By Jo Mixon
This week I attended the New Mexico Chamber Executives Fall Convention. Watch next week for the featured “I Know Jo” member business!
This even was hosted by Shuter Library.
Archives for October 2012
Fall Festival
October 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Join us for the Eagle Nest Elementary Middle School Fall Festival.
Carnival Games, Bingo, Great Food, Cakewalk & Auction
When: Friday, October 26, 2012 from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Where: Eagle Nest School
Baked goods, candy and auction items greatly needed and much appreciated for this annual fundraiser.
Please call 575-377-6991 for more information.
Shuter Library Says “I Know Jo, Do You?”
October 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment
By Jo Mixon
Shuter Library of Angel Fire
“Without libraries, what do we have? We have no past and no future.”
Ray Bradbury
This week was all about books. I love books. Hardcover, eBooks, shared books, graphic books, audio books and more books. The Shuter Library of Angel Fire hosted the Chamber Business After Hours Tuesday October 16, and then I was invited to sit down and talk with Library Director Diane Martinez, Library Assistant Kelly Orndorff, and board member Scott Jones, who serves as Treasurer and Vice President of Operations. They were excited to share all the new fun activities and programs going on at Shuter Library.
I found the eBook program and Kindle checkout especially interesting.
They stressed the extensive collection in their Children’s Section, telling me it could even be considered massive for a library this size! And they told me about the Summer Children’s Program, which includes Reading Nights, Game Nights, and several ongoing reading programs. Students are allowed unlimited free use of the computers (while the general public is allowed the first 15 minutes of computer use free of charge).
They went on to tell me about the monthly Book Club which works in collaboration with other New Mexico Libraries to provide an almost unlimited source of titles. This Book Club meets the fourth Wednesday of every month at 6:00 pm. Each of the monthly books for discussion can be checked out or downloaded by members, or members can also purchase the book. When you are on vacation, you can download books from Shuter Library from anywhere in the world!
Shuter Library is a not and has never been a municipally-funded library; it is a private library. It was started one day in 1978 by a group of seven women who were distressed when the Bookmobile missed its regular appointment in Angel Fire. Jeanette Stromberg donated the first $300; and now, 34 years later, the dream of these women is an independent, incorporated, registered 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization known as Shuter Library of Angel Fire.
Since its onset, Shuter Library has required a strong community base providing thousands of volunteer hours and extensive fund raising efforts to keep their vision alive. But even with the dedication of hundreds of volunteers throughout the years, the library still struggled to keep its doors open; so in 2010 the Board of Directors made a reluctant decision to charge for library services. There are several options for membership. All memberships include access to computers and book checkout privileges. There is also an Angels program for those who want to contribute $200 or more per year. At present there are eleven Angel memberships. Plus there is a newly-formed Underwriters membership for businesses who want to help the library by contributing $1,000 or more per year. Their goal is to have 12 Underwriter memberships, with each membership receiving obvious recognition such as a banner over the building entrance.
Diane has been with the library wearing one hat or another for about five years, but officially became Library Director in 2011. Scott actually joined the library board to write grants but became so submerged in “the little library that could,” he now pours himself passionately into the organization. And although I didn’t meet them, Diane wanted me to mention Shuter Library’s other two library assistants, Janet Matthews and Dawn Metz, along with the rest of the library board (Erich Balzer, Pete Peterson, Glenn Wiederstein, President Kevin Mutz, and Secretary Kathie Westlund).
For further information you may visit Shuter Library at 11 South Angel Fire Road. Call them at 575-377-6755 or visit www.shuterlibrary.net. New Fall hours at the library are 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 10 am to 6:00 pm on Wednesday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on Saturday and closed Sunday and Monday.
Small Male Dogs Up For Adoption
October 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment
These little guys were given up by their owner and are now neutered, chipped, and up to date on shots. Their teeth do not look bad – I think they are all under 10 years – very energetic. They are actually whiter than the pictures. Please contact foster mom Pat Steele if you are able to help one or all find foster or adoptive homes – phone is 575-377-1857. Thanks!
Please contact Pat at the number indicated if you are able to foster or adopt 1 or more of these male dogs.
Thank you.
Marcy, Angel Fire Small Animal Hospital
Babs Up For Adoption
October 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Babs is a young female dog, she is spayed, has all her shots and was believed left behind in a family ballpark in Edmond, OK 2 months ago. We’ve had her a month and she has been trained to several commands and to walk beside you when she’s on a leash, but needs some work on not jumping on people. Please call 405-830-8590 if you are interested in adopting Babs.
Angel Fire Small Animal Hospital
Miss Rodeo New Mexico 2013
October 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Ashlee Rose Mills Miss Rodeo New Mexico 2013
In honor and support of The Miss Rodeo New mexico Pageant & Miss Rodeo New Mexico 2013, Ashlee Rose Mills we will be holding a fund raising gala.
When: October 27, 2012 from Noon to 7:00 pm
Where: International Bank in Raton, NM, 200 South 2nd Street
Silent auction until 5:15 pm and live auction at 5:30 pm. 4:00 pm – Clap Show by stars from across the state.
Entertainment
- Creek Side by Jay & Kara, Rick Trice, Drey & Jill Solano, The Cimarron State Champion High School Band
Autograph Session By
- Author Steve Zimmer, Model Kali Fanelli, “Jessie” From Toy Story, Area Athletes
Live Auction Items (Art)
- Curtis Fort, Dino Cornay, Gary Morton, Blue Creek Cowgirl, R.C. Knox, Martin Pavletich, Carl Swanson, Others
Event Sponsors
- International Bank, The Holiday Inn Express® Hotel & Suites, Mark-us Printing, KRTN, The Northern New Mexico Gas Co., Lowes Valley Market
For more information please call 575-447-2029 or 575-741-5019.
Let’s Talk Breast Health
October 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment
October is Breast Health Awareness Month
Join us for a Women’s Health Luncheon – Women care for families, children, parents and community. Sometimes women forget to care for themselves.
Holy Cross Hospital invites you to spend a bit of time caring for yourself by joining us at our Women’s Health Series.
Let’s Talk Breast Health
Witney David, MD
General Surgeon, Taos Surgical Specialties
When: Thursday, October 18, 2012 at 11:30 am
Where: Angel Fire Country Club
Cost: $15 per person
To register go to www.taoshealth.com or call 575-751-8995.
Wear Pink Day – October 18, 2012
Business After Hours
October 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Food, fun and networking. None business business!
Bring your business cards to be eligible for door prizes.
When: Tuesday, October 16, 2012 from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: Shuter Library, 11 South Angel Fire Road, Angel Fire, NM 87710
Sponsored by the Angel Fire Chamber of Commerce.
Shall We Dance Says “I Know Jo, Do You?”
October 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment
By Jo Mixon
Shall We Dance w/ Diane Peterson
Shall We Dance? Yes please! Not only did I get to interview Angel Fire’s own dance professional Diane Peterson, but I was also invited to dance with her ballet and tap classes on Thursday night. In the ballet class, the emphasis seemed to be on stretching and toning muscles, long graceful movement, and core body strength. The ladies in class made it look so artful as they glided effortlessly across the floor! I have to tell you that I felt totally uncoordinated and awkward. But they assured me I could gain the same agility with only a few more lessons. Hmm, me?
Next Diane outfitted me with a pair red tap shoes. I felt like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. I immediately started to giggle and tap my toes. My happy feet became uncontrollable, and I just had to dance! Pam Hasford says it best, “Tap Dance brings out the little girl in me!” After a few shuffles and instruction, I watched the ladies’ routine as they swaggered around the studio to the music. They were all having so much fun! Why would adult women want to take ballet or tap classes? Because it is so much fun! I asked them and they all agreed; It’s great exercise, its social, and because Diane refers to all of her students as girls – and that alone is worth a million bucks! Dancing helps make you feel young, chic, a part of something where everyone has a good time, and tap dancers have more rhythm!
The dancers from Shall We Dance perform their routines around the Angel Fire area. This year they danced at the New Mexico State Garden Club Convention, the Catholic Church Annual Dinner Dance, and at area nursing homes. Diane says if the crowd sees we aren’t afraid to get out there and ham it up, why should they? And she always reminds her dancers, young or mature, “Everywhere we go, especially nursing homes and hospitals, its not about being the best dancer, its about being the best ‘smiler,’ because for us it’s about bringing a little sunshine into other peoples lives.” Diane says that dance instills self-respect, self-discipline, and confidence. And may I add, it’s a great workout!
Diane told me she had never been to the southwest when a friend suggested she would probably love it. So she and husband Pete came to Angel Fire three times and stayed in a time share lodging before they decided this was the place they wanted to live. They had not yet retired when they purchased their first two condos (one for them and one for Diane’s mother). Now they all share a home together. When Diane came permanently to Angel Fire almost seven years ago, she first had to make the decision to retire. Diane became a dancer as a toddler. She has danced and choreographed professionally with companies throughout the Chicago area and in New York. She operated her own dance studio prior to partnering with her friend of thirty years, Pat Foster, when they became co-owners of Dance Connection, in Grayslake, Illinois. They operated the Dance Connection studio for 20 years.
But total retirement was NEVER in Diane’s frame of mind. When she moved to Angel Fire, she opened Shall We Dance Studio where she has taught dance to youth and adults, Ballet, Tap, and Ballroom. She currently teaches adult women’s classes. Ballet classes are held on Thursday evenings from 4:30 to 5:30, tap from 5:30 to 6:30, and beginner’s tap from 6:30 to 7:30 – plus she is also available to teach private ballroom classes. Diane says, “We exercise, learn routines, laugh a lot, yet always feel accomplished and great when we leave class.” And she added, “The person who said I would love the southwest was right!”
Diane’s students at Shall We Dance are (in alphabetical order by first name); Barbara Thorn, Carol Lindenblatt, Connie Kalweit, Dawn Guenther, Deanna Babb, Fannie Mackie, J.J. Huddleston, Judy Feffer, Kathy Crissman, Pam Hasford, and one-time student (at least for now) Jo Mixon.
Diane wants all the ladies out there to know they are welcome to join her dance team. Classes for three weeks cost $30.00 or $12.00 per class. Shall We Dance is moving to the Angel Fire Community Center soon. For more information call Diane at 575-377-2443.
Feds Freeze Funding For Taos Broadband Project
October 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Urgent! Fiber Optic Project Funding Suspended!
We would like to sincerely thank all those that have contacted the Public Regulation Commission (PRC) to support the Enchanted Light Fiber Optic High Speed Internet Project. The PRC has been listening. We need your help again! The PRC will be holding a meeting on Tuesday October 16, 2012 at 9:00 am. We ask all Kit Carson Electric Cooperative (KCEC) members who support economic development in north central New Mexico join us at the meeting.
Wednesday (10/10/12) KCEC received a communication from RUS (Rural Utility Service (Provider of the grant and loan dedicated to the installation of high speed internet service to every home and business in our service territory) suspending future advances of funds for the broadband project. They cite that forming a subsidiary pursuant to the NMPRC order may cause an “adverse material effect” on the project and until this is resolved the project for all intents and purposes is suspended and could be cancelled if the NMPRC continues to push for divestiture. The solution is for the NMPRC to let the (KCEC) board decide the best governance for the broadband and let the board decide if and when a subsidiary is required. We need our members to support the coop and make calls and email to all commissioners ASAP.
A small group of Taosenos is trying to slow down or stop the project. Judging by the literally hundreds of calls we have received from around the Enchanted Circle from people wanting to sign up to be first on the list to be connected to fiber and the hundreds of calls and e-mails received by the PRC in support of the project, we realize these protesters are a small minority. Now, because of your efforts on behalf of economic development in our area, the PRC knows there are many more people that support the project and wish to see it continue.
If the efforts of these interveners are successful they can bring about several consequences including:
- The RUS has wording in their contract with KCEC that stipulates the grant and loan were issued to KCEC and divestiture will be considered to have an “adverse material effect” on the project. We are expected to complete the project or risk having the project stopped and money spent already returned to them.
- The immediate consequences would be:
- The loss of 100 local jobs.
- The loss of 300 future locals jobs as the project continues.
- The repayment of the money that has been expended so far, which amounts to approximately $12 million.
- The loss of $64 million dollars to the local economy. The RUS is prepared to take this money and give it to another community that would not put up barriers to the completion of the project.
- The loss of the best economic development tool for our area since electricity was connected in the 1940’s.
At best the interveners will cause a delay in the project if the PRC does not rule quickly in favor of KCEC at their October 16th meeting. With the importance of fiber optic connection to our local economic development, we need to proceed as quickly as possible.
Here’s how you can help:
- Attend the PRC regular meeting next Tuesday in the PERA Building in Santa Fe and let them know the possible consequences of their actions.
- Pick up the phone or e-mail today and tell the PRC you support the Taos Fiber to the Home project.
PRC Commissioners
Douglas J. Howe
Commissioner – District 3 (Our District)
doug.howe@state.nm.us
1120 Paseo De Peralta
P.O. Box 1269
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504
(505) 827-4533
Patrick H. Lyons (Chair)
Commissioner – District 2
Patrick.Lyons@state.nm.us
1120 Paseo De Peralta
P.O. Box 1269
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504
(505) 827-4531
Jason A. Marks
Commissioner – District 1
Jason.Marks@state.nm.us
1120 Paseo De Peralta
P.O. Box 1269
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504
(505) 827-8015
Ben L. Hall
Commissioner – District 5
Ben.Hall@state.nm.us
Theresa Becenti-Aguilar
Vice Chairman Commissioner – District 4
T.Becenti@state.nm.us
John Montoya
Chief of Staff
John.Montoya@state.nm.us
