Press Release: Bernalillo County Gets New Type III Wildland Fire Truck
by Larry Gallegos, Bernalillo County Public Information Department
Bernailillo County Type III Wildland Fire Truck
Through the efforts championed by Bernalillo County Commission Chair Art De La Cruz the Bernalillo County Fire Department will now be able to answer calls from residents of Pajarito Mesa in a new vehicle built to withstand rough terrain. The Type III Wildland Fire Truck is a 4 wheel drive vehicle that will travel where the full size pumper and ladder trucks cannot go easily and it is equipped with a 500-gallon water tank to help with fires in areas with limited water supply. Based at the BCFD Station 4 on Coors and Don Felipe SW, it will be the main first response vehicle for fire and rescue calls at the Pajarito Mesa and for wildland fires in the East Mountains and around the county, when the need arises.
“I am proud to be responsible for moving for the purchase of this state-of-the-art truck that will support the fire department’s response time to emergencies for the people in Pajarito Mesa. It is equipped to travel in rough terrains and save the taxpayers money as the County will no longer need to expend the dollars on maintenance and repair of the larger fire trucks used driving that same terrain” says Commissioner De La Cruz.”
The Greenside Cafe and the Hounds of Hello
by John Weckerle
Yesterday evening was one of surprises. The population of New Mexico Central headquarters dropped to one as the primates in the group headed out for dinner at the Greenside Cafe in Cedar Crest. After an incredibly slow drive along Frost Road (we really do need to install photon torpedoes in the vehicle), we arrived at the Greenside a bit before 6 p.m. We were seated immediately, and our drink order was taken. As we waited (not very long) for the beverages, I made casual mention to the other folks at the table of the fact that there seemed to be more people than one might normally expect at that time on a Thursday. The drinks came, and we placed our order, and chatted as more people entered the restaurant. Our server, Susan, described the specials in full detail. The others in the group were unpersuaded. They knew what they wanted when they walked in the door – a favorite is, after all, a favorite – and ordered the small version of the meatloaf (we have to wonder how many cows it takes to make the large portion). Your editor, who was persuaded, ordered the Thursday Steamers (clams in a white sauce over pasta) and a cup of the vegetarian soup du jour, a roasted tomato basil soup. The soup came along, as did more people through the door. The soup was delicious – a little thicker than some tomato soups, hearty, and properly proportioned. What we mean by “properly proportioned” is that a cup of soup was ordered, and it came in something that was approximately the size of a cup. We understand that some restaurants try to be generous with the soup, providing a vat of it when a cup is ordered – but when many of us order a cup of soup before a meal, it’s often because we want a bit of soup before the meal. Bring a vat when we order a bowl, and that is fine, but a cup is a cup. We appreciated that the Greenside understands this.
Wildlife Roundup Disaster: Wolf Pulls Gun, Dozens Injured
by John Weckerle
Wildlife West founder Roger Alink briefs volunteers before the roundup.
Okay, okay – there was no canine carbine activity at this morning’s wolf roundup at Wildlife West Nature Park. But right from the beginning, it was clear that there was trouble brewing. Big, dangerous, snarling, ripping-the-meat-off-of-human-bones* trouble.
Well, maybe not, but there could have been. Maybe. If we’d had a dire wolf instead of our own Mexican gray wolf.
The morning began at “oh-dark-thirty” (a curious expression that generally describes a time significantly later than your editor’s normal second cup of coffee) – 6:30 a.m. in this case. Park founder Roger Alink educated the volunteers on the issues associated with the roundup. Mr. Alink laid out the strategy, explained why we would all be carrying various objects, and detailed the methodology we would be using to guide the wolf into the pen they had prepared. Carrying various implements to make us more noticeable and less edible slightly less approachable, we were to go quietly, single-file southward along the west fence of the enclosure and then fan out along the southern boundary. From there, we would slowly and non-threateningly proceed toward the capture pen (this had been established at least a week before, and Nieta had been feeding in it), convincing the wolf that the path of least resistance would be to retreat into the capture pen. With a certain degree of difficulty due to the number of people, we worked our way into the wolf habitat and proceeded silently (other than the footsteps) along the western side of the enclosure, and began lining up along the southern boundary. And that is exactly where it all went horribly, horribly wrong.**
»» Wildlife Roundup Disaster: Wolf Pulls Gun, Dozens Injured
Almost Over, But Not ‘Till It’s Over
by John Weckerle
We are pressed for time this morning, as we are heading out to help with a wolf capture, but thought we’d draw some attention to the latest in the “lies and counterclaims” department. In this installment, a recent ad by Congressional hopeful John Barela slams incumbent Martin Heinrich for getting a million dollars for a bar in which he has held fundraisers. It turns out to be nonsense: O’Neill’s applied for, and got, an SBA loan, a process that took two years. Check out the full story at MSNBC.
Woodchip Berms
by Dr. Christian Meuli, La Resolana
Wood chip berm at La Resolana
Woodchip berms are the easiest and most useful rainwater harvesting practice I use. The evolution of this method began in 2002 when the risk of wildfire in New Mexico became extreme and the pine-bark beetle became epidemic in our pinon-juniper forests.
At La Resolana in Edgewood, thirty miles east of Albuquerque, the forest had grown so thick that little snow and only some rain could reach the ground due to the extremely dense tree cover. These trees also shielded the ground from the sun so that few grasses and shrubs could grow beneath them.
Wildlife West Seeks Volunteers for Wolf Roundup
by John Weckerle
Next Monday (November 1), Nieta, one of the Mexican gray wolves at Wildlife West Nature Park in Edgewood is scheduled to move to a new home at Wolf Haven International in Washington State, where she will go to live with some older males. Because the habitat is large and Nieta is shy of human contact, numerous volunteers are needed to help herd Nieta into her transport carrier. There will be a brief orientation for new volunteers prior to the roundup, which is currently scheduled to start at about 6:30 a.m.
From Wildlife West, Nieta will travel to Truth or Consequences, where she will be joined by another wolf from the El Paso Zoo. Both wolves will be flown to Washington by LightHawk, an organization of volunteer pilots who have been “flying for the environment” for 31 years. Volunteers who would like to assist in the roundup should contact Park founder Roger Alink at (505) 263-9453.
Mountainair Ranger District Press Release: Fall Prescribed Burning To Begin on the Mountainair Ranger District
Mountainair, NM – October 25, 2010: As fall colors come to an end and temperatures drop, it’s time for the Mountainair Ranger District to continue its prescribed burning program. According to District Fire Management Officer, Mark Bernal, the district currently has two burns planned.
Currently there are 2 burns planned on the district. The first burn is the East Thunderbird Prescribed Burn. The East Thunderbird burn began last winter, but due to early winter precipitation was not completed. The fall conditions have given us the opportunity to reenter the 190 acre area and attempt to complete the burn.
The burn will be in a forest area locally known as the Thunderbird area. This area was thinned within the Thunderbird Ecosystem Management area, along both sides of Forest Road #275. There are no set dates for the burn but district fire personnel will be watching weather patterns closely during the next few weeks to determine when it is safe and advantageous to conduct this burn. The burn will be conducted only if and when weather patterns and available fire personnel are conducive to burning.
The second burn planned is the Barranco Prescribed Burn. This burn is also within the Thunderbird Ecosystem Management area and is located South of Forest Road #275. This burn will also be conducted as weather conditions and personnel allow.
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.
If You Can’t Stand The Heat…
by John Weckerle
…Eat your food raw.
There are of us, though, who do eat our food cooked from time to time. Your editor, who does not eat terrestrial meat and occasionally does eat seafood, is one of them – and he does also occasionally cook it in person. An important part of cooking is having an appropriate appliance in which to heat the food, especially if one is baking or broiling. We picked up such an appliance – the Cuisinart Convection/Broiler Toaster Oven currently on sale at Costco for $99.99 – this weekend, and gave it a run for its money. Not that much money, given the nature of the appliance, but it ran well on its first test – Pine Nut Crusted Halibut (yeah, right…like we’re giving you that recipe).
Congressional Press Release: Energy Jobs For Veterans Act
by Congressman Harry Teague
It is an honor to be able to represent the many veterans across southern New Mexico. The courageous men and women who fought to protect our country deserve the opportunity to have a successful career when they get home. That is why I am pleased to share with you that my Energy Jobs for Veterans Act (H.R. 4592) was signed into law last week. This important legislation, which passed as part of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2010, will create state-based programs to provide veterans with on-the-job training, apprenticeships, real experience, and long-term employment in all fields of the energy industry, including oil and gas, renewable electric power, biofuel production, and energy efficiency.
This law will encourage eligible employers to hire veterans by offering them reimbursement for veteran employee training. In fact, many energy businesses and veterans organizations praised the legislation and put their full support behind it.
John Garcia, Secretary of New Mexico Department of Veterans Services (NMDVS) praised the bill, saying “The men and women who proudly and bravely served our country deserve all of the opportunities possible when it comes to job creation. This program will give New Mexico’s veterans the critical training and resources necessary to help them join our growing energy industry and combat the high unemployment rate in our veteran community.”
»» Congressional Press Release: Energy Jobs For Veterans Act
Press Release: USDA Forest Service Builds on Recovery Act Investments to Create More Jobs in FY 2011
Editor’s note: FY 2011 began October 1, 2011
Forwarded by Arlene T. Perea, Mountainair Ranger District
WASHINGTON, October 19, 2010 – USDA Forest Service Officials announced today that the agency will build on job creation efforts through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act investments during the upcoming fiscal year by continuing to emphasize job creation and new partnerships with the private sector to create sustainable, green jobs.
“The Forest Service has been making investments in communities around the country and creating great new jobs in rural America,” said Tom Tidwell, Chief of the U.S. Forest Service. “By focusing on new jobs and private sector partnerships, the Forest Service will continue to build a forest restoration economy to achieve Secretary Vilsack’s and the Forest Service’s forest and rangeland restoration goals.”
Recovery Act funds expire at the end of fiscal year 2010, but Tidwell explained that the Forest Service will retain its “Recovery Act focus” as part of its regular program of work in FY2011. This will be accomplished using unobligated balances from FY 2010, along with FY 2011 appropriations, allowing the Forest Service to continue to restore forest resources while meeting the needs of rural economies.
The Right Wing Nuts
Editor’s note/update: One of our readers, Dick Pledger of Edgewood, e-mailed us to let us know that we missed a detail here with respect to the size drill we used to make the holes for the bolts. It was a 5/16-inch bit, just a bit bigger than the 1/4-inch bolt; this makes it easy to get the bolt through but doesn’t allow any play that might throw off the level. We’ve added the detail to the body of the article. Thanks, Dick!
by John Weckerle
That does it; we think it’s high time to expose these wing nuts for what they really are…
A Bright Moment On A Cloudy Day
by John Weckerle
Wednesday morning has brought us unexpectedly grey skies. Fortunately, one of the neighbors popped by to brighten up our day.
Mule Deer
Tijeras Arts Market End-Of-Season
by John Weckerle
This weekend brings the season’s closing to the Tijeras Arts Market, located at 488 East Highway 333 (Route 66), just west of the intersection with NM 337. The Market will be presenting an All Hallows Festival with arts, crafts, and live music from Breaking Blue, Big Sky, Lee Tyler Post, Dan McDermott, and Fonn Sona. Anand Naren (Oma) will be on hand with his trained goose. For more information, visit the Tijeras Arts Market web page.
Public Service Announcement: Free Food, Admission at Wildlife West Nature Park
Editor’s Note: Your editor’s company, WeckTech, is donating a 200-gallon rain barrel for the raffle to be held at this event. This is a great opportunity to see the zoo, enjoy some free food and, with temperatures projected to be in the low seventies, enjoy a very pleasant afternoon – free!
by Jo White
What do you do when you have free food for 500 people and a Nature Park filled with games, costume parties, terrific animals, and the first Edgewood Idol contest? You go to the first Fall Extravaganza at Wildlife West Nature Park in Edgewood, Saturday October 30th from 12:00 to 6:00, all for free. Did we mention FREE! There will be games of chance like Bingo, a blast from the past with kid carnival games. Tickets will be sold for these for a very small fee. If you are having the economic crunch everyone is, this is the place to be. JR’S BBQ is supplying the food, like turkey legs, corn on the cob, yummy! Wal-Mart is giving candy for little trick or treaters. Edgewood F.O.O.L.S. Friends of our Library Society will have free books to give away and Edgewood Leos and Lions will host the Edgewood Idol contest with trophies and prizes. For a donation, you can have your photo taken by that noted local photographer, Roger Holden. Raffle tickets and a silent auction will round out the day’s activities. It is tough to feed the park’s animals in the winter, so if you would care to make a donation, it would be gladly taken. There is a new baby deer Velcrow, (because she sticks to you,) and a new baby raccoon. This is an old fashioned Fall Festival in the style of sixty years ago when folks came together for a good cause and had a great family time. Mark your calendar now and don’t miss out on this great time.
Public Service Announcement – Star Gazing Party in Edgewood
by John Weckerle
The Albuquerque Astronomical Society (TAAS) will sponsor a free Star Gazing Party this Friday, October 15, from 8:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m at the Edgewood Community Library. The library is located at 95 State Rd. North, Edgewood. For those unfamiliar with Edgewood, the library is just over a mile north of the I-40 Edgewood exit on NM 344.
Your editor has attended TAAS Star Parties in the past and found them both enjoyable and informative. As it stands right now, weather is predicted to be clear, with a low temperature in the low forties that night, so bring a jacket and get ready to see some interesting celestial features.
For more information, contact (505) 281-0138.