This is your weekly update, which takes a quick look at the week ahead and some developments that El Paso Matters is following.

Rosco’s Burger Inn Reopens: Rosco’s Burger Inn was back in business on Tuesday, election night, and hundreds of patrons elected to eat there. The iconic eatery, 3829 Tompkins Road, had been closed since a kitchen fire last May. The eatery will celebrate 70 years in business in 2025.

Jacob Carrasco, general manager, said he planned for a soft opening, but decided to post the re-opening on social media at about 1 p.m. and within 30 minutes it was like old times – packed. Almost all the 40-plus seats were taken for people interested in a late lunch at the counter or tables.

Cody Martinez of Anthony, N.M., enjoyed his Rosco Burger during the soft re-opening of Rosco’s Burger Inn, 3829 Tompkins, after it had been closed for about 10 months due to a kitchen fire. (Daniel Perez / El Paso Matters)

Carrasco, the third-generation owner, said the public response humbled him. “I love the support,” he said during a quick break from his griddle where he smashed the fresh cut onions into the meat and then assembled the burgers. “I’m thankful to get back, and for the support of the community.”

The El Paso Police Department headquarters has been renamed for the late Chief Gregory K. Allen. A ceremony on Sunday, March 3, 2024 honored Allen and his 40 years of service. (Photo courtesy City of El Paso)

EPPD Headquarters Renamed After Allen: The El Paso Police Department headquarters at 911 N. Raynor Street has been renamed after the late Chief Greg Allen. City and EPPD leaders over the weekend held a renaming ceremony in honor of Allen, who died in January 2023 after 15 years at the helm of the department. Signage for the Chief Gregory K. Allen Police Headquarters was unveiled during a ceremony on Sunday, which would have been Allen’s 73rd birthday. Allen served in the department for 40 years and was the first African American to hold the rank of chief. 

Love Letters in San Jacinto Plaza Downtown is dedicated to Women’s History Month.

Women’s History Month Events: March is recognized as Women’s History Month, which since 1987 has celebrated women’s contributions to history, culture and society. Here are some El Paso events celebrating Women’s History Month:

Change Makers: Presented by El Paso Matters and Progress321, Change Makers is dedicated to honor women across various industries as part of Women’s HIstory Month. This year, Change Makers is celebrating women working in a variety of technology fields and features keynote speaker Vanessa Feliberti Bautista, corporate vice president at Microsoft and a graduate of El Paso’s Eastwood High School. The event is at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 27 at the El Paso Country Club, 5000 Country Club Road. Click here for tickets and information. 

Magoffin Walking Tour: A walking tour is slated for 1 p.m. Friday, March 22 at the Magoffin Historic District, 1117 Magoffin Ave. The free event highlights 100 years of pioneering El Paso women in a one-mile walk. Information: 915-533-5147 ext.1006 or via email at Magoffin-Home@thc.texas.gov.

International Women’s Day 2024 Celebration: Borderland Big Ideas is hosting an event encouraging women to pursue their big ideas at 6 p.m. Friday, March 8 at International Bar, 114 E. Mills Ave. The keynote speaker is entrepreneur Gina Moreno, whose nonprofit Herencia Latina provides mental health resources for the Hispanic community. Other speakers include Chelsie Evaldi, CEO of Chuco Relic; Nayeli Meza, CEO of the Rose Group; and Iris Lopez, founder and Executive Director of Mija, Yes You Can. Tickets are $20 and available at Eventbrite. Information: Borderland Big Ideas.

Love Letters: Destination El Paso’s Love Letters – colorful, large acrylic letters “E” and “P” and a star – is dedicated to Women’s History Month and is on display at San Jacinto Plaza, 114 W. Mills Street in Downtown through March 31.

The El Paso Commission for Women will hold a Hall of Fame Luncheon honoring 10 community women leaders on April 6 at the El Paso Community College Administrative Services Center, Building A, 9050 Viscount Blvd. The event begins at 11 a.m. with a meet-and-greet, followed by a luncheon and awards at noon. Women are honored for their work in various fields, including volunteerism, community service, medical, education and business. The luncheon is $75, with proceeds going toward scholarships. Information: Anna Howell, 915-704-2819 or the Commission for Women.

Mexican poppies bloom each spring on the northeast side of the Franklin Mountains. (Courtesy of Mark Clune)

Poppies Fest Returns This Weekend: Poppies Fest returns to the El Paso Museum of Archaeology – this time with events every Saturday in March. Yellow and orange poppies line the foot of the Franklin Mountains in Northeast El Paso, making for a colorful background for photos. The origins of the poppies on the Franklins are storied, including that their seeds were planted by the U.S. Army National Guard or by a rich widow to honor her deceased husband.

The events run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays starting on March 9 at the museum, 4301 Transmountain Road. Events include entertainment, food trucks, vendors, archery activities, workshops and more. Live Active El Paso and EPMArch will hold a 1-mile walk through the Wilderness Park with fitness and health organizations participating from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 30. Information: EPMArch.org.

National City Manager Search Begins: The El Paso City Council on Tuesday voted to hire a national firm to help find city manager candidates. The council flip-flopped several times on how to approach finding a permanent city manager to replace Tommy Gonzalez after firing him last year. The City Council hired Baker Tilly US LLP, a public accounting and consulting firm headquartered in Chicago, to conduct the search after passing on the firm two previous times. The city briefly considered using its Human Resources Department to conduct a local search, but the effort promptly failed. Interim City Manager Cary Westin has said he will not seek the job on a permanent basis.

The post Rosco’s Burger Inn reopens; El Paso police headquarters renamed after late Chief Greg Allen appeared first on El Paso Matters.

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