Monthly Archives: October 2009

Trying Times In New Mexico’s Past

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Jack Whinery, homesteader, and his family, Pie...
Image by The Library of Congress via Flickr

By Chuck Ring (GadaboutBlogalot ©2009).

Quote Freely From The Article – Leave The Pseudonym Alone

 

And, now we have trying times again. Not that we have it as rough as our depression-era relatives, the Native American populations of yore, the Spanish colonial settlers or New Mexico homesteaders. Marc Simmons, a renowned New Mexico historian writes about one aspect of early New Mexico life in the Santa Fe New Mexican.

Perhaps you’ll find the article interesting and enlightening FoodStorage

Here’s a nice blog that deals with New Mexico ideas for food storage and gathering

Do you have any food storage methods handed down from your ancestors, or that you may have read about or came up with on your own?  Just share them in a comment if you wish.

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Info On Daylight Savings Time And Smoke Alarms

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POSTED AS A COMMUNITY SERVICE BY THE FOLKS AT AT GADABOUT-BLOGALOT

NEWS RELEASE                    Issued by Bernalillo County

For Immediate Release                                              Public Information Department

October 29, 2009                                                       Larry Gallegos

lagallegos@bernco.gov

Office: 505-468-1273

Cell: 505-228-6668

Bernalillo County Fire Department Reminds Citizens To

“Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery”

The Bernalillo County Fire Department wants to remind citizens to change the batteries in all home smoke detectors when changing clocks back to Standard Time this weekend. Here are some facts to consider when you “Fall Back”.

  1. Eighty-three percent of all civilian fire related-deaths are a result of home fires, and on average, nearly two children die every day in these fires.
  2. Bernalillo County has experienced 10 civilian injuries and 3 civilian casualties that were fire related in the last year and an early warning could have provided critical extra seconds to escape.
  3. Working smoke alarms double a family’s chance of getting out of a home fire alive — but only if they work.

When turning your clocks back on November 1, make a lifesaving decision.

Change the batteries in all smoke detectors.  “This simple action takes just a moment, but is the best defense your family has against the devastating effects of a home fire” says Fire Chief John Garcia. “Also, test your smoke detectors and replace them if necessary.”

“Birthers” Lose Another

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A little crazy on a cold night
Image by Lost Albatross via Flickr

By Chuck Ring (GadaboutBlogalot ©2009).

Quote Freely From The Article – Leave The Pseudonym Alone

Yep, they are still out there, making regular conservatives seem like fools. While it is the “birther’s” right to continue with their silliness, we believe their time and resources would be much better spent in pursuing the rebuilding of the conservative base … whatever that might be.

We have written concerning the “birther” and “truther” movements before. The similarities of these two groups have more to do with their tired rhetoric, than with common goals or common sense.

Here’s the latest story from CNN Birthers Lose Another

Here’s my previous musings on the Birthers

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Job Losses Across The Nation And Here At Home

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US Whig poster showing unemployment in 1837
Image via Wikipedia

By Chuck Ring (GadaboutBlogalot ©2009).

Quote Freely From The Article – Leave The Pseudonym Alone

PLEASE READ TO THE END FOR A SPECIAL PLEA

According to the article found at this link, Albuquerque has lost over 15,000 jobs during the last year. That number represents over a 3% loss and the “seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is at 7.7%”. It is possible and probably likely that job loss in the Estancia Valley is as great or greater

New Mexico is not as bad off as some other locations, but it is hard to convince those who are unemployed that they are not bad off. Thanksgiving is coming up soon and Christmas, along with other seasonal holidays will follow or come before.

Here’s hoping for jobs alongside the turkey and dressing and a great Christmas for all. If you are one of the fortunate ones with a job and some extra money, food or serviceable clean clothing, please consider digging a little deeper this year to help those newly in need and those who are chronically in need through no fault of their own.

Helping In This Area

Yes, start thinking about giving outside your family or circle of friends. How about helping out at food and clothing distribution projects in the Estancia Valley or on the other side of the East West Mountains.

  • You can call Bethel Storehouse in Moriarty at 832-6642 to find out how you might help there.
  • Robin Prudencio, Rene Willes and Jenna Spindle, along with other volunteers, have been purchasing food through Roadrunner Food Bank and distributing it in Edgewood . With winter coming on this groups distribution will occur at Valley View Christian Church, 170 State Road 344 (just north of Dinkle on the right). You can read about their efforts up through September at this link . The next distribution will be November 23rd between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM.
  • Additionally, Wayne Steele and other members of the congregation at WoodsEnd Church, 88 State Road 344 (across from WalMart) will distribute food on November 20th at 5:00 PM until the food supply is exhausted . For December, the will distribute on the 21st beginning at 3:30 PM and continue until the food supply is exhausted. Wayne asks that those wishing to receive food  bring a laundry basket or other suitable container as container supplies at the church, if available at all will be very limited. Wayne can be reached at 281-9273. Callers may have to leave a message, but he will get back to anyone who calls.

As we go forward we will try to post individual bulletins for each month’s food distribution.

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Are Her Questions Valid

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Acorns
Image via Wikipedia

by Chuck Ring (GadaboutBlogalot ©2009)

Quote Freely From The Article – Leave The Pseudonym Alone

Hanna Giles of ACORN fame ( or infamy, depending on your observation spot) poses several questions in an article she writes on BigGovernment.com.

She writes and wonders why the mainstream media showed little interest in first reporting on, and then following up on, the stories Ms. Giles and James O”Keefe filed after their “undercover” investigations at several ACORN offices. Perhaps others might wonder.

Here’s her article click

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Born At Night, But Not Last Night (More Edgewood Library)

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By Chuck Ring (GadaboutBlogalot ©2009).

Quote Freely From The Article – Leave The Pseudonym Alone

Edgewood's 10th Anniversay Stamp

Edgewood's 10th Anniversary Stamp

And, I didn’t just fall off the turnip wagon. Those who have read my articles about the problems with the Edgewood library, have no doubt, heard or read of other information calling into question facts or suppositions I posited in my articles.  I am interested in adding to what I have stated in my previous articles to prove what I know is the truth, rather than to address any statements which have relied on erroneous information from self-interested parties.

I had visited the building containing the library many times when the space that is now the library was the setting for a fitness/aerobic exercise facility. During the time I participated in the classes offered by the then owner of the building and the fitness/exercise facility, I was able to build some free-standing benches and a free-standing cabinet for the facility. I was a registered business owner and had a Construction Industries license which allowed me (if I wished) to build such components as allowed by my license. I also visited other parts of the building to speak with other business owners from time to time. My point in mentioning the foregoing is to prove my familiarity with the building.

A short time prior to the Town of Edgewood’s lease of the building, I was able to visit the building and take digital images of  the space where the library is now located. The exercise area was eventually converted into several offices with each office having its own entrance.  Altogether, I took several images in trying to understand what made the space attractive as a potential library. I could see potential problems facing any occupant of the building, not the least of which were problems which would face any contractor who attempted to remove walls and install lighting and other electrical  fixtures and units.

After I visited the building to take photos, I voiced my concern at Edgewood Town Council meetings and cautioned against rushing to secure library space in the building. However, with the Council’s advice to the Mayor to complete the permitting and inspection of the building, I assumed everything would be done as required by law or regulation. As we all know, there are questions about work completed on the library as to compliance with law and regulations. That is where we stand at this time and there is more to said about whether work on the library did or did not need permitting and inspection.

Continue reading →

No Smart Grid Projects For New Mexico

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New Mexico state population density map based ...
Image via Wikipedia

President Obama just announced over eight billion dollars for “smart grid” projects across the United States. New Mexico has the distinction of being left out with some other states. At least we do not show on the list presented by his administration.

We wonder if this was a unilateral effort on the part of POTUS or if our congressional members (New Mexico’s) could have seen to it that New Mexico received a buck or more without tacking it on someplace as an earmark.

Here’s the story from the Wall Street Journal. Once at the story you can find a link that points you to those who received money.

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Water Talks & Bull Butter Walks

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Highbridge_08
Image by Pro-Zak via Flickr

by Chuck Ring (GadaboutBlogalot ©2009)

Quote Freely From The Article – Leave The Pseudonym Alone

The Town of Edgewood’s governing body had a fairly lengthy discussion on water issues for Section 16 on October 7th during the council meeting. In the discussion, Councilman Brad Hill asked Mayor Stearley to reveal information contained in an email exchange between the Mayor and “Hillcrest.”  The Mayor advised Councilman Hill and all others present that he did not know what Councilman Hill was talking about. Councilman Hill advised all present that he had the emails related to the subject and he would bring them to the next meeting.

The emails mentioned above were not discussed at the last meeting on October 21st and the subject was not on the agenda. It might be helpful to provide for playback, part of the meeting minutes discussed in the October 7th meeting:

Partial Minutes (10/07/09)

Once the above link is opened, you can expect to hear the beginning of the discussion between Mayor Stearley and Councilman Hill at the 2:40 mark with the discussion ending at the 4:50 mark.

The discussion above, when compared with the following series of emails exchanged between a Hillcrest principal and Mayor Stearley are revealing to say the least:

Email Exchange Section 16 Water

The above audio and the separate text should clarify what has transpired and what was discussed by Mayor Stearley and a principal of Hillcrest. It also shows that Councilman Hill was correct in his contention that the Mayor did have the email exchange and did not bring the discussion to the council for consideration by the full governing body.

While it is entirely possible the email exchange between Mayor Stearley and the Hillcrest principal was forgotten by the Mayor, the exchange calls to mind the Mayor’s pledge of open government during his administration.

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