Fire is still a big concern for the Village. The Corrales Bosque Advisory Commission has put up a few of these signs to help maintain our awareness and focus on preventing fire. We have an excellent fire department with well-trained firefighters who are dedicated and focused on protecting the Village. I would like to think of our preparations as insurance and hope to never have to put their skills or the Village’s ability to deliver the water to the test. Please remember Smokey says, “Only you can prevent forest fires.” Our bosque is at risk and we must be alert and concerned. Remember, there is no smoking of any kind, including electronic cigarettes, in the Bosque. Also, no campfires, lighters or barbeque grills. The Bosque is a FIRE-FREE environment. For information on all rules and information pertaining to the Bosque.
Friday, July 21, is “Invite an Alien to Live With You Day.” Saturday, July 22, is “National Summer Leisure Day” and Sunday, the 23rd, is “Int’l Yada, Yada, Yada Day.” Sounds like quite a weekend ahead. I may just go swimming in that wonderful Corrales swimming pool before it closes on August 6th.
Try to tune in to the Village Council meeting on Tuesday, July 25th. We will be discussing bonding and what projects the Village Council would like to fund. You can let your councilor know what you would like to see funded by email after all the information is presented. This discussion will decide which projects will go before Corraleños in the November election. These bonds, if approved, will not increase the mill levy or tax dollars the Village administration receives from us, the tax payers. Also to be decided on the 25th is a significant increase in pay for the council and mayor. Maybe more people will decide to run for office if the positions pay more. The pay increase will take effect when the new councilors are seated in January 2024.
Construction of the new enlarged gym at the Rec Center is progressing well. Work and progress can be viewed on YouTube, by searching for “Village of Corrales”, and there it is. Or click this link: https://youtu.be/j9um3sVJyqA. You can also view previous meetings of the Village Council.
It continues to be very hot. Protect yourself by avoiding work outside unless absolutely necessary. Remain well hydrated, take water breaks, drink more water than you think you need. Don’t wait to be thirsty. If you feel hot, but are not sweating, get inside and cool off. Some helpful ways to stay safe during excessive heat waves can be found at: https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat. Don’t’ forget to provide fresh cool water for your pets and livestock.
CRIME & SAFETY UPDATE:
Saturday 7/15, a resident of the 600 block of West La Entrada reported that several of her fowl had been killed, apparently by coyotes, during the previous night. Help deter predators by ensuring that your property is secured by a sturdy fence (frequently inspect it for breaches), keep your yard free of trash, pet food, fallen bird seed and fruit to keep from inadvertently feeding them, don’t intentionally feed them and make sure that coops are impenetrable.
No community is immune from the dangers of Domestic Violence and Corrales is no exception. If you or someone you know is affected by Domestic Abuse, please reach out for help before it’s too late. Call 9-1-1 for emergencies, 505-891-7226 to request a non-emergency Police response. Contact the New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence (1-800-799-SAFE / 7233) to access in-depth information and resources concerning this issue or check out their website at: https://www.nmcadv.org/
HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE:
The Corrales Fire Department is still holding vaccine drive-through clinics (including pediatric) for anyone who has never received a bi-valiant vaccine, and those that over 65 who have only had one bi-valiant vaccine. Registration is available by going to: https://goodtimes.vaccinenm.org/stay-ahead-nm/. Please call Deputy Fire Chief, Tanya Lattin at 505-702-4182 with any questions or if you need assistance with registration. If you feel sick, don’t wait to reach out to your physician. You only have 5 days from the start of COVID-19 symptoms to get a prescription for an anti-viral COVID specific medication, like Paxlovid, to treat symptoms. These types of medications can help keep mild-to-moderate COVID-19 cases from becoming severe cases, especially if you are over the age of 65 or have medical conditions that make you high risk. FREE Covid Home tests are still available at Village Hall, the Corrales Library, and the Fire Station. If you feel sick, please stay home, and wear a mask when traveling and in crowded areas.
If you feel that you are in need of emotional support, please remember to call or text 988 which is the National Suicide and Crisis Line. It is available 24-7 and certified crisis center staff can assist you with finding the resources you need.
The Environmental Protection Agency continues to issue UV Index alerts for our area. The UV Index predicts the level of solar UV radiation and indicates the risk of overexposure on a scale from 0 (low) to 11 or more (extremely high). A special UV Alert may be issued for a particular area, if the UV Index is forecasted to be higher than normal. Corrales has been issued these UV Alerts for the last few weeks because the UV Index has been extremely high between 12-13. It is important to protect yourself from the damaging effects of the sun, here are some suggestions:
- Do Not Burn or Tan: Avoid intentional tanning, it may contribute to skin cancer and premature aging of the skin.
- Seek Shade: Get under cover when the sun’s rays are the strongest between 10am and 5pm and provide shade for your pets and livestock.
- Wear Protective Clothing: Wear light-colored long-sleeved shirts and pants and a wide brimmed hat as well as UV blocking sunglasses.
- WEAR SUNSCREEN: Generously apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher to protect you from UVA and UVB rays. Always follow label directions and apply 15 minutes prior to going outdoors and re-apply every two hours.
- Use Extra Caution Near Water and Sand: These surfaces reflect the damaging rays of the sun, which can increase your chances of painful sunburn.
- Check the UV Index Every Day: Especially if you plan to be outside. The higher the UV index, the more you should protect yourself from the sun. Click on this link to check the UV index: https://www.epa.gov/sunsafety/uv-index-1
- Get Vitamin D Safely: Even though our skin needs sunlight to help manufacture vitamin D, overexposure of UV light can be detrimental to our bodies by damaging and killing our skin cells. The National Council on Skin Cancer prevention recommends Taking vitamin D supplements instead of overexposing ourselves to UV sunlight.
Please keep in mind, children and the elderly are the most sensitive to the sun. Babies younger than 6 months of age should be kept out of direct sunlight and protected from the sun with hats and protective clothing.
Corrales Elementary School students head back to school on August 3rd! Corrales Police Department will be conducting the annual Cops and Crayons School Supply Drive for the next two weeks. Please help by dropping off new backpacks and/or school supplies to the Corrales Police Department station at 4324 Corrales Road between now and 7/25/23 (an after-hours drop box will also be available). All donations will be delivered to Corrales Elementary School to be distributed to students that are in need.
Corrales MainStreet has been working hard toward becoming a State Authorized Arts and Cultural District. This is an opportunity for all our arts and cultural organizations and businesses to collaborate to support an economically vibrant cultural district. They need and want your input! Please consider taking a brief survey at one of the following links to have your input and suggestions submitted for consideration:
Resident and Visitor Survey Link: https://forms.gle/yQCeAfMkWMjoWH8H6
Creative and Cultural Organization Survey Link: https://forms.gle/T9b5mYTAyE9SdVT87
Creative and Cultural Business Survey Link: https://forms.gle/dVmR9Tzpxi8mgBVTA
UPCOMING EVENTS:
- Friday 7/21 – “Zine Workshop” for Teens in the Teen Room @ 2pm
- Sunday 7/23 – “Corrales Growers’ Market” from 9am – 12pm
- Monday 7/24 – “Ice Cream Making” for kids at the Corrales Library @ 2pm.
- Tuesday 7/25 – The Corrales Library Summer Program winds down with a family picnic with the Fire Department in La Entrada Park @ 6pm – bring your own picnic, lawn chairs, towel and wear a swimsuit!
- Tuesday 7/25 – Regular Council Meeting @ 6:30pm
- Wednesday 7/26 – “Wednesday Growers’ Market” from 9am – 12pm.
- Thursday 7/27 – Joint Work Study Meeting with P&Z Commission and the Village Council @ 6pm.
Tickets are on sale now for the next Corrales MainStreet Starry Night fundraiser, “Denim ‘N Lace” which will take place on August 26th. For more information and to purchase your tickets please visit: https://visitcorrales.com/starry-night
If you know someone who would like to receive the weekly mayor’s message electronically, please email the Village Clerk, Melanie Romero at mromero [at] corrales-nm.org () or make a request by phone at 505-897-0502.
Stay safe, stay cool, watch out for your neighbors who are walking, on bikes, or on horseback. Be courteous, be kind, and obey the speed limits in our Village. It is important to protect this great place where we live.
Jim Fahey
Corrales Mayor