September 2010
Behind the Scene
By Randy Limbird Hearing the news about stray bullets from Juárez hitting El Paso City Hall and UTEP buildings reminds me how history repeats itself.
Nearly 100 years ago a few El Pasoans were collateral damage due to similar stray bullets from the Battle of Juárez that raged in May 2011. Residents of Sunset Heights climbed atop their roofs to watch the Revolutionary forces led by Francisco Madero win the decisive campaign against the Federales. Today’s cartel violence is less visible but more deadly, with nearly 6,000 victims killed since its outbreak in our sister city in early 2008.
So far the violence has stopped at the border except for the occasional bullet that has yet to cause any physical damage other than two broken windows. The damage to El Paso’s reputation has been far worse — despite our ranking as one of the safest cities in the United States, we are constantly asked questions about the danger from Juárez. Just this morning, as I started to write this column, National Public Radio ran a story about the UTEP incident.
The story, fortunately, was much more subdued than local media coverage. One TV station interviewed Sunset Heights residents about their fears of being hit by stray gunfire. Most were not alarmed, but a couple of people said they were afraid to let their children play outside. Of course, if you are being asked such questions by a TV news crew, your anxiety level tends to go up. A local newspaper story carried a headline about city leaders trying “to calm EP fears” but the story itself reported that students were “oblivious” to any threat of gunshots.
Should we be afraid? As long as the chance of harm is less than being struck by lightning, we can ignore that particular risk. Should we be concerned? Yes, but it’s ironic that two broken windows in El Paso raise more emotion among some than 6,000 deaths across the river.
* * *
Maritza Jauregui-Neely emailed me a copy of her “Viva El Paso” painting a few weeks ago for consideration as a cover image, and I quickly fell in love with it. It reminded me of all that El Paso Scene represents, and seemed especially appropriate for September. September not only is the month that all the event calendars go into high gear, but also is the Scene’s anniversary month — we celebrate our 17th anniversary this issue.
* * *
September is also the kickoff for Celebration of Our Mountains, a series of hikes, field trips and other outdoor events aimed at cultivating an appreciation of our natural attractions. All the events are listed at www.celebmtns.org — you can get a preview on Page 36.
As part of the Celebration, El Paso Scene once again sponsors its annual “Hike Up Cristo Rey” Saturday, Oct. 2. The hike begins around 8 a.m., and lasts about 3 hours. It’s a relatively easy 5-mile round trip. We’ll provide some talks on local history along the way and at the summit. A $5 donation ($2 for kids) is requested for the Mt. Cristo Rey Restoration Committee, a group of volunteers who have preserved and protected the trail and monument for over 70 years. Committee members who are also volunteer sheriff’s deputies will provide security in the parking lot and along the trail.
No reservations are required. Just show up at the trailhead. To get there, take McNutt Road (NM 273) south from the Racetrack Drive bridge, or north from the NM 273/Sunland Park, N.M. exit off West Paisano. Look for the sign indicating the turnoff for Mt. Cristo Rey.El Paso Scene MONTHLY
This month's listings, stories and columnsFeature story
Roundup
Music
Dance
Here's the Ticket
Program Notes
On Stage
Sports
Southwest Art Scene
At the Museum
History Lessons
Nature
Film Scene
Keep on Bookin'
Becoming Bicultural
Liner Notes
Stage Talk
Gallery Talk
Better ParentingCopyright 2010 by Cristo Rey Communications.