Frontera NorteSur, August 1999

Planetarium Will Be Built In Cd. Juárez

In two years, maximum, Cd. Juárez will be able to see the stars in their own planetarium "in the style of the U.S." according to Juarense Astronomical Society President Francisco Ramírez. "The project is very advanced."

The planetarium will be located in El Chamizal Park across from the Benito Juárez Stadium and will occupy up to four acres. The auditorium will seat up to 300 people and a telecommunications station where the facility will receive information from other planetariums. Ramírez said that "The station will home state of the art technology."

The project includes plans for an Astronautical Museum, a science museum, movie screens and laser and music equipment as well as a theater for outdoor concerts. Many organizations have already promised support including four international foundations in the U.S. that may be donating thousands of dollars worth of technological equipment.

The estimated cost is $2 million, most of which will be provided by area businesses.

Source: El Diario

El Paso Works To Bring Border Tourists Into The City

In early July, the El Paso Convention and Visitors Bureau announced an ad campaign geared toward bringing people who live within driving distance to El Paso and the border area. Two hundred thousand dollars will go to both the U.S. and Mexican markets luring regional residents to spend the weekend on the border.

"El Paso is not known as a leisure or a convention destination. But we can change that around," said bureau General Manager David Bobo. Ads placed in cities across both sides of the border will promote local casinos, amusement parks, historic sites and other sources of entertainment. Mexican visitors seem to like shopping in El Paso, and are drawn to the medical facilities. Recently "thousands" of customers came to Wet ‘n' Wild Water World after a successful promotion in Silver City, New Mexico.

Typically the bureau has left advertising in México to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. But El Paso's Convention and Visitors Bureau promotions in Chihuahua have been successful. "We just have to work harder than Dallas or San Antonio," said Bobo.

Source: El Paso Times

Community Policing Takes New Form

More than a thousand persons from up to 64 Cd. Juárez colonias united in early July at a public park to honor a civil safety group known as the Community Police and Juvenile Patrol. The groups work for community improvement and to support municipal police.

Among other things, the group has helped establish 12 community centers in buildings that have been abandoned for years, has established neighborhood security programs in 64 colonias and is working directly with 35 different institutions.

Police Chief Javier Benavides González made an appearance at the July event where he said to the crowd "The municipal police is not able to do everything alone, it needs the support of neighbors, just as they need support from us, and I believe we are getting there."

Mayor Gustavo Elizondo Aguilar also appeared at the event and expressed how pleased he was to see a frank and amicable dialogue developing between the police and the citizens. "The proof is in this reunion. Because we are determined to change the image of the police, it is certain that we will have the necessary force to face the criminals and to reduce the crime."

Source: El Diario