. Grills are allowed at the park except at the inner part of the park known as the bowl. Please note that glass containers or pets are NOT allowed at the park!
Park and Ride!
Concert goers may park at the El Paso Zoo and take a shuttle to the park for free! Shuttle hours are from 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm.
About Music Under the Stars
Music Under the Stars Festival began in 1983 as a program of the City of El Paso Arts and Culture Department. The summer music festival has had twenty-five successful seasons and attracts more than 100,000 people annually. This makes Music Under the Stars Festival the largest free outdoor concert in the Southwest!
About Sobredosis del Sabor
Sobredosis del Sabor came to life when a group of Cuban Teenagers got together after finalizing their studies in one of the top musical schools in Cuba. Coming from different regions of the country and with different backgrounds, they created a unique sound that conquered the hearts of Cuban Salsa dancers!
Some of their original songs rose up to the top of the Hit Parade in Cuban radio and television! Soon after that, the band was performing in the best plazas in Havana and all over Cuba. Sobredosis del Sabor has performed all over the globe including Spain, Italy, France, Angola, Ecuador and Mexico. Band members are diverse with the capacity to interpret different styles such as Salsa Band, Latin Jazz, Cabaret and traditional Cuban Septet.
The band’s popularity is quickly growing throughout the United States. In April of 2009 the band performed in on Univision’s Don Francisco Presenta and Despierta America. Both performances were televised nationally.
This presentation is supported by Mid-America Arts Alliance with generous underwriting by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Texas Commission on the Arts, and local companies and individuals throughout Texas.
MCAD would like to thank the Chamizal National Memorial, What’s Up Weekly, the El Paso Electric Company, the El Paso Zoo, the El Paso Fire Department, the El Paso Police Department, Juvenile Probation Department and Sunwest Charters for their support!
For additional information call or visit the City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department at (915) 541-4481, www.elpasoartsandculture.org or call Chamizal National Memorial at (915) 532-7273.
Day 162 – Art in the Brew
At the Community Exhibit Space, 1st Floor City Hall
June 3-26
Day 162- Art in the Brew showcases the work of three young visual artists who reside in the El Paso area. Characterized by large scale paintings, this exhibition offers an insight to the artists’ every day experiences. Individuals are invited to interpret the artwork on exhibit now at Exhibit Community Space-1st Floor City Hall.
About the Artists
Alfred Perez was born in El Paso, graduated from Bowie High School and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Texas at El Paso in painting and graphic design. He will be attending Texas Tech University for his Masters of Fine Arts in the fall.
His work has changed in method and structure in the past year. Perez’s current work attempts to capture the viewers’ attention if only for those few seconds when the painting is seen. The viewer then interprets the work with his own ideas and biases. The artist uses images that seem to reflect the ideologies of everyday life. Perez says, “It is only then can we feel truly human and for that moment forget the divine so that we can permit ourselves to look at our own humanity and our own demise.”
Reginald W. Armstrong Reginald was born in West Berlin, Germany. Some of his major influences are artists such as Kehinde Wiley, Pablo Picasso, Jeff Koons, Francis Bacon, Salvador Dali, Takashi Murakami, John Pugh, and Ben Grasso.
His work is an expressive battle between the good, the bad and the uncontrollable. Armstrong takes what he sees everyday then separates the elements that aesthetically move him and incorporate these elements into his processes. Armstrong has taken a strong interest to the industrial world and its function to society as an economic tool and the role it plays in modern design. His work presents a combination of juxtaposed imagery and personal experiences.
Abel Saucedo is an emerging visual artist in his hometown of El Paso. In May 2009 he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Texas at El Paso in Sculpture and Painting. Abel has developed an amazing relationship with his art. This is a place where he takes on battles and questions beliefs. He makes art through intuition and uses any material possible to give shape to an idea. His work questions the idea of concept. Abel feels it is important to produce artwork in his community.
June 3-26
Day 162- Art in the Brew showcases the work of three young visual artists who reside in the El Paso area. Characterized by large scale paintings, this exhibition offers an insight to the artists’ every day experiences. Individuals are invited to interpret the artwork on exhibit now at Exhibit Community Space-1st Floor City Hall.
About the Artists
Alfred Perez was born in El Paso, graduated from Bowie High School and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Texas at El Paso in painting and graphic design. He will be attending Texas Tech University for his Masters of Fine Arts in the fall.
His work has changed in method and structure in the past year. Perez’s current work attempts to capture the viewers’ attention if only for those few seconds when the painting is seen. The viewer then interprets the work with his own ideas and biases. The artist uses images that seem to reflect the ideologies of everyday life. Perez says, “It is only then can we feel truly human and for that moment forget the divine so that we can permit ourselves to look at our own humanity and our own demise.”
Reginald W. Armstrong Reginald was born in West Berlin, Germany. Some of his major influences are artists such as Kehinde Wiley, Pablo Picasso, Jeff Koons, Francis Bacon, Salvador Dali, Takashi Murakami, John Pugh, and Ben Grasso.
His work is an expressive battle between the good, the bad and the uncontrollable. Armstrong takes what he sees everyday then separates the elements that aesthetically move him and incorporate these elements into his processes. Armstrong has taken a strong interest to the industrial world and its function to society as an economic tool and the role it plays in modern design. His work presents a combination of juxtaposed imagery and personal experiences.
Abel Saucedo is an emerging visual artist in his hometown of El Paso. In May 2009 he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Texas at El Paso in Sculpture and Painting. Abel has developed an amazing relationship with his art. This is a place where he takes on battles and questions beliefs. He makes art through intuition and uses any material possible to give shape to an idea. His work questions the idea of concept. Abel feels it is important to produce artwork in his community.
Pavo Real Recreation Center New HVAC System
Building will be closed but gymnasium and classes will still go on
Pavo Real Recreation Center is in the process of having a new HVAC system installed for the building only.
The gymnasium area has a separate cooling system and will not be replaced. During the project some of the rooms will be closed, but regular programming and use of the gymnasium will be available.
The HVAC units will be completed by June 12 before the start of the Club Rec Summer Camp program, which will begin on June 15.
Pavo Real Recreation Center is in the process of having a new HVAC system installed for the building only.
The gymnasium area has a separate cooling system and will not be replaced. During the project some of the rooms will be closed, but regular programming and use of the gymnasium will be available.
The HVAC units will be completed by June 12 before the start of the Club Rec Summer Camp program, which will begin on June 15.
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