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Quality of Life Star Performers Recognized
At the close of the fiscal year, the Quality of Life portfolio recognizes its top performers for the year. Nominations are taken from all Quality of Life departments for award recipients in the following areas:
- Outstanding Performance
- Leadership
- Customer Service
- Star of Excellence
The most recent group of recipients were presented their awards earlier in September by the Deputy City Manager for the Quality of Life Portfolio, Debbie Hamlyn. Click on each of the recipients’ names below to view the actual nomination statement.
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EPIA Historical Photos
El Paso International Airport will celebrate 80 years of service to El Paso and will host renowned aviation artist, John Paul Jones, who will discuss the history of early EPIA through a series of historical airport photographs. The event will take place in the La Placita Conference Room at El Paso International Airport on September 26, 2008 at 3:00 p.m.
Code Enforcement Targets Weeds
Putting off trimming the overgrown weeds or grass in your yard might get you a visit from the city’s Environmental Services Department.
The recent summer rains have contributed to the overgrowth of weeds in vacant lots, homes and businesses. To try to keep neighborhoods looking their best, code compliance inspectors have been out in full force enforcing the City’s trash and weed ordinance.
According to the ordinance, weeds or grass on your property should not exceed 12 inches in height. You are also responsible for keeping weeds from obstructing the path of sidewalks abutting your property.
If you fail to maintain your yard, the City may put you on notice to take care of the problem. If the nuisance is not abated within seven days of the notice, the City may seek a court order allowing it to clean the property at the property owner’s expense.
To report overgrown weeds, unkempt yards or other code violations, citizens should call the Code Compliance Division at 774-4500.
Environmental Services Looks to the Future
It’s taken several months, but the City of El Paso Environmental Services Department is ready to unveil its strategic plan that will set the direction for the Department for the next five years.
The Department embarked in the process of strategic planning about six-months ago in an effort to set out specific goals aimed at refining its operations, enhancing its efficiency and ultimately improving the service it provides our citizens.
The strategic plan was developed by the Core Planning Team, a cross-section of Environmental Services Department employees. It will be shared with all of the department’s employees at a training session scheduled for later this month.
Three Dentists Join Department of Public Health
Three dentists, all native El Pasoans, have joined the City of El Paso Department of Public Health to provide preventive dental care services to at the Rawlings Clinic.
The clinic at 3301 Pera provides dental care services to El Paso County residents, ages 1 to 21.
The new dentists are:
| • | | Dr. Yvonne Maldonado is a dentist in private practice who worked at the Tillman Dental Clinic earlier in her career. Dr. Maldonado has several years of experience in pediatric dentistry and is a graduate of UT Health Science Center in Houston. She will work at Rawlings clinic for three months. |
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| • | | Dr. Carmen Brambila is a new dentist who has returned to El Paso to serve her hometown community. Brambila graduated recently graduated from the Tufts Dental School in Boston, Massachusetts. She will work at the clinic for a year. |
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| • | | Dr. Joaquin Sanchez is a dentist who also recently graduated from the Tufts Dental School. Dr. Sanchez has committed to a one-year contract with the program that provided him with dental care as a child. He and his siblings were patients of the Tillman Dental Clinic (now Rawlings Clinic) when they were children. |
Environmental Services Department Praised at Environmental Summit
State Senator Eliot Shapleigh presented the City of El Paso Environmental Services Department with an award at the 8th Annual Environmental El Paso Pride Summit on September 19th.
The award, made out of recycled green glass, recognizes Environmental Services for implementing a Curbside Recycling program, which has made recycling part of everyday life in El Paso.
The award reads:
El Paso Pride recognizes the City of El Paso Environmental Services' Curbside Recycling
for invaluable dedication and commitment
to preserving El Paso's environment, culture, heritage and pride.
Tu Comunidad--Keep it Clean, Make us Proud.
September 19, 2008
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School Supplies for Salvation Army
In answer to community requests for donations of school supplies to needy El Paso children, the Financial Services Department once again followed their hearts and opened their wallets to donate several boxes of school supplies that were delivered to the El Paso Salvation Army on Shelter Drive. Ralph Torres, who is a Buyer with the Purchasing Section, initiated and coordinated this effort. The Financial Services Department would like to thank other generous employees from Fleet Services and even the Raytheon Company who heard about the drive and provided contributions.
Environmental Services Department Welcomes Engineer
Miguel Parra has joined the Engineering Division of the City of El Paso Environmental Services Department as the new Engineering Division Manager.
Parra brings a wealth of environmental engineering experience to the Department from his previous work experience at El Paso Electric, UTEP and the State’s environmental agency.
Women, Infants and Children Program Bids Farewell to
Elvira “Vira” Diaz After 28 Years of Service
The Women, Infants and Children program staff bid an emotional farewell to one of its most senior staff members, Elvira “Vira” Diaz during a recent luncheon held in her honor in conjunction with WIC’s Quarterly Staff Meeting.
Vira retired in late August after 28 years of service with the program, better known as WIC.
As a tribute to Vira at the luncheon, WIC Services Director Bertha Amaya gave a thoughtful speech illustrating Vira’s career and WIC’s milestones during her tenure.
To honor Vira for her contributions to WIC and our community, we’re sharing Amaya’s speech with all City employees.
 Click here to read speech in its entirety
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
Are Your Immunizations Up-to-Date?
Department of Public Health Now Offering Vaccines at STD Clinic
The City of El Paso Department of Public Health is now offering its adult clients the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussus) vaccine and Gardasil vaccine for $10 each.
The Gardasil vaccine, which provides protection against four of the worse strains of HPV, is offered to women 18 to 26 years. It consists of three vaccinations with one the first day, one two months later and the third four months later. Tdap is recommended to both men and women every 10 years.
STD CLINIC - HOURS OF TESTING
Monday - Thursday
7:30am – 11:30am & 1:00pm – 4:30pm
CLOSED FRIDAYS
For appointments call: 771-1200
Street Department Encourages Fitness in the Workplace
Street Department employees have a new tool for reducing workplace accidents – a stretching program.
Each morning before they head out to repair potholes, re-stripe streets or install traffic signals, employees are doing their share to try to reduce on-the-job injuries.
The simple exercise techniques range from neck stretches to arm circles to calf raises. Employees are stretching in the morning while they wait for their vehicles or other equipment to warm up.
“I guess in a way, it’s kind of cool,” said Leo Duran, Street Operations Assistant. “We all need it. Like for us, our guys don’t get much exercise because they are sitting in the sweepers all day.”
According to medical experts, stretching breaks during work hours can help fatigue and tiredness, which should help employees work more efficiently.
TAKE ADVANTAGE
Parks and Recreation Events
Click on the link below to view more information on different Parks and Recreation activities going on around El Paso. From folklorico dance classes and kickboxing to salsa dancing and fun walks, Parks & Recreation has something for you.
Upcoming Parks & Recreation Events
Offers from the Butterfield Trail
Butterfield Trail Golf Club Loyalty Cards
If you haven't already, it's not too late to come in and start saving up to 30% with your purchase of our 6-Shooter or Golfer's Dozen loyalty cards. Take advantage of the preferred weekday and weekend rates. You can also visit our Golf Shop to purchase a Butterfield Trail Golf Club Gift Card today, click here . For more information call 915-772-1031.
Butterfield Trail Golf Club Gift Cards
Have a special occasion coming up anytime soon? Not sure what to get that special someone? Why not a BTGC Gift Card? You can never go wrong with the gift of choice. Visit our website or come in to our golf shop and purchase one today. Click here to view gift card info. For more information call 915-772-1031.
Golf & Meal Deal at Butterfield Trail Golf Club
Monday - Friday Golf & Meal Deal
Present the special invitation, prior to Twilight Golf, Monday through Friday, and receive a complimentary Hot Dog, Bratwurst or cold sandwich with chips and soda at Salida del Sol on the day you play. Click here to print the Invitation.
September Sizzling Summer special is only valid from 9/1/2008 to 9/31/2008
For more information call 915-772-1031.
Museums and Cultural Affairs Events
El Paso Museum of Art
Hours of operation:
Tues-Sat 9am – 5pm; Thurs 9am – 9pm;
Sun 12noon – 5pm
Info: (915) 532-1707
3RD Thursdays at El Paso Museum of Art: MASQUERADE!
Thursday, October 16, 2008 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
To RSVP please call 532.1707
Featuring the look and feel of a Venice Masquerade Ball! Join us in your best masks (not required) and enjoy great Italian food, beverages and live entertainment. Prizes will be awarded for the best masks in the following categories: Fierce, Chic, Comical, and Scary. A special invitation is extended to all City Employees and students (IDs required please).
$5 donation at the door for each Museum Member
$8 donation at the door for each Non Member
Foreign Film
Saturday, October 4 @ 2:00 p.m.
FRANCE/UK/CZECH REPUBLIC
LA VIE EN ROSE (2007)
Director: Olivier Dahan
Language: French
Rated PG-13 for substance abuse, sexual content, brief nudity, language, 140 minutes
From the slums of Paris to the limelight of New York, legendary French singer Edith Piaf’s life is explored in this biopic. Free.
EPMA Classes: Relief Printmaking
From September 20 – October 25 Ouida Touchon, Artist – Printmaker from Las Cruces, NM, will offer a class in Relief Printmaking. Touchon will be teaching the simple and dynamic technique of lino-cut. Students will learn to design and cut their own plate, use a printing press and complete their own unique relief print in a small edition of up to ten prints. This class is for adults (ages 15 and up) and will be for 6 sessions, on Saturdays from 9:15 AM – 11:15 AM. The cost is $59.00 for Non-members and $47.00 for Museum Members.
To register for the talk and/or the class please contact the EPMA Education Department or visit the Museum online at www.elpasoartmuseum.org. The El Paso Museum of Art would like to thank New York City’s MOMA for their collaboration with this effort by allowing EPMA to link their flash print making demo to EPMA’s website.
El Paso Museum of History
Hours of operation: Tues-Sat 10am – 5pm;
Sun 12noon – 5 pm
Info: (915) 351-3588
“Packed Away - Trunks, Chests and Wardrobes”
October 1, 2008 - November 2, 2008
The United States has been characterized as a “throw away” society. But what about those things we don’t throw away? What have we chosen to keep and how have we preserved these items? Packed Away is an exhibition comprised of trunks, chests and wardrobes temporarily turned into exhibit cases. Inside are clothing and accessories, bedding, linens and the other odds and ends from the past that most families accumulate. Visit the beautiful trunks and explore the hidden treasures within, now through November 2nd.
Call for Submissions: Immigrant Women of El Paso exhibition
In preparation for the Museum of History’s exhibition: Immigrant Women of El Paso, the Museum is asking the community to submit pictures and stories of Immigrant Women of El Paso. This tribute to immigrant women who made El Paso their first U.S. home will be hosted November 14 – December 31, 2008.
Pictures must be delivered to the El Paso Museum of History between October 15 and October 31, 2008. Applications can be downloaded and emailed back to murphyjr@elpasotexas.gov beginning July 1, 2008. Please review all criteria for submission listed on the application, which is available on the Museum’s website: www.elpasotexas.gov/arch_museum/default.asp
Dia de los Muertos
The El Paso Museum of History celebrates Dia de los Muertos. Plan to stop by your Museum of History this October for lectures, workshops and music inspired by the day of the dead. This year’s theme, “A Celebration of Life” will be the background for events during the week of October 27th – November 2nd. Visit our website for more details, which will include a listing of celebrations along the El Paso/Juarez/Las Cruces borders.
Be sure to mark you calendar for our community celebration with the El Paso Public Library on November 1, 2008. The day will include fun “Make and Take” workshops for the little ones, altars in memory of loved ones, and a special skeletal appearance by El Paso favorite, Fungi Mungle.
El Paso Museum of Archaeology
Hours of Operation: Tues-Sat 9am – 5pm;
Sun 12noon – 5pm; Monday-Closed
Info: (915) 755-4332
Voladores de Papantla
Danza de los Voladores de Papantla (Dance of Papantla's flyers)
October 25, 2008
October is Texas Archaeology Month and the El Paso Museum of Archaeology invites you to spend the day enjoying performances by the musical group CEIBA and Indian dance performances. The event will feature the Voladores de Papantla from Veracruz, Mexico. In this ritualistic dance performed by the Totonac Indians, five men climb atop a 70-foot-high pole, one of them stays on top of the pole playing a flute while the remaining four descend from the pole tied by ropes. The ropes unwrap 13 times for each of the four flyers, symbolizing the 52 year calendrical cycle.
This event is free to the public. Food and beverages will be available.
| 9:30 a.m. | | Introduction by Dr. Marc Thompson |
| 10:00 a.m. | | Voladores de Papantla, Veracruz, Mexico |
| 11:30 a.m. | | Tigua Indian dancers, Ysleta del Sur Pueblo |
| 2:00 p.m. | | Voladores de Papantla, Veracruz, Mexico |
| 3:30 p.m. | | Kalpulli Tlalteca, Aztec Dancers |
For more information, please call Jason Jurgena at (915) 755-4332.
Memento Mori
Días de los Muertos Activities and Tequila Tasting
November 1, 2008 (All Saint’s Day)
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In celebration of Días de los Muertos the museum will present a traditional ofrenda and Days of the Dead exhibit, pan del Muerto and Mexican chocolate. Activities include holiday face painting and theatrical performances of Danse Macabre at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and noon. Tequila tasting sponsored by Sol Azul and traditional Mexican music by CEIBA will be presented from 1 to 4 p.m. This event is free to the public.
$5 donation per taste for the Tequila Tasting
Two free tastes for joining the Museum Membership at the Individual Level
Three free tastes for joining the Museum Membership at the Family Level
Current Museum Members receive one complimentary taste
For more information, please call Jason Jurgena at (915) 755-4332.
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We recently sent out a special edition of the employee newsletter that outlined new programs just for employees. Just in case you did not catch it, here is a recap:
Ethicsline for Employees
The City of El Paso’s Internal Audit Office has joined up with an outside company called The Network to create the “Ethicsline.”
This new program is an internal initiative that is strictly for City employees to report unethical activity conducted by other city employees. If you are aware of activities going on within the organization that are illegal, against the City of El Paso standards or could cause harm to employees, customers or the City, employees are encouraged to report these actions immediately.
How it works:
| • | | Employees can call in 24 hours a day/7 days a week to make a report on the Ethicsline: 1-866-614-9688. Employees can also make a report via email at: ethicsline@elpasotexas.gov |
| • | | An interview specialist will ask several questions to take your report, will assign you a reference number so you can follow up and relay your information to the appropriate member of management. |
| • | | Employees can remain anonymous. |
Transit Incentive Program
The City of El Paso and Sun Metro are partnering to create a City Employee Transit Incentive Program meant to promote public transportation use. City employees will have an opportunity to save money on commuting costs, reduce traffic and parking congestion and help protect our environment from harmful greenhouse gases by making Sun Metro their transportation choice.
Any City Employee is eligible to participate in the program. Interested participants who choose to use public transit are eligible to receive Sun Metro’s services at no cost through this program.
An upcoming Transit Work Session will be held Tuesday, September 30th from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm in City Hall’s 1st Floor Lobby Area. Sun Metro staff will be on-hand to assist interested employees with personalized trip/route planning to meet their needs. If you have additional questions on the Program and are unable to attend the upcoming work session, please call the Sun Metro Customer Service line: 533-3333.
Please note:
| • | | Must present current City of El Paso identification upon boarding the bus. No Exceptions. |
| • | | Program incentives apply to all routes on Sun Metro’s fixed-route service with the exception of Routes 83 and 84. (LIFT does not apply). |
| • | | Program incentives are limited only to City of El Paso Employees. |
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General Links
Benefits Services
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Contact Us
Do you have a question, comment or feedback on the Employee Newsletter?
Let us know!
Send us an email at:
elpasopio@elpasotexas.gov
We value your opinion! |
SPECIAL FEATURE ARTICLE:
MONTHLY SAFETY TIP |
Dangers of Open-Flames
Open flames in an office setting are used to accomplish a variety of objectives from air quality enhancement to creating ambience; but the hazards greatly exceed the benefits.
Open flames from candles or floating wick oil lamps pose a serious burn and fire hazard to building occupants or visitors. The candle can be knocked over by a bump to the object the candle is placed on, spilling hot wax or oil that can catch fire, or knocking the flame onto combustibles. The flame can burn a passer by or catch clothing, paper or other objects on fire. In addition, the flames generate smoke and soot that can trigger the building’s smoke detector and fire alarm and cause an unnecessary evacuation.
Potpourri and the limited use of aerosol sprays is a safer alternative for improved air while battery operated, flameless candles can add ambience without the risk.
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