California Police Dogs Get Help From Socorro

By Rebecca Rose

SOCORRO – A woman from Socorro has once again made it possible to keep police dogs safe on the job.  Two dogs in Hemet, CA are the latest to receive armored vest from Susie Jean and Vest ‘N.D.P organization.
The new body armor will be used by K-9s “Fritts” and “Rosco.” Derek Maddox, Rosco’s handler, applied for the vest donations from Jean several months ago.  “Without a doubt, our K-9 partners obediently risk their lives every day to keep us out of harms way,” Maddox said, “The least we can do is try to protect them with the latest and best technology offered.”
Jean started the program in July 2002, moved by a news story about a police dog killed on duty.  Since then, Vest ‘N P.D.P. has donated 554 vests to police units throughout the country.
Armored vests can cost upwards of $1,500, and are designed to resist gunshots and knives. Tight departmental budgets often make it difficult for police to purchase them. 
Tough economic times have also meant a drop in donations. Jean relies completely on individual donations from the general public who call in, write or donate through the website. (the organization has never held a fundraiser).    Despite the downturn in funding, demand from officers seeking to protect their K-9 partners is still high.
“Police dogs don’t know we’re in a bad economy,” Jean noted.
Currently, she is working with State Representative Don Tripp to promote a bill which would make it mandatory for police departments in New Mexico to provide vests to all working dogs that are put in harm’s way.  Bill456 recently passed the House of Representatives, and now moves to the Senate.  Jean says her dream is to have a national law requiring the same.
Donations to Vest ‘N P.D.P. can be made online at http://www.vestnpdp.com/ or by calling 575-838-1772.

California Police Dogs Get Help From Socorro

Trapping Ban Set To Take Effect

By Rebecca Rose

SANTA FE - A six-month trapping ban will go into effect on Nov. 1, part of an effort to protect Mexican Grey Wolves.  The ban is a result of an executive order from Governor Bill Richardson issued on July 1 of this year.  
Richardson ordered the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish to prohibit trapping for at least six months, while they conduct a study to how trapping  impacts resettled wolves. According to Dan Williams of NMDGF, “It’s an effort to protect Mexican Grey Wolves.  The department will assess the risks the exact risks trapping poses to the survival of the wolf population.”
The ban applies primarily to the Blue Range Recovery Area in the Southwest part of New Mexico. Williams also points out that the order does not apply to all of the selected region.“The ban won’t apply to any of the private land.” he said.
Richardson stated he was enacting the ban to “increase the likelihood for the wolves to survive and flourish”. The wolves were reintroduced to portions of the Gila and Apache National Forests 12 years ago as part of a program by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 
Alarie Ray-Garcia, Communications director, explained the Governor’s reasoning for the ban.  “The goal was to restore at least 100 free-roaming Mexican Gray Wolves by 2005, but the population has not grown as planned,” Ray-Garcia said, “Today only 39 of them are surviving in the wild.  Trapping and snaring that occurs within the recovery area may well be negatively impacting the animal’s recovery.”
Opponents of the ban question its purpose. Laura Schneberger, President of the Gila Livestock Growers Association, questions the . “How are you supposed to study the impacts of trapping on Mexican wolves if you ban trapping for a minimum of 6 months?  How is the area supposed to deal with the rabies outbreak if our trappers are no longer identifying hot spots and reporting them?”, she stated. Schneberger also expressed doubt as to whether the majority of the traps where Mexican wolves were being caught in were government or private owned.
Governor Richardson’s Executive Order marks the first times a temporary ban on trapping and snaring has been issued by Executive Order in New Mexico.
In his statement, Richardson emphasized his belief that the traps and snares harm efforts to reintroduce the wolves tot their native habitats.  “The indiscriminate traps and snares in the Recovery Area are harming efforts to reintroduce the Mexican Gray Wolf to its native habitat,” the Governor said, “I am ordering this temporary ban to protect the wolves and increase the likelihood for the wolves to survive and flourish.”
“Afterwards, we expect the Department will pursue appropriate regulations to again allow trapping within the recovery area in the Gila and Apache national Forests only by use of traps and snares that pose minimal risk of harm or injury to these endangered animals,” Ray-Garcia said.
The governor’s study also directs the Department of Tourism to conduct a study on wolf related eco-tourism and possible economic benefits to the State.
In related news, hunter education classes are now available online.  Young hunters can now register for mandatory education classes through the Internet, using the Department of Game and Fish’s new program.   All that is required is a customer identification number, the same number used to purchase hunting, fishing and trapping licenses.   Identification numbers are free, and are obtained through the Department’s website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us, which also has a detailed list of classes available online.   
New Mexico requires persons under 18 to complete mandatory hunter education programs in order to apply for certain types of hunting permits and licenses.   
Interested students can call the Hunter Education Program at (505) 222-4731.
A comprehensive guide to the trapping ban is available at the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s website.

Trapping Ban Set To Take Effect

“Refuge Day” at Sevilleta

By John Larson and Rebecca Rose

Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge will host their annual “Refuge Day” this Saturday, Oct. 16.    The open house event features guided tours of the refuge, educational exhibits, activities for children and presentations with live animals.
Jeannine Kimble, Park Ranger with Sevilleta, said this year there are some changes. “Open House was done for about 10-12 years.  It was done in conjuction with La Joya, to bring people to Sevilletta. This year we are calling it “Refuge Day”.   There is no separate open house at La Joya this year.
Located just north of Socorro, Sevilleta is home to a rich and diverse ecosystem, reserved primarily for research.  Much of the refuge is closed to the general public for recreational use. But once a year, the park hosts a unique open house event, a chance for visitors to learn about the park’s unique habitat and wildlife.
The event includes special guided tours, hosted by conservation and wildlife experts, who are available to give their special insight during   presentations on the refuge.
Kimble said the goal is to get people to the refuge to learn more about it.  “Our main purpose is to educate people on the national wildlife refuge system.”, The event coincides with U.S. Fish and Game’s annual “Wildlife Refuge Awareness Week”, which seeks to inform the public at large about refuges.  “There are 150 across the United States. We want people to know we are here and what we offer. And they can explore the refuge, too.” said Kimble.
According to Kimble, the event is ideal for families and children. “This is a family friendly event. We have many activities for kids, and things that are geared for the whole family.” Events include a wildlife ID and tracking activity, , snake consever society. 2 mile trails that families can go explore.
“The best part of this day is seeing the diversity of Sevilleta,” said Kimble. “We have over 240,000 acres here, and seven different biomes. It’s a great opportunity to learn what goes on behind the scenes at Sevilletta.
The land that makes up the Sevilleta refuge has a long history.  A Spanish military outpost in the 1500s  and a cattle ranch in the early 1900s, the land was converted to a wildlife refuge in the 1960s by the family that owned it. The Campbell family established a foundation to maintain the land as a natural ecosystem.  The Foundation allowed for portions of the land to be used for educational and research purposes as well.  In 1973, the land was donated to the Nature Conservancy, which transferred the land to US Fish & Wildlife Service.  The Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge was established shortly thereafter, and has been a prominent part of Socorro County ever since.
Registration for “Refuge Day” is required, at a cost of $10.00 per person.   Spots on all of the tours are limited, so reservations are strongly suggested.  Visitors can register online at http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/newmex/sevilleta/  or by calling 505-864-4021.
 “Come prepared to have fun and learn about the refuge system.” said Kimble.

“Refuge Day” at Sevilleta

Landmark Play Comes To Socorro For One Night Only

By Rebecca Rose

A new play based on the acclaimed novel “Bless Me Ultima” debuts for one night only at the Macey Center on Saturday, Oct. 16, as part of New Mexico Tech’s ongoing “Performing Arts Series”.
The play is based on the 1972 book of the same name by Rudolfo Anaya.  It follows the story of Antonio Marez, and Ultima, a healer who comes to live with his family.  Ultima struggles to stop the witchcraft masterminded by the three daughters of the central villain, Tenorio.  Set in Guadalupe, New Mexico at the start of WWI, the novel deals with strong themes concerning evil, justice and the nature of God.  As young Tony witnesses several deaths, he must confront his own religious and moral issues.
 A vivid blend of puppetry, music, video and dance.  The cast is comprised of nearly 30 actors ranging in age from 11 to 70. Produced by the Vortex Theatre in partnership with the National Hispanic Cultural Center, the play comes to Socorro in the midst of a two-month Southwest tour. The play is directed by Valli Marie Rivera, who previously helmed the productions Lorca in a Green Dress and La Casa Azul.
Anaya himself wrote the stage adaptation, and worked closely with Vortex Theater members to shape the script.  Rivera fondly recalls working with the legendary author.
“He was having a blast.” She said. “He was very open, very giving and very generous.  We understand each other perfectly, him and I.  We speak same language, artistically.”
Angelo Jaramillo plays “The Author”, a character that represents Tony later in his life.   “To play the author is a great honor.” Jaramillo said.   Like the director, Jaramillo has a strong admiration for Anaya.  “He’s very intelligent, very astute. He’s a great voice for Chicano people, and we’re honored to still have him alive as a living legend we can still consult with.”  
Starring as Ultima is Juanita Sena-Shannon, who thinks the subject matter will have strong appeal for Soccoroans.  “I believe that the folks of Socorro will relate to many elements of Mr. Anaya's play,” she said. “You live among beautiful hills where, as Ultima says, ‘nature is alive’.  Your wilderness and bosques are endless with spiritualism bringing peace and wonder.”
 “It is a genuine New Mexican story, yet universal in its appeal,” said Rivera. “It shows how we are all different, be we are all connected. It gives merit to our ancestors, to all of the many different cultures that make up New Mexico.”  
Anaya’s controversial depiction of religion has often made his work a target for censorship, with the book frequently ranking high on the top 100 list of banned novels of all time.  But Sena-Shannon thinks the debate is misguided.  “I believe the controversy about Mr. Anaya's story resulted from misunderstandings about the basic battle between good and evil.  Ultima's power comes directly through her faith in God and prayer.”
Much of the story revolves around Tony trying to reconcile Native American beliefs with traditional Catholicism.  Rivera points out that the heart of the subject matter is about openness and unity, not religious discord. “It is the story of this boy trying to understand differences between different cultures and people. Trying to understand himself, where he should go, what he should accept,” she said. “It gives voice to all different beliefs. If you have an open heart, we would be in a better place. I think that’s his story, and for us that’s the most important part of the story.”
Jaramillo said that the play takes a subversive, yet gentle approach in its critique of Catholicism “What’s brilliant about Anaya is that he really explores the question of what is Faith, what is God. He highlights the realities of how we grow up in that institution.  It’s profound in it’s questioning of that.”
The play runs in Socorro for one night only, at the Macey Center on Saturday, Oct. 16, at 7:30. Tickets are $14 for adults, ($12 for senior citizens 65 and over), and $12 for youths (17 and under), with a $2 DISCOUNT if purchased by 5:00pm the day before the show.  Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance at NM Tech Cashier’s Office (second floor of Fidel Center), Brownbilt Shoes & Western Wear, and Sofia’s Kitchen. Admission is free to full-time New Mexico Tech students and pick up their tickets in advance at the Tech Bookstore. 
The Tech Club-Club Macey (TCCM) will hold a New Mexico-themed mixer  from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. before the event, complete with a homemade salsa contest open to all attendees.  TCCM is open for anyone over 21. There is a $5 charge for non-members.
For further information about the Socorro show, contact Tech’s Performing Art Series at 575-835-5688.

Photo courtesy of the Vortex Theater

Landmark Play Comes To Socorro For One Night Only

Mag Seeks New Librarian

By Rebecca Rose

Magdalena Village’s Board of Trustees met Monday Oct 11, and approved the start of the hiring process for a new librarian.  The deadline to apply for the position is Oct. 29.   The job also entails overseeing operations at the nearby Boxcar Museum. 
Other Agenda Items:
• Mayor’s Report  Mayor Sandy Julian discussed the possible sale of the Senior Center to the Village by the County.    Julian urged the Board to consider the sale if it is offered to them.
•EMS and Fire Report  Magdalena’s EMS crew added another EMT Basic to their roster. 
•Joint Utility Steven Bailey reported that they were working on adding a water tank to a transfer station. In addition, he stated that FEMA was working with the village to continue to assess the roads in terms of flooding issues.
•Marshall’s Report Marshal Larry Cearley requested funds to purchase ammunition to qualify himself and his deputies, for $296.25. In addition, he asked the village to approve purchase of glow sticks in the ammmount of $227.52.  Marshall Cearley explained that the sticks are provided to children during Halloween, as part of a safety effort.  The Board approved the Marshall’s office to pay for expedited shipping, to ensure that the sticks are delivered before Oct. 31.  The sticks are also used at traffic accidents. 

Mag Seeks New Librarian

Contracts Awarded to Safeguard Socorro County Mines

Mountain Mail Reports

SOCORRO – Earlier this week, the Mining and Minerals Division awarded contracts to several construction companies to safeguard mines across the state, including 9 in Socorro County.
“These projects will help ensure the safety of visitors to the area and preserve the integrity of historic mining districts,” said Bill Brancard, Director of the Mining and Minerals Division.
$88,608 was awarded to the St. Cloud Mining Company in Winston to work on the Socorro mines.  The contract also specifies the closure of an opening to protect a bat habitat underground.  The mines in Socorro produced manganese for the Strategic Stockpiling Program during the 1950s and 1960s.
New Mexico’s Abandoned Mine Land Program works across the state to identify dangerous abandoned mine areas and to abate the hazards. There are over 15,000 mine hazards that need safeguarding, according to the Mining and Minerals Division.   coal production. Since 1981, the program has closed nearly 4,000 mine openings, identified as hazardous or dangerous to visitors.

Contracts Awarded to Safeguard Socorro County Mines

Grand Opening For Mary Mac’s

By Anne Sullivan

Owner Ann Fillion and her husband, Parker announce with pride the Grand Opening of Mary Mac’s Café and Gift Shop on Saturday, October 16th from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Named after Ann’s mother, Mary McIntyre, Mary Mac’s is located just east of Datil between mile markers 77 and 78 on U.S. 60.
“We’ll be having prizes and drawings all day,” says Ann Fillion. “Fur and Feather will hold an Adopt A-Thon. We’ll do face painting for children. Chris Hostetler will provide mule and buggy rides with photos. And there will be music.”
Other special attractions for the Grand Opening include an Arts and Craft Show on the second floor of the building from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.  Pat Beasley, author of ‘The Tears I Couldn’t Cry,’ will do a book signing and Ann Boulden will present a painting demonstration.
Among the Crafters are: Karen DeRusha – wind chimes and other handcrafted items; Suzan MacKenzie’s leatherworks; Katherina McWhorter’s quilted gifts; Bob Meyer – hand-carved rifle stocks and handmade knives; Barbara Owens – handcrafted items; Laurie Pohl – dried flower holiday decorations; Linda Ravert - handcrafted jewelry and quilts; Debbie Smith – herbs and lotions; Fran Verheyen - knitted hats, scarves; and quilling. The Friends of Baldwin Cabin Public Library will also be selling books.
Mary Mac’s is open every day except Tuesday with daily specials and breakfast served all day. The hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. except on Friday and Saturday when full dinners are served until 8 p.m. Sunday Ann sleeps in and opens at 9 a.m.
“I love food,” Ann says. You can see and taste this love in her quiches, salads, pies, cakes, omelets and everything she cooks. A favorite is The Parker Omelet of steak Asada, sautéed vegetables and cheese. The most-talked-about dessert is her Carmel Bread Pudding. Other local favorites include the bacon cheddar burger, mushroom burger, Asian chicken salad, chipotle chicken wrap, the Kayla cake, a yellow cake with raspberry filling and chocolate icing (to die for) and the fresh ground Patriot coffee. My own personal choices are the quiche, the chocolate cake, the Catron Crunch Salad or any of the daily soups. Mary Mac’s now has sugar-free items and will soon have gluten-free.
The ambiance is warm and friendly. In addition to the attractive main dining room, the Rock Room seating 25 is available for meetings and other occasions.
The Gift Shop sells art, jewelry, tee shirts, handmade cards, handwoven goods, birdhouses, all from local crafters plus gently used books.
“I want Mary Mac’s to be a place to come to,” says Ann Fillion. “Not a place to go to. A place to come to.”
It is.

Grand Opening For Mary Mac’s

Smith’s Grocery Close To Labor Deal With Union

By Rebecca Rose

A tentative labor agreement between Smith’s Grocery and the union leadership representing employees was reached on Oct. 5.  The fate of that agreement is now in the hands of union workers statewide, who will vote to accept or reject the offer.
On Friday, Oct. 8, workers at the Socorro Smith’s store voted overwhelmingly to accept the new agreement. The voting now moves to stores in other parts of the state, including Albuquerque and Farmington. The final vote will take place on Friday, Oct. 15.
The deal was reached after nearly six months of negotiations. Key points include better wages, improved retirement options, changes to working conditions and a stop to employee-paid increases in health care coverage.
According to Greg Frazier, President of United Food Commercial Workers Local 1564, the union is pleased with the outcome of the negations.  “While you never get everything you want in bargaining, this agreement is very fair.”, Frazier said in an interview with Mountain Mail on Tuesday.  “It was a long, hard process. We were battling corporate greed.” 
Frazier cited Smith’s parent company Kroger’s recent success in collective bargaining agreements.  “They’ve done very well on a national level.  But in the end, the workers here in New Mexico were able to secure a good agreement.” 
Smith's has 26 supermarkets in New Mexico and employs over 2,400 people across the state. In Socorro, the store is one of the town’s biggest employers. “We have approximately between 65-68 employees; probably about 40-50% are full time,” said Scott Jameson, Store Manager at the Smith’s Grocery Store on California. “All of them except two are union members.”
The union will reveal their final decision in mid-October, after all of the voting is complete.

Smith’s Grocery Close To Labor Deal With Union

FEMA Warns Of Texting Scam

Mountain Mail Reports

Fake text messages are being sent to flood victims in New Mexico and other states, according to a warning issued this week by the Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA) .
According to FEMA and the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM), the texts tell recipients that they have an important message from FEMA, and instructs them to push star on their phones to retrieve it. Pushing the star button automatically enrolls them in a monthly subscription of $9.99, and offers no direct services from FEMA.
FEMA stated that these messages are not being sent by FEMA, and that FEMA never charges citizens for response or recovery services.  They ask that anyone who has received questionable messages to report them immediately to the consumer protection agencies or to the Department of Homeland Security at 800-323-8603. 

FEMA Warns Of Texting Scam

Body of Mutilated Horse Found In Socorro

By Rebecca Rose

VEGUITA – A pregnant horse was shot and mutilated by a state livestock inspector on Saturday night.  The horse belonged to Socorro County resident Gilbert Barela who, along with members of his family, discovered the animal’s dismembered body on near Highway 60 later that weekend.
Shortly after midnight on Saturday, Oct. 9, State Police alerted local authorities that a horse was trapped in a cattle guard off of Highway 60.  Socorro County Sheriff’s Deputy Ed Sweeney arrived on the scene first, followed shortly afterwards by New Mexico Livestock Inspector Bea Bell. 
“The first thing I saw was horse laying in cattle guard, throwing her head on pavement because she was not able to get up.”
Three of the mare’s limbs were stuck in the guard, and according to Bell, had fallen all the way through.  The front leg was also broken, and the horse was bleeding from its nostrils. “It could not get up. It could not do anything but thrash it’s head on the ground.” she said.
Within less than three minutes, she decided the animal needed to be euthanized. Officers with New Mexico Livestock Board have the authority to euthanize an animal if they believe it is the best option.
Bell deemed the dead animal to be a traffic safety hazard, and then made the decision to sever the limbs, in order to move it to a safer location. 
For the next five hours, both Sweeney and Bell worked to free the animal’s body from the grate. 
“We initially tried to remove her from cattle guard.  But we just could not get her out. We tried everything.  The only way to remove to her from the cattle guard was to dismember the legs.”  
Sunday morning, the Barela family made a gruesome discovery, when they found the body of the horse. 
“We saw this mare by the cattle guard, with three of the legs cut off.” said Barela. “We saw legs inside the cattle guard.  We thought someone had killed her, or hit her. We didn’t know who did it.”
“It was terrible.  To see something like that, a horse with no legs.” he said.
Barela and his family left the body, and continued with their work. They went back later to take photos. He said he did not learn how the mare ended up like that until he spoke to Deputy Sweeney. Barela then contacted the media in Albuquerque to report what had happened.
Barela objected to the inspector’s decision to euthanize the horse, and stated that they done more to contact him when they found the horse.  “It was our responsibility.  We would have shot her. They took it upon themselves. She should have called me. We could have been there in 10 or 15 minutes.”
Bell said she made an attempt to locate the owner by matching the brand to the Livestock Commission’s brand book, a detailed record of area cattlemen and their signature brands. She said the brand appeared distorted.  “We tried to verify ownership. I looked at my Brand book, but it did not match anything. So I couldn’t call anybody. At that point in time there was no other alternative but to leave her there.”
Barela disputed the claim about the brand being distorted. “The brand was very clear to me. I had just branded this mare about a month ago.”
Bell said she would have called Barela if she had recognized the brand. 
When asked why she left the horse’s body on the side of the road, Bell pointed to timing and logistical issues.  “It was very late.  The County does not have 24 hour people on call for things like this.  Their budgets are restricted.  And this was Sunday, a day they don’t normally work and Monday was a Holiday.”  Barela stated he did not feel responsible for disposing of the carcass. “We told them, we didn’t do this.  You need to take care of it.”
Socorro County officials removed the body, and Barela stated he has not been contacted by anyone regarding the removal.
“I really feel for the Barelas. It’s hard to lose an animal.” said Bell. “They have my empathy. It’s unfortunate, but it happens to livestock on the range. As long as you let animals run at large, where there are dogs and coyotes, that can chase them, cause them to get in harm’s way, this kind of thing can happen.”
Barela said that dogs could have been chasing the horse, who was not fenced in.  “It’s open range, out there. Lots of people have their cattle roam free there.”

Body of Mutilated Horse Found In Socorro