lor e s n u o A C tleman en G a d an
’’
‘‘Sib
Joseph Abraham Jr .
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FASHION · HEALTH · TRAVEL
September, 2014
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Shelley Mozelle shelley@thecitymagazineelp.com
EDITOR Kim North kim@thecitymagazineelp.com
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT/STAFF WRITER COVER: Joseph “Sib” Abraham Jr. DESIGN BY: Ernie Sanchez Creative
COVER STORY BY: Matthew Abraham Cover Art from the private collection of the Abraham family.
Meagan Kinley
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Natalie Rosales natalie@thecitymagazineelp.com
DISTRIBUTION MANAGER/ EVENT COORDINATOR Chaz Wilson
EDITORIAL DESIGN Ernie Sanchez Creative
SALES MANAGER Joseph D. Dias joe@thecitymagazineelp.com
ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES Jacqueline Ramsey - Senior Advertising Executive jackie@thecitymagazineelp.com Chaz Wilson chaz@thecitymagazineelp.com Sharon Passantino sharon@thecitymagazineelp.com Jessy Castañeda jessy@thecitymagazineelp.com Sarah A. Lopez sarahl@thecitymagazineelp.com
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS
“The City ” El Paso Magazine welcomes your comments. Please send letters to “Letters to the Editors” 5925 Silver Springs Dr., Suite A El Paso, Texas 79912, or email the editors. Phone number: (915) 500-5730. Fax: (915) 500-5732. Letters addressed to The City El Paso Magazine become the property of the magazine, and it owns all rights to their use. Letters may be edited for space.
All rights to the contents of this magazine are owned in full by the magazine and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the Editors in Chief. Views expressed herein are those of the authors and advertisers and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the ownership or management of the magazine. All rights reserved.
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Felipa Solis, Jannet Bustillos, Grace Neuhaus, Michelle Cromer, Meagan Kinley, Josh Sanchez, Michael Graham, Vic Poulos, Joann Wardy, Natalie Rosales, Erika Lopez, Candace Vasquez, Jose Soto, Matthew Wilkson, Matthew Abraham, Adair Margo, Audrey Tolliver, Eddie Cepeda, Valentin Sandoval, Andres Rodriguez, Marisa Mier, Heather Graham, Hector Madrid, Robin Niland, Lauren Macias-Cervantes.
PHOTOGRAPHY Dav Anmed, Robert Corral, Tommie Morelos, Luis Miranda Jr.
INTERN Audrey Tolliver, Denisse Limas, Sergio Carrasco, Jr., Daniela Contreras, Pablo Delgadillo
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ring the scene y Bogart did: du re ph um H e m me ti stle, don’t you, ow how to whi all about the sa ac kn B n ou re “Y , au id L sa h g of the love n she ll in love wit of the beginnin Have Not,” whe e d m an Moviegoers fe ds e in av m H re o each other, scene ie, 1944’s “T . . . blow.” That ould whistle at d w an od er in her first mov ho th ild ge ch to rly put your lips ho in their ea Steve? You just t Abraham, w re ga ar M d an Sib garet stor y between of his wife Mar time to meet. ce as en w es it pr n e he th w in ies, signaling a legend, and r of “love” stor in the home of so being a love et y, d rg ar fo rs ile r ve sm ve ni ly ne an th e soft ng I will s welled up, sh prior to their 29 ar e te m ti I spent a morni as t ng or ed ci kl sh an ar a gl sp id, passing was ystal blue eyes e most,” she sa Abraham. His arriage. Her cr hat I’ ll miss th m w ng ow lo t on. “I was a kn en u to w e Yo et sh cr re of me. e same,” ca th ok as to w I asked their se e he in d ut an . Taking a . The ro care of him, d ever y morning morning coffee di s I hi k ch in and said, “I took hi w dr e m ti it and if Margaret r. “Watching hi oset.” I’m sure pick out his su cl to e e th m in k over to his chai g as in ’d hang the road e house, then he rinkles from it never dreamed w ve no ha e er ld w ou e busy around th w er n re th atio to a far suit making su days her imagin d and looked in y ile rl sm ea r e sh he os in steamer to his ot ck ecious family ph the tea leaves ba me carr ying pr could have read ho r ” ei th ft le I me a good life. travel. As said. “He gave e her life would sh ” e, sed to publish. lif od e had a go e I’ve been bles ’v su “I is l e. ia ac ec pl sp ay t aw mos les El Paso uivocally is the this issue profi , eq it un ve e ha in az ld ag ou ed away. I te w of The City M of El Paso pass braham. As fa y A or b st Si hi y e This 31st issue ar th nd in ge touched rneys is El Paso’s le u whose lives he e of the key atto yo on of e on ti os On our cover uc th od ts pr e of; le e cover of in the midst of ght into the lif man to grace th si is in s th d ve te gi attorneys, and e; an w ag m prints lfishly pays a small ho realize the foot by. Mostly I se to e ne m go co ys ve da I’ hope this issue e of as or ies s money. He w editorial, the m raphed memor epared for this his time and hi pr giggle at photog th e w bo e of or m ty e si ro azines. Th uched, the gene Paso. one of my mag es that he’s to liv e surface of El e th th , in nd ep hi de be ft ft le le en he be that ts have te whose footprin aham who wro clearly a legend Matthew Abr nd ie ly fr al rn ar te de in ge with my as he battled my editor ’s pa S ib’s passing, ed as to his rn w ou l m ia Today I share or he it t this ed atched as an w rt I po e. im ec w pi r ho unfair of ing this cove ight have been attached, know m lly it na t, io gh ot si em nd ion that . In hi remaining was confirmat to El Pasoans it d e an cl s, ti ar nd e ie fr th famil y, S ib’s t af ter reading to write this, bu m hi k as to e m rfect writer. cated to the I chose the pe this issue dedi h is bl pu to it has been in El Paso. ge and honor remain an icon r ve re fo W hat a privile ill w Abraham who memor y of Sib
Sib Abraham,
A legend remem
bered …
f Editor-in-Chie
I was honored to have been asked to write this editorial on Joseph
my face when Sib unexpectedly showed up to the finals of my mock
“Sib” Abraham Jr. Sib was already a legendary lawyer in El Paso, and
trial competition, (which he had personally coached me and prepared
certainly within the Abraham family when I began working for him as
me for) at the El Paso County Courthouse during my senior year at
a runner in his law firm in downtown El Paso at the age of 15. Over
Coronado High School. Sib was a great mentor and teacher to not only
the next four years, I learned a great deal about the practice of law
me but countless other members of the legal community.
from Sib. Sib would call me into his office on Saturday afternoons and quiz me about cases that I had been instructed to read and analyze
More than anything, I hope with this editorial to capture how deeply
over the week prior, usually caselaw pertaining to whatever high-
this man was loved and respected by so many people. To the
profile criminal case he had been working on at the time. I realized
Abraham family, I hope it serves a lasting tribute to a man whose life
later, once enrolled in the University of Houston Law Center, the same
was truly amazing, and one that should be remembered with pride. I
law school that he had attended 40 years prior to me, that Sib was
dedicate this article to Sib’s partner in love and life, his beautiful wife
preparing me for the Socratic method that professors employed in
of 59 years, Margaret.
law school and getting me ready to think critically about complex legal issues. I’ll never forget the look on the judges, competitors, and even 4
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September, 2014
ATTORNEYS
contents
WORTH KNOWING PROFILES By: THE CITY
16
The City
Fancy Meeting You Here!
37
24
A Counselor and a Gentleman
Joseph ‘‘SIB’’ Abraham Jr . By: MATTHEW ABRAHAM
By: AUDREY TOLLIVER
The City
60
64
LIKE A PHOENIX
Domestic Abuse
Once Celebrated Street Cars
Stories of Survival
The Return of El Paso’s By: EDDIE CEPEDA
The City
By: MARISA MIER
8
Brings a New Routine
By: ROBIN NILAND
88 93
By: MEAGAN KINLEY
By: ANDRÉS RODRÍQUEZ
A New 74 80 School Year 84
A WISH Pedals Away! El Paso’s Growing Bike Scene
Center Against Family Violence
By: AUSTIN SAVAGE
COOKING UP
The City
70 Thriving After
B
y: T
HE
CI
TY
The City
On the Ball! Stability Balls in the Classroom By: HEATHER GRAHAM
102 The City
Like Father, Like Son By: LAUREN MACIAS-CERVANTES
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
September, 2014
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
9
September, 2014
BEATS EATS The City
AND
122
LOOK THE
106 116 131
Music Festival
THE CHIC SHOPPER
By: EDDIE CEPEDA
132
Love
The 10 Habits of Healthy Couples
Travel
The City
Fashion With Passion Friends of FEMAP Gala
By: JANNET BUSTILLOS
The French Don’t Even Have a Word For Cliché By: EDDIE CEPEDA
By: ERIKA LOPEZ
138 The City
CE L E B R AT E
Tom Lea Month 2014
142
144
The City
The Mystery of the Sun Unraveling the History of the Equinox
His Prerogative
By: MEAGAN KINLEY
By: MATTHEW WILKSON
Ia n nd Wine s h t y Out M By: ADAIR MARGO
146
By: NATALIE ROSALES
Wine
Debunking Some Common
148
The City
Pumpkins, Lettuce, Tomatoes ...Oh my!
f
Bowie High School Jardin
By: VIC POULOS
156
Food
It’s Betta With Feta By: AUDREY TOLLIVER
10
160
Investment
162
Retirement Confidence on the Rise, Is Yours?
Etiquette
By: BOBBY BLANCO
By: JOANN WARDY
What Makes a Good Date
163
Astrology
Signs From the Other Side By: GRACE THE PSYCHIC LADY
150
By: HECTOR MADRID
168
Medical
Would You Like A More Fit Appearance To Your Body? Consider Liposculpting By: DR. MARCO A. GONZALEZ M.D.
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
September, 2014
September, 2014
The Contributors
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1) Michael C. Graham 2) GRACE The Psychic Lady 3) FELIPA SOLIS 4) Meagan Kinley 5) MICHELLE CROMER 6) DAV ANMED 7) Victor Poulos
8) JANNET BUSTILLOS 9) Josh Sanchez 10) AndrĂŠs Rodriguez 11) Robert Corral 12) Candace Vasquez 13) ADAIR MARGO
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September, 2014
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September, 2014
For full contributor bios go to www.thecitymagazineelp.com
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14) Erika Lopez 15) AUDREY TOLLIVER 16) Jose Soto 17) Robin Niland 18) EDDIE CEPEDA 14
19) Marisa mier 20) matthew Abraham 21) VALETIN SANDOVAL 22) heather graham 22) Tommie Morelos
24) joann Wardy 25) Natalie Rosales 26) Matthew Wilkson 27) Hector madrid 28) Lauren Macias-Cervantes www.thecitymagazineelp.com
September, 2014
September, 2014
Fancy Meeting You Here! | By: AUDREY TOLLIVER |
Rachelle Thiewes Artist/Retired Metallurgy Professor at UTEP 1. You have had jewelry pieces displayed in museums around the world such as the Smithsonian American Art Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The National Museums of Scotland. Have you traveled to these museums and what work of art have you been most proud of to display? I have traveled to all of those museums and it’s rare to actually have a piece that they purchased be on display, so I feel like they go down into their dungeons and maybe they come out occasionally. However, I’ve been very fortunate and I think the piece that I’ve been the most excited about is to have something in the Smithsonian. You know being an American, that’s a pretty terrific thing. 2. Working with metal can be tricky and a piece of jewelry may not always come out the way you expected it to. Is there anything you have worked on that has come out all wrong or where you were pleasantly surprised at the outcome? Working with metal is really tricky, and there are some things that happen when you heat metal up that sort of creates an overheating surface -- it happens to everybody that works on sterling silver in particular and you hate it, you just hate it. But I actually learned how to turn it into a positive and I developed a Photo by: Audrey Tolliver whole new process for surface treatment with metal because of that and that became very unique to my work internationally back in the 80s. 3. When making jewelry are you ever inspired by any trends past or present? What inspires the colors and texture of your jewelry? I’ve done a lot of work that is exploration of light in our landscape here and it filters into the jewelry that I do, maybe in a very abstract way. My work of the last seven years has been with high tech auto paint -- I’ve been using chameleons and candies and pearls and that is a direct pull from the low-rider cars. I’ve been going to car shows for years just to look at the paint.
Aaron Rich Sports Anchor/Multimedia Journalist at KTSM 1. Have you ever been injured while on the job? Ironically, the one time I was injured on the job happened, not covering sports, but playing in a charity media softball tournament. While making a play from my position in left field, I dove for the ball. The end result was a shattered lens from my sunglasses and a deep, c-shaped cut on the middle of my forehead that required seven stitches and a large Band-Aid. 2. Being a sportscaster you’ve met many people. Have you met any famous athletes that were just how you imagined them or were they the complete opposite? Rob Gronkowski, without a doubt. Before he became one of the top tight ends in the NFL for the New England Patriots and making headlines for dancing on stage shirtless and posing with adult film stars on Twitter, “Gronk” was breaking hearts in Tucson playing for the Arizona Wildcats. I covered UA for the CBS affiliate at the time and Mr. “Yo soy fiesta” himself was exactly the same. 3. What is your ultimate dream job? I think whenever anyone gets into sports broadcasting, we all have that dream of making it to “the mothership” and anchor SportsCenter on ESPN. If I was going to pick a non-sports related job it would be a jet-fighter pilot because, come on … who hasn’t pretended to be Maverick?
16
Photo by: Ryan Hall
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September, 2014
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A Counselor and a Gentleman
September, 2014
A Counselor and a Gentleman
Joseph ‘‘SIB’’ Abraham Jr . | By: MATTHEW ABRAHAM |
With a legal career that lasted nearly 53
or write Spanish or English -- by the time he
Ruidoso, NM and upon their return Bobby
years, El Paso attorney Joseph “Sib”
entered the United States Abraham Sr. had
introduced Sib to his sister Margaret Ann
Abraham Jr. had become a legend in the
amassed a small fortune as a successful
who was several months younger than Sib
community when he passed away from an
merchant of small luxury items such as
at the time, but who he quickly developed
aggressive form of pancreatic cancer at the
tapestries, silk scarves and shawls.
a boyhood crush on. “My brother Bobby introduced me to Sib when I was 11 years
age of 77. Known for his sharp litigation skills inside the courtroom and hard work ethic
In 1932 he married Sib’s mother Helen
old and we became fast friends and started
outside the courtroom, Abraham was equally
“Nahima” John from Ford City, PN and
hanging out,” said Margaret.
known for his larger-than-life persona and
they lived at 501 N. Piedras in an apartment
for being the “go-to” defense attorney for
complex known at the time as “Abraham
When Sib’s uncle, Elias Abraham, opened the
high-profile El Paso criminal cases, especially
Market.” Sib and his siblings -- his brother
Bronco Drive-In Theater on 8410 Alameda
when drugs, politicians or celebrities were
Edward “Eddie,” and sisters Geraldine
Ave. in 1950, Sib and his other teenage
involved. Yet it was not only his long record
“Haifa” (Malooly) and Joanne (Chagra) -- all
cousins would work the concession carts at
of legal victories and successful jury verdicts
lived at Abraham Market near an extended
the nightly features. “One thing I’ve always
for the defendants he represented, but
family that included several uncles, aunts,
been able to do is whistle very loudly,”
his reputation as a man of strong personal
and cousins. In a January 2007 El Paso Bar
Margaret explains: “My family had a farm in
character that solidified his reputation as one
Association profile, Sib recalled his time
Ysleta which was not far from the Bronco,
of the top criminal defense attorneys in the
at Abraham Market to interviewer Clinton
and I would ride my bike to the bridge at the
United States.
Cross: “Those were very special times for
Franklin Canal with the neighborhood kids
me. I often relive those years and I remember
and wait to hear Sib whistle for me that he
Sib’s father Joseph Abraham Sr. was born
them with clarity and fondness, because
was at the theater on his break and I would
in Syria in the early 1900s and because of
there was such a profound unity of family;
whistle back that I was there waiting for
immigration quotas for Syrians at the time,
a unity which was so strong that I believe it
him at the canal, and then we would meet
had spent several years in Veracruz, Mexico
made me a better person for having been a
up at the Bronco. My brother was fiercely
before eventually settling with his parents,
part of that experience.”
protective, he wouldn’t even let me and Sib hold hands at the movies. It was a fun time
nine siblings, and many cousins and relatives here in El Paso in the 1920s. Even with no
Around the age of 12, Sib became friends
though, my brother and Sib really were the
formal education -- nor the ability to speak
with Robert “Bobby” Caples at a camp in
best of friends,” Margaret fondly recalls.
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
25
A Counselor and a Gentleman
September, 2014
joined Sib in his fledgling law firm, which he
new ‘darling’ of prosecutors. Consequently,
had set up on the third floor of the downtown
Lee and I often found ourselves wanting
Caples
by
to be hired by multiple defendants indicted
The pair continued their courtship throughout
Margaret’s family. Sib had originally intended
in the same case. Obviously, multiple
high school and were married at 17 as Sib
for his law practice to be one oriented more
representation created a conflict of interest,
went on to pursue his bachelor’s degree at
toward business and real estate, as his father
so Lee and I mutually and amicably agreed to
Texas A&M University. “When I graduated
and other Abraham family members had
terminate our partnership, primarily in order
from El Paso High School in 1953, I had
gained considerable success in real estate
to maximize effective legal representation
plans to attend the University of Southern
investments and various other business
in the criminal law area. Thereafter, both of
California, but my cousin, Billy Abraham,
ventures throughout El Paso. But as soon as
our careers as criminal defense lawyers went
convinced me to follow him to Texas A&M.
Lee joined his side, their careers took a much
beyond our wildest dreams.”
I am grateful to him now for having done so
different path.
Building,
and
was
owned
Margaret recalls that during those first years
because at Texas A&M I learned the values of self-discipline, hard work, dedication and
When asked about the evolution of his legal
as an attorney Sib would often take cases
‘teamwork’. These traits would serve me
career as a criminal defense attorney Sib told
that the large law firms in town would be
well for the next 50 years, not only in my
Cross: “Lee had always wanted to practice
afraid or unwilling to touch: “The larger law
law practice but in life,” Sib told Cross in the
criminal law and he convinced me to try
firms in town would often refer these criminal
2007 Bar profile. Sib left Texas A&M after
criminal cases with him, so I did. Lee and
cases to Sib and Lee. Sib firmly believed in
his junior year to return to El Paso and in
I went to Judge William Ward in the 34th
every individual’s right to competent and fair
1956 their son William “Billy” Abraham was
District Court and asked him to appoint us
legal representation and in fiercely defending
born, and in 1958 Sib graduated from Texas
to as many criminal cases as possible, even
a client’s state and federal constitutional
Western College. He continued his studies at
though in those days the appointed cases
rights.” Consequently, Sib quickly became
the University of Houston’s Bates College of
were strictly pro bono. We even had to pay
known for his unyielding and often tireless
Law where he graduated and was admitted
the expenses out of our pockets. Judge
representation of the individuals he defended,
to the State Bar of Texas in 1961.
Ward accommodated us and our criminal
and garnered numerous successful verdicts
law business took off – especially since we
and decisions from judges, juries, and
The following year Sib’s brother-in-law, Lee
achieved remarkable success in defending
appellate courts across the state and nation.
Chagra graduated with honors from law
those accused of committing crimes. In the
school at the University of Texas at Austin and
mid-to-late 1960s, conspiracy law became the
26
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September, 2014
A Counselor and a Gentleman
$6 billion. Abraham was One of Sib’s longtime legal assistants recalls his ability to retain the utmost composure and decorum, even under the most intense pressure and scrutiny. “Sib always said, ‘Never let them see you sweat,’ and never once in the entire ten years I worked for him did I ever hear Sib raise his voice or lose his cool. He always treated his employees, his clients and his associates with the utmost respect and dignity. He subscribed to the theory that if you approached someone with respect and kindness they were more likely to hear you out than to immediately reply on the defensive,” said the assistant. “He believed in perseverance and always said ‘Never take no for an answer.’ Working for Sib taught me more about real life than any college education that money can buy.” Sib’s career was marked by a series of notable cases, many of which garnered local and national media attention, such as the 1989 federal drug case that, at the time, involved the world’s largest drug seizure in history -- 21.4 tons of cocaine found in a warehouse in Sylmar, CA. The retail street value of the seized cocaine was placed by law enforcement officials at approximately www.thecitymagazineelp.com
also the defense attorney for Fiona Apple for her September
2012
arrest
in Sierra Blanca, TX for possession
of
hashish
and pot. But even with such
high-profile
cases
and defendants, Abraham never sought
went back to El Paso. Sure enough, the next
out media attention or the limelight, always
day, the jury came back from deliberating,
relying rather on fact of law and diligent
with all ‘not guilty’ verdicts.”
preparation in the courtroom. “Never believe everything you read in the newspaper,”
“Sib was truly an amazing litigator in the
Abraham often said.
courtroom,”
said
Ginsberg.
“He
was
even-tempered, he had that perfect way New York attorney Lee Ginsberg met
of cross-examining a witness where he
Abraham over 20 years ago when they were
was assertive but not overly aggressive.
both defending clients on a large, high-profile
He would be pushing but he never looked
interstate gambling trial in Las Vegas, NV.
like he was bullying the witness. And he
Lee recalls Abraham turning to him at the
was just as good on his feet, examining
conclusion of the month-long trial, almost
witnesses, as he was with his knowledge
immediately after the judge had given the
of the law. He was just smooth.”
jury their instructions and they adjourned to begin deliberations on the 240 counts
“What was unusual about Sib was that he
against the over 20 defendants. “‘Hey Bud,”
almost never told stories about his own
Sib said, “you seem like you know what you
cases. Sib wanted to know about your
are doing, I think we have this handled here,
case and what cases you were working on
I’m going back home.’ And very assuredly,
and he would tell you about the other great
he went to the hotel, packed his bags and
attorneys he had encountered and had
27
A Counselor and a Gentleman
September, 2014
worked with, but he would never
an honorary ‘cousin’ decades ago, a high
brag or boast about his own
honor, indeed) was in trouble, and Sib was
victories or accomplishments,
just too close to handle the case, so he asked
which were substantial. That’s
me to. But he had prepared the case to be
very uncommon, because most trial lawyers
a retired former prosecutor and district
won, and all I had to do was parachute in and
in particular have huge egos, but not Sib,”
court judge from San Antonio, TX, went to
follow Sib’s brilliant lead. He was a master at
stated Ginsberg about his close friend.
law school with Abraham at the University
strategy, quietly analyzing his cases, finding
of Houston and was a close associate and
the prosecution’s weakness, and honing in
Ginsberg got the opportunity to work with
personal friend until his recent passing.
on it. Yet he always earned the respect, often
Abraham on several more cases in New York
“Sib had two passions throughout his life:
begrudgingly so, of the lawyers he went up
over the years. “Even though Sib was the
his family and the practice of law,” declared
against,” DeGuerin continues.
senior attorney in these cases and someone I
Yates. “As a former prosecutor and then judge
looked at as a mentor, he always brought me
for many years, I saw many, many litigators,
“Another time Sib and I, and several other
in and let me take the lead. He would trust
and none of them I ever encountered were
lawyers, represented co-defendants in a
me to work out sometimes the most difficult
better than Sib Abraham. He was the finest
giant marijuana conspiracy with origins in and
parts of the cases and always had confidence
trial lawyer I ever witnessed. For one, he
around El Paso, but filed in Houston so the
in my abilities and treated me with enormous
never went to trial without being absolutely,
prosecution could gain tactical advantage.
respect. Besides being a great lawyer and
totally, 100% prepared. But he also just had
Sib won his case with the jury, in spite of
mentor to me, he also became a great friend.
that magical presence in front of a jury that
the judge treating all the defense lawyers
He was what in Yiddish we refer to as a
was simply unmatched.”
like dog sh*t. His victory had a lot to do with the dignity with which he handled the judge’s
‘mensch,’ a true gentleman in every sense of the word. I loved him, my wife loved him,
Houston trial attorney Dick DeGuerin worked
conduct. (I had to win mine on appeal, based
my daughter loved him, and everyone who
with Abraham on many occasions since they
in part on that same conduct.)
encountered him did… he had some special
first met on a case in the early seventies.
magic about him.”
“There’s no one I’d rather have my back
“And there was the time recently, when he
than Sib Abraham,” states DeGuerin. “There
and Chick Kazen (another ‘cousin’) and I were
Many other colleagues of Abraham echoed
was a time many years ago when a ‘cousin’
representing several clients together. Though
similar sentiments regarding his professional
(the huge Syrian/Lebanese community of El
sick and dying, he never let on, traveling
and personal character. Judge John G. Yates,
Paso are all ‘cousins’; Sib pronounced me
frequently to Austin for meetings, strategizing,
28
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
September, 2014
A Counselor and a Gentleman
confronting adverse parties and lawyers in his gentle but effective way. We didn’t know how sick he was until a few days before he died, because Sib never sought sympathy for himself, only for the hero he represented. “I went to see him hours before he died in his own home surrounded by the family he loved. Stalwart friend and great lawyer Jim Darnell was there and together we got to visit with Sib. He was lucid and seeking no pity, but satisfied with the life he led, ready to go. Typical of his selflessness, on his dying bed he asked about me and my family, and about another case I’m handling for him. I promised him I’d do my best,” DeGuerin candidly imparts. When asked in the 2007 Bar Association
“He was a huge believer in the 7th Amendment to the United States Constitution; the right of a trial by jury. No client was given less than Sib’s 100% effort when it came to representation before a judge and jury.” - Attorney Carlos Cardenas
the jury in January of 1995 were the most satisfying ones of my career, because they vindicated a man who was truly innocent of the charges levied against him. Representing innocent individuals is the most frightening of all situations.” In that same interview, Abraham was asked about
how
criminal
defense
attorneys
contribute to the public interest as a whole, and Abraham replied insightfully, “I am constantly asked, ‘How can you represent people who are guilty of committing crimes?’”
profile about his most interesting case Sib replied: “The most interesting and certainly
legal career to public service, but he was a
“The answer is simple – it’s an oath I took
the most rewarding case I handled was my
close friend and contemporary,” Abraham
as a lawyer in 1961 and an oath I will not
successful representation of the Honorable
said. “I felt it was an honor that he chose
betray. By illustration, I can remember when
Enrique (Henry) Peña. Retired Judge Peña
me to represent him (in the charges) against
Lee Harvey Oswald was shot by Jack Ruby
was not only a great jurist who devoted his
him. The “Not Guilty” verdicts returned by
in 1963. At the time, Oswald was probably
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
29
September, 2014
the most hated person in this country since it
stated. “Having an adversary as powerful and
to lift you up in a time of need and offer you
was widely believed that he had assassinated
formidable as the federal or state government
sage advice or counsel, and always respect
our beloved President Kennedy a few days
is much like having an adversary as powerful
and support your decisions,” stated Garcia.
earlier. When Oswald was rushed to the
as cancer. It is a daunting task – sometimes
“When you’re a judge, you have a lot of
hospital, the doctors and nurses on duty
the results are favorable, sometimes they
friends. But you have very few true friends
used all their skills, training and experience
are not. However, when you work hard, use
that are not going to compromise you and
to save his life. They did it because they,
all your God-given talents, and utilize your
expect special treatment or favors from you
like criminal defense lawyers, took an oath
valuable training in trying to keep a person’s
because they are your friends, and Sib never
which is part of their profession. Strangely,
life from being totally destroyed, it is very
did.”
no one criticized those doctors or nurses, nor
fulfilling. I feel I have lived a very blessed
were they pilloried in the press like criminal
life by being able to have represented those
Judge Garcia further noted, “When Sib
defense lawyers. Every human being, no
whose lives were in shambles and on the
entered the courthouse you felt he was in the
matter how guilty or innocent, is entitled to
verge of destruction.”
courthouse, not just the courtroom, but the courthouse. He had that much of a presence
an effective lawyer when they are accused of committing a crime. To deny them that right
Judge Gonzalo Garcia recalls fond memories
about him. He really set the bar by which
is to deface our Constitution.”
of Abraham: “As a person, he was a
all other lawyers were measured. Being in
consummate gentleman, and Margaret is
court with Sib was like an athlete being in the
Abraham then made an interesting analogy:
the utmost lady. They have always been the
Olympics with other high-caliber athletes, it
“Being a criminal defense lawyer is very
type of friends to have your back and were
made you a better lawyer just being around
much like being an oncologist,” Abraham
always extremely loyal. They would be there
him,” stated Garcia.
30
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
September, 2014
A Counselor and a Gentleman
Attorney Carlos Cardenas worked closely
by jury. No client was given less than Sib’s
with Abraham for many years. “Sib was my
100% effort when it came to representation
colleague, friend and mentor for over 33
before a judge and jury. It mattered not if
coming up do not have that same respect for
years. He taught me many things as a young
the client was of means and paid a healthy
the bounds of the law and for court decorum.
lawyer, and even up to the time of his death,”
fee, or if the client could not afford to hire a
They are willing to go to any lengths to try to
relates Cardenas. “As a litigator I would
lawyer in order to obtain access to justice.
win a case, but not Sib,” states Judge Garcia.
see how he dealt with difficult people and
Sib was there for all who came seeking his
situations. Whether it would be an antagonist
help. Sib used all his talents as a litigator to
His son Billy states, “Bishop Seitz described
attorney on the opposite side of a case or an
make sure every client had his or her day in
my father as ‘larger than life’. He was correct!
adverse witness on the stand during a jury
court. He would never dare enter a courtroom
Not a day goes by that I as his son do not
trial. Sib was always a gentleman and took on
unprepared and without knowing all of the
receive condolences from both the highest
those individuals calmly, professionally, and
facts and issues in every case.”
echelons of our society to the downtrodden and oppressed, who came to him and
with class. From him I learned that being a gentleman was not a sign of weakness, even
Abraham’s
in the heat of battle.”
that will be deeply missed personally
significant
presence
is
one
witnessed his open arms.”
and professionally throughout the legal
“I have a tough time imagining a world
Cardenas in particular highlighted Abraham’s
community. “He had so much respect for
without him,” says DeGuerin. “He was
passionate belief in one’s Constitutional
the court and the rules of procedure and for
always just a phone call away, even though
rights, and his undying commitment to the
court decorum. He never once stepped out
we were separated by the breadth of our
clients he diligently represented. “He was a
of bounds to win a case or to gain advantage.
great state. He earned the universal respect
huge believer in the 7th Amendment to the
That is what will be missed with Sib no
of everyone who encountered him: lawyers,
United States Constitution; the right of a trial
longer in the courtroom. The new lawyers
judges, prosecutors, jurors, and especially
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
31
A Counselor and a Gentleman
clients, for whom he always fought with all his
DeGuerin further shared some of Abraham’s
many talents. He was a warrior in the purest
personal life philosophies: “His beloved son,
sense of that word, and he did it with dignity and
Billy, said Sib believed that what you say and
professionalism. He was a true gentleman.”
what you do must always be in alignment.
September, 2014
And Sib often said ‘Live as if you were to That one word, gentleman, was the one I
die tomorrow; learn as if you were to live
heard used to describe Sib Abraham more
forever.’ Sib lived his life like that. We are all
than any other in researching this editorial.
better because Sib walked among us.”
Margaret recounted to me a story in our interview of a recent time in which she was
George Bernard Shaw defined a gentleman
dining with her husband at their favorite
as “one who puts more into the world than
restaurant, when a local ophthalmologist
he takes out.” That was certainly the very
came up to their table to compliment Sib
definition of Sib Abraham.
on what he had witnessed throughout the evening. The doctor had stated that he was impressed with the way Sib had greeted all 15 people that had come to his table during their meal. With each individual who came by, he had risen from his seat, smiled, shook their hand, and took a moment to speak to each one and seemingly take a sincere interest in each person he had encountered that evening. “Besides being one of the finest attorney, if not the finest attorney, I’ve ever encountered, Sib was one of the finest persons I’ve ever met. He loved me and I loved him like a brother,” states Judge Yates. 32
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
A Counselor and a Gentleman
“Gifts that were given to Sib came from celebrities like Johnny Manziel.�
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
33
September, 2014
34
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
September, 2014
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
35
ATTORNEYS
WORTH KNOWING PROFILES
Bottom Row: Ben Gomes-Farias, J. Scott Mann, Allan M. Goldfarb, Milton C. Colia Top Row: Irina Barahona, CaraLyn Banks, Rachel C. Moreno, Emily J. Davenport, Tekla O. Mann, Katy Brack Morrow, Clara C.B. Burns
KEMP SMITH LLP “This region has always had a vibrant medical
traditional attorney role of defending health
and hospitals throughout the region. Fifteen
community and it’s going to continue to
care professionals in the courtroom, we
of the firm’s attorneys are licensed in both
grow. With the Texas Tech University Health
form business partnerships and other types
Texas and New Mexico.
Sciences Center/Foster School of Medicine
of entities, we restructure existing business
becoming a free standing institution and
relationships,
among
Prospective clients should not be put off by
the continued development of the Medical
providers and assist with legal compliance in
the size of the firm, however, according to
Center of the Americas, this is truly an
all aspects of the medical practice, including
Mann. “When people think about large law
exciting time for El Paso,” says Allan M.
employment issues,” says Scott Mann, a
firms, they sometimes assume that they’re
Goldfarb, a Partner and Chairman of Kemp
Partner in the firm’s litigation department.
filled with impersonal people and impersonal
prepare
contracts
service. At Kemp Smith, we’re here to meet
Smith’s Business Department. “The demand for medical services is only going to increase,
To provide this wide array of services, Kemp
with clients. We live in this area and are
along with the legal needs of physicians,
Smith’s Healthcare Group includes attorneys
dedicated to this place and to the people
hospitals and other health care providers.”
drawn from its business, litigation, and
of the borderland. We’re definitely not the
employment law departments. The largest
stuffy-old-law-firm-model people expect. We
is
firm in El Paso, Kemp Smith has 40 attorneys
are dynamic and very much committed to the
responding to this challenge. With ten
dedicated to ensuring delivery of prompt,
growth and development of the community.
committed professionals, the group provides
world-class personal service and advice. With
This law firm has always had a great tradition
a wide range of services, from contract
offices in El Paso, Las Cruces and Austin,
of being involved in the community and
and business issues to defending medical
and its specialized departments, the firm has
giving back to it in ways we believe will help
malpractice claims. “In addition to the
attorneys to match the legal needs of doctors
everybody,” he explained.
Kemp
Smith’s
Healthcare
38 | SPECIAL ADVERTISING
Group
J. Scott Mann, Tekla O. Mann, Rachel C. Moreno, Milton C. Colia, Allan M. Goldfarb, Irina Barahona, Clara C.B. Burns
“When people think about large law firms, they sometimes assume that they’re filled with impersonal people and impersonal service. At Kemp Smith, we’re here to meet with clients. We live in this area and are dedicated to this place and to the people of the borderland.” In 2016, Kemp Smith will celebrate 150
Principal Office
years of service to its clients – service which
221 N. Kansas, Ste. 1700
has stood the test of time and positively
El Paso, Texas 79901
impacted the lives of people in El Paso and the
(915) 533-4424
Southwest. Its Healthcare Group confidently
Fax: (915) 546-5360
carries on that tradition. Capital Office Kemp Smith’s Healthcare Group:
816 Congress, Ste. 1260
Allan M. Goldfarb
Austin, Texas 78701
J. Scott Mann
(512) 320-5466
Clara C.B. Burns
Fax: (512) 320-5431
Emily J. Davenport Milton C. Colia
New Mexico Office
Rachel C. Moreno
880 S. Telshor Blvd., Ste. 220
CaraLyn Banks
Las Cruces, New Mexico 88011
Tekla O. Mann
(575) 527-0023
Irina Barahona
Fax: (915) 546-5360
Ben Gomez-Farias Katy Brack Morrow
www.kempsmith.com
By: MEAGAN KINLEY photographed by: TOMMIE MORELOS
SPECIAL ADVERTISING | 39
ROSALES LAW FIRM JOE & MARC ROSALES Native El Pasoans, Joe and Marc Rosales
that integrity has been truly integral to our
those stationed at Fort Bliss to those in El
have been practicing law here in the Sun
success,” said Joe Rosales.
Paso and it’s surrounding areas. We have grown up with this city and we are here to
City for over 25 years. Working as a team The
give their clients strong, compassionate,
aggressive criminal defense, family law
representation in criminal defense and
advocacy
recently,
On top of their quality representation, Joe and
family law. Since 2000 the Rosales brothers
employment law. “Through the years we
Marc are bilingual and have a 100% bilingual
have used their wealth of experience as
have been involved in a wide variety of
staff. “We recognize that this city is unique
prosecutors and their breadth of knowledge
cases including personal injury and even
and many of our clients are not proficient in
in the legal field to give their clients fair,
immigration,” explained Marc Rosales. “We
English. We do not want language to stand
honest and effective representation. “My
do this because we care about our clients,”
in the way of them attaining adequate legal
brother and I have always been close and
added Joe. “We know what matters to El
council. When a client comes into our office
we really have a great friendship. Today
Paso because the same priorities matter
they are greeted by a bilingual staff member
we carry that over to our business. We rely
to us, we grew up here and this is our
and assisted by bilingual attorneys,” said Joe.
on each other and our clients can depend
home. Our attachment to El Paso makes a
on both of us. We treat each other fairly,
difference. We can empathize with everyone
and we treat our clients and staff fairly –
who comes into our firm seeking help – from
40 | SPECIAL ADVERTISING
Rosales
Law
matters
Firm and
specializes most
in
make a difference.”
they are experienced litigators working to
“ Your legal needs are our priority.”
The Rosales Law Firm’s dedication to
the same attorney who will be handling their
Rosales Law Firm
excellence was born many years ago when
case until the very end. Our clients are also
1400 Montana Ave.
Joe and Marc were very young. “We knew
met with a staff member who will personally
El Paso, Texas 79902
from an early age that we both wanted to go
attend to every aspect of their case. If needed
(915) 542-0884
into business together. We each graduated
we also have paralegals assigned to cases
Fax (915) 542-0878
from UTEP and both went away to law
so clients always have immediate access
Rosaleslawfirm.com
school with the intention of returning to El
to a person who can assist them with any
Paso. Even back then we knew we wanted
issues that may arise,” Joe said. “Overall,
to come back, support and help the people
we are in this business because we have a
of our hometown,” Marc said. With this
hope for El Paso. We want to be a part of this
sense of loyalty, the Rosales Law Firm also
growing and progressing community. If we
guarantees individualized council to each
are facilitating that through the law, we are
and every one of their clients. “Our clients
accomplishing our goal,” Marc said.
appreciate the personalized service they receive from us. When a client meets with our firm for the first time, they meet with
By: MEAGAN KINLEY photographed by: ROBERT CORRAL
SPECIAL ADVERTISING | 41
DAVIE, VALDEZ & MCELROY, P.C. In today’s world, obtaining proper and skilled
as former civil defense lawyers, along with
currently representing employees in labor
representation can seem like a daunting task
their helpful staff, they have come to pride
and employment litigation and is rated “AV
-- particularly when faced with the stresses
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Preeminent” by Martindale-Hubbell.
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resources. Seeking to alleviate the burden,
range of qualifications and credentials,”
Licensed in both Texas and New Mexico,
Davie, Valdez & McElroy, P.C. offer “the
shared attorney, John P. Valdez. “We are
John P. Valdez is a graduate of Texas Tech
experience, the knowledge and the track
dedicated and focused on representing
University School of Law and a former Senior
record of success to help you win your case.”
wrongfully
Known by many as El Paso’s “go-to” lawyers
who
represent
those
and
Trial Attorney for the El Paso County Attorney’s
helping guide them through what can be a
Office. Valdez has practiced civil litigation for
difficult and overwhelming process.”
nearly 10 years. “At an early age, I became
terminated
employees
fascinated with an attorney’s ability to help
who’ve
been wrongfully terminated, Davie, Valdez
Individually, Davie, Valdez & McElroy, P.C.
those that had been wronged and a lawyer’s
& McElroy, P.C. “originated under the
consist of attorneys Roger C. Davie, Jeffery
ability to affect change on a large scale,”
leadership of founder, Roger C. Davie, who
W. McElroy and John P. Valdez. Jeffery
explained Valdez. “After working for a law firm
has extensive knowledge and experience in
W. McElroy is Board Certified in Personal
during my undergraduate years at UTEP I was
labor and employment law.”
Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of
inspired to pursue a career as an attorney.”
Legal Specialization and is licensed in both With their more than 65 years of combined
Texas and New Mexico. Having practiced
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legal experience on both sides of litigation
civil litigation for 27 years, McElroy is
Law
42 | SPECIAL ADVERTISING
by
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“Davie, Valdez & McElroy, P.C., was created to address the needs of wrongfully terminated
“We have the experience, the knowledge
employees and injured workers. We bring
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and women, just like you. We serve clients in state and federal courts throughout Texas and New Mexico.” By: CANDACE VASQUEZ photographed by: TOMMIE MORELOS
SPECIAL ADVERTISING | 43
PARRA LAW
MANUEL PARRA AND VICTOR PARRA Parra Law operates as a law firm bound and
listen to our clients’ concerns, and we take
Following in his brother’s footsteps, Manuel
backed by the commitment of two brothers
the time to answer their questions.”
Parra, JD, is a 2002 graduate of Socorro High School, a 2005 graduate of the
from El Paso who strive to provide a trustedfilled relationship with each of their clients.
A 1989 graduate of Hanks High School and a
University of Texas at El Paso and a 2008
“We emphasize that clients have face-to-
2002 graduate of St. Mary’s University School
graduate of the New York University School
face communication with attorneys and not
of Law, Victor Parra also served notably in the
of Law. Manuel has a genuine concern
staff,” explained Victor Parra. “We want
U.S. Air Force from 1989 to 1995. He initially
for the well-being and experience that
them to understand that their case is highly
paved a career path that led him into the
his clients receive. “I understand that our
important to us.”
nursing field. “I worked in nursing as an RN
clients may feel confused,” shared Manuel.
for 8 years,” shared Victor. “But while I was
“We understand that they may feel unsure
With roots that extend deep into El Paso soil,
attending the University of Phoenix, where I
and that they may feel lost in the legal
Manuel Parra and Victor Parra continue to
earned a Masters in Business Administration,
process. Ultimately, we believe that our
dedicate themselves to “providing a stress-
I was required to take a Business Law class,
clients’ attorney should be there to guide
free environment, which, in turn, reflects
which I found interesting. I knew that my
and help them through it. And at Parra Law,
on our staff and the service they provide
decision to attend law school was going to
we believe ‘taking care of you’ goes beyond
to our clients.” “And we understand these
affect my family. After much consideration,
striving for the best possible outcome in
are difficult and stressful times,” explained
my wife and I decided that it would be a
your case. We believe our clients should
Manuel Parra, JD and partner at Parra Law
positive experience. Now, I love taking on
feel represented, not just be represented.”
Firm. “’How will this affect my career?’ ‘How
complicated cases and I love the fulfillment
will this affect my life?’ ‘What options do I
that it brings when justice is brought to a
have?’ At Parra Law, we take the time to
wrongfully accused individual.”
44 | SPECIAL ADVERTISING
“We emphasize that clients have face-to-face communication with attorneys and not staff. We want them to understand that their case is highly important to us.” Providing criminal defense services, which
also earned the public’s trust by winning
include defense for all felonies including
What’s Up’s “Best Lawyer to Get You Out of
assault, burglary, homicide and manslaughter,
Trouble” award two years in a row.
the Parra Law provides a diverse range of services. In addition to their strong reputation
Continuing to strive to prove their dedication
for providing solid criminal defense cases,
to their fellow El Pasoans, Manuel Parra
Manuel Parra and Victor Parra also provide
and Victor Parra have also become known
representation in all misdemeanor cases,
around town for the following infectious
of which, some include assault, DWI,
catch phrases: Parra Law
possession, theft and theft by check cases, as well as civil law cases including divorces,
“Charged with assault? Hit us up.”
3100 E Yandell Dr.
child
“On probation? Stay positive … just not on
El Paso, TX 79903
protective orders. They have gone to trial
drug tests.”
(915) 592-9999
on a wide array of charges including: Capital
“Excuse me, miss, your arrest is showing.
Fax: (915) 562-9995
murder, intoxicated manslaughter, assault,
We do expunctions.”
www.parralaw.com
possession, and aggravated assault.
“Parra Law or Parra la carcel. You decide.”
support,
custody,
visitations
and
Aside from the name that they’ve built for themselves amongst their peers in the legal field, Manuel Parra and Victor Parra have By: CANDACE VASQUEZ photographed by: TOMMIE MORELOS
SPECIAL ADVERTISING | 45
MICHAEL J. ZIMPRICH,
ATTORNEY-MANAGING MEMBER “We work hard to ensure your needs are met with honesty and professionalism.” Michael J. Zimprich, Attorney and Managing
University of Texas at El Paso. Education and
on client respect. “We do all we can to
Member of The Law Offices of Michael J.
experience adds to the quality of service and
keep the client informed as we guide them
Zimprich, PLLC, specializes in real estate,
professionalism he offers when managing
through the legal process. Ultimately, we do
business and consumer law. With 17 years
his clients’ cases.
all we can to honor and respect our clients and the business and personal affairs they
of experience in real estate and business in
trust with us.”
El Paso, holding various roles as a property
Offering a wide variety of law services,
tax consultant, real estate agent, mortgage
Zimprich helps his clients with real estate
loan officer, real estate appraiser, and
financing documents, leasing documents,
The Law Offices of
property manager—Zimprich has a wealth of
transactional documents, as well as real
Michael J. Zimprich, PLLC
knowledge and a unique skill set to answer
estate litigation services. In business law
7001 Westwind Drive, Ste. 205
any and all of his clients’ needs. “From
he assists with business sales documents,
El Paso, Texas 79912
inception to closing the deal, I’ve been
business formations, as well as compliance.
(915) 317-1238
involved in almost all aspects of a real estate
Under the umbrella of consumer law Zimprich
Fax: (915) 613-2881
transaction,” said Zimprich. On top of his
handles commercial debt collection and
mjzlaw-ep.com
real estate experience, Zimprich also holds a
deceptive trade practice claims. But what
Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration
really sets The Law Offices of Michael J.
and a Master’s degree in Accounting from the
Zimprich apart from the rest is his emphasis
46 | SPECIAL ADVERTISING
By: MEAGAN KINLEY photographed by: TOMMIE MORELOS
RONALD E. HENRY LAW FIRM “It is highly stressful yet it is very rewarding ... just seeing the happiness you are able to bring into a client’s life.” With a career that spans the course of
humble and doing the best for your client --
When asked about why he chose a career
two decades, Ronald E. Henry has paved
no matter how much they own or how very
in law, Henry explained, “My senior year
a successful road in the legal field with his
little they may possess. My mother’s uncle
in high school, I found that I had a passion
blend of both passion and skill. “It is highly
was Monsignor Lourdes Costa, a priest in
to help others and decided to go to law
stressful yet it is very rewarding ... just seeing
Smeltertown. I’d always hear the stories from
school. Now, I’m proud to be a member
the happiness you are able to bring into a
my grandfather, Fernando Villalobos, about
of a group of terrific people, including civil
client’s life. The criminal justice system has
how Monsignor Costa was respected by the
practice lawyers, prosecutors and judges.
its flaws but it is still the best in the world.”
people of Smeltertown and the struggles
We all try to do our best -- at times, in very
people would go through just to go to mass.”
difficult scenarios.”
a member of the United States Army
With a preponderance of his work nowadays
Ronald E. Henry Law Firm
and his mother, from Mexico City, was a
dedicated to Criminal Defense on both the
1301 N. Oregon, 2nd Floor
homemaker. “I was raised basically in two
federal and state levels, Henry had previously
El Paso, Texas 79902
cultures,” explained Henry. “My father was
worked as a Law Clerk for the Executive
( 915) 543-6300
a Cajun from Louisiana and my mother from
Office of Immigration Review at the U.S.
Fax 915-543-6309
Mexico, legally. I am loyal to my culture and
Department of Justice, as well as in the El
ronhenrytx@gmail.com
heritage but have learned the value of being
Paso County District Attorney’s office during
A native El Pasoan, Henry’s father was
the earlier years of his career. By: CANDACE VASQUEZ photographed by: ROBERT CORRAL
SPECIAL ADVERTISING | 47
STEPHANIE TOWNSEND ALLALA, JESSICA KLUDT AND JENNIFER COULTER “We are a compassionate law firm for you and your family’s legal needs.” Few attorneys take the time and have the
never asking the government for anything.
of Texas School of Law, and Jennifer, a
patience required to truly meet the needs of
The least we can do is provide them with
graduate of Wayland Baptist University with
the clients that beseech their aid. Stephanie
the benefits they deserve.” The firm also
a Psychology degree and a law degree from
Townsend Allala, Jessica Kludt and Jennifer
specializes in Estate Planning, Trust, Probate,
The University of Texas School of Law, have
Coulter of Stephanie Townsend Allala and
and Guardianship law.
worked tireously to provide El Pasoans with quality legal council. “We have an impressive
Associates defy this standard by offering the people of El Paso a compassionate, for-
Stephanie, the owner and lead partner
win rate because we know the rules and we
you-and-your-family, full service law firm that
of the firm is a graduate of UTEP with a
know how to follow them for the betterment
has your best interest at heart. Stephanie,
degree in Mass Communications and a
of our clients,” Stephanie said. “Our clients
her daughter Jessica, and their partner
graduate of The University of Texas School
trust us. We are truly honest and we are
Jennifer specialize in elderly and Medicaid
of Law. Over the years she has served on
changing our clients’ lives for the better.”
law, helping the elderly and critically ill
a myriad of boards and committees in the
supplement their cost of medical and nursing
city. In 2003, she decided to change her
Stephanie Townsend Allala & Associates
care. “We help those who have difficulties
career and began her law practice and for
300 E. Main Drive, Ste. 620
attaining the Medicaid benefits they need
the past 11 years Stephanie, later joined
El Paso, Texas 79901
— those who have had their benefits denied
by her daughter Jessica, a graduate of UT
(915) 533-0007
in the past,” explained Stephanie. “Many of
Austin with bachelors degree in Biology/Pre-
these families have worked 50 to 60 years,
Med and a law degree from the University
48 | SPECIAL ADVERTISING
By: MEAGAN KINLEY photographed by: TOMMIE MORELOS
LAW OFFICES OF SAUL ANAYA, PLLC “To assist individuals and professionals with their needs, I provide free consultations.” Attorney Saul Anaya of the Law Offices of
With an emphasis on educating his clients,
can arise later. “All business owners should
Saul Anaya, is one lawyer with a passion to
Anaya gives personal attention to every
consult with an attorney to discuss the
educate and serve El Pasoans. As a born and
case. “It’s concerning to see the number
organization and formation of a business
raised El Pasoan, Saul got his Bachelor of Arts
of individuals who have not completed
prior to purchasing forms,” said Anaya. “To
in Government from the University of Texas
basic estate planning – they don’t have
assist individuals and professionals with their
at Austin and went on to attend law school,
a will or a power of attorney,” said Anaya.
needs, I provide free consultations.”
earning his Juris Doctor from Thurgood
“Unfortunately, most individuals do not
Marshall School of Law in Houston, Texas.
realize the importance of these documents
Law Offices of Saul Anaya, PLLC
In his law practice today, Anaya focuses on
until they already need them – and by that
Probate, Estate Planning, Business & Real
Elder Law; including wills and trust, as well
time, attaining these documents is much
Estate Law
as probate. Anaya can also help with matters
more difficult.”
711 Myrtle Ave. El Paso, Texas 79901
relating to real estate law and business organization law. “My practice focuses on
In addition to his Elder Law services, Anaya
(915) 533-5441
specific areas of law and as a result of the
specializes in business organization, which
Fax (915) 990-2029
narrow focus, I am able to provide focused
begins with forming a business as an LLC
saulanayalaw@gmail.com
representation. As a solo practitioner, I have
or Corporation. In today’s world, attaining
saulanayalaw.com
the flexibility to meet my client’s need and I
these forms online is easy, but what most
take the time to personally handle all of their
people don’t realize is that without consulting
legal matters,” Anaya explained.
professionals like Saul, issues and problems
By: MEAGAN KINLEY photographed by: ROBERT CORRAL
SPECIAL ADVERTISING | 49
THE LAW OFFICES OF GUERRA & FARAH, PLLC JUAN L. GUERRA, JR., GEORGE K. FARAH, MILAD K. FARAH, SARAH C. DIONNE, GEOFFREY A. BORSCHOW, ALYSSA L. ROMERO Your Rights. Your Life. Our Priority. Brothers George and Milad Farah were born
success of Guerra & Farah throughout Texas.
include several school districts throughout
and raised in El Paso with an eye toward
Geoffrey has returned back to El Paso by way
the State of Texas.
positively impacting the legal and business
of Houston to assist Milad in the operations
communities. Raised by immigrant parents
of the El Paso office. Geoffrey, also a native
“We are proud to serve and be a part of El
who valued education, George and Milad
El Pasoan and a graduate of Cathedral High
Paso’s legal and business communities,”
graduated from El Paso High School in
School, The University of Texas at El Paso
explained Milad. “We focus on quality and
1994 and 1997 respectively. George, a 1999
and South Texas College of Law, joined
make sure our clients understand their rights
UTEP grad, proceeded to law school at
Guerra & Farah in 2012.
and responsibilities. El Paso is a dynamic city. This is an up-and-coming community with a lot
Texas Southern University in Houston and graduated in 2003. Milad, a 2003 grad of
Today, Guerra & Farah is comprised of
of energy. Our firm has that same excitement
Texas Tech, soon followed and graduated
six experienced attorneys that offer a
and we want to be a part of El Paso’s growth.”
from Texas Southern in 2006. While at law
diverse portfolio of legal services in Texas
school, George and Juan L. Guerra, Jr. struck
and New Mexico. The firm focuses on
The Law Offices of Guerra & Farah, PLLC
a friendship, which in 2007 became The Law
litigation services, including federal and
1231 E. Missouri Ave.
Offices of Guerra & Farah, PLLC.
state criminal cases, civil actions, including
El Paso, Texas 79902
personal
(915) 533-0880
injury,
breach
of
contract,
Geoffrey Borschow, a life-long friend of
and labor and employment, as well as
the Farahs, is also integral in the continued
representing governmental entities that
50 | SPECIAL ADVERTISING
gflawoffices.com By: MEAGAN KINLEY
RMJ LAW FIRM “Trial Lawyers with Proven Results in High-Stakes Civil Litigation” This year, RMJ celebrates its 25th year in
RMJ embraces the advancements in digital
Recently, Jeff Ray was recognized by
practice with four law offices in Texas and New
technology used in and out of the courtroom.
the National Law Journal for successfully
Mexico (Albuquerque, El Paso, Ft. Worth, San
“We engage the most advanced technology
obtaining a $20 million verdict in a business/
Antonio). RMJ has earned a reputation both
that surrounds the legal industry. The current
family law dispute, which was the #1 Fraud
regionally and nationally as a litigation firm
technology certainly enhances the quality
Verdict in Texas in 2012. Jeff and his team
representing public and private corporations in
of the legal representation we offer our
recently received national news coverage
the U.S.A. and Mexico, as well as individuals
clients,” says David, who has been listed in
for a 2014 defense verdict on behalf of
involved in labor and business disputes.
the distinguished Texas Super Lawyers list
Applebee’s International involving multiple
for ten consecutive years.
fatalities in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Jeff firmly believes that “surrounding ourselves with
In addition to its founding partners (Jeff Ray, John McChristian, David Jeans) the firm
RMJ’s commitment to its strong core values
high-quality talent and resources keeps us at
has an outstanding team of attorneys who
of excellence and innovation in the courtroom
the forefront of success in our cases.”
have garnered numerous state and national
has allowed it to successfully defend its clients
board certifications, along with a host of
in high exposure catastrophic injury cases and
Ray, McChristian & Jeans, PC
Martindale-Hubbell AV ratings. Additionally,
highly publicized business and tort litigation
5822 Cromo Dr.
lawyers from the firm have been recognized
throughout the southwest. Such successes
El Paso, Texas 79912
by the American Board of Trial Advocates and
have been reported by ABC, CNN and USA
(915) 832-7200
named to the Bar of Preeminent Lawyers
Today and other national news sources.
and The Best Lawyers in America.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING | 51
TOULET, GOTTFRIED, DAVILA Y MARTINEZ S.C. “Let us take the guess work out of doing business in Mexico and help you make a secure, profitable investment in our country.” TOULET, GOTTFRIED, DAVILA y MARTINEZ
Accounting & Payroll Services are also available.
“Toulet,
Gottfried,
Davila
y
Martinez,
proudly conducts business in a creative and
offers a full array of services to foreign entities pursuing the Mexican marketplace. “We take
The firm practices very basic business rules.
innovative manner. By upholding our values,
our clients ‘by the hand’ and help them avoid
Tasks are completed on time. Clients enjoy
we commit to efficiency, thoroughness and
the potential pitfalls of doing business here.”
a same-day call back policy and are updated
the highest standards of integrity. We look
With 94 years of experience between them,
regarding the status of their case, regularly.
forward to guiding you through the industrial and commercial landscape that is today’s
the partners built TGDM on the principle that quality legal representation requires
“Anyone who’s going to invest in Mexico wants
Mexico and welcome you to the limitless
profound knowledge, impeccable personal
to make sure they avoid the complexities that
possibilities of the Mexican marketplace.”
service and vast business experience. They
exist when investing in another country, so we
specialize in Corporate, Manufacturing, Foreign
steer them away from trouble and help them
Toulet, Gottfried, Davila y Martinez, S.C.
Investments, Civil & Commercial Litigation,
to succeed in whatever their endeavors may
Blvd. Tomas Fernandez 7930-209
Mergers & Acquisitions, Mining & Energy,
be,” explains Alejandro Toulet.
Officinas Campestre, Edificio “B” Cd. Juarez, Chihuahua, C.P. 32460
Automotive, Labor, Taxation Litigation & Consultation, Customs & Foreign Trade, Real
Whether it’s the formation of a corporation,
U.S. Direct Line: (915) 613-0192
Estate, Immigration, Social Security & Housing,
partnership, joint venture or the sale,
Email: contactus@tgdm.com
Government Relations and Intellectual Property.
acquisition or merger of an entity or asset,
www.tgdm.com
TGDM takes the time to review all the options and determine an optimal course of action.
52 | SPECIAL ADVERTISING
By: ERIKA LOPEZ photographed by: TOMMIE MORELOS
THE ORNELAS FIRM “My firm promises cost effective, personalized attention -- I take ownership of my client’s problems.” Known for his expertise in areas of practice
representing individuals to being in-house
from audit or collection activity,” explained
involving Tax Controversy, Tax Planning and
counsel for a Fortune 50 company, so I have
Ornelas. “My firm promises cost effective,
Corporate and Business Law, Oscar Javier
a broad perspective on tax issues that affect
personalized attention -- I take ownership
Ornelas, President and Founder of The
an extensive range of clients.”
of my client’s problems. Also, I understand the cost clients incur when they hire me
Ornelas Firm, seeks to “provide clients of all sizes tax planning advice and solutions to
Through the years, Ornelas has amassed
and discuss with them, in very frank terms,
their tax problems” -- and has being doing so
experience and worked for one of El Paso’s
whether it is cost effective for them to have
for over 10 years. Ornelas currently chairs
oldest law firms where he advised “small
me resolve specific problems.”
the Tax Section of the New Mexico State Bar.
businesses and foreign investors on tax planning matters, tax and entity structuring
The Ornelas Firm
After receiving his BBA from the University of
and restructuring, state and federal tax issues,
Texas at El Paso in 1996, Ornelas earned his
tax audits and examinations and tax efficient
Texas (principal office)
Juris Doctorate from Texas Tech University in
cross-border investment strategies” and for
300 E. Main, Ste. 614
2001 and subsequently his master’s degree
Caterpillar Inc., a Fortune 50 company, as in-
El Paso, Texas 79901
(LLM) in tax law from the Graduate Tax
house counsel in their tax workgroup before
(915) 440-0044
Program at the New York University School
founding his very own private practice. New Mexico (appointment only)
of Law. “In addition to being an attorney, I am also a CPA and have a master’s degree
The Ornelas Firm, which operates in both
3167 San Mateo Blvd. NE, Ste. 205
in tax law, and am also completely bilingual,”
Texas and New Mexico, “advises individuals,
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110
explained Ornelas. “This skill set, along
expatriates, foreign investors, nonprofits
(505) 966-5400
with my work experience, I feel makes
and small businesses on tax and corporate
me unique. My practice has ranged from
matters, and resolves their tax issues arising
By: CANDACE VASQUEZ photographed by: ROBERT CORRAL
www.ojotax.com - oscar@ojotax.com SPECIAL ADVERTISING | 53
LAW OFFICES OF SERGIO A. SALDIVAR “We believe in giving clients our full attention and treating them with care and respect.” Priding themselves on providing a network
Justice, Saldivar accepted a position with
(aggressive DWI defense, drug possession,
of trusted lawyers, the Law Offices of Sergio
U.S. Customs and gained valuable years of
family violence, assaults), Federal Criminal
A. Saldivar offers a wealth of skill, focus
experience and knowledge of both border
Defense (drug smuggling, alien smuggling,
and experience. “When you work with us,
drug interdiction and enforcement of U.S.
weapons, white collar crime), Immigration
you’ll get the benefit of reasonable fees,
Immigration Laws. Opting to apply this
(emphasizing on deportation/removal) and
convenient office hours and knowledgeable
knowledge in his quest to help his clients,
Federal Employment Discrimination. “At the
trial lawyers. Sergio A. Saldivar and his team
Saldivar attended and subsequently earned
Law Offices of Sergio A. Saldivar our team
of lawyers work with compassion. “Our
his law degree from the Thurgood Marshall
will stop at nothing to ensure that you come
lawyers understand that looming legal issues
School of Law in Houston. After successfully
away with your dignity and satisfied. We give
can be stressful and overwhelming. That’s
opening and operating his first private
the underdog a voice!”
why we believe in giving clients our full
practice law firm in Houston in 2002, Saldivar
attention and treating them with care, dignity
brought his success home and opened his
Law Offices of Sergio A. Saldivar
and respect.”
second law office in El Paso in 2007.
2301 Montana Ave
A native of El Paso, Sergio A. Saldivar is a
Both Law Offices of Sergio A. Saldivar,
(915) 541-6006
graduate of Austin High School and of the
continue to operate, offering their clients
www.saldivarlawoffices.com
University of Texas at El Paso. Shortly after
‘result
www.dwibusters.com
receiving his Bachelor degree in Criminal
areas including: State Criminal Defense
El Paso, Texas 79903
54 | SPECIAL ADVERTISING
based’
representation
in
many
By: CANDACE VASQUEZ photographed by: TOMMIE MORELOS
LAW OFFICE OF MARLENE GONZALEZ, PLLC Her law practice includes representation in family, probate and immigration law. years.
Her
law
20
Marlene Gonzalez moved her practice to El
representation
Paso, Texas in 1994 and since then, she has
immigration law. Ms. Gonzalez’s practice
held many positions within our Court system.
also includes appeals to the 8th Circuit
Come visit Marlene in her office to discuss
She is an Associate Municipal Court Judge
Court of Appeals, the United States Court
your family, probate or immigration situation.
since 2003 on a part-time basis and her work
of Appeals of the 5th Circuit and she has
She offers a convenient schedule during the
includes substituting for elected Municipal
also been admitted before the United States
weeks from 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM and her
Court Judges, being available 24/7 to sign
Supreme Court since 1996. Prior to having
office is open three (3) Saturday’s per month
warrants of arrest and set bonds on individuals
her own law practice, she worked for the
with appointment times available. The Law
arrested for criminal offenses; determining
County of El Paso.
Offices of Marlene Gonzalez also offers a
in
practice
family,
includes
knowledge, experience, professionalism and
A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, attorney
probate
and
personal integrity.
convenient payment plan for your case.
whether mental commitment orders should be issued, and oftentimes, working as a
Her law office is located at 912 Magoffin
night magistrate. Prior to being appointed an
Ave. and it has been designated a historic
Law Office of Marlene Gonzalez, PLLC
Associate Municipal Court Judge, she was a
building by the Texas Historical Commission.
912 Magoffin Ave.
part-time City Prosecutor for ten years.
She is an active member of the community,
El Paso, Texas 79901
a wife and a mother of two adult sons. Ms.
( 915) 544-3388
her
Gonzalez represents the City of El Paso
www.marlenegonzalezlaw.com
bilingual private practice of law for over
in a very distinguished fashion due to her
Facebook: marlenegonzalezlaw.com
Marlene
Gonzalez
has
maintained
Photographed by: TOMMIE MORELOS
SPECIAL ADVERTISING | 55
THE LAW OFFICES OF VICTOR H. FALVEY “We do all we can to educate our clients and are very specific to determine the needs and soften fears.” Referred to as “good and conscientious
firm can help you navigate through your
Finding a good attorney with your interests
attorneys,” the Law Offices of Victor H.
legal issues and needs.
at heart can be a difficult process, especially with a lot of ads, it’s hard to determine who
Falvey are people that are dedicated to the purposeful intent of educating their clients
The firm is a unique niche with great
the right professional for your case is. “We
about their legal needs and rights.
discretion, knowledge and understanding
can help you find your way!”
of the large Latin, Hispanic culture and Specifically, the Law Offices of Victor H.
community they serve. “We are discreet,
The Law Office of Victor H. Falvey
Falvey provide counsel and assistance
knowledgeable, understanding and patient
8732 Alameda
in Real Estate needs, both transactional
with a client base that, although is a majority
El Paso, Texas 79907
and litigation that include title problems
of the population, is widely misunderstood
(915) 858-0665
and title issues, both commercially and
as to their perceptions of the law and how
residential; Estate Planning that includes
the law works. We are a uniquely niche firm
Wills, Powers of Attorney, both financial and
that works hard to answer our community’s
medical; Probate, both simple and complex;
questions and needs.”
Guardianships, Business Entities, Family Asset planning and juvenile law.
The Law Offices of Victor H. Falvey works tirelessly and takes a personal and hands-on
Victor H. Falvey has 33 years of experience
approach, from the Attorneys to Title Officers
and with the help of his outgoing but
to Paralegals and other skilled employees, to
fearless associate, Karen Colon, this Law
our client’s business, cases and relationships.
56 | SPECIAL ADVERTISING
Photographed by: TOMMIE MORELOS
FELIPE D.J. MILLAN, P.C. “We are an immigration law firm dedicated exclusively to the practice of immigration law.” ®
from Williams College in Massachusetts,
D.J. Millan, P.C.
are dedicated to serving all persons in need
one of the leading liberal arts colleges in
and attention to detail play a vital role when
of assistance in relation to United States
the United States. Upon graduation from
accomplishing secured success for clients,
Immigration Law. They exist to help men,
Williams College, Millan returned to the
thus all cases are screened and accepted
women and children remain in the United
Southwest and attended the University
in minimal loads and with a firm emphasis
States by placing them in legal standing
of New Mexico in Albuquerque where he
on superior customer service. Felipe D.J.
or protecting their legal standing. With a
received a Juris Doctorate in 1992. As a
Millan, P.C. ® offers a customer service
primary and sole focus on Immigration
native El Pasoan, Felipe D.J. Millan knows
representative to solely focus on client needs.
Law, the attorneys of Felipe D.J. Millan,
the unique diversity of residents in El Paso
P.C.
and continues to broaden the city’s diversity
Felipe D.J. Millan, P.C.
through his strong immigration law practice.
belief that defeat is not an option for their
The attorneys of Felipe D.J. Millan, P.C.
®
specialize in areas of practice that
include: Family based immigration, Worker or employment immigration, Immigration
®
believes that experience
®
clients by implementing the motto, “Don’t
supported by the Violence Against Women
Possessing over 20 years of experience,
Act
Citizenship-Nationalization
Millan began practicing law in Ciudad Juárez,
Derivative
Citizenship
Chihuahua, Mexico. Millan subsequently
Felipe D.J. Millan, P.C. ®
(Birthright, etc.), Adjustment of status, and
joined the law firm of Baker & McKenzie,
1147 Montana Ave.
Consulate Processing.
working out of both their Ciudad Juárez and
El Paso, Texas 79902
their Dallas, Texas offices. In November of
(915) 566-9977
Felipe D.J. Millan graduated from Stephen F.
1994, Millan began his private practice in El
felipemillan.com
Austin High School in 1985. In 1989, Millan
Paso, Texas and since then, has expanded
received his Bachelor’s Degree in History
his offices to San Diego, California. Felipe
(VAWA),
Applications,
embodies the firm
By: ERIKA LOPEZ photographed by: TOMMIE MORELOS
give up until you get what you want.”
SPECIAL ADVERTISING | 57
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58
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59
September, 2014
| By: EDDIE CEPEDA |
60
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
September, 2014
I
crafting a revolution
t was a hot day this summer. I finished
But today something different unfolded.
work early and decided that spending
Today, I let my defenses down and took the
the day supporting a local business
bartender’s suggestion. Maybe I was tired of
would be good for the soul and for the
constantly fighting with people’s insistence
economy. I navigated my way through
that I try the “right one” or maybe part of me
most of the beer taps at Monarch,
ordered it just so I could tell him “I told you,
one of my favorite bars in town, and when
I hate it. This is awful.” Those words would
the time came to refill my pint glass, the
not leave my mouth, and instead I would
bartender somehow managed to talk me
send my good childhood friend and
into ordering an IPA. If you knew me,
co-owner of Craft and Social, Rafa
you would know that I believe an IPA is
Terrazas a text simply saying, “I had
a needless trend, and that I’m convinced
an IPA I didn’t hate.”
people drink them out of some sort of masochistic tendency. “Trust me, you’ll like
It wasn’t long ago that craft beer
this one, it’s not like the others,” he said,
connoisseurs in El Paso had little more than
echoing the same phrase I have heard 100
Cincinnati street haunt Hemingway’s to take
times from 100 different people. How could
refuge from watered-down corporate beers.
ANYONE take pleasure in drinking a beer
I have many hazy memories of my early 20s,
that tastes like a pinecone and angostura
stumbling into this legendary bar, mostly out
bitters smoothie? Give me a wheat beer;
of curiosity. “Yeah sure, I’ll try this double
just keep this devilish IPA away from me.
oatmeal stout,” I would utter on occasion.
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61
September, 2014
But unlike beer connoisseurs, I would go
But how much of a demand is there really?
As if that’s not enough, there will also be
back to more familiar commercial drinks after
What about people who are dead set on
home-brewing experts on hand to lend some
one or two of the “good” beers. Let’s face it,
sticking to their Bud Light and Coors Light?
knowledge. Maybe I can finally get someone
El Paso has for many years been more about
“I’m not trying to educate everyone about
to give me advice on how to make my dream
cheap shots and $1 Tecate nights than about
craft beer, just the ones that are curious
beer: a Belgian-style wheat beer with the
high quality, small batch libations. That would
enough to try something new,“ Terrazas tells
usual citrus and coriander flavors, but with
seem (at least to me) to change overnight.
me as he hands me a pint of my personal
the added touch of French lavender.
favorite, Dogfish Head’s Namaste. “Moving When Joseph Valenzuela, another childhood
back to El Paso was due to the opportunity
So is craft beer just a passing trend or is it
friend and co-owner of Hoppy Monk asked
seen given the city’s growth and desire for
here to stay? Take this into consideration, in a
me if I thought it was a good idea for him
something unique. At the end of the day, I
recent interview with the Denver Post, Pete
to open a craft beer bar in El Paso, I almost
wanted to add value to my hometown.”
Coors, (yes, that Coors) expressed confusion as to why fewer people are drinking the big
begged him not to. “Liquor has a GREAT mark-up, trust me dude, stick to that,” I
And bars aren’t the only options for quenching
name beers and switching to craft. And while
pleaded. El Paso is, after all, the number
your craft beer thirst anymore. Sun Brewing
craft beer is still a relatively small share of the
one Bud Light consuming city in the world,
Co. was founded by David Slocum in 2013,
beer market, its share climbs year after year.
probably. Who would spend 15 bucks on a
and is currently the only brewery in town. The
pint, when you can throw a rock and hit some
mission seems to be pretty simple: to create
And even though craft beer started out
kind of beer bucket special? We all know the
beer El Pasoans can call their own. “What
as an occasional treat for me, I now find
answer to that now though.
I’m trying to accomplish is something that
myself grimacing when the draft selection
has never been done before … something
somewhere is limited to Blue Moon or one
Fast forward to 2014 and not only is Hoppy
totally radical to this region.” Slocum tells
of the other “craft beers” owned by the
Monk doing well, it’s done so well they’ve
me. And with unique flavors in their brews
corporate giants.
grown to preach the gospel of brew to the
like Abuelita Mexican Chocolate or regional
people of San Antonio. But there’s room for
chili, Sun Brewing seems to be on the right
But maybe it is just a trend and we’ll soon
more … Rafael Terrazas hung up his cushy
journey to putting El Paso on the beer map.
wake up from this micro-brew dream state we’ve been living in. Maybe the taps will
position at Dell in Austin and came back home to give us Craft and Social, a craft
With Sun City Craft Beer festival approaching
once again flow endlessly with watered-
beer bar, next door to Pot au Feu. And on the
it’s second year, the beer craze shows no
down, big name beer. Or just maybe, there
westside we have Craft House Pub & Grub
sign of slowing down, and is in fact growing,
are more people out there every day that
by Mike Amparan.
as the festival is. This year, it will expand to
are for the first time in their lives enjoying
include live music, merchandise, and art and
an IPA on a hot summer day. Let’s hope
food truck restaurants that will pair the right
for the latter ...
62
food with the perfect beer.
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September, 2014
SEPTEMBER 50
o
o
off
in registration
Come and Dance with us! Jazz • Ballet • Tap Hip hop • Aerial
Any questions? Call 915 585 1911 6910 North Mesa St#79912 (behind Dollar General)
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63
September, 2014
64
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r e t u r n o f E l pa s o ’ s c e l e b r at e d s t r e e t c a r s
September, 2014
LIKE A PHOENIX The Return of El Paso’s
Once Celebrated Street Cars
A
| By: AUSTIN SAVAGE photography by: TOMMIE MORELOS | s the face of change has
The neighborhoods of Sunset Heights,
flown through so much
Manhattan Heights, Governor’s Hill, and Kern
of the city in recent
Place were linked as routes that all fed into
years there is often the
the burgeoning downtown of El Paso, most
accompaniment of noise
notably as a link to Juárez and the vibrant
that accompanies transition,
international community that was forming.
but in all these efforts to revitalize there is
For as little as six cents citizens were
one particular project that marks a return to
capable of hopping on board one of these
the El Paso of the past. The recent efforts
large transports and traveling throughout the
to bring streetcar service to the downtown
city. Typically twice the size of a standard bus
area has drawn focus over the last few years
and operating by electricity through overhead
and these efforts are fast becoming a reality.
power lines, these petroleum-free transports
While the efforts at funding the project and
operated at about half the cost of the
the viability of streetcar service have become
standard bus, thus making them a far more
political hot buttons, the history of El Paso
efficient mode of movement for the citizens
and her streetcars is a fascinating one.
of the Sun City and her sister city Ciudad Juárez. The expanse of the streetcar service
Having started out with a simple mule cart in
grew and eventually during World War II the
the post Civil War era, downtown transit was
city of El Paso found itself linked to Fort Bliss.
the first way that the historic neighborhoods of El Paso could find themselves linked. www.thecitymagazineelp.com
Perhaps one of the more engaging aspects 65
September, 2014
66
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September, 2014
r e t u r n o f E l pa s o ’ s c e l e b r at e d s t r e e t c a r s
of the trolley system was that they provided
convenience of potential customers crossing
economic policy with regards to one district
a genuine aesthetic appeal as part of the
the border into El Paso, that the final cars
and the cries of gentrification are frequent and
city’s culture. World-renowned artist Jose
stopped running. Their effectiveness having
loud. Regardless of one’s viewpoints reading
Cisneros was once an employee for the El
proven to be their downfall in the face of a
these recent developments, one thing is
Paso City Line streetcar service and was
growing societal dependency on individual
factual. The navigation of downtown is not
tasked with painting some of the vehicles.
automobiles and restrictive borders.
always easy. Parking can prove to be difficult or expensive and driving within the district’s
His beautiful usage of color, most visibly noticed on the Juárez line, combined with
With the past firmly entrenched and the
onslaught of ending streets and sudden one-
the cars’ beautifully streamlined art deco
trolleys long forgotten, the recent rise in
way roads is not always enjoyable.
designs of the late 1930s provided a distinct
activity calling for their return started out
charm for passengers and observers alike.
as almost a novelty, with local artist Peter
Perhaps that’s the beauty of the trolleys,
Svarzbein’s “Transnational Trolley Project”
a truth that has either been long forgotten
The beauty and ease of the streetcars met
posters appearing on downtown storefronts
or never learned due to lack of experience:
their unfortunate end in May of 1974. With
over the last few years. Yet the novelty has
Mobility
only the Juárez line operating in 1973, the
genuine merit and eventually the desire for
movement is cause for accomplishment
City of El Paso purchased the service fleet
their return grew out of this simple seed.
on a daily basis and the ability to ride
and continued to operate them. It was under
The recent, and frequently controversial,
the beautiful old streetcars is not just an
intense pressure from Juárez merchants,
downtown revitalization plan has led to some
opportunity to succeed for that day, but the
who opposed the service due to the ease and
heated discourse on the effectiveness of
chance to do it in style.
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
is
power.
The
freedom
of
67
November, 2013
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November, 2013
69
September, 2014
70
Harvey Hilbert
Monica Delgado
Liz Justice
Daniel Rollings www.thecitymagazineelp.com
thriving after domestic abuse
September, 2014
Thriving After Domestic Abuse Center Against Family Violence
Stories of Survival
H
| By: ANDRÉS RODRÍGUEZ photography by: ADRIANNE RILEY |
arvey Hilbert rides a
He dropped out of high school at 16, joined
At 67, the Las Cruces man says that the
Harley Davidson Dyna
the army at 17 and got shot in the head at
feeling of powerlessness that follows abuse
Super Glide and wears
19. His youth, he recalls, was a violent one.
and trauma wasn’t easy to shake, but he was
an ornate, purple rakusu,
His father, an alcoholic, constantly beat him,
able to with a little help from unassuming
a sort of Buddhist’s vest,
his mother and brother to such extent that at
neighbors and later from working with
on top of his black biker
one point, he had to grab a rifle to stop him.
trauma survivors.
attire. He lays out his teenage years bluntly.
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
His mother divorced shortly thereafter. 71
thriving after domestic abuse
September, 2014
Harvey got his GED after leaving the army,
“I could’ve stayed stuck but I wanted
it and really look at all the faces of domestic
enrolled in college — dropped out of his first
more than that. You have to take risks and
violence and sexual assault,” Cesar Campa,
year five times — and eventually made his
sometimes that’s a scary thing.”
community relations director for CAFV, says.
a therapist for nearly 30 years, focusing on
Harvey is one of four people whose stories
Liz Justice joins Harvey as one of this year’s
soldiers with post traumatic stress disorder,
of survival are featured by the Center Against
stories of survival. Liz went to the center after
and is now a Zen Buddhist priest.
Family Violence at this year’s Lend Us Your
struggling with an abusive relationship of 13
Ear event. Now on its fourth year, the event
years with her ex-husband. This was her first
His story is a story of survival, he says, and
raises funds for the center by auctioning
real relationship, she says, and wanted to do
wants others to know there’s hope. “I think
jewelry. The center, which runs a hotline
anything in her power to fix it for the sake of
it’s important that people get the message
and an emergency shelter, seeks to provide
her family.
that just because you have been abused
guidance and resources to survivors of
doesn’t mean you’re done,” he says. “Your
domestic abuse.
way to obtaining a PhD in social work. He was
“There was one time when the authorities were not as helpful as I had hoped, so
history is not necessarily your destiny. At this year’s Lend Us Your Ear, to be held
when I contacted the center (Against Family
October 2, they hope to give an insight
Violence) they were the ones who really
It took time to turn it around, he admits, but
into what domestic abuse is and what
assisted me to make a change and to be able
his journey made him realize that he wasn’t
successfully overcoming it looks like.
to believe in myself and my home for my
There’s always the possibility of doing well.”
kids,” she says.
alone in his ordeals. Still, he doesn’t think of himself as a victim.
“One of the main things that we really wanted to do was expand the perception of
Liz struggled with seeking help. She lied
“That’s a trap, it’s really like quick-sand, you
who survivors are. So last year we focused
to friends and family because she wanted
get stuck in this victim thinking,” he says.
on women, this year we wanted to broaden
to take care of things herself. Through
72
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September, 2014
thriving after domestic abuse
counseling services at the center, however,
He sexually assaulted and verbally threatened
Liz realized it was OK to ask for help. She
her. That kept “her silent for so long,” she
was able to learn from other women who
says. At the time, she was finishing her PhD,
were in the same situation at the center and
which helped her remain positive and focused.
was inspired to make a change for herself.
She finished her degree in 2009, and saw that as her light at the end of the tunnel. “I felt
“It was hard,” she says. “It was a difficult
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Will it remind you the garage door is still open when you leave for work?
□
Can your home tell you if the kids are home from school on time?
□
Can your home report a fire, CO emergency, or burglary for you day and night?
empowered but I was still terrified,” she says.
transition, but that’s where they played a big role in helping me get through it.”
How smart is your home?
She started attending classes, support groups and therapy sessions at the center in
Liz, who heads the scholarship department
2010 after realizing that she couldn’t protect
at UTEP and is an avid volunteer with local
her children by staying silent. “This is when
organizations, says she’s comfortable and
I learned and understood that by staying
excited to share her story in hopes of reaching
silent and doing nothing I was giving not only
at least one person.
the power, but also the permission, to the perpetrator to continue the abuse.”
To those who find themselves struggling with domestic abuse she says it’s OK to ask
CAFV helped Monica hire an attorney when
for help. “There’s other people out there
she couldn’t afford one and provided shelter
that are going through the same thing they
when her ex-husband began stalking her
are. It’s not something that they caused,
after she submitted a protective order.
but it’s something that they can fix and it’s something that they can make right, for
Their divorce was finalized in 2012. Her
themselves most importantly, but for their
experience, she says, prompted her to
family, their children, their loved ones.”
commit to working towards the education of family violence and sexual assault. She
Daniel Rollings, who’s worked as an advocate
helped create a biannual fair with the support
for the LGBT community, received help in
of the center to educate college students and
the legal process from the center after his
the public in domestic violence and sexual
partner abused him for four years. Daniel,
assault. She also established the wellness
a law enforcement employee, says that
center, L.Y.L.O, which initially stood for
after seeking help at the center, he was
Love Yourself to Love Others. Through the
empowered to make a change and learned
organization, she helps students to be better
what a good relationship should look like. “It’s
informed about diabetes and cancer.
based on equality and an unchecked power struggle can result in violence,” he says.
Her advice to those in similar situations is to
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speak out. “The resources are out there but He advises being attentive to changes in
those resources are only useful and helpful
a relationship. “Being able to analyze and
if you decide to make that call,” she says.
notice changes in themselves,” he says is
“Remember that by staying silent we give
important, “To be able to work together or to
the power and permission to the perpetrator
be able to put a stop to it before it’s too late.”
to continue abusing us.”
Similarly, Monica Delgado went to the center
The Center Against Family Violence will hold
at a point in her life when she couldn’t stand to
the Lend Us Your Ear fundraiser October
remain in an abusive relationship with her ex-
2 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Coronado
husband. She stayed with him for three years.
Country Club. Tickets are available at cafv.org.
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
915-584-4526
Scan this QR code or visit alarm.com/us/dorney to learn more 73
September, 2014
Cooking up
A WISH | By: MARISA MIER photography by: TOMMIE MORELOS |
74
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September, 2014
F
or a child that is diagnosed with
“At Ovations, we want to be part of the
uveitis, a disease that causes
community,” said Philida Bill, Executive Chef
inflammation of the eye and could
for Ovations. “We’re thrilled to be a part of
possibly lead to permanent vision
Javier’s day -- not only to be a chef for the
loss, the future can be a scary
day, but to support him and his family with a
thought. But when 11-year-old Javier was
day they can always remember.”
asked about his vision for the future, his response was a simple: “I want to be a chef.”
Javier learned to manage a kitchen, various knife skills, the importance of eating healthy
On August 2, Javier’s wish was granted
and how fun it can be to try different foods.
when he served as sous chef for Southwest University Park’s catering contractor, Ovations
“They asked me what I wanted to cook and I
Food Services, through the Make-A-Wish®
said pizzas,” said Javier. “I made three. One
North Texas El Paso Regional Office.
had chorizo, chile verde and pepperoni, one was a pepperoni lovers, and one with buffalo,
The mission of Make-A-Wish® is to grant
pepperoni and extra buffalo sauce. After they
the wishes of children with life-threatening
taught me, I made my own. It was really fun!”
medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.
As part of his special night, the Pepperoni Lovers Pizza and Javier’s Buffalo Pizza were
The night before, Javier was a bundle of
sold at the concessions for $7 (originally
nervous but excited energy.
$6), with proceeds benefiting Make-A-Wish North Texas to help grant more wishes just
“He woke up at six,” said Ericka, Javier’s
like Javier’s.
mother. “He said he wasn’t going back to sleep. He was ready.” www.thecitymagazineelp.com
75
September, 2014
Regional Council Member and President of
throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. He was
the El Paso Chihuahuas General Manager.
Stewart Title Cindy Bilbe, served as one of
then able to watch the game with his family in
“When we can bring the memories of a lifetime
Javier’s wish granters.
the Southwest University corporate suite.
to someone, that’s a great part of my job.”
“His eyes lit up,” she said. “It was so cute. You
With a baseball in hand, he beamed and waved
Yolanda Arriola, President of Southwest
could tell his excitement to be in the kitchen.”
to the crowd. When asked about the pitch, Javier
University, agreed. “I was very blessed to
laughed: “I was really nervous. I think it was the
be a part of the experience,” she said. “I
nerves that made me almost hit Chico!”
hope to continue to bring a wish to a child
the
“We are in the business of having fun and
that needs that encouragement and let them
players, a birthday cake delivered by Chico and
supporting our community,” said Brad Taylor,
forget about the real world.”
Other
surprises
personalized
76
chef’s
included jacket,
receiving meeting
a
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Upcoming
September, 2014
October Local Boutiques Beauty World Fine Jewelry November Healthcare Professionals Senior Care February Car Experts Restaurants
Pr files www.thecitymagazineelp.com
(Special Advertising)
77
November, 2013
Upon first glance this group has little in common, but looking closer you see they share a passion for making El Paso a better place to live and work. As president of Homegrown El Paso and partner of Dodds Wealth Management Group, Charles Dodds III created an idea that would help Homegrown El Paso, the city and many locally owned businesses. Homegrown El Paso's mission is to ensure that locally Homeg owned businesses have a voice and to educate the public on the importance of "Buying Local". As competition continues to grow the ability to strengthen this message becomes increasingly important. Charles began by sharing his idea with Joseph Nester, a fellow board member of Homegrown El Paso and owner of Kaizen Construction Services. Joseph agreed that the music festival would work but they would need help. The time and expertise to put this together would require a partnership with a company that can undertake an event of this size, so they started looking. It wasn't until meeting Bill and Jerry with 915 Live Productions that the idea started coming together. Bill and Jerry have worked together in event production for over 17 years and music has been a lifelong obsession for them. For Bill it started at the age of 13, when he began working as a DJ in the late 70's playing quincea単eras and neighborhood weddings. For Jerry it began at age 5, when he taught himself to play the bass guitar left handed. Bill and Jerry's paths crossed in the late 90's where they began frequently working together at the same concerts and in 2010 decided to go into business. Since then, 915 Live has helped in the production of almost every major concert and event in El Paso. When Charles and Joseph approached them about the music festival the pieces quickly fell into place.
syn er gy noun: the interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.
Homegrown El Paso, 915 Live Productions, Rudolph Dealerships and Visit El Paso are proud to bring you the First Annual "Beats and Eats" music festival September 13th at Ascarate Park. We will have an expected attendance of over 30,000 people, a 30 foot Eiffel Tower, two stages, great food, activities for the kids and music for all tastes. Tickets are available now at epbeatsandeats.com and ticketfly.com. 78
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November, 2013
• 2 Concert Stages • 30ft. Eiffel Tower • Approx. 100 Vendor Booths • Carnival Rides • 2 VIP Stage Areas • Large Beer Garden • Fireworks Display Fi • Plenty of Parking Spaces • Car Show September 13, 2014 Ascarate Park 6900 Delta El Paso, TX 79905 epbeatsandeats.com
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
Photography & Design by JC PRODUCTIONS ©2014 79
A New Brings a | By: ROBIN NILAND |
80
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School Year New Routine pa r e n t i n g
September, 2014
Sometimes
the
kids
played
together;
sometimes they squabbled. Some days we
made crafts with items otherwise destined for the recycle bin; some days we watched
too much television. Some days we went on outings; some days we stayed home. I will admit that the leisurely summer pace was a nice break from the hectic school year, but somewhere around mid-August our chill turned frigid and we all began to yearn for a
T
schedule, a plan, and a routine. Without a daily goal of being somewhere, anywhere, at a set time, our days seemed to drag and
he collective sighs of relief, if not
gummy-bombs I fed them, the less they
small annoyances became insurmountable
unabashed cheering, you heard from
seemed to understand my concept of “chill.”
problems, which were of course my job to mediate. Suddenly the school supply aisles at
parents all across the city on August 27 could only mean one thing: the
I read somewhere that boredom is actually
local grocery and retail stores became beacons
beginning of another school year. I certainly
good for children. They need to be bored in
of hope to families across the city that order
enjoyed the lazy days of summer and having
order to tap into their powers of imagination.
would soon be restored.
my children around all day. Days flowed one
I’m not sure if this is scientifically proven,
into another without alarm clocks, schedules,
but it definitely made me feel less guilty
So after almost 90 days of summer vacation,
or homework. Bike rides, swimming, trips
about watching videos of babies squealing
I’m channeling Justin Timberlake and bringing
to the El Paso Zoo, and several Chihuahuas
in excitement over a pop song on the radio
Structure Back. Alarm clocks are set, school
games
Park
or finally finishing the novel I started in
clothes are organized, pencils are sharpened,
provided an answer to “what are we going
November while my children lament their
and weekly chore charts are eagerly awaiting
to do today?” But most of our days lacked
lack of something to do. Eventually they
gold stars. Our family wall calendar is ready to
forethought and planning. We just chilled. The
always found something to do. My son’s
be filled with appointments and activities that
definition of “chill” according to children under
activity usually involved the largest stick he
will fill most of the space between the buzz of
the age of 12 is vastly different than an adult’s
could find the backyard. As long as it was not
the alarm clock and bedtime stories. We still
interpretation. Chill is to boredom as candy
used on his sister and he retained the use of
have Sundays to enjoy the luxury of boredom,
is to health food in the child’s world of word
both eyes, fine by me. My daughter read all
but without the long-term commitment.
analogies. Ironically, the more sugar-coated-
seven Harry Potter books. Again.
at
Southwest
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University
81
NIGHT November, 2013
Weekdays at 5, 6, 6:30, & 10pm
WEEKEND Saturdays at 6 & 10pm Sundays at 5:30 & 10pm
Experienced Coverage. All Week Long. 82
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November, 2013
83
September, 2014
On THE
BALL! | By: HEATHER GRAHAM |
84
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September, 2014
S ta b i l i t y B a l l s
T
he first thing you would notice, were you
to visit my 5th grade classroom at St. Clement’s
Parish School is that there are virtually no chairs. Instead, my students, quite literally, are on the ball. We use stability balls in place of traditional chairs, and the students could not be happier about it. The real advantage, however, is the benefit it provides to their learning process. As any parent or teacher of tweens knows, significant sedentary periods often prove very challenging. Part of that challenge stems from the unfortunate reality that most students are required to sit for extended periods of time during their school days. However, research into how a student learns shows that the encouragement of movement and engagement throughout the school day is a significant factor in brain development. By replacing our chairs with stability balls, we have given the children the freedom of movement, allowing them to stay much more engaged without disturbing any of their classmates, or me.
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85
September, 2014
Specifically, the
stability
balls
enhance the attention and concentration levels of the student, as well as improve circulation
throughout
the
body
and
strengthen core (postural) and back muscle groups. The balls also help improve the students’ balance and coordination, as well as address a very common problem in traditional classroom arrangements: poor posture. The balls encourage “active sitting,” which promotes more efficient and effective hip and spine alignment. After conducting a sufficient amount of research, I selected WittFitt stability balls. (www.wittfitt.com) The balls are made of a high quality plastic that is latex-free, burst resistant, and has a 400-pound capacity. They have small peg feet to provide some stability, keep them from rolling about the room, and make storage on the desktop easy. Additionally, the balls are sized; each ball is inflated to the designated size based on the student’s height and placement at his or her desk. Since the balls are burst resistant, they will slowly leak instead of popping if punctured. WittFitt also provides a
comprehensive
training
regimen
for
teachers, which is customized for each classroom arrangement. Safety is of paramount concern in every classroom, so great care was taken to prepare the students and parents for this change. In essence, the use of the stability 86
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
September, 2014 balls is voluntary. Each student must agree to a set of rules developed collaboratively by the class, with my guidance. As a part of the contract, they must adhere to the rules or risk losing the privilege of using the balls for up to two weeks. I am delighted to report that I have never had to invoke that consequence. But perhaps the most important benefit is that the kids are happy and excited to come to class! Although a few of the children complained of mild soreness when the balls were first implemented, they have been a unanimous success. In fact, several of the students have convinced their parents to purchase a stability ball for their home or office. And, they are learning the value of proper posture and the importance of strengthening their core muscles. The balls provide a physical benefit that will also help each of the students in his or her daily activities, including any sports in which they may participate. My hope is that they are also learning basic elements of fitness that will benefit them throughout their lives. If you are curious, I invite you to come and see our stability balls for yourself! They represent one of the most recent strategies St. Clement’s Parish School has adopted in order to stay at the forefront of education in El Paso.
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e l pa s o s ’ s g r ow i n g b i k e s c e n e
PEDALS AWAY! El Paso’s W
ith cooler weather, here’s the scoop on how to get into the sport of biking
and cycling, and where and when to
go for a cool ride out.
Growing
BIKE SCENE www.thecitymagazineelp.com
| By: MEAGAN KINLEY |
You may have seen them. The athletic, brightly-colored cyclists in the bike lane as
you pass by in your car — you see them and wonder what it might be like to ride a day in their shoes. Cycling and mountain biking have certainly taken our city by storm. With more and more bike lanes popping up all over the city — including the recently approved motion to reconstruct downtown’s streets with a new biking and pedestrian lane — the city is simply going ballistic for bikes! If you venture out of your home on a Saturday morning, you are bound to see them riding along some of the city’s most scenic routes. We even had a whole month (back in May) 89
e l pa s o ’ s g r ow i n g b i k e s c e n e
Here are a few clubs and teams to consider:
September, 2014
dedicated to El Paso’s growing love of biking.
off. 2) New friends with shared interests
But what does it take to join them?
will only enrich your overall experience. 3) Community offers us our best shot at really
Sure, you’ve thought about it, but actually
finding the heart of the sport. El Paso has
El Paso Bicycle Club
taking the leap, buying the bike and venturing
some awesome biking and cycling clubs
elpasobicycleclub.com
out your front door seems more than
that are great for this. With weekly posted
daunting. For starters, you don’t even know
meeting spots for training rides, you are sure
EP Cyclists Club
“the rules,” decorum, or simply how to begin
to find the friends and experienced help you
epcyclists.com
a route — and how could you expect to ride
need to dig your heels into your new hobby
and accomplish such a technical feat? You
of cycling!
Borderland Mountain Bike Association
tell yourself, “next year” or “next season”
bmba.wordpress.com/
— after all, “it’s way too hot outside this time
Step 3: Perform
of year” . . . and you don’t have any friends or
Here are some locally owned El Paso bike shops to get you out on the streets: Atom Cyclist (915) 225-0011 atomcyclist.com Biciklo Bike Shop (915) 269-7609 bicikloshop@gmail.com Chuck’s Bicycle Repair (915) 791-2006 chucksbicyclerepair.com Crazy Cat Cyclery crazycatcyclery.com Cycling Journey (915) 775-9788 El Paso Bicycle Center (915) 532-1591 The Bicycle Company (915) 544-2453 the-bicycle-company.net/
For routes and trails posted by El Pasoans go to: mapmyride.com/us/el-paso-tx/ 90
fellow riders to bike with . . .
So
you’ve
got
your tools and your community — you now
Well El Paso, your days of excuses are over!
have what you need to really get out on the
Cooler weather is on the way and with it, a
streets and begin accomplishing more for
new sporting opportunity for you to get in
yourself than you ever thought you could.
shape and join the blossoming bike scene
It’s now time for you to perform! When you
that is out there waiting for you!
started training, your biking buddies had
Step 1: Get a Bike
probably already started talking about their
If you already have one that works for you,
be yours too! On Sunday September 28, the
then you are set. For those that don’t, do not
El Paso Bicycle Club will be putting on the
be intimidated by the bike shop. They are
Chile Pepper Challenge — El Paso’s premier
there to help. The easiest way to show up
cycling event like none other where you can
with confidence is to dig up a little research
ride through the beautiful Mesilla Valley,
on what you want to accomplish. Do you
through pecan orchards, chile fields and
want to cruise around paved trails with
more. With over 900 cyclists last year, this
friends? Do you want to explore El Paso’s
event is sure to bring out even more this year.
many meandering trails? Or do you want to
And with five different ride distances offered,
engage in the art of competitive cycling —
there is a perfect distance for everyone,
pushing the limits of speed like a racer in the
including a 100-mile route, a 62-mile route, a
Tour de France?
40-mile route, a 25-mile route and even a 10-
next big race. Well, their next big race could
mile fun ride. And the best part? After you’ve Whatever your goal is, go into the shop with
finished and felt the weight of what you have
your mind made up. Second, like anything
just accomplished, there will be a party with
else, you can pay as much as you want for
food, drinks, live entertainment and more at
a bike. Going in with a set budget is also a
La Viña Winery.
great way to reduce stress and buy your bike with grace. Oh, and don’t forget a helmet!
Well El Paso, you now have the know-how
Step 2: Find Community
to get out there and join the biking scene that is helping to transform the city from the
So you have your bike and you have your
inside out. Whether you join for adventure,
overall vision for what you want to do – now
for health, or for excitement, we are sure
you need to find a community of others who
that biking and cycling will get you outside
share your goals! This is important for three
and accomplishing more than you ever
reasons: 1) Accountability is the best way to
thought possible!
ensure that your recent investment will pay www.thecitymagazineelp.com
September, 2014
9-21
9-14
8-31
8-24
8-10
7-20
7-06
6-22
6-08
James
Springer
James
Springer
7315 Canutillo La Union Rd. Canutillo, TX 915-877-4544 zinvalle.com Â
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91
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STAR KIDS PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY “We always want to make sure our children have a positive dental experience.” Lizbeth Holguin’s passion for education and
parents on their children’s oral hygiene.
Universidad Autonoma de Ciudad Juarez,
oral health led her to pursue a life-long career
Together they have more than 30 years of
then she completed her Pediatric Dentistry
as a pediatric dentist. As the owner of Star
experience. What differentiates Star Kids
Residency at the University of Puerto Rico
Kids Pediatric Dentistry, she serves and
Pediatric Dentistry from others in El Paso is
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brightens the little smiles of El Paso.
that it is the only group practice in which every
on to complete a dental internship at Miami
patient is seen by a pediatric dental specialist.
Children’s Hospital. When she isn’t with her patients, Dr. Holguin loves spending
Star Kids Pediatric Dentistry provides dental services to patients as young as newborns
There are two convenient Star Kids Pediatric
time with her husband and their three small
and up to 17-years-old, and welcomes
Dentistry locations in El Paso, one in East
children doing fun outdoor activities. “As a
children with special needs. Star Kids
El Paso on McRae and the other in West
mother I like to teach my patient’s parents the
Pediatric Dentistry’s goal is to establish
El Paso on North Mesa. Star Kids Pediatric
importance of oral hygiene,” Dr. Holguin said.
overall health, create good dental habits for
Dentistry takes their customer service to
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Star Kids Pediatric Dentistry ensures a positive
Services include dental exams, cleanings,
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dental experience for you and your child!
crowns, nitrous oxide, conscious sedation
“We always want to make sure our children
Star Kids Pediatric Dentistry
and hospital dentistry.
have a positive dental experience,” Dr.
East: 1800 McRae Blvd.
digital x-rays, fillings, extractions, aesthetic
Holguin mentioned. “We give praise for Dr. Holguin has built a group practice with
every
Dr. Edith Osorio, Dr. Courtney Brooks and
these kids make and really emphasize
accomplishment
and
milestone
Dr. Latoya Delaughter, dental associates
positive reinforcement.”
94 | SPECIAL ADVERTISING
West: 7211 N. Mesa Suite-1East El Paso, Texas 79912 ( 915) 592-4168 www.starkidsdds.com
working with her, all which specialize not only in pediatric dentistry, but also in educating
El Paso, Texas 79925
Dr. Holguin received her dental degree at the
facebook.com/starkidsdds
By: DESIREE LOZANO photographed by: ROBERT CORRAL
TRAWOOD FAMILY DENTAL “We try to do everything we can to make your experience pleasant from start to finish.” With family values at the core of their practice,
Dr. Rosson was born and raised in Virginia
El Paso District Dental Society. Dr. Rosson is
Trawood Family Dental headed by Dr. Robert
and made his way to Texas through his
an active member of his church community
Rosson and his daughter Dr. Krystelle Anaya,
military service. He earned his undergraduate
and loves spending time with his wife Brigitte
are dedicated to making El Pasoans proud of
degree at UTEP. After graduating from dental
and four children. Dr. Anaya enjoys spending
their pearly whites by treating their patients
school from the University of Texas Health
time with her husband Saul Anaya who is an
like part of the family.
Science Center at San Antonio, he returned
Attorney out of Downtown El Paso.
to El Paso where he has built a practice for Trawood Family Dental takes pride in caring
more than 30 years.
Dr. Anaya was recently nominated as Texas’
for you and your family’s smiles by offering
New Dentist of the Year for the Texas
elite dental services including basic cleaning
His daughter Dr. Krystelle Anaya is a native
Academy of General Dentistry by the El Paso
and
District Dental Society.
restorative
El Pasoan and a graduate of Socorro High
dentistry for the whole family. From kids to
School and went to study Biology at Baylor
adults, Trawood Family Dental sees patients
University. Dr. Anaya earned her Doctor of
of all ages. “We try to do everything we can
Dental Surgery degree at the University of
to make your experience pleasant from start
Texas School of Dentistry in Houston in 2012
to finish such as, dealing with insurance
and has worked alongside her father since.
exams,
cosmetic
and
Trawood Family Dental
companies and financing plans to make things affordable, to our exceptional staff
Both Dr. Rosson and Dr. Anaya are members of
3110 Trawood Suite D
who are really good at what they do and are
the Academy of General Dentistry, Texas Dental
El Paso, Texas 79936
really friendly,” Dr. Krystelle Anaya said.
Association, American Dental Association and
(915) 855-1000
By: DESIREE LOZANO photographed by: ROBERT CORRAL
SPECIAL ADVERTISING | 95
MEJIA-MAIDL ORTHODONTICS “Having straight teeth and a beautiful smile should be affordable and not a luxury for just a very few.” With state of the art technology and
in 2000, working as an associate and later
and provide satisfying results.
buying the practice in 2005.
diagnostic tools, 16 treatment chairs and three consultation rooms, Mejia-Maidl Orthodontics
Both Dr. Mejia-Maidl and Dr. Espina, who
is dedicated to meeting the specific needs
currently works at Mejia-Maidl Orthodontics,
When she’s not perfecting El Pasoan’s
of the El Paso community with the utmost
are participating orthodontists for the Cleft
smiles, Dr. Mejia-Maidl enjoys traveling,
orthodontic care for a flawless smile. “Having
Lip and Palate Clinic in El Paso. They treat
doing Crossfit, snowboarding, and spending
straight teeth and a beautiful smile should
many surgical cases, partnering with local
time with her husband and two boys.
be affordable and not a luxury for just a very
surgeons as well as surgeons from San
few,” Dr. Mejia-Maidl strongly believes. This
Antonio, Austin, Houston and Dallas. Their
is why Mejia-Maidl Orthodontics offers very
team therefore has the expertise necessary
reasonable treatment fees, various payment
to treat all your orthodontic needs. “Our
plan options, low down payments, and
doctors are highly trained and have years of
interest free in-house financing, all while
experience” says Dr. Mejia-Maidl.
providing excellent quality. Dr. Mejia-Maidl earned her Doctor in Dental Mejia-Maidl Orthodontics treats children,
Science degree after completing a five-
teenagers and adults offering both self-
year dental program in Colombia. She then
ligating metal and clear ceramic braces
attended a three-year Orthodontic residency
Mejia-Maidl Orthodontics PA
from GAC, one of the country’s leading
program at the University of Illinois in Chicago
9130 Viscount Boulevard
orthodontic supply companies. The office is
where she also earned a Master’s degree in
El Paso, Texas 79925
proud to have highly trained staff who offer
Oral Sciences. She began her orthodontic
(915) 500-5602
friendly customer service to their patients
career here in El Paso at Briggs and Fosbury
www.mejiaorthodontics.com
96 | SPECIAL ADVERTISING
By: DESIREE LOZANO photographed by: ROBERT CORRAL
SCOTT STEIN, DDS “We treat our patients like they are our family.” Dr. Scott Stein established his practice
Dr. Stein was born in Denver, Colorado but
trained and uses the Cerec machine. This is
in 1990 after honorable discharge from
raised in El Paso having attended grade
a digital imaging system, which fabricates an
the U.S. Army. He wanted to introduce a
school through high school in El Paso.
all-ceramic crown in one appointment. This
friendly, yet professional, dental practice in
He received a BBA in Marketing from the
eliminates the sticky impression and the
the city of El Paso. Stepping into the office
University of Texas at Austin and his Dental
temporary crown worn for two weeks.
is like visiting a sports and entertainment
Degree from Baylor College of Dentistry.
museum.
very
Dr. Stein followed that with a three-year
Dr. Stein’s hobby is nutrition and fitness.
entertaining, and the fun-loving staff will
tour in the U.S. Army serving in Germany
He and his wife Margaret are national level
make you feel right at home. Dr. Stein
and being honorably discharged in 1990. He
competitors in fitness both holding several
is a member of the American Dental
then started his dental practice in the same
state, regional and national titles. They are
Association, Texas Dental Association, El
neighborhood he grew up.
currently training for the North American
The
modern
decor
is
Championships. They have 2 children Alex and
Paso Dental Association, and the Academy for Sports Dentistry. Dr. Stein is a Dentist on
Stein’s practice employs an associate dentist,
Daryl who hold National titles as well. Dr. Stein
the U.S. Olympic Medical Team. He is the
Dr. Jackie Luera, four dental hygienists,
loves to discuss nutrition and fitness with his
team dentist for the El Paso Chihuahuas,
three dental assistants, and two front office
patients and help their overall well being.
as well as providing service to the UTEP
personnel. They provide a myriad of services,
Athletic Program, El Paso Rhinos Hockey,
including exams, radiographs, prophylaxis,
Dr. Scott Stein, DDS
professional athletes from the NFL, NBA,
cosmetics, implants, crown and bridge,
7189 Westwind
Major League Baseball, professional boxing,
custom sports mouth guards, and restorative
El Paso, Texas 79912
and various high school sports teams.
dentistry on adults and children. Dr. Stein
(915) 584-0400
is one of the few dentists in town who is
scottsteindds.com
Photographed by: TOMMIE MORELOS
SPECIAL ADVERTISING | 97
WES BRANSFORD, DDS LEE TREVINO DENTAL “This practice allows me to serve the community who helped raise me.“ “Dentistry is a combination of science and
Dr. Bransford is an El Paso native and a
art. We get the opportunity to design people’s
graduate of Montwood High School. He then
smiles, so working with your mind, hands,
attended Texas A&M and went on to earn his
and eyes is a must.” Dr. Wes Bransford, DDS
DDS in Dallas. After making his way back home
and owner of Lee Trevino Dental.
to El Paso, Dr. Bransford transitioned into Lee Trevino Dental in the new year of 2012.
Attending to patients of all ages, Wes Bransford wants you to feel like part of the
Being a growing office, Dr. Bransford and his
family during your visit, offering services such
staff take pride in the value of patient service
as basic cleaning to exams, to whitening,
given ensuring a smooth and pleasant
Wes Bransford, DDS
restorative and cosmetic procedures.
experience. “The most kind complement we
Lee Trevino Dental
can receive in this profession is a smile and
1624 N. Lee Trevino
recommendation to family and friends.”
El Paso, Texas 79936
“Patient service here goes above and beyond – everything from your appointment being on
(915) 593-8815
time, to making sure that everything runs
“This practice allows me to serve the
smoothly and you leave here satisfied,” Dr.
community who helped raise me,“ Dr.
Bransford said. “We’re very patient specific
Bransford said.
facebook.com/leetrevinodental
and basically here to roll out the red carpet for our patients.”
98 | SPECIAL ADVERTISING
By: DESIREE LOZANO photographed by: TOMMIE MORELOS
DAVID S. WILBANKS, DDS ORTHODONTIST The Wilbanks team’s key to success, “We put patients first.” “Providing excellent orthodontic treatment
centered. We put patients first to give each
Texas and Baylor College of Dentistry,
requires a team effort and I’m blessed to
patient his or her best possible smile,” Dr.
before completing a two-year residency in
have great staff team members now and
Wilbanks said.
Orthodontics at Emory University School of Dentistry in Atlanta. Dr. Wilbanks thanks his
over the years. Without their dedication and commitment to excellence, I would not have
Dr. Wilbanks’ father and lifelong mentor, Dr.
father and his mother Jackie with providing
enjoyed the success I’ve had. I tell my staff
John Wilbanks, practiced General Dentistry
him a great education and opportunity. “One
that I couldn’t practice without them and that
in El Paso for almost 50 years. Dr. Wilbanks
of the great benefits of living in El Paso for
I would be the easiest person on our team to
worked in his dad’s dental practice throughout
your whole life is making and keeping great
replace,” Dr. David Wilbanks said.
high school and credits his father with instilling
lifelong friends,” Dr. Wilbanks said. “El Paso
in him the caring way to treat patients.
is a great place to live and call home.”
which typically lasts approximately two years,
“Just watching him interact with his patients
David S. Wilbanks, DDS
their patients become their good friends.
was an awesome learning experience for
Orthodontics for Children and Adults
With more than 30 years of experience,
me. My dad taught me the importance of
200 Thunderbird Dr.
Dr. Wilbanks practices Orthodontics in his
doing things the right way the first time with
El Paso, Texas 79912
Thunderbird office where he offers various
great attention to detail.” Dr. Wilbanks said.
(915) 581-5021
Over the course of orthodontic treatment,
forms of braces for children, teens and adults. Dr. Wilbanks was raised in El Paso and “Of course, the most important members
graduated from El Paso High School. He
of our team are our patients. We are patient-
then graduated from the University of
By: DESIREE LOZANO photographed by: TOMMIE MORELOS
SPECIAL ADVERTISING | 99
DR. JIM BOWDEN, DDS “It is quite an honor to be able to treat the children of patients who themselves grew up in our practice.” Dr. Jim Bowden is a true El Pasoan. He played
towards kids and a staff and doctor who only
blessed to have very high retention among
on the state championship basketball team
treat kids. A positive dental experience as a
team members. It translates into a higher quality
at Eastwood High School in 1976 and then
child will lead to an adult who is more likely to
of care and greater efficiency for our patients.”
for the legendary coach Don Haskins at the
practice good dental health.” After pediatric
University of Texas at El Paso. He completed
specialty school, he spent two additional
Giving back to the El Paso community has
his dental training at the University of Texas
years to specialize in orthodontics. His
always been a part of Dr. Bowden’s practice.
Dental School in San Antonio in 1984.
orthodontic practice treats children as well as
Collecting winter coats, school supplies,
adults. “Many of our parents go through the
or Christmas toys as well as sponsoring
orthodontic experience with their child.”
hundreds of patients each year are just a few
Dr. Bowden has a unique dental practice.
of the ways his practice is able to give back.
He is a dual specialist in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics. He is the only dual trained
Having been in practice since 1986, Dr.
specialist in El Paso and one of only a handful
Bowden has now seen two generations of
Dr Bowden is most proud to be a husband to
in Texas. He spent two additional years
patients. “It is quite an honor to be able to
Karen and a father to Campbell.
after dental school to specialize in pediatric
treat the children of patients who themselves
dentistry. He is specially trained in the
grew up in our practice.”
Dr. Jim Bowden, DDS 7185 Westwind Dr.
treatment of children’s dental needs. “Many people think children can be treated the
Dr. Bowden is very proud of the extremely
El Paso, Texas 79912
same way adults are when it comes to the
well trained professional team he works with
(915) 585-6373
dentist. Children need a place that is geared
everyday in his practice. “I have been very
100 | SPECIAL ADVERTISING
Photographed by: TOMMIE MORELOS
September, 2014
Like Father, Like Son | By: LAUREN MACIAS-CERVANTES photography by: RYAN HALL |
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September, 2014
l i k e fat h e r , l i k e s o n
“He’s getting life experiences at 13 that most people don’t get until their 30s or their 40s.”
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September, 2014
L
ike any proud father Andy Krafsur proudly beams with a smile from ear to ear when he’s talking about his son
Neil. You see, the local company CEO has his teen boy following in his footsteps. “My product is the Pocket Hat and the Pocket Hat is exactly what it sounds like; a hat with a pocket on each side of the hat,” said the teen entrepreneur. Neil Krafsur, an 8th grader at St. Clement’s, has been busy working to fund his first entrepreneurial venture. “When I was younger I used to go to the races with my parents and I noticed that the runners really didn’t have anywhere to put their stuff.” Neil is in the process of obtaining a design patent and already has a trademark and copyright for his creation. It’s a journey that hasn’t been easy. “I’ve been doing three years of just trying to get manufactured. All the owners of the factories would lead me along, dump me off and say ‘you’re 13, you couldn’t do anything with this anyway,’” he said. Neil’s dad, Andy Krafsur, is an entrepreneur himself. His Spira shoes, with a unique coil inside, have helped earn athletes 250 race wins. They sell in 350 retailers across the United States and are sold in nine countries. This CEO says though he has contacts to share, he’s really encouraged his son to build his business on his own. “This is his project, he did the designs, he did the development, he works with the factory and he supervises the process.” While some life lessons are more than a decade old for the Spira CEO, the senior Krafsur says today’s available tools are
SPONSORED BY
104
FINE JEWELRY & WATCHES
opening doors that were previously closed.
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
September, 2014 “One of the challenges that any entrepreneur has is capital and crowdfunding sort of creates a new opportunity to raise money. I kind of think of it like Facebook meets ‘Shark Tank.’ You take advantage of your social networks to raise capital for projects,” said Andy. Neil agrees. Within four days of launching his crowdfunding site, he surpassed his $2,000 goal three fold. “To have this much in such a short time is mind blowing to me,” he said. The
teen
businessman
says
lessons
learned have been gained throughout his young life, but there is one that stands out. “Perseverance is probably the main thing that I learned because if I didn’t have that I would have given up probably in the first year.”
Neil says he one day sees himself as the head of several corporations. As for his dad and Spira, they’re launching a new line of
www.theitaliankitchenelpaso.com
shoes; this time a casual selection. “When you start out you always think that you are going to be the next Nike,” said Andy with a chuckle. “And I still feel like that’s going to happen one day.” He credits his critical success to the proven physical benefits of his coil concoction and invaluable opportunities like working with TV Network A&E; gaining global attention for his product and his city. “When we started the company one of our visions was to help rebrand El Paso; improve El Paso’s brand. When you think of brands in cities, those cities are affected by the companies that are headquartered there. When you think of Portland you think of Nike; you think of Atlanta you think of Coca-Cola; if you think of Orlando you think of Disney; when you think of Seattle you think of Starbucks and Microsoft, and that’s what we really wanted to do here. We made a very conscious decision to help this community with this company.” www.thecitymagazineelp.com
105
September, 2014
BEATS 106
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
W September, 2014
hat is it about music festivals
Johnny Kage, J Smooth, The Godfather, Rafa
that enthrall the masses? Is it
Velasquez, JC Favela, DJ Klymaxx, DJ R3tro,
the sense of community? Is it
and DJ Netro.
just the music? Maybe it’s the party aspect. For just one day, you and thousands of others
And the food, let’s not forget about the fact
are in one place, almost as one, to celebrate
that there are going to be over 30
music, art, and yes, food.
vendors, in what promises to be a multi-cultural eclectic plethora of
It’s no secret that music festivals are on the
options.
rise, with festivals like Coachella expanding from it’s one day origin, into a three-day,
But does El Paso really need
two-weekend spectacular, or ACL following
another music festival? The answer
suit with the two-weekend fest. But who
is a simple “Yes.” This festival in
would have thought El Paso would be such
particular, is as much about the
a fertile ground for successful festivals? The
music and food as it is about El Paso.
continued success of Neon Desert Music
“One of the things we wanted to
EATS
Festival, Sun City Music Fest, and Sun City
do was highlight local talent on the
Craft Beer Festival, seem to be pointing to
music side, but also the capability
AND
| By: EDDIE CEPEDA |
a pleasant trend. But now there’s a new kid
of local businesses coming together where
Being all-inclusive is also one of the most
on the block, and they are going BIG! 30,000
everyone involved is an El Paso business.
important things for them, “From a festival
people big to be exact!
From the food to carnival rides to car show.
standpoint, this is more of a family-oriented
We wanted local businesses to be involved
event. We have DJs for the younger crowd
Beats and Eats Music Festival, the brainchild
in the logistical aspects,” says Dodds, who
that likes house and EDM, but we’re also
of Charles Dodds III, is expected to bring as
is also the president of Homegrown El Paso.
bringing norteño rock and alternative, as well
many as 30,000 revelers on September 13
as world music (Grammy award-nominated,
at Ascarate Park. With a DJ stage (with a 30-
“A healthy local economy is key to attracting
Maria Mulata). So there is something for
foot Eiffel Tower replica), a live music stage,
investors in the city,” he adds, which is why
everybody. And we wanted to make sure
a car show area and over 30 food vendors,
this festival is uniquely El Paso. “The food is all
that pricing would not be cost prohibitive so
it is easy to see how that goal will easily
from mom and pop shops.” And who wouldn’t
everyone can come and enjoy as a family.”
become a reality.
relish in the opportunity to sample all the great mom and pop food operations in one place?
The entertainment alone is not to be missed
An affordable, all-inclusive, locally put on music and food festival? I believe I will
and performers include: Los Rieleros del
All this is keeping with the philosophy
be making my way down to Ascarate on
Norte, Tropicalisimo Apache, Mark Farner
of Homegrown El Paso, the organization
September 13th along with 30,000 of my
(former lead singer of Grand Funk Railroad),
Dodds heads up. “We want the consumer
closest friends …
Maria Mulata, Rod Crosby & the Intruders,
to buy local, and this festival will mirror that
Chuco Soul Project, Joe Barron Band, Wild
philosophy,” Dodds tells me as to why this
Flower and Dusty Low, Richard Vission,
festival is uniquely El Paso.
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B e at s a n d e at s
September, 2014
MARIA MULATA started
who fuses the musical styles of Colombia’s
off her career when she was barely four
diverse influences such as afro-percussions,
years old. The Colombian folkloric artist
cumbia and traditional folkloric styling. She
hails from San Gil, a small town about 200
has toured Latin America, Japan, South
miles from the nations capital. Both her
Korea and the United States. This will be
parents were musicians and she and her
her second presentation in the Sun City, the
siblings participated in their shows. She
first being a private concert. She is currently
has had four discographic productions; one
writing a new song and recording a video,
of which, 2013’s De Cantos Y Vuelos, was
which will be launched in October. She is
nominated for a Latin Grammy. Maria Mulata
also hard at work on her first EP, which she
was the winner at the 2007 Gaviota de Plata
hopes will further her international appeal by
at the Viña Del Mar, a musical contest held
fusing even more musical styles. –Jose Soto
Singer/songwriter
Maria
Mulata
in Chile. She is a composer and producer
LOS RIELEROS DEL NORTE Los Rieleros del Norte simply said are legends within their genre. If you’ve never heard the name then you’ve probably been faintly aware of the genre, Norteño. They’ve been around now for 35 years, and they’re still touring. Throughout the years they really developed some timeless classic ‘corridos’ such as “El Columpio,” “Te Quiero Mucho” to name a couple. They just finished their latest album titled “En Tus Manos” (In Your Hands). Daniel Esquivel is the front man and he’s turned this original musical prosody into a family legacy
to distinguish themselves from the standard
that will last a very long time. (Alfredo Esquivel-
genre instrumentation is by incorporating
bass,
music has helped couples fall in love.”
Jose
both the saxophone and accordion in a
They recently produced a music video for
Luis Esquivel-bajo sexton, Eugenio Gonzalez-
style that’s been recognizable to their fans
their new album and they have produced
Saxaphone, Manuel Lujan-electric bass. And
throughout the years.
approximately 20 music videos to date. Los
Daniel
Esquivel
Jr.-accordion,
Reileros future plans are to continue working
yes, all the Esquivel’s are his children.) I asked Daniel what it is about the sound and
and showing the love for their fan base by
They are originally from Ojinaga, Chihuahua.
style that has built a global following: “Norteña
continuing to tour and play their sound.
They’ve been living in El Paso for much of
comes from our ancestors in a sense – it’s
their careers. They derived the name from
ranchera. It’s a variation of mariachi. It’s not
“Our career has been long and fruitful - we’ve
working in the rail yards in Chihuahua, and
orchestra, though at times we include them.
worked hard and we’ve been blessed to have
just found it a fitting and honest way to name
It’s rhythmic mix of the sax and accordion
an actual fan base of people that appreciate
their band. A way in which they’ve been able
to make our audiences dance. We hope our
the sound.” –Valentin Sandoval www.thecitymagazineelp.com
September, 2014
B e at s a n d e at s
RICHARD VISSION Best known for his 2009 track “I Like That”
host of one the longest running EDM radio
featuring Luciana, Richard Vission is a house
shows in the U.S. on Power106 Los Angeles.
music producer and DJ. Born in Toronto,
“Powertools” has had impressive guests
Ontario on May 24, 1973 and a California
such as Laidback Luke, Swedish House Mafia
native, Richard Vission has been on the
and Tiesto. It airs on Saturdays from 2am
forefront of electronic music since the early
to 4am. Recently, Richard Vission teamed
1990s. His remixes of songs from artists like
up with Luciana once again for a new track
Lady Gaga, Madonna, the Black Eyed Peas,
entitled “Primitive.” This isn’t the electronic
Justin Timberlake and Major Lazor have
phenomenon’s first visit to El Paso, having
done very well on the charts and have been
visited the Sun City back in 2010 and 2007.
adapted by fellow DJs into their own musical
–Jose Soto
sets. He has over 40 #1 Billboard Dance chart slots to his credit. Richard Vission is also the
MARK FARNER Mark Farner, one of the original members of Grand Funk Railroad, holds a unique place in history, while continuing to create the rock and roll music that has been the foundation of his life and legacy. Mark grew up in Flint, Michigan during the boom of Motown and R & B. He began playing his music on a famous radio station in the region, CKMW that reached 60 miles outside the Detroit area. “Soulful R & B is in my music. It’s just a part of who I am.” He is very proud of having been a part of the Atlanta Pop Festival in 1969 where he played for over 100,000 people. Some of the acts that were also a part of this historic musical prosody were: Sly and The Family Stone, Jimmy Hendrix, and Janis Joplin to name a few. Mark also played to approximately 80,000 people in Santiago, Chile and then went on to play in Sao Paulo, Brazil to the largest street festival in the world with at least 100,000 people in the streets. “They were literally hanging in the streets just to be a part of our show,” he states. “Grand Funk allowed us to make millions throughout the years. Much of the work was topical with the war in Vietnam and politics of that time. So we only found it right to continually play for Vietnam Vets across the country.” _Valetin Sandoval Currently Mark Farner Energy is on their “Happy Tour” with 61 dates in three months. www.thecitymagazineelp.com
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TROPICALISIMO APACHE Tropicalisimo Apache is the name. That’s right, the apache spirit with a tropical essence. They were once called Apache Nuevo Imagen up until 1988. If you can believe it, there were several other bands with that name, so they chose a musical distinction. And a distinct career niche is what they found. Since its inception, the sound is purely a cumbia fusion. Fernando Saucedo handles all the marketing and PR for the group. The entire group members are all originally from Torreon Coahuila, Mexico. Arturo Ortiz is the original founder of the group. Their first real hits were in the mid 80s with songs titled “Kung
Their cumbia sound is a fusion of Columbian,
They are now approaching 30 years as a
Fu Chino,” “40 Grados,” “Tumbala” and
Venezuelan, and Argentinian. They were right
successful touring band. The popularity of the
“Talento de Television.” The band since then
in the mix of it when the first English cumbia
cumbia song continues to grow, especially
has been able to grow their sound and style
song in the U.S. hit with KC and The Sunshine
throughout Texas as well as the rest of
throughout Mexico and the United States.
Band’s “That’s the Way I Like It.” They were
the Southwest. So they trek accordingly,
They had a total of 40 hits and have been able
able to gain some traction when that song
consistently building their musical brand.
to take their musical caravan throughout the
hit, with their own song, “Me Tienes que
–Valentin Sandoval
western hemisphere.
Olvidar,” and “El Lagunero.”
ROD CROSBY AND THE INTRUDERS Rod Crosby and The Intruders would now
shortly thereafter. It caused Rod some
be considered classic rock and roll. Rod
serious pain, and a shift occurred in him. So
Crosby has absolutely no shame in telling
for generations, he’s billed as the longest
me immediately that they are a cover band,
running rock and roll band in El Paso. Now at
covering rock songs from the 60-80s.
69, Rod feels he can do it much better than he could back in the day.
Rod played with his band for 14 years with two members of the Bobby Fuller Band. In El
Rod is co-producer, alongside main producer
Paso, The Intruders played alongside Bobby
Rick Kern, of Border Legends of El Paso Rock
Fuller & The Bobby Fuller Four from 1960 till
and Roll, an annual Rock and Roll event held
a few years later when the band relocated to
in October, honoring El Paso’s rock and roll
Hollywood. At one point, Bobby Fuller asked
musical legends. –Valentin Sandoval
him to play in his band, but was murdered
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JOHNNY KAGE There isn’t any other native El Pasoan that comes close to being a hometown celebrity like Local DJ and radio talent Johnny Kage. With more than 20 years of DJing experience under his belt, Johnny Kage is one of El Paso’s favorite DJs. His radio persona on 104.3 HITfm attracts thousands of listeners daily as does his mixing skills at local clubs and parties. Johnny Kage started off mixing at house parties and warehouse raves and even ventured into the nightlife of Cuidad Juárez when it was at its prime. He eventually found his way into El Paso nightclubs and since then has provided El Paso with the music to accompany their entertainment experience. He has won many impressive titles including What’s Up’s Best Club DJ, Best Face for Radio and Best Scandalous Local. Johnny Kage has opened up for well known DJs and producers like Tiesto, Dada Life, David Guetta, Armand Van Helden and Chris Lake and played Sun City Music Festival. Johnny Kage is well known throughout the city for his “Noontime work out” and “5 o’clock bamboosha” mixes which he transmits daily on 104.3 HITfm. –Jose Soto
EDDIE MIXX Eddie Mixx is a local El Paso DJ that is listed as one of the “Power mixers” from Power 102.1 FM. He’s been the go-to DJ at
Q UAT E R M A N E SALON
various events, including a retro party that was hosted in the Holiday Inn, and spinning tracks at Peoria nightclub, and Play. Most recently he was a performer at the Unity Jam, hosted by Club 301, which was a charity event that brought together over 40
MATTHEW ABRAHAM make up artist
local DJs in order to collect school supplies for children in need in the El Paso Area. –Pablo Delgadillo
JAY SMOOTH Jay Smooth is another local DJ that works at Power 102.1 FM. He won the coveted spot as a “Power Mixer” throughout an event
Hollywood make up artist whose brushes have touched the faces of reality TV stars, models, actresses, socialites, and pageant queens across Texas, California, and Georgia.
beating other DJs, and has been working with them since 1995. He plays every type of music, but his favorite to play is house music. You can hear Jay Smooth’s tunes every day at 5 p.m. with Slomotion and every Friday and Saturday at night for some live
FOR BOOKINGS
(310) 569-1089
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5411 N. MESA SUITE C13 EL PASO, TEXAS 79912
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DUSTY LOW Dusty Low is the name. The name is intended to be worn out, scuffed up, put on, then expressed on the rock and roll stage. Rock and roll, apparently like a good old pair of jeans, will never go out of style — And I’m forever grateful for that. Dusty Low is working at creating a distinct sound to add to the collective tributaries that make up this timeless genre. Jessie Sullivan describes the band’s sound as alternative country, old rock-folk. Those are many adjectives, but somehow, they make perfect sense to me. Some of their influences include James Taylor, Mark Cohen, Fleetwood Mac, and Stevie Ray Vaughn. The band of four has
the effervescence of their lyrics and sound.
been singing their tunes to the hearts and
David Paul STYLIST | COLORIST
(915) 999 - 0620
minds of fans for approximately six years.
So they find themselves in Santa Fe,
Dusty Low understands the principal of any
Albuquerque and every major city in Texas
band looking to be successful at what they
from Austin, to Ft. Worth, to San Marcos.
do -- a band must, one way or the other
They even did a small tour in beautiful
pack up, gas up and put the rubber to the
Philadelphia. Now, they’re hitting the studio
concrete highways of the U.S. They do so
and working at new songs and getting into
in the hopes of crowds of hipsters of all
bigger festivals. –Valetin Sandoval
shapes, sizes, and age to fall in love with
THE GODFATHER “My job is to make the audience happy, and help them forget their problems — at least while I’m performing.” The Godfather (“GDFR”) is one of the local DJs featured on the “From Paris With Love” stage at “Beats and Eats.” At 19 years old, he’s one of the youngest performers on this year’s roster. But he’s already made a mark on the local circuit, performing at last year’s KLAQ Balloonfest. He says “Beats and Eats” will be his biggest (and best) performance to date, he’s excited to share the stage with LA DJ/Producer Richard Vission. He tells me he’s in it because he loves to watch the party come alive, to share music that makes him feel alive. “I love all types
I’M IN A NEW LOCATION 4201 CAMELOT HEIGHTS DR. EL PASO, TEXAS 79912
of music but what makes me feel amazing is electro house. I can’t really describe the way I feel — I just love it.” –Aubrey West www.thecitymagazineelp.com
September, 2014
B e at s a n d e at s
CHUCO SOUL PROJECT Every now and then, when in other cities, I’m asked where I’m from and I say, El Paso. On bits of occasions, someone will say: ‘El Chuco’ and I’ll smile with a fist acknowledgement, indicating that I’m cool with it. It appears to be a respected colloquialism that cleverly became the name of Chuco Soul. Singer Selina Nevarez, a proud new mother, describes their eclectic fusion as reggae, R & B, Swing, Ska, and metal. Now you merge those genres into something like, jazzy reggae soul. Selina played with local musical legends Adrian Esparza and Martin Bencomo, who used to have an Aztec psychedelic jam band called Aztec Zodiac. They started playing out of town more so she decided to partner with promoter Charlie Villanueva and began getting more gigs. Right away they got to do shows in Alpine, and Corpus Christi to name a few Texas gigs. They were asked to potentially open for Lila Downs in Juárez, and they’ve been able to open up for Austin’s Del Castillo. Selina and the band are very proud that
WILDFLOWER
they have Gabe Gonzalez, member of Jim Ward’s Sleeper Car, engineering their live album. –Valentin Sandoval
Wildflower is a cover band that merges their collective of musicians to excite their crowds with Top 40 and Classic hits. They’ve been together for over three years. This particular group of musicians has been playing together for over a year now. They’ve been a hard working band that is constantly gigging. “About two weeks ago Wildflower had the opportunity to open up for Collective Soul. We were stoked!” said Valerie Ortega. Valerie is very proud of their band mantra, and that is, being crowd pleasers. They do write and compose their own music, but they’re working at leveraging their name as a cover band, in order to draw in a broader audience. This will enable them to infuse their unique rock band sound into the scene, and expand off into other scenes across the Southwest. One of the quirks of being from the borderland is that they get to play at Ft. Bliss. They often play on base and have built a solid following with the servicemen and their families. “Every soldier and their families show such great support towards the musicians here in El Paso,” Valerie states.“We plan to open up for other bigger, more famous acts. Something big will be happening for Wildflower in October… stay tuned!” –Valentin Sandoval
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JOE BARON BAND Imagine I asked you to fuse together the
Abbott Band. They have made a name for
sounds of say, Matchbox 20 meets George
themselves around Texas and New Mexico
Straight and Josh Abbott. Yes, that is the
for their unique rock-country fusion that
combination, and the inspirational forces
captivates crowds.
that comprise this unique El Paso band that is the Joe Baron Band. They are a lighting
In the past nine months they played over a
bolt of country rock energy.
100 shows and they continue to work hard at their craft. Currently, they are getting
This five-person band has been jamming
ready to produce a new album, and they’ve
together for five years. One thing is
decided to leverage a popular fund raising
very clear to the entire band, and that is
tool, Kickstarter. They continue to work
that they are on stage to entertain. And
hard in the studio, on the stage, on the
entertain for years on end, and turn the
road, and are looking forward to producing
heads of key musical mavens they have.
their 12-track album at the famous Sonic
They’ve opened up for Kenny Rogers,
Ranch. –Valentin Sandoval
Dwight Yoakam, Parmalee, and the Josh
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September, 2014
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September, 2014
‘‘
A Cliché’’ The French Don’t Even
for
Have a Word
| By: EDDIE CEPEDA |
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t r av e l
September, 2014
A
fter turning one too many wrong corners, I wondered
I turned one more corner and there it was, “Chez
if it was time to give up. But even the wrong corners
Denise” - like a lighthouse calling to a lost sailor, a
seemed to be part of a bewitching dreamlike
beacon guiding me in from the rain. I had finally made it.
labyrinth filled with comely nooks. The light mid-
I had no idea, but I was about to eat the greatest meal of
May sprinkling of rain had gone from romantic
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my life, and I ALMOST ordered steak instead.
cliché, to pneumonia-inducing downpour. And my feet hurt. Bad. But I kept walking.
I was single and utterly over the romantic notion of backpacking across Europe. The starry-eyed thought
Yes, it’s an expected and cringe worthy stereotype, but
of roughing it in hostels and risking scabies no longer
getting lost in the rain completely alone in Paris had
appealed to me. A younger, more punk rock version of
always been on my bucket list. My late 20s were not
me would ridicule my appetency for a comfortable hotel
only about accepting clichés, but also embracing them.
room and shower to call my own. What a sellout. But I
At one point, you stop caring what’s expected and you
didn’t care. I wanted to do this, and I knew I wanted to
indulge in what feels right.
do it alone.
I walked from Montmartre and questioned my deter-
Traveling in my adult life had always been a group effort. I
mination, as the cold and hunger began to overtake
toured with my band, took road trips with friends, visited
me. “Should I just walk into one of the hundreds of
people, or had the occasional out of town DJ gig. I had
cafes lining Les Halles?” No. I had to find it.
never just gone somewhere alone, with no safety net.
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I did wonder if I would get bored or have an
scraps thrown down to peasants or rations,
accordingly. I would go on to finish this 1.75
awful experience. A French friend of mine
somehow
liter bottle, with a little help though, so I
who for years lived in Paris gave me some
transcendent cuisine. This is completely
phone numbers and told me to use them if I
contrary to the highbrow image of French
got lonely. I managed to curb my insecurities
gastronomy Americans believe is the norm in
When asked if I would care for an appetizer, I
and avoided that. The one thing I did obey:
France. As I walked in, nervous, wet and cold,
panicked and simply picked out the first thing
eat at Chez Denise.
I asked for a table for one in my broken French.
I immediately recognized. “Terrine du Chef,” a
The host graciously responded in English.
pâté made of who-knows-what, only the chef.
manipulated
into
masterful,
didn’t feel too terrible about it.
I had an American pop culture reference for the classic Parisian eatery: it was featured on
As she led me to my tiny table, the decor
the very first episode of Anthony Bourdain’s
matched the timeless description. It looked
It was delightful but I knew I had played it
“No Reservations.” He explained how it
like a page right out of 1920s Paris, and
safe. I had come across the pond to immerse
was the kind of place that probably hadn’t
I imagined Henry Miller polishing off a
myself in things unfamiliar to me, and that
changed in decades, and the recipes were
bottle of wine before heading off to his real
kind of terrine had been a staple in my life
working-class, hearty French fare. He had me
destination, the seedy Pigalle.
for years. It was at this time that two older French gentlemen were seated at my table.
at working class. My friendly waiter brought me a giant bottle
I had heard about this. They don’t mess
This is the kind of food that is a direct result
of red wine and explained I could drink as
around. EVERY seat will be used.
of pre-revolution and/or post-WWII France:
much as I wanted, and I would be charged
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an experience like no other
Top of the Chase Building 201 E. Main St., 18th Floor 915.544.1135 The ElPasoClub.com Marcelo Guerrero for Event Information Bobby Lyons for Membership Information
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119
September, 2014 Gérard and Manuel gushed about their love of the steak frites here. As the waiter approached I panicked and started saying it - “Steak fri ... no pardonnez-moi, TÊTE DE VEAU.” I had read about this dish before, and something mid-sentence told me I would not regret this. My French companions looked at me with a hint of approval, as if they had never seen an American so willing to partake in such a great French culinary tradition. Tête de veau literally translates as “head of calf.” Already, this may not be appetizing to many, but the way I see it, if you really think about it, it’s no different than eating ANY part of an animal. I mean, you may say “ew, brain or eyeballs, gross” but how is that any worse than a ribeye? Think about it. Got it? Good. Now, if you’re a vegan or vegetarian, then there’s just no convincing you. This particular offering is served in sauce ravigotte, a slightly acidic and somewhat mustard-y French sauce. It’s the type of classic dish that’s cooked in copper pots over
FA M I LY- O W N E D & O P E R AT E D
low heat for anywhere between 5-9 hours. That’s how the working class transformed a previously undesirable piece of meat into a masterpiece even the bourgeoisie could be jealous of: you cook it patiently until it’s as tender as the finest filet. As the heaping pile of slowly cooked meat is brought out to my table, I wonder for a second if this is meant for three or four people. This mammoth portion, and the many portions like this I witnessed on this trip make me wonder just how untrue American’s idea of why
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French people aren’t generally overweight
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portion control, their food has a lot of butter,
is. You’ve heard it somewhere before “it’s but it’s small portions.” No it’s not. It must be something else. I’ll avoid describing exactly what parts I
120
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EAST
see in front of me so as not to upset any
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from EVERY part of the head. Think “Indiana
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September, 2014
Gérard and Manuel’s dishes arrive: the steak frites I almost ordered, and blancquette de veau. They offer me some of their gargantuan plates, and of course, wanting to take in as much of the experience possible, I accept and offer up some of mine. It’s then that it hits me: my quest to discover Paris alone landed me with the most organic company - having a family-style dinner with two complete strangers. The wine didn’t stop flowing, even with dessert: Ile Flotante and Rum Baba, two fabulously decadent desserts (the baba comes with a bottle of rum you can pour on it). The laughs, drinking and conversation kept on for well over an hour after dessert, and the waiter was in no rush for us to leave. In Paris, you’re expected to have an experience with every meal, and I happily partook. Afterwards, as I walked off my incredible meal over the Pont-Neuf bridge with a gauloise in one hand and a can of 1664 in the other, I began to realize this was the greatest meal I have ever had in my life. The rainy walk there, the wine, the conversation with strangers, the actual food; all came together to make the experience of a lifetime. And as it turns out, my night was only beginning.
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LOOK THE
THE CHIC SHOPPER
PHOTOGRAPHER: DAV ANMED MODEL: ILLIANA CURRIEL
CREATIVE DIRECTOR: JOSH SANCHEZ
ASSOCIATE STYLIST/LOCATION SCOUT: NATALIE ROSALES ASSISTANT JR. STYLIST: BRIANNA SANCHEZ HAIR: DAVID PAUL
MAKE UP: CLAUDIA CASTILLO
WARDROBE PROVIDED BY: RUBY LOLA, ELLA BLU, NONO’S, AND UNION FASHION
LOCATION: FOOD CITY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE SANTOS AND LOWEREE
FAMILIES FOR ALLOWING THE CITY MAGAZINE TEAM TO DO PHOTO SHOOT AT THEIR LOCALLY OWNED AND FAMILY RUN FOOD CITY LOCATION.
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DRESS AND CARDIGAN: PINK TARTAN
JEWELRY: NONO’S
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DRESS: BLACK HALO
JEWELRY: RACHEL ZOE COLLECTION
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DRESS: CUSTO BARCELONA JEWELRY AND PURSE:
SALVATORE FERRAGAMO
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November, 2013
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f o s t i b a H 0 1 The s e l p u o C y th l Hea LOVE
September, 2014
| By: JANNET BUSTILLOS |
“Just listen, and be more interested than interesting, more fascinated than fascinating and more adoring than adorable.” - Dr. Mark Goulston
They say it takes 21 days of daily repetition of a new behavior for it to become a habit. If we can do this for workout regimens, why don’t we create positive habits in our relationship? 1. Going to bed at the same time can be helpful to your relationship. When you are first dating you can’t wait to go to bed together, and with time this might change. Healthy couples resist the temptation of going to bed at different times; this is where intimacy comes into play. 2. Hold hands or walk side-by-side more often. Happy couples tend to walk sideby-side or holding hands. This simple gesture can be reassuring to anyone that your partner is focusing on you, rather than the sights along the way. 3. Once the passion begins to settle, you may begin to realize that you have only a few interests in common. If your common interests are not present, happy couples tend to cultivate some interests together. 4. When you have a disagreement or an argument, try to make trust and forgiveness your default mode. Even if they can’t resolve the argument, happy couples tend to default to trust and forgiveness, rather than distrusting and holding a grudge. 5. Focus on the positive aspect of your relationship rather than negative. If you look for things your partner does wrong you are going to find them. Happy couples emphasize on the positive. 6. Show some sort of affection as soon as you two see each other. Even if you had a long day at work, make sure you give your partner a hug or a kiss when you see them. 7. Happy couples tend to express their feelings more often. The simple gesture of just saying, “I love you” and “have a good day” every morning can make a difference in your partner’s day. 8. Say “good night” every night, regardless of how you feel. This tells your partner that regardless of how you feel, you still want to be in the relationship. Although ego can sometimes get in the way, it is very important you two always sleep in the same bedroom, even after an argument. 9. Call your partner during the day to see how his or her day is going. You will know what to expect when your partner gets home. If they are having an awful day, you can mentally prepare yourself on what to say or how to react. Happy couples are proud to be seen with their partner, and often show some kind 10. of PDA.They don’t do it to show off, but rather to show the connection they have.
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September, 2014
Fashion with Passion Ninth Annual
friends of FEMAP Gala | By: ERIKA LOPEZ photography by: DAV ANMED |
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September, 2014
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Ninth Annual Friends of FEMAP Gal a
Claudia Castillo Makeup Artistry
FB: Bella ByClaudia IG: _claudia_castillo
(915) 313-1124
September, 2014
“Adair Margo and Guadalupe De La Vega – Founders of FEMAP and the FEMAP Foundation -Photo Courtesy of FEMAP”
‘Tis’ the season for the most philanthropic and
guarantee that “any dress bought here for
glamorous time of the year, where designer
the gala we make sure not to sell it to anyone
gown dreams are made of and the who’s
else. Our clients are investing in amazing,
who of El Paso and Juárez society gather for
fashionable pieces, so to show up to the
a night of charitable fun at the ninth annual
event and have someone already wearing the
Friends of FEMAP Gala. But even a night
same dress, that’s a big no-no. We work hard
filled with glitz and glam can quickly turn into
to make sure that if we sell a dress for this
a night of disaster with a big fashion etiquette
particular event, we don’t resell it to anyone
faux pas. A black tie affair is traditionally the
else who is also attending,” explained Valerie
most formal event in the social stratosphere,
Varela, Tres Mariposas marketing coordinator.
so naturally long gowns are the go-to trend
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-- but rules are made to be broken. You can
So what do you get when you combine
choose to wear a short number, but there
fashion with passion? A pre-FEMAP gala
are hard-hitting limitations to this decision.
dress-viewing party hosted in August that
When opting for an unconventional gala look
consists of wine, hors d’oeuvres, and Tres
that is shorter than the norm, it is always vital
Mariposas’ stylists to consult with clients on
to go for a short cocktail dress that is uber
the perfect outfit, shoes, jewelry, and other
sophisticated and glamorous. The key is to
accessories for the gala. While shopping for
stay elegant while incorporating fun elements
a night of glamorous fun, Tres Mariposas’
like illusion sheer prints. But, if you’re still in
clients will be giving back to FEMAP, as
doubt, Tres Mariposas boutique is the evening
15% of sales will go toward FEMAP’s capital
gown accessory styling guru that strives
campaign. “FEMAP and Tres Mariposas have
to provide only the best in fashion with the
a love affair with each other. I visited FEMAP’s www.thecitymagazineelp.com
September, 2014 hospital in Juárez about 15 years ago and was blown away with what they do with a lot of compassion and very little money. I fell in love with FEMAP. On the other hand, FEMAP supporters seem to love the amazing offering of evening gowns at Tres Mariposas. It’s a great love affair!” explained Nan Napier, Tres Mariposas president-owner. In terms of style and trends for this dazzling affair: “It was best said by Nan Napier of Tres Mariposas, ‘The FEMAP gala is an opportunity to pull out all the stops, look like a princess, and remind yourself of your inner and outer beauty and glamour.’ I’m happy to announce this year’s theme is Carnaval Brazileiro, so I think color will definitely make a statement!” said Salina VanDeman, FEMAP Gala Chair. Tres Mariposas’ contemporary and special occasion buyer, Gesuina Legaspy, agreed as she gave us an exclusive look at some of this year’s major trends and hues for the fall gala. “Lace is a trend that has been getting stronger and stronger. It can be young. It can be older. It’s just a classic, elegant trend that’s very consistent. We’ve been getting a lot of interesting phone calls for the long-sleeved dress which is very interesting because that has always been more of an older style, but a lot of celebrities have been wearing it on the red carpet. It’s a very elegant, chic look.” In terms of this gala season’s hottest hues, many are opting for navy, gold, black, and emerald green to complement the most on
Conquer Your Financial Future.
trend styles, like the very seductive, clean, open-back gowns which have been popular among Tres Mariposas clients. “Mostly, it’s just about having fun and feeling good in what you wear and being in a beautiful dress helps with that. If you look good, you feel good. That’s really what Tres Mariposas is all about. It’s about fashion that makes women feel good and confident wherever they go,” said Varela. FEMAP’s mission is to raise the quality of life among people living in poverty in the El Paso and Juárez region, through health services, education, research, and economic and www.thecitymagazineelp.com
A network of Confidence. A network of Trust. A network of Experience.
(800) 863-9048 135
Securities offered through Investors Capital Corporation, 6 Kimball Lane, Lynnfield, MA 01940, (800) 929-1422, Member FINRA/SIPC Advisory Services, if applicable, offered through Investors Capital Advisory.
“Because of the customer, we exist!”
Ninth Annual Friends of FEMAP Gal a
September, 2014
social empowerment. Federacion Mexicana de
originated Promotoras de Salud Comunitarias
Asociaciones Privadas (FEMAP) is a not-for-profit
(Community Volunteer Health Promoters) to
organization founded in 1973 by Guadalupe De
ensure neighborhood families have access
La Vega who sought out to help women and
to preventive medicine, birth control and
children living in indigent conditions by holding a
information on how to better care for their
private event in her home to raise money for her
families, which has benefited 6,899 men,
charity, and in 1992 in collaboration with Adair
women, and children.
Margo, these two impeccable women created the FEMAP Foundation. “The need in Ciudad
FEMAP’s passion to open doors sprouts from
Juárez has always been so great. FEMAP has
the community programs implemented each
always made a real difference, by responding
year for youth. These programs contribute to the
directly to the needs of the community. The
child’s quality of life by creating programs that
Our promise to you:
difficulty of the FEMAP Foundation is to
help in their physical and emotional development
accurately share that story, which is an amazing
and strengthen communities to confront the
NEVER A MINIMUM,
and very organic one,” explained Adair Margo,
problems faced by today’s youth in Cd. Juárez.
FEMAP Co-founder.
“FEMAP created ValorArte para Niñas y Niños -
ONLINE ORDERING,
young minds discover an artistic expression and On July 13, 1992 the FEMAP Foundation
academic discipline they didn’t know they had.
became a U.S.-based public charity chartered
10,000 children participate in FEMAP’s youth
FURNITURE ASSEMBLY &
as a Texas nonprofit corporation and is
programs each year. That’s 10,000 promises for
tax exempt under section 501(c) (3) of the
the future,” explained Aleman.
INSTALLATION FREE
Internal Revenue Code. As FEMAP’s mission is to raise the quality of life among those
As for the ninth annual Friends of FEMAP
•NOTORIAL RECORD
living in destitute conditions, the foundation
Gala: “The annual FEMAP Gala raises
has incorporated FEMAP’s School of Nursing
money for the programs and services in Cd.
BOOKS•
to provide opportunities for those less
Juárez. The gala is a truly bi-national event
fortunate to become educated in health
attended by both Mexican nationals and
• LEGAL EXHIBIT DIVIDERS•
care professions. Each year 70 to 110
Americans, not only from El Paso and its
students graduate as general nurses and are
sister city in Cd. Juárez, but from Houston,
•LETTER/LEGAL FILE
guaranteed good paying jobs upon graduation
Santa Fe, New York and Monterrey, Mexico
STORAGE BOXES•
while serving a desperately underserved
City and Chihuahua. I have to say that touring
region. “There are thousands of people
Hospital de la Familia, the FEMAP School of
grateful to FEMAP for giving them a chance.
Nursing and the pediatric-orthopedic clinic
The benefits have had positive repercussions
and meeting the staff, volunteers and most
over three generations,” said Margo.
importantly, the community we are here to
FREE DELIVERY,
•LATERAL & VERTICAL FILING CABINETS•
serve, made me realize the importance of
•HIGH SECURITY
“In four decades FEMAP has experienced
the fundraiser gala. It is through this event
it all. What was born out of the need to
that we share FEMAP’s story as well as
SHREDDERS•
bring the best maternal and child health
raise funds. The FEMAP gala is always a
services to the poorest communities, has
memorable experience. To see the growth
•OFFICE FURNITURE•
grown into a dynamic, progressive system
in attendance from 2008 has been simply
of essential services that today features two
amazing! It’s heartwarming to know that so
critical care hospitals, a school of nursing,
many people in our great city see the need
Contact us at:
micro-enterprise
to support such a great foundation!” said
(915)-838-0026
disadvantaged people, including human and social development programs for children and
Ultimately, there is only one etiquette rule to
customercare@
adolescents,” said Anna Aleman, executive
follow and according to Anna Aleman it is,
director of the FEMAP Foundation. Among
“Come early, leave late. You don’t want to
pencil-cup.com 136
those health promotion programs FEMAP
miss out on this much fun!”
support
and
countless
health promotion programs to the most
VanDeman enthusiastically.
September, 2014
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September, 2014
CE L E B R AT E
om Lea T Month 2014
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c e l e b r at e t o m l e a m o n t h 2 0 1 4
September, 2014
Events at a Glance • Lectures, Conferences and Discussions
• Tours
• Children & Teen’s Activities
Sept. 24
• Exhibits
• Fashion, Shows and Movies
• Out of Town Presentations
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. • The Art of Tom Lea: Preserving Our National Heritage, A case study for preserving WPA-era murals in the United States – Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington D.C.
Sept. 25
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• The Two Thousand Yard Stare: Tom Lea’s World War II, A Discussion of Tom Lea’s art in the Life Collection of World War II, U.S. Army Center of Military History – Officers’ Club, Fort Belvoir, VA
Oct. 1 - 31
• Selection from Tom Lea Collection – El Paso Museum of Art, Tom Lea Gallery and Museum’s Library
Oct. 1 - 31
• Pancho Villa Exhibit – El Paso Public Library Downtown
Oct. 5 - Nov. 12
• • Exhibition of The 1949 Sun Carnival Artist Reunion, reception from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. – Hal Marcus Gallery
Oct. 2
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• • Butterfly Wings & Tom Lea by Rosa Guerrero, José Mario Sánchez Soledad, and Guillermo Martinez – Lydia Patterson Institute
Oct. 3
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
• White House Pastries, Fashion and Old Mount Franklin with Roland Mesnier, EPCC Culinary students, Zayra Estrada and Josie Mitchell – El Paso Community College Administrative Service Center, Building B
Oct. 4
10:00 a.m.
• Fort Bliss Historical Tour by Wanda Kienzle – Fort. Bliss, Old Fort Bliss Replica Bldg. 5054
Oct. 9
1:00 p.m.
•Tour on Trost Architecture by Max Grossman – Camino Real Hotel
Oct. 10
6:00 p.m.
• Architecture in the Evening, historic downtown walk by Ken Gorski – Camino Real Hotel
Oct. 11
10:00 a.m.
• Church decoration at First Baptist, St. Clement’s Episcopal and First Presbyterian with Robyn Lowrie, David Etzold, and Neal Locke – meet at First Baptist Church El Paso
1:00 p.m.
• Tom Lea Graduate Research Fellowship Lectures introduced by Dr. Patricia Witherspoon and presented by Mauricio Olague and Roland Rodriguez – El Paso Public Library Downtown
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• Hembrillo: An Apache Battlefield of the Victorio War by Karl Laumbach and Albert Jennings Fountain - Unsolved 1896 Murder on the White Sands by Bobby Keller – Ardovino’s Desert Crossing
Oct. 15
6:00 p.m.
• Benito Juárez at the Pass of the North presentation by Nick Houser – Chamizal National Memorial
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c e l e b r at e t o m l e a m o n t h 2 0 1 4
• Lectures, Conferences and Discussions
• Tours
• Children & Teen’s Activities
Oct. 16
12:00 noon
• Exhibits
• Fashion, Shows and Movies
• Out of Town Presentations
• Downtown El Paso Mural Tour Experience the Pass of the North by Carolina Franco and Elisa Garrido – El Paso Historic Federal Courthouse
6:00 p.m.
• Tom Lea: A Diversity of Artistic Approaches by Patrick Cable – El Paso Museum of Art, El Paso Energy Auditorium
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
• Graphic Design Panel Discussion by Jud Burgess, Anne Giangiulio, and Katya Reka, introduced and moderated by Clive Cochran – UTEP, Stanlee and Gerald Rubin Center for the Visual Arts
Oct. 18
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon • The Story Behind The Turning Point by William Stevens followed by a tour of the Durham Center and behind the scenes look at UTEP football today – UTEP, Larry K. Durham Center
Oct. 22
1:00 p.m.
• The First Surgical Operation in North America, Cabeza de Vaca and the Texas Surgical Society by Alan Tyroch – Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Medical Education Building, Room 1150
Oct. 23
2:00 p.m.
• The First Surgical Operation in North America, Cabeza de Vaca and the Texas Surgical Society by Adair Margo – Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Medical Education Building, Room 1150
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
• Bookmaking at the Pass of the North – UTEP, Stanlee and Gerald Rubin Center for Visual Arts
6:00 p.m.
• Tom Lea & A Shepherd Boy Who Became President of Mexico by Jose Mario Sanchez Soledad – Mexican Consulate, El Paso
Oct. 25
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. • Celebration of Our Mountains, Geological Tour and Lecture by Eric Kappus – El Paso Public Library Downtown
5:00 p.m.
• How the Horse Shaped Civilization & Its Evolution from Eohippus to the Modern Horse by Jason Bruemmer – Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino, New Mexico
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
• • The 1949 Sun Carnival Artist Reunion exhibit presentation by Holly Cox, Derrell E. Hiett, Hal Marcus, and Kevin Wells – Hal Marcus Gallery
The Tom Lea Trail “Tom Lea and the Italian Renaissance” with Luciano Cheles Oct. 7
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• El Paso, Texas – Panel discussion with Mimi Gladstein and Ron Weber, moderated by Max Grossman – UTEP Library, Blumberg Auditorium
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September, 2014
n u e of th S Unraveling the History of the Equinox | By: MEAGAN KINLEY | 142
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September, 2014
u n r av e l i n g t h e h i s t o r y o f t h e e q u i n o x
the length of each day was incredibly important for these people because it helped them know when winter was coming. They based their planting season, harvest season and all their important decisions on the pathways of the sun. Reading the sun was as simple as reading a clock — identifying the sun’s position and length of daylight were factors that invariably meant life and death. Some of these civilizations even built observatories to further study the sun, from Chichen Itza in Mexico to places closer to home like Chaco Canyon in New Mexico, archaeologists have uncovered more and more sites proving that early civilizations based almost everything around the sun. In Peru’s Machu Picchu archeologists even uncovered what they found to be the Intihuatana (Intihuatana means ‘tying the sun’) stone. They discovered that this stone in particular was specifically designed to indicate the two equinoxes. So what happens when we experience an equinox? Basically, when he sun is truly a mystical force that many of us simply don’t
an equinox like the one that will occur on September 23 happens,
understand. We see words like equinox on our calendar and
we experience almost equal durations of daylight and night. In fact,
we scratch our heads wondering what it could mean. On
the word equinox is derived from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox
September 23, 2014 at 7:29 pm the Autumn equinox is coming
(night). Basically what happens is the plane of Earth’s equator passes
to our time zone, and with it, the season of fall.
the center of the sun. At that instant (7:29pm for us), the tilt of Earth’s axis neither inclines away from nor towards the sun. The two annual
But why? What is so special about September 23?
equinoxes are the only times of the year when the center of the sun is
Specifically 7:29pm?
exactly overhead at zenith over the equator (this means that both the northern and southern hemispheres are lit equally). When this occurs,
In today’s world, there are two equinoxes every year, one occurs in
the sun crosses the equator, moving northward at the March equinox
March and the other, September. Each equinox is an astronomical
and southward at the September equinox — giving us new durations
event caused by the earth’s tilt on its axis — but it was not always
of light and a new season.
so simple and scientific. To understand this and other mysteries of the sun’s direct influence, let’s turn the clock back to the earliest
Now that you know what an equinox is, we hope you enjoy the
human civilizations. To these people, the sun was a mystical force
coming of autumn and the new season that awaits us all. As the
of power. The truth is our ancestors spent a lot of time outside. In
days get shorter and the nights longer, we hope you find rest and
these civilizations, the sky was both a clock and a calendar, studying
peace as winter approaches.
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September, 2014
KS | By: MATTHEW WIL
144
ON
|
Prerogat i v e
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
H I s p r e r o g at i v e
September, 2014
o matter what kind of guy you are, there is always a certain amount of
N
grooming that each of us does. Even if you are so “antigroom” that you would rather gnaw your nails off with your lateral incisors than bust out a decent pair of nail clippers (SICK!), you are still doomed to groom. So,
1
why not follow in our typical manly fashion and be the best we can be even when tweaking our appearances? The extent to which each man will groom is individually His Prerogative, but these bro savers will make the process slightly less arduous and keep you on top of your game.
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Ultimate Pro Body Groomer by Mangroomer
First off, the 70s are a thing of the past, and if you are wondering why your partner prefers the lights off, it might just be your wild “flower power” bush. It is time to trim up that shrubbery, but by all means - be safe about it! Meant for the pecs, abs, shoulders, pits and groin, the new Mangroomer Ultimate Pro will help you effortlessly trim unwanted hair. This double-sided buzzer comes with two different shavers that will help you cut it close without the dangers that come with razors. Its multifunctional flex neck is shock absorbent and mounts a shave head that will give you complete blade-to-skin contact without carving you up like a turkey on Thanksgiving. Available at Target- $49 2
Ingrown Hair Treatment by Anthony
Some dudes get them on their legs, others on their back, and of course, most curse those on their neck - ingrown hairs. They are enough to drive a sane man off the deep end and turn a perfect shave into a nightmare. Run a razor over just one and you’ll see what I mean. The good news is that Anthony has developed an ingrown hair treatment that will quell
2
the irritation of the notoriously vexing pimple doppelgänger. Ingrown hairs are a result of a follicle that has been clogged with dead skin and oil, which will misdirect the hair back into the skin instead of rising upward, growing above it. Applying this treatment will not only exfoliate your skin by eliminating those dead skin cells, but it will destroy the bacteria that lives underneath the skin. Made with Willow herb and Lavender, this skin saver is sure to be a must in many guys’ lives! Available at Anthony.com- $32 3
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Emily & Tony DownUnder Comfort
Last week I was standing behind this big galoot in the hardware store and I had to step back a couple of feet due to the unbearable stench of … well, you know. Sorry to be so graphic, but some of you guys need to get that four-day fromunda smell under control! It certainly isn’t going to improve your love life or help you to gain a fan base any time soon. So, what to do? You can dust the jewels with a talc powder, but that will make your bathroom look like Pablo Escobar’s bodega. That is exactly why Emily & Tony have created the DownUnder Comfort! Slather this cream-to-powder lotion on your man parts to keep them cool, dry, and most importantly, smelling shower fresh. It will also prevent nasty pit stains on your shirts when applied to your underarms and can be used on your toes to tackle that eau de parmesan. To boot, the sexperts at Emily & Tony have whipped this concoction out of entirely botanical ingredients, as not to interrupt your most intimate encounters. Available at EmilyandTony.com- $18
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Ia n nd Out September, 2014
| By: NATALIE ROSALES |
146
WOMEN in and out
September, 2014
In
TopKnot | “Knot” only is the topknot easy and simple, it’s chic
and effortless. Topknots are almost essential when wearing a top or
dress with exquisite detail at the shoulders or neckline, if your hair is down then it takes away from detail. There are multiple ways to style
a topknot. For a timeless look, slick back hair and form a bun towards
the top of your head. For a simple and casual look form a braid then wrap braid around the knot. For volume tease your ponytail then wrap the pony into a knot by securing with bobby pins.
OUT
Sock Bun
|
I spy with my little eye a UFO… in your hair.
Seriously, what is all the hype about a sock bun? This look is just too unnatural, quite frankly it’s almost as bad as the ‘bump it.’
In
Single-Strap Heel | The single-strap heel is everything this season -- not only does it go with virtually anything but it has a look that strikes me as timeless and doesn’t scream “trying too hard.” Strap yourself in and get ready for the stares, these shoes are perfection.
t
OUT
Lita Boots | Not going to lie, when Jeffrey Campbell first came out with the “Lita” boot I was pretty obsessed, for what
MEN
reason I’m not sure; but, that was two years ago and my
outlook on the Frankenstein-ish looking boot has changed.
Now knockoffs of the Lita boot can be seen everywhere. Unfortunately, I think it’s time this boot is booted off.
In
Mad about Plaid
|
Nothing looks sexier on a man than
a checkered button up, whether it be a casual, loose-fitted longsleeved button up or an appropriately fitted dress shirt, we are just mad about plaid. All colors approved, we don’t discriminate.
OUT In
Pastel Dress Shirts | The only time that a plain, pastelcolored dress shirt is appropriate is for the court in a quinceañera.
The Slip-On | This look is not only stylish, it’s quick and easy
and perfect for a casual look. The slip-on sneaker comes in many
different colors and patterns. If you’re feeling brave, try out
Lanvin’s new plaid look, or if you are looking for something to pair with anything and everything, stick to a classic color like blue, white, or black.
OUT
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
Sperry’s | These “boat shoes” tend to be every man’s “go to” when attending a casual event or outing but now I can’t help but look at the Sperry and think frat boy. This casual shoe for comfort needs an upgrade.
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Debunking Some Common
s e h n t i y W M | By: VIC POULOS |
148
WINE
Is there really a health benefit to drinking red wine? Do sulfates cause headaches? Does sweet wine really have more calories than other wine? These are just some of the common questions and myths surrounding the world of wine, and I wanted to take a closer look at them to help separate fact from fiction. Red Wine Can Cause
Open the Bottle to Let It Breathe
Headaches Because of Sulfites
Good wine, particularly red wine, does well when left to
Sulfites (or sulfur dioxide) have not been shown to cause
“breathe” out in the open. This allows oxygen to interact
headaches, and really only pose a threat to those who
with the wine and help bring out its flavor. However, many
are allergic to them. In fact, our very own bodies produce
people think that just opening the bottle early and leaving it
more than 1,000mg of sulfites per day, and most common,
will allow a wine to breathe. Because of the narrow bottle
daily foods also contain sulfites. In addition, white wines
opening, just opening the wine and letting it sit there will
also typically have more sulfites than red wine. So what’s
actually allow very little of the wine to come into contact
the deal with having a headache then? Probably due to
with the outside air. Pour the wine into your glass and let
dehydration (a.k.a hangover). Drink wine in moderation.
it breathe there instead.
What’s moderation? It’s usually recommended to be one glass of wine per day for women and two per day for men.
The Thicker the “Legs” the Better the Wine When you swirl your wine around in a glass and let it fall
Sweet Wine Has More Calories Than Dry Wine
back into the bowl, you’ll notice streams of liquid flowing
A frequent misconception is that sweet wine has more
down the side of the glass. These are called the wine’s
calories than dry wine. This can be true, but it also can be
legs. Contrary to popular belief, a wine’s legs are not an
not true. Calories don’t just come from the sugar content
indicator of quality. The legs are actually a phenomenon
in wine; they also come from the alcohol level. Want the
caused by the alcohol evaporating at a faster rate and
least caloric wine? Look for a dry, low alcohol wine.
having a lower surface tension than water. The legs are being pushed up the glass by the increased surface
Only Red Wine Has Health Benefits
tension before being pulled down by gravity. The legs can
Actually, the moderate consumption of alcohol alone
help you judge how full-bodied a wine is, however – fuller-
has several health benefits, including a decrease in
bodied wines generally have slower dripping legs.
heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Red wine, however, does have even more health benefits. There are more
Serve Red Wine at Room Temperature
antioxidants and phytochemicals in the skins and seeds
This common perception was generally true because
that are often soaked in barrels with red wine.
room temperature used to generally mean a temperature a few degrees cooler than it means today. Most red wine
Wine Tastes Better With Age
is best served at around 68 degrees. A common rule I
It’s been estimated by wine experts that only about 1% of
follow – put red wine in your fridge 20 minutes before
wine actually ages well. Bold red wines such as Bordeaux
serving it, and take white wine out of your fridge 20
typically age the best because of their structure. As it ages,
minutes before serving it!
the tannin becomes softer. What’s tannin? Ever tasted a
a softer flavor and less astringent taste. The perception of
Salud!
this wine’s acidity may also change, even though the acid
VIC POULOS
level is actually probably still about the same.
Zin Valle Vineyards
red wine and your face sort of puckers up? That comes from the tannin. As a wine ages, these tannins give way to
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September, 2014
Pumpkins, Lettuce, Tomatoes ... Oh my!
f
| By: HECTOR MADRID photos: COURTESY OF EPISD |
150
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September, 2014
t
the BOWIE JARDin
here is a renaissance happening at
Other schools across the nation have
experience,” said Villalva. “Students learn
Bowie High School and it all started
implemented this unique idea too, but Bowie
about responsibility and how important it is to
with the planting of a seed.
High School is the only school in El Paso to
maintain a garden year-round. Also, they are
have a garden of its own. They do not have an
able to apply science and math skills every
They call it “The Bowie Jardín,” a one of a
official name for it yet, but they plan to come
time they come out here and work on it.”
kind project that will help Bowie High School
up with one really soon. “We are going to let
regain its positive reputation. “People still talk
the students have the opportunity to come up
Some of the foods being grown include
bad about ‘La Bowie’ and this jardín is one
with a name for the garden. This is theirs and
cucumbers, chili peppers, cilantro, squash,
way to show a positive aspect of the school
we want them to name it,” said Villalva.
lettuce, tomatoes, pumpkins, and more. When the produce is ready to consume, the
to the entire community,” said Bowie High School Assistant Principal, Gina Villalva. The
The school wants to start a trend with this
students use it as part of their cooking class
idea of growing a garden came from Senator
project and hopes that other local schools
where they learn how to prepare different
Eliot Shapleigh who believes that this project
will follow in it’s footsteps. “Not only is this
dishes with the products they have selected.
will help give the school a refreshed image.
fun for the students, but it is also a learning
For this upcoming school year, students
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151
September, 2014 will be challenged to come up with 10 Mesoamerican cuisines. The school hopes to eventually be able to sell their goods to the community in the upcoming months. After they gain momentum, they will reach out to local restaurants and offer them their fruits and vegetables for purchase. All of the money raised from donations and sales will go to an account created for the garden. That money will be used to purchase any supplies needed to make improvements. The school still has plenty of land and space to work with and they definitely hope to expand their garden. That is why they will be getting assistance from UTEP’s Business College to help them with developing a strategy that will allow them to meet their goals in the next couple of years. There are also plans of building a shed to store all of the supplies and materials as well as a canopy that will protect the goods from bad weather conditions and small insects. Several organizations and people from the community have stepped in to not only donate material and supplies, but their time as well. “We are grateful to all the teachers, faculty, parents, organizations, and even Ft. Bliss soldiers that have all come out here for long periods of time to help us out,” said Villalva. “If it weren’t for them, this garden wouldn’t be flourishing as it is now — we truly thank them.” Hopefully this “seed of change” will mark the beginning of a new era for not only Bowie, but also for our city. The hope is that these kids will give our city a head start on the issue of responsible consumption of locally grown foods. Do not be surprised if you go out to eat at a local restaurant one day and you see a sign that reads: ‘We proudly serve locally grown vegetables from Bowie High School.’
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September, 2014
soak explore relax
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501 McAdoo Street Truth or Consequences, NM 87901
www.sierragrandelodge.com 575.894.6976 153
EL PASO MAGAZINE
November, 2013
Timeless
Elegance with a Modern Touch
If these Walls
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El Paso’s Architectural History
GN MAGAZINE
BRIDAL GUIDE
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Pick up a copy of this month’s issue at your local Walgreens and check out THE CITY WEDDINGS magazine and THE CITY SPACES Home & Design Magazine.
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Sophisticated
BRIDAL GUIDE
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Contemporary
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2014 MEDICAL ISSUE THE
highlighting UNVEIL YOUREl Paso’s Doctors
PERFECT DAY Timeless omance
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Meet El Paso’s
WOMEN
IN BUSINESS www.thecitymagazineelp.com
Spring
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November, 2013
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September, 2014
It’s Betta with Feta | By: AUDREY TOLLIVER |
156
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September, 2014
I T ’ S B E T TA W I T H F E TA
It’s hard to believe summer is already here! It feels like we just rang in the New Year. Aside from those lucky few who get to travel to gorgeous beaches this summer, most of us have to stick to the daily grind here in the Sun City. The Mediterranean seems particularly alluring this time of year. A luxurious trip to Greece isn’t too much to ask for, is it? If you can’t make it out to the Calypso Deep this summer, here are a few recipes that may inspire that next vacation or just simply refresh those cool summer taste buds.
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Grilled Watermelon, Mint and Feta Watermelons are a summer staple but think of how much better they would taste after grilling them. Everything tastes better when it’s grilled! Your mouth is already watering, right? Here’s a simple recipe that can go a long way whether you have only a few guests or twenty. Throw in some mint and feta; voila, you’ve got a tasty salad. Ingredients • 1 small watermelon (about 6 pounds), cut into 1-inch thick rounds (lay melon on its side, and cut through rind and flesh with a sharp knife) • ½ cup small mint leaves, torn • 2 ounces feta cheese, crumbled into large chunks • 1 tablespoon olive oil • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar • ¼ teaspoon sea salt • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
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September, 2014
Grilled Eggplant with Tomatoes, Basil and Feta Vegetarian & Gluten free | 55 minutes to make | Serves 4 Ingredients • 10 oz. - 2 cups cherry tomatoes • ¼ c basil, packed fresh leaves • 1 gggplant (about 1½ pounds), large • 1 pinch red pepper flakes • 1 pinch salt, coarse • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Grilled Chicken Skewers + Feta-Basil Yellow Squash
• 1 oz. feta cheese
Ingredients
1. Generously season eggplant slices with salt. Place vertically in a colander,
• 1½ pounds chicken breasts trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
overlapping them. Let stand 30 minutes; rinse and pat dry.
• ¼ c pine nuts, toasted
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil • 3 tablespoons sour cream
2. Preheat grill to medium-high. Liberally brush cut sides of eggplant with
• Juice of ½ lemon
oil. Grill, turning once, until tender, about 4 minutes a side. Mix tomatoes,
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
pine nuts, feta, red-pepper flakes, and oil; season with salt. Spoon over
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
eggplant and top with basil.
• 1 teaspoon cumin • ½ teaspoon dry oregano 1. Thread chicken onto skewers, pressing pieces very close together. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil and remaining ingredients. Pour marinade over chicken skewers in a shallow dish, turning to coat; cover with plastic wrap, and chill 1 hour. 2. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat until very hot. Grill skewers, turning occasionally, 20 minutes or until outside is well marked and chicken is cooked through. Makes 4 to 6 servings. Yellow Squash Ribbons with Feta and Basil Ingredients 3 yellow squash 1 tablespoon butter Garlic salt Pepper ¼ cup feta cheese crumbles 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil 1. Trim ends from squash, and peel into thin ribbons with a vegetable peeler. 2. Heat butter in a skillet until melted; add squash and garlic salt and pepper to taste, and cook, tossing constantly, 1 minute. Remove from heat, and stir in cheese and basil. Makes 4 servings. 158
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September, 2014 EL PASO’S HOME & DESIGN MAGAZINE
Timeless
Elegance with a Modern Touch
Modern Classic El Paso Style At It’s Best
If these Walls
Could Talk
El Paso’s Architectural History
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Within the pages you’ll find unique architecture elements, interior design at its best and recipes for stunning living spaces. We are bridging the gap between dreaming and doing with the signature style you’ve come to expect from the team at The City Magazine.
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For more information contact The City Magazine at our NEW LOCATION: 5925 Silver Springs., Ste. A El Paso, Texas 79912 (915) 637-3808 159 thecitymagazineelp.com
investment
September, 2014
Retirement Confidence on the Rise, Is Yours?
R
etirement confidence seems to have improved from record lows over the past five years, according to the 24th Annual Retirement Confidence Survey (RCS) cosponsored by the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) and
Greenwald & Associates. In early 2014, 18% of American workers said they were “very confident” they will have enough money to retire comfortably, compared to just 13% last year; 37% are “somewhat confident.” A closer look at the trends indicates that the rise came largely from higher income households ($75,000 and up) and those who had money in retirement plans, including work-sponsored plans and individual retirement accounts (IRAs). “Retirement confidence is strongly related
much they had in savings and investments
aside at least 50% of their household income
to retirement plan participation,” said Jack
(excluding the value of a primary residence),
for retirement than those with a retirement
VanDerhei, research director at EBRI. “In
nearly half of respondents with a retirement
account. They were also more likely to say
fact, workers reporting they or their spouse
plan (47%) said they had at least $50,000
they did not know how much they need to
have money in a defined contribution plan
set aside; 17% had at least $250,000. By
save.
or IRA or have a defined benefit plan from
comparison, 73% of workers without a
a current or previous employer are more
retirement plan had less than $1,000.
So if workers generally understand the need to save and invest, why aren’t they doing
than twice as likely as those without any of these plans to be very confident (24% with a
In addition, although less than half of all
so? The reasons they gave include the cost
plan versus 9% without a plan).” Nearly half
workers had ever tried to calculate how
of everyday living (53%), unemployment or
(46%) of those without a plan were “not at all
much they will need to retire, those who had
underemployment
confident” about their retirement, compared
money in some sort of a retirement account
debt (6%), mortgage or housing expenses
to just 11% of those who do have money in
were twice as likely to have crunched the
(5%), and education expenses (5%).
a retirement account.
numbers as those who do not have a plan. And as the RCS demonstrates year after
That’s the good news. The not-so-good news
year, calculating a retirement savings goal
is that American workers, particularly those
can lead to retirement confidence.
(14%),
non-mortgage
Other findings The Retirement Confidence Survey revealed several other interesting points:
without a retirement account, still have far to go. To save or not to save The link between retirement accounts and retirement confidence
• Last year, the Department of Labor issued the
a proposal requiring employer-sponsored
importance of saving for retirement, as 68%
retirement plan statements to illustrate
Perhaps not surprisingly, 9 of out 10 workers
said they should be saving at least 10% of
how a worker’s current account balance
participating in a retirement investment
their income annually. Also not surprisingly,
would translate into a lifetime income
plan had set aside money for retirement,
given their low level of reported savings,
stream. A large majority (85%) of plan
compared with just 2 out of 10 of those who
those who do not have a retirement account
participants in this year’s survey said the
don’t have a plan. When asked about how
were more likely to say they needed to set
illustration was at least somewhat helpful,
160
Workers
seemed
to
understand
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investment
September, 2014
2013 Broker/Dealer of the Year
though most said the projected income
35% of current retirees said they retired
stream was about what they expected. Of
before age 60, and not always for positive
those who said it was less than expected,
reasons. Nearly half of retirees left the
35% said they would increase their plan
workforce earlier than planned, with 61%
contributions.
of them saying they did so due to health reasons or disability. Eighteen percent did
• The vast majority of plan participants (88%)
so because of a layoff or closure of their
said that it would be at least somewhat
business, while the same percentage
valuable if the financial services company
retired early to care for a family member.
that handles their retirement plan offered
On a positive note, 26% said they were
recommendations about how much to
able to afford to retire earlier than planned,
withdraw from their plan in order to make
while 19% said they simply wanted to do
their account values last.
something else.
• While the expected retirement age of today’s workers has inched upward over the past two decades, the actual age of retirement for most retirees has changed very little. For example, in 1991, 11% of workers said they expected to retire after age 65, but in 2014, that proportion rose to 33%. In actuality, in 1991, just 8% of retirees said they retired after age 65, and in 2014, that percentage had risen to just 16%. • In the current year, less than 1 in 10 workers said they plan to retire before
Partner & Director of Risk Management & Insurance Planning Certified Wealth Strategist ® Strategic Wealth Advisors Terrace Gardens Office Park 600 Sunland Park, Building One, Ste 100 El Paso, Texas 79912 (915) 532-8885 Office (915) 588-7897 cell bblanco@sw-advisors.com
The RCS was cosponsored by EBRI, a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy research organization that focuses on health, savings, retirement, and economic security issues, and Greenwald & Associates, a Washington, DC-based market research firm. The survey was conducted in January 2014 through 20-minute telephone interviews with 1,501 people, including 1,000 workers and 501 retirees. Full results can be viewed at www.ebri.org. content
CWS®
(915) 842-9532 fax
About the survey
Source
Bobby Blanco
by
Broad
ridge
www.sw-advisors.com Securities offered through Investors Capital Corporation, Member FINRA, SIPC Advisory Services offered through Investors Capital Advisory 6 Kimball Lane, Lynnfield, MA 01940, (800) 949-1422 Views and opinions expressed are those of Bobby Blanco and are subject to change based on market and other conditions.
Investor
Communication Solutions, Inc. Copyright 2014
The tax information contained herein is general in nature, is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal or tax advice. Always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation.
age 60, but the reality shows otherwise: www.thecitymagazineelp.com
161
Etiquette
September, 2014
What Makes a Good Date
| By: JOANN WARDY |
Being with a good conversationalist who makes us feel special and at ease and who is spontaneous can be great fun. Here are some tips: • Be creative on what to do and where to go; consider the other person’s interests. • Dress appropriately; everyone enjoys being with someone that is well dressed for the occasion. • Be courteous and attentive, avoid scenes. • Don’t dwell on your business, children or negative conversation. • Be on time. • Relax, have fun. • Being generous and having a sense of humor is the icing on the cake! For children and adult class schedules call (915) 355-0992.
Joann Wardy | elpasoetiquette.com | 915-355-0992
162
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September, 2014
ast rolo gy
Signs from the Other Side | By: GRACE THE PSYCHIC LADY | Do you believe in life after death? Do you think it is possible for our loved ones to give us a sign they are with us? Some of you may believe and some of you may not. Personally, I believe it does exist, and see it time and time again with those who do believe it possible. First you need to be open to the idea of life after death in order for the pathway or channel to be open for them to give us a sign. If you do not believe this process is even possible, then that blocks you and becomes a hurdle making it more difficult or impossible for them to connect with you. There are numerous ways in which they can show you they are with you. Electronics for one example -- if the TV turns on or off by itself, unless of course there is an obvious power failure, can be a sign. Or perhaps you are having a difficult time and turn on the radio to hear a song that reminds you of them; that is a sign that they are indeed there with you. Other subtle signs can be hearing a knock and no one is there, the door opening and closing, even footsteps or laughter. You can also perhaps physically sense them. Have you ever seen a shadow out of the corner of your eye and turn to look and nothing is there? Or do you ever get the chills up and down your arms for no reason or the room temperature changes rapidly? You may feel a soft breeze in the air, or smell the scent of their perfume. These are all examples. Seeing feathers can be a sign from above as well. If you see one falling, or on the ground, immediately ask who it is from and trust it is them watching over you. Are they always there and always watching? I don’t think so, but my belief is that after they cross over they stay earth bound or connected to us for a period of about two to three years. I feel our grief holds them to us and they stay with us to make sure we are ok and processing the grief. Once they see we are beginning to move forward then I believe they only come to visit. They may visit us during trying hardships, or celebrations such as a birth or wedding. The way to receive a sign first and foremost, is to believe it is possible; secondly ask, then wait for your sign. There is a superstition about finding a penny on the ground that it is a sign from your guardian angel or passed loved one. I often tell people to save them in a small jar and when you’re really missing and lonely for that person, the jar of pennies shows you how many times they were there with you even if only in spirit. www.thecitymagazineelp.com
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September, 2014
THE CITY AGENDA september 2014
6 5 5 SEPTEMBER 5-27
Movies in the Canyon Come out to McKellingon Canyon Ampitheatre every Friday and Saturday for free movie nights. Movies will start at dusk each evening (approx. 8:30pm). No food or drinks allowed. Info: moviesinthecanyon.com Sept. 5th: Hunger Games: Catching Fire Sept. 6th Back to the Future Sept. 12th: Monsters University Sept. 19th: Cars Sept. 20th: Bolt Sept. 26th: Toy Story 2 Sept. 27th: Toy Story 3
SEPTEMBER 5
First Friday Artwalk and Ghost Tour Experience culture at the First Friday ArtWalk and Ghost Tour at San Elizario Historic District from 6pm to 10pm. Shop for delicate pottery, vibrant jewelry, timeless home accents, or seasonal decorations. There will also be unique paintings, sculptures and a “movie on the wall” at 8:15pm. Sweet and savory treats will also be offered. Admission is free, the ghost tour is $10. Info: (915) 851-0093 or SanElizarioHistoricArtDistrict.com
september 6-13
Miner Football Cheer on the Miners at Sun Bowl Stadium as they battle out another exciting season of UTEP football fun! Info: (915) 757-5234 or utepathletics. com/sports/m-footbl/sched/utep-mfootbl-sched.html Sept. 6th: UTEP vs. Texas Tech 9pm Sept. 13th: UTEP vs. NMSU 6pm
6 september 6,20
El Paso Chopin Festival
6 september 6
5 SEPTEMBER 5-19
Alfresco! Fridays The 12th Season of free outdoor concerts has begun! Come out at 6pm to the Convention Center Plaza in downtown El Paso for relaxing evenings full of music and fun. No outside food or drinks allowed. Info: alfrescofridays.com Sept. 5th: Prime 80’s Xperience (80’s Classic, Retro) Sept. 12th: Troupe Sublime (Old School Funk) Sept. 19th: Azucar (Latin Variety)
164
El Paso Downtown Artist and Farmers Market Don’t miss Saturdays from 9am to 1pm at Union Plaza District through the summer to find delicious food, arts, crafts and entertainment; including free activities for kids. Metered Parking Downtown’s is free on Saturdays.
6 september 6
Ardovino’s Desert Crossing Farmers Market On Saturdays from 9am to 2pm throughout the summer, enjoy some of the best vendors at Ardovino’s Desert Crossing’s Farmers Market. With a lush variation of fruit, home goods, jewelry, and other fun finds this market is the perfect place to spend a Saturday -- and while you’ve stopped, why not enjoy a delicious brunch on the patio of the restaurant? You won’t be sorry!
This year, the Chamizal National Memorial Theatre will host their exciting Twentieth Encore Season at 7pm Sept. 6 and 20. This year, the festival is proud to showcase a special performance by festival founder, Dr. Lucy Scarbrough. Admission is free. Info: (915) 584-1595 or elpaso
7 september 7-8
Full Moon Hike / Full Moon Nights White Sands National Monument will host a Full Moon Hike with park rangers at 7:30pm on Sept. 7. Reservations are required and accepted two weeks in advance. For those who don’t want to brave the trails, come out to the monument for music, educational opportunities, and the simple beauty of the moon on the dunes Sept. 8 at 7pm. Info: (575) 479-6124 or nps.gov/whsa/ panyourvisit/full-moon-hikes.htm
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September, 2014
20 12
september 20
Walk Like MADD (El Paso Walk Like MADD)
SEPTEMBER 12-28
Miner Volleyball UTEP’s 2014 Volleyball season is looking as promising as ever! Come out and support the Lady Miners at UTEP’s Memorial Gym. Info: utepathletics.com/sports/wvolley/sched/utep-w-volley-sched.html Sept. 12: UTEP vs. BYU 7pm Sept.13: UTEP vs. Colorado State 12pm Sept. 22: UTEP vs. UTSA 6pm Sept. 26: UTEP vs. North Texas 7pm Sept. 28: UTEP vs. Florida Atlantic 12pm
13 september 13
Behind the Scenes Adventures The El Paso Zoo will host, Behind the Scenes Adventures Sept. 13 at 9am. Prepare yourself for a wild day of discovery as you go behind the scenes of the El Paso Zoo. Admission is $15 in addition to entrance fees, ages 7 and up only. Register online. Info: (915) 521-1894
18
Come out for this 5K Fundraiser to eliminate drunk driving. The walk will begin at 8am. Register today! Info: (915) 779-1987
20 september 20-21
Fall Art in the Park Memorial Park Reserve will host the Fall Art in the Park weekend featuring local handcrafted items and live performances from 10am to 6pm Sept. 20-21. Admission is free. Info: (915) 544-0753 or el pasotexas.gov/ parks
september 18-19, 25-26
Career Expo 2014 12 september 12-14
Disney Junior Live on Tour! Pirate & Princess Adventure Live at the Abraham Chavez Theater don’t miss Disney Junior’s Pirate & Princess Adventure! With shows all weekend long, you are sure to have a blast at this exciting event! Ticket prices vary. Info: Ticketmaster.com
The University Career Center invites you to the Career Expo 2014 at the Don Haskins Center Sept. 18-19 and Sept. 2526 from 9am to 2pm. Info: (915) 747-5640
20 september 20
Running Dead 5K This Zombie 5K Night Run is going to be the most thrilling 5K of your life! Register today and come out to the Maldonado Corn Maze Sept. 20 for a night of fitness and fright! Info: facebook.com/RunningDeadElPaso
20 september 20
Birding Tour
13 september 13
Beats & Eats Music Fest 2014 Ascarate Park is hosting Beats & Eats Music Fest 2014 on Sept. 13. With two music stages, food, carnival rides, and national acts. Info: epbeatsandeats.com
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If you didn’t know, El Paso is a hub for some of the U.S’s premier bird watching. Take a drive out to Hueco Tanks for a spectacular day of observation. Teamed up with a guide, you are sure to see the best of over 200 species of birds that frequent the park. Don’t forget your binoculars, camera, water bottle and plenty of sunscreen. Tours will run from 8 to 10am. Info: (915) 849-6684 or tpwd.state.tx.us/ calendar/birding-tours-6
21 september 21
Mission Trail Art Market Experience culture at the Mission Trail Art Market at San Elizario Historic District from 11am to 6pm. Shop for delicate pottery, vibrant jewelry, timeless home accents, or seasonal decorations. There will also be unique paintings, sculptures, and photography. Sweet and savory treats will also be offered. Admission is free. Info: (915) 851-0093 or MissionTrailArtMarket.com 165
September, 2014
23 september 23
Grammy Award Winner Peter Fampton Peter Frampton is coming to El Paso’s Plaza Theater Sept. 23 at 7:30pm. Info: Ticketmaster.com
26 september 26
3 Doors Down
Drive out to the Inn of the Mountain Gods Sept. 26 for 3 Doors Down. Ticket prices vary, the show begins at 8pm. Info: (800) 545-9011 or innofthemountaingods.com
PERCHES FUNERAL HOMES Affordable Funeral Care
27 september 27
WEST • EAST • CENTRAL LOWER VALLEY • LAS CRUCES • JUAREZ
Glory Road Glow Run/Walk Let your light shine at the 2014 Glory Road Glow 5K Run/Walk. Whether you are a casual walker, runner or simply want an evening of fun, this is a great 5K for you! The race will begin 7pm at UTEP. Register today! Info: (915) 544-9000 or glowrun5k.com/ elpaso.html
28 september 28
2014 Chile Pepper Challenge
Cremation $745 (915) 532-2101 | perchesfuneralhomes.com
SALVADOR PERCHES
2013 American Funeral Director of the Year
The Chile Pepper challenge will start at the La Viña Winery Sept. 28. This race offers routes, distances and mountain climbs for cyclists of all skill levels, with a 100-mile, 62-mile, 40-mile, 25-mile and 10-mile race, there is a distance for everyone! Register today! Info: elpasobicycleclub.com/cpc/
September, 2014
Here at M!X, we have every luxurious service you could ever want or ask for. Our hair salon, nail salon, spa and sauna, and third story restaurant and viewing terrace are all meant for one thing, making you feel extraordinary. Don’t delay and call today and book your appointment now! 4201 Camelot Heights Dr. by N. Mesa | El Paso, Texas 79912 | (915) 351-0032 | mixsalonspa.com | Like us on Facebook!
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167
medical
September, 2014
WOULD YOU LIKE A MORE FIT APPEARANCE TO YOUR BODY? CONSIDER LIPOSCULPTING | By: DR. MARCO A. GONZALEZ M.D. | get rid of, no matter how hard you exercise or how healthy you eat. Liposculpting is designed to eliminate these areas of fat and provide your body with improved contours. Liposculpting can be performed on a number of body areas,
Dr. Marco A. Gonzalez M.D. Envy Aesthetic Center 5407 N Mesa (915) 845 - 3223 envyaestheticcenter.com
including: Thighs, Abdomen, Buttocks, Love Handles (Flanks), Back, Face, Chin and Neck.
Liposculpting Procedure Liposculpting typically involves the insertion of long metal tubes called cannulas to suction out fat cells in the targeted area. The cannulas are moved back and forth underneath the skin, vacuuming out excess fat deposits for a better contour. Liposculpting is typically an outpatient procedure using local or general
Liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic
anesthesia, and generally takes less than two
surgery procedures available, and has been
hours to complete. Liposculpting recovery,
successfully performed in millions of patients
depending on the technique used, usually
across
Gonzalez
takes about two weeks or more. Patients can
combines Liposuction with Liposculpting to
expect some degree of bruising and swelling
eliminate stubborn fat pockets that are resistant
in the first few days after Liposculpting. Some
to diet and exercise from virtually any area of
Liposculpting procedures will require patients
the body. Dr. Gonzalez, has studied at one of
to wear a compression garment for a few days
the world’s most respected cosmetic surgery
after surgery to facilitate the healing process.
institutions, and offers only the latest, most
Over the course of the recovery period, the
effective techniques in Liposculpting to give
full results of liposculpting should become
your body youthful contours and a more fit
apparent. Patients are generally able to
appearance. The Liposculpting technology used
resume normal daily activities about one week
by Dr. Gonzalez is clinically proven to be safe
after the procedure.
America.
Dr.
Marco
A.
and effective, in addition to providing results that look natural and beautiful.
Contact our practice to set up an appointment, and we can start you on the road to improved
Sometimes, isolated pockets of fat can appear
body contours and an enhanced self-esteem!
on the body that can be extremely difficult to
Before 168
After
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THE CITY MAGAZINE July and August ISSUEs LAUNCH PARTY at TABLA | Photographed by LUIS MIRANDA, JR.
Cafe Grille Grand opening Photographed by TOMMIE MORELOS
Northwest Hospital Groundbreaking Ceremony
Sierra Providence Health Network and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso Photographed by TOMMIE MORELOS
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Far East 855-9500
Las Cruces
Eastside 595-5954
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El Paseo 647-2085
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