Rural Torrance County, A Giant Country Dog Park?

Does all of this open land in Torrance County create a giant country dog park? What prompted this post was a brief conversation along one of our county roads. Seeing a vehicle on the side of the road and with the driver walking away from the vehicle, I assumed they were having trouble so I stopped to offer assistance. The driver indicated that they had let their dogs out to exercise. I explained that there were cattle all around to which the driver commented they were aware of that which is why they selected their exercise locations very carefully. Not more than a quarter of a mile away, was cattle gathered at a drink tank. Carefully selected location? 
Those who are new to the area and new to rural living may misunderstand what all of this open space is all about and possibly have no understanding of the ramification of allowing their dogs to roam about freely. I ask that those folks please consider the following;

1. Private property – the open space you allow your dogs to run on is owned by someone other than yourself. Their yard is just bigger than yours and is primarily used for agricultural production. Would you allow your local rancher to drop off their cattle in your yard?

2. Trespass – because this land is not yours, your animals are trespassing while roaming so in effect you are trespassing. If you want to allow your dogs to roam freely, please have the courtesy to find out who owns the land and at least ask their permission – don’t assume it’s a go just because you don’t see any livestock.

3. Right to Shoot – New Mexico statute allows for the shooting of animals, including dogs that endanger livestock. You may not believe that your pets pose a threat, but as a cattle owner, I can tell you that dogs will cause cattle to run. At a minimum, your dog could run my cattle through fences which will cost me time and money to gather my herd and repair fence, or at a maximum cause my cattle to run themselves to death which would be a significant financial loss for my family. Trust me, ranchers would prefer not to shoot any dog but they will do so to protect their livestock.

4. Natural Dangers – were you aware that your dogs could be bitten by rabid wild life, be attacked or eaten by coyotes, bears, mountain lions or other predatory species in the area, that your dogs could become infected with lice and other vermin that could carry plague back to your home just by coming into contact with native species?

5. Man Made Dangers – were you aware that some land owners will set traps and poison bates for coyotes, that your dogs could be attacked and possibly killed by dogs owned by the land owners on which your animals are trespassing on?

No, rural Torrance County and all of that beautiful open land is not a giant dog park it belongs to your neighbors so please be a good neighbor, respect the private property of others and keep your dogs safe by leashing them and walking them if appropriate areas.

WANTED: HOUSE CLEANER

Need some one to clean a house in Mountainair for a move in ASAP. Carpets, general cleaning, if interested, call 505-847-2220 reply to this post or email me at George@WhisperingRange.com

Thanks.

Mountainair Farm & Garden Market Opens May 5th

The Farm & Garden Market opens Thursday, May 5, Cinco de Mayo, 3-7pm, in front of the Dr. Saul Center celebrating with food and music - we're inviting local organizations and businesses to share in the festivities by hosting an informational booth! If you are a biz or a part of a group who would like to participate, distribute your promotional materials, sell crafts or food, or even play an instrument, the cost is $5 for a 10'x10' space. This money is used to pay the Town for the $10ea they're charging us, to pay our membership with the NM Farmer's Market Assoc, and other misc. costs. Contact me here; this invitation is good for any week, not just the opening.

Hope to see you! Kristine Lauritsen, 619-995-3600

Manzano Mountain Art Council - Sweet Retreat

Manzano Mountain Art Council wants you and your ideas at our Sweet Retreat!
(Click Here For PDF Flyer)
Complimentary Desserts, Coffee/Tea, Exciting Announcements, & Raffle

Saturday, February 19, 2011
Alpine Alley Cafe, Mountainaiar, NM
1:00 pm until done :)

Raffle: 

Chances to win one of 3 Beautiful works of art by Celest Simon, Tomas Wolff, and Anne Ravenstone. 
Art work is on display at B Street Market.
Raffle Tickets are available for $5 each or 5 tickects for $20 and can be purchased at Cibola Arts Gallery, B Street Market and at the retreat.

Chamber February Meeting Called Becuase of Snow

The monthly meeting of the Mountainair Chamber of Commerce has been canceled due to snow.  The next meeting will be held in March. 

Save Money On Your Phone and Television Services with Higher Speed Internet

Higher Speed Internet service are always looking for ways to complement and expand service to their customers.  Compare your current long distance phone rates and television services you have now with the packages Higher Speed can offer you.  Also, they are now providers for live VIDEO PHONE!  How cool is that!

Visit the following link for more information:

http://higherspeed.shopacnrep.com/
Services for both home and business!

Tell them George suggested you check their services out!

Ande Marimba Band - Tomorrow

Just a quick reminder that the Ande Marimba Band will be playing tomorrow (Friday, November 12, 2010) at the Mountainair Elementary School Gym.  Click Here for more even information: http://mountainairarts.org/_Media/mmac_marimba_20101112.jpg

Hope everyone can attend and HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME!

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.