Homegrown El Paso

WELCOMES LEADING INDEPENDENT BUSINESS ADVOCATE 

TO HELP HOMEGROWN EL PASO 

Starts 8:30 a.m. February 7 With Lunch/Workshops Until 1:00 p.m.

Event Demonstrates Tools to Support Local Entrepreneurs and 

Sustain Vibrant Local Economy

Homegrown El Paso’s membership works to support the efforts of the El Paso area’s locally owned, independent businesses to compete in an increasingly global environment.  Homegrown promotes its member businesses and educates them to provide a level of product quality and service that earns them the support of local consumers while, at the same time, educating the area’s population on the benefits of buying from local businesses.

Jeff Milchen, co-founder of the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA) and a leading advocate for community-based businesses, will speak at The El Paso Community Foundation, 333 N. Oregon, 1^st Floor Foundation Room, at 8:30 a.m.–noon with lunch from 12 noon–1:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 7.  Milchen will offer a provocative presentation illustrating the economic and civic importance of sustaining a strong base of local, independently owned businesses.  He’ll provide numerous success stories of programs developed to support community-based businesses and keep them thriving in the face of competition from chains, online businesses, and others.

This presentation and training will advance the work of Homegrown El Paso.  Local organizer Nancy Ontiveros says, “Homegrown is just what El Paso needs at this critical time in our development.  Everything that is unique and inviting about El Paso comes from a local source.” 

“This conference will bring new synergy to Homegrown Members and supporters,” adds Heather Cuthbertson, President of Homegrown El Paso Board of Directors.

Milchen co-founded and directed the first Independent Business Alliance (IBA) a decade ago.  In response to inquiries and requests for help from dozens of communities, he went on to co-found AMIBA to help other communities start successful IBAs of their own, create a network for collaboration among them, and begin building momentum for national shifts.  His presentation will feature examples from some of the 80 affiliated groups, like El Paso’s, now operating across North America in communities of all sizes.

“Independent businesses are struggling for survival across the country,” said Milchen. “But through collaborative efforts and the active involvement of citizens, communities have proven that harmful trends can be stopped and home-grown businesses still can prosper.”

IBAs use a three-pronged approach, including public information campaigns about the benefits of doing business locally; organizing collaborative purchasing, marketing and media campaigns among business members; and creating a visible public presence for independent business owners whose interests too often are sacrificed in favor of more politically powerful entities.

“In the strongest local economies, most dollars are spent at locally owned businesses, where they recirculate several times in the community.  This multiplier effect is a critical but often overlooked factor in creating community wealth,” said Nancy Ontiveros. “Sustaining local ownership isn’t just important for sustaining our community character, it’s key to the long-term economic vitality of El Paso.” 

The event is free and open to the public. Lunch reservations ($15.00/person) are required.  To learn more or get involved in Homegrown El Paso, call Nancy at 915-240-8804 or contactme@homegrownelpaso.com

Regulation of Political Campaign Signs

El Paso, Texas – As the election season kicks into gear, the City of El Paso Environmental Services Department is once again seeking the public’s cooperation in following regulations for posting campaign signs.

The El Paso City Code prohibits the placement of campaign signage on utility poles, traffic control devices, or public right-of-way. Violators risk a citation punishable by a fine of up to $2,000.

The code does allow for some flexibility if the campaign signs are free-standing signs. Free-standing signs made of wood, metal, plastic, or cardboard no larger than 5 square feet and no greater than 36 inches in height are allowed in a parkway between the hours of 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Code compliance inspectors will be going out daily during this campaign season between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. to remove free-standings signs on public right-of-way.

Campaign signs are allowed on private property with permission from the tenant and/or property owner. However, signs constituting a hazard to the traveling public will be removed from public or private property.

The violation for Prohibited Signs is defined in 20.18.140 and Temporary on-premise signs in 20.18.500 of the El Paso City Code.

To report code violations, call the Code Compliance Division at 599-6290.

EPCC Baseball and Softball 2012 Campaigns

The El Paso Community College (EPCC) Tejanos Baseball Team and Tejanas Softball Team go into action for the 2012 season on January 27^th.  Both squads play on their respective fields on the EPCC Valle Verde campus, 919 Hunter.

The EPCC Tejanos start at home versus Scottsdale Community College, Friday, January 27^th at 2:00 p.m. A special first pitch ceremony will occur prior to the game (1:45pm) with EPCC Interim President, Dr. Ernst Roberts and EPCC Board of Trustees member, Nicolás Domínguez participating.

The EPCC Tejanas start their season with a series of away games beginning January 27^th in Henderson, Nevada at the CSN-Kickoff Classic. Their first home game is a doubleheader against Odessa College, Friday, March 2^nd at 1:00 p.m.

Manhunt Monday

EL PASO, TEXAS - This week’s MANHUNT MONDAY Most Wanted Fugitive is sought for DECEPTIVE BUSINESS PRACTICES. The target is identified as GEORGE RIVAS (62) of El Paso, TX.

MARCH 2011 In March 2011, GEORGE RIVAS was hired to install a refrigerated air conditioning system at a home in the Montana Vista area. Over the course of the following months, the Homeowners (Victims) paid RIVAS $5,500 for the job he never completed. All RIVAS ever did was remove a swamp cooler from the residence at the onset of his hiring. The Homeowners have tried numerous times to contact RIVAS & luckily got a hold of him by phone in late October 2011 where RIVAS again promised & failed to show to complete the work he was hired and paid to do.

Charges have since been filed & GEORGE RIVAS is now wanted for the offense DECEPTIVE BUSINESS PRACTICES.

GEORGE RIVAS knows he is wanted & is believed to remain in the area hiding with friends or family.

If anyone has seen or has any information on the whereabouts ofGEORGE RIVAS to please contact Crime Stoppers of El Paso at 566-TIPS (8477). Callers will remain anonymous & may be eligible for a reward if the information provided leads to the apprehension of the individuals featured.

MANHUNT MONDAY & CRIME STOPPERS OF EL PASO are partners with the media to fulfill our mission of reducing the fear of illegal activity in our neighborhoods by involving the community in helping Law Enforcement solve crime.

NAME: GEORGE RIVAS (62)

AKA: GEORGE FUENTES

DOB: 08-15-49

ETHINCITY / GENDER: HISPANIC/FEMALE

HEIGHT: 5’2”

WEIGHT: 140 lbs.

HAIR: Black

EYES: Brown

BUILD: Small

COMPLEXION: Medium

PLACE OF BIRTH: El Paso, Texas

TATTOOS: Left Arm – Christ, “G.R.” / Right Arm – “Chela”, Eagle

I-10 / AMERICAS INTERCHANGE PROJECT UPDATE

COMPLETE CLOSURE: 

There will be a complete closure  of the north and southbound lanes (intermittently) on Joe Battle Blvd. between Bob Hope Dr. and I-10 Friday, January 6 at 8 p.m. through Sunday, January 8 to 7 p.m. 

NOTE:

Joe Battle Blvd. Southbound will close first.  Northbound lanes will remain open. 

When the northbound lanes are closed the southbound lanes will remain open.

Expect north and southbound right lane closures on Joe Battle (Loop 375) between Bob Hope Dr. and I-10 Friday, January 6 at 8 p.m. through Sunday, January 8 to 7 a.m. 

NOTE:

Both north and southbound travel lanes will be reduced to one lane through the left shoulder. Southbound will close first.  Northbound lanes will remain open. 

When the northbound lanes are closed the southbound lanes will remain open.

COMPLETE CLOSURE: 

The Rojas Intersection (underneath Loop 375) will be completely closed Friday, January 6 at 8 p.m. and remain closed through Sunday, January 8 at 7 a.m.

These closures are necessary for the demolition of existing Pilasters (columns).

The following closures will continue closed until further notice:

Alza Drive at Gateway East  

Rojas Turnaround at Joe Battle Blvd. 

A&M Circle northbound on Americas Ave.

Please observe work zone warning signs.

Library customers can help battle hunger by trading Food for Fines

From Saturday, January 7 to Saturday, January 14, 2012, the El Paso Public Library will be accepting canned food donations in exchange for overdue fines that library patrons may owe.  Patrons will be able to pay down $1 worth of fines for every can of food or non-perishable food item donated, up to $5(per account), provided that their materials are also returned in good condition.  The food donations will then be collected, sorted and distributed to organizations that serve the less fortunate as part of the 12^th Annual MLK Canned Food Drive.

Patrons need to simply bring in their overdue materials and up to 5, canned or non-perishable, food items.  The Library staff will then take their food donations and apply up to $5 in credit to the patron’s account. 

The El Paso Public Library is encouraging their customers to donate canned goods to benefit people in El Paso that don’t have enough to eat.  It is estimated that 1 in 3 children in El Paso struggle with hunger every day.  Hunger makes it more difficult for kids to stay engaged and focused on activities important to their development such as studying.  The food collected as part of the Food for Fines program, as well as that collected through the MLK Canned Food Drive, will be used to replenish depleted pantries of organizations that serve the less fortunate.  For more information call 543-5468 or visit www.elpasolibrary.org. 

JOE BATTLE/ZARAGOZA DIRECT CONNECTORS PROJECT

Construction on the Joe Battle (Loop 375) / Zaragoza (FM 659) Direct Connectors Project began today.

The proposed project will construct two direct elevated connectors.

    **One connector will be constructed for traffic traveling in the northbound direction of Joe Battle (Loop 375) onto northeast Zaragoza Rd. (FM 659).

    **One connector will be constructed for traffic traveling in the southwest direction of  Zaragoza Rd. (FM 659) onto southbound Joe Battle (Loop 375).  

 

CLOSURES:

The southbound Joe Battle Blvd. left lane between Montwood Dr. and the Montwood Entrance Ramp will be closed starting tomorrow, January 4 at 9 a.m. and continued closed through April 2012.

The construction crews will be building a retaining wall.

There will be a right lane closure southbound on Joe Battle (Loop 375) from the Montwood Exit Ramp to the Montwood Entrance Ramp on Thursday, January 5 and Friday, January 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Crews will be placing concrete barriers on the shoulder.