Carving Out a Niche: NPNA Offers Wholesome Family Halloween Event

Santiago Dominguez carefully carves his Jack-o-Lantern

Comments from friends and neighbors and even passer-bys were all pretty much the same: "It's great," they all agreed, "that there is a group that still puts on wholesome activities for kids and families at Halloween." The Newman Park Neighborhood Association annual pumpkin carving is just that: wholesome . . . and fun. "Thanks for doing this year after year," said more than one parent.

Many people just dropped by to purchase pumpkins. Others stayed to carve with their children. Many of the scarecrows were sold before the event and now there are 4 left. "The scary ones got purchased," Robert Taylor said. He and Catherine Bachtold and Sally Sauli got together to make scarecrows this year. The 4 left will make great fall and Thanksgiving yard decorations. Just contact Treasurer Robert Taylor to purchase your Autumn/Thanksgiving yard scarecrow decoration.

Perfect Autumn/Thanksgiving yard decorations

Also on sale were Fighting Chihuahua T-Shirts. Someone purchased a T-Shirt to send to a sister in Chicago. She's a Chihuahua lover - God bless her. Her Chihuahua was entered into a dog race along with the likes of Great Danes. Who won? Her fighting Chihuahua!

Nellie Avalos answers a question about Code Compliance as Cynthia Gonzalez of Environmental Services listens.

The carving followed a short but well-attended Association General meeting. Cynthia Gonzalez and Nellie Avalos from the City discussed Code Compliance issues with twenty-five members of the Association.

Get Your Fighting Chihuahua T-Shirt While Supplies Last

Fighting Chihuahua T-Shirts will be on sale this Saturday (October 22) during the pumpkin carving from 10 to Noon at Newman Park. Some shirts have a full front design with or without the zip code on the back of the shirt. Others have a simple chest plate design - again with or without the zip code. Shirts are $10 each. You can purchase one at the park or use the simple gold PayPal Donate button at the top of the right hand column of this blog. Just put your order specifics in the "Purpose" field. (For example, 1-Large Children's Full Front No Zip Code)

You are looking at the perfect stocking stuffer so get one while supplies last.

The T-Shirts currently in our inventory:

Children's Full Front Design

Large 4 no zip code

Medium 1 with 79930

Medium 1 no zip code

Small 4 no zip code

Adult Full Front Design

Medium 2 no zip code

Medium 1 with 79930

Large 1 with 79930

Large 2 no zip code

X-Large 4 no zip code

Adult Chest Plate Design

Large 2 no zip code

X-Large 3 no zip code

X-Large 1 with 79930

Scarecrows Seek Homes for Halloween

"Roy Rogers" and "Dale Evans" are looking for a home for Halloween.

NPNA Board members were busy on Saturday making scarecrows to sell at this year's pumpkin carving. That event will take place this Saturday (October 29th) from 10 until Noon at the playground of Newman Park. Pumpkins are $3. Fighting Chihuahua T-Shirts as well as scarecrows will be on sale.

Board members Robert Taylor, Catherine Bachtold and Sally Sauli carefully select

the right costume for each scarecrow.

Tony Duran shows off a very fashionably dressed scarecrow.

General Meeting and Pumpkin Carving

Click to enlarge.

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

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.

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.

Living Statue Is the Hit of Halloween

Living statue "welcomes" Trick-or-Treaters to Ho Baron's Home

With its surrealistic statues keeping watch over the corner of Piedras and Aurora, the home of sculptor Ho Baron is the favorite of trick-or-treaters each year. Ho estimates that nearly 1,000 people visited his house this year for Halloween. The visitors were greeted by a living statue, Eric Myers, a mime from the El Paso theater group, KIDS-N-CO. Eric worked on his costume for days and then "performed" on Halloween night for 2-1/2 hours.

Ho told me that the "living statue concept is known in larger cities but, as far as I know, new to EP." Indeed, there is an annual competition in the Netherlands and an amateur group in Laguna Beach, California entertains people during the city's Festival of the Arts. The Living Statue Company in the UK performs at all events: weddings, parties and corporate events.

Paul Wegener's living statue in his classic German Expressionist 1920 silent movie, Der Golem, still arouses awe and fear.

Newmanistas Prepare for Halloween

Ghosts haunt the Milazzo's home on Altura

Newman Park Neighborhood Association Vice-President, Becky Friesenhahn, is getting ready to pick-up 80 pumpkins for tomorrow afternoon's pumpkin carving at Newman Park from 3 to 5 p.m. Board member, Rebecca Ayala, is gathering paint brushes. All kids 17 and under will be able to carve or paint funny or scary faces.

A mysterious creature awaits trick-or-treaters at 2830 Aurora

For the fourth year in a row, surreal sculptor, Ho Baron, plans to have a living statue (a stationary mime) to greet trick-or-treaters tomorrow night from 7 to 9 p.m. Mr. Baron's tribal and surreal, cosmic and baroque sculptures at 2830 Aurora are always evocative of the magic of Halloween. Each Halloween, Ho's home attracts over 500 kids.

A ghastly scene is sure to scare visitors to 2814 Frankfort

Spooky castle at 2535 Savannah

Annual Pumpkin Carving on Saturday

Be sure to come to Newman Park for the pumpkin carving at 3 pm. First come, first served. And wear your costume, if you like. We'd love to see what everyone is wearing.

The El Paso Police Department would also like everyone to have a very happy and safe Halloween. To ensure this, they are reminding El Pasoans of some very important safety information. On Halloween, there will be many young children in and around the roadways. Dark costumes, dark streets, and motorists pose the greatest risk to trick-or-treaters. The following are some tips that can help ensure a safe and enjoyable Halloween for everyone.

1. Parents should accompany their children at all times. Do not leave your children unattended or unsupervised, especially younger children.

2. Children should wear costumes that are visible in the dark. Light colored costumes are preferable but if the costume is dark, some kind of reflective material or tape should be used.

3. Carry some form of light, preferably a flashlight.

4. Check your children’s candy before they eat it. Watch out for candy that appears to have been tampered with and be aware of any home made or unpacked treats.

5. Watch for traffic. Do not let your children run in and out of the street, keep them on the sidewalks.

6. If you're driving, watch out for children darting into traffic. Slow down especially in residential areas. Drive with extreme caution, because dark costumes may be very hard to see.

7. Respect those who do not wish to participate. If the front porch light is off, chances are they are not giving out candy.

8. Have children stay within the neighborhood, only visiting homes you know.

Parents should also remember that there are many other safe alternatives such as organized Halloween parties and Haunted Houses, many of which are sponsored by local schools, churches, businesses or other organizations. Find out about these activities and keep them in mind as a better and safer alternative.

Have a great Halloween and see you at Newman Park at 3 pm!

Newman Park Neighborhood Association September Board Minutes

Minutes for Newman Park Neighborhood Association Board Meeting, September 26, 2008 at Cinco Puntos Press, 701 Texas Avenue, El Paso, TX.

In attendance: Becky Ayala, Lee Byrd, Lynn Coyle, Lisa Degliantoni, Abbie Majerczyk and Jim Tolbert.

President Lynn Coyle called the meeting to order at 8:15 a.m.

Minutes of August 23, 2008 meeting were approved.

Treasurer Lee Byrd reported that we have $1095.37 in the bank of which $400 is dedicated for bench memorials. We received $500 for the Romance Latino event from the City. Our expenses for that event were $363. So we netted $137.

Board members gave feedback about the Romance Latino event attended by 230 people. Reasons given for success included getting flyers out early, pitching the event in email, having an event that attracted more families.

The Board next discussed its participation in Pride Day on October 18th beginning at 8 a.m. Lisa said that she would ask for flyers and a dumpster for the event. Lisa will also make copies of the flyer and get to distributors. Jim will talk to the President of the Rim Area Neighborhood Association, Richard Teschner, about working together to pick-up trash along Scenic Drive. The following is our calendar for the publicity for this event:

October 10 (or prior) Electronic file of Pride Day flyer to me
October 11 Hard copies of Pride Day Flyers to board members/distributors
October 18 Pride Day

There was considerable excitement when discussing the Halloween event on October 25th beginning at 4 p.m. Becky F. has volunteered to get the pumpkins again this year. Abbie and Lisa said that they would get some kits for doing face painting. Becky A. and Lisa will bring extra tables. Abbie will bring buckets and Becky A. will bring soap for washing up. Lynn and Abbie will bring some things for collecting seeds, etc. Lee will see if Bobby Byrd will read a scary story or two. We will not encourage kids to come in costume this year. As we did last year, we will promote safe trick-or-treating in the neighborhood by asking people to keep their lights turned on. Lee agreed to prepare the Halloween flyer. We will ask Sergio if he will prepare the Spanish version for this flyer. Lee will copy flyers and get to all distributors. The following is our calendar for the publicity for this event:

October 16 Deadline to complete bilingual Halloween Event flyer
October 17 (or prior) Electronic file of Halloween Event flyer to me
October 18 Hard copies of Halloween Event flyer to board members/distributors
October 25 Halloween event

The Board began discussing CDBG grants for the neighborhood. The deadline for application is in November. Different ideas for the grant were discussed: new playground equipment, a basketball court, or a natural (e.g., Texas Sage) border along Alabama. Lynn suggested that we discuss these ideas via email.

There will be a community meeting on September 30 at 6 p.m. at the Memorial Garden Center, 3105 Grant. to discuss the Wheeling Street changes and the impact of those changes on traffic on Richmond and Louisville.

Jim will follow-up with Richard Garcia about the status of new swings for the Park.

The McKee Mansion (2630 Richmond) will be auctioned off by the Trustee at the County Courthouse on October 7 at 10 am.

Meeting was adjourned a few minutes past 9 a.m.