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WHO:            The El Paso Zoo

 

WHAT:         Celebration of National Zoo Keeper Week

WHEN:         Sunday, July 16, through Saturday, July 22

                            

WHERE:       El Paso Zoo, 4001 E. Paisano Dr.

 

WHY:           The El Paso Zoo is celebrating National Zoo Keeper Week. The Zoo invites the public to celebrate National Zoo Keeper Week by coming to the Zoo’s “Meet Our Keeper” program. As part of the celebration, the Zoo will continue to post “Meet Our Keeper” videos on Facebook and Instagram highlighting some of the incredible zoo keepers who work at the Zoo.

 

Created by the American Association of Zookeepers (AAZK), Inc, National Zoo Keeper Week is celebrated each year beginning on the third Sunday in July. During the week, zoos nationwide honor animal care professionals and the work they do in animal care, conservation, and education. There are approximately 6,000 animal care professionals in the United States. There are more than 50 zookeepers at the El Paso Zoo, who work 365 days a year caring for the Zoo’s animal collection.

Animal Services sends out an SOS, calling for the community’s involvement as shelter is at capacity
Department seeking adopters, fosters, and donations following busy July Fourth holiday; impoundment fees waived for lost pets

With the influx of lost pets spurred by the July Fourth holiday, the Department of Animal Services is currently at capacity, with more than 500 animals being housed at the shelter. In an effort to continue on its life-saving mission, Animal Services is sending out an SOS (Support our Shelter) call to the community, calling for people to adopt, foster, donate, and/or reconnect with their lost pets.
Through the community’s support of the Department’s life-saving programs, Animal Services will be able to continue to save lives rather than being forced to euthanize adoptable pets.

FIND YOUR LOST PET / IMPOUNDMENT FEES WAIVED
In an effort to reconnect as many lost pets as possible, Animal Services will waiving impoundment fees ($60 per dog/cat) for any animal picked up by their owner. Daily handling fees will also be waived. Fees will be waived until Sunday, July 9. Waived fees do not include quarantine animals. Fees still apply for microchip, rabies vaccine and licensing services.

ADOPT
For the entire summer season, all pet adoption fees will be reduced to just $30 for dogs and $5 for cats. The shelter is hopeful that the reduced fees will result in hundreds of animals being adopted.

FOSTER
For pet lovers not looking to adopt at this time, fostering a pet is great option. By fostering, families will be able to care for a shelter pet temporarily, which will free up space for another adoptable pets at the shelter. Fostering an animal for two weeks will also allow Animal Services to transfer more animals to other rescues and shelters.

DONATE
For those looking to support the shelter’s life-saving efforts, but may not have space for a new friend at home, donations are a great way to help. The following items help support Animal Services’ various programs and initiatives:
• Canned puppy and kitten food
• Dry dog and cat food
• Towels and blankets (new or gently used)
• Crates and pet carriers

LICENSE YOUR PET / UPDATE CONTACT INFORMATION
No one ever wants to lose a pet. So in order to help Animal Services reconnect lost pets with their owners, the Department is encouraging the public to license their pet. The annual license is $12.50. If your pet is already licensed, Animal Services is encouraging pet owners to update their contact information if they have moved or changed their phone number.
There are many ways to help Animal Services succeed on its life-saving mission, but one thing is certain—the community’s involvement is definitely needed if El Paso is going to become a “no-kill” city by the end of 2020, as stated in the City’s shelter reform plan.

For more information on each of our programs listed above, visit the Animal Services Shelter located 5001 Fred Wilson Avenue, or contact us at (915) 212-PAWS.

Department urges owners to keep pets inside, update their contact information

Each year on July 5, the Department of Animal Services receives a large number of calls regarding pets that escaped from their families in a desperate attempt to flee after being frightened by fireworks. The bright lights and noises made by the fireworks can cause a great deal of stress for animals. That’s why pet owners are being urged to bring their pets indoors during the July Fourth holiday and follow the tips below:

Tips to help keep your pets safe and calm:

•   Resist the urge to take your pets to fireworks displays

•   Keep pets indoors, close the curtains

•   Take pets outside on a leash to “do their business” prior to the fireworks starting

•   Turn on the radio or television to help mask outdoor noises

•   Keep a well-fitting (not tight) collar and identification/license on your pet; animals that are licensed,

microchipped or that have ID tags have a better chance of being returned to their owners

•   If your pet is crate-trained, place it in its crate

•   If you have a new pet and you do not know how it will react to loud noises, stay with your pet

•   If you must be outside, keep your pet on a leash or in a carrier at all times

Please note that the Animal Services Shelter located at 5001 Fred Wilson will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4. The Shelter will resume normal business hours of 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 5.

Chip Check Drive

In order to help Animal Services reconnect lost pets with their owners, the department is encouraging the public to update their pet’s microchip information. On Saturday (July 1) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Animal Services will be hosting a “Chip Check” microchip update drive, with additional staff on hand to help owners update their contact information on their pet’s microchips. To update your information, please bring proper proof-of-ownership documentation, such as vaccine records, as well as a photo ID.  Please bring dogs on a leash and have cats contained.

In commemoration of the 110^th anniversary of her birth, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Montecillo and the Borderland Fridas will celebrate Frida Kahlo with live performances, workshops, speakers, screenings and even a Frida lookalike contest.

Homenaje a Frida will take place at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Montecillo on Saturday, July 1, 2017. The centerpiece of the one-day celebration will be a special screening of FRIDA. The 2002 biopic starring Salma Hayek will be introduced by Dr. Carlos Ortega of the University of Texas at El Paso’s Chicano Studies Program and J Angela Cabrales who teaches sculpture at UTEP.

The screening is at 2:30pm; tickets are $9 and are now available at drafthouse.com

In addition to the screening, there will be a full day of activities celebrating Kahlo’s enduring impact on border arts and culture.

12pm

Performance by Danza Azteca Omecoatl.

Danza Azteca Omecoatl is a dance group from El Paso Texas that performs traditional ceremonial Aztec dances dedicated to Mother Nature.

12:30-1:30pm

Children’s Workshop: Self expression through self portraiture canvas workshop. (Limited to first 40 guests ages 5-14.)

1:30pm

Performance by Ballet Folklorico of El Paso

Ballet Folklorico of El Paso is a non-profit dedicated to the preservation of Mexican Culture through the art of dance.

2-3pm

Adult Workshop: Self expression through self portraiture altar workshop. (Limited to first 40 guests ages 15 and up.)

3pm

Performance by Luna y Sol duet

Luna y Sol is made up of local musicians Lluvia Torresday and Consuelo Pintor.

4pm

Frida lookalike contest

5:30pm

Speaker Garland Courts, Director of Education for four museums: Museum of Nature & Science, Museum of Art, Branigan Cultural Center and Railroad Museum

Presentation on the importance of preserving Mexican art and culture.

For more Alamo Drafthouse information/updates visit:

Facebook:     Facebook.com/AlamoEP

Twitter:         @AlamoEPhttps://twitter.com/drafthousesf

Website:        https://drafthouse.com/el-paso

Sixth annual event is held in remembrance of former Special Olympics golf coach Dimas Vasquez.

 

Ask the boss to have off on Friday, July 21 and plan to start the extended weekend with your friends on the greens for a good cause. The sixth annual Greater El Paso Golf Tournament comes to Painted Dunes Desert Golf Course and supports more than 2,300 Special Olympics Texas athletes in the area. Registration to play is now open online at www.sotx.org/elpasogolf. Walk-up registration will begin on the day of the event at 9:00 a.m. and play will tee off with a 10:00 a.m. shotgun start.

 

The cost to play in the four-man scramble style tournament is $125 per player or $450 per foursome. The fee includes all green fees, cart fees, lunch and awards after the tournament and a goodie bag. Day of event walk-ups are welcome.

 

Since 2012, the Greater El Paso Golf Tournament has been held in memory of Dimas Vasquez, a longtime Special Olympics Texas golf coach, who passed away in 2009. Through the event’s first five years, it has raised $62,000 for SOTX programming, competition and training for local children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

 

 

About Special Olympics Texas
Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) is a privately funded non-profit organization that changes lives through the power of sport by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect.  SOTX provides continuing opportunities for more than 58,300 children and adults with intellectual disabilities throughout the Lone Star State to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship.  To learn more, visit www.specialolympicstexas.org or call 800.876.5646.  Engage with us on: Twitter @SOTexas; fb.com/SpecialOlympicsTX;youtube.com/specialolympicstexas. Visit the SOTX-Greater El Paso Facebook page at fb.com/SOTX19.

The City of El Paso Parks and Recreation Department is opening the Pavo Real and Nations Tobin outdoor pools for the public on Saturday, May 27, through Memorial Day, May 29, and the following weekend of June 3 and 4.

Admission for all city-managed pools is $1 per child (ages 17 and under) and $2 for adults (ages 18 to 59). Adults 60 years and older are charged $1.

The City’s outdoor pools will open daily starting June 7. All indoor pools are open year-round.

For a schedule of hours and locations or additional information, call the El Paso Parks and Recreation Department at (915) 544-0753 or visit www.elpasotexas.gov/parks.

The City of El Paso Parks and Recreation Department will host an overnight campout starting at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 26, and lasting through 10 a.m., Saturday, May 27, at McKelligon Canyon.

The campout will show participants how to properly set up a tent and campsite, teach outdoor cooking techniques and tips, along with an astronomy program, storytelling, marshmallow roasting, archery, and a hike exploration.

All families must provide their own tents, food, drinks (no alcohol) and necessary camping supplies. Camp space locations in the park will be on a first come, first serve basis. The registration fee is $5 per child (17 years of age and younger) and $10 per adult (18 years of age and older).

For more information, call the El Paso Parks and Recreation Department at (915) 867-6770 or visit www.elpasotexas.gov/parks.

WHO: Mayor Oscar Leeser

WHAT: 2017 State of the City Address

WHEN: Tuesday, May 23
Doors open at 11:30 a.m.
Event begins at 11:45 a.m.
Mayor’s speech begins at Noon

WHERE: Judson F. Williams Convention Center, 1 Civic Center Plaza

WHY: Mayor Oscar Leeser will deliver his final 2017 State of the City Address at the El Paso Convention Center. Mayor Leeser will provide an engaging overview of unprecedented growth and accomplishments of how El Paso reached new heights during the last four years.

The Office of City Representative Emma Acosta, District 3, in conjunction with the City of El Paso Streets and Maintenance Department invite the public to a celebration marking the completion of the Dale Road traffic calming project.

The ceremony is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Monday, May 22, 2017 near the intersection of Dale and Nichols roads.

The ceremony will wrap up with students from Ramona Elementary of the Ysleta Independent School District painting their handprints on the traffic circle near their campus.

“I want to thank the community and neighborhood associations for working together with me and making it possible for the city to construct this traffic calming project which is a wonderful addition to the neighborhood. The colorful traffic circle will beautify the area while improving safety and the City’s transportation network,” Acosta said.

Dale Road from North Loop to Orgain/Franklin received various traffic calming remedies under the streets department’s Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (NTMP). The project scope includes:

· Three landscaped traffic circles at the intersections with Nichols, Bucher, and Franklin/Orgain Way
· One entryway traffic island at North Loop
· Seven landscaped center medians, spaced at relatively equal intervals along the center turning lane, between North Loop and Dodge
· ADA-complaint improvements at all intersections receiving traffic calming
· New pavement striping of the shoulder, center turning lane, and intersections

The project cost approximately $800,000 project. This project is part of the City of El Paso’s commitment to enhance El Paso’s regional transportation system.

The City of El Paso’s Capital Improvement Department has scheduled three community meetings to garner public input on three new community recreation centers that are entering the design phase.

Chamizal Community Center Tuesday, May 23rd, 2017 6:00 pm
Bowie High School
801 S. San Marcial Street

Lomaland Community Center Wednesday, May 24th, 2017 6:00 pm
Loma Terrace Elementary School 8200 Ryland Ct

Alameda Community Center Thursday, May 25th, 2017 6:00 pm
Riverside High School 301 Midway Drive

The facilities are funded by 2012 Quality of Life Bond Program, and have an approximate total budget of $33,000,000 which includes land acquisitions, project management, design, construction and public art. The centers will be constructed at the following locations:
Chamizal Community Center, 2119 Cypress Avenue Alameda Community Center, 7380 Alameda Avenue Lomaland Community Center 709 Lomita Drive (Lomaland Park) The Chamizal and Alameda Community Centers will include a library combo component, which will allow the public to drop off, pick up and order books, as well as utilize other library resources such as computers.

All three projects are part of the City of El Paso’s commitment to enhance the quality of life for business, residents and visitors.

The Hospitals of Providence Blood Bank/Donor Center is issuing an urgent call for platelet donors in the community to help pediatric oncology/Adult oncology and neo-natal patients in need of this lifesaving product.

Anyone willing to donate platelets must be 17-years or older, in healthy condition and over 110 pounds.

Donors can call Robin Murphy at (915) 577-6676 or Elisa Camacho (915) 577-7305 to schedule donation or for more information. Donors are encouraged to make an appointment. Appointments can be made from Monday through Friday from 8am to 4:30pm, however, donors who need different schedules will be accommodated.

Donors must present an identification card such as driver’s license, social security card or State ID.

The Hospitals of Providence Blood Bank uses Trima Accel, an instrument that collects platelets based on donor weight, platelet count and several other factors. Donation takes between 45 to 90 minutes depending on donor’s time available.

The Hospitals of Providence Blood Bank is the only hospital based Blood Donor Center in the El Paso Region.

Who can donate: Anyone 17-years or older in healthy condition and over 110 pounds.

Where to call to schedule donation: (915) 577-6676 or (915) 577-7305