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Image Courtesy of Mario Manzo
View more of Mario's work ON-LINE
Image Courtesy of Mario Manzo
View more of Mario's work ON-LINE
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February 9, 2024 Happy Valentine's Day
Weekly WeatherAlert: Winter Storm Warning until 05:00PM Saturday
Heavy snow. Additional snow accumulations between 6 and 12 inches above 9,000 feet with locally higher amounts of 12 to 18 inches on the highest peaks. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. Tusas Mountains Including Chama. IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Some roads may be closed. Significant travel delays are possible. AFFECTED AREAS: TUSAS MOUNTAINS INCLUDING CHAMA In GratitudeWe thank an anonymous donor for renewing the sponsorship for the Pueblo de Abiquiu Library and Cultural Center. We thank the library for all they do for our community.
Pueblo de Abiquiu Library and Cultural CenterThe Pueblo de Abiquiú Library & Cultural Center (PALCC) is most grateful to our generous (anonymous) donor for the renewal of our sponsorship. PALCC went through some changes and growth in 2023 and we are excited that things are rocking for 2024! We are partnering and working with the Abiquiú community including artists, authors, poets, musicians, travelers, engineers, scientists, organizations, businesses, schools, neighbors and friends to create new programs, events, workshops and more!
We appreciate the support we receive from our community including Rio Arriba County, private donors, our grantors (United Way, NM Children's Foundation, El Rito Art Association, and the Catholic Foundation) who have supported programming for the Library. We are grateful to our business donors including the Abiquiu Inn, Abiquiu Arts Council and Bode's General Store. All of this support helps keep our doors open and operations running. As we move forward we are excited to continue the good work of our past staff and board, and now create new opportunities and momentum for PALCC. If you would like to support, please go to http://www.abiquiulibrary.com . Stop and say hello - we are always happy to see you.! Tues - Friday 12-5 Saturday 10-3 Thank you Contributors and Paid SubscribersSusan S
Sally B Margo L Timothy D Barbara M Kathleen M Annie E Tariq S
Features
Previous Features
NCRTD Board Accepts State of New Mexico Funding Agreement for Española Workforce Housing Project DesignThe North Central Regional Transit District Board Directors unanimously voted on Friday, Feb. 2 to enter into a $500,000 funding agreement with the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) to complete the design and engineering phase of the District’s proposed workforce housing development in Española. The DFA identified the funding as part of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s Housing Initiative that was created to support innovative housing projects that are intended to relieve the affordable housing crisis taking place across New Mexico.
The development is planned on three vacant acres owned by the District behind its administration and maintenance facility on North Riverside Drive and Silkey Way Road. It is adjacent to a proposed seven-acre affordable housing development the city of Española is in the preliminary stages of planning. Both entities have come together to create a continuous workforce and affordable market rate housing developments on their respective sites. “The lack of affordable housing in the area has created challenges for the District to hire drivers and other essential staff required to restore services on many routes that have been suspended due to driver shortages,” said NCRTD Board Chair and City of Española Councilor Dennis Tim Salazar. “This funding is a first step to develop preliminary design and engineering documents for the project and we are grateful for the State of New Mexico and Governor Lujan Grisham’s commitment to provide affordable housing options across the state.” Project Background In 2022, the District completed a study in partnership with the North Central New Mexico Economic Development District (NCNMEDD) to determine the need for workforce housing and identify housing priorities for current staff. In partnership with the NCNMEDD, a pro forma document was developed to determine potential costs, revenues, funding strategies, conceptual layouts, and unit mix for an estimated $4.5 million project. The District is seeking a Capital Outlay Grant from the New Mexico legislature to fully fund the project. The design and engineering funding awarded by the DFA requires no local match, so the full cost of design and engineering will be funded through the DFA Housing Initiatives program. All funding must be expended by June 30,2024, the end of the State of New Mexico’s fiscal year. Read more ### The North Central Regional Transit District (NCRTD) connects communities and pueblos across 10,000 square miles throughout north central New Mexico, including Española, Los Alamos, Santa Fe and Taos. The signature Blue Bus™ provides service on 28 Fixed and Flex routes (26 of which are fare-free), two Demand-Response routes and one Dial-a-Ride service. Coming soon: MyBlue™, an app-based on-demand transit service for Taos and Española Board members of nonprofits serving Los Alamos and Rio Arriba Counties are encouraged to attend one of three brief and engaging workshops on Purpose Driven Board Leadership. Co-sponsored by the Los Alamos Community Foundation and United Way of Northern New Mexico, the sessions will be repeated in Espanola, Los Alamos and online during the last part of February. Advance registration is required. Lunch will be provided at the in-person sessions.
Led by Board Source Certified Governance Consultant Linley Daly, participants will learn the Four Principles of Purpose-Driven Board Leadership, the duties of the collective board, and the responsibilities of board members. We’ll play a game called “Yours. Mine. Ours” where participants test their knowledge of the board’s responsibilities, staff responsibilities and shared responsibilities. We’ll also digest the importance of fundraising, member expectations forms, and board evaluations. Q&A will follow. Dates, times and registration. Board members are welcome to attend whichever session meets their schedule. The Feb. 22 and 28 workshops are in-person only and the Feb. 27 workshop is online only. There are no hybrid sessions. • February 22, 11:30 am – 1 pm (check-in begins at 11:15) LANL Foundation Offices, 1112 Plaza del Norte, Española • February 27, 4:00 – 5:30 pm Virtual session via Zoom • February 28, 11:30 am – 1 pm (check-in begins at 11:15) SALA Event Center, 2551 Central Ave, Los Alamos To register, go to losalamoscf.org/ticket and select the session you wish to attend. To encourage in-person participation and networking, travel will be reimbursed for those traveling more than 10 miles. Though geared to board members, nonprofit staff and volunteers are welcome to participate. Questions or trouble registering? Email info@losalamoscf.org
Dear Acequia Community,
NMAA is pleased to announce that we will be starting the eighth year of our Farmer-to-Farmer training program, "Los Sembradores" in March 2024. Learn more about the program below, and please help us SHARE this opportunity with those who may be interested. We are currently accepting applications and encourage interested people to apply as soon as possible! Los Sembradores take part in a nine-month, intensive apprenticeship at the Chicoyole Farm, and are supported to work their own farm plots in their different home communities.
Apprentices gain skills and experience as acequia farmers, including traditional irrigation techniques and farming methods, as well as modern farming techniques that incorporate season extension, nutrient management, soil health, farm business planning, and regenerative agriculture. Los Sembradores Apprentices must be at least 18 years of age – and be able to commit to 18-20 hours of work per week from mid-March to mid-November at our demonstration farm located in Chamisal, New Mexico. Apprentices are PAID for their work with a bi-weekly stipend. Our program focuses on providing opportunities for rural and land-based New Mexicans who have connections to their ancestral acequia systems, but we welcome anyone with interest to contact us. Program Dates: Mid-March to Mid- November 2024 Click here to LEARN MORE about the program! APPLY for the 2024 program here! You can also share on our NMAA Facebook & Instagram!In Open enrollment for 2024 Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program begins February 15th Program served over 10,000 eligible seniors and elders last year
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) will begin accepting applications for the 2024 Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) starting Thursday, Feb. 15. The program, overseen by the state’s Women, Infants and Children program (WIC), provides income-eligible seniors and elders a shopper card with a one-time annual benefit of up to $100 to buy locally grown fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and honey at participating farmers’ markets and roadside stands statewide. Visit SFMNP for a list of locations. Funding for the program comes from Governor Michele Lujan Grisham’s Food Initiative program and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service. “Thanks to the continued support of the Governor’s Food Initiative, WIC Farmers Market Program has collaborated with state Aging & Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD) Aging Network and Human Services Commodity Supplemental Food Program coordinators, to distribute over 20,000 lbs. of fresh, locally sourced produce bags to eligible WIC and senior participants,” said Sarah Flores Sievers, New Mexico WIC and Farmers Market Director. "This additional funding has allowed us to exceed our target of a 50% increase in benefit redemptions compared to 2022.” “The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program benefits are valued not only by the senior recipients but by the local program providers who see the impact on senior nutrition and well-being,” said ALTSD Aging Network Director Denise King. “Incorporating a wide variety of locally grown produce can enhance the quality of life for seniors, keeping them healthier longer and helping to combat chronic health conditions.” WIC operates the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program in addition to the Farmers Market Nutrition Program for families eligible for WIC services. To qualify for the SFMNP, Native American elders (adults 55 and older) and Non-Native American senior adults (60 and older) who live in New Mexico, need to apply for the program to determine eligibility based on household size and individual senior income. First-time applicants are welcome and previous applicants must reapply to confirm they are still eligible for the benefits. This year, seniors have, for the first time, the option to apply online at shopper.soliportal.com. Paper applications are still available at any DOH public health office, specifically at the WIC front counter, as well as local senior centers, AAA and AARP offices statewide. For more information call (505) 469-0548, (505) 487-0904 or email doh.fmnp@doh.nm.gov 15% discount on all appointments scheduled for Feb 14
To schedule an appointment, use the link or QR Code below and click on Massage with Bobi. At check out, use the promo code ValentineMassage15 American Kestrel ambassador Amelia isn't playing peek-a-boo in this photo (fun as that might be to imagine) - she's taking advantage of her extremely flexible neck to preen the feathers behind her wing! Falcons like Amelia have more vertebrae in their necks than we humans have, which increases their flexibility so they can easily turn their head to see behind them or preen feathers in places that look like they should be hard to reach. Come visit Amelia and the other Ambassador Animals at NMWC, Tuesdays through Sundays from 9am-4pm!
Area FactoidsDid you know that in 1777 Governor Juan Bautista de Anza supported a project of linking the Sonora-New Mexico provinces?
~SB Abiquiu Lake: Fishing for all species was slow when using worms. The boat ramp will be closed periodically until April as part of dam maintenance efforts. Contact the Abiquiu Lake Main Office at 505-685-4371 for updated lake conditions and closure information.
Rio Chama: Streamflow below El Vado Lake Monday morning was 98.8 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiu Lake Monday morning was 52.7 cfs. Please remember, from the river-crossing bridge on U.S. Highway 84 at Abiquiu upstream 7 miles to the base of Abiquiu Dam is special trout waters with a bag limit of only two trout. Send us your questions and comments Email
Scene Around TownSend us your local images. Send to AbiquiuNewsImages@gmail.com Please send images under 1mb. My inbox will thank you. ~Carol
Art, Music and BooksThe Cooperative Extension office located at the Rural Events Center on Rt 554 in Abiquiú.
Friday, February 9th From 5:00 - 7:00 pm Open to all art-lovers and artists alike! Come learn about the Abiquiú Arts Council’s 2024 events. Share some food and fellowship and learn how you can get involved. If you are planning to exhibit as an artist during our October 12 & 13 event, you are strongly encouraged to attend! The New Abiquiú Studio Tour and Gathering of Artisans will be very different from past events and this is the place to become informed. Come share food and fellowship from 5:00 - 6:00. The meeting will start at 6:00 pm. You do not need to be an artist to attend! We look forward to seeing you there! At Abiquiu InnThe Locals’ Picks Book List
Zach Hively Casa Urraca Press has created a place for locals in our area to recommend books to each other, and a place to find book suggestions with a personal touch.
Have a book to recommend? Send it to Zach at casaurracaltd@gmail.com – title, author, and the reason you suggest it.
The full Locals’ Picks list is available to view here on Bookshop. A purchase from Casa Urraca's link helps support independent bookstores. Abiquiu’s Casa Urraca Press earns a commission from every shopping trip that starts with the above Bookshop link—you can shop the entire Bookshop site in addition to the locals' picks. Plus, a percentage of every book (at least 10%) goes straight to independent bookstores. This is an opportunity to support small businesses with the same convenience as large online retailers. Abiquiu Book Club
EventsPlease remember, events will go in for a maximum of three Fridays before the event. Send text, word or publisher file and a separate image, please keep images below 1 mb and send to info@abiquiunews.com. Vertical PDFs or JPGs will be edited for space. Send by Wednesday Noon for inclusion in that Friday's News.
Moving Arts Theater Española
At the corner of NM-68 and Eagle Dr., just north of the Ohkay Owingeh Casino Gas Station POSOLE MIO! Is a fundraiser for the Española Valley Opera Guild that features homemade posole and desserts and a wine and cider cash bar by Black Mesa Winery. Guests will also be able to enter a fun raffle and bid on silent auction items which will include original art and gift certificates to area restaurants and resorts. Entertainment will include live mariachi music by the local band Mariachi Euforia during the food and drink service from 1-2 pm. At 2 pm, guests will move into the theater (no food or drink allowed there) for vocal performances by Baritone Carlos Archuleta, Soprano Christina Martos and their daughter Marina Archuleta, a student at Los Alamos High School, all accompanied by Nathan Salazar. The Pojoaque Valley High School’s girls’ choir, Bella Voce, will then perform under the direction of Devin DeVargas. These vocal performances will be followed by the Moving Art Espanola Folkorico Dancers. The final performance will be 10-year-old soloist, Alani Rae Unzueta who will sing one song accompanied by her father on the piano. The Raffle and Silent Auction winners will then be awarded following the performance. Adults $20 | Children age 12 and under $10 | Free Parking Please pay by cash at the door Announcements and ClassesNeonatal Resuscitation. UNM EMS Consortium
Feb. 10th at Chama Fire Station, 0900 Free of cost. CE's available All are invited Ben A Massari, AEMT, FTO LCdP EMS, Chama F/R Join Us for Free Classes. If you have pre-diabetes, diabetes or are a caregiver of someone who is diabetic, join us to learn how to manage diabetes through knowledge and nutrition.
What is Kitchen Creations? A series of four classes on nutrition and cooking for adults with diabetes. What would I learn? How to plan and prepare meals that manage carbs and promote heart health. What would I need to bring? Yourself! We provide a workbook, diabetes cookbooks, and other resources to help you succeed in the classes and at home. If you are participating from a computer, other electronic device, or phone, we will mail your books to you. How much does it cost? It is free to participants through funding from the New Mexico Department of Health, Public Health Division, Diabetes Prevention and Control Program, the American Diabetes Association, and the New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service. Many organizations throughout New Mexico also sponsor Kitchen Creations cooking schools in their communities. |
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Café Abiquiú Specials
Feb 9th-10th Steamed Prince Edward Island Black Mussels in Sofrito White Wine Butter Sauce, Alliums, Herbs, Parmesan and Gilled Toast Points Feb 16th - 17th All February Specials Lost and found pets. Pets available for adoption are now listed on our Classifieds page.
Bass
It’s all about that Bass! This slinky, confident, suave cat is ready to strut around your home and purr til your heart flutters! Bass is a handsome hunk of orange tabby, and this 9mo 7lb boy is neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and available for adoption at the shelter! We are open to walk-in adopters 11am-4:30pm: www.espanolahumane.org 505-753-8662 Tofu
We are all obsessed with this sweet potato on legs. Tofu came to us covered in mud and absolutely torn apart after being attacked by another dog. Despite that trauma and all of the cleaning and stitching together he endured, Tofu has nothing but love in that squishy heart of his, plus silly smiles, rear-to-ear wiggles, and dancing tippy-tappy toes. This lowrider loves people - and TREATS! - and can’t wait to be your bestie for the restie with tons of couch potato snugglebug time. Come in and give him the cozy forever home he deserves: we are open to walk-in adopters Monday-Saturday 11am-4:30pm and Tofu goes home neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, microchipped, and with six months of free heartworm prevention! www.espanolahumane.org 505-753-8662 |
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