It's a White New Year

Picture taken on Savannah Avenue by Donna Stephens

It's not a white Christmas but it is a white New Year's for sure. The first winter storm of 2010 blew into El Paso yesterday and painted neighborhoods including Newman Park with soft, pristine snow.

Notre Dame beat the University of Miami 33-17 in the Sun Bowl today in temperatures just above freezing.

It's snowing again this New Year's Eve night. A lovely end to 2010 and a beautiful beginning of 2011.

Happy New Year!

Newman Park Christmas Begins with Cookies, Santa and Caroling

Santa (Robert Taylor) Claus greets children at the home of Michael and Becky Friesenhahn.

Newmanistas gathered last evening at the home of Becky and Michael Friesenhahn for cookies and milk. Santa Claus and Father Ken Ducre joined them. After some merry caroling down Altura Avenue, the party ended at House of Pizza.

Santa (NPNA Board member, Robert Taylor) read St. Luke's Christmas story to a large gathering of children and adults. He was followed by All Saints Catholic Community pastor, Father Ken Ducre, who read Xavier Garza's Charro Claus and the Tejas Kid published by Cinco Puntos Press.

Father Ken Ducre reads the Cinco Puntos classic, "Charro Claus".

Carolers at the Rees home on Altura

After Santa gave away bags of fruit and candy to the children, the Yule party-goers went caroling eventually finishing at House of Pizza where they ate and concluded their holiday merriment for the night. Former Newman Park President Lynn Coyle organized this year's caroling.

Cory at House of Pizza reacts with joy to the carolers.

Holidays are Good Times for Families to Share the El Paso Outdoors

Lisa Degliantoni's and Dave Ford's son, Miles, braves a tall cottonwood to gather mistletoe during a river walk yesterday.

Newman Park families joined some of the Elpasonaturally/Sunrise Hikers for a nature walk along the Rio Grande beginning at Country Club Road. Their objective: exercise, fresh air and mistletoe to add to their home holiday decorations. Unlike last year when mistletoe was plentiful, only a few sprigs of this hemi-parasitic plant could be found. Nevertheless, one cottonwood yielded the herb that legend says killed Baldur. More mistletoe was found among a stand of willows. An old and large cottonwood on the east side of the river was loaded with the treasure.

The holidays mean more time for family outings. So, what can be better than the beautiful outdoors of El Paso, Texas. Nearer to the neighborhood is McKelligon Canyon. Cooler mornings make the five-mile round trip walk a great way to enjoy the scenery and get in shape. The end of the canyon provides easy access to the ridge of the mountain and begins the Ron Coleman Trail which culminates at Transmountain Road.

Morning exercise at McKelligon Canyon

Avid hiker, UTEP Prof. Karl Putnam, enjoys the spectacular scenery from the ridge following the Ron Coleman Trail

Cindy Milazzo Stars at Titovets Art Show

Cindy Milazzo and Lyuba Titovets

Cindy Milazzo was one of the exhibitors at this past weekend's art show by the Titovets School of Art. Although not currently a student, Newmanista Cindy Milazzo, worked with Aleksander and Lyuba Titovets for three years. Her oil painting, a copy of a detail of Gustav Klimt's "Hope 1" sold quickly at the Titovet's 10th Anniversary Celebration of Student Art Show. The Klimt masterpiece now hangs in the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa.

The Titovets graduated with Master of Fine Arts degrees in St. Petersburg, Russia and in 1992 immigrated to El Paso. They since have received numerous regional and national awards for their paintings. Aleksander Titovets painted the official White House portrait of First Lady Laura Bush.

"My experience with the Titovets has been exceptional," Cindy reported. "They've taught me more about color, light and the nuts and bolts of painting than I learned during many university studio art classes. The opportunity to work with them has been wonderful.

According to Cindy, "the Titovets teach pure Impressionism which uses quick, spontaneous brush strokes to paint light and define form."

"They are an El Paso treasure," she says. So is Cindy Milazzo.

New Traffic Signs Advise Motorists to Watch for Children at Newman Park

New signs warn motorists to slow down for children and others at Newman Park.

At their November meeting, Newman Park Neighborhood Association board members discussed the excessive speeding along Alabama Street past the park. All admitted having concerns about the safety of pedestrians and children.

Following the meeting, Association President, Jim Tolbert, emailed Representative Susie Byrd and asked what could be done - perhaps flashers similar to those near Our Lady of Guadalupe. Rep. Byrd asked Ted Marquez, the Deputy Director of the City's Department of Transportation, what he thought. Marquez advised that flashers installed cost $45,000 - by city ordinance, all at the expense of the neighborhood association. He suggested that a more cost effective alternative would be the installation of speed feedback signs at $4,000 per direction of travel.

Tolbert asked if simple warning signs could be installed. Marquez said that his Department would absorb the cost of those signs. Recently, the City's DOT installed two signs indicating children at play - one on each side of Alabama by the park.

Car dashes to beat a changing light with new warning sign and speed limit sign in view.

Chihuahuas: the Perfect Holiday Gift

What is the perfect Christmas present that you can give right now? Two sweet, little Chihuahuas.

One of the two dogs is microchipped, but there is no trace to his owner. This little black dog came from Pet Guardian; but whoever adopted him did not register his microchip number. The two dogs absolutely love each other and are inseparable. The little black one is a male and the bigger Chihuahua is a female and tan in color. They have a really sweet disposition and are great with kids. Anyone who wants to give these adorable dogs a wonderful home, can call Kristin Perez at 241-6694.

Purchase a Living Tree for the Holidays This Year

Living Holiday Tree Flyer

Time to Order Luminarias for Christmas Eve

Newman Park playground sparkles with luminarias

This year you can use our handy PayPal button in the upper right hand column of this blog to place your orders. The flyer below gives added instructions. You can even print it out and use it to make your order. Note: All orders must be done by December 18th. Luminarias will be delivered to your home on Christmas Eve. Contributions for luminarias at Newman Park and the Mayfield Wildscape are welcome.

Luminarias Flyer 2010

Sign Up for the El Paso Emergency Alert System

El Paso Emergency Alert System FAQ’s

For more information, go to the Citizen Alert Web Portal.

Q: Who is responsible for the El Paso Emergency Alert System?

A: The City/County of El Paso Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is the facilitator of the El Paso Emergency Alert System.

Q: What is the El Paso Emergency Alert System?

A: The El Paso Emergency Alert System is a reverse, emergency notification process/system.

Q: How do citizens of El Paso County benefit from this system?

A: The El Paso Emergency Alert System provides a secure and reliable way of notifying citizens about a city and/or county wide crisis or disaster.

Q: So how do citizens receive these emergency alerts?

A: Citizens who live within the boundaries of El Paso County have to register with the El Paso Emergency Alert System by visiting this website: EPEmergencyAlert.com

Q: What should I expect to see on my device during an emergency?

A: Depending on the device you will see or hear a message that says EMERGENCY ALERT and this will be followed by further instructions pertaining to the crisis on hand.

Q: What happens if the incident is isolated, will I still receive an alert?

A: The system uses GIS-based mapping technology which allows the Office of Emergency Management to isolate incidents and send alerts to only those targeted area/s.

Q: When will the El Paso Emergency Alert System be used?

A: Used in these situations:

§ Emergency Evacuations

§ Natural or Man Made Disasters

§ Hazardous Material Incidents

§ Border Violence Incidents

Q: What personal information is required to register for the El Paso Emergency Alert System?

A: Citizens must create an account by supplying some basic information:

• Creating a user ID and password

• Email address

• First and Last Name

• Street Address

• City

• Zip Code

• Check the box “Agree to website policy”

Q: What is required after the account is created?

A: Citizens need to choose their method of notification and devices. You can select several options at once and prioritize the order for the alert notifications. Alerts may be sent by:

• Email
• Text
• Phone Call
• Devices for the Deaf such as Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD) and Teletypewriter (TTY)

Q: How many times may I register with the El Paso Emergency Alert System?

A: Citizens may register several times and enter various addresses, phone numbers and devices if needed. Citizens may register a home, business, friend and family member’s information.

Q: Who can I contact for assistance?

A: Ask a friend for help or visit these community partners for registration assistance:

• 211
• Area Agency on Aging
• DSHS-Division for Blind Services
• DSHS- Deaf / Hard of Hearing
• VOLAR
• LULAC Project Amistad

Crime Down in Central El Paso

Here's a News Release from Officer Henry Slack of Central Police Command that was sent at the end of October:

BURGLARY OF VEHICLES DOWN ACROSS THE CITY WITH CENTRAL, PEBBLE HILLS & MISSION VALLEY LEADING THE WAY

Date/Time: Saturday, October 23, 2010

Location: Various

El Paso, Texas – El Paso, an All-America City for 2010 continues to see a decrease in overall crime. Through Saturday, October 23, 2010 overall crime is still down 1%, compared to this time last year. The crime categories with the largest decreases across the city are Murders, which are down 80% (10 in 2009 compared to 2 in 2010) compared to this time last year, Burglary of Vehicle’s are down 23% (2,670 in 2009, compared to 2,049 in 2010) and Vehicle Thefts are down 14% (1,486 in 2009, compared to 1,283 in 2010).

By Police Region the Central area has a decrease in overall crime by 5%, Northeast area is down 3%, Mission Valley area has no change 0%, Pebble Hills area is up 3%, and Westside area is down 3%.

Murder is down 80% with 2 reported for 2010, Robbery is up 7%, Assaults are up 5%, Burglary down 6%, Larceny down 4%, Vehicle Thefts down 14%, and Burglary of Vehicle down 23%.

Burglary of Vehicles are down in the Central area by 33%, down in Pebble Hills by 25%, down in Mission Valley by 24%, down in Westside by 17% and down in Northeast by 11%.

Fungi Mungle to Perform Benefit Dance this Saturday

Click image to enlarge.

Newmanista, Cody Ritchey, and the rest of the Fungi Mungle band will perform a benefit dance to support 1970 Austin High School graduate, Norma Ramos, in her battle against cancer. All are invited to enjoy the group that has been voted 4 times as "Best of the Border" and 5 times as Best of the Best Award Winning Group.

The benefit dance will be this Saturday evening from 8 until midnight at the Wild Wild West Ballroom at 7141 Stiles.

Tickets are just $10 per person.

1300 Visit Ho Baron's Home on Eve of All Hallows

Not Christine O'Donnell but a happy Newmanista ready to Trick-or-Treat

Newmanistas were well visited with happy trick-or-treaters on Sunday night. Ho Baron's home with its collection of surrealistic sculptures displayed throughout the yard and gardens drew an estimated crowd of 1300 people by 9:30 when they closed-up. They gave out 60 pounds of candy. The interacting living statues were exquisitely beautiful.

A living statue of unearthly beauty performs at the home of Ho Baron

The costume detail captures the essence of the second living statue

Best animal costume or 3 for $5 hold the pickle relish?

Ho Baron to Feature Two Living Statues on Halloween

Trick-or-treaters are bound to run into this witch and ghosts this Halloween.

Newmanistas are getting ready to greet trick-or-treaters again this Halloween. Many will likely be greeted by the scarecrows and jack-o-lanterns from the very successful Pumpkin Patch last weekend.

Once again the big excitement will center around Ho Baron's home on Aurora and Piedras. Ho sent this invitation to his neighbors in the Newman Park Neighborhood Association as well as to members of the Manhattan Heights Association:

"I'll be featuring two 'living statues' to entertain at my house this Halloween ever from 6:30 to 9:30. I've had a 'living statue' in front of the house as I hand out candy for the past 4 years; and this year there will be two on stands, spot lit and interacting. The concept of 'living statues' has become common on walking streets in larger cities, but it's rare to see this 'performance art' in El Paso. You all are invited to pass by."

Last year Ho Baron had one 'living statue'. This year there will be two.

Baron's art is one of the richest treasures of the Newman Park area.

Pumpkin Patch a Smash Hit!

Jackie Friesenhahn and Bailey Chew select the perfect pumpkins

Abbie Majerczyk gets the carving going

Newmanistas and their friends had a sunny, temperate morning this past Saturday to enjoy the Pumpkin Patch. 70+ people carved and decorated pumpkins and took home beautiful wreaths and scarecrows.

Event organizer, Becky Friesenhahn, thanked her team members:

YOU ALL WERE AWESOME!!!! I am so thankful for everyone's help on Saturday! I could not have done this with all the great help and cooperation from everyone! It was fun making the scarecrows and then seeing it all come together on Saturday!

Ledger and Hudson help Mom and Dad decorate their pumpkins

Judy Gutierrez finds a beautiful wreath for her home

There were 135 pumpkins for the occasion. Now there are only 18 along with just 5 scarecrows. These are available at the Friesenhahn home (2405 Altura - look for the Chamizal-size flags). The pumpkins are just $3 each and the scarecrows are just $15 each. You don't need to ring the doorbell. Just put your cash or check in the mailbox. It's the honor system.

A few scarecrows and pumpkins still need homes for Halloween

Pumpkin Patch to Feature Scarecrows

Becky Friesenhahn and Robert Taylor present the happy bride and groom

There will be more than pumpkins to carve or decorate at this year's Newman Park Neighborhood Association's pumpkin patch. There will also be scarecrows for your yard! A number of Newmanistas have worked very hard the past two weekends to create Halloween/Autumn scarecrows that you will just love.

The pumpkin patch will be held at Newman Park this coming Saturday, October 23, beginning at 10:30. Pumpkins will be available to purchase for $3 each to carve or decorate.

Prior to the pumpkin patch, Newmanistas will have their Fall General Meeting at 10 a.m. with Judy Gutierrez and Susie Byrd. Judy's guest will be Hugo Navarro, Field Operations Supervisor with Animal Control.

The twins are looking for a loving family

Trick or treat!

Clean and Scary Fun Run Benefits Keep El Paso Beautiful

Click image to enlarge

Neighborhood Association Prepares for Pumpkin Patch

It takes team work to make the scarecrows

The Newman Park Neighborhood Association is planning much more this year for its annual Halloween celebration at Newman Park. In the past, the Association has sponsored a pumpkin carving for children of all ages. This year, in addition to carving or painting pumpkins, people will be able to purchase handcrafted scarecrows and enjoy other arts and crafts. The event will take place on Saturday, October 23, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Newman Park

Members of the Association began making scarecrows using thrift store clothing and accessories, crumpled newspaper and wooden crosses this past Saturday at the Friesenhahn home. Not all the work is done so another scarecrow-making session will take place this Saturday, October 16, from 1 to 4 also at the Friesenhahns. All are invited.

Is that Becky Friesenhahn wearing the funny mask? Robert Taylor stands by.

Just prior to the Halloween Pumpkin Patch, NPNA will hold its fall general membership meeting at 10:00. Representative Susie Byrd and her Assistant, Judy Gutierrez, will update everyone about important matters in the City of El Paso impacting Newmanistas.

Click to enlarge poster

You can view more photos at the Newman Park Neighborhood Association Facebook page.

Kiki's Machaca - the Best Thing I Ever Ate

On the corner of Piedras and Mobile, Kiki's is a part of our Newman Park neighborhood and a favorite of many Newmanistas.

Cub Scout Dinner Will Benefit Crockett Elementary

Click image to enlarge

Neighborhood Association Plans Scarecrow Sales

Becky Friesenhahn's scarecrows hope for a happy home for Halloween

This year's Newman Park Halloween event will have some added goodies: there will be scarecrows for sale along with the customary pumpkins to buy then carve or decorate or just take home.

Newman Park Neighborhood Association residents will gather at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 23, at the park for a General Meeting. Then, at 10:30 the pumpkin patch and carving will begin. Children of all ages can stick around for pumpkin carving, decorating and enjoying other festive arts and crafts.

If you would like to help make scarecrows, get in touch with Becky Friesenhahn and plan to come to her home next Saturday (October 9) from 1 to 4.

Shoppers Find Plenty of Goodies at NPNA Yard Sales

Visitors find plenty of goodies at the Wester-Perez yard sale

For the second year in a row, the Newman Park Neighborhood Association promoted the yard sales of members. Some homes even jumped in at the last moment to add to the number of opportunities people had to purchase some very special items.

Thanks go to board member, Lisa Degliantoni, who coordinated and advertised the event. Her parents visiting from California pitched in and got the word out the local businesses along Piedras. Becky Ayala is the former board member whose idea it was to hold yearly yard sales promoted by NPNA. Once again she procured advertisement for the event on the large Western Refinery I-10 digital sign.

Lisa Degliantoni and sons, Louie and Miles, at their yard sale

Hannah Hollandbyrd offers a map to the yard sales while Sally Sauli gives a friendly welcome

Big thanks go to Hannah Hollandbyrd and Sally Sauli who passed out water and maps to the yard sales to interested visitors and shoppers.

Neighborhood Yard Sale Tomorrow Morning

The Estrada children helped Mom and Dad with their 2009 yard sale

The Newman Park Neighborhood Association’s

NEIGHBORHOOD YARD SALE

SATURDAY, September 25

6 a.m. - noon

Visit our booth at Newman Park on the Southwest corner and pick up a free bottle of water and a map of the yard sales in the neighborhood.

We invite you to shop around our beautiful neighborhood:

2731 Altura

2808 Aurora

2606 Frankfort

2631 Altura

2415 Frankfort

2809 Richmond

2715 Savannah

2820 Richmond

2528 Louisville

2416 Savannah

2627 Louisville

Mayfield Wildscape Feathered Friends

"Mom and Pop" Gambel's Quail at Mayfield Wildscape

The "Youngster"

Donna Stephens described the following experience as "just another beautiful part of our neighborhood":

"Wednesday morning while driving the rolling hills of the Newmanista Vista Bonita, I had to come to a quick stop as these quail were walking across the street heading for the shelter of the cactus and it's red fruit. I sat for several minutes watching the lead bird guide the youngster as they picked at the cactus fruit and climbed to the top of the wildscape towards Mayfield. I drove up the hill and there that little fellow stood tall and proud on the curb. I was able to get off a couple of shots before they all flew off. It seemed there were several of them hiding. I was too slow and missed the flight of the quail."

For more information about Gambel's Quail including their bird call, go here.

Wester-Perez Work To Be on Display at Artistic Celebration of Our Mountains

Newmanista Susan Wester-Perez gazes at a work-in-progress

Newman Park's very own, Susan Wester-Perez, will be one of the local artists whose work will be on display at tomorrow night's Artistic Celebration of Our Mountains. The art exhibit has traditionally been the opening reception for the annual Celebration of Our Mountains , a series of events meant to encourage appreciation of the El Paso region's environment.

Although painting since she was 7-years-old, Susan only began to exhibit her work since 2007. A scion of generations of artists, Susan prefers water colors since, she says, "I'm not one for preparation."

"One just needs some cups of water and cans of paint and is ready to go. Who knows how long the Muse will be there," she told me.

Our Lady of Guadalupe on Alabama is the subject of this ornament

Influenced by O'Keefe, Matisse, Van Gogh and others, Susan's works have a dreamy quality of magical realism. She is inspired by the old missions, mountains and natural life of our region. Recently Susan left full-time work in the book retail industry (she was a manager with Barnes and Noble) and now works for a company that discounts textbooks. The work there is intensive for just a season which means that she now has far more time to devote to her painting year-round.

The Artistic Celebration of Our Mountains will be held at Ardovino's Desert Crossing from 6 until 9 p.m. tomorrow, Thursday, September 23rd. Savor the delicious Ardovino hors d'oeuvres. A cash bar will be available.

Plan now to see more of Susan's work at this year's Chalk the Block. For more information about Susan Wester-Perez, visit www.susanwesterperez.com.

Union Plaza by Susan Wester-Perez

Second Annual Neighborhood Yard Sale

Shoppers check out merchandise at Robert and Tony's 2009 yard sale

You are invited to the Newman Park Neighborhood Association's second annual Neighborhood Yard Sale this Saturday, Sept. 25 from 6 a.m. to Noon. Pick up your map and a bottle of water at the Southeast corner of Newman Park and shop your way around the neighborhood at the following locations:

2606 Frankfort

2415 Frankfort

2416 Savannah

2715 Savannah

2631 Altura

2731 Altura

2501 Richmond

2531 Richmond

2809 Richmond

2820 Richmond

2528 Louisville

2808 Aurora

Want to participate and have a yard sale? Email Lisa D. at ldcanytx@gmail.com and we'll put you on the map.

Dave Ford Hits the Road Again for Art

Pencil-tipped water bottles

Newmanista and visual artist, Dave Ford, is ready to hit the road again. You will recall that Dave recently created a series of subway drawings in New York City. Now he is preparing to create a truck drawing, using the movement of a truck to create a 12’x 7’ drawing using pencil-tipped water bottles suspended over paper in the back of a moving truck. Ford will drive from El Paso to Grand Rapids - more than 1,600 miles. In the back of the truck, movement and time will create the truck drawing.

Dave Ford invites Newman Park Neighborhood residents to an open house/studio this Thursday, Sept. 16^th, from 6 p.m. on as he prepares a Truck Drawing for competition in Arptrize 2010.

ArtPrize is a radically open competition. Open to any artist in the world who can find space. Open to anybody in Grand Rapids, Michigan who wants to create a venue. Open to a vote from anyone who attends. For more information visit www.artprize.org.

Info: Sept. 16^th, 2808 Aurora Ave., between Piedras and Elm. 6 p.m. – midnight.

For more information on Ford’s work visit www.fordart.com.

Crime Is Down in Central El Paso

Officer Henry Stack just sent these statistics. Looks like crime in the central El Paso is really down in 2010 from 2009 especially burglaries.

Central
Offense	2009	2010	% Change
Murder	1	1	0%
Sexual Aslt	30	29	-3%
Robbery	107	101	-6%
Aslt	1,610	1,506	-6%
Burglary	269	223	-17%
Larceny	1,763	1,662	-6%
Veh Theft	293	295	1%
*Burg Vehicle	414	273	-34%
Total:	4,073	3,817	-6%

*Burglary of Vehicle included in the "Total" (As a component of Larceny)

UCR Guidelines implemented to measure crime

What's Going on with Scenic Drive and Wheeling?

The result of a head-on with a car coming off of Scenic even with the extended "slowing" curb

You will recall that there has been some talk about closing the intersection at Wheeling and Scenic Drive. At issue is the fact observed by neighbors that too many cars too often speed down Wheeling from Scenic. An extended curb was created some time ago in an attempt to slow traffic turning off of Scenic onto Wheeling. Hector Montes reports with analysis on what happened at the most recent meeting about the issue:

"I did attend the meeting with Rep. Susie Byrd. Rep. Ann Lilly was also present. The latest plan is to put 'no right turn' signs on Scenic to prevent cars from turning and speeding down Wheeling. Traffic would still be able to go up Wheeling and turn right or left on Scenic. However, Wheeling would remain two-way and there would be no barrier which would actually prevent anyone on Scenic from turning right. It appeared most people present were okay with the plan, but after thinking it over, I'm concerned that because there will be no barrier, and probably little enforcement, the city may once again be taking one dangerous situation and turning it into another. With no one watching, many people familiar with the turn, and particularly joy-riders, will probably ignore the signs and continue to turn and speed down the hill. The danger of head-on collisions will remain, especially because those going up will not be expecting anyone to turn down. With a barrier, I'm sure very few would be willing to turn into the opposite lane.

In addition, there is no plan to correct the curb on the right side corner going up Wheeling, which causes vehicles that turn right onto Scenic to go into the oncoming lane. Many people I know who are familiar with this turn, including police officers, have commented that it is very dangerous, especially when cars suddenly come racing around the mountain going west just as you are turning. Ted Marquez, the engineer from the city, said there is no budget to correct this curb he designed, and both he and Susie said there is no budget to put up a barrier that will actually prevent the right turn going down Wheeling."

One suggestion by neighbors continues to be ignored by the City's traffic engineers: Create a three way stop at Dakota and Wheeling - one block down from Scenic. Engineers have their rules and formulas and they claim that no stop sign is required at that intersection. One person attending the meeting told me that Mr. Marquez was adamant about not having a stop sign or stop signs no matter what anecdotes people who live nearby can offer. The issue is not so much slowing the traffic coming off of Scenic (although that may be part of the solution), the issue is stopping cars from speeding down the street. A stop sign at Dakota and Wheeling would be a cheap and easy answer. There is common sense and then there are engineer's formulas.

Similarly, Newmanistas along Richmond have often asked for a four way stop at Richmond and Louisiana just as there is at Altura and Louisiana. Again, engineering says that there are no grounds for such a four-way stop and point to measurements that they have made. (I've seen those measurements. They are usually taken for just a few hours of a day and not during the busiest times.)

Keep in mind that any reduction or cessation of traffic off of Scenic onto Wheeling will mean added traffic onto Richmond past Newman Park. Engineering has measured traffic going between an average of 32 and 34 mph past the Park. Does any sane person believe that 34 mph past a busy park is safe? That's just too fast - but so far, since there have been no mangled cars or dead people, things will remain dangerously the same.

Report Graffiti

Click to enlarge campaign poster

Certainly graffiti is nothing new to the Newman Park area. Every now and then gangs from north and south of our neighborhood use alley walls, signs, utility boxes and garage doors in our area in their "tagging wars".

Now the City of El Paso has launched a new program to reduce and eradicate this form of vandalism. Here is the press release:

The City of El Paso has launched a new public outreach campaign, “Make a Difference – Report Graffiti.”

The campaign helps residents and businesses recognize the toll that graffiti takes on the community and offers an opportunity to take action. Graffiti vandalism is a community issue and not just a law enforcement one. The new campaign strives to engage citizens, businesses and the media into helping to abate graffiti by reporting it or removing as soon as it is discovered.

Educational materials regarding this public outreach campaign are available online at www.elpasotexas.gov/graffiti/. Please share the information with your organization.

Residents may request graffiti removal by contacting the City’s Department of Transportation Anti-Graffiti Program at (915) 621-6789. The City does not charge for this service. Priority is given to graffiti noticeable from the street. Graffiti in progress should be reported to the El Paso Police Department at 9-1-1.