Good morning, El Paso. It’s Thursday and the weekend is almost here! We have lots of things for you to do as well as the latest news in the city.

In today’s Border City Buzz:

• El Paso Aims For The Stars

• Free El Paso Architecture Tour

• New Program Coming To El Paso Zoo

Let’s get to it.

Around Town

New Park Opened In El Paso 🌳

A new green space is bringing life to central El Paso! Chelsea Pocket Park, located at 819 Chelsea St., just had its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting celebration yesterday.

This cozy park includes a shaded gathering area, sidewalks, new trees and shrubs, lighting, and plenty of seating.

Visitors will find picnic tables, benches, bike racks, and even pet waste dispensers. The project also improved parking for easy access.

Pocket parks like this one offer a perfect spot for families and neighbors to connect, relax, and enjoy the outdoors—proving that even small spaces can make a big difference in the community!

New Deputy City Managers 🧑‍💼

El Paso is shaking up its leadership team! The city just appointed four new deputy city managers—Richard Bristol, K. Nicole Cote, Araceli Guerra, and Yvette Hernandez—after a nationwide search.

But here’s the kicker: all four are lifelong El Pasoans who climbed the ranks within the city.

Each brings serious expertise: Bristol is a Navy vet with nearly 30 years in infrastructure, Cote is a budget master, Guerra is a nationally recognized government innovator, and Hernandez is an engineer who’s overseen $1 billion in projects.

They’ll join the existing team to help shape El Paso’s future, just as longtime deputy Ellen Smyth prepares to retire this spring. Change is in the air, and El Paso’s got some hometown talent leading the way!

El Paso Aims For The Stars 🚀

West Texas is gearing up for liftoff in the aerospace industry! El Paso County just scored an $800,000 grant from the Texas Space Commission to develop the West Texas Aerospace Corridor Master Plan.

This initiative, in partnership with Midland Economic Development Corporation, aims to boost aerospace infrastructure, workforce training, and research along I-10 and I-20.

Adding to the excitement, the Borderplex Alliance landed a whopping $19 million to further aerospace advancements in the region. Officials say this investment will create high-quality jobs and attract major federal space missions.

With assets like Blue Origin’s Van Horn site and prime weather conditions, West Texas is positioning itself as a major player in space innovation. Buckle up, El Paso—things are about to get out of this world!

Things To Do

Free El Paso Architecture Tour 🏦

Explore the rich architectural history of Downtown El Paso on a free guided walking tour led by Edgar Lopez.

Learn about the city’s unique blend of pre-Columbian and modern influences, featuring works by famed architect Henry C. Trost and Mabel Weich, one of Texas’ first female architects.

The tour begins inside the Aloft El Paso Downtown and will take participants through a fascinating journey of historic landmarks. Comfortable shoes are recommended, and paid parking is available nearby.

After the tour, guests are invited to an optional no-host lunch at Lapa Lapa. Space is limited, so reserve your spot today!

Event Details:

• Date: Friday, January 31, 2025

• Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Tour departs at 10:15 AM)

• Location: Aloft El Paso Downtown, 303 Texas Avenue, El Paso, TX 79901

• Admission: Free (Registration required)

• Parking: Paid parking available at meters and lots

• Contact: 915-533-0048 | [email protected]

Felipe Esparza Comes To El Paso 😂

Felipe Esparza, known for his HBO and Netflix specials and the What’s Up Fool? Podcast, brings his raw, hilarious storytelling to El Paso.

His At My Leisure World Tour is taking him global, but now local fans can catch his high-energy comedy live for a night full of laughs!

Event Details:

• Date: Friday, January 31, 2025

• Showtimes:

  • 7:00 PM (Doors open at 6:00 PM)

  • 9:30 PM (Doors open at 8:30 PM)

• Location: The Plaza Theatre, El Paso, TX

• Tickets:

  • 7:00 PM Show

  • 9:30 PM Show

• Contact: Box Office – 915.231.1100

Weekly Agave Tastings at Ámbar 🍷

Indulge in a premium agave tasting experience at Ámbar Restaurante’s Agave Room! Led by GM Adrian Gonzalez and Chef Lawrence Acosta, guests will enjoy four rare agave spirits, along with house-made guacamole and ceviche.

Event Details:

• Date: January 30, 2025

• Time: 5:00 PM

• Location: Agave Room, Ámbar Restaurante (106 W Mill Ave, El Paso, TX 79901)

• Admission: $50 per person (tax and gratuity not included)

• Reservations: Space is limited – book early!

• Contact: (915) 440-0051

Local Business

New Smoothie Joint 🥤

Tropical Smoothie Café is celebrating the grand opening of its new location at 7722 Paseo Del Norte Blvd on Saturday, February 1, from 8:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M.

Enjoy $1.99 smoothies, giveaways, and free smoothies for a year for the first 25 guests. Stop by for the fun!

Pizza & Wings Anyone? 🍕

The Shack Slice and The Shack Wings & Brew have officially opened at Eastlake, sharing a combo unit with a patio and beer garden packed with TVs and a giant LED screen for game days.

Enjoy signature pizzas, craft beer, wings, and Angus beef burgers at 13460 Eastlake Blvd, Horizon City!

New Program Coming To El Paso Zoo 🦏

The El Paso Zoo is launching a new animal encounter program, letting visitors get up close with penguins, a rhino, pronghorns, and Galapagos tortoises!

Guests can interact, feed the animals, and chat with zookeepers in small groups. Full details coming soon—stay tuned for more wild fun!

Weather

Thursday

⬆️ 54 ⬇️ 30 | ☀️🍃 | 12% chance of rain

Friday

⬆️ 61 ⬇️ 32 | ☀️ | 3% chance of rain

Saturday

⬆️ 65 ⬇️ 38 | 🌤️ | 0% chance of rain

Live Music & Entertainment

Thursday

• Jez - 1922 - 502 N Oregon St Ste B, El Paso, TX 79901 - 7:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.

• Indie Alternative Night - Rosewood - 412 E San Antonio Ave, El Paso, TX 79901 - 10:00 P.M.

• Music & Poetry Open Mic Night - Old Sheepdog Brewery - 3900 Rosa Ave, El Paso, TX 79905 - 8:00 P.M. - 11:00 P.M. *Sign up starts at 7:00pm

Friday

• Triple Shot - Four 80's Sports Bar and Grill - 480 Talbot Avenue, Canutillo, TX 79835 - 8:00 P.M. - 12:00 A.M.

• Justin Bieber Night - Lowbrow Palace (Indoor) - 1006 Texas Ave., El Paso, TX 79901 - 8:30 P.M. (Doors Open) - 9:00 P.M. (Show) (tickets)

• Joshua Lucero - 1922 - 502 N Oregon St Ste B, El Paso, TX 79901 - 7:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.

• Jordan Taylor - 1922 - 502 N Oregon St Ste B, El Paso, TX 79901 - 10:00 P.M. - 12:00 A.M.

• FM Junkies - Rosa's Cantina - 3454 Doniphan Dr, El Paso, TX 79922 - 8:00 P.M. - 12:00 A.M.

• High Vibrations - Rosewood - 412 E San Antonio Ave, El Paso, TX 79901 - 10:00 P.M. - 2:00 A.M.

• Sandy Rivera (Kings of Tomorrow) – The Reagan Hi-Fi Vinyl Bar – 313 E Mills Ave, El Paso, TX 79901 – 9:00 P.M. – 2:00 A.M. (free with reservation)

• Inolvidable – Bowl El Paso – 11144 Pellicano Dr, El Paso, TX – 8:00 P.M. – 12:00 A.M.

• Rhapsody – Cactus Owl – 204 Palm Street, El Paso, TX – 8:00 P.M.

Thank YOU!

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