Christmas Tree Lights Up at San Jacinto Plaza Saturday

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Parade Route

Newmanista to Be Sworn in as Federal Magistrate Judge

Soon to be U.S. Magistrate Judge, Mike Torres (far right) plays with the Big Easy at the 2011 Newman Park Neighborhood Association Annual Meeting.

U.S. District Judge Phil Martinez announced that Newmanista Mike Torres has been named a U.S. Magistrate Judge and will replace retiring Judge Richard Mesa. Mike will be sworn in in late December and begin January 1. (Read the El Paso Times story.)

Learn more about a Magistrate Judge.

Newman Park neighbors knew Mike best as a guitar player with the Big Easy, a band that has often played for Newman Park Neighborhood Association annual meetings. Mike left the band a few months ago but the band is still going.

You can read Judge Torres' resume online and learn the depth of his activities and accomplishments. This Newmanista is perfect for the job to which he has just been appointed.

Congratulations Judge Mike Torres!

Emily Davis Wows Crowd at Joe Vinny and Bronsons

Picture courtesy of Paul Tolbert

Last Friday Joe Vinny and Bronsons Bohemian Cafe had a crowded house with premier singer/songwriter, Emily Davis performing.

Emily Davis. Picture courtesy of Paul Tolbert

JVB continues its Thursday night acoustic series in December including a return of Emily on December 13.

Here's just a teaser for Christina Velia on the 20th:

This Year Purchase a Live Tree

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It's time again to order your Living Christmas Tree. Pearson Tree Farm makes it so easy to order and deliver; and then, after the holidays, to add your tree to your landscape or donate it to the City. Either way the hardy, fast-growing Mondale pine will help increase our City's canopy.

Little Free Library Dedicated at Newman Park

Video courtesy of Juan Garza

The Newman Park Neighborhood Association dedicated their Little Free Library yesterday at Newman Park. Newman Park is the first City of El Paso park to host one of these "birdhouse" libraries. Speakers at the event included City Parks and Recreation Director, Nanette Smejkal, Zavala Elementary School librarian, Lisa Lopez who has spearheaded the LFL movement in El Paso, Bob Bonner of the Woodworkers Club of El Paso and Bobby Byrd of Cinco Puntos Press. Rather than cutting a ribbon, the Little Free Library was commissioned and blessed when Hannah Hollandbyrd placed her donation of books into the little box.

After the ceremony, Tres Leches cake from Bowie Bakery and Chai Tea Latte from Joe Vinny and Bronsons was served.

The LFL belongs to everybody - neighbors, friends, and people we don't even know yet.  Anyone can use it. That's why we want to take care of it.  Everyone who uses the LFL can help by keeping the collection stocked with good reading material. 

People are encouraged to take a book. They are also asked to return the book to any Little Library or pass it on to a friend. Most of all, people are encouraged to give a book - to the LFL and to other libraries. Leave a note in the book and your name if you wish. 

The Little Free Library organization supports "reading for children, literacy for adults, and libraries around the world."

Celebration of Lights December 1

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Coyote on Scenic

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Our good friend, Hector Montes, shared this photo on Facebook. He wrote:

"On the way home after "The Show" with Hector & Abel on Talk Radio 1150,I spotted this coyote on Scenic Drive. I've seen a lof of wildlife on the mountain and on Scenic, but this is the first coyote. He crossed in front of me and jumped over the wall and went down the hill. Then he came back up, crossed Scenic again, and almost got hit by a car before going back up the mountain by the police academy. Neighbors should keep an eye on their cats and small dogs, as they can make a tasty meal for a coyote."

When I was growing up here in the hood, packs of coyotes routinely howled at night. However, I do not hear them any longer. On the other hand, friends near the Palisades or at the end of Stanton on the other side of the mountain hear and see coyotes almost daily. 

Little Free Library Dedication Monday 11-19 at 4:30 p.m.

Our Little Free Library is installed at Newman Park. Plan to make the dedication next Monday afternoon. Here are the details:

What:                    Little Free Library Dedication

Where:                 Newman Park playground area, Altura and Louisiana (Map)

When:                  Monday, November 19, 2012, 4:30 – 5:00 p.m.

Special Guests: Meet Lisa Lopez, the librarian who brought LFLs to El Paso, Nanette Smeykal, Director of Parks and Recreation, members of the Woodworkers Club of El Paso

Food:                    Cake, warm Chai Tea

In case you missed it, Newmanista and NPNA Board Member, Lisa Garibay, was featured in the El Paso Times Living section this past week. For a long time El Pasoans have watched a “brain drain” – people who grew up here but then left after high school or college for better opportunities. “Now, a growing number of young, professional El Pasoans are coming home and using their experience gained elsewhere to contribute to improving the border city.” Read Lisa’s story in Homecomings: Publicist found plenty going on in El Paso.  Lisa has been a big help to our Association especially with our Facebook page. She helped make the Little Free Library a reality and is helping to maintain it.

Make Acoustic Thursday Nights at Joe Vinny and Bronson’s, 824 N. Piedras a weekly routine. This Thursday, November 15, come listen to Selina Nevarez & the Soul Project at 8 p.m.  (YouTube Video) There’s some really great musical talent in El Paso and the Estradas have ‘em booked each Thursday night at 8 p.m.  I’m especially looking forward to my favorite, Emily Davis, on November 23^rd.  Kiko Rodriguez from Frontier Bugalu and Fuga will be playing Saturday night at 9:30 p.m. No cover charge!

Stars, music, hot chocolate and more. Make reservations now for “Melodies under the Milky Way” at the Tom Mays Unit of the FMSP this Saturday beginning at 4:30 p.m. See details.

Many of you asked so you need to know: Lambert found a home.  And so did the poodle thanks to Ace Detective Pat Dalbin. When asked how she found the owner, Detective Dalbin responded: “Well since he had been recently groomed I took him to the closest groomer Petvorous and he said he did the dog on the 2nd and looked up the owner.  He called and sure enough he was missing so they are now reunited!” Move over Ace Ventura! BTW, Newmanista Pat is the Public Art Program Coordinator for the City of El Paso.

Finally, congratulations to the Austin High Panther football team on winning back the coveted claw in their annual homecoming match-up against El Paso High School.

Vaya con Dios!

¡Hola Vecinos!© is an emailed newsletter for the people and businesses in the Newman Park neighborhood of El Paso, their friends and other interested persons. It is written and published by Jim Tolbert who takes sole responsibility for the content of the letter. To subscribe or unsubscribe, just reply to this letter or email jimhtolbert@elp.rr.com.

Please visit www.newmanpark.blogspot.com and www.elpasonaturally.blogspot.com.

The mission of the Newman Park Neighborhood Association is to improve the quality of life in the Newman Park neighborhood through care and attention to the park and surrounding areas, and to build a community network of care, watchfulness and concern for each other and our beautiful desert environment.

This is Volume 7 and Number 35 published on November 13, 2012

Lambert Found a Home!

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After 3 long years, adorable Lambert has a new home. You will recall that Park Ranger, Adrianna Weickhardt, organized an event at the State Park co-sponsored by Animal Rescue: Happy Tails n' Happy Trails. The headliner, was cute little, Lambert. Adrianna wrote: 

"11 dogs including Lambert were being shown. All but 1 dog got adopted and Lambert got a home after more than 3 years! We had about 50 participants and about the same number of dogs. It was great to see so many dog lovers and sweet pups, with barking dogs left and right, waggin' tails, belly scratches, and a great hike down the Lower Sunset Trail. This is sure to be the first of more Happy Tails n' Happy Trails hikes!"

Take a Book; Return a Book

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The Little Free Library is now a part of Newman Park. Without any instruction or notice, people have already begun leaving books and following the simple guide: "Take a Book; Return a Book".

Comments about the Little Free Library have begun popping on Facebook:

Lisa Garibay wrote: "Newman Park is a literacy pioneer! We are the first city park to sport a 'Little Free Library' with the help of the Woodworkers of El Paso, the Parks & Recreation Department, Cinco Puntos Press and many more. A variety of books are already stocking the library; feel free to stop by any time and borrow or leave a book of your own!"

The Newman Park LFL was donated by Cinco Puntos Press. Renowned El Paso artist, Luis Villegas, chose the colors. Zavala Elementary Librarian, Lisa Lopez,  has been the pioneer and promoter of LFLs in El Paso.

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There will be a dedication of another LFL this coming Tuesday, November 13th, at 10 a.m. by the City's Health Department at the WIC Pershing Center, 3707 Pershing Drive.  

Plans for a dedication at Newman Park are now being made.

You can get more information about this worldwide literacy movement by going to the Little Free Library site.

Fall Food Drive with the Great Music of Slackabilly!

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Music by Slackabilly! You can't beat it!!!  I've always liked their Stray Cat Strut.