Sunset Heights Neighborhood Improvement Association

The El Paso Community College is offering an eight-week continuing education gardening course, from Saturday, June 6 to August 1, 2026.

Registration is OPEN and will close at the end of the month. We have 4 students enrolled in the course so far and would like to fill the remaining 8 slots. Students may enroll online or at any EPCC campus. This is a wonderful opportunity for community members to deepen their skills and passion for horticulture.

The course is at the Valle Verde Campus, on Saturdays, from 10;30 am to 12:30 pm. The course covers topics like soil improvement, turf care, vegetable gardening, native plants, xeriscaping, and much more.

Please share this information with friends, family, and community contacts to bring the enrollment up.

Let's continue to cultivate knowledge and beauty in our community. Together, we can help more people grow in their gardens.

I recently learned that the current fire truck and crew that are stationed at the Sunset Heights Fire Station No. 4 on Randolph Street are to be relocated to the Downtown Fire Station leaving Sunset Heights less protected.

I find this concerning especially in light of recent suspicious fires along Prospect Street.

I intend to share my concerns with our City Representative, Chris Canales. If you feel the same, I urge you to please contact him to share your concern.
His email address is:
[email protected] or call his office at 915-212-0008. Please act immediately as this plan is in motion now.

Joe was a friend of Sunset and was instrumental in making the historic-style benches around Mundy happen. Peace be with him and his family. 🙏🏼

For nearly 70 years, Joe Gomez ‘70, gave his heart, soul and time to support the Miners. He was a 1966 team historian and a member of our Hall of Fame Committee. He worked behind the scenes to help refurbish our athletics facilities and donated many pieces of valuable memorabilia to the University. He is a beloved Miner and man and will be missed tremendously.

Pints & Politics is back, and this one is not to be missed! Join us on May 19th at 5:30 PM at El Mirador Bar for a conversation on the future of Downtown El Paso, featuring leaders at the forefront of revitalization, infrastructure investment, and economic development.

We're bringing together:
🎤 Joe Gudenrath, Executive Director, El Paso Downtown Management District
🎤 City Representative Chris Canales, District 8
🎤 Commissioner David Stout
🎤 Nicole Ruiz, Communications & Engagement Lead, Downtown Deck Plaza Foundation

Whether you're passionate about placemaking, public policy, or simply the future of our city's urban core, this is the conversation to be part of.

🔗 Register at elpaso.org/events

Look for a different pollinator! We are excited to join the American Public Gardens Association Photo Scavenger Hunt! Today’s theme is pollinators, the incredible animals that help flowering plants reproduce and keep our ecosystems thriving. While bees and butterflies are well-known pollinators, hummingbirds also play an important role by transferring pollen as they feed on nectar from colorful desert flowers. Their quick movements and vibrant colors bring energy and life to the gardens every day.

At the Chihuahuan Desert Gardens at UTEP, hummingbirds can often be spotted resting among the branches of blooming desert willows, where they find shelter and nearby nectar sources. These beautiful birds are an important part of the desert ecosystem and add movement and color throughout the gardens.

You can also participate in the scavenger hunt by posting your pollinator pictures from the Chihuahuan Desert Gardens using the hashtags

Happy Valentine's Day!

Our next SHNIA meeting is 5:30 Tuesday in the Parlor Room at Trinity First, 801 N. Mesa.

The agenda:

Updates, discussion and possible action regarding:
- Sunset Heights Block Party
- Movie Nights
- Tour of Homes
- I-10 Widening
- Sembrando Esperanza coalition
- Traffic/speed in Sunset
- Dog park in Sunset

Announcements

Candidate/s appearance: We were contacted by the campaign for Justice of the Peace Pct 1 for permission to attend. SHNIA has in the past provided space for candidates to introduce, and on occasion organized candidate forums. In this case, given the request, we are providing a minute or two for this candidate or any others to address the meeting and distribute literature. If you are a candidate or know one who would like to participate please let us know so that we may leave space in the meeting.

😿

Donate to In Loving Memory of Arturo Frias “T-Bone”, organized by Arthur Vargas We are heartbroken to share the unexpected passing of our beloved Arturo Fria… Arthur Vargas needs your support for In Loving Memory of Arturo Frias “T-Bone”

Hal Marcus interview Click this Link for Sunday’s El Paso Times & Read the full story:

El Paso artist Hal Marcus finds insight on miracle of life after diagnosis El Paso artist Hal Marcus has defied expectations all his life. A diagnosis of pancreatic cancer isn’t changing that.