In this issue of “¿Qué
Pasa?”
you will learn about
the following:
- Progress in motion: Downtown Revitalization
- USIBWC Releases Environmental Study of Proposed
Flood Control Improvements
- Character First!
- Storm 2006 Capital Project Update
- Street Department Honored with GIS Award
- SmartCode for El Paso
- First Lady’s Program to Feed the Homeless
- 4th Annual Neighborhood Summit
- Emergency Preparedness Guide
- Harvard and Texas Tech Researchers Halt Spread of
HIV with RNAi
- Mayor’s 100 Top 100 Teens – Generation 2008-2009
- “For the Teens and Kids”
I hope you enjoy our
efforts to keep you informed,
Mayor John F. Cook -
City of El Paso
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Only he who does nothing makes no mistakes. French proverb
REFLECTION
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate
the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the
other. Mt. 6:24
PROGRESS IN MOTION: DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION
Since
the downtown revitalization plan was officially approved in December 2006, we
have been anxiously awaiting the visible proof that new life is being infused
into what I like to call “the city’s living room”.
Continued
progress to enhance the effectiveness and viability of revitalization has not
gone un-noticed.
Read
More
USIBWC RELEASES ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY OF
PROPOSED FLOOD CONTROL IMPROVEMENTS
The United States Section
of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) has released the
Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact,
Improvements to the Rio Grande Rectification Project. Public comment on the document will be
accepted through September 2, 2008.
The study analyzes
environmental impacts of plans to raise Rio Grande
flood control levees and dredge the river in the USIBWC’s
Rio Grande Rectification Project in El Paso and Hudspeth Counties
in Texas. The proposed improvements are intended to
increase the flood containment capacity of the levees and to restore the normal
flow capacity of the river, which has been reduced by sediment deposition. Levee-raising in the upstream portion of the
project in east and central El Paso
was completed in 2007. The EA addresses
proposed levee improvements downstream from the Zaragoza International
Bridge and sediment
removal at various sites. Improvements
would be undertaken in phases as funding becomes available.
According to the EA, the
proposed improvements would have a very significant socioeconomic benefit for
the community by providing increased flood protection. Agricultural lands would also benefit by the
increased efficiency in delivery of irrigation water resulting from dredging. All work would be conducted within the
existing project right-of-way and no significant effects on wildlife habitat
are expected.
CHARACTER FIRST!
by
Laurie Huffman
Character Quality of the
Month – ALERTNESS
In
August, we will look at the character quality of alertness. Alertness is
being aware of what is taking place around me so I can have the right
responses. The opposite of alertness is carelessness.
Read more
Decisiveness Video
STORM 2006 CAPITAL PROJECT UPDATE
The ongoing effort to address the critical
infrastructure in areas most impacted as a result of Storm 2006 continues
as a top priority. The initiative has provided for substantial improvements and
a targeted focus on enhanced stormwater management
capabilities citywide.
- 15 major
reconstruction projects have been completed to date
- Approximately 6
priority I & II projects have construction underway
o
Construction
sites are actively being monitored during inclement weather conditions
Read more
Press
Release
STREET DEPARTMENT HONORED WITH GIS AWARD
The
City of El Paso Street Department
has demonstrated vision and leadership, using ESRI's
geographic information system (GIS) technology to better serve the world. To
recognize this passionate approach to applying GIS solutions, ESRI will present
the organization with the Special Achievement in GIS (SAG) Award on August 6,
2008, at the 28th Annual ESRI International User Conference (ESRI UC) in San Diego, California.
Read more
Press
Release
SmartCODE
FOR eL PASO
The purpose of the SmartCode
is to provide a form-based, unified land development ordinance that is an
optional alternative to conventional zoning and subdivision codes. The SmartCode
places an emphasis on scale, form and context rather than land use and is
intended to replicate the benefits of early 20th century
neighborhoods, promoting more walkable, sustainable
development that strives to merge the
amenities in the public realm with the activity of the private realm.
Read
more
FIRST LADY’S PROGRAM TO FEED THE HOMELESS
First Lady Tram
Cook and volunteer staff served dinner on Sunday, July 27, 2008 at the Christian Home,
7365 Alameda. The next dinner is scheduled for:
4TH ANNUAL NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMIT
Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008, 8a.m. – 2 p.m.
The Neighborhood Summit is an opportunity
to unite residents, community leaders, service providers and stakeholders of
the community.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS REFERENCE GUIDE
The City of El Paso Street Department has prepared
information with flooding safety tips, useful information to have during this
rainy season.
Read more
HARVARD AND TEXAS TECH RESEARCHERS HALT SPREAD OF HIV
WITH RNAi
Using a novel method to
deliver small molecules called siRNAs into T cells,
researchers dramatically suppressed HIV in the first-ever animal model that
mirrors progression of the disease in humans. The siRNAs
knocked down three key genes and kept the infection from spreading in mice
containing human immune cells infected with the virus.
Read
more
ANNOUNCING ~ MAYOR’S TOP 100
TEENS ~ GENERATION 2008-2009
The
selection of this year’s Mayor’s 100 Teens has been completed. This is the
third generation of The Mayor’s 100 Teens that will recognize and celebrate
deserving teenagers. Its mission is to
create a community that values teens and promotes a positive image of them. The program’s goals are to:
- Recognize a diverse
group of high school teens who normally do not receive recognition.
- Collaborate with
youth-serving organizations and businesses that are advocates for youth.
- Achieve prominent
exposure for promising teenagers in the community.
Teens
completing 9th, 10th, or 11th grades may be
nominated during the spring of each year by teachers, counselors, friends,
clergy or family (but not their parents).
The program seeks nominees who:
- Overcame a
significant obstacle in their lives.
- Perform community
service.
- Demonstrate
scholastic achievement.
- Set a good example.
Community
partners are members of the Optimist Clubs of El Paso who volunteered to
support The Mayor’s 100 Teens program:
Hampton
and Toni Hurt – Cielo Vista Optimist Club
Bill
Dominik and Dori Whitney –
Sun-Up Optimist Club
Nancy
Casner, Ida Collin, and Yolie
Reyes – Sun-Up Optimist
Janice
Dixon – Northgate Optimist Club
Walt
and Gloria Phillips – Skyline Optimist Club
Rick
and Sharon Olivo
Angie
Sommers, SGT. Ret. EPPD
EL PASO POLICE OFFER FREE
MOTORCYCLE SAFETY CLASS
The
El Paso Police Department recognizes the rise in motorcycle riders and is
offering these classes to assist the community in riding safe. The classes are being taught by motorcycle officers. The classes will be offered the 4th
Thursday of every month excluding the month of December.
Read more
FOR THE TEENS & KIDS
El Paso’s Terrific Ten Conference Scholarship Application
If
you are a junior or senior girl, please read on. The women’s conference was created to serve
as a statewide forum, which would both educate and inspire the women of Texas. In an effort to expand upon this mission, the
University of Texas
at El Paso’s Center for Civic engagement (CCE)
and the Women’s Fund of El Paso will select 10 outstanding high school junior
and senior girls from the El Paso area to attend
the Texas Conference for Women in Houston
at no charge to the student. This is a
wonderful opportunity to bring you one step closer to achieving your academic
and professional goals.
Read
more
La Fe YouthBuild Academy
CHILDREN’S World Magazine
There is a new publication in El Paso: CHILDREN’S World
Magazine. This magazine includes
features on green tips, nutrition, and calendar of events,
guest articles, and stories for happier children and a better environment.
From left to right--
Edward, Michael and John Cook, circa 1952.
Story from CHILDREN’S World Magazine
