American Legion Building in Mountainair Set for Decommission & Demolition

For the past 81 years the American Legion Post 40 has been an essential part of the lives of the people of Mountainair, NM. Many of our citizens have grown up attending meetings, voting, ballet classes, bingo and numerous other events. 

The people of Mountainair wish to thank the Veterans and their families for their service to our town and country and thereby making Mountainair a better place to live.

Since the building is scheduled for demolition in June it seems only fitting to celebrate and honor the Members and their families now with a small ceremony.

We have erected a temporary flagpole. We will have a small meeting to decommission the building. We will lower the flag and play taps. We have confirmed that Mr. Eugene Schmitz, a Bataan Death March survivor, and former commander of Post 40 will be our honored guest as well as many other veterans. Mountainair has been the home to Five members of the Batten March.

We invite you and any veterans to attend our ceremony. For Further information Please contact Lorance A. Romero 505 705 0047

The Pickle Jar, by Unknown

I don't normally post things like this that I receive in email, but this one reminded me that no matter what stands in your path, through faith, hard work, and perseverance you can always prevail.  Hope you find something in this post too!

  * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Pickle Jar by Unknown

The pickle jar as far back as I can remember sat on the floor beside the dresser in my parents' bedroom. When he got ready for bed, Dad would empty his pockets and toss his coins into the jar. As a small boy, I was always fascinated at the sounds the coins made as they were dropped into the jar. They landed with a merry jingle when the jar was almost empty. Then the tones gradually muted to a dull thud as the jar was filled. I used to squat on the floor in front of the jar to admire the copper and silver circles that glinted like a pirate's treasure when the sun poured through the bedroom window.


When the jar was filled, Dad would sit at the kitchen table and roll the coins before taking them to the bank. Taking the coins to the bank was always a big production. Stacked neatly in a small cardboard box, the coins were placed between Dad and me on the seat of his old truck.  Each and every time, as we drove to the bank, Dad would look at me hopefully. 'Those coins are going to keep you out of the textile mill, son. You're going to do better than me. This old mill town's not going to hold you back.'


Also, each and every time, as he slid the box of rolled coins across the counter at the bank toward the cashier, he would grin proudly. 'These are for my son's college fund. He'll never work at the mill all his life like me.'  We would always celebrate each deposit by stopping for an ice cream cone. I always got chocolate. Dad always got vanilla. When the clerk at the ice cream parlor handed Dad his change, he would show me the few coins nestled in his palm. 'When we get home, we'll start filling the jar again.' He always let me drop the first coins into the empty jar. As they rattled around with a brief, happy jingle, we grinned at each other. '


You'll get to college on pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters,' he said. 'But you'll get there; I'll see to that. No matter how rough things got at home, Dad continued to doggedly drop his coins into the jar. Even the summer when Dad got laid off from the mill, and Mama had to serve dried beans several times a week, not a single dime was taken from the jar.


To the contrary, as Dad looked across the table at me, pouring catsup over my beans to make them more palatable, he became more determined than ever to make a way out for me 'When you finish college, Son,' he told me, his eyes glistening, 'You'll never have to eat beans again - unless you want to.'


The years passed, and I finished college and took a job in another town. Once, while visiting my parents, I used the phone in their bedroom, and noticed that the pickle jar was gone. It had served its purpose and had been removed.  A lump rose in my throat as I stared at the spot beside the dresser where the jar had always stood.


My dad was a man of few words: he never lectured me on the values of determination, perseverance, and faith. The pickle jar had taught me all these virtues far more eloquently than the most flowery of words could have done. When I married, I told my wife Susan about the significant part the lowly pickle jar had played in my life as a boy. In my mind, it defined, more than anything else, how much my dad had loved me.


The first Christmas after our daughter Jessica was born, we spent the holiday with my parents. After dinner, Mom and Dad sat next to each other on the sofa, taking turns cuddling their first grandchild. Jessica began to whimper softly, and Susan took her from Dad's arms. 'She probably needs to be changed,' she said, carrying the baby into my parents' bedroom to diaper her. When Susan came back into the living room, there was a strange mist in her eyes.


She handed Jessica back to Dad before taking my hand and leading me into the room. 'Look,' she said softly, her eyes directing me to a spot on the floor beside the dresser.


To my amazement, there, as if it had never been removed, stood the old pickle jar, the bottom already covered with coins. I walked over to the pickle jar, dug down into my pocket, and pulled out a fistful of coins. With a gamut of emotions choking me, I dropped the coins into the jar. I looked up and saw that Dad, carrying Jessica, had slipped quietly into the room. Our eyes locked, and I knew he was feeling the same emotions I felt. Neither one of us could speak.  

  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

This truly touched my heart. Sometimes we are so busy adding up our troubles that we forget to count our blessings. Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life, for better or for worse. God puts us all in each other's lives to impact one another in some way. Look for GOOD in others.

The best and most beautiful things cannot be seen or touched - they must be felt with the heart ~ Helen Keller.

- Happy moments, praise God.

- Difficult moments, seek God.

- Quiet moments, worship God.

- Painful moments, trust God.

- Every moment, thank God.

Mountainair All Candidate Meet-N-Greet, June 2, 2012

Join us for Hamburgers & Hot Dogs at the Mountainair . . .



ALL CANDIDATE MEET-N-GREET
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Mountainair Town Park
11:30am - 2:00pm

Enjoy the BBQ while visiting with the candidates, friends & neighbors!

Bring your instruments for a jam session if you like. Just please come!

Sound like lots of folks are coming so get there early before the food runs out!

Marketed & Hosted by: Edwina Rae Hewett, Candidate for Torrance County Commission District 3

Food Donated by: Candidates, B Street Market, and friends of Edwina Rae Hewett for Torrance County Commissioner District 3



Raises for Elected Officials, Staff, and Potential Tax Increase - Torrance County Commission Meeting May 23rd

-THIS IS NOT THE OFFICIAL AGENDA -
PLEASE CONTACT THE TORRANCE COUNTY MANAGER'S OFFICE FOR OFFICIAL MEETING AGENDA'S

Torrance County Commisison

Regular Meeting Agenda

May 23rd, 2012

6:00pm

To Be Held At: Administrative Offices of Torrance County Commssion Chambers
205 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016

Please Silence All Electronic Devices

Call Meeting To Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation

Approval of Minutes: May 9th, 2012 Regular Meeting  May 15th Special Meeting
Approval of Meeting Agenda
Approval of Consent Agenda:

   1. Approval of Warrants
   2. Approval of Indigent Claims

PUBLIC REQUESTS: At the discretion of the Commission Chair. For Information Only (NO ACTION CAN BE TAKEN). Comments are limited to two minutes per person on subjects not on this published agenda.

ACTION ITMES*

*Deparment Requests/Reports:

1. Memorandum of Agreement with DOH for FY13 Teen Outreach Program

*Commission Matters:

2.  Public Requests:

     a) Request to Discontinue Opening Meetings with Sectarian (Christian) Prayer & Replace it with a Moment of Silence
         - Thomas Smith, Resident

     b)  Discuss Future Events at Founder's Ranch - Brian Kaesman, Resident

3. Request Fiscal Assistance for Pool Operations - Mayor Ted Barela

4. Consider Capital Outlay Tax to be Dedicated to Roads

5.  USDA Wildlife Services Contranct

6.  New Classification of County and Elected Officials Salaris

7.  2012 Budget; Employee Salary Increases

8.  Rescind County Commission Cell Phone Allowance

9.  Commission Update

* County Manager Requests/Reports:

10. Video Arraignment Agreement with Adminstrative Office of the Courts

11. Ratify Resolution 2012-17 to NM Finance Authority for Torreon Fire Department Tanker

12.  Bid Process for Purchase of Torreon Tanker

13.  Update

EXECUTIVE SESSION

As Per Motion and Roll Call Vote, Pursuant to New Mexico State Statute, Seciton 10-15-1, the Following Matters Will Be Discussed in Closed Session:

1. Personnel Matters 10-15-1 (h)(2)
2. Threatening and Pending Litigation 10-15-1 (h)(7)
     a.  Threatened Litigation

*Reconvene from Executive Session

*Adjorn

If you are an indivudual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualifed sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the hearing or meeting, please contact the Torrance County Manager's Office at 205 9th Street, Room 12, Estancia, NM 87016 (505) 246-4752 at least one week prior to th emeeting or as soon as possible. Public documents, including the agendas and minutes, can be provided in various accesible formats. Please contact the Torrance County Clerk's Office at 205 0th Street Room 1, Estancia, NM 87016 (505) 246-4735 if a summary or other type of accessible formate is needed.

Chambers Annual Town Clean Up & Spring Fling Bingo

2012 Town Clean-Up & Spring Fling Bingo

CLEAN UP - New this year!  Bring your trash to the Mountainair Transfer Station free of charge!  Saturday, May 19, 2012 ~ 9am - 2pm

Non-toxics only - No tires, oil, pressurized constainers, animals, animal waste, NO refrigerators, gas tanks, or explosive materials.  Recycle your electronics!  No tickets or permits required.

BINGO - Get your green at the Spring Fling Bingo, May 19, 6pm - 9pm at the Mountainair Elementary School Gym; great prizes for your landscaping, home improvement projects, and gardening;  $5/$10 games.  Concessions provided by the Mountainair Community Garden.

Joint Sponsored by:

  The Mountainair Chamber of Commerce
  http://DiscoverMountainairNM.com
  505-847-2795

  The Town of Mountainair
  http://MountainairNM.gov
  505-847-2321

Special Thanks to:

  Mountainair Public Schools

New Wildfire Email Alert System

New wildfire alert system touted

(Click Here) New email notification system announced  (Click Here)

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Wildfire season is already here, and this year is expected to be a bad one. 

State Forestry officials unveiled an added layer of security for residents who live in the fire zones.New Mexico is rolling out a new wildfire email notification system.

"Prompt and accurate information can save lives," said New Mexico State Forester Tony Delfin.

That information will now come in the form of an email that will give critical information to displaced families and the rest of the public fast.  "There are going to be frequent updates with information about the status of the fire, is it growing, are there homes or businesses in harm's way," said Gov. Susana Martinez.

Governor Martinez says they saw the need when talking to worried evacuees from the Las Conchas fire last year.  "They wanted information and they wanted it constantly," said Governor Martinez.  Officials say that means the evacuees will have vital information, right at their fingertips, be it on their phones, their computers or anything else that gets email. 

In the last two years combined, New Mexico has seen 1,440 wildfires that have burnt more than a million acres. New Mexico is bracing for a busy fire season given the drought conditions that are spreading across the region.

BBQ Today at Estancia Park Courtesy of Senator Phil Griego

Everyone is invited to visit with Senator Phil Griego for delicious brisket at the park in Estancia.

• Time:  BBQ starts at 4pm 
• Place:  Park in Estancia

Who wants to cook on  Friday night when you can bring the family out for some awesome BBQ Brisket courtesy of Senator Phil Griego and visit with a Senator who desires to invest in Torrance County.

Hope to see you there!

History of Pueblo Potter, Demonstation by Pam Luhan Hauer

The History of Pueblo Pottery, a demonstration and lecture by noted Taos Pueblo artist, Pam Luhan Hauer, will be held at Mountain Arts on Broadway, at 2 p.m. Saturday May 19. This free Chautauqua presentation is open to the public. Any donations offered will benefit our community art center, Mountain Arts on Broadway, 122 East Broadway, Mountainair.

For further information check our website at www.ManzanoMountainArtCouncil.org.

--

Manzano Mountain Art Council

This event is sponsored by the Manzano Mountain Art Council, a 501 (c)(3) organization and made possible by The New Mexico Humanities Council, The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, New Mexico Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

TNT Summer Fun 2012

There will be a summer youth program offerd every Wednesday starting June 27, 2012 and ending August 1, 2012.  The bus will leave the Estancia Mid School at 8:30 am and return at 5:00 pm.  (When we go to Cliffs and the Genoveva Chavez Center we will return at 6:00 pm or 7:00 pm. 

A permission slip will need to be signed prior to the time of departure.  Please arrive at the Mid-Schoool between 8:00am and 8:30 am.  The Torrance county Summer Food Program will provide lunch.  The Estancia Schools and the TNT Program will provide the bus and drivers. 

Please chec the cost below for each event.  The drug gree program will be helping to get discounts and donations to be able to help you an dyour children with costs. 

Parents interested in helping with this program please contact Audrey Rodriquez at  505-394-2971 or Darlene Jenkins at 505-384-2003.  Vlounteers PLEASE attend the volunteer orientation on May 15, 2012 from 3:00 to 4:30 pm at the Estancia Mid School. 

The Orientation will be offered in Spanish and Englis.  Please R.S.V.P. as soon as possible.  We generally have 50 - 200 children going every Wednesday and we must have one parent for every seven to ten children.  Please read all School/TNT Summer Fun Program Rules (contact Audry or Darlene above for copies).

WE NEED YOU TO HELP !!!!  Without YOU this prgram cannot happen.  THIS IS YOUR SCHOOL/COMUNITY DRUG FREE PROGRAM.  Thank You

June 6   Billie Clakre, person in charge   Teen Fest - Estancia Fair Grounds

June 27  Darlene Jenkins, person in charge  Santa Rosa Lake  $3.00 fee

July 11  Darlene Jenkins, person in charge  Nature Hike/Swimming  $3.00 fee

July 18  Darlene Jenkins, person in charge  Cliffs   $15.00 fee

July 25  Darlene Jenkins, person in charge  Genoveva Chavez  $6.00
   (Community Cener/Santa Fe - Swimming and Ice Skating)

August 1  Darlene Jenkins,  person in charge  Bowling/Movies  $7.00

Mud Bog 2012

Mountainair Marauder Motorsports presents . . .

Mud Bog May 19th 2012

Avast Ye; Be Fore Warned; On This Date Shall Be The First Hill ~ N ~ Hole, Mud Pit In New Mexico.  If Ye Wish To Participate me Hearties, There Are But 4 Events;

    1.  Standard Mud Pit
    2.  Hill~N~Hole
    3.  Rum Barrel Run
    4.  The Marauder Challenge
  
Doubloons Owed

    Class 1:  $70.00
    Class 2:  $60.00
    Class 3 ~ 4 ~ 5:  $50.00
    Class 6:  $20.00

Spectators, Thou Shalt Watch 4 Free, However, Be It Known There Is A $15.00 fee For Parkin Yer Ship.

Gates Open at 8am

The Battle Starts at 11am

Primitive Camping Available To Racers

For more informaiton visit Capn. Balck Bart at:

http://www.BlackBartAdventures.com

of call 505-705-5521

Torrance County Commission Accuses State Auditor of Violating Statute

View the Solar Eclipse and Transit of Venus at Museum

Cosmic Events Planned at Balloon Museum May 20th and June 5th View the Solar Eclipse and Transit of Venus at Museum

 ALBUQUERQUE, NM- A rare full solar eclipse is happening on May 20th, and Albuquerque has been identified as one of the best locations in its path for viewing the cosmic phenomenon. The Balloon Museum is offering the public an opportunity to view the eclipse-which at its center point creates the "ring of fire" around the sun as the moon's shadow fills the entire surface of the sun's center-from the beautiful museum and grounds that offer majestic mountain views, soaring spaces and fascinating exhibits that celebrate the history, art, culture, science and sport of lighter-than-air flight.

On Sunday, May 20th, from 4 - 10:30 p.m. crowds that include professional and amateur astronomers as well as the general public will gather for the opportunity to view the sun's disappearance through the generous participation of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society (TAAS). The all-volunteer group will provide telescopes fitted with solar filters that will be projected on a giant LCD screen inside the Museum.

Everyone should be aware that it is incredibly dangerous to view the sun directly, as major permanent damage to the retina will occur. Because the eye does not have nerves, pain will not be felt until the damage is complete. Volunteers will roam the museum and grounds reminding all attendees that they must use special solar glasses or create a pinhole camera to view the eclipse directly. Solar glasses will be distributed to visitors free of charge (with regular admission) while supplies last. Materials to make pinhole cameras and project the eclipse will also be available.

The Solar Eclipse event will include live music, food and beverages available for purchase, children's activities that include interactive learning, crafts and a climbing wall. The movie "Contact" will also be screened at 8:30 p.m. It was filmed at the Very Large Array near Socorro and features Jodi Foster as a scientist trying to make contact with possible life elsewhere in the Universe.

All activities are included with regular museum admission. Parking is free, and attendees are encouraged to bring folding chairs and/or blankets as seating is limited.

Transit of Venus If one major cosmic event isn't enough for you, on Tuesday, June 5th there is another-the Transit of Venus. Twice in every century the planet Venus crosses the face of the sun, creating a small black dot that slowly moves from side to side over a period of approximately 4.5 hours. Because the transit cannot be seen without significant magnification, TAAS is working with the Museum to provide telescopic images that will be projected on a large LCD screen so that visitors can check in regularly to see the planet's progress. In addition to the view of the transit from Albuquerque, another large screen will feature live video from Hawaii courtesy of NASA.

The Transit of Venus will take place between 4 and approximately 8:30 p.m. There will also be entertainment including the Albuquerque Concert Band from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. performing a John Philip Sousa composition, "Transit of Venus March," written in 1883 to celebrate the 1882 transit of Venus. The all-volunteer organization features over 80 players representing a wide range of age, ability and background. This year from June 5th through August 8th the band will also perform concerts on alternate Wednesday evenings at the Balloon Museum, courtesy of the City of Albuquerque's Cultural Services Department.

Between 5:30 and 6 p.m. Peter Cuneo will speak about "Telescopes and Balloons" as part the Balloon Museum's programming during the Transit of Venus. Cuneo, a retired optical engineer with Lockheed Martin, is a celebrated gas and hot air balloon pilot and is an authority on the history of ballooning.

The centerpiece of the Balloon Museum's "Space and Science" displays is the Office of Naval Research Strato-Lab gondola. On its fourth ascension the Strato-Lab carried a 16" telescope, part of a spectroscope system, mounted on top of the gondola. The objective of the flight was to examine the atmosphere of Venus for the presence of water vapor.

At 6 p.m. the New Mexico Philharmonic will take the stage to perform The Planets, Op. 32, a seven-movement orchestral suite by the English composer Gustav Holst, written between 1914 and 1916. Each movement of the suite is named after a planet of the Solar System and its corresponding astrological character as defined by Holst. With the exception of Earth, which is not observed in astrological practice, all the planets are represented. Conducted by Oriol Sans, the orchestral performance will open with John Williams' Star Wars Suite and E.T. The Extra-terrestrial Suite to offer a dramatic element to the celestial event.

The Cooperage will offer a delicious menu to enhance the evening: gourmet burgers, sandwiches, salads and Brick Oven Pizza, plus desserts. A cash bar will be available for the over-21 crowd.

The Museum will remain open for another half-hour following the concert's end at 8 p.m. to allow visitors to view the fascinating exhibits prior to leaving.

Admission to the Transit viewing and concert is $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, and children 12 and under are free.

PRESS RELEASE - April 14, 2012 

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Linda Hubley
505-768-6028

lhubley@cabq.govmailto:tunruh-enos@cabq.gov

Torrance County Commission - Regular Meeting May 9, 2012

THIS IS NOT THE OFFICIAL AGENDA - PLEASE CONTACT THE TORRANCE COUNTY MANAGERS OFFICE FOR AN OFFICIAL COPY OF THIS AGENDA

Torrance County Commission

Regular Meeting to be Held at:

Administrative Offices of Torrance County

Commission Chambers

205 9 Street

Estancia, NM 87016

AGENDA

May 9 , 2012

9:00 AM.

Please Silence All Electronic Devices

Call Meeting to Order

Pledge of Allegiance

Invocation

Approval of Minutes:   Apri125 2012

Approval of Meeting Agenda

Approval of Consent Agenda:

     1.  Approval of Warrants

     2.  Approval of Indigent Claims

Public Requests: At the Discretion of the Commission Chair. For Information Only (No Action Can Be Taken). Comments are limited to two minutes per person on subjects not on ths published agenda.

ACTION ITEMS*

*Department Requests/Reports:

1,  Department Updates

2.  Contract between Torrance County and HughesNet for Back-up Satellite Internet at EOC - Javier Sanchez, Emergency Manager

3.  Appoint Members to the Torrance County Substance Abuse Prevention Task Force

4.  DWI Grant Agreement No. 12- 31 Amendment # 1 - Tracey Master, DWI Coordinator

5.  Application to Traffic Safety Bureau for FY2013 CDWI Funding- Tracey Master, DWI Coordinator

6.  2013 Home Visiting Grant Agreement Amendment - Valerie Arevalo, TCPO

7.  Resolution 2012- 14 Line Item Transfer - Tracy Sedillo, Comptroller

8.  Resolution 2012- 15 Budget Increase - Tracy Sedillo, Comptroller

Commission Matters:

9.      Public Requests:

a.  Request to Discontinue Opening Meetings with Sectarian (Christian) Prayer & Replace it with a Moment of Silence- Thomas Smith Resident

b.  Request Road Maintenance on Mi Ranchitos, Chad Hamilton, Resident

c.  Request Use of Torrance County Park September 19- , 2012 - David Brown, Rolling Thunder Household Society for Creative Anachronism

10.  Tri-County Juvenile Justice Grant Amendment NO.

11.  Request Approval to Replace One (1) County Protest Board Alternate - Betty Cabber, Assessor

12.  Resolution 2012- 16 Land Owner Right of Way Access for Wind Generation Projects

13.  EVSW A Board Appointment

14.  Special Audit Documents and Investigation

15.  Commission Update

*County Manager Requests/Reports:

16.  Proposal from State Land Office to Grant Right-of-Way on County Roads

17.   Extension of Professional Services Contract between Tri-County Juvenile Justice Board and DFL Associates, Inc.

18.  Ratify Memorandum of Agreement between NM Dept. of Health and Torrance County for FY13 RPHCA

19.  Bid 2012-04R Mountainair Addition

20.  Loan Application to NM Finance Authority for Torreon Fire Department Tanker

21.  Update

EXECUTIVE SESSION

As Per Motion and Roll Call Vote, Pursuant to New Mexico State Statute Section 10-15- , the Following Maters Will Be Discussed In Closed

Session:

1.  Personnel Matters: 10-15-1 (h)(2)

2.  Threatening and Pending Litigation: 10-15-1 (h)(7)

    a.  Threatened Litigation

*Reconvene from Executive Session

*Adjourn

If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the hearing or meeting, please contact the Torrance County Manager's Office at 205 9 Street Room 12 Estancia NM 87016 (505) 246-4752 at least one week prior to the meeting or as soon as possible. Public documents, including the agendas and minutes, can be provided in various accessible formats. Please contact the Torrance County Clerk' s Office at 205 9 Street Room 1 Estancia, NM 87016 (505) 246-4735 if a summary or other type of accessible format is needed.

THIS IS NOT THE OFFICIAL AGENDA - PLEASE CONTACT THE TORRANCE COUNTY MANAGERS OFFICE FOR AN OFFICIAL COPY OF THIS AGENDA

Republican Party Forum - Janice Arnold Jones, Commission & District 50 Candidates

  The Republican Party of Torrance County  Announces

C A N D I D A T E  F O R U M

1:00pm, Saturday, May 12, 2012Old County Courthouse205  9TH Street, Estancia, NM

Key Note Speaker:  J A N I C E  A R N O L D  J O N E S

 Q&A Forum for the Offices of:

County Commissioner

District 50 Representatives

$10.00 donation will be taken at the door.

POC Rick Lopez, 505-353-1480

Wildland Fire Outlook – May through August 2012

The Predictive Services group issued their first major outlook for the season yesterday, it can be found here: http://www.predictiveservices.nifc.gov/outlooks/monthly_seasonal_outlook.pdf

Excerpts from the report:

National Wildland Significant Fire Potential Outlook

National Interagency Fire Center

Predictive Services

Issued: May 1, 2012

Next Issue: June 1, 2012

Wildland Fire Outlook – May through August 2012
The May through August 2012 significant fire potential outlooks are shown below. The primary factors influencing these outlooks are:

El Niño/Southern Oscillation:

Conditions in the equatorial Pacific continue to trend toward neutral conditions with the possibility of entering an El Niño phase by early summer. However, timing remains very uncertain.

Drought:
The abnormally dry winter for most of the western U.S. continued the severe to exceptional drought from last year across most of western Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, with rapidly developing drought conditions across California, Nevada, Utah and Colorado. Severe to exceptional drought persisted in the southeastern U.S. across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and southern Alabama. Drought has continued or developed over the Northern Plains and Upper Mississippi regions and along the eastern seaboard from North Carolina to Maine.

Fuel Conditions:
La Niña conditions that extended into the fall and winter had a significant effect on fuels conditions across the U.S. Abundant fine fuels stretching across the south central U.S. into New Mexico early last year led to significant fires much earlier than normal. This year, in contrast, has seen greatly reduced fine fuel availability largely due to the extremely dry conditions that persisted through the winter. Carryover fuels from last year remain across the Great Basin and the northern and central Plains. Lack of significant snowfall at lower elevations in these areas left an abundance of standing grasses, making them available for this fire season.

Note: Significant fire potential is defined as the likelihood that a wildland fire event will require mobilization of additional resources from outside the area in which the fire situation originates

For questions about this outlook please contact the National Interagency Fire Center at (208) 387-5050.

Recycling: NM's ExpandingLandscape

Recycling: NM's Expanding Landscape
Hosted by the New Mexico Recycling Coalition
June 19 & 20, 2012
Hotel Albuquerque – In Old Town
800 Rio Grande Blvd NW - Albuquerque

New Mexico’s only professional conference dedicated to recycling.

Click below to Register

Register Now!

9 CEU Credits Available:Attendees at the 2012 New Mexico Recycling Conference who are certified operators of landfills, transfer stations, recycling facilities, or composting facilities may acquire CEUs to apply towards their recertification, per New Mexico Solid Waste Rules, 20.9.7.12 NMAC.Credit may be given for partial or full conference attendance, i.e., you may receive one and one-half hours of credit for each session you attend and document. If you are present for all conference sessions, you can earn up to NINE CEUs.

See the full the program and agenda with details on the great speakers at http://www.recyclenewmexico.com/pdf/Conference_Agenda2012.pdf .

Breakout Sessions Include:

Tuesday, June 19

Breakout 1

-PAYT: Using Solid Waste Structures to Increase Recycling

-Collecting Quality Materials at Drop-Off Locations

-Youth Recycling/Engagement Programs

Breakout 2

-Creating Jobs and Small Businesses Through Recycling

-Tribal Recycling And Beyond

-Outstanding Recycling Programs from the US - Fit for NM!

Wednesday, June 20

Breakout 3

-Market Development for Organics

-Using Tire Products for Local Paving Projects

-Marketing Trends

Breakout 4

-The Cost and Value of Recycling Programs

-Local Use of Glass

-Creating Effective Outreach Materials and Getting the Word Out

.....................................................................................

• Early Bird Member (before May 28): $300
• Early Bird NON-Member (before May 28): $400
• Early Bird ONE DAY Member (before May 28): $175
• Regular Member Rate (after May 28): $400
• Regular NON-Member Rate (after May 28): $475
• Regular Member ONE DAY (after May 28): $200
• Student Rate (must have valid enrollment): $125
• Awards Ceremony Only: $25

Click below to Register or Pay Conference Fees by Credit Card

Register Now!

Thank you to our generous sponsors:

Waste Management
Friedman Recycling Companies
Bio-Pappel
Enchantment Electronics
NM Clean & Beautiful
PNM Resources
Southcentral Solid Waste Authority
Wise Recycling
Greentree Solid Waste Authority
Action Container Solutions
NM Environment Department: Solid Waste Bureau
Northwest New Mexico Regional Solid Waste Authority
Sandia National Laboratories
Toter Equipment Keep New Mexico Beautiful

Learn More about Sponsorship Levels more

Sign Up to Sponsor Now

Learn More about Exhibiting more

Sign Up to Exhibit Now

Scholarships
NMRC is able to offer free conference attendance and two nights hotel accomodations at Hotel Albuquerque to 35 representatives from eligible rural communities through a Deptarment of Energy American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Grant. The travel assistance is available on a first-come-first-served basis (requested during the registration process). Initially, one free registration and hotel accommodations per community. If there are extra funds available a second registrant per community may be allowed. If you'd like to request a second registrant, please email Sarah Pierpont at sarah@recyclenewmexico.com to be put on a waiting list. Individuals receiving the travel assistance must be formal representatives of a community. To determine if your community is eligible for htis assistance, please visit http://www.recyclenewmexico.com/pdf/List_of_Eligible_Communities-Final.pdf (all communities listed are eligible unless otherwise noted). NMRC will book hotel rooms for eligible attendees directly.

Tours

Tours will take place on Monday, June 18. Plan to arrive a day early to attend one of these great, free tours. Sign up for tours during the regular registration process.

Full Day Tour: Every wondered where most of New Mexico's cardboard goes to get turned into new cardboard boxes? Spend the day first touring the Bio-Pappel Albuquerque processing facility where cardboard and other recyclables are sorted and consolidated for shipment to end-market processing. Then head out to the Prewitt Bio-Pappel cardboard recycling mill. it is the largest end-processor in our state, employes 120 and is one of the greenest facilities of its kind with reverse osmosis water recycling and steam by-product energy from a co-located energy generating station. The mill is an amazing experience to behold for anyone in the recycling field.

Half day Tours: We will also host two half-day afternoon tours. One tour takes you to the Torrance County and the Estancia Valley Solid Waste Authority new hub processing facility as well as one of their spoke drop-off locations. Another tour is being worked up to visit several locations that are either mulching or composting organic materials.

Tours are included as part of your conference registration.

Hotel Information

For individuals not from eligible rural communities, please book your standard $81/nt++ single room directly with Hotel Albuquerque in the heart of Old Town with nearby historic landmarks, restaurants, shopping and businesses....all within easy walking distance. Individual reservations can be made by calling the hotel directly at 505-843-6300 or 1-800-237-2133 or 1-866-505-7829. Mention New Mexico Recycling Coalition to secure the $81++/nt discounted rate. Reserve by May 28th to guarantee rate.

For more information contact Sarah Pierpont at (505) 603-0558 or sarah@recyclenewmexico.com

Sarah Pierpont

New Mexico Recycling Coalition
Deputy Director
PO Box 24364
Santa Fe, NM 87502
505-603-0558

sarah@recyclenewmexico.com

www.recyclenewmexico.com

 "New Mexico Recycling Coalition - Leading New Mexico to Value Waste as a Resource."

CIBOLA ART GALLERY SEVENTEENTH BIRTHDAY!

CIBOLA ART GALLERY SEVENTEENTH BIRTHDAY!

YOU’RE INVITED!

A special show by

Seventeen artists

With a theme of “Seventeen”

Join us for our opening of this show on

Saturday, May 5

2:00-4:00

(right after the workshop for sculpture building at MAOB)

Refreshments

Creativity

Fun Folks!

Manzano Mountain Art Council

This event/class/workshop is made possible in conjunction with the Manzano Mountain Art Council.

Mountainair Event for Democratic Candidates

State Senate Dist. 39

Candidate - NICOLE CASTELLANO

(Donations Gratefully Accepted, but Not Required)

AND

A MEET & GREET for

State Representative Dist. 50 Candidate’s

Patricia Lincoln & Stephen Easley

Hosted by Dan & Joan Embree & Jan Eshleman

COOKOUT / POTLUCK

Hamburgers, Hot Dogs and Drinks provided

Please bring something to contribute to the buffet!

Date: SATURDAY May 5^th

Time: 3:00pm – 5:00pm

Place: 99 Gato Road

Off Rt. 55 between mile markers 71 & 72. Take La Entrada Rd. Look for signs.