This is your weekly update, which takes a quick look at the week ahead and some developments that El Paso Matters is following.
FloraFest Celebrates 30 Years This Weekend: The Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens this weekend will celebrate the 30th anniversary of FloraFest, the one-day spring native plant sale that serves as fundraiser for the gardens. FloraFest is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 6 at the Undergraduate Learning Center Plaza at the University of Texas at El Paso.
The event features mostly native plants and those that grow well in the region, many of which are not available at local nurseries or retailers. Find a list of plants here. Shoppers can visit with local master gardeners, horticulturists and other plant experts for advice on how to care for their plants at home, officials said in a news release. Only credit and debit cards are accepted, and parking is available at the Sun Bowl Parking Garage. A plant-loading zone will be on Wiggins Way in front of the UGLC.
Information: utep.edu/florafest.
Tracey Jerome Named Town Manager in North Carolina: City of El Paso Senior Deputy City Manager Tracey Jerome has been hired as town manager in Mooresville, North Carolina effective April 29, the town said in a press release. The town’s board of commissioners made the final selection during the April 1 meeting. Jerome was hired in 2015 by former City Manager Tommy Gonzalez as Director of the Museums and Cultural Affairs Department and has served in various leadership positions. She was named senior deputy city manager in 2022. Jerome’s last day with the city of El Paso will be April 15, said city spokeswoman Laura Cruz-Acosta.
National Public Health Week Events: The city’s Department of Public Health is celebrating National Public Health Week with a series of events all week. A trail clean up will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, April 3 at Franklin Mountain State Park, 1331 McKelligon Canyon Road. The beginner 1.9-mile round trip includes a raffle. Public health staff will give educational health and safety presentations on Thursday, April 4 at the Fabens Senior Center, as well as reproductive and sexual health presentations at the Pride Center on Friday, April 5.
The health department will also hold an Emergency Preparedness Carnival from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 6 at the Armijo Library, 620 E. 7th Street.
This year’s theme, “Protecting, Connecting and Thriving: We Are All Public Health” aims to remind the public that “our health as well as the health of our planet is critical to our future success,” according to a city press release. Information: EPHealth.com.
Dispose of Unwanted Items at Community Cleanups: The El Paso County Public Works Department is hosting a free community clean up event from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 6 at two locations, 7351 Bosque Road in Canutillo and 14698 Van Lane in East Montana. County residents can dispose of passenger tires (limit five per resident), bulk trash such as furniture and electronic waste such as old computers, VCRs, DVD players and cellphones. Some limits apply, and some items, such as CRT monitors and televisions, will not be accepted.
Information: (915) 546-2015 or visit epcounty.com/publicworks for a full list of what’s accepted and other upcoming cleanup events.
