An Idea Whose Time Has Come – Here
by John Weckerle
Back in the 1980s, during a 5-year soujourn in Tampa, Florida, I enjoyed a great way to do dinner and a movie – cinema pubs. The idea was simple – the cinema pubs showed movies that had just completed their runs in the major theaters but were still showing in the discount theaters and at midnight shows, but they also offered dinner as well as beer and wine. Patrons sat at tables, and were served throughout the movie by waitstaff who seemed incredibly adept at minimizing their time between the patron and the screen. Both the movie and the food were reasonably priced, and well-suited to those of us who were students and/or in their first job out of school, and it was a nice experience. Depending on the film, I sometimes waited for movies to hit the cinema pubs because it was simply a better place to see them. And now, you can see them that way, too.
Following the recent success of movie showings at Mustang Mudd’s, in the former Le Barn building, entrepreneurs Maria Braendle of Le Barn and Miki Anaya of El Comedor Restaurant have teamed up to bring the experience to Moriarty. This weekend’s feature, Twilight (your editor, who has read the books and seen the movie, recommends it to fans of the Stephanie Myers series of vampire novels) will be the opening event (for details, see the flyer). Next week’s offerings, with shows from Wednesday to Sunday (with weekend matinees!), include Gran Torino, starring Clint Eastwood; Taken, starring Clint Eastwood; Bolt (voice of John Travolta); The Wrestler, starring Mickey Rourke; and Defiance, starring Daniel Craig (see next week’s flyer for show times and other info). For more information, call LeBarn at 832-9481 or El Comedor at 832-4492.
A Bunch Of Clowns
by John Weckerle
Well, maybe we’re assuming something, but it seems like smoke and fire – where there’s a circus, there are usually clowns. The Culpepper & Merriweather Circus will be at the corner of Route 66 and NM 344 in Edgewood on Tuesday, April 7, 2009. The show is sponsored by the Edgewood Chamber of Commerce, and proceeds will be split between the Chamber and several area schools. Two show times are scheduled at 5:00 and 7:30 p.m. For more information, contact the Chamber at 286-2577 or the Circus at 1-866-BIG TOP 6.
Wildlife West Summer Job Application Date Changes
by John Weckerle
The deadline for applications for Wildlife West Nature Park’s Youth Conservation Corps positions has been extended to May 1, 2009. Young people ages 14 to 25 may apply. For more information on a great summer job opportunity, see the Park web site or contact Wildlife West at 281-7655.
The Roads Ahead, For Now
by John Weckerle
The New Mexico Department of Transportation has alerted us to the following road information in the NM-Central.com area:
- Monday 3/16 through Friday 4/3 from 9am to 3:30pm each weekday, NM333 from Zuzax to Sedillo will have various lane closures and work on the shoulders to install utilities. Be alert for flagmen in some locations.
- I40 / Zuzax to Tijeras Interstate Reconstruction, Sunday 3/15 from 10pm to 3am – The I40 eastbound off ramp at Tijeras (exit 175) will be closed to remove overhead structure. Use Carnuel exit as alternate route.
- Sunday 3/15 through Friday 3/20 from 9pm to 5am – I40 westbound from Zuzax to Tijeras will have the left lane closed.
- Monday 3/16 through Friday 3/20 from 9pm to 5am – I40 eastbound from Tijeras to Zuzax will have the left lane closed.
- Ongoing through Saturday 4/4 from 7:30am to 7pm weekends and from 7am to 3:30pm weekdays – I40 eastbound at mile marker 170 (Carnuel) will have various lanes closed for bridge deck repair. One lane closed on Saturday 3/14 and weekdays and two lanes closed on Sunday 3/15. Expect delays and use NM333 as an alternate route.
Happy driving!
Is There One Less Chamber In The “Gate?”
by John Weckerle
Yesterday, your editor met with Edgewood Chamber of Commerce president Kelly Krauth and briefly with Board member Renee Willes to discuss a variety of subjects related to the past, present and future of the Chamber. While much of that conversation is not ripe for publication, there are a few bits that bear examination.
Among the subjects we discussed are the Chamber’s plans for restructuring its relationships with other entities, and it appears that some good progress has been made in that direction. According to Ms. Krauth, the Chamber has already begun reaching out to the Town government and other organizations, and the effort has been well received. Edgewood Mayor Bob Stearley is reportedly working cooperatively with the Chamber on several initiatives, as is Town planning and zoning administrator Karen Mahalick. The Chamber is working in cooperation with the Estancia Valley Economic Development Association and the New Mexico Economic Development Department to present a small business workship featuring micro-lenders for immediate assistance for struggling businesses (we will post information on this workshop, scheduled for April 9, 2009 when it becomes available). »» Is There One Less Chamber In The “Gate?”
Public Service Announcement – City of Moriarty Seeking Call Center Applications
The City of Moriarty is seeking applications for positions for a potential employer at the Moriarty call center. For more information and a copy of the call center application, see the City of Moriarty web page for the recruitment.
Walmart Comes Through For Nature Park, Education, Kids
by John Weckerle
Reminder: Applicants age 14 to 25 who wish to be considered for employment at Wildlife West under the Youth Conservation Corps program this summer must submit a resume and two references to the Park no later than March 15, 2009.
According to a press release received today, Wildlife West Nature Park in Edgewood has received a $25,000 educational grant from Walmart for youth development. The funding has made it possible for the Park to hire an educational director for the summer season to help coordinate such programs as the Youth Conservation Corps projects and Wildlife West’s many other educational initiatives. The New Mexico Wildlife Association, which administers Wildlife West, has selected Bradd Shulke, an East Mountain High School educator with a Master’s degree in ecology. Mr. Shulke has a broad background in education, and is certified in special education.
Given the fact that Wildlife West Nature Park is likely the only zoo in the world to be built by youth, this development is particularly exciting. For more information on the summer program and the grant, see the Park web site or contact Wildlife West at (505) 281-7655.
How Dry Should We Be?
by John Weckerle
Early in its history, the residents of what was then the Town of Edgewood reportedly placed a measure on the ballot to determine how the Town would handle alcohol sales. Also reportedly, the result was that alcohol sales were to be prohibited on Sunday.
Two issues arise after attempting to research the Town’s alcohol restrictions. First, and most easily dealt with, is that there appears to be no reference to such restrictions on the Town website. It is possible that we missed something, but we searched all the pages and all the ordinances available online for the word term “alcohol” and also searched those ordinances that seemed most likely to be relevant for the term “Sunday.” We also did a Google site search for terms including alcohol, package, and beverage. We found nothing regarding alcohol sales or Sunday restrictions. Either the restrictions were never formalized or the Town has not posted them on its web site for some reason. We believe that the Town of Edgewood should post all legal requirements and restrictions – including but not limited to ordinances, resolutions, policies, and procedures – on the Town website. »» How Dry Should We Be?
Moriarty, The Final Frontier
by John Weckerle
It’s time to remind our readers that, among all the Estancia Valley and East West Mountain Communities, Moriarty is unique in having its own satellite viewing schedule. Given that we’ve made the change to Daylight Savings Time, and it might just be a tad darker in the morning, it might be worthwhile for some of the early risers to take a look up and enjoy the sight of the International Space Station as it takes pictures of them gazing skyward.
Avoid Driving Yourself Crazy This Month
by John Weckerle
Today, we would like to salute all the wonderfully astute and proactive folks involved with the westbound lane closures on I-40 between Tijeras and Carnuel. We had to travel to the Albuquerque airport yesterday to meet a flight. Just after we passed the Tijeras exit, we saw a sign that said “Road Work 1 1/2 miles.” Shortly thereafter, traffic slowed to a crawl, and a little later, we saw a sign that said “Left Two Lanes Closed Ahead.” After more than 30 minutes, we passed through and, fortunately, made it in time to pick up our returning resident.
As it turns out, we had to make a trip to the emergency room (everything’s fine) a little later in the afternoon, and only the fact that we had passed through before prevented this from becoming a real mess. As we passed by on Route 66, we couldn’t help noticing all the trucks and cars crawling through, as we had done earlier, pumping unnecessary carbon dioxide and other lovely compounds into the local airshed. So, to our dedicated public servants, we ask: “How about putting a sign BEFORE the Tijeras exit, so that people can seek an alternate route, especially if the trip is urgent?” We hardly consider this unreasonable, and neither do we think it a particularly brilliant or difficult concept.
As for the future state of affairs, NM Roads (which does not work in Firefox; for shame!) advises us:
Saturday 3/7 through Saturday 4/4 from 7:30am to 5:30pm weekends and from 9am to 5am weekdays (Qualcom)– I40 westbound at mile marker 170 (Carnuel) will have various lanes closed for bridge deck repair.
We recommend finding an alternate route during those times; that really was quite the tie-up yesterday. Happy driving!
Summer Jobs at KAFB
by John Weckerle
The Kirtland Air Force Base Summer Hire program is accepting applications and resumes for a variety of summer employment positions. Salary starts at $8.40 to $11.57 per hour. Applicants must be at least 16 years old (18 for some positions) and must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as degree seeking students taking at least half-time (6 credit hours) at an accredited high school, technical, vocational 2 or 4 year college or university, graduate, or professional school. Applications must be received no later than March 20, 2009. For more information, see the program flyer.
Fire Restrictions To Begin In The Mountainair Ranger District Starting Monday
by John Weckerle
Stage 1 Fire restrictions will be in effect beginning Monday, March 9 at 8 a.m. Restrictions include the following:
- 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.
- Pressurized liquid or gas stoves, lanterns and heaters meeting safety specifications are allowed.
- Smoking Restrictions:
- 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.
- Fireworks:
- As always, fireworks are prohibited on all national forest lands.
According to Mountainair District Ranger Karen Lessard, “With the lack of precipitation this winter, we are going into restrictions earlier than ever.” Given the fact that El Nino Southern Oscillation is in a La Nina configuration, this may be the first of an increasingly strict series of restrictions. We ask that everyone please take these and future restrictions very seriously and comply with them completely to help avoid the kind of catastrophic wildfires that have plagued the area in recent years. For more information on where fires are allowed, contact the Cibola National Forest Supervisors Office at 505-346-3900 or the Mountainair Ranger District at 505-847-2990.
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…
A Sun Block Is To Sunburn As A Deer Block Is To…
by John Weckerle
…Preventing deerburn?
Here at NM-Central.com headquarters, we have the good fortune to be visited regularly by all manner of local wildlife, including deer. Depending on the time of year, we provide two or three water sources – a fountain in the fenced area, a watering trough with a pump and some rocks out in the open and, except in winter, a small fountain on the porch (the small birds and hummingbirds love that one). The one in the open is a favorite of the local deer population. Last Tuesday I looked out and noticed that none of the deer were looking particularly fat, and one was looking downright scrawny. By coincidence, I also noted while watering the many trees we’ve planted in the fenced area that at one point during the winter one of the deer apparently jumped the fence and took a few bites out of one of the chokecherries. »» A Sun Block Is To Sunburn As A Deer Block Is To…
Public Service Announcement – EBWPC Vacancy
The Torrance County Agricultural Position for the Estancia Basin Water Planning Committee (EBWPC) is vacant, and the EBWPC is seeking to fill the position. Interested parties involved in agriculture in Torrance County should send a resume to Catherine Long by March 18, 2009. For more information, contact the EBWPC at 505-384-2272, ext. 103.