For Our Out-Of-State Readers
by John Weckerle
Unfortunately, they don’t have a New Mexico operation, but for our readers in other states who may not have thought of everything in preparing for tomorrow:
http://eternal-earthbound-pets.com/
Press Release: Full Closure On Mountainair Ranger District
Mountainair, NM – May 16, 2011, The Mountainair Ranger District hits Extreme Fire Danger Levels. Fire officials have been monitoring and evaluating the current fuel moistures in anticipation for full forest closure starting this week. The criteria used for evaluating the closure includes safety and concerns for our communities, forest users, employees, firefighters and protection of our natural resources. Extremely low fuel moistures, winds, temperatures, low humidities and drying winds are factors evaluated to support full forest closure. These factors can result in high fire danger and rapid fire growth. Additional fire resources (engines, firefighters etc.) have arrived at the Mountainair RD to support and enforce closures. Due to the increase of Fire Danger, the District will go into full closure beginning, Wednesday May 18th at 8:00am.
Signs will be placed along highways and flyers will be posted throughout the communities to remind the public that the Manzano & Gallinas Mountains are closed. The use of all campgrounds, day use picnic areas, and trails on the District will be prohibited. All National Forest System Roads on the District will be closed; State and county roads through the District will remain open. If traveling State and county roads within the boundaries of the Mountainair District, do not stop along the roads.
The Manzano and Gallinas Mountains will remain closed to the public until sufficient precipitation is received to adequately reduce the extremely dry conditions and reduce the risk of wildfire. To report a fire, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-505-346-2660 or Dial 911.
For further information on the closure and the extreme fire danger, contact Adrian Padilla or Arlene Perea at 505-847-2990 or email adrianpadilla@fs.fed.us or atperea@fs.fed.us.
We’ve Got Some ‘Round The Back
by John Weckerle
Last Friday, we decided to give the Backside Alehouse in Sandia Park a try. Located in the A-frame structure at the intersection of NM 14, Frost Road, and the road to Sandia Peak, the restaurant and pub represents the latest enterprise to occupy a space that has held a variety of restaurants and other businesses.
We entered the establishment and were promptly seated. The decor was eclectic, with relatively warm colors, and seats were comfortable. One of our party thought the music was just a bit loud, but two of us did not; with the predominance of hard surfaces, it seems likely that the sounds of conversation would fill the space if the music were not there, and the music was enjoyable enough not to get in the way of discourse at the table. Your editor ordered the carrot-ginger soup (attempting to order a cup but, alas, it comes only in bowls) and shared it with the rest of the party because, quite frankly, that is one darned big bowl of soup. It is also one darned good bowl of soup, and that may be understating the case substantially; the Backside’s carrot ginger soup is one of the best we’ve had. Your editor ordered the cedar plank salmon, and the other diners ordered fish and chips, chicken tenders, and fries.
Let’s start with the cedar plank salmon. It is not clear why the dish is so named – if somebody said “I’m making cedar plank salmon,” I wouldn’t expect what I got at the Backside. While it may have been cedar-plank grilled, there was much more to it than that. The salmon is prepared with a delightful glaze and served atop a bed of creamy polenta with a side of vegetables, in this case green beans that were perfectly done and nicely seasoned. The name “cedar plank salmon,” and to some extent the description in the menu, just don’t do justice to the dish.
Those of us who have been eating fish and chips for a very long time have a certain understanding of what fish and chips are supposed to be. In this day and age, many establishments wrap their fish in a superfluity of batter, obscuring the taste (and perhaps the size) of the fillets. Not the Backside Alehouse. The batter was traditional and very tasty – thick enough to be an integral part of the dish but thin enough not to overwhelm the fish. Neither was the batter greasy.
Your editor is not usually given to commenting on French fries, but these were worth mentioning: just the right blend of crispy outside, soft-but-not-mushy inside, and again, not greasy. I did not partake of the chicken tenders, but they were very well received by those who did.
About the only suggestion we have to offer the Backside is this: offer the soup in a cup. You might have actually sold us a dessert if the soup had been smaller.
Priest Canyon Fire – Original Release And Update
by Arlene Perea, U.S. Forest Service Mountainair Ranger District
MOUNTAINAIR, NM., April 30, 2011- Update #2– Mountainair fire crews as well as NM State Work Camp and Southern Pueblo Agency crews worked hard on lining the Priest Canyon fire today. Weather was a big factor in establishing a fireline around the fire as winds were lighter than originally forecast. The 2.5 acre Priest Canyon Fire is now 80% contained. Crews will continue work until sundown in this steep, rocky area, then resume mop-up in the morning.
For further information please contact the Mountainair Ranger District at 505-847-2990.
MOUNTAINAIR, NM., April 30, 2011– Mountainair Ranger District Employees are currently suppressing a fire on and around the Pine Shadows Trail in the Manzano Mountain Wilderness on the southern end of the Manzano Mountains. The Priest Canyon fire was reported late last night by Torrance County Dispatch. Torreon Volunteer Fire Department monitored the fire overnight while crews mobilized for the early morning hike. The fire is currently approximately 2 acres with creeping and occasional single tree torching fire behavior observed.
There are currently 2 engine modules (8 firefighters) on scene from the Mountainair Ranger District with 1 Type 2 hand crew, 1 NM State Forestry Inmate Work Camp Crew and 1 Type 1 Incident Hot Shot crew on order or in route. Air resources are currently on stand-by to respond if needed. The cause of this fire is undetermined at this time but will be investigated.
For further information please contact the Mountainair Ranger District at 505-847-2990.
Public Service Announcement: Mountainair Drug Take-Back Day
by John Weckerle
Checking in once again with our friends at Mountainair Announcements, we find that there will be a drug take-back day tomorrow, April 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Mountainair and Moriarty. This will provide an opportunity for people to drop off unused medications anonymously so that they can be disposed of properly. Drop-offs are at May’s Pharmacy in Moriarty and the Salinas Pueblo Missions in Mountainair. For more information, including drop-off addresses, see the Mountainair Announcements article.
Reminder: Fuelwood Permits This Tuesday Only
by John Weckerle
This is just a reminder that fuelwood permits for the Sandia Ranger District will be available next Tuesday ONLY. For more information, see the original announcement.
Public Service Announcement – Mountainair Cancer Walk
by John Weckerle
Checking in on our friends at Mountainair Announcements, we find that there will be a Cancer Walk in Mountainair tomorrow, April 30. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. and is free; the walk starts at 9:30. For more information, see the Mountainair Announcements Article.
Press Release: Open Burning Banned in Unincorporated Bernalillo County
April 26, 2011, Bernalillo County – Today the Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a resolution banning and restricting smoking, campfires and open burning in the unincorporated areas of the county, outside the Albuquerque city limits.
“We encourage all residents and visitors to Bernalillo County to be aware of the fire danger we are experiencing this year. Report fires or suspicious activities in wildland areas to 9-1-1 before they are able to become large fires,” says Fire Chief John Garcia.
The resolution states that the commissioners recognize that severe drought conditions exist which affects the safety and welfare of Bernalillo County citizens and their property. The ban and restrictions are in effect throughout the following county fire districts:
- Fire District 5: all of the wildland in the unincorporated areas east of Louisiana Boulevard to the west face of the Sandia Mountains and from San Antonio north to the Sandia Indian Reservation.
- Fire Districts 6, 10, 11 and 13: East Mountain area, north, south, and east to the county line.
- Fire Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8 and 9: portions of the unincorporated areas to include the RioGrande bosque and wildland areas extending 1000 feet from the outer edge of the bosque.
The bans and restrictions will be in effect for the next 180 days.
Press Release: Santa Fe County Assessor is Accepting Annual Property Valuation Freeze Applications
Santa Fe – April 26, 2011- Santa Fe County Assessor Domingo P. Martinez would like to remind residents that the Assessor’s Office is now accepting the annual valuation freeze application for property owners who qualify. Certain Santa Fe County property owners who occupy single-family dwellings may be eligible for a freeze on their taxable value as determined by the Santa Fe County Assessor’s Office. Freezing the property valuation will minimize future tax obligations for those who qualify.
The valuation freeze is available to property owners age 65 and older, those who are considered permanently disabled and whose total household modified gross income did not exceed $32,000 in 2010. All applicants must meet the income requirement. To qualify for the valuation freeze, you must apply annually no later than 30 days after the official date of mailing of the Santa Fe County Assessor’s Official Notice of Value. This year the deadline is May 16, 2011.
- Required supporting documentation when applying to qualify for the valuation freeze by age and income includes a completed application, proof of income (a copy of the property owner’s 2010 New Mexico income tax return and 2010 federal income tax return) and proof of age (a valid New Mexico driver’s license or birth certificate).
- Required supporting documentation when applying to qualify due to disability and income include a completed application, proof of income (a copy of the property owner’s 2010 New Mexico income tax return and 2010 federal income tax return) and an award letter from either Social Security or Workers’ Compensation confirming the permanent disability.
“It is important that people who may qualify for this freeze are aware of it,” said County Assessor Domingo Martinez, “We encourage people to apply and take advantage of this benefit, especially in these tough economic times.”
Property Valuation Freeze applications and other exemption forms are available at the Santa Fe County Assessor’s Office at 102 Grant Ave., Santa Fe, NM 87501 or www.santafecounty.org/assessor/downloadable_forms.
For more information contact the Assessor’s Office, (505) 986-6300 or visit www.santafecounty.org/assessor.
Press Release: Bernalillo County Assessor’s Office to Mail Out 276,572 Notices of Value
from Francesca Stevens, Public Information Department Specialist, Bernalillo County
Bernalillo County Assessor Karen Montoya has announced that her office will mail out 276,572 Notices of Value on April 29, 2011. The Assessor’s Office will kick-off its annual protest period following the mail out date. The Assessor’s annual protest period will have appraisers available to meet with taxpayers throughout the month. Assessor Montoya urges taxpayers to review their Notices of Value and if there are any questions or concerns please bring them to our attention. Assessor Montoya would like to convey to the public that, “The Assessor’s Office is prepared and eager to work with taxpayers to address any issues they may have. Our general mission during this time is to help resolve any issues the public may have with their assessments.” Assessor Montoya goes on to express that, “We are here to serve the public and to facilitate the needs of all Bernalillo County property owners.”
For more information, contact Karen Montoya at (505) 222-3745
Public Service Announcement: Santa Fe County Open Space Public Meeting in Edgewood
by John Weckerle
Santa Fe County Open Space and Trails will hold a public meeting on May 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. to present the preliminary design for the 30 acres of County open space located adjacent to Wildlife West in Edgewood. The meeting will be held at the Edgewood Community Center at 27 East Frontage Road. For more information, contact Beth Mills of the Santa Fe County Open Space and Trails Program at (505) 992-9857 or by e-mail at bmills@santafecounty.org.
Chuckwagon Supper Schedule, Music Festival Acts Announced
by John Weckerle
Summer’s just around the corner – assuming that the corner doesn’t get blown away – and Wildlife West Nature Park has been busy getting ready for this summer season’s festivities. Acts have been booked for this year’s Chuckwagon Supper series, which will feature regional bands Holy Water & Whiskey, the Sons of the Rio Grande, and George Bullfrog and the Turquoise Trailers. The schedule, which begins with the season opener featuring Holy Water & Whiskey on June 11, can be found on the Park’s Chuckwagon Suppers page.
The 9th annual Wildlife West Music Festival will be held July 29-31, and promises to be yet another great event. Headliners The Hot Club of Cowtown, “Zen Cowboy” Chuck Pyle, Finders and Youngberg, and Grayson will be joined by regional acts Holy Water & Whiskey, Railyard Reunion, Juniper Hill, the Squash Blossom Boys, the Adobe Brothers, Coyote Crossing, and Bootleg Prophets. For descriptions of the headline acts and links to many of the bands’ web sites, see the Wildlife West Music Festival Page.
Grow Your Own – Continuing To Start
Leaves forming in crotch (above); this year's first tomatoes (below). The second tomato is below and to the left of the larger one.
by John Weckerle
A happy Easter and belated happy Earth Day to our readers! We’re continuing to get ready for the planting season which, for some crops, will come any day now. In addition to the tomatoes, lettuce, kale, chard, etc. that we bought at Parker’s a couple of weeks ago, and a red cabbage from Home Depot, we’ve sprouted zucchini, yellow squash, more lettuce, spinach, bush beans (Blue Lake), kale (flowering and regular), chard, and snow peas. We use the tray and lid from an old sprouting kit that came with little peat pellets for starting seeds, but now use 4-inch pots instead of the pellets, as this helps eliminate a step between sprouting and planting. Some of our sprouted plants are already spending their days outside and being brought in at night.
The tomatoes we have so far are destined for life in pots, eventually on the deck. We’ve picked up a couple of tips on tomatoes that we’ll pass along. First, when planting: nip off the lowest couple of sets of leaves, and bury the plant up to the next set. Roots will grow out of the buried stem and help establish a stronger and more extensive root system faster. Second, while growing: nip off branches that start in crotches on the plant as soon as they form (see photo). This helps the plant direct more of its energy toward fruit production rather than foliage growth.
We were pleasantly surprised to find that one of our tomato plants has already begun producing, with two tomatoes already started (see photo). We hope this is a harbinger of good things to come!
Grow Your Own – Tea Time!
by John Weckerle
Here in the New Mexico Central region, our soils tend to need a little help when we call on them to help us produce food, whether for us or the wildlife. The soils at NM-Central.com headquarters tend to be relatively low in organic matter, as do the soils where many of our readers live. This means adding various materials – peat moss, compost, manure, etc., depending on the use – to the soil for some of our plantings. Now and again, especially for growing trees and veggies, we occasionally throw in another amendment – compost tea.
Compost tea is almost exactly what it sounds like – a brew of compost and water. Unlike the tea we drink, though, it’s not boiled or heated; air is pumped through the mix to support rapid growth of microorganisms present in the compost. Compost tea helps us add organic material to the soil and jump-start the microbial ecosystem in the soil, making it more fertile and helping to protect plants from disease. Many compost tea enthusiasts tout its advantages, including healthier, faster-growing, more productive plants. While many people make compost tea in large quantities, good results can be realized in smaller scales, right down to the five-gallon bucket range. Making compost tea is fairly easy, with the bulk of the preparation taking about 10-15 minutes and the equipment costing very little.
Equipment - Air pump, tubing, valve controller, diffusers, and weights