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What: Border AIDS Partnership’s 1st “Dining for Vida” Fundraising Event
When: Thursday, April 25, 2019
Where: At Participating Local Restaurants (see times and list below)

El Paso’s Border AIDS Partnership (BAP) presents their first “Dining for Vida” fundraising event. Restaurants are asked to donate a portion of the day’s food sales to BAP. Liquor sales are not part of this donation. A local ambassador will be provided for each locale. In addition to the food sales on that day, people can make additional contributions at the time of their visit.

The restaurants participating this year will be: Salt + Honey Bakery Café (breakfast/lunch), Mesa Street Grill (lunch/dinner), Ardovino’s Desert Crossing (dinner), L & J Café (dinner), Rulis International Kitchen (dinner), Park Tavern (dinner), and Pot Au Feu (dinner).

“We are very excited about our very first ever Dining for Vida event. By eating out on this day, you are also helping our organization provide critical resources for people from El Paso, Cd. Juárez and Las Cruces who are battling HIV/AIDS,” said Floyd Johnson, president of BAP. “We want to invite our community to join us at a restaurant that perhaps they’ve never been to before. It is also our way of expressing our appreciation to local establishments who have been so generous with us in the past.”

In 1994, the El Paso Community Foundation and the US/Mexico Border Health Association created a local HIV/AIDS partnership to provide assistance to nonprofit organizations in the region working on this critical health problem. With support from AIDS United, the collaboration became the Border AIDS Partnership, a bi-national and tri-state funding collaborative that has been providing funding for HIV/AIDS education and prevention activities in El Paso, Southern New Mexico and Ciudad Juárez. BAP now operates as an independent 501c3 nonprofit.

Since 1996, the Border AIDS Partnership has distributed more than $2.0 million to support innovative HIV prevention and education programs. Previous grantees include Centro Caritativo Para Atención de Enfermos de Sida, University Medical Center of El Paso’s Teen Advisory Board, Programa Compañeros, support group HIVida, Actúa y Toma El Control, Opportunity Center for the Homeless, and Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center, Families & Youth, Inc.

Find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/borderaidspartnership for additional information.

EL PASO, Texas – The City of El Paso Department of Public Health is teaming up with the Environmental Services Department’s Vector Control Program to celebrate Zika Action Day on April 20, 2019 at San Jacinto Plaza. The event will be a part of the Earth Day festivities and offer fun and educational opportunities for both children and adults.

Zika Action Day is dedicated to preventing the transmission of Zika and other mosquito-borne diseases and bringing awareness to the importance of staying healthy. The Department of Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program, along with ESD Vector Control will host a booth at ESD Earth Day featuring demonstrations, and fun, interactive games for the entire family. We encourage everyone to participate in Zika Action Day as a fun way to learn how to avoid mosquito bites.

“This promises to be a great event, early in the season when education is most critical. Our event takes place before we are inundated with mosquitos and before the threat is highest,” said Sara Saucedo, Health Project Coordinator. “Our Tip and Toss Trooper Challenge is a relay game targeted at children who are commonly the members of the family who spend the most time outdoors. We hope they will take what they learn back to their parents and other family members in order to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.”

This free event will feature interactive games for children, health information booths, free Zika prevention kits, demonstrations, and fun for the entire family.

“We want to celebrate this day as a way to show our community not just why preventing diseases is important, but also to show them that these life-saving activities can be fun,” said Flor Puentes, Field Epidemiologist.

There were three travel-associated cases of Zika virus in the El Paso area in 2016. All local Public Health Laboratory testing of expectant mothers for Zika continues to be negative. However, it is important to remember that West Nile virus is endemic to our region. Preventing all mosquito bites is a critical message for residents in our area and especially for those individuals with chronic medical conditions, pregnant women, and young children.

In addition to the event, local agencies and organizations may request free Zika presentations by visiting the Speakers Bureau webpage at www.EPHealth.com.

EL PASO, Texas — It’s finally here, El Paso! Orangetheory Fitness, the international fitness craze that is helping more than a million clients live a more vibrant and healthier life, will hold its Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Grand Opening at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 17, 2019.

The Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening will take place at Orangetheory Fitness’ first El Paso location at La Villita on Mesa, 6801 N. Mesa St., Ste. B-8.

Media are invited to tour the new facility and enjoy a free lunch following the ceremony.

Interviews and b-roll are available. Members of the El Paso Chamber of Commerce and El Paso City Council will be present, along with ownership and management of Orangetheory Fitness Coronado.

Orangetheory Fitness Coronado features the same science-based, trainer-guided workouts that have made the fitness studio an international phenomenon. Orangetheory workouts are backed by science, tracked by technology and inspired by professional fitness coaches. The 60-minute workout is designed to give maximum results and even offers a 30-day results guarantee.

“El Pasoans who have experienced an Orangetheory workout ask me, ‘When are you coming to El Paso?’” said Lorraine Higgins, owner of four more Orangetheory locations in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico. “We are so honored to bring this life-changing brand here. You can feel the excitement around the growth in El Paso – the timing is right.”

Visit orangetheoryfitness.com to sign up to experience a free workout.

WHAT: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, Media Lunch and Grand Opening

WHERE: Orangetheory Fitness Coronado

WHEN: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 17, 2019

WHO: City of El Paso

WHAT: Groundbreaking ceremony

WHEN: 10:30 A.M. Thursday, April 11, 2019

WHERE: Ross Middle, 6101 Hughey Circle

WHY: ?The City of El Paso is breaking ground on the neighborhood waterpark planned for Central El Paso.

The Lost Kingdom will offer the community a unique water experience based on its Mayan getaway setting that fuels the imagination while offering exhilaration and rejuvenation to visitors.

Waterpark amenities will include: slides, a lazy river, toddler pool, climbing wall, a lap pool, cabanas, concessions and much more to appeal to people of all ages and abilities.

The project is one of several neighborhood waterparks programmed for the community and is part of the City of El Paso’s commitment to enhance our quality of life through the creation of recreational, cultural and educational environments.

The El Paso Community College (EPCC) open its doors to the community as part of its 50th Anniversary Celebration in a fun environment for the whole family; music, food, entertainment and information about EPCC careers, registration and the institution in general.

WHAT: EPCC Open House

WHEN: Saturday, April 6, 2019 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: Buildings A, B, & C, Cafeteria Annex and Courtyard EPCC Valle Verde Campus, 919 Hunter Dr.

WHO: EPCC faculty, staff, students and public in general

VISUALS: Creative Kiddie Corner with petting zoo, face painting, jumping balloons

Career and registration information tables with health programs offering blood pressure, glucose and anemia screening

Spring Arts Festival with displays and performances

EPCC focus is completion and increasing graduation rate. EPCC provides academic programs and support services that are clear pathways to skill development, timely degree completion and transfer to a university or gainful employment.

El Paso, Texas. On Friday, April 5, 2019, Students will be surprised at the annual Ysleta Education Foundation (YEF) SCHOLARSHIP SWEEP where board members of YEF, YISD Board of Trustees and the Superintendent will go campus to campus and make the announcement of the 2019 scholarship recipients.

Friday, April 5, 2019

Campuses to be visited include:
8:45am Parkland High School Event Center
9:40 Riverside High School Gym
10:15 Ysleta High School Auditorium
11:10 Del Valle High School Library
1:10 Eastwood High School Grand Staircase
1:45 Hanks High School Theater
2:20 Bel Air High School Tartan Theater
3:15 Valle Verde ECHS EPCC Annex

About YEF:
The Foundation is celebrating over 27 years of providing scholarships and has 1,536 awarded scholarships totaling over $3.5 million to students in Ysleta Independent School District. These YISD students represent a broad spectrum of excellence in academics, leadership, and community service. Students are attending and graduating from colleges and universities across the United States. The Ysleta Education Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, that was established in 1992 to provide financial assistance to students in the Ysleta Independent School District (YISD).

For more information, to make a donation, or to contribute to a memorial scholarship contact:

Ysleta Education Foundation 9600 Sims Dr. El Paso, Texas 79925
(915) 434-0505 or visit www.yisd.net/yefscholarships

EL PASO, Texas – The City of El Paso is proud to announce that the National Civic League (NCL) has named the City of El Paso as a finalist for the 2019 All-America City Award.

The All-America City Award (AAC) is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious civic recognition award.

“We are pleased that the City of El Paso is once again a finalist for the All-America City Award. The City won in 1969, 2010 and 2018, and I am confident we will do extraordinarily well this year,” said City of El Paso Mayor Dee Margo.

The 2019 spotlight for the award is efforts focused on inclusive engagement practices that create healthy communities for all, and particularly for populations currently experiencing poorer health outcomes. Finalist communities’ presentations will bring their written application to life and demonstrate the positive effects of using equitable engagement strategies to address issues such as promoting mental health, addressing obesity and building stronger neighborhoods.

The 20 cities named finalists will send a delegation to Denver, Colorado, in June to make a live presentation to a panel of judges. Each community will bring a team of residents, nonprofit leaders, business representatives, government officials and young people to participate in presentations and workshops for three days. The 2019 AAC finalists represent collaborative, inclusive and innovative civic engagement.

“Mayor and Council, the City’s executive team, and City staff have all worked hard for this honor, and I am proud that we are one of only twenty cities nationwide to be selected as a finalist for the second year in a row,” said City Manager Tommy Gonzalez. “We are excited to tell the City of El Paso’s story and once again showcase that El Paso is truly best in class with all that we do.”

Listed are the 2019 All-America City finalists, in alphabetical order:

Battle Creek, Michigan
Clinton, North Carolina
Cornelius, Oregon
Doral, Florida
Dubuque, Iowa
Edinburg, Texas
El Paso, Texas
Gothenburg, Nebraska
Hallandale Beach, Florida
Houston, Texas
Livingston County, New York
Millcreek, Utah
Mission, Texas
Ontario, California
Pasco, Washington
Rancho Cordova, California
Rock Hill, South Carolina
San Antonio, Texas
West Hollywood, California
Wichita, Kansas

AUSTIN, TX – Sandra Todd of El Paso was among the Texas women veterans featured in the I Am Not Invisible photo exhibit. The exhibit presents engaging portraits of the many, diverse faces of Texas women veterans. It is on display at the Texas Capitol Extension’s North Central Gallery, 1100 Congress Avenue in Austin through March. I Am Not Invisible aims to increase awareness and dialogue of this significant segment of the Veteran community.

Texas has the highest women veteran population in the nation with over 181,000 women veterans. Timed during Women’s History Month, the I Am Not Invisible exhibit salutes all women veterans as a distinguished group of the community. Consisting of remarkable portraits of 30 Texas women veterans, the exhibit seeks to encourage all women who served to identify as veterans and utilize the many benefits and services they have earned. The exhibit is part of a national campaign which aims to elevate public awareness of the vital role women veterans have played in national defense.

Read Sandra Todd’s biographic information and view all exhibit photos with biographies at https://www.tvc.texas.gov/women-veterans/iamnotinvisible/ .

Helping veterans starts here. The Texas Veterans Commission advocates for and provides superior service to veterans that will significantly improve the quality of life for all Texas veterans, their families and survivors. The TVC assists veterans with receiving their benefits, providing funding to agencies which provide direct services to veterans and administration of the Hazlewood Act education benefits.

One night lane closure on I-10; long-term closure of Ramp T from Gateway North to US 54 set as well

EL PASO, Texas — Before crews begin widening US 54 over US 62 (Paisano Drive) as part of the I-10 Connect Project, they’ll begin demolishing parts of the existing US 54 bridge there next week. That work will require complete overnight closures of Paisano between Gateway Boulevard North and Gateway Boulevard South.

This stretch of US 54 will be widened from two southbound lanes to three as part of the three-year, $96 million project which will dramatically re-shape the Spaghetti Bowl and nearby roadways in Central El Paso.

Elsewhere, motorists should also expect the following upcoming traffic impacts as crews begin drilling support shafts for bridges and continue placing concrete safety barriers:

– A one-night lane closure on eastbound Interstate 10
– A long-term closure of Ramp T which connects Gateway Boulevard North to US 54
– Surface street closures near the Spaghetti Bowl

Below is a detailed list of all closures and detours related to the I-10 Connect Project currently scheduled during the week of March 24:

Sunday, March 24, to Thursday, March 28, 2019
9pm to 5am

~ US 62 (Paisano Drive) will be closed to all traffic between Gateway Boulevard North and Gateway Boulevard South each night.

DETOURS: Westbound thru traffic will detour by turning right on Gateway Boulevard North, left on SH 20 (Alameda Avenue) and left on Loop 478 (Copia Street), before returning to US 62 (Paisano Drive). Eastbound thru traffic will detour by turning right on San Marcial Street, left on Delta Drive, and left on Boone Street before returning to US 62 (Paisano Drive). Traffic bound from eastbound US 62 (Paisano Drive) to Juárez via the Bridge of the Americas will not be impacted. Traffic bound from westbound US 62 (Paisano Drive) to Juárez via the Bridge of the Americas should instead access the port of entry by travelling on Interstate 10 to Exit 22B and entering Juárez via I-110.

Crews will be demolishing parts of the US 54 bridge over US 62 (Paisano Drive).

Beginning on Sunday, March 24, at 9pm and continuing until further notice

– Ramp T which connects Gateway Boulevard North to northbound US 54 near the El Paso Zoo will be closed to all traffic for several months.

DETOURS: Traffic bound for northbound US 54 or westbound I-10 will detour via US 62 (Paisano Drive) to eastbound I-110 before continuing on northbound US 54 or taking Exit 21B (I-10 West/Montana Avenue/Las Cruces). Traffic bound to eastbound I-10 will not require a detour.

Crews will begin drilling support shafts for bridges.

Monday, March 25, 2019, 9am to 5pm

– Gateway Boulevard East will be closed to all traffic under the Spaghetti Bowl.

DETOUR: Traffic will detour by entering I-10 east of Loop 478 (Copia Street) and taking Exit 23A/Raynolds Street to return to Gateway East.

– Durazno Avenue will be closed to thru traffic between Uva Street and Bowie Street

DETOUR: Thru traffic will detour to Rosa Avenue via Uva or Bowie. Local traffic will be allowed to access residential properties via Durazno.

Crews will continue placing concrete barriers.

Wednesday, March 27, 2019, 9pm to 5am

– Lane closures will be in place on eastbound I-10 between Loop 478 (Copia Street) and Raynolds Street.
– The on-ramp from Gateway Boulevard East to I-10 east of Copia will be closed to all traffic.

DETOURS: For I-10 traffic, no detour is required. Traffic bound from Gateway East to I-10 will continue on the Gateway and enter I-10 east of Raynolds.

Crews will continue placing concrete barriers.

The following long-term closures will continue during the week of March 24:
– Weekday lane closures on Gateway Boulevard North between US 62 (Paisano Drive) and SH 20 (Alameda Avenue). Crews will be installing fiber optic communication lines.
– Lane closures are in place on eastbound and westbound US 62 (Paisano Drive) between Gateway Boulevard North and I-110.
– Both u-turns between Gateway Boulevard North and Gateway Boulevard South at US 62 (Paisano Drive) remain closed until further notice.

Drivers are encouraged to register for text alerts and electronic newsletter distribution by visiting i10connectelpaso.com. All closures are subject to change due to weather or field conditions. On ramps and off ramps may close up to an hour before stated times.

About I-10 Connect
The I-10 Connect project is at the intersection of Interstate 10 and US 54 in El Paso County. The project extends from I-10 to Loop 375 (Cesar Chávez Border Highway) and provides access to the Bridge of the Americas (BOTA) via I-110. The $96 million project includes the construction of four new direct connectors, a full reconstruction of the I-110/US 62 (Paisano Drive) interchange, and removes exit ramps from US 62 to I-110. I-10 Connect will improve connectivity between I-10 and Loop 375, also providing an alternate route to I-10. It started February 19, 2019, and is expected to be complete in less than three years. For more information, visit I10ConnectElPaso.com; you can also follow @I10ConnectEP on Facebook and Twitter.

By Justin Tapp, RespectAbility Policy Fellow

Washington, D.C., March 21 – Nationwide 111,804 people with disabilities got new jobs last year, including 3,796 new jobs in the Lone Star State. Texas now ranks 23rd in the nation based on the employment rate of people with disabilities. Out of 1,622,962 working-age (18-64) Texans with disabilities, 647,977 have jobs. The newly published 2018 Annual Disability Statistics Compendium shows Texas has an employment rate of 39.9 percent for people with disabilities. Further analysis by the nonpartisan advocacy group RespectAbility shows that Texas’ disability employment rate has steadily increased over the past two years.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott, himself a person living with a disability, has long proclaimed his state’s commitment to advancing opportunities for people with disabilities. “The often used slogan for the Lone Star State’s approach to commerce is that ‘Texas is wide open for business,’” the Governor wrote in a proclamation for National Disability Employment Awareness Month. “This openness and dedication to inclusivity has been a major part of the foundation for our strong economy. Thus, it is crucial for this diversity to extend beyond our business climate to the hardworking men and women who make up the indomitable Texas workforce.”

Just this month Gov. Abbot issued a proclamation recognizing March as Developmental Disability Month. He emphasized the broad implications of making inclusion a reality in his state. “Texas is stronger when people of all abilities are included in community life. Students with disabilities who are included in the classroom with their nondisabled peers have the opportunity to achieve their full potential,” the Governor wrote. He went on to add, “when inclusion happens, communities in Texas are stronger.”

Former Congressman and current Chairman of RespectAbility Steve Bartlett echoes Gov. Abbott’s sentiments. “Our nation was founded on the principle that anyone who works hard should be able to get ahead in life,” he said. “People with disabilities deserve the opportunity to earn an income and achieve independence, just like anyone else.”

A National Issue

Beyond Texas, how is the workforce changing for people with disabilities? What is driving these changes? The answer is simple. According to Vincenzo Piscopo of the Coca-Cola Company: “People with disabilities bring a unique skill set that it is very valuable for companies.” He went on to add, “As it relates to employment and competitiveness in the workplace, we have to stop thinking of disability as a liability and start thinking of it as an asset.”

Brand-name companies such as JP Morgan Chase, Coca-Cola, Ernst & Young, IBM, Walgreen’s, Starbucks, CVS and Microsoft show people with disabilities are successful employees. These companies also know that these workers improve the bottom line. “People with disabilities bring unique characteristics and talents to the workplace,” said RespectAbility President Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi. “Hiring people with disabilities is a win-win-win for employers, people with disabilities and consumers alike.”

As more companies hire employees with disabilities, conversations are shifting to focus on inclusion. “Disability inclusion is no longer about automatic doors, curb cuts, ramps, and legislation,” says Jim Sinocchi, Head of the Office of Disability Inclusion at JP Morgan Chase. “Today, the new era of disability inclusion is about “assimilation” – hiring professionals with disabilities into the robust culture of the firm.”

According to the Census Bureau, there are more than 56 million Americans living with a disability. Disabilities include visible conditions such as spinal cord injuries, visual impairments or hearing loss and invisible disabilities such as learning disabilities, mental health or Autism.

An Election Issue

Voter research conducted by RespectAbility shows how disability issues connect to all aspects of American life. “Fully three-quarters of likely voters either have a disability themselves or have a family member or a close friend with disabilities,” added former Dallas Mayor and long-time disability community supporter Steve Bartlett. “People with disabilities are a politically active, swing vote, and candidates should take note of important issues they care about.”

As 2019 moves into 2020 and the political campaign season heats up, continuing job growth for people with disabilities will be a crucial indicator of the health of the American economy.

EL PASO, Texas — It’s electric! SunCycle, El Paso’s exciting bike share program is getting an upgrade with the addition of new BCycle electric bicycles (e-bike). The new e-bikes offer a sweat-free commute, more speed so cyclists can travel further and faster, and they can make the steepest hill disappear beneath you.

One of SunCycle’s new e-bikes will be available to preview and test ride on Thursday, March 21, 2019 at 11 a.m., ahead of the arrival of 16 new e-bikes in May. Meet at the corner of Arizona Avenue and Stanton Street in the parking lot of St. Patrick’s Cathedral and take it for a spin! You can test out the new e-bikes’ capabilities as you let it whisk you up the steep hill on Stanton Street.

The BCycle e-bike is a clean and convenient solution for El Paso commuters. The bikes give off no emissions, there’s no need to fill up the tank, no gridlock and no parking fees. Just a simple and easy ride. They feature a an active line motor with enough power to climb hills; a digital display that tells you how fast you’re going and how much charge the bike has; and they will be available in El Paso, beginning with 16 e-bikes in May.

Media are invited for photo and b-roll opportunities.

WHAT: SunCycle e-bike previews

WHERE: St. Patrick’s Cathedral Parking Lot
On the corner of Arizona Ave. and Stanton Street
(Across the street from St. Patrick’s)

WHEN: 11 a.m. Thursday, March 21, 2019

WHY: Photo and b-roll opportunity

About the SunCycle Bike Share Program
The SunCycle Bike Share Program has grown to 16 stations stretching from South El Paso to Kern Place. It’s one of 50 members of the nationwide B Cycle bike share program. It is brought to you by the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority, with financial support from the following agencies: El Paso Metropolitan Planning Organization, Texas Commission on Environmental Protection, The City of El Paso and University of Texas at El Paso’s Green Fund. For more information, visit elpaso.bcycle.com.

El Paso, Texas March 15, 2019 – El Paso Community College (EPCC) will be closed for Spring Break from Monday, March 18, 2019 through Sunday, March 24, 2019. No classes will be held and all offices will be closed.
Classes will resume and offices will reopen on Monday, March 25, 2019.

El Paso, Texas — March 14, 2019 — Today, El Paso Health, the only locally operated non-profit health maintenance organization (HMO), announced the promotion of Janel Lujan as Chief Operating Officer.

Ms. Lujan, a 12-year veteran of El Paso Health, has both a Bachelors of Psychology and a Masters of Social Work from Arizona State University. She began her career with El Paso Health as a Social Work Case Manager II, and was subsequently promoted to Case Management Coordinator, Clinical Supervisor, Director of Health Services, and Senior Director of Operations. Most recently, she served the company as Vice President of Operations.

“Janel has had a tremendously fast-tracked and impactful career with El Paso Health and she has been instrumental in our operational successes over the years,” said Frank Dominguez, President and CEO of El Paso Health. “She provides critical leadership to our employees and her high-level experience in managed care operations continues to make her an unmatched asset to our team.”

About El Paso Health

El Paso Health is a local, private, non-profit organization. It is a Texas-licensed health maintenance organization (HMO) established by the El Paso County Hospital District to enter into contract with the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) for the purpose of improving access to medical care for STAR and CHIP members in El Paso and Hudspeth Counties.