Great news for our beloved Corrales Library: Albuquerque, the Magazine named our library Best Library Story Time. Congratulations to Library Director, Marian Frear, Children’s Librarian Megan Ainslow, and volunteer Charlie Dearing. We will have more information once the December issue of the magazine is out soon.
December 17th is a Holiday Market for the Corrales Growers’ Market. It will run from 11 AM until 1 PM and Al Gonzales, the market manager, is expecting 20 vendors. To get more information, access is available on the Village web site under community events and programs.
The Festival of the Nativities is being held at the Old Church December 16th and 17th from 10 AM until 5 PM. All varieties of creches will be available for viewing from a variety of countries, variety of styles, and age. One or two might be for sale or maybe you could win one. Admission is FREE for this event!
The first of the year is not too far away. We will swear in the newly re-elected councilors and the re-elected judge during a ceremony January 2nd at 6 PM in the Council Chambers. Now is a good time for those in the community who would like to be involved in Village government to think about running for office in the future. The next election is in two years and positions for three council members and mayor will be on the ballot. Over the next couple of years there may be some changes in the Village. In the last two years the village purchased the former Hector Gonzales property north of Wells Fargo Bank, which the Village may also acquire, and the former Anderson property, north of the post office. A new full-size gym is being finished. Fire suppression lines and sewer extensions are being planned. A bond election was also held this year, and funds are available for some future growth. Good ideas and good people are needed to help us grow in keeping with our heritage.
Deputy Clerk Skye DeVivi would like to thank everyone who participated in the Veteran’s exhibit and for taking the time to write letters for Operation Gratitude. Over 150 letters and drawings will be sent to the organization for distribution to active and retired military personnel around the world. She would also like to invite the public come the administration office to see “Winter Scenes of Corrales,” an exhibit of photographs in the lobby by photographers Dennis Chamberlain and Ken Duckert. All pieces on display are for sale, and proceeds go directly to the artists.
If you are looking for a unique gift for either that hard-to-buy for loved one or for stocking stuffers, the Village has keychains and lapel pins with the Village logo available for purchase at the front desk of the administration building. Lapel pins are $5.00 and keychains are $10.00.
Have you noticed the progress being made on the Sandia Bar? While driving by this morning, I noticed they have moved on to stuccoing the outside of the building. It’s exciting to see progress on the rehabilitation of this Corrales gathering place.
CRIME AND SAFETY UPDATE
-On Mon. 12/04 a resident reported that her identifying information had been compromised over the internet. Remember to safeguard your personal and financial data both on paper and online, and take a few moments to review the identify theft information at this link: https://www.justice.gov/criminal/criminal-fraud/identity-theft/identity…
-On Wed. 12/06 a citizen advised police that he left his home on Perfecto Lopez RD at about 7:00AM and returned at approximately 9:30AM to discover that the rear window of one of his vehicles had been shattered. Nothing was taken from inside the SUV, which did not appear to have been entered, and the cause of the damage is currently unknown.
-On Sat. 12/09 a Village resident reported receiving a call during which he was told that his daughter was being held captive and would be harmed if he didn’t pay for her release. The reporting party did the right thing and called his daughter, who advised that she was fine. More information about fake kidnapping scams can be found at this link: https://ors.od.nih.gov/News/Pages/Beware-of-Virtual-Kidnapping-Ransom-S…
Thank you, have a safe week and remember: SEE IT, HEAR IT, REPORT IT!
HEALTH AND SAFETY UPDATE
There are still a few tags on the Giving Tree, but Deputy Chief Lattin will take them all down Friday (TODAY) after 5:00 pm so she can start purchasing presents for the tags left on the tree. If you need a tag over the weekend, call her at 505-702-4182. Gifts are due in by Monday, December 18, 2023, at 5:00 pm unless you have made arrangements with DC Lattin. Gifts may be wrapped or unwrapped, but make sure the tag is attached to the present(s). She will start sending out presents and food December 19, 2023, and hopes to have them all out by December 22, 2023 Donations can be made at the Fire station or online. Monetary donations can be mailed to the Corrales Fire Department at 4920 Corrales Road – make checks out to KCCF (Kiwanis Club of Corrales) and add “fire drive” to the memo line. You can also donate online at https://kiwanis-club-of-corrales.square.site/product/corrales-fire-fundraiser/122 or at Village Mercantile.
Respiratory illnesses such as influenza and COVID are increasing across the US currently, Things you can do to help prevent severe respiratory illness for the upcoming holidays include: making sure you are up to date on all recommended vaccines (influenza, COVID, RSV and pneumonia), mask in congested areas, mask on public transportation, have people test for COVID right before visiting and stay home if you are ill. The Village still has free tests available in the foyer at Village Hall, by calling the fire station to have them put outside and the library. If you are sick, please do not pick up tests at the library.
If you need information on Isolation for COVID the CDC has a helpful Isolation and Exposure Calculator https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html
UPCOMING EVENTS
TODAY: Lunch Bunch at Ex Novo Brewing, 12 PM, this is a weekly event sponsored by Corrales MainStreet. Come hear about various happenings in the Village.
SATURDAY: Explora visit at Corrales Library 10 AM
SATURDAY: Wheels Museum Christmas Party, 2 – 4 PM, 1100 2nd St. SW
SUNDAY: Holiday Grower’s Market, 11 AM
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY: Festival of the Nativities 10 AM – 5 PM Old San Ysidro Church
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY: ¡Celebramos! 5th Annual Feria Artisanal Contemporary and Traditional Hispanic Market. Hours are: 16th 10 AM – 7 PM, 17th 10 AM – 5 PM Casa Perea Art Space, 4829 Corrales Road
WEDNESDAY: Award-winning Story Time at the Library, 10 AM
MARK YOUR CALENDAR:
- Winter break for APS schools, including Corrales Elementary, is from Friday December 22 through Monday, January 9, 2024.
- Village offices will be closed Monday, December 25th, and Monday, January 1st
- Winter hours for the library: the library will be closed December 23rd and 25th and January 1st and 15th. The library will close at 5:00 on December 26th and 28th.
- Adult Winter Reading Challenge, registration begins online January 1st at www.beanstack.com. The challenge runs January 1st through February 29th. A drawing will be held March 1st for some great prizes from local businesses.
Enjoy your holidays and please be safe. Spend time with family and friends, cherish these occasions. Drive safely and sober.
Jim Fahey
Mayor
