Fighting Chihuahuas Get the Gold!

Paco Dominguez slam dunks another point for the Fighting Chihuahuas.

The Fighting Chihuahuas of the Newman Park Neighborhood Association took the "gold" trophy at the Second Annual Park Olympics. Competing against four other neighborhood associations (Manhattan Heights, Kern Place, Mission Hills and Rim Road) the Chihuahuas swept all of the volleyball and tug-of-war contests and did well in enough of the other contests to be certified the victors by an unbiased group of judges from the University of Texas at El Paso. The final point tally was Newman Park-24, Mission Hills-19 and Kern Place-14.

When asked why Newman Park easily won the day, tug-of-war captain and volleyball sensation, Paco Dominguez, responded: "We won because we were the better nourished team. After all, we have Papaburgers, Kiki's and the House of Pizza."

Robert Taylor, Becky Friesenhahn, Jim Tolbert

At the end of the contest, Becky Friesenhahn, the head of the Olympics Committee, presented the trophy to Jim Tolbert, President of the Newman Park Neighborhood Association. Tolbert along with NPNA Treasurer, Robert Taylor, then presented Becky with gifts thanking her for her dedicated work as Vice-President of the Association for 4 years and tireless organizer of many of the organization's other events including the Park Olympics.

Radio La Chusma

The very popular Radio La Chusma closed out the day with their great style of music as people from all five Associations enjoyed grilled hamburgers and hot dogs provided by Representative Susie Byrd's office.

Commenting on the success of the event, Becky Friesenhahn said: "Once again, Newman rocked the house!!!"

Get Ready for the Park Olympics

Get ready for the Second Annual Park Olympics! This year your Newman Park Neighborhood Association is sponsoring the Olympics at Newman Park on August 20^th beginning at 4 p.m.

Four other neighborhood associations will futilely take on the Fighting Chihuahuas of Newman Park. They are: Manhattan Heights, Rim Road, Mission Hills and Kern Place Neighborhood Associations.

There will be games for everyone. Points will be awarded to 1st, 2^nd and 3^rd place winners. The Neighborhood Association with the most points accumulated at the end of the evening will take home the traveling trophy. Games for points will include Volleyball, Tug-of-War, 3-Legged Race and a Sack Race for adults; and Tug-of-War, 3-Legged Race, Balloon Shave Cream, Sack Race and an Obstacle Course for children. There will also be plenty of games and activities just for fun including chalk art, hula hoop, piñata, Washa and Pétanque.

Plan now to participate or cheer your Fighting Chihuahuas to certain victory.

Hamburgers and hot dogs will be served at 7 p.m. Then, at 7:30 p.m., Radio La Chusma.

So make plans now. Mark your calendars. Put a big note up on the refrigerator door. Tag the Chihuahua.

In case you missed it, Newman Park surrealist sculptor, Ho Baron, was featured in an El Paso Times story about him and a lesser known artist, Hal Marcus, and their outdoor art. Really now. Can anyone even begin to compete with Ho’s yard art?

Finally, congratulations to Newmanista Willie Kucera who recently celebrated his 106^th birthday. Willie is the oldest member of the Military Order of the World Wars nationwide. The Fort Bliss Monitor Online published this story when Willie turned 105.

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 5 and Number 25 published on August 5, 2011

Concert Saturday to Benefit the Homeless

Click on image to enlarge.

Radio La Chusma and Jon Hogan headline a benefit concert right in our own backyard this Saturday evening, April 2nd. The concert will be held at the McKelligon Canyon Amphitheater.

Mayor John Cook says: "All the proceeds will go to our Feeding the Nation's Homeless Foundation and it's going to be a great concert!"

Of course, La Chusma is just warming up for their August 20th gig at Newman Park.