A Christmas Star is heading our way! December 21st (Winter Solstice) brings Jupiter and Saturn in such close alignment they will look like a double planet. Called a conjunction, the two planets haven’t been this close since the year 1226 (no, not a typo). Could this be a sign of better things to come in 2021? Yes please. https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/16/world/christmas-star-jupiter-saturn-conj…
Because Corrales retained some infrastructure monies from last year’s allocations, the Village will be able to start improvements at the Corrales Police Station, continue the fire suppression project, construct recreational trails and acquire municipal equipment. And then, as mentioned last week, Corrales will seek monies for additional projects in the upcoming fiscal year. The Village has expended all its CARES money but several local businesses will be able to obtain CARES grant monies from Sandoval County.
Well, COVID-19 still has New Mexico in the red. No time to let down our guard because Corrales has 162 cases and Christmas is coming. HOWEVER, Sandoval County is reporting fewer cases and New Mexico is already getting vaccines for our most vulnerable health care workers. By spring, most of us should be able to get vaccinated. Good news. But right now, the best way out of the red zone and into the “yellow” is for all of us to get tested and zoom for Christmas so we can avoid a January spike. Thank you Corraleños.
Kudos to the Corrales Community Library for bringing holiday happiness. Library staff have distributed 75 gingerbread kits, Brynn Cole is playing the grinch who gives “negative” book reviews, Sandra is going strong with Café a la Seis and Melisa has arranged for Shana Banana’s Chriskwanzanuka!!! show. Corrales Library is partnering with Rio Rancho libraries for the “Hibernate with a Book: An Adult Winter Reading Program.” No competition of course, but it looks like we are way ahead of our much larger neighbor to the west. Kidding aside, the Village is very happy to be teaming up with Rio Rancho. There’s lots more, so go to the Corrales Community Library website and click on “Calendar” or “Events” for further details.
Looking for more local holiday cheer? Check out these wonderful videos of Christmas carols sung by students in first grade classes at Corrales Elementary School. I want to send a personal thank you to Mrs. Padilla, Mrs. Sandoval and Mrs. Bahrmann and each and every one of their students (and their camera people) for making everyone here in town smile.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luQ1a_znFAM&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYDfOGjdgWk&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHwMsO2Ajvs&feature=youtu.be
The fantastic Corrales Holiday Light Extravaganza is on. As you drive down Corrales Road, check out the decorated vehicles at 500 Jones Road (the Rec Center). Lynn Siverts, Head of Parks and Recreation, with lots of help from Public Works and others, have created a little bit of lighted Corrales heaven. Enjoy!
The holiday lights are just one example of how Village employees support each other and us. Reflecting on the last 9 months, I would like to extend a special thanks to all Village of Corrales employees. From the Police Department to Public Works, the Fire Department to Planning and Zoning, the Library to Parks and Recreation, the Court to Administration, they have not wavered in their commitment to you. A heartfelt thanks for all they continue to do.
You know it – Hanukkah is over and it’s the last weekend before Christmas. This either fills you with joy or panic. I recommend joy. Take advantage of the sunny, brisk weather this weekend. There will be a Corrales Growers Market this Sunday from 11-1. Many local businesses will be open. But, whatever you do, get your holiday cheer into high gear, Corrales-style. May you have a wonderful and peaceful season.
Jo Anne Roake
Mayor of Corrales
