Archive for Cedar Crest
The Old Saw “Never Dine Out On A Monday” Comes Home To Roost
by John Weckerle
The NM-Central staff, with the exception of Senior They Won’t Let Me In Correspondent Wilson, all decided to go out for dinner this evening, and decided to go someplace comfortable – that is, someplace we had been enough times to know that we would be getting something good. With that – and having a glass of wine with dinner – in mind, we hopped (more or less) into the car and headed for the Greenside Cafe in Cedar Crest.
We arrived at 5 p.m., and there were few people dining. When we walked in, we were seated promptly – but unfortunately, that was about the only thing that happened promptly. Each of the three of us ordered a glass of wine and a glass of water – which took the better part of ten minutes to arrive. The excuse was simply that they had to open a bottle of wine. We then ordered dinner; your editor ordered one of the “specials” – the server could not actually describe the dish, but it turned out to be grilled seafood (scallops (2), ahi tuna, and sea bass (yes, I’ve asked in the past, and they say it’s from the sustainable fishery) – and a cup of broccoli-cheddar soup. The other diners ordered the chicken burrito and the light version of the meatloaf. We then experienced the entertainment – not listening to the guy on the patio playing the guitar (we were inside), but watching while people were seated, and served, while we were waiting for our food. At one point, we asked our server what was holding things up, and he stated that he wasn’t sure, but that the grilled seafood might have been taking longer than expected. He indicated that it would be out in a few moments. After a whole lot of moments, he came by with some dinner rolls, and apologized for the wait. I ordered another glass of wine, and waited a substantial number of moments for that, as well. At one point, one of the other attendees actually suggested walking out – and she’s the patient one in the group.
»» The Old Saw “Never Dine Out On A Monday” Comes Home To Roost
Cibola National Forest Enacts Stage 1 Fire Restrictions
USDA Forest Service Press Release
Albuquerque, June 17, 2010 – The Cibola National Forest, including the Mt. Taylor, Sandia and Mountainair Ranger Districts will implement Stage 1 fire restrictions starting Friday, June 18 at 8:00am. Cibola National Forest Supervisor Nancy Rose explained, “With the recent increase in temperatures, higher winds, continued dry conditions that are drying vegetation, the potential for Wildland fires has increased and we feel it is necessary to take these precautions.”
As always, fireworks are prohibited on all national forest system lands.
Beginning 8:00 am, Friday, June 18, 2010, the following restrictions apply to the Mt. Taylor, Sandia and Mountainair Ranger Districts.
Open Campfire Restrictions:
- Campfires, charcoal grills and stove fires are prohibited on national forest lands except in Forest Service developed camp and picnic grounds where grills are provided.
Restrictions:
- Pressurized liquid or gas stoves, lanterns and heaters meeting safety specifications are allowed. Please contact the Cibola National Forest for more details regarding where fires are allowed.
- Smoking is allowed within an enclosed vehicle or building; a developed recreation site; or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter and free of all flammable material.
Please call for more information, Mark Chavez, Cibola National Forest Supervisor’s Office at 505-346-3900, or one of the following district offices:
- Mt. Taylor Ranger District, 505- 287-8833
- Sandia Ranger District, 505-281-3304
- Mountainair Ranger District, 505-847-2990
Additional fire information for the Southwest Area is available at http://gacc.nifc.gov/swcc/index.htm.
With Mud Season Just Over, Fire Season Approaches
by John Weckerle
We’ve all seen the stories in the newspapers recently reminding us that fire season is upon us. With high winds and relatively little recent moisture, conditions favorable to wildfire are already upon many of us. We wish to add our voice to the chorus, as it were, and urge all our readers to take adequate precautions, and learn what they can to protect themselves against loss of life and property. Your editor’s firm, WeckTech, provides web services to a number of local/regional organizations that provide information and, in some cases, financial support to efforts such as thinning and defensible space projects that may mean the difference between disaster and avoidance thereof:
- The East Mountain Interagency Fire Protection Association
- Claunch-Pinto Soil and Water Conservation District
- East Torrance Soil and Water Conservation District
- Edgwood Soil and Water Conservation District
- Ciudad Soil and Water Conservation District
We encourage you to contact these organizations and learn about the help and information they can provide.
New Orleans Woman Wins NM HGTV Dream Home
by John Weckerle
A former science teacher and Peace Corps volunteer from New Orleans, whose home was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, has won the HGTV Dream Home located at San Pedro Overlook near Cedar Crest. The winner, Myra Lewis, won a $2 million package which included the fully furnished home, a 2010 GMC Terrain, and $500,000.
Information from the press release includes: »» New Orleans Woman Wins NM HGTV Dream Home
Leapin’ To The Lizard
by John Weckerle
Yesterday evening, we decided enough cabin fever was enough and headed out to the Lazy Lizard Grill in Cedar Crest, on NM 14 just south of Frost Road. The Lazy Lizard serves beer, wine, and a variety of meals and appetizers. Your editor ordered the Ringneck Pizza (fresh tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, olives, and mozzarella) with extra cheese, and others ordered the Mud Puppy (a French dip-style sandwich) and the Chicken Caesar Wrap. The very tasty pizza sported appropriately fresh ingredients and went very well with the glass of oatmeal stout I ordered. Leftover slices made an excellent breakfast this morning. High compliments were afforded to the Mud Puppy as well, and the Chicken Caesar – half of which came home because it was huge – also received kudos from the consumer. In the past, your editor has also enjoyed the Sandia Park calzone, the Horned Lizard sandwich, the Lizard Bread appetizer, and several of the salads. Prices are reasonable, especially in light of the generous portions provided. »» Leapin’ To The Lizard
Tour the HGTV Dream Home 2010
from Lori Webster, East Mountain High School
Guided Tours start February 11.
Now is the time to visit the first HGTV Dream Home built in the Southwest!
The exclusive HGTV Dream Home 2010 features nationally acclaimed design by House Planner Jack Thomasson, Interior Designer Linda Woodrum and artwork from New Mexico galleries. Located at San Pedro Overlook, a gated community of custom homes designed for privacy and 360 degree pristine views, the HGTV Dream Home 2010 tours are available for a limited time.
Tour tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased onsite at East Mountain High School (EMHS) or online at www.eastmountainhigh.net. Tour proceeds benefit EMHS. Call 505-281-7400 x 110 for information.
You may also enter for a chance to win this amazing home at www.hgtv.com/dreamhome. The complete $2 million prize package includes the HGTV Dream Home with hardwood flooring, a state-of-the-art kitchen, designer furnishings, outdoor entertaining space, casita and a new GMC Terrain – plus $500,000. Entrants can enter daily online through February 19.
Tour Dates: Thursday, February 11 – Sunday, March 7
Thursday and Friday: 2:00 – 5:00pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10:00am – 4:45pm
There is no parking at the HGTV Dream Home. Tours will leave for the HGTV Dream Home 2010 by bus every 45 minutes from East Mountain High School, 25 La Madera Road, Sandia Park, NM.
East Side, West Side…
by John Weckerle
Greenside!
On the eastern slopes of the East West Mountains, on NM 14 just south of the Triangle Grocery, sits the Greenside Cafe. Needing a change of scenery, we popped over last week to grab a bite and relax a little. It was, as is usually the case, just what the doctor ordered.
I ordered the peanut noodles (with shrimp), and my wife ordered the soup of the day – red lentil – and steak quesadillas. Lucy let me taste the soup, and it was excellent – rich, subtly seasoned, and hearty. She also informed me that the steak quesadillas were very tasty. The peanut noodles – lo mein-style noodles with a Thai peanut sauce – were, as always, excellent; however, judging from the amount of sauce “left over” after the noodles were gone (yes, I finished them; the portions are admittedly huge, but I was hungry and not interested in dessert), the restaurant could save a few cents by putting a little less sauce on the noodles without compromising the experience. We each had a glass of the house Chardonnay, which was very tasty and served chilled, but not too cold. »» East Side, West Side…