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ANNUAL EL PASO FIRE TRUCK PULL SCHEDULED FOR FEB. 24 TO SUPPORT LOCAL SPECIAL OLYMPICS ATHLETES

The El Paso Fire Truck Pull is an annual Law Enforcement Torch Run fundraiser that is open to the public and supports more than 2,300 local Special Olympics Texas athletes.

Members of the community will come together to use their strength for a good cause on Saturday, February 24 as they attempt to haul a 55,000-pound El Paso fire engine for 75 feet in the fastest time at the Fire Fighters Academy at Ascarate Park. The annual Fire Truck Pull is a team-building activity and fundraiser that is open to the public and supports Special Olympics Texas athletes in the Greater El Paso Area.  Registration can be completed in advance online here.

The Fire Truck Pull requires teams of 10 friends, family members and colleagues to put their biceps and working together to pull the emergency vehicle. All teams are required to have at least one female on the squad. Teams with fewer than 10 members should indicate that when registering, as “fill-ins” can be found. The challenge will wrap up with an awards ceremony for the Fastest Team Pull and Most Money Raised.

Event sponsors for this year’s Fire Truck Pull include Casa Ford, the El Paso Fire Department, Whataburger and the El Paso Police Department.

Check-in and walk-up registration begins at 8:00 a.m. and the first pull is slated for 9:00 a.m. The entry fee is $25 per person or $250 per team (10 people). The parking fee at Ascarate Park is $2.00 for each vehicle.

Teams and individuals are encouraged to collect additional funds in an effort to compete for the “Most Money Raised” award. All funds collected through this event will go to SOTX to provide sports programming and competition training for more than 2,300 children and adults with intellectual disabilities in the Greater El Paso Area.

This event operates under the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR), which is SOTX’s largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle. Through efforts like the Fire Truck Pull, Texas LETR raised over $1.4 million in 2016 to support more than 58,300 SOTX athletes across the state.

For the first time in Texas, the El Paso Museum of Art (EPMA) presents the Papel Chicano Dos: Works on Paper from the Collection of Cheech Marin exhibit that will be on view from February 16 through June 17. 

 

The exhibition features 65 works from the esteemed private collection of actor, comedian, and philanthropist Cheech Marin. It explores Chicano identity from the Chicano Revolution to the present day. As a collector, Marin is dedicated to bringing Chicano art to the forefront of the American art scene.

 

Using pastels, watercolors, acrylic and spray paint, each of the artists explore universal themes of identity, political and social revolution and the experience of living between and within many cultures. The exhibition includes large-scale works by seminal Chicano artists like Frank Romero, Carlos Almaraz, Glugio “Gronk” Nicandro, and Benito Huerta and prominently features Chicana artists such as Diane Gamboa, Sonia Romero, and Sonia Fe. Also included in Marin’s collection are works by local artist and teacher Gaspar Enriquez, whose large-scale installation, Color Harmony en la Esquina, has found its home in EPMA’s Grand Lobby since 2013.

 

“In many ways, Cheech Marin’s collection of Chicano art is at home in El Paso. It features artists who embrace a multicultural heritage and artistically reinvigorate, critique, and transform traditions familiar to us along the US-Mexico border,” said exhibition curator Kevin Burns.

 

Papel Chicano Dos will be supplemented by various community and educational programs that are free and open to the public.

 

·         Saturday, March 3: Papel Chicano Celebration, Noon to 4 p.m. Art-making activities, food trucks, a display of classic low-rider cars, and live music and vinyl sessions by Mother of Pearl Vinyl.

·         Saturday, March 31: Baikas!, 12 – 4 p.m., join local Chicano artist and muralist Jesus “Cimi” Alvarado for a guided bicycle tour of El Segundo Barrio’s murals. The tour begins and ends at EPMA; bring a bicycle and water. RSVP for the mural tour at EPMArsvp@elpasotexas.gov or 915-212-3068.

El Paso Community College (EPCC) will have a groundbreaking at its Transmountain Campus. This is the first project to begin a Districtwide expansion as part of the College’s Master Plan.

What:                         EPCC Transmountain Campus Groundbreaking

When:                         Thursday, February 15, 2018, 10:30 a.m.

Where:                       EPCC Transmountain Campus Dean’s Foyer
9570 Gateway Blvd. North

Visuals:                      Groundbreaking ceremonies, interviews with EPCC Board of Trustees, students and project architects.

This project is the first campus project to break ground as a result of EPCC’s Master Plan. To enhance student experiences and to prepare for future growth, EPCC’s Master Plan recommended multiple phases of construction to expand facilities. These important projects will address campus improvement needs and make sure EPCC has the capacity to serve students with additional classroom and laboratory space, state-of-the art learning experiences and improved technology. These projects will enhance student life and experience while providing new and innovative learning opportunities.

The Transmountain campus expansion will add additional classrooms along with much needed student study and collaboration spaces. This addition will also allow for expansion of Fashion Technology and Interior Design labs and state-of-the-art computer labs.  Learn more about these projects at:  http://buildthefuture.epcc.edu

El Paso Community College’s (EPCC) Jenna Welch and Laura Bush Community Library on the Northwest campus hosted Mark Smith, State Librarian from the Texas State Library and Archive Commission (TSLAC).

On this first-ever visit by a Texas State Librarian to El Paso, Smith learned about the partnership between EPCC, the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and the El Paso Library System in offering services not just to EPCC students, but to the surrounding community.

“This is an outstanding library in its own right, but I am really excited about the cooperative project with the El Paso Public Library,” Mark Smith, Texas State Librarian said. “The library is an anchor to the community, it is a technology center where kids can progress to community college and beyond.”
Being the only library in a 10-mile radius, the Jenna Welch and Laura Bush Community Library offers educational services and community programs such as Summer Books and Beyond, Toddler Tech, physical fitness and citizenship classes.

Opened in 2003, the library was named for Jenna Welch, a former Canutillo resident, and her daughter Former First Lady, Laura Bush. The mother and daughter have visited the library sharing their love of books and family reading.

EPCC builds community awareness and grows partnerships by sharing the many ways it transforms students’ lives and impacts the community and region.

After 30+ years of touring, Paramount’s Laser Spectacular has become a cult classic, presenting the music of Pink Floyd like you’ve never seen it before.

Presented for the first time in 1986, producer Steve Monistere has established the Laser Spectacular as the longest running, touring theater show in history!

Driven by cutting edge effects, Full Color Lasers, Hi-Def Multi-Screen Video Projection, Concert Quality Sound and Lighting Effects, your senses are confronted with an array of visual displays, choreographed to the soundtrack of this exciting show.

Viewed though specially designed 3-D glasses, the audience is drawn into this magical production, often singing along with the re-mastered sound track.

The show has become a favorite with progressive rock fans of all ages. At most shows, parents are seen rocking’ out with their teenagers, as the Laser Spectacular brings together two generations of Pink Floyd music fans.

Date: Friday, January 19, 2018

Time: 8 pm

Place: Chavez Theater at El Paso PAC

Tickets: $25-$35 at Ticketmaster or the PAC Box Office

On Sale Date: Friday, November 10, 2017

On Sale Time: 10 am

Website for more info: pinkfloydlasershow.com/elpaso

Social Media:

facebook.com/ PinkFloydLaserShow

youtube.com/user/TheLaserSpectacular

The City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department invites everyone to spend the holiday season visiting one of the City’s three museums; El Paso Museum of Art, El Paso Museum of History and the El Paso Museum Archaeology.

All three museums will be open regular hours through the winter holidays with free family-friendly exhibitions.

• The El Paso Museum of Archaeology offers archery or atl-atl demonstrations on Saturday mornings. The trails around the museum are open for family-friendly hikes.

• The El Paso Museum of History is hosting two free preservation workshops as part of the new exhibition, What We Brought. This exhibition explores what people brought with them when they relocated to El Paso. Visitors can learn how to preserve their family heirlooms during the special workshops. Visitors are encouraged to bring an item to preserve. The workshops are at 2 p.m. December 27 and at 5 p.m. December 28.

• The El Paso Museum of Art has several free, ongoing exhibitions as well as drop-in activities during open studio hours from noon to 2 p.m. December 26 through 29. Each of the workshops are designed for visitors 4 years and older and features an art making activity tied to the museum’s current exhibitions.

o    Build It Family Workshop, Tuesday, December 26, build homes and buildings with LEGO bricks inspired by the exhibition, Frank Lloyd Wright: Architecture of the Interior.

o    Print It Family Workshop, Wednesday, December 27, discover the exhibition Gardens of Earthly and Unearthly Delights and create a watercolor monoprint using leaves and flower petals.

o    Make It Family Workshop, Thursday, December 28, Frank Lloyd Wright’s work was inspired by nature. See the exhibition, Frank Lloyd Wright: Architecture of the Interior and create your own stained glass window cling.

o    Paint It Family Workshop, Friday, December 20, make a watercolor masterpiece inspired by works from the exhibition, Tom Lea Watercolors and Washes

In observance of the Christmas and New Year’s holiday, all three museums will be closed on Monday, December 25, and Monday, January 1.

For more information, visit elpasoartmuseum.org/, history.elpasotexas.gov/, or archaeology.elpasotexas.gov/.

Public Library encourages everyone to curl up with books this winter

The El Paso Public Library encourages every one of all ages to snuggle up with a good book this winter by participating in the Season’s Reading book club that begins Saturday, December 16, at all library branches.

The club requirements are simple; register online or at any library branch, read at least three books and submit a reading log with a list of the titles read. Those who complete the reading requirements will be eligible to win prizes and receive a certificate of completion (prizes vary by branch).

The book club encourages everyone to spend more time reading together this holiday season. Books such as “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” by Dr. Seuss and Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” are just two of the many holiday books available for loan at library branches.

To register for the Season’s Reading book club, visit any public library branch or go online at www.elpasolibrary.org.

The City of El Paso Parks and Recreation Department is offering lifeguard training courses from December 20 through 23 at the O’Rourke Aquatics Center, 901 N. Virginia St.

 

The classes on Wednesday, December 20, are from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The classes on Thursday, Friday and Saturday are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

A second Lifeguard Training Class will be on December 27 through 30 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the O’Rourke Aquatic Center. 

 

Each course is $217 per person but discounts are available. For more information on the lifeguard training classes, call the El Paso Parks and Recreation Department at (915) 212-2145 or visit elpasotexas.gov/parks.

 

Hospital earns Heart Failure Accreditation by the ACC under new Version 3 standards

EL PASO, Texas — The Hospitals of Providence Sierra Campus is one of only two hospitals in the country to receive recognition from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) under new, more rigorous standards for treating patients suffering from heart failure.

“ACC Accreditation Services is proud to bestow Heart Failure Accreditation on Sierra Campus,” said Abraham
Joseph, Vice President of ACC Accreditation Services. “We commend Sierra Campus for its demonstrated leadership and commitment to providing El Paso area patients with excellent care of heart failure patients.”

Sierra Campus was awarded Heart Failure Accreditation in October, 2017 based on on-site review of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients with heart failure through pre-hospital care, early stabilization, acute care, transitional care, clinical quality measures and more.

Heart failure is a condition where the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs for blood and oxygen. Hospitals that employ an evidence-based, protocol-driven and systematic approach to managing heart failure have been able to reduce time to treatment, and are able to identify and predict high-risk patients while also reducing length-of- stay and hospital readmissions.

Hospitals receiving Heart Failure Accreditation from the ACC must take part in a multi-faceted clinical process that involves: completing a gap analysis; examining variances of care, developing an action plan; a rigorous onsite review; and monitoring for sustained success. Improved methods and strategies of caring for patients include streamlining processes, implementing of guidelines and standards, and adopting best practices in the precise care of heart failure patients. Facilities that achieve accreditation meet or exceed an array of stringent criteria and have organized a team of doctors, nurses, clinicians, and other administrative staff that earnestly support the efforts leading to better patient education, improved patient outcomes, and more effective and efficient disease control.

“This important accreditation is a result of our team’s hard work, and commitment to providing high-quality, compassionate care,” said Monica Vargas-Mahar, CEO of Sierra Campus.” We thank our team for their passion and dedication to our patients and to moving health forward.”

The ACC and American Heart Association are collaborating to offer U.S. hospitals like Sierra Campus access to a comprehensive suite of co-branded cardiac accreditation services designed to optimize patient outcomes and improve hospital financial performance. These services are focused on all aspects of cardiac care, including heart failure.

About The Hospitals of Providence:
The Hospitals of Providence covers the El Paso Region to include West Texas and Southern New Mexico. The system includes Memorial Campus, Providence Children’s Hospital, Sierra Campus, East Campus, Transmountain Campus, Horizon City Campus; Imaging Centers; Trawood and Northeast Emergency Rooms; Paso del Norte and El Paso Day Surgery Centers; Teen Health Resource Centers; Wound Care and Hyperbaric Centers; In-patient Rehabilitation Program; Outpatient Therapy Centers; MedPost and MedPost Kids Urgent Care Centers; and ‘A New Me’ Surgical Weight-Loss Program. The Hospitals of Providence is dedicated to continuing the over-60-year commitment legacy to the El Paso Community. For more information please visit
TheHospitalsOfProvidence.com.

WSMR will hold their annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Thursday, Dec. 7.  Children from the WSMR Youth Center will sing holiday songs, including the New Mexico version of
the 12 Days of Christmas. Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit the WSMR children
and give them stockings filled with candy. One child will be chosen to help
the commanding general flip the switch that will turn on more than 400
lights wrapped around the enormous Christmas tree in front of building 100.


WHAT: WSMR Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
WHEN: 5 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017
WHERE: In front of building 100 at WSMR

El Paso Community College (EPCC) will celebrate its Fall 2017 Commencement Ceremony; 2,234 students will receive their degrees and certificates.

WHAT:                   Fall 2017 Commencement Ceremony

WHEN:                   Friday, December 8^th, 5:30 p.m.

WHERE:                 Don Haskins Center at University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP)

WHO:                     Fall 2017 Class

Keynote Speaker: L. Frederick “Rick” Francis, Chairman of the Board for WestStar Bank Holding Company, Inc. and CEO of WestStar Bank

                              EPCC President, Dr. William Serrata

EPCC Board Members

DIRECTIONS:        Press parking is next to Memorial Gym on Glory Road. Access this location from Sun Bowl Dr.

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.