Photo Courtesy of Janet Blair
The holiday season is upon us! The horses are getting ready for the Christmas de los Caballos Parade on Sunday. This parade is the kick-off event for the all-important Corrales Fire Department’s Annual Christmas Toy and Food Drive. Dozens of deserving families in our area will benefit from this event so be sure to come as a spectator (with a toy!) or dress up your horse or mule and march with the Corrales Equestrian Advisory Commission and CHAMP. Is there an entry fee? An unwrapped toy, of course! Cash donations are also happily accepted. There will be a costume contest, too! The parade starts at 1 pm at Wagner’s Farm Stand and ends at TopForm Arena. Bring your little ones to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus.
There are many other activities planned to celebrate the holiday season in the Village but remember to take the time to complete the Village Comprehensive Plan survey. You can take it online at the link here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GGP3FR7 or pick up a paper copy from the administration lobby or the library. It is important to have community input and support to create a plan that considers all aspects of the Village, from maintaining our agricultural heritage to how to meet the changing needs of residents. Let us celebrate the past and look to the future for our community.
The Administration is working on the concept of a central community area since some fortuitous events have occurred. The Gonzales family property purchase was finalized this year, the property known as the Anderson property became available and was purchased last December, and the Wells Fargo bank building is currently available. A planning partnership is being developed with New Mexico MainStreet through our Corrales MainStreet to develop a design to have these properties form a community friendly area available for the common use within the commercial core. Some of the goals would include open space for gatherings and activities, enlargement of the La Entrada Park, bike/ pedestrian / equestrian access trail, and of course, public parking. Be sure to complete the Comprehensive Plan survey to assist the administration and your elected officials in making the ultimate decisions and planning for these properties.
Recently, confusion has arisen over the ditches, drains, and irrigation systems with regard to who has ownership. In general, the MRGCD (Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District) owns them, except for a few small areas. MRGCD is responsible for maintaining the ditches, drains, and access roads. The Village has an agreement regarding the Bosque, but the MRGCD still has ultimate responsibility for the Bosque and the levee. Having the levee protecting the Village is the reason we are not required to have flood insurance for our homes. Having an exemplary fire department and a fire suppression system lowers our homeowners’ fire insurance premiums. Getting homeowners’ insurance may prove difficult or costly in the future due to fire risk. If you hear some information from someone other than the administration regarding something that the Village is getting ready to do, contact the administration. If you aren’t sure whom to ask for, ask to speak to our clerk, Melanie Romero. She can direct you to the correct information and can be reached by phone at 505-897-0502 (option 2 on the menu) or by email at mromero [at] corrales-nm.org. There is occasionally misinformation circulated quickly, as though it is true, through social media. If it impacts you or your property directly and you are unaware or have not been formally informed, it probably isn’t happening because local governments are required, and common sense would be, to inform individuals about activities impacting their property. This notification usually takes the form of a certified letter, though communication from the MRGCD may take other forms. Checking the Village website and the MRGCD website (www.mrgcd.com) is often a good place to start to see if what you are hearing is the true story.
When walking on the ditches, road, or Bosque be sure you have leashed your dogs. Remember to SCOOP THE POOP when nature makes that call to your leashed dog. Otherwise, that poop will make its way to the river where it will contribute to the E. coli contamination in the river. Not a good thing. It can contaminate the arroyo and that will get to the river. Not a good thing. SCOOP THE POOP! Leash your dog when anywhere in the Village or the Bosque. It’s the law. Respect your neighbors and the wild animals who may not particularly care for dogs, whatever the reason. Remember there is no such thing as a poop fairy. Clean up after your animals.
The Corrales MainStreet Christmas tree lighting is November 25 at the administrative complex at 5:30 PM. I think it will be evident where it is. The Starlight Parade with St. Nick is 12/2. It will be down Corrales Road from Wagner Farms parking lot to the Rec Center. There will be green chile stew provided by the fire department and a bonfire, both should keep us warm…and St Nick will be there.
The Bureau of Reclamation began work on the Rio Grande river this week, dealing with the massive erosion that occurred during last spring’s runoff. Please stay away from the work site. Signage will direct you to safe areas if you must go there. Siphon Road and the adjacent Bosque area will be closed through December.
CRIME AND SAFETY UPDATE
-On 11/09 a resident on W. Ella reported that someone unknown to him was using his credit card to purchase items. He believes that they may have gotten his credit card from his mailbox. Officers advised him to close his account and to continue monitoring all other accounts for suspicious activity.
Mail theft can happen to anybody, please remember to check your box regularly or consider getting a PO Box at your local post office. More mail safety tips can be found at the USPS website: https://www.uspis.gov/
The weather is getting colder and we have started to see frost on our vehicle windshields in the morning! To prevent theft; never leave a vehicle running to warm it up. It only takes a moment for an opportunistic thief to jump inside and drive off.
IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!
HEALTH AND SAFETY UPDATE
Thanksgiving is around the corner, so here are a few tips to keep yourself and loved ones safe. If you are sick stay home. Take extra safety precautions the 5-7 days before gathering, like masking in crowds to lessen your chance of illnesses on Thanksgiving. Use a home COVID test kit before heading to visit people, even if you feel well. The home testing is not perfect but does add a layer of protection. COVID, like many respiratory illnesses, can spread before you feel ill. If the weather is nice, consider gathering outdoors or opening windows and doors to help with ventilation. If traveling, have a COVID plan if you become ill while away from home. Know your doctor’s on call phone number or have email access to them. You may wish to reach out ahead of time to see if they feel you are a candidate for Paxlovid if you become ill while traveling. Paxlovid is an antiviral that a physician can prescribe within the first 5 days of illness. New Mexico is one of only three states that the CDC has listed as high in the system that monitors visits for respiratory illness that includes fever plus a cough or sore throat, also referred to as ILI, not laboratory confirmed influenza and may capture patient visits due to other respiratory pathogens that cause similar symptoms.
Make sure to get your covid booster along with your annual flu shot to stay healthy. Wash your hands often, practice social distancing when you can, wear a high-quality mask when around large groups of people indoors, and stay home if you feel sick. If you need assistance finding a covid booster, please call Deputy Fire Chief Tanya Lattin at 505-702-4182.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- SATURDAY 11/18 - Join the Corrales Library for “Hot Cocoa in Jar” craft event at 10 AM. All ages are welcome, though the event is geared toward children and families.
- SATURDAY 11/18 - The Farm Stand (home of Silverleaf Farms, Milagro Vineyards Tasting Room, and Candlestick Coffee Roasters) is having their First Birthday Party 9 AM – 2PM. There will be door prizes and a Polaroid Photo booth, and evening wine service from 3 – 7 PM.
- SATURDAY 11/18 - Corrales Historical Society’s Annual Meeting and 50th Anniversary Celebration 4 PM at the Historic Old San Ysidro Church. Questions regarding the event can be emailed to nankimball [at] yahoo.com.
- SUNDAY 11/19 - Visit the Grower’s Market for their special Holiday Market from 11 AM – 1 PM
- SUNDAY 11/19 – Christmas de los Caballos Parade begins at 1 PM and runs from Wagner Farms (5000 Corrales Rd) to TopForm Arena. Donations of new toys, cash and checks will be accepted along the parade route. Prizes donated by the Village Mercantile will be awarded for the best costumes!
- SUNDAY 11/19 - Corrales Historical Society Speaker Series presents “What’s in a Name?” by Albuquerque Journal Columnist Elaine Briseño. 2 PM, Historic Old San Ysidro Church. This event is FREE and open to the public.
- TUESDAY 11/21 – The Teen Advisory group meets at the Corrales Library at 6 PM.
- WEDNESDAY 11/22 – Story Time at the library 10 AM.
Mark your calendar for these events:
- Village offices will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday Thursday 11/23 and Friday 11/24
- 11/24 “Lunch Bunch” at Ex Novo at 12 PM. Bring a friend and come hear about upcoming events from Corrales MainStreet.
- 11/25 – Small Business Saturday and Corrales Tree Lighting. Shop at local businesses through out the day on Saturday the 25th, then bring your receipts to be entered into a special drawing at the tree lighting event at 5:30 PM at the Village Complex, 4324 Corrales Rd. Small Business Saturday is also a tax-free holiday, so make sure to shop local for those holiday gifts for friends and family.
- 35th Annual Winter Craft Show December 1, 2, 3 from 10 AM to 4 PM at the Historic Old San Ysidro Church. Visit booths of 40 New Mexico Artists – parking and admission are both FREE.
The 4 Paws Pet Food Bank needs donations of dry pet food for Corrales Pets. Donations can be dropped off to Corrales Kennels.
Drive safely, obey the speed limits, look out for pedestrians, bicyclists, and equestrians. They are your neighbors. Look both ways before you cross the street. Fill out the Comprehensive Plan Survey if you haven’t, but just do it once. Have a very safe and happy holiday and don’t forget….SCOOP THE POOP!
Jim Fahey
Mayor of Corrales
