Recycling Cardboard Boxes

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Thoughtlessness

The shape of someone's hibachi has been burned into the grass at Newman Park.

Recently there have been two instances of the consequences of hibachi use on the grass in Newman Park. The most recent and egregious happened this past Labor Day weekend. You can see the result in the picture above.

Nothing is mentioned about hibachi use under park rules for the City of El Paso. The Director of Parks and Recreation, Nanette Smejkal, says that bringing grills to the parks is not prohibited. "Prohibitions are determined by City Council and set forth in Code 13.24."

You would think that common sense would tell anyone to use hibachis or other grills only in the concrete areas – not on the grass!

Ellen Smyth: Portrait of Caring and Service

Ellen Smyth speaks at Rep. Susie Byrd's monthly breakfast.

Ellen Smyth listens and takes notes. She doesn't get defensive when someone mentions a concern nor does she try to explain away a problem. She takes notes. Literally. That's what she was doing at the most recent breakfast meeting hosted by Rep. Susie Byrd. As Director of the City's Environmental Services, she didn't just come to tell about the new jobs her department was taking on. She came to listen.

Beginning this month, Environmental Services adds Animal Services to its existing divisions which include air monitoring, recycling, sustainability, landfills, code enforcement, building inspections and more. Environmental Services does everything from vector control to tattoo parlor inspections to monitoring air for biochemicals and other potentially lethal hazards as part of the City's responsibilities to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Ms. Smyth handed out the brochure Know What to Throw and discussed the City's recycling program. Although glass and grass are not yet recyclable, Environmental Services will be taking the first steps toward composting by purchasing a chipper. She hailed the success of the curbside recycling program. Prior to the program only about 10% of the City's trash was diverted to recycling - now it is 18% and growing. Attendees of the breakfast asked questions about flow control which has been postponed until 2014. Ellen mentioned that Ft. Bliss wants City trash as part of its goal to have all of its power come from renewable resources.

People voiced some concerns and mentioned some problems. Ms. Smyth took notes and wrote down locations. She's a problem-solver not a justifier - a breath of fresh air when too often some in governmental services can't be bothered by the people they serve.

For more information, visit www.recycleelpaso.org and the Environmental Services web page.

Learn How to Make El Paso a Safer Place to Live

Click on image to enlarge.

Don't Be Conned

Here's a message from Officer Henry Slack:

Greetings,

If it’s too good to be true, most likely it is. If it’s too sad to be true, it usually is.

Folks be weary of con-artists. They prey on our human instincts to be good and try to help our fellow man. Most recently in the area of Manhattan Heights (Memorial Park area) a group of con-artists attempted to separate good people from their money. Here is the con: your door bell rings and a well-groomed, polite young man is at your door. He tells you that his grandmother has locked her self out, and neither her or him have cash to pay for a locksmith. He mentions some of your neighbors' last names (probably through mail rummaging), and how they gave him a few dollars, and that he is ten dollars short. (Some good people gave into his con and gave him some money!)

Things to do:

• Tell the person that you belong to a Neighborhood Association/Watch and that you WILL call police, to further assist him/them.

• Take notes, jot down a good description - head to toe.

• See where he/they go next. Is a vehicle being used? Get a description of that vehicle.

• Tell them you don’t trust anyone ask to see an ID.

Start a Neighborhood Watch!

Not to do:

• Open your door.

• Give them your information.

• Give them your hard earned money.

• Give them a ride.

• Provide any other information about yourself or neighbor.

There are many cons out there. All prey on our basic instinct to help.

Stay safe.

Officer H. Slack #2106, CPO

314 S. Leon

915-838-8013

Also, there have been reports about people coming to the door in the wee hours of the morning: 1 a.m., 2 a.m. Don't open the door. Call the police.

Fighting Itzcuintlis and the El Paso Muesum of Archaeology

It's easy to see how the greatest neighborhood association can get a big fat head especially after their triumph at this year's Park Olympics. But a little humility is good for the soul and the Fighting Chihuahuas should take note. In an effort to help keep things in perspective, consider where the Chihuahua comes from. Behold the Esquintle (Itzcuintli in Nahuatl):

Display at the El Paso Museum of Archaeology. Click image to enlarge.

As the sign says, although the Itzcuintli is the ancestor of the Chihuahua, it is now the term for "unruly, rude children". Something to keep in mind. Apparently "it" is on the Aztec calendar as well.

The picture above is from a display at the El Paso Museum of Archaeology - a great place for young and old and for all of us to discover more about our roots as El Pasoans and, indeed, children of the Chihuahuan Desert.

This Saturday, August 27 at 2:00, you and your friends and family can learn more about the Manso, Suma, Piro and Tigua Indians. Here is the press release:

Miguel Pedraza, Tribal Governor at Ysleta del Sur Mission, c. 1971, photo courtesy of Nicholas P. Houser

Zip Tour of the exhibit

Settlement Legacy: Native Americans of the Pass of the North

August 27, 2011, 2:00 pm, Free Admission

Please join Curator of Education Marilyn Guida for a brief free Zip Tour of the exhibit, Settlement Legacy: Native Americans of the Pass of the North at 2:00 pm on Saturday, August 27, 2011 at the El Paso Museum of Archaeology. This tour introduces the exhibit to the public through a casual conversation during which those attending may ask questions and share their knowledge.

The exhibit tells the dramatic story of the foundation of today’s El Paso-Ciudad Juárez region which originates with the Manso, Suma, Piro, and Tigua Indians who, over four centuries ago, founded the missions and pueblos that evolved into our sister cities.

The exhibit was created by Guest Curator Nicholas P. Houser, who has conducted historical research for the Tigua Indians, created exhibits for museums and cultural centers, and has worked with over 36 Native American communities in the American Southwest and Latin America.

Information: 915-755-4332; guidamr@elpasotexas.gov; www.elpasotexas.gov/arch_museum/

The museum is closed on Mondays but open from Tuesday through Saturday from 9 until 5 and on Sundays from Noon until 5. (Perfect trip after doing Scenic Sunday.) You can find directions, here.

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!!!"