The Socorro Public Library kicked off its summer reading program Tuesday with a magic show presented by Jamie O’Hara – The Magic Guy. This summer’s reading program theme is “Make A Splash At Your Library,” and O’Hara’s magic show featured magic tricks and lessons on “H2O.” The library’s Jeanne Griffith said readers are competing to win one of three bicycles to be awarded at the end of the reading program. Above, O’Hara tries to straighten out an unruly magic wand for Lauren, an audience volunteer.
Friday, June 18, 2010
The Magic Guy
The Socorro Public Library kicked off its summer reading program Tuesday with a magic show presented by Jamie O’Hara – The Magic Guy. This summer’s reading program theme is “Make A Splash At Your Library,” and O’Hara’s magic show featured magic tricks and lessons on “H2O.” The library’s Jeanne Griffith said readers are competing to win one of three bicycles to be awarded at the end of the reading program. Above, O’Hara tries to straighten out an unruly magic wand for Lauren, an audience volunteer.
Murder Suspect’s Bond Set
By John Larson
SOCORRO - John J. Hayden, 56, of Socorro, made his first appearance in Magistrate Court Thursday, June 10 to answer a criminal complaint charging him with three felonies, including one open count of murder, aggravated battery against a household member, and kidnapping.
Magistrate Judge Jim Naranjo set Hayden’s bond at $750,000 cash only.
The charges stem from events surrounding the death of Theresa Saiz-Chavez on June 8.
Hayden was arrested last Wednesday, June 9, after a State Police investigation found evidence linking him to the woman’s death.
His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, June 22, at 10 a.m. in Magistrate Court.
Attorney Lee Deschamps is initially acting as Hayden’s defense attorney.
Socorro Police Detective Richard Lopez told the Mountain Mail that Tuesday, June 8, officers “did all they could to locate the car” from which the cell phone call came.
“We got the call [from Theresa Saiz-Chavez] at about 7 a.m.,” Lopez said. “The dispatcher did a good job. She was very hysterical, but gave Hayden’s name, and a description of her car. She mentioned Hayden lived at the Valverde Hotel, and that she thought she might be somewhere near there.”
Lopez said the dispatcher told her to look for an inside trunk handle, “look for a truck handle, he repeated.”
Saiz-Chavez then told the dispatcher the battery on her phone was low, he said.
“She told him, ‘my phone is beeping,’ She was panicky and he kept her calm, saying ‘I want to help you’,” Lopez said. “The dispatcher tried to locate her phone, but her older cell phone was not GPS capable. The Dodge Neon did not have inside trunk handle, and there was a frame between the trunk and rear seats.”
Officers were then dispatched to the Valverde and surrounding neighborhood.
A second officer began looking for Hayden’s Ford Focus.
“We finally tracked him down and he volunteered to come to the police department, and he was questioned about the call from the car,” he said. “Hayden said he had gotten into an argument with Theresa the night before, and that she was probably just mad at him.”
He said police didn’t have enough probable cause to question Hayden further. “After a point it could be a case for ‘unreasonable detention’,” Lopez said. “An officer must conclude the interview after a point if all resources are exhausted.”
He said the officers were kept mindful of anything a defense attorney could use to jeopardize the prosecution in court.
After searching for several hours, they came to the department to re-group, and started a new search within the entire city limits, “going all around town, neighborhood to neighborhood.
“Officers continued throughout the day and the search was passed on to the next shift,” Lopez said. “Then at one point they said we need help and sent the BOLO (Be On the Look Out) out to all law enforcement in the county.”
Lopez said all officers were called in, “including every officer that was off that day.”
Then the report of a drive-by shooting was called in at about 11:30 p.m.
“Officers were looking for that vehicle and set up a perimeter in the area. The green Dodge Neon was found within that perimeter at about midnight. It was her car.”
Officers opened the trunk and found Saiz-Chavez, and immediately contacted State Police.
Saiz-Chavez’s green Dodge Neon was found under a bridge off Chaparral Drive by Socorro police, but that spot was outside the city limits.
According to Socorro police Sgt. Richard Lopez, the investigation was turned over to State Police to avoid jurisdictional issues or conflicts.
“Even though our officers found the car, we knew to investigate the case in the most effective way was to have one agency handle it,” Lopez said. “The defense will take advantage of any reason they can to have the case thrown out, or to have cause for an appeal. We wanted to make sure there were no loopholes.”
“We processed everything within the city limits, but decided that since the crime was outside our jurisdiction, the State Police should be the primary agency to do the investigation,” he said. “The officers did as good a job as could be done.
“Our guys gave it 110 percent; expanding the canvassing area, running license plates. Plus, there were other calls coming in to dispatch during this period.”
He said upgrades to the dispatch center to be GPS capable are in place, but the system cannot be implemented until they get the tower data from cell phone companies.
“Our system here is not out of date. The problem is not the state, not the county. We’re waiting on cell phone companies. That’s the hold-up,” Lopez said. “Calls from land lines are showing up on our screen. Showing the exact location on a map to within ten feet.”
He said 10 years ago most all 911 calls were from land lines.
“Now out of 37 calls we got in one day last week, only three were from land lines,” he said.
One of the tragedies here, even if we had the data from cell phone companies, was that the victim’s cell phone was older and did not have GPS capability. With older phones the call would just show a blank screen.”
He said the cell phone companies have until the end of this year to get the data to the Socorro dispatch center.
If convicted on all counts, Hayden, who is originally from Rhode Island, faces life in prison on the murder charge, 18 years for kidnapping, and three years for aggravated battery on a household member. He could also be fined $20,000.
Magdalena Marshal's Blotter
Information for the following items was provided by the Magdalena Marshal's office.
May 27
An off duty officer spotted a male subject who drove his vehicle upon the curb at the Magdalena Café at about 2 p.m. The subject, a 16 year old juvenile, then took down his pants and urinated on the sidewalk. He was arrested for DWI and disorderly conduct. The subject blew a .19 blood alcohol level.
May 28
A subject was stopped at 12:10 a.m. on First Street for no tail lights. The driver was arrested for DWI and blew a .09 blood alcohol content level. The driver also had an outstanding warrant out of Socorro Magistrate Court.
June 2
An officer responded at 10 a.m. to a two vehicle accident in the vicinity of Trail’s End Market. A report was taken and no injuries were reported.
June 5
An officer stopped a vehicle at 4:48 p.m. on First Street because the officer knew the female driver was driving on a suspended or revoked license. She was taken to the Socorro County Detention Center.
June 9
An officer arrested a female subject at 6:30 p.m. on two outstanding warrants from Socorro magistrate Court. She was taken into custody after she appeared in a Municipal Court setting for fighting with another woman.
June 13
An officer responded to a rollover accident located near mile marker 2 on Highway 169 at 1:30 p.m. The female driver had rolled her vehicle three times and was ejected after overcorrecting her vehicle. She was transported to Socorro General Hospital for treatment. Charges are pending.
June 14
An officer was requested at 7:30 a.m. to a possible domestic in the 100 block of Chestnut. The parties were separated.
An officer was requested at 1:30 p.m. to assist Adult Probation and Parole in Alamo on a release case.
Old Timer’s Reunion Plans ‘Coming Together’
By John Larson
MAGDALENA – Preparations are underway for the 40th Annual Old Timer’s Reunion Weekend coming up July 9-10-11, and the Magdalena Village Board Monday night approved some of the funding for needed renovations to the rodeo grounds area.
Old Timer’s coordinator Donna Dawson said some repairs need and asked the board for help with the cost.
“We have a replacement swamp cooler, donated by Charlotte and Chad Perkins, for the Arts and Crafts building, but need to pay a plumber or somebody to install it,” Dawson said. “Also there may be a need for new doors to the building if they cannot be repaired. So we may have to buy new doors.”
The board asked about security around the barbecue pit, and Dawson said the pit needs to be re-lined with concrete.
“The steel lining is badly warped and needs to be replaced. A permanent concrete lining is one option,” she said. “We also will be installing a permanent fence around the pit for safety’s sake. It would have to have one side that can be taken down to make room for the backhoe. We’re waiting for an estimate right now.”
Dawson said the grandstand will need to be repaired in places, including the roof.
“Otherwise everything is coming together,” she said.
The Old Timer’s schedule is virtually unchanged from last year. The Murillo Brothers will be playing for the street dance, and music for the Saturday night dance at the school’s Fine Arts Building will be provided by DJ Heavy C Carlos Vega.
In other Village Board business:
• Mayor Sandy Julian has given Magdalena residents permission to burn weeds and dry grass on their properties on any day between now and June 30. “This is what I want, to make sure everything is cleaned up and ready for Old Timer’s,” Julian said. “This needs to be done before the Fourth of July.
“With so many people shooting fireworks off there will be less dry weds to catch fire.” Fire Chief Art Rauschenberg suggested the village try to acquire 50 gallon drums for stashing dry weeds “that could be burned later within the confined space.” He said he would look into how to locate the needed number of barrels.
• The board named Ed Sweeney the new Emergency Services Coordinator on the recommendation of Rauschenberg.
• The board approved the appointment of members to the Lodgers Tax Advisory Committee: Bonnie Decker, Danielle Fitzpatrick, Demaris Jents, Laura Kerr and Lori Scholes.
• The board voted to allot $2,000 in Lodgers Tax money for the advertising of the Single Action Society’s New Mexico State Championship to be held on property owned by Rancho Magdalena in September. The event is sponsored by the Magdalena Trail Drivers.
• The board approved the purchase of four bullet proof vests for the Marshal’s office, and a water cooler for Municipal Court,
• The board approved the appointment of members to the Library Board: Bruce Holsapple, Clara Lucero, Bryan Romkey, Susan Stolfa and Don Wiltshire.
• Joint Utilities Director Steve Bailey reported that two speed bumps have been installed at Tenth and Main at the request of Mayor Julian.
Environmental Dept. Credits Quick Response
By John Severance
On May 6, about 10 minutes before 5 p.m., Raj Solomon’s telephone rang.
Solomon, the program manager for the New Mexico State Environmental Board, had just been notified to get to Socorro as soon as he could.
“The South Carolina Department of Health notified our state health board late afternoon on May 6 to say that there were three cases of legionella and that it was very serious and it was at the Best Western (Inn and Suites) in Socorro,” Solomon said.
Solomon, two inspectors from the Environmental office and another person from the health department hopped in their state vehicles and left Albuquerque, arriving in Socorro around 9:30 a.m. on May 7.
Solomon said the health department took eight water samples and 15 swab samples and that one of the 15 swabs came back positive for legionella, the bacteria that causes Legionnaires Disease.
Solomon could not provide names of the people infected in South Carolina. But he said there were two males and a female and they were all firefighters attending an explosives seminar at New Mexico Tech.
Solomon said the victims were at the hotel either the last week of April or first week of May and that two of three victims had been hospitalized.
Solomon said all the victims have been released from the hospital but one of them spent some time in the intensive care unit.
Solomon instructed the hotel, owned by Socorro mayor Ravi Bhasker, to close the pool and spa until further notice.
“What’s key is that we responded right away,” Solomon said.
Bhasker and his hotel staff have been proactive in trying to correct the situation and the mayor still does not believe that the Best Western is the source of the legionella.
Bhasker hired Evidenced Based Solutions, a consultant from Chicago and EBSol retested the facility on May 26.
EBSol president Gunner Lyslo said that preliminary results on those tests have come back clean but he stressed those results were preliminary.
Final results were not available at press time, but they were expected to be known this week, Solomon said.
“Either way, they will have to do a remediation based on the consultant’s test.
“(EBSol president) Gunner (Lyslo) will recommend the pool and spa operate at twice the recommended level of bromine levels,” Solomon said.
“Instead of two parts per million, he will tell them the level should be four parts per million.
“The results should be in soon. They will call us out and we will reinspect them again.”
Man, 3 Women Arrested In Alleged Drive-by Shooting
By John Larson
SOCORRO – A Socorro man, Carlos Alvarado, 22, was bound over to District Court following a preliminary hearing in Magistrate Court Wednesday for his part in an alleged drive-by shooting that occurred Tuesday, June 8.
Three women were also arrested in connection with the incident.
According to the criminal complaint, Alvarado, Rhiannon Savedra, 28, Marcella Alvarado, 21, and Annette Lucero, 26, were each charged with two fourth degree felonies; shooting at an occupied dwelling and conspiracy. In addition, Alvarado was charged with felon in possession of a firearm, felon fleeing, and tampering with evidence.
A preliminary hearing for Rhiannon Savedra has been continued until Aug. 4. She was released Wednesday.
In the report filed by Officer Rocky Fernandez, evidence indicated that Carlos Alvarado, Rhiannon Savedra, Marcella Alvarado, and Annette Lucero were in a car from which several shots were fired, hitting two residences.
The complaint said that officers were dispatched to the 500 block of Second Street at 11:36 p.m.
Witnesses at the residence said that Alvarado and Savedra “were coming up to the stop sign at Ivy and Second when some yelling started, and then someone in the vehicle Alvarado and Savedra were operating started shooting and they all began to run and hide.”
Fernandez counted four bullet holes in the mobile home as well several on the left side of a parked Ford pickup truck. The pickup was also leaking gasoline, indicating the fuel tank was hit. One bullet hole was also found in the trailer next door.
The officer found several spent shell casings on the roadway, leading from the stop sign at Ivy and continuing onto Second Street in a circular direction.
In the meantime, Capt. Angel Garcia reported to dispatch he was in pursuit of one of the suspects in the drive by, Carlos Alvarado. Garcia pursued the vehicle “around Chaparral Drive, down Cassady, around the ditch bank, and back to Carlos Alvarado’s residence located at Shady Nook Trailer Court,” where he apprehended Alvarado.
The weapon believed to be used in the drive by shooting - a 9mm Beretta handgun belonging to Carlos Alvarado - was eventually found on Cassady following a perimeter search.
During that perimeter search the vehicle involved in the Theresa Saiz-Chavez death was located.
Assistance For Vets
Theresa Zuni, New Mexico Veterans Affairs service officer will hold office hours from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, June 25, in the council chambers at Socorro City Hall. This is an opportunity for military veterans to voice their concerns and ask questions about their benefits.
Zuni will be able to help vets with paperwork or address questions concerning veterans affairs. All veterans – from Socorro, Magdalena, Alamo, and surrounding areas – are welcome. Vets are requested to have with them their DD-214 and any other pertinent paperwork .
Zuni will be able to help vets with paperwork or address questions concerning veterans affairs. All veterans – from Socorro, Magdalena, Alamo, and surrounding areas – are welcome. Vets are requested to have with them their DD-214 and any other pertinent paperwork .
Fourth Of July At Macey
Fourth of July festivities at New Mexico Tech's Macey Center feature a full day of live music, along with a water slide, jump balloon, and barbecue.
Sponsored by the Performing Arts Series, City of Socorro, and EMRTC, there is no charge for the music, but food will be sold onsite.
Sponsored by the Performing Arts Series, City of Socorro, and EMRTC, there is no charge for the music, but food will be sold onsite.
11 a.m., Socorro Community Band Noon, Martial arts display by the Tech Martial Arts Club and Socorro Martial Arts Academy 1 p.m., Clan Tynker: juggling, magic, stilt-walking, comedy 2:15 p.m., Stasia-Marian-Jim Band: country, folk 3:30 p.m., Syd Masters and the Swing Riders: Western swing 5:30 p.m., Robbie Jude: Spanish music 8 p.m., Remedy: variety After dark, about 9:30 p.m., fireworks. Organizers ask that people do not bring fireworks to the concert site.
I-25 Accident Sends 4 To Hospital
SOCORRO – An accident on Interstate 25 north of Socorro involving a semi tractor trailer and a pickup truck sent four people to the hospital Wednesday afternoon. Both north and southbound lanes at mile marker 164 on Interstate 25 were closed from early afternoon to 4 p.m.
According to State Police Officer Rolando Ramirez the pickup truck, pulling a small trailer, was southbound at about 1 p.m.
“It was going downhill, picking up speed, and began to fishtail,” Ramirez said. “The driver of the pickup lost control and went into the median and straight into the northbound lane, and hit the semi. The impact occurred in the northbound lane.”
He said the drivers of both the pickup and tractor trailer were transferred to Socorro General Hospital. Occupants in the pickup were airlifted to UNM Hospital.
The names of the injured and their conditions have not been released as of press time Wednesday.
According to State Police Officer Rolando Ramirez the pickup truck, pulling a small trailer, was southbound at about 1 p.m.
“It was going downhill, picking up speed, and began to fishtail,” Ramirez said. “The driver of the pickup lost control and went into the median and straight into the northbound lane, and hit the semi. The impact occurred in the northbound lane.”
He said the drivers of both the pickup and tractor trailer were transferred to Socorro General Hospital. Occupants in the pickup were airlifted to UNM Hospital.
The names of the injured and their conditions have not been released as of press time Wednesday.
Socorro Man Arrested After Stabbing
By John Larson
SOCORRO - A Socorro man was arrested last Thursday, June 10, in connection with a knifing which occurred at a Park Street residence.
According to witness statements in the criminal complaint, Jonathan Scott, 19, stabbed Jason O’Connell several times following a confrontation between the two. He has been charged with aggravated battery, a third degree felony; and tampering with evidence.
In an interview with police, witness Nina Lucero, Scott’s wife, said that earlier that day Jason O’Connell had come by to retrieve some milk that he had left in her refrigerator, but nothing happened because O’Connell did not enter the residence.
She said that at about 3:30 p.m. O’Connell came by a second time. She said that O’Connell was outside talking to the other witness, Denalda Baca, and that Scott became upset seeing O’Connell outside.
Lucero said that Scott tried to go outside to confront O’Connell, and that she tried to stop him, but he pushed passed her and ran outside with the knife in his hands, and began stabbing O’Connell.
Baca confirmed Lucero’s statement on the incident. “Denalda Baca said she was standing next to Jason O’Connell’s vehicle when Scott came running out of his apartment and attacked Jason with a knife, stabbing him several times,” the report said.
Lucero said Scott dropped the knife and she grabbed it and threw it to the side. O’Connell fell to the ground, and she put him into his car and drove him to the hospital.
The complaint said that Scott then immediately fled the scene, taking the knife with him.
Officer Dennis Sedillo began a search and was able to locate Scott, who was taken into custody.
Scott, whose clothing was still saturated in blood during the interview with police, said he threw the knife onto the roof of one of the apartments in the complex.
The knife, which had been smeared with blood on both the blade and the handle, was retrieved from the roof.
Scott’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday, June 17.
OBITUARY: Mary Theresa Saiz
Mary Theresa Saiz(July 22, 1959-June 9, 2010)
Mary Theresa Saiz, 50, passed away Wednesday, June 9, 2010 in Socorro. Theresa was born on July 22, 1959 in Socorro to Tobias M. and Polly (Santillanes) Saiz.
She is survived by her loving and devoted parents, Toby and Polly Saiz of Lemitar, NM; her loving children, Erika Baxter and husband, Matt of Maricopa, Ariz.; James Chavez of Socorro; and Clarisse Chavez also of Socorro; her devoted sister, Janice Blevins and husband, Joe of Bosque Farms; a loving brother, Toby C. Saiz of Los Lunas; her grandson, Cullen Baxter; 2 nieces, Sandra Griego and husband, Eric; and Paula Raley and husband, Jason; 1 nephew, Bobby Nash, great niece and nephew, Alyssa and Jacob Raley; uncle, Rocky Santillanes; and aunts Isabel Padilla; and Helen Garcia.
Theresa was a lifelong resident of Socorro. She had a passion for helping people, young and old alike. She provided 12 years of local childcare and was a former Aerobics Instructor in Socorro and was involved in Aerobics in Los Lunas. Theresa also was involved in “Relay for Life” Cancer Walk. She was a member of San Miguel Catholic Church.
Theresa was preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents and her uncle Donie Santillanes.
A Rosary was recited on Saturday, June 12, 2010 at 10 a.m. at San Miguel Catholic Church in Socorro. A Mass of Resurrection was celebrated Saturday, June12, 2010 at San Miguel Catholic Church with Father Andy Pavlak as Celebrant. Burial took place in the Lemitar Cemetery. Pallbearers were Joe Blevins, Matt Baxter, Marty Chavez, Kenny Torres, Kenny Gonzales, and Jason Raley. Honorary Pallbearers were Bobby Nash and Eric Griego.
Those who wish to send condolences may do so at www.danielsfuneral.com. Services have been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services, 309 Garfield, Socorro, NM 87801, (575) 835-1530
OBITUARY: Benjamin R. Rivera
Benjamin R. Rivera(Sept. 24, 1926-June 14, 2010)
Benjamin R. Rivera, 83, passed away on Monday, June 14, 2010 at his home in Socorro. Ben was born on September 24, 1926, in Belen to Miguel B. and Maria Gertrude (Romero) Rivera.
He is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Cindy J. (Hubbard) Rivera of Socorro; his devoted daughters, Maria G. Rivera and companion, Anthony Turrietta of Socorro; Elizabeth A. (Rivera) Russell and husband, Eric of Albuquerque, NM; and Theresa A. (Rivera) Rosales and husband, Tommy of Lemitar; 7 grandchildren, Savannah; Brianna; Shaianne; Stephen; Elijah; Tomas; and John Benjamin; and sisters, Tita Sanchez of Socorro; and Alice Costa and husband Richard of Fremont, Calif.
Benjamin was a resident of Socorro for the past 30 years. He served in WWII with the US Marine Corps and was a member of the 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus and a professional Butcher for over 20 years in California. He worked for New Mexico Tech as a groundskeeper, retiring in 1986 after 12 years of service.
Benjamin was a life long Catholic and a current member and Eucharistic Minister of San Miguel Catholic Church in Socorro. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Ben enjoyed the outdoors.
Benjamin was preceded in death by his son, Anthony Rivera, January 3, 2004; sisters, Sr. Marianna Rivera; Nina Cordova; Dessie Gonzales; and brothers, Daniel, Tony, and Joe Rivera.
A Rosary will be recited on Friday, June 18, 2010 at 7:00 PM at San Miguel Catholic Church in Socorro. A Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated on Saturday, June 19, 2010 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in La Joya with Father William Sanchez as Celebrant.
Interment will take place in the La Joya Cemetery. Pallbearers are Eddie Austin, James Benjamin Rivera, Pete Sanchez, Robert Rivera, Ernie Cordova, Nigel Montano, and Seles Padilla. Honorary Pallbearers are Stephen Rivera, Elijah Russell, Tomas Rosales Jr., Roy Green, Robert Sorrels, Marcel Abeyta, Casey Hubbard, Eric Russell, Tommy Rosales, and Anthony Turrietta.
Those who wish to send condolences may do so at www.danielsfuneral.com. Services have been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services, 309 Garfield, Socorro, NM 87801, (575) 835-1530.
OBITUARY: De A. Gerard
De A. Gerard
(July 9, 1925-June 14, 2010)
(July 9, 1925-June 14, 2010)
De A. Gerard, age 84, passed away Monday evening, June 14, 2010 at her home in Socorro, NM. Funeral Services will be held Friday, June 18, 2010 at 2:00 pm at The First Baptist church in Socorro with Pastor Bob Farmer officiating. Interment will follow at Socorro Cemetery.
Those who wish to send condolences may do so at www.danielsfuneral.com. Services have been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services, 309 Garfield, Socorro, NM 87801, (575) 835-1530
EDITORIAL: Football Camp Draws Hundreds To Community
By John Severance
Editor
Editor
Socorro football coach Damien Ocampo will be hosting a football camp beginning Thursday at New Mexico Tech.
Action begins at 6 p.m. The format will be seven on seven and there are teams coming from El Paso and Arizona, Ocampo said.
In addition, there will be 19 New Mexico teams coming.
“It has gotten real big and it just keeps going,” Ocampo said. “It’s the fourth year we have been doing this and it brings over 600 people to town for these tournaments. It’s good for the community.”
The Mountain Mail donated $500 worth of pizza to the event along with Domino’s.
Our motto is "our Hometown Mountain Mail has a long history of being there for our schools every athletic and academic endeavor".
Top Mechanic
Danny Hicks, who works for the Socorro Consolidated School District, has been named mechanic of the year by the New Mexico Bus Safety Program.
The NMSBSP recognizes people around the state of New Mexico for their outstanding job and accomplishments in the School Bus industry. NMSBSP believes that school bus safety is the foremost important factor in school bus transportation.
Hicks was nominated by Annabell Romero, Transportation Director for Socorro Consolidated Schools. The awards banquet was held in Albuquerque, during the School Bus Driver Safety Competition at Manzano High School on June 5.
Hicks was selected as “Mechanic of the Year” out of 89 other school districts.
“We are very proud of Danny, Danny is definitely an asset to our school district.” Romero said.
Hicks is currently the head mechanic with the school district. He started as a substitute bus driver in 1997 and has been a full-time employee since 1999.
In nominating Hicks, Romero wrote, “Danny has an excellent rapport with students, parents, co-workers, and school administration. The respect that is given by his peers is genuine. Danny constantly challenges himself on ways on improving his skills as a driver and a mechanic. … Danny is an excellent leader and a true role model to all school bus mechanics across the nation.”
OMA Violations
When it rains, it also seems to pour. A couple of weeks ago, Attorney General Gary King was in town and one of the seminars was about the Open Meetings Act. Since then, the AG office announced its findings about New Mexico Tech and it also announced it was investigating the Village of Reserve for violations of the Open Meetings Act.
Pool Reopens
According to city councilor Michael Olguin Jr., the City of Socorro pool reopened its doors to the public Wednesday.
The pool has been closed since Memorial Day since the drowning of Socorro man Floyd Savedra.
Everybody, please be safe and also enjoy yourself in the heat of the summer.
Public swimming hours are Monday through Saturday from 1-4:30 p.m., according to the city website.
OPINION: Does the Tea Party Drink Tea?
Magdalena Potluck
By Margaret Wiltshire
By Margaret Wiltshire
Are they playing “let’s pretend” again? Like let’s pretend Multi-nationals are patriotic.
Patriotism, your choices are: A. Under God, B. America the Beautiful, C. Family Values or D. Bombs Bursting in Air. Let’s pretend this is a multiple choice question.
It has become “self-evident” that “pretending” is the national past time. There’s no better way to do it then at a tea party.
The English have been “pretending” at tea parties for hundreds of years. The original issue with England was how much would the colonies pay to “pretend” at tea parties.
The answer is, just about anything and everything, and like the British Empire, who cares if we have a right to the resources or not.
I’ll show you mine, you show me yours, passport, papers etc. Show me you are the United States of America as originally created and I may join the Daughters of the American Revolution. Otherwise, don’t tread on me or the Hispanics and others who may have gotten to these shores before my family, or since.
The reality, there is no Mayflower. No passage to a free and bountiful land. Multi-nationals own the planet, they think. “Americans” leaving, ”illegal(s)” coming is just running circles around our small globe.
We can pretend, as in blind man’s bluff, that government is offering us something.
Personally, Chief Seattle is my favorite leader. He offered us everything. The earth is our home, we didn’t make it, it made us. We endanger us.
The “Tea Party” message to multinationals, “How may I serve?” We called these people Tories once.
The multinationals are such considerate rulers too. In this desert state they only want our water. They don’t even want to pollute our air with unregulated industry. Instead they do business south of the border. That pollution floats upsteam above the Rio Grande. Thanks.
Thank you for paying Mexicans so well they don’t even want to come here looking for work. New Mexico is a job highway, not a work place.
The “real” jobs are with our multinational food industry. It’s illegal to come here without papers to look for work. However if you are willing to torture and chemically feed animals and plants to “enhance” the food of the world there are jobs available. We don’t send multinational food company CEO’s to jail.
Our state of welfare? Send the poor to jail for food, housing and health care. Leave the CEO’s available to support our economy. Blessings.
Of course we have to play the Western Civilization game, explained by Freud in Totem and Taboo. Let’s “take out” our Source so we are the Source. So the Universe, that we can get our hands on, and Mother Earth, (we know we can rape her) are in big trouble. This is not very advanced from tribal eating of Daddy’s heart.
It’s not just the Tea Party that wants to serve. At multi-national “tea parties”, the Republicans and Democrats are fighting over who gets to bring in cake and cookies.
President Obama just gave multi-nationals outer space, that’s a good upside down cake. We can’t handle what they do 3,000 feet below New Mexico, what they do 5,000 feet below the sea. Now we have to ask for a ride to see what they’re doing in space. Be assured, Multi-nationals can afford “star wars”.
Let’s focus on BP Oil or to put it another way, 80 percent of the fuel we use to keep “Bombs Bursting in Air”. You can watch the destruction of the large, absolutely beautiful, absolutely nurturing Gulf of Mexico, or the summer TV line up of psychopathic horrors.
Not all sociopaths cut up beautiful young women. Some make business, politics, or geology their major. So many channels to choose from. This country, “for the good of the people”, does not value socialists. Sociopaths, they catch our attention, very entertaining.
In the movie, “Precious”, a black teen from the ghetto is sexually, physically and emotionally abused. Most might accept that does happen. When she starts to leave the abusive situation (and that’s not easy), she finds social and peer support.
Daddy is KKK and you are pregnant by the families’ homophobic minister, being written off as “hysterical” (as Freud put it) might not keep you alive. Your dad’s a cop and “loves” the family black and blue. Your parents are “wasps” and you DO identify with “Precious”. Not tea party conversation.
Vote Chief Seattle or pretend real estate values.
Have a tea party, “just pretend”.
Save gallon cartons, paint them red to celebrate the water New Mexico “thinks” it owns and can “afford” to sell. We already have an island of plastic in the Pacific the size of Texas.
Focus on this good earth, this wonderful universe, survive.
OPINION: Arizona Immigration Bill Also Targets ‘Anchor Babies’
Can We Talk?
By Jack Fairweather
By Jack Fairweather
Not content with targeting the poor, the homeless, young and old, who attempt to cross the U.S./Mexican border into Arizona the people responsible for the racist Senate Bill 1070 that requires everyone, especially people with dark skin and/or accents, to produce citizenship papers on demand, are now ready to target infants who are born to “illegal aliens” in Arizona.
As almost everyone knows, the U.S. Constitution states that an individual born in the U.S. is an American citizen. Locals in Arizona refer to these children as “anchor babies”. That’s a term used, for the most part, by people who resent the parents who are not “legal” for staying in the country, even if they attempt to become citizens.
Well, Republican State Senator Russell Pearce, who claims to be a chief architect of SB 1070, which goes into effect July 29, has come up with a proposal that would deny citizenship rights to children born to parents who are “illegal aliens”. He says he thinks sentiment in Arizona is on his side and that he can get the bill through the legislature and to the desk of Governor Jam Brewer, who signed SB 1070 in April.
He may be right. The five court challenges to his anti-immigrant bill are pending. He says he’ll win all of the court cases. And he might. He has the backing of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, a group with strong ties to radical right wing white supremacist organizations. FAIR, a totally inappropriate acronym given the groups racist leanings, brags on its web site that it “assisted state Senator Pearce in drawing up the language” for SB 1070.
After July 29, if the five court challenges don’t halt SB 1070, at least temporarily, here’s a brief scenario that could well be repeated many times in Arizona. It happened to a resident of Coral Springs, Florida during March, April and May of this year The case is well-documented. The man was interviewed in Nogales, Mexico May 28, 2010. Pay attention, especially if you are dark skinned, have an accent, are nervous around police officers, drive an old truck, etc. Pay attention, whether you are “legal” or “illegal”.
The man, we will call him Mr. R. was driving in Coral Springs when he was stopped by local police. He was driving with an expired license. The police discovered he was not documented…he was “illegal”.
He was taken into custody and taken to the Broward County Jail. There he was told if he paid $100 he would be released. He gave the officers $100. Then he was told he would be held for 4 to 8 hours. Then he was told he would be kept until the next day. He was then taken into immigration detention. Four days later an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official visited him. He told the official his wife, whom he had been allowed to call, had retained an attorney for him and he requested to talk to the attorney. The ICE man, instead, told him to sign some papers he had for him. They were written in English. However, Mr. R. can read English . When he saw the papers were a voluntary deportation order he refused to sign them. The paper stated he did have a right to a lawyer….whom he never did see. He was taken into ICE custody and transferred to a private prison contracted by ICE. He spent six days there. On the fifth day another ICE official tried to convince him to sign a voluntary deportation order. Mr. R. refused and asked to see his lawyer. He was moved into a room with other detainees and the following morning taken to the Miami airport from where he would be deported. This despite the fact he had not signed the deportation order, had legal representation and thus, had an open case.
At the airport he was handcuffed. Two US Marshalls and an ICE official forced his hands open and forcibly fingerprinted the deportation order. He says he repeatedly told them he had a lawyer and wanted to continue his case. He told them he would not board the airplane with the other detainees. A U.S. Marshal then held a Taser to his neck and Tased him six times, twice on each side and twice in his shoulder. On the airplane the Marshal passed some of the time by going to Mr. R. and asking him how he felt now…in a sarcastic manner. The Marshal used his IPhone to take pictures of the Taser marks on Mr. R. Mr. R. was deported through Bali, Texas.
After that, human nature being what it is and family ties being important, Mr. R. tried to cross into the U.S. again and, again, was apprehended and taken to Tucson where, he says, on April 20 he witnessed a young detainee ask for a blanket. The guards refused and the young man asked if he could speak with his Consulate. His answer was to be Tasered. Mr. R. was sentenced to 30 days in Florence prison and then deported to Nogales on May 21, 2010.
He still has not spoken with the attorney his wife retained. Of course, he never again saw the $100 he gave the Florida cops. He has filed a complaint with the Mexican Consulate.
Jack Fairweather’s views do not necessarily represent those of the Mountain Mail.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
LETTER: Why Not SunZia Windmills?
To the editor
OKAY—I JUST DON’T GET IT! Is there really any VALID REASON for running all the proposed transmission lines all over the landscape? I thought that was the way power was transported “yesterday.”
There are LOTS of wide-open spaces and high winds in ALL OF THE AREAS shown on the recent map. So why not build SunZia wind turbines adjacent to the locations to be served. Certainly, large windmill presence can’t be anymore unsightly than multiple transmission lines.
Integration with existing electrical power should be planned in all locations to permit backup service in the event 1) the wind levels are reduced; and 2) service requirements exceed availability at peak levels. Having a local base of service also permits additional turbines when and if the local population grows.
I’m probably “odd person out” but it appears to me lots of lines with few proposed sub-stations is the wrong direction.
OKAY—I JUST DON’T GET IT! Is there really any VALID REASON for running all the proposed transmission lines all over the landscape? I thought that was the way power was transported “yesterday.”
There are LOTS of wide-open spaces and high winds in ALL OF THE AREAS shown on the recent map. So why not build SunZia wind turbines adjacent to the locations to be served. Certainly, large windmill presence can’t be anymore unsightly than multiple transmission lines.
Integration with existing electrical power should be planned in all locations to permit backup service in the event 1) the wind levels are reduced; and 2) service requirements exceed availability at peak levels. Having a local base of service also permits additional turbines when and if the local population grows.
I’m probably “odd person out” but it appears to me lots of lines with few proposed sub-stations is the wrong direction.
My Voice in the Electrical Wilderness,
Andrea Blodgett
Lemitar
Two Juveniles Arrested For Tire Slashings Around New Mexico Tech
By John Larson
SOCORRO – A malicious prank is costing two dozen vehicle owners in the Tech area several thousands to replace their tires. Socorro police have arrested two male juveniles in connection with a rash of tire slashings on Neel Street and on the New Mexico Tech Campus. Thirty-five tires on 24 different vehicles were punctured with a knife during the overnight hours of Thursday and Friday, June 10-11.
The vehicles were parked at residences in the 600 and 700 blocks of Neel, the Ben D. Altamirano Apartments, Baca Hall, and the Student Activities Center.
According to the police probable cause report, the two boys were picked up by New Mexico Tech police officers. They had in their possession of two knives and drug paraphernalia at the time, the report said.
Tech police contacted Socorro police, and Detective Rocky Fernandez took the two to the Socorro Police Department for questioning. The Socorro Police Department shares jurisdiction at Tech with the campus police.
Juvenile Probation and Parole Officers were contacted, and as both were under the influence, EMS personnel checked them out and cleared them for incarceration.
“When asked why they had cut all the tires, they both said they had taken some pills to get high and were just messing around,” Fernandez’s report said.
The teenagers have been charged with 24 counts of “injuring or tampering with a motor vehicle,” and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
They were transported to Santa Fe for incarceration.
County Talks Vacating Roads
By John Severance
SOCORRO - County manager Delilah Walsh brought up the subject of vacating roads in Rio Grande Estates and Tierra Grande Estates Tuesday night at the County Commissioners meeting.
Not everybody was on board with it.
Longtime Veguita resident Tom Kimball vociferously pronounced his opposition.
“I have lived in Rio Grande Estates since 1992 and I can not believe the County Manager and County Attorney are telling me those roads go nowhere and the roads not exist.
These roads do exist and I will challenge you if you vacate any roads in that area.”
Walsh said there are several roads named in the original subdivision plats that don’t and never did actually exit on land. In order for the County to make changes in that area and ensure proper addressing and road signage, it maybe in order to vacate all roads of that subdivision that do not have homes.
“This would help us narrow our scope of work and responsibity for roads that actually exit and would help us tremendously with cleanup for a better E911 program.”
In a memo, Walsh wrote that if the commission was interested a committee would be appointed of three freeholders to review the plats and aerial photos from the assessor’s office in order to determine which roads are actually used in the subdivision.
“This committee would then make a recommendation to the commission on which roads to vacate. At that point, the County can review our road maintenance and street signage to determine where we could better serve our constituents.”
Walsh added, “If we want to get services out to constituents, let’s do it with what we know.”
Nance, though, said there are some legal ramifications if the county vacates the roads.
“If we give this away, we will never get it back,” Nance said.
There is some history to this issue.
The Rio Grande Estates subdivision was originally created in the early 1960s. The state’s new subdivision lands, which require the county to maintain dedicated roads once accepted in a subdivision, came into effect in thelate 1970s. If the Rio Grande Estates subdivision had been presented to the commission when those laws were in place, it would never have been accepted by the County and would have been illegal, Walsh said.
“This are has been a problem for the County for nearly 50 years and we should start working on resolutions for future development and road work,” Walsh said. “We can come up with solutions that are best for the County and overall public safety of the area.”
Roads superintendent Marty Greenwood backed the plan as well.
“We can’t even tell where the roads are at,” Greenwood said. “I strongly support what the county manager has presented. It would cost $20,000 to $30,000 per mile to develop those roads out there.”
Walsh Claims Baca Shootout
By John SeveranceIn playing the Elfego Baca Shootout, it helps to have local knowledge.
Just ask Dennis Walsh, a 1996 New Mexico Tech graduate who is now a systems analyst for Tech’s NRAO.
Walsh won the unique golf event for the second time in four years as he took 15 strokes from the top of M Mountain to a 50-foot diameter finishing hole at EMRTC.
“As far as the golf itself, It was the best I had ever hit the ball,” said Walsh, who also helps out at the pro shop at the Tech Golf Course. “On the flats, I was hitting it 390 or 400 yards. It just worked out. The thing about the tournament is that so much of it is luck. You don’t go into the mindset of winning. I just got lucky.”
Walsh also won the event four years ago when he played with Sports Illustrated’s Rick Reilly, who wrote about the event as part of his book.
Walsh gave a lot of credit to his spotters.
“They are the most important people on your team,” Walsh said. “They are 30 minutes ahead of you and without them, you are lost.”
Walsh’s spotters were Tony Zimmerly and Jason Metzger, who are engineers at Tech and his brother Tyson Walsh, who took a few days leave from Fort Carson before being deployed to Afghanistan soon.
“They all did a great job,” Dennis said. “Tony and Jason are both engineers up there and they know the mountain so well.”
Dennis said his brother Tyson received a surprise during his spotting duties.
“He was face to face with a rattlesnake,” Dennis said. “It was about three feet away. He was like Whoa. That was the first time we had seen a snake.”
Dennis had his driver and wedge with him along with a piece of used carpet with a plastic tee sticking up from it. In addition, he carried two gallons of water and Gatorade.
Dennis teed off at 8:30 a.m. and was finished by 1:30 p.m.
“We did pretty good,” Dennis said. “Last year, we were done at 2:30.”
Dennis said every golfer should try the event at least once.
And what’s the best part?
“The view at the top of the mountain,” he said. “The view is definitely worth it.”
Finishing behind Walsh were Jessy Taylor (19), Scott Jameson (20), Loren Osborne (24), Primo Pound (28) and Frank Mayer (29).
Picture: Scorekeeper Mika Wild, spotter Jason Metzger, spotter Tony Zimmerly, golfer Dennis Walsh and spotter Tyson Walsh celebrate Walsh’s win in the Effego Baca Shootout Saturday at New Mexico Tech. Photo by Delilah Walsh
Close to $1,500 Raised At Auction
By Nathalie NanceDATIL -- At the Datil Community Center last Saturday you could get a good deal on anything from a brand new toilet seat to a karaoke machine at the auction benefiting the Datil Community Food Pantry.
About 150 people came to bid on household goods, tools, furniture, appliances, instruments, TVs, computer accessories, and more. All in all, there were more than 250 items, many of which had been donated. Around 30 volunteers, including auctioneer David Brown, were busy for most of the day carrying items, registering bidders or attending the little café.
On the lawn outside the community center was a flea market selling mostly books and clothes.
“We’re also trying to raise money for a new kitchen and bathroom for the church,” explained Midge Bishop.
After the auction, when expenses had been paid, more than $1.500 had been raised for the Food Pantry. In addition, Datil Presbyterian Church, Fur & Feather Animal Assistance, Northern Catron County Health Council and APAS of Socorro received donations.
This was the second annual auction in Datil, and another one is planned to take place next year.
“The work with putting the auction together is a big effort. It is nice the way the community comes together to do it. I’m grateful to anyone who volunteered and donated and to everyone who bought,” Anne Schwebke said.
Picture: Auctioneer David Brown entertained the crowd. Photo by Nathalie Nance
Reserve’s Chavez Honored
Mountain Mail ReportsReserve High School’s Vanessa Chavez was one of seven students to receive a scholarship from the Navapache Electric Cooperative.
A $2,500 Scholarship is awarded every year to a graduating senior from each of the seven schools in NEC's service area. Committees at the individual high schools choose the scholarship winners. This trip is funded by unclaimed capital credits. Other winners included: Quinta Perez, Alchesay High School, Elizabeth Porter, Blue Ridge High School, Kyle Honsinger, Mogollon High School, Monica Diaz, St. John’s High School, Alma Slade, Round Valley High School, and Teanna West, Show Low High School.
Quemado Fire Drill Draws Big Crowd
By Anne SullivanFor The Mountain Mail
At 8:30 a.m. on Friday, June 11th, all over Northern Catron County emergency responders received this page from the Sheriff’s Office in Reserve: “Quemado, Pie Town, Quemado Lake Fire Departments, Quemado and Pie Town EMS, Datil Fire Department as Mutual Aid and Catron County Fire Marshal. There is a fire at the Quemado School in the old gym involving students and members of the public. Please respond. This is a drill.”
And what a drill it was! Forty-four firefighters in full bunker gear and Emergency Medical Service personnel responded to the Quemado School where Quemado Fire Chief Jerry Armstrong, the Incident Com-mander, after doing a walk around to size up the situation, gave assignments to the various engine and water companies, located the fire, evacuated the premises, ventilated the building, set up hoses (both fire and water were simulated), and set up a staging zone where vehicles would park until assigned to a task.
All of this done while listening to two radios, reporting on the situation to dispatch in Reserve and answering questions from firefighters as they arrived from all over Northern Catron County. Catron County Fire Marshal Zina McGuire was there to consult and share the load.
Previously, Horse Mountain and Wild Horse Fire Depart-ments as well as Datil EMS were assigned to cover ‘real calls’ for Datil and Pie Town VFD’s should there be any during the drill. Fortunately there weren’t.
During the exercise various injuries were sustained and people were overcome by smoke inhalation (all of this also simulated). The patients were tended to by the EMTs and taken to hospitals by Quemado and Pie Town ambulances.
Firefighters wearing SCBA (self contained breathing apparatus) were inside the gym with hoses and ventilators when, at 10:30 a.m., every radio crackled with the order, “Mayday, Mayday. Everyone exit the building immediately, firefighter down!” Firefighters bearing hoses scurried out of the doors, as is the procedure.
Soon after, the word was given that the exercise was concluded and firefighters doffed their SCBAs to drink water, very necessary because of the extreme heat.
A tremendous amount of planning went into coordinating this event under the supervision of Catron County Fire Marshal Zina McGuire. Thanks go to Quemado Fire Chief Jerry Armstrong, Quemado Assistant Chiefs Sher Brown and Bill Lund, Quemado EMS Chief Cheryl Holliday, Pie Town Fire Chief Dan Lee and Pie Town EMS Chief Cyndi Lee, Quemado Lake Fire Chief Jim Campbell, Datil Fire Chief Bob Bassett and to everyone who responded.
After the trucks were loaded with their hoses, SCBAs and other equipment, Jerry Armstrong conducted an informative tour of the entire school and its grounds, pointing out the ‘need to know’ fire hazards for firefighters and escape routes for students and others. Then everyone retired to the Quemado Firehouse where the members from Red Hill served a tasty, healthy and most welcome lunch of six different salads plus cookies and brownies.
Following lunch, Fire Marshal Zina McGuire chaired an ‘AAR (After Action Review)’ during which, after input from Incident Commander Jerry Armstrong, Safety Officer Chuck Thompson, Accountability Officer Don Weaver and CISD (Critical Incident Stress Debriefing) Officer Norm Maisel, other fire department and EMS members spoke up with questions and suggestions.
All in all, the drill went very well and a lot was learned. Zina McGuire summed it up by saying,
“A fire does not behave one way for volunteers and another way for career departments. Volunteers need to pre-plan as much as we can for such an event as a fire at the school, so we will be ready and perform to the best of our abilities. ‘We will risk a lot…to save a lot, especially when that is someone’s life.’“
Next To Godliness, Sylvia Is Lacking
Sylvia
By Anne Sullivan
By Anne Sullivan
“Can’t you wave a wand and make it all go away?” Sylvia asked me, exasperation covering her face as the contents of my spare chair, serving as a hold-all, slid down upon her head when she made the mistake of wagging her tail.
“How I wish I could,” I said, picking up a half-read magazines from last August and totally forgotten books, some over-due at the library by weeks.
“Why can’t you?” Sylvia demanded. “Other people have houses that aren’t overflowing with stuff and junk.”
“How would you know, Miss Smarty?” I wasn’t in any mood for back talk from her, wanting only to finish reading the latest Mary Higgins Clark. “If I recollect correctly, you’ve never been in anyone else’s home.”
“I’ve seen people’s houses on TV. They’re all neat and clean with furniture nicely arranged. A place for everything and everything in its place. Not a speck of dust anywhere.”
“Those people must not have dogs,” I countered.
“Oh, but they do. Their dogs are beautifully and lovingly combed. They have gorgeous expensive beds to sleep in. They’re allowed to sleep on the sofa and chairs, too. And they have home-cooked meals three times a day.”
”We don’t have home-cooked meals here,” I snarled. “Home-cooked meals are not served to dogs who don’t bathe. I might point out that you have your own house on the porch. And do you keep that clean? No!”
“You don’t let me use the vacuum cleaner,” Sylvia grumbled.
“You’d break it, that’s why. And what’s the use of vacuuming when every time you go for a walk or run, you bring fresh dirt into your house and my house.”
“At least the dirt is fresh.”
“And so are you, young lady. Both houses would be cleaner if you would deign to take a bath, at least once a year.”
Sylvia tried another tack. “Gordo has three beds and he’s only been here a few years.”
“Gordo inherited all his beds from RingWorm,” I said. “And RingWorm never had any beds at all until people began feeling sorry for her.”
“I inherited my house from Daisy and then Sandy. It’s third-hand with no drains and quite old.”
“And very well-built, I might add. Plus you have a new bed inside my house and another new bed on the porch outside your house. Both those beds were purchased especially for you, Sylvia.”
“I suppose that took a lot of money. Money that you begrudge spending on me.” Sylvia’s face was the picture of sullenness.
“I’ll have you know that I don’t begrudge you anything even when you’re rude to me like now. It just so happens that your salary for the column in the paper eventually paid for your beds.”
“So maybe I could save up enough for my own vacuum cleaner,” Sylvia said truculently.
“Maybe. But you won’t save up any money if you don’t get to work and finish this column and get it off to the paper before the deadline,”
“Rats,” exclaimed Sylvia as she headed to the computer room which once upon a time was the library. “While I’m working on it, maybe you could take down the Christmas tree before it becomes a permanent piece of furniture in the living room.”
Quemado: Senior Center Activities
Quemado News
By Debbie Leschner
By Debbie Leschner
Quemado Senior Center Activities for the week include July 4 float decorating meeting on Wednesday, quilting and bingo on Thursday with exercise on Friday. Lunch menu: Monday – spaghetti and meatballs, Tuesday – chicken fajitas, Wednesday – chili relleno bake, Thursday – stuffed bell peppers and Friday – pork loin with gravy. All seniors are welcome. Please call the center at 773-4820 before 9 a.m. to make your lunch reservations.
Glenwood's Saturday Market is every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. off Highway 180 next to the Community Presbyterian Church. There will be some early season produce like spring greens, herbs, plants, various arts and crafts. Vendors are welcome.
The SW District 4H Horse Show will be held Saturday, June 19 at the Fair grounds in Reserve. It is sponsored by the Catron County 4H group and will begin at 8 a.m. Many different events will be feature. Awards will be present to the winners.
The Pie Town Old Town Pit BBQ and bake sale will be on Sunday, June 20 at 1 p.m. in Jackson Park, Pie Town. Adults are $5 and children under 12 are $3. Lunch includes BBQ beef, baked potato, salad, beans, and more fixings plus entertainment. Proceeds benefit the Pie Town Community Council.
The Local winners from the 4H Rodeo held on June 12 and 13 are: Layne Kellar took the Junior Reserve Champion on Saturday and was presented a buckle. Ben South competed in the Senior division and took 3rd place on Saturday and Reserve Champion on Sunday. Ben was also awarded a buckle.
The Reserve School Reunion for students, faculty, employees and everyone else associated with Reserve Schools is invited on June 25 through 27. For more information, contact 575 533-6599 or 575 533-6552.
Estrada Honored
Alisa Estrada, Administrator for the Catron County Medical Center in Reserve, received the Community Service Award from Presbyterian Medical Services (PMS). The award was presented on May 7 at the PMS board meeting in Albuquerque. “I never even expected it. I thought that is what you should do, help out where you can. It was definitely a surprise,” Alisa said.
Out of PMS's statewide employees, Alisa was chosen as one of 69 individuals to receive an award.
Alisa’s contributions to the people of Catron County does not stop with her working hours. She is involved in numerous committees and programs throughout the county such as Chair for the Catron County Health Council, Teen Health Advisory Council, Mountainair 4H Club leader, CowBelles, member and outgoing district president for the General Federation Womens Club of New Mexico.
Curious Crow Studio On Display At Chamber
By John LarsonSOCORRO – Paintings and other artwork from artists at Curious Crow Studio are on display this month at the Socorro Chamber of Commerce.
Natasha Isenhour, one of the working artists at Curious Crow (along with Margi Lucena and Diana Farris), said Socorro’s art scene is thriving, and some of the best artists are being represented at the studio.
Local artists at Curious Crow include Skeeter Leard, Sharon Fullingim, Georgette Evans Grey, Lee McVey, Iva Morris, Bill G. Lloyd and Todd McNeil.
Curious Crow artists are also making a name for themselves outside the studio.
Margi Lucena and Natasha Isenhour are showing a total of 20 pieces at the New Mexico Cancer Center in Albuquerque. That show opens Sunday, June 20, with a reception from 1:30 to 4 p.m.
Lucena is currently being featured in the June edition of Southwest Art Magazine.
Isenhour has been kept busy writing articles about art and creativity for the website fineartviews.com.
Leard has an upcoming show in Santa Fe at Marigold Gallery on Canyon Road, and was a prize winner in Women Artists of the West, a juried show in El Cajon, Calif. at the Oleg Weighorst Museum and Western Heritage Center.
Curious Crow Studio is located at 113C Abeyta St., next to the Stage Door Grill. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.
Picture: Artists Margi Lucena and Natasha Isenhour show off some the studio artists’ work at the Chamber of Commerce. Photo by John Larson
Butterflies At The Bosque
By John BertrandFriends Of The Bosque
The hot days of June bring out a kaleidoscope of colorful butterflies, and there may be no better place to observe them than Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.
To sweeten this opportunity, Steve Cary, Chief Naturalist for New Mexico’s State Parks and author of the newly published Butterfly Landscapes of New Mexico, will stage a public “lepidopportunity” at Bosque del Apache Saturday morning, June 19.
The event begins at 9:30 a.m. with an hour-long butterfly walk led by Cary on the Marsh Trail, limited to the first 30 people to call 575-835-1828 to reserve. The field walk is followed by an illustrated lecture and book signing open to everyone beginning at 10:30 a.m. in the visitor center.
New Mexico has more than 300 different kinds of butterflies, Cary notes in the introduction to his handsome new book; only Arizona and Texas have more. A list prepared by Cary several years ago for Bosque del Apache identifies 124 species in Socorro County. Participants in Cary’s June 19 Marsh Trail butterfly walk [a leisurely amble of one and a half miles: wear a shade hat, apply sunscreen and insect repellant] can expect to find a representative selection.
Butterfly Landscapes is more than a field identification guide to butterflies; it’s a travel companion, blanketing New Mexico and its myriad terrains which host butterflies. Interspersed throughout the basic text covering habitat and viewing tips are short essays featuring historical highlights and local butterfly lore.
The book is illustrated with Cary’s photographs of butterflies in their settings and surrounding landscapes. Copies of the book may be purchased in The Bosque Nature Store at the visitor center.
Picture: The Sara Orangetip male, although not a local species, will be featured in illustrated butterfly lecture by Steve Cary Saturday, Jun. 19, at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Photo by Steve Cary
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