The official start of Spring is Monday, March 20th also known as The Spring Equinox. The Spring Equinox marks the point in time when the sun sits directly over the Earth’s equator as it heads northward. This equinox is the representation of new life and light, new beginnings, growth, and seeds. Many flowers from bulbs, such as Tulips, Daffodils, Hyacinths, and Irises are waking up from winter and starting to make themselves visible.
Speaking of Daffodils, Friday, March 17th from 1:00pm - 5:30pm will be the Annual FREE DAFFODIL event presented by Kiwanis Club of Corrales. The event supports the Presbyterian Robert Wertheim Hospice House. Pick up your FREE DAFFODILS at the following locations that day: Outside the Post Office, Ex Novo or the Grower’s Market parking lot.
Everyone has probably noticed the longer days, and if you have chickens, they have started laying again. Just about the time we became accustomed to the clock settings, they are going to change again. Daylight Saving Time starts on Sunday, March 12. Spring Forward! That is, for 8 months. Then we change again. Who is ready for it to stop? Tell your legislator. They can actually change the time of day!
Today, March 10th is the International Day of Awesomeness, and it is also our Village Clerk Melanie Romero’s birthday! Pretty awesome coincidence! Feel free to send her a note and make her day. We, in the administration, celebrate awesomeness day because of all the awesome volunteers who do things in and around the village as well as serve on the committees and commissions. There are always vacancies. So, if you have the desire and urge to do something for your community, come by the administration office or go online and get the form to apply for one of the many volunteer positions in the village. If you encounter any problems, contact Deputy Clerk Skye DeVivi sdevivi [at] corrales-nm.org () or Melanie Romero mromero [at] corrales-nm.org
Today is also Harriet Tubman Day. She was responsible for getting slaves out of the South on the underground railroad. She was nicknamed “Moses” because she led her people out of slavery. In her later years after the Civil War, she promoted women’s suffrage.
Saturday, March 11 is Johnny Appleseed day. You know, the guy who introduced apple trees to Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and parts of West Virginia. His real name was John Chapman. In addition to his memorable exploits related to the apples, he was also a minister.
In August of 2021, Parks and Rec came up with the beginning of a design for a performing arts center based on the desires and needs of the community. This was based on the input from a variety of community leaders in various positions in the village. Subsequent to the election in April of 2022, an ad hoc committee was formed from interested parties and other citizens in the village which began meeting in May of that year. Their committee, which renamed itself ACE (Arts, Community and Education), was given one year to identify and help implement a plan to create a performing arts center that could be used for a variety of events and classes in the Village of Corrales. The committee was directed to gather further citizen input regarding the needs of the Village that could be met by such a center. Early on in this process, management from the Adobe Theater approached the administration about being included so they might return to their roots or “beginning” in Corrales. Therefore, they joined the committee.
We now have a conceptual plan, the old Jones house with its hazardous waste is being cleared, but we have no funds for any type of construction at this point. We have to present a site development plan to the P&Z Commission before any construction and get approval from the council also before construction … and again, we have no funds for construction. There is a meeting planned by the Corrales Historical Society to hear a presentation by the ACE committee on March 13, open to the public, from 5 PM until 8 PM at the Historic Old San Ysidro Church. There will also be a presentation to the council the 1st meeting in April, the 11th, at 6:30 PM. They will be allowed time to present and then answer any questions from the council.
CRIME & SAFETY UPDATE:
On Thursday 3/2, a resident reported falling victim to a virtual kidnapping scam during which she wired funds to another country to have her 51-year-old daughter freed from members of an illicit drug trafficking organization. After sending the money, the victim discovered that her daughter was fine and had not been held captive. Screen your calls and in most cases like this it is best to hang up and try to contact the family member in question directly. If you have reason to believe an actual kidnapping has taken place, contact law enforcement. Please take a moment to review the information concerning fake emergency scams at the following link and caution your more vulnerable family members, friends and neighbors about these types of cons: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/scammers-use-fake-emergencies-steal-your-money.
On Saturday 3/4, police responded to a residence on Leal Lane in reference to a report of a suspicious subject prowling around within the fenced / gated premises and located a male subject armed with a shovel. The 44-year-old Rio Rancho resident was arrested and booked into the Sandoval County Detention Center for trespassing. Please call 505-891-7226 (9-1-1 for emergencies) to report suspicious activity in your neighborhood.
SEE IT, HEAR IT, REPORT IT!
COVID & FLU SEASON UPDATE:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is asking everyone to report your over the counter (OTC) at-home COVID-19 test results. You can voluntarily and anonymously report your positive or negative test results every time you use an at-home COVID-19 test by going to www.MakeMyTestCount.org This valuable test data helps public health departments know how fast the virus is spreading and helps them assess and modify their response to COVID-19 in their local communities, states, or across the country. As a reminder, FREE Covid home test kits are still available at Village Hall, Corrales Fire Station, and the Corrales Library. Please remember to wear a mask indoors (especially in crowds), social distance, wash your hands frequently and stay home if you feel sick.
The FDA has increased and updated the shelf life of most home tests. To check the tests that you have, the FDA website can be found on the Village of Corrales website under COVID – 19 Resources.
The New Mexico Human Services Department is asking citizens to take their 2023 Community Survey to help local substance misuse prevention programs at: www.tinyurl.com/NMCS2023
UPCOMING EVENTS IN THE VILLAGE:
Saturday, March 11th – Corrales Bosque Advisory Commission and the Corrales Fire Department will have a Cottonwood pole planting event. The location will be in the Bosque, North of Dixon with a meeting point at the Levee at Dixon Road @ 9:00 am. please email: bosqueadvisorycommission [at] gmail.com () for more details.
Sunday, March 12th – Daylight Savings Time Begins.
Tuesday, March 14th – Appeal Hearing @ 5:30 pm & Regular Council Meeting at @ 6:30 pm, both at the courthouse building.
Wednesday, March 15th – “Story Time” for preschoolers & Toddlers at the Corrales Library @10:00am.
Friday, March 17th – St. Patrick’s Day - May your day be touched by some Irish luck!
Friday, March 17th - FREE DAFFODIL DAY! Presented by Kiwanis Club of Corrales from 1-5:30pm at 3 locations: Outside the Post Office, Ex Novo, and Growers' Market.
Friday, March 17th– “Dan O’Brien Live!” at Casa Vieja, 4541 Corrales Road from 5:30pm-8:30pm
Saturday, March 18th – “Spring Planting of the Story Book Garden” at the Corrales Library @ 10:30 am. This event is open for all children to participate in. The children will also decorate ceramic plant markers and Hanselmann Pottery will fire them to be placed in the garden.
Sunday, March 19th – “Black Poets in New Mexico & Beyond” speaker series by Darryl Wellington at the Historic Old San Ysidro Church @2:00pm. This is a FREE event, space permitting.
Monday, March 20th – “SPRING BREAK” begins for all APS & RRPS students!
If you know someone who would like to receive the weekly mayor’s message electronically, please email Melanie Romero at mromero [at] corrales-nm.org () or contact her by phone at: 505-897-0502 ext. 208.
Have a great week and look out for each other,
Jim Fahey
Corrales Mayor
