Pride Day Means Roll-Off at Newman Park

EPPD Neighborhood Relations Coordinator, Leslie Canada emailed: "We are having our annual Pride Day Clean up on Saturday, Oct 12th from 7AM to 12 Noon.  A roll-off will be placed at Newman Park at Louisiana and Altura for volunteers so it can be filled with trash and debris.  

"The day before (Friday, Oct. 11th at 5:30PM)  we will have our Pride Day Kick Off BBQ at Memorial Park for volunteers to meet and greet some of the staff involved in organizing this event. Environmental Services will also hand out trash bags to those that do not receive a roll off. Hope to see you there."

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Mark your calendars: Saturday, October 12th, 7AM to Noon there will be a roll-off at Newman Park for trash and debris.

Smart Code Meeting Tonight

SMART CODE MEETING TONIGHT

Information Meeting about Smart Code sponsored by Rep. Susie Byrd's office

Where: Sunset High School (formerly Houston School) Auditorium

When: Thursday, May 9, 2013

Time: 6:00 pm

Five Points Smart Growth Presentation

New Sign Finished!

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Finishing Touches

Our Newman Park sign just needs the lettering now. This picture was taken on Saturday, December 22, 2012. Click image to enlarge.

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

Pumpkin Carving and Mariachi Music

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New Slide Completes Work on Playground Repairs

Newman Park now has a new slide. You may remember that two of the slides had to be removed because of damage. (A third one was subsequently removed and replaced along with one other almost immediately after the damage was discovered.) Finding a replacement for the spiral slide was not easy.

This particular playground system, the spiral slide and associated parts are no longer made because of its age. The The City's General Services Department had to find an alternative. (Machining a new part was not an option because of safety standards.)

Thanks to General Services Director, Stuart Ed, an acceptable slide and associated parts were located as well as a Certified Playground Installer since the usual contractor would not have been available until November.

Mom, Cindy Montes-Bustamante, was thrilled when she heard about the installation. "Wait until my daughter sees it this afternoon!" she exclaimed. Cindy and her daughter were instrumental in requesting that the installation of a new slide be expedited.

Little Free Library at Newman Park?

Lee Byrd discusses a Little Free Library box created at Cinco Puntos Press. Click image to enlarge.

A recent neighborhood e-letter, ¡Hola Vecinos!©, discussed the hot national trend of Little Free Library boxes that are placed in parks, at schools and in neighborhoods where people can leave a book for someone else and pick-up a book to read. 

Newman Park Neighborhood Association board member, Jim Tolbert, asked that putting a box at Newman Park be considered at the next board meeting on September 13th. Since that meeting comes after the next City Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting, Tolbert (also a member of PRAB) asked that the Parks Department approve such a box for Newman Park. Jim will relate board member responses which have all been positive so far. 

NPNA board member, Lisa Garibay, even said that she would be happy to stock the box initially with books from her own home as well as watch over it, the quality of its contents, and its overall maintenance. "I have been super excited about the Little Free Library concept for a while," Garibay said. "Let's do this!"

Others are saying "Ditto". 

Past board member and Treasurer, Lee Byrd, sent this message: "Cinco Puntos already has a free library painted and ready to go. It would be great at the park. Lisa Lopez [the local school librarian spearheading the Free Library here in El Paso  ] brought us one and we painted it bright colors but could not quite figure out where to put it."

Newman Park?

Learn more about the Little Free Library online.  Find them and like them on Facebook. 

Newman Park from the A

Click on image to enlarge. Photo taken from atop the "A" on August 26, 2012.

Three Big Issues with Newman Park

There are three important issues currently with Newman Park that you need to know about.

First, as many of you will begin noticing today, two of the four slides on the playground have been removed. This was the result of jagged holes found on the slides that could be dangerous to the children using them. A  damaged portion on a third slide was replaced with a spare part. Replacement slides have been ordered but will take up to 6 to 8 weeks to be delivered. Rep. Byrd’s office is looking to see whether there is money in the City budget for a new playground. There may not be at this time.

You may also notice that some areas of  the park turf are getting browner especially since we have all become accustomed to the lush green grass this year. The City of El Paso’s General Services Department has had to cut back on irrigation as a special request from the El Paso Water Utilities to parks, schools and Ft. Bliss. On behalf of Mr. Ed Archuleta, CEO and President of PSB/EPWU, Mr. Martin Bartlett sent Newmanistas this message:

“As temperatures rise, so does the demand for water. In a typical year, El Paso Water Utilities is able to rely on river water to help meet the increased demand. However, a lack of water in the Rio Grande in May forced EPWU to shut down treatment of river water at two of its plants and created a period of critical water conservation for customers – including city parks.

“At the request of EPWU, the City of El Paso’s General Services Department has voluntarily undertaken a city-wide, three-week reduction in irrigation of parks. Their plan includes a special focus on parks in Downtown, Central El Paso, and the Near Westside. Those parts of town typically rely most heavily on river water during the hot months. Since there has been no water in the river, that reduction has been key to helping avoid mandatory watering restrictions.

“The department has proven they are a willing partner with EPWU in conserving our natural resources and so has the Newman Park Neighborhood Association. We’re especially thankful for your support because the need to conserve will continue. While we expect to have water from Elephant Butte Lake in the river soon, it will be less than we get in a typically year. Adopting the Less is New More lifestyle isn’t just about conserving water in the short term; it’s also about living more responsibly in the Chihuahuan Desert because the less we use today, the more we’ll have tomorrow.”

Mr. Stuart Ed of our City’s General Services (the department that maintains and has been responsible for our beautiful park) explained that last week there was no irrigation, this week there will be a 75% reduction and next week a 50% reduction. In an email he wrote: “We will certainly have our crews review the watering and insure there is no permanent loss of turf.  We will keep a close eye on it.”

Do check out your water utility’s Less Is the New More program and get involved. Like and follow EPWU’s Facebook page. Finally, if you twitter and tweet, follow EPWU on Twitter.  Plan now to attend a free Rainwater Harvesting talk on Saturday, June 9 at 10 a.m. at the Museum of Archaeology. (Details)

Finally, General Services today also removed the dead Aleppo Pine on the corner of Richmond and Alabama. It was one of our larger trees that never made it back after last year’s record freeze and record heat. The good news is that we continue to get new trees in the park. Soon there will be a beautiful new Newman Park sign on that same corner where the pine was.

Remember – circle your calendars for our membership extravaganza on Saturday, June 9, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the home of Orlando and Esther Arriola, 2630 Louisville. Hamburgers, hot dogs, prizes, chalk drawing, storytelling and the magical music of Ceiba! This will be a special time for us to rub shoulders and get to know neighbors and make new friends.

Membership is just $15 per household or $50 for a business which also pays for year round business card advertising online.  A very convenient way to join or renew your membership is by going to our blog. You will see a yellow DONATE button in the upper right hand corner. Click on it and you will be directed to our secure PayPal location. Just put “membership” in the purpose field and fill out the rest of the form. You can also mail a check made out to NPNA to Robert Taylor, 2809 Richmond Avenue, El Paso, TX 79930.

Finally, what happens at our parks, recreational and senior centers are important to all of us. Mark your calendars for important meetings regarding updating the City’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan.

History of Newman Park

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History of Newman Park 

By Cindy Milazzo

This is a short history of the developers of the Highland Park subdivision, Newman Park, and when the houses in the immediate area of the park were built.

The Highland Park subdivision was built by one of El Paso’s pioneers, Ezekiel “Zeke” S. Newman who brought his family to El Paso around 1882. He founded Newman Investment, a real estate company that later included his son, Charles M. Newman, and son-in-law, C. J. Mapel. Around 1900, Newman Investment began to develop the Highland Park area, which included around 140 blocks.

An early map of Highland Park shows the city limits at Savannah and Louisiana and a streetcar line the follows roughly the same route as the Highland Park bus today.

In 1907, Zeke Newman built a house as a wedding present for his daughter and son-in-law, Myra and C. J. Mapel, at 2631 New Orleans (Today this is the house at the NW corner of Altura and Louisiana. New Orleans Street was renamed Altura around 1920).  Zeke Newman lived there with the Mapels until his death in 1913.

In 1908 Newman Investment donated the 1.5 acres that became Newman Park. It was one of the largest gifts given to the city at the time and included a stipulation that all property owners around the park invest a minimum of $3000 in their houses.

Around 1910, Zeke’s son, Charles M., built a mission-style home at 2601 New Orleans (today the NE corner of Altura and Alabama).  Charles and his family lived in the house until his death in the early 1940s. Barbara Leigh Rees, who grew up in the same block as the Newman house and lives there today, remembers Charles Newman telling stories of lights on the mountain from what he said were Indian campfires.

It would be 10 years before the next house was built across from the park. In 1920 Robert E. McKee, the world-renowned contractor, built his two-story Federal-style house at 2630 Richmond. Six more houses went up in the 20s and 30s, five in the 40s and 50s, and two more in the 80s and 90s.

An early map of Highland Park indicates the name was called Newman Park. Many articles in the El Paso newspapers refer to the park as Newman and local residents knew it by that name until the early 1960s when the city put up a “Highland Park” sign.  In 1967, City Council officially changed the name from Highland to Newman to honor the original donor family.

Park Tidbits

Some of the many events held in Newman Park include church and club picnics, dance concerts, plays, quilting club parties, Easter egg hunts, ice cream socials, and watermelon feasts. 

Concerts were also popular. In June 1937, 300 people attended a concert in Newman Park, the first of a series of Federal Music Project concerts. [More information on the Federal Music Project.]  The WPA concerts were held throughout that summer, in Newman Park on Monday nights and in Kern Place Park on Thursday nights. There was a WPA mariachi orchestra as well as a concert orchestra.

In the summer of 1947, 150 Cub Scouts pitched tents in the park for a

three-day camp out.  After metal-working, paper maché activities, and song sessions, they closed off Alabama near the park for a soap box derby.

Another street, Richmond, was closed next to the park in May 1931 for the El Paso Garden Club’s flower festival.

Around the same time, neighborhood residents complained about tourists camping in cars around the park and on vacant property near the park. Maybe because of this, the park commissioner sent a watchman who unfortunately began chasing neighborhood kids out of the park. Dr. B.U.L. Conner, who wrote a humor/commentary column for the Herald Post, complained that “this was a blow to the Conner and other kids of Highland Park as they had been playing hide and seek in the park for a long time. It appears that the park is being kept sacred for the benefit of those who have nice homes on the avenue. Who pays for the upkeep of the park, and why can’t children of the taxpayers play in it? If Hugo Meyer (park commissioner) thinks he’s going to force the Conner kids to hang around the Conner home, instead of getting rid of their pent up energy in the park, he’ll find out the Mrs. Conner is pretty expert at mind changing."

(Sources El Paso Herald Post 1908 – 1967)

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!!!"

A Message from El Presidente about Tomorrow's Park Olympics

Greetings Newmanistas,

Tomorrow we will host the 2^nd Annual Park Olympics. Four other neighborhood associations will join us: Manhattan Heights, Kern Place, Rim Road and Mission Hills. There will be plenty of games for all ages – some competitive and some not – but all for fun. I hope all of you can come out and have a great time beginning at 4 p.m. at our beautiful Newman Park. Many of you will want to participate in the games and many of you will want to just enjoy being with your neighbors and cheering those who do compete – again just for fun. We aren’t out to prove anything and we want everyone from all the different associations to have a good time. Around 7 our Association will serve grilled hamburgers and hot dogs. People from different neighborhoods will bring side dishes. There will be plenty of soda pop and water.

Remember to get your Fighting Chihuahua T-Shirt whether you are a team player or team supporter.

As there will be many people enjoying our park and probably more will join us when the very popular Radio La Chusma begins to play at 7:30, expect that there will be more cars parked along our streets. Know that El Paso’s finest plan some extra patrols just to keep an eye on things for us. When you come to the park, please be sure your homes are secure and turn on your porch lights. Love your neighbor – be your neighbor’s keeper as well.

Keep in mind that there are a few simple park rules for our safety. No glass containers of any kind and no alcoholic beverages. Dogs should be on a leash – even Chihuahuas. Always (not just tomorrow) pick-up your dog’s droppings. There are bags for that at the park or you can bring your own. (I have a friend who recycles plastic grocery bags for this very purpose.) Frankly, the park tomorrow may not be the best place anyway for an animal because there will be so much going on. There aren’t too many people who smoke any more. Keep in mind that many people (especially ex-smokers) are very sensitive to cigar and cigarette smoke.

Finally, please help us keep a clean park. There are trash bins and there will be large yard waste bags to accommodate all of our trash. Please pick-up after yourself and your children and help gather any litter.

I’m excited. I’ve been looking forward to this event for a year. Please join me in thanking Becky Friesenhahn especially. She has been the Chief Organizer of this event. Also take time to greet and thank members of the other Associations who also worked very hard to make tomorrow a success and fun for all.

Sincerely,

Jim H. Tolbert

President

Newman Park Neighborhood Association

915-525-7364

jimhtolbert@elp.rr.com
www.newmanpark.blogspot.com

Second Annual Park Olympics August 20th

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General Services Department Gets Handle on Maintenance of Parks

Mr. Stuart Ed, Director of General Services, responds to a concern while Assistant Director, Joel McKnight takes notes for following up.

"We've gained a lot of efficiencies" was the message that City of El Paso General Services Director Stuart Ed brought to Representative Susie Byrd's monthly meeting this morning. For almost a year now, the General Services department has been tasked with maintaining all of the City of El Paso's parks and recreational facilities. Judging by the progress at Newman and many other parks, the decision to task General Services with maintenance rather than the Parks and Recreation Department has been successful and effective.

For example, Newman Park has seen better turf management, new memorial plaques and trash receptacles. Responsiveness and receptiveness to neighbors has been the keynote of General Services care of Newman Park.

To be sure there have been a number of challenges this past year for Mr. Ed and his Assistant, Joel McKnight and their staff. The prolonged late freeze in February and its effect on soil temperature meant the loss of turf at many parks. Because there is only one local sod farm in the El Paso region and they also experienced damaged and dead turf, there has been no available product for commercial use including replacing grass in many City parks. Additionally, the drought has made the situation more herculean.

Furthermore, the City of El Paso has been operating under severe budget restrictions for the last several years - restrictions which have set-back maintenance by the Parks and Recreation Department. Because of the limited budget, Parks and Recreation has been forced to spend resources on program rather than on maintenance. One example of the disadvantages of this budget shortage has been inadequate upkeep of irrigation at Grandview Park which has suffered from improperly-sized nozzles for one thing. Fortunately last year the City decided to do something about the upkeep of its parks and recreation facilities by moving maintenance to General Services so that more monetary resources could be directed toward upkeep and care.

Not only has the General Services budget begun to restore more optimal care of parks, this department already had in place a computer program to track work orders and manage and follow-up on problems in a more timely fashion. Moreover, their utilization of the outside, independent expertise of Texas Agrilife Extension Service under the direction of Dr. Ray Bader has really helped to key in on and solve plant problems.

Through good management, the Department has been able to come up with an additional $100,000 to hire 24 seasonal workers to clean-up litter and clear out dead foliage. Mr. Joel McKnight, Assistant Director, also added that 2 large aerifiers have been added to the inventory which now means that each of the 4 service areas has one. This additional equipment will help with ongoing turf management programs.

General Services has "gained a lot of efficiencies" which is great news for the City of El Paso and its parks and recreational facilities.

Green, green - how Newman Park looks under the care of the General Services Department of the City of El Paso

Flags Fly on Fourth!

Picture courtesy of Marty Martinez

Six flags flew along Alabama Street at Newman Park on the 4th of July thanks to generous donations from Linda Chew, Mandy Chew, Donna and Lee Stephens, Mando Castañeda, and Marty Martinez. It was Marty who suggested that the Neighborhood Association purchase enough flags to go eventually around the park on appropriate holidays.

Picture courtesy of Marty Martinez

Board member, Juan Villalobos, assisted by Board President Jim Tolbert set-up the flags on the 4th of July.

¡Cumbias, Corridas, Country y Mas!

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Easter Egg Hunt This Saturday

Kids are ready to hunt Easter eggs.

Bring your kids and your Easter baskets. It's time for the annual Newman Park Neighborhood Association Easter Egg Hunt. This year's event is scheduled for this Saturday, April 16, from 10 until Noon at Newman Park. There will be games, prizes and even a bunny hop dance!

April Means Neighborhood Clean-up & Egg Hunt

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EPFD Holds First Ever Fire Safety Day at Newman Park

The giant El Paso Fire Department American flag flies over Newman Park.

The Newman Park Neighborhood Association hosted the very first City of El Paso Fire Department fire prevention day. Fire Chief Drozd, Assistant Fire Marshall (and Newmanista) Orlando Arriola, and former Fire Academy now Austin High School teacher, Joe Savage, were on board with fire inspectors and AHS Sandra Day O'Connor Fire Technology students to conduct home fire inspections and install 20 free smoke/carbon monoxide detectors.

Fire Chief Drozd helps Abbie Majerczyk sign-up for a free home fire inspection.

Austin High School Fire Technology students install a new smoke detector in the Castaneda home.

Many families came to the fire prevention event for the Chalk the Park Block contest. Young artists were supplied with colorful chalk and a sidewalk "square". Artist and Newmanista, Susan Webster-Perez, judged the art work and picked 4 prize-winners.

NPNA Board members Sally Sauli, Lisa Degliantoni and Becky Friesenhahn supervised the chalk contest.

Young artist draws a portrait of her Mom.