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FASHION · HEALTH · TRAVEL December/January, 2014
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Shelley Mozelle shelley@thecitymagazineelp.com
BUSINESS MANAGER Josh Sanchez josh@thecitymagazineelp.com
EDITOR Kim North kim@thecitymagazineelp.com
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Meagan Kinley COVER:
SENIOR SPECIAL PROJECTS DIRECTOR
A year of
Matthew Hallman
The City Magazine
DISTRIBUTION MANAGER/ EVENT COORDINATOR
Covers 2013
Chaz Wilson
Letter to Editor
EDITORIAL DESIGN
Dear Shelley,
Ernie Sanchez Creative
I just wanted to say thank you for such a great magazine with advertisers that are amazing. My husband Tom and I live in Carlsbad, New Mexico and usually go to Lubbock to shop for vehicles. We read your magazine every month and we decided to travel to El Paso to research the automobile industry. Our first stop was Hoyfox Infiniti and we left driving an Infiniti QX56. The staff was amazing, price was fair, and we couldn’t be happier. We’ve found El Paso shopping to be more than we ever expected. Kudos to you and your staff for an amazing magazine, and kudos to the Hoy Fox Dealership for the professional friendly atmosphere. Cant wait to see what we bring home on our next visit. Laci Wilson Carlsbad, New Mexico
Retraction In a health provider profile printed in last month’s issue we accidentally credentialed Dr. Castro as an MD. Dr. Castro pointed out he is a DC and not an MD.
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.
Daniel Bell daniel@thecitymagazineelp.com
ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES Jacqueline Ramsey jackie@thecitymagazineelp.com Lisa Carrejo lisa@thecitymagazineelp.com Monica Baker monica@thecitymagazineelp.com
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS
Subscription form can be found on page 42.
“The City ” El Paso Magazine welcomes your comments. Please send letters to “Letters to the Editors” 661 S. Mesa Hills, Suite 204, El Paso, Texas 79912, or email the editors. Phone number: (915) 500-5730. Fax: (915) 500-5732.
WEB PRODUCER
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.
Felipa Solis, Jannet Bustillos, Grace Neuhaus, Michelle Cromer, Patrick Martínez, Adair Margo, Cassie Jean Johnson, Meagan Kinley, Josh Sanchez, Michael Graham, Bob Nitzburg, Vic Poulos, Amanda North, Ryan Heape, Brittany Sawrey, Luis Miranda, Jr., Soffia Wardy, Joann Wardy, Will Daugherty, Valentin Sandoval, Ana Huesca, Robin Niland, John Del Rosario, Laura Werthmann, Marina Monsisvais, Charles Morris, Candace Vasquez, Andres Rodriguez.
PHOTOGRAPHY Dav Anmed, Robert Corral, Luis Miranda, Jr.
ASSOCIATE FASHION STYLIST Cassie Jean Johnson
CONTRIBUTING JUNIOR DESIGNERS Ryan Heape, Katrina Chandler
CREATIVE SUPPORT Theresa Guerra, Ibrahim Sánchez
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INTERNS Sara Rueda, Natalie Rosales
2
December/January, 2014
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EDITOR IN CHIEF
December/January, 2014
“We all die, the goal isn’t to live forever, the goal is to create something that will.” CHUCK PALAHNIUK
T
he holidays are here—time to celebrate all that is good and right. Sometimes they don’t come soon enough. It’s an especially meaningful season for El Paso whose diverse border
town culture lives like no other city. Work and school are put on hold, family time reaches top of our priority list, and festivities are accepted, actually expected. We might just sing along to “Let It Snow” knowing that we probably won’t get an inch of snow during the holiday season, but we keep the spirit going our own way. On top of the holidays, we have exciting things happening at The City Magazine. In November we moved to a new office space, bigger, modern, a space we plan on calling “magazine home” for a long time. Also in November we hired newcomer Matthew Hallman. I use newcomer lightly. He’s new to the El Paso world, but to the magazine world he’s well, let’s just say, been around. Matthew brings to us a colorful background including five years with GQ Magazine in charge of the “GQ Men of the Year” Award,
climbing uphill battles. A soldier during the Korean War, one of a
experience in film and television production, and a new burst of
handful of Latinos who conquered the challenge of medical school
excitement and knowledge to the office that is contagious. Not
in Kansas City, returning home as a physician taking care of friends
only has he taken over our “Best of The City” event, bringing in
and family, he was then compelled to right what he felt was a wrong.
talent from LA and beyond, he’s managed to negotiate a first for any
In those days people were chastised for speaking Spanish in public
magazine in El Paso. Matthew has secured with our media partner
schools and in businesses. He saw the need for proper cultural
KTSM, the first thirty-minute TV show segmented around any local
representation and connection with the Latino world, so with a few
magazine. It will showcase “behind-the-scenes” of the magazine,
other businessmen ventured into the world of Spanish Language
what it takes to photograph a fashion shoot, the daily trials and
Media. It was an uphill battle, but after bringing his son David home
tribulations of the team at work, and yes, the stress of deadlines
from Dallas to oversee the operation, well, the rest is history. KINT
and the pressure of print day. Stay tuned to our website and social
Univision 26 for many years was the only Spanish TV station in El
media for air times.
Paso. Enjoy the story of one man’s vision, and the passing of the torch of that vision to his son, who after leading the helm for twenty-
To kick off the New Year with a bang, don’t miss our “Best of The
three years tells us to stay tuned, there’s more to come.
City” event January 17th, which is sure to be the party of the year. Our readers have spoken and we honor those receiving the city’s
Enjoy the December/January Issue of The City Magazine.
“Best Of ” awards. You will find amazing talent never seen before in
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and best wishes
El Paso, shake hands with celebrities that call El Paso home, and most
for the New Year.
importantly, help raise money for the Boys and Girls Club of El Paso. More seasonal offerings await in this issue as we celebrate the compelling story of Dr. Candelaria and his contribution to Spanish media communications. Learning more about the courage and the character of this man, one would think that his life began by 4
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December/January, 2014
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December/January, 2014
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December/January, 2014
138 In and
contents
The City
Out 30 The City
How One Man Revolutionized Spanish Television By: VALENTIN SANDOVAL
34
38
By: CANDACE VASQUEZ
44 66
Look White Noise The
86
EL PASO IS ONE OF AMERICA’S
BEST By: MEAGAN KINLEY
110
90 The City
The Changing Face of El Paso
A Look at Some of El Paso’s Quality of Life and Other Major Projects By: MICHAEL C. GRAHAM
The City
The City
El Paso in the Limelight By: WILL DAUGHERTY
MATTHEW HALLMAN From GQ to the City By: MICHAEL C. GRAHAM
Looking Back
By: LAURA WERTHMANN
By: RYAN HEAPE
134
130
132
Health and Fitness
Spirituality
Living a Congruent Life
Slow Down in 2014
By: PATRICK L. MARTINEZ
By: MICHELLE CROMER
By: ROBIN NILAND
A Better Tomorrow Starts Today
80
The City
POP The YEAR CULTURE in MUSIC 118 2013 8
The Hyundai Sun Bowl Celebrates 80 Years
Centennial Celebration
2013 Award Winners
112
The City
UTEP – 100 Years of Education
The “Best of the City”
WHY
By: ANA HUERTA
By: JOHN DEL ROSARIO
The City
The City Features
The City
Tips For the Season
Profiles By: THE CITY
125
Parenting
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U LT I M AT E D I S C R E T I O N
PIAGET ALTIPLANO The world’s thinnest automatic watch White gold case, 5.25 mm thick The world’s thinnest automatic movement Piaget Manufacture Calibre, 2.35 mm thick
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Colony Cove on North Mesa Street (915) 584-4700
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December/January, 2014
142
144
148
150
Luminous Holiday
Men’s Grooming
Etiquette
Love and Romance
The Best New Products For Men
Make Eating Out Enjoyable
What’s Your Type?
By: JOANN WARDY
By: JANNET BUSTILLOS
Glow
His Prerogative By: ANA HUERTA
By: CASSIE JEAN JOHNSON
158
Travel
Traveling in Search of Localized Binaries
154
Zoo
An Exotic Gift By: BRITTANY SAWREY
164
168
Entertainment
Entertaining
Movie Review
The Counselor By: FELIPA SOLIS
Local Artist Spotlight
The City
By: RYAN HEAPE
By: FELIPA SOLIS
170
Astrology
174
Wine
Perfect Party Mix The Who and Where
Becoming a Wine Expert In the New Year
Christmas Symbolism and New Year’s Traditions
By: SOFFIA WARDY
By: VIC POULOS
By: GRACE THE PSYCHIC LADY
Hidden Gems
The City
An Artistic Vision
A Community Café
By: LUIS MIRANDA, JR.
By: MEAGAN KINLEY
The Grocery Gallery
188
The Mustard Seed
178
190
194
Protection From the Heart
The City
Raising Money to Protect Service Dogs
Project Paz Presents Project: Art
The City
By: BRITTANY SAWREY
By: ANDRES RODRIGUEZ
The City
FINANCIAL
EXPERTS PROFILES
By: THE CITY
199
160
Coronado Grad Readies His Debut Album
Carbon Fiber Instruments Create a Sensation
176
10
Benton Leachman
A Cello By Any Other Name
By: AMANDA NORTH
152
Good Manners
184 The City
Saddle Up and Wind Down
Creative Kids Project Aim Is Recognized By the White House
By: CHARLES MORRIS
By: MARINA MONSISVAIS
El Paso Trail Rides
208
210
Investment
Medical
By: AGUSTIN MONTES
By: DR. LYLE D. WEEKS, M.D.
Preventing Identity Theft During the Holidays 212
Non-Surgical Face Lifting And Skin Tightening Sports
Vince Hunter
Born to Hoop it Up By: BOB NITZBURG
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December/January, 2014
Deutsch & Deutsch Jewelers Where Life Happens!
8889 Gateway Blvd. Suite 1840, El Paso, Texas 79925 12 915-730-6162 DeutschJewelers.com
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The ONLY Locally Owned Tempur-Pedic Elite Retailer
Buy It Today... Sleep On It Tonight!
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The Contributors
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13 1) Michael C. Graham 2) GRACE The Psychic Lady 3) FELIPA SOLIS 4) CANDACE VASQUEZ 5) MICHELLE CROMER 14
14 6) DAV ANMED 7) Victor Poulos 8) JANNET BUSTILLOS 9) Josh Sanchez 10) PATRICK L. MARTINEZ
11) Robert Corral 12) bob nitzburg 13) CASSIE JEAN JOHNSON 14) Amanda North
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December/January, 2014
NOW OPEN THE FOUNTAINS AT FARAH
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December/January, 2014
For full contributor bios go to www.thecitymagazineelp.com
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
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15) Laura werthmann 16) Marina monsisvais 17) VALENTIN SANDOVAL 18) Charles morris 19) Meagan Kinley 16
20) Andres rodriguez 21) Ryan Heape 22) Brittany Sawrey 23) Luis Miranda, Jr 24) AnA HUESCA
25) Robin Niland 26) Soffia Wardy 27) Joann Wardy 28) Will Daugherty 29) John Del Rosario www.thecitymagazineelp.com
December/January, 2014
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December/January, 2014
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WHERE LIFE HAPPENS DEUTSCHJEWELERS.COM • 915 730 6162
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HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM YOUR EL PASO AREA
alamogordo 955 white sands blvd (575) 434.4116
el paso 900 n mesa st (915) 532.4344 2800 n mesa st (915) 533.6883 2879 MONTANA AVE (915) 566.4464 5401 MONTANA AVE (915) 779.8825 1100 GERONIMO DR (915) 778.9301 5900 N MESA ST (915) 584.1153 1210 WEDGEWOOD DR (915) 591.9496 8050 N MESA ST (915) 585.0491 890 N RESLER DR (915) 584.1359 8045 N LOOP DR (915) 592.5849
Find your copy of
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SOCORRO
9428 DYER ST (915) 751.4415 10600 MONTANA AVE (915) 591.4655 1831 N LEE TREVINO DR (915) 594.1129 10090 RUSHING RD (915) 755.9510 800 N ZARAGOZA RD (915) 860.1670
100 N LOOP DR (915) 860.1315 100 N AMERICAS AVE (915) 790.0411 ANTHONY 1432 ANTONIO ST (915) 886.2413 HORIZON CITY
2950 GEORGE DIETER DR (915) 856.7040
14300 HORIZON BLVD (915) 852.1561
1329 GEORGE DIETER DR (915) 594.3838
LAS CRUCES
100 N AMERICAS AVE (915) 790.0411 10780 KENWORTHY ST (915) 821.2698 1607 N ZARAGOZA RD (915) 856.0071 11685 MONTWOOD DR (915) 855.7704
1256 EL PASEO RD (575) 525.8713 2300 e lohman ave (575) 647.2506 3990 e lohman ave (575) 522.1457 2700 w picacho ave (575) 523.0833
12201 MONTWOOD DR (915) 856.0278 12390 EDGEMERE BLVD (915) 849.6849
at a Walgreens near you
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El Paso
Far Far East East Store Store Eastside Eastside Store Store Westside Westside Store Store North North East East Store Store Ranch Ranch Market Market Clearance Clearance Ctr Ctr Zaragoza 9813 Dyer Zaragoza 9813 Dyer St. St. 855-9500 722-0873 585-1555 751-5555
Las Cruces
855-9500 307-7396
1265 1265 El El Paseo Paseo Rd. Rd.
647-2085
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315 315 S. S. Telshor Telshor Blvd. Blvd.
532-1144
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••• El Paso’s Only Nationally Accredited Breast Care Program
(915) 215-6040 • WWW.TTUHSC.EDU/ELPASO/GBCC Formerly known as the University Breast Care Center, the Sadie and Annabelle Garber Breast Care Center is the only nationally accredited breast care program in El Paso — accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) — a consortium of well-known leaders and organizations dedicated to quality of care and monitoring outcomes of breast disease. NAPBC programs provide all the following components of quality patient care including: imaging, needle biopsy, pathology, interdisciplinary conference, patient navigation, genetic evaluation and management, surgical care, plastic surgery consultation/treatment, nursing, medical oncology consultation/treatment, radiation oncology consultation/treatment, data management, research, education, support, and rehabilitation, outreach and education. NAPBC programs also provide or have referred services to board certified breast surgeons, radiologists, breast pathologists, www.thecitymagazineelp.com 25 medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, plastic reconstructive surgical services, certified medical equipment services and genetic counselors.
the traveller,s choice.
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TimeWalker Voyager UTC Special Edition.
Wherever you travel, the second time zone synchronized with Universal Time Coordinated (UTC) ensures that you never lose track of your international schedule. Automatic movement, second time zone with 24-hour display and day/night indication. 42 mm stainless-steel case with satin-finished bezel. Crafted in the Montblanc Manufacture in Le Locle, Switzerland.
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www.bmwofelpaso.com 915-778-9381
BMW OF EL PASO
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December/January, 2014
nationally ranked in 12 specialties. the difference between practicing medicine and leading it. When a diagnosis can affect your life, how far would you travel for the best? As one of the best hospitals in America, according to U.S. News & World Report, Houston Methodist is the choice of patients from around the country for their critical health needs. That’s why we offer complimentary medical and concierge services for out of town patients, making it as easy as possible for patients to access the best. For appointments, trip-planning assistance and more, call 877.790.DOCS. houstonmethodist.org/usa
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HOW
ONE MAN
December/January, 2014
Revolutionized Spanish Television
I
| By: VALENTIN SANDOVAL photography by: ROBERT CORRAL |
n any good story, often times its merit
arose what some would call a visionary who
is manifested as a result of layers
would inadvertently revolutionize the future.
compounded upon each other, molding
He would do so by fighting for three years
one compelling narrative thread that
in Japan during the Korean War. After his
provides an opportunity for one to
service, he was convinced that he had to
learn something new. Story one begins. 53 years ago when Dr. Luz
better his life through education, and so he attended Texas Western College and New Mexico State University.
Candelaria, a young Mexican-American kid from Ysleta, decided to delve into medical
Dr. Luz Candelaria was one of a handful of
school. As if going to medical school isn’t
Latinos to attend medical school at Kansas
one of the most dauntingly sublime careers
City after becoming an entomologist. As
to embark upon. Imagine coming from
is the case in a Joseph Campbell kind of
onion and cotton farming, proletariat type
“Hero’s Journey”, a man becomes the
of working class culture, and decide that, “I
man he is based off of the influences in
wanted to go to medical school, because I
and around him. The struggles that would
wanted to serve my community in the most
otherwise deter any real life benchmarks and
important way possible, and of course I love
goals from being met became the precise
medicine.”
impetus and inspiration for the Candelaria familial legacy.
So amidst a bracero-laden culture, farmers picking vegetables in San Ali, on into the lower
Story one merges into story two. Often life’s
valley of El Paso’s Ysleta Indian Reservation,
direction takes a turn because of female
30
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December/January, 2014
insider’s rule of thumb not to return to work in your hometown, where everyone knows each other and the potential for true respect and financial success is more difficult. “I had no reason to be afraid and ashamed of servicing my hometown. So many people I grew up with and their families ended up becoming my patients. I would look to service underserved communities, including Segundo Barrio (South El Paso). “ Dr. Candelaria was asked to be the first director of the now preeminent Centro de Salud Familiar La Fe, Inc. He didn’t take the offer because he felt that R.E. Thomason General Hospital, at that time, was providing the
services
necessary,
only
later
to
understand and revere the direction that La Fe took in its expansion. Dr. Homero Galicia, intervention, I’m not advocating that, only
and wash petri dishes and lab equipment
a Hispanic Entrepreneur professor at UTEP
stating a general thought that holds truth
for extra money. At times he would have to
and a Stanford grad, makes much reference
in many cases. The Canderlaria children’s
hitch-hike home from school,” says David.
to Dr. Candelaria as one of the pioneers of
mother, Emmo Candelaria, who was an RN,
the medical service industry in the El Paso/
supported Dr. Candelaria through medical
Dr. Candelaria recalls, “The thing that
school and encouraged him to not be content
inspired me the most was a doctor named
with having becoming an entomologist, but
Roger Delgado from Ysleta. He became
Layer three begins. This story almost sounds
leverage that momentum and further his
my personal friend and mentor. This doctor
like the story of a local kind of Che Gueverra
studies to become the doctor he’d always
was originally from Cuba before Castro, and
character pre-war times, only there’s a shift
wanted to be. As with any med student
I learned from his service-oriented way of
towards the polar opposite. Dr. Candelaria
raising a young family life was challenging.
working for the community.”
decided to venture into the business realm
The family struggled through medical school
Juarez’s evolvement in the past 50 years.
of Spanish Language communications.
working late hours at clinics and pharmacies,
The story permeates. After finishing medical
whatever it took to get him through school
school, Dr. Candelaria found it peculiar,
“I had nothing against the English language.
and make ends meat. “My Dad told me that
almost annoying, that he was advised by
I love both languages. My focus was only to
he would stay late after lab class at NMSU
peers to never return to the nest. It was an
32
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December/January, 2014
“I had nothing against the English language. I love both languages. My focus was only to service the rapidly growing minority Spanish-speaking audiences in El Paso. At that point Hispanics were 30% of the population and not only were their medical needs not being met, but their need for proper cultural representation and connection was also not being met. I wanted them to hear and see their language on the radio and TV.” service the rapidly growing minority Spanish-
until it partnered with SIN (Spanish Independent
habits, and that’s what put us on the map.
speaking audiences in El Paso. At that point
Network), later to become Univision.
It was completely irrelevant what language it was. The bottom line was that our ratings
Hispanics were 30% of the population
were strong enough to show up in the book.”
and not only were their medical needs not
In 1990, David Candelaria returned to El Paso
being met, but their need for proper cultural
and his father was adamant that he revisit the
representation and connection was also not
idea of taking over KINT Univision 26. They
Evidently
being met. I wanted them to hear and see
both traveled to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and
empowered Candelaria’s sales team to
their language on the radio and TV. “
Florida to better understand the talent and
have the bravado and prowess necessary to
content of the TV world.
convince agencies and advertisers to invest
those
numbers
were
what
into the Spanish language market. So, for
In 1981, Dr. Candelaria asked his son David Candelaria, while still in college, what he thought
“Once I saw this world clearly, I knew I had
10 years now KINT’s Newscasts have been
about the possibility of Spanish language
to run with this. And the rest is history,” said
rated number one regardless of language
programming TV stations in El Paso. “I thought
David, Executive Vice President. The torch
not only because of the almost 85% Latino
he was crazy,” David remembers. “Speaking
was formally passed to David Candelaria
majority, but also because of the quality of
Spanish at that point in time was simply not
and under his leadership he began creating
the product. “Yes, we have amazing ratings
popular. It wasn’t cool. Kids were chastized
a wildfire that continues to grow. “Still we
during our newscast, and yes, we’ve won
for speaking Spanish at school. Businesses
had a hard time convincing advertisers of our
awards from the Associated Press ‘Best
frowned upon it and advertisers wanted nothing
stations value proposition. Spanish was still
Newscast in Texas,’ best stories, and best
to do with Spanish language programming.”
a very hard sell for us, we had to get more
anchors,” David Candelaria brags.
aggressive and strategic.” In many ways it’s a micro example of what’s
Dr. Candelaria chose to take on yet another seemingly impossible task. In this case,
The cultural cadence and the ability for visual
happening in the macro. The fact that in the
he decided to partner up with a few local
representation
the
next presidential election, Texas will be a
businessmen that had a shared sensibility
success of KINT Univision 26. It had to build
swing state. This is due to the growing Latino
and vision. The team of visionaries that
broader affiliations and associations with
presence which is an indication of the future
changed the game goes as follows: Gus Rales
national and international companies. In June
coming sooner than later.
(lawyer), Mary Ponce (businesswoman),
of 1997, KINT was juicy enough to be bought
Richard Najera (electrical contractor), George
by Entravision. That literally changed the game
It was through Dr. Candelaria’s vision that
Shalom (businessman), Angel and Martin
for the local market and KINT-Entravision
the transitions occurred. He had a profound
Silva (businessmen), and Angel Beltran
became the Michael Jordan of the region.
understanding that his son had a unique
were
tantamount
in
talent, and was really the only one that
(businessman). “Neilson ratings didn’t come in to play until
would be able to take Spanish language
This illustrious group of visionaries came
the early to mid-nineties, it’s important that
programming in the right direction. He took
together to create a Spanish language TV
you understand that Neilson ratings are the
that torch and did his part in creating a
station. The station struggled for many years
Bible when it comes to audience viewing
wildfire that continues to grow.
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December/January, 2014
UTEP
f o s r a e Y n o i t a c u d E | By: CANDACE VASQUEZ photos courtesy of: UTEP | 34
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December/January, 2014
S
trewn across and nestled amongst the majestic mountain structure, which vastly landscapes the El Paso
skyline, an ornate series of Bhutanese-
U T E P : 1 0 0 Y E A R S O F E D U C AT I O N
1914 - “On a site that is now part of Fort Bliss, northeast of El Paso, the Texas
State School of Mines and Metallurgy (TSM) officially
opens
for
student
registration.
style buildings have assumed their place as an
Twenty-one students are present at the Texas
integral piece of El Paso’s cityscape for nearly
State Schools of Mines and Metallurgy (TSM)
100 years. From its humble beginnings as the
for the first day of classes. The first cohort would eventually total 27 students.”
Texas State School of Mines and Metallurgy which was founded in
1938
- “The College of Mines’
1914, the University of Texas at
campus
El Paso, as it’s now known, has
buildings on 48 acres with 15 acres in
undergone a series of transitions,
reserve, more than doubling its original
transformations, evolutions, re-
size of four buildings on 22 acres from
births and realizations in its 99-
twenty years earlier.”
now
encompasses
thirteen
year history. On the cusp of its Centennial Celebration, UTEP
1949
- “The Board of Regent
has commenced preparations
approves
for events that will set the tone
Mines to ‘Texas Western College of the
for what will undoubtedly be yet
University of Texas.’”
renaming
the
College
of
another groundbreaking century of progression and education.
1952 - “Students remove an alligator from San Jacinto Plaza and place the creature in the office of Professor Howard E. Quinn.”
In order to fully understand where our very own University is headed, it is only appropriate to recognize its formations,
1955 - “Texas Western College (TWC) admits ten black students becoming the first senior public college in Texas to desegregate.”
footprints and milestones from whence its grandeur was formed.
1961 - “TWC hires Donald L. Haskins to coach basketball.”
(The following information can be
1966 - “Called one of the greatest upsets in NCAA basketball history, the
found at UTEP’s Encyclopedia website: http://centennial.utep.edu/encyclopedia.html)
Texas Western College Miners, coached by Don Haskins, defeat four-time champion
University of Kentucky Wildcats under Adolph Rupp for the national championship in Maryland, 72 - 65. The TWC team becomes the first team from a former Confederate state to feature an all-black starting lineup in a championship game, disrupting the tradition of segregated sports in Southern colleges.”
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35
U T E P : 1 0 0 Y E A R S O F E D U C AT I O N
December/January, 2014
1967 - “The school’s name changes for the last time to the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP).”
1974 - “UTEP’s first doctoral degree program was introduced.” 1988 - “Diana Natalicio became UTEP’s first woman president.” 1997
- “Don Haskins, UTEP’s basketball coach, was inducted into the
Basketball Hall of Fame.”
2005 - “UTEP moved from the Western Athletic Conference to Conference USA.”
Sources: Fugate, Frontier College (1964); Martin, Benching Jim Crow (2010); Ray, On Becoming a University (1968); El Paso Herald-Post; The Prospector.
Capturing only a few monumental events in a centurylong legacy, this timeline, along with a calendar of celebratory centennial events and historical facts is being featured on UTEP’s Centennial Celebration website as a means to encourage the public to take an active interest in the various events and activities which will be taking
• In terms of all events and milestones which have collectively
place over the course of the next year.
transpired over the course of these past 100 years, what story does it tell about UTEP as a university? In other words, if its past could
The City Magazine had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Keith
predictively tell a story about its future, what would that be?
Erekson, faculty member and coordinator of UTEP’s Centennial Celebration, to learn more about the plans, insights and celebrations
• “Over the past century, UTEP’s story has been one of expanding
which will be taking place in celebration of this exciting milestone.
access to excellent education. We began as an all-male mining school but quickly admitted women and later became the first
• Why was it important for UTEP to host a website dedicated to its
undergraduate college in Texas to desegregate. In this century, as
Centennial Celebration?
the cost of education increases, UTEP’s legacy of affordability will keep it committed to providing a high quality education to everyone
• “The celebration is for everyone and so we want to reach out
in this region and beyond. Talent exists everywhere and UTEP is a
in every possible way, from the website to social media to special
place where people with talents have the opportunity to work to
events and activities. The website is the hub of it all and all the latest
make their dreams come true.”
information is on the site.” • In your opinion, what is most exciting about UTEP’s future? • What can students, alumni and El Pasoans expect to see during UTEP’s yearlong Centennial Celebration?
• “I think that the most exciting part about UTEP’s future are the dreams that students will bring to our doors. As each generation sets
• “There will be a wide variety of events all year long, from parties
its sights a little higher it is our privilege to help our students succeed.”
and lectures to performances and promotions. We hope that everyone will find the events that are most meaningful to them.”
To learn more about the many various events that will be taking place this coming year in honor of UTEP’s Centennial Celebration, please visit www.utep100years.com.
36
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December/January, 2014
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37
s e t a r b e Cel l w o B un S i a d n u The Hy
| By: JOHN DEL ROSARIO photos courtesy of: THE SUN BOWL ASSOCIATION |
38
A
s sure as the cold that settles
local restaurants, weekend stays in hotels,
sing a whole concert? We’re going to have
in during winter, the Hyundai
big-screen TVs, various furniture and even
them perform a full concert the night before
Sun Bowl game has kicked off
passes to things like bowling and paintball.
the game at the Fan Fiesta down at the
in a city sports tradition that
Eligibility for these prizes will, of
dates back to 1935. (Just for
course, require that you buy a
some perspective in time, Elvis
ticket for the game.
Presley was born just a week after the first Sun Bowl game.)
Aside
from
the
sizeable
giveaways, there is also this
This year, the bowl game kicks off for the
year’s
special
take
on
the
80th time on December 31st at high noon,
halftime performance. In previous
and from what Sun Bowl Association
years, the Sun Bowl halftime
executive director Bernie Olivas told us, that
performer is usually a big-name
just means more for the fans.
artist either contemporary (like Rihanna and Lee Brice) or older
Ticket holders and non-ticket holders alike will
(like B.J. Thomas). This year, the
have something to celebrate this year as the
Association takes it back to the
Sun Bowl Association looks to honor the 80th
1970s with rock group Three Dog
Sun Bowl game with things like giving away
Night. The band that famously
80 different prizes during the game. “We’re
testified on Jeremiah’s amphibious and
Convention Center. It’s free of charge and you
asking a lot of our local sponsors to help us
incomprehensible conditions will actually
don’t even have to have a ticket to go to the
celebrate our 80th anniversary by donating a
not even be performing during the game’s
game. It’s a free concert right before we set off
gift so that we can make 80 different people
halftime show.
the best fireworks display in the Southwest.”
happy at our football game,” Olivas said. “Why are we bringing in someone to just
“I think Three Dog Night is one of the best
Olivas said that these prizes will include a
sing three songs?” asked Olivas. “If we bring
oldies groups that we can find,” he said.
wide array of things from gift certificates to
somebody in, why don’t we bring them in to
“They have so many number one hits and
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
39
Hyundai sun bowl
December/January, 2014
they have music for just about
Sun Bowl Basketball Invitational (December
every age group.”
28-29) and the crowning of the Sun Bowl Queen and her royal court of Sun Princesses
In addition to the full-length
(selected in July and presented in August).
Three Dog Night set, the
Each of the sports events has brought
Fan Fiesta, set to be held
some major talent to the city as the Sun
at the Judson F. Williams
Bowl game does. The golf tournament saw
Convention Center the day
a young Tiger Woods and Phil Mikelson
before the game, will also
compete in the Sun City and the basketball
include a number of musical
tournament has seen the participation of
performances, a battle of the
such schools as Purdue, Penn State and
two participating universities’
University of Nebraska in years past.
bands and various activities “Although they all fall under the control of the
for the whole family.
Sun Bowl Association, each event is its own As for the actual halftime
entity and won’t be treated any differently
performance, the Association
because of the celebration of the Sun Bowl
decided to fill the void with
game’s 80th game,” Olivas said.
some local talent: a local high school marching band.
Aside from being 80-years-old, the Sun Bowl
“In lieu of bringing in an
also has several other historical distinctions.
entertainer we are bringing
For starters, it is the second-oldest bowl
in a high school band to
game in history, next to the Rose Bowl.
perform for 50,000 people,”
Although the Sugar Bowl and Orange Bowl
Olivas said. Open invitations
are the same age as the Sun Bowl, Olivas
were sent to all city and area
made a point to recognize that the Sun Bowl’s
high schools to participate in
accompanying association that manages
a competition to determine
the game was the first to be established
who gets to perform during
between the three games.
halftime at the Sun Bowl. The Sun Bowl was also the first game to get There was no limit on how
a title sponsor, a move questioned by many
many
bands
at the time. In 1986, John Hancock Insurance
that could compete for the
took on the sponsorship. This would lead to
spot. The bands prepared
other bowl games following suit and finding
high
school
numbers for judges who will be judging their
title sponsors.
performances during the First Light Credit Union Sun Bowl Day Parade which will be
The Sun Bowl also holds the distinction of
on Thanksgiving Day (thus, the winner would
being on the same network for the second-
have been decided by the time of print).
longest amount of time with their broadcast being shown on CBS. “I think we have a
The Thanksgiving Parade is another thing
tremendous relationships with CBS thanks
that the Sun Bowl Association puts on in their
to Jimmy Rogers, our Chairman Emeritus,”
busy year-long schedule of events which
Olivas said. I think they like what we do
include the Academy Sports & Outdoors
here. Hopefully we’ll be signing a six-year
Sun Bowl International Soccer Tournament
deal with them.”
(June 8-9), the Sun Bowl Western Refining College All-America Golf Classic (November 23-26), the WestStar Bank Don Haskins 40
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
December/January, 2014
Live life brightly. At El Paso Electric, the start of each day is our opportunity to fulfill a commitment to bring clean, efficient and reliable energy to our community of nearly 400,000 homes and businesses. As our region continues to grow, we’ll be there whenever and wherever you need us – providing the power it takes to help you focus on the things that matter most. And when your day draws to a close, our work continues – so you can rest easy, ready for all the opportunities that tomorrow will bring. This is our pledge, because we live in the community we serve. www.thecitymagazineelp.com
So go ahead. POWER ON.
POWERONepe.com
41
November, 2013
42
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November, 2013
F O T S BE 7-11 PM | 4 1 0 2 , 7 y1 Januar iation v A r e t t Cu ia Drive Columb tle 1771 Shut
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43
, YOU VOTEDthe now here are... winners in BEST IN
OUR CITY BEST IN
FOOD The City Magazine El Paso would like to present you with the
WINNERS
OF “BEST OF THE CITY” 2013. We bring you our own Editor’s Picks along with the winners of our online survey.
y l e t a m i x o r p p A
0 0 0 , 4 4 1 submitted!
votes were
BEST IN
DRINKS BEST IN
FUN BEST IN
SHOPPING BEST IN
& H T L A E H BEAUTY
E D IT O R ’ S PI C K
S
S K C I P S ’ R O T I ED
Best LUXURY CAR Mercedes-Benz Best graphic designer Ernie Sanchez Creative
Best use of social media Southwest University
45
Best Credit Union GECU B E S T I O U R CIT N
Best Sports Reporter Steve Kaplowitz
Y
Best Attorney Victor M. Serrano
Best Non-Profit El Paso Children’s Hospital
Best Country Club El Paso Country Club
Best Art Gallery El Paso Artisan Gallery
Best Wedding Venue Grace Gardens
Best Interior Designer Lydia Powers
Best TV Station KTSM Ch 9
Best Museum El Paso Museum of Art
Best News Anchor Estela Casas
Best Home Builder Tropicana Homes
Best Meteorologist Chuck DeBroder - KTSM Newschannel 9
Best Dance School/Studio D’Ansa Jazz Stage
Best Reporter Amber Downing - Local 4 News
Best High School Cheerleaders Coronado High School
Best Radio Station 104.3 Hit FM 46
Best Hospital Providence Memorial Hospital
Best Politician Beto O’Rourke
Best Dentist Scott Stein, DDS
Best Chiropractor Wardy Wellness Chiropractic
Best Model Agency Wilhelmina Bazaar
Best Female Model Brianna Webb
Best Family Doctor Jagdish Patel, MD & Jignesh Patel, MD- Pediatric Health Center
Best Physical Therapy Center/Clinic Spine & Rehab Specialists
BEST IN
Y T I C OUR Best Optometrist / Ophthalmologist Schuster Eye Center
Best Cosmetic Surgery Practice Southwest Plastic Surgery
Best Veterinarian Southwest Animal Care Complex
Best Realtor Denise May
Best Carwash H&H Car Wash 47
Best Male Model Felipe Melendez
Best Tacos TACOHOLICS
BEST IN F O O D
Best Wings Track One
Best Steak House Cattleman’s
Best Enchiladas L&J Café
Best Sushi Koze
Best Seafood Pelican’s Steak & Seafood
Best Chips and Salsa Carlos & Mickey’s
Best Chef Lawrence Acosta – Tom’s Folk Cafe
Best Pizza Ardovinos
Best Lunch Spot Tom’s Folk Cafe
Best Italian Resaurant Italian Kitchen West
Best Burrito Burritos Crisostomo
Best Burger Rosco’s Burger Inn
48
Best Chinese Restaurant PF Changs
Best Late Night Eats Chico’s Tacos
Best Thai Restaurant Singapore Café
Best Take Out Taco Tote
Best Mediterranean Restaurant Everyday Gyro
Best Patio Ardovino’s Desert Crossing
Best Frozen Yogurt Menchie’s
BEST IN
Best Brunch Ripe
D O FO Best Bakery Belle Sucre Bakery
Best Breakfast Crave Kitchen & Bar
Best Romantic Restaurant Café Central Best Cupcakes Bake Me Happy
Best New Restaurant Steve’Os Eat & Drink 49
Best Margarita Carlos & Mickey’s
Best Wine List Mesa Street Grill B E S T I N D RI N K
S
Best Cocktails Hope and Anchor Best Happy Hour Cincinnati Bar & Grill
Best Beer Selection Hoppy Monk
Best Band | Dirty River Boys
Best Nightclub The Garden
Best Local Festival Neon Desert Music Festival
Best Nightclub DJ Omar Garnica
BEST IN FUN
Best Radio DJs Jojoe & Sarge Double Trouble in the Morning
Best Gym New You Gym
UT
Y
BES
T IN
HEALTH &
BEA
Best Crossfit Gym CrossFit 915
Best Local Wine Tasting Zin Valle Vineyards
Best Yoga Studio Hot Box Yoga
Best Personal Trainer Shane Martinez- New You Gym 50
Best Tanning Salon Aruba SunSpa
Best Salon Spa Barragan’s Salon & Spa
Best Hair Salon Westend Hair Company
Best Sports/Sporting Good Store Sportsman’s Elite
BEST
IN SH O PP
IN G
Best Home Furnishing Store Charlotte’s
Best Women’s Boutique Luka 7
Best Watches Susan Eisen Fine Jewelry and Watches
Best Health Food Store Sprouts
BEST IN
Best Women’s Shoes Tres Mariposas
Best Jeans Union Fashion
G N I P SHOP Best Jewelers The Jewel Gallery
Best Pet Store Pet Smart
Best Casual Men’s Wear Dillards
Best Kid’s Boutique Duck Duck Goose
Best Flower Shop Laura Carrillo
Best Car Dealership Rudolph Honda Best Gift Shop/Store (Non-Clothing) Vanities
Best Cigar Shop Tocacco Tin
Best Car Dealership Service Department Hoy Fox Automotive Group 51
November, 2013
B ES T G Y M
thanks, el paso here’s to the new you
Following their passion for fitness and wellness, coupled with the ultimate goal of building a Christian-based gym unlike anything El Paso has ever seen, owners Shane and Elizabeth Martinez began working humbly toward bringing their grand vision to life. They never imagined starting from 2,500 square feet and only 30 members that 3 years later they would grow to a new location off I-10 with 4 times the space and over 300 members! What makes New You so different is that it is centered around YOU!
cleaning. Our trainers offer a completely personalized service to every client.” Martinez says.
It has an L.A. boutique style with celebrity training techniques. Every workout is tailored to your body type and created to benefit YOU. New You now offers a 24/7 cardio access room with a personal pin code to let you in any day at any time. New You offers 12 of the most qualified personal trainers, each catering to your individual needs, offering complimentary nutrition counseling and body “Our vision is to have a gym where you are catered to from measurements. Check out the website to learn more and the minute you walk in the door. Assistants bring you your see one of the many before and after photos for proof that water and towels and are always picking up weights and New You can work for YOU!
www.thecitymagazineelp.com Train52Like a Celebrity >> newyougym.com • 5020 N. Desert Blvd • El Paso, TX 79912 • (915) 306.3383
SPECIAL AdVERTISING
June, 201
November, 2013
E
R
BES
T PER
RA S O N AL T
IN
Shane Martinez
Shane Martinez –Best New You Gym Personal Trainer 2013 “Thank you so much for voting for me for best personal
Our trainer gymin ElisPaso. a Christian-based gym with a purpose to Words cannot express my gratitude and without God’s grace, none of this would be possible. romote positive, self-reflective change in the world. This just goes to show that hard work and dedication pays off. I am 100% dedicated to my clients. I work hard to make changes in their bodies and their lives. I have seen amazing
ing forresults an LA-style boutique gympictures right of his theit!job and the before and after my own. clients“Do prove I you love and you will never
never ‘know it all’ so we need to stay humbl
in El am Paso? Look nomy further. New You work a day your so proud of all clients, and I am so proud to see whatinour gym,life,” he said. “My vision is
I learn every day from friends, trainers, an
ownerNew Shane Martinez, You, has become. his wife Lizzie,
to promote a gym where you are catered to
other successful business owners. And
their professional trainers are ready to
from the time you walk in our door. Assistants
course – always put God first.” The Martine
“New You fitness has seen amazing growth inor these threebring years.you I amyour excited to your fitness and nutrition needs. “Our hosts water and towels and
Family is very involved at their church, Abu
what business ventures lie ahead for New You. also like to thank my wife and cleaning. Our is a Christian-based gym with a purpose areI’d always picking up weights Martinez, I couldn’t have made itin this far withoutoffer her support by my side. omoteLizzie positive, self-refl ective change trainers a completely personalized service
dant Faith Living Center, and their hobbie
world.” Martinez says.”It all starts with
for each of our clients – there is no mass train-
family, and training for fitness and bodybuildin
rainer who is positive and inspirational in
ing here – our members are surrounded by a
competitions.
ng you not only lead a healthier life but
support group to cheer them on through their
a spiritual life with Our Lord.”
work-outs. My dream is to have a chain of New
And to all 12 New You trainers I want to thank you for supporting our vision and
giving the best service to each and every client. Thank you again to all who voted, and if you haven’t tried New You, come on in for your free trial session today!”
include reading, spending time together as
You Fitness Facilities and to donate a portion
inez’s journey in promoting fitness began
of our profits to charity each year.”
n he started personal training at the Univer-
train like a celebrity
of Texas at El Paso. After graduating with
Shane attributes his success to God and to
egree in criminal justice, he realized how keeping his mind open to learning every day: www.thecitymagazineelp.com newyougym.com >>at 5020 N. Desert El Paso, TX 79912 • (915) 306.3383 h he enjoyed personal training private “We Blvd never• stop learning in all areas of our lives
s and decided to follow his heart and open
whether it is business, fitness, love – we will
sHanE MarTinEz nEw YoU gYM
200 E. Sunset Road, Ste. J/k El Paso, Texas 79922 newyougym@gmail.com Phone: 913-306-3383 Cell: (913) 634-7081
53
November, 2013
Thank You El Paso! For Making us #1
Chuck DeBroder
54
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
November, 2013
BE S
IP SH P OU E GR
T C A R D E A LE R
AUT
O M O TI V
Thank you to all of our clients for voting Hoy Fox Automotive Group as “Best Car Dealership Service Department”. Your loyalty has made it possible for us to serve the El Paso Community for 40 years.
www.thecitymagazineelp.com Hoy Fox Automotive Market, 1122 Airway, 915-778-5341
55 Hoy Fox Toyota & Lexus, 11165 Gateway West, 915-598-0399
Hoy Fox Acura & Infiniti, 7230 Viscount, 915-778-0044
November, 2013
B E S T J E W ELE R
S
W
e would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the amazing honor of being named the Best Jewelry store in El Paso. We would not be where we are today without the incredible support and loyalty we have received from the city of El Paso and our surrounding cities. We would like to especially thank the Downtown Lions Club, Travel Del Sol, Jeff Goldberg at Ballyhoo Studios, KVIA, KTSM, KFOX, KDBC, Jackie Ramsey, Shelley Mozelle, and of course, The City Magazine. Thank you to Verragio, Parade, Dian Malouf, and our generous vendors for giving us such a beautiful selection of jewelry to offer our customers. Also, a special thank you to our wonderful staff whose hard work and dedication we truly appreciate. Above all, we would like to thank our amazing VIPs and customers that have stood by our side and have made this such a wonderful business to be a part of. Without you, we would not be the Jewel of the Westside. Thank you for choosing Jewel Gallery, El Paso’s Galleria of Fine Jewelry, to be the Best in the City. Thank you! - Armando and Linda Medrano
56
7134 N. MESA COLONY COVE II
WWW.JEWELGALLERYELPASO.COM
EL PASO, TEXAS 79912
www.thecitymagazineelp.com 915-845-7740
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/JEWELGALLERYINC
November, 2013
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
57
November, 2013
Susan Eisen Fine Jewelry and Watches is a business that uniquely blends many aspects of fine jewelry: the artistic, jewelry that represents the essence of the wearer; the scientific, by understanding
diamonds and gems; and the emotional, when certain pieces represent milestones and important events in life. Customers will find quality and commitment at Susan Eisen. “The most rewarding
aspect is the earned trust from our customers coupled with creating
a piece that they love and cherish,” Eisen said. The diamonds are handpicked for quality and the sales mantra is “the service after the sale is even more important than the sale itself.”
58
The Susan Eisen shopping experience is all encompassing and
impressive. Eisen is a jeweler, gemologist, goldsmith, appraiser and author, so her store is different from most other retail stores.
“Knowing the back end of how things are made, what is necessary to keep them in their best condition, while maintaining the highest quality control standards and appraisal credentials, sets us apart,”
Eisen said. Eisen began her business 33 years ago with an art metal background from UTEP. As a native El Pasoan, Eisen is proud
to give back to the Sun City by sponsoring events for the Junior League and the El Paso Museum of Art.
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
Susan Eisen Fine Jewelry and Watches | 5857 North Mesa #19 | El Paso, Texas 79912 | (915) 584-0022 | www.susaneisen.com
November, 2013
BE S
T C HIR OP R AC
TO
R
get better faster and stay better longer Whether you’re a child, average joe, athlete, or the elderly, Wardy Wellness Chiropractic is committed to getting you better faster. Our wellness center offers chiropractic care, functional medicine, weight loss and nutrition programs, massage therapy, detoxification, allergy relief, energy medicine, and much more. We pride ourselves on our ability to accurately assess and treat imbalances and dysfunction in the body as a whole. Our team will go above and beyond to help you reach your wellness goals. Dr. David Wardy and his wife, Clarissa, take pride in their growing family practice and hope to spread health and wellness to the greater southwest.
“The Doctor of the future will give no medicine but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease.” - Thomas Edison www.thecitymagazineelp.com
5744 Tablerock | El Paso TX 79912 | wardywellnesschiro.com
59
CORONADO CHEER November, 2013
PRIDE OF THE WEST SIDE
OO HIG H SCH S C H EE R LEA DER
BEST
L
We are humbled and honored to be “Best of The City” for a second time. Thanks to all who have helped us be TEXAS LOUD and T-BIRD PROUD! 60 Photo cred: Lewis Woodyard Photography
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
November, 2013
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
61
November, 2013
BE S T
CIG A R S
H
OP
A
s the largest premier tobacconist serving the El Paso area for 21 years, Tobacco Tin prides itself with carrying the finest selection of premium cigars, tobacco, humidors, and smoking accessories for the greater El Paso area, southern New Mexico, and the state of Chihuahua. Providing our customers with superior attention and customer service coupled with carrying exclusive products are our top priorities. Tobacco Tin is one of 230 appointed merchants in the nation carrying the full line of Davidoff Cigars and the entire Arturo Fuente Cigars line including the OpusX cigar. Our selection encompasses difficult to find cigars made by boutique companies, limited edition cigars, to the most recognized cigars in the world. The best smoking accoutrements including deluxe humidors, lighters, pipes, and gift sets are hand selected in order to bring an unparalleled selection to El Paso. With Tobacco Tin’s motto as “we have the cigars for your moments of triumph,” we are honored to help you celebrate your successes and create lasting memories. Tobacco Tin treasures the opportunity to continue to provide quality service and products to the community. We value our existing customers and building relationships with new clients at our two locations, 745 S. Mesa Hills Drive and 1201 Airway Boulevard. Tobacco Tin would like to wish you a happy holiday season and invite you to come and view our gift selection.
62
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
November, 2013
B E S T W I N E LI S
T
Thank you from MESA STREET GRILL
F
or years, Mesa Street Grill has prided itself on its reputation as a destination for great wine. “Our collection is the result of nearly 15 years of painstaking study,” says Aaron Means, General Manager of the restaurant. “Winning The City’s Best of Wine List is a great feeling. It’s nice to be recognized by the readers for a collection that we put so much care into.” What’s more, this year Mesa Street Grill racked up its 9th consecutive Wine Spectator Magazine Award for Excellence – an achievement that no other restaurant in El Paso can claim. Owner Bill Means says, “Our wines run the full spectrum of color, vintage and variety. They are of the highest quality and are imported from every major region in the world. We consult regularly with the area’s top wine authorities in our selection decisions.” He adds, “We have built up a very dedicated wine following. I am sure they will be excited upon hearing of our ‘Best Of ’ win too.” Aaron closes by saying, “Whether you’re a true aficionado, or just like to occasionally treat yourself to a good glass of your favorite wine, come by and enjoy the Best Wine List in the city.”
FROM SIMPLE TO SPECTACULAR www.thecitymagazineelp.com
2525 N. MESA ST. EL PASO, TX 79902 (915) 532-1881
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November, 2013
BES T
H A IR S A
LO N
BEAUTY IN EVERY FORM IMAGINABLE .
From the moment you step into WestEnd, you know you’re not in a typical salon. Located in the heart of El Paso’s trendsetting Kern Entertainment District, the salon is a urban explosion of fashion and beauty. From the classic to the crazy, beauty is played out across multiple services, and hair is only the beginning. An AVEDA concept salon; make up, nails and a full service day spa round out the world-class menu of services. It doesn’t take much to visualize a day there and leaving reality on pause for a few hours. Owners Monica Lorey and Gloria Viramontes opened the doors in 1987 and haven’t looked back since. Their current location is as stunning as the beautiful women and men who emerge from it. They reflect on their first locations and the thousands of regulars they’ve worked with over the past 26
64
years and note that while the styles may change, their attitude towards beauty and trendsetting has never wavered. Owners and staff alike are dedicated to staying up with industry trends and often travel to attend conferences, seminars and classes on beauty. Making people look and feel beautiful is only a part of their service to the community. Both Monica and Gloria are extremely active in the community and go above and beyond when it comes to donating their time, expertise and of course, their salon when needed. Treat yourself to some time and WestEnd and indulge in beauty inside and out.
2626 N. STANTON EL PASO TX 79902 (915) 833 - 4050
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
westendhaircompany.com
November, 2013
BEST COSMETI
C
TIC SU R GERY PRAC
E
THANK YOU FOR VOTING SOUTHWEST PLASTIC SURGERY AS “BEST OF THE CITY COSMETIC SURGERY PRACTICE.”
Your vote reaffirms our commitment to provide an individualized approach towards improving the quality of life for our patients and our goal to meet or exceed our patient’s expectations. At Southwest Plastic Surgery we will continue to offer our patients the possibility of renewing themselves and restoring their confidence with an ultimate goal of revival, which “transcends physical beauty.” We achieve this through our pledge to educating patients in regards to their options, by providing the latest in plastic surgery technologies and treatments, and adhering to the highest standards of care.
10175 Gateway Blvd West Suite 210 El Paso, TX 79925 www.thecitymagazineelp.com
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Look White Noise
December/January, 2014
The
Another Year Gone, A New Year Begins Celebrating another year, 2013 has come and gone.
enough, but winter always has the right temperature
We celebrate the end of ‘13 and the beginning of ‘14
for the cold-weather clothing we wait all year to
with The City Magazine’s own Best Of The City
break out of storage and wear! Delia’s has the
2013 Awards! The Look for this issue represents
right accessories to compliment an “L.B.D.”, like
a new beginning and the celebration of all that is
this black faux-fur jacket and white accent jewelry
Best Of The City with another amazing fashion
that accent the Look. A casual, yet sophisticated,
editorial done by our AMAZING team. Featuring the
monochromatic Look can easily be put together
winners of the male and female model categories of
like the outfit from Nono’s. Whites, creams, and
Best Of The City 2013, this “Look-book” features
sparkles combine to make the perfect winter
Looks from six local boutiques, including a Best Of
ensemble. If you opt for a skirt instead of a pant,
The City 2013 winner! Congratulations to Union
check out the look from Ruby Lola, another great
Fashion, winner of Best Jeans, Best Of the City
white-cream Look with a bit more sophistication
2013! El Paso is known as being a Texas City that
for the evening. This cowl neck top is a personal
loves to dress to impress. We bring you polished and
favorite. The material is a soft faux suede/shearling
elegant Looks perfect for a holiday party, a formal
with a tan exterior and cream interior, whose
winter event, or even a New Year’s Eve soiree.
shape and fun snap closures make it a versatile wintertime staple. Feeling flirty, fun, and fierce?
For the men’s Looks this issue we bring you a variety
Then check out the Look from Ella Blu. Make a
of casual to semi-formal Looks. Dress up a pair of
statement in this ensemble by pairing a simple top
jeans, from Union Fashion of course (I mean they do
with a bold printed, flirty, bouncy skirt. Then throw
have the Best Jeans in the city) with a classic crisp
this plush faux-fur jacket on top, whose color is as
white shirt. This year try a vest, instead of a jacket
dimensional as a wild-winged feathered creature,
or coat, and look modern and current. Gentlemen,
and the detailed jewel accents on the shoulders are
for this season of parties and get-togethers, my
just icing on this marvelous cake. Lastly there is the
personal favorite go-to is a nice pair of slacks and
Look from J. Luxe, an elegant gown worth saving
a good-quality sweater. It’s a look that can’t fail;
for that special night you have coming up. Whether
you will never look under-dressed and you will look
it is a formal party you have been invited to, that
effortlessly stylish and cool. Try a pair of patterned
romantic out of town trip, or that company holiday
pants like the plaid ones from Union Fashion, and
party, this geometric black and white dress is a
then keep the sweater simple, like the solid navy
showstopper! The unique neckline and geo-detail
V-neck sweater we paired it with. Want to make a
on the top bring a modern touch. And the surprise
statement and keep it classy? Then check out our
of this dress is in the bottom when you realize the
Look where we paired a classic-patterned Burberry
long slit on this floor-length gown reveals that it is
shirt from Union Fashion with this great grey pant/
really a sexy, shorter version of itself underneath.
jean hybrid that is sure to become a wardrobe
Keep the accessories simple and classy with such
staple. Throw on an awesome winter coat/jacket,
an intricate dress.
JO | By:
AN SH S
Z | CH E
and finish off this and any Look with the ultimate men’s accessory, a watch.
Special thank you to Brianna Webb and Felipe Melendez for being two of the most professional
Faux-fur, faux-suede, sparkles, black and whites; Ladies, winter is upon us and is a great time for some of our favorite fashions. Fall never seems cold
and fantastic models to work with! www.thecitymagazineelp.com
December/January, 2014
BEST OF THE CITY 2013
BEST FEMALE MODEL: BRIANNA WEBB
BEST OF THE CITY 2013
BEST MALE MODEL: FELIPE MELENDEZ PHOTOGRAPHER: DAV ANMED
CREATIVE DIRECTOR AND
MALE LOOK STYLIST: JOSH SANCHEZ
FEMALE LOOK ASSOCIATE
FASHION STYLIST: CASSIE JEAN JOHNSON
HAIR: HUNTER QUARTERMANE,
SARAH BRAZIE, AND ROSA MORALES
OF QUARTERMANE SALON
MAKE UP: CLAUDIA CASTILLO
INTERN: NATALIE ROSALES
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December/January, 2014
Look found at
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JACKET AND SHIRT: BURBERRY PANTS: CANALI
BELT: BOSS HUGO BOSS
WATCH AND SHOES:
SALVATORE FERRAGAMO
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Look found at
70
SWEATER: BOSS HUGO BOSS
PANTS: 7 FOR ALL MANKIND
SHOES: SALVATORE FERRAGAMO 71
December/January, 2014
Look found at
72
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December/January, 2014
B E S T JE A N S JEANS, VEST AND BELT: BURBERRY
SHIRT, WATCH, AND SHOES: SALVATORE FERRAGAMO
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December/January, 2014
COAT: ELEG’E JAMINK SKIRT: ARK AND CO.
TOP AND ACCESSORIES: ELLA BLU
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December/January, 2014
DRESS: BLESSED ARE THE MEEK JEWELRY: SORRELLI CLUTCH: J. LUXE
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Behind The Scenes
Look White Noise The
Thank You to The City Magazine Team For Another Year of Beautiful Work
76
December/January, 2014
DAVID PAUL
SARAH BRAZIE
VALERIE MONCADA
SHANNON QUARTERMANE
Artistic Leader
Artist of Hair
Artist of Hair
Creative Director
MEEKA CHAVEZ HERNANDEZ
ROSA MORALES
HUNTER QUARTERMANE
Artistic Leader
Artist of Hair
Chief Artistic Director
LUXURY for ALL ( 9 1 5 ) 5 8 1 .1 2 2 7 quartermanesalon.com 77 A U www.thecitymagazineelp.com ST I N • DA L L A S • E L PA S O • H O U STO N • T H E WO O D L A N DS
November, 2013
fa la la la
LOVE IT! Classically Chic Woman & Child
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November, 2013
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5857 N. Mesa, Ste 17
El Paso, TX 79912
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(915)584-2081
December/January, 2014
in the Limelight | By: WILL DAUGHERTY |
These are exciting times in El Paso. The city’s developing at a break-neck pace with new entertainment, transportation and business ventures popping up weekly. With all the local hoopla, it’s easy to miss the strides we’re making on the national stage. Here are some media and sports related highlights that have recently helped to put us on the map.
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E L PA S O I N T H E L I M E L I G H T
December/January, 2014
“The Bridge” is no exception. Tune in and you’ll catch hokey Texas accents, right-wing El Paso politics and, far worse, a cartoonish, Hollywood embellishing of Ciudad Juárez’s grit and an erroneous depiction of its murder problem. Still, the show’s a hit! More importantly though, it’s a quality drama filled with the sort of plot-twists and dynamite acting performances that bring a show back for a second season. The Daily Beast called it “Compelling and thought-provoking,” and Entertainment Weekly put the show on its
El Paso on the Silver Screen The Counselor
“Hot List” pedestal.
One
Bridge” will be filmed on location in El Paso
of
world’s
greatest
contemporary
authors, Cormac McCarthy, spent a stint in El Paso in 2012 to draw inspiration for his screenplay, “The Counselor.” Most nights you could catch the former El Pasoan sitting
There are rumors that much more of “The and Ciudad Juárez now that the success of the necessarily low-budget pilot season has provided the means to do so. Here’s hoping for some authentic La Frontera!
UTEP Football Player Can Sing Too The Miners’ former defensive tackle Isaac Tauaefa made it to the top 10 in the boy’s category on “The X Factor” this past October. The 6-foot, 285-pound crooner charmed judge Kelly Rowland and affirmed his desire to sing rather than tackle. Be sure to check out the video clip of Tauaefa serenading a theater full of cheering fans with the song “Bubbly” while curmudgeon Simon Cowell
at the bar at the Camino Real fleshing out the
grimaces and cooks up another nasty quip
details for the film that would later shoot a
for his critique.
few scenes in south El Paso. In the film, Michael Fassbender plays an El Paso lawyer who makes the mistake of getting involved with a Mexican drug cartel. Brad Pitt, Cameron Diaz, Penelope Cruz, and Javier Bardem round out the cast of this Ridley Scott directed drama, which was filmed, interestingly enough, mostly in England and Spain.
Local Chef Competes on Bravo Show Tara Thai owner and chef Sai Pituk competed on Bravo’s “Around the World in 80 Plates” in May of 2013. On the show, 12 cheftestants battled through cooking challenges in the cuisines of the countries they visited around the world. In France, judges dug Pituk’s Salad Lyonnaise, but her teammates voted her off the island, so to speak. Pituk hopes to land an appearance on the small screen again in the future, but until then, you can preview her culinary masterpieces at Tara Thai on Mesa
El Paso on Television The Bridge
Street near UTEP.
High School Rivals Warm Hearts Nation-Wide Of all the news stories you’ll read in this issue, none are a source of lump-in-your-throat pride for El Pasoans more than a Coronado vs. Franklin basketball game last season. Although the game has already become an El Paso legend, we’ll tell the tale again. On the last game of the regular season
The Borderland has seldom been accurately
against archrival Franklin, Coronado coach
characterized on television, and sadly, FX’s
Peter Morales called on his team’s manager
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E L PA S O I N T H E L I M E L I G H T
December/January, 2014
Mitchell Marcus, who has a developmental
sour a couple of years back. The judges
disability, to play the last two minutes of
passed Gibbs on to Las Vegas after seeing
the game. Marcus’s teammates repeatedly
a dance-battle between Gibbs and his father
passed him the ball in an effort to fulfill his
and coach, Gerard Gibbs.
dream of sinking a basket, but he was unable to make a shot. With just seconds left and the ball in Franklin’s hands, the T-Birds resigned to be satisfied with Marcus only receiving playtime. And then an unexpected act of kindness created a life-long memory for anyone in attendance that night. Franklin senior Jonathan Montanez called Marcus’s name and passed him the ball. Marcus turned, shot and scored. Both sides of the court erupted into frenzy, rushed the court and carried Marcus on their shoulders. It was perfect. Subsequently, a video clip of the game went viral on YouTube and got the attention of nearly every news publication in the country, and it then appeared on several cable and network news stations as well. Marcus and Montanez had the opportunity to meet NBA stars Blake Griffin and Chris Pau shortly before appearing on “The Ellen Degeneres Show.”
El Paso in the Literary World UTEP Professor Wins PENN/ Faulkner Fiction Award UTEP Creative Writing Department Chair Benjamin Alire Saenz is the first Latino writer to snag the PEN/Faulkner Fiction Prize for his collection of stories, “Everything Begins and Ends at the Kentucky Club,” and that’s a pretty lofty achievement. We’ll put it this way—past winners of “the largest peerjuried award in the country” include Don DeLillo, Philip Roth and John Updike, some
El Paso Dancer Appears on “So You Think You Can Dance”
of the greatest American writers of the past century. With company like that, the El Paso writer might be on his way to becoming
18-year-old Donovan Gibbs got through to
El Paso’s best claim to literary fame since
the Las Vegas auditions of “So You Think You
Cormac McCarthy.
Can Dance” where 200 dancers fought for just 20 spots on the show. During a touching clip preceding his Austin, Texas audition, the judges learned of Gibbs’s hardships—his parents chose their dance studio over their house and car when the economy turned
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E L PA S O I N T H E L I M E L I G H T
December/January, 2014
El Paso in Sports UTEP Alums Go Pro UTEP has produced its fair share of professional athletes. Here are some current pros representing the Miners.
NFL
1 1
• Antwon Blake—Jacksonville Jaguars • Oniel Cousins—Cleveland Browns • Quintin Demps—Kansas City Chiefs
2
• Jon Dorembos—Philadelphia Eagles • Donovan Kemp—Seattle Seahawks
NBA
2
• Julyan Stone—Toronto Raptors
3
• Derrick Caracter—Los Angeles Lakers
Claudia Castillo
(now plays in Puerto Rico)
UTEP Alums Turned Olympians UTEP’s athletics also has a long history
Makeup Artistry
of churning out Olympians, and the 2012 Summer Games were testament to that:
3
• Churandy Martina for Netherlands placed 5th in the 200 meter • Blessing Okagbare, Oludamola Osayomi and Endurance Abinuwa for Nigeria placed fourth in the women’s 4x100-meter relay
(915) 313-1124
4
• Kelly Parker for Canada won the bronze medal in women’s soccer
Polished Skin Expressive Eyes
5
4
5
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November, 2013
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WHY
December/January, 2014
EL PASO IS ONE OF AMERICA’S
BEST KEPT SECRETS | By: MEAGAN KINLEY |
As the year ends and we begin to reflect on what 2013 brought to us, it’s important to give
credit to the amazing city we all know and enjoy. In the last decade, numerous efforts have been made to make El Paso bigger and better. Here are a few ways that this city is quickly becoming one of the best in America. 86
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December/January, 2014
Photo by: Robert Corral
WE’RE CULTURED
WE’RE GROWING
Living in El Paso, it’s easy to
Today the city of El Paso boasts a proud
forget the rich history that
population of approximately 830,735 people
surrounds us. Being one
making it the 19th largest city in the U.S. But
of the U.S.’s oldest cities,
if you include the surrounding areas of Juarez,
with origins estimated to
Doña Ana County and Otero County, of which
have
many people commute to do business, the
begun
thousands
of years ago with the
population
indigenous hunter-gathers
2.5 million people. Not to mention, the
encompasses
approximately
who dwelled in the Hueco
expected growth with Fort Bliss’s continued
Tanks, the El Paso region is an area steeped
expansion. Currently the military installation
in conflict, prosperity, revolution and is the
imports thousands of soldiers from all over
epitome of a modern Wild West with the
the country—adding more flavor and interest
Spanish, Mexico, and U.S. influences that
to the El Paso population.
abundantly embody it.
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e l pa s o b e s t k e p t s ec r e t s
December/January, 2014
WE HAVE AMAZING WEATHER
Ski Apache where visitors can enjoy all of the
For the citizen who loves sun, El
rides and more.
great winter wonderland activities like skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, winter sleigh
Paso has an estimated 297 sunny days a year, far above the U.S.’s national
average
of
205.
This
means that on top of having a little more color even during the frigid winter months, El Pasoans enjoy boosted health benefits from the higher intake of vitamin D. For those who love being outside, the unique desert-scape of the Chihuahuan desert offers a myriad of activities ranging from the stunning golf courses—specifically the course at Butterfield Trail Golf Club, which was ranked as the number one golf course in Texas this year by KemperSports—to numerous hiking and mountain biking trails—through the Franklin Mountains or along the picturesque Rio Grande River in the Upper Valley—to the numerous city parks and local farmer’s markets that make leisurely weekends
WE’RE SMART In
August,
Washington
Monthly Magazine released their
“2013
National
University Rankings” with The University of Texas at El Paso coming in at number 7—just 6
behind
Stanford
number
8
number
and
topping
Harvard.
The
school was honored for its groundbreaking research, continued pursuit of positive social mobility and incomparable community and nation-wide service. The university also houses a unique College of Business Administration with a nationally ranked MBA program. In addition to UTEP, El Paso also houses it’s own medical school, Texas Tech
delicious and entertaining.
University Health Sciences Center, which is
WE LIKE TO WORK OUT
of Texas. It is also the first medical school
With so many sunny days it’s no wonder El Pasoans stay fit. Facebook Stories reported that this year, El Paso had the 7th highest number of posts related to fitness, making it the 7th Fittest City in U.S., specifically relating to posts about Cross Fit. El Paso also has it’s own annual Marathon, this year celebrating it’s 8th consecutive year. On top of these statistics, The National Geographic Society also visited El Paso and found that Hueco Tanks is “the climber’s equivalent of Mecca” in the sport of Bouldering, with thousands of climbers coming to pay homage to it’s breathtaking rock-scape every year. El Paso is also a city with the best of both worlds. It’s unique
one of the nine medical schools in the state to open in the last forty years and the only medical school located in a border city in the state of Texas.
WE PLAY IT SAFE Border
towns
have
a
notoriously bad reputation, but El Paso defies these negative
stereotypes
with its continually low crime ratings. Using the FBI’s latest crime reports SFgate announced that this year El Paso comes in as the 14th safest city in the U.S. with a murder rate 28% below the national average as well as a robbery rate of 39% below the national average.
location makes it a great place to enjoy sun—but is also only a two hour car ride away from Ruidoso, New Mexico housing 88
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December/January, 2014
WE KNOW HOW TO EAT WELL Forget fast food and the typical franchise, El Paso has some of the best locally owned restaurants in the country. From traditional Mexican favorites, to fresh-brewed and thought-provoking coffee nooks, to hip and trendy bars to heavenly burger joints; El Paso’s local food scene literally has a taste to satisfy every craving.
WE ARE GIVING DOWNTOWN A MAKEOVER A few years ago, the citizens of El Paso voted and passed a Quality of Life Bond referendum, which redirected the city’s tax dollars toward improving the overall quality of life of the city. This has been most clearly seen in El Paso’s move to reinvent it’s downtown district. Forbes reported that El Paso is among the top “15 U.S. Cities with Emerging Downtowns.” Improvements include the new Children’s Exploreum, a cultural heritage center and the exciting new Triple-A baseball stadium. Improvements like this and others from the bond have increased the amount of young El Pasoans returning and staying in the city. The New York Times recently reported more and more “young El Pasoans are returning home as new jobs and a burgeoning restaurant and night life scene make the city more hospitable.” www.thecitymagazineelp.com
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December/January, 2014
The Changing Fa | By: MICHAEL C. GRAHAM |
A Quick Look Back at El Paso’s
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December/January, 2014
t h e c h a n g i n g fa c e o f e l pa s o
Face of El Paso Progress and Development During 2013 If some of you were reading our wonderful
potential additional Hotel and Occupancy Tax
publication in the fall of 2012, you may recall
(HOT) revenue; however, in most El Pasoans
our editorial regarding the then upcoming
minds, I am sure, the stadium is the first
vote regarding the issuance of three major
major symbol of that election’s outcome. And
Quality of Life Bonds, set to go before the
as the first symbol, it is a grand one indeed.
voters in November of 2012. As we all now
Anyone interested in following the progress
know, the bonds passed with substantial
of the stadium can do so by visiting the City of
majorities, and 2013 has been the year of
El Paso’s website, or the official site of the El
new beginnings, as the city has moved to
Paso Chihuahuas, whose addresses can be
begin a host of projects included in the bond
found at the end of this article. The stadium
package. Our annual “Best Of” issue is
is truly going to be one of downtown’s crown
the bond issue are very long-term projects
the perfect opportunity to pause and take a
jewels, as it will be a wonderful mix of old
that will take several years to bring to fruition,
moment to reflect on the incredible changes
and new designs and materials. The stadium
as expected. These include the Children’s
that are beginning to take shape in our
will be predominantly a brick structure,
Museum, the Hispanic Cultural Center, and
wonderful city, and look forward to the many
based on the renderings, with entertainment
the Multi-Purpose Arena. However, there are
additional ones on the horizon.
also a great many projects that are on a much shorter timeline,
Of course, the most visible project related to
and that we have already
the Bond election of 2012 is the new baseball
begun
stadium, and the coming arrival of Triple A
progress on, and that we will
baseball and the El Paso Chihuahuas to the
see even more of in 2014. The
Sun City. In truth, that election merely paved
park will be on the site of a
to
see
significant
former landfill, and represents a major step forward in the and dining areas making the
re-utilization of urban spaces, by reclaiming
ballgame a complete and
once blighted or non-productive space and
immersive experience.
turning it into productive public use space. The city held a ceremonial groundbreaking on
The City has a slew of projects
the project on the 14th of November, and the
that it is directly working on,
park is scheduled to be completed sometime
and for a complete list of
in the summer of 2014. The park will include
the projects and a current
basketball, sand volleyball and futsal courts,
status, there is a wonderfully
(similar to indoor soccer courts) and will also
comprehensive spreadsheet
come outfitted with exercise equipment.
tracking all of the projects
Cheryl Ladd Park will provide shaded seating
from inception to completion
and playground areas for its residents along
the way for agreeing upon a way to defray
available on Mayor Leeser’s website. Many
with a new parking lot that will comply with
the costs of the stadium by utilizing some
of the signature projects directly funded by
the Americans with Disabilities Act.
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t h e c h a n g i n g fa c e o f e l pa s o
December/January, 2014
Without a doubt, these next few years will see the greatest development of large scale projects and infrastructure improvements in the city in many, many years.
Design by HDR, Inc.
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December/January, 2014
The City’s direct projects also include five major projects at the City’s public libraries, including two new bookmobiles and two new partnership libraries. The Zoo will benefit from several projects, including a new Chihuahuan Desert exhibit, and significant upgrades to the heating and cooling systems at facilities throughout the Zoo. In addition to the work at Cheryl Ladd Park, there are a total of 28 projects involving the City’s Parks and public spaces, at last count. These include the replacement of the pool at Chelsea Pool; a new recreation center in the Lomaland area;
UTEP is gaining several significant elements
their first facility as part of Tech Park, the
a new recreation center/library combination
to campus, including a new residential
$28 million dollar biomedical research facility
in the Chamizal area; a new community
facility and the creation of Centennial
that will include approximately 83,000 square
park at Pendale and James Watt; and a new
Plaza. According to the press release and
feet of space. The facility will be the first
flat fields complex on the eastside that will
announcements on the site, the Plaza will
on the site of Tech Park, which sits on the
hold somewhere between 8 and 12 sports
be a large gathering space in the middle
northern edge of the overall MCA campus
fields. San Jacinto Plaza is getting a major
of the school grounds, bordered by the
and that includes the Paul L. Foster School
facelift, with refurbishments to the star
Union, Geological Sciences, Psychology,
of Medicine, the Texas Tech Health Sciences
pattern around the central fountain, and
and Administration buildings. Construction
Center, University Medical Center, and
refurbishments of the alligator sculpture. In
will remove current streets, parking lots,
the El Paso Children’s Hospital. There will
other words, the City is busy and we have
and concrete areas to reveal a more natural
ultimately also be a new School of Nursing
a lot to look forward to in the coming years.
environment. The plaza will “include a
on the campus as well.
large open area reminiscent of urban plazas However, the City and the Mountain Star
located across the Paso del Norte region
Without a doubt, these next few years will
Sports Group are not the only ones busy
and in Mexico, where residents congregate
see the greatest development of large scale
with major projects that will propel El Paso
and celebrate life.”
projects and infrastructure improvements in the city in many, many years. Downtown will
into the near and hopefully far futures. Our large and increasing population of veterans
The housing facility will include a total of 83
soon look completely different, we will have
will benefit from a new $1 billion William
units and will house 356 students beginning
a new consolidated academic and research
Beaumont Army Medical Center. The first
in fall of 2014. The total size of the project is
medical facility, a new multi-purpose arena, a
phase of the project, the infrastructure
103,606 square feet between two four story
new baseball stadium, and a state of the art
development, including all of the utilities,
buildings which will be located on a six acre
medical facility for our soldiers and veterans
fencing, and concrete work were recently
plot near the Helen of Troy Softball Complex
that quite literally promises to be second to
completed, making way for the vertical
off Sun Bowl Drive. A smaller building will
none. I have never been so excited to be a
construction phase to begin. The facility
house a computer lab and a conference room.
part of our community and see the changes coming than I am today. I hope you share in
will be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified and will
In addition to these projects, there is the
the excitement, and I hope that, like me, and
include a 135 bed wing in the tallest
recently green lighted new hotel and retail
like us here at the City Magazine, you are
section of the hospital, two clinics and an
facility near the airport that will hopefully
proud to call El Paso home.
administrative building, and in total will
come to fruition this time around, as well as a
encompass over 1.1 million square feet
potential renovation of the long vacant Artisan
May you and yours enjoy a wonderful holiday
of space. It will be located on the eastern
Hotel. The airport will be the beneficiary of a
season, and a fantastic start to the New Year!
edge of Fort Bliss, in between Spur 601
new, $45 million dollar consolidated rental car
and Loop 375, and near the Butterfield
facility that will be part of a $139 million dollar
www.elpasotexas.gov
Trail golf course.
renovation package. The Medical Center of
www.epchihuahuas.com
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93
I have been baking for 15 years.
November, 2013
I started out with Thank You gestures for my clients which then evolved into a small catering business on the weekends. I did this fulltime for a year but decided I needed to go back into advertising. This is when I quickly realized my passion was baking and creating a party atmosphere.
BES T C UPC A KE
S
I held my breath … and Bake Me Happy was created. A fun-loving atmosphere where dress to impress cupcakes are created, from carnival-themed topped with popcorn to cotton candy kid-friendly treats. We also offer gourmet flavors such as chili mango, chicken and waffle, and for our connoisseur of liquor we carry drunken cupcakes from jack and coke to corona tequila. Let’s not forget the oldies but goodies: chocolate, vanilla and many more. One thing you can count on here, our cupcakes are unique and dressed for the party. We are never afraid to play with flavors and push the envelope. I have a fabulous staff who are always willing to go the extra mile for our “Sweet Peeps.” We aim to please and do it with a smile. We take pride in our ingredients and our execution of tantalizing flavors. We do our best to capture all of your senses. We are very blessed you voted for us and extremely THANKFUL. We will continue to do our best to provide sweets for our “Sweet Peeps.”
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IS
T
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G OLO
Stephen A.D. Schuster, MD REFRACTIVE SURGEON
• Board Certified Ophthalmologist • Has Performed Over 9,500 Laser Vision Correction Procedures • 7-year Recipient of Top 5 Surgeon Award by SightPath Medical™ – Top Refractive Surgeon • 3rd Generation El Paso Ophthalmologist with origins going back to 1894
SCHUSTER EYE CENTER Stephen A.D. Schuster, M.D. has been serving the El Paso community for over 40 years demonstrating surgical expertise and continued pursuit of exceptional patient eye care through the use of advanced technology and surgical techniques. Schuster Eye Center is proud to offer the most advanced technology along with highly trained and compassionate caring staff. Sightpath Medical™ distinguished Dr. Schuster for continued surgical excellence, exceptional patient care, and demonstrating surgical expertise through a high volume of laser refractive surgeries. Dr. Schuster is committed to improving patient’s lives in our community through better vision. Schuster Eye Center is very proud and humbled to be recognized www.thecitymagazineelp.com as Best of The City.
Stephen A.D. Schuster, MD Sierra Tower 1700 Curie, Ste. 2400 El Paso, Texas 79902 915.533.3461 schustereyecenter.com
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BEST BAKERY
7500 N. Mesa St El Paso, TX 79912
(915) 219-8365 bellesucre.com
THANKS, EL PASO BELLE SUCRE BAKERY opened its doors on October 5, 2012 on the Westside of El Paso, Texas. Chef Bowden and his team of skilled pastry cooks work to bring El Paso unique high quality baked goods similar to what you would find on the streets of New York City and Paris. Jonathan began learning in the YISD culinary arts program under Sean Nugent almost 16 years ago and never stopped trying to improve. Pastries are Jonathan’s greatest passion and it is his desire to share them with the city he loves. His stated goal for Belle Sucre is first and foremost to “Make food that makes people happy.” Secondly, Jonathan feels very strongly about offering aspiring pastry chefs a place to work where they can learn and be proud. Belle Sucre’s staff of 14 pastry cooks are almost exclusively all native El Pasoans, and many began their training in the EPCC Culinary Arts program. “Customers sometimes seem to want to credit me alone with what is done at the bakery and that’s not quite right.” Says Jonathan. “My staff is amazing and is responsible for 99% of the food we make. My knowledge and ideas guide them along, but it is their hard work, dedication and passion for this trade that makes Belle Sucre what it is...We’re incredibly thankful to El Paso for 96 us and what we’re trying to do here. This reward will inspire and motivate us to continue to improve and makewww.thecitymagazineelp.com supporting the future even better.”
November, 2013
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R TO GIFT SHOP/ S ) (N O N - L O T HIN G C
BES T
E
Thanks El Paso,
for making Vanities Jewelry & Gif ts your favorite gif t store for everybody on your list!
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
7933 N Mesa Suite N El Paso, T X 79932 Across f rom Sam’s Club 915.584.1183 www.vanitiesjewelr yandgif ts.com Mon-Sat : 10-6
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AN
T
BE S
T NEW RESTAUR
STEVE’OS IS AN UP-AND-COMING MODERN RESTAURANT LOCATED IN THE HEART OF EL PASO’S EASTSIDE DISTRICT. At Steve’Os the driving force of our vision is to present exceptional modern American cuisine in the most inspired setting. We work closely at a local level to ensure the highest standard of ingredients. Our menu is prepared from scratch daily and expertly presented by Executive Chef Steven Hernandez and General Manager Drina Hernandez. A long-standing interest in art, architecture, and music also factor into the dining experience at Steve’Os. Steve’Os crafted bar program is ever-changing and features different mixologists from around the nation. Steve’Os is open to the public Monday-Sunday. Our kitchen will continuously stay open late nights alongside our bar. Come eat, drink, socialize and enjoy an enhanced dining experience.
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1491 Lee Trevino Suite B El Paso, TX 79936
915.590.8000
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
November, 2013
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
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Thank you for your votes!!! BES
T FR O ZEN Y OG
T UR
We aim to make you smile and your votes made us smile!
Stay tuned for more delicious flavors in 2014!
Menchie’s Sunland Towne Center 655 Sunland Park Drive Suite L-6 El Paso, TX 79912
(915) 584 - 1820 Menchie’s Rojas Commons 1355 George Dieter Drive C-101 El Paso, TX 79936 102
(915) 307 - 6361
www.thecitymagazineelp.com WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MENCHIESELPASO
November, 2013
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
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Thanks, El Paso! This shoutout is for everyone, from our regulars to our first timers and our advocates in between. It's been 3 years and our expectations have been exceeded! Don't blink or you might miss our taco shop inside the gas station; you'll usually see El Tio, our food truck,
out front. There are more plans in the near future to expand locally and within the state. It's authentic flavor, high quality ingredients and attention to detail. Tacos are humble, but with lots of attitude. So there's a little bit of everything, from tofu to our hand made adobo for our pork. Our tortillas are delivered fresh daily as well as our meats. Having a party or an event and don't feel like cooking? Our catering is done on site and fresh; or call us for a pick up service for a quick party fix. We are truly blessed that the hard work is paying off and people like our food! Make sure to follow us on Yelp and Urbanspoon. Gracias, El Paso!
7450 Gateway East | El Paso, TX 79915 | (915) 203.4163 | tacoholics.com
THANKS, EL PASO
for voting us Best Floral Shop
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
t: (915) 581-1877 f: (915) 581-0992 541 N. Mesa Suites 2 & 3 El Paso, TX 79912 lauracarrillo.com 105
November, 2013
A BEST S ALO N SP
Award winning salon and spa
BEST WIN GS
Thanks El Paso!
For voting us BEST WINGS two years in a row. You make us proud! 106
1330 Robert E Lee Road, El Paso, Texas 79925
915- 779-2170
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
November, 2013
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
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B ES
Y O G A STU
let it come. let it go. let it flow.
DI O
NT
BES T
T ITA
AU LI A N R E S T
RA
Thank you for voting us #1! It is an honor and a blessing. 1057 Doniphan Park Cir. Ste E El Paso, Texas 79922 915-307-1720
450 Thorn Ave. 915-842-0775 • Fax 915-842-8337 www.theitaliankitchenelp.com
you
you like us!
really like us!
S N O I T A L GRATU
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110
December/January, 2014
MATTHEW HALLMAN FROM GQ’S “MEN OF THE YEAR” TO EL PASO’S “BEST OF THE CITY”
A
s so often happens in life, timing and random
home with his dog due to the high summer temperatures. So, he drove,
circumstances conspire to compel us to take
intending to go from Miami to Los Angeles. “I stopped in El Paso to visit my
chances, or make changes, that we would not
cousin and her family, and saw the city lights, and the Star on the Mountain, and
otherwise make. I am fairly certain that Matthew
after just a short period of time I was hooked.” In particular, he was drawn to
Hallman would have never dreamt that his life would
the uniqueness of the star, the vibrancy of the mountain colors, and the dramatic
lead him to El Paso, Texas; but now that he is here,
“X” sculpture that overlooks El Paso from Juarez, Mexico. The “X” symbolizes
he intends to leave his mark.
the power of a subtle change, as it represents the decision Benito Juarez made to change the spelling of the country’s name from Mejico to Mexico. In many
A California native who attended USC’s Annenberg School of
HA G RA L C. HAE MIC | By:
Communication and Journalism, he has spent his entire career in
ways, the sculpture is a physical representation of the change happening in Matthew’s’ life: small moves that can have huge and impactful results.
the marketing and public relations sectors of the entertainment But as is usually the case, change is not easy. Matthew felt the city’s energy
sympathy worthy (being responsible for the care and feeding of
and potential calling him, but was struggling to put that calling into practice.
Joan Rivers’ dog during her Late Show stint) to the supremely
His vision of utilizing some new urban ideas such as “pop up stores” and
envious (Executive Producing GQ’s “Men of the Year” Awards
of blending major media disciplines (print and television, for example) were
in New York for 5 years, or planning and marketing the grand
difficult for many to envision. And that is when our Editor-in-Chief, Shelley
opening galas for 86 Planet Hollywood restaurants, in 64
Mozelle, walked in. Matthew credits her with having the foresight to see how
different countries worldwide.) Needless to say, he brings
his background, experience, and vision would be productive. “No one really
a wealth of experience and industry knowledge to the
had a good vision of how to put my skills to work for them, except Shelley.”
table in his new role as Senior Special Projects Director
Since joining The City Magazine, Hallman has already secured a ½ hour
g hoto Mp
universe. His experience ranges from the mundane and perhaps
y by raph
for The City Magazine El Paso.
television special for “The Best of the City” event on KTSM, the local NBC affiliate. This partnership is a first of it’s kind for the El Paso market.
: LU
When I sat down to chat with him about his new role, and the circumstances that led him here,
IS
MI
he was very excited about the possibilities that
RA
the position, and that El Paso, had to offer. In
A, ND
short, his arrival in El Paso was due simply to the weather. After finishing a summer
JR
in Miami with Barton G., the global
.|
entertainment
and
event-planning
firm that counts among its clients LVMH and Van Cleef and Arpels, www.thecitymagazineelp.com
he was prevented from flying
Based on our conversation, I am confident that Matthew will deliver on putting his ideas and visions into practice. His first major event is our annual “Best of The City” celebration, and it promises to be an event the likes of which El Paso has never seen. Add to it the element of raising money for the Boys and Girls Clubs of El Paso, and it promises to be an evening that should not be missed. If I were in your shoes, dear reader, I would make plans to attend, and to start looking for Matthew’s influence on more media elements throughout the Sun City. 111
i The YEAR December/January, 2014
| By: RYAN HEAPE |
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www.thecitymagazineelp.com
in MUSIC December/January, 2014
the year in music
I
feel as if I just woke up in a new Bugatti. 2013 is suddenly over and I am
faced with the daunting task of recapping a year’s worth of music. Like Future, I am at once thrilled and overwhelmed. This year was one that
saw the surprise returns of Justin Timberlake, Daft Punk and My Bloody
Valentine. It saw Miley Cyrus do unspeakable things to a foam finger. It
saw the first Kanye solo tour since 2008. It saw indie rock bands trying to make us dance. It saw the passing of Lou Reed. While I can’t address
everything and I won’t, here are some of the biggest things that happened in music this year, in no particular order: This is an abridged version of the full list. Go on our website, thecitymagazineelp.com, to find the full article along with a link to our Spotify playlist of the Best Songs of 2013. 1. LIKE THE LEGEND OF THE PHOENIX
2. VERSACE VERSACE VERSACE VERSACE VERSACE VERSACE
In the years following their iconic Alive 2007 Tour, whispers of a new
Especially for a year that saw new records from Lil Wayne, Jay Z,
Daft Punk album had slowly billowed into white noise. We started
Kanye, Drake, Eminem, 2 Chainz and A$AP Rocky, 2013 was curiously
giving up hope. People at parties were talking about Daft Punk like
short on star-featured bangers in the vein of last year’s “Pop That,”
people talk about Outkast—you know, wistfully and in the past tense.
“Bandz A Make Her Dance” and “Mercy.” Close calls abound: A$AP
But in February, news surfaced that the French duo had signed with
Rocky’s “F---in’ Problems” with Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and 2 Chainz
Columbia Records. Slowly and majestically, the rollout for Daft Punk’s
peaked at 8 on the Billboard Hot 100; Rocko, Future and Rick Ross’s
fourth full-length album, Random Access Memories, managed to
“U.O.E.N.O.” was marred by controversy over the foul play in Ross’s
do something special: it evoked real grandeur (“Give Life Back To
verse; Mike WiLL Made It and Future put “Bugatti” in every club, but
Music,” “Touch”) and engaged with pop culture widely enough (the
the track only scraped 33 on the Hot 100.
once-in-a-generation “Get Lucky,” “Lose Yourself To Dance”) to give the illusion that a monoculture could assemble from the shards of the
Memorable rap singles seemed to come from elsewhere, and while
Spotify generation. Releasing an “Event Album” was something so
trap beats ruled the airwaves, the best ones found ways to get weird:
many artists tried to do in 2013, yet only Daft Punk nailed it.
The mesmerizing “Versace” from the previously unknown Atlanta trio
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the year in music
December/January, 2014
Migos was an overnight success and impossible to get out of your
tunefulness to lift it into “classic” territory. At least five tracks on this
head. Young Thug’s “Picacho” is jubilant and fearless, a soundtrack
record will pop up with varying frequency on many year-end lists, so
to both hugs and fistfights. As its title suggests, Rich Homie Quan’s
yes, I would consider this beautiful, sprawling album a “classic.” May
“Some Type Of Way” is about feelings—the really good kind. Travis
it age with as much grace as its creators have.
Scott’s “Upper Echelon,” however, is colossal and terrifying. The thing all these oddballs have in common is that they’re having audible, if not necessarily direct, effects on the mainstream. This year we saw Chief Keef sing on a Kanye record while Drake and Young Jeezy blessed Migos and Rich Homie Quan with remix endorsements, so we can expect hip-hop to get even more interesting (read: weird) in 2014. 3. THE GLOVES ARE OFF, THE WISDOM TEETH ARE OUT
4. STARTED FROM THE BOTTOM, NOW WE’RE HERE No rapper is more a victim of his own narrative than Drake. Even in his mixtape era, he set the precedent that each song and album he released would function as an installment in a vague chronology of his rise to fame. We expect Aubrey Drake Graham to update us on how he’s doing and to do it in the clever ways he did on Take Care tracks such as “Marvin’s Room” or “Over My Dead Body.” With 2013’s Nothing Was The Same, Drake gave us nothing more and nothing less than a solid Drake album that’s Drake-ish in its glut of Drakeishness. The unavoidable “Started From The Bottom” was released as a single nine months ahead of the album, and it does the best job advancing the Drake story and also prematurely signaled the furthest direction Drake and his producer Noah “40” Shebib were going to take their sound. Much of the rest of NWTS is a folded-out elaboration of “Started From The Bottom”’s I’ve-arrived-and-I’m-comfortablewith-it sentiment. Perhaps part of us wanted Aubrey to be over that by now and on to more ambitious territory—here is where a Kanye comparison could be unflattering—and maybe it was simply unwise
One of the more divisive bands in recent memory managed with
to follow Take Care—a record featuring Rihanna, Andre 3000, Rick
their third LP, Modern Vampires Of The City, to make themselves
Ross, The Weeknd, Jamie xx, Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj and Lil
completely understood. Though the music Vampire Weekend made
Wayne—with a record whose only proper guest verse is a few bars
on their 2007 self-titled debut and 2010’s Contra is remembered by
from Jay Z.
pro-VW constituents as ineffable gems, a fair amount of critics still distrusted the band, whether because of their Columbia degrees and
I’m surprised, then, by how much I love this album. Nothing Was
twee J. Crew-ishness or their straight-faced appropriation of African
The Same is insular, spaced out, and self-satisfied, but that’s Drake,
music. MVOTC doesn’t work to dispel the criticism so much as fly in
and this is an interesting effort from him. It’s transitional in that we
the face of it. Ezra Koenig and company took the sound and ethos that
probably won’t know just how important NWTS was until we hear
got them this far and, having let that age like a Sauvignon, wielded it
its follow up in two years. The curious decisions and dormant energy
much more intimately. So yes, VW still sound like Paul Simon. Yes,
might make sense in context. If nothing else, the legacy of Nothing
the lyrics still read as the linguistic trickery of a grad student who
Was The Same will be the legacy of “Hold On, We’re Going Home,”
listened to much RZA in high school (album highlight “Step” makes
so, not bad, Aubrey.
clever use of a Souls of Mischief sample). But they finally got you to pay attention this time. Here, Koenig’s keen and microscopic observations of life are projected in size via age-old songwritery concepts such as time and God. Vampire Weekend never needed Don Draper to tell them that half of nostalgia is pain, and no matter the warmth of tracks like “Diane Young,” “Ya Hey,” “Unbelievers,” and “Finger Back,” Koenig’s lyrics are often dealing with the unrest of an aging soul who pines for the memories of old road trips and grapples with an evasive God. Modern Vampires Of The City begs for repeated listens and close readings. But hey, on an album filled with quotables like “Wisdom’s a gift, but you’d trade it for youth,” you would hope that it also has the 114
5. I’LL WEAR YOUR GRANDDAD’S CLOTHES On “Thrift Shop,” 30-year-old white rapper Macklemore celebrates frugalness, tops Billboard charts. “They be like ‘Oh that Gucci, that’s hella tight’/I’m like ‘Yo, that’s 50 dollars for a t-shirt.’” On “Royals,” 16-year-old Australian singer Lorde was apparently also not impressed on Watch The Throne or Rich Forever. “But everybody’s like Cristal, Maybach, diamonds on your timepiece/Jet planes, islands, tigers on a gold leash/We don’t care, we aren’t caught up in your love affair.” Both songs are immensely popular thanks in part to each’s catchiness. Does their popularity have to do with their demonization of hip-hop signifiers? That’s a troubling question. www.thecitymagazineelp.com
December/January, 2014
the year in music
6. THE NEW QUEENS
7. SNAPPING OUT OF IT
Those who felt shaded by the offerings of Miley, Gaga, and Katy this year had no shortage of other places to look: LA sister trio Haim finally released their debut full-length Days Are Gone, a
Much has been made of the sound of AM, Arctic Monkeys fifth LP,
sparkling and ambitious pop rock record that you and your dad
and not without good reason. As is very difficult to do these days,
can equally enjoy, and I mean that as the highest compliment. The
the Arctics tapped into a deep reservoir of groove and texture that
Bones Of What You Believe, the debut from Glasgow synthpop
rendered AM easily the best “guitar” album of the year, comfortably
outfit CHVRCHES, is similarly unshy and stacked front to back with
edging out Queens of the Stone Age’s …Like Clockwork. No one
hooks. Between the two of these bands, you have several of the
really predicted that you could conflate west coast hip-hop beats
best singles of the year.
with gratuitous falsetto and stoner rock riffs, while hanging on to Lennonesque touchstones and a Northern Brit accent. It was a studio
It’s Sky Ferreira’s year, though. Signed to a major label as a preteen,
triumph for the band, but it might have been for naught if front man
there were countless possible scenarios in which the now-21-
and songwriter Alex Turner hadn’t picked up the slack on his end. His
year-old Sky would eventually rise from obscurity. None of the first
lyrics, once confrontational and at times mean on the first two full-
hundred or so panned out, and the road to Sky’s debut Night Time,
lengths, had ventured into opaque territory on their third and then into
My Time curiously went through Blood Orange and producers Ariel
an almost complacent wistfulness on 2011’s Suck It And See. Hard to
Rechstaid (Vampire Weekend, Haim), and Justin Raisen (Charli XCX).
fault him—he was writing perhaps his best lyrics yet, but with AM, he
As it turns out, working with all this indie-associated talent (as well as
did the one thing his band needed him to do: raise the stakes again.
dating DIIV front man Zachary Cole Smith) yielded positive results. NTMT packs surprises and works texturally in a way that I imagine a
Opener “Do I Wanna Know?” finds Turner immediately re-engaged,
band like Cults wish they sounded like. Sky’s vocal is foremost in the
leveraging his newfound frontman confidence with pining desperation.
mix, and she wasn’t afraid of channeling a little pop punk. She’s set
“Have you got color in your cheeks? /Do you get that feeling that you
to tour with Miley Cyrus and Icona Pop this winter, which is brilliant,
can’t shift/the type that sticks around like something in your teeth?”
because like Night Time, My Time, anything that comingles the DIIV
From there, Arctic Monkeys never slow up their glitzy beast of an
and Miley Cyrus demographics has to be pretty special
album, the intimate and dramatic moments building to what is their most compelling record since 2009’s Humbug. AM marks their best sales performance in the US to this point, and I have to wonder if it’s because this record seems to communicate with
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the year in music American pop culture better than their others. “’Do I Wanna
“I’ve reached a point in my life where my Truman Show boat
Know?’ is basically a Drake song when you think about it,”
has hit the painting. And I’ve got to a point that Michael Jackson
a friend told me recently. She’s completely right—the heavy
did not break down. I have reached the glass ceiling—as a
emoting, the self-deprecation, the lyrics that explicitly mention
creative person, as a celebrity,” he told Zane Lowe in a now
drunk texting on “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High,”
infamous interview on BBC’s Radio One. Even for someone as
it’s all there. Whether you choose to describe AM as a Drake-
successful and influential as Kanye West, there are still strong
ian work or not (though tellingly, Arctics recently covered his
and daunting currents to swim against. “When someone
“Hold On, We’re Going Home” on the BBC Live Lounge),
comes up and says something like ‘I am a god,’ everybody
lurking around at 3 am and turning their gaze inward has helped
says, ‘Who does he think he is?’ I just told you who I thought
this once famously feisty band regain its edge.
I was, a god! …Would it have been better if I had a song that
8. YEEZY SEASON APPROACHING
said, ‘I am a n----?’ or if I had song that said ‘I am a gangsta?’ or ‘I am a pimp?’ All those colors and patinas fit better on a person like me, right?” Yeezus is a breathless and concise platform for this conflict to play out. It really shouldn’t work this well—the abrasiveness and confrontational bent, the guttural screams and acid house noises should’ve rendered this a messy affair. But Ye, with the help of producer/guru Rick Rubin, doesn’t fail to adhere to the same economy of design he appreciates in other forms of art. It’s 10 songs that somehow contain both Kanye’s most socio-politically occupied verses and his most personal. “Blood On The Leaves” is this mosaic in microcosm, a song that makes you think about 1) the Black Experience (by sampling Billie Holiday singing “Strange Fruit”), 2) Ye’s diligent and omnivorous involvement with the fringes of electronic music (by lifting TNGHT’s “R U Ready?”) and 3) the tortured stories he began sharing on 808s &
Whether you take him at his word or not, Kanye West feels
Heartbreak. Kanye’s ideas race around his head and collide
he is at the apex of not only music but of creative culture
with the urgency of an atom smasher. He never silences one
at large. He believes in the idealism of architecture. He is
facet of his psyche long enough for another to dominate.
enamored with design—of sneakers, advertising campaigns, women’s fashion, city infrastructures, and water bottles. He
This loud-as-hell album’s relationship with silence is funny;
believes sincerely and emphatically that creative enthusiasm
I spend more time thinking about this album when it’s not
can be the engine of a better world. So what happens when
playing than when it’s in my headphones. I feel good about
such an artist feels marginalized? When, the media paints
that fact, because if you think closer “Bound 2” is the only
him as a headcase? When after designing one of the most
glimmer of hopefulness on the record, you’re not listening
coveted sneakers ever, he can’t get follow-up meetings
hard enough. This is an optimist’s record; nothing is more
with Nike? When, after changing music four times over, his
hopeful than the sound of a brilliant man who is thoroughly
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is left from the Album
and violently unsatisfied.
of the Year Grammy nominations? What happens when pop culture essentially tells someone like this to stay in their
in The YEAR MUSIC
lane? Well, you get something as frustrated, desperate, and flat-out dope as Yeezus.
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December/January, 2014
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Looking
POP CULTURE 2013 | By: LAURA WERTHMANN |
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p o p c u lt u r e
2013 arrived with great rejuvenation after a shaky year of anticipated Armageddon. The world could breathe a little easier after the zombie apocalypse was annihilated by Beyonce’s Super Bowl Blackout. The event kicked off the year’s popular gossip, and gave room to an endless amount of Queen Bey jokes. 2013 was full of celebrity and social controversy, but it also harbored new beginnings for the masses; whether it was outrageous or progressive. Viral Videos Universities, high schools, and offices came together at the beginning of the year to create a cathartic dance number while they were bored from the regular daily routine. It was the infamously loved “Harlem Shake,” where one person would dance to the beginning of an electronic song in a seemingly normal and uninhibited environment. Once the song builds, a massive dance party ensues, creating a celebration outside the mundane. This video went viral and was redone in many variations by the entire world. No one was safe from this dance sensation. The list of 2013 viral videos is endless and creates an amazing idea of the kind of humor that was passed around this year. First, there’s a video of two dudes eating dinner, then, one begins to act out the way animals eat. There’s a music video explaining what kind of sound a fox makes, introducing creatively hilarious notes along with a dance number. Another video has the beautiful Ryan Gosling rejecting cereal. Then there was a hilariously chilling news interview of Charles Ramsey who happens upon a kidnapping on his way to McDonald’s and makes top headlines. There are remixes of pop songs, which replace certain parts of the choruses with screaming goats… those were interesting. Citizen of the world Russell Brand made headlines as an activist for political reform during an interview with the BBC. Of course, who can forget Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” featuring Pharrell Williams, TI, and Daft Punk that created so much controversy with its lyrics that degrade women and the explicit music video with naked women prancing around? The tune is catchy but will be debated for a long time.
Celebrity Breakdowns Robin Thicke made more headlines at the MTV Music Awards with “Blurred Lines”, as he and Miley Cyrus sang a duet and created a highly sexualized performance that brought about an endless fuss. 2013 could arguably be described as Cyrus’s year of transformation from teen pop idol to hipster socialite. Either way, Cyrus made an example of herself and popular youth culture that could almost be a mirror of the juvenile media and advertising trends. 119
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December/January, 2014
Then there’s Amanda Bynes, the ever loved and quirky teen star turned medical patient, who fell into a world of trouble after being charged with possession and intoxication, accusing the police of sexual assault, and checking into a rehabilitation center for hospitalization to assess her mental health. Bynes’ story leaks into 2014 and is well awaited by the media. On a brighter note, the once fallen Lindsay Lohan is said to be making a comeback, again, and seems to be holding true to these speculations. This year she began with low budget films, sexy music videos, well-dressed appearances at celebrity dinners, and seemingly well-mannered pictures and tweets. Lohan has made great strides for herself by hosting “Chelsea Lately” for a short while, and hosting “SNL” once more. There’s no telling what the actress will do next year, but 2013 seemed to be a replenishing year for Lohan’s career, the cat with nine lives.
Relationships & Engagements 2013 proved magical for many, and disastrous for others. Beautiful couple Kate Moss and Johnny Depp got back together and made headlines with their intimate photos. However, another attractive couple that has been a key player in fantasy fiction cinema, and has super model status, has split. Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr have decided to get a divorce after three years of marriage. On a happier note, N’SYNC member Lance Bass is engaged and we couldn’t be happier for him. And finally, Kimye (Kim Kardashian and Kanye West) also got engaged.
Babies So many celebrities had children in 2013, from Channing Tatum, Tracy Morgan, Eli Manning, Jessica Simpson, Michael Buble, Alec Baldwin, Shakira, Fergie, Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem, Halle Berry, Mario Lopez, and Vince Vaughn. But the two babies the world was eagerly awaiting this year were North West, born to Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, and George of Cambridge, born to Kate Middleton and Prince William. North West was anticipated through celebrity media as her parents rule Hip-Hop and reality TV. George of Cambridge’s arrival was followed by every paparazzo in the world as he became the new heir to the royal family of England.
TV 2013 was a big year for TV. Netflix launched a few popular series, the most talked about being “Orange is the New Black,” a show depicting a woman from an upper class status thrown into prison because of her criminal background, exposing the naked attributes of almost every ethnic and minority social class. Netflix also released the well-awaited fourth season release of “Arrested Development.” The Bluth family’s odd affiliation towards one another in their own kooky ways became the glue of their love. 120
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December/January, 2014
What was most important in television this year was the ending of the beloved drama series of “Breaking Bad.� Labeled as a contemporary western,
the
series
illustrated
meth-makers in Albuquerque, and embellished the dark psychosis of blue collar America, emulating the extent a person will go to survive.
Chihuahuas El Paso has so much culture and history already, but this year we made
headlines
with
our
new
Triple-A Baseball team, the El Paso Chihuahuas.
The
most
disputed
attribute of the team is the name, which
was
even
discussed
on
highlighted sports channels. Some El Pasoans think Chihuahuas as a name is too frail or annoying, while others appreciate the fun and possible fierceness of the new icon. Either way, the El Paso Chihuahuas began their El Paso trail in 2013. www.thecitymagazineelp.com
121
love
What do you
December/January, 2014
the most about
El Paso?
Emma SCHwartz
“What I like best about El Paso are
the people, of course! El Pasoans are
genuine, openhearted and open-minded, happy and loving people. They are also
entrepreneurial, generous, helpful and
hard working. These are the type of people
around whom I want my children growing up.”
Mayor Leeser
Dr. Tom Alost “The people, the people, the
“The best part about living in El Paso is the
do what I do and be able to
people to fulfill their dreams of owning their
people. I’ve been fortunate to
affordability. El Paso offers an opportunity for
collaborate with the genuine
own home where in other communities, this dream is often out of reach.”
individuals I get to work with.
This quality of the culture of this city is so unique. I’m so thankful
for all the El Pasoans who have welcomed me into this
amazing community.”
Coach Kugler “I love El Paso because the
people are so friendly and even though it is a big city it has a
small, hometown feel to me.”
Yolanda Arriola “What I love the most is the sense of community, I love that we have the best of both worlds. Living on a border town, allows people like
me who are Hispanic the ability to live in a major city and be able to support ourselves without having to compromise our culture. I love
being a part of the positive change occurring in the city, El Paso has
grown so much with the Texas Tech Medical School, UTEP and the 122
military community. This community is amazing; it’s so rewarding to www.thecitymagazineelp.com be able to touch the lives of the youth of El Paso.”
November, 2013
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PROF I L ES
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Why did you decide to have bariatric surgery? My health primarily. My blood pressure was so high the doctor told me I could have a heart attack any moment. I also had high blood sugar levels, liver problems and severe joint pain. Were you afraid of having surgery? No, I knew it was the right thing to do. My husband was a little worried and said he liked me the way I was. What does your husband think now? It’s kind of funny because after my surgery, my husband’s blood sugar levels went sky high. I told him that the diet I’m on would take care of a lot of his problems. He started eating the way I do and his levels are totally normal!
Check Her Out! Patient: Maria Guadalupe Armitage, age 48.
How did your family react?
3 children
I was always thin until my third child. After
Surgery date; January 2012
that, I just continued to gain weight. And even
Original dress size 22
though my family loves me, they treated me differently when I was heavy. They just didn’t
How has your life changed?
understand how I could let this happen. After
It’s changed in so many ways. I’m
my surgery, my mother changed. I don’t think
confident. I can walk in a room and not
she realized she treated me differently, but it
feel ashamed and if people are looking
was great to feel her arms around me again!
at me, I know it’s because I look great,
Current dress size 2 Lost 140 pounds
not because I’m heavy. I worked out 5 days Did your surgery impact others?
a week and I went back to school. I never would
My entire family benefitted! Since diabetes
have gone to a gym before. I would have been too
runs in my family, they realized that their diet
embarrassed. And going to school, being around a
was really important to keeping their blood
lot of people…no way! And going out to the movies or
sugar levels in control. So everyone eats what
dinner was something I never did. Now, it’s “What do you
I eat and everyone is so much healthier!
want to do tonight?”
What was the first thing you
What goals do you have?
wanted to do after your surgery?
I want to inspire people to take charge of their health. I show
I told my husband even before I had the
people the picture of what I use to look like. At 5 feet tall, I was 280
surgery that I wanted to shop at a really nice
pounds. They can’t believe it. But it’s true. It’s been two years and I’m
store that sold sexy clothes! And what was
still making sure I watch what I eat and exercise. It’s not impossible. It’s
really exciting was once I got the weight off,
important, for your health, for your family and for your self-esteem. I have
I went to that store and some of the clothes
a new lease on life!
were too BIG! By: LPDS HEALTHCARE photos provided by: MARIA G. ARMITAGE
SPECIAL ADVERTISING | 127
CROSSFIT 915 “OUR MEMBERS RANGE FROM FIVE-YEARS-OLD TO SEVENTY-FIVE-YEARS-OLD. EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT, AND THEY ALL BECOME STRONGER AND HEALTHIER AT CROSSFIT 915.” Kim Brutzman had been a fitness If you’re a beginner walking in to CrossFit specialist personal trainer for almost 915, you’ll start with their On Ramp program 20 years, experimenting and evolving that features small class sizes and is designed until she discovered CrossFit in 2007. both for you to learn about CrossFit and for Like it has been for many others who have them to learn about you and how together dedicated their lives to fitness and wellness, you’ll work towards your goals. Thanks to CrossFit was the final piece of the puzzle—the their array of programs, CrossFit 915 is built to best proven method to becoming strong and well. engage the whole family. Marc says, “There’s Six years later with partners Amy and Marc Duchene, instances where a mother is in our FemmeFit CrossFit 915 has been voted by The City Magazine program, the dad is in our Personal Training readers as the Best CrossFit Gym of 2013. program, their grandchild is in Lil’ Beasts, our program for kids, and their college-age son is With east and west side locations and with 14 other highly-trained competing and training in CrossFit 915 Sport. coaches, CrossFit 915 takes CrossFit philosophy—functional If nothing else, they all have something to talk movements, constantly varied, performed at high intensity—to about on the car ride home.” create personalized programs that address the needs of everyone from beginners to competitive CrossFitters. “You can take somebody like my mom who has never done much physically and create a CrossFitstyle workout that she can do and would make sense for her. The concept is infinitely scalable,” Kim says. “The people you see in our gym that are at peak levels of performance started out on day one with something similar.” 128 | SPECIAL ADVERTISING
Eastside
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6250 Modesta St.
(915) 591-6000
(915) 345-2901
By: RYAN HEAPE photographed by: ROBERT CORRAL
David and Denisse Kneip,
THE HUMAN LAB/ HOT BOX YOGA “WE WANT OUR COMMUNITY TO BE ON A PATH TO AN EXTRAORDINARY LIFE. SO OUR FOCUS IS TO HELP EVERYONE CREATE AN EXTRAORDINARY PSYCHOLOGY AND AN EXTRAORDINARY BODY. WITHOUT THESE LAST TWO IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET THE FIRST, AN EXTRAORDINARY LIFE.” No gym in El Paso holds as much fitness
They understand the psychology
and wellness expertise as the Human Lab.
involved when it comes to someone
David Kneip, who opened HL with his wife
changing their life for the better through
Denisse five years ago, is the only CrossFit
fitness: brains and brawn, similar to
Level 2 instructor you’ll find in El Paso—you’d
the concept of yin and yang. On the Lab’s
have to go as far as Phoenix or Austin to find
training floor the culture is a bit different from the
another. David, Denisse, and some of the
soothing relaxing calmness that Hot Box Yoga offers.
other coaches have BAs in Kinesiology from
“Welcome to the grind,” they tell you with a smile
UTEP, and everyone on staff is invested in
as you walk in the doors. Kneip knows one of his gym’s
their trainees’ at the intellectual level. They’re
greatest assets is its supportive, friendly community. It’s a
hosting USA Weightlifting accredited courses
culture that’s inviting and one that promotes peer accountability
and are leading the way in bringing Olympic-
and camaraderie.
The Human Lab/Hot Box Yoga 1057 Doniphan Park Cir., Suite E,F,G El Paso, TX 79922 (915) 307-1720 thehumanlab.net
style lifting to this city. In May, they opened up Hot Box Yoga, their new in-house studio
Kneip and his staff keep the class sizes small and specialized. Outside of
that encourages yoga as both a stand-alone
the CrossFit realm, there are many other programs, including the popular
therapy and as a super effective way to balance
Barbelles and Barbarians programs. In total, the Human Lab is built to make
the strains of CrossFit. Hot Box Yoga houses
personal change happen. On their website, thehumanlab.net, you’ll find stories
some of El Paso’s best yoga instructors. Their
from people from all walks of life who joined the gym and are now leaner, and
knowledge, passion, and experience caters to
more confident—they’ve changed their lives. “Becoming more fit will make you a
everyone. Providing an uplifting experience to
better husband, wife, mother, father, student, businessperson, whatever you want
everyone that comes through the doors.
to be,” Kneip says. “We are the best-equipped place in El Paso to make this happen.”
By: RYAN HEAPE photographed by: ROBERT CORRAL
SPECIAL ADVERTISING | 129
December/January, 2014
A
A Better Tomorrow Starts Today How to Prepare Yourself for the New Year | By: PATRICK L. MARTINEZ, B.S. NUTRITION, CERTIFIED FITNESS TRAINER, CERTIFIED FITNESS NUTRITION COACH |
nother year has passed us by. Some of you may have reached your goals and some may have fallen short. If you are the latter, then you may have encountered some obstacles along the way that kept you from achieving your fitness goals. But when you really think about it, could you have achieved your goals regardless of what stood in your way? Did you give up too quickly? Did you become discouraged? If you answered yes, then the problems you faced may not have been what stood in your way. Maybe, it was you who stood in your way. I see it every year, January is the best time of year for gyms and other fitness establishments. Everyone promises themselves that this will be the year they reach their ideal weight or fit into that sexy dress or jeans. But what happens? By spring the gyms are back to normal capacity where only the devout continue to workout. Why does this happen? Why do so many people fail to stick to their goals each year? If you ask me, I will tell you that the “New Year’s Resolution” has lost its meaning. Every year people continue to live their lives as they please and at the end of the year if they have any guilt they vow to make a change in January. But why wait? The way I see it, if you know there are things in your life that need change such as relationships, work, time with family, or changes within yourself, then you can decide to make those changes any day. Too many people rely on the New Year
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December/January, 2014 as a sign of a new beginning, but when you stop to think about it, every day that we wake up, we have been blessed with a new beginning. With an opportunity to start fresh the moment we open our eyes. When you begin to see life “one day at a time” then you will see your chances for new beginnings each day. The opportunity to change oneself does not have to be accomplished on a holiday. From experience I will tell you that when I decided to make some changes in my life I had to sit down and take a self-inventory. I had to list all the good and all the bad in my life. It wasn’t pretty. I was humbled by my shortcomings. But despite the disappointment, I now had a true idea of where I was and where I wanted to be. Little by little I began to make changes. I can’t tell you the exact month or day. And to be honest it didn’t matter. All that mattered was that I made the decision to make the changes. And I do my best each day to be the very best person that I can be. So my advice to you is to find some “alone time” and write down all of the things in your life that you would like to change. Write down all the things you like about yourself and all the things you don’t like about yourself. Once you have your list of things you don’t like, then create a plan as to how you will change. Eliminate all the negatives from your life in order to create a clear path towards your goals. When you do this, your goal with have more value. You are more likely to stick to your resolution when you have a list of things you know you need to change rather than just saying you want change at a New Year’s Eve party. It will be a humbling experience, but once you begin your journey to a better you, you will find the strength you need to continue on regardless of what obstacles you may face throughout the year.
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December/January, 2014
Living a Congruent Life
| By: MICHELLE CROMER |
We can thank the Romans for New
When we’re living in complete congruence,
Year’s resolutions. They began each
complete alignment, no part of us is conflicting
year by making promises to the god
with any other part of us. There is no
Janus. January takes its name from
disagreement. No disturbance. No imitation.
Janus, the old Roman god of gates, doorways and thresholds. Depictions of
As simple as that promise is to articulate,
Janus show two faces looking in opposite
there is nothing simple or easy about
directions: past and future: old and new:
becoming a congruent human being. Yet,
outer darkness and inner light. As ruler of all
accomplishing inner congruence is the
endings and beginnings, Janus was invoked at
foundation of why we pursue a spiritual path.
the onset of any change in the course of life.
We cannot be truly healthy if we are out of
January begins in the threshold of time formed
alignment. We cannot be truly honest with
by the old year dying and the new one being
others or ourselves if our head and heart exist
born, in the timeless balancing act through
as two separate forces within us. We cannot
which time itself becomes renewed.
ever know what the fulfilled life is about if we are always compromising our intuition and
This year, my promise, my resolution is to
inner guidance for fear of the consequences.
live a congruent life. Living congruently
We can never consider ourselves a truly
means living in a state of balance. Everything
honest people if we live a life of continual
in life, every thought, action, project, dream,
compromise and self-betrayal.
everything flows together and in the same
132
direction. All aspects of life are in sync. The
What would it mean to live an inner
sense of purpose is startlingly clear. And a
congruent life? Self-esteem would be rooted
life path flows in that direction.
in personal integrity. Intuitive guidance
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g
December/January, 2014 would work in harmony with our intellectual and emotional resources. The field of life would be engaged on multiple levels, acknowledging
the
continual
operation
between the physical and mystical realms. Physical laws govern the physical life and mystical laws govern the soul’s journey. The connecting bridge is inner congruency. Like the god Janus, we wear a couple of different faces. We’re not the same person in every situation all the time. We’re not binary, single-function amoebas. We manifest and express ourselves differently according to what is appropriate to the events surrounding us. That’s pretty natural. What is not natural is to change who we are; manipulating ourselves in order to fit some kind of mold of what is or isn’t right. Most of my life, I had lived highly compartmentalized. I was one person when I was with my friends, a different person at work, and yet another person with family or my husband. I didn’t even realize I was five different people in any given day, and none of them was me. They all contained fragments of me, hidden beneath my attempts to be something I was not. It’s this kind of fragmentation that chokes the spirit. It took me a long time to realize that even though a lot of people choose to live this way, I don’t have to. So this year I want there to be no discernible difference between the person I am when I am working and when I am playing. Everything will be completely integrated between my heart, mind, body and soul. No division between my purpose and my life path. My desires and dreams and my contribution to the world will be one in the same. This is what it means to be completely and radically congruent. What is your promise this year?
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December/January, 2014
PARENTING
SLOW DOWN
in
2014 | By: ROBIN NILAND |
T
he days are long, but the years are
ever-changing
short. I heard this phrase a few
hobbies. Days become a repeat
interests
and
years ago and it summed up exactly
of household chores, preparing
how I was feeling as a mother at that time.
meals, running errands, planning
With two children under six at home with me
for future projects, work, and
most of the day, I sometimes found myself
school. It is very easy to get
trying to play Jedi mind tricks on the clock
caught up in the mechanics of
to move it ahead to 6 pm when the sound of
our daily routine and forget that
my husband’s car pulling into the garage sent
life is the details: the ride to
the three of us cheering and running to the
school isn’t just transportation,
door to greet him. This is not to mean that
it’s a chance to ask about her
slowdown and find the happiness in every
I didn’t (still don’t) absolutely love spending
favorite part of the school day. Waiting for
seemingly routine action. Returning emails
time with my children, but it is exhausting,
piano lessons isn’t just a chance for me to
will have to wait so I can pay a visit to the
unpredictable, and somewhat monotonous
catch up with Facebook, but a calm moment
“store” my daughter has set up in our
all at once. “You want to read The Little
to listen to their little fingers learning to make
dining room featuring original artwork and
Engine that Could . . . again?”
music. And dinner time isn’t a mad rush to
handmade bracelets. There will be days
eat-and-run, but sacred family time that
when beds remain unmade so my son and I
Fast forward (ironically) a few years and the
allows us to reconnect after a hectic day and
can race paper airplanes attempting to break
little angels are nine and six. This means full-
focus on what is really important--the people
the sound barrier. I hope 2014 is a year full of
day school for the older one, and an almost
around the table.
happiness in the ordinary, routines that are
full day of Kindergarten for the younger.
anything but dull, and spontaneous laughter
The days move much more quickly and
In an effort to better enjoy family life and not
in stressful moments. I wish you and your
with advancing age comes the onslaught
let the endless details become my memories
family a slow year.
of homework, after school activities, and
of our children’s childhood, I’m resolving to
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December/January, 2014
135 The City HOLIDAYS.indd 1
11/10/13 4:43:32 PM
November, 2013
136
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
November, 2013
The All New 2014 Jaguar F-Type You can see that it’s beautiful, but wait until you unleash its 495 horses with your right foot! It’s here and ready for delivery! Right now, get exceptional offers on all remaining 2013s.
Jaguar El Paso 1444 Airway Blvd., El Paso, TX 79925
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137
December/January, 2014
In and | By: ANA HUESCA |
Out 138
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
in and out
December/January, 2014
FOR HER IN: HATS Hats are definitely one of the reasons I LOVE WINTER, and this 2013 the trend is all over the runway and the streets. They are so many to choose from; hats, caps, cloches, fedoras, berets, but the one iconic hat for 2013 is the beanie. Beanies are in for day or night and perfect for a bad hair day. Just make sure that it goes with the outfit and your plans. So this season if you remember to wear shoes, you should remember to wear a hat! Guys you can and should go in with us on this trend-when in doubt wear a hat.
OUT: HEAD FLOWER Don’t get me wrong, we are going to keep bumping into flower prints for winter and this is a bit new for the season, but not on your head. Stay away from flower clips, headbands or brooches. After all, it is winter.
IN: FAUX FUR. Fur has always been trendy for winter and the trend continues! This particular trend in 2013 can be seen on everything. From hats, coats, vests to even shoes and boots. Get some key pieces to make a plain outfit into a fashion statement.
OUT: REAL FUR. I know this is confusing. Yes, fur is all over the place, but you don’t have to follow Cruella Deville’s advice
and
have
innocent
animals suffer for ones fashion. Go faux-they look like the real thing and they are less expensive.
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139
IN AND OUT
December/January, 2014
FOR HIM IN:ORANGE is the new EVERYTHING for men! For you guys it is very easy to get carried away with wearing darker colors, but this winter you can have a new best friend for dressing: ORANGE. It might sound like you will look like an Oompa Loompa but if you wear only one piece at a time you can make it work. Just be careful on the tone of your skin and the orange scheme.
OUT: WHITE We know that winter white is all over the runway but it is mostly for us ladies-keep your whites in the closet and wait for spring.
IN: LACE UP BOOTS These are perfect for the winter weather. Black, brown, orange, gray, any color, any fabric, get them, wear them, love them!!
OUT: TENNIS SHOES Guys, please I beg of you, wear tennis shoes ONLY to exercise. Bulky white shoes are not in for winter 2013, or for all I know EVER!
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August, 2013 December/January, 2014
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SECTION
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December/January, 2014
Luminous Holiday
Glow | By: CASSIE JEAN JOHNSON |
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Beaut y
December/January, 2014
N
ow that the holidays are here, what better way to ring in 2014 than with new and improved beauty products? With chillier weather, our skin
tends to get dull and tired looking and is also hard to keep moisturized and maintain that illuminating glow effect. To solve these beauty mishaps and to achieve that winter wonderland look, here are some quick fixes to achieve the perfect holiday glow! For an all over natural luminous glow, MAC’s Strobe Cream offers the perfect amount of hydration and helps brighten and clarify with antioxidants and particles that help renew your skin. It also helps
Another amazing beauty must-have for your winter
enhance the effect of light on all skin types.
wonderland look is Benefits Erase Paste. This little brightening camouflage for your eyes helps reduce
Another
winter
must
the swollen appearance from a late night out by
have for this season is
correcting dark circles and puffiness. It helps blend
Benefits
02.
and make discoloration and imperfections disappear
BOI-ING
This
little
concealer
without having that unwanted heavy caked-on
and
eye
brightener
makeup look.
help with the smallest imperfections
around
Lastly, we can’t forget about
the eyes, including dark
those brows! Benefits High
spots and dark circles.
Brow Lifting Pencil highlights
The eye brightener helps
to create an instant brow
eyes look wide awake and refreshed for a long day at
lift, for incredibly younger, vibrant
work. To perfect this look dab DA-BOING onto the areas
looking eyes. To use successfully,
you want to conceal, and then gently blend into skin.
apply pencil underneath your brow
Follow with the instant eye brightener, dabbing and
following the arch and then blend
blending around the inner and outer corner of eyes to
lightly.
make eyes look bigger and brighter. These tools will ensure you have all the When on-the-go, use Benefits Watts
beauty tools you’ll need for an amazing
Up, it is the perfect size for your clutch.
luminous winter wonderland glow, just
This
in time for the holidays. Go ahead; give
soft-focus
highlighter
adds
a
luminous touch to tired eyes with dark
yourself the gift of a new youthful face for
circles. For best results dab under eyes,
the New Year!
in corners and on eyelids for a natural sparkling youthful glow.
Quick Trick For long-lasting loose or tight curls, perfect for any holiday or New Years party, try lightly spraying hairspray (preferably Sebastian Professional Re-shaper for best results) on each strand of hair before curling. Your curls will last throughout the night and won’t fall from humidity. www.thecitymagazineelp.com
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PREROGATIVE December/January, 2014
| By: ANA HUESCA |
144
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h i s p r e r o g at i v e
This
month’s
grooming
advice
is
very
appropriate for the weather we experience
“It takes
a lot of work to figure out how to look this good.” Andy Warhol
in our city this time of year, COLD! Although winter brings out amazing coats, hats and boots on you gentlemen, we can all agree on one thing; it is terrible for lips and skin. Thanks to these products, you will never have to worry again, and the best thing of all; they are all cruelty free and eco-friendly. Good skin, good deeds.
BULLDOG SKINCARE FOR MEN Bulldog Skin Care is a UK company that is passionate about natural ingredients in their products. All Bulldog products are made with a unique blend of oils and natural ingredients, which is why they are so good. They carry a skincare line, a wash line and a shave line. All their products are certified cruelty-free and vegan. For this winter season I highly recommend their Original Moisturizer. It has eight essential oils, green tea, green algae, konjac mannan and vitamin E, perfect for rehydration. ($13.99; Sprouts Farmers Market)
Recommended for: Men who want to try something new that works and smells great too!
JACK BLACK INTENSE THERAPY LIP BALM SPF 25 Cold weather is perfect for kissing and cuddling but let’s face it, cold weather can really ruin your lips. And there is nothing worse than kissing a pair of chapped lips! That is why you should always be prepared. JACK BLACK has the perfect solution: Jack Black’s Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25. It is an enriched lip balm with antioxidants that help your lips look and feel amazing, plus it penetrates quickly so you don’t feel like you’re wearing lip-gloss. To make this even better, none of the Jack Black products are tested on animals and most of them are cruelty-free and vegan. ($7.50; Vanities)
Recommended for: Men that spend a lot of time outside and that love to kiss without chapped lips.
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h i s p r e r o g at i v e
December/January, 2014
AUBREY ORGANICS MEN’S STOCK DAILY MOISTURIZER The one thing that men forget to do, or choose not to, is moisturize. But why? Is it just the time it takes or the fruityflowery scent that lotion has? Or is it that sticky feeling? All of this can be solved with Aubrey Organics Men’s Stock Daily Moisturizer. This light but hard-working moisturizer smells like what a guy should smell like, and it absorbs to your skin like magic. Aubrey’s formula is full of natural extracts like flaxseed that helps balance skin, and aloe vera to soothe and hydrate. And yes, you guessed it, it is vegan and not tested on animals. Guys, moisturizing is very important not only to have soft skin but as a protection against the elements. Now you have no excuse to take great care of your skin. ($11.00; El Paso Health Foods Center/ Only Natural/ Rainbow Naturals/ Sprouts Farmers Market)
Recommended for: Every man. You can do it, moisturize gentlemen!
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147
etiquette
December/January, 2014
Good Manners | By: JOANN WARDY |
Make Eating Out Enjoyable When dining out, remember these common courtesies to ensure a more pleasing experience: • When your server comes to the table
• If there is a problem with your order, express
to take your order, be sure to give your
it quietly to the server. Do not cause a scene.
undivided attention. It is very difficult to do a good job if everyone is talking.
• When the service is good, make sure to compliment your server and express your
• Usually your server will tell you his
pleasure to the owner or manger.
name. Remember it so that you may address him properly.
• Do not forget to tip 15 to 20 percent depending on the restaurant and the service.
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December/January, 2014
What’s YOur
| By: JANNET BUSTILLOS |
It’s no mystery that we are all attracted to certain personality traits, and naturally we tend to flock towards the people who possess them. I did some research and gathered up the most common type of people we can’t resist. Keep reading and see if you fit into any of these categories.
The Type of Women Men are Looking For: Miss Sweetheart: This type of woman is a genuine, down to earth person who doesn’t have a single bitch bone in her body. Miss sweetheart is always positive, and content with her life. These types of women seem to always be the hopeless romantics, which is why they are always snapped up right away. So if you can find one, make sure you take good care of her.
Miss Independent: If you’re a busy man and you don’t have a lot of time to invest in a relationship, this is definitely the type of girl you should be looking for. Miss independent has a life of her own and is happy doing her own thing. These types of women want a man in their life, but don’t necessarily need one. Confidence is key in dating an independent woman.
Miss Straightforward: They can be brutally honest, and tend to speak their mind. If you are done playing 150
games, then straightforward women are for you. You can’t help but have respect for outspoken women. They’re the type to ask you out on a date, as well as call you out on any b.s. Although she can be blunt, at least
The Type of Men Women Are Looking For:
you’ll know where you stand and not have to
Mr. Confident:
try to decode any behavior.
He is secure and sure of himself. A confident man doesn’t get jealous by other men; he
Miss Secure:
knows what he’s worth. Just make sure
This is a secure woman who accepts herself
you are also confident and secure with
regardless of her good and bad qualities. She
yourself if you are looking to date a man like
has plenty of self-esteem, which means she
this, because he won’t be putting up with
doesn’t need constant attention in order to
insecure women.
boost her ego.
Mr. Romantic/ Attentive:
Miss Personality:
He buys you flowers, always compliments
Her wit and sparkling presence can light up
you, and is a true gentleman. A guy like this
any room. She is a delight to be around, and
is considerate of your feelings and wants to
there’s never a dull moment when hanging
win you over with romance and charm. This
out with her.
type of guy is always worth dating, especially if you have overcome the bad boy stage.
Miss Best Friend: You two seem to connect right away. She
Mr. Successful/ Ambitious:
likes to do the same kind of activities you
This type of man has a “real” job, a home,
enjoy, and your conversations lasts for hours.
and a vehicle. He is financially stable and
You feel completely comfortable with her.
doesn’t need help from anyone. Always try to find a man that fits into this category. I’m www.thecitymagazineelp.com
December/January, 2014 not saying he has to be the CEO of a large corporation (which that would be nice), but a man who at least is striving and working towards achieving something greater in life.
Mr. Free spirit: This man is very spontaneous and lives life as if every day was his last. He has no regrets and just goes with the flow of things. He’s the type to surprise you with a last minute road trip. He can be a bit of a rebel at times, just make sure it’s within reason. Just remember; we are not looking for a bad boy anymore. Been there‌done that!
Mr. Intelligent/ Witty: You have conversations with him that are intellectually stimulating, while he listens to every detail you have to say. He has an incredible sense of humor and he makes even politics sound interesting. Keep in mind that a man like this will always keep things fun and interesting.
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December/January, 2014
AN EXOTIC
Gif t
L
ooking for an unusual gift for the holidays this year? Know people in your life that can’t get enough of animals? Consider getting them a Zoo Membership!
The El Paso Zoological Society administers annual passes for guests that want the most out of their zoo experience, and the passes vary in size and price. Because the El Paso Zoo is a municipal zoo – it’s overseen by the city
of El Paso – the Zoological Society exists to partner with,
fundraise for and support the zoo separately from the city. Part of that responsibility includes memberships. What’s wonderful about the memberships is that they go directly back to the zoo and helping the animals. “Memberships go towards conservation programs, education programs, and the animals themselves. So the membership not only helps the family, it helps the zoo,” Renee Neuert, Executive Director of the El Paso Zoological Society, explains. The memberships are also a good deal if you plan on going to the zoo more than once a year. Their most popular pass is called the “Wolf Pack”, and it’s a favorite among families. Two adults are listed on the pass and must show identification, and then they may bring any five children (18 and younger) with them. Costing only $75 and with no blackout days, the membership pays for itself after just two visits. “It’s a wonderful family entertainment deal,” Neuert emphasizes. Fall and winter are also some of the best times to visit the zoo. With the cooler weather, the animals are a little more active, and the crowds are generally smaller. If you are planning a vacation, the membership also gives you discounted admission to over 100 other zoos in the nation. The El Paso Zoo allows guests to bring in their own food and beverages, making it a perfect place for a family afternoon out. Kids can play in the splash pad, learn about new animals, see animal encounters, take walks amongst our exhibits, and picnic with their parents. With a zoo membership families also don’t feel the pressure to stay longer than they want; stopping by the zoo for an hour of outdoor time is easy and doable. Furthermore, when you sign up for a pass you can also sign up for emails; the zoo will send out notifications of any special events, new animals, or unusual opportunities so that you always stay in the loop. So if you’re struggling to think of a gift idea, consider one of the El Paso Zoological Society’s annual passes; they come in different sizes for individual guests, families or something in between. Neuert agrees,
| By: BRITTANY SAWREY | 152
“This time of year, it’s a wonderful gift to give animal lovers in your family.” www.thecitymagazineelp.com
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Rio Grande
TRAVELING in Search of Localized Binaries | Written and Photographed by: AMANDA NORTH |
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December/January, 2014
T R AV E L
When I teach my students about binary opposition, their faces intriguingly evolve. The puzzled, slightly annoyed looks will either shift to the bright eyed ‘aha’ moment or the flaring nostril ‘I can’t believe the way I put life together is not unique’ realization. I cherish each reaction, as they both mean that for the first time in many of the student’s lives they are grasping a complex theory about the structure of the human mind. Binary opposition is, essentially, deciphering
imply binary opposition to develop story and
what something is by understanding what
characters, the beautiful princess and the evil
it is not. Humans take in information by a
queen. Even all genesis mythologies exist on
system of negatives, which sounds dark, and
binary opposition; there is good and there is
maybe it is. It tends to breed the us versus
evil, but the grey area is obsolete.
them mentality, which can be detrimental for establishing communal thought. There
We use binaries to decide on where to travel:
is always a hierarchy involved in the binary,
a large city or small town, similar culture or
in which one of the sides is more valued,
foreign culture, culture seen as ‘friendly’
or privileged, than the other. Think on the
or ‘unfriendly,’ hot or cold climate. Ideas
simple, but common binaries such as: rich or
of place pre-travel tend to live in extreme
poor, day or night, light or dark, good or evil,
generalizations, comparing areas by proximity
man or woman, big or small, etc. There is a
alone. Typically, the only concept of binary in
hierarchy in each set; one of the two is seen
places that are generalized as ‘similar’ may
as more desirable. Most, if not all, fairytales
be: large city or small town.
Prada Installation
When I travel to a new area I try to harness myself into all things ‘local’ or authentic to the region. What makes El Paso different from Marfa, or Florence different from San Gimignano? To someone looking through the broad lens of ‘tourist’ the differences may be subtle, only existing in the large or small binary, but to a local these differences are incredibly obvious and important. Differences become as grand as home versus place. Is there ever a binary in travel? Is there ever a true generalized sameness of areas?
MARFA & EL PASO A weekend visit to Marfa, Texas was my and my partner’s first vacation together. We were a new couple, living in El Paso, and wanted a fun and quirky weekend adventure. Marco had recently played a show in Marfa, and heard of an amazing ‘nomadic hotel,’ El Cosmico. We rented a fully restored 1950s faded blue-toped steal Airstream trailer, on the hotel’s land, called the ‘Branstrator’ for the weekend, complete with an outdoor claw foot bathtub. The getaway was incredibly inspiring and strangely unique. Marco is in the El Paso band The Dirty River Boys, and on their second album, Science of Flight, there is a song that Marco wrote about our weekend in Marfa; “We drive on down to the bar on Main, it’s the only place in town, the band is playing jazz, sweet like Sherry wine, I’m gonna take her by the hand and spin her till she’s mine.” As we drove from El Paso, the desert landscape slightly shifted and the sky seemed to become a more vibrant blue. We stopped at the ‘Prada Store’ art instillation outside of Marfa, and I truly felt that I was part of some surrealist or minimalist art film. The instillation is memorable in the contrast of which it exists within, the beautiful stark desert in relation to a faux designer store with no other structure around for miles and miles. (Like the Facebook page ‘Save Prada Marfa’ to learn about the possibility of the
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T R AV E L removal the instillation: there is, justifiably, a
travel to Italy and compare San Gimignano
large protest against the removal.)
and Florence. Tourists tend to generalize areas in sameness, where as locals see the
After checking into El Cosmico, we went
details. An El Pasoan may tell the tourist there
the ‘the bar on Main.’ At Padres we ordered
is not a Chico’s Tacos in Marfa; therefore
homemade Cactus Chili for dinner and
the culture could not nearly be the same. A
listened to live Jazz. We sat next to the local
huge binary that determines what kind of El
Roller Derby gals dressed in the full gear, and
Pasoan someone is, is if they drink the sauce
drank at the bar until midnight. The next day
or if they do not drink the sauce. “Are you a
was full of art gallery visits, trailer food truck
sauce drinker?” a professor asked me on my
stops, and a glimpse at the mystifying Marfa
first day at UTEP.
Lights. The getaway was strangely unique, memorable. It was the perfect combination
Marfa is an artist center in a sleepy old
to inspire two young artists.
town. El Paso is a vastly growing city, with a huge army base, and a top rated university
To someone traveling the southwest region,
(Tibetan themed, might I add.) El Paso has a
they may assume that Marfa and El Paso are
Charcoaler, and Marfa does not. Marfa is an
incredibly similar in culture, landscape, and
interior Texas town, and El Paso is a border
community. To El Pasoans this would seem
town. Like Gloria Anzalúa says, in El Paso we
absurd, but maybe the El Pasoan would later
have a border tongue, two cultures fused
Off Highway 121 in El Paso
at all levels. Of course there are similarities between El Paso and Marfa, but to locals we are in binary opposition, and to a tourist our only binary is based on city size.
Florence, Italy
SAN GIMINGANO & FLORENCE
Tuscany region were similar in food, culture,
that seems to be preserved in time with
When I studied in Florence three years ago,
architecture, art, etc. Florence is a booming,
newcomers scattered throughout. Time is on
I had minimal understanding of Italian culture
beautiful city full of young intellectuals
a different scale in these two small towns.
outside of art history of the Renaissance,
and modern art movements, while San
and hand-me-down knowledge from my
Gimignano is a small medieval walled town
After a morning of walking through the streets
older brother who received his Masters in
with numerous persevered towers and
of San Gimignano, and marveling over the
Architecture while living in Florence. I went
gates dating back to the 12th century. Much
preserved medieval architecture, I began a
in guilty as tourist, thinking all towns in the
like Marfa, San Gimignano is a sleepy town
quest for wine and cheese. I stumbled upon
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T R AV E L
December/January, 2014 a cheese shop, Formedarte, and the
daily pistachio gelato addiction, Perche
shopkeeper told me about the all the
No?, to a blueberry glazed steak that
various processes in which Pecorino
changed my life, Acqua al Due, and a
Romano could be aged. I was sold on
drink so full of fresh fruit and herbs it
the volcanic ash encased Pecorino that
felt sinful to drink, Art Bar. The city was
was left in a cave to age, and hid some
vast, surprising me each day, I could not
in my suitcase to bring back for family
visit all of it in the months that I lived
and friends.
there, but to my wallets disapproval I did my best.
I later spent forty minutes winding through neighborhood streets, clean
Florence and San Gimignano are
laundry drying on lines above me,
binaries to each other on many levels,
searching for a restaurant a woman
as Marfa and El Paso are, despite my
at a wine store suggested, El Vecchie
original generalization. Go into your
Mura. After asking three woman, each
travels as a tourist, but be sure to leave
pulling in laundry from their window
as a local astonished by binaries. The
lines on the third or fourth story of their apartment complex, how to get to the
Street art outside the Accademia Gallery
experience lives somewhere in the grey area.
travel brochures make it out to be. There are students from all over the world filling the cafes, tourists with their noses buried in guides running from The Duomo to the Accademia to crowdedly gaze at Michelangelo’s David, gypsies harmonizing their voices to cups of change outside each cathedral, mopeds defying gravity on every street curve, and men constantly trying to sell you faux designer handbags––rather aggressively once they hear specific accents. It is wild like New York City with the backdrop of the lush Renaissance; history on every street corner and a new hip bar nestled next door. The city only slows down for siesta, and arguably does not sleep otherwise. My weekly restaurants varied from my Duomo in Florence
panoramic views of Tuscany and the ‘best meal in town’ I found the destination.
favorite dive sandwich charcuterie shop where my ill-fitted grasp on the Italian
Piazza Della Cisterna in San Gimignano
language was most comical, I Fratellini, to my
The small town did not disappoint: the people were vibrant in their desire to chat, and the ambiance was a bizarre and charming balance of old and new. Much more a binary to the Florence I had experienced. Florence, the most populous city in Tuscany, is more of a metropolitan mecca than the art history museum www.thecitymagazineelp.com
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A
CELLO by Any Other Name
| By: FELIPA SOLIS |
It is the stuff of Space Shuttle and airplane wings… rocket nose cones and racecars. Welcome to the musical world of carbon fiber, where even in the world of technology, there must be “strings attached.” 158
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December/January, 2014
pro musica
arbon fiber instruments are creating a
C
Why carbon fiber? The material is certainly
Here is how they are made… layers of
sensation worldwide. Artistic Director
more durable than wood, it is lighter and
carbon fabric are placed in a mold and coated
of El Paso Pro-Musica and world-
insensitive to changes in temperature or
with resin, sealed in a vacuum clamp, and
renowned cellist Zuill Bailey owns two of them.
humidity. The carbon fiber cellos, or all
hardened into shape. The back, ribs, and
One resides in Sitka, Alaska, created by Quintus
carbon fiber instruments, are said to have
neck of the instrument are molded in one
“Instruments of Grace.” Zuill is also the Artistic
a “stronger than steel” sturdiness, and are
piece, all the way to the peg box. The top and
Director of the Sitka Summer Music Festival.
highly resistant to damage. This is music to
fingerboard are made separately and glued in
He took this cello up Mt. Edgecumbe, an
the ears of artists like Zuill Bailey, who have
place. Once these shapes are molded, they
inactive volcano, for a three-and-a-half-mile trek
to purchase an airline ticket for their other
are carefully trimmed by hand with diamond-
to perform works by Bach for eager climbers.
“one-of-a-kind” instruments. The carbon
edged tools. Thus, a cello, viola, violin and
He also uses it for Alaskan outreach in below
fiber versions can be checked in with luggage
other string instruments are born. They are
zero temperatures and can even ride his motor
at the airport.
presently working to perfect a guitar.
particular cello, although made of carbon fiber
Luis Leguia, of the Luis and Clark Company,
Here music and science are working together
materials has a wood colored hue. His other
was first inspired by the concept in 1989
to create beautiful sounds and peace of mind
is created by Luis and Clark, the brainchild of
while listening to ocean waves as they
for musicians. It is said that the cello is the
former Boston Symphony Cellist Luis Leguia.
resonated up against his Catamaran. He,
instrument closest in sound to the human
This cello has a dark rich hue and resides in El
alongside Steve Clark, head of Rhode Islands
voice. A whole new slice of technology is
Paso. While performing educational outreach,
Vanguard Sailboats, worked together to
resonating brilliantly for all.
he can allow the students to get up close and
create the miraculous instruments.
scooter there with the cello on his back. This
personal with it. www.thecitymagazineelp.com
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December/January, 2014
Local Artist Spotlight
BENTON LEACHMAN | By: RYAN HEAPE photography by: LANDON LUNA/NEW SLANG |
The Coronado grad readies his debut album in the songwriter-friendly confines of Lubbock, Texas.
B
enton Leachman left his hometown of El Paso to earn a law degree from Texas Tech, but like many others in the last fifteen years—Pat Green, Cory
Morrow, Wade Bowen, Josh Abbott, William Clark Green, to name a few—he has been enchanted by Lubbock and its music. By all accounts, there is a sound to West Texas, and Lubbock’s is particularly nocturnal and restless. There are no hills there, just vast space in which fiddles and guitars seem to float endlessly among the dim streetlights. The 22year-old Leachman’s “Between Pride And What Could Be” is the latest I’ve heard in that breed, an urgent, teeth-gritting jam about desperation that, once finally released as a single in the next few months, stands a chance at being one of the biggest singles of 2014 on the Texas Country charts. Leachman is the latest young talent to ascend the stage at the storied Blue Light bar, a place El Paso’s Dirty River Boys have called a home away from home. Over the last few years, Leachman has become something like
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December/January, 2014
artist spotlight
Lubbock’s young songwriter ambassador,
So I was playing baseball at Coronado and
earning a reputation for being well-dressed
two weeks before my senior season was set
and charismatic on stage and hosting the
to start I was in the batting cages practicing.
Blue Light’s semi-prestigious Songwriter
A batted ball comes back at my face and
Competition this fall. I called up Leachman
breaks my jaw in two places. At first I didn’t
to talk about his big news (his debut album
know it was broken, so as I’m on the ground
comes out in May), his Kanye West “Through
trying with my tongue to find out if I still
The Wire” moment, heavy metal, and
have all my teeth, I feel my jaw and it’s been
opening for Robert Earl Keen last spring.
pushed in and my teeth are actually in the center of my lower palette…
Ryan Heape: I understand you’re recording your debut
RH: …
album at the moment. BL: So that was pretty disconcerting. As soon as Benton Leachman: Yeah, we’re about halfway
I find that out, my coach yells over at me, “Are
done. So far we’ve tracked eight songs and
you OK?” I go, “No!” but as soon as I open my
hopefully by the end of that we’ll have 11. It’s
mouth a stream of blood starts pouring out. My
going to be a pretty diverse record. It’s got
coach just thought I had pushed my teeth in.
all sorts of angles whether it is rock, country,
No painkillers for an hour and a half. But luckily
folk…there’s not going to be any one genre
they didn’t have to wire it shut since it was
you can pinpoint.
broken in a thick spot on my jawbone. Just a liquid diet and a lot of time at home.
RH: When do you think we’ll be able to hear it?
I had a lot of time, since I wasn’t playing baseball anymore, to concentrate on music.
BL: I plan on releasing it in early May. We’ll
I ending up turning back to the music I had
release the first single over winter break and
listened to in my childhood, stuff like Randy
then another probably over spring break.
Travis and Keith Whitley. I decided to take a shot at writing country music. For the next
RH: A spring break jam?
three months I committed myself to writing songs and that continued with me on my way
BL: [Laughs sarcastically] Yeah, gotta tap into
to Texas Tech.
that Luke Bryan/Kenny Chesney demo. RH: I would’ve never guessed that RH: Which high school in
you were once a metal guitarist.
El Paso did you graduate from? BL: Yeah I was listening to everything BL: I went to Coronado. I actually got my start
from Disturbed and Avenged Sevenfold to
as a songwriter there. Pretty long story--when
Metallica and Led Zeppelin and AC/DC, just
I was a senior in high school in this heavy
anything with a good rocking beat that would
metal cover band. It was called Shockwave
pump me up for a baseball game, I guess. But
and I was also playing in a classic rock cover
having that base of heavy metal experience
band called Flash Bang and so I wasn’t
has been fundamental in my understanding
focused on writing so much as playing guitar
of guitar and how I write my guitar parts. On
and performing. Up until that point I was
a track like “Run” from my album you can
more interested in the intricacies of how a
hear that especially.
song sounded. I valued a song that was more complicated instrumentally than anything else. I could care less about the lyrics. www.thecitymagazineelp.com
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artist spotlight
December/January, 2014
RH: Just last night you finished hosting
to get rid of the chance that someone who
BL: Right now I would say it’s in a good
the semi-annual Songwriter Competition
went in and worked with an established
place, especially at the Blue Light. You can
at The Blue Light in Lubbock, one of the
songwriter and made a song that he or
find a bunch of cover bands, and there are
most storied venues in Texas.
she only contributed a couple of lines or a
some really good ones here, but Lubbock is
bridge to could pass the song off as entirely
songwriter-centric. One of my hopes or goals
BL: It was so great. I mean, you know how
their own. Also, having [Lubbock blog New
is to do kind of what Kent Finlay has done
it is with those kinds of things and there are
Slang’s editor-in-chief] Thomas Mooney and
with Cheatham Street Warehouse in San
always people who are gonna be hurt about
[Fall 2009 Blue Light Songwriter Competition
Marcos and turn Lubbock and the Blue Light
how it all shakes out. It’s a multifaceted
winner] Kenneth O’Meara on the judging
into even more of a songwriter’s haven.
competition. You’re judged on your singing,
panel was great in that previously a lot of
your performance and your lyrics. And this year
emphasis was placed on who was the most
RH: People always talk about West Texas
we actually gave more weight to lyrics than
marketable and now the lyrics were getting
having its own sound, Lubbock having
we ever have. I’m pretty happy with it. Every
the attention. Those are two analytical
its own sound, and I think there are
one of our finalists was a great songwriter.
guys. Blue Light’s competition has always
definitely elements of that in your songs.
produced deserving winners and I’m not RH: Were you a judge yourself?
saying it wasn’t done well in the past, but
BL: Definitely and I would even say that just
I do think this year was a little bit more of
people who have been on open mic at the
BL: I was there to facilitate, to host the
a fair shake for those people who maybe
Blue Light for the last few years have had an
whole thing and to figure out who would
don’t have the best voice in the world or
effect on me as an artist. You hear Brandon
judge and what the contestants would be
aren’t the best guitar players.
Adams and all of his music is very dark yet warm in a way.
judged on. One rule that we put in this year was that as a contestant, you had to declare
RH: How has the Lubbock scene
whether the song you’re about to play is co-
changed since you got there?
written with anyone else. That was basically
RH: I hear some of Terry Allen’s Lubbock (On Everything) and Texas Tech grad Wade Bowen’s If We Ever Make It Home in your work especially. BL: Absolutely. Thrift Store Cowboys and Red Shahan, too. Red’s got that awesome gritty, southern swamp rock but once you peel it back it’s also very airy and haunted like a lot of the Americana music that Lubbock has been putting out. Whenever I first started with country I was listening stuff that had a lot of blues and honkytonk influence, a lot of Dwight Yoakum, early Kevin Fowler. Initially I thought I was going to continue on that road. But for me that style of country wasn’t expressing ideas and things I felt personally but was only about playing to an audience. But now I’m writing about things that I actually understand for myself, not necessarily things that I want an audience to hear.
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Article Title
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December/January, 2014
| By: FELIPA SOLIS |
T
he power of the trailer! Nothing can
screenwriting helm, “The Counselor,” has to
be more thrilling than those three
be at the top of the heap this year. Let us
and a half minutes of non-stop action
throw in something even more spectacular
whereby every other big name in motion
for film lovers in the southwest. The film
pictures or “people to watch,” are part of the
takes place in El Paso!
equation: Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem, Penelope The first buzz kill was that only “pick up” scenes were shot here. That means scenes of roadway signs, some scenery, what in the news business we would refer to as “your basic b-roll.” When Brad Pitt makes a reference to the El Paso Times, it is certainly easy enough to make that work in a film. So, it’s a film about El Paso that is shot predominantly in Europe. With that cast, and the talent behind the cameras, of course this has to be a “shoo-in” for awards season. This is awards season, and strangely enough I have a suspicion that this film, despite outstanding cinematography, good performances, especially from Cameron Diaz, and the stunning prose of McCarthy, will slip through the cracks. Cruz, Cameron Diaz, and Michael Fassbender.
164
Kaboom! Blast! Pow! Holy Oscar Batman,
The story is basically about an attorney
this is going to be a good one! All of that
(Michael Fassbender) who is shady at
coupled with Director Ridley Scott, and
best, and after proposing to his girlfriend
compelling author Cormac McCarthy at the
(Penelope Cruz) he realizes he needs some www.thecitymagazineelp.com
December/January, 2014
MOvies
big time cash and fast. He finds himself involved in
This film was very unlike “No Country for Old Men,”
a shady drug deal with none other than Brad Pitt,
where every scene was “shock and awe,” and was
named Manray. I could not help but think of his
absolutely overwhelming. The overwhelming part of
performance in “Inglorious Basterds,” where he
this film was the slow pace and the length of just
is Aldo Raine, and has the same demeanor with
under 2 hours.
that same style of acting delivery … again! Javier Bardem is a sleazy nightclub owner and Fassbender
I did not dislike the movie, I was just expecting so
must protect himself and his fiancé from the drug
much more.
cartel that wants revenge. There it is in a nutshell. Yes, with this scenario, there will be blood and it will be dark not to mention filled with methodical revenge… ultimately. What surprised me the most about this film was the “snail’s pace” movement and the incredibly slow developments of the subplot. The underlying message is the futility of this kind of world. It cannot end well. It seems as though the beauty of Cormac McCarthy’s prose would carry scenes, but then that very prose wound up explaining too much at the same time, thus acting as its own spoiler alert within the film. I found myself often times saying, “well, of course that is going to happen next,” so there were no surprises.
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November, 2013
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MARRY ME! ONE LUCKY GUY WILL HAVE THE CHANCE TO PROPOSE IN OUR PAGES
weddings feb 2014
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December/January, 2014
Perfect
PARTY MIX The Who and Where | Written and photographed by: SOFFIA WARDY |
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e n t e r ta i n i n g
December/January, 2014
A
s we head into the holiday season,
tables, I put them at different tables. Think of how
and what I like to call the “Iditarod
much more the couples themselves will have to
of Parties,” I’ve been thinking about
talk about during the drive home that night!
group dynamics and what makes for a great soirée. Let’s face it: nothing is more boring than
Gracious seating plans are easily carried out with
attending the same dinner party with the same
place cards. Think of them as your dual-purpose
guests over and over.
little helpers. Place cards make your guests feel welcome and planned for and they enable you
A good rule of thumb for creating the perfect
to mix up the crowd. Just remember the onus is
guest list is to include 60 percent people who
on you to circulate among your guests and make
know each other and 40 percent who don’t. That
introductions during the cocktail hour before
can be tricky to achieve, but well worth the effort.
dinner. Don’t worry about introducing everyone.
As you plan your upcoming get-togethers, think
The act of the hosts welcoming each person
about shaking up your circles of friends and going
and making them feel comfortable will create
just slightly out of your comfort zone. Consider
an open atmosphere where guests are likely to
inviting a few people whom you’d like to get to
mingle with ease.
know better. The conversations around the room are sure to be more interesting if there are new
And finally, if you’re likely to be a guest as often
acquaintances and unexpected combinations.
as a host this season, keep this advice in mind: go over to the side of the room and talk to the
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Seating is another key element to keeping the
person you least want to talk to. When you talk
evening lively. One rule I swear by is to never seat
to people who you may not expect to connect
couples together. And when there are multiple
with, something unusual can happen.
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December/January, 2014
Becoming a Wine Expert in the New Year | By: VIC POULOS |
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December/January, 2014
S
WINE
o for the New Year, you’ve resolved that
at least one bottle per week of only one kind
of the neighborhood, you should start with an
you want to learn more about wine.
of wine made by different producers. After
initial investment of about $1,000. Of course,
You’re tired of opening the wine menu
trying four or five different wines of the same
not everybody has $1,000 they want to set
at restaurants, only to be intimidated by a
varietal each month, you’ll easily learn what
aside immediately for wine, so there are many
long list of wines you’ve never heard of. This
makes each varietal unique, and what you like
ways you can reduce the costs – simply find
year is going to be different, you say, you’re
and don’t like about each one – and it’s a great
wines for each varietal at lower price points!
ready to learn and even start your own wine
excuse to buy and drink wine, too! It’s a lot
collection.
more fun than reading a book, right?
So where do you begin?
So once you’ve gone through several months
controlled to the best extent possible, I’d
of trying different varietals, you’ll likely want
like to concentrate here on what to stock the
to start your wine collection at home.
cellar with.
make it easier to choose which wine they like.
Of course, there are hundreds of varietals: red
I think it’s a good idea to start your collection
This method can work, if you already know
wines, white wines, sweet wines and dry wines.
with a wine just about everyone has heard
the basics, but what if you don’t even know
It can be a daunting task just contemplating
of – Champagne (or sparkling wine). It pairs
where you want to start?
where you might begin your collection, and
well with almost every kind of food and is,
how to do so without breaking the bank.
of course, a celebration staple. It’s up to
Assuming you have already allocated space and that it is temperature and humidity
Many people who are first trying wines like to taste different kinds of wine, side by side, to
you if you want to spring for the ‘real stuff’
I always recommend a different method for trying and learning about wine: one month,
If possible, I always recommend that if you
– Champagne – or if you want to save some
one varietal. For an entire month, purchase
want to build a nice collection that’s the envy
money and go with an American-made
Many people who are first trying wines like to taste different kinds of wine, side by side, to make it easier to choose which wine they like. This method can work, if you already know the basics, but what if you don’t even know where you want to start?
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December/January, 2014
sparkling wine. Either way, a couple bottles
As for red wines, I recommend having a Merlot,
your ability to buy what YOU enjoy. Typically
of Champagne and/or sparkling wine is a
Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel,
the wines of the month clubs are in special
great way to cornerstone your collection.
and Syrah in your collection – all from the U.S.
arrangements with providers of large quantity
These can generally be purchased for less
wines, and quite frankly, won’t add that special
Next, you should make sure you have
than $30 a bottle. Other red wines to consider
personal touch to your collection. Building
the everyday wines covered. One or two
are a Malbec from Argentina and a Syrah from
your own collection and diversity of wines
cases of red wines and one or two cases
Australia. You should also add one or two
you enjoy will also afford you special pride and
of white wines (12 bottles per case) should
Italian varietals to your collection such as a
accomplishment when you walk into the cellar!
do, and if you’re purchasing from a grocer
Barbera or Chianti. Having these will ensure
or large retailer, there are often significant
that you have all of the major red wines.
Whether you want to become a serious wine “geek” or a person who just enjoys a glass of
discounts when buying multiple bottles at once. You’ll most frequently want
You could easily stop here and have a solid
wine a few nights each week, will determine
your white wines for summer and spring
collection, but if you want to take your
the wines you buy for your cellar. As you
occasions, as they are crisper. Your red
collection to the next level, you should consider
become more serious in your collecting,
wines will likely be used more in the cooler
adding a couple more cases of international
you’ll find you are adding more expensive and
months and with dinners and heavier
wines to your collection. I would recommend
exotic wines to enjoy on that special occasion.
meals such as pasta dishes, red meat, etc.
a good Burgundy or Bordeaux from France or
If you are buying a wine to drink that year,
a good Barolo from Italy. These will be more
pay particular attention to the vintage of the
Now which types of white and red wines
expensive but they are nice to have on hand
wine and ensure that for whites it was from
should you get? To ensure diversity and
for any special moments or parties where
a vintage the last couple of years. I would
a range of sweetness with white wines,
you want to impress your guests. One or two
suggest vintages on the red wines from the
I would recommend a Sauvignon Blanc,
bottles of special dessert wine or port are a
last two or three years as well. Most people
Riesling,
good way to round out your collection.
are surprised to hear that 80% of wines
Gewürztraminer,
Chardonnay
should be consumed right away.
and perhaps even a Malvasia Bianca. Again, it’s up to you how much you want
In my opinion, unless you are in a wine club
to spend on each of these, but any of
with a favorite winery, avoid the online and
Start your collection with these few steps,
them can be found for under $15. I would
magazine endorsed “wine of the month” clubs
and then decide what kinds of wine you really
also recommend adding a dry Rose to
to build your cellar. Many online wine retailers
like and which ones you want more of – from
your collection – which makes for a great
offer monthly clubs and discounts that might
there, it’s endless – trust me!
outdoor, summer wine.
help you build your collection faster, but they lock you into a less diverse collection and limit
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Salud!
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12-8
11-29
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10-27
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9-29
9-15
9-01
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James
Julio
Springer
7315 Canutillo La Union Rd. Canutillo, TX 915-877-4544 zinvalle.com
the jewel of the westside
Armando and Linda Medrano
Jewel Gallery invites you this Holiday Season to visit and discover, build & design custom jewelry 7134 N. Mesa ColoNy Cove II | el Paso, Texas 79912 |
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915-845-7740
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December/January, 2014
T
he holidays are quickly approaching as everyone prepares to celebrate. As we hustle and bustle around preparing for the holidays, we see many common symbols everywhere at the
malls and in our homes, but have you ever stopped to realize the hidden meaning behind them? Years ago, I came across a story about the Christmas tree and its symbolism. In some cultures what you adorn your tree with is what you want the coming New Year to bring to you. For example, if you wanted love to come into your life the coming year you could put hearts and flowers, or if you wanted wealth, you could use coins and grains to bring in money for the New Year. At that time in my life, my then husband was facing a serious health issue of going
| By: GRACE THE PSYCHIC LADY |
blind. I recalled the story and was so touched by the tradition that I decided to adorn the tree with this is mind. I covered the tree with white lights and gold angels, the white lights symbolizing vision and the angels granting the miracle of sight. I recall the look on his face when he came home from work that day saying it was the most beautiful tree he had ever seen in his life. My miracle was granted and he never lost his sight. Below are some of the symbols with
Christmas Symb lism
and
New Year’s Traditions
their meanings:
Angels - represent messengers, an angel appeared to Mary to announce the birth of a child
Bells - are symbolic and associated with churches Doves - symbolize peace and a reminder of the Holy Spirit Lights - signifying light coming into the world, “light of the world” Poinsettias - mean star flower bloom only around Christmas time representing the Star of Bethlehem
Mistletoe - was used to protect against evil Wreaths - circular in shape as a reminder no beginning and no end, eternal
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December/January, 2014 When we look at New Year superstitions they are meant to usher in good luck while keeping bad luck away, it is also a time to resolve bad habits and begin a time of renewal. It is believed that what you do on New Year’s Day will set the tone for the following year. It is important to watch our feelings and make sure we are not crying and upset otherwise we will have a bad year full of tears, instead be happy and upbeat. Here are a few superstitions you may have heard of and some that might be new to you:
Black eyed peas or grapes - eating this is believed to bring wealth
Kissing at midnight - ensures affection for the year, if you’re alone kissing a pet will work too
Noise makers - used to scare away evil spirits and bring in new ones
Money - fill your wallet with money to ensure a prosperous year, do not lend money as well
Cupboards - fill them before New Year’s Day to have a year of plenty
Work - Do something small workwise on this day to bring steady work for the year
Visitors - It is believed the 1st person to visit you will have influence on your life the entire year Finally, pay attention to the wind. If it is calm outside it signifies a peaceful and prosperous New Year.
Wishing you a very blessed holiday and may the coming New Year bring you all you desire. www.thecitymagazineelp.com
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December/January, 2014
| Written and photographed by: LUIS MIRANDA, JR. |
HIDDEN GEMS
GROCERY GALLERY 176
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A
rt galleries have been around since
back to school and study art again. While
glass classes for the general public, as well
the early 1800s starting out as just
studying sculpting in Mexico, Arias took
as for children with special needs. Working
exhibitions of paintings, they have
an interest into glass art and this type of
with special needs students has definitely
grown to allow all types of artists to display
art ultimately became her favorite type to
been one of the most uplifting aspects Arias
their artwork, sculptures, and stained glass.
produce. Arias had lived in larger cities like
has experienced being in El Paso. She say’s
Even photographers have started displaying
Chicago, Phoenix, and San Francisco where
that the hugs she receives from her students
their work in art galleries. Ana Luisa Arias,
art is a big influence. However, Arias said it
are very distinct, they are filled with love as
a stained glass artist in El Paso, has opened
was very difficult to find an art gallery up to
they hug her with a warm heart and a bright
an art gallery in the downtown area. The
her standards to display her work.
smile. That is when she realized that she had something special in her gallery.
gallery is home to multiple artists, some are her students and others are freelance artists.
In February 2013, Arias opened the doors
Arias is very well known for her craft glass
to her very own art gallery called, “Grocery
Arias understands how hard it is for an artist
art work and continues to create new stained
Gallery” in downtown El Paso. Her gallery was
in today’s time to have a place they can call
glass windows for multiple churches around
aimed at helping other artists like her in El Paso
home and to display and sell their artwork.
the Southwest region. Arias’ story of how
to display their artwork and ultimately help the
Arias says it is not easy to take the path of an
her “Grocery Gallery” came to exist is both
artists advance their talent and get noticed.
artist, it is a struggle each day that takes blood,
exciting and enriching.
The Gallery also offers coffee to customers
sweat, tears, and hope that what you believe
looking to sit down and be engulfed in the
in will become what it is suppose to be. But
Arias started studying art at the University of
beautiful array of artwork. The coffee shop is
the passion Arias displays for her work and
Phoenix. Her mother had never approved of
set up within the gallery to help raise money to
her gallery truly sets her apart from the rest
her studying art; she wanted her daughter
maintain it. The last Thursday of every month
of the art world. Grocery Gallery has definitely
to study medicine and obtain a medical
Grocery Gallery opens its doors to the public
become a one-of-a-kind gallery offering
degree. Arias graduated from the University
to come and enjoy fire-dancing performances
classes to beginning art students, along with
of Phoenix and moved back with her mother
along with belly dancers. The belly dancers
artists that are filled with tremendous talent
to Mexico. Moving back to Mexico, Arias
that perform on Thursdays are students of the
who are ready to place their art in the gallery
attended a Mexican college to seek a degree
gallery; the classes are offered at the gallery
for sale. Grocery Gallery is a place where
in Psychology, the degree her mother had
and taught by an experienced belly-dancing
creativity meets passion, and where people
always wanted her to get. After obtaining
instructor named Sandra Medrano. Aside from
are given the opportunity to evolve their craft
her psychology degree Arias decided to go
belly dancing classes, Arias teaches stained
to the best that it can be.
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December/January, 2014
The Mustard Seed Café Breathing Life into the
People of El Paso | By: MEAGAN KINLEY photography by: ROBERT CORRAL |
For the last two and a half years, Christi Brown, Patsy Burdick and Shelley Speicher have been cooking up a revolutionary plan to make a long-term impact on this city’s disparaging hunger and poverty statistics by opening El Paso’s first pay-as-you-can café. 178
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December/January, 2014
“T
Article Title
he idea really began after I read a
And from these countless meetings,
novel A Summer Kitchen, which
the idea of the Mustard Seed Café
is based on the The Gospel Café,
was born; but like any big idea, this
a real pay-as-you-can café in Waco, Texas,”
feat did not happen in just a day and
said Brown. “I couldn’t shake that idea for
required collaboration from dozens of
a couple of years and as I began reading a
people all around the country.
lot more books centered on the idea of social justice, I began to feel trapped feeling sorry for people. I wanted to do more than just give money to these victims and do something to alleviate these real-world problems. So one day I sat down and wrote out about seven pages of verses, thoughts and conversations, and sent an email out to people who knew about food or just individuals that God had put on my heart. Around that time, Patsy and I had breakfast at the Corner Bakery—we started talking and we discovered that we
“When people come together in the café, boundaries are broken down,” said Brown. “That’s part of our vision, to bring people together in true community and breaking down barriers.”
had been reading the same books.” “We were made aware of the One “I had also been looking for what’s next in
World Everybody Eats Foundation,
my life,” added Burdick. “When I read the
they actually help communities start
email I knew that was it, that’s what I was
these cafes. With their help, we
supposed to do next. It was very, very, scary,
developed a business prospectus
but I knew it was right.”
using their materials, tweaking them to meet our specific needs. The
From here Brown, Burdick and Speicher
“We were all in similar places in life,”
beauty of this is, there were people all across
began moving towards cultivating a business
explained Speicher. “We had all had children
the country who were doing exactly what
plan, finding a location and also developing
who were grown and we were ready to do
we were trying to do—it was encouraging
healthy, real food recipes to serve. With the
something meaningful in our community and
not to be alone as we began this journey,”
help of numerous individuals, including their
really weren’t sure what that looked like. In
said Brown. “When we were visiting these
family and friends, they were able to get the
that email that Christy sent, there was a quote
different cafes, we saw a quote on one of
Mustard Seed Café off the ground.
that really resonated with me and it was,
the municipal buildings in Denver and it
‘sympathy is never a substitute for action.’ I
said, ‘what is the city but its people?’ And
“The people of El Paso have just been
had spent a lot of time sympathizing, welling
that is The Mustard Seed Café. It takes a
amazing,” said Brown. “They have been
up at news stories and feeling helpless at
community to make a café, this is not ours,
very excited about the whole concept,”
the tremendous need in our community. So
this is El Paso’s.”
added Speicher. “Usually people start out
we three decided to meet and we have not
with the best of intentions and don’t always
stopped meeting since.”
pull through, but that hasn’t really happened.
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December/January, 2014
We even have people who
café. “There are so many different aspects
have been with us since
of this that appeal to so many different
the beginning. The El Paso
passions,” said Speicher. “People bring to
Community Foundation gave
the table what they have and what they can
us an extremely generous
do. Sometimes that means writing a check,
grant, which helped us get
washing dishes, painting a canvas, or working
started, and from there we
in the office—it’s whatever, everybody has
just needed a location. We
something to offer.”
looked for a long time for a place that would be accessible
The mission of the Mustard Seed Café is
to the most people. Around
to provide El Paso with a community café
this time, First Christian
for everyone. Whether it’s a new meeting
Church stepped up and
place for the businessmen and women of El
said they had a commercial
Paso, bridge clubs, or church groups—The
kitchen they wanted to offer
Mustard Seed Café offers delicious food and
to be used for the café, it was
an inspiring environment that truly benefits all
the perfect situation and we
parties involved.
are so thankful for them.” “When people come together in the café,
180
The Mustard Seed Café
boundaries are broken down,” said Brown.
officially opened its doors at the end of
“That’s part of our vision, to bring people
November and everyone and anyone is
together in true community and breaking
welcome to take part in the community driven
down barriers.” www.thecitymagazineelp.com
December/January, 2014
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November, 2013
182
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November, 2013
226 Cincinatti El Paso, TX 79902 915-532-2390 183
December/January, 2014
Danashiya Pritchard
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| By: MARINA MONSISVAIS White House photos by: RALPH ALSWANG |
Project AIM Wins the
2013 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award
First Lady Michelle Obama with Miranda Luna and Andrea Gates-Ingle
“We are honored for this program to be recognized by the White House, President and First Lady. ”
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c r e at i v e k i d s
F
December/January, 2014
irst Lady Michelle Obama presented
introduced to the Creative Kids hospital art
“Through these programs, young people
the
and
program – Project AIM. Miranda gravitated
are
Humanities Youth Program Award
towards the program and was always the
developing a stronger sense of who they
to El Paso’s Creative Kids Project
first patient to be waiting for the art studio
are as individuals, and gaining a deeper
AIM (Arts in Motion), a visual arts program for
to be opened at the hospital. Whether it
understanding of the world around them,”
pediatric oncology patients. The program was
was painting, printmaking or dabbling in
wrote Mrs. Obama in the program for the
recognized for its effectiveness in developing
Photoshop and Illustrator, Miranda loved
award ceremony. “And, as young people
learning and life skills in young people by
to be immersed in the art program as she
navigate today’s challenges, the programs
engaging them in the arts or humanities on
said it helped to melt away her fear and
we are honoring offer safe harbors that
Friday, November 22, 2013 in a ceremony at
anxiety of not knowing what the next day
cultivate enthusiasm for learning, support
the White House East Room. The National
may bring. Over the years, Miranda has
academic
Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award is
transformed from a shy young lady into a
college readiness.”
the highest national honor awarded to such
confident, outspoken young woman who,
programs. “We are honored for this program to
six years later, still loves to be engaged in
Creative
be recognized by the White House, President
the Creative Kids art program.
organizations chosen from a pool of more
2013
National
Arts
discovering
their
creative
achievement,
Kids
was
and
one
of
voices,
promote
twelve
than 350 nominations and 50 finalists. The
and First Lady,” said Andrea Gates-Ingle who
Photos courtesy of Creative Kids with her husband, Stephen Ingle, co-founded
The ceremony also included a speech
award also comes with a $10,000 grant. The
this program in 1999 at Providence Children’s
by 12-year-old Danashiya Pritchard, a
awards are administered by the President’s
Hospital. Project AIM has since expanded to
“Creative Kid” and participant in Project
Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
include both children’s hospitals in El Paso, TX.
AIM here in El Paso, Texas. Project AIM
(PCAH), in partnership with the National
reaches over 1,000 children battling
Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National
Miranda Luna, a participant in Project AIM,
cancer in two area hospitals, offering
Endowment for the Humanities (NEH),
accompanied co-founder and Executive
art-mediated
on
and the Institute of Museum and Library
Director of Creative Kids, Andrea Gates-
canvas, printmaking, and graphic arts,
Services (IMLS). For more information
Ingle to receive the award at the White
among other art forms. Over Project
about the National Arts and Humanities
House. In 2008, Miranda was a tender 10
AIM’s fourteen-year history, more than
Youth Program Awards, visit www.pcah.
years of age when she was delivered the
250 pieces of the patients’ artwork have
gov. Congratulations Creative Kids!
news that she had Leukemia. Faced with a
been showcased in more than six venues
devastating diagnosis, Miranda immediately
in the El Paso area.
therapy
in
painting
started treatment at Providence Children’s Hospital. It was then when she was first 186
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December/January, 2014
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December/January, 2014 Protection From the Heart
Protection
From the
Heart | By: BRITTANY SAWREY photo by: ROBERT CORRAL |
In the August issue of The City Magazine, you may remember meeting an incredible canine: Eva, the explosive detection dog. Recently, an incredible local nonprofit organization raised the funds to thank Eva for her service by outfitting her with a bullet and explosion proof canine vest. The organization’s name perfectly describes its goal and focus: From the Heart.
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E VA
F
rom the Heart was created in 2004
when buying in bulk. Eva was one of the lucky
by Brandy Gardes with a unique goal
recipients of this gift of protection, keeping her
that separates it from other shelters
safe as she puts her life on the line every day
and humane societies. From the Heart
for El Paso. “With the hazardous situations
unconditionally accepts animals that are ill,
that K9 Eva has encountered, the bullet proof
seriously injured or abused; there is no animal
vest donated by From the Heart foundation
that is beyond their help, or that they do not
has been a vital piece of equipment to protect
consider worth investing their time, resources
one of our best assets on the El Paso border,”
and love into. When animals arrive, they
Cesar Salmon, Eva’s handler, shared. “K9 Eva
are not only given intense veterinary care,
or our other local K9’s don’t hesitate to give
including health checks, vaccines, and any
100 percent unconditionally in the line of duty
necessary surgeries, but they are also given
not knowing the mortal dangers they could
intense personal care. FTH understands that
possibly be facing… I feel we owe them the
many of these animals need more than just
duty to take care and protect all our K9’s in
physical help – they need to be emotionally
dangerous situations. I am grateful to From
rehabilitated from trauma or abuse. Once
the Heart and especially Brandy Gardes
the care staff feels that the animal is ready,
because they donated their time and raised
it will be placed in a loving foster home to
money to purchase a bullet proof vest that
From the Heart Rescue and
await adoption. FTH is also very careful and
protects my partner that in turn protects our
stringent about what homes they place their
facilities, employees, and our community.”
New Hope Alliance are teaming
animals into; it must be a ‘forever home’ to truly offer them the second chance they need.
Would you take a bullet for your friend and partner? Law Enforcement K9s do! up to raise $12,000 to purchase
Those that are interested in helping From
bulletproof/stabproof vests
the Heart purchase these life-saving vests
for the El Paso law
From the Heart has gone a step further,
should visit their website, www.fthar.org.
however, to preventing animal injuries. In the
“I’m thrilled at every dollar,” Foggia adds
past few years they have been fundraising in
with enthusiasm, “It all adds up.” They have
order to buy bulletproof and explosion proof
countless opportunities to volunteer, donate,
canine vests. Through word-of-mouth, school
or fundraise, and they are very enthusiastic
fundraisers, donation banks, and after school
about coming up with creative ideas for
From the Heart
clubs, they have been able to purchase over
schools, businesses or individuals to help
to help purchase
20 vests for dogs that are in service to our
them fundraise. A nine-year-old boy has even
country. “It’s a win-win situation,” Ro Foggia,
offered to forsake birthday presents and
vests are tax-deductable.
Assistant Project Manager for FTH, explains.
instead have family and friends donate to this
“We’re not just protecting the dog, we’re
wonderful organization, and many high school
protecting our country. We protect the dog
students have stepped up to help protect
that protects us.” Each of the bullet and
these canines. “The dog is laying down its
explosion proof vests costs about $2,000, but
life for its handler and country,” Foggia urges,
thankfully FTH has been able to get a discount
“We really need to protect them.”
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
enforcement K9 Units. All Donations to
From the Heart Rescue PO Box 56, Canutillo, Texas 79835
189
December/January, 2014
New Yorkers with Border-Ties Lend a Helping Hand Project Paz Presents Project: Art
| By: ANDRÉS RODRÍGUEZ Event photos by: NEIL RASMUS/BFAnyc.com |
190
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
Photos of children in Juarez program by: Monica Lozano
NEW YORK—It began with an email. Karla Martinez, who was raised in El Paso and now lives in New York, sent out a call to friends to help the embattled Ciudad Juárez in April 2010. The violence from the drug cartel wars was at its peak and they wanted to help in some way, she recalls at a small gathering in Midtown New York with some of the founding members of Project Paz, a New-York based non-profit organization that seeks to promote peace in Juárez. “We all got together one Saturday at my house and we just started
Children participating in ADN program
talking,” Martinez, who works as the fashion market and accessories director for W Magazine, says. “We pulled together all our resources.” The group of young professionals started weekly Saturday meetings at the Mexican restaurant Hecho en Dumbo. There they figured out how former El Pasoans and Juarenses living in New York without any experience running a non-profit would aid their border community two thousand miles away. “We needed to know what are our limitations,” Sergio Urias, founding member and the organization’s self-described balloon popper, says. “We’re very far away and we all have our day jobs, so what can we actually do with the time that we have and the resources that we have?”
Artwork auctioned off at this year’s annual fundraising event
Seven months later, they held their first fundraising event at a packed studio in Lower Manhattan with chips and salsa, A-list designers, Carolina Herrera de Baez, daughter of the designer of the same name, and soccer star Rafa Marquez. “We were expecting something big, but it went above and beyond our expectations,” says Urias, born in El Paso, raised in Juarez. That set the stage for greater things to come, Adal Gutierrez, Project Paz co-president and a UTEP graduate from Chihuahua city, says. “We got really inspired to keep doing it, so we decided to do it on an annual basis.” www.thecitymagazineelp.com
191
p r o j ec t pa z
December/January, 2014 That November, they raised $90,000, which they used to partner with La Fundación del Empresariado
Chihuahuense
(FECHAC),
an
organization that served as the back office Project Paz didn’t have on the ground. Through the FECHAC, the non-profit funded Desarollo de Bases in 2010. Desarollo de Bases is a grassroots organization in which the Juárez community tells the donor what they need the money for. In a year, the initiative served 23 groups made up of 230 people, by partly funding everything from beautifying parks to establishing sewing workshops. “We didn’t want to come in as this charity from New York throwing money at something when there are people that live and work there and do this, spend their lives doing this, to help their city,” Martinez says. More than $410,000 was raised through 2012 for organizations like Ampliando el Desarollo de los Niños (ADN), which they partnered with in 2011. ADN, which also received funds from Project Paz in 2012, is an after school program that promotes artistic, physical and cultural activities in kids who often have working families. “It’s taking these children off the street and teaching them whether it be sports or art,” Martinez says. This year, Project Paz raised $105,000 at the auction and $30,000 from a gala held in January by Latin Finance to promote the organization. They also partnered with DKNY and Sachs to receive a portion of a day’s store profits. Through a partnership with Duggal Big Picture Foundation, Project Paz has been able to provide an eight-week summer course for ADN kids where they are taught to use cameras and take their own photos. Annette and Phoebe Stevens, Mexican jewelry artists, curated 12 of the best photos and they were auctioned during this year’s event. “It was literally through their eyes, what they see. You could see the mountains, their families, their friends in their pictures,” Gutierrez, a communications 192
professional
and
freelance
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
December/January, 2014
Sofia Sanchez Barrenechea, Jason Wu graphic designer, says. “It really helped us illustrate what Juárez looks like and what these kids are going through.” The photography course, Pictures for Paz, is set to launch a fall partnership with Los Salesianos, a Catholic youth organization in Juárez. Project Paz is now up to 34 members from cities including Boston, Austin, Mexico City, L.A., New York, Juárez and El Paso. Four years in, the three founding members say the organization is better coordinated. “It can still get overwhelming,” Gutierrez says, “but committees have been formed to see to specific areas and things are running more smoothly.” “I was happily surprised this year how it wasn’t that much work, it was, but it was so much more organized,” Urias adds. “We’re now at a place that we’re efficient and an example of that is how successful this event was.” Project Paz doesn’t have plans of slowing down with talks of a less violent Juárez. “There’s an aftermath. It’s not just that murders stop, or violence stops and the community keeps going as if nothing happened,” Gutierrez says. “There needs to be a continued focus on the future generations, because those kids...they probably don’t understand yet what happened and we don’t want them to grow up with the wrong image of life.”
www.thecitymagazineelp.com
193
December/January, 2014
| By: CHARLES MORRIS photography by: ROLAND MIRACO |
SADDLE UP El Paso Trail Rides
194
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December/January, 2014
e l pa s o t r a i l r i d e s
AND WIND DOWN “A horse is the projection of people’s dreams about themselves – strong, powerful, beautiful – and it has the capability of giving us escape from our mundane existence.” Pam Brown
sn’t it true that the most amazing
I
dusty, quarter horse ranch on the outskirts of
above the round. Josh walked me through
moments in life often come without
the city and was greeted by Joshua Evans –
the reign handling instructions – left, right,
warning? Rarely are they the result of
a friendly giant of a man with a broad smile
stop, go….easy enough. He mentioned,
careful planning and thought. In the end,
and beat up cowboy hat. Josh told me, “The
“One of the things that sets us apart is that
they don’t only exceed our expectations – they
business has operated since 1975. For many
our horses are exceptionally trained and good
overwhelm them. So was the case in my story.
years the ranch has given riding lessons to the
with riders of all skill level.” (Thank goodness)
young, also organizing high adventure camps
Then, ready or not, the journey started by
I cannot recall the exact moment that the
for the Boy Scouts and has also managed a
crossing the street and turning into a small
idea came to me – but when the romantic
full-scale cattle ranch in the foothills of New
clearing in a fence that served as the entry
notion of riding horseback through the desert
Mexico. We have taken groups as large as 25
point into the desert.
came to me – it stayed like a small splinter
riders out.” He added, “The trail ride business
in my hand, nagging me, reminding me from
started many years ago as parents of children
Transitions can come so subtly. Somewhere
time-to-time until I finally acted.
in the ranch’s Youth Summer Camp started
after we entered that gate, everything
asking to experience horseback riding.”
changed. I felt a complete sense of peace and tranquility. I guess I didn’t realize how
Where to start my search for trail rides? The universal answer: Google, of course. Bingo.
We walked to the stable and I was introduced
stressed I had been in my daily life. I noticed
There it was – and only a short ride from the
to our horses, Moon and Ruby. My horse,
something
Westside – El Paso Trail Rides. I called and
Ruby, was a large, dark chestnut colored,
listened and I heard NOTHING – then smiled
talked with Joshua – son of the ranch owner
quarter horse. Mounting was easier than I
realizing….that was it – SILENCE. We
Greg Evans. I felt a boost of excitement after
thought. The sensation of being in the saddle
were traveling in the complete absence of
making the plans for a two hour journey into
was like being strangely suspended six feet
technology – no cars, no buses, no planes
significant
was
missing…I
the desert. My dream would be
and no obnoxious ringtones. The
realized. But like the person who has
only sound was the breathing of the
dreamed of skydiving all their lives,
horses and their footfall in the soft
the dream is one thing. Strapping on
desert sand. I scanned the horizon.
the parachute is a quite another. And
The purple Franklin Mountains looked
as I drove to the ranch, a hundred
small in the distance to the west.
thoughts flooded me. Understand
Green shrubs dotted the landscape.
that I was born and raised in Chicago.
This was the El Paso desert from the
The closest I had ever been to a
Marty Robbins song. I half expected
horse was at Brookfield Zoo or the
John Wayne or Clint Eastwood to
circus. How does one steer a horse?
ride up to us. Over my seven years
Would I even be able to mount the
living in El Paso, I’ve heard dozens
horse, much less ride one? What had
of people make the comment, “El
I gotten myself into?
Paso is ugly.” Take a trail ride with Josh and I defy anyone to make that
I pulled into the gravel driveway of a www.thecitymagazineelp.com
comment afterwards. 195
Article Title
We traveled for just over two hours – climbing
Contact Information:
steep bluffs and stopping at vistas of great
El Paso Trail Rides
beauty. I even experienced “trotting” and
Owners: Joshua and Greg Evans
“loping” (jogging and running to us city
6864 McNutt Road
slickers). I made a joke about “one horse
915.253.4168
power” until I experienced Ruby at full lope.
elpasotrailrides@yahoo.com
December/January, 2014
The bridled acceleration was an exhilarating surprise that I’ll never forget. The trip ended much too soon. I still find my thoughts drifting back to Ruby and wanting to get back out there and feel that sense of peace and escape. I am reminded of a quote from Helen Thompson, “In riding horses, we borrow freedom.” In these days where we are bound by deadlines, bills, email, Facebook and a thousand other commitments and obligations– perhaps a moment of pure freedom is exactly what we all need and deserve. 196
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December/January, 2014
we make
better websites
and
design video www.commonpeoples.com
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197
“Paratum cor meum!” (My Heart is Ready) Most Rev. Mark Joseph Seitz, DD Bishop of El Paso
On May 6, 2013, His Holiness Pope Francis named Auxiliary Bishop Mark J. Seitz, D.D. of Dallas as the sixth Bishop of El Paso. Bishop Seitz was installed as the Bishop of El Paso on July 9, 2013. Bishop Seitz was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on January 10, 1954, the oldest of 10 children. Wanting to be a priest from early childhood, Bishop Seitz remembers that when he was eight years old, “I woke up in a thoughtful mood and began to reflect about what I wanted to be.” Like many little boys, he thought about being a fireman, a doctor or… a priest, or perhaps all three. “But then I thought if I were a fireman or doctor, I could save people but they were still going to die. If I were a priest I could save people so they could live forever,” he says. At his first press conference in the Diocese of El Paso, he said, “I accept this call as a new opportunity to follow the Good Shepherd and, with His help, to be one.” Bishop Seitz began his priestly formation in 1972 at Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving, Texas and was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Dallas on May 17, 1980. He served the Diocese of Dallas in various capacities including in parishes and as ViceRector at Holy Trinity Seminary. On March 11, 2010, Bishop Seitz was named Auxiliary Bishop of Dallas and took as his motto, “Paratum cor meum” – My heart is ready.
ADVERTISING SPONSORED BY:
Celebrate the Centennial of the Diocese of El Paso The Catholic Church has served the needs of God’s people in the Diocese of El Paso for almost 400 years. Our ministries, parishes, and schools were founded with the desire to share Catholic life and give witness to Christ. The Diocese of El Paso will celebrate its 100th Anniversary serving the community in 2014. As we approach this important milestone, we take great pride in the growth of our diocese and its many expanding services. For more information, visit www.elpasodiocese.org/centennial.
FINANCIAL
EXPERTS PROFILES
from left to right: Bobby Blanco, Agustin Montes, Travis Hughes, Kevin O’Neill, Monica Narvaez, Henry Gallardo and Gilbert Cortez
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.
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PASO DEL NORTE WEALTH ADVISORS NETWORK “We enjoy, most, the relationships we are blessed to cultivate with our clients and genuinely assist them with the challenges that life brings that affect both their personal life and financial goals.” For many years now the advisor firms
establish strong professional relationships
Financial Advisors, we are not attached to
affiliated with the Paso Del Norte Wealth
with their clients and their families. This
just one company and for the benefit of one
Advisors network have been serving the
ensures that each member knows and
company. Our responsibility is to our clients
people of El Paso by offering comprehensive
understands the financial needs and future
and our clients only. We are brokers and we
wealth management and financial services to
goals of those they represent.
have an unlimited number of options, which
independent professionals and commercial
helps us create the best portfolio we can
businesses all across the city. These trained
“I think what makes us different is that we
professionals seek to not only maintain
have a vested interest in our business. We are
positive fiscal health for their clients, but
not employees, we are owners,” explained
they also do all they can to ensure that
advisor Gilbert Cortez. “We work longer than
their wealth continues to grow. In addition
most in our industry. We just don’t shut off
to these services, Paso Del Norte Wealth
the lights at five p.m. We understand our
Advisors network also assists in insurance,
clients are busy and have responsibilities and
investment, tax, and estate planning—
that we have to be there for them when they
specifically in distributing the estate in a tax
have the time, even if that means after their
efficient way with asset protection.
day ends or on weekends. Our clients say
for them,” said advisor Francisco Saenz. Strategic Wealth Advisors Henry Gallardo, CWS® Monica Narvaez, CFP®, CLTC Bobby Blanco, CWS® Agustin Montes 600 Sunland Park Drive, Building One, Ste. 100, El Paso, Texas 79912 (915) 532-8885 www.sw-advisors.com
our customer service is among the best.” Paso Del Norte Wealth Advisors network is comprised of partners Henry Gallardo,
This body of advisors is truly unique, each
Monica Narvaez, Bobby Blanco, as well
firm brings the best of their individual
as their newest partner, Agustin “Augie”
backgrounds, educations and professional
Montes from Strategic Wealth Advisors.
experience to the Paso Del Norte network,
From
enabling
Hughes
Financial
Group:
Travis
their
clients
to
handpick
an
Hughes, Gilbert Cortez, Francisco Saenz and
advisor and style that works well with their
Kevin O’Neill and Tony Morris from Mormac
financial dreams. “First and foremost we
Brokerage Agency. Working with business
are a local shop, we are local people and
owners of all shapes and sizes, the advisors
we understand the needs of El Pasoans,
of the Paso Del Norte network show their
we are not only bilingual but bicultural. We
true devotion and expertise in their trade.
understand and love the city that has given
All advisors believe in the “strong service
us so many opportunities and given us a
model philosophy” which requires them to
chance to grow. Second we are Independent
By: MEAGAN KINLEY photographed by: ROBERT CORRAL
Hughes Financial Group Travis Hughes, CFP, ChFC, CLU, AEP, MSFS, REBC, RHU Kevin O’Neill Gilbert Cortez Francisco Saenz 5925 Silver Springs Drive, Ste. B El Paso, Texas 79912 (915) 587-7777 www.travishughes.com Mormac Brokerage Agency, Inc. Tony Morris 1309 Montana Ave. El Paso, Texas 79903 (915) 778-9508 www.mormac.retirerx.com
SPECIAL ADVERTISING | 201
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x
ELIZABETH DIPP METZGER, CROWN WEALTH STRATEGIES “Our goal is to make a positive difference in our clients’ lives. I am a Financial Adviser who provides an holistic approach to all my client’s needs.” Lizzie Dipp Metzger, president of Crown Wealth
Drawing upon significant resources is a
is only one of two Texans to ever receive this
Strategies, has been recognized nationally
cornerstone of her practice. She is proud to be
award and the first female in Texas to receive it.
for her superior service to her clients as a top
an agent of New York Life Insurance, a company
Ayo Mseka, Advisor Today’s editor-in-chief,
financial adviser. She specializes in working
with a long history of financial strength. She
said: “The four advisors selected have dreamed
with independent professionals, business
is a Registered Investment Adviser with
big dreams, built successful practices, and
owners, and physicians here in the Southwest.
Eagle Strategies LLC, enabling her to utilize
given back to NAIFA and their communities.
additional planning approaches to help her
They are shining examples of how the best in
Lizzie believes in an holistic approach to her
clients reach their goals. She is also a Member
the business accomplish great things through
client’s needs, providing an experienced
Agent of the Nautilus Group®, an exclusive
hard work and a drive to succeed in both their
perspective always aimed at helping her
resource for a select group of approximately
personal and professional lives.”
clients to achieve their goals. This approach
230 insurance professionals, and which helps
includes working with clients and their other
to design advanced estate conservation and
When asked about her work, Lizzie’s dedication
advisers in a collaborative effort to provide a
business continuation strategies. The Nautilus
to clients is clear. “What I love about this
comprehensive plan.
Group provides innovative financial ideas and
industry is if you’re really doing what’s right
approaches for clients of member agents and
for your client, you are going to transform their
the clients’ advisers.
lives. We help them set goals, get to those
As president of Crown Wealth Strategies, Dipp
goals, and leave a legacy. That’s huge.”
Metzger and her staff work to ensure that their clients receive personalized service. “Our goal
Dipp Metzger has received many recognitions
is to make a positive difference in our clients’
for her outstanding work ethic and skill. In 2011
Lizzie Dipp Metzger is a proud El Paso Native.
lives. We work with our clients to help achieve
and 2012 Lizzie was recognized as a New
She lives in El Paso with her husband of 14
their personal and business financial goals.
York Life Chairman’s Council Agent, which is a
years and three children. She also serves on
We believe in building long-term relationships
reflection of her success as one of the highest
the board for several El Paso charities.
and conducting every client interaction with
producing agents at New York Life. She is also a
honesty, integrity, and the clients’ best
recipient of various additional insurance industry
Crown Wealth Strategies
interests at heart.”
awards, recognition of her career achievements
www.crownwealthstrategies.com
and standing amongst her peers.
Phone (915) 541-3338
planning in retirement, education, business,
This year, Lizzie’s efforts have been noted
estate, and charitable giving. As an adviser,
nationally. She was recognized as a select
Lizzie provides clients with an integrated
outstanding adviser and featured in Advisor
investment and insurance strategy focused on
Today as one of “Four Under Forty” select
the best approach for each client throughout
advisers by the National Association of
the course of his or her lifetime.
Insurance and Financial Advisers. As such, she
Crown Wealth Strategies is not or operated by New York Life Insurance Company or it’s affiliates. Elizabeth Dipp Metzger Member Agent, The Nautilus Group®, a service of New York Life Insurance Company - www.TheNautilusGroup.com. Financial Adviser offering investment advisory services through Eagle Strategies LLC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Registered Representative offering securities through NYLIFE Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Licensed Insurance Agency, • 303 N. Oregon Suite 1100 El Paso TX 79901 • 915-534-3200. Crown Wealth Strategies as well as NYLIFE Securities LLC and its affiliates do not provide tax, legal or accounting advice.
Crown Wealth Strategies specializes in offering
is the first El Pasoan to receive this prestigious national recognition. More impressively, she
By: MEAGAN KINLEY photographed by: KATIE RAMEY
SPECIAL ADVERTISING | 203
GRAHAM CAPITAL STRATEGIES, LLC “We are honored to celebrate 27 years in El Paso next spring, and are looking forward to many more years of helping families and businesses achieve their financial goals. Give us the opportunity to demonstrate how expertise, leadership and service can help you find financial success.” For over 25 years, Graham Capital has been
70 years of combined experience. We were
a cohesive plan.” Since its inception, that
serving El Paso by helping El Pasoans define
one of the first firms to have a CERTIFIED
element has been what has set Graham
and achieve their financial goals. Founded
FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional (CFP)
Capital apart: providing a comprehensive and
on St. Patrick’s Day 1987 by G. Patrick
on staff, as Mr. Graham first earned his CFP®
cohesive plan for its clients, and the service
Graham, CLU®, CFP®, the firm has continued
designation in 1990. When the firm was first
and leadership to execute it, regardless of
to evolve and develop to ensure its ability
started, financial services were broken into
which product or service is required.
to continue to serve the needs of today’s El
different sectors based on the product or
Pasoans and those of future generations.
service provided. As Mr. Graham explains
Graham Capital Strategies, LLC.
it, “Brokers handled investments, insurance
416 N. Stanton, Suite 420
Today, Graham Capital serves clients in over
agents handled the risk products, but no one
El Paso, Texas 79901
15 states, and its financial advisors boast over
was putting it all together and developing
(915) 598-8885
Insurance products from the Principal Financial Group® are issued by Principal National Life Insurance Company (except in New York), Principal Life Insurance Company and the companies available through the Preferred Product Network, Inc. Securities and advisory products offered through Princor Financial Services Corporation, 800/247-1737, member SIPC. Principal National, Principal Life, the Preferred Product Network, and Princor® are members of the Principal Financial Group®, Des Moines, IA 50392. Michael C. Graham, Principal National and Principal Life Financial Representative, Princor Registered Representative and Financial Advisor. Graham Capital Strategies is not an affiliate of any company of the Principal Financial Group. #t13112101ga
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Photographed by: ROBERT CORRAL
ANGIE WHITFORD, CPA; PLLC “My vision is to work with small and medium-sized businesses and help them achieve their entrepreneurial goals. Being a small firm allows me to do that because I have the time to really get to know my clients and their businesses.” It’s no wonder that Angie Whitford owns a
continued. Her firm also offers basic and
Angie personally handles all these key
small business and is focused on serving
advanced QuickBooks training courses to
aspects of the payroll service. “Businesses
the needs of small business, as she has a
groups and individuals.
should choose my firm for payroll services as I provide the personal attention and level
life-long interest in entrepreneurship. A CPA is
currently
expanding
her
of service that few, if any, other companies
since 1997, Angie worked with a variety of
Angie
businesses before starting her own firm in
comprehensive payroll services division,
2005. “I help businesses get started, from
including calculation of employee pay, payroll
assisting with loan requests and setting up
payment through direct deposit, and filing
accounting systems to providing ongoing
and payment of payroll taxes. Her years
payroll services,” she explained. “I also work
of experience and expertise in this area
with established businesses to improve their
make her the obvious choice for a business
Angie Whitford, CPA; PLLC
financial
can,” Angie stated.
accounting
looking for assistance with its human
angie@whitfordcpa.com
records for accuracy, and prepare certified
resource/payroll needs. In keeping with her
(254) 892-0019
financial statements for investors,” Angie
commitment to work closely with her clients,
processes,
monitor
By: MEAGAN KINLEY photographed by: ROBERT CORRAL
SPECIAL ADVERTISING | 205
PAUL MEZA, CPA “We just opened our new office in Cd. Juarez so that we can better serve our clients on both sides of the border. Our team is comprised of U.S. CPAs and CPAs certified in Mexico, along with Tax Attorneys and Customs Brokers. Our goal is to provide a complete global perspective and structure to our clients.” As business becomes increasingly global,
as tax planning for foreign citizens moving
Meza and his staff were awarded the Sol
taxpayers require more in-depth analysis and
to the U.S. We also work closely with other
de Oro Award from the El Paso Hispanic
guidance on U.S. and non-U.S. international
international professional service firms in the
Chamber of Commerce for the second year
tax developments. Our International Tax
fields of immigration, customs, banking and
in a row and his business made the list of the
Group provides tax consulting and compliance
other financial services.
Top 500 Companies by Hispanic Magazine.
U.S. and that have foreign subsidiaries or
Raised in the El Paso/Juarez area, Paul Meza
Paul Meza, CPA, MBA
operations. We also cater to those companies
is a graduate of Hanks High School and
1325 Montana Ave.
seeking to expand internationally and foreign
earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in
El Paso, Texas 79902
companies wanting to set up in the U.S. Our
finance from UTEP. Since establishing his firm
(915) 544-1040
team of professionals provides solutions for
in 2008, Paul Meza has worked to provide a
Boulevard Tomas Fernández N0. 7930 1B
our client’s bookkeeping, accounting, tax
well–rounded company that provides a wealth
Col. Campestre Arboleda,
and financial reporting needs. We offer tax
of accounting and consulting services for
Cd. Juárez, Chihuahua.
planning services for company employees
businesses and their owners amongst others.
Mexico. CP 32460
services to businesses that are based in the
coming to and departing from the U.S. as well
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Teléfonos 656 625 7108, 656 625 8939
Photographed by: ROBERT CORRAL
investment
December/January, 2014
Preventing Identity Theft During the Holidays
W
hether they’re snatching your purse, diving into your dumpster, stealing your mail, or hacking into your computer, they’re out to get you. Who are they? Identity thieves.
Identity thieves can empty your bank account, max out your credit cards, open new accounts in your name, and purchase furniture, cars, and even homes on the basis of your credit history. If they give your personal information to the police during an arrest and then don’t show up for a court date, you may be subsequently arrested and jailed. And what will you get for their efforts? You’ll get the headache and expense of cleaning up the mess they leave behind. You may never be able to completely prevent either type of identity theft, but here are some steps you can take to help protect yourself from becoming a victim. Credit cards
Social Security Number
• When paying credit card bills, write only
• Do not carry your Social Security card in
the last four digits of the account number
your wallet. Memorize the number and put
in the check memo line.
the original card in a safe place.
Mail and Trash
• Do not sign the back of your credit card.
• If you believe your Social Security number has
• Use post office collection boxes for outgoing
Instead write, “Photo ID required.”
been compromised, contact the Social Security
mail rather than your home mail box.
• Photocopy both sides of your driver’s
Administration fraud line 800-269-0271.
• Shred any trash that may contain personal
of your Social Security number for PINS and passwords.
information including charge receipts,
license, credit cards and other important contents of your wallet. In the event it is
PINs and Passwords
stolen, you’ll know exactly what is missing.
• Do not write your PIN on the back of the
medical statements, checks and bank
• Keep a list of your credit card numbers and
card or on anything else in your wallet.
statements, expired credit and
their toll-free customer service numbers so
• Use different PINs for each debit and credit
debit cards and direct mail credit offers.
you can cancel cards quickly if lost or
card. If you have too many to remember,
• You can opt not to receive direct mail credit
stolen. Keep the list in a safe place in your
consider reducing the number of cards you
offers by calling 888-567-8688.
home, not in your wallet.
carry in your wallet.
credit applications, insurance forms,
• Do not use easily available information, like your birth date, phone number, or part 208
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December/January, 2014
investment
2013 Broker/Dealer of the Year
Do not sign the back of your credit card Instead write, “Photo ID required.”
Agustin Montes Partner & Director of Credit and Debt Management Strategic Wealth Advisors Terrace Gardens Office Park
• File a complaint with the Federal Trade
600 Sunland Park, Building One, Ste 100
Commission, which maintains a database
El Paso, Texas 79912
• File a police report to document the theft
of identity theft cases, online at www.
(915) 532-8885 Office
and the wallet contents.
consumer.gov/idtheft. This database assists
(915) 842-9532 fax
• Contact one of the national credit reporting
law enforcement agencies and helps the
amontes@sw-advisors.com
organizations (listed below) to have a fraud
FTC learn more about identity theft.
www.sw-advisors.com
alert placed on your name and Social
• Notify your bank if your wallet contained a
Security number. The organization you
checkbook or debit/ATM cards.
If your wallet is stolen, you should immediately:
contact is required to contact the other two. If the thief’s purchases initiate a credit
As the holidays approach and we begin to
check, the credit reporting organization
start shopping for our loved ones’ perfect
can alert the merchant. Placing a fraud
gifts, do not allow yourself to become
alert entitles you to free copies of
careless when it comes to protecting your
your credit reports.
identity and credit. Remember to use the
• Equifax 800-525-6285
precautionary measures discussed in this
• Experian 888-397-3742
article as a way to keep your information safe
• Trans Union 800-680-7289
and to allow you a joyous holiday season.
• Close all accounts for missing credit cards.
Views and opinions expressed are those of Agustin Montes and are subject to change based on market and other conditions. 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. Securities offered through Investors Capital Corporation, Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory Services, if applicable, offered through Investors Capital Advisory 6 Kimball Lane, Lynnfield, MA 01940, (800) 949-1422
Check your credit reports for accounts opened fraudulently.
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medical
December/January, 2014
NON-SURGICAL FACELIFTING AND SKIN TIGHTENING
| By: LYLE D. WEEKS, M.D. |
Dr. Lyle D. Weeks, M.D. Envy Aesthetic Center 5407 N Mesa (915) 845 - 3223 envyaestheticcenter.com Thermage is a procedure that tightens skin and subcutaneous tissue. This technology can be used for minimal to moderate tightening of many areas of the body. It is particularly useful for the face and eyes, but recent advances have made possible tightening of the abdomen, arms and even the knees. In many patients the improvement is immediate, especially in the face and eyes. Maximal results are seen three to four months posttreatment and the procedure can be repeated for further improvement. The procedure takes from one to several hours depending on the areas to be treated. Minimal preparation is required and there is essentially no down time after treatment. Studies have been done to demonstrate the effectiveness of the procedure, the most interesting and impressive of which is the measurement of the distance between tattoo dots placed on the abdomen pre- and post- treatment. These studies have demonstrated shrinking of the abdomen skin by as much as one inch. When combined with CoolSculpting to remove fat, the result is a mini-tummy tuck. Putting things in perspective, however, results can be much more dramatic from surgical procedures such as lipo-abdominoplasty or face lifting. The advantages of Thermage are that it is completely non-invasive, essentially risk-free, no down time and much less expensive. Results of the procedure may be expected to last three to five years. For more information about Thermage call (915) 845-3223.
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Before
After
November, 2013
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December/January, 2014
VINCE
HUNTER BORN TO HOOP IT UP | By: BOB NITZBURG |
Photos by: Michael P. Reese 212
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sports
December/January, 2014 y all rights, Utep basketball
Haskins. It took the 6’ 8”, 200 pound
at me with a glimmer in his eye and said,
freshman Vince Hunter was
forward some time to adjust to the El Paso
“That’s good to know. I’m going to use
destined to be a Division 1
climate and altitude. ”It was real hot and
that on him first time he turns it over in
football player. The junior
hard to breathe, but Coach Floyd said ‘just
practice…too easy…I’m gonna to call him
high school athlete from
keep running and you’ll get used to it and
that the first time he makes a mistake.”
Detroit, Michigan was a running back,
when you do you’ll be in the best shape of
wide receiver, tight end, defensive end…
your life.’”
B
This folks looks like the start of a great basketball relationship!
you name it, he played it. But a funny thing happened on the way to a gridiron career…
Hunter’s big brother Matthew went to
”the high school I went to didn’t have a
Odessa Junior College, then transferred to
football team, so I switched to basketball.”
central Connecticut and a year ago in his third Division I game scored 40 points on
What happened next could be the script for
the road against then top-ranked Indiana.
a Hollywood movie. I’ll get back to that later.
“He’s always been a role model to me. I kind of trailed him.”
At Consortium College Preparatory High School, Hunter made all state for three
Hunter says he’s learning every day from
years averaging 26.5 points, 14 rebounds,
the older guys and added, ”Off the court
four blocks and four steals his senior
I love my teammates. They make me
season. He was rated as the sixth best
laugh a lot. We dance in the locker room
player in the state of Michigan and a top
and just have a good time before and after
100 recruit… not bad for a “football player.”
practice.” Ironically, one of Hunter’s Utep
Photo by: Ivan Pierre Aguirre
teammates is 7-1 center Matt Willms. The Hunter was obviously highly recruited but
duo played on the same high school team
picked Utep, calling it a great school with
their sophomore year in the Motor City.
a great sports history…including the movie “Glory Road” and the late Coach Don
Unfortunately Hunter’s family is a long way from home but with a big smile on his face
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he said, ”It’s gonna be a blessing for them to be at some of my games.” What does coach Floyd think of Hunter? ”He’ll be as good as the work he puts into it. If he chooses to really, really work at it, he could become a great one for this university.” That’s high praise from someone who has
coached at both the college and
NBA level.
It seems that most players now have a
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nickname that their friends or teammates have stuck on them. After a little prodding Hunter told me, ”People call me “too easy” because I guess I make basketball look too easy.” When I told Coach Floyd, he looked 213
The CITY AGENDA
December 2013/January 2014
December/January, 2014
6 dec. 6
Sleepover Adventures
1 7 DEC. 7 - JAN . 29
UTEP Miner Basketball
Come out to the Don Haskins Center as action heats up and conference play begins. Tickets and info at utepathletics.com.
Men
12.7 Sacramento State 7:05p 12.16 New Orleans 7:05p 11.19 Northwestern State 7:35p 12.23 Montana State 7:05p 12.28 Western Illinois# 7p 12.29 Denver# 7p 1.4 Angelo State 7:05p 1.9 Charlotte* 7:05p 1.11 Marshall* 7:05p 1.25 UTSA* 7:05p 1.29 La. Tech* 7:05p
Women
12.7 SMU 4:30p 12.15 Southeastern Louisiana 2p 12.29 Texas Southern 2p 1.11 Tulsa* 1:30p 1.17 Charlotte* 7:05p 1.22 Southern Miss* 7:05p 1.29 Marshall* 7:05p
DEC. 1-22
If you have ever wanted to spend the night at the zoo, here’s your chance! Bring your toothbrush, pillow, sleeping bag and get ready for a wild night. For ages 7 and up; admission is $30. Info: (915) 521-1850 or elpasozoo.org
Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr. Join Ariel and her aquatic friends for a spectactular afternoon under the sea. The show runs each Sunday in December with show times starting at 2:30 pm at the KIDS-N-CO Education and Performance Center. Info: (915) 351.1455
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7
RGT Live! Open Mic
dec. 7-8
dec. 6
Singers and songwriters of all ages are
ChristKindleMarket
encouraged to come out to the RGT Live!
The 3rd Annual ChristKindle Market at San Elizario will offer a unique Christmastime shopping experience you can’t find anywhere else. The market runs from 11 am to 8 pm each day. Admission is free. Info: (915) 851.0093 or sanelizariohistoricartdistrict.com
the Rio Grande Theater in downtown Las
Open Mic night from 6:30 to 10 pm at Cruces. Acoustic musicians, singers, and songwriters will compete to be part of the showcase that proves Las Cruces has talent. Info: riograndetheatre.com
* Conference Game # WestStar Bank Don Haskins Invitational
PHOTOS COURTESY UTEP ATHLETICS
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December/January, 2014
8 DEC. 8
Juicy J
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Memphis rap god Juicy J rolls into El
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
DEC. 13-22
Paso on December 8th. Show is at Tricky Falls (more like Trippy Falls, heh) and is open to all ages. Doors open at 7 pm. Info: trickyfalls.com
10 DEC. 10
Aaron Carter The notorious After Party tour is coming to Tricky Falls Dec. 10th. Doors open at 7 pm, stay after the show as Aaron will be doing a VIP meet and greet. Info: trickyfalls.com
The El Paso Playhouse is putting on the Best Christmas Pageant Ever, a hilarious tale surrounding one church’s attempt to put on a Christmas pageant while casting the notorious Gerdman children. Directed by Rachel Mullins, this is one Christmas show you won’t want to miss. Info: (915) 532-1317 or elpasoplayhouse.com
31 dec. 31
Sun Bowl Sky Party
21 DEC. 21
Not So Silent Christmas
Tricky falls will host Not So Silent Christmas, an event to benefit Toys For Tots. Hosted by Metal Sanez & Sin Quirin, admission is $7 or $5 with a toy
Come to the second annual biggest tailgate party of the year. Enjoy food, drinks and live music from local university bands. This event is free and open to the public from 9 to 11:30 am at the UTEP South Stadium Parking Garage. Info: (915) 533.4416 ext. 206
donation.
15 DEC. 15
Downton Abbey “High Tea” Love Downton Abbey? Barnes & Noble will be hosting a day of trivia, contests, costumes, and of course, cookies and tea. Begins at 2 pm. Info: (915) 522.4499
Info: trickyfalls.com
Other Notable Shows 23 DEC. 23
Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker
This Christmas, don’t miss The Great Russian Nutcracker at the Plaza Theatre. There will be two performances at 3 and 7 pm.
DEC.
BLACK JOE LEWIS
8
The Lowbrow Palace
JAN.
11
STYX
Pan American Center Las Cruces
WADE BOWEN
Graham Central Station Las Cruces
Info: (800) 745.3000
DELOREAN
The Lowbrow Palace
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JAN.
25
FEB.
3
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December/January, 2014
The CITY AGENDA
December 2013/January 2014
11 JAN. 11
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Support the Clint ISD Colege Readiness Initiative, which benefits scholarships for graduating seniors, and come out for the Super Scholars Run. There will be a 5K and a 1-mile walk. Day-of registration begins at 7:15 am the morning of the run and and the race starts at 8 am. Info: (915) 926.4058 or raceadventuresunlimited.com
Bill Cosby
Super Scholar Run
31 DEC. 31
Hyundai Sun Bowl One of the most storied bowl games in college football history turns 80 this year. Kickoff is at noon on New Year’s Eve and will feature an ACC school versus a Pac-12 contestant. Info: ticketmaster.com
Comedy legend Bill Cosby is coming to the Abraham Chavez Theatre. Show is one night only and begins at 7:30 pm. Get your tickets fast. Info: (800) 745.3000 or ticketmaster.com
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18
JAN. 17
jan. 18
Best of The City 2014 Last January, The City Magazine filled Cutter Aviation with lights, music, pomp and “Best of the City” award winners and put on the party of the year. Amid the dazzling entertainment and spectacle were some 750 influential people and businesses, as well as some of El Paso’s best local restaurants, who provided a decadent assortment of samples and hors d’ouevres. Not only was it just a ton of fun, we got to showcase the most exciting talent El Paso has to offer. The second annual “Best of the City” Awards will pop off again January 17th, 2014 at Cutter Aviation. Make sure to get your tickets for the party! Info: thecitymagazineelp.com
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JAN. 11
4th Annual St. Mark’s ACTS Run for Faith
Join St. Mark’s Catholic Church in a 5K race and 1-mile walk. Register online or via mail. Race starts at 8 am. Info: raceadventuresunlimited.com
24 jan. 24-25
El Paso Symphony Orchestra
For two nights, enjoy the harmonic sounds of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra at the Plaza Theatre. Show starts at 7:30 pm and will feature some of the finest talent El Paso has to offer. Info: (915) 532.3776 or epso.org
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November, 2013
Mesa Street Grill
The Italian Kitchen West
2525 N. Mesa Street | 915.532.1881 www.mesastreetgrill.com
450 Thorn Ave. | 915.842.0775 theitaliankitchenelp.com
Mesa Street Grill is the city’s fine dining leader. Guests enjoy the luxurious main dining room, warm ambiance of the Private Dining Room, the pub-style bar and climate-controlled, open air patio. The restaurant’s food, wine and service are award winning. All beef is 100% USDA Prime. Whether it is a business lunch, special celebration, gathering of friends or date night, Mesa Street Grill will make sure your experience is simply sensational.
The Italian Kitchen West uses the finest homemade, gourmet ingredients to make your dining experience a real pleasure. Chicken Marsala, a local favorite for many years, is one of the finest Italian chicken dishes on our menu! It’s a real southwest food flavor fusion of Mexican-style green chile chicken wrapped in our world-famous pasta and topped with gourmet cheese. Of course never forget our signature dish, Meat Lasagna, a true blue ribbon dish of the Italian Kitchen for many years. The Italian Kitchen West caters large or small events and offers a private party room.
The Rib Hut
Star City Kitchen & Bar
2612 N. Mesa | 915.532.7427 ribhutelpaso.com
2603 N. Mesa | 915.307.4496 starcitykitchen.com
Famed for its slow-cooked, mouth-watering barbeque. Try the big, beefy ribs or baby-backed, mesquite-smoked pork ribs. The brisket is always lean, smoked, and thinly sliced. The sausage is spiced perfectly and always juicy. The chicken fried steak is the best in the south west. Rib Hut also offers a tempting selection of steaks deliciously grilled to your liking, as well as the half-pound Angus steak burger, which is served with your choice of toppings and ice cold beer. The atmosphere is relaxing and the staff is friendly. The Rib Hut can cater any size party or event. Come see why Rib Hut has been El Paso’s favorite.
Star City Kitchen & Bar has a whole new menu featuring lunch, dinner and breakfast all day long as well as “drinks and late eats,” this is one Texas-style restaurant that will keep you coming back for more. Star City is open late nights on weekends and closed on Mondays. Come in and enjoy El Paso’s Japanese Cuisine finest late-night cuisine.
Japanese Cuisine
ITALIANS
Katsura Sushi Restaurant
5380 N. Mesa Suite 110 | 915.400.4550 www.italianselpaso.com
5380 N. Mesa | 915.584.6160 1920 N. Zaragoza | 915.857.2222 katsuraelpaso.com
Italians offers authentic cuisine with a friendly and elegant environment for all occasions. We offer a delicious lunch menu ranging from $7-10. Enjoy Pasta al Pesto Italian pasta with a botanical blend of basilico, garlic,olive oil and pine nuts sauce all paired with $4 pours of house wine every day during lunch. Dinner offers the romantic setting for a perfect night out with that special someone. Chef Keeley’s masterful creations and beautiful presentation will certainly impress your pallet. Made fresh every day, nothing canned, Italians is the experience. Italians does it fresher!
Japanese Cuisine
For the best sushi in El Paso look no further than Katsura Sushi Restaurant. With two locations across town, you can enjoy premium sushi as well as an abundance of Asian cuisine anywhere in the city. Stop by and experience their relaxed atmosphere featuring live music and delicious modern Japanese dining.
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THE CITY MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER ISSUE LAUNCH PARTY at GREAT AMERICAN LAND & CATTLE ON CINCINNATI ST. | Photographed by LUIS MIRANDA, JR.
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November, 2013
Party. Life. Captured.
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November, 2013
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Dance For Kids’ Sake Featuring CELEBRITY GUEST GILLES MARINI at THE PLAZA THEATRE | Photographed by LUIS MIRANDA, JR.
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November, 2013
El Paso Triple-A Baseball Team Name and Logo Unveiling at THE PLAZA THEATRE | Photographed by LUIS MIRANDA, JR.
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November, 2013
S.P.J. Annual
Charity Dinner at THE EL PASO COUNTRY CLUB | Photographed by LUIS MIRANDA, JR.
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November, 2013
El Paso Opera’s 20th Anniversary Gala at THE ABRAHAM CHAVEZ THEATRE | Photographed by LUIS MIRANDA, JR.
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November, 2013
Biometrix Launch Party
Grand Opening Photographed by LUIS MIRANDA, JR.
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November, 2013
El Paso Community Foundation’s Great Ladies of Philanthropy Celebration Luncheon at THE FOUNDATION ROOM | Photographed by LUIS MIRANDA, JR.
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November, 2013
Boy Scouts of America
Woman of The Year Luncheon Honoring Adair Margo and Shelly Martin at THE HILTON GARDEN INN | Photographed by LUIS MIRANDA, JR.
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David Acosta’s 4th Annual
November, 2013
Client Appreciation Party at CORONADO TOWER | Photographed by LUIS MIRANDA, JR.
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DAVID-ACOSTA.com
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November, 2013
3rd Annual Auction: Amor Por Juarez Photographed by ALEJANDRO PEREZ
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November, 2013
Medical Center of the Americas Foundation
Recognizes Jack Cardwell & Patricia Shorter at THE EL PASO CLUB | Photographed by LUIS MIRANDA, JR.
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November, 2013
Gives you more of what you love! Announcing the launch of our
1st Annual Bridal Magazine On Newstands February 2014
launches a yearly
BRIDAL MAGAZINE February 2014 Save The Date Bridal Event
Coming
February 2014 Interested in advertising and being part of the event?
Contact The City
info@thecitymagazineelp.com
1 february 2014 PRICE $2.95
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