Placitas Ready to Roll July 4 Parade National Journalism Group Honors

SANDOVAL PLACITAS PRSRT-STD U.S. Postage Paid BERNALILLO Placitas, NM Permit #3 CORRALES SANDOVAL Postal Customer or Current Resident COUNTY ECRWSS NEW MEXICO SignA N INDEPENDENT PLOCAL NEWSPAPER St S INCE 1988 • VOL. 32 / NO 7 • JULY 2021 • FREE IVEN

Bernalillo looks to D ILL

the future with help —B of residents’ opinions ~BILL DIVEN Bernalillo residents have an opportunity to weigh in on how their town is doing and how to guide future growth. The results of a community survey, open through the end of July, will be one factor as the town updates its Comprehensive Land Use Plan, adopted in 2004. At the time, the population was about 6,600, and there was little residential development west of the Rio Grande. In 2020, the town population was estimated at 9,700, close to what the 2004 plan forecast for 2025. The first public meeting on a revising plan was held on June 23, with the next to be scheduled in October, after meeting comments and survey results are com- piled and draft goals and objectives for the plan are ready for discussion. Next, comes a draft of the new plan, expected to be The July 4 parade on State Road 165 through Placitas village brought out the red, white and blue ready for a third public meeting in February, 2022. If for kids and adults in 2018. The start time for this year’s parade has been moved up to 10:00 a.m. the schedule holds, the Town Council could adopt the with staging beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the entrance to Placitas Heights, west of the village. plan and put it to work in March or April. The town has contracted with Consensus Planning to assist in the process. The confidential 33-question survey, with room for Placitas ready to roll July 4 parade comments, is online at TownOfBernalillo.org and avail- ~SIGNPOST STAFF able in paper form at Town Hall, Bernalillo Community Independence Day takes on a little extra mean- enjoy this lively community event. His only Museum, the Martha Liebert Public Library, and senior ing this year as public gatherings resume and request is not tossing anything from vehicles and recreation centers. the Placitas Fourth of July Parade strolls up and not bringing floats that create hazards— Questions invite residents’ opinions on the town’s State Road 165 after being canceled last year. such as sending out flying water bottles, which quality of life, parks, and other town amenities, which New this year is an earlier start time—10:00 was an issue in the past. of those need improvement or expansion, current and a.m.—made in response to numerous requests, Staging for the parade begins at 9:00 a.m. at needed businesses and transportation services, and said James Madueña, the unofficial organizer of the entrance to Placitas Heights, just short of future economic development. the unofficial parade that neither has entry mile marker 6 on NM 165. From there, the forms nor requirements. parade will proceed east through greater down- “Everybody’s welcome,” he said. The public town Placitas. is welcome to bring camp chairs and coolers [For more Fourth of July festivities in the Corrales enduring and line the streets along the parade’s path to area, turn to page 9, this Signpost.] “Pain in the Asphalt ~SIGNPOST STAFF National journalism group Local folks who braved, and are braving, the U.S. Highway 550 project to support Bernalillo businesses honors the Signpost can sympathize with Corrales residents, now in the ~BILL DIVEN throes of a repaving of their main road. The state project covering the entire length of The National Federation of Press Women, published monthly by Barb and Ty Belknap. Corrales Road, one mile of one lane at a time, from during its annual conference in June, The NFPW also bestowed its Communicator Alameda Boulevard to State Road 528, began in early recognized the work of the Sandoval Signpost. of the Year award on Sherri Burr, president of June and appears destined to run past its forecasted 25 Co-publisher and editor Barb Belknap New Mexico Press Women. Burr, a retired pro- workdays to complete. Work is scheduled Monday- received a third-place award in the category of fessor at the University of New Mexico Law Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with warning signs Publication Regularly Edited by the Entrant, School, is recognized as an educator, writer, for the day’s location and a pilot car guiding drivers Newspapers. The Signpost earlier won first- broadcaster, and lecturer. through the work zone. place honors in the same category in the New “The Communicator of Achievement award is “This is going to be tough for our business owners Mexico Press Women’s annual contest, which the highest honor bestowed by NFPW upon who are now just recovering from the pandemic,” made it eligible for the national competition. those members who have distinguished them- Corrales Main Street President Jim Kruger said in a The Signpost was founded in 1988, and selves within and beyond their field,” the award news release. “But we will be open for business… through most of its over-thirty-year history, announcement read. “Burr taught for three Many of our merchants will be offering “Pain in the has been based in Placitas and owned and decades at the University of New Mexico Law Asphalt” specials and discounts to visitors.” —continued on page 3 While Corrales and its businesses remain open and accessible, commuters who consider the village a short- cut might consider an alternate route. Find the Signpost online at www.sandovalsignpost.com What’s Up With New Mexico’s Hard Water? GMX Has Your Solution By Felix Clovelly© When it comes to hard water, residents of New Mexico know what’s up. The water is very hard and is really damaging to our plumbing! Not to mention the dried out skin and hair and reduced efficiency coming from the water heater. But we don’t have to live with it. Instead, call Larry Brown. With 26 years’ experience and thousands of satisfied customers, he preaches a healthier, energy-efficient and economically sound alternative: GMX water treatment. “We believe first that whatever we do to solve one problem should not cause others, for the environment or for our customers” says Brown. “This means The whole-house GMX treatment begins with a series of magnets installed on the main no salt added to the water, no cold water supply line (top left). If the main line is not easily accessible, burying the mag- water wasted in the treatment nets on the main line by the meter is a highly effective installation (bottom left). Another process, no high-maintenance series of magnets is installed as a booster treatment after the hot water heater (right). equipment and no ongoing operating costs!” were introduced to the tech- 98 percent success rate. and I don’t have to add bleach He continues, “And we also nology and became customers That success rate is what or other treatments. It’s obvi- strongly believe it is far better of the product in their own led Albuquerque homeowners ous the magnets are doing their to invest in this preventative home over 27 years ago. “Ruthie Linda Vigil-Lopez and Dan job. We highly recommend the maintenance system one time immediately loved how much Lopez to have the GMX water GMX water system.” instead of paying the price over better her shampoo worked and system installed. “The entire Brown and his team are con- and over again for plumbing the softness of her hair,” recalls process of having the GMX fident that customers will be repairs, faucet and shower head Brown. “Within a week, she water system installed was effi- happy with the efficient, safe replacements, and dishwasher noticed the shower walls were cient, thorough and profession- and maintenance-free GMX and water heater failures.” easier to clean and I noticed al,” says Linda. “The results have water system, which he says How? GMX water treatment the water from our old electric been wonderful, and you see the takes between two and three uses magnetic technology to water heater was getting hotter. benefits immediately. I turned hours to install. Brown gives change the way minerals crystal- We still have that ancient water on the shower the next day every customer a full, one-year, lize in water, ultimately leaving heater and I haven’t even had to and it felt soft like rainwater, as money-back guarantee based on less residue and mineral scale, change a heating element in 27 opposed to the usual softening your satisfaction with the bene- and more effective soap, sham- years!” systems where water feels oily fits in your home. poo and detergents. Unlike salt Calcium is hard on your and soapy. The water tastes real- So, if you are tired of suf- softeners, the patented GMX plumbing, says Brown. “It forms ly good and you don’t notice the fering from hard water issues equipment uses a chemical-free a layered crystalline structure buildup around the fixtures.” around the home, if you believe process that requires no sodium that turns to rock inside your Additionally, Linda says in preventing those problems or potassium, making it safe for pipes,” he explains. “But after she has only been using half of instead of paying to repair them people with heart and blood exposure to the GMX magnetic the typical amount of laundry over and over again, then take pressure issues, and for plants, field, calcium crystallizes differ- detergent. “The clothes come the next step today and call pets and septic systems, says ently.” out cleaner and fresh smelling, Larry Brown at 505-250-7754. Brown. It also operates with- After having the system out electricity so it does not installed in their own home and Your Next Step? increase your utility bills. “There seeing results with their own For a FREE Estimate are no moving parts, and the eyes, Larry and Ruthie become or an Information Package magnets themselves are stability owners and operators of R&L Call 250-7754 or tested and rated to only lose Enterprises, New Mexico’s pre- 800-406-0469 3% of their intensity over 125 mier GMX dealer. Brown has years,” he notes. “The equip- now been working for nearly or email [email protected] ment requires zero maintenance three decades with customers in Senior and never has to be repaired or New Mexico, including home- replaced.” owners, businesses, apartments, & Military Larry and his wife, Ruthie, hotels and schools, and he has a Discounts PAID ADVERTISEMENT Available

PAGE 2 • JULY 2021 • SANDOVAL SIGNPOST • SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1988 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Up Front 1 Real People 18 Youth 26 Around Town 7 Arts 20 Animal News 26 Business 10 Gauntlet 22 Animal Prints 28 Public Safety 12 Time Off 23 Classifieds 29 Eco-Beat 15 Calendar 24 Stereogram 31 Night Sky 16 Community 25

SANDOVAL SignP St SUBSCRIPTIONS

To receive a mailed copy of the Signpost to your home each month, mail your address and check for $35/year to:

From page 1—Signpost SIGNPOST, P. O. Box 889, Placitas, NM 87043

School, penning over a dozen law journal arti- ous NFPW honors for radio, TV, and newspaper or call the office at 505-867-3810 cles and authoring over two dozen law books.” work as well a poetry, books, and web and to pay by phone or for further information. She also created and hosted a TV program to social media work. Among them was editorial familiarize students with entertainment law and cartoonist Bob Diven of Las Cruces who won a penned a weekly newspaper column and travel first-place award for his book of editorial car- Voluntary subscriptions toons that appeared in the Las Cruces Sun- articles. Her first history book, Complicated from Placitas residents Lives: Free Blacks in Virginia, 1691-1865, pub- News. lished in 2019, was nominated for a Pulitzer Diven’s impression of what working in the are appreciated. Thank you. Prize. Signpost newsroom must be like accompanies More than thirty New Mexicans earned vari- this story.

MAIL: Signpost, P. O. Box 889, Placitas, NM 87043 PHONE: (505) 867-3810 WEBSITE: www.sandovalsignpost.com

EMAIL: [email protected]

CALENDAR: [email protected] Sandoval Signpost is published monthly by Belknap Publishing, Inc, P. O. Box 889, Placitas, NM ADVERTISING: [email protected] 87043. Bulk postage is paid at Placitas, NM. As a local newspaper of general interest to resi- DEADLINE: 20th of each month dents of Placitas, Bernalillo, Corrales, Rio Rancho, and other areas of southeastern Sandoval DROP BOX: Inside The Merc, at Homestead Village, County, we invite readers to submit stories, letters, poetry, and photographs of artwork for pub- 221 Hwy. 165, Placitas, two miles east off I-25 Exit 242. lishing consideration. We welcome advertising of interest to our readership area. Ad and submission deadline is the twentieth of the month prior to the publication month.

This issue of the Sandoval Signpost has been mailed to every home in Placitas—2,700 direct- SIGNPOST STAFF: mail—plus approximately 1,800 direct-mail to Bernalillo. An additional 1,000 are delivered for PUBLISHER: Belknap Publishing Inc. free pickup at over thirty locations in the Placitas-Bernalillo-Corrales-and southeastern San- EDITOR/CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Barb Belknap MASTHEAD & DESIGN SUPPORT: Gary Priester doval County area, totalling 6,000 copies distribution. EDITOR/BUSINESS MANAGER: Ty Belknap WEBMASTER: Bunny Bowen Copyright © 2021, by Belknap Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without per- NEWS EDITOR: Bill Diven CARTOONIST: Rudi Klimpert (in memorium) mission is prohibited. The opinions expressed in articles appearing in the Sandoval Signpost are COPY EDITOR/PROOFREADER: Evan Belknap AD SALES & DISTRIBUTION: those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers. NIGHT SKY FEATURE WRITER: Charlie Christmann Signpost office staff The Sandoval Signpost is printed with soy ink on recycled newsprint.

Sandoval Signpost • Serving the community since 1988 • JULY 2021 • Page 3 Nearly New A Repeat Boutique Operated by Bound for Success, Inc.

HATS OFF TO YOU! Thanks to our donors, we've got you covered from head to toe and parts in between! Hats for EVERY occasion! SHOES TO DIE FOR! (Some might even break a leg!) From NY, DC, SF & now in NM! $5 - UP. Hurry in for best selection!

836 Camino Del Pueblo, BERNALILLO, NM 87004 • 771-8228 bound4success.org • OPEN: Wed-Sat. 10am-4pm • Tues by appt. only

Change to new Stansbury triumphs UP suicide hotline in special congressional to affect local calling election FRONT

~SIGNPOST STAFF ~SIGNPOST STAFF

On July 16, contacting the National Suicide Prevention If there was any surprise in deciding who secretary of the Interior. Considered more of a and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline will be a simple matter would fill the vacancy in New Mexico’s con- centrist Democrat, Stansbury won the nomi- of calling 988. gressional delegation, it was Melanie Stans- nation in a runoff defeating a progressive can- The change, years in the making and ordered by the bury’s margin of victory. didate during voting by the Democratic Federal Communication Commission (FCC), also means Stansbury, a Democratic state representative Central Committee. making regular local calls in New Mexico will require from Albuquerque, finished 24 percentage Moores was the candidate of the Republi- dialing ten digits: the three-digit area code and the seven- points ahead of her Republican challenger, can Central Committee. There was no sepa- digit phone number. This affects both the 505 and 575 state Sen. Mark Moores, also of Albuquerque. rate primary election. areas codes. The vote total, made official with the June 22 “As Secretary Haaland said in her farewell For now, calling without adding the area code still canvass, was 79,838 to 27,111 or sixty per- to this body, we are called to service in differ- works, but using all ten numbers will become mandatory cent to 36 percent. ent ways,” Stansbury said in her first remarks on October 24. Former Republican State Land Commis- on the House floor after being sworn in. “As “The adoption of the new rules reflects a commitment to sioner Aubrey Dunn, running as an independ- a New Mexican, I know that we are strong, delivering Americans necessary intervention services,” the ent, polled three percent, while Libertarian and we are proud, and that our work is to lift FCC said in a 988 fact sheet. “Switching to an easy-to- Christopher Manning tallied one percent, and up our communities to fight for the dignity remember 988 as the ‘911’ for suicide prevention and two declared write-in candidates totaled a and well-being of our people, to rebuild our mental health crisis services will make it easier for Ameri- combined 46 votes. economy, and to tackle the biggest challenges cans in crisis to access the help they need and decrease the The Albuquerque-centered First Congres- of our day… We are called to do this work stigma surrounding suicide and mental health issues.” sional District, which leans heavily Demo- because the moment is now.” A two-year transition from the original FCC order gives cratic, also takes in most of southeast Stansbury later was appointed to seats on phone companies time to set up the new system. It also Sandoval County east of Interstate 25 encom- two House committees: Natural Resources gives the approximately 170 state and locally funded crisis passing Placitas, Sandia Pueblo, and the town and Science, Space, and Technology. centers that are part of the Lifeline network time to pre- of Bernalillo extending west of the river. “New Mexicans, and all Americans, will be pare for what is expected to be an increase in calls. Stansbury was sworn in on June 14, suc- well served by her wealth of experience in The current hotline number (1-800-273-8255 (1-800- ceeding Deb Haaland—whom President Joe ecology, her devotion to protecting our public 273-TALK)) will remain in operation after the transition. Biden appointed and the Senate confirmed as —continued next page

PAGE 4 • JULY 2021 • SANDOVAL SIGNPOST • SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1988 Celebrating 25 Years as a Finanncial Advisor Sunglasses: 40% OFF Plano Sunwear Not to be combined You choose the topic(s). For example: with insurance. Expires 7-31-2021 www.thevisionstorenewmexico.com —C OURTESY : C-S PAN

6100 UPTOWN BLVD, NE, SUITE 610B, ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87110 Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through Cetera Advisor Networks LLC • Member FINRA/SIPC a Broker/Dealer and Registered Investment Advisor. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity. Phil Messuri, MS, CFP® is a Registered Representative of Cetera Advisor Networks LLC.

U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury listens to applause for her first remarks on the House floor shortly after being sworn in to represent New Mexico’s First Congressional District. Joining in the applause on Stansbury’s right are fellow New Mexico Democrats (from left) Sens. Ben Ray Luján and SERVICES FOR ALL Martin Heinrich and Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez. YOUR WATER AND CONSTRUCTION NEEDS From page 4 —Stansbury lands, and her commitment to lifting up Environment Quality and as a staff member working families,” House Speaker Nancy on the Senate Committee on Energy and Pelosi, D-Calif., said. Natural Resources. A New Mexico native, Stansbury earned a On June 22, the Bernalillo County Com- Bachelor of Science degree in human ecol- mission chose Pamelya Herndon, an attor- ogy and natural science from Saint Mary’s ney and first vice president of the College of California and a Master of Sci- Albuquerque NAACP chapter, to fill out the DEMOLITION • LOADER • GRADING ence degree in sociology with a minor in remaining 18 months of Stansbury’s state PAD PREPARATION • BACKHOE / BOBCAT SERVICE American Indian studies from Cornell Uni- House term. versity. Her résumé includes serving as a White House Fellow with the Council on

Aug 8 7pm Sounds of Motown: Michael Herndon, All Sandia Chill Concerts at The Homestead Village in Placitas. Toni Morgan, Tracey Whitney & the Got Soul Band Tickets are $20 at CanyonBluesandJazz.org ■ Bring chairs & picnic! Sep 5 4 pm Labor Day Blues Festival: Memphis P-Tails, Jul 4 6pm Red, White & Blues Concert: Albuquerque Jazz Orchestra Joe Daddy Blues, Kaktus Kats, Felix y los Gatos Jul 18 7pm Soul Food: Hillary Smith & the Chill House Band Oct 3 4 pm Celebration Salsa: Ivon Ulibarri y Cafe Mocha

Sandoval Signpost • Serving the community since 1988 • JULY 2021 • Page 5 FILL YOUR CART WITH: Boar’s Head Deli Meats Artisanal Cheeses Over 800+ Fine Wines Cold Beer, Growlers, Spirits Fresh Produce and Fresh Meat Sage Bakery Bread Bakery Desserts and other Groceries

Located in Homestead Village, just 2 miles east of I-25 at 221 Highway 165 Open 9AM to 8PM • Sundays 9AM to 6PM • (505) 867-8661 SHOP THE MERC

PAGE 6 • JULY 2021 • SANDOVAL SIGNPOST • SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1988 UP FRONT—CONTINUED 529 plans: More Versatile Than Ever

New BPS leader returns to familiar turf ~SIGNPOST STAFF The newly chosen Bernalillo Public Schools superintendent won’t need a map to find his way around the district. Matthew Montaño, whose hiring was approved on a 3-2 vote on June 23, not only is a graduate of Bernalillo High School, he was its Principal from 2009 to 2011. From there, he moved to the state Public Education Department where he became a deputy cabinet secretary during the Martinez administration. Earlier in his career, he held various teaching and administrative positions in the Bernalillo district beginning in 1996. In 2008, he earned a Master of Arts degree in curriculum and instruction leadership/educational administration from the College of Santa Fe to go with a Bachelors degree from the University of New Mexico in history and religious studies. His classroom experience included certification in PreK-12 special education. Since October, 2018, he has been a deputy commissioner at the Texas Educa- tion Agency in Austin, Texas. The board approved a two-year contract for Montaño, effective August 1, at an annual salary of $140,000. In addition, the board extended the contract of interim Superintendent Terry Darnell to July 31 and agreed to write a letter supporting his reappointment to his previous position of district athletic direc- Lucas Romero tor. Financial Advisor Montaño succeeds Keith Cowan, former Bernalillo High School principal 240 S. Camino Del Pueblo and deputy superintendent, who led the district from 2017 until his retirement Ste B, Bernalillo, NM 87004 in December. 505-867-9635

Edward Jones, Member SIPC IVEN D

AROUND TOWN ILL —B

Crowds return as New Mexico reopens ~BILL DIVEN With public health restrictions vanishing July 1, there will be dancing in the streets of Bernalillo this summer—as there was on a smaller scale at Loretto Park in June. The state decision to end limits on restaurant capacities and mass gatherings comes too late, however, to save this year’s Mountain West Brew Fest. The clock ran out for the late-August happening given the time needed to organize one of the town’s main annual events, complicated by brewers still ramping up to full staffing. Bringing your own shade came in handy although trees and “Unfortunately, with so much happening, this is one of the events post- a pavilion helped keep hundreds of patrons cool during the poned to 2022,” Bernalillo Economic and Community Development Direc- June 12 Farmhouse Ale Event at Loretto Park in Bernalillo. tor Mike Kloeppel said. On June 18, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the state would from noon to 8:00, on meet its goal of fully vaccinating sixty percent of state residents against the August 7. virus responsible for COVID 19. That ended the color-coded county-by- On July 17-18, Loretto county restrictions based on local virus conditions. Park will host the Facemasks are still required for unvaccinated people, and businesses can Bernalillo Indian Arts Fes- adopt mask requirements and other precautions for customers and employees tival, from 9:00 a.m. to at their discretion, according to the governor’s announcement. 5:00 p.m. The festival is Returning this year, after being limited to online streaming in 2020, is expected to draw about 328th annual Las Fiestas de San Lorenzo, featuring three street processions two-hundred Native from August 9-11 and traditional dances by the costumed and masked Los American artisans, some Matachines. Las Fiestas, with its religious roots, honors San Lorenzo, the of whom will hold public patron saint of farmers, and recognizes the 1693 return of Bernalillo settlers demonstrations of their Deborah Smyth and Greg Hagman dance on his feast day 13 years after the Pueblo Revolt expelled the Spanish from crafts. to country music on a late-spring afternoon the territory. during the Farmhouse Ale Event. In the The town is also planning a free family and music event at Loretto Park, —continued next page background three guys admire a modified late-’60s Chevy Malibu, one of the classic cars, trucks and motorcycles on display.

Sandoval Signpost • Serving the community since 1988 • JULY 2021 • Page 7 Estate Planning & Elder Law Firm

• Wills and Trusts • Special Needs Trusts • Probate and Trust Administration • Powers of Attorney • Health Care Documents • Elder Law • Guardianship and Conservatorship

During this time, we will be offering phone and video conferencing. We also have emergency procedures for isolated individuals to complete documents.

Mrs. Pickel has a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Estate Planning and Elder Law, ©JATW2021 is the former chair of the Elder Law Section of the New Mexico Bar, is the former division chair of the Estate and Trust division of Real Property, Estate and Trust Section of the New Mexico Bar, is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, and was a prior board member of the Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity. She served as an Assistant Judge Advocate General (JAG) JEWELERS & with the U. S. Air Force before settling in Placitas. GEMOLOGISTS JOHANNA A. PICKEL, LLC 892-3841 Business office locations in 909 36th Pl. SE both Placitas and Albuquerque Rio Rancho (Across from (505) 798-2515 Turtle Mountain Pub) 01 Ridge Court, Placitas, New Mexico 87043 OPEN: Monday–Friday 10am-5:30pm 4801 Lang Avenue, NE • Suite 110 • Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109 [email protected] • www.johannapickel.com Saturday 10am-4pm • harrisjewelersnm.com

From page 7 AROUND TOWN—CONTINUED —Reopens This would have been the fifth year for the growing festival had public health restrictions not canceled the NM Rail Runner Express returns to 2020 event. The first of the town’s annual events to resurface was the Farmhouse Ale Event, held June 12 at Loretto full operating schedule, including Park, as Sandoval County moved into the least- restricted category governing mass gatherings. Cou- weekend train service ples, families, and friends turned out on a hot ~AUGUSTA MEYERS afternoon for food, music, a car show, and kid games. However, unlike past years, the short lead time after As of May 24, the New Mexico Rail Runner Express resumed its full pre-Covid schedule. The the town allowed use of the park left the event’s lead Rail Runner reopened for limited passenger service just two months ago after nearly a year-long sponsor, Kaktus Brewing of Bernalillo, as the only suspension due to the pandemic. Officials of Rio Metro Regional Transit District say now it will beer vendor. Kaktus owner Dana Koller credited co- include weekend train service as well (www.riometro.org/fullschedule). sponsor State Farm Agent Cheryl Baker for pulling “We’ve worked side-by-side with the state in watching the current downward trend in Covid together the five country bands, including the Silver cases, and it’s given us an opportunity to ramp up our service and return to our more robust pre- Spurs Band where she plays mandolin. pandemic schedule,” said Terry Doyle, Director of Rio Metro Regional Transit District—the agency that oversees the Rail Runner. Farmhouse Ale was staged as a fundraiser for the “We want people to feel safe while traveling on the Rail Runner,” said Dewey V. Cave, Execu- Kiwanis Club of Greater Bernalillo and another local tive Director of Rio Metro. The fact that we are able to resume our pre-Covid train schedule is organization. The town of Bernalillo also was a spon- definitely a sign that we’re going in the right direction.” sor, providing lodgers tax funds for promotions and The enhanced protocols for disinfecting and cleaning of train cars throughout the day will support services. remain in place, as will the requirements for both passengers and train staff to wear protective “It was an incredible event,” Koller said. “We sold face coverings in accordance with the Federal mandate. For more information, visit out… We were able to donate our largest check yet to (www.riometro.org/safeandhealthytravel). the Kiwanis Club.” “This is great news that the Rail Runner will be running trains again,” said Diane Gibson, The check was $1,500, he added. Chair of Rio Metro Regional Transit District Board of Directors. “Especially for the many people While the pandemic restrictions still in place limited in central New Mexico who rely on the service to get to work, medical appointments, and other critical destinations, the Rail Runner is truly a much-valued transportation option.” capacity at any given time, Koller said that nearly In addition to online ticket sales and ticket purchases through the mobile app, passengers will eight-hundred people passed through the gate at once again be able to purchase Rail Runner tickets with cash on the train. Loretto Park during the seven-hour event. Koller Rio Metro Customer Service representatives are available at 866-795-7245 and 505-245-RAIL already is plotting for next aiming for a national act (7245) from 5:00 a.m. to 9 p.m. and attendance of 2,500.

PAGE 8 • JULY 2021 • SANDOVAL SIGNPOST • SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1988 Rio Rancho offers Just Sold Fourth of July festivities ~ANNEMARIE L. GARCÍA

The City of Rio Rancho is excited to announce that Rio Rancho’s favorite Fourth of July celebration is back. This year, the festivities will take place at the new Campus Park at City Center. “Campus Park is the City’s new quality of life facility that builds on Rio Rancho’s cultural identity, and I couldn’t be happier to celebrate its opening with an unrestricted event,” 4 Camino de la Vina Vieja said Mayor Gregg Hull. “I invite Rio Ranchoans and others to not only cel- 3 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 2 Car Garage 1832 Square Feet 2 Acres ebrate our nation’s Independence MLS# 992146 Day, but to also enjoy a night of music and fireworks.” Call Sandi Today for a Free Market Analysis of Your Home

Live Music and Fireworks Extravaganza Sandi is a Proud Placitas Resident for 30 Years For the first time ever, Campus Park, featuring the Sky Room outdoor performance space and amphitheater, Sandi Pressley will open to the public for some sum- 8th in the Nation for Coldwell Banker mer fun. Spectators will enjoy live #1 Top Producing Realtor in music by the 44th Army Band and a New Mexico for 35 Consecutive Years special concert by the New Mexico Proudly Serving Her Clients For 42 Years Philharmonic. Following the per- Cell Phone 505.980.2999 formances, a spectacular fireworks [email protected] show will begin. Admission to these Coldwell Banker Legacy www.sandipressley.com 293-3700 events is free. For those wishing to only view the fireworks and not wanting to attend the musical performances or visit Campus Park, there is ample parking available in the multiple lots surrounding City Center. Visitors may park in the lots and tailgate Placitas Library to as they enjoy a dazzling fireworks display. Performance times: host peek at library • 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.: 44th Army Band (auxiliary stage) expansion, art show • 8:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.: Campus Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and reading ~DORIS FIELDS, PHD of Independence Day Proclamation There has been a whirlwind of activities (Sky Room) at the library during the past few weeks. Placitas • 8:15 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.: New Mexico Community Library is offering a “Sneak Peek” on Philharmonic (Sky Room) July 10, at 3:00 p.m., of its new Nancy P. Kellum- • 9:15 p.m.: Fireworks Extravaganza Rose and Scott W. Deuel wing. We invite everyone to come and sneak a peek at the rooms: All event start times are subject to director’s office, Gracie Lee Community Room, weather, and may be canceled due to such Pearl Children’s Room, Ross’s Reading Room, conditions as rain, wind, or lightning. and Vulcan Café. Admission is free. Parking and park seating The Sneak Peek will have a scavenger hunt, a space is available on a first-come, first- map of the new spaces, and, of course refresh- served basis. Blankets, umbrellas, and cool- ments. Our former library director and current ers are permitted. Food vendors will be volunteer, Tim Blevins, created the interesting on-site. No glass, alcoholic beverages, or scavenger hunt that will tweak our curiosity. We individual grills will be allowed. Live music urge everyone to take a try at locating the major starts at 6:00 p.m. Fireworks display starts features of each room. There will be prizes for at 9:15 p.m. Visitors can access City Center those who find the most items in the hunt. There via Unser Boulevard/King Boulevard and will be fun activities for children as well. Also, we Paseo del Volcan/Broadmoor Boulevard. will have a continuous loop of photographs show- back to our regular pre-COVID schedule. The NMPhil’s concert is made possible by ing the progress of the construction project, from To add to the excitement, all 2021 Placitas Studio McDonald’s, Otero’s Dairy Queen, PNM, start to finish! Tour artists have been invited to submit one repre- Rio Rancho Kiwanis Club, Sparklight, True And what everyone has been waiting for, including sentative piece of their artwork to hang in the library, Value of Rio Rancho, Washington Fed`eral the community and the volunteers excited to get beginning July 10, celebrating the soft opening of the (WaFd) Bank, and Mayor Gregg Hull. back to work in the library, is that in-person brows- library’s wonderful new addition. The exhibit will For more information about the City’s ing and check out of materials will begin in the continue through the end of July, offering a preview Fourth of July holiday events, visit library on July 13, during regular abbreviated hours: of the 24th annual Placitas Studio Tour, scheduled www.rrnm.gov/july4 or contact the Parks, Tuesdays, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursdays, from for August 28-29, 2021. Recreation and Community Services 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and Saturdays, from 1:00 to The library is located at 453 State Highway 165 in Department at 891-5015. 5:00 p.m. Gradually, hours will increase until we are Placitas.

Sandoval Signpost • Serving the community since 1988 • JULY 2021 • Page 9 WWW.SODECOWATER.COM Camino Real Antiques & Collectibles Only 178 days until Christmas? For REAL? Where the HELL did the last 6 months go? Instead of hibernating, we've been shopping! Come in & see what's new! Deals galore! HOURS: Daily 10am to 5pm • 867-7448 1101 Camino del Pueblo / P. O. Box 1960, Bernalillo

YOGA CLASSES NOW AVAILABLE! Tuesday, Thursday @ 6:30pm. Saturday @ 9:00 am. (Additional classes TBA) SOOTHE YOUR JOINTS with CBD joints! (Or not.) DELTA 8 PRODUCTS are on the shelves. They are the BOMB! 3411 Girard NE NM Lic. #80039 Open Tues-Sat 9am-5:30pm Sun 10am-3pm • 505-898-5252 4484 Corrales Rd, Corrales 87048 www.corraleshemporium.com

BUSINESS AROUND TOWN —CONTINUED More money flows to COVID-affected businesses ~SIGNPOST STAFF Town museum Another round of federal pandemic-related money other local governments have seen federal grants will provide $1 million to aid affected businesses affected because of tolerance for cannabis, which emerging from and nonprofits in Sandoval County remains illegal under federal law. The grants generally are limited to $20,000 and • Approved rezoning of five-hundred acres west come from the American Recovery Plan Act of Rio Rancho for a fifty-megawatt PNM solar field pandemic shadows (ARPA) approved by Congress. These will be prior- adjacent to an existing solar site. ~BILL DIVEN itized for entities that applied under the previous • Approved the Streets, Sidewalks, and Other Pub- program—the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Eco- lic Properties Ordinance that, among other things, A community conversation over the path nomic Security (CARES) Act—but weren’t funded clarifies how roads and streets become public and forward for the Bernalillo museum, nearly when the money ran out, Sandoval County commis- sets a tiered maintenance system based on the type muted by the pandemic since early last year, sioners unanimously decided at their June 17 meet- of road and traffic volumes. is reviving in earnest and in person. ing. • Agreed with Commissioner Jay Block to name The first exhibit in the Bernalillo Commu- Also in the priority group are applicants who the Sheriff’s Office’s second K-9 “Titan,” recogniz- nity Museum is being installed, and an offi- received CARES grants last year but whose docu- ing Block’s work as an Air Force officer with the cial opening is planned sometime in August. mented expenses exceeded the $20,000 limit. The both the Titan intercontinental ballistic missile and Meanwhile, a soft opening this month will county will be working with municipalities that NASA’s Cassini space probe mission to the Martian allow visitors to see the installation in were not able to fully fund their CARES applicants. moon Titan. Block is funding the $15,000 to pur- progress and become part of the Community New applicants may qualify for more than chase, train, and equip the dog from his discre- Voices Project. $20,000 in ARPA money with commission tionary budget. “For any community museum, its main approval. • Adopted county Fire Chief Eric Masterson’s rec- goal is to talk to its neighbors every day,” The Sandoval County Economic Development ommendation to ban the sale and use of fireworks museum Director Emily Stovel said. “That Department is handling the ARPA program and can in the unincorporated parts of the county. The ban really was suspended, and that is such an be contacted for more information at 867-8687 or provides an exemption for handheld sparklers and important part of what we do… It’s not just [email protected]. some ground-level fireworks when used in safe talking about what the museum could be, but In other actions during June, commissioners: areas. helping the museum understand what the • Deferred action on a new drug-free workplace • Approved publication of a revised Subdivision community thinks is important.” policy over concerns about how to handle the legal- Ordinance with action to be taken at a future meet- Despite being locked down before it could ization of cannabis. A main concern is whether ing. —continued next page

PAGE 10 • JULY 2021 • SANDOVAL SIGNPOST • SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1988 M AXX VASHER A RCHITECT • AIA customm residential• vacation rental• custtom commercial (505)6615-0696 | [email protected] www.mmaxvasherarchitect.com smart btiflbeautiful architecture

From page 10—Museum USEUM M open, the museum pursued grants, collected oral histories, and, with outside help, developed three animated videos for children and parents to explore the town’s deeply rooted culture. OMMUNITY Accompanying the video is a family activity booklet to C further explore and discuss the three video topics: nuevomexicano traditions in storytelling, foodways, and

dance. ERNALILLO In the first video, Goya the swallow (la golondrina) B — flies around Bernalillo explaining oral and written traditions. Goya then connects two stories from the time before television, social media and even radio when storytelling helped to preserve culture over the generations. Read by museum volunteers Eustaquio Salas and Cirilia Salas, the stories recount childhood memories of cooking beans with humorous results and playing games. Those come from Bernalillo: Yesterday’s Sunshine/Today’s Shad- ows, written by Nasario Garcia. The second video posted in late June explores foods, and the third, nearing completion, involves dance tradi- Animated videos produced by the Bernalillo Community Museum feature tales of local traditions tions, including the masked dancers of Los Matachines, a in storytelling, food and dancing with a swallow, Goya la Golondrina, leading the tour. tradition tied to feast days and common with variations in A free family workbook to prompt discussions is available to accompany videos. Hispanic and Pueblo communities. (Los Matachines will dance during Las Fies- tas de San Lorenzo in Bernalillo on August 9-11.) Grants from the New Mexico Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities under- wrote the videos and the accompanying activity booklet designed to generate family discussions. The activity booklet is available free at Town Hall and can be downloaded from the museum website TownOfBernalillo.org by clicking Departments/Bernalillo Community Museum. It also is available at the Range Café and Bernalillo Feed, both on Camino del Pueblo in Bernalillo. The videos are posted on the museum YouTube channel, and museum progress, updates, links, booklet locations and events can be tracked on its Facebook page. Families can submit stories, videos, photos, and art that will be showcased on the Facebook page and be entered into a drawing for prizes. Submissions can be sent by email to: [email protected]. Postings on YouTube and Facebook can be found by searching “Bernalillo Community Museum” on either site. The museum is located around the corner from Town Hall at 118 Calle Malinche.

Sandoval Signpost • Serving the community since 1988 • JULY 2021 • Page 11 PLACITAS — $516,000 PUBLIC SAFETY OUTSTANDING VIEWS! 3 BEDROOM + OFFICE, Placitas homicide, property crime 3 BATH, EXPOSED cases may end without trials BEAMS ~BILL DIVEN

With one plea deal done, and two In his motion, Robinson claims it 33 SOLAR more in the works, court cases was Martin Gurulé who first cut PANELS! involving a killing in Placitas and a Nieto and dropped the knife, which crime spree that affected the com- Nieto then picked up. Isaiah Gurulé, munity seem close to resolution. who was cut in the ensuing struggle, Isaiah Gurulé, 22, of Placitas, who mistakenly thought the knife PLACITAS — $330,000 has pleaded not guilty to first-degree belonged to Nieto and was only act- murder in the death of Manuel Nieto ing in self-defense or in response to ADOBE ON 3 ACRES! two years ago, was scheduled for a provocation, neither of which meet possible change-of-plea hearing on the legal standard for first-degree PRIVATE July 1. His attorney has argued murder, according to Robinson. 2 BEDROOM Gurulé’s alleged crime doesn’t fit “There is no evidence that Isaiah 2 BATH, the legal definition of first-degree ever developed or demonstrated a SANDIA murder, which could be a factor in deliberate intent to kill Manuel VIEWS! prosecutors agreeing to a negotiated Nieto,” he wrote in the motion. plea. The District Attorney’s Office In an unrelated case, Sarah Gar- opposes the motion to reduce the 4 STALL duño, 35, of Rio Rancho was sched- charge saying Robinson is not rais- HORSE uled for a similar hearing on June 30 ing questions of law District Court BARN to resolve three cases related to Judge Christopher Perez can resolve. property crimes, armed robbery, and Instead, he is arguing facts and a pursuit, burning Hummer, and intent, which Assistant District Call DAVE HARPER 505-263-2266 manhunt that locked down Placitas a Attorney Jessica Perez said is for a [email protected] year ago. jury to decide. Negotiated pleas usually involve Judge Perez has not ruled on the Placitas Realty 505-867-8000 admission of guilt to one or more motion. By Signpost deadline, Mar- 3 Homesteads Rd, Placitas charges, dismissal of others, and tin Gurulé’s attorney had not require approval by a District Court responded to a request for comment judge. That is how it played out for on the allegations in Robinson’s Omar Griego, 40, alleged to be Gar- motion. duño’s criminal partner, who last Gurulé told a sheriff’s deputy he month was sentenced to prison as disarmed Nieto but then stabbed him part of a plea deal. while standing over him, according Gurulé is accused of stabbing to court records. Gurulé was initially Nieto during a fight at the nearby charged with second-degree murder, Nieto home in Placitas Village on but a grand jury returned an indict- June 6, 2019. Gurule’s father, Martin ment for first-degree murder. Gurulé, 41, currently is scheduled While first-degree murder can for trial in October for allegedly carry a life prison sentence, the max- beating Nieto’s brother with a piece imum penalty for second-degree of rebar during the fight, hiding the murder is 15 years. knife used in the killing, and con- In Sarah Garduño’s case, the court spiring with his son to start the fight. consolidated three separate felony Information available at the time cases involving, among other indicated the underlying conflict charges, armed robbery, vehicle involved Nieto confronting the theft, aggravated assault with a Gurulés about bad driving in a deadly weapon, and fraudulent use crowded residential area on Paseo de of a credit card. A conspiracy charge San Antonio. Martin Gurulé alleges she conspired with Omar allegedly enlisted his son Isaiah in Griego to steal a car at gunpoint. going with him to the Nieto home to She pleaded not guilty to all settle the matter. charges. A question lingering from the In May, Sandoval County Sheriff beginning—who brought the knife to Jesse James Casaus presented Meri- the fight—may have been answered torious Service Awards to the lieu- in a June 1 motion filed by Isaiah tenant, sergeant, and two deputies Gurule’s attorney. Shannon Robin- who comprise the SCSO Street son, in his motion to dismiss the Crimes and Intelligence Unit. While first-degree murder charge, argued not mentioning Griego and Garduño his client only anticipated a possible by name, he credited his deputies for fight and was not armed. coordinating with local and federal While Gurulé told investigators agencies in pursuit of the pair. that it was Nieto who produced the “Upon arrest, over one-hundred knife, Robinson said his client did cases were solved in Sandoval not know it was Martin Gurulé who County, Bernalillo County, and other brought the knife from the father’s jurisdictions,” Casaus said. “Prop- sword collection. erty was recovered from dozens of

—continued next page

PAGE 12 • JULY 2021 • SANDOVAL SIGNPOST • SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1988 From page 12 —Crime thefts and burglaries, including duño, arrested about five weeks stolen mail, stolen checks, later, is accused of pointing a pistol firearms, prescription drugs, art- at the driver and escaping in his work, tools, recreation gear, and BMW. stolen vehicles, including an As part of his plea deal, Griego antique 1954 Chevy pickup.” admitted to five felonies in three Griego and Garduño are alleged separate cases related to the pursuit to have been together in a stolen to Placitas, the Rio Rancho car Hummer H2 on June 25, 2020, theft, and the theft of a skid loader when they evaded and nearly ran from a construction site. Prosecu- down Street Crimes Unit officers tors dismissed 12 other charges leading to a pursuit extending from including arson for the Hummer near Sandia Pueblo through Albu- fire and consented to suspending querque’s East Mountains to Edge- underlying sentences and most wood and back to the mountains. A habitual offender time if Griego Bernalillo County sheriff’s helicop- was placed on five years of super- ter tracked the Hummer as it came vised probation. over the Sandias to Placitas where On May 26, Judge Eichwald sen- two people were seen fleeing a tenced Griego to 12 years in prison Celebrating over 30 Years wooded area as the Hummer began for the crimes, which he then sus- Providing Tax & Accounting to burn. pended, while tacking on four Services to New Mexicans The fire-torched trees were con- years imprisonment for being a tained before the fire could spread. habitual offender with past felony TERRY PISEL, CPA, LLC Officers from multiple agencies convictions. That time will be CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT descended on Placitas telling resi- shortened with credit for the nearly dents to shelter in their homes and ten months Griego already spent in blocking State Road 165 for six jail. Tax Planning & Preparation hours. Griego also faces two years of for Individuals & Businesses Griego was arrested on July 13, parole, five of probation, complet- QuickBooks Consulting 2020, in Rio Rancho after a pursuit ing drug rehab before release, and related to the armed carjacking that working or attending school full- also saw him charged with posses- time during his probation. In Placitas • 798-1003 sion of methamphetamines. Gar-

Monsoon season is here! Beat the rain and protect your home with a

ROOFING SALES EVENT

20%WITH OFF MONEY DOWN PAYMENTS 24 * MONTHS NO INTEREST SALES EVEENT EENNDS or LOW MONTHLY PAYMENTS ON JULY 31STT

WAITING WILL COST YOU MORE MONEY IN THE LONG RUN MAKING HOMES MORE BEAUTIFUL SINCE 1989 We’re offering these savings for THIS MONTH ONLY – Our Design Experts will help you select the OFFER ENDS JULY 31ST Type, Texture and Color that will provide the best performance and value for your home. 25% OFF YOUR STUCCO PROJECT Why Choose Dreamstyle Stucco? WITH 4.8 STARS • Been in Business for 32 Years 24 MONTHS Call today for a FREE With over • Licensed, Bonded, and Insured 7,000 Company • Iron-clad, Extended Warranty INTEREST Wide Reviews • Professional Installation PAYMENTS NO MONEY DOWN* |

*Some restrictions may apply, see representative for details. †0% APR for 24 months available OAC. Finance charges will be waived if promo Call for your FREE consultation: | DreamstyleStucco.com balance is paid in full equal payments over 24 months. Not valid with other offers. Dreamstyle Remodeling Inc. Lic. 91738 505-373-0249 *0% interest for 24 months available OAC. Finance charges will be waived if promo balance is paid in full in 24 months. Not valid with other offers. Valid on initial consultation only. Some restrictions may apply. Dreamstyle Remodeling, Inc. Lic. 91738

Sandoval Signpost • Serving the community since 1988 • JULY 2021 • Page 13 PAGE 14 • JULY 2021 • SANDOVAL SIGNPOST • SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1988 Jennise YoYour TTrrusted Expert…Here to Help My Placiitas Neighbors! Representing Vineyard Homes, Placitas Finest Builder Phillips Direct: 505-867-7481 [email protected] ASSOCIATATE BROKER Mobile: 505-331-2288 NG• 22T Tierra Antigua — $755$7755, 000 •PENDIN•PE 3 beds – 3 baths – 3,306 SF Build YYoour Fabulous custom contemporary home at base of Sandia Mtn. Kitchen with 5 stool bar open d, ,ining huge Bakers pantry, Dream Home Now! upscale appliances. FP in living room. 4 outdoor living areas. Attached casita with kitchenette full bath, pantry. NG• CALL ME TODAYAY to see the ﬁnest lots for sale 33 Calle Chamisa — $438,000 •PENDIN in Placitas and help with your builder selection. 3 beds – 2 baths – 1,630 SF Sweeping Sandia views from this charming home. A picture Integrity, experience and knowledge to help you! perfect retreat with a fabulous open design capturing views ,from the living,from kitchen and master bedrooms.

26 Camino Los Altos NG• Evening Star Court — $215,000 •PENDIN 2.35 acres 3 beds – 3 baths – 4,191 SF Build your dream home gazing at the national forest. Over two Chiripada the place of fortunate occurance is the name of acres in one of Placitas most desirable neighborhoods. this quintessential Placitas Esta proper Private,.tyte with views to Santa Fe, the Jemez and close to Carson National Forest. 105 S W. ild Primrose Road — $138,000 This 3.25 acre lot is located at the end of a cul de sac with outstanding views. Diamond TaTail is a gated community that offers trails, star gazing park and exquisite home sites. “ — 23 Apache Mesa Road — $225,000 YoYour own 1.03 acre piece of paradise abutting the National Forest with miles of hiking, walking and biking trails right outside your door. Amazing Sandia views, starry night skies.

LA PUERTA REAL ES AT TE SERVICES, LLC • ONE RIDGE COURT • PLACITAS, NM 87043 • 505-867-3388

ECO-BEAT ERVICE S

Heat and fire await OREST U.S. F monsoon rains — ~SIGNPOST STAFF

New Mexico being parched and baking didn’t stop the National Weather Service from celebrating Monsoon Awareness Week in June with warnings about floods, lightning, fires, and a middling, if troubled, forecast for rain. Along the way, as fire season and what historically is the rainy season overlap, fire restrictions on public lands are mounting as Sandoval County banned most fireworks outside municipalities and tribal lands. The county previously imposed a general ban on open burning exempting home-use gas and charcoal grills and fire pits with metal screens in areas free of flammable materials. For more information, see: A member of a hotshot fire crew on the Telegraph Fire monitors a just-started back burn SandovalCountyNM.gov/Fire/Open-Burning-Info. as flames creep up a ridge. The fire east of Phoenix is one of several In late June, several wildfires continued to burn in the state, that fed smoke into the Rio Grande Valley. contributing to smoky skies, also attributed to larger fires downwind in Arizona. “We are experiencing very dry conditions, worse than the conditions the state By the time it was declared fully contained two months later, the fire had had during the Dog Head Fire two years ago,” County Commission Vice Chair consumed 28 square miles of timber and grasslands. Michael Meek, a former Rio Rancho fire chief, said in a statement released by The fireworks ban currently scheduled to end July 6 prohibits rockets and the county. “Fire resources throughout the Southwest are stretched thin and aerial and ground-audible devices. It does allow a list of smaller devices like more limited in their availability to provide aid, so please use your better judg- hand-held sparklers, crackling devices, and fountain cones in paved and cleared ment.” areas and where water is readily available. The Dog Head Fire in the Manzano Mountains southeast of Albuquerque Officially the weather services considers June 15 to September 15 monsoon began on June 14, 2019, when a wood chipper being used to reduce fire risk season to allow for regional variations when moisture from the south tradition- struck a rock creating sparks. Spot fires more than a mile ahead of the main ally invades the Southwest. The general advice is to stay abreast of local fore- blaze spread the flames, which made a six-mile run the second night, destroy- casts and to be alert for downburst winds, dust clouds, lightning, and heavy ing 12 homes and 44 other structures in and near Chililí, according to a U.S. rain from storms, flash flooding in dry watercourses potentially miles from the Forest Service report on the incident. —continued on page 17

Sandoval Signpost • Serving the community since 1988 • JULY 2021 • Page 15 NIGHT SKY

July 2021 Night Sky—

~CHARLIE CHRISTMANN

The warm evenings of July are a great time to go outside and enjoy the wonders of the night sky. The constellations of winter are now behind the bright glare of the sun and the Milky Way is high in the eastern sky after sunset. Let us take a tour of a few of its marvels. One of the most famous asterisms is the Big Dipper. Its bowl makes up a portion of the body that forms Usra Major, the big bear, while the handle forms the bear’s tail. The star at the lip of the bowl is Dubhe. Looking towards the north northwest, the 23 H UMa is about where the bear’s ear would be, and its nose is located a bit further to the north northwest at Omega UMa. The bear’s back legs stretch down toward the horizon toward Leo Minor, the small cat—which to me looks more like a kite with its tail pointing northwest. Now, use the stars of the Big Dipper to point you toward the North Star at the end of the Small Dipper’s handle. The Small Dipper is the constellation Ursa Minor, the small bear. Get out your binoculars and focus on the bend in the dipper’s handle. You should to be able to see two stars close together. The brighter one is Mizer, whose Arabic name translates to cover or apron. This star is actually a quadruple star system, but you will need a real telescope to see the two major constitutes, as they are very close together. The other two stars have only been resolved in high resolution spectrographic studies and have not been actually observed. The two primary stars are very similar to each other in size and chemistry. The fainter star is Alcor (“forgotten” in Arabic). It, too, is a binary; its partner is a small, faint red dwarf discovered in 2009. All together, this makes for a rare six-star system. If your eyesight is good, you might be able to see both Mizer and Alcor with the naked eye. Now, find the bright star Vega in the constellation Lyra, the Harp. It will be just east of straight up around 9:30 p.m. Vega, along with Deneb and Altair, form the asterism called the Summer Triangle. The name Vega comes from the Arabic waqi, which translates to “falling” or “landing.” At a close 25 light-years away from the sun, this star appears as the fifth brightest star in our sky. This star is twice the size of our sun, but only half-a-billion years old (compared to our sun which is 4.5 billion years old). As the Earth wobbles on its axis, Vega was our North Star 14,000 years ago and will be again in the year 13,727AD. Just above Vega to the northeast is Epsilon Lyrae. Using binoculars, you can see this is a double star system. With a good telescope, the two stars become four. The northern star, Zubeneschamali as the only greenish star visible to the naked eye—why it was seen Epsilon 1, consists of a hot star about twice the mass of the as “green” is not known; today it is more bluish. sun and Epsilon 1B is a bit cooler, about 1.6 times the sun’s East of Lyra is Cygnus, the swan, with the star Deneb at the head of the “Northern mass, orbiting each other every 1800 years. The southern star, Cross.” Deneb is the fifteenth brightest star in our night sky and a member of the Epsilon 2, is really two hot stars, about twice the mass of the Summer Triangle. Deneb will be the closest bright star to the celestial north pole sun, orbiting each other every 724 years. In the mid 1980s, a about 9800AD as the Earth wobbles on its axis. This star has now exhausted the faint fifth star was detected by a large telescope using hydrogen in its core and expanded to become a supergiant. The bottom of the advanced imaging techniques. Northern Cross is a star named Albireo, when viewed with a small telescope, it Further to the northeast, in Lyra, is another interesting star becomes a close binary. The brighter component is a striking yellow color against its called R Lyrae. This is a large pulsating red giant 350 small blue sibling. Astronomers are still debating if this is a true orbiting binary pair light-years away from Earth. Its visual magnitude varies of stars or just an optical binary. If they do orbit each other, the period is in excess of between 3.9 and 5.0 over a period of 46 days. 100,000 years. One of the zodiac constellations, which are used in Our last display for the month involves two planets. Look in the west northwest, astrology, located between Virgo and Scorpio, is Libra, the near the horizon, for Venus and Mars. Over the first half of the month, Venus and scales. This is a dim constellation with the brightest star, Mars will get closer and closer together, until, over the evenings of the 11th, 12th, Zubenelgenubi, being a magnitude 2.6. This northern point of and 13th, Mars will appear to barely slip past Venus. Best time to look is between the scale is a double star when seen with binoculars. The 8:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. Use your binoculars for the most impressive view. primary is a blue-white star of magnitude 2.7 and the Now you have a few targets to check out in our night sky on these summer secondary is white. Below and to the right in Lybra is evenings. Please remember to be considerate neighbors and help keep our night sky Zubeneschamali. Earlier observers often described dark so we all can enjoy the wonders of the heavens.

PAGE 16 • JULY 2021 • SANDOVAL SIGNPOST • SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1988 ECO-BEAT— CONTINUED

From page 15 — U.S. F —Heat storms, wildfire OREST starts, and risks asso- S

ciated with hiking, ERVICE camping, and boating during the season. Albuquerque receives roughly half of its average 8.8 inches of annual rainfall from June through October, according to weather The Galleria Tamaya service data. The weather uniquely New Mexican gallery service Monsoon features handcrafted jewelry, copper-work, Outlook for northern alabaster sculpture, Zuni fetish carvings, and central New authentic pueblo pottery, and much more! Mexico, updated on Find gifts and collectibles— June 10, offered truly special and exclusive to this area. some hope for summer rains. The agency noted La An aerial view shows the rugged terrain of the Niña, a cooling of Gila National Forest where the lightning-cause Galleria Tamaya waters in the central Located at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa Johnson Fire has been burning since mid-May. Pacific Ocean associated 1300 Tuyuna Trail, Santa Ana Pueblo, NM 87004 At last report the fire was 24 percent contained. with dry times in the NEW HOURS: OPEN MONDAY THRU SUNDAY • 10AM TO 5PM Southwest, had ended (505) 771-6081 • [email protected] with sea-surface temperatures considered neutral in early June. But it’s difficult to forecast what comes next. One key player for New Mexico is the Four Corners High, the dome of high pressure typical of late spring-early summer and the driving force behind the record heat in June. Whether it moves as needed or blocks monsoon storms remains to be IVEN seen. D ILL

Early forecast models suggest near, to slightly below, B average precipitation through mid-September in western — and central New Mexico and below average rainfall in the east. Complicating the forecast models is climate change affecting wind patterns that bring in moisture from the Pacific and Gulf of Mexico and the Four Corners High (FCH) stubbornly holding its position in recent years. “An ‘average monsoon’ may be a thing of the past, simply because a more chaotic or distorted polar jet stream is less likely to force the FCH eastward in order to maintain a low and mid-level southerly moisture transport,” meteorol- ogists at the weather service Albuquerque Forecast Office wrote. With fireworks prohibited year-round on most public lands in the state, Stage I fire restrictions took effect in mid-June. The initial stage bans all fires except in developed campgrounds with fire rings or grills, and additional restrictions could be forthcoming. Many state parks were in Stage II restrictions banning all fires but not the use of gas stoves in cleared areas. Rain pouring on the north face of the Sandias in sent runoff surging down Las Huertas Creek The website NMFireInfo.com contains information on to the Rio Grande in July 2006. Along the way it washed out Camino de Las Huertas, current fires and links to fire restrictions. Detailed informa- which, with a side drainage damaging Camino de la Rosa Castilla, tion on major fires across the country is available at Inci- isolated residents of Mustang Mesa until repairs could be made. Web.NWCG.gov. In late June, seven wildland fires were burning in the Carson, Santa Fe, and Gila national forests, the largest being the 88,000-acre lightning-cause Johnson Fire near the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. Lightning In Arizona, the human-caused 180,000-acre Telegraph Fire butted against the 72,000-acre from mostly dry thunderstorms also sparked numerous Mescal Fire prompting evacuation alerts and orders near Clifton, Globe, Miami, and Superior smaller fires, and two people in Valencia County separately abut 65 miles east of Phoenix. While containment lines were holding around the Mescal Fire, have been charged with arson for starting fires in the Rio the Telegraph Fire was 11 percent contained and among several fires sending smoke into New Grande Bosque. Mexico.

Sandoval Signpost • Serving the community since 1988 • JULY 2021 • Page 17 COVID Vaccinations FREE OF CHARGE. Call for your appointment.

• Women’s Health • Same Day Appointments • Prenatal Services • Family Planning • Comprehensive Family • Behavioral Health Medicine

Steven L. Hartman, MD, Medical Director Rachel Rankin, MD • Rachel Marzec, FNP-PMHNP Felina Ortiz, CNM • Rebecca Casalino, CFNP Brie Anaya, CFNP • Marissa Cortes Mendez, CFNP, CNM Tamara Righettini, CFNP • Stephen V. Roper, CFNP Jennifer Webb, LPCC • Madeleine Stevens, LPCC Sandra Fortier, LCSW

Monday 8 am—5 pm • Tuesday 8 am—5 pm Wednesday 8 am—8 pm • Thursday 8 am—5 pm Friday 8 am—5 pm 121 Calle Del Presidente Bernalillo, New Mexico 87004

REAL PEOPLE

Being Harriet Tubman, Caste, and Posse ~KAREN JONES MEADOWS

When I lived in Charlotte and was commissioned by the Afro-American Cultural Center to create short extemporaneous touring performances entitled, A Living Portrait of Black History, I had no idea that decades later, post being Phyllis Wheatly, Loraine Hansberry, and Queen Nzinga, I would still be Harriet Tubman here, there, and everywhere. Having written and toured throughout the U.S. and abroad with an expanded award-winning version entitled, Harriet’s Return: Based upon the Legendary Life of Harriet Tubman, I have come to know that for millions of people, Harriet Tubman carries the global status of icon, marvel, queen, philanthro- Karen Jones Meadows at the pist, warrior, entrepreneur, raconteur, mother spirit, and more. Albuquerque Peace and Justice Center. Harriet Tubman embodies the fullness of a human being acting on the potential to do, be, and have whatever they want, with gender, race, trauma, laws, If all goes splendidly, each of us will leave aware of our opportunities to act and any other obstacles rendered impotent against the will and ingenuity of a on our “be, do, and have power,” since we are all cut from the same fabric determined soul. as Harriet Tubman and every member of the human collective. When the Placitas Reads Team asked if I would present, “something interac- The Placitas Community Library invites you to join us on July 17, at 2:00 tive” for the Placitas Community Library’s current deep dive into the book, p.m., on Zoom, for the third afternoon in the Placitas Reads: Color, Class, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent, by Isabel Wilkerson, I said yes. Yes, and Caste; The Other Social Distancing series. This “Community Read” is a because the library’s programming is awesome, and I enjoy doing my part; series of conversations around the issues raised in Isabel Wilkerson’s bril- yes, because I have a new novel, Harriet Tubman & the Ancestral Posse, that liant book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. Copies of Caste are avail- I think ties in well; and yes, because the interactive component allows me to able at the Library to check out or to purchase for a discounted price of $30. stretch my theater-games muscles. Each program in the series stands alone and the more you attend the richer There will be fun and focus as I share excerpts from the ancestral posse’s your experiences will be. Because this program will be held via Zoom, you antics and caste healing capabilities, and facilitate a “Caste and Cast” inter- must register in advance at placitaslibrary.com. active journey. No fear or acting necessary!

PAGE 18 • JULY 2021 • SANDOVAL SIGNPOST • SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1988 The Faces of Aging REAL PEOPLE ~ANTONIO PLANELLS —CONTINUED “Faces are not for their owners; but for others and for God.” —(ANONYMOUS)

When the Austrian novelist Marie von Ebner- cal and mental deterioration, Eisenbach (1830-1916) says, “Old age either aging brings a staggering transfigures or fossilizes,” we are confronting amount of loss; the deaths of two opposite images of the human condition, beloved ones, pets, personal, showing the outcome of our learning experi- and family belongings; the ences as human beings. How will we be able to move from home where one contemplate the radiant one and the stone-face? has lived for decades; the pro- The Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges (1899- gressive loss of mobility, inde- 1986) showed us, in a miniaturized description, pendence, and also the ability an old man’s journey to uncover his identity to take care of basic daily within his allotted life’s span: needs. Pain comes into the pic- “A man sets out to draw the world. As the ture in different shapes, forms, years go by, he peoples a space with images of and intensities revealing to us the faces of suf- provinces, kingdoms, mountains, bays, ships, fering and misery. We may sometimes cry out in islands, fishes, rooms instruments, stars, horses, pain and also in laughter; in any case, remember and individuals. A short moment before he dies, the words of poetic consolation of the Native he discovers that the patient labyrinth of lines Americans when hey say: “The soul would have traces the lines of his own face.” no rainbow if the eyes had no tears.” Rachael Tingen, DMD Interesting and revealing enough, Borges wrote C.S. Lewis (1898-1963) tells us: “Mental pain this piece as the “Epilogue” of his book, The is less dramatic than physical pain, but it is more Maker. common and also the hardest to bear.... and it is The Irish poet, William Butler Yeats, (1865- easier to say ‘my tooth is aching’ than to say 1939) went further back in his search for an ‘my heart is broken’.” Indeed, pain provides an ancient metaphysical revelation: “I am looking opportunity for heroism, and suffering has a for the face I had before the world was made.” noble purpose in the evolution of our conscious- The face is a most vital part of the body and the ness and spirituality. most sensitive, since in it are located the organs Sometimes, during our old age, thoughts and of sense; and whether we like it or not, it is the recollections make us feel an inner urgency to part of ourselves in which we are revealed to the rescue the child in ourselves; that child that was world. Alain Gheerbrant said clearly, “The face beginning his/her quest for adulthood. Then we For the best general dentistry is the symbol of divinity in each human being, a may see a familiar face appearing before us; the divinity erased or manifest, lost, or rediscovered. face of the child that we were, and that now is Symbol of the mysterious, the face is like an showing, in its natural innocence, the need to invisible door to which the key has been lost.” reestablish a dialogue to allow us to complete The process of becoming transfigured as we ourselves... because it must be very sad to die are becoming old implies a radical transforma- without knowing who we are. tion in terms of radiance, serene happiness, Are we really aware that our daily life has inner peace, and spiritual joy. On the other hand, been, is, and will be, surrounded by faces? Faces 3 Homesteads Rd., Ste. B fossilization portrays an old person outdated, everywhere outside and inside of us; looking, Placitas, NM 87043 antiquated, having rigid ideas, and entrenched beholding, describing, espying, viewing, survey- attitudes that usually cover pain, fear, and some- ing, contemplating, observing, noticing, remark- times a profound misunderstanding of the meaning, noting, perceiving, and discerning; meaning ing of love. to take cognizance of something physical, men- also a face having an inner all-seeing eye... the same eye Old age could enlighten not only ourselves but tal, and of inward spirituality. There is an the Spanish poet, Antonio Machado (1875-1939) wants also those around us because we are offered a ancient sacred tradition of face reading that pro- us to see: “The eye that you see is not an eye because unique opportunity to reflect upon the meaning, vides a valuable look inside of the human char- you see it. It is an eye because it sees you.” purpose, and value of life and our relationships. acter and personality as well as into the A healthy, open-minded intelligent dialogue is perplexities of health, mental states, and spiri- Antonio Planells presently offers a “Faces of Aging an ideal vehicle to stimulate our minds, open our tual insights. However, nobody has ever had a Support Group” at the Rio Grande Retirement hearts, and lead us to enjoy the last mile of our direct sight of his/her own face, because it can Community in Rio Rancho. Later this year, he plans journey. only be seen with the help of a mirror; a mirror to introduce an extended version (seminar) of it at the Even without the hardships created by physi- that reflects and makes us reflect. The mirror is Corrales Senior Center.

Rio Rancho faces high fire danger ~PAUL BEARCE, FIRE CHIEF, RIO RANCHO FIRE DEPARTMENT Unseasonably hot temperatures and lack of recent moisture has left much of works and be vigilant for signs of smoke or fire. New Mexico dry and at high risk for wild fires. The National Weather Service The City of Rio Rancho prohibits fireworks that go higher than ten feet and stated that the heatwave affecting the state will likely last for the immediate that are louder than a cap gun. Look for the “Safe and Sane” label when pur- future. The high temperatures and lack of measurable rain places Rio Rancho chasing fireworks as these do not fly or explode. If you purchase fireworks in at an elevated threat for catastrophic fires. Beginning on June 21, Rio Rancho the City of Rio Rancho, the Fire and Rescue Department has inspected and Fire and Rescue (RRFR) and the City of Rio Rancho will issue a temporary approved all fireworks vendors to assure that the “Safe and Sane” criteria has ban on outdoor burning until conditions improve. In addition, RRFR will begin been met. Any fireworks that do not meet this standard are deemed illegal, and our annual severity patrol of the Rio Grande Bosque and west mesa. anyone caught in possession of them and/or using them may be subject to fire- The severity patrol consists of specially trained firefighters who provide reg- works seizure, citation, and penalty. A violation carries a potential fine of up to ular patrolling of areas that are at risk of a wild fire spreading. The crew will $500 and/or jail time of up to ninety days. be utilizing a brush fire truck to provide quick response if fires are discovered. The City of Rio Rancho encourages citizens to attend a public fireworks dis- They will be on duty every day from noon to 10:00 p.m. through the July 4th play, rather than risking an injury or potential fire with the use of fireworks at weekend. home. The City’s free Fireworks and Concert Event will take place at City Every year, illegal fireworks, and improper use of fireworks pose an addi- Center and the new Campus Park during the evening of July 4. tional danger for fires. Residents are reminded to be extra cautious with fire- [See firework/concert details on page 9, this Signpost.]

Sandoval Signpost • Serving the community since 1988 • JULY 2021 • Page 19 Something New in Bernalillo! All is good, except when it’s not Studio & Gallery Opening Weekend in Carter’s new novel ARTS July 3 & 4 • 10am to 6pm ~BILL DIVEN Award-winning Placitas author Mary Carter, in her latest novel, sets up Open Every Friday & Saturday this Summer the conflict between good and evil as seen through the eyes of a woman at 243 W. Calle Don Andres twice named Good. (3 blocks West of Abuelitas) “When Tova Goodman is born, her mother calls her Tova,” Carter wrote in describing her lead character. “Along with her mother’s new Art • Artifacts • Refreshments married name, Goodman, that means that Tova has two good names. “Right from her birth, Tova embarks on her calling: to find out the LA PRENDA STUDIO meaning of the word good.” Over the course of All Good Tova Goodman and Tova’s one-hun- & Bernalillo Arts & Salvage dred-year life and as an observer of the good and the bad, she [email protected] becomes a student, scholar, expert, and veritable connoisseur of “good.” Then dystopia blooms bringing with it the question of whether good will triumph over evil. Carter’s background is in advertising copywriting, and she came to Judaism later in life infusing her writing with Jewish quirks and traditions in what she doesn’t consider religious books. Her debut novel, I, Sarah Steinway, was a finalist in the 2019 Jewish Book Awards and a winner in the 2018 New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards. She also won first-places in the New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards for her novel The Three- Day Departure of Mrs. Annette Zinn and her memoir A Non-Swimmer Considers Her Mikvah. Her books are available on Amazon and at independent bookstores.

The Chimes of Westminster, a new book of short stories, by Gary Priester ~SIGNPOST STAFF Gary Priester, who creates the 3D stereograms that appear in the Signpost each month, has just published a collection of 16 short stories. The stories are quirky and range from chimes, to Wild Hearts Gallery presents “Rainscapes” crimes, to the good old times. In the title story, The Chimes of Westminster, Sid inherits a chiming ~BARBARA BURZILLO antique mantle clock from his great aunt Florence. But does the clock The expansiveness of the sky, the sudden silk of a litho- possess a mind of its own? During his research, Sid discovers the storms becoming Rainscapes above the graph I drew clock’s unusual history. countless layers of land between us and and printed in Death ponders the deaths we encounter in life. Our hero goes out the horizon, make up our world. Judith’s 1980! The kicking and screaming. But not before he reveals his intimate acquain- Silk Art Quilts artfully depict the beauty other land- tance with the phrase, “kicking the bucket.” of our high desert surroundings. scapes are of Samantha is besotted with computer nerd, next door neighbor, and Says Roderick: “I have lived in and expansive blue fellow student, Willy. But what does Sam have to do to tear Willy loved the Southwest landscape since skies, hoping away from his computer long enough for Willy to notice her? Com- 1975. I have enjoyed driving through it, and waiting for puter Crimes of the Heart reveals Samantha’s inner hacker. hiking and camping in it, and it has long rain.” Karma, Again. What goes ‘round comes ‘round and just might kick been an inspiration for my art: photo- The Artists’ Cloudburst, fiber art, you in the butt. Will the crooked Cowboy Congressman get reelected? graphs and sketches, lithographs and Reception will by Judith Roderick And does karma only affect those who believe in it? block prints, watercolor and acrylic be celebrated Jake and Ethyl are very unusual travel agents: they hate to travel. paintings, and decades of work on fiber, with fellowship and refreshments on July But this does not prevent Fly-By-Night Travel from becoming a travel wax and dyes on cotton and painting on 10, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The gallery industry leader. Together with grandson Marty, they invent some very silk. will follow all COVID-19 safety meas- unusual and entertaining tour packages, including The Booze Cruise, “The two Rainscape quilts in the ures in place at the time of the reception. the Lost at Sea Lifeboat Tours, and their tour de force, Tours to the exhibit were inspired by Plein Aire Wild Hearts Gallery is open Tuesday Trouble Spots of the World, where the tourists wear vests with large watercolor paintings done long ago. I through Sunday, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 targets and nasty taunts like: What a crappy country this is! And: Take loved figuring out how to use silk to p.m., located in Homestead Village— your best shot! This might be the last tour you will ever take. depict the sudden storms that we seldom 221-B, NM-165, in Placitas. In paperback, 176 pages and available from Amazon. see, but vividly remember in our mind’s Take a visual tour of the gallery by eye. One quilt in the show is a print on visiting wildheartsgallery.com.

Mark your calendar: Placitas Studio Tour returns live—August 28 and 29, 2021 ~NANCY HOLLEY “What have the artists in Placitas been doing since mixed-media, collage, quilling, metal, and jewelry. planning your travels to the studios through beauti- the 2020 Placitas Studio Tour was canceled and This free, self-guided, self-driven tour offers a ful Placitas—www.placitasstudiotour.com. Watch COVID-19 restrictions went into effect?” In one unique behind-the-scenes peek at our growing artis- for the Placitas Studio Tour directional signs to the word: Creating! tic community. studios. Studio tour brochures are available at all Fifty-seven artists are participating in the 2021 Artists will open their studio doors from 10:00 studio locations and at Homestead Village, two studio tour, and their studios are overflowing with a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on August 28 and 29. Artwork is miles east of I-25 on Highway 165. new and exciting creations in pottery, wood, pho- for sale at all studios. After this August’s Placitas Studio Tour, it will tography, sculpture, fiber, painting, ceramics, steel, Please visit the tour’s website to browse the return again in 2022 on Mother’s Day weekend artists’ pages and download the tour map to begin (May 7–8).

PAGE 20 • JULY 2021 • SANDOVAL SIGNPOST • SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1988 Inaugural exhibition at Placitas library ~REBECCA COHEN When life gives you lemons.... As you are no doubt aware, the 2020 Placitas Studio Tour (PST) was canceled due to the pandemic. What was to be the first exhibit in Placitas Community Library’s new Gracie Lee Community room, featuring 2020 PST artists’ work, became a virtual exhibition because of delayed completion of that space. So, where, you ask, is our lemonade? Here is the sweet reward for your patience. All 2021 Placitas Studio Tour artists have been invited to submit one representative piece of their artwork to hang in the library, beginning July 10, celebrating the soft opening of the library’s wonderful new addition. The exhibit will continue through the end of Sculpture #2, by Karen Jacobs July, offering a preview of the 24th annual Placitas Studio Tour, scheduled www.pclart.com, will benefit the artists and also for August 28-29, 2021. the library which will receive 25 percent of the We anticipate that you want to make a point to artwork’s purchase price. come see the new, eagerly anticipated library In-person browsing and check out of materials addition, as well as a sampling of the art created will begin in the library on July 13, during regu- for the studio tour. lar abbreviated hours: Tuesdays, from 3:00 to On July 10, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., the library 7:00 p.m., Thursdays, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 will host a “Sneak Peek” of our new and p.m., and Saturdays, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. expanded facility, offering an opportunity for Gradually, hours will increase until we are back community members to familiarize themselves to our regular pre-COVID schedule. with the new space while also planning their The library is located at 453 State Highway August trek through the studios of the many tal- 165 in Placitas. ented artists of Placitas. Purchases made from the library exhibit, and from the virtual exhibition at (right) Santa Fe Station, by Mike Kimball

Sandoval Signpost • Serving the community since 1988 • JULY 2021 • Page 21 The Signpost welcomes letters of opinion. Letters are subject to GAUNTLET editing for length, clarity, libel, and other considerations. Mail to: LETTERS • OPINIONS • LOCAL ISSUES Signpost, P. O. Box 889, Placitas, NM, 87043 or send to: [email protected]

Eastern Sandoval Citizens Las Placitas Association (ESCA) report Association (LPA) —JEAN ROBERTS, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, ESCA ESCA congratulates Melanie Stansbury, who will represent Con- and Pathways: gressional District 1 in the US House of Representatives. She won the seat in the June 1 special election, replacing Deb Haaland, who Wildlife Corridors of is our nation’s new Secretary of the Interior. ESCA board members plan to meet with Representative Stans- bury to request that she reintroduce the Buffalo Tract Protection New Mexico Act for consideration during the current session of the House. Sen- ~JOAN FENICLE ator Martin Heinrich has already reintroduced the bill in the Sen- ate. The goal of the legislation is to prohibit gravel mining in the THE PLACITAS MASTER PLAN REVISITED: Buffalo Tract, which is immediately adjacent to the northern border In April of 2009, the Placitas Area Plan was of Placitas neighborhoods. adopted by Sandoval County after a long and The tract is part of the Bureau of Land Management’s Rio Puerco contentious process in which many of us par- Resource Management Plan (RMP). The long-awaited RMP ticipated. While not perfect, it did recognize remains in draft form. The Buffalo Tract Protection Act would pro- that Placitas is a diverse community and there vide the necessary legislation to protect the area from gravel min- is no “one size fits all” solution. Thus, the area was divided into four distinct districts. ing. There were some area-wide recommendations that came out of the plan, however, In other news, the ESCA board plans to contact the membership most of which went on the shelf, including: to request approval of the board’s recent decision to revise our • Encouraging the development of NM 165 as the back bone of a trail network sys- bylaws and articles of incorporation. The revision would provide tem for the Placitas Plan Area that can enhance critical open space and provide con- the board with the flexibility to support charities within the ESCA nections within the community. corporation area that need extra help for special purposes, consis- Fast forward, 12 years later, there is no trail network, and it remains unsafe for tent with our mission to maintain our quality of life in our commu- walkers, bikers, and animals to navigate beside NM 165. LPA is reaching out to our nity. Any donation would require the unanimous support of all county commissioner and the DOT to shine light on this issue. With the state’s focus board members. on outdoor recreation, it’s time to get this done. ESCA’s corporation area is from I-25—including Algodones—to WELCOME RAY BURGESS: Our newest LPA member deserves special recognition. Ray the eastern border of Sandoval County. A ballot will be sent to each works tirelessly on the Placitas Open Space, improving trails, gates, benches and bridges. ESCA member for their vote. He has made the outdoor recreation of many Placitans more enjoyable. TRAIL ETIQUETTE: Recent NextDoor posts focused on the anxiety produced by recreating on mixed-use trails. It’s the old “who yields to whom” dilemma; the general rule is that bikers should dismount and step off the trail until hikers pass. That’s somewhat impractical A small farm future: given that it’s easier for the hiker to step off the trail, but that’s the guideline. We suggest being grateful for your good fortune to both be on that trail, in the high desert of New Mex- seeds-sharing-enough ico. Step off the trail if you are walking. If you are biking, announce your approach, hit the brakes and thank the hiker who stepped off the trail for you. If speed is your challenge, per- —LYNN MONTGOMERY haps you need to seek out a dedicated bike trail. With a little respect, we really can coexist. When I first proposed the idea of A Small Farm Future it got a Las Placitas Association has begun in person meetings again, the third Wednesday strong reaction. Some thought I was out of line to propose such an of each month at 6:00 p.m., at the home of KUPR radio. You are welcome—but mask outlandish idea. Any large new idea usually has this reaction. It is up if unvaccinated! not my idea, but author and farmer Chris Smage’s. I wished to convey it to the Advocates, but “All calculations based on our experiences elsewhere fail in New Mexico” (Lew Wallace, April One must grow the plants, become part of ticular over fertility, bears early, and is easy 29, 1881). So, a small farm future will have to be customized to them, and share part of oneself through to process. The young leaves are a quelite, meet the reality of our unique State. them. Thus, we become part of our land spinach relatives that grow wild in our gar- Such an idea always poses questions. What about health, land and water, our inheritance and each other. dens, with much loving encouragement. tenure, water rights, and distribution, communications, and a work- Our Small Farm Future is about reconnect- It is sacred to the Aztec people, who able economy? How are these going to work out with a very differ- ing with these. made a cake by mixing it with honey and ent society? Over the modern era we have lost a lot of connection Every seed holds countless stories. It using it in ceremony. The Spanish took to the non-human world. We keep to our human bubble and don’t might be difficult to hear them. As we con- much offense to this, banned its possession wander outside of it much. In order to meet the demands of living nect better with our seed we will hear some and imposed dire penalties. Nevertheless, it in a climate-changed world we must reconnect to it deeply. To start of them through our imaginations. I know has survived and is grown extensively in on the journey, I propose we work on the three pillars of A New one story of a seed I save because of his- Mexico today. The seeds can be popped, Mexico Small Farm Future, which I conceive of as seeds, sharing, tory. New Mexico amaranth is a magnifi- mixed with syrup and made into bars. and enough. cent plant. It is over six feet tall with a These are called “alegría” and are sold in Our seeds represent part of our relationship to Mother Nature. large seed head. One can talk with them the street throughout the country. Thus, it is We would not have much food without them. They were created by face to face. I first sourced it from Native a plant of resilience that brings joy. intelligent, observant people, some over thousands of years. They Seeds/SEARCH, a living seed bank in Tuc- A Small Farm Future will be close-knit. are our greatest blessings from our ancestors. They contain essen- son, Arizona, of indigenous seeds from the More efficient methods of exchange will tial knowledge from all those centuries, which you will add to US Southwest and Mexico, which offers have to be developed. The most efficient when you grow them in your small farm. When you plant your many for sale. They found it growing in a method is sharing. It can even serve as the seed, you are connecting to all those who planted it before in a dooryard garden in Rinconada, New Mex- sole method. We will learn how to share by direct line from the people who first established the strain. Each ico. Amaranth comes in many colors, deep sharing our natural resources, especially one had to plant the seed, gain a harvest, and then save it. Each red, white, orange and golden. This one is a water and land. Respecting each other and one has given you the seed as a gift and the covenant to continue golden variety, the heads being yellow with other communities will be essential. We it. carmine tinges. must find ways to avoid conflict when we One of the ways to save our seeds is to share them. Indigenous Amaranth is being closely looked at by may not have the complex legal system of people and friends gather to do so. We can do the same once we New Mexican farmers, as it is a very nutri- today. It will have to be more efficient, have established our strains. One cannot share seeds if one does tious and delicious grain that needs less working directly face to face. We won’t not grow them. Building an eBay collection doesn’t work here. water than most grain crops, isn’t very par- have time for multi-decade litigation to —continued next page

PAGE 22 • JULY 2021 • SANDOVAL SIGNPOST • SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1988 IVEN D

TIME OFF ILL B BY Tents, trains, buses beat the pandemic PHOTOS —even without coffee TORY

~BILL DIVEN —S For social distancing, it’s tough to beat vation. the southern fingertip of Cedar Mesa, The option was to seek a flat spot 1,500 feet above Mexican Hat, Utah, among whatever trees hadn’t burned and surrounded by a seeming empti- in last year’s 71,000-acre Magnum ness, with a horizon disrupted by the Fire that chased Jacob Lake residents jagged fringe of Monument Valley. from their homes as it barely skirted Here, it’s easy to feel abandoned and the community. alone on a vast planet, no one but me Sitting at our fire pit on the first (OK, so my wife has the other camp chilled evening, the aural environment It’s easy to feel as if the world is yours alone while camping on chair). Regardless, there is no sense of crackled with playing children, vehicle at the south end of Cedar Mesa in Utah. With a view toward Arizona other souls anywhere around until the and Porta Potty doors slamming, and and Monument Valley, camping is free here within a corner of the sun goes down and the Navajo Nation drinking chants followed by cheers. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. lights up. The North Rim visitor center, just Scattered communities emerge as emerged from winter hibernation, constellations floating in darkest deep welcomed what seemed like the start space. So, you’re not alone if you ever of a normal tourist season, although were in this land of the ancients, whose some of us still wore facemasks on stone homes still wedge into alcoves of trails and at lookouts. sandstone cliffs. Back to Utah on Memorial Day, This was just day one of a two-thou- the usually calm highway over vol- sand-mile tenting trek away from the canic Markagaunt Plateau at nearly burgeoning heat of Placitas to the ten-thousand feet devolved into a foggy shroud of the Oregon coast. We crawling bumper-to-bumper snake would keep to ourselves as much as dance of holiday revelers descending possible, even as the country gritted its to Interstate 15 at Cedar City. Traffic teeth, ready to burst into the freedoms peeled left and right, opening our taken for granted at the beginning of road west but leaving us behind 2020. schedule. For a sign of that, the next two nights We were hustling a bit to reach we squeezed into a packed RV park Beaver Dam State Park, considered with tent sites at Jacob Lake, Arizona, the most remote state park in 42 miles from the Grand Canyon North Nevada, hoping for a campsite. Rim. This was Memorial Day weekend Instead, after 38 miles of gravel where we felt obliged to make a reser- ranch road, passing the park ranger An Amtrak car attendant and crewman, masked up per federal law and Amtrak policy, await the departure time of the southbound Coast Starlight in —continued on page 25 Eugene, Ore. The train connects Seattle and Los Angeles.

From page 22—Seeds resolve when we need to determine how much pre- We accumulate things sim- cious seed we can plant or how much water we will ply because they are scarce have to share. and owning them brings sta- Modern people might object to giving most tus. Possession brings anxi- everything away, but there are lots of societies, ety and fear of loss. Why do some extant, that do just that. The Potlatch societies billionaires oppose being of the Pacific Northwest and numerous give-away taxed when it really doesn’t customs throughout Native America are good make any difference? Our examples. Acequia communities have survived over economy is based on this. centuries by pooling resources to ensure the wealth, Surrounded by massive anx- and want, are shared. As wealth is accumulated, iety and fear as the only one’s status is reduced, the exact opposite of how motivating factors. Never moderns do it. Wealth is often abusive, so making it venturing outside the bub- low status keeps it from being so. The overall ble. wealth of the community is unchanged, only the Being happy entails the distribution. The act of giving is ennobling and with Spanish word for it: “con- the high status, one is able to begin to accumulate tento.” It is not possible to be New Mexico amaranth all over again. Imagine large corporations giving contento unless one has everything away every year and how different our enough and only enough. selves away doesn’t come easy but the rewards do. society would be. Of course, it would be impossible Enough is very personal. For a Buddhist monk it is We can keep the pain—dragging our anxieties and for corporations to amass such wealth in the first a simple raiment and a begging bowl. For another it fears into a dead-end future. Or we can be contento place. There are other methods of exchange. Goods is being principal of a school. For some it is grow- and start to find our small farms. and services will find their way around somehow. ing a bountiful garden. Possessing a lot of stuff, On March 10, 2006, I attended a signing cere- Humans are good at that. money, and power does not bring contento and mony in Alcalde for the New Mexico Seed Sover- The most consequential thing we can do to pre- can’t. The anxiety and fear erect an impenetrable eignty Declaration. People were becoming worried pare for the future is to gain the concept of barrier. The world desperately needs to be contento, about what was happening to our seeds. A video “enough.” We have created a false sense of insecu- which brings liberation. was made of it featuring youth. rity by preaching about all the scarcity out there. We all know what to do. Giving things and our-

Sandoval Signpost • Serving the community since 1988 • JULY 2021 • Page 23 SIGNPOST COMMUNITY CALENDAR

SOME OF THESE ONGOING LISTINGS ARE TEMPORARILY CANCELLED DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. PLEASE CHECK VIA THEIR CONTACT INFORMATION TO SEE WHEN AND IF THEY WILL RESUME.

[“First Monday” means the first Monday of each month.] 7110 by the first Tuesday. Board meeting agenda is posted on the supports the “Art of Craft” through exhibitions, education and public ESCAFCA website (escafca.com) and at the front desk of the Town awareness to promote the development and appreciation of craftspeo- Daily: The Mayor Hull Show. Go to rrnm.gov/mayorhullshow. Rio Hall by Friday preceding the meeting. ple and theira work. Baptist Church of Rio Rancho Adult Education Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull talks about issues facing Rio Rancho. Center, 1909 Grande Avenue, Rio Rancho. [email protected], Fourth Tuesdays: Placitas Democrats and Friends. 6-7:30 p.m. Held 948-3132. Daily: Recreating at Valles Caldera National Preserve. The park at Placitas Community Library. Meetings are open to the public and landscape remains open to vehicles along NM-4 and pedestrian/bicy- feature candidates for local, state, national offices. www.sandovalde- Third Thursdays: Placitas Community Library Board of Directors cle access along trails, as designated. For a complete list of activities at mocrats.org, 259-5860. meetings. At the Placitas Community Library, 453 Hwy 165. 6:30 the National Preserve, go to https://www.nps.gov/vall/index.htm. p.m. Open to the public. Meeting agendas are posted at the library Tuesdays: Haven House Domestic Violence Support Group for and Placitas Post Office. Monthly: Various community events at Rio Rancho Libraries. Rio women whose lives have been touched by domestic violence. 6:30- Rancho libraries—Esther Bone and Loma Colorado—will be hosting 8:00 p.m. Topics include: Dynamics of Domestic Violence, Safety Fourth Thursdays: Sandoval County Development Planning & a variety of events all month long ranging from book signings, to Plans, Developing Healthy Relationships, and information about Zoning Commission. 6 p.m. Held at the Sandoval County Adminis- poetry readings, lectures, concerts, arts and crafts, meet and greets, available services. All sessions are confidential and free of charge. tration Building, 1500 Idalia Road., Bldg. D, Bernalillo. etc. For more information about the library or each month’s activities, Held at Rio Rancho First Baptist Church, corner of Route 528 and visit www.riorancholibraries.org. 19th Avenue. 896-4869 or 1-800-526-7157. Last Thursdays: Sandoval County veteran’s outreach and business counseling. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Held at 433 Meadowlark SE in Rio Ran- Mondays: Bernalillo/Placitas open Al-Anon meeting for families Wednesdays: Cub Scout meetings. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Held at the LDS cho. All honorably-discharged veterans may be entitled to VA benefits and friends of alcoholics/problem drinkers. 7:30-8:30. Held at the Church Center in Bernalillo, west of I-25’s Exit 240. New members are and state Veteran benefits. Come learn about your potential benefits. Bernalillo United Methodist Church, 136 Calle Don Andres (behind always welcome. 867-4689, 867-2047. Bring your DD-214. 383-2414. Abuelitas), Bernalillo. Maximum: 12 people; masks required. Info: 262-2177. Wednesdays: Rotary Club of Rio Rancho Sunrise. 7 a.m. For break- Fridays: Sandoval County Stroke Support Group. 11 a.m.-12:30 fast, fellowship, a great speaker, and a chance to get involved in local p.m. Provides weekly support to survivors of stroke, their caregivers, Second and fourth Mondays: Bernalillo Town Council meeting. and worldwide service projects. At Club Rio Rancho (used to be adult family members, and health care providers. Water and light 6:30 p.m. Held at Bernalillo Town Hall. Info: call 867-3311, townofber- Chamisa Hills CC), 500 Country Club Drive, Rio Rancho. Info: Mac snacks provided. No charge for meetings. Social outings arranged six nalillo.org. McKinney, 892-4313. times a year. Geri: 620-8802.

Mondays through Fridays: Placitas Mothers’ Day Out childcare. A Wednesdays: Urban Horticulture Class Continuing Series. 1-3 p.m. First Fridays: Monthly luncheon of the Democratic Party of San- caring, cooperative, community childcare program since 1989. Hours: Sponsored by the SandovalMasterGardeners.org. Free and open to the doval County. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Range Cafe in Bernalillo, 925 8 a.m.-3 p.m. daily. Cancelled until further notice because of COVID. public. Registration preferred. SandovalMasterGardeners.org. San- Camino del Pueblo. Sandoval Democrats gather once a month (most Info: Ms. Debbie Steuber, 867-3371. doval County Ext. Office, Bernalillo. 929-0414. months) to welcome speakers, candidates, and government representatives. You pay for your lunch from the menu, or come for just the Mondays through Saturdays: Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in First Wednesdays: Free civil legal clinic offered. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Held meeting. www.sandovaldemocrats.org. Bernalillo. For a complete list of schedules, visit the website in the third-floor conference room of the Second District Courthouse, at www.albuquerqueaa.org or call Central Office at 266-1900, open at the southwest corner of Lomas and Fourth, NW. Free legal advice Second Friday: Luncheon of the San-Bern Federated Republican 24/7. on a number of civil legal issues. No family law services will be Women. Starts at 11:30 a.m. Held at Rio Rancho Inn and Conference offered. Attendance is limited to the first 25 persons who qualify for Center—1465 Rio Rancho Blvd. SE, Rio Rancho, 87124. The meet- Tuesdays and Thursdays: Pickleball at the Bernalillo Community low-income assistance. Interpreters and bilingual attorneys will be on and-greet luncheons are to discuss business and politics for both Center. 1-4 p.m. Pickleball is a game played on a court with paddles hand. Attendees should bring all of their paperwork. Expect about a Sandoval and Bernalillo County Republican interests. Our aim is to and a whiffle ball. The court is smaller than a tennis court and allows thirty-minute, free legal consultation. 797-6077. promote an informed public through political education and activity. people to play who no longer want to run and jump as they did in All Republican men and women invited to attend. Contact Julie their younger years. Anyone can play, even if they have never played Second Wednesdays: Rio Rancho Art Association (RRAA) monthly Wright at 720- 4883 or go to www.sanbernfrw.org. tennis. 934-2649. Cancelled until further notice because of COVID. membership meeting. 6:30-8:30 p.m. RRAA is a non-juried/all mediums regional art association. You need not be a resident of Rio Saturdays: Los Ranchos Growers’ Market is open! 8 a.m.-11 First Tuesdays: Albuquerque Newcomers’ Club Welcome Coffee. 10 Rancho to join. Held in Don Chalmer’s Ford Community Room, 2500 a.m.Thirty to 50 vendors offer fresh produce, greens, eggs, fruit, a.m. Held at Sandia Presbyterian Church (not affiliated with Rio Rancho Boulevard, Rio Rancho. www.rraausa.org, www.rioran- honey, jams/jellies, baked goods, jerky, grass-fed beef, church)—10704 Paseo del Norte. Membership is open to residents choartassociation.blogspot.com or 301-2009. seedlings/plants, and flowers. Ready-to-eat vendors. Leashed pets who have lived in the Albuquerque area (including Sandoval County) welcome. Celebrate the lavender and garlic on July 10. Open through for five years or less, or who are having major changes in their lives. Second and fourth Wednesdays: Sandoval County Civitans. 6:00 November. At 6718 Rio Grande Boulevard NW in the Village of Los Make new friends and increase your social life. Sign up for monthly p.m. Held at Fair Winds, 920 Riverview Drive SE, Rio Rancho. 898- Ranchos, in the Tennis Court Parking lot. Free and vendors accept luncheons and speakers, dining out, visits to area attractions, book 6884. WIC/Senior discounts. [email protected], 610-9591, or Los and movie groups, bridge, bunco, mah jongg, walking, wine tastings, Ranchos Growers’ Market on Facebook. etc. Singles’ and men’s groups. [email protected]. 321- Third Wednesdays: Las Placitas Association Board meeting. 6:30 6970. p.m. Currently held via Zoom. Attendance by invitation. Visitors wel- Saturdays: Casa Rosa Food Bank. Open 9-11 a.m. Held in the pink come. Email: [email protected] for an invitation. house east of Las Placitas Presbyterian Church at 640 Highway 165, First Tuesdays: Coronado Kennel Club meeting. 7:30 p.m. All-breed six miles east of I-25. Community outreach program provides non- kennel club. Schedule changes in August and December. Call 867-4510 Thursdays: Sandoval County Historical Society archives and perishable food items as well as dairy, frozen meats, and fresh pro- for meeting location. library are open to members and the public for family research, 9 duce as available for Placitas residents in need. Donations, volunteers a.m.-Noon. Bernalillo. Info: 867-2755. welcome. First Tuesday: Monthly ice cream social hosted by the Kiwanis Club. 6 p.m. Held at the Paleta Bar in Bernalillo—510 NM Highway First Thursdays: Sandoval County veteran’s outreach and business Third Saturdays: Rio Rancho Northwest Mesa NAACP meets “Vir- 528. counseling. 1-4 p.m. Held at the Sandoval County Administrative tual.” Public is invited. https://rrnaacp.wixsite.com/website Building, 1500 Idalia Road in Bernalillo. All honorably- discharged Third Tuesday: Open meeting of the Sandia Vista Amateur Radio veterans may be entitled to VA benefits and state Veteran benefits. July 4: Placitas Fourth of July parade. Bring your lawn chairs and Club. 7 p.m. Held at Fire Station 41 on highway 165, just east of the Come learn about your potential benefits. Bring your DD-214. 383- coolers and line the streets of the Placitas Village to watch the annual Placitas Community Library. Everyone is welcome to attend meetings, 2414. parade, or join in the parade yourself with decorated car, bike, horse, whether or not they have an FCC License. whatever you think of. Parade participants line up in front of Placitas First Thursdays: Art and Music at the Loma Colorado Main Heights at 9 a.m.; no pre-registration necessary. The parade starts at Third Tuesdays: Monthly meeting of the Republican Party of San- Library Auditorium, Rio Rancho. Info: riorancholibraries.org, 505- 10:00 a.m. and winds up Hwy. 165 and through the old Village of doval County (RPSC). 7 p.m. Held at the Gospel Light Baptist 891-5013. Placitas. Church, 1500 Southern Boulevard in Rio Rancho. www.SandovalGOP.com. First and third Thursdays: Sandoval County Commission meeting. July 4: Sandia Chill Concert "Red, White & Blues,”—6:00 pm. 6 p.m. Unless otherwise noted, all meetings will be held in the San- Live music: Albuquerque Jazz Orchestra (AJO) at Homestead Village Third Tuesdays: Sandia Vista Amateur Radio Club. 7 p.m. Help pro- doval Administration Building, 1500 Idalia Road Building D, near the Merc in Placitas. $20 per concert, tickets online at: vide emergency communications in Placitas. Become a “HAM” radio Bernalillo. Info or meeting agenda: www.sandovalcounty.com, 867- CanyonBluesandJazz.org. Email: [email protected]. operator. We will help you get your FCC license. Visitors welcome. 7500. Held at the Placitas Fire Station No. 41, Hwy 165, near the Library. July 17 & 18: Bernalillo Indian Arts Festival, 9am-5pm. Info: sandiavista.net.. Second Thursday: The New Mexico Parkinson’s Coalition (NMPC) 200 juried artists. Family friendly outdoor festival. All welcome. meets. 1:30-3 p.m. Held at Grace Outreach at 2900 Southern Boule- Free admission. At Loretto Park, 237 S. Camino del Pueblo, Fourth Tuesdays: Pathways: Wildlife Corridors of NM monthly vard SE in Rio Rancho. The NMPC works to enhance the quality of Bernalillo. Masks not required for vaccinated patrons. 867-9667. meeting. 6:30 p.m. Held at Placitas Community Center. Open to the life for individuals with Parkinson’s through education, awareness www.bernalilloindianfestival.com. public. pathwayswc.wordpress.com. and support for those with the disease. For more information, call 219-5065 or visit the website: nmparkinson.org. July 18: Sandia Chill Concert "Soul Food, “7:00 pm. Live music: Fourth Tuesdays: Eastern Sandoval County Arroyo Flood Control Hillary Smith & the Chill House Band at Homestead Village near Authority (ESCAFCA) meeting. 6 p.m. Held in the Town of Second Thursdays: Visionary Arts & Crafts Guild (VACG). 6-8 p.m. the Merc in Placitas. $20 per concert, tickets online at: Bernalillo Council Chambers. Persons wishing to be on the agenda or VACG is a group of juried artists whose mission is to develop a fellow- CanyonBluesandJazz.org. Email: [email protected]. persons with disabilities who need accommodations should call 771- ship among craftspeople and facilitate a market for crafts. The VACG

PAGE 24 • JULY 2021 • SANDOVAL SIGNPOST • SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1988 From page 23—Trains TIME OFF— speeding the other way, we entered juniper CONTINUED forest and found the campground empty. At dusk, a couple in a van crunched once around the campground, drove far- ther up the canyon, came back and settled out of sight near the park entrance. As darkness descended, so did mystery. Someone on the lam from the law? Among the many travelers who dodge camping fees? A couple from Caliente hiding out from their spouses? We were up early, but they already were gone. The mystery remains. Two long days across the Great Basin and the desolation of northern Nevada led into the desolation of southeastern Oregon. A few hours later, someone flipped a switch, turning parched scrub into tall pines and rushing water as we reached the coast at Yachats after another night on the ground under an inter- mittent soft rain. With Kate cooling on the Oregon coast for a while and me with work in Placitas, this becomes a tale of two trips: with great optimism in January, I chanced an Amtrak ticket, choking down the price for the smallest sleeping compartment where I could remove my mask and the car attendant would The tunnel under the tracks at the Amtrak station in Sacramento, Calif., deliver prepackaged meals. is a quiet place at 5:56 a.m. on a Tuesday morning. The information To avoid an overnight in Los Angeles, this would be the Coast Starlight from board shows the Coast Starlight, three commuter trains Eugene, Oregon, to Sacramento, two buses and a commuter train to LA, and and two buses departing before 9:00 a.m. the Southwest Chief to Albuquerque. That’s 44 hours, if all were on time. It still would be a train ride with its retro and relaxing reality. Yet it was hardly what I was used to, where diners and lounge cars are the opposite of social distancing and the interaction with strangers a significant part of the experience. [Flash back to my father having drinks with actors Victor Mature and Harpo Max during his travels.] By the time I boarded on June 7, Amtrak was back to daily service from tri- weekly. And it announced diners on western trains would reopen on June 23, at least for sleeping-car passengers, relishing actual chef-prepared meals. The bit of good news for me was I could eat my boxed meals in the diner if I wanted. As a solo traveler, though, I’d be alone at my table. I took that as a sign of improvement in the country, and on the first evening, the Bay Area couple across the aisle and I could converse if we spoke just short of shouting. He turned out to be a Dodgers fan; she loves the Giants and yet some how they managed a lengthy marriage. Perhaps it was their shared love for the communal experience of traveling by train. I’ve ridden Amtrak a fair amount since shortly after its 1971 founding, but these folks had me beat, mentioning frequent and extended trips around the country. The pandemic wasn’t gone, of course, which fouled the next day. Arriving in Sacramento an hour early and before sunrise, coffee wasn’t yet available, and Dozens of passengers gather as their Amtrak San Joaquin the coffee shop in the restored Southern Pacific station remained closed. commuter train arrives in Stockton, Calif., headed for Bakersfield. No enterprising coffee truck operator outside, either, and certainly no vendor The cab car in front controls a locomotive pushing from the rear. on the bus to Stockton and the commuter train, which had yet to restore its café car. My last hope for caffeination would be Los Angeles Union Station still six may hear a lot about commuter, regional, and long-distance trains. Despite hours away, assuming something was open. decades of debate and fitful progress, the country now has elevated an Amtrak- Just for the record, depriving a bedraggled journalist of coffee for too long commuting senator to the presidency. So more than the tone of the conversa- can have consequences. tion will change. LAUS was open for business, but by now, with an hour to kill, I found a mar- Ambitious plans, and proposed funding, already have bubbled up, although garita. If I’d had an hour and a quarter, I might have had another. Coffee could the Boston-Washington Northeast Corridor, with its infamous bottlenecks and wait until dinner. remnant 19th-century bridges, is crying loudest for attention. The Southwest Chief made good time but ran into problems all too common Here in the West, Amtrak announced its vision for running from Cheyenne, with Amtrak scheduling, which is at the mercy of host railroads. Several times Wyoming, through Denver to Pueblo, Colorado, by 2030. That’s still short of we stopped waiting for freight trains to get out of the way, and as we rolled connecting with the Southwest Chief at Trinidad, Colorado, or filling the gap under Interstate 25 at Isleta, a red signal stopped us for track maintenance with what not too many years ago was an Amtrak bus hop between the Chief’s ahead. stop in Raton and Denver. Still we were only forty minutes late into Albuquerque, but that’s even with For, say, two Colorado Rockies fans wanting to see a game in person, nearly an hour of padding between Gallup and the city used to help the Chief which was us back then, Albuquerque-Denver, downtown-to-downtown, with stay on time. no rush or stress, would be an attractive option, especially with a designated Going forward, if you follow the political wrangling over infrastructure, you driver up front.

Sandoval County senior centers COMMUNITY getting back to normal While activities at all Sandoval County Senior centers are Placitas: 867-1396 slowly resuming from COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, meals Bernalillo: 867-9448 are still available for pick up, and for home delivery to those Corrales: 897-3818 who qualify. Additionally, smaller congregate lunches are now Rio Rancho: 891-5818 being served inside. At present, congregate lunch diners in Jemez: 575-834-7630 Placitas must remain six-feet apart while inside the building, Cuba: 575-289-3510 wear a mask, and only remove it while eating. Cochiti 505-465-3162 The menu will be the same for all of the Sandoval County senior centers on any given day. If you are a senior or a disabled adult who cannot access To learn more about the weekly menus or to receive a meal groceries due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), call the Aging or activity update from your local senior center, give them a and Long Term Services Department at 1-800-432-2080 for call: assistance.

Sandoval Signpost • Serving the community since 1988 • JULY 2021 • Page 25 Cub Scouts move up ranks YOUTH ~DAVID GARDENER Three of the young men in our community have moved up through the ranks of Cub Scouting and have crossed over the bridge to continue their training in leadership, citizenship, and self-reliance as they were accepted into Boy Scout Troop 708. They already have demonstrated their allegiance to God and Country and will follow the Scout Law: A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent. The same evening that they joined the Troop they checked in their camping gear for a week-long adventure in the mountains at Camp Gorham near Chimayo, New Mexico. There, they will have the opportunity to earn their Scout badge and advance towards the Tenderfoot and Second Class ranks, while enjoying swimming, shooting, cooking, emergency preparedness, nature, and other outdoor and life skills. The Coronado Optimist Club, a great service organization that provides many programs to bring out the best in youth, sponsors both Cub Scout Pack 708 and Boy Scout Troop 708, and invites all youth and adults to participate in promoting an “active interest in good government and civic affairs; to inspire respect for law; to promote patriotism and work for international accord and friendship among all Cub Scouts cross the bridge to become Boy Scouts. people; to aid and encourage the development of youth in the belief that the giving of one’s self in service to others will advance the well-being of humankind, community life, and the world.” For more information, contact the club, troop, or pack at 867-4689.

EXICO

ANIMAL NEWS SCIENCE

M EW AND

Newly described horned dinosaur N OF

ISTORY

found in New Mexico H ATRICK ~P RODRIGUEZ COURTESY

Scientists at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science ATURAL N OF PHOTOS

(NMMNHS) and other institutions have announced a newly described horned dinosaur first discovered near Cuba, New Mexico. This TORY

dinosaur roamed the area 82 million years ago as one of the earliest USEUM M ceratopsid species, a group known as horned or frilled dinosaurs. —S Researchers published their find in the journal PalZ (Paläontologis- che Zeitschrift). Menefeeceratops sealeyi adds important information to scientists’ understanding of the evolution of ceratopsid dinosaurs. In particular, the discovery sheds light on the centrosaurine subfamily of horned dinosaurs, of which Menefeeceratops is believed to be the oldest member. Its remains offer a clearer picture of the group’s evolutionary path before it went extinct at the end of the Cretaceous. Reconstruction of Menefeeceratops sealeyi, one of the earliest-known The study was published by Sebastian Dalman, a research associate of ceratopsid species, by Ukrainian artist Sergey Krasovskiy. the NMMNHS, as well as Spencer G. Lucas (curator) and Asher Lichtig (research associate) of the NMMNHS. Steven Jasinski of the State Museum of Pennsylvania and Peter Dod- son of the University of Pennsylvania completed the research team. The fossil specimen of the new species, which included multiple bones from one individual, was originally discovered in 1996 by Paul Sealey, a research associate at NMMNHS, in Cretaceous rocks of the Menefee Formation. A field crew from the Museum collected the specimen, and Tom Williamson of NMMNHS briefly described it the following year. Since then, additional research on other ceratopsid dinosaurs and further preparation of the specimen itself have shed new light on the fossils. Based on the latest investigations, researchers determined the fossils represent a new species. The genus name Menefeeceratops refers to the rock formation in which it was discovered, the Menefee Formation, and to the group of which the species is a part, Ceratopsidae. The species name sealeyi honors Sealey, who unearthed the specimen. Menefeeceratops sealeyi skeleton drawing with found bones highlighted in blue. Menefeeceratops is related to, but predates, Triceratops, another ceratopsid dinosaur. However, Menefeeceratops was a relatively small mem- Some of the key features that distinguish Menefeeceratops from other horned ber of the group, growing between 13 and 15 feet in length, compared to dinosaurs involve the bone that makes up the sides of the dinosaur’s frill, Triceratops, which could reach thirty feet in length. known as the squamosal. While less ornate than those of some other ceratop- Horned dinosaurs were generally large, rhinoceros-like herbivores that likely sids, Menefeeceratops’ squamosal has a distinct pattern of concave and convex lived in groups or herds. They were significant members of Late Cretaceous parts. ecosystems in North America. Comparing features of Menefeeceratops with other Although bones of the entire dinosaur were not recovered, a significant known ceratopsid dinosaurs helped the research team trace its evolutionary amount of the skeleton was preserved, including parts of the skull and lower relationships. Their analysis places Menefeeceratops sealeyi at the base of the jaws, forearm, hindlimbs, pelvis, vertebrae, and ribs. These bones not only evolutionary tree of the centrosaurine subfamily, suggesting that not only show the animal is unique among known dinosaur species but also provide is Menefeeceratops one of the oldest known centrosaurine ceratopsids, but also additional clues to its life history. For example, the fossils show evidence of a one of the most basal evolutionarily. potential pathology, resulting from a minor injury or disease, on at least one of Menefeeceratops was part of an ancient ecosystem with numerous other the vertebrae near the base of the spinal column. dinosaurs, including the recently

PAGE 26 • JULY 2021 • SANDOVAL SIGNPOST • SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1988 ANIMAL NEWS—CONTINUED DIA —R . ORG BREIDBROWN /

Northern W / INDEX Leopard Frogs Excellent care for your family pet - O . PHP Coronado Pet Hospital is a state-of-the-art, clean, and comfortable WN ? need your help CURID veterinary clinic with a wide variety of veterinary services for total pet care.

WORK DAN SHAW ~ =73830180 Coronado's compassionate and experienced staff is fully equipped to

, CC BY-SA 4.0, treat dogs, cats, and many exotic species with general and emergency A student at Bosque School in veterinary services, surgery, dental care, and prescription pet foods. Albuquerque, Sean Cervantes, is working with the New Mex- Stop by to meet our staff or call for an appointment today. ico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) to determine if there is still a robust population HTTPS of Northern Leopard Frogs in Northern Leopard Frog ://

Sandoval County and northern COMMONS Bernalillo County. A biologist recently spotted one on Sandia Pueblo and the NMDGF wants to deter-

mine if it was an isolated case or if there are more Leopard Frogs in the . WIKIME region. A once healthy population of frogs has since been declining in recent years due to habitat loss, the invasion of American Bullfrogs, and - Chytrid fungus—a fungus which causes disease in amphibians. A mapping of the northern leopard frog’s population in both the Bernalillo and Sandoval Conveniently located at counties is needed in order for the next steps of this frog’s protection to be taken. 4192 Hwy 528 (just South of 550) You can help out Sean, the NMDGF, and the Leopard Frogs by simply keep- Rio Rancho, NM 87144 ing an eye out for this special frog and letting us know if you see it. The frog has a body length of up to three inches and is brown and green with dark spots on its back and sides that tend to have light colored halos. Call 505-771-3311 They also have prominent skin folds (dorsolateral ridges). They sound like a stick being slid along a bumpy surface, a drawn-out rattling sound. They are Open: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm • Saturdays 8am-4pm usually found in streams, rivers, lakes, marshes, as well as irrigation ditches. Closed Sundays and major holidays If seen, please contact us at [email protected], with pictures, if possible.

THE ANIMAL HOTLINE To help reunite lost/found pets with their people. From page 26 If you lose or find an animal in Sandoval County, email the information to: [email protected]. We will place it in the upcoming issue at no charge. If the animal you reported no longer needs attention, please email the Signpost by the —Dinosaur 20th of the month to have the listing removed. recognized nodosaurid anky- The Animal Hotline is a free animal-friendly service of the Signpost. losaur Invictarx and the tyrannosaurid Dynamoterror, as well as hadrosaurids and dromaeosaurids. While relatively less work has been done collecting dinosaurs in the Menefee Formation to date, the researchers hope that more field work and collecting in these areas, together with new analyses, will turn up more fossils of Menefeecer- atops and ensure a better understanding of the ancient ecosystem of which it was part. “Menefeeceratops shows us just how much we still have to learn about the horned Part of the frill (head shield) dinosaurs of western North of Menefeeceratops sealeyi America,” said Lucas. “The oldest centrosaur, Mene- feeceratops indicates that the Southwest region of the United States was an important place in the evolution of the centrosaurs. And, the recognition of this new centrosaur adds to a growing diversity of centrosaurs, and thus provides impetus to further efforts to discover fossils of these kinds of dinosaurs.”

Sandoval Signpost • Serving the community since 1988 • JULY 2021 • Page 27 LALO’S ANIMAL PRINTS Email your animal photos to “Lalo” at: [email protected]

Cabezon sunset 8 June 2021, 8:14pm, as viewed from La Mesa in Placitas. —MICHAEL SARE

A badger! The first time I’ve seen one myself in Placitas. —TODD RENNECKAR

Beautiful sunset bunny —TODD RENNECKAR

Barnaby says “hi” to Lalo while resting during a hike in the hills. —MICHAEL SARE

Yoohoo, Gambel Quail —TODD RENNECKAR

New Mexico Prairie rattlers! —TODD RENNECKAR

PAGE 28 • JULY 2021 • SANDOVAL SIGNPOST • SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1988 SANDOVAL CLASSIFIEDS To place a classified ad, email your ad or questions to: [email protected] (Includes a free posting on the Signpost website.) For further information, visit: www.sandovalsignpost.com SignA N INDEPENDENT PLOCAL NEWSPAPER St or call the Signpost office at 505-867-3810.

ANIMALS CLASSES FOR SALE: HOMES / LAND

BOSQUE BLUFF, A 19-LOT FULLY APPROVED Paws N’ Claws Pet Care PATIO HOME SUBDIVISION—In Bernalillo on Sher- In-Home Pet Care serving: iff’s Posse Road. Fabulous view of the Sandias and all Placitas, Corrales & Rio Rancho city services are available. Seller will consider owner Overnight Pet Care provided in Placitas financing and/or joint ventures to develop this project. Pet Sitting • Pet Waste Removal Call Porter 263-3662, La Puerta Real Estate Services, LLC-867-3388. {505} 440-0875 Insured/Bonded Deb Stichmann [email protected]

NON-LETHAL SNAKE REMOVAL Chris Livingston, Master Music Instructor ~ ~ ~ Any kind of snake ~ ~ ~ Piano, Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Theory • All ages/styles Donations accepted for payment. More info on my website: chrisfusion.com Call Moises—321-3600 LESSONS via Skype, Zoom, FaceTime, or in Studio B.A. in Music • 20 yrs. Instructor & Performer Certified in Early Childhood Teaching SOUGHT AFTER—Nestled in the Placitas Village is a FIRST CLASS FREE with 1 month sign-up. +/-1/2 acre Remodel in Progress at 70% complete, manu- factured, 3-4 bedrooms. Detached 3-bay garage. Priced WILDLIFE RESCUE—Call 505-344-2500. 505-980-4322 • [email protected] under 200k cash. Being offered as-is. Title insurance and An all-volunteer wildlife rescue program to assist injured new survey. Worth a look! 505-867-5594. or orphaned wildlife. A service of the Rio Grande Nature Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. PLACITAS—3 BR + OFFICE $516,000—Fantastic Sandia views from this 2500 sq. ft. pueblo-style custom home in Placitas! 3 bedrooms and 3 full baths, great CLEANIING room & family room, exposed beams, tile floors and lots of natural light! Placitas Realty 505-867-8000, placitas- AUCTIONS [email protected], Dave Harper 505-263-2266.

DESERT FLOWER CARPET & STEAM CLEANING PLACITAS—ADOBE ON 3 ACRES $330,000— CARPET AND FURNITURE SPECIALISTS Private 2 bedroom, 2 bath custom adobe with 4 stall We steam clean wool and silk area rugs, too, horse barn and room to roam! Radiant heat, soaring ceil- plus your tile, grout and stone ings, plaster walls, tile floors, and plenty of room to add JONES SURPLUS BARN & Indoor Flea Market 867-4493 • www.desertflowercleancarpets.com 2-DAY AUCTION • COMPLETE ARMY/NAVY/AIRFORCE SURPLUS on! Dave Harper 505-263-2266, Placitas Realty 505-867- STORE ONLINE LIQUIDATION over 50 YEARS IN BUSINESS!!! 8000, [email protected]. See overview NOW at www.spectrumauctionllc.com prior PLACITAS—AFFORDABLE LOT! $19,000— to online bidding, OPEN NOW on our partner internet site— Beautiful, off-the-grid lot next to thousands of acres of www.dukecityauctions.com public land in Placitas! No utilities, but few neighbors! AUCTION WILL BEGIN CLOSING WED. & FRI. JULY 7 & JULY 9 at Less than 1/4 mile off paved road. Call Dave Harper, 6 PM with Pickups by Appointment; JULY 8-12 from 9-5 PM daily PLACITAS HOUSEKEEPING Placitas Realty 505-867-8000, [email protected], LIVE PREVIEW TUES., JULY 6 FROM 10-6PM at 10921 Central NE, ABQ or 505-263-2266. DAY 1: Many Thousands of pieces of NEW MILITARY ITEMS and CLOTHING ( UNIFORMS, FLIGHT SUITS AND JACKETS, BOOTS & SHOES, HATS, SOME VINTAGE 50'S}, KNIVES, COMPASSES, PATCHES, FLAGS, HUNDREDS of METAL AMMO CASES, PACKS, HELMETS, STACKING OUTDOOR FIBERGLASS EQUIPMENT CONTAINERS, STEEL STORAGE CONTAINERS, METAL BAR- RELS FULL OF GEAR AND CLOTHING and SOME EMPTY, PALLETS of TENTS, Local resident • 25 years experience POLES & STAKES, DUMMY SHELLS, S/S FIELD STOVES, MRE HEATERS, References provided • Placitas area PALLET & CUSTOM STEEL RACKING, SHELVING AND SHELTERS, TONS MORE (literally). ALSO; 40' STORAGE TRAILER (may still be roadworthy ????), Lesia Graham — 448-1152 / 659-5500 ALL TERRAIN FORKLIFT (NEEDS RADIATOR, FAN AND BATTERY), 505-792-5544 ALUMINUM MILITARY TRUCK BOX, STORAGE SHED, 12836 Lomas, NE, #G, COMMERCIAL 24' FLATBED TRAILER ( needs tires ), MORE !!!!!! Rick DeVoss ABQ 87112 DAY 2 : ANTIQUE and NEW & USED FURNITURE, COLLECTIBLES, 505-267-7292 HARDWARE LEFT OVER FROM ACE HARDWARE, STORE FIXTURES, Associate Broker with over 4 Decades of SHELVING, SHOWCASES, BOOKCASES, TONS MORE !!!! MILITARY AND OTHER ITEMS TOO NUMEROUS TO MENTION !!! Experience Selling Real Estate Properties. Decorated Air Force Veteran of the Vietnam War ALSO: LOVELY NE HEIGHTS ESTATE AUCTION closing on JULY 28 at 6 PM THANK YOU Serving Placitas, Bernalillo, Rio Rancho & ABQ. —ANTIQUES, COLLECTIBLES, FURNITURE, SW and AFRICAN ART, Mucho Mas. Pictures and details will be posted soon on our website. for your support ARE YOU READY TO MOVE...? SPECTRUM AUCTION LLC 505-228-9600 email ~ [email protected] Your Friendly Placitas Auction Company of Signpost advertisers. Contact us for a free Market Analysis of the value of your home

—“FOR SALE-HOMES / LAND,” continued next page

Sandoval Signpost • Serving the community since 1988 • JULY 2021 • Page 29 FOR SALE: GROUND WORK HOMES / LAND LANDSCAPING CLASSIFIEDS ~CONTINUED~ ~CONTINUED~ ~CONTINUED~

PLACITAS—NO RESTRICTIONS! $50,000—Beauti- ful 3/4 acre lot in Placitas backing up to over 3,000 acres BLOOMING HEALTH / SPIRIT of Public Land! No covenants & no HOA! Placitas Realty 505-867-8000, Dave Harper 505-263-2266, plac- NATIVE GARDENS [email protected]. PROFESSIONAL RIVER STONE CATE CLARK MASSAGE THERAPY XERISCAPE DESIGN, MT#4607 is NM Safe Certified and Certified Member ABMP. Covid-compliant and committted to all our health. PLACITAS—1.3 ACRE LOT $100,000—Convenient INSTALLATION Open Mon.-Fri. by appt., 8am-5pm, in new Village of Placitas studio. lot with No Restrictions, located next to Sandia Pueblo & MAINTENANCE riverstonecate.com • Call to schedule—505-401-4015 land with commanding views! Water & electricity are close by. This lot is on the south side of Highway 165, NOW SCHEDULING !! just minutes from I-25. Dave Harper 505-263-2266, Extensive plant knowledge • Over 30+ yrs experience Placitas Realty 505-867-8000, [email protected]. • 10% off labor for new Placitas customers HELP WANTED Call today to schedule an estimate 505-440-0875 PLACITAS—HUGE VIEWS! $120,000—1.5 acres [email protected] EXPERT MAC MOJAVE OS with underground utilities, community water & natural COMPUTER TUTOR NEEDED— Recommended by Angie’s List • Placitas resident • Lic/Ins gas! Beautiful building site on a ridge overlooking thou- For a few hours to help fully vaccinated sands of acres of Forest Land! Convenient lot on paved senior woman in home. Good pay. (505) 433-2161 road with huge views of the Sandias, Mt Taylor, city lights and amazing sunsets! Placitas Realty 505-867- FOREVERBLOOM—A HORTICULTURE AND 8000, [email protected], Dave Harper 505-263- ARBORICULTURE BUSINESS. Services include: SALES PERSON WANTED—A mature person who 2266. Consulting, landscape design, plant care, pre-purchase can work two to three days a week. Sunday 10 to 5, and inspection and selection. Disease and pest infestation Monday and Tuesday or Wednesday 10 to 6. Please call control. Tree appraisals and landscape restoration. Deborah at Galleria Tamaya at 505-771-6081 or email: 30 yrs. exp. Please give me a call—Virginia Escamilla at [email protected]. FOR SALE— 505-379-8890.

MISCELLANEOUS LIVE-IN HOUSEKEEPER WANTED IN NEW HORIZON LANDSCAPE PLACITAS—For household duties, cleaning, light yard- work, and occasional errands. 900 sq. ft. private fur- NU-STEP CROSS-TRAINER & INDUCTION COOK TOP Landscaping ~ Mowing ~ Maintenance nished apartment with separate entrance provided. NU-STEP has variable magnetic resistance. Total body workout Utilities, Internet, and TV included. Pay negotiated. while sitting. Lightly used. Orig. $3,000. Selling for $600. Yard Clean Ups ~ Trimming ~ and more! WOLF INDUCTION COOK TOP. Lightly used. Orig. $5,000. Available late August. References required. Okay for Selling for $1,500. Call 505-771-0645. Leave message & wcb. FREE ESTIMATES! housekeeper to do “out work’ as well. Call (505) 867- 5795, leave message. CALL—Erik—(505) 620-0219

REBUILDING TOGETHER SANDOVAL COUNTY 854 Camino Don Tomas, #2, Bernalillo, 87004 DALE’S TREE SERVICE—Pruning, removals, stumps, OPEN to public: Saturdays only, 10 AM to 2 PM SERVICES New items arriving weekly. Masks required. hauling and mowing. 28 years experience. Dale Roberts, Deliver charity donations to facility 505-473-4129 or 505-977-1981. during store hours on Saturdays, or call 896-3041, or email: [email protected]. Donations are tax deductible as allowed by law. Placitas We will provide you with a tax receipt. a HIGH & DRY LANDSCAPES a Country cottage gardens using native plants & permaculture Pool & Spa Service CALL/TXT: SALLY HALL—505-695-0243 FOR SALE—LASER SAILBOAT—Two sails and rig- Complete ging. Hull needs work. In Placitas. Call 867-5603. Service • Repair • Maintenance WHELCHEL 797-9680 GROUND WORK ✃ Pool & Spa Techs Landscaping and Construction Co. Clip This Ad and Place on Refrigerator for Future Reference LANDSCAPING NOW is a great time to SAVE MONEY on Landscaping, Concrete Work, Paver Patios, —“SERVICES,” continued next page Patio Covers, Gravel Work & more! We’re Specialists in LANDSCAPING & OUTDOOR LIVING SANDOVAL Sprinkler & Drip Systems Concrete, Flagstone & Brick Work Block Walls & Stucco Work SignPOSt Additions & Remodels Kiva Fireplaces • Banco Seating Read Signpost Outdoor Kitchens • Portals • Decks BACK ISSUES at Patio Covers • Retaining Walls Terracing • Sod • Gravel & Planting sandovalsignpost.com If you can imagine it, we can create it. • • •

Call 221-8052 News and information of interest References/Pictures on Request • www.nmlandscaping.com to the residents of Sandoval County Licensed/Bonded/Insured/Lic. #380846 A-Rating - Angie’s List • AAA - Better Business Bureau —“GROUND WORK / LANDSCAPING,” continued next column

PAGE 30 • JULY 2021 • SANDOVAL SIGNPOST • SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1988 SERVICES ~CONTINUED~

Painting by United Services Residential • Commercial

All Paints & Refinishes • Int./Ext. General Maintenance Handyman • Stucco Repairs 505.250.6646 Licensed, Insured & Bonded

• • • DESERT SERVICE SPRING • • • DAVE’S Garage Door Service O'HARA PAINTING—Quality craftsmanship. Professional Broken Spring & Operator Repair service. Clean and efficient. Low VOC paint products. Insured. BOBCAT SERVICE 505-252-9722 • WEEKENDS—No Extra Charge Check references at nextdoor.com. Call Kieran O'Hara for a Dirt Removal free estimate. 505-699-6253. Trash Haul • Grading Tree/Brush Removal Licensed Gravel • Driveways & Insured Adobe Handyman Services Snow Removal • Backhoe I do it all! ABR Septic Pumping N AN A Tile Framing Drywall & Back-Up Service

Call 505-264-1062 MA M Stucco Plaster Painting “Serving Sandoval YM Y Windows Doors Roofs “We Live & Own in Placitas!” DY D Stonework Adobe Landscaping

County since 1996” N

AN A Call Jim: 505-315-5000 No job too small HA H N llamsootbojo ! We wear masks & gloves for your protection. Horse Stall FREE EEERF ESTIMATES!STST MI ATAT SE !S We wear masks & gloves for your protection. Clean-Up! Call ScottocSllaC tttt 600-2394625-043 96 Regular septic service & emergencies

NEW MEXICO RUBBISH REMOVAL WEEKLY TRASH SERVICE • Serving the Placitas Area THANK YOU • Bi-weekly recycling available • Offering assistance for your support to elderly & disabled • Placitas owned & operated of Signpost advertisers. Call Jon Dominguez • 239-3971

”DON’T WASTE WATER” A stereogram by GARY PRIESTER TO VIEW THE STEREOGRAM: Hold the image close to your wide open eyes and look “through” the image, not focusing on it, then slowly move the image away maintaining the blurred focus. Let your brain work to see the hidden image in 3D. Visit: facebook.com/Eyetricks3DStereograms to see images that change each week or visit: eyetricks-3d-stereograms.com.

Sandoval Signpost • Serving the community since 1988 • JULY 2021 • Page 31 PAGE 32 • JULY 2021 • SANDOVAL SIGNPOST • SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1988