November 9, 2025 • 33 mins
NEW EPISODE ALERT 11-9-25
Segment 1: Community Options, Inc.
.
Do you know someone with an "unseen" disability that can use support finding work or help at home? Amber Banda talks with Yvette Lujan and Joe Ortiz, Program Service Coordinators for Community Options, Inc. They talk about various programs offered and who can qualify for help.
.
Their Cupid's Chase 5K is coming to El Paso and they are looking for your support! This fundraiser will be used locally and sponsors will get various levels of recognition, from T-shirt logos to tables at the event. This is your chance to align your business with an organization that promotes workplace inclusivity and more work opportunities for people with disabilities. The race will be Saturday, February 14th at McKelligon Canyon. You can register now at cupidschase.org
_______________________________________________________________________________
Segment 2: Sun Bowl Association
.
Did you know that the Sun Bowl Association is a non-profit? Or that it began 92 years ago to help the Lee & Beulah Moor Children's Home?
.
Amber Banda interviews Bernie Olivas, Executive Director, and Richie Davis, Media Relations Director, for the Sun Bowl Association. They talk about the rich history of the (non-profit) Sun Bowl Association, it's origins, and various events that have become staples in the Sun City, including the annual Thanksgiving parade and Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl!
.
Listen to learn more about this year's 89th Annual Glasheen, Valles & Inderman Injury Lawyers Sun Bowl Parade on Thanksgiving starting at 10. Amber, Bernie and Richie talk about the parade route, the earliest Bernie has seen people get their parade spots, this year's theme, and the El Paso connection to this year's Grand Marshall! You can get grand stand tickets at your local Vista Markets but seats are limited so hurry!
.
They also talk about the 92nd Tony The Tiger Sun Bowl! Learn about it's origins, how teams are picked, and Bernie debunks some myths about the availability of Pac-12 teams. December 7th, be one of the first to find out who will be playing in the Sunbowl this year at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino, and make plans to attend the much anticipated Fan Fiesta at the El Paso Convention Center December 30th presented by El Paso Live.
.
For more information go to sunbowl.org
NEW EPISODES EVERY SUNDAY AT 8AM! Follow Amber Banda, 96.3 KHEY Country, Power 102.1 or Sunny 99.9 on Instagram and/or Facebook for pictures of our guests and leave a comment. Be a part of the good going on in our community!
Segment 1: Community Options, Inc.
.
Do you know someone with an "unseen" disability that can use support finding work or help at home? Amber Banda talks with Yvette Lujan and Joe Ortiz, Program Service Coordinators for Community Options, Inc. They talk about various programs offered and who can qualify for help.
.
Their Cupid's Chase 5K is coming to El Paso and they are looking for your support! This fundraiser will be used locally and sponsors will get various levels of recognition, from T-shirt logos to tables at the event. This is your chance to align your business with an organization that promotes workplace inclusivity and more work opportunities for people with disabilities. The race will be Saturday, February 14th at McKelligon Canyon. You can register now at cupidschase.org
_______________________________________________________________________________
Segment 2: Sun Bowl Association
.
Did you know that the Sun Bowl Association is a non-profit? Or that it began 92 years ago to help the Lee & Beulah Moor Children's Home?
.
Amber Banda interviews Bernie Olivas, Executive Director, and Richie Davis, Media Relations Director, for the Sun Bowl Association. They talk about the rich history of the (non-profit) Sun Bowl Association, it's origins, and various events that have become staples in the Sun City, including the annual Thanksgiving parade and Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl!
.
Listen to learn more about this year's 89th Annual Glasheen, Valles & Inderman Injury Lawyers Sun Bowl Parade on Thanksgiving starting at 10. Amber, Bernie and Richie talk about the parade route, the earliest Bernie has seen people get their parade spots, this year's theme, and the El Paso connection to this year's Grand Marshall! You can get grand stand tickets at your local Vista Markets but seats are limited so hurry!
.
They also talk about the 92nd Tony The Tiger Sun Bowl! Learn about it's origins, how teams are picked, and Bernie debunks some myths about the availability of Pac-12 teams. December 7th, be one of the first to find out who will be playing in the Sunbowl this year at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino, and make plans to attend the much anticipated Fan Fiesta at the El Paso Convention Center December 30th presented by El Paso Live.
.
For more information go to sunbowl.org
NEW EPISODES EVERY SUNDAY AT 8AM! Follow Amber Banda, 96.3 KHEY Country, Power 102.1 or Sunny 99.9 on Instagram and/or Facebook for pictures of our guests and leave a comment. Be a part of the good going on in our community!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to El Paso Public Forum, a weekly half hour
public affairs presentation of iHeartRadio El Paso for over twenty years,
featuring local news and interviews of interest to our listeners
in West Texas and southern New Mexica. All views and
opinions expressed on this program are those of the host
and guest, and not necessarily those of iHeartRadio Management and
now El Paso Public Forum.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Welcome back to the al Paso Public Forum. I am
your host, Amberbanda, and today we have two people here
from Community Options Inc. We have Yvette Luhan, program service
coordinator Ivett. Thank you for talking with us today.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
You're welcome, good morning, good morning.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
And we also have Joe Ortiz, who is also a
program service coordinator with Community Options Inc. Joe, thank you
for talking with us today.
Speaker 4 (00:45):
Thank you for having us.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
Of course, so Joe, before I ask you a little
bit about the history Vett, you are both program service coordinators.
What is a program service coordinator as it relates to
Community Options, Inc.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
So we are the service coordinators that gets all the information,
all the service that we coordinate for the individual. Okay,
whatever we provide, which would be as a sign at
home dental, all the services, A feeling all of the
people work and all that good stuff for them.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
I have a feeling both of you are many hats. Yes,
I feel that you're working here at iHeart and Joe,
you know, what is Community Options in? Can you give
us a little bit of history? Maybe?
Speaker 4 (01:27):
Sure? Well, basically, we're a nonprofit organization. We've been in
business since nineteen eighty three. We provide a variety of
services for people with disabilities in Opasso and over twelve states,
including Texas and New Mexico. Community Options believes in the
dignity of every person, the freedom for all people to
experience the highest degree of self determination. With that said,
(01:50):
embracing that philosophy, Community Options also believes and provides for
housing and equal employment supporting services to people with disability.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
So basically, Community Options, Inc. It provides, like you said,
employment and residential support to people with disabilities. I'm going
to ask you first, Joe, what kind of disabilities are
you referring to, because there's a lot of nonprofits that
I've interviewed and they say disabilities but it's only specific,
you know, which is great, you know, But if I
(02:20):
have a disability and I'm trying to get help, and
that's not the disability you help with. You're like, well,
what do I do you know? So can you kind
of elaborate on what disabilities you might be of co including.
Speaker 4 (02:29):
These are for some people, these are everyday things that
they see for us as well, but they may not
be disabilities we see in our own home. The disabilities
that the audience have in their home is perhaps with
their children. They have been diagnosed at birth, or the
onset may have been after birth. Anyways, they could be
mental or physical or both. It could be psychological disabilities
(02:53):
as well. Okay, whatever they've been diagnosed with, we have
a place for them.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
Any vet, do you have anything to add to that
as far as is what kind of disability people? What
people with disabilities you might have, Like is it uh?
You know, I know some people help if they're missing
a limb, if they're blind, but you know, if they
have autism, what kind is this more focus towards? I
would say it's more mental Okay, Okay, so like the
(03:18):
unseen idd okay, I know that kind of stuff.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
And we start at a like Joe said, you know,
at a young age, Okay, it normally to be in
this program, it would have to be twenty and over.
So we have a range between twenty sixty five thirty
five forty five, and they have a mental discapacitation.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
Okay, correct disability? Yeah, I know, there's so many different
terms now, and it just kind of depends on who
you're talking to. Without So you you said normally, you know,
twenty and older. I'm assuming that would be for like,
you know, employment opportunities. You're not going to help you know,
a six year old find a job. But you said
that it starts young. When you mean when you say that,
it like it starts young, Like, what do you mean
(04:03):
like their.
Speaker 3 (04:04):
Disability, Oh, starts at a young age. It could develop
at a young age ear later on at an older at.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
An older age, but the people that you help, it's
usually twenty and over.
Speaker 5 (04:14):
Correct.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
Oh okay, okay.
Speaker 4 (04:16):
There has been exceptions started endoraction. No please, there has
been exceptions where we enroll somebody who is much younger,
even a minor, okay, because they started searching for the
program much earlier. So there is exceptions to that.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
Now when it comes to like employment help, like how
what does that kind of help look like?
Speaker 4 (04:36):
That kind of help looks like, Well, it's called supported employment,
and we basically help the person from step one. They
are assisted in how to find out what they want
to do. First of all, because they may not want
to flip burgers. Maybe they want to work in a
as a hotel clerk or something. So they may have
other dreams and we try to make those dreams a
possibility a reality.
Speaker 2 (04:57):
Do you work with like different because I know there's
certain businesses that may not be aware of the benefits
of employing someone with a disability. Do you work with
certain organizations locally to help those people find employment?
Speaker 6 (05:11):
Yes?
Speaker 4 (05:12):
We actually are given all the referrals through Emergency Health
Networking Okay, okay, So first they qualify through the Medicaid
program and then they referred to EHN. They're diagnosed and
they refer to.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
US okay, and then from there you help them find work. Okay.
Any any that residential support? What does that mean? What
is residential?
Speaker 3 (05:33):
Residential support means that we offer them a place of stay.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
Oh, house housing? In other words, Oh, like you find
like do you help them in their own home or
you help them actually find a home both?
Speaker 7 (05:45):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (05:45):
Really? Okay?
Speaker 3 (05:46):
It could be residential if your parents are willing to
do the service for them, okay, or we have group
homes where they can go in there. That's also part
of the service that we provide. And what I mean
by a group home is a house with four individuals
that have twenty four.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
Like twenty four hour twenty four hour care. Okay, yeah, okay, yeah.
Well I don't know if it was through Communities Options INC.
I doubt it, but my uncle lives in a group
home with about four of the people. He has severe autism,
so he has to live in a placement. So I'm
kind of familiar. And when it comes to Community Options, INC.
Is there anything else before we get into the event
(06:26):
that you would like to tell the listening audience about it.
Speaker 4 (06:29):
Well, basically, this event that we're about to speak about,
the proceeds that are produced by this event or through
this event do not go to a profit. Nobody's getting
rich off of this. This is a nonprofit organization and
all the funds are used to enhance the lives of
people with disabilities.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
Okay. I love that. So if you're just tuning in,
I have Yvette Luhan program service coordinator and Joe Ortiz
Program service coordinator as well for Community options, inc. Now
let's get into this event. This is another one of
those five k's for you all that you know like
to run me personally, if I'm running, you better run
(07:07):
two because i'ms chasing me. I do not do these
for fun, but I know a lot of people love them,
especially when they're going for a good cause. And this
one's so unique because of the date and the name.
Now the name makes sense, So it's a Cupids Chase
five K fundraiser. Five k's how many miles? Like three?
Speaker 6 (07:22):
Right? Like loah?
Speaker 2 (07:23):
Possibly I just heard about like a one that's like
a three hour four hour marathon. I'm like, no, thank you,
So this was not that long. Saturday, February fourteenth, Valentine's
Date at Mcalligan Canyon. Now, I've done a lot of
interviews about five k's. I've never done one where they
have it at Mcalligan Canyon. What an amazing like opportunity
to run through there. So Joe, let me ask you
(07:44):
first this five K what is going to be?
Speaker 6 (07:48):
Like?
Speaker 2 (07:48):
How can people register? What's going to happen at this event?
Speaker 4 (07:52):
We are able to register or get you registered online.
You can also pay at the door or well there
is no door, it's outdoors right, yeah, place, definitely, I
would encourage to do it prior to there's a possibility
you may get a discount if you apply for that now.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
And where do they register at Cupidschase dot org.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
Yes, that is correct, okay?
Speaker 2 (08:11):
And how much is registration registration?
Speaker 4 (08:13):
I believe starts at thirty dollars? Oh, I'm sorry forty dollars.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
Okay, that's not bad. That's not bad. And are at
this time are you looking for sponsorships at all? Yes,
we are, Okay. What kind of sponsorships or what would
they get with their sponsorship?
Speaker 4 (08:29):
Well, basically, the sponsorship money can be used for outings.
It can be pizza parties, birthday parties, maybe televisions, different
things that our clientele will wish for that maybe can't afford.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
And are there like different levels of sponsorships or what
is the beginning sponsorship level?
Speaker 4 (08:47):
Well, there is different levels of sponsorship and we have
a young person they can give you a lot of
information on the sponsorships.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
What you want to talk about a little bit about
the sponsorship levels.
Speaker 7 (09:00):
Yes, so there's different levels, each level it depends. Honestly,
we're just happy to have people sponsor US, like give
a donation, it doesn't matter the amount. Yeah, but there's
different ones. So like there's one that says that it's
ten thousand dollars and you get a bunch of things,
like you, all of them should be on the shirt.
They will be able to be put on the shirt
that we are giving out, and so there's different ones.
(09:20):
So there's a platinum one which is a ten dollars
ten thousand dollars okay, And so you get brand exposure
and the event exposure. So a lot of people will
get a booth if they do wish to become a
sponsor for US.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
Okay, perfect, so they can go and put their information
out at the event. More people will know about who
they are.
Speaker 7 (09:36):
There's also a gold which is basically the same thing,
but that one's five thousand, so it's not as many amenities,
but you still get a bunch of amenities with donating
the money. And there's also the silver which is twenty
five hundred, and then Bronze which is also fifteen hundred,
and then just an exhibitor table which is five hundred dollars. Okay,
any donation is.
Speaker 2 (09:55):
Welcome, and like you said, Joe, all of that money
is going to go towards the people that are part
of this program for people with disabilities who may not
Thank you, Selene, right, what's your last name, Selene Young?
All right, thank you Selena hopping out. There's a lot
of information for one person to retain. So again, you know,
with those sponsorship levels, you will get your name on
the shirt, you'll get that recognition, you'll get you know,
(10:18):
that association with Communities Option, Inc. And that. Okay, this company,
this organization wants to help people with disabilities. They you know,
they're all for a more inclusive workplace. And again Saturday,
February fourteenth at Mcallagan Canyon. There's different sponsorship levels. You
can find more at Cupidschase dot org. Now, Joe, Joe
(10:39):
orvit whoever wants to jump in, can you tell us
more about what else will be at this event other
than just the running in the sweating.
Speaker 4 (10:46):
Well, there's going to be a variety of things. Like
Celenne said, there'll be music.
Speaker 2 (10:51):
Celene, sorry not Selene.
Speaker 4 (10:54):
There'll be music, they'll be food, they'll be community. Most importantly, community,
you'll be able to interact with a very diverse group
of people. Okay, that I believe you should know, you
should interact with and we're trying to integrate our individuals,
the individuals we work with, into the community, and what
better way to do that.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
That's perfect. I love that. Now, Joe, I'm going to
ask you, and then I'm going to ask you the
same question. What made you want to get into this
line of work?
Speaker 4 (11:22):
I think that every year that we've contributed to this
company gives us an immense amount of reason to have
stayed and to continue what got us into it. It's
for some people, it's just a job and that's how
they get introduced to it. Yeah, for us, I'm sure
there was a unique reason for that. I had a relative,
(11:44):
my son, who used to have disabilities as well.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
Perfect an Eve, Why did you decide to get into
this line of work?
Speaker 3 (11:51):
Well, for me, I think I have the hard to
advocate for these people, to speak, to be the voice
of these people that sometimes they don't get hurt, you know,
And I truly believe that that's where God put me.
My heart is there?
Speaker 2 (12:08):
Yeah? Perfect? Well, then you're in the right spot, right
and you know it's daunting enough as someone maybe who
doesn't have a disability to go online where do you go?
What do I want to do? How do I fill
out these forms? All this form didn't go through. What's
the end?
Speaker 6 (12:24):
Now?
Speaker 2 (12:25):
Add on a layer of maybe not be able to
think traditionally or maybe you know you could get there,
but it's just not there's not the means for you
to get there in that way. So again that's what
Communities Options Inc. Is therefore provide employment and residential support
to people with disabilities. Like you say, not all disabilities
(12:45):
are visible. You know, I have people close to me
I can completely understand. I really appreciate what you both
are doing. And again this event is going to go
to help Community Options Inc. Cupids Chase five k fundraiser
again a little over three miles on Valentine's Day. I
think that's a really cool day to do it. You know,
normally people go to dinner on Valentine's Day, so you
(13:05):
can go run, build up an appetite, knowing that you
both did something good, you know, set of date. I
think it's a really cool thing to do maybe together
as a couple. Mcallaghan Canyon. That sounds like a really
romantic five k area to do it too. And Joe,
is there anything else that you would like to tell
the listening audience.
Speaker 4 (13:23):
Well, first of all, thank you for giving us the
time to present our company, and we really really want
to see you there. We want to know who is
Elpaso and we also want to know that we can
offer them the exposure to what we do and maybe
they're interested in the service as well for.
Speaker 2 (13:39):
Their relatives exactly, or maybe they want to help.
Speaker 4 (13:42):
Sure, perfect, and yes we will take volunteers absolutely.
Speaker 2 (13:45):
Oh perfect. Anyvette, is there anything else that you would
like to tell the listening audience.
Speaker 3 (13:50):
Well, like we already said, it's a five K run,
it's cube it chase, and you know, on this special day,
February fourteenth, you can also come and meet your loved
one there who knows, you know, supporting El Paso for
these special needs. Who knows maybe you'll find that special
(14:12):
person with the same beliefs, the same philosophies. You know,
so come join us.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
You know, yeah, no, I find that five k's. I
guess it's the endorphins. Especially afterwards, people have this like
I want to help and you know, you start talking,
you start opening up. So I think that's a really
good point that you're making. And Celene Selene, I was
saying it right, all right, Selene, is there anything else
that you would like to tell the listening audience.
Speaker 7 (14:36):
So if you do register before the thirtieth of November,
it will be forty dollars, and after that it will
go up to forty five okay, till the thirteenth of February. Okay,
then so the day of it will be fifty dollars. Okay,
the door or well like, you still have to register online,
but if you don't register before December, there's not a
possibility that you will get a shirt.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
Oh okay, okay. So the early to register the better,
which is always the case with five k's. Yeah, and
it also helps the coordinators out a whole lot, So
make sure you register early and for more information you
can go to Cupidschase dot org. This information will also
be available on power to two point one Sunday, ninety
nine point nine and ninety six point three k he Country,
Instagram and Facebook the flyer pictures of our guests, that
(15:20):
information will be there, and if you're listening on the
iHeart app, that information is available in the description of
the podcast. Evet Joe Celine, thank you so much for
being here with me.
Speaker 3 (15:29):
To thank you, Amber, thank you for having us.
Speaker 2 (15:36):
Welcome back to the Alpaso Public Forum. I am your host,
Amber Banda. And today we have the Sun Bowl Association here.
We have Bernie Olive Us, executive director of the Sun
Bowl Association. Bernie, thank you for talking with us today.
Speaker 6 (15:50):
Oh, thank you for having us. It's a pleasure to
be here, of course.
Speaker 2 (15:52):
And we also have Richie Davis, media relations director for
the Sun Bowl Association. Richie, thank you for talking with
us today.
Speaker 5 (15:59):
Thank you for having us, Amberham sorry of course.
Speaker 2 (16:02):
And so the Sunball Association. Again, I was just talking
with someone else about this. This is actually one of
the organizations that most people don't realize is a non profit. Bernie,
can you tell us a little bit more about this organization,
maybe a few of the events they have, because we're
going to get into two of your big ones in
just a little bit.
Speaker 6 (16:19):
Sure. Well, first of all, we are ninety two years old,
one of the oldest organizations in l Paso, and it
started out as a fundraiser for an orphanage, the Liam
Bul Orphanage. Yes, I'll pass, ohigh and for the renovation
I'll pass ohigh. And seven men got together at the
infamous Cortes Hotel downtown and decided that the football game
(16:40):
would probably be a really good way to raise money.
And that's how it started. So the first game was
actually played on January one of nineteen thirty five through
the second oldest bowl in the country. But along the way,
we've picked up several other events, including the Thanksgiving Day
parade at you know, including the Thanksgiving Parade and a
(17:00):
lot of other events that we put on. And we
do this as a nonprofit organization and and you know,
a big thing go to our sponsors. Because we are
a title sponsors, we wouldn't be able to have any
of these events. But yeah, this is our ninety second game.
Our parade is also eighty nine years old. Our basketball
term and is sixty eight years old. You know, we've
been around for a long time and thanks to our
(17:22):
total title sponsors, we wouldn't be able to do this
without it. You know, a lot of people think that
we that we're a big corporation. No, we're nonprofit in
our job is to provide some quality events for our community.
Speaker 2 (17:34):
Exactly, if you break even as a nonprofit, then you're
doing good.
Speaker 6 (17:37):
That Oh absolutely, I guess high marks. If we break even.
Speaker 2 (17:41):
That's my mentality going into Las Vegas. It's like, if
I break even, I'm good. If I win, that's great,
as long as I don't lose too much. Exactly how
long have you been a part of this organization?
Speaker 6 (17:49):
Well, it's a two part question. I've actually been been
around for forty two years. But I started as a
volunteer back in nineteen eighty three, but I took over
as executive director on data I'll never forget ten oh
one one day before ninety eleven. It was my first
day on the job. So I've been doing this for
twenty four years. And like I said, it's a dream.
It's a dream job for me to be able as
(18:09):
a native and growing up here and living here all
my life, at least not yet, but yes, most of
my life. Yes, it's an unbelievable pleasure to be leading
an organization like this.
Speaker 2 (18:20):
You're definitely a part of making events that have created
a lot of childhood dreams for al Passwins myself included,
and Richie. How long have you been a part of
the organization.
Speaker 5 (18:29):
I started as an intern of May of twenty three,
so I've been a part of the organization for coming
up on two and a half years now, and I've
been media relations director for about ten months now. I
started a week before the game last year and I've
been doing it ever since. Thrown into it, thrown into it,
and I love it to death. I knew what to do,
and Bernie blessed me with a great opportunity and I
can't thank everybody enough. And I have a great group
(18:51):
around me.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
And how did you get into it?
Speaker 5 (18:53):
I have been working in sports media for about three
years now. I started at Texas Tech University, transferred over
there from Malpasso Community College, went from Bettejano to a
Red Raider. Yeah, and so I was over there for
about three years, worked in sports broadcasting and a sports
communication for my latter year. And now here I am
with the and I was interning here in between my semesters.
(19:16):
So here I am as MEATA relations director and been
very blessed.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
Oh perfect, perfect, So you know again. The Sun Bowl
Association has been around in al Paso for ninety two
years and they have multiple events going on throughout the city.
The one we're going to focus on right now, and
then we'll get to one of the other big ones.
After this the eighty ninth annual Gleshen, Bias and Enderman
Injury Lawyer's Sun Bowl Parade, one of my favorite childhood memories.
(19:43):
I'm sure you hear that a lot. Bernie. Can you
talk a little bit about this year's theme, and of
course the parade is always on Thanksgiving starting at ten am.
What is the theme for this year?
Speaker 6 (19:53):
The theme this year is Childhood where Dreams are born perfect.
You know, that's a great theme. And you know, I
got to give credit to our Special Events director Joe Dabach,
who you know, we sit together and and go over
all kinds of things. We review all the all the
past themes and we actually look into other parades themes
and see if we here's something that we can look
But he came up with this one and I think it.
(20:15):
You know, when we when we announced that, a lot
of the float builders jumped all over it because it
opens itself to a lot of possibilities. And that's what
we're looking for when we look for a theme, something
that a lot of people would want to see and
and and let their imaginations go wild. And I think
this year's parade is going to be incredible as it
ever is you know, Joe set the bar pretty high
(20:37):
and uh, and people are reaching to that bar. So
I encourage everybody to come on out Thanksgiving morning at
ten o'clock. As you mentioned, Uh, I've already ordered the weather.
The weather's going to be perfect.
Speaker 4 (20:49):
Please.
Speaker 2 (20:50):
I want to take my week and get my hot
chocolate again like I used to be able to when
I was little.
Speaker 6 (20:54):
There you go, yeah, you know, we're hoping that you
might need a cold drink because it'd be so warm
and nice on Thanksgiving Day. But but yes, it's you know,
in spite of the weather, we've always had some great
some great parade, some great themes, and some great crowds.
Speaker 7 (21:09):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (21:09):
It's funny that the night before the parade, I go
up and down the parade road making sure everything is
in order. And I can't believe how many people spend
the night on the parade route so that they get
a good viewing. Here, take their couches and they're doing
their tailgating, They're they're doing all kinds of things. I
go around, say, hey, you got the MANU, when's the maneuver?
They're going to be ready? Yeah by six in the morning.
(21:30):
It is. It is really a huge, a huge endeavor,
and uh, you know, we're expecting about two hundred to
two hundred fifty thousand people come to the parade, and
you know, you can watch it on TV, but it's
just not the same as being there, So encourage everybody
to come on out.
Speaker 2 (21:47):
It's not the same as cheering on the pooper scoopers
or getting her inflatable with our Yeah, you know exactly
what I'm talking about. And so I'm curious, what is
the earliest you've ever seen anyone mark their spot for
the parade?
Speaker 6 (22:00):
Oh, you know, we do a pretty much a live broadcast,
you know, from the parade route on six o'clock news,
and there are people already pulling back, you know, putting
their trucks that you know, they're backing up their pickup
trucks to their tailgates. Is they are there like at seven,
eight o'clock in the evening, starting having dinner on the
parade route, and then they spend the night, They spend
(22:22):
the entire night there. It's it's incredible. And I started
noticing this about oh, i'd say ten fifteen years ago,
and it's just getting bigger and bigger. People are realizing
that they can get there. They get there early and
start parking, the only thing that we tell them not
to do. And I go. So you can't block the streets.
You can't walk the streets because you know, just for
(22:43):
if nothing else, for emergency vehicles to be able to
get through. But they start pretty early, and there are
a lot of them now, all the way down the
parade route from you know, from from the beginning, what's
all the way to Kopia?
Speaker 2 (22:57):
Okay, so that is the parade route from yes, a
lot down Montana for anyone.
Speaker 6 (23:03):
No, it's supposed to on the Kopia. But if you
go down the parade route two blocks, yeah, ask Kopia.
There are still thousands of people sitting. They're waiting for
the parade to come. And by the time it gets
to them, it's broken up. But they can still see
the flows and it's the bands are still coming through
and the horses are coming through. So I said, I
encourage people. Get there. You find yourself a spot and
(23:24):
enjoy the parade before you go out and see the
cowboys play.
Speaker 2 (23:29):
Hey, I mean I was born on the bandwagon. I
just never got off. I you know, it's all pass
so and again, if you're just tuning in. We have
Bernie Olivas, executive director for the Sun Bowl Association, as
well as Richie Davis, Media Relations director for the Sun
Bowl Association. Now, I want to get into a little
bit more details about the parade before we get into
another event. Now, the grand Marshal for this year's parade.
(23:52):
I was so excited when I saw it announced on
on social media. Bernie, who is the Grand Marshal for
the parade?
Speaker 6 (23:59):
You know, the grand marshals is an el past one
who's made it pretty big and around the country and
around the world. His name is our own Sanchez, a
master chef who has his own show on the Food Channel.
He is an old pass one and he was delighted
to be able to come back and be the Grand
Marshal of Grand Marshal of the parade. We've had some
tremendous Grand Marshals in the past, and he sits right
up there with everybody as far as a celebrity, a
(24:21):
celebrity grand Marshal. Uh, great guy to talk to, just
a super nice guy and he's excited about becoming and
uh and uh and riding the parade. It's a grand
marshal leading the parade that's awesome.
Speaker 2 (24:31):
So if you've ever seen the show Master Chef Junior,
he was on one of the most recent seasons. That's
why the kids are gonna love it, the families, the
adults are going to love it as well. And if
people wanted to get maybe you know, they don't want
to get there the day before with the backing in.
There are special tickets available correct the grand stands.
Speaker 5 (24:51):
Yes, at every Vista market here in the Opasso area.
You can go and get tickets for those review stands. Uh,
every up until leave when for going the deadline date
is to go get them? I think up until parade
day pretty much the fourth parade and it's very Opassove friendly.
It's ten dollars each and you can get them at
any Vista markets here in the Passer area.
Speaker 2 (25:11):
And how you know, I've always been curious about those seats.
How soon can you go to sit down and want
to have your tickets for the for the seats.
Speaker 6 (25:20):
Oh, we're at eight o'clock in the morning. Okay, we're
there at eight o'clock in the morning and our finance
finance manager will be there, you know, collecting tickets. I
will tell people it's not fifty thousand seat stadium. So
I encourage everybody that if you want to sit and
watch the parade, you know, the parking is free. Yeah,
free parking lot as long as they last. Parking places last.
(25:43):
You got their own private porta pots there so you
can go. And again the viewing area is great. You're
sitting down, nobody in front of you.
Speaker 2 (25:50):
And where is it like on the route seats it's on.
Speaker 6 (25:53):
It's at the Emergence Healthcare Center, which is on remember
I think it's like sixteen ten Montana Street. Okay, it's
right down the parade route. And it's like I said,
there's free parking as long as the parking lasts. And
like I said, there's their own you know, their own
bathrooms there, you know, inside the fence, the fenced area
and a great viewing area. So I encourage everybody to
(26:15):
get them early. And I said there's a limit of au.
There's about a two thousand person limit. And as as
Richie said, you could get them at all the Vista
at the Vista markets and get them now.
Speaker 2 (26:26):
Yeah, google Vista markets. And why are there to get
some fresh bandult And again we're talking about the eighty
ninth annual Glachen Vice and Nderman Injury Lawyers. Sunball Parade,
of course, always on Thanksgiving, which is November twenty seven,
starting at ten am. The theme this year childhood is
where Dreams Are Born. The Grand Marshal is al Paso's chef,
Aaron Sanchez. Now I want to talk about the when
(26:50):
you said ninety two that the Sun Bowl Association has
been here for ninety two years, it makes sense because
this is going to be the ninety second Tony the
Tiger Sunbull. It's all on New Year's Eve? Am I correct?
Speaker 6 (27:01):
It's always on New Year's Eve unless New Year's Eve
falls on a weekend and then we move it to
that Friday. Okay, December thirty first, there's our traditional game
day for the Tony and Tiger.
Speaker 2 (27:11):
Soumble, and this year it's going to be at noon.
You can catch it on CBS if you're not going
to watch it here locally, but if you have the opportunity,
why wouldn't you? So, Bernie, can you tell us a
little bit more about see, I I'm like, go sports.
I like sports, but I'm not too detailed on it.
Can you tell us a little bit more about maybe
who's going to be playing and also where we can
get tickets.
Speaker 6 (27:30):
Yeah, well, as you know, as we have in the
for the past several years, we will be featuring a
team from the ACC, the Atlantic Coast Conference, and then
from the PAC twelve, you know, the Pacific Athletic Conference.
And of course, for people who don't realize it, you know,
the PAC twelve has broken up and about the ten
teams left the conference a couple of years ago, but
we still have access to those schools that include UCLA, USC, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Utah,
(27:58):
Arizona State stand count even though they went down they
went to the ACC. Correct, they're at the ACC, but
and it's possible that we could get them against another
ACC team, But we still have access to all those teams.
A lot of people are saying, well, the PAC twelve
doesn't exist anymore. Yes, it does, and it's going to
exist with other teams you know, coming next year. But
(28:19):
right now we still have access to we call the
legacy schools. So it's and we've had tremendous luck in
our matchups this year, every year. It's last year we
had Washington against Louisville came down to the last play
of the game Louisville winning thirty five thirty four. We
had Notre Dame the year before that. We have you know,
I think the tradition is that we have some pretty
(28:39):
good teams and pretty good matchups and for the most part,
it is a sun Bowl, pretty good weather.
Speaker 2 (28:44):
Right, And for sports illiterate people like myself who just
basically enjoy being in the environment, how does that work?
So it's down to, you know, the last two games,
kind of like when they go to the Super Bowl, right,
it's the last two teams in the conference that make it.
Is that how soon how early before the Tony the
Tiger sunbul Do you know who's going to play?
Speaker 6 (29:04):
Selection Sunday, what's commonly known as Selection Sunday, will be
December to seventh, okay, all right, and again we as
a matter of fact, we have a Selection Sunday party
over at the Sunland Park racetrack, free to the public,
and that's when we you know, that's what we'll announce
who's going to play, because we're sitting in the room
waiting for the phone calls from each conference telling us
(29:26):
who's available, and then we select and then we go
tell the public and announce it right then and there
as soon as we know. So you want to be
the first ones to know who's going to play the
sun Bowl, come on over the Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino.
We started about noon. The announcement usually comes up right
between one and two o'clock and they'll be you know,
there'll be food. You buy your own drinks, but there'll
be advertisers and normally we give away a lot of
(29:48):
freebies from past sun Bowls and everything else. So you've
come out with a shirt, t shirt, all kinds of
swag that we have left over years before. So it's
a pretty nice party and the last still so as
long as you as long as you want to list,
it's a lot of fun. December seventh, December seventh, December seventh,
Sunland Park, racetreke and Casino awesome.
Speaker 2 (30:07):
And so for these two events again, if you want
more information, you can go to Instagram and Facebook at
Tony the Tiger sun Bowl. You can also go to
Sunbowl dot org. Now, Richie, is there anything else that
you would like to tell the listening audience about the events,
about the association, anything at all.
Speaker 5 (30:25):
Just keep us up on social media, Just keep up.
We have bull bound teams coming in every week now.
Teams are getting to six wins to be bull eligible
and you can see which ACC Pack twelve and PAC
twelve Legacy schools could be coming twelve passout for New
Year's Eve.
Speaker 2 (30:38):
Amazing And Bernie, is there anything else that you would
like to tell the listening audience?
Speaker 6 (30:42):
Again? You know, we're more than a football game. We're
more than a parade. You know. We have the West
Star Don Haskins and Basketball Invitation. It's going to be
played on December twenty one, twentieth and twenty first at
the Don Haskins Center. We have a great field coming
in with North Dakota State, we have a Norfolk State,
and we have a cal Irvine another That event has
(31:04):
been going on for sixty seven years as well. The
day before the game, the fan Festa at the Convention
Center is full of charge, normally drop between eight and
ten thousand people. The Battle of the Bands goes on there.
But we also have entertainment, we have food, we have vendors,
and it's it's a free event, you know, and you
can come downtown and be part of the winter fest
(31:25):
that the you know, Destinational Passer puts on but the
fan festest right in the middle of that. We welcome
everybody to come to that. The fan fest is the
day before the game, December thirty, December thirtieth, from four
to ten, okay, at the Convention Center. It's a lot
of fun. And we also we also have an art
exhibit going on that's you know, that started on November,
(31:46):
November the sixth, and it's going to go through January eleventh,
and it's a lot of you know, local artists, regional
artists that it's a competition. They they enter their their
artwork and there'll be some judging and there will be
some fun actial rewards for the best.
Speaker 2 (32:01):
Like sports oriented art.
Speaker 6 (32:03):
Absolutely not. This is any any genre of art that
you'd want to do it oh cool. And again it
goes through January eleventh. They're at the International Museum of
Art on Montana And again everybody's welcome. Everybody's welcome to
come and see some of the artwork that a lot
of el past ones are putting out. It's incredible, you know,
(32:23):
And like I said, I wasn't a big artsy guy,
but ever since we started going to this thing, it
is incredible of some of the talent that there is
an a pass as far as sculptures, you know, pencil drawings, oil, everything, water,
it is incredible. So I invite everybody to go through
there through January.
Speaker 2 (32:43):
Eleventh, amazing at the International Museum of Art on Montana
and again. For more information, you can go to Sunbull
dot org. Follow them on social media Instagram, Facebook at
Tony the Tiger Sunbowl. A lot of great things coming
out of the nonprofit Sun Bowl Association. Bernie and Richie,
thank you so much for talking with me today.
Speaker 6 (33:00):
It's a pleasure. Thank you so much for having us.
Speaker 5 (33:02):
Thank you so much, Amber, It's been a more honor.
Speaker 2 (33:04):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (33:05):
You've been listening to El Paso Public Forum, a weekly
public affairs presentation of iHeartRadio El Paso. If you, your
organization or event would like to be featured on an
upcoming program, please email to Epforum at iHeartMedia dot com
or call us at nine one five three five one
five four zero zero. Tune in again next week for
(33:25):
another additional of El Paso Public Forum. The preceding program
was recorded at the studios of iHeartRadio El Paso.
Welcome to El Paso Public Forum, a weekly half hour
public affairs presentation of iHeartRadio El Paso for over twenty years,
featuring local news and interviews of interest to our listeners
in West Texas and southern New Mexica. All views and
opinions expressed on this program are those of the host
and guest, and not necessarily those of iHeartRadio Management and
now El Paso Public Forum.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Welcome back to the al Paso Public Forum. I am
your host, Amberbanda, and today we have two people here
from Community Options Inc. We have Yvette Luhan, program service
coordinator Ivett. Thank you for talking with us today.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
You're welcome, good morning, good morning.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
And we also have Joe Ortiz, who is also a
program service coordinator with Community Options Inc. Joe, thank you
for talking with us today.
Speaker 4 (00:45):
Thank you for having us.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
Of course, so Joe, before I ask you a little
bit about the history Vett, you are both program service coordinators.
What is a program service coordinator as it relates to
Community Options, Inc.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
So we are the service coordinators that gets all the information,
all the service that we coordinate for the individual. Okay,
whatever we provide, which would be as a sign at
home dental, all the services, A feeling all of the
people work and all that good stuff for them.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
I have a feeling both of you are many hats. Yes,
I feel that you're working here at iHeart and Joe,
you know, what is Community Options in? Can you give
us a little bit of history? Maybe?
Speaker 4 (01:27):
Sure? Well, basically, we're a nonprofit organization. We've been in
business since nineteen eighty three. We provide a variety of
services for people with disabilities in Opasso and over twelve states,
including Texas and New Mexico. Community Options believes in the
dignity of every person, the freedom for all people to
experience the highest degree of self determination. With that said,
(01:50):
embracing that philosophy, Community Options also believes and provides for
housing and equal employment supporting services to people with disability.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
So basically, Community Options, Inc. It provides, like you said,
employment and residential support to people with disabilities. I'm going
to ask you first, Joe, what kind of disabilities are
you referring to, because there's a lot of nonprofits that
I've interviewed and they say disabilities but it's only specific,
you know, which is great, you know, But if I
(02:20):
have a disability and I'm trying to get help, and
that's not the disability you help with. You're like, well,
what do I do you know? So can you kind
of elaborate on what disabilities you might be of co including.
Speaker 4 (02:29):
These are for some people, these are everyday things that
they see for us as well, but they may not
be disabilities we see in our own home. The disabilities
that the audience have in their home is perhaps with
their children. They have been diagnosed at birth, or the
onset may have been after birth. Anyways, they could be
mental or physical or both. It could be psychological disabilities
(02:53):
as well. Okay, whatever they've been diagnosed with, we have
a place for them.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
Any vet, do you have anything to add to that
as far as is what kind of disability people? What
people with disabilities you might have, Like is it uh?
You know, I know some people help if they're missing
a limb, if they're blind, but you know, if they
have autism, what kind is this more focus towards? I
would say it's more mental Okay, Okay, so like the
(03:18):
unseen idd okay, I know that kind of stuff.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
And we start at a like Joe said, you know,
at a young age, Okay, it normally to be in
this program, it would have to be twenty and over.
So we have a range between twenty sixty five thirty
five forty five, and they have a mental discapacitation.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
Okay, correct disability? Yeah, I know, there's so many different
terms now, and it just kind of depends on who
you're talking to. Without So you you said normally, you know,
twenty and older. I'm assuming that would be for like,
you know, employment opportunities. You're not going to help you know,
a six year old find a job. But you said
that it starts young. When you mean when you say that,
it like it starts young, Like, what do you mean
(04:03):
like their.
Speaker 3 (04:04):
Disability, Oh, starts at a young age. It could develop
at a young age ear later on at an older at.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
An older age, but the people that you help, it's
usually twenty and over.
Speaker 5 (04:14):
Correct.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
Oh okay, okay.
Speaker 4 (04:16):
There has been exceptions started endoraction. No please, there has
been exceptions where we enroll somebody who is much younger,
even a minor, okay, because they started searching for the
program much earlier. So there is exceptions to that.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
Now when it comes to like employment help, like how
what does that kind of help look like?
Speaker 4 (04:36):
That kind of help looks like, Well, it's called supported employment,
and we basically help the person from step one. They
are assisted in how to find out what they want
to do. First of all, because they may not want
to flip burgers. Maybe they want to work in a
as a hotel clerk or something. So they may have
other dreams and we try to make those dreams a
possibility a reality.
Speaker 2 (04:57):
Do you work with like different because I know there's
certain businesses that may not be aware of the benefits
of employing someone with a disability. Do you work with
certain organizations locally to help those people find employment?
Speaker 6 (05:11):
Yes?
Speaker 4 (05:12):
We actually are given all the referrals through Emergency Health
Networking Okay, okay, So first they qualify through the Medicaid
program and then they referred to EHN. They're diagnosed and
they refer to.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
US okay, and then from there you help them find work. Okay.
Any any that residential support? What does that mean? What
is residential?
Speaker 3 (05:33):
Residential support means that we offer them a place of stay.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
Oh, house housing? In other words, Oh, like you find
like do you help them in their own home or
you help them actually find a home both?
Speaker 7 (05:45):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (05:45):
Really? Okay?
Speaker 3 (05:46):
It could be residential if your parents are willing to
do the service for them, okay, or we have group
homes where they can go in there. That's also part
of the service that we provide. And what I mean
by a group home is a house with four individuals
that have twenty four.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
Like twenty four hour twenty four hour care. Okay, yeah, okay, yeah.
Well I don't know if it was through Communities Options INC.
I doubt it, but my uncle lives in a group
home with about four of the people. He has severe autism,
so he has to live in a placement. So I'm
kind of familiar. And when it comes to Community Options, INC.
Is there anything else before we get into the event
(06:26):
that you would like to tell the listening audience about it.
Speaker 4 (06:29):
Well, basically, this event that we're about to speak about,
the proceeds that are produced by this event or through
this event do not go to a profit. Nobody's getting
rich off of this. This is a nonprofit organization and
all the funds are used to enhance the lives of
people with disabilities.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
Okay. I love that. So if you're just tuning in,
I have Yvette Luhan program service coordinator and Joe Ortiz
Program service coordinator as well for Community options, inc. Now
let's get into this event. This is another one of
those five k's for you all that you know like
to run me personally, if I'm running, you better run
(07:07):
two because i'ms chasing me. I do not do these
for fun, but I know a lot of people love them,
especially when they're going for a good cause. And this
one's so unique because of the date and the name.
Now the name makes sense, So it's a Cupids Chase
five K fundraiser. Five k's how many miles? Like three?
Speaker 6 (07:22):
Right? Like loah?
Speaker 2 (07:23):
Possibly I just heard about like a one that's like
a three hour four hour marathon. I'm like, no, thank you,
So this was not that long. Saturday, February fourteenth, Valentine's
Date at Mcalligan Canyon. Now, I've done a lot of
interviews about five k's. I've never done one where they
have it at Mcalligan Canyon. What an amazing like opportunity
to run through there. So Joe, let me ask you
(07:44):
first this five K what is going to be?
Speaker 6 (07:48):
Like?
Speaker 2 (07:48):
How can people register? What's going to happen at this event?
Speaker 4 (07:52):
We are able to register or get you registered online.
You can also pay at the door or well there
is no door, it's outdoors right, yeah, place, definitely, I
would encourage to do it prior to there's a possibility
you may get a discount if you apply for that now.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
And where do they register at Cupidschase dot org.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
Yes, that is correct, okay?
Speaker 2 (08:11):
And how much is registration registration?
Speaker 4 (08:13):
I believe starts at thirty dollars? Oh, I'm sorry forty dollars.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
Okay, that's not bad. That's not bad. And are at
this time are you looking for sponsorships at all? Yes,
we are, Okay. What kind of sponsorships or what would
they get with their sponsorship?
Speaker 4 (08:29):
Well, basically, the sponsorship money can be used for outings.
It can be pizza parties, birthday parties, maybe televisions, different
things that our clientele will wish for that maybe can't afford.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
And are there like different levels of sponsorships or what
is the beginning sponsorship level?
Speaker 4 (08:47):
Well, there is different levels of sponsorship and we have
a young person they can give you a lot of
information on the sponsorships.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
What you want to talk about a little bit about
the sponsorship levels.
Speaker 7 (09:00):
Yes, so there's different levels, each level it depends. Honestly,
we're just happy to have people sponsor US, like give
a donation, it doesn't matter the amount. Yeah, but there's
different ones. So like there's one that says that it's
ten thousand dollars and you get a bunch of things,
like you, all of them should be on the shirt.
They will be able to be put on the shirt
that we are giving out, and so there's different ones.
(09:20):
So there's a platinum one which is a ten dollars
ten thousand dollars okay, And so you get brand exposure
and the event exposure. So a lot of people will
get a booth if they do wish to become a
sponsor for US.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
Okay, perfect, so they can go and put their information
out at the event. More people will know about who
they are.
Speaker 7 (09:36):
There's also a gold which is basically the same thing,
but that one's five thousand, so it's not as many amenities,
but you still get a bunch of amenities with donating
the money. And there's also the silver which is twenty
five hundred, and then Bronze which is also fifteen hundred,
and then just an exhibitor table which is five hundred dollars. Okay,
any donation is.
Speaker 2 (09:55):
Welcome, and like you said, Joe, all of that money
is going to go towards the people that are part
of this program for people with disabilities who may not
Thank you, Selene, right, what's your last name, Selene Young?
All right, thank you Selena hopping out. There's a lot
of information for one person to retain. So again, you know,
with those sponsorship levels, you will get your name on
the shirt, you'll get that recognition, you'll get you know,
(10:18):
that association with Communities Option, Inc. And that. Okay, this company,
this organization wants to help people with disabilities. They you know,
they're all for a more inclusive workplace. And again Saturday,
February fourteenth at Mcallagan Canyon. There's different sponsorship levels. You
can find more at Cupidschase dot org. Now, Joe, Joe
(10:39):
orvit whoever wants to jump in, can you tell us
more about what else will be at this event other
than just the running in the sweating.
Speaker 4 (10:46):
Well, there's going to be a variety of things. Like
Celenne said, there'll be music.
Speaker 2 (10:51):
Celene, sorry not Selene.
Speaker 4 (10:54):
There'll be music, they'll be food, they'll be community. Most importantly, community,
you'll be able to interact with a very diverse group
of people. Okay, that I believe you should know, you
should interact with and we're trying to integrate our individuals,
the individuals we work with, into the community, and what
better way to do that.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
That's perfect. I love that. Now, Joe, I'm going to
ask you, and then I'm going to ask you the
same question. What made you want to get into this
line of work?
Speaker 4 (11:22):
I think that every year that we've contributed to this
company gives us an immense amount of reason to have
stayed and to continue what got us into it. It's
for some people, it's just a job and that's how
they get introduced to it. Yeah, for us, I'm sure
there was a unique reason for that. I had a relative,
(11:44):
my son, who used to have disabilities as well.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
Perfect an Eve, Why did you decide to get into
this line of work?
Speaker 3 (11:51):
Well, for me, I think I have the hard to
advocate for these people, to speak, to be the voice
of these people that sometimes they don't get hurt, you know,
And I truly believe that that's where God put me.
My heart is there?
Speaker 2 (12:08):
Yeah? Perfect? Well, then you're in the right spot, right
and you know it's daunting enough as someone maybe who
doesn't have a disability to go online where do you go?
What do I want to do? How do I fill
out these forms? All this form didn't go through. What's
the end?
Speaker 6 (12:24):
Now?
Speaker 2 (12:25):
Add on a layer of maybe not be able to
think traditionally or maybe you know you could get there,
but it's just not there's not the means for you
to get there in that way. So again that's what
Communities Options Inc. Is therefore provide employment and residential support
to people with disabilities. Like you say, not all disabilities
(12:45):
are visible. You know, I have people close to me
I can completely understand. I really appreciate what you both
are doing. And again this event is going to go
to help Community Options Inc. Cupids Chase five k fundraiser
again a little over three miles on Valentine's Day. I
think that's a really cool day to do it. You know,
normally people go to dinner on Valentine's Day, so you
(13:05):
can go run, build up an appetite, knowing that you
both did something good, you know, set of date. I
think it's a really cool thing to do maybe together
as a couple. Mcallaghan Canyon. That sounds like a really
romantic five k area to do it too. And Joe,
is there anything else that you would like to tell
the listening audience.
Speaker 4 (13:23):
Well, first of all, thank you for giving us the
time to present our company, and we really really want
to see you there. We want to know who is
Elpaso and we also want to know that we can
offer them the exposure to what we do and maybe
they're interested in the service as well for.
Speaker 2 (13:39):
Their relatives exactly, or maybe they want to help.
Speaker 4 (13:42):
Sure, perfect, and yes we will take volunteers absolutely.
Speaker 2 (13:45):
Oh perfect. Anyvette, is there anything else that you would
like to tell the listening audience.
Speaker 3 (13:50):
Well, like we already said, it's a five K run,
it's cube it chase, and you know, on this special day,
February fourteenth, you can also come and meet your loved
one there who knows, you know, supporting El Paso for
these special needs. Who knows maybe you'll find that special
(14:12):
person with the same beliefs, the same philosophies. You know,
so come join us.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
You know, yeah, no, I find that five k's. I
guess it's the endorphins. Especially afterwards, people have this like
I want to help and you know, you start talking,
you start opening up. So I think that's a really
good point that you're making. And Celene Selene, I was
saying it right, all right, Selene, is there anything else
that you would like to tell the listening audience.
Speaker 7 (14:36):
So if you do register before the thirtieth of November,
it will be forty dollars, and after that it will
go up to forty five okay, till the thirteenth of February. Okay,
then so the day of it will be fifty dollars. Okay,
the door or well like, you still have to register online,
but if you don't register before December, there's not a
possibility that you will get a shirt.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
Oh okay, okay. So the early to register the better,
which is always the case with five k's. Yeah, and
it also helps the coordinators out a whole lot, So
make sure you register early and for more information you
can go to Cupidschase dot org. This information will also
be available on power to two point one Sunday, ninety
nine point nine and ninety six point three k he Country,
Instagram and Facebook the flyer pictures of our guests, that
(15:20):
information will be there, and if you're listening on the
iHeart app, that information is available in the description of
the podcast. Evet Joe Celine, thank you so much for
being here with me.
Speaker 3 (15:29):
To thank you, Amber, thank you for having us.
Speaker 2 (15:36):
Welcome back to the Alpaso Public Forum. I am your host,
Amber Banda. And today we have the Sun Bowl Association here.
We have Bernie Olive Us, executive director of the Sun
Bowl Association. Bernie, thank you for talking with us today.
Speaker 6 (15:50):
Oh, thank you for having us. It's a pleasure to
be here, of course.
Speaker 2 (15:52):
And we also have Richie Davis, media relations director for
the Sun Bowl Association. Richie, thank you for talking with
us today.
Speaker 5 (15:59):
Thank you for having us, Amberham sorry of course.
Speaker 2 (16:02):
And so the Sunball Association. Again, I was just talking
with someone else about this. This is actually one of
the organizations that most people don't realize is a non profit. Bernie,
can you tell us a little bit more about this organization,
maybe a few of the events they have, because we're
going to get into two of your big ones in
just a little bit.
Speaker 6 (16:19):
Sure. Well, first of all, we are ninety two years old,
one of the oldest organizations in l Paso, and it
started out as a fundraiser for an orphanage, the Liam
Bul Orphanage. Yes, I'll pass, ohigh and for the renovation
I'll pass ohigh. And seven men got together at the
infamous Cortes Hotel downtown and decided that the football game
(16:40):
would probably be a really good way to raise money.
And that's how it started. So the first game was
actually played on January one of nineteen thirty five through
the second oldest bowl in the country. But along the way,
we've picked up several other events, including the Thanksgiving Day
parade at you know, including the Thanksgiving Parade and a
(17:00):
lot of other events that we put on. And we
do this as a nonprofit organization and and you know,
a big thing go to our sponsors. Because we are
a title sponsors, we wouldn't be able to have any
of these events. But yeah, this is our ninety second game.
Our parade is also eighty nine years old. Our basketball
term and is sixty eight years old. You know, we've
been around for a long time and thanks to our
(17:22):
total title sponsors, we wouldn't be able to do this
without it. You know, a lot of people think that
we that we're a big corporation. No, we're nonprofit in
our job is to provide some quality events for our community.
Speaker 2 (17:34):
Exactly, if you break even as a nonprofit, then you're
doing good.
Speaker 6 (17:37):
That Oh absolutely, I guess high marks. If we break even.
Speaker 2 (17:41):
That's my mentality going into Las Vegas. It's like, if
I break even, I'm good. If I win, that's great,
as long as I don't lose too much. Exactly how
long have you been a part of this organization?
Speaker 6 (17:49):
Well, it's a two part question. I've actually been been
around for forty two years. But I started as a
volunteer back in nineteen eighty three, but I took over
as executive director on data I'll never forget ten oh
one one day before ninety eleven. It was my first
day on the job. So I've been doing this for
twenty four years. And like I said, it's a dream.
It's a dream job for me to be able as
(18:09):
a native and growing up here and living here all
my life, at least not yet, but yes, most of
my life. Yes, it's an unbelievable pleasure to be leading
an organization like this.
Speaker 2 (18:20):
You're definitely a part of making events that have created
a lot of childhood dreams for al Passwins myself included,
and Richie. How long have you been a part of
the organization.
Speaker 5 (18:29):
I started as an intern of May of twenty three,
so I've been a part of the organization for coming
up on two and a half years now, and I've
been media relations director for about ten months now. I
started a week before the game last year and I've
been doing it ever since. Thrown into it, thrown into it,
and I love it to death. I knew what to do,
and Bernie blessed me with a great opportunity and I
can't thank everybody enough. And I have a great group
(18:51):
around me.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
And how did you get into it?
Speaker 5 (18:53):
I have been working in sports media for about three
years now. I started at Texas Tech University, transferred over
there from Malpasso Community College, went from Bettejano to a
Red Raider. Yeah, and so I was over there for
about three years, worked in sports broadcasting and a sports
communication for my latter year. And now here I am
with the and I was interning here in between my semesters.
(19:16):
So here I am as MEATA relations director and been
very blessed.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
Oh perfect, perfect, So you know again. The Sun Bowl
Association has been around in al Paso for ninety two
years and they have multiple events going on throughout the city.
The one we're going to focus on right now, and
then we'll get to one of the other big ones.
After this the eighty ninth annual Gleshen, Bias and Enderman
Injury Lawyer's Sun Bowl Parade, one of my favorite childhood memories.
(19:43):
I'm sure you hear that a lot. Bernie. Can you
talk a little bit about this year's theme, and of
course the parade is always on Thanksgiving starting at ten am.
What is the theme for this year?
Speaker 6 (19:53):
The theme this year is Childhood where Dreams are born perfect.
You know, that's a great theme. And you know, I
got to give credit to our Special Events director Joe Dabach,
who you know, we sit together and and go over
all kinds of things. We review all the all the
past themes and we actually look into other parades themes
and see if we here's something that we can look
But he came up with this one and I think it.
(20:15):
You know, when we when we announced that, a lot
of the float builders jumped all over it because it
opens itself to a lot of possibilities. And that's what
we're looking for when we look for a theme, something
that a lot of people would want to see and
and and let their imaginations go wild. And I think
this year's parade is going to be incredible as it
ever is you know, Joe set the bar pretty high
(20:37):
and uh, and people are reaching to that bar. So
I encourage everybody to come on out Thanksgiving morning at
ten o'clock. As you mentioned, Uh, I've already ordered the weather.
The weather's going to be perfect.
Speaker 4 (20:49):
Please.
Speaker 2 (20:50):
I want to take my week and get my hot
chocolate again like I used to be able to when
I was little.
Speaker 6 (20:54):
There you go, yeah, you know, we're hoping that you
might need a cold drink because it'd be so warm
and nice on Thanksgiving Day. But but yes, it's you know,
in spite of the weather, we've always had some great
some great parade, some great themes, and some great crowds.
Speaker 7 (21:09):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (21:09):
It's funny that the night before the parade, I go
up and down the parade road making sure everything is
in order. And I can't believe how many people spend
the night on the parade route so that they get
a good viewing. Here, take their couches and they're doing
their tailgating, They're they're doing all kinds of things. I
go around, say, hey, you got the MANU, when's the maneuver?
They're going to be ready? Yeah by six in the morning.
(21:30):
It is. It is really a huge, a huge endeavor,
and uh, you know, we're expecting about two hundred to
two hundred fifty thousand people come to the parade, and
you know, you can watch it on TV, but it's
just not the same as being there, So encourage everybody
to come on out.
Speaker 2 (21:47):
It's not the same as cheering on the pooper scoopers
or getting her inflatable with our Yeah, you know exactly
what I'm talking about. And so I'm curious, what is
the earliest you've ever seen anyone mark their spot for
the parade?
Speaker 6 (22:00):
Oh, you know, we do a pretty much a live broadcast,
you know, from the parade route on six o'clock news,
and there are people already pulling back, you know, putting
their trucks that you know, they're backing up their pickup
trucks to their tailgates. Is they are there like at seven,
eight o'clock in the evening, starting having dinner on the
parade route, and then they spend the night, They spend
(22:22):
the entire night there. It's it's incredible. And I started
noticing this about oh, i'd say ten fifteen years ago,
and it's just getting bigger and bigger. People are realizing
that they can get there. They get there early and
start parking, the only thing that we tell them not
to do. And I go. So you can't block the streets.
You can't walk the streets because you know, just for
(22:43):
if nothing else, for emergency vehicles to be able to
get through. But they start pretty early, and there are
a lot of them now, all the way down the
parade route from you know, from from the beginning, what's
all the way to Kopia?
Speaker 2 (22:57):
Okay, so that is the parade route from yes, a
lot down Montana for anyone.
Speaker 6 (23:03):
No, it's supposed to on the Kopia. But if you
go down the parade route two blocks, yeah, ask Kopia.
There are still thousands of people sitting. They're waiting for
the parade to come. And by the time it gets
to them, it's broken up. But they can still see
the flows and it's the bands are still coming through
and the horses are coming through. So I said, I
encourage people. Get there. You find yourself a spot and
(23:24):
enjoy the parade before you go out and see the
cowboys play.
Speaker 2 (23:29):
Hey, I mean I was born on the bandwagon. I
just never got off. I you know, it's all pass
so and again, if you're just tuning in. We have
Bernie Olivas, executive director for the Sun Bowl Association, as
well as Richie Davis, Media Relations director for the Sun
Bowl Association. Now, I want to get into a little
bit more details about the parade before we get into
another event. Now, the grand Marshal for this year's parade.
(23:52):
I was so excited when I saw it announced on
on social media. Bernie, who is the Grand Marshal for
the parade?
Speaker 6 (23:59):
You know, the grand marshals is an el past one
who's made it pretty big and around the country and
around the world. His name is our own Sanchez, a
master chef who has his own show on the Food Channel.
He is an old pass one and he was delighted
to be able to come back and be the Grand
Marshal of Grand Marshal of the parade. We've had some
tremendous Grand Marshals in the past, and he sits right
up there with everybody as far as a celebrity, a
(24:21):
celebrity grand Marshal. Uh, great guy to talk to, just
a super nice guy and he's excited about becoming and
uh and uh and riding the parade. It's a grand
marshal leading the parade that's awesome.
Speaker 2 (24:31):
So if you've ever seen the show Master Chef Junior,
he was on one of the most recent seasons. That's
why the kids are gonna love it, the families, the
adults are going to love it as well. And if
people wanted to get maybe you know, they don't want
to get there the day before with the backing in.
There are special tickets available correct the grand stands.
Speaker 5 (24:51):
Yes, at every Vista market here in the Opasso area.
You can go and get tickets for those review stands. Uh,
every up until leave when for going the deadline date
is to go get them? I think up until parade
day pretty much the fourth parade and it's very Opassove friendly.
It's ten dollars each and you can get them at
any Vista markets here in the Passer area.
Speaker 2 (25:11):
And how you know, I've always been curious about those seats.
How soon can you go to sit down and want
to have your tickets for the for the seats.
Speaker 6 (25:20):
Oh, we're at eight o'clock in the morning. Okay, we're
there at eight o'clock in the morning and our finance
finance manager will be there, you know, collecting tickets. I
will tell people it's not fifty thousand seat stadium. So
I encourage everybody that if you want to sit and
watch the parade, you know, the parking is free. Yeah,
free parking lot as long as they last. Parking places last.
(25:43):
You got their own private porta pots there so you
can go. And again the viewing area is great. You're
sitting down, nobody in front of you.
Speaker 2 (25:50):
And where is it like on the route seats it's on.
Speaker 6 (25:53):
It's at the Emergence Healthcare Center, which is on remember
I think it's like sixteen ten Montana Street. Okay, it's
right down the parade route. And it's like I said,
there's free parking as long as the parking lasts. And
like I said, there's their own you know, their own
bathrooms there, you know, inside the fence, the fenced area
and a great viewing area. So I encourage everybody to
(26:15):
get them early. And I said there's a limit of au.
There's about a two thousand person limit. And as as
Richie said, you could get them at all the Vista
at the Vista markets and get them now.
Speaker 2 (26:26):
Yeah, google Vista markets. And why are there to get
some fresh bandult And again we're talking about the eighty
ninth annual Glachen Vice and Nderman Injury Lawyers. Sunball Parade,
of course, always on Thanksgiving, which is November twenty seven,
starting at ten am. The theme this year childhood is
where Dreams Are Born. The Grand Marshal is al Paso's chef,
Aaron Sanchez. Now I want to talk about the when
(26:50):
you said ninety two that the Sun Bowl Association has
been here for ninety two years, it makes sense because
this is going to be the ninety second Tony the
Tiger Sunbull. It's all on New Year's Eve? Am I correct?
Speaker 6 (27:01):
It's always on New Year's Eve unless New Year's Eve
falls on a weekend and then we move it to
that Friday. Okay, December thirty first, there's our traditional game
day for the Tony and Tiger.
Speaker 2 (27:11):
Soumble, and this year it's going to be at noon.
You can catch it on CBS if you're not going
to watch it here locally, but if you have the opportunity,
why wouldn't you? So, Bernie, can you tell us a
little bit more about see, I I'm like, go sports.
I like sports, but I'm not too detailed on it.
Can you tell us a little bit more about maybe
who's going to be playing and also where we can
get tickets.
Speaker 6 (27:30):
Yeah, well, as you know, as we have in the
for the past several years, we will be featuring a
team from the ACC, the Atlantic Coast Conference, and then
from the PAC twelve, you know, the Pacific Athletic Conference.
And of course, for people who don't realize it, you know,
the PAC twelve has broken up and about the ten
teams left the conference a couple of years ago, but
we still have access to those schools that include UCLA, USC, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Utah,
(27:58):
Arizona State stand count even though they went down they
went to the ACC. Correct, they're at the ACC, but
and it's possible that we could get them against another
ACC team, But we still have access to all those teams.
A lot of people are saying, well, the PAC twelve
doesn't exist anymore. Yes, it does, and it's going to
exist with other teams you know, coming next year. But
(28:19):
right now we still have access to we call the
legacy schools. So it's and we've had tremendous luck in
our matchups this year, every year. It's last year we
had Washington against Louisville came down to the last play
of the game Louisville winning thirty five thirty four. We
had Notre Dame the year before that. We have you know,
I think the tradition is that we have some pretty
(28:39):
good teams and pretty good matchups and for the most part,
it is a sun Bowl, pretty good weather.
Speaker 2 (28:44):
Right, And for sports illiterate people like myself who just
basically enjoy being in the environment, how does that work?
So it's down to, you know, the last two games,
kind of like when they go to the Super Bowl, right,
it's the last two teams in the conference that make it.
Is that how soon how early before the Tony the
Tiger sunbul Do you know who's going to play?
Speaker 6 (29:04):
Selection Sunday, what's commonly known as Selection Sunday, will be
December to seventh, okay, all right, and again we as
a matter of fact, we have a Selection Sunday party
over at the Sunland Park racetrack, free to the public,
and that's when we you know, that's what we'll announce
who's going to play, because we're sitting in the room
waiting for the phone calls from each conference telling us
(29:26):
who's available, and then we select and then we go
tell the public and announce it right then and there
as soon as we know. So you want to be
the first ones to know who's going to play the
sun Bowl, come on over the Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino.
We started about noon. The announcement usually comes up right
between one and two o'clock and they'll be you know,
there'll be food. You buy your own drinks, but there'll
be advertisers and normally we give away a lot of
(29:48):
freebies from past sun Bowls and everything else. So you've
come out with a shirt, t shirt, all kinds of
swag that we have left over years before. So it's
a pretty nice party and the last still so as
long as you as long as you want to list,
it's a lot of fun. December seventh, December seventh, December seventh,
Sunland Park, racetreke and Casino awesome.
Speaker 2 (30:07):
And so for these two events again, if you want
more information, you can go to Instagram and Facebook at
Tony the Tiger sun Bowl. You can also go to
Sunbowl dot org. Now, Richie, is there anything else that
you would like to tell the listening audience about the events,
about the association, anything at all.
Speaker 5 (30:25):
Just keep us up on social media, Just keep up.
We have bull bound teams coming in every week now.
Teams are getting to six wins to be bull eligible
and you can see which ACC Pack twelve and PAC
twelve Legacy schools could be coming twelve passout for New
Year's Eve.
Speaker 2 (30:38):
Amazing And Bernie, is there anything else that you would
like to tell the listening audience?
Speaker 6 (30:42):
Again? You know, we're more than a football game. We're
more than a parade. You know. We have the West
Star Don Haskins and Basketball Invitation. It's going to be
played on December twenty one, twentieth and twenty first at
the Don Haskins Center. We have a great field coming
in with North Dakota State, we have a Norfolk State,
and we have a cal Irvine another That event has
(31:04):
been going on for sixty seven years as well. The
day before the game, the fan Festa at the Convention
Center is full of charge, normally drop between eight and
ten thousand people. The Battle of the Bands goes on there.
But we also have entertainment, we have food, we have vendors,
and it's it's a free event, you know, and you
can come downtown and be part of the winter fest
(31:25):
that the you know, Destinational Passer puts on but the
fan festest right in the middle of that. We welcome
everybody to come to that. The fan fest is the
day before the game, December thirty, December thirtieth, from four
to ten, okay, at the Convention Center. It's a lot
of fun. And we also we also have an art
exhibit going on that's you know, that started on November,
(31:46):
November the sixth, and it's going to go through January eleventh,
and it's a lot of you know, local artists, regional
artists that it's a competition. They they enter their their
artwork and there'll be some judging and there will be
some fun actial rewards for the best.
Speaker 2 (32:01):
Like sports oriented art.
Speaker 6 (32:03):
Absolutely not. This is any any genre of art that
you'd want to do it oh cool. And again it
goes through January eleventh. They're at the International Museum of
Art on Montana And again everybody's welcome. Everybody's welcome to
come and see some of the artwork that a lot
of el past ones are putting out. It's incredible, you know,
(32:23):
And like I said, I wasn't a big artsy guy,
but ever since we started going to this thing, it
is incredible of some of the talent that there is
an a pass as far as sculptures, you know, pencil drawings, oil, everything, water,
it is incredible. So I invite everybody to go through
there through January.
Speaker 2 (32:43):
Eleventh, amazing at the International Museum of Art on Montana
and again. For more information, you can go to Sunbull
dot org. Follow them on social media Instagram, Facebook at
Tony the Tiger Sunbowl. A lot of great things coming
out of the nonprofit Sun Bowl Association. Bernie and Richie,
thank you so much for talking with me today.
Speaker 6 (33:00):
It's a pleasure. Thank you so much for having us.
Speaker 5 (33:02):
Thank you so much, Amber, It's been a more honor.
Speaker 2 (33:04):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (33:05):
You've been listening to El Paso Public Forum, a weekly
public affairs presentation of iHeartRadio El Paso. If you, your
organization or event would like to be featured on an
upcoming program, please email to Epforum at iHeartMedia dot com
or call us at nine one five three five one
five four zero zero. Tune in again next week for
(33:25):
another additional of El Paso Public Forum. The preceding program
was recorded at the studios of iHeartRadio El Paso.
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