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The Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce will host a press conference Friday, March 8, at 11:00 a.m. at the chamber headquarters, 10 Civic Center Plaza.  The chamber will release a report on Fort Bliss’ economic impact on El Paso published by the UTEP Institute for Policy and Economic Development.

The report finds that Fort Bliss contributes $5.998 billion in business volume to El Paso and provides 61,957 jobs annually with $4.168 billion in compensation to area households.

Attendees include El Paso Mayor John Cook; Rick Glancey, armed forces chair, Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce; A.F. “Tom” Thomas, civilian aid to the Secretary of the Army for west Texas; and Major Joe Buccino, Fort Bliss spokesman.

Pickups are not only popular among Texas drivers, they are also top targets for Texas vehicle thieves!  The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has released its final MVT19 report on the top vehicles reported stolen in Texas during 2012.  The MVT19 report is compiled monthly by DPS and represents vehicle theft data entered into the Texas Crime Information Center (TCIC) by all Texas law enforcement agencies.  An error margin of plus or minus five percent is assumed for incorrect entries by agencies.  Based on the reports, as has been the case for many years, pickup trucks top the list of thieves’ most common targets for the year.  Coming in at No. 1 was the Ford Pickup followed closely by the Chevrolet Pickup at No. 2.  In the No. 3 position, the Dodge Pickup also remains a popular target for Texas thieves.  The Honda Civic and the Chevrolet Tahoe round out the top five stolen vehicles.

The complete top ten list of most stolen passenger vehicles includes:

2012 TEXAS TOP 10 STOLEN VEHICLES

1) Ford Pickup

2) Chevrolet Pickup

3) Dodge Pickup

4) Honda Civic

5) Chevrolet Tahoe

6) Honda Accord

7) GMC Pickup

8) Chevrolet Impala

9) Toyota Camry

10) Ford Taurus

Vehicles are stolen for a variety of reasons, and contrary to popular belief, the most stolen vehicles are several years old.  Some are stolen and stripped for parts.  Others are stolen and resold by thieves to unsuspecting buyers.  Many vehicles are stolen for joyriding, for use in committing other crimes, to perpetrate insurance fraud, to burglarize personal items and documentation, or for any number of other illegitimate purposes.  And vehicle theft directly costs Texans more than any other single crime – over $621 million in 2011.

Personnel from the Texas Auto Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority (ABTPA) and the agency’s associated vehicle crime task forces remind Texas drivers that vehicle thieves are always looking for opportunities to steal.  Vehicle owners should be aware that thieves can be lurking anywhere, and drivers should practice prevention techniques such as hiding contents that may be desirable to a thief, locking vehicle doors, and taking keys.

The Texas ABTPA, an office of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, has funded law enforcement programs specializing in vehicle crime investigation, recovery, prevention and prosecution since 1991.  Since then, Texas has seen a 61 percent reduction in the vehicle theft total.  Currently, ABTPA funds 29 task force grant programs statewide, allowing over 150 law enforcement officers throughout Texas to focus exclusively on the resolution of vehicle crime cases.

The Fort Bliss Officer & Civilian Spouses’ Association hosts its annual
spring “Bliss in Bloom” shopping bazaar Friday, March 8 to Sunday, March 10
at the Trading Post-Building 1717 Marshall Rd. on Ft. Bliss.

Featuring a variety of vendors including jewelry, pottery, local crafts,
military artwork, woodwork, toys, and many more-the bazaar is a great place
to buy gifts, home décor, and even souvenirs!

Open Friday afternoon 4-8pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, and Sunday noon-5pm.
Shopping is open to the public and a pass is not needed to enter Ft. Bliss.
Both the Cassidy and Robert E Lee are accessible without a military ID card.
Simply show your government issued identification.

Admission is $2 for adults and children 12 years and younger are free.
Profits benefit the Ft. Bliss Officer & Civilian Spouses’ Association
Community Giving and Scholarship funds.

The City of El Paso Parks and Recreation Department will host an Urban Boxing Class (combination of boxing, cardio Kickboxing, and self-defense) on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. starting March 5, 2013 at Veterans Recreation Center, 5301 Salem. The class is for ages 10 and over with a fee of $20 per session and youth scholarships are available.

The second sign-up opportunity at the Center is a Zumba Class on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. starting March 5, 2013 at Veterans Recreation Center, and 5301 Salem for a cost of $18 per session. Each class session is four weeks and individuals 60 years of age or older are eligible to receive a 50% senior discount.

Registration is available in person at the center or online at www.elpasotexas.gov/parks.

The following closures will be in place along Alameda (SH 20): 

March 6 (Wednesday) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Slow Moving Operation from Americas (Loop 375) to Fabens (FM 76) – crews will begin southbound on the right lane; then turnaround and continue northbound on the right lane

March 7 (Thursday) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Webb Rd. / Alameda Intersection will be closed.  Local will have access to Webb Rd.

Beginning Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at 4:00pm the following areas will begin to move out of City Hall into the New City Hall, located at 300 N. Campbell.

City Manager

Deputy City Managers

Internal Audit

Communications and Public Affairs

Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority (RMA) 

The offices will be at the new location at 300 N. Campbell, 2^nd floor with the same phone numbers and open for business beginning Monday, March 11, 2013,

7:00 am – 6:00pm.

For all updated information on the City Hall Relocation please visit the City homepage at www.elpasotexas.gov and click on “City Hall Relocation.”

FORT BLISS, Texas— 4th Battalion, 17 Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division, will host a family day for the spouses and children of deployed Soldiers, at the Fort Bliss Air Assault Tower, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., March 9. 4-17 is currently deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Activities will include rappelling, confidence course obstacles, rides in Strykers and Humvees, and trying out Army equipment, such as night vision goggles.

This event is conducted by the Family Readiness Group for 1-1 AD and all media are welcome to attend.

EL PASO, TEXAS (March 4, 2013) – Congressman Beto O’Rourke will host his third town hall meeting at Coronado High School, 100 Champions Place, El Paso TX, 79912. The meeting will take place in the school’s auditorium on Saturday, March 9, 2013 from 9:00-10:00 a.m.

Congressman O’Rourke will give an update on his work in Washington DC. The Congressman’s staff will be on hand to assist in resolving issues with various federal agencies including Social Security, Veteran’s Affairs, and Medicare and Medicaid.

WHAT:                 Grand Opening Ceremony

Elvin Estates – Affordable Housing Community in the Lower Valley

WHEN:                Wednesday, March 6, 2013, 10 am – 11am (refreshments and snacks to follow)

WHERE:               Elvin Estates, 249 Elvin Way

(The property is located directly behind Ysleta High School. Directions: Connect to Alameda, head south on Davis rive, and the site is located a quarter mile down on the right.)

WHY:

In an effort to improve the quality of life in the lower valley, the City of El Paso has partnered with the Housing Authority to provide safe, decent and affordable housing for low-income seniors in our community.

The property features 15 Energy Star units for the elderly and a spacious public park complete with picnic areas, a gazebo, and irrigated retention ponds. Two of the 15 units are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and another unit is equipped with audio and visual strobe lighting to assist the hearing impaired. The site itself is ADA-compliant.

This project has been funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the amount of $1,700,000 to the City of El Paso Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP).

The public is advised that effective February 18, 2013, the eastbound lanes of Montwood Dr. will be closed to traffic from McRae Blvd. to Zanzibar Rd. over the next several months. These lane closures are necessary to expedite essential work for the Montwood Street and Drainage Improvement project.

To minimize the impact to traffic while advancing reconstruction activities, work will proceed on one half of the street at a time and the turn lanes will be reduced to one lane each direction.

• The westbound lanes along these street limits will remain open to traffic at this stage
• 
  Access to driveways will be maintained
• 
  The appropriate traffic control measures and detours will be installed

Project Background
The project consists of substantial improvements along Montwood Dr. from McRae Blvd. to
Zanzibar Dr. to include the following:

• 
  New concrete roadway pavement
• 
  New ADA compliant sidewalks, curb and gutter and driveways
• 
  Installation of a storm sewer system
• 
  Replacement of water and sanitary sewer lines
• 
  Increased capacity at the Eastwood Dam (located on Windrock)
• 
  Landscaping
• 
  Street lights

Providence Memorial Hospital is offering free public seminars on various topics including baby care basics, CPR demonstration, children’s classes and maternity tours. To register, the public can call 577-6690. All classes will be held in the Providence Memorial Hospital Hilton Towers Auditorium B & C located at 2001 N. Oregon.

Maternity Tours

Learn more about Providence Memorial Hospital’s Family Birth Unit and take a tour of what the hospital has to offer for your maternity needs. Tours are available daily and are scheduled at the patient’s convenience.

Childbirth Preparation

Participants should begin classes during the seventh month of pregnancy. This class will prepare you for the birth experience. Cesarean birth information is included. Participants are to wear comfortable clothing and bring a pen, a blanket or exercise mat, and two pillows.

 Class Date: Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Time: 7:00 p.m. (please arrive 10 minutes before class)

Place: Providence Memorial Hospital Hilton Towers Auditorium B & C located at 2001 N. Oregon

Breastfeeding

Discuss the advantages of breastfeeding and specific technique to promote successful breastfeeding experience. Including pumping, storing, freezing and thawing breast milk.

 Class Date: Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Place: Providence Memorial Hospital Hilton Towers Auditorium B & C located at 2001 N. Oregon

Baby Care Basics

Join expecting, adoptive and new parents, grand-parents, and older brothers and sisters (9 years and older), to learn how to bathe, diaper and care for a newborn.

 Class Date: Thursday, February 21, 2013

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Place: Providence Memorial Hospital Hilton Towers Auditorium B & C located at 2001 N. Oregon

Pediatric Q&A and CPR Demonstration

In this class, a pediatrician will be available to answer your questions about infant care. CPR will also be demonstrated.

Class Date: Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Place: Providence Memorial Hospital Hilton Towers Auditorium B & C located at 2001 N. Oregon

Children’s Class

Help “big brother and sister” (ages 3 to 8) learn about the arrival of their new baby by introducing them to the hospital experience and the early days at home with their baby. Parents should attend with their child.

 Class Date: Thursday, February 28, 2013

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Place: Providence Memorial Hospital Hilton Towers Auditorium B & C located at 2001 N. Oregon

The public is invited to attend the regional Junior FIRST Lego League (Jr. FLL) and FIRST Lego League (FLL) Championship hosted by the College of Engineering. The tournament will take place from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16 in Memorial Gym at The University of Texas at El Paso.

With this year’s theme, ‘Senior Solutions,’ participants will have a chance to explore the many ways they can help senior citizens in their daily life by improving independence and engaging and connecting them better with their communities.

The Jr. FLL competition is for students in grades K-3 (ages 6 to 9), while students in grades 4-8 (ages 9-14) compete in the FLL competition. Both will challenge participants to build, test and program an automatic robot using Lego Mindstorms to solve the presented mission on an obstacle course.

Founded nearly 20 years ago, FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition in Science and Technology) is a national nonprofit organization whose sole mission is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs designed to build science, engineering and technology skills.

FIRST competitions not only provide students with an experience to develop their math and science problem solving skills at an early age, they also teach them to organize, communicate and delegate –vitally important skills for technical careers.

According to Virgilio Gonzalez, Ph.D., senior lecturer and associate chair of electrical and computer engineering, the FIRST programs provide students from kindergarten to high school with an exciting exposure to STEM disciplines, and the multiple robotics events that UTEP hosts actively engage young students to think, explore, solve and create solutions as a means to introduce and inspire them to consider an engineering career.

“We are also very fortunate to have an enthusiastic group of engineering organizations volunteering time and resources to make this a success,” he said.

Richard Schoephoerster, Ph.D., dean of the College of Engineering, will welcome competitors and officially open the free event.

What: Regional Junior FIRST LEGO League and FIRST LEGO League Championship, hosted by the UTEP College of Engineering

When: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15

Where: Memorial Gym, UTEP campus

The City of El Paso Department of Public Health’s
Immunization Program team will be set up on Saturday at the Bassett Place
Mall.  The vaccine clinic is part of an on-going collaboration between the
Blue Cross Blue Shield Caring for Children foundation and Bassett Place
Mall to make it easier for parents to get their children up-to-date on
their vaccine.

The Department will be offering a variety of vaccines to children under
the age of 18 for a charge of $10.00 one vaccine and $20.00 for two or
more.  They include Dtap, Hepatitis A, B, HIB, PCV-13, IPV, MMR,
Varicella, HPV, Tdap and  influenza vaccine  3 years – 18 years. Please
note that the flu vaccine for Adults (19 and older) will cost $35.00.

The event will take place:

Saturday, February 16, 2013
Bassett Place Mall
6101 Gateway West
915-772-7479
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Parents must bring their children’s immunization record, a picture ID, and
documentation of guardianship.  The vaccines are offered to children ages
0 to 18-years-old who do not have health insurance and who meet
eligibility requirements. Cash, local checks, Medicaid and CHIP will be
accepted.  More information on the Immunization Program can be obtained by
calling (915) 771-5822 or (915) 771-5733.

For more information on the programs and services offered by the
Department of Public Health, please visit
http:/www.elpasotexas.gov/health/.