Photo from Corrales Harvest Festival website
“Life is short, do stuff that matters.”
The Kiwanis Club of Corrales is part of an International organization founded in Detroit, Michigan in 1915. It was originally called the Supreme Lodge Benevolent Order of Brothers, but changed the name to Kiwanis the next year, 1916. They are dedicated to serving the children of the world.
Our local group of 48 members has been around for 17 years, and the current President of the club is Glenn Hinchcliff. They are the moving force behind the Harvest Festival, raising money for grants and to send children to a 5-day camp in Vanderwagen, New Mexico. They have provided an estimated $100,000+ in grants over the years, last year donating more than $32,000 in grants. They partner with Dave Gives Back and help with the annual Ditch Run that was just recently held. Please support the Kiwanis and express your gratitude for what they do while participating in the Harvest Festival this weekend. New members are welcome – you can learn more about them at their website: https://kiwanis-corrales.org/
September 29, the day of the Harvest Moon, is also Coffee Lovers Day. September 30, the first day of the Harvest Festival, is National Love People Day, quite appropriate for the Kiwanis Club and the Festival. October 1, the last day of the Harvest Festival, is National Pumpkin Spice Day. There should be few pumpkins available.
Remember to cast your vote for the next Pet Mayor. This is a close competition, and it is a good cause…especially with all the money(votes) involved. The new pet mayor will be announced Sunday morning about 8:30, then the Pet Parade will go down Corrales Road to the vacant municipal property north of the post office. Bring your pets and show support for the new mayor.
The Friends of the Corrales Library are desperate for volunteers to help staff our upcoming book sale on October 7th and 8th. There are openings across all shifts, but we especially need help setting up and breaking down the sale. It takes an army of volunteers to pull off one of our sales, and right now we only have a handful of workers. Please help!! Sign up in the library, or by visiting the signup link at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C44A4A92DA5FFC70-fall#/. We know set up starting at 7am is early, but we will provide coffee, donuts, breakfast tacos, and three free books of your choosing as a token of our thanks!
The MRGCD election for the Board of Directors takes place on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 from 7 AM to 7 PM in the Corrales Community Center. Qualified property owners living east of Loma Larga who pay taxes to the MRGCD can vote. There appears to be only one position Corrales voters can vote on, Position 1 – At Large Director. Certified candidates for this position are Stephanie A. Russo Baca and Jerome Cordova. This election doesn’t get as much visibility as the regular election in November, but it is important for Corrales. More information can be found at https://www.mrgcd.com/board-election-information/
The Village in the Village annual 50/50 fundraiser has begun, and the grand prize Pot of Gold drawing will be held October 25th. ViV and the lucky Golden Chance Raffle Winner will split donations from the ticket sales. ViV’s share will go to support their programs and operations so they can continue to keep Corrales golden agers in their homes and engaged in our community. Individual tickets are $25 each, or you can buy 4 for $100 and get a 5th FREE. Help ViV reach its goal of $5,000. Visit https://www.villageinthevillage.org/ to purchase tickets and check how much is currently in the pot.
Last Saturday, September 23, thirteen enthusiastic volunteers (see photo below) turned out to remove seed heads from Ravenna grass in an important bosque willow swale. The Bosque Advisory Commission thanks all the participants!
HEALTH AND SAFETY UPDATE
On September 25, the federal government opened the program for US residents to request four free at-home covid-19 tests. If you would like to order yours, you can call 1-800-232-0233 or visit www.covid.gov. Free testing kits (each box contains four tests) are still available in the lobby of Village Hall. You can get the latest information on the fall covid booster availability at www.vaccines.gov. Deputy Fire Chief Tanya Lattin is still available to answer questions and assist Corraleños in need of vaccines by calling her at 505-702-4182.
CRIME AND SAFETY UPDATE
On Thursday 09/21 Officers were stopped by bystanders to report a possible DWI, officers were able to stop the suspected driver due to traffic infractions on Corrales Road and after an initial investigation, the female was transported to UNM Hospital for evaluation and treatment and will be cited into court.
At approximately 4:00pm on Saturday 09/22, officers were notified of a vehicle driving recklessly on Loma Larga, officers located the vehicle and the 31-year-old male driver who was found to be under the influence of alcohol. The male was arrested and booked into the Sandoval County Detention center for DWI.
Corrales RD will be closed between W. Ella and La Entrada for Harvest Festival from 9:00AM-5:00PM on Sat. 09/30 & 10:00AM-5:00PM on Sun. 10/01, as well as between Coronado RD and Tenorio RD for the Pet Parade from 8:45AM-10:00AM on Sun. 10/01. Please plan ahead and seek alternate routes.
SEE IT, HEAR IT, REPORT IT!
UPCOMING EVENTS
SATURDAY 9/30
- Harvest Festival 9 AM – 5 PM. Admission for adults 13 and over is $15. Kids 12 and under are FREE. Sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Corrales
- Historic Heart of Corrales Fiesta 10 AM – 4 PM Historic Old San Ysidro Church
- Harvest Hootenanny – 7 PM – 10:30 PM at “Festival Central” for the Harvest Festival
SUNDAY 10/1
- Grower’s Market - **REC CENTER PARKING LOT** 9 AM - noon
- Harvest Festival 9 AM – 5 PM. Admission for adults 13 and over is $15. Kids 12 and under are FREE. Sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Corrales
- Historic Heart of Corrales Fiesta 10 AM – 4 PM Historic Old San Ysidro Church
- Harvest Hootenanny – 7 PM – 10:30 PM at “Festival Central” for the Harvest Festival
- First Sunday in the Village – various locations throughout the Village, 10 AM – 4 PM Local galleries will be OPEN throughout the Village during Harvest Festival!
- Trunk-or-Treat registration opens at https://campscui.active.com/orgs/VillageofCorrales
WEDNESDAY 10/4
- Grower’s Market – Grower’s Market Lot – 9 AM – noon
- National Walk & Bike to School Day
THURSDAY 10/5
- Multi-use educational, community, and arts building review committee meeting, 10 AM Corrales Community Center
FRIDAY 10/6
- Artists reception for the Fine Arts Show, 5 PM – 7 PM Historic Old San Ysidro Church
Enjoy all the fun Harvest Festival events this weekend, and visit the local shops, restaurants, and galleries that will be open as well. Stay safe, watch out for bicyclists, pedestrians, and equestrians, be kind to your neighbors and obey the speed limits in the Village.
Jim Fahey
Corrales Mayor
