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."

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