January 16- 31 • 2014 A C O M M U N I T Y - I N P U T N E W S PA P E R AZTEC • BLANCO • BLOOMFIELD • CEDAR HILL • CENTER POINT • FLORA VISTA S I N C E 19 93 • NAVA JO DAM • LA PLATA 2014 Vol. 22 No. 2 TALON PO BOX 275 • AZTEC, NEW MEXICO 87410 • 505-334-1039 505-334-1039 (main) • 334-1551 (fax/phone) • e-mail: [email protected] • www.aztecnews.com PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID AZTEC, NM PERMIT #106 FREE twice a month In this issue • Letters: 2,3, • Naturopathic Notes: 7 Cartoons: 14 • Puzzles: 7, 19 • Living Local: 8 • Aztec Wrestling: 14,17 • Classifieds: 18 • Advertisers: 19 Little free libraries Aztec Tiger Dancers read TALON in San Diego, California before performing at the Holiday Bowl! The Aztec Tiger Dancers, head coach Dana Polledo, husband Jaime Polledo, and Tiger parents left Gallup, NM on December 26th, 2013 by train and took the 16 hour ride to San Diego, California. They arrived at 2 pm, checked into their hotel at 4 pm, and the team had practice from 7-10 p.m. with 600 other dancers from around the country. The team had practice and master classes the next day and got to dance with some top notch choreographers. That night was a free night and everyone went to Dave and Busters to have dinner and play games. The next morning there was a dress rehearsal and then the team got to spend the day at Sea World where they were given dinner, an award presentation, and a dance. Then, on the 30th of December, they were on the bus by 7:15 am to go to the Port of San Diego Big Bay Balloon Parade where the Aztec Tiger Dancers actually performed on live TV! Afterwards it was back to the hotel to get ready for the game, Arizona State University vs Texas Tech University. The Aztec Tiger Dancers then performed at Charger Stadium in front of approximately 60,000 people. Great job Amber Bixler (Captain), Alexis Jaramillo (Co-Captain), Kattie Rogers, Brianne Tinsdale, Robyn Crossley (Officer), Cheyenne Karlin (Officer), Cheyanne Garcia, Bradley Foutz, Lynnsie Foutz, Jonnica Heater, and Madison Smith. “It was an amazing experience for these dancers!” said coach Dana Polledo. “And, I would like to personally thank the community for their financial support and the school for their support in allowing us to do this.” Do you love to read? If you do then we must tell you about a Great New Thing in Aztec! With the help and guidance of Mr. Mark Everson at Mosaic Academy, his 3rd-5th grade class built, assembled, and installed three little libraries in the Aztec area. Little free libraries are small boxes that look like large bird houses and are full of books. Lots of students at Mosaic helped paint the libraries and we also had wood working help from Bruce Dingwall and Darren Smith. Aztec Cub Scout Pack 325 also installed a little free library as a service project. Anyone can pick up a book, read and return it or replace it with one you have already read. There are many fun and exciting titles to choose from. The little free libraries are the first in our area. One is located on Mesa Verde Avenue near the high school, one is near the baseball fields close to Mosaic Academy and one is across from the splash pad. They were put in Aztec so people can have books to read and learn to love reading. Please be respectful of them so other stuff like this can be put in Aztec. Have fun reading! For more information go to http://littlefreelibrary.org. By Adler Smith 6th grade student at Mosaic Academy Candidates state their intent to run Residents in Aztec, Bloomfield and Farmington have declared their candidacies for municipal elections, which will occur on March 4, 2014. In Aztec, three seats – District 2, 4 and 5 – are up for election. Mayor Sally Burbridge, who is the representative for District 2, has announced she will seek another term. She is being challenged by former City of Aztec employee Joe Hubbard. District 4 Commissioner Eugene Current announced he will not seek re-election, and art promoter Katee McClure has announced her intent to run for that seat. District 5 Commissioner Jim Crowley also will not seek another term. Sheri Rogers has announced a bid for his seat. Bloomfield City Council seats are elected at-large without district representation and there are two candidates on the ballot for councilor - Elwin Roark and DeLaws Lindsay. Roark was elected in 2012 to replace retiring Councilor Lynne Raner. Lindsay is a former jockey. Pat Lucero, who has served on the council, decided not to seek re-election. Mayor Scott Eckstein is running unopposed. There will be a contested race for Bloomfield Municipal Judge between Marlon Malay, the incumbent seeking re-election, and Krista Phillips, a science teacher at Charlie Y. Brown High School. In Farmington, there are four contested municipal races. Incumbent Mayor Tommy Roberts is being challenged by Matt Dodson. District 4 Councilor Jason Sandel announced he would not seek re-election. Two Farmington residents Nate Duckett and Debra Mayeux are vying for the seat. In District 3, Incumbent Councilor Gayla McCulloch is seeking a second term in an unopposed race. Municipal Judge Bill Liese is being challenged by Rena Scott, and part-time Municipal Judge James Rowland is being challenged by former Farmington Mayor Bill Standley. The elections are March 4. Local kids give back! Keystone Club members Kaleb Smith, Cristal Garcia, Emilio Martinez, Brook Javier, Meghan Liesse, Kayla Cole, Tylor Heath, and Chanel Rodarte. The Aztec Boys & Girls Club’s Keystone Club was nationally recognized for their commitment to volunteering in the community by the Boys & Girls Club of America. The local club was selected as a finalist in the “2013 Kids Give Back Contest,” which worked to acknowledge exceptional clubs in the country. Chosen out of 328 entries, Keystone Club was in the top twelve clubs of the country. It was a great opportunity for the teens involved to be recognized as leaders in community service. The high school members of Keystone Club have donated time and service in the effort of serving their community and making the world a better place. We are very proud of their hard work and dedication. If you’re interested in joining Keystone Club, let us know! Keystone Club meets at the Aztec Teen Center, 107 Simmonds, on Mondays, 6:30 pm. For more information, call the Teen Center, 334-1448. PAGE 2 JANUARY 16 - 31 • 2014 TALON notes For TALON info, call Candy 334-1039 Don’t forget that TALON really is “community input” - call me about what you’d like to put in TALON. If you think you’ve missed the deadline, send it anyway; there may still be space available. Christmas Eve lecture We were sitting around the Christmas tree listening to music on 24 December 2013. All was calm-all was bright, and then the phone rang. When I answered~ it became one of those calls from a worthy and respected organization who I send money to from time to time. I told the caller I didn’t want to donate just now, nor have a long conversation and this seemed to “set him off.” He aggressively started reading me his “talking points.” This was a bit much so I suggested that since I am an old man, I’d like to get back to my family and guest and for some reason the guy began confessing to me that he was an educated man who had graduated with a 4.0 (average). When I asked his age, he replied: “I am twenty one years old, Sir.” Interested now, I asked what university he attended because I was amazed to learn of such a young man graduating with these grades. The answer came back like a “high lob” in a tennis game and he admitted that he got that GPA in high school. Irritated now, I told him that it had been nice visiting with him, and advised him that I was four times his age. This seemed to get his attention and reduce his passion for reading me his talking points. After a polite goodbye he was off the phone and I went back to our quiet celebration, but not without trying to imagine that twenty-one year old sitting politely listening to a five year old child talk about his very own “pre-school grade point achievements.” Bruce L Salisbury © 30 December 2013 City of Aztec Commissioner Candidate Forum Join us Tuesday, February 4, 2014 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Aztec Community/Senior Center. The Aztec Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a forum for the Aztec City Commissioner Candidates. Everyone is encouraged to attend this free public event. Moderated by Scott Michlin, candidates will answer questions submitted by the community and Leadership San Juan. Do not miss this opportunity to hear each of the candidates speaking first hand on current issues. For more information contact Amanda at 505-3347646 or [email protected]. i Aztec Schools Child Find If you have any questions or concerns about a child 3-5 years of age, screenings will be held every Monday. To make an appointment for a screening contact your local Aztec Municipal School District Pre-K site. McCoy Elem. 334-6831 Ext# 1970 or Lydia Rippey Elem. 334-2621 Ext# 1850. Aztec, get into the Tree counters 21st Century: I went to the dump a few weeks ago, and was amazed at how much recyclable material was being buried in the landfill. I am not an environmental wacko, however am logical, reasonable and caring about the easy steps to make this planet more livable for our children and grandchildren. Recycling is one easy method to save precious land. The responsible home owners of Aztec should demand that their elected city officials negotiate with the waste companies and create an affordable bi monthly pick up service. If an aggressive campaign was launched with the goal of signing up forty per cent of the homes, what an achievement this would be. The plan will work if a reasonable monthly charge is implemented, which would pay for the plastic container, and then the pickup. Let’s remember that waste companies sort, and sell the cardboard, plastics, glass, newspapers, aluminum cans, and wood, thus generating revenue. Your thoughts?? Carl Thurston, Aztec, NM To the participants of the 2013 Christmas Craft Fair We wish to thank all the vendors and helpers of the Craft Fair held the 14th of December at the Aztec Senior/ Community Center. All the comments received were very helpful and just proved to Donna and myself that everyone’s hard work was on the right track. One of the best comments proved just that and it was, “Thanks for making it a true arts and craft fair” and another one was that they thought the date and time were great. We are tentatively planning another craft fair in June or July and then also another one in December, as we have done the last two years. Also another big, big thank you goes out to all our advertisers, The American Classified, The Tri-City Tribune, plus all the radio stations in the entire Four Corners, KOBF-TV and also the radio station at San Juan College. Not to mention all the local businesses in the area who displayed our beautiful flyers made by Cindy Iacovetto. All the customers deserve a great big thank you for their participation and help in making this show a great success. Sincerely Yours, Co-chairs Donna Johnson and Joan Shelby BLOOMFIELD IRRIGATION DISTRICT NOTICE Water for B.I.D. Water Rights Owners to fill stock ponds. Winter Domestic/ Stock Water flow from the Reservoir to the West End of the Ditch will be started January 27th, and will end February 3, 2014. It is the responsibility of the Water Right Owners to open or shut their head gates and valves as needed to prevent frozen pipes or damage to systems. For more information contact the office at 632-2800. Aztec Municipal Schools District Spelling Bee January 16, 2014 (Thursday) 6:00 p.m. (Spellers should be there at 5:45) Park Ave. cafeteria San Juan County Spelling Bee January 30, 2014 (Thursday) 6:00 p.m. (Spellers should be there at 5:45) Koogler Middle School Gym An old man in Northwest New Mexico recently received a long questionnaire in the mail asking him to indulge in a tree survey. After scanning the document, he realized that they were asking too many probing questions and what they really needed was some of his money for their programs. Feeling a bit let down because he couldn’t donate, he began searching online and found that there are a number of “ public servants” paid to count trees. Then he realized that New Mexico was a place where trees did not stand shoulder to shoulder (so to speak) and they might be harder to find. Now he is sending those “counters” a nice letter, explaining that he cannot donate, but suggests that they can find the trees easier if they take “tree sniffing dogs” along with them to “point” on the smaller specimens. Well hydrated male dogs pick (and kick) the most trees. Bruce L Salisbury © 01 January 2014 Dear TALON readers, Even though the opportunity to participate locally in easy, practically effortless, single-stream recycling right here in Aztec is no longer available, I would like to thank Aztec Well Service/Roadrunner Fuels and Waste Management for the short time during which they gave us this gift. After taking advantage for a month or more of the large green WM singlestream recycling bin located on the south end of Roadrunner Fuels, I drove up on Thursday to find it missing. After several phone calls to Roadrunner/Aztec Well and to Waste Management, who neither one seemed to know where the bin had gone, I went into Roadrunner this morning and learned that the bin had been removed because people were putting their trash in it. Well . . . thanks a lot - not! There is a large blue Waste Control bin right there, too, for trash, and the green WM receptacle was clearly marked Single-Stream Recycling. Yes, there is other limited recycling available in Aztec, if you want to separate the few items accepted there, only go during limited hours, and often get to deal with a rather grumpy attendant. So, until we citizens of Aztec can either read better or care more, down the road we go to the far west side of Farmington instead of being able to readily partake, right here at home, in the simple and worthwhile act of recycling. Linda Harris Letter to the Editor It’s always a good time to think about how we store our prescription medications. The use of these medications by someone other than the person to whom they were prescribed is an emerging issue in our county. It is becoming more frequent that youth are gaining access to these meds and using them to get high. This is very dangerous and can have serious and long-lasting effects. Please keep your medications in a secure location and monitor their use. Old or unused medications may be taken to area law enforcement agencies for proper disposal. Drop boxes are located at Aztec, Bloomfield, and Farmington Police Stations along with Sheriff’s Office locations. Please talk to your children about the dangers of prescription drug misuse! Pamela Drake, Executive Director San Juan County Partnership, 566-5867 Aspen’s Riddle I don’t have lungs or a chest but I need air. I’m not alive but I grow. I don’t have a mouth and don’t like water. What am I? Answer on page 18 • T h e TA LO N R e g u l a r s • Susan Barnes, Natural Health Mike Heal, Chief’s Corner 334-7620 Book Nook, Library Staff 334-7658 Superintendent’s Corner, Kirk Carpenter John Rees, Bird Talk 632-8335 Oil & Gas Basics, Susan Franzheim Bruce Salisbury 334-2398 Cindy Iacovetto, Senior Center 334-2881 Living Local, Elisa Bird 334-1840 Water, Robert Oxford 330-2284 These folks share their time on a regular basis to write in their field of interest. If you have subjects and tidbits they might be interested in, give them a call. If you would like to try your hand at writing, give us a call at 334-1039. Many others have submitted stories, poems and information on an occasional or one-time basis. Thanks to everyone, it sure makes for good reading. Don’t Be Left Out Next (preferred) deadline for the 1 February issue of TALON: January 24th You are encouraged to send your articles, photos, ads, etc. in early (but send in even if past deadline if there’s room it could run). The Aztec Local News, 334-1039 PO Box 275, Aztec 87410 Drop box at Zip and Ship Send via email: [email protected] INDEPENDENTLY OWNED SINCE 1993 TA L O N The Aztec Local News PO Box 275 • Aztec, NM 87410 505-334-1039 • fax/voice 334-1551 [email protected] The Aztec Local News (TALON) is published semimonthly, on the 1st and middle of each month. As a community-input newspaper, serving the Aztec, Bloomfield, Cedar Hill, Center Point, Flora Vista, La Plata, Navajo Dam, and Blanco areas, we welcome stories, news, events, poetry, photos, etc. from area residents. 6200 copies of The Aztec Local News are delivered to over 150 locations in the area for free pickup and mailed to those who prefer the convenience of a subscription. Editor & Publisher: Candy Frizzell, 334-1039 Writers: Katee McClure, 330-4616, Debra Mayeux, 320-6512, Debbie Israel Advertising info: 505-334-1039 Distribution: Lee Potter, Stephanie Sandoval, Proofreaders: Debbie Israel, Linda Lawson, Annette Tidwell Abend © Copyright 1993-2014 by The Aztec Local News. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the editor. Printed at The Gallup Independent. The Aztec Local News is a compilation of articles, poems, stories, opinions, etc. written by area residents. The opinions expressed in these articles are those of the individual authors, and do not necessarily reflect those of TALON. If information is presented as fact and it is relevant to you, verify it. Although we strive for correctness and honesty, this community paper does not have the resources to check all incoming info. Be aware also that what’s in TALON, ends up on the internet.. Subscribe to TALON Make it easy on yourself and get The Aztec Local News delivered to your house or business, relative or friend. Name: _________________________ Address: __________________________ City, State, Zip: _____________________ Send a check for $16 / year (24 issues) to: TALON, PO Box 275, Aztec, NM 87410 THE AZTEC LOCAL NEWS PAGE 3 Anti-bullying message shared at Teen Center Aztec Boys & Girls Club Keystone Club is a youthled community service organization that focuses on academic success, career preparation, and community service for high school students. This year’s members have been busy helping the community and Aztec youth. Based out of the Teen Center, Keystone Club has taken on the role of Club Program Leaders. Club President Chanel Rodarte, and other club members, decided to focus their efforts during 2014 on the issue of bullying. Inspired to help all those who suffer from the negative effects of bullying, Keystone members Chanel Rodarte, Krysta Johnson, Kayla Cole, and Carissa Gomez planned and implemented an anti-bullying session at the Aztec Boys & Girls Club Teen Center with local middle schoolers. The Keystone members not only addressed the staggering national statistics, but also discussed tech- Martin Luther King Day designated as Fee Free at Aztec Ruins Mark your calendars! Aztec Ruins, along with all NPS units, will offer free admission in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday. The date is Monday, January 20, and park hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Get out and enjoy your National Parks! Cooking class... Come and learn how to cook! All are invited, kids too! Learn how to make bisquets, pie crust, tortillas and cinnamon rolls. Learn to stretch your grocery budget. Swap recipes and have fun! Sundays in February (2, 9, 16, & 23) from 4 to 6pm at the Seventh-Day-Adventist Church in Aztec. Turn north on Oliver from 516, left on Sierra, then right. Bring a mixing bowl, measuring spoons, a large spoon and a rolling pen. Free of charge. See you there! FMI, call 505-516-9995. niques on stopping bullying in its tracks. It was an informative and inspiring experience, and all involved left empowered. Keystone members are excited to help out their community and to continue making a positive impact on social issues affecting Aztec. If you’re interesting in joining or are a community member that has a project that you would like Keystone to help out with, let us know! Keystone Club meets at the Aztec Teen Center on 107 Simmonds on Mondays at 6:30 pm. For more information or potential volunteer opportunities, please call the Teen Center at 334-1448. Aztec Feed & Supply 216 S. Main • Aztec • 334-8911 Thank you!! The Aztec Community Christmas Dinner was blessed with our most successful year yet, as we served approximately 300 meals. We saw an increase of about twenty percent over past years. We had many new volunteers, and many who just show up every year and know where to go and what needs to be done. It is a real community effort. Our kitchen manager, Gene, was unable to join us this year. We want to thank him for several years of service. In his absence a few people stepped up to fill in. Cindy from the Senior Center cooked all the turkeys and really got everything pulled together. And then there are the generous businesses and people that make it all possible by donating food, supplies, and money. Thank you so much, Wink of Aztec Excavation, John Faverino, Kathy's Party Store, Subway, Big O Tires, Aztec Restaurant, Carl's Repair, Step Back Inn, Kare Drug, Golden Corral, Spare Rib, Los Barelas, Main Street Bistro, Rubios, A and W, Dons Boots, Farmers Market, and the ladies at Citizens Bank. The City of Aztec is providing our insurance and space, which frees us up to fix a better quality meal, thank you very much. We also want to thank Candy at TALON, who always takes care of getting the word out. Thank you to all who participated in the Aztec Community Christmas Dinner, we wish you a blessed New Year. Sincerely, Susan Rarick A Huge THANK YOU to the Aztec Soreheads from Aztec Cub Scout Pack 325 The Aztec Soreheads were kind enough to donate the money they collected to the local Cub Scouts! And we will use those funds to buy awards for the achievements the boys complete. We are a very active group of 30 registered scouts, aging from 7 to 11. We participate in service projects, sports, camping, hiking, and just join together to have fun and learn new skills. If you would like more information about scouting, you can reach us at 334-0654. Everything you want Everything you need Right here at Aztec Feed! 1409 W. Aztec Blvd., Ste 2, Westside Plaza Start the New Year with a New Look! Problem - need more business... Solution - ADVERTISE in TALON (very reasonable rates)! Call 334-1039 to put YOUR business ad HERE! PAGE 4 JANUARY 16 - 31 • 2014 Thanks to everyone for Nick’s Coloring Book Drive success! Thank you to the girls at Citizen's Bank for allowing us to put a donation box in the bank and for all the donations. Thank you Avon Store for participating in the 6th Annual Coloring Book Drive and for your donations!! Thank you Bloomfield Auto Body and Paint for helping in the Coloring Book Drive 'RQ·W EH VWHHUHG E\ WKH LQVXUDQFH FRPSDQLHV 7HOO WKHP ´, ZDQW WKH EHVW WDNH LW WR 5,9$6 LQ $]WHFµ +, 7 $ '((5 :, 1 $ & 2: Nick, his little brother Sammy, and the nurses with some of the donations from this year’s coloring book drive. Aztec Restaurant has been participating since the 1st Annual Nicholas Garcia Coloring Book Drive. They have made it a success every year. Thank you for the continuous support and helping with donations. )URP 1RYHPEHU WKUX )HEUXDU\ 5,9$6 $872 %2'< ZLOO HQWHU HDFK FXVWRPHU ZKR LV LQYROYHG LQ DQ DQLPDO KLW LQ D GUDZLQJ WR ZLQ D FXVWRP EHHI SURFHVVHG E\ 6DQ -XDQ 0HDWV 7KHUH ZLOO EH WZR ZLQQHUV HDFK ZLQQLQJ EHHI 'UDZLQJ ZLOO EH 0DUFK 7R EH HOLJLEOH IRU WKH GUDZLQJ WKH FXVWRPHU PXVW KDYH YHKLFOH UHSDLUHG E\ 5,9$6 $872 %2'< D 'LYLVLRQ RI . $XWRPRWLYH //& LQ $]WHF 1HZ 0H[LFR IURP 1RYHPEHU WKUX )HEUXDU\ )OHHW DQG FRPSDQ\ YHKLFOHV DUH HOLJLEOH 9HUL¿FDWLRQ E\ RZQHUVKLS RU PDQDJHPHQW DV WR WKH GULYHU FRPSDQ\ RU FKDULW\ WKDW ZLOO UHFHLYH SUL]H www.rivasautofinish.com • [email protected] Certified Certifi ed Technicians Mon. - Fri. 7:30am - 5:30pm • Saturday by Appointment 621 NE Aztec Blvd. Aztec, New Mexico 87410 + I-CAR Gabriel Munoz at 505 Barbers Shop, helping with a donation box displayed in his shop for Nick's Coloring Book Drive. THE AZTEC LOCAL NEWS PAGE 5 Send some loving hearts! Perfect for Valentine's Day this bright, beautiful bouquet of red roses and pink alstroemeria delivered in a cute heart-adorned bowl is sure to put some happy in a special someone's heart! Teleflora's Happy Hearts Bouquet Call us, we deliver! Full Of Love Bouquet Spring into pink! Delicate roses, tulips and carnations fill a graceful vase with a cheerful expression of your love. It's affection perfection! Toys for Tots a success! A winter gift Dec. 20, 2013 – The Winter Solstice – the longest hours of darkness of the year for some but – the brightest hours of the year for others. For, on this day, Wyatt James Miller was born; all 7 lbs., 13 ozs & 20 1/2 inches of beautiful, gorgeous, baby with a great head of dark hair (like his daddy, Jay) and inquisitive eyes, blue eyes (like his mommy, Celena), and awaited (not so patiently) by both these long suffering parents (dads suffer too! Ask Jay!) Wyatt’s grand entrance into this different world was enjoyed by grandparents Tim & Tami Cottrell and Sherry & Mike Miller. Wyatt was born at Durango Hospital, Colorado. The longest anticipation period was by Great Grandma Anne Cottrell, who waited 83 1/2 years before it came to fruition. On Dec. 25, 2013, G.G. Anne got to sit in a rocker and hold that precious bundle of joyful happiness and memorize all his activities – facial expressions, graceful movements of his long fingers and hands, squirmy arms and legs (even in his sleep). He smiles when he sleeps but mostly he has those dark blue eyes looking around and noticing what’s around him and moving his head this way and that (showing off all that dark hair, I’d bet). How can I describe the emotions felt – to be given this great gift, a blessing from our Heavenly Father – on this wondrous day when He presented the world with a Special Baby, His Son Jesus Christ. Thank You, Father. Anne Cottrell Our Toys for Tots event was a huge success and I want to personally thank all of you that provided toys to the less fortunate children this Christmas season. It really warmed our hearts here at Farmers Insurance in Aztec to see people bringing in loads of toys. As you can see we had two large boxes and a few bags to deliver to the children this year. We hope to participate in this again in 2014 and also want to thank all of the other volunteers dedicated to Toys for Tots to see that the toys get distributed to the kids. Again, thank you to all of you for your generous hearts. Happy New Year. Kelly A Eaves Farmers Insurance Group Secretary of State announces online voter registration SANTA FE—Secretary of State Dianna Duran announced that beginning January 13 voters in New Mexico can register to vote online through Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) offices throughout the state. Voters who conduct a transaction at MVD will now be offered the opportunity to register to vote online. The information will be transmitted to New Mexico county clerks electronically, eliminating delays and improving the efficiency of the voter registration process. “We are excited to be able to provide this service to New Mexico voters,” said Secretary of State Dianna Duran, “this is yet another part of our modernization program, and our continued efforts to make the entire voting and elections process more convenient for New Mexicans.” In addition, Duran went on to say that in compliance with legislation passed by the legislature last year, all voters will be able to update their voter registration information online, from their personal computers, by mid-summer of next year. How to ensure success with your New Year’s resolutions During 2014, did you vow that you would: • Wear your “skinny” jeans or your summer swimsuit? • Improve your posture? • Experience less fatigue or pain when climbing stairs or other physical activities? • Feel more confident about your balance and worry less about falls? • Eat a more nutritious diet and less junk food? When can you get started? The beginning of a new year is an ideal time to make life-style changes. Change is always hard. Making changes by yourself is sometimes impossible! Who can help you get started? Use a fitness trainer to provide support and motivation to enable you to achieve your goals. Lawrence Guillen is a Physical Therapy Assistant Technician, with certification in fitness training through the National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF). Not only does he have the credentials to guide your program, he also has more than eight years hands-on experience working with seniors to increase core strength, range of motion, and balance; to assist clients recovering from knee and hip replacement surgery and aiding through water aerobics and wheelchair exercises; to consult individuals who have a poor relationship with food and weight management; and to encourage and motivate individuals who have started and failed to stick to a regimen of regular physical activity. Where can you get started? Lawrence Guillen works out of Premier Fitness in Aztec New Mexico, owned by the Jimmy Magee family who are well known in the community. The Premier Fitness facility provides a safe, clean and pleasant environment, with well maintained equipment, and friendly and courteous clientele. Based on your goals and Lawrence’s assessment of your needs, an affordable personalized program can be established with sessions scheduled at your convenience. How can you sign up for personal and fitness training? Call Lawrence Guillen at 505360-5250 for consultation to jump-start 2014! Have a great (and productive!) New Year. Dale Anderson, owner of Aztec Media in Aztec, NM, has been training under Lawrence for four years because he says this is the cheapest health insurance available. Instead of taking medications, he opts to exercise to prevent diabetes, strokes, heart attacks, and other health ailments. Bloomfield Florist 306 N. 1st St. , Bloomfield • 632-3440 www.bloomfieldfloristnm.net We deliver to the tri-city area $$ LET’S DO TAXES $$ Bubba’s Tax Services 404 Aztec Blvd. NE (across from Hiway Grill) FREE E-FILE (WRP) 334-3061 PAGE 6 JANUARY 16 - 31 • 2014 Letter to the Editor Although the 2013 holidays are now behind us, 2014 will also bring celebration opportunities where we are tempted to give our youth a little leeway and sometimes host parties for them and their friends. It serves well at this time to remind ourselves that it is a fourth degree felony to provide alcohol to minors, other than our own children in our own homes. This felony also applies to purchasing alcohol and giving it to minors to drink in other locations. Underage drinking can have very serious consequences that may impact our young people’s lives in the short term and sometimes in the long term. Think about the effects of alcohol poisoning from binge drinking and drinking and driving, both of which can be fatal. In addition, underage drinking parties lend themselves to fighting, unprotected and/or unwanted sex, property damage, and bullying to name a few. Our laws serve to protect youth and the legal drinking age is 21 for good reason. The development of the brain is affected by drinking and our young people are still learning about risky behavior and good choices. Please help them make good decisions by following the law and keeping their best interests at heart. Let’s hope that our communities are smart this new year and keep our youth safe and healthy! Pamela Drake, Executive Director San Juan County Partnership 3535 E 30th, Ste. 239, Farmington, 566-5867 If you’re looking to sell - Call for your free market analysis • If you’re looking to buy now’s the time! Call us today for your personalized list of homes for sale or rent that fit your needs. 100 N. Main Aztec 334-6187 SJ Regional Medical Center hosts, Age of Champions, a Senior Olympics Documentary Screening January 18 San Juan Regional Medical Center will host the feature documentary, Age of Champions, at the Totah Theater (315 West Main Street in Farmington, New Mexico) on Saturday, January 18, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. with a special appearance by film director, Chris Rufo. All ages are encouraged and invited to attend the film which shares the importance of celebrating life at any age. Those in attendance are also invited to sign up for the 2014 Goosebump Race (Saturday, February 22). Age of Champions is the inspirational story of a group of athletes—a 100-year-old tennis champion, 86-year-old polevaulter, team of basketball grandmothers, and a pair of swimming brothers—all chasing gold at the National Senior Olympics. The film captures the triumphant spirit of these competitors as they tackle the challenges of old age with grace, humor, and optimism. Age of Champions made its world premiere at the 2011 Silverdocs Film Festival and was heralded by the Washington Post as “infectiously inspiring.” Athletes featured in the film have received wide attention from the national media, including NBC Evening News, CNN, The Regis & Kelly Show, ABC News, NPR, and a cover story in Washington Post magazine. “Age of Champions shares an important story that life should be celebrated at any age,” says Film Producer, Keith Ochwat. “We are honored to partner with San Juan Regional Medical Center as we share the film with communities across the country.” Immediately following the Age of Champions premiere, Film Director, Chris Rufo, will participate in a question and answer session with the audience and will be available for interview. Visit ageofchampions.org for more information and to view the trailer. What: Age of Champions showing sponsored by San Juan Regional Medical Center When: Saturday, January 18, 2014 / 1:00 p.m. Where: Totah Theater 315 West Main Street, Farmington All ages are welcome and invited to attend. Available at no charge. No ticket needed. Be inspired, excite your inner champion, and sign up for the 2014 Goosebump Race scheduled for Saturday, February 22. Help us help Jennifer My little sister, Jennifer Doyle, was recently diagnosed with Stage One Ovarian Cancer at the age of 27. In September 2013 she began chemo and hormone treatment in hopes that she can become a survivor. She currently does not have health insurance and is paying for her treatment out of pocket. We are doing all we can to raise money to help with her treatment costs, as her battle is our family’s battle until she wins this fight! We are putting together a dinner and dance on January 18th at the Farmington Elk’s Lodge for her. We will be having a raffle and items to bid on. Anything you can offer is greatly appreciated and we will forever be grateful for each and every thought and prayer that comes her way. God Bless and Thank You, Stacy Archibeque, 505-360-0207 If I don’t answer please leave a message or send me a text. Have a wonderful day! THE AZTEC LOCAL NEWS PAGE 7 22 Things Happy People Do by Susan Barnes, ND A new year, new beginnings, new ways to live out lives. How do we do that? Here is a list of things that happy people do. How many do you do? How many are you willing to incorporate into your life? 1. Let go of grudges. Bad feelings only injure you and your immune system. It lowers the voltage in your cells, enabling dis-ease to enter. 2. Treat everyone with kindness. Isn't that what you want for yourself? Kindness will take you much farther than hurtful words. 3. Regard your problems as challenges. Every challenge is an exercise in seeing your strengths and may turn into your greatest blessing. 4. Express gratitude for what you have. There is no room in your life for anything else unless you can be grateful for what you already have, and you have everything you need at this moment in time. 5. Dream Big. Smallness begats smallness. If you have no where to go, then you will go nowhere. 6. Don't sweat the small stuff. And almost everything is small stuff. Family, friends, love are what matter most in our lives. 7. Speak well of others. Whatever you say of others is probably being said about you. When you speak well of others, this will come back to you many times over. 8. Avoid making excuses. You either will or you choose not to. To make excuses only makes you unhappy. 9. Live in the present. The past is over. The future is not here. There is only now. Enjoy it, for it is the only time you really have. 10. Wake up at the same time every morning. Eighty percent of people die in bed. Get up and get going. Life is an adventure. Rising at the same time every morning – yes, even Saturdays and Sundays keeps your body more harmonic and balanced. 11. Don't compare yourself to others. You are you and you are the best you can be at this time. 12. Surround yourself with positive people. Want to know what you look like to others? Just look at the people who surround you. Birds of a feather really do flock together. When those people are positive you will notice that they are also healthier. The voltage in your cells is higher with every positive thought. 13. Realize that you don't need other people's approval. What others think of you is none of your business. Go back to number 11. You are the best you that you can be. 14. Take time to listen. Part of communication is talking, but part of communication is listening. Others need to express themselves and share their lives and knowledge with you. 15. Nurture social relationships. People with no friends are prone to illness and die younger. Having other positive people around us, keep us up and positive. 16. Meditate. Take time to really know yourself and your Creator. Stillness is one more of those things that builds health and happiness. 17. Eat well. Be grateful for your food, blessing it allows it to work more efficiently in your body. Read labels and listen to what your body is telling you about what you are eating. If you are ill, unhappy, lonely, depressed, you need to look into changing your diet. 18. Exercise. It doesn't have to be a chore. Walking, yoga, dancing, a few minutes a day will add to the endorphines in the body, taking you from depression to happiness. 19. Live minimally. More is not better. See what you can eliminate from your life. Clutter in the home can clutter the mind. 20. Be honest, not just with others but with yourself. Is this thing, situation, relationship causing you worry and grief, or is it bringing joy into your life? 21. Establish personal control. Do you want to be a truly powerful person? This is your key. Control yourself, your emotions. True power does not come from controlling others, but knowing yourself and controlling yourself. 22. Accept what cannot be changed. Learn to choose other ways to live your life and this comes from doing the other 21 things to create your own happiness. For comments and questions e-mail: [email protected]. Susan (a nationally certified tui-na practitioner and instructor, and certified by ANCB as a Certified Traditional Naturopath) lives in Belize, Central America. Family Math Night to stimulate learning through family fun at E3 Children’s Museum! The E3 Children’s Museum & Science Center is hosting a Family Math Night for all ages on Friday, January 24, 2014 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Family Math Night is designed to engage children through hands-on learning and activities that will help reinforce curriculum learned during the school year. The goal is for kids to have a fun, shared experience that promotes family involvement with math. Studies show that when schools and families partner, no matter what the demographics, students are more likely to earn higher grades and test scores, attend school regularly, have better social skills, graduate and go on to higher education. The E3 Children’s Museum & Science Center is located at 302 N. Orchard Ave. in Farmington, NM. Regular business hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Family Math Night is free of charge, but registration is required. For additional information and registration, call (505) 599-1425. Answer page 19 The Preferred Personal Care Provider 505-324-8269 800-461-1218 Offices in Farmington, Gallup and Grants Help from your friends or family. Call us to see if you qualify Blanco Senior Center Blanco Senior Center, 7338 US Hwy 64, Blanco, NM, is welcoming new seniors. Seniors must be 60 years old or older. Lunch served Monday - Friday starting at noon. Closed holidays. We also offer home delivered meals for those that cannot come into the center. We have transportation for those who cannot drive. FMI on meals or transportation services, call Mary Jane at 632-9146. Bingo - Monday & Wednesday Pool Tables - 7 am - 2 pm everyday Play cards every Monday thru Friday. Senior volunteers still wanted Have you ever wondered, as you're taking a drive around our community, who lives inside certain homes? I know I have often wondered. Now that I've been working with senior citizens, I wonder how many of those homes house senior citizens who have no one, no one to talk to, no one to visit them, no one to spend holidays with them, and no one to call them or whom they can call, in case of an emergency or just because. As the Senior Companion Coordinator for NW New Mexico Seniors, Inc., for the past year and half, I have seen it way too often, so many lonely senior citizens, who have no family in the area. Where, I ask myself, are their children? Why are they all the way in California, Florida, Texas, etc., and why are their parents all the way over here in New Mexico, so far away from them? It makes no sense to me. I guess I'm a little old fashioned. I believe that our parents took care of us, and we should, in return, take care of them. My parents are both deceased now, but a few of my siblings and I helped them to the very end of their lives, by running errands, paying bills for them, taking them to doctors appointments and simply visiting and keeping them company. I hear that all so famous excuse, "well, I have to work." Nonsense! You can still help your parents and loved ones. You can spend your evenings with them, pay their bills on-line, go to the grocery store for them, visit with them or even spend the night with them. Our program, the Senior Companion Program, helps the homebound, lonely, elderly and frail in their homes. We also help developmentally disabled adults. Senior Companion Volunteers work schedules are flexible and are specifically tailored for each volunteer. Senior Companion Volunteers get paid a small federally mandated stipend ($2.65 an hour), they get paid for mileage and meals. This stipend helps Senior Companion Volunteers supplement their Social Security and/or pensions, without it affecting their benefits, while performing a worthy cause. Senior Companion Volunteers are needed in Aztec, Bloomfield and Farmington. If you are a compassionate human being, over the age of 55, and have a love for the elderly and developmentally disabled, then you are qualified to become a Senior Companion Volunteer. Please contact: Frances B. Miramontes, SCP Coordinator at NW NM Seniors, Inc., 742 W. Animas St., Farmington, Nm 87401; 505-3267462, Monday thru Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. PAGE 8 JANUARY 16 - 31 • 2014 Living Local in San Juan County Elisa Bird - Resource Specialist [email protected] Sustainable health and being joyful Part of living a sustainable life is maintaining, as much as possible, good mental and physical well being. Along with diet and exercise, our mental condition affects our bodies. Feeling positive is crucial for optimum and sustainable health. Many health practitioners point out that what impacts our health is how and what we think – negatively or joyfully. One line of thought is the influence of the ego in our attitude. Some philosophers believe that whenever you are feeling disgruntled, stressed and negative, this is the ego asserting itself. Never being satisfied, the ego will fight you to keep its position. But this is not who we are. Dr. Wayne Dwyer and Gina Lake speak of our true self being peace, love, joy, compassion, all the positive sensations. So whenever negative feelings arise, one can say, this is not me and return to thoughts that produce joyous feelings. Many philosophers suggest connecting to our true self, by being still and quieting the endless chatter of the mind. Deep, slow breathing and relaxing the body also slows down the mind, to allow in the sensations of peace and joy. And through prayer or meditation, we can also unite with inner peace, joy and understanding. Gina Lake promotes the concept of being in the now, which helps keep us from falling into conditioned negative thinking. And finally, it is said to feel uplifted, you need to practice the art of seeing the good and beauty in every moment. This could be a real task at times. However one goes about it, to assist in maintaining sustainable health it is important to be in a joyful and peaceful state whenever we can, even when it is a real challenge. So here’s to remembering our true nature is peace and joy. Here’s to sustainable health for all in our beautiful Middle San Juan River Watershed of Northwest New Mexico. “Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy” - a great way to maintain sustainable health Four Corners Equine Rescue (FCER) Volunteer Orientation Let me help you get the coverage you need. People who switched to Allstate saved money and got more protection. Dollar for dollar, nobody protects you like Allstate. So don’t wait! Call me today. KELLY J BERHOST (505) 334 6177 1415 W AZTEC BLV #9 AZTEC [email protected] Come and compare your current policy with one from Allstate. Coverage and savings based on policy features selected and are subject to terms, conditions and availability. Allstate Fire And Casualty Insurance Company: Northbrook, IL. © 2010 Allstate Insurance Company On January 18th, FCER will hold our first Volunteer Orientation for 2014. As part of the retooling of our volunteer program, this orientation will focus on training volunteers to work with unhandled horses. We are very excited to announce that this orientation will include a demonstration on horse handling by professional trainer DeLaws Lindsay at 2 pm at FCER 22 Road 3334, Aztec. DeLaws has been working with several of our "untouchables," and we need to keep these horses moving in a positive direction once they return to FCER from training. If you are interested in attending this demonstration, please contact Debbie at 505-3347220. It is open to all current volunteers and supporters as well as new volunteers. It’s time to think about local food production • New Mexico Organic Farming Conference 2014 Friday, Feb 14, Sat 15 – Farm to Table -www.farmtotablenm.org 505-473-1004 • Seed Library being organized in Durango – A meeting is planned for Saturday, January 25, 1:00 Durango Library. The idea is to create a network of seed libraries in the region. FMI: Bev – 320-7034. Prayer to the Virgin Mary (never known to fail) Oh most beautiful flower of Mt. Carmel, fruitful vine, Splender of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh Star of the Sea, help me and show me here you are my Mother. Oh Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity. Make request. There are none who can withstand your power. Oh Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee. Three times say this prayer for three consecutive days and then you must publish it and it will be granted to you. THE AZTEC LOCAL NEWS BALANCING by Kay Murray Can you remember when the family phone never got lost because it was tethered to the phone base with a phone cord? Or party lines? Or telephone numbers with a word prefex… (Talon 7-1776). . . . Can you remember when nobody in your neighborhood owned a pure bred dog? . . . . Can you remember when most of your business was conducted face-to-face and agreements were sometimes sealed with a hand shake? . . . If your answer to one of these questions was “yes,” then you may understand my dismay on two separate occasions last month, when I was instructed to submit paperwork by e-mail with my electronic signature. In the first instance, I was unable to perform the electronic signature or even submit the completed application by email. All discussions of the ensuing problems were conducted by e-mails. Eventually, the very patient person on the other end of the transaction sent an e-mail asking me to come to his office and sign a completed form in front of him. Problem solved, face-toface. A few days later, I decided to purchase insurance by telephone. A friendly young man somewhere in Florida answered all my questions. When we had agreed on prices and benefits, I gave him my credit card information and he thanked me nicely. Then to my disappointment, he said he was transferring me to a second employee who would approve the policy and obtain my electronic signature. I protested that I did not know how to do an electronic signature. He assured me, “Oh, it’s simple. He’ll walk you right through it.” “Just click on that red box on the right side of your computer screen,” said the next insurance person (who was in Arizona). I told the man, “There is no red box.” He replied in surprise, “Oh, really. Well, this is a PDF file and if your Adobe Reader is functioning, you should be able to type your name on that signature line and type today’s date and we’ll be all done.” I had to tell him that I did not have Adobe Reader. . . . . Sure enough, this man was very efficient and in a few minutes Adobe Reader was installed on my pc and he had my electronic signature. So it seems that face-to-face has been replaced by Adobe Reader? This discourse on my problems of accepting and utilizing electronic signatures brings to mind the possibility that one day in the not-too-distant future, somebody will ask, “Do you remember cursive writing?” . . . . “What’s that?” . . . . “Aww, you know, how people used to write in conjoined or flowing letters. Sometimes it was called script or just handwriting. In Britain, I think they called it joined-up writing.” . . . . “Naw, I don’t remember anything like that.” . . . . “Well, don’t feel bad. I don’t remember it either, but my granny does. She says they actually used to teach it in schools when her mother was a little girl.” . . . . “Why did they stop?” . . . . “Said it was too slow. Texting was lots faster.” A few days after my last struggle with an electronic signature, a little boy found a picture of an old fashioned feather writing quill. He asked me what it was and I explained that 200 years ago people in America still used them for writing letters and documents. He was delighted with this knowledge and immediately asked if he could make a quill and write a letter with it. I told, “Oh, no, honey! Writing with feather quills is too slow and messy.” Shame on me! I plan to take him on a search for feathers and liquid ink very soon. I have read that the best feathers for writing by right-handed people are molted from the left wings of swans, geese, turkeys, crows, eagles, owls, or hawks. The tail feathers from my two parakeets won’t do. Enjoy this day and think about whether cursive writing should become a lost art. Do the schools in your district still teach handwriting or cursive or script? Ask the San Juan County Extension Service What in the world is a “Master Gardener”? by Bonnie Hopkins, Agriculture Agent, NMSU Cooperative Extension Service The first Master Gardener program began in 1973 near Seattle, Washington and was developed by the Washington State University Cooperative Extension Service. Extension professionals created the program to meet the ever growing demand for urban horticulture (gardening) information and advice. Once the program was launched in Washington it spread to other states and into Canada. The New Mexico Master Gardener Program began in 1981 in Albuquerque. Today, nearly 95,000 knowledgeable Master Gardeners across the United States provide valuable, research based gardening information to their communities through volunteer work. According to a 2009 Extension Master Gardener Survey, these gardeners provide around 5,000,000 volunteer service hours each year to their communities. Master Gardener Program participants are trained by university and other agency specialists in topics such as: plant pathology, soil health, entomology, permaculture, integrated pest management and vegetable production. Once they have completed the eleven week course, participants begin working with local Extension professionals and other Master Gardeners to benefit the community. In San Juan County, we have a variety of exciting volunteer opportunities such as the support and development of community gardens; the Master Seed Program and other youth education; assistance with local growers markets and the participation in various community events. The San Juan County Cooperative Extension Service is hosting its bi-annual Master Gardener Program on Friday mornings at 8am-12pm from January 24 to April 4, 2014. Interested parties should fill out an application San Juan County NMSU Extension upcoming events: January 24-April 4, 2014 Master Gardner Classes held each Friday 8-12 February 4, 2014Annual Four Corners Beef Symposium, Pagosa Springs CO February 6, 2014 NMDA Pesticide Workshop, McGee Park 8-1pm February 10, 2014 Agro-tourism workshop, 10AM-12PM, Sycamore Park Community Center, Farmington March 25, 2014 4 Corners Annual Weed Symposium, La Plata County fairgrounds March 25, 2014 Integrated Land Management Symposium, La Plata County fairgrounds Call 334-9496 for more information or to register for events and return it with the $100 class fee to the Extension office. After completing the forty hour volunteer requirement for 2014, class participants will be refunded twenty five dollars of their class fee. The application deadline has been extended to January 22, 2014. Space is limited, so participation will be limited to the first 35 applicants. If you are interested in joining the program, and have questions, please contact Bonnie Hopkins at 505-3349496 or [email protected] Applications can be found in the Aztec Extension office at 213-A Oliver Drive and on the San Juan County Extension website http://sanjuanextension.nmsu.edu/agandhort.html New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity employer. All programs are available to everyone regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, handicap, or national origin. New Mexico State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. The San Juan County Cooperative Extension Service is open Monday- Friday 8AM to 5PM (closed from 12-1 for lunch). New Mexico State University is your state’s land grant university, serving the educational needs of New Mexico’s diverse population through comprehensive programs of education, research, Extension education and public service. Call 505-334-9496 or visit the San Juan County website sanjuanextension.nmsu.edu for more information. PAGE 9 New Mexico Sing-A-Long The Farmington Convention & Visitors Bureau is proud to announce its participation in the New Mexico Tourism Department’s Sing-A-Long. In November 2013, the NMTD released the official video for the song “Feels Like Home” which they have used in conjunction with the New Mexico True campaign. After creating the original video, the NMTD worked with 43 communities throughout NM, over a nine month period, to showcase the diversity of the state in the SingA-Long. Who better to explain why New Mexico “Feels Like Home” than the people who live here? Farmington can be found at 1 minute 18 seconds into the video. The Farmington Convention & Visitors Bureau wanted to feature something identifiable to the area and worked with the local Caliente Community Chorus and the Farmington Strike Zone Cardinals to perform in front of the newly remodeled entryway of Ricketts Park. “Feels like Home” was written by the band, Richmond. It is comprised of Albuquerque natives, Nate Boitano and Heath Warren. The video can be viewed on youtube at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0HHfCuHDls&feature=yo utu.be. Farmington, NM….Where your Four Corners adventure begins! Harley’s Humor: One day a man is walking down the street when he sees an old man with a nice looking dog. He goes over to the man and asks: 'does your dog bite?' The old man replies, 'No never.' When the man bends down to stroke the dog, it immediately takes a snap at his hand. The man says 'I thought you said your dog didn't bite! 'I did' replies the old man, 'but this isn't my dog!' Fort Lewis College honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day with unity activities DURANGO - The annual Fort Lewis College tradition of celebrating Dr. King’s legacy will be held on Monday, January 20. The community is invited to join in the day’s free activities. The traditional peace and unity march will begin the celebration at 12:20 p.m. Those wishing to participate should gather at the Center of Southwest Studies. The march will wind through campus, ending at the Student Union where an open mic and choir performance will take place. Monday evening will feature a showing of the documentary White Like Me at 6:30 p.m. The film will be shown in the Student Union Ballroom. A panel discussion of the film and the significance of MLK Day will follow with FLC faculty and staff members Carey Vicenti, Emma Salazar, Yohannes Woldemariam and Jennifer Stollman. For more info on FLC’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration, contact the FLC Diversity Programming Coordinator Nancy Stoffe, 970-247-7170. Internationally acclaimed winter celebration coming soon NM Poison Center: 1-800-222-1222 DURANGO, Colorado – Going on its 36th continuous year, Snowdown Durango persists in promoting fun, commerce and tourism, in that order, for tens of thousands of participants. This year Snowdown boasts a record-setting number of 146 events which will all take place as a part of the Original Cabin Fever Reliever. The theme, Snowdown Safari So Good, will surely entertain safarians, humans and wildlife of all species’ and ages. The annual Snowdown Light Parade attracts over 10,000 spectators to the streets of downtown Durango to tame the cold and take part in the fun. The light parade features amazing, theme-oriented light floats, performance art and costumes. Whether it’s the old favorite events like Outhouse Stuffing, The Snowdown Jokedown, and Outlaw Josie Pete’s Golf Tournament; or, some of the rated “F” for family fun events such as the Feline and Canine Fashion Show, The Snowdown Kids Follies or The Snowdown Hot Air Balloon Rally, everyone will want to be sure to join in the monkey business! We’re not lion! Get giraffe over to Durango for the 2014 Snowdown Safari So Good celebration, beginning on Wednesday, January 29th and running through Sunday, February 2nd. The annually changing themes of Snowdown Durango make this five-day festival truly one of a kind. Voted one of Outside Magazine’s top five winter carnivals in North America, past themes have ranged from A Jolly Roger Snowdown (pirates) to Snowdown In Da Nile (Egyptian) and many, many more. For complete details and more information please visit www.snowdown.org and like Snowdown Durango on Facebook, follow #snowdown2014 and check out snowdowndurango on Instagram. PAGE 10 JANUARY 16 - 31 • 2014 Dear Editor, With the topic of healthcare being such a hot topic right now I wanted to share some information I gathered while conducting research for a college writing assignment. Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the most commonly contracted sexually transmitted infection (STI) according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). However, there is a vaccination that has been proven effective thus far in preventing HPV. Unfortunately too many American kids are falling through the cracks, so why not add the vaccine to the list of mandated childhood vaccinations? The CDC states that approximately 79 million Americans are infected with HPV, and that approximately 14 million people will be newly infected each year. There are 26,000 new cancers attributed to HPV each year. Only about half of U.S. girls have received the vaccine and the amount of U.S. boys is far fewer. Since the vaccination was first introduced to the public in 2006, the prevalence of vaccine- type HPV in females ages 13-17 has decreased 56%. Parents and guardians in today’s society more than ever need to be protective of their kids. If the vaccine was a mandatory childhood vaccine, it would allow parents/guardians to insure their son or daughter is protected from contracting HPV. I urge readers to educate themselves, their families and friends about this infection and vaccine. Someone’s life could depend on them. Sincerely, Mallorie Ross, English Student, San Juan College Hot Nails! by Amy Find Amy at Johnny’s Wild Hare 2012 Hutton Rd. in Farmington 793-6245 Cell NM Poison Center 1-800-222-1222 Animas River in Aztec in early July Animas River in Aztec after big storms mid-September. Is it safe? Bacteria pollution in our rivers By Melissa May, San Juan Soil & Water Conservation District It is easy to get confused (and nervous!) when the news is reporting the presence of E.coli and other bacteria in the Animas and San Juan rivers. The San Juan Soil & Water Conservation District has gotten many questions from people wondering about the risks associated with this type of pollution. This article will hopefully answer some of those questions. How bad is the bacteria problem in the river? The first year of our bacteria study found increasing levels of E.coli as you move downstream in both the Animas and San Juan Rivers. Since E.coli comes from the fecal material of humans and warm-blooded animals, this means we have higher levels of fecal pollution in our rivers than we should. Hence the question from our last article – “Who pooped in the river?” Can swimming and playing in the rivers get me or my family sick? Because fecal indicator bacteria were found to be present in the water, there is an increased chance that illness-causing microbes such as giardia, cryptosporidium, and harmful E.coli strains could also be present. According to The Water Project.org writer Lori Lewis, “Diseases acquired from contact with contaminated water can cause gastrointestinal illness, skin, ear, respiratory, eye, neurologic, and wound infections. The most commonly reported symptoms are stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and low-grade fever.” There is no guarantee you will get sick if you enter the river, but just think of this example: If you have close contact with a high number of people who have the flu, your risk of contracting it is increased – especially if you already have a weak immune system. Similarly, the higher the bacteria levels in the river and the closer your contact, the higher your risk of coming down with a waterborne illness. Will bacteria in the rivers get into my drinking water? Because of the Safe Drinking Water Act, the threshold for bacteria that is allowed in drinking water is much lower than for river water. Municipal water is always treated to remove bacteria before it reaches your tap. If you get your water from a well, it should be bacteriafree as long as it is a safe distance from your septic system. River recreation is important to me and my family. How can I reduce our risk? The most common pathway for contracting illness from contaminated water is by ingesting it. You should ALWAYS avoid swallowing river water when swimming or boating. Exposing open wounds to river water can also increase your chance of infection. Average bacteria concentrations during the 2013 monsoon season were 2 to 10 times higher than the recommended limit for safe recreation. While this pattern may vary from year to year, staying out of the river during and after rain storms will reduce your exposure to bacteria carried in stormwater. If the river looks muddy, it’s probably not a good day to go swimming! San Juan Soil & Water Conservation District 1427 W. Aztec Blvd Ste 1 • Aztec, NM 87410 • 505-334-3090 x 108 THE AZTEC LOCAL NEWS PAGE 11 Bloomfield pool climbing wall dedication The Bloomfield Family Aquatic Center has a new water feature—a rock climbing wall. The “Friends of the Pool” submitted a grant application last summer to BHP Billiton and was granted an award of $10,000 to finance the rock climbing wall project. The wall crates arrived and the pool staff assembled and installed the wall. The “Friends of the Pool” are hosting a celebration on Saturday, January 25, at 12:00 noon. The wall will be unveiled and a demonstration of the safety rules will be presented, before the public will be invited to attempt a climb. Refreshments will be served. For those who are successful in reaching the top of the wall, a bell has been provided to signal that success. The bell was donated by Long John Silver’s. Other donors have been Gasco Propane, Riley Industrial Services, Davis Plumbing and Mechanical, and Kerney Taylor State Farm. Before people are allowed to attempt a climb, they will have to swim a lap in the pool to demonstrate their ability to swim. The pool management and the “Friends” hope that families will come to enjoy the pool, learn to swim, and achieve success in climbing to the top of the wall and ringing the bell. Left to right with the wall: Steve Gromack, pool manager; Marty Hickman, life guard; Daisy Latta, life guard; and Erin Eagle, assistant pool manager. Mind if I cut in? Aztec's Jessica Kresl (10) tries deflecting away a pass intended for Bayfield, Colorado's Aspen Smith (23) during Day 3 action at the Lady Tigers' 2014 Webb Toyota “Rumble in The Jungle” tournament, held inside Lillywhite Gymnasium January 2-4. AHS faced, but fell, 41-33 to the 3A Lady Wolverines in the consolation-stage finals after dropping a 42-36 shocker to Tohatchi on Day 1, but bounced back with a 59-45 defeat of Wingate. BHS became Aztec's last opponent when it was decided that the Lady Tigers would not face off against their own JV -which had beaten Bayfield on Day 2. photo by Joel Priest/Pine River Times Provided by Bill Dunn and the Department of Game and Fish This fishing repor has been generated from the best information available from area officers and anglers. Conditions encountered after the report is compiled may differ, as stream, lake and weather conditions alter fish and angler activities. Animas River: Water flow near Aztec on Monday morning was 243 cfs. Trout fishing was fair to good using olive wooly buggers, San Juan worms and salmon eggs. Lake Farmington: Fishing was fair to good using Power Bait, small Daredevles, salmon eggs and homemade dough bait. Navajo Lake: Fishing was slow for all species. Fishing pressure was very light. San Juan River: Water flow below Navajo Dam on Monday was 243 cfs and stained. Fishing through the Quality Waters was fair to good using black and olive wooly buggers, San Juan worms, red larva, red annelids and black bunny leeches. Fishing through the bait waters was fair using olive wooly buggers, Power Bait and salmon eggs Foster homes needed! Please stop by any of the Durango Joe's locations and take a close look at your coffee sleeve! Durango Joe's and Citizens Bank have partnered with Childhaven to help find loving foster families for the children in our community. If you would like more information on how you can provide a safe, loving home for a child in need, please visit our website at www.childhavennm.org or contact Susan Mullin, (505) 325-5358. TALON is Read in Far Out Places by Far Out People! Chicken Speak by Rosalie Lawson Current Check out these amazing band members reading TALON during their Christmas Concert!! Holding TALON is Kelsie Shelby (left) & Lasly Dowell at the December 17th concert. They are Koogler Middle School advanced band members. This particular portion of the concert consisted of both advanced and intermediate band members. PAGE 12 JANUARY 16 - 31 • 2014 Bar D Wranglers with Grant & Randy Honoring our WW II Veterans at our basketball games I am proposing that high schools in the San Juan County system join in honoring our World War Two generation. It could be done in this way: At the opening of each basketball game the JROTC can bring in the flags and before the game starts someone can announce that we will be honoring America’s WW II generation at each home game because they are leaving us at such a rapid rate, and before long they will all be gone. Then have sixteen people, including five ball players, assemble in the center of the floor each having a basketball in hand and their coach joining them for introductions. The announcer can then say, “Ladies and gentleman we realize that our Greatest Generation is leaving us rapidly, but to help us visualize the numbers: There were just over sixteen million Americans in the American Armed Services during that conflict. To better visualize what has happened to them since the end of that war, we will let each one of the sixteen people at mid-court represent one million WW II veterans.” The ball players can start peeling off from the little group and, dribbling a basketball, leave to stand quietly at the edge of the floor. When the players have left the floor, the others (each person representing one million members of our greatest generation) can walk to the edge of the floor. They would leave one by one and perhaps quietly wave a farewell. An announcer can state that the coach who is still on the floor represents that just over one million members of those World War II veterans who are thought to still be alive. They can thank the audience ~ as well as share the Pledge of Allegiance ~and the game can commence. It seems to me that a presentation like this, could help us wrap our mind(s) around the concepts of millions. Bruce L Salisbury © 28 December 2013 No deaths from vitamins. None. Once in a lifetime opportunity Birthday Greetings to a World War one Soldier Dream the Impossible Dream! A helping hand Come to the Bonnie Dallas Senior Center, Main Dining Hall, on Saturday, January 18, and enjoy a very special performance by the Bar D Wranglers with Grant and Randy. The Bar D Wranglers will perform from 7:00 to 8:00 pm, then Grant and Randy will take the stage from 8:00 to 10:00 pm for your dancing pleasure. Doors open at 6:00 pm. The Bar D Wranglers entertain with their famous old west songs, accompanied by their lively instrumentals, and comedy stage show. Grant and Randy will engage you with their classic country brand of dance music, to keep you dancing the evening away. The cost is $8 (non-refundable) and tickets are available at the Bonnie Dallas Senior Center. This is an event for people age 50+. The Bonnie Dallas Senior Center is located at 109 E. La Plata St., Farmington, NM 87401. For more information, call (505) 599-1390. Supplement Safety Once Again Confirmed by America's Largest Database (OMNS Jan 3, 2014) The 30th annual report from the American Association of Poison Control Centers shows zero deaths from multiple vitamins. And, there were no deaths whatsoever from vitamin A, niacin, vitamin B-6, vitamin C, vitamin D, or vitamin E. It was claimed that one person died from vitamin supplements in the year 2012, according to AAPCC's interpretation of information collected by the U.S. National Poison Data System. That single alleged "death" was supposedly due to "Other B-Vitamins." Since the AAPCC report specifically indicates no deaths from niacin (B-3) or pyridoxine (B-6), that leaves folic acid, thiamine (B-1), riboflavin (B-2), biotin, pantothenic acid, and cobalamin (B-12) as the remaining B-vitamins that could be implicated. However, the safety record of these vitamins is extraordinarily good; no fatalities have ever been confirmed for any of them. Even if it were to be allowed that the lone alleged fatality claim was correct, one single death in a year associated with nationwide vitamin supplementation is an astonishingly small number. Well over half of the U.S. population takes daily nutritional supplements. If each of those people took only one single tablet daily, that makes 165,000,000 individual doses per day, for a total of over 60 billion doses annually. Since many persons take far more than just one single vitamin tablet, actual consumption is considerably higher, and the safety of vitamin supplements is all the more remarkable. Abram Hoffer, MD, PhD, repeatedly said: "No one dies from vitamins." He was right when he said it and he is still right today. The Orthomolecular Medicine News Service invites submission of specific scientific evidence conclusively demonstrating death caused by a vitamin. There isn't any. Case closed. by Andrew W. Saul, Editor TALON is community-input. Call 334-1039 to get stories, ads, etc. in TALON A few years ago I wrote an article entitled “Birthday Greetings to a World War One Soldier” (see a copy to the right) and suggested that people would be making history by sending him a 108th birthday greeting. Frank Buckles was 16 years of age when he enlisted in the US Army at Fort Logan, Denver, Colorado in 1918. While I don’t know if Aztec students sent greetings, it would have been appropriate to keep a copy of that document because these same young men and women will likely live to see the last man (or woman) from the WW II veterans’ population fade away. There are few of that “Greatest Generation” living now, and we can predict that in the year 2036 the last of them will be no more. It is also reasonable to believe that the last surviving WW II veteran will be an “underage veteran”! Bruce L Salisbury © 02 January 2014 Audiences at the Farmington Civic Center will soon be able to share the delights of theatregoers all over the world in experiencing the Broadway musical interpretation of the world’s first modern novel, “Don Quixote of La Mancha.” “Man of La Mancha” is the musical version of this epoch-making novel and it’s headed to Farmington, New Mexico. On Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at 7:30pm Don Quixote will bring his medieval chivalry and his quest for the impossible dream to the Farmington Civic Center stage. Against all odds, Don Quixote, a man who sees good and innocence in a world filled with darkness and despair will take the audience on a lyrical and amusing adventure that is a classic tale of the triumph of man over his own follies. “Man of La Mancha” at the Farmington Civic Center – Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at 7:30pm. Ticket prices are $45 and $48. Call the box office at 505-599-1148 for tickets. Please contact Civic Center Supervisor – Lisa Hutchens at 505-599-1150 for additional information. (Reprinted from 2009 - Frank Buckles died in 2011 at 110 years old) I think it would be wonderful if Aztec students would send a birthday greeting to Frank Buckles for his 108th birthday, which is February 1st 2009. What makes this so great? He is the lone surviving WWI combat veteran in America, and his story is that of an American Hero. He is the Last Man Standing, after those millions of his fellow Soldiers, Sailors Marines and Coast Guardsmen have gone on before, and we do not expect Frank to live forever. You will be making history just by being among those who send him a greeting. This is one of those events that happen but once in all of history, and you can be a part of it. Bruce L Salisbury, Aztec, NM www.360financialliteracy.org The 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy website offers information to help consumers make sound financial decisions at every stage of their lives. www.FeedthePig.org Free financial information and tools to empower 2534 year olds to take charge of their personal finances. Applications for Veterans Creative Arts Festival ALBUQUERQUE – Every veteran has some type of creative gift, whether it is playing a musical instrument, singing, dancing, sculpting, painting or writing poetry. New Mexico’s veterans are invited to show off their talents in the 12th annual Veterans Creative Arts Festival to be held Feb. 26-28 at the Raymond G. Murphy Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 1501 San Pedro Dr. SE, Albuquerque. Main divisions for the festival are Music, Art, Creative Writing, Drama and Dance. Local winners go on to compete at the national level via digital images and videotape. The Visual Arts entries will be on display Feb. 26 & 27 in the Recreation Hall (Building 2), while the Performance Arts competition takes place on Feb. 28 in the Education Auditorium (Building 39). First-place winners from local competition may be invited to the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival Oct. 22 to Nov. 2 in Milwaukee, Wis. “As our veterans are younger and of the new generation of music, Rap has been added and can be entered in the �Original Vocal” – Category 12’,” said Barb Tremmel, recreation therapy assistant. The National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, presented by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the American Legion Auxiliary, is the culmination of a yearlong, fine arts talent competition involving more than 3,000 participants nationwide. The festival is open to all veterans receiving care at VA medical facilities, including NMVAHCS veteran employees. For applications or more information about the festival, please call Barb Tremmel at (505) 265-1711, ext. 4208. Veterans needing information about the Performance Arts can call Liz Apperson at (505) 2651711, ext. 2487. Veterans calling from outside of Albuquerque may call TOLL FREE at 1-800-465-8262, ext. 4208. Visit the Creative Arts Festival Website at www.creativeartsfestival.va.gov/ for more information. THE AZTEC LOCAL NEWS PAGE 13 Harley Raffle News Flash! Aztec Boys & Girls Club fundraiser ticket sales have reached 1400, only 600 more to sell before we reach 2000 sold, and after 2,000 tickets are sold, we will be drawing for a gorgeous 2014 Harley-Davidson Dyna Switchback!! Patty Clements, owner Happy New Year!! Back on Nov. 1st when we started this raffle, we sold more than 250 tickets in two hours so don’t miss out on a chance to win our 2nd Early Bird Harley. All 2,000 tickets, including the winner of the 1st Early Bird Bike, a Dyna Fat Bob, and the winner of 2nd Early Bird Bike, a Dyna Switchback, will go back into the drawing on March 22, 2014!! After we sell 3,000 tickets, we will have a 3rd drawing and all 3,000 tickets, including the winners of the Dyna Street Bob and the Dyna Switchback will be in a drawing for a 2014 Street Glide Special. AND all of those tickets, including all three of the winners will go back into the drawing on March 22, 2014!!! On March 22, 2014 we will be giving away a 2014 Softail Breakout, a 2014 Night Rod Special, a 2014 Road King and a 2014 Heritage Softail Classic. Maximum number of tickets sold will be 3500. Tickets are $100 each or 3 for $250. Need Not Be Present To Win. Check out our website to see pictures of all of the bikes we will be giving away. Visit us at https://www.aztecbg-club.com Or call 800-461-1238. If we do not answer, kindly leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible. Thank you for your support of the Aztec Boys & Girls Club and Teen Center and Best of Luck to you all. Please tell all of your family and friends. You are our best source of advertising and the reason we have had such a successful organization helping children with our Harley Raffles for the past 15 years. Aztec Municipal Court “Have a Heart” Photo by Joel Priest/Pine River Times Springs into action: Laila Mitchell (10) leaps for a rebound during the Aztec JV's game against Bayfield, Colo., on Day 2 of the Lady Tigers' 2014 Webb Toyota "Rumble in 'The Jungle'" tournament, held inside Lillywhite Gymnasium January 2-4. AHS' junior varsity was entered in the varsity-level bracket, and after losing to Gallup Miyamura on Day 1, proceeded to stun--check the expression of BHS' Haley Clarke (4) at left--the 3A Lady Wolverines 50 to 46. After a decision to not have Aztec's varsity facing its own JV in the consolation-stage finals, the JV was moved down to the seventh-place game where it fell 59-46 to Wingate. Animas River Winter The Aztec Municipal Court will again be doing the “Have a Heart Campaign” for the month of February. Anyone with an outstanding bench warrant with the Aztec Municipal Court will have the contempt fees waived and the warrant quashed if the defendant contacts the court and pays outstanding fines and fees. Carlton Gray Municipal Judge City of Aztec TALON is Read in Far Out Places by Far Out People! Photo by Chris Duthie Thanks for a great year! Stop by our Aztec location Stop by our Aztec location at 104 W. Aztec Blvd. The Statue of Liberty reads TALON over the shoulder of Karen Lynch on her trip to New York City. Aztec Cemetery Website Searching for the gravesite of a relative? Doing genealogical research? Want to make a donation to assist with the upkeep of a grave? The Aztec Cemetery website is now operational. The site, www.azteccemetery.org, was built in cooperation with Aztec Media, and enables visitors to get information on a variety of subjects. Those visiting the site can learn something of the history, the organization, the rules and regulations, the costs, and the location of graves. Questions regarding the cemetery can also be posted. PAGE 14 Robert Retherford, Attorney at Law, P.C. Social Security Disability, Small Businesses, Probate, Wills, and other Estate-Planning With a Fine Art Gallery 120 East Chaco Street, Aztec • 334-5750 First half-hour of initial consultation is free Bloomfield Senior Citizens’ Center happenings 124 West Ash, Bloomfield • 505-632-8351 January Menu: Lunch served Jan. 16 Beef Burrito MondayJan. 17 Chicken Salad Friday, NoonJan. 20 Green Chili Stew 1:00pm. Jan. 21 Hamburger Pizza All meals are Jan. 22 Chicken Fajitas tasty, healthy, Jan. 23 Hamburger and diabetic Jan. 24 Chicken Breast friendly. Jan. 27 Spaghetti Jan. 28 Lentil Soup/Grilled Cheese Sandwich Jan. 29 Roast Turkey Jan. 30 Beef Stew Jan. 31 Chicken ala King Utility Help began in November for Bloomfield Seniors or seniors who frequent the Bloomfield Senior Center. We have $1000 worth of utility help available with a maximum of $100 per person. Seniors may only apply one time per year for this help. Once 10 people have been helped the assistance will end. Applications are taken on a first come first serve basis and a utility bill(s) will need to accompany the application. Checks will be written directly to the utility company. This assistance will take place through March 2014 or until the $1000 is used. Contact Jessica at 632-8351 for more info. Encore Classes begin again in January. Come by the senior center and sign up for a class today! Encore classes offered in Bloomfield include: water aerobics, senior fitness, writing your memoirs, mixed media, and computer basics. Call Jessica for more info - 632-8351. Friday Knitting Group meets every Friday morning at the Bloomfield Senior Center from 9:30am-11:30am. Whether you are an experienced knitter or just a beginner, come by the center and spend 2 hours with us on your project. Those wanting to learn are welcome and this group is open to the public of any age! Other types of handwork such as crochet and embroidery are welcome as well. Monthly Movie is held the last Friday of the month at 1:00pm. Free popcorn is provided! The January movie will be “Life of Pi” and will be shown on Friday the 31st. The Friday monthly movie is presented in partnership with the Bloomfield Public Library. Bloomfield Library News We have joined the social media circuit! Support us and receive updates by “Following” or “Liking Us” on these lovely and interesting sites. • Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bplnm • Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/bplnm/boards/ • Tumblr: http://sassylibrarians.tumblr.com/ • Twitter: http://twitter.com/BPLNM Keywords to use for Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter are Bloomfield. Keyword to use for Tumblr is sassylibrarians. Online Bloomfield Events Calendar The Bloomfield C.A.R.E. Coalition and the City of Bloomfield have created a new community events calendar for residents of the Bloomfield School District. You may access the calendar by: • Going to the City of Bloomfield website www.bloomfieldnm.com • Clicking on “community events” on the left hand column... And voila! If your organization would like to submit a community event to the calendar, please contact: • Jessica Polatty [email protected] • Angela Romo [email protected] • Fax: 632-6857 • Call: 632-8351 • Or come by the Bloomfield Senior Center, 124 W. Ash, and submit your event to Jessica in person. JANUARY 16 - 31 • 2014 Aztec Wrestling 2013-14 Newsletter #4, 1/6/2014 Our young men had the best Christmas break, as far as practice and work, that has happened in a long time. They traveled to the toughest tournament that an Aztec team has been involved in for the past ten years. The results from that tournament will be felt throughout the season and next. We were able to see, experience and wrestle up to a higher level. We departed by train at 7:30 p.m. from Gallup and arrived in San Bernardino, California. at 6:00 a.m. We then had a 45 mile drive to Corona, CA., weigh-in, and then wrestle until 9:00 p.m. that night. We then had to restart the next morning until 6:00 that evening. Royal Yazzie, our top wrestler, went 7-3 with a 6th place finish over the two days. Tough was not just a word to describe, but rather the tone set for the two days. Eleven of the 14 wrestlers who made the trip scored points, and 3 made it to the second day. This was truly a “meat grinder” and so very important for our young men to be involved in. There were 67 teams wrestling, and Aztec finished 22 out of the two-day, 10 mat festival of wrestling. Aztec Wrestlers scoring and placement: 106# Dillon Blue 10th 1-2 scoring 5 112# Brandon Trennepohl 9th 1-2 scoring 4 120# Jesse Ridgley 11th 2-2 scoring 4 126# Branden Sewell 11th 1-2 scoring 1 132# Clay Green 11th 0-2 no score 138# Josh Snow 10th 1-0 defaulted out scoring 2 145# Isaiah Valdez 12th 2-2 scoring 7 152# Royal Yazzie 12th 7-3 scoring 15 6th place 160# Ethan Reimers 11th 1-2 scored 3 170# Justice Francisco 11th 2-2 scoring 7 182# Orien Israel 11th 3-2 scoring 11 195# Michael Marquez 11th 0-2 no score 220# Delvin Begaye 11th 0-2 no score 285# Justin Slavey 11th 2-2 scoring 10 ******************************************************************* Wrestling Star of the week: Orien Israel for his efforts at the Shark Tank coming one move short of placing. Encore Mixed Media Classes in Bloomfield! Have you always wanted to experiment with various mediums in art but thought you didn’t have the talent? Do those supplies just seem too pricey to experiment with? Well this class is for you. Join us at the Bloomfield Senior Center for Mixed Media Extravaganza! This class will explore various art forms, including drawing, oil, pastels, watercolor, acrylics, and water-based oils. The instructor provides all supplies so you can experiment to your heart’s content without worrying about wasting supplies or money. This class allows you to find the medium that is just perfect for you! The class is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1pm-3pm at the Bloomfield Senior Center. Class starts on Jan. 21 and runs through Feb. 27. There is also a second session that begins on March 4 through April 17 for those who wish to continue, but taking the first session is not necessary to join the second session of the class. For more information or to sign up for Mixed Media Extravaganza: San Juan College 566-3214 Jessica Polatty 632-8351 Cost: $19.75 (65 years and over); $55.75 (under 65). Computer classes at the Bloomfield Senior Center Starting January 21st, computer classes will be held at the Bloomfield Senior Center, through the Encore program sponsored by San Juan College. Encore classes are aimed at students 50+, but are open to all ages, 18 and older. Bring your laptop, if you want to. Class enrollment is limited to 10. You can sign up at San Juan College East in Aztec, the Bloomfield Senior Center or the San Juan College main campus in Farmington. The telephone number for the Encore office on the main campus is (505) 566-3214. Cost of each class varies, depending on New Mexico residency and age: Resident 65+ = $19.75 • Non-resident 65+ = $30.75 • Resident under 65 = $55.75 • Non-resident under 65 = $130.75 Computer Basics I in Bloomfield Are you struggling to use your computer effectively? Turn it on? Get the help you need to learn basic operations and terminology. Explore the Windows 7 environment and all that it offers (do you know what gadgets are?). Learn to use your mouse, open and close programs and work with files. Bloomfield Senior Center 9:30—11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays 1/21 to 2/13 Computer Basics II in Bloomfield Exploring the Internet—it’s a basic part of using your computer knowledge. Expand your knowledge by exploring local internet websites and learn about the pros and cons of social networking. Learn how to set up an email account and find out about the wonderful world of public domain. Bloomfield Senior Center 9:30—11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays 3/4 to 3/27 by Jessica Anderson New tips for communicating with your kids (StatePoint) In today’s digital world, connecting with your children goes beyond face-to-face communication. While nothing beats in-person quality time, on-the-go lifestyles don’t always allow for it. But physical distance when you or your kids are out of the house shouldn’t present too much of a communication barrier between parents and kids, say the experts. “These days, most children are fairly comfortable using communication technologies. Capitalizing on your children’s tech prowess can help you stay connected,” says Dr. Eric Klopfer, Learning Expert for VTech, a maker of age-appropriate and developmental stage-based electronic learning products for children. Whether you’re at the office, a frequent business traveler or simply want to keep in touch with your kids while they’re away from home, Klopfer says there are a few things to keep in mind when communicating with your children electronically: Age-Appropriate Technology It’s crucial to find technologies that are age-appropriate, safe and easy-to-use. Many messaging services are restricted to those over the age of 13. And messaging services with fewer restrictions can present a hassle for parents who want to ensure that kids are only corresponding with approved contacts. Luckily, emerging technologies designed for a younger audience are addressing these concerns. For example, VTech Kid Connect, a new communication app for the company’s children’s learning tablet, InnoTab 3S, features tablet-to-mobile capabilities, making staying in touch both safe and easy. It eliminates the need for setting up a complicated restriction system, which can be a big relief for parents questioning the safety of their kids online. More information and a demonstration can be found at www.vtechkids.com/kidconnect. Writing Skills For parents skeptical about the impact that texting and electronic messaging will have on children’s written communication skills, Klopfer assures that with care, you can use the technology to actually improve literacy. “Through time, great minds have worried about the impact that emerging technologies would have on human intelligence,” says Klopfer. “While these advances - from the printing press to the Internet - have certainly changed the way we communicate, when used appropriately, their impact is immensely positive.” Encourage kids to develop their writing skills while communicating with you electronically by paying attention to their spelling and grammar. And you can set a good example by avoiding excessive acronyms and emoticons, and including great vocabulary words into messages. It may seem paradoxical, but in this fast-paced, techdriven age, keeping kids and parents connected is getting easier. 334-1039 or [email protected] to get stories, ads, photos, obits, etc. in TALON THE AZTEC LOCAL NEWS PAGE 15 Raymond J. Learsy, author, "Ruminations on the Distortion of Oil Prices and Crony Capitalism" posted August 26, 2013 in The Huffington Post…"Blatant Distortion and Manipulation of Oil Prices Laid Bare" "�… (8.23.13) was a red letter day for the oil producers. In the space of three hours, from 9:00-noon, the price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil as traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange leapt from $104.30/barrel to $106.94/bbl., finally closing the day at $106.42/bbl. A staggering range for a commodity that is core to our economy with its attendant impact on further increasing the price of gasoline, heating oil and on. The press will normally trot out the usual alibis provided them by the well oiled PR Departments of the petroleum behemoths or the likes of the American Petroleum Institute. But here for once, all the long-standing shibboleths forever used to alibi the distortions in the oil market, giving phony credence to market manipulation, were not seen nor heard as they (didn't apply): -Egypt did not close the Suez Canal -Iran was not threatening passage through the Straits of Hormuz - The dollar was not plunging -Oil production had not peaked -No threatening hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico were spotted nor forecast in the days ahead -Chinese oil imports continued at a steady, not at an accelerated pace -Commercial oil inventories in the U.S. had not been decimated, and were in fact ample and near their highest levels ever -Production of America's newly developing oil production was not retrenching but was in fact expanding unabated and increasing in North Dakota and West Texas -Shipping on the Houston Ship Channel was not threatened by fog (yes, a reason occasionally cited) -No sudden shortage of cargo vessels to deliver oil from offshore suppliers (actually a vast oversupply of oil tankers continues)-and on "None of the major business dailies picked up on Friday's perverse oil trading on the exchanges. ...(T)here was CNBC, instead of alerting its readership and listeners to the deep distortion taking place in ...trading, trotted out a text-book example of erroneous information the public is being fed, blazoning: �Oil VAULTS on refinery shutdown, US oil settles above $106,’ pointing its readers to the shutdown of the �fluid catalytic cracking unit at Irving Oil's New Brunswick, Canada refinery’ that had been using 70,000 barrels of oil a day. "Only in the oil world is such nonsense accepted as gospel whereby the less oil you consume the more expensive it becomes. Go figure. But it is exactly this silence, this misinformation, this absence of a sense of outrage that has permitted the oil nabobs to run all over us enriching themselves beyond the dreams of Croesus, all at our expense, "What transpired on Friday was a brutal movement in the price of oil to the enormous benefit of oil interests. And for no reason that can be explained by either an interruption in supply, direct nor indirect, nor significant change in demand, nor economic data supporting the move (on the contrary, earlier that day it was reported that housing sales plummeted by 13%). "So what is going on? Clearly the price of oil is no longer set by supply and demand, but rather the trading of oil futures (derivatives) on the commodity exchanges. "Some thirty barrels of oil are traded for every barrel produced(�Policy Brief #25 United Nations Conference On Trade and Development’ 9/12), a staggering differential that has converted the oil market from actual real barrels of product production and sales to a financial paper market of oil derivatives, leaving the determination of prices to those who have the vested interest and moneyed means to manipulate the trading of oil and oil product futures to their enormous benefit at the expense of the economy and the public at large. "Consider the following: Farmer Smith grows wheat. The price of his wheat is set by and large on the com- by Susan Franzheim OIL & GAS Basics modity exchanges. He would naturally like to see the price of his wheat go as high as possible. The same for farmer Jones and his corn crop. Yet neither farmer Smith nor farmer Jones has anyway near the financial wherewithal to move the commodity markets, let alone to spike the price of wheat or corn. "Yet oil trading on the commodity exchanges is a very different animal. Here we have producers, and those with a vested interest in the producers or their production (banks such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and such as the powerful Swiss trading houses as Vitol and Glencore with close ties to the oil companies, not to speak of the humongous Sovereign Wealth Funds-from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Russia et al. representative of many of the oil-producing nations). The assembled wealth is enormous and its ability to move markets unquestioned but un-investigated. One can reasonably assume it was this gathering of wealth and a focused policy to hype the price of oil that moved the markets this Friday past as well as the weeks, and months and years before. "Oh yes, back in April 2011 there was this proclamation by President Obama: �So we're going to look at a whole range of measures -- including, by the way, making sure that my Attorney General is paying attention to potential speculation in the oil markets. I've asked him to reconstitute a task force that's examining that.’ "Concurrent to President Obama's proclamation the Justice Department created the �Oil and Gas Price Fraud Working Group’ amidst great fanfare and from whom we have heard nada since. "This June we were similarly regaled that the Federal Trade Commission was to open a probe on oil price fixing. Far less time has elapsed, but to date nothing, no news on how probe will be constituted and who will serve on board. "The beat has been going on a long time. Back in 2010 the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) was deputized by Congress to establish trading limits on the size of oil futures contracts being held by commodity traders. The CFTC gets an �A’ for student work. They have been studying the issue ever since, with no resolution nor meaningful program in sight. "Perhaps there are the beginnings of serious change. Just these past weeks the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) imposed a civil fine on JPMorgan of some $400 million for allegedly fleecing millions from electric utility customers in California and the Midwest. This is now being followed by another probe initiated by the Department of Justice as to whether JPMorgan further manipulated energy markets, and in this case headed by U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara who initiated criminal charges against two JPMorgan traders involved in the 'London Whale' derivatives debacle. "Well and good. Perhaps there is some stirring but you can bet all the well-heeled and well-oiled lobbyists in Washington are plying their trade on behalf of the oil industry, those affiliated with it, and the commodity exchanges who profit by the near limitless turnover of oil derivatives trading and are doing their utmost to counter any efforts at reform (viz the hopeless oversight and ineffectual policies of the CFTC, peopled with revolving door Wall Street and Commodity Exchange veterans). "In any case, it is well past time that President Obama's admonition of April 2011 were taken seriously not only by the Department of Justice, The Federal Trade Commission and FERC. Focus should also extend to the Energy Department, keeper of the 700 million plus barrels of crude oil bought and paid for by all of us, to determine how much is still really needed to be held in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve given America's growing oil production and its significant strides toward energy independence. The study should entail how releases from the SPR could best be used to counter the rabid speculation and artificially high prices in the oil market. "A further inquiry should also be made into the domestic oil trading activities of the two OPEC oil cartel member companies that own/control important refin- 112 West Chaco • Aztec, NM • 505-334-9407 Mon-Fri: 7:30 - 5:30 • Sat: 8 - 6 www.dusenberys.com Answer to Sudoku puzzle on page 19 Anatomy of Gas-pump prices...Part 57B Keshjee' (Shoe Game) Sponsored by the Farmington Indian Center, the community is invited to the Farmington Civic Center, on Friday, January 24, 6:00 to 11:00 p.m., to experience a traditional Navajo, winter night, oral history game, taught through song and playful teasing of opponents. The Farmington Indian Center is located at 100 W. Elm St., Farmington. For information about the Indian Center please call (505) 327-6296. The Farmington Civic Center is located at 200 W. Arrington, Farmington. For more information about the Civic Center please call (505) 599-1148. GMWatch.org ing facilities on U.S. soil, namely the Motiva Refinery at Port Arthur Texas controlled by Saudi Aramco, the largest refinery in the United States, and the refineries controlled by CITGO at Lake Charles. La., Corpus Christi, Tex. and Lamont, Ill. wholly owned by PDVSA the Venezuelan national oil company. Here are facilities in the United States whose prime objective, given their parent organizations commitment to ever higher oil prices through the OPEC cartel, can reasonably be assumed to be keeping the price of oil as high as possible (the interrelationship between the price of WTI and Brent Crude -- generally considered the international benchmark -- is significant) all the while happy to extract the highest possible toll from the American consumer in the price they pay for their downstream production of gasoline at the pump, heating oil, propane, diesel et al. "The formulation of oil prices has become one of the greatest rip-offs in history. It's time to get serious about our pockets being picked and fight back!" PAGE 16 Diplomatic mission JANUARY 16 - 31 • 2014 Sheriff Ken Christesen visits with Israeli security forces by Debra Mayeux A nation without secure borders could be a nation in trouble. Israel learned this several years ago, and put together programs to keep its people safe. San Juan County Sheriff Ken Christesen traveled to our ally in the Middle East to observe their border issues and discover ways to solve the problem of dangerous individuals easily moving in and out of an unsecure country. He was selected as one of 15 sheriffs across the United States to go on this diplomatic journey as part of the 2013 Law Enforcement Educational Seminar from April 28 to May 4, where participants shared ideas and learned about the Israeli's practices in border security and intelligence analysis and sharing. The trip was sponsored by the American Israel Education Foundation and the American Israeli Public Affairs Council, which has a mission to "strengthen, protect and promote the U.S.-Israel relationship in ways that enhance the security of Israel and the United States," according to the council's website, aipac.org. "I was pretty blessed to be chosen," Christesen said to members of the 9-12 Tea Party, during a Jan. 7 meeting at the Totah Theater in Farmington. The Israelis have border issues similar to those in the United States, Christesen explained, adding that Israel is surrounded by countries with citizens that want to kill its people. The Southwestern United States and the border with Mexico has people trying to cross it illegally to bring in drugs and often to commit crimes. "We can't have the things we want in this country until we secure our borders," Christesen said. The trip consisted of sheriffs from across the U.S., including Arizona, California, New York, Florida, Texas, Michigan and three from New Mexico. Christesen was included in the mix, because he is the chairman of the New Mexico Sheriff's Association. "We exchanged ideas. They wanted to show us their dilemmas, which are similar to ours," he said. They shared about intelligence and what they are doing and why. Much of that Christesen could not comment on, because it is highly sensitive information. "Every night, every day, every hour was filled with briefings and informational meetings." The sheriffs met with such diplomats as Brig.-Gen. Zohar Dvir, head of the Israel National Police Logistics Department; Col. Danny Tirza, general manager of Dan Tirza Yozmot, a consulting and management firm; Israel Media Expert Amos Harel; Inspector General Yohanan Danino, commissioner of the Israel National Police; and the Honorable Mickey Levy, deputy minister of finance for Israel. The sheriff toured Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and all of the borders, including those with Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, and the volatile Gaza Strip. "We traveled to every border. We looked at every problem," he said. "We can learn a truckload from the Israelis in border security." He also met with the police chief of Israel and toured a "super-secret" facility that consists of thousands of camera feeds from all over Jerusalem. These feeds are San Juan County Sheriff Ken Christesen stops to meet with a member of the Israeli Military, while touring the Israel-Lebanon border Sheriffs from across the U.S. participated in the trip, which consisted of this visit to the Israel Police Headquarters. monitored by 20 people, 24 hours a day, looking for the possibility of terrorist attacks or violence and unrest in the city. "It's a different world than we live in," Christesen said. The Israelis are "pleading for our help," but they think we as Americans are not "doing a real good job of standing up for our friends and allies." Israel has learned to protect itself through constant vigilance, and its citizens grow up with a knowledge of Meet Archie the Grey You might have already seen him around Aztec or you might already be buddies with him. Archie is a high content wolf hybrid. He has become well known over the month of December in our quaint little town of Aztec. He has made friends with many who feed him, give him treats, enjoy his visits and he walks with them. Yes, he is tame and a sweetheart. Just ask Laura, Archie's favorite human. Archie came into my life when a friend needed to find him a home with someone who could be around him more and help him with his fear of humans. He was almost 5 months old at that time. I traveled to southeastern Oklahoma to get him. We had made great progress over the short time he was here, but not enough. Over the course of several months he had escaped once but came home on his own. The second time someone had damaged my gates and, unknowing, I let the dogs out. They decided to tour Aztec. My long time hybrid Wahshee came to me right away, but Archie would not. Try as I may, I could not talk him into returning. He had found freedom and liked it. In fear for his well being, I contacted the Aztec Animal Shelter. They have been so wonderful with Archie and ensuring his safe capture, going through great extremes to get him. Days turned into weeks. Everyone who was interacting with him was also wonderful in not only feeding him but also trying to corner him or trying to get him into their fence for me. Even traps failed. Archie was just too smart and determined to by Patricia Bailey Wahshee, left and Archie, right stay a free pup. It is with great relief I am happy to say Archie was finally captured January 7th, 2014 by Tina and crew of the Aztec Animal Shelter and one of the owners of Wolfwood Refuge. They worked hard to ensure Archie's safe capture. They worried over him almost as much as I have. I can't begin to say how grateful I am to them and all the wonderful people who have been so good to Archie over the past month. My grandson Nathan named Archie. It is a Scottish name meaning true and bold. I was afraid he would not an unfriendly world. This has been the only way to keep people alive. All bus stops in the country have bomb shelters and schools are built with "blast shields” and reinforced concrete roofs, with two feet of concrete on top to keep rockets from killing children. "When they (the Palestinians) fire a rocket, the military gives warnings and you have anywhere from 0 to 15 seconds to find shelter," Christesen said. A heavy military presence in Jerusalem makes it the only "safe place" where Muslims, Christians and Jews can all mingle, Christesen said. There is a heavy police presence, and the police work hand-in-hand with the military. Christesen shook hands with approximately 200 members of the Israeli military. Every Israeli citizen, including women, has to serve in the military. Some members of the Israeli military are citizens of the Unites States, who also have an Israeli citizenship. "They all would give their life for their country," Christesen said. While there is military presence in the cities there is also an active military along each of Israel's borders. They are always watching for breaches in security. The story of one such breach was shared with the U.S. Sheriffs. It happened when a group of Palestinian terrorists killed some members of the Egyptian military and took their armored personnel carrier. Then, the terrorists drove the vehicle through the fence at the Israeli border and began shooting at every person they could find. A member of the Israeli military was able to leave his post and "take out" the armored carrier before any Israeli citizen was killed. There also are instances where suicide bombers attempt to enter the city. When entering Jerusalem, Christesen said, there are different pathways people are directed toward. When a person is a suspected terrorist, they are led down a path that takes them into a concrete enclosure where they are given the opportunity to surrender. Typically, the surrender does not happen and the terrorist detonates the bomb, killing only himself in the concrete room. "The Israelis have reduced the number of deaths and bombings – not by accident, but because they have taken strong steps to protect their borders," Christesen said. His trip was not only about security, the sheriff also had an opportunity to experience the birthplace of Christianity in a spiritual and moving way. He visited the Western Wall, the Jordan River, the Sea of Galilee, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which houses the stone that Jesus's body was laid upon when he died. "I was able to put my hand on that stone, and I can't tell you how moving that was," Christesen said. He also walked the trail that Jesus walked carrying the cross before being crucified. "It's just powerful. Israel is the birthplace of Christianity. Shouldn't we be trying to help them protect it, instead of allowing terrorists to try and destroy it?" be living up to his name sake, but I was so wrong. Archie has brought so many people together over the month. He has brought smiles, joy and even laughter. He has taught us things aren't always as they might seem at first. He has taught patience. And he has shown me hope in humanity for I have seen so many wonderful people rallying around a free heart wolf dog and sharing the love and compassion of this same dog. All of this in one special month, through one special wolf dog, in one special little town of Aztec, New Mexico. Who would have ever guessed. In conclusion of this story, it was a hard decision to make but after talking with the owners of Wolfwood Refuge I have decided Archie would be safer and happier with them. Who knows where Archie's path will go from there. The sky is the limit. One special wolf has already made such a mark on so many people, I feel certain his story will continue on for some time. Every time I visit Archie I will think of all the people he touched. What a great legacy. Aztec Animal Shelter: 825 Sabena St, Aztec, NM 87410 (505) 334-6819 Donations welcomed. They are a great team that truly care and put great effort and love into all the animals they rescue. Wolfworld Refuge Donations are welcomed www.wolfwoodrefuge.org/ Please visit their website to see the work they do to save so many. Again a huge thanks to all those who befriended Archie. Thank you all for being his friend and aiding in his well being. THE AZTEC LOCAL NEWS PAGE 17 Aztec Wrestling 2013-14 Newsletter #5, 1/13/2014 Sub-par performances do happen from time to time. Add to that, two of your top leaders gone, and it can lead to a “somewhat” embarrassing weekend. Wrestling is a two headed animal; one head is an individual sport with personnel goals, drive and pride at stake; the other, a team sport with team, school and community pride at stake. Aztec Wrestling has a history of being one of the top performing programs in the State, and when you have a day like we had on Saturday, you have to question yourself and check just what is going on. Wrestling is extremely tough on an individual; physically and psychologically, but mostly it can be very taxing over the course of a long season. Many young people have a tough time understanding what it takes to perform at a “top level” everyday, with the consistency to be called an Aztec Wrestler. We finished exactly in the middle of the Rocky Mountain Invitational held in Pagosa Springs, CO. We finished in 8th place with no one in the finals. We also had a 4th place, 5th place, four 6th placers, and two 7th place finishers. Our JV/C were “short- changed,” in that very late in the week we found out that the annual Durango Four Corners JV Tournament was cancelled. For the second year in a row Aztec stepped up and threw together a JV/C event in the auxiliary gym with Bloomfield and Piedra Vista attending. This can only help us get better. Top 10 of 16 team placing Rocky Mountain invitational: 1st Monticello, Utah 195 pts 2nd Monta Vista 178 pts 3rd Centauri 164 pts 4th Bloomfield 154 pts 5th Center 143 pts 6th Taos 139 pts 7th Pagosa Springs 130 pts 8th AZTEC 106 pts 9th Widefield 100 pts 10th Durango 92 pts Aztec Individual scorers/placers: 106# 10th Dillion Blue 1-2 3 pts no place Brandon Trennepohl 1-2 4 pts no place 113# 9th 120# 11th Jesse Ridgley 3-2 13 pts 7th place 126# 11th Brandon Sewell 1-2 3 pts no place 132# 11th Clay Green 1-2 3 pts no place 138# 10th Josh Snow 3-2 12 pts 6th place 145# 12th Phelan Mendieta 1-2 3 pts no place 152# 12th Jr. Monroy 0-2 0 pts no place 160# 11th Ethan Riemers 3-2 11 pts 6th place 170# 11th Justis Francisco 4-1 13 pts 5th place 182# 11th Orien Israel 3-2 13 pts 6th place 195# 11th Michael Marquez 2-2 8 pts 7th place 220# 11th Delvin Begaye 2-2 8 pts 6th place 285# 11th Justin Slavey 1-2 12 pts 4th place Wrestling Stars of the week: JV/C Shaun Brown Varsity no one this week Note Worthy: the 32nd Annual Tiger Duals will become the Hi-Country Aztec Tiger Duals Main Street Association would help Aztec by Katee McClure There are wonderful opportunities out there on the state, national and local level if a Main Street Organization is formed in a community. Resources abound, not only financially, but also in the areas of organization, design, marketing and revitalization of old buildings. Once an organization is formed, they have the opportunity to enlist the expertise of professionals in all phases of their revitalization plans, from historic preservation of buildings to creating exciting incentives to help with the economic development of the area. According to the New Mexico MainStreet website: "The New Mexico MainStreet Program is a grassroots economic development program that assists communities in revitalizing their traditional commercial neighborhoods. A program of the New Mexico Economic Development Department, New Mexico MainStreet works throughout the state to help affiliated organizations create an economically viable business environment while preserving local cultural and historic resources. MainStreet is a consensus-building program that fosters community pride and encourages the growth of small businesses, consequently enhancing local employment and income opportunities, tax revenues, property values and general quality of life. The MainStreet Program provides resources, education, training and technical services that stimulate the economic vitality of each participating community while celebrating local heritage and culture. MainStreet Program Associates provide free training sessions on town design, promotion and publicity, organization, and economic positioning. New Mexico MainStreet also sponsors architecture and community planning projects in member communities through the University of NM Design Planning and Assistance Center (DPAC)." In their 2012 Annual Report, the New Mexico MainStreet Program was responsible for creating 134 new businesses, helped create 622 new jobs, and raised $16.89 million in private reinvestment in 2012. A meeting was scheduled in Aztec on January 6th to enlighten the downtown business community about the wonderful opportunities they could benefit from with the formation of an Aztec Main Street Association. With a deadline of March 2014 to get an application into the state program, time was of the essence. Unfortunately after being informed of the criteria needed before the application process could start, the deadline became impossible for this year. Criteria needed include forming a non-profit organization which takes approximately four months and the appropriate fee to the IRS of anywhere between $400 $850, hiring an executive director and having four different committees (with 3-4 people each) in the areas of: • Organization (establishing consensus and cooperation by building effective relationships among the community’s stakeholders.) • Economic Positioning (strengthening the Main Street district existing economic assets and fulfilling its broadest market potential.) • Design (enhancing the unique visual quality of the Main Street district to create an appealing environment.) • Promotion (creating and marketing a positive image Chief’s Corner By Chief Mike Heal Hello Friends: Wow, another year has come and gone; the older I get, the faster the years go by. I hope you took the time to reflect what you were able to accomplish last year then set some goals for next year. If you take the time to write down your goals and put them in a place that you look at daily, you are much more likely to meet those goals. For this article I wanted to emphasize the need to guard your personal identity information. There are many people out there trying to steal your identity and use it for their own personal gain. If you have a question on something that seems too good to be true but are unsure, please call and we may be able to help you out and save you many thousands of dollars and even more heartache. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true it probably is too good to be true. We have given advice to individuals in the past not to send money because we believe it is a scam but they chose not to heed our advise….and every time they come back after sending money because they were swindled wanting us to help them get their money back. At that point, almost 100% of the time, there is nothing we can do and the money is never recovered. Most of the scams occur outside of the United States, so please be careful. In this extreme cold, please watch out for your elderly neighbors to ensure they have the heat they need to stay warm. We have to watch out for each other in these times, and if they need assistance call and we will help them. We have a wonderful community who cares for each other and it is my prayer that your generous, caring attitude will continue forever. Our Next Chief ’s Coffee will be held March 18, 2014 at 6:00pm at the Aztec Police Dept. building. As always, if I can help you in any way or answer any questions, please call me Monday –Thursday7am-5pm at 334-7620, or e-mail me at [email protected]. Until next time, stay safe & God bless you and God bless America! based on the unique attributes of the Main Street district) The necessary criteria made this great idea a farSearching for the gravesite of a relative? fetched idea to those in attendance. Doing genealogical research? Want to make a donaAs worth it as this will be in the long run, it takes time tion to assist with the upkeep of a grave? and money to start, which is the sticking point. Who The Aztec Cemetery website is now operational. The comes up with the money and who has the time? Hiring site, www.azteccemetery.org, was built in cooperation an executive director to steer the ship is a start but the with Aztec Media, and enables visitors to get informafunds to do so will come from where? tion on a variety of subjects. Those visiting the site can Since all the people at the meeting realized this learn something of the history, the organization, the rules process of forming a MainStreet organization wouldn’t and regulations, the costs, and the location of graves. happen this year, they came up with ideas of their own Questions regarding the cemetery can also be posted. on what to do in 2014. The site is easily accessible at any time, so check it out. Two projects chosen. One would be a town version of the “Fantasy of Lights” in December. A competition of sorts of all the businesses on Main and Aztec Blvd. to try and outdo each other with their holiday light displays. Katee McClure suggested that there be a financial incentive (from the City of Aztec utilities) for participants and 1st, 2nd and third place winners. Katee agreed to approach the City commissioners with the proposed plan. If advertised properly this city light show would attract visitors from all over, similar to what Sandy Kennedy was suffering from chronic knee and joint pain. “I couldn’t Fantasy of Lights did. function normally from day to day, recalls Sandy. “That’s when I said to Dale Anderson, repremyself, okay, you can’t walk. That was the turning point. I called the Total senting the Aztec Joint Care Center at San Juan Regional Medical Center.” Museum, suggested setting up the museum Most people who need joint replacement have severe pain that makes it grounds on Halloween in difficult to walk, climb stairs, get up from a chair, or carry on with other the form of a “Haunted normal activities. Knee and hip replacements can significantly relieve pain House,” or haunted old buildings as the case may and increase mobility in about 90% of people who get them. Joint be. This would occur on replacement can be a life-changing procedure for the right patients. the same night as Safe Weeks after her surgery and with physical therapy, Sandy Treats. Again, this would is back to her old self — rather her new self. She’s able to attract visitors from all over the area. move comfortably around her kitchen, vacuum her home, These two projects are and even go for walks in the countryside with her husband. fairly simple to accomIf you suffer from debilitating pain in your hips, knees or plish and succeed at. The people at the group meetjoints, call today, 505.609.6846. And get your life back. ing felt energized knowing that they came up with plans, doable plans, which could open the doors for sanjuanregional.com other projects, including getting a MainStreet organization started. Aztec Cemetery Website “I got new knees and my old life back!” PAGE 18 JANUARY 16 - 31 • 2014 Personal Classifieds TA L O N C l a s s i f i e d s no charge for no frills 20 word personal classified. Business Classifieds $5 ad - 15 words, $1 each additional 10 words. $10 ad - 3.25 X .75, single line frame $15 ad - 3.25 X 1, deco type, single line frame $20 ad - 3.35 X 1.5 - deco type, single line frame $30 ad - 3.25 X 2 - deco type, frame, graphic Send your ad with payment and tax of 6.3125% to The Aztec Local News, PO Box 275, Aztec, NM 87410, or drop in the drop box at Zip and Ship. Listen live online to progressive radio: www.chicagosprogressivetalk.com. Wanted by private collector: WWII items. Not to be resold. 334-0901. I build patios, trim trees and cut lawns, plus handyman work. Call Brian, 632-1858 AZTEC ANIMAL SHELTER 825 E. Sabena Street • Aztec 505-334-6819 Noon - 4:00 pm • Seven days a week Lost a pet? Looking to Adopt? Come see us! The Computer Works!!! Since Your Time is Valuable, We Come to You (505) 320-5304 The New Mexico Mental Health Crisis Line 1-855-NMCRISIS (662-7474) Good rates • Good circulation and Good for your business The Aztec Local News Call for ad rate information • 334-1039 Aspen’s Riddle Answer Over 25 Years of Serving Small Businesses I don’t have lungs or a chest but I need air. I’m not alive but I grow. I don’t have a mouth and don’t like water. What am I? Answer: Fire Handyman & Odd jobs: Winter jobs from your “honey do” list, hopefully all indoors, but not a definite requirement. Carl at 333-2443 Home Remodel & Repair. Experienced in all phases of construction. Guaranteed quality with references. Free estimates. Choice Remodel & Painting. 505-258-5391. Yard work - have trailer, will haul. Also do concrete work; house work. 505-486-0342. Ask for Leon. Elementary teacher (retired this year) seeks employment, part or full time. Part or full time. Will tutor or informally test (k-3) in home. 334-5121. FOR SALE: 10 acre wooded homesite with mountain views in Hart Canyon, adjacent power line. $30,000. John Cain, 970-261-7868 or [email protected]. FOR SALE: 432 acres, Hart Canyon. Homesite with spring water, power, phone, 30' x 60' metal barn. $699,000. John Cain, 970-261-7868. Site-built home in Flora Vista for sale: 2700 sqft on 2.56 irrigated acres horse property, 2 car garage, 3 bdrm, 2 bath, huge rooms and den with rock wall, 3 sources of heat, water softener. 505-860-5556. In home caregiver for hire. Elderly or children. Many references available. Also math and algebra tutoring. 505-360-9571 Help wanted: men to load moving van in Aztec on Feb. 12th. Additional day possible, Feb. 8th. Lunch and beverage provided. Pay DOE. Call Pat 360-3039. For sale: hospital bed in good condition and a lift chair. $500 for pair. 505-320-5797 Wanted by private collector: W.W.II items. Not to be resold. 334-0901 Help wanted: technician, electric mechanical repair, must be skilled in restaurant equipment and HVAC/R repair. Get on the ground level of a local, growing business with plans to become employee owned. One Source Service, LLC, 505-516-331l For sale: Interior fountain. Pouring Spanish pots with wrought iron stand, 41” h x 21” d, $75. 324-0776 Need more storage? Have shelves, cabinets, doors custom fit to the strangest spaces. Home Repairs & Remodels Additions * Remodels * Repairs * Painting Drywall * Decks * Tilework * Door installation Wildwood Trim & Remodel Remodeling • Repairs • Large or Small Jobs General Contractor • NM lic 16778 • 30+ YEARS EXPERIENCE 505-330-2960 Aztec Recycling Center 303 S. Ash Ave. • Aztec, NM 87410 • 334-7664 Monday - Closed • Tuesday to Thursday - 10 am to 4 pm Friday and Saturday - 9 am to 4 pm Sunday - noon to 4:00 pm Recyclable materials • Newspaper (Anything that comes in your newspaper) • Corrugated Cardboard / Brown Paper Bags (Clean, flattened, corrugated, 3 layered cardboard) • White Office Paper (whitebond office paper, white, greenbar and blue-bar computer paper) • #1 and #2 Plastics (#1 PETE soda bottles, #2 HDPE milk jugs, container plastic and detergent bottles) • Aluminum Cans and Foil (beer, pop cans, aluminum foil) • Tin and Steel Cans (Food and soup cans, pet food cans) For sale: fairly new, hardly used treadmill, $250. Call 793-1895, ask for Kim or leave message. For sale: Adjustable height crutches, $25; 505-3240776 For sale: matching pair wing-back arm chairs, $100, good condition and clean. 505-324-0776 For sale: Everlast boxing stand with 2 stations, heavy and light bags and gloves. Like new, $100. 505-3240776. For sale: adjustable steel shelving units; 7 feet high x 4 feet wide, 1.5 feet deep with 6 shelves. $50. 505-3240776 Aztec Cottonwood Storage • Good Rates • Different sizes • RV and Open Space available Limited hours: 2- 6 pm Call 334-6111 or 334-7175, leave message Project/Tea Party Patriots The SJC 9-12 Project/Tea Party Patriots General Meeting will be Tuesday, February 4th, at 7pm at the TOTAH Theater. This meeting will be for local area candidates seeking election in the city elections on March 4th and candidates in the primary elections in June. This is an opportunity for voters to hear the candidates explain why they should be elected. Candidates of all parties are welcome to come and speak. The SJC 9-12 Project/Tea Party Patriots lunch meeting will be Friday, February 7th, at 11:30 a.m. at Los Hermanitos East restaurant, back meeting room. This is a forum meeting where all present can bring up topics of interest for discussion. Anyone interested is invited. Priscilla A. Shannon Attorney at Law Divorce, Child Custody Grandparents Rights, Adoption Guardianships, Probate and Wills Ç • 333-2055 • 105 East Chaco • Aztec Crane’s Roost Care Home “Providing the most elite care in the Four Corners” 333-2604 Support TALON advertisers! Farmington Office 475 E. 20th St. Suite A, Farmington, 325-1505 Weekly Draw Hours: Monday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Tuesday and Wednesday 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Friday 12:30 – 4:30 PM, and Saturday 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Donors may also give blood at mobile drives that are hosted by organizations throughout Farmington and surrounding communities. To make an appointment at the center or a mobile drive, call 1-877-UBS-HERO (1-877827-4276) or visit www.unitedbloodservices.org. Donors must be at least 17 years old (16 with parental consent), in good health, present photo ID and are encouraged to eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water prior to donating blood. ***DONORS please have identification at time of donation*** Pest Control Commercial • Residential TREE & WEED SPRAYING Allan Walraven Bugs-A-Winginit • 320-6372 Drug Free San Juan County invites you to come to our educational meetings the 2nd Thursday of every month at the Farmington Civic Center at 7:00 PM. We also sponsor Project Graduation, a Meth Impact Panel and a DWI Victim Impact Panel. For more information call Nila Hamblin at 325-7022 or 486-7929. Roll up your sleeve, please! By Kris Ponto, MSN, RN-BC, RAC-CT Good Samaritan Society Clinical Nurse Consultant Have you made plans to get your annual flu vaccine? Fall is a good time to get the vaccine. It’s usually available in September through the winter months. Flu is unpredictable, but the peak of the season is usually in January or February. Here are some common myths and facts that may influence your decision to get the vaccine. Myth: The flu vaccine can give you the flu. Fact: Some people may get a little soreness or redness in the area where the shot was given, but this usually goes away in a day or two. Complications from the flu shot are very rare. Myth: The flu shot does not work. Fact: Most of the time, the flu shot will prevent the flu. Studies have shown the effectiveness of flu vaccines ranges from 70 percent to 90 percent. Getting the vaccine is your best protection against the disease. Myth: Stomach flu is the same as influenza. Fact: In reality, there is no such thing as the stomach flu. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are usually caused by a virus, bacteria or parasite. The flu is a respiratory disease, not a stomach or intestinal disease. Myth: The flu is annoying, but harmless. Fact: A lot of people think of the flu as just a bad cold, but it’s much worse than that. You will feel terrible! You will probably have congestion, cough, body aches and fever. You may be unable to work. People are hospitalized, and many people have died from influenza. The actual number of flu-related deaths in the past 30 years has ranged from about 3,300 per year to a high of about 49,000, according to a 2010 report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Myth: You can skip years between vaccinations. Fact: Most vaccines are given once and are effective the rest of your life. The flu vaccine isn’t like that. That’s because flu strains change each year. You need to get a flu vaccine every year. Myth: Healthy people don’t need to get vaccinated. Fact: Although young, healthy individuals will probably bounce back from the flu, why should you suffer through it? Another reason to get the flu vaccine is to protect others. If you get sick, your family and friends are more likely to get sick. Please roll up your sleeve for the flu vaccine! All About Style . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Allstate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Aztec Feed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Aztec Floral . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Aztec Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . .5 Aztec Urgent Care . . . . . . . . .10 Basin Home Health . . . . . . . . .7 Big O Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Bloomfield Florist . . . . . . . . . . .5 Bubbas Tax Service . . . . . . . . .5 Bugs-a-Wingin-It . . . . . . . . . .19 Chipman & Associates . . . . .15 Comfort Keepers . . . . . . . . . .20 Cottonwood Storage . . . . . . .19 Crane’s Roost . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Desert View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Dusenbery’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Elite Paint & Body . . . . . . . . . .5 Five Star Mechanical . . . . . . .18 Hot Nails by Amy . . . . . . . . . .10 Independent Energy Center . .8 Inland Kenworth . . . . . . . . . . .11 Katee McClure, candidate . . .11 McDonalds . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Priscilla Shannon, Atty . . . . .19 Ramsey Realty . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Rising Sun Plumbing . . . . . . .20 Rivas Auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Robert Retherford . . . . . . . . .14 San Juan College . . . . . . . . .12 San Juan College East . . . . . .7 San Juan Regional . . . . . .17,18 Solar Charger . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 State Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Style Exchange . . . . . . . . . . .13 The Computer Works! . . . . . .18 Waybourn Feed . . . . . . . . . . .18 Wildwood Trim . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Zip & Ship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 THANKS to our Advertisers who support TALON and the free services it offers. Call to advertise! 505-334-1039 5 NEW MEXICO • 888-811-8282 • Here is the main number for Congress - the Senate and House - in Washington, DC. 202-225-3121 Toll-free numbers, sponsored by a variety of sources, come and go, so this list may not be current. 1 (800) 828 - 0498 Don’t know who your 1 (800) 614 - 2803 representatives are? 1 (866) 340 - 9281 Just give the operator 1 (866) 338 - 1015 your zip code and 1 (877) 851 - 6437 they’ll tell you. You can also reach this web page quickly and easily by using the URL of www.CallCongress.org. United Blood Services hours RAPE CRISIS CENTER Contact Congress PAGE 19 You can call the Rape Crisis Center from anywhere in the state and call an advocate any time (24 hours/7 days a week) and not have to worry about a phone charge. THE AZTEC LOCAL NEWS Narcotics Anonymous Hotline number (505-324-1807) For an updated schedule of area meetings, check out www.riograndena.org Answer on page 15 Alcoholics Anonymous/Aztec Group has added two more 6:15AM Attitude Adjustment meetings to our schedule. There are now Tuesday and Thursday morning meetings, along with the Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning 6:15AM meetings. PAGE 20 JANUARY 16 - 31 • 2014 Quick Lube Fast Service One of Aztec’s very own!!! This is the very story that makes Aztec proud. Ryan Garcia, native of Aztec, was a student right here in our community, graduating Aztec High School as an Honor Graduate in 2007 and then stepping right on over to San Juan College, receiving an Associates Degree in 2009. Well, the story certainly doesn’t stop there. He then went on to NM State University in Las Cruces and among 1000 students achieved the Outstanding Award with a degree in �College of Health and Social Services.’ So, out of 1000 students, he was in the top 10 of his class. In 2013, Ryan was quite motivated and involved in the Public Health Dairy Worker Health research project with outreach groups, translating survey tools to Spanish. Above and beyond his classes, he devoted his time to Eta Sigma Gamma Honors Society and serving as President of the Public Health Student Organization. While in this position of leader, Ryan planned and participated in community service events on and off campus. Ryan also volunteers benefitting other organizations including United Blood Services, Hope Centers, La Casa Women’s Shelter, American Cancer Society, and NMSU Suicide Prevention. His volunteer work is not limited to the United States! In 2011, Ryan worked as an international volunteer at an orphanage in Peru, teaching children proper hygiene habits and street safety, all the while serving as the interpreter for staff at the boy’s orphanage group. Can any one of us say that we are as community active as this young man? Not only can our community be very proud, but his parents, Sue and Lucio Garcia, and Ryan’s five (that’s right FIVE!) sisters are also very proud. Many of you probably know or have dealt with Sue Garcia as she is a LONG time Aztec City employee, 20 years to be exact. So just when you thought this story had a conclusion....think again. With all that Ryan has accomplished, he is on to his next venture. His plans will take him to UNM (Albuquerque) for his Masters in Community Health.... All this to say, there ARE aspiring students who excel within the New Mexico education system. Ryan, stand up and take your deserved bow, (and Sue, Lucio and all Ryan’s sisters, take a bow/curtsy as well). by Beth McClure Eco friendly - drop off your used oil to be recycled 1549 W. Aztec Blvd. • 334-5575 Stop by and see our newly remodeled facility When You Need A Plumber... Service & Repairs New Construction Remodeling Ryan Garcia, Honors Grad 2013 Residential Commercial NM License #91085 Rising Sun Plumbing “We’re here to help!” 505-333-2550 Steps to avoid GMOs • Buy Organic—Certified organic products cannot intentionally include any GMO ingredients • Look for "Non-GMO Project" verified seals • Avoid at-risk ingredients including soybeans, canola, cottonseed, corn, and sugar from sugarbeets • Buy products listed in the “Shopping Guide” download at www.nongmoshoppingguide.com. The Non-GMO Shopping Guide is a cooperative effort of The Institute for Responsible Technology & The Non-GMO Project. Around-the-clock nursing advice Homecoming King (Ryan King) (877) 725-2552 7 days a week in English and Spanish.
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