March kicks off Southwest Wildfire Awareness Week, a time to bring awareness to wildfire preparedness. Each day brings a new opportunity to better prepare you, your family, and community for wildfire. Throughout Wildfire Awareness Week, New Mexico’s wildland fire agencies will share tips on how to best take action to prevent wildfires, prepare defensible private property, organize and protect communities, and learn more about wildland fire. Over the last five years, wildfires have annually burned over 100,000 acres in New Mexico. With the weather warming, the start of spring winds, and Southwest Wildfire Awareness Week at the end of the month, now is the time for residents of the southwest to take proactive steps against destructive wildfire. Visit the Village website for fire safety recommendations.
The Village’s code enforcement officer, Sherrie Rice, is working with our fire chief, Anthony Martinez, to identify and mitigate areas and properties in the Village that pose a risk for fire. She is not out to cite anyone for code violations, but to protect us and our property. Listen to her if she visits you and leaves a courtesy notice to clean up your yard. It will be to your benefit and helpful.
A side story: Anthony Martinez, our fire chief, and Deputy Chief of Operations Nick Molinari of air boat fame, celebrated birthdays this week, in addition to being two of the longest serving employees in our Village.
The annual Corrales Egg Hunt is scheduled for 10 AM at La Entrada Park this Saturday, March 30th. Parking will be available on the land adjacent to the park, in the Old Bank parking lot, at the administration parking lot across Corrales Road, and at the library. The local Kiwanis Organization is sponsoring the program. There could be some activities involving a coyote and a rabbit
Speaking of the Easter bunny, the exact origins of the Easter bunny are clouded in mystery. Now this is probably more about the Easter Bunny than most of us want to know, but one theory is that the symbol of the rabbit stems from pagan tradition, specifically the festival of Eostre—a goddess of fertility whose animal symbol was a bunny. Rabbits, known for their energetic breeding, have traditionally symbolized fertility. Eggs are also representative of new life, and it’s believed that decorating eggs for Easter dates back to the 13th century. Hundreds of years ago, churches had their congregations abstain from eggs during Lent, allowing them to be consumed again on Easter. According to History.com, in the 19th century Russian high society started exchanging ornately decorated eggs—even jewel encrusted—on Easter. But how did the Easter Bunny begin delivering eggs on American shores? According to History.com, the theory with the most evidence is that the floppy-eared bearer of candy came over with German immigrants. According to some sources, the Easter bunny first arrived in America in the 1700s with German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania and transported their tradition of an egg-laying hare called “Osterhase” or “Oschter Haws.” Their children made nests in which this creature could lay its colored eggs. Eventually, the custom spread across the U.S. and the fabled rabbit’s Easter morning deliveries expanded to include chocolate and other types of candy and gifts, while decorated baskets replaced nests. Additionally, children often left out carrots for the bunny in case he got hungry from all his hopping.
After you watch Wiley coyote chase the Easter bunny, stop by Mariana Roumell-Gasteyer’s pottery studio at 274 Camino Arco Iris. She is the wife of Phil Gasteyer, who was mayor of Corrales from 2006 to 2014. They are moving, and Mariana needs to clear out her pottery studio. Consequently, she is having a ½ price sale on her beautiful pottery on Saturday, March 30 beginning at 11 AM. Please go get some pieces to help her out. Her pieces would make great presents, items for your house, serving pieces, decorative pieces or just a wonderful Mariana memory.
HEALTH AND SAFETY UPDATE
There are many ways to stay healthy while aging, and one of the most important parts is physical activity. Physical activity at every stage of life can help improve strength, balance, flexibility and endurance, while helping with weight and preventing some chronic conditions. Physical activity can help mood, sleep, lower risk of heart disease and help with diabetes and blood pressure. We all should strive for 150 minutes of aerobic activity a week and 2 days of muscle strength training each week. The National Institute of Health has wonderful Health Tips for Older Adults and you can access them HERE. New to increasing physical activity? Start slowly with a 5-minute walk and build up as your body gets stronger.
There is the MOVE YOUR WAY program for all ages and ability levels which includes an activity planner to help you meet your goals of increasing activity for all ages and abilities. You can create a plan and print it out or access it through email. Access the MOVE YOUR WAY site HERE
UPCOMING EVENTS
SATURDAY– Corrales Kiwanis Club’s Annual Egg Hunt at La Entrada Park 10 AM sharp. Ages 1 – 8 years can bring a basket and hunt for candy-filled eggs. Parking will be available at the Corrales Library, the Gonzales lot (North of the old Wells Fargo Bank), and the Village Hall Complex.
WEDNESDAY – Story Time at Corrales Library
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
APRIL 6 – The Corrales Fire Department and the Bosque Advisory Commission will be sponsoring another Bosque wood removal event from 10 AM – 12 PM. Meeting place will be at the south end of Andrews Ln. This will be the last wood removal event until the fall due to migratory bird and nesting season. Please come out to help clear the Bosque of dead and down wood to protect the Village from fire danger.
APRIL 7 – First Sunday events – Arts in the Village at various locations beginning at 10 AM, and Grower’s Market beginning at 11 AM.
Be sure to be at the park by 10 AM. Saturday. The “hunt” will begin promptly at 10. There will be many eggs to search for in the park. Look out for the coyote. Be safe, be courteous, leash your dogs, and scoop the poop.
Have a very safe and happy Easter with your family and remember what this day celebrates.
Jim Fahey
Mayor of Corrales