Archive for Announcements
Dates, Headliner Set For Wildlife Music Festival
by John Weckerle
The 11th Annual Wildlife Music Festival, scheduled for July 20 and 21, 2013, will feature the internationally known Lisa Haley and the Zydekats, an Americana/Cajun/Zydeco band featuring original tunes, Louisana Bayou, French Celtic, R&B, and Jazz music. According to the band’s bio:
Since beginning in 1995, Lisa Haley & the Zydekats are today the world’s most joyful Americana/Cajun/Zydeco band.
She is charted on Billboard and nominated for the GRAMMY®
Lisa’s newest album, “Joy Ride” is submitted for GRAMMY® 2013.
Her original tunes and Louisiana Bayou, French Celtic, R&B and Jazz rhythms represent Zydeco for Hollywood Bowl Summersounds, Sir George Martin’s film “Rhythm of Life,” GRAMMY® Museum, and festivals in over 20 countries.
With two women in her four-piece band, this fourth-generation fiddler, dancer and vocalist is an adventure sure to make us laugh, cry…
and above all, DANCE!
Among her fans are Keb’Mo’ and Little Richard.
The festival, an Albuquerque area tradition was initially a collaboration between Wildlife West Nature Park and the Town of Edgewood focusing on bluegrass, but the Town abruptly pulled its funding in 2008. Thanks to the efforts of the Park’s founder (Roger Alink), its corps of dedicated volunteers, local and national supporters, and event producer Richard Eager of Eager Image, the event rebounded quickly to become one of the major music festivals in the Albuquerque and Santa Fe areas. In recent years, the festival has expanded to include a broader variety of musical traditions. Past events have included nationally known acts including the Claire Lynch Band, John McCutcheon, the Byorn Berline Band, Pat Donohue, the Bill Hearne Trio, Alan Munde and Gazette, Sweet Sunny South, April Verch, the Trillium Marimba Ensemble, and the Boulder Acoustic Society – all joined by some of the best New Mexico and regional acts to be found. The introduction of a band that includes Zydeco – a typically fast-tempo American roots musical genre – in its repertoire is sure to delight fans of nearly all genres, as Zydeco has incorporated many of them throughout the years. Of course, attendees can expect plenty of the event’s traditional genres, including bluegrass, as well.
The Park and Mr. Eager are working to finalize the lineup for the festival, which will be posted on the Park web site and reported here. For more information on the festival, check out the Wildlife Music Festival page. For more information on Zydeco, check out the Wikipedia article on Zydeco. Samples of the band’s music can be accessed through their web site, and examples of Zydeco music can be found by searching for “Zydeco” on YouTube.
Sandia Ranger District Implementing Prescribed Burns
by Karen Takai, Sandia Ranger District
TIJERAS, NM, November 16, 2012– Sandia Ranger District will tentatively be implementing two prescribed burns, weather permitting, after December 1st 2012, the Casa Loma and Talking Talons Burns. These burns are a continuation of a fuels reduction program on the Sandia Ranger District. The Casa Loma burn is approximately 14 acres and the Talking Talons burn is approximately 80 acres.
Frequent low intensity fires are natural and necessary components of a healthy forest. This ecosystem depends on fire to promote new vegetation, enhance habitat and reduce the threat of large fire. It improves public and firefighter safety by reducing the accumulated fuels that could otherwise contribute to more intense fire behavior under hotter/drier conditions. The broadcast prescribed burning process applies low intensity fire across the forest floor to consume small debris and ground litter.
All prescribed fire activity is dependent on personnel availability, weather (including winds, ventilation) and approval from the New Mexico Smoke Management. They are based upon specific assessments, agency guidelines and safety protocols. During this burn, managers will continuously monitor weather conditions, including wind, temperature, and relative humidity. Fuel conditions including fuel moisture and the quantity of fuels are also measured. Smoke will be visible and expected to have variable affects to neighboring communities.
Fire managers make every effort to minimize smoke impacts to the communities while continuing to address the critical need to reduce the risk of severe wildfires around those communities. Tactics to keep smoke impacts as minimal as possible include canceling approved burns when conditions aren’t favorable, finding alternative uses for the debris in slash piles, timing daytime ignitions to allow the majority of smoke time to disperse prior to settling overnight, and burning larger sections at a time when conditions are favorable to reduce the overall number of days smoke is in the area.
In addition, the Sandia Ranger District coordinates prescribed fire plans with our partners in the county, city and state, as well as neighboring districts, to reduce the impact of smoke on the communities.
The public can obtain additional prescribed fire information via the following:
- Cibola National Forest: www.fs.usda.gov/cibola
- Smoke Management go to http://nmfireinfo.com/smoke-management/ or
- http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/aqb/SMP/smp_index.html
- Sign-up for regular email notifications and updates of planned burns and wildfires: ktakai@fs.fed.us
- Sandia Ranger District 505-281-3304
Tavern Taxi Program Revved Up For The Holidays
Editor’s note: Be smart and be safe, folks; there are more holidays coming and we want all our readers to be around and healthy to enjoy them!
by Nataura C. Powdrell, Bernalillo County Public Information Department
Bernalillo County – The Tavern Taxi program is once again offering free rides to residents to and from their favorite restaurant or bar during this holiday season.
Bernalillo County Department of Substance Abuse and the New Mexico Hospitality Retailers Association are collaborating again on Thanksgiving Eve to support the Taxi Tavern program.
On Thanksgiving Eve, residents can take advantage of the free rides by calling 505-999-1400 for pick-up. Reservations are encouraged. The server or bartender calls for the taxi when the patron is ready to go home.
“This project has been a great success because it offers a viable alternative to drinking and driving,” says Katrina Hotrum, Department of Substance Abuse Program Director. “It is making a difference in how people plan their evening out and how they get home safely without endangering lives.”
Since joining with the Tavern Taxi program last Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve’s, St. Patrick’s Day, and every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening, Bernalillo County has safely transported 2,843 passengers to and from their destinations.
Bernalillo County Hosts Free Spay/Neuter Clinic and Low Cost Walk-in Shot Clinic
by Larry Gallegos, Bernalillo County Public Information Department
Bernalillo County – Bernalillo County Animal Care Services, New Mexico Dogs Deserve Better, and the Santa Fe Animal Shelter and Humane Society are joining together to provide free spay/neuter services to residents of unincorporated Bernalillo County.
“This clinic is a very important step to help in reducing the populations in our community animal shelters,” says Bernalillo County Animal Care Services Director Matt Pepper. “It also provides a service to some in our community that want to do what’s best for their pets but lack the financial means to do so.”
The event will be held on Friday, Nov. 9, Saturday, Nov. 10, and Sunday, Nov, 11, with a free walk-in shot clinic from noon to 3 p.m. each day, at the Bernalillo County Animal Care Offices located at 1126 Gatewood SW. Pet owners must be residents of unincorporated Bernalillo County.
The Santa Fe Animal Shelter and Humane Society mobile spay/neuter van will be at the Animal Care Services offices and a total of 40 animals (dogs and cats) will be spayed or neutered each day. Pet owners have already pre-registered for spay/neuter services.
Price list for additional services available during the shot clinic:
Standard deworming $5
Deworming (tapeworms) Cats $10/Dogs up to 25 lbs $10/Dogs 26 to 60 lbs $20/Dogs over 60 lbs $25
Microchipping $6 Nail Trims $5 E-collar $5
Flea/tick prevention $15 per dose (each dose protects your pet for one month)
Heartworm prevention (6 months)
Dogs up to 25 lbs $27/Dogs 26 to 50 lbs $32/Dogs 51 to 100 lbs $37
Vaccinations: Rabies (one year or three year) $10 Parvo/distemper $10
Feline distemper $10 Bortella $10 Feline Leukemia $15
Tests: Feline leukemia virus/feline immuno virus test $25 Heartworm test $15 Parvo test $25
Bernalillo County Animal Care Services Director Matt Pepper and representatives from New Mexico Dogs Deserve Better and the Santa Fe Animal Shelter and Humane Society will be available for interviews on Friday, Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Christmas Fair In Mountainair
by John Weckerle
Checking in on our friends at Mountainair Announcements, we find that there will be a Christmas Arts and Crafts Fair in Mountainair on Saturday, November 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information, see the Mountainair Announcements article.
Commissioner Johnson Urges Bear Smarts
Editor’s note: This is good information, and we hope people will heed it. Bear in mind also: similar precautions are warranted with ALL wildlife. For the most part, fear of humans is one of an animal’s best friends, helping them avoid the kind of problems that can arise when interactions become too close.
by Catherine Lopez, Bernalillo County Public Information Department
Safer Community for Residents and Bears
Bernalillo County – Commissioner Wayne A. Johnson encourages county residents, especially those in the East Mountains, to take precautions with bears.
Residents are encouraged to make their homes and yards bear proof to increase safety for both bears and people.
“A bear’s eating behavior can alter after just one meal. Once the bear identifies a resident’s home as a source of food, it will continue to go back,” says Commissioner Wayne A. Johnson. “Eliminating their access to our trash is the number one thing people can do to prevent a problem.”
One of the biggest attractions for bears is unsecured garbage, and bears will often visit a same spot again and again. Other big lures for bears are bird feeders, pet food and barbeque grills.
A little prevention can go a long way. Residents should place bird feeders out of reach, and bring them in at night. Also, barbecue grills should be cleaned and stored; trash should be secured in a garage or shed; and garbage should be placed outside only the same day of pickup. Each of these steps can deter bears significantly.
The danger in attracting bears is that the animals can become comfortable with humans, which can lead to problems for people and these animals.
As bears get used to feeding off trash, they tend to become more bold and aggressive. Looking for more, they could start breaking into homes and cars and become less fearful of people.
Right now, bears are consuming anywhere from 1,500 to 4,000 calories a day. In a few weeks, they will begin to prepare for hibernation and will need to eat as many as 15,000 to 23,000 calories a day.
For more tips on bear proofing your home and yard, please visit www.bernco.gov.
PSA: Junior Zookeepers Day Camp Schedule
Received from Karen Mahalick, Edgewood Town Administrator
THE TOWN OF EDGEWOOD
and
WILDLIFE WEST NATURE PARK
are
SPONSORING A JUNIOR ZOOKEEPERS DAY CAMP
WHEN: Session – June 4th through 8lh
Session – June 25th through 29th WFIERE: Wildlife West Nature Park
TIME: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Ages 7 through 15 at $25.00 per student, only 30 students per session. Sign up now as the sessions are filling up fast. Snacks and water provided. On the last day, enjoy a family barbecue, receive a certificate.
Learn details of basic animal care, gain knowledge about New Mexico’s wildlife and natural resources. Watch a live raptor presentation. Participate in various activities, projects, and environmental games.
For more information, please contact Roger Alink, Founder at 281-7655
PSA: Unite Against the War on Women Rally – April 28th, 2012
Editor’s note: We received this while we were preparing the first of our articles on the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), which included a discussion of legislation affecting women in Wisconsin. From the standpoint of timing, we considered it a significant coincidence.
Albuquerque, NM, April 5, 2012: Local Pre-Law Student and, Model Teddie Rivers, and the Women’s Resource Center join the Unite Against The War on Women campaign. They are organizing on campus to gather support for The National Women’s March on April 28th 2012 at the Round House in Santa Fe, N.M.
Unite Against the War on Women is an effort to educate local citizens, as well as our Local, State, and Government leaders on the astonishing legislation and rhetoric taking place in our House of Representatives, the media, and many of the States across our country attacking women’s rights, from healthcare access and reproductive rights, to voting rights and human rights.
Ms. Rivers and other National Women’s March coordinators will be tabling events on the UNM Campus on Thursday, April 19; Tuesday, April 24; and Thursday, April 26 from 11AM – 1PM to answer questions and educate the public about the April 28th March.
Local coordinators will be meeting at the Rail Runner Station in downtown Albuquerque at 8:15AM on April 28th before march and commuting to Santa Fe via the Rail Runner, and are asking as many people possible attending the march to board the train to Santa Fe.
Rally will be held on April 28, 2012 from 10AM – 2PM at The Round House in Santa Fe, N.M. The rally is expected to draw a crowd of 2,000 New Mexican women declaring: “Enough is Enough.
Unite Against the War on Women Mission Statement:
Help defend women’s right and pursuit of equality. Join Americans all across the United States on April 28th, 2012, as we come together as one to tell members of Congress in Washington DC and legislators in all 50 states. “Enough is enough!”
All Americans have the right to make decisions about their own bodies, including contraception, without interference from government, business or religious institutions.
Everyone is invited to join, plan, and rally as we unite to demand that every person be granted equal opportunities, equal right, and equal representation.
Contact:
Teddie Rivers
UNM Campus Organizer
teddie@unm.edu
Job Openings at the NM Long-Term Services Department
by John Weckerle
Checking in on our friends at Mountainair Announcements, we find that the New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department has vacancies for three positions: two in Albuquerque and one in Santa Fe. For more information, including position descriptions, instructions for applying, and contacts, see the Mountainair Announcements article.
PSA: Public Meeting On Changes To Bernalillo County Fire Code
by John Weckerle
The Bernalillo County Fire Marshal will hold a public meeting next Thursday, April 19, to discuss proposed changes and amendments to the Bernalillo County Fire Code. The meeting will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Bernalillo County Fire Department Administrative Offices at 6840 Second Street NW in Albuquerque.
PSA: Drawing System To Be Used For Issuing Wood Permits On Sandia Ranger District
Received from Karen Takai, Sandia Ranger District
TIJERAS, NM – March 30, 2012 – Due to the high demand, the Sandia Ranger District will be offering a one-time random drawing system, as we have over the last few years, to be used for issuing firewood cutting permits in the Sandia Mountains. Individuals will have an opportunity to submit their name and phone number by visiting, calling or faxing the information to the Sandia Ranger District
ON May 1, 2012 from 7:30am – 4:00pm.
(Before or after this date will not be excepted).
The Sandia Ranger District office address is 11776 Hwy 337, Tijeras, NM.
Phone: 505-281-3304 ext 0
Fax: 505-281-1176
Sandia Fuelwood Drawing Basic Information
- Submit your information, Name & Phone Number, on May 1, 2012 from 7:30am-4:00pm at the Sandia RD office.
- You Can: Call, Fax or Stop In with the information (see above for contact numbers)
- By entering the Fuelwood Drawing there is no guarantee to be drawn.
- Only 1 entry per household.
- If drawn: 2 cord limit @ $10/cord.
- Permit is activated on the day you are called. You have 14 days to remove the wood. NO EXTENSIONS
- Fuelwood will be green, cut down in very long pieces, but not bucked up.
- If individuals who applied during the initial drawing fail to respond when contacted additional names will be drawn. We recommend you use a phone number that you can be reached at all times.
- You will NOT be called again.
For more information contact the Sandia Ranger District 505-281-3304.
Free Legal Fair In Mountainair
by John Weckerle
Checking in on our friends at Mountainair Announcements, we find that the Second Judicial District Court Pro Bono Committee will be holding a “Law-La-Palooza” Free Legal Fair on Thursday, April 12 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Raymond G. Sanchez Community Center at 9800 4th Street NW in Albuquerque. Assistance will be provided on a first come, first-served basis, and interpreters and bilingual attorneys will be available. For more information and a copy of the event flyer, see the Mountainair Announcements article.
PSA: Public Meeting on Proposed Bernalillo County Fire Code Changes
From: Tia Bland, Public Information Director
Please be advised that the Bernalillo County fire marshal will be hosting a public meeting on Thursday, April 12, 2012 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:0 p.m. to discuss changes and amendments being proposed to the Bernalillo County Fire Code.
The meeting will be held at the Los Vecinos Community Center, 478 1/2 Old Hwy 66, Tijeras, NM 87059.
PSA: Community Meeting Planned to Discuss North 14 Sector Development Plan Amendment
by Catherine Lopez, Bernalillo County Public Information Department
Bernalillo County – County Commissioner Wayne A. Johnson will host a community meeting to discuss his proposed amendment to the North 14 Sector Development Plan. The amendment would add language to the plan that would provide for an exemption to the cosmetic design standards of the plan.
For a property owner to seek the exemption, the property owner would be required to obtain the permission of 50 percent of the surrounding land owners within 100 feet, excluding the right-of-way.
The exemption could be denied if the proposed design didn’t meet the spirit and intent of the design guidelines of the sector plan. Exemptions would be appealable to the County Planning Commission and the Bernalillo County Commission.
The community meeting will take place on Monday, April 9, at 6 p.m. at the Deputy James McGrane, Jr. Public Safety Complex located at 48 Public School Road. in Tijeras.
“The North 14 Sector Plan is an important policy, the intent of which is to encourage quality development along North 14. But as with all public policy, it’s important to remember and respect the property rights of all parties involved,” says Commissioner Wayne Johnson.
All along the East Mountain Corridor, the North 14 Sector Development Plan will institute special zones and design regulations through the adoption of ordinances. The sector plan will also strive to provide more options for commercial activity in the area.
The North 14 Sector Development Plan was approved at the March 7 County Planning Commission meeting. It is scheduled to be heard by the Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners at its April 24 meeting. The meeting begins at 3 p.m. at One Civic Plaza NW, in the Vincent E. Griego Chambers.
Relay For Life Sponsorship Opportunities Available
by John Weckerle
We’ve received the sponsorship packet from the Estancia Valley Relay for Life Event Chair, Brenda Smythe, who is in her second and final year as chair. Brenda has informed us that her co-Chair for this year, Cassandra Garcia, will assume the Event Chair responsibilities for next year.
Last year, the event raised over $13,000, which was down from previous years. This year, the Relay for Life hopes to double that total.
For more information, see the sponsorship flier, or contact Brenda at (505) 705-5445 or Cassandra at 505-974-9627.