RICKY MARTIN Announces First Set Of U.S. Concert Dates For His 2011“Musica+Alma+Sexo” World Tour

The World Renowned Performer Will Take To The Stage For His First Concert Tour In Over Three Years (See List Of Dates Below)

New RICKY MARTIN Album “Musica+Alma+Sexo” Is Set For Release Next Week On February 01, 2011

After Critical Praise For His “MTV Unplugged” and “Ricky Martin Live – Black & White Tour” Performance Albums, The GRAMMY Winning Superstar Returns With His First New Studio Album In Six Years.  Fan Anticipation For The Principally Spanish Album Is Running So High That “Musica+Alma+Sexo” Is Already The #1 Selling Latin Album At Amazon On The Strength of Pre-Sales Alone.

A Special Deluxe Edition Of “Musica+Alma+Sexo” – Featuring Seven Additional Exclusive Tracks – Will Be Available Only Through Target® and Target.com

Ricky Martin and Target Will Also Celebrate The Launch Of The Exclusive Deluxe Edition of “Musica+Alma+Sexo” With A Special Release Party and Intimate Live Performance On February 2^nd In New York City

The First Single From The Album -“Lo Mejor De Mi Vida Eres Tú”- Is Currently The #1 Latin Pop Song In The Country, While The English Version “The Best Thing About Me Is You” Has Just Been Serviced to Radio After It’s Viral Video Generated More Than Two Million YouTube Views Within Two Days of Release

Look For Ricky Martin To Perform “The Best Thing About Me Is You” On NBC’s “TODAY Show” On February 1^st, With Further TV Appearances To Be Announced Shortly.

RICKY MARTIN - “Musica+Alma+Sexo” World Tour

FRI	3/25/11	San Juan, Puerto Rico	Coliseo de Puerto Rico
SAT	3/26/11	San Juan, Puerto Rico	Coliseo de Puerto Rico
SUN	3/27/11	San Juan, Puerto Rico	Coliseo de Puerto Rico
FRI	4/08/11	Orlando, FL	Amway Arena
SAT	4/09/11	Miami, FL	American Airlines Arena
TUE	4/12/11	Montreal, QC,	Bell Centre
WED	4/13/11	Toronto, ON	Casino Rama
FRI	4/15/11	Atlantic City, NJ	Borgata
SAT	4/16/11	Newark, NJ	Prudential Center
SUN	4/17/11	Uncasville, CT	Mohegan Sun
TUE	4/19/11	Chicago, IL	Allstate Arena
FRI	4/22/11	Dallas, TX	Verizon Theatre
SAT	4/23/11	Houston, TX

Statement by Gov. Rick Perry on Senate Passage of Voter ID Legislation

AUSTIN - Gov. Rick Perry today issued the following statement on the Senate
passage of SB 14, related to voter identification requirements:

"I applaud the Texas Senate for passing the voter ID legislation, which
represents a significant step toward preserving the integrity of the ballot
box in Texas. I am pleased that state lawmakers are quickly addressing this
issue, which is important to Texans and critical to ensuring our state has
proper protections against voter fraud, and I fully expect the House will
soon follow suit and pass this important measure."

Vaccines to be Provided at Local Mall

 El Paso, Texas – Both merchants and shoppers will have the opportunity to get up-to-date on their vaccines this week without ever having to leave the comfort of the mall.  As a part of our on-going effort to deliver quality service in the most convenient manner, the Health Department’s Immunization Program will be hitting the mall this weekend.

Clinic staff will be providing various vaccines to both children and adults, including; DTAP, HEP A, Polio, MMR, Varicella, MCV, HPV, and Flu vaccines (for those who are between 0 and 18-years-old.)  The public is invited:

Friday, January 28, 2011

10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Cielo Vista Mall

Lower Level (Near JCPenney)

8401 Gateway West

The fee for Vaccines 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 that includes 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.

Groundbreaking Ceremony for Brand New Park

10:00 a.m. on January 31, 2011

Paseos del Sol Park, 12599 Paseo Grande St., will have

a groundbreaking ceremony at 10:00 a.m. on January 31, 2011.

The new park once completed will have two separate playground areas for (2-5 years olds) and (6-12 year olds) which will also include a swing set.  

The park will also have a picnic area, benches, trees and a walking path. Expected completion date is the middle of March.

         City Council Representative Eddie Holguin, Jr. will be guest

speaker and City of El Paso Parks and Recreation Director, Nanette Smejkal will serve as Master of Ceremonies.  

El Paso Ghost Tours

EL PASO GHOST TOURS introduces the history, legends, and lore of Downtown El Paso.

Our tour guides will take you to areas that have reported paranormal activity and show you evidence of the hauntings of the Downtown Library, The Plaza Theater, area Motels, and a Confederate Cemetery. This is an extreme interactive ghost tour experience and isn't for the faint of heart. Bring your equipment and an open mind.

Tickets are $10+tax on FRIDAY JANUARY 28TH from 8pm to 10pm. Meet us at the The Percolator, 217 N Stanton @ 7:30

Traffic Advisory - 4th Brigade Combat Team Moves Out

EAST FORT BLISS, Texas - Members of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division will engage in a three
week-long field training exercise, (FTX), from Monday Jan 31 - Thursday,
Feb17 in and around Northeast El Paso and Southern New Mexico.
Safety is and always will be the number one concern of the Highlander
Brigade.
During the FTX more than 3,000 Soldiers and hundreds of vehicles will be
conducting tactical movements in the Fort Bliss training area. Local
residents should be aware of the large number of Soldiers in Northeast El
Paso and Southern New Mexico, keeping in mind that traffic delays may be a
part of their normal commute.
The units will also be simulating battle situations, often using
pyrotechnics and training ammunition. These training aids, important to the
development of the American Soldier, may be heard or seen from miles away.
If residents encounter a problem they should contact local law enforcement
officials who will immediately contact range control personnel.

Residents of the El Paso and Southern New Mexico should be particularly
aware of the brigade's mass movement to and from the training areas.
These movements to the training areas begin at 5:00AM, JANUARY 31and
conclude the afternoon of FEBRUARY 2.
The route Highlander vehicles are scheduled to take will generally not
disrupt normal traffic, with the exception of the crossing of US 54.
This crossing will be located approximately 15 miles north of Northeast El
Paso, just north of Otero County Detention Facility. There will be a minimum
of four Military Police vehicles warning on-coming vehicles of traffic
hazards. Pay special attention to visibility; large military movements may
create more dust then commuters are accustomed to.

Be aware, the returning movement of brigade vehicles will be from 5:00 AM,
FEBRUARY 16 to the evening of FEBRUARY17. All routes and potential hazards
are the same, and delays should be expected.

The 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division appreciates the help and
consideration the citizens of El Paso and Southern New Mexico extend to the
Soldiers participating in the exercise and ask for their continued
understanding of any inconveniences the training may cause.
Questions concerning the exercise should be referred to the 4th BCT, 1st AD
Public Affairs Office at (915) 744-4657

Environmental Services Introduces Beautification Effort

New Program Targets Abandoned Shopping Carts

El Paso, Texas – The City of El Paso is introducing a new program to reduce the number of shopping carts that on daily basis make their way onto streets, medians, storm water conveyances, arroyos and residential neighborhoods, especially those that are left in these areas for weeks at a time, or longer.

“Shopping carts are essential to being able to shop conveniently. However, these same carts can become a significant nuisance when they leave the grounds of stores and shopping centers,” Ellen Smyth, Environmental Services Department Director, said. “To try to minimize shopping carts from becoming a public nuisance, the City adopted an ordinance establishing shopping cart control requirements for retail and service establishments.”

The ordinance was adopted by the City Council in August 2010. Enforcement will begin in March 2011. The delayed enforcement will allow the department to conduct outreach to educate the retail and service industry about the new ordinance.

The ordinance, which was adopted as a revision to Chapter 9.04 of the El Paso City Code, requires owners of shopping carts to label their carts; recover their carts at least once weekly within a one-mile radius of the store; and immediately recover any off-property cart upon the store manager being notified of the cart’s location by either a private citizen or City official.

Environmental Services has scheduled two meetings to educate retail and service establishments about the ordinance. The meetings are at:

·        10 a.m. on January 31, in the main conference room of the El Paso Police Department Westside Regional Command Center, at 4801 Osborne Dr.

·        2 p.m. on February 3, in the main conference room of the El Paso Police Department Pebble Hills Regional Command Center, at 10780 Pebble Hills Blvd.

Both meetings will cover the same information. The two locations and times have been scheduled for the convenience of the business community. For more information, visit www.elpasotexas.gov/environmental _services or call (915) 621-6700.

Parks Updates - City parks with new playgrounds

Three new parks in the city recently had major renovations completed by the City of El Paso Parks and Recreation Department.

Pebble Hills Park, 3200 Fierro St., today had the 75 ft. x 52 ft. shade canopy completed. The canopy which is the largest in the city covers the entire playground equipment area and swings.

The Hawkins Park playground, 1500 Hawkins St. is complete. The parks new amenities include trees, benches, and playground equipment and swings.

The playground area at Summerlin Park, 6951 Firebush Dr. will be ready for public use on January 18^th. Park amenities added include picnic tables, new playground equipment and trees. 

Health Department Warns Citizens of International Extortion Scam

El Paso, Texas – The City of El Paso Department of Public Health is joining state and national agencies in order to warn the citizens in El Paso about an ongoing scam involving criminals stating that they are officials with the Food and Drug Administration.  The following is from a press release issued by the FDA earlier this month:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning the public about criminals posing as FDA special agents and other law enforcement personnel as part of a continued  international extortion scam.

The criminals call the victims -- who in most cases previously purchased drugs over the Internet or via "telepharmacies" -- and identify themselves as FDA special agents or other law enforcement officials. The criminals inform the victims that purchasing drugs over the Internet or the telephone is illegal, and that law enforcement action will be pursued unless a fine or fee ranging from $100 to $250,000 is paid. Victims often also have fraudulent transactions placed against their credit cards.

The criminals always request the money be sent by wire transfer to a designated location, usually in the Dominican Republic. If victims refuse to send money, they are often threatened with a search of their property, arrest, deportation, physical harm and/or incarceration.

"Impersonating an FDA official is a violation of federal law," said Dara Corrigan, the FDA’s associate commissioner for regulatory affairs. “FDA special agents and other law enforcement officials are not authorized to impose or collect criminal fines. Only a court can take such action.”

In most instances, victims of extortion-related calls have also received telephone solicitations for additional pharmaceutical purchases from other possibly related, illegal entities located overseas. The extortionists use customer lists complete with extensive personal information provided through previous purchase transactions. These include names, addresses, telephone numbers, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, purchase histories and credit card account numbers.

Typically, these criminals use telephone numbers that change constantly and make it appear as though their calls originate in the United States.

No known victim has been approached in person by a law enforcement impersonator associated with this scheme. 

The FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations, with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, with the support of various U.S. Attorneys, are pursuing multiple national and international criminal investigations.

Arrests have been made and additional prosecutions are pending; however, the scheme is likely to continue. The FDA has issued similar warnings in the past:

·                  FDA Warns Public of Extortion Scam by FDA Impersonators (11/12/2008)

·                  FDA Warns Public of Continued Extortion Scam by FDA Impersonators (12/29/2009)

Victims of this scheme who have suffered monetary loss through the payment of funds in response to an extortion call, or anyone receiving a telephone call from a person purporting to be an FDA or other law enforcement official who is seeking money to settle a law enforcement action for the illegal purchase of drugs over the Internet may obtain a victim questionnaire by contacting theFDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations and clicking “Report Suspected Criminal Activity.”

Anyone receiving a purported official document on agency letterhead may verify its authenticity by contacting that organization directly via a publicly available phone number. Additionally, all federal agencies use email addresses with a “gov” email extension.

The FDA also reminds consumers that pharmaceutical products offered online and by telephone by sources of unknown origin can pose a substantial health risk. Products recovered during this investigation that were purchased from online or telephone sources have been found to contain trace amounts of heroin, other undisclosed and potentially harmful active pharmaceutical ingredients, or no active ingredient at all. Purchases should only be made from licensed pharmacies located in the United States. In addition to the increased risk of purchasing unsafe and ineffective drugs from websites  operating outside the law, personal data may be compromised.

For more on unlawful drug sales on the Internet, see Protecting Yourself.

Melodies at the Parks Concerts for Summer 2011

Who:               El Paso Parks and Recreation Department

What:             Melodies at the Park Concerts

When:            Summer 2011

Where:           various City Parks

The City of El Paso Parks & Recreation Department is looking for

musical entertainment for the upcoming Melodies at the Park Concerts for the

upcoming 2011 summer season.

            The concerts will be at various city parks. Interested applicants can

pick up applications starting February 7^th at Armijo Recreation Center, 700 E.

7^th St.

Deadline to turn in applications is March 18, 2011.

Information

Eliseo Duran            (915) 252-9031

Sandy Rodriguez     (915) 240-3310

Weather Alert - El Paso International Airport

El Paso, Texas –Tuesday, January 11, 2011.  The El Paso International Airport would like to encourage passengers to contact their airlines or the airlines’ web sites for up-date flight information as some flights have been affected by weather in other regions of the country.

American Airlines                1-800-433-7300        www.aa.com

Continental Airlines            1-800-525-0280        www.continental.com

Delta Airlines                        1-800-221-1212        www.delta.com

Southwest Airlines              1- 800-435-9792       www.southwest.com

United Airlines                     1- 800-241-6522       www.united.com

U.S. Airways                         1- 800-428-4322       www.usairways.com

In addition, flight information is available on the airport’s web site: www.flyelpaso.com

Holiday Schedule for Landfill, Trash Collections

El Paso, Texas – The City of El Paso Clint Landfill will be closed on January 17, 2011 in observance of Martin Luther King Day, the Environmental Services Department announced today.

The landfill at 2300 Darrington Road, will resume normal operating hours on Tuesday, Jan. 18.

Garbage and recyclables collection routes will not be affected by the holiday. Collections will operate on a normal schedule.

For more information visit the City of El Paso Environmental Services Department website at: www.elpasotexas.gov/environmental_services or call (915) 621-6700.

City of El Paso Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.)

Registration Form

The City of El Paso along with the Office of Emergency Management invites you to join the Team!  Become a member of the El Paso City emergency preparedness team and make a difference in the event of a disaster.

Who is Eligible?

The training is free and available to residents and employees of El Paso County.  Participants must be a minimum of 18 years of age.  

What’s involved?  Where is the Training?

Firefighters/Police Officers and CERT instructors will train you to help your family and neighbors by teaching you how to be better prepared over 20 hours of classroom instruction.  This training includes an Introduction to Disaster Response, Medical Operations, Fire Suppression, Disaster Psychology, and Light Search and Rescue.  Training takes place in El Paso.  

How do you sign up?

Commit to helping yourself and others.  Complete the form below and return by email, mail or in person to CERT, c/o Ready El Paso Coordinator: Maria Orona at  oronam@usa.redcross.org, 3620 Admiral St. El Paso Texas, 79925.

Upcoming Classes: (Please check the class you are interested in attending)

Classes are held for two Saturday’s, February 12 and 19^th   from 8-6pm 

@ Fire Headquarters, 8600 Montana

 (Participants must attend all three training dates in order to receive certificate of completion.)

________________________________________________________________________

Last Name       First Name             Middle Initial

________________________________________________________________________

Address City State Zip

________________________________________________________________________

Phone # Cell # Email Address

________________________________________________________________________

Occupation Special Skills (Construction, Medical, Clerical, ETC.)

_______________________________________________________________________

Emergency Contact:  (Include Name, Address, Telephone #’s Home and Cell)

New Organization Forms to Support the Local Fashion and Talent Professionals

The Coalition of Fashion Professionals, El Paso is an initiative to preserve ethical business practices with a focus of offering professionals and aspiring models and talent the opportunity to seek progressive representation, develop viable careers and institute opportunities in a business environment which promotes the welfare and character of fashion models and talent in El Paso, Texas.

The Coalition of Fashion Professionals, El Paso is developed through the collective efforts of local industry professionals to include Fashion Models, Model and Talent Agents/Agencies, Designers, Photographers, Make-up Artist, Production and Recording Companies, Marketing/Advertising Agencies, Stylist, Retailers, Event Promoters, Television Production Companies.

The Coalition of Fashion Professionals, El Paso will be having its first Exclusive Industry Mixer
On Thursday, January 20, 2011 at 7pm at Red & White Wine Bar, 3136 Trawood, Ste 3-E, El Paso, Texas 79936.  Guests will enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvre, wine, music, and networking opportunities with other industry professionals.  This event is by invitation only!  To receive an invitation, please visit our Facebook page.  All V.I.I.P (Very Important Industry Professionals) who RSVP no later than Monday, January 10, 2011, will receive 1 FREE complimentary glass of wine, Courtesy CFP, El Paso.  All attendees must respond no later than January 17, 2011.

For more information about CFP, El Paso or our Exclusive Industry Mixer please visit www.cfpelpaso.com or call 1-866-995-5588.  You may also “LIKE” us on Facebook and visit our Exclusive Industry Mixer event page.

Mini-Basketball League Registration - Pat O’Rourke Recreation Center

Open to ages 4-7

Who:               El Paso Parks and Recreation Department

What:             Mini Basketball Registration

                        Ages 4/5 and 6/7

When:            January 15 thru March, 2011

Where:           Pat O’Rourke Recreation Center, 911 N. Virginia St.

                        

            Registration is now open for a Mini-Basketball League at

the Pat O’Rourke Recreation Center, 901 N. Virginia St.

The co-ed basketball league is open to children between the

ages of 4-7. There will be two divisions: (4-5) and (6-7). 

Registration fee is $34 per individual and youth scholarships are

available with the information online at the City of El Paso Parks

and Recreation website at www.elpasotexas.gov/parks.

Practices are once per week and games will be played on

saturdays. Registration deadline is January 10, 2011 and the season

will start on January 15^th.

Information

(915) 533-1611

Mini-Basketball League Registration

Open to ages 4-7

Who:               El Paso Parks and Recreation Department

What:             Mini Basketball Registration

                        Ages 4/5 and 6/7

When:            January 22 thru March, 2011

Where:           Nolan Richardson Recreation Center, 4435 Maxwell Ave.

                        

Registration is now open for a Mini-Basketball League at Nolan Richardson Recreation Center, 4435 Maxwell Ave.

The co-ed basketball league is open to children between the ages of 4-7. There will be two divisions: (4-5) and (6-7).  

Registration fee is $34 per individual and youth scholarships are available with the information online on the City of El Paso Parks and Recreation website at www.elpasotexas.gov/parks.

Practices are once per week and games will be played on saturdays. Deadline is January 15, 2011.

           

Information

Norma Huitron or Raul Martinez

(915) 755-7566

Dia de Los Ninos - Dia De Los Libros Food Vendors Sought

Applications accepted on January 26, 2011

Who:   El Paso Parks and Recreation Department

What:  Dia de Los Ninos/Dia de Los Libros Event

When:  April 30, 2011

Where:  Washington Park, 200 Washington St.

            The City of El Paso Parks & Recreation Department is

looking for food vendors for the Dia De Los Ninos/Dia De Los

Libros event at Washington Park, 200 Washington St. on April 30,

2011.

The event is scheduled from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and

the vendor fee is $130.

Applications will be taken on a first come – first served

basis on Wednesday, January 26^th  from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Information

Eliseo Duran                  (915) 252-9031

Sandy Rodriguez            (915) 240-3310