Saint Patrick was a 5th century Romano-British Christian missionary and Bishop in Ireland. It is believed that he was born in Britain in the fourth century, into a wealthy Roman British family. At age 16 he was captured by Irish raiders and taken as a slave to Gaelic, Ireland. There he spent 6 years toiling as a shepherd and it was there that he found God. He was able to flee back home where he later became a priest. According to tradition, Saint Patrick is said to have returned to Ireland and used the shamrock, a three-leaved plant, to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish and thus converting them to Christianity. He spent many years in Ireland converting thousands of pagans. One story about Saint Patrick is that he drove the snakes out of Ireland despite the fact that snakes were not known to inhabit the region. He died on March 17th and thus is the day for his annual celebration. It wouldn’t be until 1759 that one could raise a pint of Guinness Stout to the saint, but the Irish made up for all that lost time. Don’t worry about Guinness going away. They signed a 9000-year lease on St. James Gate Brewery in Dublin, Ireland on 12/31/1759. Today’s Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations include parades, festivals, music, traditional food, the wearing of green and of course drinking beer! Here’s a website with some delicious and traditional Irish recipes to try like, Colcannon, Irish Stew, Irish Soda Bread, and of course Corned Beef & Cabbage: https://www.purewow.com/food/traditional-irish-food
Some time ago, the Village purchased the Jones’ property west of the post office. On that land were two large barns used by Harvey Jones for equipment storage and a machine/repair shop, as well as their old house that was empty and found to have some hazardous waste material that would prevent us from using or renovating it. The barns underwent upgrading and now serve our public works department. The Village moved all that equipment and stored material off the administrative parking lot to what is now public works. Think of the crowding in the administrative parking lot and potential risk of all that equipment being in the existing parking lot! The only recourse for the house was demolition which is being done now. That will take at least until the end of April, maybe into May. Then what do we do with that space? For the last 20 years there has been talk of the need for a large multi-use space that can provide classrooms, meeting rooms, an auditorium for performances or forums or perhaps for art displays. Sometime in August of 2021 the Parks and Recreation Commission was given the lead on this and came up with an early plan. This was actually discussed in previous Mayor’s Messages. An Ad Hoc Committee was formed using the volunteer applications from a variety of interested individuals from various organizations. Some additional volunteer individuals were added from the community based on their applications and experience. Jump ahead almost one year and we have the beginning of a plan for a multi-use facility that has been dubbed the Arts, Community, and Education Center (ACE). This name has not been carved in stone on the building because there is NO building and there is NO money to build the building. This is an idea, and we are at the starting line except we have a conceptual plan of many things we think are needed in this facility. Again, not written in stone. If Corralenos don’t like the idea of a multi-use facility for the Village, then it goes away. We don’t have money for the building. We had to demolish the Jones house anyway for public safety, health, and welfare. No bonding that would increase local property taxes is planned for this or any other project. Any bonding requests by this Village administration in the future would not increase property taxes.
Last Saturday the 11th, 20 volunteers planted 25 cottonwood poles near the river north of Dixon Road on a very blustery day. Corrales Bosque Advisory Commission and the Corrales Fire Department, the project sponsors, are appreciative of the fine efforts and a job well-done, which demonstrated that many care about the health and restoration of the Bosque.
Springtime is upon us which means we will be experiencing some very windy days. Please make sure to contact the Corrales Fire Department Burn line if you plan to do any burning at 505-899-9819. For more fire safety information.
CRIME & SAFETY UPDATE:
In our continuing efforts at keeping everyone apprised of what type of illicit activity is taking place out there, here is your weekly crime and safety update from the Corrales Police Department. Please look out for each other in your neighborhoods and call suspicious activity in to 505-891-7226 (9-1-1 for emergencies).
Tuesday 3/07, a resident reported receiving a new driver’s license (which he had not requested) at his home in Corrales, however, the license displayed an Albuquerque address. The citizen has no idea how his information was compromised. Always safeguard your personal and financial information and visit the NM MVD website for information concerning fraud / identity theft involving driver’s licenses and ID cards. https://www.mvd.newmexico.gov/nm-drivers-licenses-ids/report-fraud/
Saturday 3/11, a resident of West Meadowlark Lane reported that several firearms had been stolen from within his home overnight, possibly by acquaintances of his teenage daughter. The case is under investigation. Always ensure that your firearms are properly secured so that they don’t end up in the wrong hands.
Monday 3/13, around midnight, construction materials were reported to have been stolen from a job site off Loma Larga Road near West Ella Drive.
If your St. Patrick’s Day celebration includes libations, please don’t drink and drive or let someone you care about do so! - SEE IT, HEAR IT, REPORT IT!
COVID & HEALTH UPDATE:
The United States is still reporting 350-500 deaths per day from Covid related illnesses. 89.8% of those citizens are over 65 years old. It is recommended that if you haven’t received a booster vaccine since September 4th of 2022 you should get a Bivalent booster. Please contact Fire Commander Tanya Lattin at 505-702-4182 to schedule vaccines.
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 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:
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 1pm to 5:30pm at three locations: Outside the Post Office, Ex Novo, and Growers' Market.
Friday, March 17th – “The Mother of all St. Patrick’s Day Parties” at Casa Vieja, 4541 Corrales Road. The music starts early on Friday, continues all night long and winds up with Danny O and the Casa Vieja Allstar Dance Band featuring your favorite Casa Vieja musicians. Stop by and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with us!
Saturday, March 18th - Music in Corrales brings the soul-stirring performance of “THE STRING QUEENS” to the Historic Old San Ysidro Church. This concert is SOLD OUT! But there may be last minute tickets available at the door as a result of current ticket holders not being able to attend. Those wanting tickets should arrive at the Old Church at 6:30pm to put their names on a waiting list. Seating availability will be determined at 7:20pm. As many tickets as there are seats available will be sold at that time $30/person. www.musicincorrales.org
Saturday, March 18th – “Spring Planting of the Story Book Garden” at the Corrales Library @ 10:30 am. The planting part of this event has been cancelled and will be re-scheduled due to inclement weather! However, the Library will still be hosting the decorating of the ceramic plant markers inside and all children are welcome to participate. The decorated plant markers will then go to Hanselmann pottery to be fired and eventually 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!
Youth Services Librarian, Brynn Cole is leaving us for a promotion to the Rio Rancho Public Library system. She will be the new Youth Services Supervisor for all three locations! Congratulations Brynn! We are sorry to see her go but we are happy for her in her new role. Her last day will be Friday, March 24th.
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.
We’ve had some much-needed rain and snow lately. Try to stay warm and dry,
Jim Fahey
Corrales Mayor
