Archive for Announcements
PSA: Vista Grande Community Center and East Mountain High School Weight Room Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
by Larry Gallegos, Bernalillo County Public Information Department
WHO: Commissioner Wayne Johnson and the Bernalillo County Parks and Recreation Department
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 30, 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Vista Grande Community Center, #15 La Madera Road, Sandia Park
The 5000 square foot facility contains a large assortment of weight machines, free weights, dumbbells, barbells and kettle bells.
There are also elliptical machines, treadmills, upright bikes and recumbent bikes.
This is the second Phase of the Fisher Smith Gymnasium – a joint partnership of Bernalillo County and the East Mountain High School. Students from East Mountain High will use these facilities as part of their physical education classes and sports programs.
Total construction cost: $841,000.
Total exercise equipment cost: $204,856.
Funding sources came from State Legislative Funds, General Obligation Bonds (Parks & Recreation) and Impact Fees.
Larry Gallegos
Public Information Specialist-Bernalillo County Public Information
Bernalillo County Fire Dept., Animal Care Services, Youth Services Center, Emergency Communications
Office: (505) 468-1273 Cell: (505) 228-6668
lagallegos@bernco.gov
Bernalillo County Fire Department
6840 2nd St., NW, 3rd Floor, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87107
PSA: Mountainair Ranger District Offering Fuelwood Permits
by Arlene Perea, U.S. Forest Service Mountainair Ranger District
Mountainair, NM – October 26, 2011: The Mountainair Ranger District will resume selling personal fuelwood permits beginning on Monday, October 31, 2011 at 8am. Permits will be a maximum/minimum of 4 cords for $20 and will be sold on a first come first serve basis. Citizens who bought permits during our first round of fuelwood sales will not be eligible to buy permits for the first 3 days as the demand for first time purchasers is too high. Permits will only be sold at the Mountainair Ranger District. A photo ID will be necessary and the public will not be allowed to buy permits for others. The permits will be for dead/down Ponderosa Pine within the Thunderbird Ecosystem Management Area.
If you have questions regarding personal fuelwood or any other Mountainair Ranger District questions please call 505-847-2990 or email D’Ana Riley at dlriley@fs.fed.us. You may also check the website at www.fs.usda.gov/cibola/mountainair.
PSA: Junge Prescribed Burn Planned for Early November
by Adrian Padilla, U.S. Forest Service Mountainair Ranger District
Mountainair, NM – October 26, 2011: Mountainair Ranger District Fire Officials are planning on continuing there Prescribed burn program. Fire Officials have been monitoring weather conditions and fuel moisture conditions. With the current moisture levels they plan to complete the Jungle Prescribed Burn in the Manzano Mountains within the next few weeks, possibly as early as next week.
The burn will be on National Forest lands located East of Forest Road #422, North of Forest Road #275 and west of the Forest Road #522. District Fire personnel are watching weather patterns closely and hope to accomplish burning approximately 186 acres sometime during the next week to two weeks. The purpose of the burn is to improve watershed and wildlife biodiversity as well as to reduce current fuel loadings and lessen the threat of wildfire to private property. The burn will be conducted only if fire personnel are available and weather patterns are conducive to burning.
If you have questions regarding the planned prescribed burn or any other Mountainair Ranger District questions, please call 505-847-2990 or email Adrian Padilla at adrianpadilla@fs.fed.us or Arlene Perea at atperea@fs.fed.us.
PSA: Mountainair Community Garden Clean-Up and Planning Day
by John Weckerle
Checking in again on our friends at Mountainair Announcements, we find that there will be a clean-up and planning event for the Mountainair Community Garden on Saturday, October 29 beginning at 10:00 a.m. For more information, see the Mountainair Announcements article and, while you’re at it, check out the Mountainair Farm & Garden Market Facebook page.
PSA: Mountainair Elementary School Fall Carnival
by John Weckerle
Checking in on our friends at Mountainair Announcements, we find that the Mountainair Elementary School will hold its Fall Carnival today, Friday October 28, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The carnival supports school activities and includes games, bingo, and a cakewalk. The organizers are requesting donations of baked goods and bingo prizes. For more information, see the Mountainair Announcements article.
Announcement: Flood Maps Changing for East Mountains — Public Meeting Scheduled
by Catherine Lopez, Bernalillo County Public Information Department
Bernalillo County – A couple of weeks ago, letters were mailed to approximately 730 East Mountain residents notifying them of the revised flood zone maps and the direct effect it will have upon them. As of August 11, the county entered the 90 day appeal period when residents can appeal the technical aspects of the new mapping or protest the information presented on the maps themselves.
“It’s very important that homeowner’s understand that if they have a mortgage, they may be required to purchase flood insurance. Doing so before the maps take effect will save them significant money,” states Commissioner Wayne Johnson.
A public meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, August 31, at the Los Vecinos Community Center beginning at 6:00 p.m. Bernalillo County Public Works staff will talk about the flood zone changes, answer questions about the appeal process and insurance requirements; and discuss the next action steps for East Mountain residents.
For more information, residents can contact the Bernalillo County Floodplain Administrator, Don Briggs, at 848-1511 or visit our website at www.bernco.gov.
Announcement: Open Burning Ban Lifted in Unincorporated Bernalillo County
by Larry Gallegos, Bernalillo County Public Information Specialist
Bernalillo County – Today, Bernalillo County Fire Marshal Chris Gober lifted the last of the burn bans and restrictions that have been in place since June.
“We thank everyone for following the burn restrictions and making this a fire safe summer,” says Fire Chief John Garcia. “The recent rains have finally brought the fire danger down enough to lift the ban.”
Bernalillo County Fire Marshal Chris Gober reminds everyone that only tumbleweeds and dry weeds can be burned and only in piles of no more than three feet tall by three feet wide. Burning of tree limbs and branches, other wood products, leaves and trash is always prohibited.
Reminder: Harvest Festival This Weekend at Wildlife West Nature Park
The Wildlife West Harvest Festival, including the grand opening of the Historic Pinto Bean Museum, will be held this weekend! For more information, see the previously published press release.
Announcement: Annual Permaculture Gathering At La Resolana In Edgewood, Saturday, October 1, 2011
Editor’s note: This is a great event, with plenty of practical information on strategies for living in our New Mexico environment. We attended last year’s gathering, and learned a great deal (article here), and the food at the potluck was outstanding. We encourage all to attend.
by Christian Meuli
12:00 PM Site Tour
2:00 PM Potluck
3:00 PM Tom Smylie — Human Effects on Wildlife and Wildlife Dynamics
4:00 PM Jan Daniels — Using Cover Crops as Green Manure in Your Garden
This free permaculture gathering will emphasize using what is available in this difficult drought in New Mexico. We will observe the effects of drought during the site tour and share ideas about designing and implementing sustainable and nourishing landscapes. I invite everyone to discuss the variety of possible approaches to dealing with drought and with the increasing effects of global climate warming in this high plains desert.
I think that there is a high probability of longer periods between moisture events (summer rains and winter snows) interspersed with rare and drastic moisture events. The site tour will include path-making, rock terraces, sponge ladders, and possibly rainwater cisterns (allowing time for good food!).
Tom Smylie has been instrumental in the revival of the peregrine falcon in North America and has an amazing breadth and depth of knowledge about our changing environment. Jan Daniels is in the Design Review Department of Santa Fe County for landscaping, rainwater harvesting, and open space and trails and is an avid gardener.
Invite any interested friends and children, and bring your finest sun hat! Please bring a tasty dish that you would be proud to share with others; providing an ingredient list will invite more folks to enjoy your dish. Please car pool and leave pets at home.
Take I-40 to Exit #187 in Edgewood (25 miles east of Albuquerque and 8 miles west of Moriarty). At the end of the off-ramp, go south two blocks to the stoplight at the intersection with Highway #333 (Smith’s Grocery will be on your left and Walgreens to your right). Go straight up the hill on Edgewood Road #7 and in ½ mile turn right onto Moriarty Road (gravel). Go ¼ mile to #24 and turn right into my driveway or go straight ahead and down the hill and park on your left.
I look forward to seeing everyone and meeting new friends! If you need a map or a timely voice message update, please call me at 281-4871.
Looking forward to seeing everyone !
Christian Meuli
Woofstock Reminder
The first annual Woofstock event will be held in Edgewood tomorrow, August 20. For more information, see our previous article.
Announcement: Forum on Rural Small Business Health Care and Development Resources
The Estancia Valley Economic Development Association, USDA Rural Development, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will host a forum on Rural Small Business Health Care and Development Resources this Friday, August 19, from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. at the Moriarty Civic Center at 202 Broadway in Moriarty. The forum will also discuss how the health care reform act will affect the rural resident.
Press Release: Harvest Festival & Grand Opening of Historic Pinto Bean Museum at Wildlife West
Editor’s Note: We will have more on the Historic Pinto Bean Museum in an upcoming article.
It’s a weekend of delicious locally grown food, tractor parade, 5K Pronghorn Run (links to information and online registration can be found on the Park’s home page), music and fun for the entire family at the annual Harvest Festival on August 26-28 at Wildlife West Nature Park in Edgewood. This three-day weekend event celebrates the area’s culture, traditions, and agricultural heritage with the grand opening of its newly developed historic Pinto Bean Museum. The museum was funded by a grant from the Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area, Inc.
The Festival opens on Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. with free admission to a documentary film about Aldo Leopold, the internationally-renowned conservationist. Saturday morning starts with a tractor parade beginning at 9 a.m. at Wildlife West. The parade proceeds along Horton Road, east on Dinkle Road, then turns south along Highway 344 and ends back at Wildlife West.
Throughout the weekend visitors can sample and purchase locally grown products–fresh cut sweet corn, raspberries, honey, pumpkins and other yummy treats. Anasazi Fields Winery will be on hand on Saturday for wine tasting. Plus free hot dogs for everyone!
New this year are behind the scenes black bear tours, two young elk calves, and presentations about endangered Mexican grey wolves by Elke Duerr, filmmaker and conservationist, and Susan Dicks, DVM, U.S. Fish and Wildlife. (Editor’s Note: Ms. Duerr and Dr. Dicks were featured in our article A Wolf Adventure: Bringing Lobos Home to Wildlife West Nature Park) Renowned chainsaw artist Mark Chavez will demonstrate his artistic chainsaw techniques.
»» Press Release: Harvest Festival & Grand Opening of Historic Pinto Bean Museum at Wildlife West
Woofstock Seeking Vendors, Performers, Silent Auction Donations
by John Weckerle
The Town of Edgewood is hosting its first Woofstock Pet Expo and Adoption Festival Saturday, August 20 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the new Edgewood Athletic Complex just north of Edgewood Elementary School. The event will help fund an animal care facility in Edgewood. Several agencies will be on hand with dogs and cats available for adoption. Reduced-price tests, vaccinations, spay/neuter, nail trims and more will be provided, and animal-related exhibitors will offer merchandise, collectibles, animal gear, and arts. The events will include a 7 a.m. dog walk, a mock dog show, a 2 p.m. silent auction and a Dunk the Dog Catcher tank.
Organizers are seeking more food vendors, silent auction items, and entertainers willing to donate a little time. For more information, including contacts, see the event flyer.
Press Release: Hot Club of Cowtown Performs Live & 10 other Bands at Wildlife West, July 29-31 in Edgewood
Wildlife West sponsors its 9th Annual Music Festival on Friday, July 29 through Sunday 31, 2011 with an impressive line-up of nationally acclaimed performers, including The Hot Club of Cowtown, Finders & Youngberg, Chuck Pyle and Grayson. This phenomenal 9th Annual Music Festival features 11 bands performing on two stages, musicians workshops, jam sessions, musical instrument contests, wildlife viewing, and free hay rides, camping and parking.
George Bullfrog and the Turquoise Trailers will kick off the weekend of fun with an old-fashioned country barn dance on Friday at 7 p.m. in a historic pinto bean barn. Bring your dancing boots and dance to this outstanding western swing band.
On Saturday different bands perform on 2 stages, each hour starting at 11 a.m. and into the evening until 9:30 p.m. Hot Club of Cowtown brings the unique style of hot jazz to Western swing in a powerful and breathtaking live show on Saturday at 4:30 and 8:30 p.m., and they present an interactive workshop at 6 p.m.
Other renowned musicians provide constant entertainment and interactive workshops on Saturday, including Finders and Youngberg, who explores the love for old-time, honky-tonk, folk and bluegrass while making their own unique music. Colorado’s favorite storyteller and Zen Cowboy, Chuck Pyle, is a sly humorist and an innovative finger-style guitarist. Singer-songwriter Michael Edser is Grayson. He has toured extensively through Europe and the United States and is now capturing 66 performances in documentary format over the course of 66 days along Route 66. Wildlife West is located just off of Route 66 in Edgewood!
Gospel performers, Coyote Crossing, take the stage on Sunday at 11 a.m. Folk and bluegrass performances continue until 4 p.m. Fiddle and guitar contests start next, providing opportunity for visitors to participate and show their talent. Winners will be awarded a musical instrument courtesy of Robertson & Sons Violin and Guitar Vista in Albuquerque. See www.wildlifewest.org for contest rules. Following the contests there will be an open stage for youth group performers.
Throughout the weekend, visitors can stroll around the wildlife park and experience, close-up wildlife in their natural habitat, including endangered Mexican wolves, cougars, black bear, javelina, hawks, crested caracaras and more.
Get away from the heat in Albuquerque for a cool weekend of music ? temperatures are usually 10 degrees cooler! It’s fun for the entire family ? children under 12 are free. All events take place in the Edgewood Performing Arts Center at Wildlife West.
Don’t miss this incredible line-up of musicians in a beautiful high desert setting. Just 25 minutes east of Albuquerque, off Interstate-40 in Edgewood. The festival is made possible in part by the New Mexico Arts, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs. For a complete schedule of performances and more information go to www.wildlifewest.org or contact Wildlife West at 505-281-7655 or toll free 877-981-9453.
*****
What: Wildlife West Music Festival
When: Friday, July 29 – Sunday 31, 2011
Friday, 7 p.m. Country Barn Dance with George Bullfrog & the Turquoise Trailers
Saturday, performances hourly on 2 stages, 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Sunday, performances hourly, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Where: Wildlife West Nature Park, 87 North Frontage Road, Edgewood, 20 miles east of Albuquerque off I-40, take exit 187 and follow the signs.
Cost: Barn dance $10, Saturday $25, Sunday $15, Sat. & Sun. $35. Children under 12 admitted free. Purchase tickets at the door.
Contact: 505-281-7655 or 877-0981-9453, or visit www.wildlifewest.org.
Mortgage Payement Assistance Available To 352 New Mexico Homeowners
by John Weckerle
The New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority has announced a new Federal program under which a total of 352 homeowners will receive up to $50,000 to help pay a portion of their mortgage for up to two years. The Emergency Homeowners Loan Program (EHLP) is part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and provides assistance to people who are behind on their mortgage payments due to job loss or medical expenses. Applicants must meet a variety of conditions to qualify. For more information and application information, see the NMMFA announcement.